Beer, Beer, and more Beer… Hooray Beer!
I have been discovering beer the last couple of years, since I did not drink alcohol until I was really 35 years old. I have thus been sampling beers since then whenever and wherever I get a chance. And I have decided to catalog them a bit because I am forgetting things that I have tried; and what I have liked. It seems my taste runs toward the very strong flavor. However, I don’t really like Lagers’ or IPA’s – so most of the beers I drink are of the Stout (esp Oatmeal), Porter and the occasional Ale. Here then are some beers I have tried, or are in my refrigerator waiting to be tried; and what I have thought of them. I will continue to add to this list as I drink; so you can watch my progression in to alcoholism. 
Mackeson Triple XXX Stout (Milk Stout)
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 89 out of 100. My review is quite different:
The appearance is good, the smell is also good. However, the taste is much to sweet for my liking and it is not smooth and creamy; rather it has a bit of a bite to it. Ordinarily, I don’t mind this in a beer however, my expectations are quite different for a milk stout. I am glad to have tried this beer, but I need to make sure I don’t purchase it again in the future; as there are so many other beers I have tried that I like much better. For instance if I were to drink a milk-stout in the future I would choose to drink a left-hand milk stout. It seems to be just as stout, only with a smooth finish and it is much less sweet.
Black Douglas Ale
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 87 out of 100. I think it is a bit better than that:
This beer was amazingly dark for an ale; really reminded me of what I think a porter should be. It had a great nose, slightly bitter but not hoppy; – but a nice smooth beer I look forward to having again. The nose was flowery like most Scottish beers, but this one had more of a big mouth feel, I was expecting blackberries as they are in the picture on the label. Instead it delighted me with its smooth flavor, and was much better than my session beer for the night – AnchorSteam Porter.
Kiltlifter Scottish Style Ale
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 84 out of 100. My review is again very different:
That sign actually hangs in my kitchen. I know many may not agree with me, however, The smoky hints and flavor are peat, something found in only in an Islay Single Malt Scotch. This is something I personally enjoy so much That this is my favorite beer of all. I am always seeking a smoky flavor; however, none have the complexity and spice of peat it is very distinct to me. I also love porter and stout beers; to let you know what my tongue/nose bias is. However, Kiltlifter is just a wee bit darker than an ale; smooth like water. It just doesn’t get much better than this for me.
Anchor Steam Porter
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 89 out of 100. I agree:
This is ‘just’ a good smooth porter. Pours a dark ruby to black with a thick thick head. The head is medium brown in color. Smells of sweet mollases with a bit of expresso. Spice and burnt malts come through as well. Taste like sweet mollases. then a nice hop bitterness comes through mid gulp. After that you may be able to pick up on dark fruits, and some burnt malt flavors. Mouthfeel is smooth. This beer drinks easy, a is a great session beer. Because of its wide availibility; I choose this as a ‘standby’ beer – because I will almost always try something new if I get a chance to learn more about my own taste pallate.
Black Butte Porter
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 88 out of 100. I agree:
I almost always pick this up when I don’t feel like a Kilt Lifter, this is my backup beer
MacTarnahan’s Blackwatch Porter
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 80 out of 100. I really like it though:
Guinness Extra Stout (Original)
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 85 out of 100.
Nefarious Ten Pin Imperial Porter
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 86 out of 100.
Just opening this beer filled the kitchen with an wonderful ‘hop’ smell. Upon release from the bottle into the glass, it provided a nice 1 inch off-white head; and a very dark body. When held up to my lights you just can not see through this beer at all! However, I seem to get a hint of a redness to the body. My first sip reveals a very complex, smooth body, a hint of licorice and malt. Additionally there is something I have not noticed before in my beers; ‘ohm.’ Ohm is something that tea drinkers use to measure the quality of teas. Ohm is a kind of an after taste, a flavor that lingers in the back of your throat. This has a rich spicy ohm.
Thomas Hardy’s Ale
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 89 out of 100.
Fraoch Heather Ale
Beer Advocate gives the beer a 84 out of 100. I disagree:
Brewed in Scotland since 2000 B.C. heather ale is probably the oldest style of ale still produced in the world. From an ancient Gaelic recipe for “leann fraoich” (heather ale) it has been revived and reintroduced to the Scottish culture. I really wanted to like this beer so much – this is so old; it is like really tasting history – in fact it is just that. And I recommend that if you do come across this bottle; you snap it up and see how history brewed the beer. In my humble opinion I am grateful that I had the ability to both sample this drink; and that it paved the way for the drinks that I love so much today. That said however, it is not that I don’t like this beer; as much as I really don’t like heather. I wish I did; because I would drink more of this if I did.
Left-Hand Milk Stout
Beer Advocate gives the beer a ** out of 100.
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