Holiday Beer Reviews

Welcome one and all! I have brought a two part holiday review for your delight. I have still seen both on shelves and highly recommend them. Liquor World on Preston Highway had them as recent as yesterday. Without further ado, let's dive in:

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus

This is labeled a Christmas Porter, though it has more in common with a Black IPA. The nose is diverse and pungent with a variety of aromas. Grass, white chocolate, milk chocolate, fudge, and red grapefruit were immediately apparent. Then I got lighter notes of lemon zest, black pepper, and burnt toast. It certainly started off with a bang. The rest of the beer is solid and good but not exceptional. It starts out with a hint of bitterness accompanied by flavors of grass, black pepper, lemon pith, and chocolate milk. Those flavors would have been phenomenal, however they seemed a bit watered down. The finish lightened up a bit with flavors of burnt toast and dark chocolate. This was certainly a great beer, but previous years have been better.

Mike's Rating - 9.25/10

Stone Enjoy By 12/26/14

I sampled this one on Christmas Day and was a bit worried it wouldn't hold up. However, to my immense surprise and satisfaction, it not only held up well but was exceptional. The nose starts out with strong aromas of lemon zest, pine, lavender, and other floral notes. Lighter hints of green onions and raspberries also crop up. The taste starts out exceptionally bitter with a smack of fresh pine and lemon zest. It also had a bit of herbal funk to it. The finish had the bitterness lingering and included flavors of lemon pith, toast, and perfume. This beer remained exceptionally hoppy even after the date started to creep ever closer. It makes me wonder how good it was fresh off the bottling line.

Mike's Rating - 9.75/10

Need A Problem Solved? Try This Beer!

Apparently a beer has been invented to help you achieve a buzz that sparks the creative spirit and help you solve problems and tackle projects. Sounds like we all could use this beer.

Beer Review - Samuel Adams Merry Mischief (2 Years Aged)

Tis' the season for Spiced Ales, and I brought a doozy out of my cellar. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief is no longer made, so don't look for it on shelves...Well, not until Samuel Adams inevitably brings it back. This Spiced Stout was always one of my favorite Sam Adams Winter Seasonals. Take that for what it is. Upon pouring a glass I noticed that the nose has diminished and changed. In fact, it smelled strongly of bourbon and oak with only the faintest hints of nutmeg and ginger. The taste didn't start out fantastic either with only mild flavors of cocoa powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The finish managed to make up for some of the beginnings with a dry finish with hints of fudge brownies and dark chocolate. I don't think age helped this one at all.

Mike's Rating - 7.5/10

Mike's Beer Blog 2.0

Welcome friends!

Mike's Beer Blog 2.0 is a new take on the former blog. I felt it was time to get an address that represented myself instead of a company. I plan on tweaking this website from time to time until it becomes exactly what I want. In the meantime I will provide reviews of beers I have picked up and any news I come across. Look for new and exciting features for the blog as they come to me and feel free to email me at MRausch13@hotmail.com with any ideas that you have.

Thanks,

Michael Rausch
Beer Enthusiast

P.S. I am transferring the last few posts that represented me on the former blog. Look for those as well.

2nd Beer Review - Green Flash Green Bullet

Tonight is a personal favorite and one that has really caught on with all hops lovers. I decided to partake of Green Flash Green Bullet. This DIPA is packed full of flavor without being a bitter bomb. The nose is beautiful with hints of lemon zest, orange juice, apricots, and cut grass. It certainly sets the tone for the adventure ahead. The taste starts out slightly bitter with flavors of lemon zest, pine, and perfume. The finish is smooth leaving just the lingering taste of lemon pith and cut grass. I remember more tropical fruit on last years edition. However, I am tasting a few week old bottle in a glass vs. fresh off the tap in a tasting cup. Still, it was good enough to bring a smile of bliss to my face.

Mike's Rating - 8.75/10

1st Beer Review - Founders Breakfast Stout

I am starting off simple here as it has been a while since I've done these. Yet the ebb and flow seemed to come back to me pretty quickly. Today I tasted Founders Breakfast Stout, a Winter favorite of mine. This years edition is drinking particularly well. The nose isn't as pungent as I would want it, but aromas of roasted coffee and cocoa were certainly present. The taste started off with bitter coffee grounds and a hint of espresso. That quickly lightened up with succulent flavors of dark chocolate, chocolate milk, and cream. It paired quite well with the spicy chili I made tonight.

Mike's Rating - 9/10

Craft Brewers Sue the State of Texas

Who would have thought my first real beer post would involve the Longhorn State? Not only does this seem unconstitutional, but it almost seems as if the State of Texas legalized stealing. Read it here and see if you agree with me.

New Blog

(Transferred from the Original Blog)

Greetings Gals & Gents,

I guarantee none of you thought you would see me post on this blog again. Though I did sorta give it life and poured love into it when I could. Anyways, you all are probably wondering why I am posting something here. After all, this blog has been MIA since Baker effectively killed every bit of fun at the growler wall in St. Matthews. No matter, I have been visiting the lovely Springhurst Store in the Springhurst Towne Center off Westport Road. They still offer friendly faces and tasty samples. That is when it occurred to me that I should start my own blog.

Start my own blog? Yes, you read that correctly. I have decided to start my own beer blog and post beers that I am excited for, things that I have tasted and their ratings, and just beer news in general. Heck, I might even throw some other things in for variety. I haven't yet decided if I will spit in the face of adversity and keep the same web address or if I will link you all to a new blog. Once I get that sorted out I will post it on here.

I hope some of you will keep reading this, but if not that is cool too. I am determined to keep writing up this blog for my own sake. I can't help it, I miss the damn girl. Yes, my blog is a girl. Deal with it. Wait...Did I just say damn? Shit fuck...Hey! I don't have to be PG anymore! Wee! Now, mind you I don't plan on cussing like an English sailor, but it will be nice to not worry about whether my opinions or descriptions are being gone over with a fine-tooth comb.

Anyways, I hope to hear from a few of you. Feel free to hit me up via my personal/business email at MRausch13@hotmail.com, or even at LiquorBarnLetters@gmail.com. I check both regularly and hope at least some of you all will enjoy this blog as much as I will writing it.

Thanks,

Michael Rausch