013. Everybody Wang CHANG Tonight

I was very surprised by this beer. I was expecting more citrus or spices, but this is a surprisingly bright, cheerful beer. It has pleasant, simple notes that would go well with spicy food. That's appropriate since this particular beer hails from Thailand.

I think this is my first Thai beer, but I could be wrong. I may have had one a few years ago and there is -- I admit -- a slim chance that I may have had this one before. But if so, it was so long ago that I don't remember it at all, so I'm counting it as a "new beer" for the purposes of this blog.

Chang Beer From Thailand Revive exotic passions and rediscover Thai True Balance in your life with Chang Thai Beer. Our genuinely imported, premium Thai beer is synonymous with Thai culture and pride. Chang beer has a sparkling gold appearance and a smooth, crisp taste and is made from the finest quality malt, hops and deep well-water. After the success of Chang beer in Thailand the brand was launched worldwide Now Chang is widely available and exported to countries around the world including UK, USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. It has become established as a symbol of Thai culture amongst discerning beer drinkers. From their Website. Alcohol content: 5%

Let's hit the usual points:

Color: Incredibly bright, light and yellow/gold

Aroma: light, minute hint of hops

Head: Almost none

Lace: Almost none

Carbonation: Light

I like this beer, quite a bit. In fact, it almost tastes like an American beer in its lack of spices and unusual flavors. I like it, and would definitely drink this again, particularly with my next spicy, Thai meal.

I give this 7.5 out of 10.


Another worthwhile review of the brew.
And another here.

PS: One thing I noticed with this beer was just how heavy the danged bottle was. I mean, so much so, that I actually noticed it.  So, I tossed it on my postal scale and compared it to a bottle of Shiner Bock (imagine... I happened to have an empty SB bottle around). The Chang bottle (complete with the elephants on its shiny green label), weighs 11.4 ounces and the Shiner Bock bottle weighs 7.4 ounces. I have no idea why I'm mentioning this, but it just came to mind.

Seasons (egg) Beatings...

I love eggnog. Really.

I know a lot of people split on this particular bottle of holiday cheer, but I really like it. I grew up on the non-alcoholic variety and must admit that I don't have any particular loyalty to any specific brand. As long as it's creamy and has a nice flavor, I'll drink it... usually cold (I know, that's another area where people are split with strong opinions about warm vs. cold).

As an adult, I've mixed my own "adult version" on more than one occassion -- usually with poor results. I never seem to get the alcohol/creaminess ratio quite right. In fact, when i've mixed it poorly, I've even had my share of bellyaches from a bad mix. After that, I've turned to pre-mixed eggnogs... and again, I've had mixed results. Oh, the Pennsylvania Dutch brand is okay, but a bit harsh for my taste, and it certainly doesn't win any points for being creamy. I've also tried another one or two brands (the names elude me because they were not memorable).

This year, however, I was shopping at Randalls in NW Houston and saw a bottle in the wine department (in case you don't know, you cannot buy hard liquor in a grocery store in Texas). It was only $7.99 for a 750 ml bottle, so I tossed it into the basket, right next to the half gallon of Lucern egg nog I'd gotten from the dairy department.

Warninks Eggnog Available around Christmas Until now, all U.S. consumed eggnog that contained alcohol were spirit based, which can lead to a harsh after taste. With Warninks' wine-based old world recipe, a smoth, rich creamy finish is guaranteed to make the holidays memorable. The ultimate Christmas cocktail is several hundred years old and still remains the best holiday treat all over the world.  a European creation from the 17th century, the recipe for eggnog (eggs beaten with sugar, milk or cream and some type of wine or spirits) has travelled well, adapting to local tastes wherever it landed. Historically, there is an indication that wine was widely used instead of the higher proof brandy in many European countries, resulting in a smooth and well balanced taste profile. But when the drink crossed the atlantic, brandy and wine, which where heavily taxed, where replaced by Caribbean Rum as a cost-effective substitute, and more recently by wisky and bourbon, putting a permanent twist on the original recipe. From the Website www.cleverinports.com. Alcohol content: 14%

I love this stuff! It is much smoother than brandy-based eggnogs, and the eggnog itself has a nice, sweet flavor. Now, it's still too thin for my liking, so I mixed it in a 50/50 ratio with the Lucern Eggnog, added a sprinkle of nutmeg, and got the beverage I've been searching years to find!

Over the course of the week before Christmas, I had a full bottle to myself (every evening I'd have a few sips while watching the Grinch and wrapping gifts). I finally picked up another bottle for a Christmas party I was attending, and it was a smash hit. The crowd devoured it and they all complemented it on being smooth and rich (so rich that one guest could only finish half a glass before she said there was just too much sugar for her; next year I think I'll bring some low-fat eggnog for her).

This will definitely be part of my holiday staples list from now on. In fact, the reason I'm listing it here is so I won't forget it next year!

I give this a 9 out of 10 stars.

Merry Christmas - A few of my favorite songs

Here's just a few of my favorite songs that I like to enjoy this time of year. I hop you all enjoy them, too.

The Pogues, "Fairytale of New York"

I'm aware that there are other versions of the songs listed below, but these are my favorite versions.

Dolly Parton, "Hard Candy Christmas"

Barry Manilow & K.T. Oslin, "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Jill Sobule, "Merry Christmas from the Family"

Robert Downey, Jr., "River"

012. Once in a (Winter's) Blue Moon...

I was at a Christmas party earlier tonight, and the hosts served up some delightful libations (along with an awesome array of finger foods): Thanks, Lynn and Root!

One of the beverages on hand was Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale. Now, I've had the regular Blue Moon beer before, and found it to be very drinkable, particularly in the summer), but this is the first I've had of their end-of-year concoction. And I must say, I was very pleased with it.

This Winter's Ale has a very bright, crisp flavor with a hint of caramel, roasted malt and just the right amount of sweetness to make this just the right drink for this, the first night of Winter (yup, I'm writing this on the solstice). The label says it has a "touch of wheat," and I think they're right... it's just a touch. And a nice one, at that.

The color was a very attractive copper color with a tolerable head (I had to be a bit aggressive to get it to form, but when it did it was good). It dissipated at a reasonable speed and has a decent lace.

Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale Available November-January An abbey ale crafted with roasted malts, hint of Belgian sugar, and a touch of wheat. Rich caramel and toffee notes. Pair with hearty stews and chocolate deserts. From their Website. Alcohol content: 5.6%

I was eating this with fairly salty food, and it went very well with meatballs, Thai-inspired chicken, and a variety of crackers and cheeses. It was good enough that I drank three of them at the party, and then on my way home I picked up another six-pack at Wal-Mart for $7.49 (it was a pleasant surprise to see that they had it in stock, as I was in the store doing some last minute Christmas shopping).

This was a very drinkable beer (it must bee, I've had five so far tonight -- spread out over the past six hours), and one of the better "drinking" beers I've had this winter's season. By that, I mean it's one I can sip and not get too much alcohol, nor does it really try too hard, like some of the more floral and spiced ales I've had of late.  This is a respectable Winter's Ale that deserves to be under a few Christmas trees this year.

For taste, I give it a 6: For drinkability, I give it an 8, which gives us an overall rating of 7 out of 10.

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By the way, I love Blue Moon's commercial. I think it's very artistic and I really like the effects they use in it. If you haven't had a chance to see it, check it out their Website.

011. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ale!

Ah, the season is coming, the cat is getting fat (we don't have a goose), and the chilly weather makes me want to sip the bounty of seasonal brews that have hit the stores.

I'm going to be hitting a bunch in short order here (to try to get them in before Christmas, and to catch up on some overdue posts before the end of the year). So, please forgive me if my usual musings meander toward the pith side for a few weeks.

This Friday night finds me with a pair of 12-ounce bottles of Breckenridge Brewery's Christmas Ale. I picked up a six pack before Thanksgiving and have been sipping on it ever since (stuffed it in my stocking at Spec's NW on FM 1960 in Houston for about $8 or $9). Since I'm down to my last two bottles, it's time for the write up.

Before I dive in, though, I'd like to mention the cool, retro label. It's printed on an uncoated paper designed to make it feel old-fashioned. It definitely works, as the main label is almost entirely red and green, printed over a faint canary yellow that gives it a pleasant, charming sense of nostalgia. There's snow on the letters, a wreath around the word "ALE," and it just makes you think of times gone by. There's even a simple crest cast directly into the bottle itself. As far as packaging goes, I give them a solid 10 points.

The first thing I noticed when I popped the top (or should I say, "unwrapped the bottle top"?) was a strong aroma. I must admit, I'm having a hard time placing it because the hops are a bit overpowering, plus there is a strong under-scent of some type of fruit (the guy at this blog said he thought it was raisins, but I'm not so sure). Whatever it is, it is definitely strong.

When poured, the color is wonderful, dark brown with copper undercurrents: It's beautiful to look at. The head is rather weak, though. I hardly got any at all when I poured it (even an aggressive pour doesn't do the job). The head quickly settled to a thin film that did leave a generous lace along the sides of the glass.

This beer has 7.4% ABV, and that alcohol makes itself known from the first sip. It just hits the mouth and says, "Ho, ho, ho, here I come." Then it's the hops I notice -- they're too strong for my liking. As with most other strong ABV beers and ales, they just tend to overdo the hops when they raise the alcohol.

Christmas Ale The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and warming characteristics. Here it is. Breck Brew's Christmas Ale. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire. The ultimate winter warmer. From their Website. Alcohol content: 7.4%

The other flavors are present; I get a nice hint of caramel and of dark chocolate (I got the chocolate on my own, and the fact that it's dark chocolate from their Website). But mostly, it's those hops and the malt I taste. Maybe a hint more spice would make it more to my liking... I'm not sure.

As far as Winter beers go, this is a pretty good one. The alcohol will make it a nice way to take off the chill of the night... as long as its not too cold. All in all, I give it a respectable 6.5 out of 10.

PS: As I popped the top on the second bottle tonight, I decided to go for a SUPER aggressive pour: I just dumped it right into the bottom of the glass. I was surprised that I did, at last, get a respectable head on it (no less than 5 inches!). It receded rapidly, though, as I expected, and tasted a little flat. Of course, that's entirely my fault for pouring it like that, but I just wanted to see what kind of head I would get.

Draft Magazine has a short review online, if you're interested: http://www.breckbrew.com/images/reviews/DRAFTreview_ChristmasAle.pdf

010. This Joker is double wild!

I love the Christmas season, and all the surrounding holidays that accompany it. Food, friends, food, fun... and of course, beer!  The cooler weather puts in the mood to cozy up in my La-Z-Boy recliner, toss a blanket over my feet, and sit back watching Christmas video classics like Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Beyond Tomorrow and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original animated version only, please!). And in my hand, of course, will by one of the festive libations of the season.


These include dark beers, ales, wines, and other flavorful, hearty beverages that defy description, such as  Two Jokers Double-Wit the Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, Missouri. The bottle tactfully avoids using the words "beer" or "ale" to describe itself, and instead refers to it as a "Malt Beverage." Even in the descriptive text (see box below), notice that it uses the word "ale" to describe the type of beverage this is based on, but when it actually refers to itself as a "brew."

I've no idea why they do this (I suppose I could drop them an e-mail and ask...), but I suspect it has something to do with some old laws on the books that require "beer" to include just specific ingredients. As you can see from the text below, this beer definitely goes outside the norm of hops, barley, water and yeast.

Two Jokers Double-Wit They say there are two sides to every story, and that’s certainly true of Two Jokers Double-Wit. On the one hand, it’s a revival of the classic Belgian “wit,” or “white” ale, with lactic fermentation providing a refreshing tartness. On the other hand, it’s a modern, uniquely American brew; big, flavorful, and spiced with cardamom, coriander, orange peel, lavender, and grains of paradise. From their Website. Alcohol content: 8%

The first thing that attracted me to it on the shelf at the Spec's Liquor store in NW Houston (FM 1960 & Cutton Rd.) was the bottle. It was impressive, what with the cork and the cool copper wire holding on the cap. You gotta admit, it's an impressive little bottle. Next was the label, which kinda reminded me of a Menorah, which of course put me in mind of the holiday season (I suspect the blue and gold colors also contributed to those thoughts). The mention of spices on the label was the next thing that attracted me. Whereas I don't usually like spiced beers in the summer or Spring, add a nip to the air and suddenly I'm craving comfort and quiet.

BTW: Houston is in the sub-tropics, so it don't snow here, it stays pretty green. But we do get a damp chill in the air in November (at least we usually do; as I write this on the Monday before Thanksgiving, I have the AC on because we've had very warm weather this month).

But, back to the brew.

The spices mentioned on the label made me think it was a Christmas Ale, so I picked it up (it cost between $7 - $10 for the 1 pint, 9.4 fluid ounce bottle). It was a bit steep, but since it was a seasonal beer in a large bottle, I decided to pay a little more.  Imagine my surprise when I got home and did a little research at the Boulevard Brewing Co.'s Website and discovered that I had gotten the wrong season: This beer was released back in May for the Summer!

Needless to say, I'm glad it took a while for it to mosey over here from Kansas City. Despite its light taste, I would not have enjoyed this brew during the dog days of summer. It's too spicy and has too much citrus for me to enjoy during that time of year (yes, I know that it may seem odd that my tastes change so much based on the weather and the seasons, but they do). 

At last, on to the beer itself

I liked it... a lot. As advertised, it has a nice orange flavor to it, and the spices really come out in a pleasant harmony. There wasn't a single flavor that overpowered the others, particularly when I drank it ice cold. That changed as it warmed; the citrus took over as I let the glass warm until it was in a chilled state. It was still a very good drink, but I definitely preferred it when it was very cold. I did take a sip when it was almost room temperature, but I didn't really like it, as it became more bitter. I am pondering the notion, however, of warming up a glass to see if a hot glass might assume the properties of wine. Because the citrus got stronger the warmer it got, I'm thinking this might be worth exploring.

The color was a pleasant wheat-infused yellow/gold with a cloudy body. The aroma (when ice cold) carried more spices than orange and was very enticing. The head was utterly amazing; it was HUGE, and it actually grew while in the glass! No kidding, it got bigger as it sat there during my photo shoot.

Two-Jokers Double-Wit is a very solid brew that I would be happy to add to my Christmas holiday pantry. It was a bit pricey and has limited availability, but I will definitely be checking out other beers from this great little craft brewery. By the way, remember that label I mentioned? There's a good scan of it at this Website: http://beernews.org/2009/03/boulevard-two-jokers-witbier-on-deck-in-the-smokestack-series/ Go take a look at it and decide if you see a glass of beer or two jokers.

My score: 8 out of 10

009. I like the Ug Pug

The other night I was at my local Randall's grocery store and decided it was another night for some "comfort food." That is to say, I wanted another six pack of Shiner Black. This time they weren't out... they had one sixer left. And they wanted $8 for it! That is more than a bit outrageous. Yes, it's worth it... but no, that's not what I pay for it (the decent price is about $1 a bottle when you buy half a case).  So I went shopping for something else.

I was definitely in the mood for something dark and hefty, so that instantly discounted Foster's and Heineken. I was quickly running out of options (since Randall's was taken over by Safeway, their beer offers have definitely gotten more banal and mainstream). But I did see one new face looking out at me... and what an ugly face it was. It was the face of Rahr & Sons' Ugly Pug Black Lager.

A good friend of mine happens to have a pug named Dexter, and the mug on this mutt on the label definitely reminded me of him. So, I decided to pay the $8 for a six pack of something new, dark, and (hopefully) not-too-ugly.

Having a six pack to play with, I decided to drink it as I would any other beer. That is to say, I poured it into a glass, took a sniff and drank it while watching TV. I didn't spend time photographing it or make more than the most cursory of observations. I did notice that I liked it and that it had a mild head coupled with a deep, dark robust flavor that really let the malt come through. In other words, I enjoyed it while catching up on my daily dose of Law & Order.

I also noticed that slightly chalky taste I sometimes get in micro brews. It's not bad, necessarily, but it is there. It's not as bad as some of the other brews I've had, though, and I definitely don't count it as a major negative to my enjoyment of this beer.

My second and third impressions (when I can, I tend to enjoy two bottles in a sitting, which runs about an hour, or the amount of time it takes to discover the crime and bring the perp to trial) were similar, but I did take more time to savor the beer, observe the head (there was almost none) and ponder what I was drinking. I also got a bit daring on the photo: note how I swapped the glass and bottle in this one (haven't done that for a while, so revel in my rebel attitude while it lasts). This particular photo does do justice to the dark, rich color of this beer. It's not the blackest beer I've ever seen, but it certainly likes to swallow up the light that tries to pass through it. I suspect that may have something to do with the hint of chocolate I detect in the beer (they mention coffee, but to be honest, I don't get that flavor from it).

Rahr & Sons: Ugly Pug Ugly Pug is a schwarzbier, or black lager. But the real story is its name - Fritz Rahr saw his mother-in-law’s pug, Oscar, lounging on a chair and he shouted, “What an ugly pug!” Everyone laughed. You’re right, they were brewing a test batch that night. Unlike most dark beers that are often described as “heavy” or “chewy”, Rahr’s Ugly Pug has a surprisingly light body. Reviewers have been vocal about how happy they are to have a dark beer that’s easy to drink on even the hottest Texas summer days. We’ve even heard people refer to Pug as “nirvana in a bottle” because it combines their three favorite flavors, coffee, hints of chocolate, and of course BEER! From their Website. Alcohol content: 4.5%

Despite the short head, I really like this black lager (although it does have a decent lace). It's has a strong taste of malt and just the right amount of hops for a faint, bitter under-taste. I really like this beer and it is only the second one that I've tried so far that could find its way into my regular beer drinking habits. I can't picture it taking the place of Shiner Black, but I could definitely picture a cold winter where a three dog night would be a pleasant thing if this Ugly Pug was the dog in question.

I'm giving it 8.5 out of 10.