Day 2: Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA

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Style: IPA
ABV: 5.6%


What I was doing while I drank it
Trying to make myself work on a really boring thing I’ve been avoiding all week and making up dumb songs about what I was doing.

Reactions and Insights
This has suddenly started appearing on taps in my area, so I’ve had it before. And it’s good. It’s not outstanding, but it’s balanced enough to please my constant craving of hops while staying pretty light. I’m not going to claim to have experienced any of the things people on Beer Advocate are saying about it, like that it has a “caramel, mango and minty balance on the nose.” All I’ll say is it’s pretty much what I want from the beer I have after work (or during work, whatever).

Would I drink a case of it? 
Yes.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
No.

Beth’s Grade
7.5

Objective Grade
7.0

Label Notes
It used to look like this so it seems they have recently redesigned it. The new design is an improvement, and while I don’t really like the elements on their own—the edgy hand-drawn font, the “twisted thistle” hipster cartoon dude—I feel like as a whole it works. That shade of purple is nice and uncommon.

Label Grade
7.5

Day 1: Brooklyn Brewery Insulated Dark Lager

day_01

Style: Dark Lager
ABV: 5.6%


What I was doing while I drank it
Working. Sitting. Living the life of a person who drinks while working and sitting. A healthy and exciting life!

Reactions and Insights
I’m happy that Chris started me off with something wintry. This is a solid, cozy beer, really dark and drinkable. It’s got a little bite to it in the background, kind of like crispy burnt pizza crust.

Would I drink a case of it? 
Yes.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
I would like to say yes, but I’m not in the spirit yet. It certainly didn’t hurt. I’ll get there.

Beth’s Grade
8.5

Objective Grade
8.5

Label Notes
Brooklyn Brewery has a decent standard label template, and the blue and orange work nicely here. It’s a successful if uninspiring label.

Label Grade
7

2015 Edition Countdown Starts Now!

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Hello, and welcome to the 2015 Edition of the Beer Advent Calendar Zone!! We’re very excited to have you here with us again this year. We don’t know about you, but I for one sure am excited to try out all of the great varieties of beer in store for us this year! I always say who knows what the future holds in store for us. But I think we can safely say it holds beer!!

Beer Advent Calendar Zone would not be made possible without the sponsorship of our dear friend and all-around great guy Christopher S., a beer, cycling, and telescope aficionado who once again generously offered his support this year after creating the calendar for the first time in 2014.

So don’t touch that dial! Please stay tuned for the 2015 Beer Advent Calendar Zone. We’ll meet you back in the zone in …

2 DAYS!!

Thanks again!

Beer Advent Calendar: Day 25

Day-25

Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin’ Christmas

ABV: 7.8%
Style: Imperial IPA


Yes! A Surprise Bonus Beer
Andy and I visited Chris and Antje the day after Christmas, and Chris informed me that he had one more bottle and that we were going to share it. Fortunately it was a 750ml bottle.

Reactions and Insights
This was excellent and I wished there had been another bottle to share. It was hoppy but pretty light for an IPA and very tasty. I’d say it had a kind of complex fruity flavor, but that makes it sound weird. It was balanced and delicious, and in the moment of drinking it I felt like it was one of the best beers I’d ever had.

I hadn’t been familiar with Mikkeller prior to this project, and I’m very glad to have been able to sample a bunch of its offerings. I’ll be seeking them out in the future. We are really living in a beer heyday, aren’t we? Lucky us.

Would I drink a case of it? 
Yes.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
Yes. I drank it while hanging with Matilda and Neil, admiring Chris and Antje’s Christmas tree, and playing Atari with Andy, Chris, and Antje. Good times with good people.

Beth’s Grade
10

Objective Grade
9

Label Notes
The label actually looked better in person than it does here. I like the somewhat unskilled drawing and the flat colors; it works with their kind of lame logo. Overall it’s cute and festive. 8/10

Beer Advent Calendar: Day 24

Day-24

Duvel Triple Hop 2014

ABV: 9.5%
Style: Belgian IPA


Reactions and Insights
This truly is one of the world’s best beers. If you’ve never had it, go out and get yourself some. Or at least one. It’s expensive.

It’s incredibly well balanced, crisp, and flavorful. And all the alcohol — or I should say, just the right amount of it — is masked by the harmony of its elements.

UPDATE: ALERT: The above notes are about the standard Duvel, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale. I had failed to note at the time of consumption that I was actually enjoying the Triple Hop 2014. Um, it was super delicious is all I can remember. And I guess hoppier than the standard Duvel? As a hops lover this can only improve my love of a superb beer. All ratings stand.

Additional Reflections and Suggestions
I’m touched by how Chris (my brother, giver of this gift) loaded the last week with beers he knew I would like. And I’m touched by the amount of effort and money he put into making such a wonderful gift. We need to come up with a way to market this in time for the next holiday season.

Would I drink a case of it? 
Oh yes.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
Sure. But what is holiday spirit, anyway? Just kidding.

Beth’s Grade
10

Objective Grade
10

Label Notes
It’s timeless and great. I read the history of Duvel on its website, and while it shows some very old advertising material and pictures of buildings, it doesn’t talk about the genesis of the logo or label design. But I’m pretty sure they’ve been using this label (or a similar incarnation) since at least the late ’70s. The wordmark is assertive and full of old-fashioned character, and the touches of gold feel just right. And it’s got that cool crest. 10/10

Beer Advent Calendar: Day 23

Day-23

Goose Island Matilda

ABV: 7.0%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale


Reactions and Insights
It’s really good! I bought a six-pack of it a couple of years ago and wasn’t too impressed with it. But maybe my taste buds have opened up. Or maybe it just got better. I am a fan of Goose Island in general, so it doesn’t surprise me that this is delicious. Except it did surprise me because I remembered thinking it was only okay.

I confess to not recalling flavor specifics. I only remember that I thought with each sip, “Wow, this is so good.” And then, sadly, it was gone.

Also it shares a name with my awesome niece.

Would I drink a case of it? 
Yes.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
Yup. I believe I drank it on Christmas day.

Beth’s Grade
9.25

Objective Grade
9.25

Label Notes
It reminds me of my childhood impression of an ’80s party on a yacht: sleek and spare, black and white, with men wearing t-shirts with blazers and people asking each other if they’ve tried the caviar. The ladies in Duran Duran videos would drink this if champagne didn’t exist, and so would Princess Diana. But honestly, I think it’s beautiful. It looks a little like it belongs on a bottle of wine, but it attests accurately to the quality of the beer inside. 10/10

Beer Advent Calendar: Day 22

Day-22

Mikkeller Saaz Single Hop IPA

ABV: 6.8%
Style: IPA


Reactions and Insights
This was a more standard IPA than the Centennial — hoppier and less sweet. It was a little watery, but very easy to drink. I enjoyed it.

Would I drink a case of it? 
If someone gifted me a case of this, I would not have a problem drinking it. But I probably wouldn’t buy one.

OK, but would I drink a six-pack of it?
I would, but it might not be my first choice.

Did it contribute to my holiday spirit?
I drank it while watching the beginning of White Christmas on Christmas Eve and thinking about how there were finally no distractions to my enjoyment of this holiday. It was possibly my favorite moment of the season, because the mild chaos of Christmas Eve evening and Christmas day were yet to come.

Beth’s Grade
8

Objective Grade
8

Label Notes
It’s exactly like the Centennial label but in different colors. I still have the same mixed feelings. 5/10