The Last Six (Pack)

So sorry for the delay; it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride, you see.

While I had no trouble consuming 30 new beers in 30 days, actually writing about each of them in a timely manner proved somewhat challenging. It seems that graduate school and early-morning beer essays become mutually-exclusive activities at some point.

Nonetheless, I couldn’t leave this endeavor unfinished; without further ado, the final six-pack, in summarized form:

25. Toppling Goliath Golden Nugget IPA (Feb. 13)

nugget_square-300x283

Style: IPA
Availability: Year-round
ABV: 6.5%
Hops: Nugget
Notes: Citrusy, fruity, hoppy, and delicious!
More Info: http://www.tgbrews.com/site/beer/GNUG/
My Take: Drink this whenever and wherever you can find it, especially in fine company at The Coopers Tavern.

26. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Feb. 14)

maerzen

Style: Marzen
Availability: Year-round
ABV: 5.1%
Hops: Not specified
Notes: Dark and malty with a thick mouthfeel; powerfully smokey aroma and taste
More Info: http://www.schlenkerla.de/rauchbier/sorten/sortene.html
My Take: Rauschbier (or “smoked beer”) gets its flavor from malt dried over an open flame. It pretty much tastes like liquid sausage.

27. Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye (Feb. 15)

Style: IPA
Availability: Year-round
ABV: 8%
Hops: Not specified
Notes: Deep coppery color; a little hoppy on the front, but no discernable rye flavor.
More Info: http://bearrepublic.com/beer/hop-rod-rye/#.Ua1dfGSc6Wk
My Take: Unremarkable and pretty tasteless, contrary to others’ rave reviews. Maybe a bad batch?

28. Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout (Feb. 16)

Bell's Double Cream Stout

Style: Stout
Availability: Seasonal – Winter
ABV: 6.1%
Hops: Not specified
Notes: Thick, smooth and creamy with intense coffee and chocolate aromas/flavors
More Info: http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/12-Special%20Double%20Cream%20Stout%20
My Take: Perfect remedy for a nasty winter day.

29. Taj Mahal Premium Lager (Feb. 17)

taj-mahal

Style: Lager
Availability: Year-round
ABV: 4.5%
Hops: Saaz
Notes: Light color, inoffensive taste. Pretty standard lager.
More Info: http://www.ub-global.com/Taj_Mahal_Premium_Lager.html
My Take: Any lager tastes better with a picture of the Taj Mahal on the bottle.

30. Timothy Taylor’s Landlord Pale Ale (Feb. 18)

landlord

Style: English Pale Ale
Availability: Year-round
ABV: 4.3%
Hops: Not specified
Notes: Hoppy, citrusy flavors on the front fade into a sweet, malty finish.
More Info: http://www.timothytaylor.co.uk/OurProducts_Landlord.aspx
My Take: Distinctly different in style from an IPA or APA; much maltier, yet still hoppy enough to please. A contradictory beer for a contradictory day. Thanks to Dave for furnishing this one!

While I’ve conquered 30 new beers in 30 days (and since embarked on a whole new decade) the fermented adventures are far from over. Stay tuned!