Capital Brewery-Wisconsin Amber

I'm going to get this out of the way now, I LOVE Wisconsin beer. This state has a rich brewing history and there is nothing I enjoy more then trying a new Wisconsin micro-brew. With that being said the next beer on my list is the Capital Brewery's Wisconsin Amber.

This beer poured a nice, light, cloudy amber and had a strong creamy white head with great lacing. The nose was sweet, but was predominately hoppy and bitter with herbal and floral notes. The taste was the same as the nose but the flavor of the malts came out more and even had a carmelly type of taste that when added the the bitterness of the hops made this beer great. The mouthfeel was light and smooth with perfect carbonation, and even was a little dry. Over all this was a very drinkable beer and I am excited to try more quality beers from this great state!

Sandcreek-English Style Special Ale

I'm excited to say this is my first Wisconsin beer I am doing for this blog! I was getting some gas at a station near my house and I noticed they had a "Build your own six pack" thing inside. I thought this would be perfect to get me starting on posting more beers, so I loaded up an empty six pack and got back to my house as fast as I could to try one. I inevitably ended up picking the Sandcreek English Style Special Ale.

This beer poured a nice rusty, and very cloudy, red color with an equally nice, thick, tan head. The nose was dry and nutty and somewhat biscuity. The aroma of the hops was very mild compared to the taste which was spicy and almost perfume like (in a good way). The taste was similar to the nose but was a tad more bitter and for some reason less malty. This beer had a nice, thick mouthfeel but it also had a lot of sediment floating around which I didn't enjoy too much. Over all I had a pretty good first impression of this beer and am looking forward on seeing what else Sandcreek has to offer!

Utenos Porter

My band was playing a show in La Crosse Wisconsin at an awesome venue called The Warehouse and as we were unloading I looked across the street and noticed this bar called The Bodega Brew Pub. I noticed the many beer bottles in the window and saw a sign that they had 400+ beers available. I couldn't believe it! I had to go and check it out. After we got done playing I snuck over and had a look. I asked the bartender for a list of the beers they had and she handed my a binder chalk full of of beers I've never heard of before! After much debate I settled on a Utenos Porter from Lithuania.

This beer was a nice dark ruby brown color that was very inviting. It had a dry chocolate nose with undertones of coffee and even a dash of plum. Also had a sweetness about it that I couldn't put my finger on. I didn't expect this beer to taste as it did. The taste was really roasty with the chocolate and coffee malts and the sweetness of the nose came through and was a pleasant surprise. It was unique for a porter, as it wasn't as dry as other Baltic porters I've tried. It had a pretty smooth and light mouthfeel.
I would defiantly have another one of these great beers and can't wait for my next visit to The Bodega Brew Pub!

Hansa Pilsner

I am sad to say this is the last post from my trip to Norway. As you may or may not have know am WAY behind on this blog. (My trip was in May and it is now September.) I had a blast over there experiencing this country's rich history and culture and can't wait to one day return. Let's get to the beer!

I was very pleased with this beer. It poured to a very deep amber color with a thick frothy head. The malts were very sweet and were somewhat biscuity. The aroma of the hops was a bit herbal and really came out in the flavor. The nose wasn't too hoppy, as the sweetness of the malts all but nudged them out. Very light and smooth mouth feel with good carbonation. This was a very easy drinking beer and was a good example of a European pilsner.

Hopefully I will get the chance to return and try many other great Norwegian beers!

Jacobsen Saaz Blonde

I wanted to try and stay away from the major European breweries while in Europe and found it to be a lot harder then I thought. I saw this on a shelf at the grocery store and it looked and sounded good, even after I saw it bore the mark of the Carlsberg beer giant. I later learned that Jacobsen had been brewing since 1799 and was later bought out by Carlsberg.

This beer poured a nice golden amber with perfect, but almost over abundant carbonation. Strong frothy white head that laced very well. Had a real fruity and slightly spicy nose. The taste was sweet and fruity with notes of almost citrusy hops. Had a light and smooth mouth feel. Very good overall, sort of like a lighter Belgian Strong Ale. I wish I could have tried the other Jacobsen products!

Norrlands Guld

Today I was looking through my beer journal and realized I am WAY behind in updating this blog! It is about time I added a couple so here you go!

While I was still in Norway (like I said I am way behind!) I was looking through the fridge at my girl friends' parent's house and saw a can of Norrlands Guld just sitting there. I asked her dad if I could have it and he said no problem!

This is a Swedish beer so I was happy to try it, even when I was told that Swedish beer wasn't as good as Norwegian beer. This beer poured a dark golden color and had a good head, ok retention, and good lacing. The nose was mildly sweet and also had a dank bitterness of the hops. The taste was similar to the nose. The sweetness of the malts was brought out more in the taste but other then that it had a very watery taste that turned me off from this beer. The mouth feel was light and the carbonation was bad. (Too flat) It was a very easy drinking beer, but was a little too light for my taste. I should have had another to see if it was just a bad can, but in my haste to try as many beers as I could while in Norway I never got around to it.

(Sorry for the picture! I was in a hurry to try this beer and only took one picture. Lesson learned!)

Ringnes Skjœrgårds Pils

Back to Norway I go! Since I was in Norway I thought I'd do mostly Norwegian beers while I was here. I walked down to the local grocery store and saw some Skjœrgårds Pils, another variety of Ringnes, so I bought it along with a few others. In Norway instead of having to buy a six pack and risk getting something you don't like, you can rip open the case and get them individually if desired.

I was told that Skjœrgårds translates to "islands or rocks along the fjords." This beer had a summery look to the can so I was guessing it was a seasonal.

This beer poured a light golden color and had a good head, but had no retention what so ever and therefore had zero lacing. The nose was sweet with hints of honey and was almost spicy. The spiciness came out in the taste as well with the sweetness. The mouth feel was thin and light but was well carbonated. Overall this was a very easily drinkable beer, especially on a hot Norwegian summer day.

Quick Update

So I've been behind in posting my blogs and have had a lot of time to try some new beers and also ready my old posts. I realize I have been too vague in my descriptions and vow to improve them. From now on I will have my stuff together and focus on more aspects of beer evaluating. Thank you beeradvocate.com for helping me see the error of my ways!

More to come soon so stay posted!!

Bohemia Regent

My last night in Prague I was desperate to try another beer for the blog. A couple days before I saw a little store right next to my hotel with a bunch of beer bottles in the window, so I went in and after much uncertainty I chose a Bohemia Regent. After paying the clerk 20 korunas, 1 US Dollar!, I went back to my hotel room to enjoy my last Czech beer in this amazing city.

This beer poured a nice rich amber color and had a frothy, thick head. This was a traditional Czech pilsner and the company has been around since 1379! Strong malty nose to go along with the full malty flavor. The after taste was mildly bitter, but not over powering. Very well balanced. I was exhausted from a long day of walking and sight seeing so I didn't write much about this one. I mostly just sat back and enjoyed this beer for myself!

It was getting late when I opened this beer and I originally wasn't going to finish this 1/2 liter, but it was so good I had no other choice but to take it all down. I encourage you to visit this historic place and experience the culture, and of course the beer for yourself! Na Zdravi!!

Strahov Brewery 4 of 4 : India Pale Ale

Everything I've had at the Klasterni Pivovar Strahov brewery so far has exceeded my expectations so I had to try their fourth and final beer, India Pale Ale. The head was thick and lasting and also layered quite well. This beer poured and coldly golden, almost caramel color. The nose was an explosion of hoppy, fruity citrus that reminded my of American IPA. The first taste confirmed the nose with the taste of the abundant hops. This beer was more bitter then their American counterpart but much more smooth. The aftertaste hits you almost instantly and pleasantly sticks around.

The Czech Republic has some of the best beer in the world I am very fortunate to have had experienced this great place with my awesome girlfriend, who makes a cameo in this picture!

If you are ever in Prague make an effort to check this place out and to check out their website!! http://www.klasterni-pivovar.cz/en/

Strahov Brewery 3 of 4 : Wheat

After I drank my first two beers at the brewery I was hooked. I drank them, ordered some food,and while waiting for the food to get there I had a sip of my girlfriend's Wheat she ordered. I knew right then and there I needed to try it, and try the other one while I was at it. We decided to go to the Observation Tower nearby to do some quick sight seeing and burn off the calories from our gigantic meals. This proved to be a great experience, but a not so good idea. We walked up the biggest hill to get there, only to walk an extra 299 steps to the top of the tower, and do it all in reverse on the way back.

Finally we made it back to the brewery! I ordered the Wheat like I had planed and here it is.

This beer was a cloudy amber color and the nose was a very grainy explosion of wheat. It had a good head but didn't stick around for long. This was a traditional wheat beer, naturally cloudy, top fermented, low hopped, and all around better then any other wheat I've ever had. The main flavor, surprisingly, was wheat and boy was it heavy in the best way! Totally different then American Wheat beers. The aftertaste was strong, but not overpowering, and stuck around for a while. (That was fine with me because I didn't want this to end!) If I ever go back to Prague I am defiantly going back to relax and have the humbly called Wheat.

Strahov Brewery 2 of 4 : Dark

I thought I might as well try all four of the beers at Strahov Brewery while in Prague. The Amber was perfect so next up was the Dark. (All the beers here had straight to the point names; Amber, Dark, Wheat, and etc.) After eating my meal, of the biggest ribs I've ever seen, I was in the mood for a heavier beer so naturally I went with the Dark.

The color was a very dark ruby and I could defiantly notice hints of coffee in the nose and overall taste. Head was very good but didn't last long. This beer was very well hopped, dry, and was all malt. The perfect dark! Very strong and hearty. I could actually taste hints of the Amber in this beer. Freshness makes all the difference for me and this is as fresh as it gets! There is more to come from this brewery and it only gets better!

Strahov Brewery Part 1 of 4 : Amber

While in Prague my girlfriend asked me, "What do you want to do when we are here?" I said I want to see the sights and go to a brewery. She told me that close to the castle there is a monastery that has been brewing on the same sight since 1143 A.D. Bingo! After doing some very fun, and exhausting, sight seeing we arrived at the brewery. The current brewery is actually very new, being rebuilt in 2000 and have since added a restaurant. The menu said they have four beers currently being brewed and like the responsible gentleman I am I decided to give them all a try.

I started with their flagship brew, Amber. The first thing that hit me was the freshness. From where I was sitting I could see the brew tanks and knowing that this beer was made 10 feet from where I am drinking it was refreshing all in itself! Good head that layered well. Color was a very deep amber, much like the name, with a little cloudy hint to it. The bitterness was in perfect contrast to the malt which made this beer incredibly drinkable. Nose was somewhat fruity with the fresh, bitter hops and wasn't overbearing. All around perfect beer!!

Just writing this makes me want another one! Czech Pilsner might just be my new favorite!

Pilsner Urquell

Greetings from beautiful Prague, Czech Republic! I was fortunate to get the chance to visit this wonderful city for three days while I was in Europe and if I could have I would have never left! Everything about this place is terrific, the architecture, culture, food, and of course the beer! I decided to start with the FIRST AND ORIGINAL pilsner and The Czech Republic's most popular beer, Pilsner Urquell.

This first ever pilsner was invented in 1842 in the town of Pilsen, Czech Republic and the name translates to "The pilsner from the original source." My girlfriend and I were walking close to our hotel and we noticed a cafe and decided to stop for some beer and a quick bite. I knew The Czech Republic was know for it's great beer but I had no idea! This beer had an amazing, thick, and creamy head that lasted until the very end. (That's what she said) But seriously amazing!! Nice deep golden color with hints of malt and sweet honeysuckle in the nose. Very aromatic. The taste is unreal! I am used the the American "Pilsners" and with a single drink this put them all to shame. So complex in flavor and yet so simple. Very full flavored and malty with the not too overbearing hoppy aftertaste .

I was enjoying this beer so much I forgot to take a lot of notes on it. I highly recommend you get yourself a case, sit back, and do the same so you know what I am talking about!!

Ringnes Fatøl

It has been a while since I have posted something so today I will be reviewing a different kind of Ringnes called Fatøl. So far I have been very please with Ringnes so at the local store where I am staying I saw this and gave it a try. There isn't really a Norwegian to English translation of the word Fatøl but I was told it means barreled or tapped, and in Norway barreled and tap beer is supposed to be the best quality and freshness. I can see what they mean! This beer poured a very nice deep amber color and had a long lasting and thick head. I was surprised when I had my first sip to find this a thicker brew then the Ringnes Premium. Much more flavorful and like all the Norwegian beers I have had so far very fresh! The nose was sweet and bitter and much lighter then the actual heavy taste. I'm starting to wonder if Norway makes bad beer?

I still have a BUNCH of beers to post yet from Norway, Sweden, and The Czech Republic so make sure to keep checking!!

Hansa Premium

Today I went to the nearby grocery store here in Langhus Norway. I was looking around, the beer isle, and saw anther popular Norwegian beer, Hansa. This beer was similar to the Ringnes I tried. It too is a somewhat old brewery, being brewed in Bergen since 1891. The taste itself was similar except for the noticeable taste of wheat. This is a premium lager, but after my girlfriend translated the writing on the can for me I was surprised to learn they do throw in a touch of wheat when brewing this remarkably fresh beer. (Wheat is aways a good flavor as far as I'm considered.) The color was light and golden and had nice carbonation. It had a strong head that gradually faded with a good grainy nose to support the taste. Crisp, clean, full, and flavorful. I am beginning to enjoy the simplicity of Norwegian beer.

Åbro Light

Today I went to Sweden to a mall on the Swedish-Norwegian border with my girlfriend and her parents. We were getting hungry and saw a cafe so we ordered some typical Swedish food, I got the cod with potatoes. I noticed a cooler in the corner with what looked like some beer inside. I was thrown off guard by this, booze in a mall?! The woman working said I could have my choice of drink so I opened it and picked up a Åbro.

I was sort of in a hurry to try this beer and write down my thoughts before my food came so I may have been harsher on this beer then I should have been. Åbro is a light wheat beer brewed in Sweden since 1856. When I poured this beer I noticed the head disappeared almost instantly and because of this the layering was zero. It was very crisp, but almost flat tasting. The only thing that jumped out at me was the sight hint of grain. Very light in color, and flavor for that matter. When my food came I still had some left. This only took all of the little flavor this beer had away and reduced it to water in my opinion. Like I said, I was rushed for this beer so the food wouldn't change the flavor but in the end the beer needed flavor before it could be changed.

In retrospect, this beer was like my favorite quote from Liar Liar, "I've had better."

(Sorry for the bad picture. I will remember my camera next time.)

First beer!! Ringnes Pilsner

Finally I am posting my first beer, and what better place to start then Norway!! My girlfriend and I are on a three week vacation here and I thought this would be the perfect excuse to get the ball rolling!! Norway doesn't have many breweries, but by far their most popular is Ringnes. They have been brewing in Norway since 1877 and have about four or five different varieties they make. I decided to try their Pilsner for my first Norwegian beer.

When I poured it I noticed it had a nice light-golden amber color. The head, or foam, was thick and stayed for quite a long time. Normally the foam is a sour point in the initial pour, and tastes as so, but the foam was a high point in this case and tasted delicious! The smell was bitter, malty, and sweet without being fruity. My first sip was great! Very thick for a pilsner, compared to Miller and Budweiser. (which is water compared to this!) The hops were very present and the bitterness was perfect for it's thickness and added to make this pilsner robust.

Overall I can see why this is the most popular beer in Norway! 20 times better then the same kind of stuff in America. It may have been one of the freshest and cleanest beers I've ever tasted. When it gets warm the flavors are much more present and gives you the true complexity to this great beer. I wish I had another!

How I plan on doing this...

I was thinking about how I am going to evaluate the different beers I try and I've decided to just write down what I taste, smell, see, as well as anything else that adds to it. I was going to do a 1-10 grading scale, but decide it was lame. I am not an expert, just a guy from Wisconsin who is passionate about trying different good beer and sharing it with others. I hope you enjoy!

My First Post!

Hey there! My name is Derek Fassino and I have decided to start blogging about and evaluating the different beers I have had in order to record my results for myself, and everybody else! In this first blog I will tell you a little about myself and a little run down on what I am going to talk about on here. I am 21 years old and from Wisconsin. I play bass in a pop/rock band. I love music and hanging out with my friends and of course, trying different beers. I will mostly be evaluating different micro-brews and imports, but will do some domestics as well. My first beer will be posted shortly!!