195 Bottles? I'm 2,000 Beers In

I recently recorded my 2,000th beer review, which isn't much by some standards, but I think it's a pretty background to talk knowledgeably about beer. I try to actually remember what I tasted about every beer and will drink something again (instead of something new) if I can't remember what to expect.

Anyways, here's my 2,000th review. It was a German Helles lager, which is smoother drinking than a pilsner, with low hop levels and minimal bitterness. It's still full of bready malt and yeast character, and makes a great session beer. Imperial stouts and double IPA's are delicious, don't get me wrong, but I'm more impressed by lower-alcohol beers like this that are just as complex as beers twice their strength.

Mahr's Hell
Mahrs Bräu
Munich Helles Lager | 4.90% ABV

B+ / 3.95
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5

Ordered a bottle at Tap and Table. Served with a tall Mahrs glass stein, the beer was a beautiful clear gold with a tall white head - we're off to a good start. There's the appropriate hint of sulfur in the aroma with light bread crust. This is a true German lager. It doesn't have the most unique or compelling flavor, but it's super drinkable and tasty. The subtle bread and grain flavors are complimented by a small spicy hop kick in the finish.

RYEmenocerous

New beer's a brewin'. I thought long and hard about what beer I'd like to make for the Ryemenocerous after brewing the Hiphopopatamus. And the Hiphopopatamus was so deliciously hoppy, I decided to go in the opposite direction. This beer will be an English-style bitter/pale ale brewed with a big share of rye. Instead of being big nd bitter, it will be immanently drinkable. It's currently bubbling away and should be ready by the end of May.


RYEmenocerous
Size: 5 gallons
Color: 9 HCU (~7 SRM)
Bitterness: 30 IBU
OG: 1.036
FG: 1.008
Alcohol: 3.6%

Grain:
6 lb. Maris Otter pale
1.5 lb. Rye
.5 lb. British crystal 60L

Mash: 60% efficiency

Hops:
1 oz. Kent Goldings (5% AA, 60 min.)
1 oz. Kent Goldings (5% AA, 15 min.)
1 oz. Kent Goldings (aroma)

Yeast: Wyeast London ESB Ale 1968

Oh and for anyone that doesn't know why I'm using this ridiculous names. Here's the original Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros from Flight of the Conchords:

Yeah, Portland Kicked Ass

My week in Portland, OR flew by, and try as I might, I was not able to wipe out the city's beer supply. Still, I had tons of amazing beers, met a lot of great brewers, and got well-acquainted with a couple relatively new styles: the single-malt ale and Cascadian dark ale (black IPA). Here are a few of my favorites that I took notes on below.

The picture to your right is from my visit to Wyeast Labs as part of a tour put on by the Oregon Craft Brewers Guild. We trying several beers that differed only in yeast strain - very cool. The day also had a visit to Full Sail Brewing where brewmaster Jamie Emmerson pulled bottles of Session off the line for us to drink. I may never have a fresher beer.


Thomas Fawcett Single Malt Bitter
New Old Lompoc Brewery
English Bitter | 3.40% ABV

A- / 4.1
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

On cask at the brewpub. This beer blew me away. I've never had a great low-alcohol bitter on cask in the US before, let alone that the beer is US-brewed. The flavor is a little spicier than the Baird Maris Otter, with jasmine and cake frosting notes mixed with the bread crust and biscuit malt notes. Man, I wish there were more beers like this. I mean, it has so little alcohol that it actually helps hydrate you, but it has all the complexity of a beer twice its size.


HUB Lager
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Czech Pilsener | 5.10% ABV

A / 4.3
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Had a pint at the Horse Brass with friends. Man this is a heck of a beer. I certainly wouldn't mind having a liter-stein of it. There's a soft, bready malt character with very mild hints of spice and vanilla. There's also a note or toast and a little citrus. The beer is dry and super drinkable, and frankly, I'm glad I have the self-control to move along.


Black Bear XX Stout
Alameda Brewhouse
Foreign / Export Stout | 6.80% ABV

A- / 4.1
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Split a bomber with friends. Nothing surprising about the appearance, big and black with a tan head. I really enjoyed this stout because it wasn't the usual thick, chewy stout. Instead it was a touch lighter, like an export stout should be, with two dominant characteristics: dry roasted black malts and sweet cocoa chocolate. Heck of a beer, check this out.


India Pelican Ale
Pelican Pub & Brewery
American IPA | 7.50% ABV

A- / 4.2
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

I split a bomber at Bailey's Taproom... but ended up enjoying most of it. Despite the extra strength, it hardly felt like a heavier IPA. In fact, I had no problem finishing my pint. What I really loved about this beer was that it covered a lot of different hop flavors - floral to earthy to citrus - and balance them all well to make a slightly juicy, and wholly delicious IPA. Yum.