Field Day IPA

So, i feel like i shouldn't be promoting "corporate beer" or whatever, but last night i tried the new and limited Field Day IPA from BJ's Brewhouse...and it was pretty damn good.  The beer is a nice gold with a good and foamy head that doesn't stick around too long.  As far as IPA's go, the Field Day is pretty mellow and smooth.  The hops are there and spicy, and overall the beer had a citrus thing going for it in both aroma and taste.  According to the beer info sheet at the restaurant, the hops that are used are added in on the same day that they're picked.  I guess that's good.  So, kudos to you BJ's Brewhouse.  I approve of your beer.

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Thor's Sunstone

Odin Brewing Company out in Washington state have a perfect track record with me so far, their latest offering that i've been luck enough to sample being Thor's Sunstone, an abbey Belgian-style tripel.  This tasty beer pours a dark and golden amber with a medium and quickly dissipating head.  A good mix of yeast and fruity aromas give way to an almost earthy flavor, possibly from the spelt (a kind of wheat) the beer is brewed with.  And it finishes with just a subtle hint of bananas.  As far as tripels go, the Sunstone is a little more bitter than i would have expected, but pretty damn tasty all the same.  I would recommend this as a pretty dinner beer.

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Quilter's Irish Death

Dark and smooth ales can be very dangerous if you don't tread lightly, thought they can also be awesome and delicious.  And so we have the Quilter's Irish Death from Iron Horse Brewery out of Ellensburg, Washington.  The brewers refer to this ale as "beer candy," and they're not that far off.  Aromas of oats and fruits give way to light carbonation, flavors of fig and cherry, and a rich alcohol flavor that packs a punch at first, but subsides as the brew settles in the glass.  It's got a 7.8% ABV and is a perfect post-meal/dessert beer.  Good stuff.

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Silent Treatment Pale Ale

Whenever i get to hang out with my old friend and former college roommate, it's a treat.  And to make that treat even better is the bevy of beers out of the Pacific Northwest he brings with him every time he comes back to Texas.  Hailing from Spokane, Washington, No-Li Brewhouse's Silent Treatment Pale Ale is a tasty brew, and a great one for pretty much any time of day.  It's very smooth and light-bodied, with a nice floral aroma that accentuates the floral and light citrus taste of the beer.  And, while the hops are definitely present, they're pretty mild.  Add the crisp carbonation to make the beer all the more refreshing, and you've got something that you could feasibly sip on all day long.  Bueno!

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The Sword Iron Swan Ale

The popularity of craft brews has really exploded recently all over the country, all over the state of Texas, all over Austin.  Hell, even our rock bands are getting in on it.  Austin stoner metal band The Sword have teamed with Blanco's Real Ale to give birth to a nice little concoction called The Sword Iron Swan Ale.  The beer is a dark amber, almost coppery color with a good head that dissipates quickly.  The aroma is of malts and earth, and the initial flavor is one of subtle sweetness (hints of fruit) and maltiness.  It finishes dry and bitter with just a little bit of spice.  This is a great medium-bodied beer that's way, way too easy to drink.  I give it my utmost stamp of approval.

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You may as well listen to the song that the beer gets its name from to really take it all in.