Hedonism Ale - Legacy Brewing Co. - Reading, PA

Hedonism Ale Stats
ABV: 7.0%
IBU: 110
fl. oz.: 12
SBQ (Sexy Bottle Quotient): 8

From mine own hometown comes a beer that, from the looks of its bottle, is so cleverly crafted, it's got to be delicious. Well, it isn't. Hedonism Ale is a red ale based on the Killian's Irish Red template. The only problem is, Killian's is not a good template to follow.

This brew brings a whole new meaning to Bitter Beer Face, as it leaves your mouth dry, your face cringing, and your tongue aching for something else to wash away the taste.

I really wanted to like this beer, but yet, all I can muster for it is a C+. Maybe next time, Legacy should focus more on making the beer taste good, and less on the downright hilarious packaging, which, by the way, includes the tagline "An Orgy of Ingredients" (classic).

Legacy Brewing Co.

Steam Whistle Pilsner - Steam Whistle Brewing - Toronto, ON

Steam Whistle Stats:
Ounces in a bottle: 12
Amount of ounces that taste like Rolling Rock: 12

If you ever happen to be oot and aboot in Toronto and happen to be someone who exclusively drinks Rolling Rock and all of the bars you go to happen to be out of Rolling Rock that particular week, then buddy, allow me to introduce to you, Steam Whistle Pilsner!!! It's clear how much Canada really wants to be like America when you consider a beer like this. I mean, look at the Steam Whistle website, ay?! I'll tell you though, it's not aboot the whistle, it's aboot the beer, it's aboot the 4 all-natural ingredients that go into every batch of Steam Whistle Pilsner, it's aboot the passion it is brewed with each day. A fairly light pilsner with a hint of sweetness, this is a beer you could drink 10, 12, or more of in the correct circumstances -- IF you happen to be someone who enjoys that sort of thing, guy.

I give this beer a C, but that's mostly because I'm not a huge fan of beers with this type of sweetness. The Canadian government may have apologized for Bryan Adams on numerous occasions, but I think they should start apologizing for Steam Whistle.

#9 - Magic Hat Brewing Company - South Burlington, VT

Magic Hat #9 Stats
Alcohol by volume: 4.6%
Pints: 0.75
Number of failures before it became true bliss: 8

I guess Magic Hat is a fairly prominent brewery nowadays, and I guess #9 is about their most recognizable brew. Well, here I am a ripe old twentysomething and this is the first time I've had Magic Hat #9 (that I can remember at least). To sum it up in one word: tastetastic.

With a hint of some manner of citrus-y fruit that my palette is too unsophisticated to identify, #9 is a "not quite" pale ale that flows down the throat smooth as can be. Yes, #9, you are indeed a magic number. And you get an A. Congratulations. I can't wait to drink your friends too.

Magic Hat Brewing Company

Black Lab Stout - McKenzie Brewhouse - Malvern, PA

Black Lab Stats:

O.G. = 13" Plato

ABV = 5.8%

IBUs = 20





This excellent Oatmeal Stout offers no shortness on taste. A wonderful array of dark and creamy flavors such as coffee and chocolate barrage the taste buds with each sip (or gulp if you are like me). And smooth, as a stout should be, to boot! And unlike most other dark beers that I've had, I didn't feel uncomfortable or overly full after drinking about 4 of them. If there's one complaint about this beer it's that you can't purchase it everywhere. In fact, the only place that I'm aware of where you CAN purchase this tasty beverage is inside the lovely confines of McKenzie Brewhouse outside of Malvern, PA. Even the other location of this same restaurant (in Chadd's Ford, PA) sells different beer selections created by a different brewmaster.

This beer gets an A out of me -- I'm assuming the high grade is A+, with a variable number of 'plus' signs, of course -- because it really couldn't have been much better and I didn't get sick of it by the end of the night.

Alas, I suppose I need to visit THIS McKenzie Brewhouse again soon!

Raison D'Etre - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, DE

Raison D'Etre Stats
Alcohol by volume: 8%
Fluid ounces: 12
Number I could drink before becoming a social embarrassment: 3
If I were civilized, I would drink this with: T-bone steak
What I actually drank this with: Leftover cheesecake

Fact: Raison D'Etre is a French phrase which means "reason for being". While, to me, this beer is not my reason for being, it's not a bad little brew. It's a Belgian-style ale brewed by Dogfish Head, and according to the bottle, I should be tasting beet sugars and raisins. Well, my palette must not be sophisticated enough, because I tasted beer.

I'll give it an A-, because it was nice to drink, but it gave me a headache, because its fruity flavor encouraged me to drink it too fast.

Dogfish Head