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Beer Reviews

Herbal Ale

BluCreek Brewing
Madison, WI
USA
http://www.blucreek.com/

Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable

Jill’s Rating:
   (Drinkable, but flawed)


Comments:
I’m not sure I buy all the health claims attached to ginseng, Gingko Biloba, and Guarana. Supposedly they’re good for your stamina, circulation, and energy levels, but the only stamina I want is being able to drink more. I want the alcohol to circulate through my veins, and I want enough energy to lift my glass to the bartender and ask for another. Do I need special botanicals for that?

At any rate, this beer didn’t really seem to give me much extra, especially on taste. This poured with a huge head and was a thick and cloudy dark caramel color. You can really smell the spices on the nose, but when you taste them, they first just hit the top of your mouth. Subsequent sips spread the flavor throughout the mouth, but it’s not all that great.

If this is supposed to be the energy drink of beers, maybe they have something. I’ve tasted Red Bull exactly once and never needed to sip that swill again. I’m not sure what ginseng, Gingko Biloba, and Guarana taste like on their own, but after a while, this beer reminded me of the taste of Red Bull. The honey couldn’t save it, and I found myself longing for other spices to freshen up the taste of this beer.

Reviewed by Jill Jaracz on April 20, 2009.

Drinkin’ And Thinkin’

Beer Dorks News

BA creates label to distinguish true, independent craft beer from faux, corporate-owned "craft" beer. Cheers to that! The aptly named Tenacity Brewing seeks to emerge from the disaster that was the water crisis in Flint, MI. Chicagoans hopeful a recent announcement from Three Floyds will bring a much-desired brewpub to the city. Sam Calagione's brilliant response to the news that an AB/InBev subsidiary is now a part-owner of RateBeer. Wisconsin's Gestapo, the Tavern League, looks to tighten rules that will hurt small brewers. One of the original craft beer stalwarts of the Upper Midwest, Summit, ceases distribution in 6 more states, leaving only 5 from their peak of 17. How much does psychology play into perceptions of craft beer? An incredibly interesting case study by this Estonian brewery indicates it's a major factor. AB-InBev controls South African hop market, not allowing craft brewers access. Sounds like the actions of a company that "advocates for craft brewers". Dirty fucking liars. Denmark brewer creates "Pisner", brewed with human urine. As opposed to Bud/Miller/Coors, which is just straight up urine, human or otherwise. On the heels of the Wicked Weed sellout, Lagunitas announces it's sold the remaining 50% to Heineken. We've said it before... this is not going to end well.