Beer 340/365 – Short’s The Magician

Style: Irish Red Ale

ABV: 6.0%

Purchased at: Sent in a trade

What makes this beer different: Almost tastes like a Scotch Ale.

Will I be drinking this again: Meh probably not, nothing special/unique going on here.

Grade: B-

10/14/2010: Why this one is called the magician? Great question. I don’t know the answer, but I do know I love Irish Red Ale’s so I am hoping this one is solid. Although I made the mistake of reading some reviews on Beer Advocate before actually tasting the beer. I usually avoid doing that because I feel like it sets a bit of an expectation before actually drinking the beer.

The nose is toasty and sweet toffee. The flavor reminds me much more of a light bodied scotch ale than it does an irish red. Lots of sweetness of an Irish red; Toffee, Toasted caramel, and a tiny bit of dark fruit. Semi-metallic thing going on as well. Not really getting any hop kick from this brew. Mouthfeel is light and its a bit under carbonated. Probably the least impressive offering from Short’s that I have tried to date.

Picture of the day: Happy Birthday to the best gaming system ever.

Beer 167/365 – Rust Belt Rusted River Irish Red

Style: Irish Red Ale

ABV: 5.5%

Purchased at: Steamers Bar & Grill – North Lima, OH

What makes this beer different: Heavy but very little flavor

Will I be drinking this again: No way

Grade: C

4/24/2010: Had this beer the same night the Pens clinched the series against the Sens. Also I am typing this up as the Caps are about to blow it in game 7, hilarious. Ovechkin’s tears make me happy. Oh I should also mention I had this beer AFTER The Big Tap In, and I sampled probably 30-40 different very good beers at. Rusted River Red might have been the worst of all of them.

It was weird because it really had no smell, maybe a little sweetness. The mouthfeel was pretty syrupy, but oddly enough it was not very sweet. The only thing I can pick out is some caramel malts. Maybe my palette is shot after trying 9842 different beers today, but this beer just isn’t doing it for me. It reminds me of Killian’s but with even less flavor.

PS This picture was taken with a camera phone so excuse to poor quality.

Picture of the day: How America sees Europe.

Beer 125/365 – Wexford Irish Creme Ale

Style: Irish Red Ale

ABV: 5.0%

Purchased at: Vintage Estate – Boardman Ohio

What makes this beer different: Tastes like caramel syrup mixed with soda water

Will I be drinking this again: No way

Grade: C-

3/13/2010: Happy St Patty’s day! Picked this one up last time I visited VE. Figured it would be a cool beer to try for St Patty’s. Plus Nitro Cans are pretty nifty little contraptions. I would say about 95% of the beer I buy now, I usually have a good idea about the reputation of the brewery or quality of the actual beer itself before purchasing. I know sounds crazy to some, but I figure if I am going to put all this time, money and effort into this 365 beer project I might as well make sure the beer I am buying is good. Well this was a case where I never heard of the beer, and was pulled in by the fancy looking can. Never judge a beer by its label.

The pour was very nice, similar to how a Guinness with the “upside-down waterfall effect.” The first 2/3 ounces actually poured out just like half and half, then jumped right into a copper color. The smell is caramel malt and some lactose type smell. The taste is mostly caramel malt, but it is very watered down. Then the aftertaste brings a sharp metallic/mineral type of flavor that just totally kills the beer. Cara disliked hers so much she couldn’t even finish it. Avoid this beer!

Picture of the day: One of my favorite video games of all time, but these guys have way too much time on their hands.