Gotland, Right Proper Brewing Company

Very smoky, it almost tastes like a porter and a nice smoked pork sandwich combined. Definetly not something I would plan on drinking all night, but something that would be fun to drink and talk about...Mexican to Indian.

Enjoyed at a local D.C. bar that produces it's own beer, with what I think was a little jazz duo playing live. Beer and sax!

Before this I had tier The Duke, which was dry and effervescent in the same way champagne can be. Also good.

What did I do before I came here? Watched some Attack on Titan anime on Netflix. Spoiler alert: The show fakes you out, makes you think the hero is dead, thrills you with the mystery and violence of a ripped six pack having martial arts wielding Titan who fights titans, and disappoints you by revealing that the titan was the hero all along, hanging out in the nape if the Titans neck.

Before the bar but after the Netflix? I went to Georgetown and bought some leather boat shoes. They were well worn floor samples, with a $25 discount. Time will tell if it wa a good decision.

This beer is growing on me as a great sipper. But if I had had it with the sandwich it would have been too much. I could see this being very good with cheese.

I brought my Chocolate City growler with me and I need to figure out what to get to take home.

The beer...B+.

Red Nectar Nectar Ale, Paso Robles, CA

This is another beer I got from the beer summit.  I have never seen this beer before nor have I heard of it.  The beer pours an amber red color.  Very light on hop characters.  Has a very sweet taste, with almost a honey taste.  The beer feels very heavy for an amber beer.  This beer I would consider OK.  I probably wouldn't buy it if I saw it again.  I don't recommend it. 

Banner Beer Co. American Rye Ale, Williamsburg, MA

This is another beer I got from volunteering at the beer summit.  The Banner American Rye Ale is a dark rye ale.  It pours a a dark brown color.  The beer only has 4% alcohol.  Its what is known as a session beer, which are beers between 4 and 5 percent abv.  They call them session beers because you have a few if them in a session.  Session beers have been popular around Boston, with breweries such as Notch that only brew session beers.  When I talked with the banner brewer he mentioned all his beers were going to be session beers.  This beer is really good.  Easy to drink.  Has hop characteristics like a pale ale.  With using rye instead of malts, there's more of a bitter taste which is expected.  Overall I recommend this beer.  Give it a try if you see it in a liquor store. 

Atwater's Brewery Lager, Detroit, MI

I got a large amount of various beers while volunteering at the Beer Summit Spring Festival at Castle in the Park Plaza Hotel here in Boston.  A lot of the beers I got are harder to find.  The Atwater's lager out of Detroit.  Its a very easy to drink lager.  Reminds me of German style lagers.  Lighter and less malt flavors than American lagers like Sam Adams and Brooklyn.  If you are looking for a German style lager that's light I definitely recommend this. 

Mystery Seizoensbier (Seasonal White?), Amsterdam, Netherlands

I fell of my chair in this bar...well, really kind of an outdoor cafe by a canal on a beautiful day in Amsterdam. I was completely sober. Factors:

- 2 hour time difference from previous destination.

- All night 7 hour flight, sleepless.

- Hungry

The biggest factor was that the canal sidewalk with the table was at quiet an angle, as reflected in the beer in my glass also resting at quite an angle.

The beer was I think a nice white seasonal. I think I remember it having a fruity taste. Nothing unexpected. B.

I think I had shifted to stand up or something and next thing I know I fell hard on the sidewalk, my glass spilled and eventually shattered. Total embarrassment, but I shrugged it off.

Hijs'm Oatmeal Milk Stout, Brouwerij De Prael, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Enjoying a fine Dutch beer, in Amsterdam. I guess the brewery, Brouwerij De Prael, is organic. Around the corner and slightly down the street is also a store with bottles, glasses, etc.

I'm drinking the Hijs'm Oatmeal Milk Stout, 8.1% and a steal (maybe?) at only €3.50. Thick and not very carbonated, served in a tulip glass. Has a sweet chocolate-coffee taste. Good, nothing wow inducing though. B...I wish my girlfriend was here.

Also, I just noticed in the restroom that I am either tan, flush, or sun burned. And the sink faucet is a beer tap. It won't stay open unless you apply pressure to it.

Before the stout I had one of their IPAs, either the Nick & Simon or the Johnny Green Label. But it doesn't matter; the nice young man serving them behind the bar gave me samples of each. The IPAs were both good. B.

Update: I looked at my receipt and it was Johnny Green Label.

Ron del Barrilito

We bought this Ron del Barrilito in Puerto Rico during the summer of 2013, it's been sitting in my liqour cabinet since then.

Very fun label, almost distinguished looking. I really like the clean white look of the label and cap. The gold foil effect with embossing on some parts also looks good.

The label, neck, and inside of the cap are all decorated by a cherubish child with a small barrel.

The rum is very nice, smooth but still with some kick. It has a very pleasant strong wood flavors, appropriate since the name is basically "from the little barrel." Also slight sweetness. A+