Here are my impressions of the first four beers. Full disclosure: I am a beer snob. I love drinking beer. I brew my own beer. Living out in CA, I have access to lots of great microbrews and have enjoyed them thoroughly. Anyway, here are my thoughts...
Rolling Rock Extra Pale
Smooth, tasteless, nothingness at the end.
I am reminded why I don't drink Rolling Rock.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Flavorful, complex hoppy flavor (at least 2-3 different hops. One is distinctively dry-hopped.) balanced with a very mild maltiness. Wonderful example of what a Pale Ale should taste like.
Winner: Sierra, hands down. Really, there's no competition on this one. I love hearing stories about my parents drinking Rolling Rock in college because it was the cheapest beer they could get.
Newcastle Brown Ale
Rough start, overly carbonated, malty with a slight roated malt flavor, flavorful finish.
Overall, nice balance of gentle hops and maltiness.
There's a chance that the bottle I had was old because there was a slight 'off' flavor in the aftertaste.
Bodingtons
Smooth, creamy, true to the English ale style.
The taste of a quintessential British ale with the creaminess of a Guinness from the factory in Dublin.
Great presentation in the pour (with the settling from bottom to top, just like a good Guinness).
Even the foam tastes good!
Winner: Bodingtons. Better representation what I think a British ales should taste like. Plus, the creaminess is just yummy!
I'm already waiting for round 2!
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2 comments:
Thank you Jeff for setting up this blog!
US matchup:
I actually never remember liking Rolling Rock, so I was actually surprised when I tried it again after probably 10 years. It was surprisingly refreshing with a very clean finish. However, it could not compare to the robust flavor of Sierra Nevada, a beer I've had before but apparently paid no attention. Depsite the 5 extra Rolling Rock I have sitting in my fridge, I have to vote for Sierra Nevada.
UK matchup:
I can't vote against my London favorite, Bodingtons. Newcastle is very nice, but I have too many memories of numbing my fear of living in a big city by downing a lukewarm pint. Point to Bodingtons.
For me, the best thing about Newcastle is that it's fun to call it a Newkie Brown when ordering. As for the actual drinking, it is a very decent beer, but I find it disappointingly watery considering its promisingly rich brown appearance.
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