Cinder Cone Red Ale

So here I am with another Deschutes beer. I know. I drink them all the time because I’m lazy and I don’t always feel like driving further for a bigger selection of beer. As far as what’s guaranteed to be on hand at the grocery store, Deschutes is a consistent solid choice. I have to tell you of all the Deschutes beers, this one is my second fave, right after BBP. Why am I all in a tizzy about Cinder Cone this fine evening? Because it’s almost like drinking an Oaked Arrogant bastard, but without the punch and without the “oaked”…in a good way. When I say almost, by no means am I saying this beer is comparable to oaked…they’re obviously two different types of beer. This beer tastes like a distant cousin of Oaked; one without the tattoos and jail stories. Basically, I’m saying I didn’t feel like driving and getting a better beer and this one is pretty damn good for the grocery store.

Anyway, it’s a nice little red that has an appetizing hoppy aroma with a nice hit of bitter on the nose. It finishes pretty smooth, but a tad weak with not a whole lot of flavor. That’s if I’m being critical and not taking it for what it is and what’s on the shelf next to it. But hey, if your one of those rare people out there that hasn’t tried it yet, pick up a six pack, and stop looking at all those other Deschutes beers. Especially stay away from the BBP, I get pissed when that’s all gone.




April 16th, 2009

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Tags: ale, brewery, cinder, cone, deschutes, red

Ice Axe Grill/Mt. Hood Brewing Co.

Ice Axe Grill/Mt. Hood Brewing Co.
87304 E. Government Camp Loop
Government Camp, OR 97028

We decided to venture up to Mt. Hood and try out “The Microbrewery with an Altitude”, so we stuffed ourselves into the car and drove up to Ice Axe Grill, which is home of Mt. Hood Brewing Company.

We were starving and thirsty, and when we walked in we were immediately greeted with smiles and hellos. The décor wasn’t the most happenin and hip, but really, we didn’t care. It was cozy…and we were there for the beer and food anyway.

Started things off with Multor Porter and Cascadian Pale Ale. They also had the pale ale on cask but my wife was in the mood for cold and crisp so she stuck with the draft. We both went straight for the Old English Cheddar Pub Burger and fries. UH-MAZING. The burger was insanely good. The fries? Oh, the fries. So crispy and delicious. They also had some ranch on crack…don’t know what was in it or why it was special, but special it was. See, places like this sneak up on you. That’s why you can’t judge a bar/pub by its cover…sometimes the most mediocre looking places will kick your ass with their beer and food.

After we finished our food, we ordered more beer (what, did you think we’d go all the way up to Mt. Hood and just have one beer?), this time it was Hogsback Stout and Ice Axe IPA. The Hogsback oatmeal stout was just freaking awesome, they did an excellent job on this one. I highly recommend getting one while you’re there.

Definitely worth the trip. Good beer, good food, and good service. Plus, you can wander around the town while you’re up there. Good times, I tell ya.



April 9th, 2009

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Tags: axe, beer, brewing, company, grill, hood, Ice, Mt.

Pranqster

Pranqster has grown to be one of my favorite beers, which makes North Coast Brewing Co. one of my favorite breweries. Pranqster is a beautiful golden, slightly hazy beer with a lot of head. It’s an excellent Belgian beer that has the perfect amount of carbonation on the nose and finishes with that great fruity Belgian Golden flavor. Often with Belgians I find my biggest complaint is too much carbonation, or the carbonation amount doesn’t balance with body and flavor. This is not the case with Pranqster; this beer is very well balanced and extremely smooth without losing its awesomeness and quality.



April 6th, 2009

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Tags: ale, beer, beerfather, belgian, brewing, coast, company, golden, north, pranqster, style