klausedrinksbeer

Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale

2009-12-05T23:43:00.000-08:00

Well if you have known fine beer, then there is a fair chance that you have known a Samuel Smith's or two or three in your life. I discovered them quite early in my early twenties, thanks to the dirty hippies I knew who valued good beer as much as good bud.
The folks at The Old Brewery Tadcaster brew at a small, traditional British brewery which is the oldest in Yorkshire. They have but one sole U.S. agent which they ship through, and large horses are utilized to take deliveries from the brewery five days a week. Wow.
This is the first Sammy Smith that I have drank in a while, and I think that has to do with the fact that they had nothing to prove to me anymore. I knew years ago that they make exceptional beers, and as I have said before; I like to sample new things. It's not to say that they are 'old hat' or anything, but their quality has always been reliable, and therefor I had nothing to lose by buying their product. Always a win-win, just as this fine, limited Winter Welcome Ale is!
This brew has a mild amber colour, and is being brewed for a very limited run. It has an almost velvet-like maltiness, but I won't talk about the fuggles because I still do not understand what they are and the label is flippantly reminding me of that. I'm just some guy, why can't those limeys just accept that?
Smooth and clear, this is another fine beer! It has a % of alc/vol of 6%, and it was purchased for a pretty penny at Friar Tuck in a four pack of 20 oz bottles.
Let me take one more gulp and give it a rating.

(GULP)

An amazing 7.5 out of 10!! Just a little hoppy too, hippie!

Shiner-Holiday Cheer

2009-12-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

PROSIT!

Shiner and I have a strange history. I first heard of Shiner on an album by the mostly German-speaking band FSK, whom no-freggin'-body has heard of apparently. The band was produced by the lead singer of Cracker, Dave summinorother. They had a song simply titled 'Shiner Song', which (in German) told of a trip they took to the small Texas town of Shiner, which is home to the "Little Brewery" that produces Shiner beer. I found the album for $2 in a bargain bin in a store somewhere outside out Orlando, Fl with a handwritten label on the case that read "scary right wing polka stuff". Years later, I dated a girl from Houston, TX and we took a trip down there to visit her mum, and more importantly NASA. On that trip, I imported two meager six-packs back to MO. Soon after, Shiner was available in many stores in the St. Louis area; obviously my doing.
Why this long, boring story? An effort to relate the soft-spot in my heart that Shiner has!
This Shiner-Holiday Cheer is the fourth flavour of Shiner that I have ever tried. It has a dark amber color, and is an extremely clear beer. NO CLOUDY HERE, not that there is anything wrong with that. Easy to drink all night long (all night), it has a strange malty-fruitiness that I only seem to find in specifically Christmas beers. In this case, I am betting that it has to do with the peaches and pecans that it was brewed with! Why add those things? Because it's an X-Mas beer you small-minded Grinch!!
The label claims that this dark wheat ale is an Old World Dunkelweizen, and frankly I believe 'em. I also forgot to mention that the name of the brewery is in fact the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, TX 77984. Yes, SPOETZL, and every drop of Shiner is brewed in Shiner. I did not need to travel to TX to acquire this six-pack of 12 oz. bottles, I only had to go to Friar Tuck. Price; $7.99, I think. Reasonable.
I (once again) do not know the %alc/vol, but it seems like a 5-6%. At any rate, heed Spoetzl's advice and give one to someone you love. This dandy is getting a 6.5 out of 10! Tis the season for Cheer, and I love this beer!

p.s. the cap made me giggle, as it reads; From Shiner, To You.

Samuel Adams-Octoberfest

2009-12-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

So, now that things a relatively back in order, lets get back to work! Too many lonely beers are living in my fridge, and it is high time that I kill them. Lets see what I can get done tonight. Again, sorry for the huge delay in postings.
I have one autumn beer left, and then we can move on to the many winter/Christmas brews that are stockpiled. Samuel Adams Octoberfest is that last autumn seasonal, and it is brewed by the Boston Beer Company. They have breweries in Boston, MA, Cincinati, OH, and Breinigville, PA. I think that I bought this at Schnuck's in Florissant, MO for a Halloween party the wife and I were having. I can not tell you the alc/vol %, because the bastards did not print it on the label. They did bother to say that it was brewed with a blend of five malts and Noble hops. Why are the hops Noble? I dunno. Maybe they hold doors open for women and donate money to the United Way. You can call the Boston Beer Company and ask them at 1-800-661-2337.
Anyway, this lager has a medium amber color, and a pleasant aroma. There is a not-too maltyness that drinks smooth and easy. No bite, so you wimps don't need to worry. I guess none of us need to worry really, as I doubt by this date (Dec. 5th) that you can even find it stocked in most stores. On a scale of 1-10, I'm giving it a 6.5. Not too shabby, fun and easy to drink!

Sorry, you four.

2009-12-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

My appologies to the four of you who are following this blog. I had a few computer issues, then some mum in the hospital issues. Now the only issues I have are the 20+ varieties of beer in my fridge! Not an issue you say? I don't think my wife would aggree.
Maybe if I had a bit of regularity to this blog, I would get a few more followers. My thanks to the quad that I do have. Thank you for taking half a minute to take a look!! Love ya's!

Dixie Brewing Co-Blackened Voodoo Lager

2009-11-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

This 'all malt' brew is a pretty dark one. Darker than a Newcastle, but not too much flavor to make it gross. In fact I think it is quite yummy, and at a reasonable price, I would be inclined to buy it again. I don't often say that about a beer, simply because there are so very many beers out there that I feel compelled to try new shit all the time. This one has a good replay value!
I must tell you that the Dixie Brewing Co. is in fact NOT brewing this bier currently. In fact, it is being brewed in Monroe, WI by the Joseph Huber Brewing Co. Before you freak out and cry 'FOUL!', let me elaborate by ripping off the info on the neck label; The century-old Dixie Brewery was almost destroyed by hurricane Katrina. Restoration of the brewery is underway, but in the meantime the Dixie Brewery is getting by with a little help from their friends. Nice. Kind of brings a tear to my eye that they didn't just die off entirely. I also find it ironic that I basically accidentally bought another WI beer. What is it with that state's beer, and me buying it on accident?
Anyway, the % alc/vol is 5%, and I bought it at Bombay Liquor on First Capitol in St. Charles, MO. I give this a rating of 7.5 out of 10, and I love you.

Schlafly-Dry Hopped APA

2009-11-07T22:32:00.000-08:00

So, I have a need to crank out the next several posts in quick succession. If you are wondering why, it is because I have eight or nine different types of beer in my fridge, and no doubles, and I want to drink them. Also, I want to drink them now! So, lest get to work!
I have been a bit neglectful in the past week about creating new posts, and I am certainly overdue for a Schlafly. So now I bring you Schlafly Dry Hopped APA. The neck label says that it is a Dry Hopped APA Ale, so I guess that makes it an American pale ale ale. Like an automatic teller machine machine.
Made with American hops, this beer was bottled with love on July 13, 2009. This beer, once finished, has hops added directly to it to boost the flavor. The beer is amber colored, and when you look at it closely you can see quite a bit of particulates floating about. It is a tasty beverage, that has a strong, but not overwhelming taste, and you should rush out and drink it all up everywhere you go. Recommended for the hop lover, I give it an 8 out of ten. Now rush off to Schnuck's or somewhere else and buy it all up!

Rinkuskiai-Lobster Lovers Beer

2009-10-30T00:48:00.000-07:00

I think that the reasons that I bought this single bottle of beer are obvious. It clearly and proudly states it is 9.5% alc/vol, and there is a naked lady on the bottle with a giant lobster on her back. Is the lobster a metaphor for an addiction to alcohol that she carries with her, one that she cannot break because she loves this beer so? I doubt it, but maybe that's how they do things in Lithuania. Did I mention this beer is from Lithuania? I did now.
This beer has a bit of a bite. Maybe it was sitting in the cooler for a few years before I got to it. Maybe I'm just a pussy. Either way, drinking this is going to take a bit of inner strength.
All the info I can gleen from the bottle is that it is imported and distibuted by a company is South Carolina, brewed and bottled by Rinkuskiai, Lithuania, and I think they were established in 1991. The bier seems to be a lager or pilsner, and has a depth of flavor. It has a kind of earthy taste to it. I don't taste hops. I don't taste malt. It's not citrus. What is that, lobster juice in there? I KID! At a mere $2.99 a bottle, they can't afford to put lobster juice in there! Don't be silly.
Lobster Lovers Beer is pungent and potent, and I probably will not buy it again ever. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad beer. Drinkable, yes. Novelty, also yes. Good for one try, and then you can say that you did that thing. Lucky for me that it was just one bottle! I give it a 4.5/10 on my silly scale. Do lobsters have scales? No, those are probably exoskeletons. Nevermind then!

Two Brews from MO;Tin Mill-Maibock & Bud Light-Golden Wheat

2009-10-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

First we have Maibock from Tin Mill Brewing Co. I really wanted to like this beer, even before I opened it. Maybe that's because (for me) it is a local underdog, what having A-B, Schlafly and Boulevard all in the same state it could be easy to not get noticed. Lucky, I did pay attention and was very pleased with this brew. A fairly malty beer, it was smooth and pleasant with a slightly dark colour and very little backlash on your taste buds. A beer that you can quickly get into, and drink with some swiftness if you so desired.
Although I can't tell you the % alc/vol, I can tell you that it is brewed by Tin Mill Brewing Company out of Hermann, MO. The brewery is located in a 100 year old historic tin mill in downtown Hermann, and they claim to be the only true lager microbrewery in Missouri.
I bought this single bottle in a mix a six at Friar Tuck, where good people should go to drink good beer. Let's give it a 7/10 on the Klause-o-meter.

Now we have Bud Light-Golden Wheat. If you know me, then this beer was doomed before I ever knew I was going to buy it. I have a strong dislike for A-B's products, and their cocky image in general. Their products are super-low brow, and cater to the most common denominator;idiots with no taste. Still, it is beer, so lets move on for now.
I have no pic of the bottle, but just go to anywhere that beer is sold and you can take a look for yourself, as A-B is pushing this crap all over the damn place. Actually, it's better that regular Bud-Light by a fraction. Super-duper golden light color, so at least they got the name of the beer right. Drinks like water, and tastes like.............somebody poured BL into a glass that had just a bit of Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat in the bottom of it.
This beer is crapever, but if your at a party and someone offers you one, take it. Drink it, and tell them how very unimpressive it is. Then, do the same with their BL w/ lime! I give this beer a 2.5 out of 10.

Newcastle-Brown Ale

2009-10-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

This is Newcastle, the One and Only! Like it or die trying! This is one of the most perfect beers EVER, dark brown and yummy. It cures thirst, it cures hunger, bygod I bet it could rid us of war if we just spread enough of it around! Why am I talking up this seemingly modest beer? I can't put my finger on it. It is my go-to beer. The beer I want when things need perking up. My comfort beer. A delicious beer that I can knock back with joy and swiftness.
Imported from England, and brewed by Newcastle Federation Breweries LTD., Dunston, England. The backside of the bottle always lists some trivia-like detail of the beer's past. Also, strangely, the bottle is clear, something you really only see in cheap american beers. Newcastle Brown Ale is fine and dandy straight out of the bottle, but I poured it in a glass for you anyway. Heck, I remember enjoying it warm on one or two occasions.
I do not know the %alc./vol, but I do know that you should pick up a twelve-pack and tear through it in 3-4 hours, because that is a delightful thing to do. This proud and modest beer gets an 8/10 in my book. In my book, he's OK.

Three beers from Wisconsin;Burly Brown-Brown Ale,Miller-High Life,Berghoff-Sundown Dark Beer

2009-10-24T01:52:00.000-07:00

Alrighty then, lets kill three beers with one post! Why WI? Well, when I recently mixed a six, I didn't take notice of the brewery's location really, and it just so happened that two of them hailed from the dairy state. As for the Miller High Life, well thats usually around the house anyway.

Burly Brown-Brown Ale- I don't have too too much information about this one. It's produced by the James Page Brewing Co. of Stevens Point, WI 54481. I believe that this can be bought at Friar Tuck, where dreams come true. I could just repeat the limited bit of info on the label that describes the beer, but that would not be trying very hard. I cannot tell you the % of alc./vol, but what I can tell you is that this is a smoth, american brown ale. It has a rich flavor, nominal after taste, and it is just a friendly, easy drink. I like it, but why wouldn't I like a brown ale? Lets give it a 7/10 on my pretensious scale. It's not Newcastle good, but it something I would consider buying again. Sorry for the Newcastle comparisons, but it's kind of my go-to beer. A comfort beer.

Miller-High Life- It's Miller. It's High Life. It's my favorite cheap beer. I buy it often, because if I bought great beer all the time, I would be broke. I took a photo of it poured in a glass, but it in no way deserves a glass. High Life is a bottle beer for sure. Or a can. I'm just saying that it does not need to be gussied-up, and any effort to do so will needlessly dirty a glass.
The Champagne of Beers contains no additives or preservatives. It is Union made in Milwaukee, WI, and has been brewed for over 100 years. High Life has always had a sincere blue-collar image to me, yet it projects just the right amount of class at the same time. The color is light, as HL is a golden lager, and the smell is what you would expect; cheap beer! I gotta be honest though, I can drink the hell out of this beer. Maybe it's a aquired taste, but I find them smooth and easy to guzzle. I don't buy this beer to savor it, I buy it to pound some. I do not know the % alc/vol, but I could call Miller at 1-800-miller6 and find out. Or perhaps I could visit their website at millerhighlife.com
3-10 for this old friend. Where did I purchase this? At QT, OC!

Berghoff-Sundown Dark Beer- This is certainly the darkest of these three, and the most disappointing. The taste of what I believe is chocolate malt is stiff, but goes away quickly. The thing is that this beer tastes strong, but does not have enough flavor to match it's strength. Does that make sense? Too bad.
I don't like this beer. Plain-ish label, no %alc./vol listed. No contact info, except to say 'Berghoff Brewery-Monroe, Wisconsin'. Also the cap says 'Since 1845', while the neck label says 'Since 1887'! I'm not going to drive up there to find out which is which, because I am done with this half-assed beer. Bought in a mix a six at Friar Tuck, who should know better than to stock this crap. 4/10 is the grade for this' Midwest Tradition of craft brewing'. BLAH!

Flying Dog-Double Dog- Double Pale Ale

2009-10-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Now here we have a true beer drinker's beer! I know, I sound like a jerk, but I do love Flying Dog Brewery, and this beer is a strong MF. At 11.5% alc./vol. this ale may at first seem like too much. If that's the case, then go back to your Mich Ultra and Natty Light, because you know dick about beer! Just pull the blanket back over your head, and pretend that those scary, REAL beers don't exist. Pansy. I'll go get your mommy for you.

The late great Hunter S. Thompson is quoted on each and every bottle (well before his untimely suicide), and I like to think that counts as a seal of approval. Permission was granted during his life. Hell, Ralph Stedman does artwork for the label! Look at the photo and believe!

This is a strong beer, and expensive. I think I paid $11.99 for a four pack at Friar Tuck, where sober people go to stop being as such. This ale is more than full-bodied, it is potentially life changing. Full of flavor, full of hops, and none too bitter for the palate. I like strong beer, and this is a fun one. A 9/10, YOU PANSY!

Brewed by Flying Dog Brewery, Denver, CO and under special agreement, Frederick, MD.
Look 'em up at;
flyingdogales.com

New Belgium-Hoptober Golden Ale

2009-10-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

So, Hoptober huh? Well maybe New Belgium was trying to make sure the hops were not overwhelming, but the hops are barely noticable. This is a fine beer, I just think that the name is a wee bit off. I can taste the hops a bit, and there is a mild citrus flavor. It is smooth and medium bodied, and New Belgium has never really disappointed me. They make fine beers, and this is one of them, but it should apply for a name change. Did you know that New Belgium recently started producing Fat Tire inna can? Hoo-rah, a GOOD beer to take on float trips!
Back to the Hoptober Golden Ale; Alc. is 6% by volume, and I give it a 6/10 on my silly beer scale.
New Belgium would love for you to come by for a tour.They are located at 500 Linden, Fort Collins, CO. 80524. Call 'em at (888)NBB-4044, or visit their website;
newbelgium.com

p.s. i just burped this beer, and NOW i taste the hops!

Magic Hat-Roxy Rolles Autumn Seasonal

2009-10-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the first thing I've noticed is the aroma. Hoppy. Me likey hoppy. This brew is flavorful, full bodied, and has a color similar to Newcastle (though the photo may fool you). At 5.1% alc./volume, this beer is just one more thing to come out of Vermont for me to love. The Magic Hat Brewing Company of South Burlington, Vermont claims that this is an amber ale, but it seems more ike a brown ale to me. Maybe someday I will learn the difference!
I give it a 7/10 on the irrelevant Klause beer scale. I purchased this single bottle as part of a make your own six pack at Friar Tuck, where thirst goes to die.
You can find Magic Hat at;
Magichat.net
This would be a link, but blogspot is hatin' on me.

Red Hook-Late Harvest-Autumn Ale

2009-10-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

Lets just keep looking at seasonals, shall we? The fine folks at Red Hook have been making liquid goodness since 1982, and this autumn seasonal is not an exception to that rule. Yes, it's a rule!
This is an easy and rewarding drink. It was a 12fl. oz. bottle, with 5.9% alc.by Volume. It was brewed by Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth, NH.
The colour is kinda darkish, and I give it a 6/10. Not too shabby. Yes, 'kinda darkish' is a technical industry term. Look it up.
I bought this single bottle as part of a "make your own six pack" at Friar Tuck, a nice place that I would like to live at.

Schlafly Oktoberfest

2009-10-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

This being my first entry, I thought that I would start with a fine seasonal from a local brewery. Not to just rip of the info on the neck label, but this is a malty, full-bodied beer. It has a fairly dark color and it is a lager in the style of a Marzen. If you are a St. Louis area resident who like good beer, then you probably already love Schlafly and their variety of fine brews. This beer was bottled with love on Aug 17th 2009 I don't know the alcohol % on this. Maybe you could find out by contacting www.schlafly.com
This batch was purchased at a local bigger box store. Cost......something.
Brewed and bottled by The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri.
I love this beer, and I give it an 8/10!