The Glory of Beer

A beer blog for people who don't care that much

[gloryofbeer]

Spoiler-Free Review: Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

We'll start with this: It's good. Not great, not totally amazeballs, but it's not awful, either.

Jolie leads a bunch of B-list actors who - don’t get me wrong - are good actors, they’ve just never made superstar status. But they’re recognizable if you've watched major pop-culture shows such as GoT, Walking Dead, Mad Max: Fury Road or Medium.

The performances are convincing enough but I don't think they're really supported by the writing itself. The character's motives are clear if rather trope-y, which means that they're rather flat.

Early on, the film gives a peek into Jolie's closest friends and coworkers and I'm honestly not sure if they're trying to show the complete lack of support and unhealthy macho douchebaggery that she exists among, or if they're trying to lionize them to the macho douchebag viewer. Either way, it's a little uncomfortable.

Jolie is presented as the Person You Would Not Trust Your Child With, and it's reinforced throughout the film as she engages with the child that falls into her lap. I'm not sure it gets any better by the end of the film. By the time the it was done, I felt there was a giant neon sign over them saying, "These people should go to therapy".

Seriously.

All of them.

[gloryofbeer]

Elysian Dark o’ the Moon 7.5%

Light [=========10] Dark Hoppy [=========10] Malty Fizzy [====5=====] Flat

Black as my soul and just as spicy, this pumpkin stout is really a remarkable brew, and probably one of my favorites of the year (so far). The folks at Elysian are not shy with the chocolate and cinnamon, and the stout is certainly all the better for it. The strong flavors and slightly higher abv keeps you engaged and it’s heavy enough that one is plenty. 

Enjoy with a good horror movie while we continue to ride out the horrorshow of our imploding democracy. Stay safe out there.

[gloryofbeer]

Elysian The Great Pumpkin 8.4%

Light [====5=====] Dark

Hoppy [===4======] Malty

Fizzy [======7===] Flat

This sweet, spiced pumpkin ale really stands out above the other pumpkin ales that are common this time of year. The clove is really strong, hiding the pumpkin flavor at first, but that comes through after the first sip. Take your time with it to savor its complex flavors.

This came in a 12 pack of mixed Elysian ales, so I’m looking forward to sharing the other 3 types with you.

[gloryofbeer]

St Peters Sorgham Beer ??%

(this one didn’t have an ABV value)

Light [====5=====] Dark Hoppy [===4======] Malty Fizzy [======7===] Flat

This beer has a fairly sweet malty underlying flavor, but it also has a strong, almost sour flavor leading the charge. The strong flavor aside, this gluten free beer. Yes, today I learned that most beers (anything brewed from barley or wheat) has gluten.

It comes in a bottle uniquely and faithfully copied from a bottle design from around 1777, and adds a fun bit of design to the beer. St. Peters beers have not yet disappointed me and this beer is no exception.

Enjoy!

[gloryofbeer]

Unity Vibration Bourbon Peach 8%

Kombucha beer

Light [=2========] Dark

Hoppy [===4=====] Malty

Fizzy [===4======] Flat

Sweet and fizzy, this kombucha beer is a delightful mix of sweet peach, and “high-gravity” beer (yes, I had to look that up).

Here’s the short version: delicious beer with lots of flavor and lots of alcohol. Period. And it’s a promise this beer delivers in spades. It’s a little more pricy than other beers, but it’s completely worth it. The bourbon throws in a nice aftertaste over the peach kombucha (which is basically slightly fermented fruit tea... yes I had to look that one up, too).

Seriously, don’t pass this one up. It’s great.

[gloryofbeer]

Lead Dog Cookies ‘n Cream Stout 7.2%

Light [=========10] Dark

Hoppy [======7===] Malty

Fizzy [======7===] Flat

This serious beer is dark and sweet and flavorful. It definitely has hits of cookies and the smoothness of cream. It’s heavy, not so much as say, some oatmeal or other stouts, but definitely not a summer lager.

It will warm your heart and fill your need for a good winter stout, just in time for the holidays

Spoiler-Free Review: Star Wars Rise of Skywalker

A lot of hash has been made about this movie. Much ink spilled, opinions shared.

A lot of anger, disappointment and more anger.

The whining angry fanboys mad that, I dunno, there’s still a woman Jedi leading it and there are brown people depicting heroes.

The Social Justice crowd mad that certain characters were effectively sidelined and the other reasons (because spoilers).

Look, I get it, everyone is mad they didn’t get what they want. But I’m over here like...

It was a good movie. They wrapped up questions I had. They showed cool things happening. The space battles were neat, the lightsaber fights were cool. The actors acted well. The effects were good. Space Nazis got what they deserved. Heroes won. None of this is a surprise.

Narratively, the did everything they needed to do. They tied it back to the previous movies. They brought resolution to the series.

I’m glad it’s over. Relieved, even. Disappointed? Sure. But honestly, the series started over 40 years ago. It’s time.

Enjoy the movie for what it is.

[gloryofbeer]

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout 10.2%

Light [=========10] Dark

Hoppy [========9=] Malty

Fizzy [======7===] Flat

Dang, I didn’t realize this beer was 10.2% ABV - explains why I was perfectly fine with stopping after the first one.

It’s quite reminiscent of St. Peter’s Cream Stout - chocolate, bit of coffee, smooth. It’s got a bit bitter from dark chocolate, and the flavors are rather unrelenting. Even after a single sip, the flavors linger on your tongue for quite some time. Absolutely worth picking up a pack of it, enjoy cool to cold - I think it loses some of the more subtle flavors if it gets too warm.

[gloryofbeer]

St. Peter’s Cream Stout 6.5%

Light [=========10] Dark

Hoppy [========9=] Malty

Fizzy [=======8==] Flat

This stout is the classic, dark beer, steeped in history and tradition. It’s bitter, with hints of dark chocolate, and the malt makes it subtly sweet enough that it’s quite enjoyable. Smooth and not very fizzy at all, I think adding more carbonation would be a mistake. It’s fragrant enough that it doesn’t need the effervescence to help you enjoy its scent.

I picked this one up at my local Sprouts (well, it and its friend, which is coming up in a future episode), and since it’s an English import, it comes in a pint bottle, so it’s just a hair too large for my American beer glass.

An interesting note: the bottle itself is a reproduction of a bottle from around 1770, a fact I find entirely fascinating - why did we switch to round bottles? Dangit.

Get a few, and share them with friends; the bottle itself is fun, let alone the beer inside.

[gloryofbeer]

Abita Geaux Nuts Pecan Ale 5.2%

Light [====5=====] Dark

Hoppy [======7===] Malty

Fizzy [==3=======] Flat

The bottle of this sweet ale tells me it’s made with Louisiana pecans and 4 different malts and some hops or other, and blah blah blah it’s good. No, seriously, it’s sweet and delicious. Not so heavy that you feel it after one bottle, but serious enough that a single bottle is enough.

It’s good cold or room-temperature, which is rare for ales that you should serve cold. I blame the malts. I was able to find a six pack of it, and while I’m enjoying the last of the pack, i probably enjoyed it most when I drank it without any dinner distractions. Good on its own, you shouldn’t muddle the flavors with with some ill-advised attempt to pair it with some meal. Just enjoy it for what it is, along with your favorite hobby.

[gloryofbeer]

La Perouse White 5.2%

Light [=2========] Dark

Hoppy [===4======] Malty

Fizzy [===4======] Flat

This limited release witbier from Maui Brewing Company is impressively light, friendly, and easy to drink. Fruity and flavorful, it doesn’t get bogged down with too much microbrew pretentiousness. The can claims, “Belgian inspired ale brewed with coriander and local citrus”. I have to say they fulfill that promise in spades. It’s reminiscent of other witbiers I’ve had, and I see this one easily enjoyed on a warm summer evening with some bbq and friends, or on a cold winter evening when you want that gentle reminder of summer.

Find some if you can, this one was a gift from some friends, so a big shoutout to them for sharing such a delightful brew.

[gloryofbeer]

Goose Island Bourbon Country Stout 14.1%

Light [=========10] Dark

Fizzy [=======8==] Flat

Hoppy [======7===] Malty

Well, I was going to sit here and drink a tall glass of this stout wind read the manga of one of my favorite anime... just have a nice relaxing afternoon.

After a single sip, I realized I have made a few grave errors

1. I need a smaller glass. Maybe even the advised snifter. This is a strong, fragrant, flavorful drink that should not be swilled from a bar beer glass.

2. This is a drink to be shared or savored. A whole pint of this is a significant amount of alcohol for a single person for a single sitting.

3. I’m not going to be able to enjoy the art and beauty of this book if I just sit here and drink this deeply flavored dark bourbon-aged stout.

I have to say, I’ve been consistently surprised with everything I’ve ever had from Goose Island. They know their craft and the best part is you get to enjoy the results of their expert skill.

Even if you’re not into bourbon or dark beers, or IPAs, or whatever else you find from Goose Island, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It’s worth every penny.

[gloryofbeer]

Elysian Split Shot 6%

Light [=========10] Dark Hoppy [=======8==] Malty Fizzy [=======8==] Flat

This is a sweet, dark beer, and it does a good job of blending the bitter coffee, smooth milk stout and sweet malt into a fantastic dark stout. It’s not too heavy, but not exactly light. The 6% means it’s eminently drinkable, a single bottle will last a nice evening of artwork and a fine beer.

I picked it up today from Costco, so if you get a chance, go check it out. 

[gloryofbeer]

Trumer Pils 4.9%

Light [=2========] Dark

Hoppy [==3=======] Malty

Fizzy [=====6====] Flat

This is definitely a Pilsner, not very different from macro-brews like Bud, Miller, or Coors. That said, it comes across better than those beers and is definitely worth enjoying on this mid-week Valentine’s Day.

Enjoy safely!

[gloryofbeer]

Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout 7%

Light [=========10] Dark

Fizzy [===4======] Flat

Hoppy [========9=] Malty

I came home from a long day and my first thought was to give this recent acquisition a try. I was able to pick it up from my local BevMo, and it was only available as a single bottle, but holy cow, does this hit the spot.

It’s another very dark beer that works hard to be fairly light in texture but heavy on flavor. Yes it does fall into the dark-coffee-chocolatey-malty flavor group, but it accomplishes it with maintaining a good fizz and great flavor.

It’s the perfect thing to give me a bit of a pick-me-up and get to work on art and maps.

[gloryofbeer]

Lump of Coal 8%

Light [========9=] Dark

Hoppy [======7===] Malty

Fizzy [=========10] Flat

This stout comes out with nearly no carbonation, but it doesn’t really harm it. Dark and malty sweet, it somehow doesn’t come across as heavy.

As an English ale, they didn’t complicate it with coffee, chocolates, or other common flavors found in dark microbrews. Simply water, barley, hops, yeast, and... beer?

Well, that’s what the bottle says. I’ll have to do some reading to really understand what that actually means.

In the mean time, I’ve got far more interesting books to read...

[gloryofbeer]

Sierra Nevada Celebration 2018 6.8%

Light [====5=====] Dark

Hoppy [==3=======] Malty

Fizzy [===4======] Flat

Hoppy New Year!!

I’m closing out 2018 with a bitter, hoppy ale in honor of a bitter fairly awful year. Happy to see 2018 go, and with it the bitter pills we’ve been forced to swallow.

But enough of that. This particular ale serves well cold, and offers strong fragrant hops, and a hint of pine (I really can’t be sure where that comes from). The bottle claims the complex flavors include a sweet malty flavor, and the darker color of the ale gives hints of it, but I find it fairly undetectable. Perhaps the sweetness is subtle enough that I enjoy it, but can’t consciously taste it.

I enjoy it; and if you can find it, I’d encourage you to pick it up. It’s one of the better strongly hopped ales I’ve had in recent months.

Go forth! Enjoy this ale as part of a farewell to 2018, and a welcome to 2019.

[gloryofbeer]

Tusk and Grain No.03 12%

Light [=========10] Dark

Hoppy [=======8==] Malty

Fizzy [=====6====] Flat

This ultra-dark barrel-aged ale is blended across three different types, a barley wine, imperial porter and imperial stout. You can tell right from cracking open the wax-sealed cap, as the scent wafts out. Sweet, a little bitter, and the unmistakable scent of bourbon barrels.

This beer is a sipping beer, no doubt. It does better in snifter style glasses that focus the scent of the ale. Drink it cool, not cold, and since it comes in a pint, share it with some friends this holiday season.

It is absolutely worth the rather high price tag.