Bosteels Brewery - Tripel Karmeliet

I have really mixed feelings about the Tripel Karmeliet. The first time I ever tried it, I was at the Bosteels Brewery in Belgium, and on tap, it was one of the greatest beers I've ever had. Then I came back to Texas and had it here... In a green bottle. Why, Bosteels, why? Putting that beer in a skunk-inducing green bottle is like making a supermodel wear a soured t-shirt. Everybody knows how hot Latitia Casta is, but why does she smell so bad? Unlike a supermodel, you have to put the beer in something. Fortunately, Tripel Karmeliet is also sold in 12oz brown glass bottles, which helps, but those seem to be a little harder to come by. Perhaps because stores hate the packaging. (They are held together by a cardboard topper, and the beers easily fall out.) ...but I digest.
If you manage to find a pub that had this on tap, I couldn't recommend it more. It is a mildly sweet tripel, with a nice foamy head, and the glass is really swank.
A little history: This beer, and its glass were the creation of Bosteels brewmaster, Iwan De Meyer. The recipe was created by De Meyer while he was at college, which upon tasting at a brew contest, caught the attention of the Bosteels family. De Meyer has been working for Bosteels Brewery ever since.
My recommendation: Keg- Definitely, 12oz- You bet. 750ml- You might want to pass.
Category: Mild and sweet tripel

Brooklyn Brewery - Black Ops

This is another one of those "if you see it, buy it" beers, because so
few are produced it is pretty tough to come by. Plus, it's really
good. Though this is considered a Russian Imperial Stout, it is pretty
mild and smooth. Whiskey drinkers are going to really like this one,
because it definitely has a chocolatey whiskey flavor to it... And
also like whiskey, it warms the soul (11+% alcohol). I was pretty
surprised with how smooth and easy to drink this beer was. When you
pour it into a glass, it is pitch black with very little head. It just
looks like trouble. But unlike the Call of Duty video game of the same
name, this beer won't leave you with any frustration or the screaming
of profanities.
My recommendation: This black beauty is a delight. I highly recommend.
It is currently in my Top 10.
Category: Black & Fan

Saint Arnold - Divine Reserve 10

Oh, the Divine Reserve series - always a mystery to the flavor and a
workout to the acquisition. I was a little late to jump on the Divine
Reserve train. I didn't even know it existed until after the 7th had
been released, so if you were like me (in the dark), here are a few
things that will get you up to speed: 1) Divine Reserve is different
with each release. Completely different. For example, the 10th release
was an English Style Barleywine 2) Once it's gone, it's gone. And it
is usually gone the day it hits shelves. 3) There are lines, waiting
lists, ticket systems, and quantity limits... It gets nuts. 4) Saint
Arnold seems to be on a roll for releasing fantastic Divine Reserve
beers, regardless of style.
So, that's the background. Now on to the "DR10," as it is known. If
you managed to get your hands on DR10, you were lucky. With only 1,862
cases distributed to Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and
surrounding Texas cities, there was little to be had. Upon first
tasting this beer, I was a little disappointed, but I had heard this
beer was best aged, so I did. 6 months later, it was already a stellar
improvement. The sweetness has started to mellow the bitterness, and
this 11% alcohol beer had suddenly become a much better buy. I've now
had 3 or 4 in the past month or so, and it just keeps getting better.
It warms the back of the throat while keeping just enough sweetness up
front. I can't wait to see how this tastes in 1 to 2 years. Great beer
overall.
My recommendation: If you can find it, get it and age it, but good luck.
Category: Top-shelf age-friendly deliciousness.

Southern Star Brewery - Pine Belt Pale Ale

Let me start by saying this - I am not a fan of pale ales. There are
only a few I've tried that I had anything good to say after drinking
them... And this is not one of them. Please don't let this steer you
away from all Southern Star beers. It is a new brewery in the Houston,
TX area, and this was their first beer... Fortunately they made
others. (The Blonde Bombshell and Buried Hatchet are both good.) The
only credit I can give this beer is the oddly appropriate name,
because it really tastes like sucking the sap from a pine tree. This
is one of a select group of beers that I absolutely could not finish -
even ice cold, it was like being punched in the esophagus by Mike
Tyson. Not good.
My recommendation: Don't make eye contact with it... Pick up another
Southern Star brew, but not this one.
Category: Punch-out Pale Ale

Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont - Chimay Première (Red)

Maybe I've had a bad couple of bottles of this one, but Beer Advocate
gives this an A-, and I only agree with half of that rating... The
"minus" part. This is just an ok beer at best for me. Of the three,
this is my least favorite Chimay. I really try not to get wrapped up
in the name, and judge beer based on its contents. This one is ok at
best. I even aged one almost a year in hopes of better results. No
luck. It tastes a bit metallic and not quite as sweet as you would
expect. People seem to really like this one, so perhaps it deserves
another shot, but only if I just happen to pick up another three-pack
with a glass. This one is bottle-fermented, which is usually a plus
for me, but like the Chimay White, I'd say, "If you are going to buy
Chimay, go Blue. You won't regret it."
My recommendation: Try it to say you've had it, but pass it up the next time.
Category: Belgian Metallic Amber

Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont - Chimay Tripel (White)

Chimay has to be one of the easiest (of seven) Trappist beers to find
in the US. There are three varieties we commonly see here, though the
Abby does brew other beers sold locally in Belgium. Their tripel (or
"White" as it is commonly known because of the label color) is a
pretty decent beer. It is a tripel style, and not a whit, as many
confuse by the label's nickname. This one has some kick, but not quite
as much alcohol as the Chimay "Blue." Quite honestly, the only reason
I ever buy this beer is because it is sold in a three-pack with a
Chimay glass. Otherwise, I doubt I would buy it... Not that it is a
bad beer by any means. It's just, once you've had Chimay Blue, all
other Chimay beers pale in comparison. (...More on the Blue in its own
review.) I will say that I've seen this one on tap in Houston, TX at
the Belgian restaurant, Jeanine's Bistro. I plan on giving it a try on
tap. I think it may make a big difference overall.
My recommendation: Worth a try, and besides... It is brewed entirely
by monks and supports their Abby.
Category: Keep one in the fridge... But drink the Chimay Blue first.

New Belgium Brewing - Fat Tire

It seems like reviewing this beer is like reviewing a pancake.
Everyone knows what it is, what it tastes like, and where to get it.
What you may not know is that it goes great with ginger snaps. Yes, a
weird pairing, I know... But trust me. They are great together.
This is a staple beer for me. Keeping it on hand seems to please my
taste buds, and friends seem to enjoy it. It is a crowd pleaser. It's
good in the bottle, but even better in a keg. (I know, what beer
isn't. Shut up.) It does remind me a little of the Saint Arnold Spring
Bock, but not quite as sweet, and a little more earthy. Plus, check
out that glass... Swank.
My recommendation: Keep some in the fridge.
Category: Daily drinker.

Maui Brewing Co. - Coconut Porter

As far as porters go, this isn't a bad beer, but am I the only one
that tasted zero coconut? Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for the
Almond Joy of beers, but I didn't detect the slightest hint of the
"hand-roasted coconut" they describe on the can... Maybe their hands
got too hot in the roaster. Either way, not a bad porter, but I'd
rather try another with a bit more character.
My recommendation: Unless you are a porter-drinker, I'd say pass.
You've probably had something just like this before. Don't be fooled
by the word "coconut."
Category: Marketing good, beer meh.

Saint Arnold - Spring Bock

Let me just start by clarifying what I'm doing here... Please don't expect a full review of aroma, color, head, etc. There are plenty of sites that do just that. If you have a sense of humor and like beer, then you are in the right place. On to the beer...
Spring Bock is a really great beer. I'd drink it every day if Saint Arnold would wise up and pull this from their seasonal line-up. In fact, I tweeted @SaintArnold today and asked them politely to stop treating Spring Bock like a red-headed seasonal. I'd say this true bock blows most other "bock-ish" beers (ahem, Shiner) out of the water.
It is sweet, but not too sweet. The hops really makes this a nice, even drink. Another way to say this is, yes, you could drink several in a row without much thought. With Saint Arnold's growth, I really do think this is a beer they could keep on shelves year-round and sales would do well.
My recommendation: If you can find it on shelves (there are a few left), buy it and drink it. You won't regret it.
Category: Daily drinker.

Intro

Welcome to my blog. I am a beer enthusiast that really just wanted a place to keep track of what I had tried. If you agree with my reviews, please feel free to post. If you disagree, then I am sorry to inform you that you are wrong.

Prost.

Cooper