Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #10

Usually a brewery sticks to one particular group of drinks and that's that. However, recently there's been a trend where the local beer breweries decide to make ciders as well. So, here's one.



Monteith's Crushed Apple Cider
330mL bottle at 4.5% ABV
Appearance: 6.5/10 (C)
A pale and light cider, with an exceptional clarity to it, common to most commercial beers.
Aroma/Nose: 4/10 (E+)
Although it has a nice scent of apples to it, it is particularly vinegary for a cider and not the least bit yeasty. Not so appealing.
Mouthfeel: 7/10 (C+)
A surprisingly bubbly finish, though despite this it isn't a painful experience, and follows down smoothly.
Flavor: 5.5/10 (D+)
Though mildly sweet, this cider comes off as dry compared to most, with a tartness to it, that while pleasing, is not terribly refreshing, and seems rather weak at that.
Overview: 6/10 (C-)
Though not bad for something that's mass-produced, it's not as good as I would have expected from Monteith's. Their rival's cider is better.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #9

Well, I figured it's about time I posted up a review on my drink of choice, so here it is! Produced in Bavaria by G. Schneider & Sohn, otherwise known as Schneider Weisse, and bottle fermented until perfect. This particular brew has a different flavor depending upon how long it's been sitting in the bottle - For optimum taste, I prefer to let it sit around for about three to four months from the bottling date before I drink it. The younger beer has a sharper palette, while the aged beer is more mellow and smooth. Letting it sit for more than six months past the bottling date is not ideal, though. If not kept under optimal conditions, it tends to develop odd flavors by that time. Anyway, here's the review, which was done with a four-month-old beer.



Schneider Weisse Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock
500mL bottle at 8.2% ABV
Appearance: 7.5/10 (B-)
A nice, cloudy ale with a dark toffee color and a surprisingly white head, this beer stands out as a traditional style German brew, forming that delightfully lopsided foam that all great ales have.
Aroma/Nose: 9/10 (A-)
A strong, yeasty aroma not unlike fresh cooked bread, with a definite hint of malt and fruity tones of banana. May be a little on the sour side for some people, though.
Mouthfeel: 8.5/10 (B+)
A brilliantly thick beer, very deserving of the name liquid bread, with a soft prickle to it and a gentle numbness that follows it down the throat.
Flavor: 8.5/10 (B+)
With a good balance, this beer is sweet and sharp at the same time, with a wholeness to it that's rather unique. A particularly malty brew, with a aftertaste of cloves.
Overview: 8.5/10 (B+)
Hands down one of the best ales I've had, this traditional twist on the doppelbock is and always will be a favorite of mine. A real treat for those that like their brews wholesome and heavy.

Just A Dash Of Liquid Courage: #8

Seeing as I haven't put up any reviews on spirits, I reckoned I'd put up one on the very first bottle I ever bought. Irish whiskey is the way to go here!



Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey
750mL bottle at 40% ABV
Appearance: 4/10 (E+)
While it is certainly clear, this whiskey is a rather pale tone and doesn't cling to the sides of the glass well.
Aroma/Nose: 6/10 (C-)
While whiskey isn't normally something you're supposed to smell, this one is actually not too bad. Though it's a tad harsh to the nose as suspected, it's got an unusual tanginess to its scent.
Mouthfeel: 8/10 (B+)
Smoother and harsher than most, this whiskey has an unusual texture. Though strong, it can still be held in the mouth with relative ease, and doesn't shoot through the nose like some spirits. Particularly nice is the warm tail, which extends all the way down the throat, and lasts.
Flavor: 4.5/10 (D-)
While mildly sweet, and with a faint hint of that whiskey flavor, this whiskey doesn't really do anything to stand out.
Overview: 5.5/10 (D+)
It's hard to really judge a whiskey from all standards, since it's really mostly about the mouthfeel, but Bushmills Original is a modest liquor at any rate. Good enough to simply sit and sip.