King of the Case: Troegs Brewing Company

Wherein I will buy a variety case and decide what the best beer in it is.

HopBack Amber Ale
When it comes to beer, I am a hops man first. Often times, when beers put a major stress on malt, they risk losing me. But this seemed to me to be a pretty ideal balance of the two ingredients.

DreamWeaver Wheat
This was really great! The banana taste jumped out. Big-time lemony punch. So crisp and easy-drinking, yet oddly flavorful and complex. A truly superior beer.

Pale Ale
I definitely enjoyed drinking this, but I remember thinking that there wasn't a terrific complementary aspect to bolster the hops.

Sunshine Pils
This is pretty good. A very nice beer to drink six of on a hot summer day. However, if it is beer adventurousness you seek, it would probably be best to look to a different choice.

The Labels
Will be honest: Have never really liked Troegs labels. They seem very old-fashioned to me. So let's start with the clear loser: the Pale Ale does not grab the eye at all. Just a reddish "Pale Ale" stamp on a green label. Not good. HopBack Amber doesn't grab me visually either. That leaves Sunshine Pils' smiling sun character against the magical tree image of DreamWeaver Wheat. I'm going with DreamWeaver because it took a long time for me to realize that the branches were spelling out "Troegs." Pretty clever.

The Winner
First of all, I apologize for this edition of King of the Case. I drank this case nearly a month ago and took absolutely ZERO notes. You see, I thought about giving it up after I lost to Lew Bryson in the Beer Scene writer competition. Suddenly I was drinking the case not to review it but simply to drown my sorrows. At that point, it seemed a little odd to take notes on stuff like "mouthfeel" and "texture." This being said, we like the good people at Troegs and we don't think it is right for them to lose their case review simply because the readers of Beer Scene made an incredibly horrible decision, like so many myopic boxing judges! Luckily for us, it doesn't take notes to tell you that there is a clear winner in this case: DreamWeaver Wheat. This is a classic of the hefeweizen genre. If you see it at your local bar - especially on tap - make sure to purchase it. It should also be said that this was the Beer Scene selection for the area's best wheat beer. Damn them. Sometimes, they really do get it right!
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Old Forge Brewing Company Endless Summer Ale

Old Forge Endless Summer Ale
Bought this beer because I was attracted by the canned sixpack of 16-ounce pounders. A little bit of wheat taste. Little bit of hops. Little bit of an aftertaste. Basically, it has a little bit of flavor, period. Very disappointing purchase. Not much better than big-box light beers.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale

Lavery Liopard Oir Farmhouse Ale
When I go to Wegman's, I'm allowed two sixers and a 22-ouncer due to their Draconian regulations (I'm sure the rules are created by some idiotic entity). This week, chose this Erie, Pa. beer for big bottle. Was really rooting for it. But there were no elements of note.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudts American Pale Ale

Stoudts American Pale Ale
Don't know what to say about this beer. On one hand, it's delicious, continuing a 2012 streak that's seen me experience numerous winners by the Adamstown brewery. Then again, the last four times I've tried to write this post, my computer's crashed. Good beer, Stoudts. But I'm moving on.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Round Guys Original Slacker Ale

Round Guys Original Slacker Ale
Since I had no idea who the makers of this were prior to ordering (they're a brewery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania), was prepared to write off at first sip. But it's quality, with some really interesting composition. Drinks like simple ale, but with major rush of chocolate and malt in finish.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Full Pint All In Amber

Full Pint All In Amber
Last time I had Full Pint beer, it was Chinookie IPA. Wasn't a fan. Had friend drive in from Pittsburgh for visit. Addressed Full Pint. In tribute, gave them another chance. All In Amber WAS better. Like how malts almost approach stout-flavor, yet its still crisp and easy-drinking.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudts Smooth Hoperator

Stoudts Smooth Hoperator
Was miffed when I put two and two together, realizing this beer was bock variety. Don't love bocks. Wish there was type identification to go with beer name (and effectively cheeky label). Where this beer succeeds is hops surplus to go with healthy malts. Perfect balance. The result? Stellar doppelbock.
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Growler Wars: Sly Fox vs. Uinta

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Sly Fox Royal Weisse
This beer, which is available in cans (which kind of rules), features a cloudy golden color and a head that dissipates alarmingly quickly, which makes you fear that the beer could be a little flat. But don't be alarmed! Unless you are buying from a rather shady distributor, it should be fine. It's got a fragrant, spicy scent and all the earmarks of a classic Belgian. There's also a hint of orange. Smooth without being overly light.

Uinta Hop Notch IPA
Pours a persistent head and features a subtle hoppy scent. The color lands somewhere between a golden and an amber. The hops are perhaps a bit understated and the finish isn't as clean as would be desired. Can taste notes of grapefruit underneath, but overall the effect is a bit murky. While it isn't watered down, it's missing something that would make it pop.

The Winner
When I do these things, the IPA is always going to have a leg up. I am simply an IPA man. However, the Sly Fox offering was clearly the better beer in this case. With the brewery's goat race event coming up quick, it's a good reminder of how effective their product can be. I will certainly make it a priority to taste one on May 6.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Fegley's Brew Works Monkey Wrench Saison Ale

Fegley's Brew Works Monkey Wrench Saison Ale
When I first picked up this 22-ouncer, looked at bottom. Filmy substance floating around worried me. Was either packed with flavor or it was skunked. Almost went with Victory Hop Wallop. Leapt faithfully. Beautiful, hazy golden color. Splendid, lemony spicing. Thinner than highest-echelon Belgians, but contains sizeable pop.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Full Pint Brewing Company Chinookie IPA

Full Pint Chinookie IPA
Wasn't nice to buy Pittsburgh beer while Flyers take on Penguins in NHL playoffs. Oh well. Never liked hockey. Don't like sports with players whose names I can't pronounce. I was paid back though. Stale, musty smell. Dark, murky color. Hops subtle and overwhelmed by harsh flavor. Aftertaste. Poor experience.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Fegley's Brew Works Always Sunny Pale Ale

Fegley's Brew Works Always Sunny Pale Ale
Fegley's six-pack reads: "Support your local brewery." Pet peeve. No guilt trips! Whether it's beer, arugula, or another product, I'm not supporting companies because we're both Pennsylvania-based. I'll support this beer because of its hoppy aroma, its powerful finish, and a crisp feel that rewards session drinking.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB

Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB
Beer blogger's dream? Mixed sixers. Half-dozen beers to review without shelling out cash for 36 bottles. On name recognition, prize of pack may be this concoction by one of Pennsylvania's best breweries. Not as stellar as their Pils, but a fine malt punch and smokiness that arises upon swallow.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudt's Pils

Stoudt's Pils
When I hear commercials by Miller Lite and folks are touting "never watered-down, true pilsner taste," I want to put foot through my radio. Only I'm using foot to apply pressure to brakes. Pretty important. For pilsner taste, see this gem. Golden color. Striking scent. Memorable finish. True class.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Victory Brewing Company Golden Monkey

Victory Golden Monkey
Walking my kid. Neighbor comes out. Carrying beer. "Ever heard of this?" Among a cast of luminaries is GOLDEN MONKEY! "I don't drink this stuff." Dude gives me GOLDEN MONKEY for free. ZIPPO. GRATIS! Fellows with gigantic butterfly nets emerge to take him to undisclosed location. Hall of Fame beverage.

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Growler Wars: AleSmith vs. Voodoo

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

AleSmith Nautical Nut Brown Ale
The color on this San Diego-based brewer's English brown ale actually borders on black. It gives off serious malts as well as definite coffee notes. There is a bit of a spicy, peppery flavor and the first sip is both smooth yet vibrant and spiky. There is a bit of a sour, vinegary feel at points, but overall this brown is way better than run-of-the-mill.

Growler Wars: Free Will vs. Stoudt's

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Free Will Brewing Company Citra Pale Ale
Never heard of this brewery before buying this beer. Turns out that they are based in Perkasie, Pennsylvania. Based on this product, they are a beer maker to look out for. The beer has an amber coloring and packs a powerful, hoppy scent and taste. The power is more along the lines of an IPA. I tasted a note of caramel and a significant blast of grapefruit. A very nice balance between a heavy-hitting hop monster and an easy-drinking pale. One of the better beers I've had in a while.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Voodoo Brewing Company Wynona's Big Brown Ale

Voodoo Brewing Company Wynona's Big Brown Ale
I know a bit about beer, but you learn something new every day. Today, learned that Voodoo Brewing Company isn't from Louisiana. It's based in Meadville, Pa. Its brown is vibrant and flavorful, with a malty scent, a smoky finish, and a kick that approaches stout level without going overboard.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lancaster Rumspringa Golden Bock

Lancaster Rumspringa Golden Bock
Honey's a main ingredient of this beer from the Amish Country brewers. Liked it for the most part although thought it walked up to the line of being too sweet but remained well balanced. However, as I got farther down the glass, it tasted more bland. Drink while cold!

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A Colorful Night of Beer with Prism Brewing Company's Rob DeMaria

A couple years ago, a few friends and I met a guy named Rob DeMaria. He was just an average working stiff at Merck. But he had big dreams. Dreams of owning his own brewery. We met him at the General Lafayette, a formerly awesome brewery and restaurant in Lafayette Hill. You see, they had somehow run an incredible establishment into the ground. No idea how. But on this night they had invited several "friends of the General" out for a brainstorming session on how they could keep the place afloat. Basically, they were trying to hit us up for money in exchange for...well, nothing. The good feeling of knowing we helped some other a-hole keep their business from tanking, I guess? Anyway, after they tried unsuccessfully to con us out of our money, we headed into their bar area for a drink. Or six. So did Rob DeMaria. At some point in the night, he approached our table. He said he was working on opening his own brewery and he wanted our opinion on what we thought was a good name for his IPA. He gave us two names. One was Bitto Honey IPA. The other was...something that we have already forgotten. In any event, we gave him our opinion: Bitto Honey was a better moniker than...whatever the other name was. That is the name that DeMaria went with. And now, lo and behold, he has his own brewery. It's called Prism Brewing Company, and on Thursday, Feb. 9 he had a very successful beer dinner at Chap's Taproom in Norristown.

Growler Wars: Great Divide vs. Old Forge

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.


Old Forge Brewing Company T-Rail Pale Ale
This beer from a Danville, Pa. brewery that I had never heard of before purchasing the growler has a copper coloring and hop flavor that registers, but doesn't necessarily pop. There's not much jumping off in the scent department and the appearance is a bit cloudy (perhaps it is unfiltered?). To go along with hops that seem a little on the small side, there is not much of an off-setting ingredient of any sort. I wouldn't call it bland really, but it certainly is not memorable. It is an average (maybe slightly below) microbrew Pale.


Great Divide Brewing Company Nomad Pilsner
This one pours a thick head that sticks around for a while. The bubbles within the extra-clear and clean golden coloring stay perculating for a while as well. It's obscenely crisp with a major pop of flavor in the finish. It's a simple beer that could be enjoyed one after another on a spring afternoon (or a somewhat temperate winter one), but it's complex as well. Rustic and wheaty, with a pleasingly fragrant scent that will jolt you if you make the effort.

The Winner
Honestly, I figured this might be an unfair fight when I purchased the growlers. Great Divide is an esteemed Colorado brewery with a variety case that I absolutely cherished. Old Forge is a brewery that I have never heard of. In fact, before I did the research for this piece, I assumed it was located in upstate New York. Well, unfair or not, the winner is the Great Divide specimen. The Old Forge is a very average Pale Ale. Nomad is an exceptional pilsner. One positive for Old Forge: It was only $7.99 for the growler. The Nomad was $10.99. But do yourself a favor and spend the extra three bucks. It will be worth it.

Growlers purchased at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting.
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