Well, Beer North, here I go again, STRUGGLING to make the time to explore new beers. I am in no way hurting for beer, just for NEW beers as in the past. I did get a bottle of Deschutes Black Butte XXIV, which unfortunately won’t be ready to be enjoyed until NEXT July(for my more denser friends see below for a picture of the label). 
With that being said, I did try a few things this past week…
Kokanee Beer
5% ABV
N/A IBU
This beer is advertised as “Glacier Fresh Beer” from Canada. I had a taste of this beer while sitting at Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub last Thursday. I would describe this beer as a typical fizzy yellow beer reminiscent of American lagers. I found it tasteless, watery, and something I can’t recommend to any of Beer North Nation.
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 0 out of 4 Pints
Russian River/Sierra Nevada Brewing – Brux Domesticated Wild Ale
8.3% ABV
N/A IBU
WOW, says all that needs to be said about this wild ale. Ratebeer agrees with me and my friend Timmy(who enjoyed a bottle on Saturday) with a 97 rating. I have had Belgian sours before and I must tell you that I really prefer the American interpretation of the style. Refer to last week’s Thirsty Thursday for more of my thoughts…
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3.5 out of 4 Pints
Mikkeller Brewing - Monks Brew
10% ABV
N/A IBU
This is a Belgian Quadruple aged in bourbon barrels. When you first open the bottle you notice that the aroma is almost like sour mash. It pours a muddy brown color with a light head. The first sip is full of alcohol and bourbon flavor. It is sweet and multifaceted and complex and heavy. Personally, I found it to be TOO heavy and hard to drink. I think I have found that I really have a hard time with Belgian style ales. Think of this beer as a scotch ale on steroids, and for my liking TOO many steroids. I would like feedback from people who have had this beer as I had a hard time finishing the glass. Now was that because I didn’t like the beer or because my stomach was not at 100%…
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 2 out of 4 Pints
That’s ALL FOLKS! A little secret that I am keeping form the kids, we ar emaking our way East this weekend to The Dells! I may not have a post on Friday as I will be riding a water slide WOOOO HOOOOOO!!! I do plan on sampling some beer from across the river that we can’t have here, so stay tuned!
CHEERS!!
