Haul for 10/17

The second of two hauls, this one the most recent since I pulled this one off yesterday.  Just swung by Tasty Beverage after work and went a little out of control.  I guess I won't be buying much beer next month based on what I splurged on today.  Here's the haul:

• Boulevard Collaboration #4 Saison - For this collaboration, they paired up Ommegang to create a saison.  I don't think I've ever had Boulevard beers before, but I am a fan of Ommegang so I figured I'd give it a try.  Price paid: $8.99
• Boulevard Smokestack Bourbon Barrel Quad - I have to admit, I was drawn to several beers that were labeled as one or two per customer only.  I understood that meant they were either in high demand, were rare, or both.  I pounced on the most of them in the store, considering they were reasonable in price.  Price paid: $12.99
• Stone Enjoy By IPA - My date was 10/31/14, and it was consumed last night.  That means that you'll likely see a review next year.  Ha.  No, I'm going to try and get my recent drinks completed and then work backwards to manage my pending list.  Every time I turn around, this beer is sold out so I considered myself lucky that I'd finally get to try this bad boy.  Price paid: $6.99
• Wicked Weed Briars & Brett - I'm not sure if I've ever had a sour before.  Again, was drawn to the one-per-customer thing.  I know Wicked Weed recently opened the Funkatorium; they basically have over a dozen taps dedicated to sour ales.  I figured I'd let this one age and go experiment with sour ales in the near future.  Oh yeah, this one was aged in gin barrels with blackberries.  Interesting combo.  Price paid: $9.99
• Highland 20th Anniversary IPA - Would you believe that this was the beer that drove me to come by the store?  I had the previous 2 anniversary beers and this was the 3rd beer (There are releasing more beers than that to celebrate 20 years, but I'm only focusing on the beers that are labeled as 20th anniversary beers) of 4.  Price paid: $8.99
• Fullsteam Fearrington Apple Rye IPA - I was intrigued by the combination of apple, rye, and IPA.  They said they used apple because everybody else is focused on pumpkins.  I just hope the combination pays off.  Price paid: $6.49
• Fullsteam Tree to Sea Gose - I was impressed by the fact that they used NC ingredients to make this beer, and it came from all over the state.  To support my love for NC (I know, silly right?   I could be supporting my love for NC a myriad of different ways than buying this beer) I decided to buy this beer.  Call me a sucker.  Price paid: $12.99 

Haul for 10/10

Remember when I said I'd try to get 6 complete last week?  How much did I get done?  1!  Talk about not meeting one's goals.  I'm not pleased with myself, but now I've had the chance to enjoy a lazy Saturday, lounge for a bit, recuperate a bit.  Yeah, my goal is to finish two hauls and at least 4 reviews for a total of 6 posts.  Like my chances?  I don't, but until the wife gets home, I like my likelihood of having the free time to do what I need to do.  It's not often that I get to go by Bottle Revolution anymore, but I was in the area and decided to drop by and get a quick 6 pack.  What did I get?  Here's the haul:

• Red Brick Brother Leo Belgian IPA - Part of Red Brick's Brick Mason series, I had tried or at least purchased some of their other Brick Mason series offerings, so I figured I'd snag this one too.  Price paid: $3.39
• Schilling Oak Cider - I haven't had a lot of ciders aged in wood, but the ones I have tried have been great.  I've never heard of Schilling before, so I figured I'd give them a go.  Price paid: $2.09
• Schilling Ginger Cider - Since the price was affordable, I didn't just get the oak cider but the ginger cider as well.  Hope these cider makers know their stuff..!  Price paid: $2.09
• Unknown Over the Edge IPA - I've passed this Charlotte based brewery several times and wondered when they would have something that I could buy in stores.  Time to figure out how they rank with the other NC breweries..!  Price paid: $1.99
• Weyerbacher Autumnfest - I feel like I missed Oktoberfest.  September came and went so quickly.  What's the deal that Oktoberfest is really held in September?  Anyway, I'm ready to make up for lost time, plus I may not get around to drinking this until next year.  Price paid: $2.09
• Duck-Rabbit Marzen - Continuing my need to celebrate Oktoberfest, I decided to pick this one up at well.  Looks like Duck-Rabbit is spreading out their offerings.  And better yet, I just realized that they finally updated their website.  Finally a website that matches the quality of their beer.  Price paid: $1.79

214. Mother Earth Endless River Kolsch Style Ale

"A clean, crisp beer, Kolsch offers a very slight fruity flavor and aroma.  It is light gold in color, with a delicate head.  This light-bodied beer appeals to nearly everyone who samples it.  Expect to enjoy a slight tang in the finish."

I haven't reviewed in a loooooong time.  Life has been busy, but the beer drinking hasn't stopped.  I have a lot of notes that I just need to type up.  The goal for today?  Take care of a half-dozen.  This one will be the first.  Had this one last night with some pizza.  It was poured into a pilsner glass.  Clear gold color with three fingers of fluffy white head.  Splotches of lacing left behind.  Long retention.  Attractive beer.  Simple aroma profile, picking up bread, crackers, some light grassy notes, just a touch of grape peel.  

Tastes are consistent with the aroma, but grassy notes are a little more forward and the finish brings out the lightest bit of citrus and hop character.  Very crisp with medium to high carbonation, light bodied (4.9% ABV).  

This is an incredibly easy to drink beer, very sessionable.  I haven't had a lot of kolsch beers, but I get the impression that this is very representative of the style and that it is one of the better representations as well.  If you like a light bodied brew and you're not fond of dark or overly hoppy beer, I think this would be a great candidate to get someone introduced to the world of craft beer.

Grade: A-

Price Paid: $1.79 (12 oz bottle)  

Haul for 3/22

Wow, it's been a while since I've had a haul (and a while since I've posted, but I'll get around to updating when I get more free time..work has left me very, very busy).  Anyway, I had spent my money for March on bourbon instead of beer, but came to find out that the bourbon I bought for myself was accidentally gifted away.  I've dropped by a few ABC stores but haven't been able to find the bottle since.  That snafu replenished my alcohol funds and I decided to drop by Bottle Revolution to get one bottle of cider and walked out with a lot more...no surprise there.  Anyway, here's the haul:

• Angry Orchard Muse - This was what I came to the store for, noticed that Angry Orchard had a new cider and wanted to give it a try.  Still haven't consumed Strawman and Iceman yet, but I'll eventually get around to it.  Price paid: $13.99
• Doc's Pumpkin Cider - I have yet to try my pumpkin cider, but they had this on closeout for cheap, so I figured it would be worth a pickup.  Price paid: $2.00
• Raleigh House of Clay - I've noticed a lot more variety of NC brewers in the store and I know they've been popping up all over the place.  Not enough money, too much breweries, but I figured I'd make the effort to try a few here and there when I can.  I like Rye IPAs and the price point seemed okay, so I figured I'd give this a go.  Price paid: $5.49
• Fullsteam Fearrington Winter - The label said coffee pecan porter.  Sold!  Price paid: $6.99
• Lonerider Addie's Revenge - I don't know if this is year-round or the new seasonal, but Lonerider decided to release an IPA.  Price paid: $1.79
• Hi-Wire Contortionist - I've seen more of Hi-Wire in the area and I figured I'd get a good feel for their year-rounders and seasonals to see how they stack up with some of the other NC breweries I enjoy.  This one is a black IPA, so I'm assuming it's their seasonal release.  Looks good.  Price paid: $2.69
• Hi-Wire Bed of Nails - This is their brown ale and I'll be comparing it against Lonerider's Sweet Josie Brown.  It'll either be better, worse, or about the same.  If it can't match up, I won't be having another.  Price paid: $1.79
• RJ Rockers Black Perle - Another black IPA that I look forward to drinking, I know they're out of South Carolina and I haven't really tried their offerings before.  Price paid: $2.59
• Big Boss Centaur - I thought I saw some news that they have some sort of Alpha series and some other type of series to correspond with their brews.  Centaur is their saison ale and I want to say that I should be able to transition onto different breweries because I've bought at least one of everything from them, I think.  Price paid: $3.39
• Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald - I was at the end of my six pack and I wanted to buy something cheap (but good) to fill out the 6 pack.  I think I made a great choice.  Price paid: $1.59

Haul for 2/25

Alright, so after this post, I'll be caught up with my current hauls.  Seems a little on the light side, but I have been buying beer at restaurants and other types of activities and those purchases eats away at my budget to buy, hold, and consume at home.  On this particular day, I headed to Tasty Beverage after work to get a few goodies, knowing it was towards the end of the month and remarkably, I hadn't spent a lot of money on beer.  That was going to change.  Here's the haul:

• Terrapin Side Project Pineapple Express - I had meant to get this a week or two ago when I first heard that it was out, but decided to roll the dice instead, wait, and hope it was still around.  Luckily for me, there was still a couple bottles to be found in the refrigerated section.  Price paid: $7.99
• Big Boss Warhawk - Big Boss' Pale Ale offering is just another named beer that I haven't tried.  Fortunately, I'm going to get to the point where I've had them all and I can focus my attention on other local NC breweries.  Price paid: $3.25
• Big Boss Deuces Wild - Another Big Boss beer that I haven't had yet.  This is the DIPA.  I doubt it stands up to some of the better DIPAs I favor, but maybe I'll be surprised.  Price paid: $3.99
• Red Brick Beard Envy - I guess beer and beards are pretty popular.  At least this one wasn't made with yeast from some guy's beard though.  Again, trying to keep up with the Georgia breweries too, so this one made my list.  Price paid: $3.25
• Mother Earth Endless River Kolsch - I've had several beers from Mother Earth but I think this is one of the few year-round offerings that I have yet to try.  Was looking to round out my 4-pack with something that wasn't so expensive.  Price paid: $1.75
• Lagunitas Sucks - I still had plenty of Lagunitas sitting at the house, but I know it's a seasonal and it would soon depart and I felt the need to get just one more six pack to last me the next several months.  It's sooooo worth it.  Price paid: $9.99

Haul for 2/20

Before I left Charlotte to get back home to Raleigh, I dropped by a local Total Wine to see if they had any selections that I wouldn't be able to get back in Raleigh.  I know that with a big chain like that, it would be very unlikely that I would find anything that was specific to the area, but one would never know unless they check it out, right?  Anyway, I did find that most of the selection was the same, although they had some things that I couldn't find in Raleigh because they were already bought and snatched up.  Good to know for future reference.  Anyway, I couldn't just walk in without getting something, and I did get one thing, and this is the haul:

• Unibroue Terrible - I'm very much a fan of Unibroue and I understand that they don't make a whole bunch of different beers.  They just make the ones that they have and they do it incredibly well.  So of course, I'm going to be intrigued by a bottle that looks different from Maudite, La Fin Du Monde, Ephemere, etc.  it's a black bottle with little more detail than that.  It's even corked and caged.  Color me intrigued.  Price paid: $9.99

Haul for 2/19

When I go to Charlotte for work purposes, I typically stay at the same place.  Not because I'm trying to rack up hotel points, but because I go for the cheapest, decent place that's available.  Since the hotel I frequent is actually about ten to fifteen minutes outside Charlotte, I've been known to frequent the same places to eat for dinner when I'm in the area.  Once again, I decided to swing by String Bean Market & Deli and pick up a burger to-go, and decided to get a few brews while I was waiting.  I kept the haul small, but here it is:

• Heavy Seas Small Craft Uber Pils - I was looking to get a 4-pack that wasn't overly expensive and also wanted to get some refrigerated beers that would be ready to drink to go with my dinner.  The selection in the fridge is limited compared to the selection that are on the shelves.  I was also trying to pair my dinner with my beer and thought a pilsner would work pretty well.  Price paid: $2.50
• Stone Pale Ale - Another refrigerated winner, I was also of the opinion that a pale ale would work too.  Price paid: $2.00
• Dogfish Head Piercing Pils - See a theme here..?  This was one of the beers that was not refrigerated, so it was the one beer that I actually took home with me.  The others were consumed at the premises of my hotel room.  Price paid: $2.99
• Howard Trail Maker - It's not often that I get canned beer, but I was still looking for pilsner or pale ale variants without dipping into Black IPAs or porters or any dark beer, for that matter.  Ended up going with this one.  Price paid: $1.99