Label Quiz Answers!

Here are the final answers for the label quiz. I also looked at some I thought were too easy, like one that has a blue ribbon on its logo, another one had a goose.



European Labels:


1. A beer whose logo on the label contains a KEY.

2. One that has a BELL. Sorry, it is actually a horn. Horn, bell, whatever.

 3. One with a CASTLE.

 4. A few with HARPS (kind of easy for most).

 5. One with a TRIANGLE.

 6. One with a bunch of HOPS (This is kind of tricky, since you might be distracted by the unusual cap).

 7. One with a LION (this one is still available in Europe but not so widely distributed here anymore).

 North American Labels:

8. This one has a COLONIST. (Easy one).

9. An INDIAN (sorry, Native American) HEAD.(Midwest)

 9. A GRIFFIN (head and wings of an eagle, body of a lion).

 
10. A CROWN. (Easy when you think about it).

11. EAGLE (3 of them).

12. A SPROCKET NESTLED IN WHEAT (Midwest).
 

13. Two with a LEAF.

14. One with a SHARK.

Miscellaneous:

 
15. A STAR can be found on which two European and two North American labels. One of them Midwest.

Beer Label Recognition Quiz Pictures

Here are the questions with my pictures attached too. If you didn't get those before I think you will now. 


European Labels:

1. A beer whose logo on the label contains a KEY.

2. One that has a BELL. Sorry, it is actually a horn. Horn, bell, whatever.

3. One with a CASTLE.

 4. A few with HARPS (kind of easy for most).

5. One with a TRIANGLE.

6. One with a bunch of HOPS (This is kind of tricky, since you might be distracted by the unusual cap).

7. One with a LION (this one is still available in Europe but not so widely distributed here anymore).

  
North American Labels:

8. This one has a COLONIST. (Easy one).

9. An INDIAN (sorry, Native American) HEAD.(Midwest)

9. A GRIFFIN (head and wings of an eagle, body of a lion).

 10. A CROWN. (Easy when you think about it).

11. EAGLE (3 of them).

12. A SPROCKET NESTLED IN WHEAT (Midwest).







13. Two with a LEAF.

 14. One with a SHARK.

Miscellaneous:

15. A STAR can be found on which two European and two North American labels. One of them Midwest.
 

Beer Label Recognition Quiz

How good is your memory?
See if you can get these answers just with the description and not the picture. That would be too easy.
Answers Tomorrow! Winner receives the best gift of all: my esteem and respect.

European Labels:

1. A beer whose logo on the label contains a KEY.
2. One that has a BELL.(its not Bell's. Besides being North American it has pilgrim hats).
3. One with a CASTLE.
4. A few with HARPS (kind of easy for most).
5. One with a TRIANGLE.
6. One with a bunch of HOPS (This is kind of tricky, since you might be distracted by the unusual cap).
7. One with a LION (this one is still available in Europe but not so widely distributed here anymore).

 North American Labels:

8. This one has a COLONIST. (Easy one).
9. An INDIAN (sorry, Native American) HEAD.(Midwest)
9. A GRIFFIN (head and wings of an eagle, body of a lion).
10. A CROWN. (Easy when you think about it).
11. EAGLE (3 of them).
12. A SPROCKET NESTLED IN WHEAT (Midwest).
13. Two with a LEAF.
14. One with a SHARK.

Miscellaneous:

15. A STAR can be found on which two European and two North American labels. One of them Midwest.

Craft Beer Monday Review: All Day IPA

I was interested in trying this beer for a couple reasons, the least of which being that I have known about Founders for a long time and have never tried any of them before. Plus, I recently read about this one in the form of a blog debate concerning the definition of "session" beer and how it applies to American beer.
You can see the argument here. Sorry, not in the review, but in the blog discussion.

Basically this discussion stems from the fact that a "true" session beer is one that is 4% ABV or less, according to European standards, and there are hardly any here in the US (except for Light beers). The discussion that took place here concerned whether we could use the term "American Session" instead since one between 4-5% is considered low in America. I suggest instead of changing the definition already in place, why not use a different name. I chose "duration" beer for this description. To me it would be like calling a yard an American Meter, because we want to keep using the term even though it doesn't apply.

The review is also interesting, because it does touch on the question of whether an IPA can be a fair descriptor of a session beer. Personally I can't see why not. I think the higher alcohol definitely brings out the bolder taste but that can always be reserved for Imperials or Double IPAs too.

Now on to this beer: I have to say that I liked it.I thought this is rather unique because the citrus and bold hoppy flavors are surprising in such a lowered alcohol beer. But it is truly drinkable.
Everything is there that I need in an IPA, including looks (it is filtered) but amber in color with a yellowing head and spicy smells and flavors. Plus the label art is fun, with the Jeep Wagon and canoe on top. Very Wisconsin/Michigan summery.
CBC Rating: 5, for its uniqueness. I would place it in a category by itself since it is a duration IPA. Bought in a craft your own at Binny's.
ABV: 4.7%.

Beer News for March 2012

This run may not be so topical for this month, since most marathons are run later in the year, but it looks like it is done mostly by regular runners or half-marathoners. Fortunately for me, my body constitution will not allow me to run such a great distance. And I really don't so feel bad about that either.

See it here: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/28/anaya.beer.marathon.kmsb


 
At last-Two Brothers in a can! They held a contest and here is the winner. Not sure if DD or others will follow but I wouldn't be surprised if they threw Prairie Path or another lighter one in a can also.

From the TB website: We are excited for spring, not just for the weather, but because we will be releasing our first beer in cans.  Outlaw IPA will make it's can debut around the first of May.   Cans not only offer a superior package to bottles in many ways (no light can get in, no head space for air, it is like a mini keg) it is also a convenient package to take anywhere with you. We will continue to update on this as things progress.



A new brewery is popping up.
Finally a new microbrewery in Chicago, nowhere near where I live! And, what an original idea: a mechanical industrial theme to it's name. I am glad there is finally one of those in Chicago. Just don't let Metropolitan know about this new development. They might feel someone is infringing on their niche here in town.

Or is it different?

Is it the same

Craft Beer Monday Review: Dynamo Copper Lager

Seems I can't stop talking about Metropolitan Beers, maybe because I really consider myself mostly a lager drinker. I will always be open for a stout or an IPA but European beers are mostly lagers or pilsners and it seems I am always drinking those. But it is refreshing to see a lager brewer these days, and one that mixes it up a little with a lot of varieties.
I really haven't missed with Metropolitan, and this one, the Dynamo Copper Lager is another good one for me. Metro describes it:  

"If malt and hops are the two poles of brewing, this beer is the gently spinning sweet spot between them. First, you’ll notice the spicy aromas of Vanguard and Liberty hops. Then - wipe the foam off the tip of your nose - dive into the toasty flavor of Vienna malt. Dynamo starts strong and finishes crisp and smooth. The balanced flavors, aromas, and even the coppery-red tones of this beer go great with everything. Fear no pairing. The best time to enjoy Dynamo is when you’re thirsty."

It is described as a Vienna Lager by BA. Other Vienna's include Sam Adams Boston Lager and Great Lakes Eliot Ness.
Pretty good company, and I think it compares well to those two.

Overall smooth, hardly any bitterness, but reliable and steady throughout the drink. I think this might be a regular purchase for me, in addition to Yuengling and Spotted Cow for my beer fridge.
Can't wait to take the brewery tour, hopefully in April, but until then I will rely on Binnys to satisfy my Metro cravings.
CBC Rating: 4. Purchased in the Craft Your Own sixpack at Binny's.
ABV: 5.8%.

Craft Beer Monday Review: Full Circle

From the brewer's website : A kölsch-style beer, Full Circle is a refreshing celebration of our brewery’s belief in balance. The soft, well-rounded malt character, light hop profile and crisp finish bring us back around to the familiar tastes of classic, thirst quenching beer. A perfect session beer.

Another offering from New Holland, with quite the pretty label and color selection. The yin and yang theme, here, is a little obvious to me, that a choice of a session beer (even though there has been a lot of discussion about what a session beer actually is) being balanced is a given, since a kolsch is by definition clean and refreshing so it is the most balanced beer anyway. But it is still a pretty label. Plus some of my favorite beers are Kolsches. Those Germans can really nail down an array of beer styles with such ease! I always looked forward to Goose Island's Summertime Kolsch and Metropolitan Krankshaft is one of the best. We can have a discussion about different opinions on beer styles a little later.

It is crisp and clean and tasty, and the lowered alcohol is a plus for this refresher, without it being a Light beer.I have encountered some beers with a lowered alcohol content lacking taste. Sorry to nail down Wasatch but, I wanted to like them so much because they have some of the best names and labels but the beer is just so so bad.

My CBC Rating is 4. I would love to drink some more of this beer, a good duration beer if ever there was one.
ABV: 4.8%.

Craft Beer Monday Review: US Pale Ale

Another offering from Capital Brewing, in Middleton. I will be going there this summer, when I take the family to the Wisconsin Dells. Last time in the Dells I only went to Moosejaw but I will take a road trip to Capital and take a tour. There are too many good ones they offer that I don't want to miss. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be going too far out of my way for this particular Capital.

Some background, from the Daily Page: U.S. Pale Ale has been in the Capital Brewery portfolio for only a couple of years. Kirby Nelson initially brewed this beer as a special treat for a retailer appreciation party. It was so well accepted he decided to offer it in bottles.
Since that first edition, Nelson's approach to making the beer has been "evolving," especially in how and when he adds hops. It's made with all-Cascade hops, which are added into the post-boil of the wort, with a light amount of dry hopping to give it enough bitterness for the style, but not an extreme hoppiness. "What I want to achieve with this beer is a nice example of the style," says Nelson. He's looking for "excellent drinkability."
U.S. Pale Ale is a year-round beer for Capital and sells for about $7/six pack. It is also available in cans.
 
As far as Pale Ales go, it is rather a bit too shallow for me. In a quality pale ale I expect that the amber color hints at the potential for deeper, bolder flavor, some sweetness and some mild fruitiness, followed by the unmistakeable hop bitterness that rounds out the flavor. I did detect the fruitiness in the smell but not the taste, it just never developed. The hops were definitely there, quite boldly so, which makes it somewhat better than it could have been. But maybe it was the lower alcohol content that did not bring out the flavors that should have been there.


CBC Rating: 3. Poured into a short glass from a Mariano's MYO six-pack, enjoyed with Steve-O.
ABV: 5.0%

Craft Beer Monday Review: Sun Dog Amber Ale

I have reviewed a New Holland offering before, and have tasted this one a few times, the first time at a restaurant after doing the Livery tasting in Benton Harbor, and was pleased with it both times. Since I do like most Amber Ales mostly, I am drawn to this anyway, and the label art is pleasing to me also.

Steve-o and I tasted this, along with a few favorites and new ones, at our most recent Friday hockey night, and, interestingly, all the ones we tasted this time were quite pleasing (usually we have a few dogs). I will have a entry soon detailing some of the ones we have tasted in our Friday night tastings, because we generally buy single bottles and split them, drinking them out of these tavern style short Schlitz glasses that Steve owns. It reminds me of the old timers drinking out of them after pouring the beer from their bottles in the corner taverns in Chicago.

Just for a little background, a sun dog is a spot on a cirrus cloud that looks like a mini-rainbow, and it not really the dog like you see pictured, but, that's ok with me, I think it still looks interesting.

According to New Holland, Sundog is an amber ale that emulates the copper glow of a Lake Michigan sunset. A showcase for caramel malt, it presents a toasty character, with subtle malty sweetness and a nutty finish. 
I hate to keep saying it but this description does do it justice. Except for the Lake Michigan sunset part, because I can only talk about Lake Michigan sunrises, but I will take their word for it.

Amber and reddish, with a minimal head that is toasty and sweet with a slight bite. Easy to drink and enjoy. This is a repeater for me. Makes me jealous of Bingo again, since he is able to spend so much time in Pure Michigan.

CBC Rating: 4. Poured into the short glass from a Mariano's six-pack.
ABV:  5.65%

Rating the Pick Your Own Sixpacks: Mariano's vs. Binny's

Mariano's

What a great invention for beer geeks, like us Beer Club Members, who can't just drink the same beer over and over, we need the variety without having to buy a six-pack every time.

As I have mentioned in many posts before, I would prefer we write any reviews based on tastings of full beers only, and preferably earlier on in the drinking night, if possible. I think the whole reason PBR is so popular not only because it can be gotten for $9 per case, but also because it is usually drunk after six shots of Rumple Minze.

The evolution of the Pick-Your-Own-Sixpack that was introduced by Mariano's, and has been also used by Binny's (called Craft Your Own) now and other liquor stores, is just what we are looking for. I have to admit, though, drinking a fresh one on tap at a good beer establishment like Sheffield's or Bar Louie is even better, but I guess this is the next best thing.

Binny's Des Plaines Pick-Your-Own

As you can see from the pictures, they look pretty full and big, but upon close examination you can see some differences, like Mariano's keeps theirs in the fridge, and Binny's is warm, plus Binny's is a dollar more. Both give a pretty good offering of what they sell there, but I think that is what really is the difference between these two. Binny's offers much more craft offerings in the store, so their selection reflects this.  Plus, I think Mariano's clientele is more varied, so they do well by offering more of the common beers. The difference in the count appears to be around 250 for Mariano's and around 150 for Binny's. But, again, Mariano's will put repeats in there just to have all the rows full.

For example, just looking at some of shelves in the Mariano's collection I see

• 3 Points
• 5 Great Lakes
• 3 Left Hands
• New Holland Sundog
• 2 Breckenridges 
• 3 Barley Islands
• 3 Lakefronts
• 4 Two Brothers
• Grolsch
• Summit IPA
• Bitburger
• Molson Canadian
• Molson Golden
• Moosehead
• Labatts Blue 
• Bud Light Lime
• Tyskie
• Amstel Light
• Guinness (3 styles)

Binny's includes some of these:

• 2 Summits
• 4 Breckinridges
• 3 Argus
• 4 Metropolitans
• 3 Chi-Towns
• 3 Central Waters
• 5 Capitals
• 2 Tyranenas
• 5 Two Brothers
• Brooklyn
• 3 New Hollands 
• Finch (can)
• Onion (can)

So, over all, I think it depends on what you are looking for in the pick your shelves. I think there are more craft offerings at Binny's, and only Mariano's does imports, but they also make sure their shelves are always full, so you can see the same one repeated a few times. Also, only Mariano's will have Miller Lite and they also only have bottles.

They both sell a good selection of Wisconsin beer but I think Binny's is better for Illinois beer.

I think I am going to give the edge to Binny's, for craft beer selection. After all, they call their shelves "Craft your Own", anyway. But I have to honorably mention Mariano's, since they pretty much introduced the idea in Chicago and, I believe, forced Binny's to follow.

What do you think?