Estrella

Brewed by: C.C.Damm
Brewed at: Barcelona, Spain
Type: undisclosed
4.6% A/V

First Impression
Like a bit of old Spain embodied in a can. All red and gold, bullfighting and stunning brunettes.

First Sip
Surprisingly fresh tasting for a can shipped across the seas. Good malt presence.

Halfway
Thoroughly enjoying this! Surprised? Yes I am. I haven't considered myself a great lover of Cerveza, however this is a compelling case.

Bottoms Up
Despite its obscurity this is a reasonably well crafted beer that should provide much beer drinking pleasure to most beer drinking enthusiasts. Not outlandish in anyway just sincerely good beer.

79/100

KLB Raspberry Wheat

Brewed by: Kawartha Lakes Brewing Co.
Brewed at: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type: Flavoured Beer
4.5% A/V

First Impression
This is my sister's favorite beer so I may have had one or two of these in the past. I recall the can being better looking.

First Sip
Thinner tasting than I remember it being when my sister would bring it fireside.

Halfway
Not a lot going on. Disappointing.

Bottoms Up
Not as delicious as I recall. Where it had been a uniquely tasty,refreshing beer that seemed brewed with care and quality; it seems now to be little more than a light beer flavoured with raspberry. Perhaps I drank it before Kawartha was invaded by Amsterdam... Was about 2004 when I had it last.

58/100

Rickard's White

Brewed by: Molson Canada
Brewed at: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type: Wheat Beer
5.4% A/V

First Impression
The good folks at one of Canada's largest brewers; Molson, were early to hop aboard the microbrewery bandwagon many months ago with the introduction of Ricard's as a smaller label. Rickard's White is brewed in the fashion of the European white beers like Hoegarden et al.

First Sip
The citrus character is a little overdone for my taste. Almost fake tasting. That aside it possesses all of the other characters of the white and wheat beers of Europe but perhaps a little closer to home, played safely as big money likes to do.

Halfway
So so. One of my all time most preferred styles done too safely. Like dating the girl of your dreams and treating her like your auntie. A tragically wasteful dose of caution.

Bottoms Up
Nothing ventured nothing gained. To the bold go the spoils. Never were these adages more true. Sadly disappointing.

45/100

Erdinger Weisbier Dunkel

Brewed by: Werner Brombach GmbH
Brewed at: Erding, Germany
Type: Dark Wheat Beer
5.3% A/V

First Impression
An almost intimidating bottle wrapper on this bold German. All gold and red and brown. Rather attractive if I'm honest. Dark wheat beer? Who let the dogs out?

First Sip
Okay. Full disclosure, I've tested four-ish beers prior to this one; but "Erdinger Dunkel" has to be the silliest name worn by a bottle of beer. Kinda nutty. Kinda caramelly. Dark for a wheat beer. Shockingly light tasting.

Halfway
Very easy to get along with, Erdinger Dunkel is surprisingly gentlemanly.

Bottoms Up
Drinkable. Hints of cinnamon and allspice. Dark but light. A nice formal beer. Like a tuxedo.

82/100

Hacker-Pschorr Weisse

Brewed by: Hacker-Pschorr Bräu GmbH
Brewed at: München, Germany
Type: Weisse Bier
5.5% A/V

First Impression
I think I've had it before. Seems I haven't. Looks great. They don't put bad beer in swing top bottles. This should be good! The head on this beer is amazing. Text book.

First Sip
Not my favorite wheat beer. Oddly detecting a hint of smokiness. Pretty though! Order this if you want everyone to know you're drinking beer.

Halfway
Getting better! This is another lovable, huggable, wheat beer.

Bottoms Up
Very nice all things considered. Confession: I like wheat beer. Take everything I have to say about Hacker-Schorr Weiss with a grain of salt. It's awesome.

76/100

Crest Super

Brewed by: Crest Brewing Company
Brewed at: Bedford, UK
Type: Extra Strong Beer
10% A/V

First Impression
I find blue is a reliably appealing colour for beer vessels. Wholly mackerel. Ten percent alcohol! Golden with a gregariously white foamy head.

First Sip
Hard to place. Not offensive, contrary to the expectation a double strength beer might elicit. Surprisingly malty. Or perhaps not. I'm confused.

Halfway
Getting lightheaded. If I was in a hurry to render myself inebriated I am not any longer.

Bottoms Up
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The shortest distance between sober and hammered is a Crest. A nice long lasting fine foam head. Not bad.

72/100

Smithwick's Draught

Brewed by: Guinness & Co.
Brewed at: St James's gate, Dublin, Ireland
Type: Ale
5% A/V

First Impression
A thoroughly polished presentation that reminds me of a freshly minted penny. If you look closely there is a little copper, okay brass, gold maybe. Anyway we are here for the beer. A very reputable name. Brewed by Guinness.

First Sip
Ah yes a proper ale! Gently bitter. Not too malty. Low effervescence. Friendly enough to spend an afternoon with or or perhaps while away the hours fireside with a few Smithwick's and some lively conversation.

Halfway
I wish I had another of these. Very nice stuff. Beer lovers this could be your other favorite beer.

Bottoms Up
Having mindlessly enjoyed great big, thirst quenching gulps, I again find myself regretting purchasing only a single of this wonderful ale. Great colour, medium brown amber. Easy bubbles. Great populist ale palate. Delicious!

89/100