January 1, 2009 Michelob Irish Red [6/10] Compared to O'hara's or even Killian's, this Irish Red is no match. It's got a gritty bitterness that makes it harder to drink than other Irish Reds.

December 30, 2008 Dundee India Pale Ale [6/10] I normally don't like IPAs because of their excessive, headache-inducing hoppiness, but this one was more drinkable than most. It's not as hoppy and less extreme (therefore more drinkable).

December 19, 2008 Gordon Biersch Marzen [7/10] Purchased in a growler at the restaurant. Nice malty flavor, but getting a little flat after sitting for a day in the growler.

December 18, 2008 Bud Light Lime [10/10] Beer connoisseurs will snicker, but this is one of the most drinkable beers I have ever had. Sure, it's a flavored beer, but it's still beer and it's soooo refreshing.

December 30, 2008

I was drinking a Dundee India Pale Ale today and began wondering, why is it called "India Pale Ale"? Naturally, the first place I looked was Wikipedia.

It is called India Pale Ale, or "IPA", because it was a pale ale that was popular among East India Company traders in the late 18th century. It was a hoppier, more bitter pale ale that the traders liked bringing along with them on their voyages to India. Because of this, it also became quite popular in India.

The common story that India Pale Ale was specially formulated to survive a long ocean voyage to India is probably false, because the Porter beers of the time survived the trip just fine. India Pale Ale probably got its name simply because so much of it was being sent to India that people started calling it India Pale Ale.

Recently drunk

Double Bastard Ale

November 25, 2007
Abita Brewing Co. / Abita Brew Pub

Steve's Rating: 9/10
Beer Advocate rating: 92

Ommegang (Abbey Ale)

November 25, 2007
Brewery Ommegang

Steve's Rating: 10/10
Beer Advocate rating: 89

Orval Trappist Ale

November 25, 2007
Brasserie d'Orval S.A.

Steve's Rating: 8/10
Beer Advocate rating: 89

Amber

November 18, 2007
Abita Brewing Co. / Abita Brew Pub

Steve's Rating: 5/10
Beer Advocate rating: 80

Fall Fest

November 18, 2007
Abita Brewing Co. / Abita Brew Pub

Steve's Rating: 6/10
Beer Advocate rating: 80

Steve's Top 5 EVER

Ommegang (Abbey Ale)

November 25, 2007
Brewery Ommegang

Steve's Rating: 10/10
Beer Advocate rating: 89

Trappistes Rochefort 8

July 7, 2007
Brasserie de Rochefort (Abbaye de Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy)

Now bringing out the big guns… I’ve never been disappointed by a Trappist beer. Those monks really know how to brew a good ale, and the Rochefort is no exception. The only downside is that since these beers are imported from monasteries in Belgium, they can be quite expensive. I bought the small 12 ounce bottle for around $6 if I remember correctly.

Steve's Rating: 10/10
Beer Advocate rating: 91

Westmalle Trappist Tripel

January 6, 2007

Steve's Rating: 10/10
Beer Advocate rating: 91

Double Bastard Ale

November 25, 2007
Abita Brewing Co. / Abita Brew Pub

Steve's Rating: 9/10
Beer Advocate rating: 92

Fuller's ESB

October 4, 2007
Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

Reddish copper color, not much head. Surprisingly silky and smooth in the mouth, followed by a bitter aftertaste that's not overpowering. 'tis good ale.

Steve's Rating: 9/10
Beer Advocate rating: 88
Cost per ounce: 0.207

Five of the nastiest beers

Miller Lite

September 8, 2007
Miller Brewing Co. / SABMiller

It's basically carbonated water with some alcohol in it.

Steve's Rating: 2/10
Beer Advocate rating: 66

Budweiser Select

March 17, 2007

Very good when you drink it ice cold when you're thirsty. Otherwise it's nasty.

Steve's Rating: 2/10
Beer Advocate rating: 65
Cost per ounce: 0.070

Natural Ice

September 8, 2006

Steve's Rating: 2/10
Beer Advocate rating: 64

Hurricane

March 17, 2007

Steve's Rating: 3/10
Beer Advocate rating: 70
Cost per ounce: 0.040

Rolling Rock Extra Pale

July 29, 2007
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

Smells like pee, has a very light watery taste. I seriously hope there’s no pee in it.

Steve's Rating: 4/10
Beer Advocate rating: 70