Spaten-Franziskaner Dunkel, Old Heathen, and Old Rasputin

Arthur and I went to the Peculiar Pub. Started with the Spaten-Franziskaner dunkel weiss which is typical of the style. Amoung its peers it is better than Erdinger, on par with Julius Echter, but falls short of Weihenstephaner and Schneider Weisse.

Second up was the Old Heathen Imperial Stout from Weyerbacher. While I enjoyed this one, it sweetness reminded me of the Dogfish Head Imp Stout against my will. Perhaps the alcohol content and subtlety of the sweetness made this one easier to handle.

Last up was the Old Rasputin from the North Shore Brewery(shown in the image). Different take on the style than I am used to. Tastes like the offspring of brown ale and imperial stout. Would try again, but perhaps my judgment was too clouded by that point in the night.

Dog Fish Head World Wide Stout

I had this beer when my friend was enjoying Dog Fish Head's 120 Minute IPA(21% ABV). Picked this up at Atlantic Liquors in Delaware. Also available at Ron's. This is unlike any other stout I have had. It has the high alcohol content I expect from an imperial stout, but the flavor is simply a sweet syrup. Difficult to get through and will not drink again. The 120 Minute was delicious in comparison and I would much have Victory's Storm King if I want a domestic imperial stout. Did I mention I won't drink this again?

Price: $9
18% ABV

Victory Uncle Teddys Bitter

My third and last beer from my second trip to the Victory Brewery. This one was very interesting. I had never had this type of beer before and I quite enjoyed this one. Poured an amber color with no effervescence. I was expecting something like the "bitter's" I had in Australia, but this was much better. I felt like I was drinking something from medieval times. I won't be getting this one again, but I enjoyed the experience.

$4.50 from Victory Brewery
3.9% ABV

Victory Kölsch

My first beer on my second trip to Victory Brewery. It seems we got a very good deal on the previous trip because they were limiting the $3 beers severely on this trip. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures again. This one was a disappointment. I am not a big fan of kolsch. It was still refreshing to drink it with the soft pretzel and spicy mustard that I ordered. I hurried through this one to get a Storm King.

$4.50 from Victory Brewery
5.1% ABV

Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat

Another from the foodery. This one was just weird. I don't even know how to describe it. The first sip was the best that I took and after that there was something a little bit off. The traditional taste was there but some sort of spice that was not agreeable. This is still drinkable, but I will probably not be getting it again.

5.1% ABV

Stoudt's Weizen

Another purchase from the foodery. This one was drinkable and interesting. Middle of the pack for american hefe's. I probably will not get this one again, but am looking forward to trying some other stuff from stoudt's.

Smuttynose Summer Weizen Ale

Another beer from the foodery. This "Weizen" is extremely hoppy and bitter to the point of completely eliminating the traditional wheat flavor.(if it was even there) I can not recommend this one.

Pyramid Hefe Weizen

This is another beer of the dozen from the foodery. This is a pretty good Hefeweizen. There is nothing special about it but it has the classic taste, is not overcarbonated or hoppy like other American Hefeweizens, and is definitely drinkable. I would not mind trying this one again.

5.2% ABV
Brewer's description of the beer

Victory Braumeister Pils

This was my third and last beer at the Victory Brewery Restaurant. To be honest after the Storm King this one is a little bit hazy. One of my friends had ordered the Victory Prima Pils at the same time, and both were fairly good pilsners. While the Prima was a good traditional pils, the braumeister tasted a little smoother and less hoppy. Although this was good, it was my least favorite of the night and probably will not get a pils from victory again.

$3 from Victory Brewpub
5.5% ABV

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

This was my second beer at the Victory Brewery Restaurant. The first sip was an experience. This beer tastes like very creamy heavy rich coffee. The alcohol content is hidden behind the bold tastes. I would have enjoyed this more if it was winter and I was not already full when I started drinking it. I enjoyed this one, but it was a struggle towards the end.

$3 from Victory Brewpub
9.1% ABV

Victory Mad King Weiss

This was my first beer at the Victory Brewery Restaurant. The first thing I noticed about this beer was that the head actually poured like an authentic German weiss. I apologize for the lack of picture on this and the next two Victory brews. The taste of this one was good, but different from a traditional weiss. It was full of cloves and oranges with only subtle hints of banana. I definitely will be having this one again. Of the American wheats that I have tried this one is one of the best. Penn Weizen is more true to the original taste, but lacks something that this beer has.

$3 from Victory Brewpub
6.2% ABV

Samuel Adams Hefeweizen

This one was a disappointment even before I took the first sip. Taste is not like any weiss beer I have ever had. Was not terrible, but I am definitely not going to get this one again. Was overcarbonated and somewhat similar tasting to the Sierra Nevada Wheat. I picked this up from the foodery.

Victory Golden Monkey

Another selection from the foodery and from victory brewery. This Tripel Ale was very interesting.

It was poured far too cold, and the initial taste at the near freezing was not pleasant. After letting this one warm up a bit it was much better. The spices are overwhelming and mask the alcohol content fairly well. I definitely enjoyed this one, and probably will have this one again(in the winter).

Bottled on May 14, 20007
9.5% ABV

Pennsylvania Brewing Company Penn Weizen

So I went to the beer yard with a friend and were looking for something good for under $30 a case. Unfortunately all the German wheats that I wanted were around $50 for a case. After asking about American wheats, the staff recommended Penn Weizen. They claimed that unlike many other American wheats, they got the carbonation right.

I was not disappointed. Penn Weizen is a solid wheat beer with no surprises and medium taste of smooth banana wheat. That being said, I would never mistake it for a Bavarian hefe. I would definitely recommend this as a solid cheaper wheat.

$29/case from the Beer Yard

Sierra Nevada Wheat Beer

Another bottle from the foodery. I did not have high expectations for this bottle and not even those expectations were met. This tastes more like a pale ale than a wheat beer. It is not bad, but the faint hint of banana and cloves is hidden behind a wall of hoppy carbonation. I can't recommend this one.

4.4% Alcohol
$2.15 from the foodery

Victory Hop Devil Ale

I made my first trip to the foodery in Philadelphia today to pick up some singles. I am not sure how they get around Pennsylvania's laws but their selection was excellent.

The first beer out of the dozen that I bought was Victory. I tried this one first because I expected to like it the least as it was an India Pale Ale. While my expectations may be true, this was the best IPA that I have had to date. This is not saying too much because I tend to shy away from IPAs.

The taste was surprisingly smooth, but the sharp aftertaste caused complaints from both me and my friends. The alcohol was very well hidden. Even if you don't like Pale Ale, I would definitely give this one a try.

Drink by October 25, 2007
6.7% Alcohol
$2.50 from the foodery