Alcohlogers Anonymous

Black Diamond Merlot 2007

2012-01-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

Description - Merlot

Maker - Western Importers, "A Guadagni Family Selection"

Notes - A dry, yet full-of-character merlot that goes perfectly with food. Very mellow and nice to drink.

7/10

Batch 19

2012-01-14T16:48:00.000-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Coors Archive Brewing

Notes - Definitely reminiscent of Coors but with a sweeter mid flavor and a grainier finish.

6/10

1554

2012-01-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

Description - "Enlightened" Black Ale

Maker - New Belgium Brewing Co.

Notes - An ale of dark character with lots of coffee highlights and a complimentary fruitiness that is very light.

7/10

The Czar

2012-01-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

Description - Imperial Stout

Maker - Avery Brewing Co.

Notes - A medium bodied imperial stout with nice sweet molasses and toffee flavors. Very well balanced.

8/10

St. Bernardus Abt 12

2012-01-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Description - Belgian Abbey Ale

Maker - Brouwerij St. Bernardus

Notes - Darker in color with hints of honey. Fruity like a barley wine. Very nice.

9/10

Mad Belgian

2012-01-14T15:57:00.000-08:00

Description - Belgian Style Golden Ale

Maker - Mad River Brewing Co.

Notes - Amply sweet and full bodied, this is a very pleasing Belgian. Very nice fruit flavors.

8/10

Dillon Dam Extra Pale

2012-01-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Description - Extra Pale Ale

Maker - Dillon Dam Brewery

Notes - A well-balanced pale that's pleasantly fruity while at the same time bitter.

7/10

Tyku Liqueur

2012-01-14T15:23:00.000-08:00

Description - Sake Liqueur

Maker - Tyku

Notes - This tangy and fruity concoction was a real surprise. Well balanced and packs a nice smooth punch.

8/10

Artesa Pinnacle

2012-01-14T15:02:00.001-08:00

Description - Red Wine Blend

Maker - Artesa Vineyards

Notes - Don't recall any particulars.

7/10

Ten Fidy

2012-01-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Description - Imperial Stout

Maker - Oskar Blues

Notes - A thick, caramely imperial with strong fruit highlights of grape and apple. That contrasted with a metallic mocha finish leads to a very interesting mix of flavors.

8/10

Firestone Double Jack

2012-01-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

Description - Double IPA

Maker - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Notes - Rich enough to have a full, balanced flavor, and hoppy enough to please those who like that sort of thing.

8/10

Whitewater Hill Shiraz 2008

2012-01-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

Description - Shiraz

Maker - Whitewater Hill

Notes - A little on the sour side for my taste in shiraz. Still some pleasing dark highlights.

6/10

Balistreri Syrah 2008

2011-11-28T22:21:00.001-08:00

Description - Syrah

Maker - J.A. Balistreri Vineyards

Notes - A surprisingly smokey syrah with equal highlights of spice and an overall medium body.

9/10

Orval Trapist Ale

2011-11-28T22:14:00.001-08:00

Description - Belgian Style Ale

Maker - Orval Abbey

Notes - A rich fruitiness is quickly overtaken by the unmistakable effervescence of Smarties. This sweet flavoring is quite intriguing, making this ale a very interesting try.

6/10

Firestone Union Jack

2011-11-28T22:13:00.001-08:00

Description - IPA

Maker - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Notes - Distinctive bitters of an IPA with a nice balance of grains and fruity sweetness.

7/10

Cassis Lambic

2011-11-25T23:41:00.001-08:00

Description - Beer made with Black Currants

Maker - Brouwerij Lindemans

Notes - Tart and fruity! The Cassis flavor really comes through and is reminiscent of a bubbly cranberry juice.

6/10

Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale

2011-11-25T23:25:00.001-08:00

Description -Wheat-ish ale brewed with sugar and spices

Maker - Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Notes - A solid ale with lots of interesting notes of sweetness.

7/10

Frambozen

2011-11-25T23:23:00.001-08:00

Description - Raspberry Brown Ale

Maker - New Belgium Brewing

Notes - Light and tart, just the right amount of raspberries. Very pleasant on the palate.

7/10

Jiahu

2011-11-25T23:17:00.001-08:00

Description - Ale brewed with honey, hawthorn berries & grape juice

Maker - Dogfish Head

Notes - Sweet and fruity, this ale really cuts it close to the champagne of beers - in the good way.

9/10

Chocolate Shop Creme De Cocoa

2011-11-17T07:24:00.001-08:00

Description - Chocolate Wine

Maker - Chocolate Shop Wine

Notes - Smooth, creamy, and VERY chocolaty. It's almost like a light Bailey's. A definitely kick of alcohol, but surprising that it's wine!

7/10

Mirror Pond Pale Ale

2011-11-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

Description - Pale Ale

Maker - Deschutes Brewery

Notes - A nice balance of hops and malty goodness. The flower scents led nicely into the solid grain flavors.

7/10

Kingfisher Premium

2011-11-12T10:33:00.001-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Kingfisher Brewing Co

Notes - This lager had an intriguing spicing that I couldn't tell if I liked or not. Slightly reminiscent of urinal cake smell, but not in a bad way.

5/10

Chang

2011-11-12T10:30:00.001-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Cosmos Brewery Co

Notes - A pretty standard lager comparable to any of the major US brands. Didn't notice anything that stood out.

5/10

Chocolate Box Shiraz 2008

2011-11-12T10:27:00.001-08:00

Description - Shiraz

Maker - Rocland Estate

Notes - A rich and almost creamy shiraz with deep flavor and a nice tangy twist.

8/10

Sam Adams Octoberfest

2011-11-12T10:24:00.001-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - The Boston Beer Company

Notes - A surprisingly spicy and fruity Oktoberfest seasonal. Fun to drink.

7/10

Shock To Pumpkin Wheat

2011-11-12T10:06:00.001-08:00

Description - Wheat Beer made with Pumpkin

Maker - Shock Top Brewing Co

Notes - A decent wheat beer with some tangy highlights. Minimal spicing that I could tell.

6/10

Arrogant Bastard Ale

2011-11-12T10:02:00.001-08:00

Description - IPA

Maker - Stone Brewing Co

Notes - Heavily hopped ale with a full body. Unfortunately not my thing.

5/10

Rio Seco Pinot Noir 2010

2011-11-12T09:55:00.001-08:00

Description - Pinot Noir

Maker - Rio Seco Winery

Notes - I don't remember a lot about this one. So I'll give it the median score.

5/10

Maui Coconut Porter

2011-11-12T09:51:00.001-08:00

Description - Porter

Maker - Maui Brewing Co

Notes - Since I first tried this brew at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival, I was hooked. A great blend of roast and creamy sweetness, and even a fruity kick towards the end.

8/10

Tommyknocker Small Patch Pumpkin Harvest Ale

2011-11-12T09:27:00.001-08:00

Description -Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices

Maker - Tommyknocker Brewing Co

Notes - A pumpkin ale with a darker take - more like a brown ale. Still has nice hints of spice and I guess a little pumpkin. Well rounded.

7/10

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

2011-11-12T09:20:00.001-08:00

Description - Pumpkin Ale brewed with spices

Maker - Matt Brewing Co

Notes - A rather average pumpkin ale. Not a strong holiday flavor - more like a normal ale.

6/10

America's Original Pumpkin Ale

2011-11-12T09:16:00.001-08:00

Description - Ale brewed with pumpkin and spices

Maker - Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Notes - With an ample amount of well-balanced spicing, this pumpkin ale takes a place at the top of pumpkin ales I've tried. Lightly sweet with noticeable pumpkin.

7/10

Euphoria Pale Ale

2011-11-12T09:14:00.001-08:00

Description - Pale Ale

Maker - Ska Brewing Co

Notes - Mostly bitter, not much else.

3/10

Beringer White Zin 2009

2011-11-12T09:10:00.001-08:00

Description - White Zinfandel

Maker - Beringer

Notes - Pretty standard white zin. Lightly sweet, a bit tangy.

6/10

Grande River IPA

2011-11-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

Description - IPA

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewing Co

Notes - An unfortunately average IPA. Bitter, very little other flavor. Still in the palatable range.

4/10

Hefe Suave

2011-11-12T08:52:00.001-08:00

Description -Hefeweizen

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewing Company

Notes - A little unusual for a hefeweizen. Less fruity and more pezzy.

6/10

Monteith's Pilsner

2011-11-12T08:40:00.001-08:00

Description - Pilsner

Maker - Monteith's Brewing Co.

Notes - A pretty drinkable pilsner - mild, yet full.

6/10

Rcok Bottom Hop Bomb

2011-11-12T08:36:00.001-08:00

Description - Imperial IPA

Maker - Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery

Notes - Lots of different hops flavors, but none too overpowering. A very green taste - like the bottle!

7/10

Bristol Dark Oatmeal Stout

2011-11-12T06:52:00.001-08:00

Description -Stout

Maker - Bristol Brewery

Notes - As the name suggests, this stout touts a very dark, coffee flavor. I'm not usually a fan of the heavy roast, but this was pretty nice.

6/10

Beck's

2011-11-12T06:46:00.001-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Brauerei Beck & Co

Notes - Pretty standard lager. Enjoyable.

6/10

Mojo

2011-11-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Description - IPA

Maker - Boulder Beer Co.

Notes - Pretty standard IPA. Nothing to write home about.

5/10

Otokoyama 2011 Tanabata Special

2011-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

Description - Sake

Maker - Otokoyama Sake

Notes - Light, smooth, and perfect chilled for summer.

9/10

Special Sake from Niigata

2011-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Description - Sake

Maker - ?

Notes - Sweet and delicious.

9/10

Russian Beer purchased in Wakkanai, Hokkaido

2011-11-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Description - Ale

Maker - ?

Notes - An interesting sort of beer with hints of molasses and coffee. Overall a dark, but pleasant character.

7/10

Otokoyama Momenya - Hokkaido Limited

2011-11-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

Description - Dry, aromatic sake

Maker - Otokoyama Sake

Notes - All around a great sake. Smooth with some slight hints of floral and fruit.

8/10

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2009

2011-07-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Description - Sangiovese

Maker - Di Majo Norante

Notes - Quite a dry red wine with undiscernable highlights. But overall not bad.

6/10

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Malbec 2009

2011-06-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

Description - Malbec

Maker - The Infinite Monkey Theorem

Notes - Quite alcoholic on the nose, but not in an unpleasant. Has a nice dry quality with highlights of charcoal and sweetness.

7/10

Blackstone Zin 2009

2011-06-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Description - Zinfandel

Maker - Blackstone Winery

Notes - A fruitier wine with nothing particularly interesting or bad.

5/10

Cheo Rosso 2009

2011-06-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

Description - Red Wine Blend

Maker - Cheo?

Notes - Particularly dry with a distinctive tart flavor that doesn't overpower at all. Also notable was its campfire hints.

7/10

Sam Adams Lager

2011-06-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Boston Beer Company

Notes - Lager one step above the national average. Pleasant to drink.

6/10

Sam Adams Noble Pils

2011-06-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Description - Pilsner

Maker - The Boston Beer Company

Notes - Pilsner with a prominent bitter hop flavor.

5/10

Double Dog Dare Cab

2011-06-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Double Dog Dare Cellars

Notes - A pretty standard cab with nice smoke and butter flavors. Very drinkable

6/10

Mondavi Cab

2011-06-12T13:54:00.001-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Mondavi Family Vineyards

Notes - A little more flavor than the Zin and lacking the unbearableness. Still better as sangria.

2/10

Mondavi Zinfandel

2011-06-12T13:52:00.001-07:00

Description - Zinfandel

Maker - Mondavi Family Vineyards

Notes - Overpowering bitterness at the attack and secondary unpleasantness - unable to finish glass. Turned into sangria.

1/10

Dry Dock Double IPA

2011-06-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Description - India Pale Ale

Maker - Dry Dock Brewing Co.

Notes - A decent IPA with great floral aromas, a distinctive citrus attack and a pleasing bitter-sweet finish. I can get down with doubles.

8/10

Heineken

2011-06-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Heineken Brouwerijen

Notes - Standard beer with a little bit of an unpleasant bite.

4/10

Corona Extra

2011-06-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Description - Beer

Maker - Cerveceria Modelo

Notes - Beer with a tangy punch. Nice with lime.

5/10

Coors Light

2011-06-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Coors Brewing Co.

Notes - A pretty standard light beer with a pleasant sweetness in the aftertaste. Must be all that Rocky Mountain water.

6/10

Canyon Oaks Cab 2009

2011-06-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Canyon Oaks Vineyards

Notes - Starts off with a rather unpleasant, bitter attack and mellows out into mediocrity. Also slightly nausea-inducing at the end of the glass.

2/10

Snoqualmie Riesling 2009

2011-06-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Description - Riesling

Maker - Snoqualmie Vineyards

Notes - Syrupy but not too syrupy with a pleasant tang. Pretty decent riesling.

7/10

Canyon Oaks Zin 2009

2011-06-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

Description - Zinfandel

Maker - Canyon Oaks Vineyards

Notes - Not offensive in any way and has the texture of decent wine. Very pleasant when you want something mild to go with food or just for relaxing times.

6/10

Glen Ellen Cab 2009

2011-06-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Concannon Vineyard

Notes - This wine's distinctive feature was its smokiness. Not a lot else going on, but pretty drinkable.

5/10

Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat

2011-05-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Description - Honey Wheat Ale

Maker - Blue Moon Brewing Company

Notes - All in all a nice, solid ale with distinguishable honey overtone. Closer to a lager in flavor than a wheat, but you can still catch those hints of the grain.

7/10

Sutter Home Zinfandel 2009

2011-05-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

Description - Zinfandel

Maker - Sutter Home Family Vineyards

Notes - A bit of a fruity body with a rather unpleasant bitter causing involuntary grimaces. Gets better with more sips.

3/10

Grande River IPA

2011-05-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

Description - IPA

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewery

Notes - Pretty standard IPA affair - heavy on the bitter and just a little grain to back it up.

5/10

Valle Caliente

2011-05-16T23:32:00.000-07:00

Description - Green Chile Beer

Maker - San Luis Valley Brewery

Notes - A very pleasant chile beer with not too much on the spice. Just right for a relaxing afternoon. Probably the best I've had yet.

7/10

Tisdale Cab

2011-05-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Tisdale Vineyards

Notes - When first opened, it had a distinct nose of gym socks. This turned into a light fruit smell over 3 days in the fridge. Other than that - pretty bland.

3/10

Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout

2011-05-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Description - Stout

Maker - Breckenridge Brewery

Notes - Prominent highlights of coffee and a little chocolate, this particularly dark oatmeal stout is quite heavy. Good with sweets.

6/10

Monteith's Pilsner

2011-05-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Description - Pilsner

Maker - Monteith's Brewing Co

Notes - A really solid beer with a kick of at the attack and then in mellows out into a nice, barley finish. Very smooth.

7/10

Hop Bomb

2011-05-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

Description - Imperial IPA

Maker - Rock Bottom Brewery

Notes - A sweeter IPA than typical with lots of green flavor. Packs a decent punch, but is still smooth.

8/10

Beck's

2011-05-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

Description - Pilsner

Maker - Brauerei Beck & Co

Notes - A decent all-around beer.

6/10

Alaskan Amber

2011-05-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

Description - Amber Ale

Maker -Alaskan Brewing Co.

Notes - A robust flavor with a strong sweet highlight reminiscent of a boch. The finish also reminds me of cucumber a bit.

7/10

Orange Blossom

2011-05-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

Description - Cream Ale brewed with honey, orange peel & flower

Maker - Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Notes - Very prominent flavors of orange and/or tangerine at the attack with a full grain finish. Crisp sweetness with only a hint of bitter from the extract.

7/10

Otoko Yama

2011-05-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

Description - Tokubetsu Junmai Sake

Maker - Otokoyama Sake Brewery

Notes - With a light-wafting and sweet smell, this sake takes you right from the very beginning. It has a smooth mouth-feel from start to finish, and a slightly floral aroma that lingers. Really a pleasure.

9/10

Tisdale Pinot Noir

2011-05-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

Description - Pinot Noir

Maker - Tisdale Vineyards

Notes - Tangy, and a little bland.

4/10

Crane Lake Cab 2009

2011-05-09T17:50:00.001-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Crane Lake Cellars

Notes - Pretty average in all respects. A little flat but not unpleasant.

5/10

Benzinger Zinfandel 2008

2011-04-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Description - Zinfandel

Maker - Benzinger Family Winery

Notes - Full-bodied with a tangy kick. A nice Zinfandel.

6/10

Gallo Family Pinot Noir

2011-04-26T08:47:00.000-07:00

Description - Pinto Noir

Maker - Gallo Family Vineyards

Notes - Packing a tangy punch, this wine doesn't have much after the initial attack. Decent with food.

5/10

Crane Lake Petite Sirah 2008

2011-04-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Description - Petite Sirah

Maker - Crane Lake Cellars

Notes - A lightly fruity and not unpleasant attack and a bland to bitter aftertaste. Both Kim and I felt nauseous after the first glass, but felt better after TUMS.

2/10

Hitachino Nest Beer - Red Rice Ale

2011-04-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

Description - Ale brewed with red rice

Maker - Kiuchi Brewery

Notes - Like a sweet tart, this ale very distinctly expresses its fruity character while packing quite the sour punch as well. I've never had a beer anywhere close to this. It also reminded me of Spree candy in a kind of strawberry way. I wouldn't want it all the time, but it's just so off the wall and a party on my palate, I have to score it pretty high

7/10

Hess Select Cab 2008

2011-04-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Hess Select

Notes - This cab had an intriguing richness and was quite tangy in the aftertaste.

6/10

Earthquake Cab 2006

2011-04-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Michael and David Phillips

Notes - I was really surprised by this one. I guess that's where it gets its name. It's dry and spicy, but with a hint of something more that really keeps wanting another sip.

8/10

Ptarmigan Cab

2011-04-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Stoney Mesa Winery

Notes - A fruity and slightly spicy cab with a deep flavor and strong body. Quite unique.

8/10

Yamaguchi-ken　Gokyo

2011-02-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

Description - Jishu Sake

Maker - Gokyo Company

Notes - This was an interesting one with a pleasant hint of spice in the aftertaste. A little unrefined, but not in a bad way.

7/10

Momokawa Diamond

2011-02-20T19:47:00.000-08:00

Description - Junmai Ginjo Sake

Maker - Momokawa

Notes - This was a pretty decent room-temp. sake. It goes down smooth, with only a little rough aftertaste.

7/10

Momokawa Ruby

2011-02-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

Description - Junmai Ginjo Sake

Maker - Momokawa

Notes - Sweet with simple highlights when chilled - don't drink warm.

6/10

Blue Moon Spring Wheat

2011-02-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

Description - Wheat Ale

Maker - Blue Moon Brewing Co.

Notes - A rather unusual wheat beer, but altogether pleasant. It's barley flavor is a lot more prevalent, and somewhat reminiscent of Sapporo.

7/10

Telemark IPA

2011-02-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

Description - IPA

Maker - Backcountry Brewery

Notes - A sweeter IPA with a well-balanced nature. The hop aromatics are pretty amazing. Green floral highlights abound in this unique take on an IPA.

8/10

Rivarey Tempranillo 2006

2011-02-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

Description - Tempranillo

Maker - Invacesa

Notes - A very mild red table wine. Easy to drink with a muted character.

7/10

Smoking Loon Cab

2011-02-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

Description - Cabernet Sauvignon

Maker - Smoking Loon Wine Co.

Notes - Just as its name would suggest, a cab with ample smokey highlights. It also packs a light buttery punch with a medium body.

8/10

Left Hand Milk Stout

2011-02-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

Description - Milk Stout

Maker - Left Hand Brewing Co.

Notes - A fairly standard stout, coffee and other dark flavors.

6/10

Dearfield Ale

2011-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Description - Blonde Ale with natural strawberry flavor

Maker - Crabtree Brewing Co.

Notes - A light, tangy libation unlike most beers. The strawberry flavor is quite mild and the overall feel a little watery.

6/10

Hoegaarden

2011-02-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

Description - Belgian White Beer

Maker - Anheuser-Busch Inbev

Notes - A really good all around wheat beer. The balance between wheat and barley is well done.

8/10

Leffe Blonde

2011-02-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

Description - Belgian Blond Ale

Maker - SA InBev

Notes - A surprisingly amazing Belgian Ale widely available. Sweet and full-bodied with hints of fruit and a great grainy finish.

9/10

High Note Malbec

2011-02-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Description - Malbec

Maker - Vista Del Sur Winery

Notes - Made in Mendoza, Argentina, this Malbec has a dry attack with blackberry overtones.

7/10

Warsteiner

2011-02-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

Description - German Beer

Maker - Warsteiner Brauerei

Notes - A simple, but all around decent beer.

6/10

Hop Czar

2011-02-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

Description - Imperial IPA

Maker - Bridgeport Brewing Co.

Notes - I don't usually go for the IPAs, but I remember this one being alright.

6/10

Stell Artois

2011-02-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

Description - Lager

Maker - Stella Artois Brewery

Notes - A well rounded, light beer.

7/10

Hitachino Nest Beer - Wiezen

2011-02-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Description - Hefe Wiezen

Maker - Kiuchi Brewery

Notes - A very leafy tasting hefe with only a subtle wheat flavor. Also fairly tangy.

7/10

The Censored Rich Copper Ale

2010-12-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

Description - Copper Ale

Maker - Lagunitas Brewing Company

Notes - While preserving that distinctive metalic flavor, this copper had hints of coffee and other dark highlights.

7/10