Sam Adams Alpine Spring (3 toasts)

I got the Brewer's Choice Sam Adams box recently (hey, SA is a good value, ok?).  I just popped open the Alpine Spring, "a bright citrusty unfiltered lager".  It is made with Tettnang hops from the Alps, pale malts, and honey malts.

Hm.  The verdict is out.  There is a lemony note at the back for sure.  And it does taste and feel unfiltered (Hefey).  It smells pretty good...fruity and floral.  I'm not 100% sure I like it because it's kind of like drinking lemonade beer, but I can see it being refreshing on a hot day.  Too bad it's in the 50s here.  Good thing I turned my thermostat to 80!  FIESTA!

I honestly can't make up my mind about this one.  Maybe I'll try it again in the summer and let you know.  For now, though, I'm just saying "meh".

Cheers!

Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale (4 toasts)

I just baked my Halloween pumpkins and I'm finally working my way through the last of the Sam Adams Harvest Collection.  It was pretty awesome...and I'm talking about both the pumpkin and the beer.

Aaahhhh...I'm glad I kept some of this beer.  It brings me right back to pumpkin pie season.  Seriously, this beer is like drinking the holidays.  It's super spicy.  It's kind of like someone took a Hefe and threw in some pumpkin pie spices.  I would throw in an orange slice if I had any other food in the house besides beer and pumpkins.  (But, let's be real here, what else do you really need?  Oh...besides the oranges.)

Speaking of those pumpkins, those gorgeous, tasty treats.  Just cut one in half, set it cut side down on an oven safe tray, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (longer for a large pumpkin).  Turn it over, slather it with butter, bake it a few minutes longer, and enjoy.  I usually just eat mine right out of the pumpkin shell with butter, but sometimes I'll mix in pasta or other veggies.  They also do make an awesome container to roast a variety of fillings.  They are great because they last forever and they go great with beer.

Cheers!

Nero's Red Ale and Double Dark Malt Ale (3 toasts)

I got these at Trader Joe's for about $5 each and there's about two glasses of beer in each super cool bottle, so it's a fair deal.  The beer is just so-so though.  They are both Italian Craft Ales.  I have no idea what Italian beers are typically like, but I think I'll stick to the wine while I'm over there.

Let's start with the Apecchio Red Ale.  It was a light golden red and smelled like roasted nuts.  The flavor was interesting, roasted nuts and lemon, but not enough to keep me interested.  It wasn't too hoppy or too malty, so some might find this fairly well balanced, but it just lost my interest pretty quickly.

The second is the 1st Century Double Dark Malt Ale.  It's not dark at all.  In fact it's a light yellow-brown.  It doesn't have a noticeable smell, but my nose is shot, so you'll have to let me know if you smell anything.  The taste does live up to its name:  it is super malty.  But it's too sweet on the back of my palate and it kind of grosses me out.

Does anyone have an opinion on these or other Italian beers?

Cheers!