Stone Ruination IPA

 
I'm still on the fence about Stone Brewing... like are they some kind of overpriced, over-hyped brewer or are they some kind of super power in the beer world? Regardless, they have some GREAT advertising that keeps me coming back. It seems to me that everyone else likes Stone, but I consistently find myself questioning how people can find some of their beers titillating...

Ruination IPA is an "imperial" beer, or to the unfamiliar, it gets you drunk quicker. An imperial has a higher alcohol content and a good brewer knows how to tame this bite. 

Stone did this. It felt as if I was drinking a regular india(n?) pale ale.  It was very floral and citrus-y with a smooth, under-carbonated mouthfeel. I would recommend this brew, but not at all for the current price. 4 beers for ten dollars? No.

Recommendation: save your money and go with a different imperial.

#GTB Music Station, Hy-Vee wine and spirits, other.

"Ruination leaves a lantern lit so I know where the good lovin' is." - Every Time I Die

Founder's Breakfast Stout

 I was never curious about this beer. I'll admit, I was disinterested by the looks of the questionable packaging choice depicting a baby in a high chair, but everyone who's read a book knows that you don't judge it by it's cover.

 I was lured by a more-than-descent sale price of a $3 draft. An experienced beer shopper knows that this beer runs about $10 dollars a 4-pack.

Appearance: dark, dark, brown. Opaque.
Smell: strong espresso aroma.
Taste: very unique. think of the last stout you had and then multiply that stout taste by 2.
Mouthfeel: bites hard (in a good way). Be sure to swish it around a little.
Overall: I'll give it an 8/10 because for a 10% abv beer, you cannot really taste the excess alcohol. It is covered up by a thick, interesting aftertaste that is sure to please.
My vote? Go ahead and buy the 4-pack because it's worth drinking at least once.

#GTB at Music Station, Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits, Mulligan's 

Samuel Adam's Spring Thaw 12 pk

This is a descent little sampler that was released by Sam Adam's in late January. It comes with 2 bottles of the following 6 brews: Maple Porter, White Lantern, Double Agent IPL, Irish Red, Boston Lager, and Alpine Spring. 

Hands down, the worst beers of the bunch were the Irish Red and Alpine Spring. The Irish Red tasted like high grade landscaping dirt and the Alpine tasted like a sour tin can that was once used to hold spare nuts and bolts.

 It's safe to say the best tasting beers were the Maple Porter and the IPL. The Maple Porter tasted like pancakes served at a highschool football game. The India Pale Lager tasted like playing frisbee on a chilly spring day.

All considered, I wouldn't pay over 12.99 for this pack. You're better off buying the IPL in a sixer or stealing a Maple Porter from your buddies sampler.

Cedar Falls Craft Brew Introduction

This blog aims to really ignite the interest of anyone who drinks beer. Or anyone for that matter, but if your underage or just don't dabble in the area of fine suds, you might find these blogs rather boring..

But for those who enjoy beer and wonder what the "Craft Craze" is all about, read ahead and enjoy!