Southern Tier IPA tasted

Southern Tier IPA tasted

I have never tasted anything from this brewery, but they have been around since 2002 and are out of Lakewood, NY.  The IPA appears to be one of the original beers they began producing.

Appearance: Classic light copper color. Slightly foggy body with white head a couple of fingers thick.  Head dissipates very slowly indicating a higher carbonation.

Nose: Malty quaffs mixed with very piney floral hops aromas.  A hint of something sweet, maybe caramel or citrus.  

Taste: Malty start takes a quick left into deep piney hoppy bitterness.  Yes there are caramel overtones that seep through creating a bit of sweetness against the lingering bitterness and the toasty maltyness.   Almost a creamy feel with the caramel and the well balanced slightly stronger pine traits.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy medium body that sits thickly in a mouthful. 

Drinkability: Above average, the taste is not at all disappointing. Good IPA.  I will certainly drink it once again. 

Overall: Very enjoyable!  Creamy malt balance with piney bitter-sweetness.

Serving type:  bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Sam Adams Rebel IPA

Sam Adams Rebel IPA tasted
(on tap at Buffalo Wild Wings)

A: White frothy foam head with decent retention and lacing.  Clear color, golden hew.

S: Malty, wheat, almost biscuity aromas, hint of mild citrus quaffs. 

T: Not too hoppy almost mild which is consistent with a west coast style American Pale Ale, and a little light for a true IPA.  Sweet citrus undertones, maybe tangerine or grapefruit.  Decent malt base.




M: On the heavy side of a Medium body and a lighter creamy carbonation. 

O: Enjoyable and very drinkable.  I was hoping for a bit more punch from the hops and from all I've heard about it, but it's still another good Sam Adams beverage.

Serving type: tap

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Westmalle Trappist Triple Ale

Westmalle Trappist Triple Ale tasted

Appearance: Beautiful cloudy pale rusty orange with a nice thick head.  It has some serious lacing going on with a frothy, creamy head that stays put when swirling the pint glass.

Nose: Tartness, pungent lemon grass, apricot, pale malts aroma. 

Taste: A complex mouthful that starts a bit crisp and transitions into fruity overtones reminiscent of apricot smells.  Robust spice takes over with yeasty honey sweetness.  Fresh and full of some great layers.

Drinkability: So very smooth yet complex beauty.

Overall:  A fabulous Ale worth searching for.  Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Shiner Prickly Pear from the Family Reunion pack.

Shiner is well know for its "bock" that can be found around the country and on tap at almost every bar in Dallas.  This session beer is something altogether different.

A - Pours a substantial amber copper color with an off white, creamy rather foamy head that dissipates very slowly.

S - Strong aroma of fruit, very sweet and citrusy.  I'm getting a lot of orange, grapes and maybe some peach.

T - The taste started with a light bitterness, which was surprising, but then becomes tart. It's not overwhelming, but it is bold.  Unlike most anything I've had in the way of fruit beers, slightly artificial, but it's not bad.  

M - The beer is on the light bodied side and slightly carbed.  An easy crisp drink.

O - Not a great beer, but another good summer choice.  Refreshing crisp and interesting!

Serving type: bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Samuel  Adams Porch Rocker "Radler*" type beer

*The Radler (literally "cyclist", which refers to its reputation as popular sports drink) is a beer-based mixed drink with a long history in German-speaking regions. Consisting of a fifty-fifty or sixty-forty mixture of various types of beer and German-style soda pop or lemonade.  Normally called a Shandy in the States or UK.

Poured into a Sam Adams pint glass.


Appearance: A clearish faint yellow tint, not hazy.  Quickly dissipating head.  Slight tracing.


Smell: More than a hint of lemon, mild citrus with a crisp clean nose.  Not overwhelming.

Sour candy.  

Taste: A bit more complex than expected, you can taste the lemony citrus flavors but was 

hoping for a little more finish.  The carbonation is right and consistent with a soda. The 

flavors disappears rather quickly starting out tart and leaving a slightly sour end. 


Overall: Solid summer beer, A good addition to the Summer variety pack.  Truly drinkable

beer for a hot and humid summer day.


Serving type: bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Kona Brewing Company 

Longboard Island Lager


Appearance: A golden straw color, almost milky appearance,  Not exactly the typical lager appearance.  It has a thick frothy looking white head. 

Nose: smells heavy of grain malt and light hops. 

Taste: Deep maltiness at the start. Some doughy-biscuit aspects.  Hint of sweetness.  Followed by a nice fresh bitter finish.  Enjoyable crisp, clean ending. 

Drinkability: Definitely drinkable, but not your typical Lager. 

Overall: An ‘above-average’ lager that is thankfully different than most.

Serving Type-bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com

Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler Tasted

Kolsch style beer (at least that's what the bottle says)

Poured pale clear straw-ish color. Head dissipated rapidly.

Smelled of citrus almost fruity, which is not what I expected from a Kolsch style brew. 

Very easy on the pallet, crisp and light with a dry fruity tang to the finish.  Unfortunately not a hint of the traditional Kolsch rye flavors.  Fruit flavors are the clear winners here. 

A very refreshing balanced beer and very drinkable, but I honestly would be hard pressed to identify this beer as a Kolsch especially in a blind taste. 

Overall a decent beer but the weakest Kolsch I've tasted.

Serving type: bottle

Chin chin!

David Ruiz is a Sales & Marketing pro who is unnaturally obsessed with good beer.  Contact him at beersnobber@yahoo.com