Beer Review: Southern Star Brewing Company – Buried Hatchet Stout
Jun0
A yummy stout!
Amount of brew in can: 12 fluid ounces
ABV: 8.25%
Type of brew: Stout
Price: ~$9 (for a four-pack)
What I really want to say about this stout is it is one of the best stouts I have tasted, ’nuff said.
But, you probably want to hear my opinion as to why I think that. I have had this stout a few times and it has been good every time (yay! for consistency). When you pour it you can definitely notice the malt that they put into the can it is pretty overpowering. Kind of like hops can be easily noticed in certain IPAs during a pour. This is like many craft beers it gets better when it is not straight out of the fridge, the can says 55 degrees but I just know it is better when it is warms up 
. The beer is not too sweet but still has some sweetness to it, it has a little bit of a bitter finish too it so it doesn’t stay super sweet like a barrel-aged stout. So, why do I think this is a great stout compared to other stouts? Probably because it has just the right mixture for me of sweetness, flavor, body and finish. Some stouts come off rather bland to me, others just try to over power you. Now, do I think this is the best stout in the world? No, I am not that arrogant I am sure there are better ones. Is this a good consistent one that I can drink over and over and still enjoy it? You betcha!
Of course with anything there are some things I don’t like. The ABV is a bit high for me to drink multiple ones in a day. And as far as I can tell it is only a midwest beer so my left-coast friends don’t know what they are missing .
The good: A mighty fine stout that I think anyone should try at least once
The bad: Can be hard to find
Beer Review: Real Ale – Sisyphus 2008
May0
Oh how I love a good Barleywine!
Amount of brew in bottle: 12 fluid ounces
ABV: ~10%
Type of brew: Barley Wine
Price: ~$5
Recently me and the wifey migrated down to Texas. We were a bit worried about the beer situation in Texas since it is known for not having that great of beer. Even though the beer situation isn’t as good as Seattle we do not have to resort to drinking Budweiser. Although it would be nice to have a few good brewpubs at least it will cut down on our expenses . Anyways, today I am reviewing a Barleywine style ale from Real Ale Brewing company based out of Blanco, Texas. These guys know how to brew beer! All of the beers I have had from them have been pretty good. This barleywine isn’t as sweet as many of the barleywines I have had but on a hot day that is a good thing! It has a smooth caramel color and smells very slightly of hops. When you take a drink of the beer it is a little thicker than a normal beer (go figure) and has an initial sweet taste followed by a hint of bitterness.
Overall this beer is a very approachable barleywine. I am always hesitant to recommend barleywines to people but this is one I would for sure. Many barleywines are kind of like IPAs either you like them or you don’t but I feel this one is very approachable. So, if you are ever in Texas or see this one sitting on a shelf make sure to pick up a bottle and give it a try.
The good: a very easy drinking barleywine
The bad: Limited supplies
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