What Would Jesus Brew?

Amazing.

A Classy White

I stumbled upon this Belgian white in a bar in D.C. this past Friday, and, despite already being a few beers deep, I distinctly remember being shocked at how impressive this brew both appeared and tasted.

Everything about Allagash White screams classy, from its atypical bottles to the fact that even at some random bar my beer came in a glass labeled and designed specifically for the brew. One can immediately tell that Allagash is trying very, very hard to stand out, and luckily for everyone it's completely worth the effort. Surprisingly robust for a Belgian white, Allagash's offering has the requisite wheaty flavor mixed with a strong, sweet aftertaste, all hidden under an incredibly thick foam (if poured correctly, of course).

Allagash has done an admirable job summarizing everything one could possibly want to know about all of their brews on their website, and, more interestingly, they are one of the growing number of brewers to list food pairings for their beer (a trend of which I am a huge supporter). They recommend pairing the beer with light salads and desserts, which I completely agree with, though I must add that due to its strong wheat flavor and lingering aftertaste it makes a surprisingly good companion to some heavier and spicier foods (read: wings) as well.

Allagash White
Overall Rating: 8/10

"Gets You Wild" Blue

Anyone who knows me at all should find this post wildly unsurprising.

Definitely a "love it or hate it" brew, Wild Blue has been an absolute favorite of mine from the moment I first tasted it in Anheuser-Busch's Brewmaster's Club at Busch Gardens Europe. Despite it's macro origins, this "fruity" lager easily rivals comparable micro offerings (such as Leinenkugel's Berry Wiesse, and many others). Though it can become a bit heavy in quantities more than a bottle or two, it is otherwise incredibly drinkable, with the only common complaint being that it tastes more like drinking juice or some kind of malt beverage than beer.

The above distinction is incredibly important, though, once one considers Wild Blue's very, very, inexplicably high alcohol content (a whopping 8%!), which easily sneaks up on you if you work your way through a few bottles too quickly, something that can easily happen due to its general deliciousness. More than once I have charged confidently through a full sixpack, only to blink and find myself in bed the next morning spooning... well, someone I'd rather not be spooning.

Wild Blue always has a place in my fridge, and probably will for a long time. Definitely buy it, try it, and love it.

Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
Overall Rating: 9/10

Vanilla Vanity

Vanilla is one of those flavors that everyone seems to get excited about when they see it next to some beverage that usually doesn't include it; from french vanilla coffee to Vanilla Coke to vanilla vodka, the applications usually meet with mild to wild success (especially Vanilla Coke, which in my humble opinion is the best soda in the history of... soda). I am absolutely no exception to this rule, and when I spotted a Vanilla Porter (sitting conveniently next to my staple, Wild Blue) in an Austin supermarket, I immediately snatched it up.

Despite its full-of-potential name, this offering from Breckenridge Brewery sounds a bit better than it is. Taken solely as a porter, it fares relatively well, with a solid taste and heavy, though surprisingly somehow bland, flavor. My major problem with it falls with the promised vanilla, which is completely lost in that heaviness, emerging only as an aftertaste not discernible until about a full five to ten seconds after sipping. While this is, admittedly, an interesting taste phenomenon that warrants a certain praise, I wasn't able to conquer that initial disappointment; I was looking forward to a vanilla porter, not a porter with a vanilla chaser.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Overall Rating: 6/10