3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze (Citizen Review)

Here's another review from Citizen Andy.  Andy is our man in NorCal, doing good work for the Nation.  I met him at Russian River, so you can assume he has good taste.

3 Fonteinen
Oude Geuze

375ml bottled nov 18 2010

Served in: Belgian snifter

Appearance: Thin white head, lots of carbonation, streaming bubbles like Champagne. hazy appearance, carefully poured to keep the lees in a bottle.

Smell: yeast funk, smokey pepper, apple, pear, bubble gum.

Taste: Immediately tart and bitter from the carbonation breaking on my tongue. Acidic pear and citrus, finishing with a great palate cleansing tartness. That apple/pear tartness sticks with you for a while. Something wine like, a mix of grape and barrel, but hard to distinguish between the two. A low level, almost fleeting, plastic phenol taste, but only occasionally.

Mouthfeel: Spot on. The acidity level combined with the amount of carbonation (medium-heavy) is greater than the sum of its parts. Draws all the favor out without being a harsh burn.

Overall: I haven't had many guezes to date, but quite a few sours beers. This is a well balanced sour beer that would be perfect for a first time sour beer drinker. It isn't as funky as a Cantillon Geuze. I have heard the sourness level varies with vintage; this vintage wasn't as sour as a Cantillon Geuze. Given the chance at a Geuze, pick this one up before Cantillon.

Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale (Citizen Review)

What: Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale 6.5% abv
Where: Sun Up Brewing (Phoenix, AZ)
When: February 26, 2010
What-have-you: Dale’s Pale Ale has a red, white, and blue with stars motif going on with its can design, so it is fitting that I review this on Memorial Day.  I crack open the can, and I can smell an initial recognizable hoppy aroma.  This is nice.  After a couple of sips, I am pretty sure this is the best beer I have ever had out of can.  No wonder this beer is so popular.

Thinking back 10 years or so while I was still in college, my friends and I would drink beers like Milwaukee’s Best Ice and Icehouse and Bud Ice.  Why?  Because they had higher alcohol contents, but wow, they really tasted bad.  So, when I drink Dale’s Pale Ale today, I am thinking this is pretty awesome.  It is a rock solid pale ale.  It is hoppy enough that someone might mistake it for an IPA, too, which is nice.  On a hot day, this beer is conveniently packaged in cans, delicious to taste and the 6.5% abv packs just enough of a kick that I am feeling better quicker, but its not going overboard.  Here’s to America, the red, white and blue, and Dale’s Pale Ale.  Pass me another can, please.

You can read what El Presidente had to say about Dale’s Pale Ale as well as some more Oskar Blues beers.  Check them out.

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale (Citizen Review)

What: Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale
Where: The 19th Floor Lounge (Philadelphia, PA)

When: March 30, 2011

What-have-you: "Lagunitas makes great beers.  I got to sample several bottle of their Maximus IPA a couple of weeks ago.  Hop Stoopid has a hoppiness that you can smell well before your nose gets close to the bottle or glass.  A bit of a bitter aftertaste, but it is not unpleasant.  At 8% abv, it does not taste overwhelming but it is, as a citizen said, "in your face."  This beer is not for the IPA faint of heart (even though this is not an IPA).  I usually recommend Lagunitas beers, and Hop Stoopid is no exception."



Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale



Visit Lagunitas' Website!

Toastmaster General's Stewart's Trip (Citizen Review)

Where: Stewart's Brewing Co. (Bear, DE)
What-Have-You:
Highlander Stout- Great.
Oyster Stout on cask- very smooth, very good.
Citra IPA- good.
Governor's Golden Ale- very good.
Lenten Dopple Bock- Outstanding.

The VP has been touting the merits of Stewart's for many years now.  Read about a trip of his own: "Stewart's Highlander Stout / The VP Does Delaware"

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (Citizen Review)

What: Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)

When: July 17, 2010

What-have-you: "It reminded me of Iron Hill Brewery's Pig Iron Porter.  Really good smokey taste."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .50

Style: .50

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total: 3.0 Flags

Reviewed by Greg J.

You can also read a full review of this great beer right here.

Check it out.

Flying Fish Exit 4 (Citizen Review)

What: Flying Fish Exit 4 @ 9.5% abv

Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)

When: July 17, 2010

What-Have-You: "HEAVY, but good."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .50

Style Points: 1.0

Personal Preference: .50

Total Score 3.0 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Bob T.

Lagunitas Censored Rich Copper Ale (Citizen Review)

What: Lagunitas Censored Rich Copper Ale

Where: The Ferment Nation

When: December 1, 2010

What-Have-You: "This beer has what I think is an over-sweet and syrupy smell out of the bottle, but quite a surprise -- smooth, clean taste with just enough maltiness.  I think I like this."

New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale (Citizen Review)

What: New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale

Where: The Ferment Nation

When: December 1, 2010

What-Have-You:"This pumpkin ale has some really great pumpkin spice and seasonings smells coming right out of the bottle.  Obvisously not so pumpkiny as Pumking, but nice flavor.  I haven't had many pumpkin beers this season (2010), but since I liked Elysian Night Owl, I will compare Ichabod to it, because I am liking Ichabod. You can taste the pumpkin. I like this."

[Read a full review of New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale]

Ithaca Ground Break (Citizen Review)

What: Ithaca Ground Break
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You:"Taps you in the nose and sits on your tongue.  And not altogether pleasantly.  Reminds me of: shrimp (seriously)."

Representation .50

Accessibility .5

Style Points .5

Personal Preference .25

Total Score 1.75 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Jack W.

Read what El Presidente had to say about Ithaca Ground Break in his coverage of a Philly Beer Week 2010 event in South Jersey [CLICK HERE].

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (Citizen Review)

What: Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "I've been drinking this in West Virginia for years.  It is the only porter I've had yet that satisfies in body, sweetness, and depth.  Reminds me of: Best of Breed."


Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .75
Style: ..75
Personal Preference: 1.0


Total: 3.5 Flags

Reviewed by Jack W.


You can also read a full review of this great beer right here.

Check it out.

Harpoon Pott's Landbier (Citizen Review)

What: Harpoon Pott's Landbier
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Like a mass-market beer with a touch of hops.  Watery.  No thanks."

Representation: .25
Accessibility: .25
Style: .25
Personal Preference: .25

Total: 1.0 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Jack W.


[Read more Harpoon Beer Reviews]

Weyerbacher Insanity (Citizen Review)

What: Weyerbacher Insanity 11.1% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "It's a buttery barleywine, so it loses accessibility points right off the bat.  But it's flavor mellows as you drink it, and it's good and strong.  Reminds me of: oak-aged butter?"

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .5
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .75


Total: 3.25 Flags

Posted by: Jack W.

Magic Hat Wacko (Citizen Review)

What: Magic Hat Wacko 4.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Meh....but don't count my opinion, because I'm a "hops" girl."

Representation: .50
Accessibility: .75
Style: .50
Personal Preference: .25

Total: 2.00 Flags

Visit Magic Hat's website for more info

Reviewed by Kelly McY.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche (Citizen Review)

What: Dogfish Head Festina Peche
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points: 1.0

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score 4.0 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Sara B.

Brooklyn Lager (Citizen Review)

What: Brooklyn Lager 5.2% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010

What-Have-You: "Light and refreshing with a nice citrus front.  Not a traditional lager but great on a hot day."

Representation: .5
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .70

Total: 3.2 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Carol G.

Flying Fish Exit 4 (Citizen Review)

What: Flying Fish Exit 4 @ 9.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010

What-Have-You: (Special interjection from the VP) "Wow, I love Exit 4.  When this first came out in the bomber bottles, it blew me away.  On draught, and now in bottles, it is awesome.  I had it on draft at The Good Dog in Philly, and bottles always seem to be making their way into my fridge.  At 9.5% abv, you have to watch yourself, but in my opinion, Exit 4 is the best thing Flying Fish has made to date."

Representation: .70

Accessibility: .70

Style Points: .90

Personal Preference: .90

Total Score 3.2 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Todd F.

Lancaster Gold Star Pils (Citizen Review)

What: Lancaster Gold Star Pils 5.1% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You: "Lancaster Gold Star Pilsner.  Inoffensive but bordering on boring. Uncomplicated and accessible to people who like light and simple beers."

Representation: .70

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points: .30

Personal Preference: .80

Total Score: 2.8 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Cheryl S.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche (Citizen Review)

What: Dogfish Head Festina Peche
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You: "Sweet, sharp, the tiniest bit sour, as befitting its inspiration. Nicely bubbly. much better in draught. Reminds me of: The best fruit soda ever."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points: .75

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score 3.75 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Jack W.

Stoudts Blonde Double MaiBock (Citizen Review)

What: Stoudts Blonde Double MaiBock
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You: "Fantastic finish, great aftertaste."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points 1.0

Personal Preference 1.0

Total Score 4.0

Reviewed by: Citizen Marc C.

Ithaca Ground Break (Citizen Review)

What: Ithaca Ground Break
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010

Representation .6

Accessibility .7

Style Points .8

Personal Preference .7

Total Score 2.8 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Todd F.

Read what El Presidente had to say about Ithaca Ground Break in his coverage of a Philly Beer Week 2010 event in South Jersey [CLICK HERE].