Shiner Ruby Redbird

The Dirt
I will admit, when I saw this on the shelf, I frowned a little. But my roommate brought back a couple from a BYOB gathering at Salt Lick, so I thought I'd review something I wouldn't normally buy.

Once poured, you can instantly smell the ginger. After a few sips, you wonder if you're drinking a ginger ale with less fiz and alcohol added in. There's a hint of the grapefruit on the backside of the beer, but isn't too noticeable compared to the ginger. Very dry after the initial ginger taste.

Worth it?
I will always keep an open mind to any beer I try, because some can truly surprise you. But this one lived up to the expectations. It was free for me, and there's another in the fridge. Safe to say, I won't be drinking it. I applaud the creative effort and old college try, but Shiner, please return to crafting tasty renditions of classic German beers.


The Final Word

Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

The Dirt
Rye beers are making a big comeback (or moment in the sun), and with good cause. Rye adds a little spice versus a lot of malty taste. And of course, pale ales are hoppy, so it was interesting to see how these two would play with each other.

This beer got it all right, with the perfect balance of hops and rye. Smooth at first, but the hop and rye flavors fade in quickly. Citrus notes from the hops and the spice of the rye linger on the backside, with a hint of sweet at the end. Just plain tasty and very drinkable. Hop heads (which I am), you may want more hops, but I think that would hide the rye. Although letting a pale ale warm up isn't something I'd recommend, I will say that the rye becomes more present later in the glass, as the beer warms up just a tad. The only way this could get better is if it was made into a double pale or something.

Worth it?
A trick question this time around. A very generous friend gave me of few of these, as they're not available here in Texas. But if you see it somewhere (probably more in the Southeast), I recommend getting one, especially if you like pale ales and want to be introduced to rye.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Scotch Ale

The Dirt
 The Scotch Ale finds itself in many of the Sam Adams sampler packs, and is a great addition. It has that traditional malty sweetness that is part of a scotch ale, with a small hint of peat. It's one of the most drinkable scotch ales I've had, as some can be too sweet, making it hard to have anything else afterward. The downside to that is the flavor may not be as intense or complex. Pretty solid flavor profile from start to finish, though it does get a little flat at the end as it warms up a bit. Very good beer though, and a good entry to scotch ales if you're a bit weary of trying one.

Worth it?
I rarely buy a 6-pack of a Sam Adams beer for the full list price, as they can be a bit pricey. But they usually go on sale at some point, so grab it then to try. I usually get the Scotch Ale in a mix pack, which is always worth it.

The Final Word

 

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen

The Dirt
 Hefeweizens - the tasty brew of the summer months. Sierra Nevada is known for their hoppy beers, so I've been meaning to try their hef to see what they were up to. As with most good hefs, this guy is unfiltered, and thus has a nice cloudy light golden color. Clove hits first on the front-end, then a light banana flavor follows, which gives way to a smooth wheaty sweetness on the finish. Like a cross between a traditional hef and an American hef, meaning the clove and banana flavors are there, but so is the wheaty sweet and hint of lemon. Not overpowering on the clove and banana - fairly well balanced. I recommend swishing it in your mouth in order to get the full flavor profile, otherwise it can appear weak if drank too quickly. Don't forget to leave a little bit of beer left in the bottle to swirl! Some extra flavor is sit'n at the bottom of that bottle.

Worth it?
 When normally priced, this is a bit steep, but when on sale is a great buy. A good hef - definitely nice for a summer day. Guess Sierra Nevada isn't just about the hops.

The Final Word