Karbach Weisse Versa

While being the new kid on the block, the cats at Houston's Karbach Brewing Co. seem to outdo themselves with all the different beers they make.  It's summertime, and Texas is usually hotter than hell, so what better way to quench the thirst and refresh body and mind than with a nice Hefeweizen hybrid.  German Hefe meets Belgian Wit in the delicious Weisse Versa.  Pouring golden orange with white, dissipating head, the beer gives off a lovely aroma of orange, banana, coriander, and wheat,  all of which are represented in the taste as well.  Add just a little bitter bite at the end, and you've got yourself an excellent, refreshing summer brew.  If we could just start seeing some of this stuff in Austin...

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Lagunitas WTF

I recently messed my finger up pretty good, and while wincing away through the pain, a good friend of my declared that the Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF) ale from Lagunitas Brewing would make me feel a thousand times better.  And it was just what the doctor ordered.  My finger is still a mess, and it still hurts, but i did manage to enjoy a tasty beer.  The WTF is a smooth ale, with plenty of malts to go around.  The initial aroma was one of hops, caramel, and hints of fruit (figs maybe?), while the taste was a good mix of the usual caramel you'd expect from a brown ale and the added oomph of citrus and orange.  This is a very tasty beer, and the hops never overwhelm, so it leaves a great aftertaste.  Definitely check this one out while you can.  (It's also relatively inexpensive!)

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Karbach Hellfighter Imperial Porter

Houston is getting in on the craft brew explosion, and it appears that Saint Arnold's is finally getting a little competition.  Last weekend, i was able to try an array of different beers from Karbach Brewing, and one that really stood out is their limited release Hellfighter Imperial Porter.  Dark and heavy with chocolate and caramel flavors, a nice, frothy head, and a good bitterness really brings this beer together.  You can really taste the alcohol too (9.5% ABV), at times feeling almost bourbon like.  Drink this if you can find it.  The cats over at Karbach really hit it out of the park with this one.

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Odin's Gift

Odin's Gift amber ale is the second beer i've been fortunate enough to try from Odin Brewing Company out of Seattle, Washington (thanks John).  And it's a keeper.  The beer is darkish in color with reddish hues, a decent creamy head, and filled with roasty, malty goodness.  There are hints of caramel and cocoa, and the juniper berries the beer is brewed with kick in very lightly at the end.  Good bitterness all around with some sweet undertones, i believe the ale would pair well with just about any kind of dinner you could think of, but i'm feeling burgers on this bad boy.

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