Beer Reviews – Page 13 – Drews Brews Reviews

Episode 13 – Southern Tier – Fuse Box

Posted on July 15, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

Episode 13 of Drew’s Brews Reviews is here! The beer review show you never knew you wanted and no one needs. I mix it up this episode by trying the “concept case” from Southern Tier called the Fuse Box. Southern Tier is essentially repackaging three of their standard beers and asking its customers to blend them together to create various concoctions. The cynical among us might see this a marketing gimmick, but I toss that aside and put my taste buds on the line by mixing an IPA, Ale, and roasty Porter with tasty results. And yes, I freakin’ nailed that pun about “mixing it up” before you even knew it was a pun. BOOM!

Ep 14 — Firestone 17th Anniversary Beer (Maybe — Footage is Blurry)

Continue reading “Episode 13 – Southern Tier – Fuse Box” →

Kiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest Extra High (XH) Review

Posted on July 14, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Style: Belgian Strong Dark/Brown
ABV: 8%
Cost: $6.50 (12oz)
Glassware: Snifter, Tulip
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Year-Round
Purchased@: State Line Liquors

Quick Take: An inoffensive, but merely ok beer that doesn’t wow. For me, it’s a pretty simple, slightly bland beer that isn’t worth the money. The sake aging doesn’t add enough to justify the expense, even for craft heads.

→Full Review

Evolution Brewing – Lot 6 Review

Posted on July 5, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Evolution Craft Brewing
Style: DIPA
ABV: 8.5%
Cost: $3.29 (12oz)
Glassware: Tulip
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Various Times
Purchased@: Brass Rail

Quick Take: I would place this firmly in the average category. That nice, toasty resin aroma is delectable and the taste is balanced, but it isn’t enough to overcome this pedestrian DIPA’s shortcomings. The lack of assertive qualities or identity makes this a boring beer. Nothing for the fresh hop heads or bright citrus pine nuts out there to get excited about, but you can do far worse.

→Full Review

Fat Head’s Brewery – Head Hunter IPA Review

Posted on June 30, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Fat Head’s Brewery
Style: IPA
ABV: 7.5%
Cost: $6.00 (12oz)
Glassware: Tulip, Spiegelau
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Year Round
Purchased@: Capone’s Bottle Shop

Quick Take: This is like a battle between East and West Coast IPAs with the bitter, hoppy East winding up victorious. I normally like my IPAs to have a better fruit/malt presence with balanced bitterness, but I can’t fault the bitter-is-better crowd if this is one of their favs. For me, a solid IPA that I will have again any time, but at $6 a bottle, I won’t be going out of my way to add this to my regular drinking beers.

→Full Review

Firestone Walker – Velvet Merkin Review

Posted on June 19, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Firestone Walker
Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 8.5%
Cost: $4 (5oz)
Glassware: Snifter
Temp: 50°F
Availability: September
Purchased@: Capone’s Restaurant (Philly Beer Week)

Quick Take: What this lacks in complexity, and it is definitely lacking, it makes up for in lightness and drinkability. This is a well-blended beer that integrates the bourbon to enhance the base beer without overrunning it. Just temper your expectations, especially if your reference point for dark and delicious Firestone beers is the rich, boozy and complex Parabola.

→Full Review