Schlitz

Hmmm, I liked Schlitz during the 70's and I take a swig of this remarkable 1960's brew and I am taken back to the days of illegal purchases of beer and driving up to Mount Baldy and throwing Tall Boy cans down the hillsides when Johnny Law wanted to disrupt our alcohol fueled madness. Can you believe that we watched Stripes and were marching around up there in the thin atmosphere? What a bunch of propaganda that was. Anyway, I joined the Navy as I may fall prey to propaganda but I am not after all, an idiot.

Anyway, there is some malt, albeit small and some hops, yet not overwhelming and some soda poppy goodness in this brew. Don't get me wrong, I am not going all beer snob on you here, I am just trying to describe the goodness in this beer. I liked it. I am comparing this beer to any premium, American style Pilsner. This one ranks well among them. Will it come up with the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival? Who the hell knows, those poor judges are in this case having to compare the taste of a dozen cotton balls. But it was refreshing and it was good.

You be the judge, Buy a sixer of this beer and write me with your opinion...get a sixer of Pabst and Miller and Bud...let me know...I am leaning towards 4 outta five however. Let me know as it would be interesting. D

Summit Scania

Tried this one in Old Chicago in Fargo. I liked it with its assertive hops with spices and smooth Wheaty goodness. Nice with an orange or a lemon. I drank 2 25 ounce mugs and I am faced. But happily so. My wifey is driving...

4.57 out of 5 Nice with the lemon or with out. The spices are a little different at first but give this stuff a chance as Summit knows their stuff. D

New Belgian Mothership Wit

Nice complex flavors going on with this beer. At first taste, I detect what hits my taste buds and travels through faulty short-ridden wiring to my brain as "bubblegum", followed by a bit of citrus with some bitter flavors. There is also some clove and it is strange but it is all good. I do have to admit that I was not at all impressed with this beer at first sip and I was disappointed. I am rather mixed on the beers at New Belgium. They make good beer, but they favor the hop over balance so I drink their beers, one to a sitting. They are not what I would call an all night beer. The color in this is a cloudy blond with a stark white head and I am glad I let it warm up a bit and savored the flavors. I might have dumped this one and that is cause to have an infomercial and investigation.

4.5 out of 5 Give the beer a chance.

Berghoff Genuine Dark Beer

I remember that it was New Years Eve, 1989 that we were preparing for. I had walked into this store that I had just discovered called Trader Joe's in San Diego. I was still married to my Second wife, I had little kids, I was an E-6 in the Navy and we were living in Navy housing in Chula Vista. There were 20 guests coming over that night and I wanted to celebrate with something special. There was the usual Bud/Miller purchases and I also picked up a case of Berghoff Dark. I can't remember who was brewing the beer at the time, but I do remember this...that the brew I am sampling today kicks that beer right in the ass. I am much more impressed with this beer in my hand. I know little about the trials and tribulations of the Huber Brewing Company of Monroe, Wisconsin, except, that they were struggling badly during the late 80's and were close to closing. I read recently that Huber was taking up the slack for the Storm-damaged Dixie Brewing of New Orleans. Good for them, as those were some great beers and I would hate to see them lost.

Well, on to this brew. Color is nice reddish-brown. Smells are chocolate and caramel with some spicy notes in the background. I have an allergy plugged nose so please bear with me. Flavors are kind-hearted German dark beer with good mouth feel and a mild tingle of alcohol on the tongue. I really like this brew and will seek it out. I just wish it were still $2.99.

Dark Beer 4.25 out of 5 Very drinkable in a tough field of competitors. Great with Spaghetti or Mexican food. Drink up!

Uff-Da Bock

New Glarus Brewing Company has been a pleasure to deal with as they produce nice flavored beers and have a good sense of conscience in doing so. Uff-da is a good strong bock beer. It has the typical chocolate, caramel and hoppy flavors involved. It is very good. It reminds me of Schell Caramel Bock with a bit more intensity. Nice mouth feel, nice warm alcohol with good cozy flavors throughout.

4.75 out of 5 points. Nice, not much room for improvement...perhaps 4.85 out of 5 points. Good.

Hamm's Beer

Recently, While driving through Chicagoland, I noticed a sign proclaiming that Schlitz has gone back and are now producing their 1960's recipe. That kind of pissed me off. I mean, it was the mid seventies when I started enjoying beer and I drank Schlitz. You mean, I didn't get the real stuff? That sucks.

I remember Hamm's from the seventies however, and this brew really isn't quite it. It is however a very tolerable brew with a little hop bite at the end. Surprisingly, it reminds me of my review of Olympia or Rainier from a few months ago. They are all made by SABMiller under contract. I cannot speak for Schlitz as I ventured into that territory a couple years ago and found the results less than stellar.

To be perfectly honest, I just wish that these companies that produce a beer under contract would just do the right thing and make it according to the original recipe. I mean, when a guy buys Hamm's, doesn't he have the right to get what the hell he is buying? I think that the sorry state of affairs in the brewing industry allows for this kind of crap to go on and no one is the wiser...the college kid who buys this beer has no idea of the heritage and sacrifice by the Hamm family that went into the brand name. The fact is that the brewing industry is littered with the bones and failures of those that brewed well and yet, failed. That does not change the fact that people would like variations in their beer and that there should be some sanctity when it comes to the particular recipe they are trying.

Do not get me wrong, this is a reasonably good beer. I just wish that it tasted malty like Hamms.

2.5 out of 5 points Make the shit and they will buy it. Trust me...