Beer Review: The Bruery Saison Rue

I love stories or movies in which the little guy succeeds against all odds. You know what I'm talking about. You know the one where that scrappy kid from Goonies is trying out for Notre Dame football and keeps getting his ass kicked and he just won't quit because he has daddy issues and his brother is a douche and then the dude from Swingers shows up and is like, RUDY! RUDY!! Yeah Rudy, that's right. In my opinion there are two new breweries right now that are doing just that- Cigar City and The Bruery. Bucking traditional approaches of small, steady growth these two breweries seemed to have gone balls to the wall and it's paying off for them. Here is the moment you expect me to post a picture of Rudy Ruettiger but no, I give you THIS instead:



Yeah I just did that. Bet you didn't see that one coming at you huh? And if you're reading this via email and aren't getting pictures or videos you just totally missed it. You're welcome to those they DID get to see it.

Anywho, The Bruery from Placentia, California just celebrated their second anniversary this past summer. The demand for their beers is insane. In two years they've gone from start up brewery to rock star brewery. Hell, they're available in Florida for crying out loud. This past summer during a trip to the House of Mouse I was lucky enough to pick up a couple of bottles from these guys and one of them was the Saison Rue. We cracked open the bottle this past Friday night at our weekly Friday Pint Night at Avenue Pub. I keep telling you guys to come out via my Facebook page so no excuses and no whining about how you weren't invited. Here is my review:


Brewery: The Bruery

Beer: Saison Rue

Style: Saison/Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 8.5%

Louisiana Availability: Of course not.

Appearance: This beer poured a hazy amber with a nice foamy white head.

Smell: Interesting hints of tart green apples, pepper and a slight hint of fruity hoppiness.

Taste: Now don't take this the wrong way but main the flavor that dominates here is....Jagermeister. I know, I know but that's what I tasted. The Bruery website doesn't say they use anise but man that's what I got the most of. I also got slight hints of green apples, barnyard mustiness and pepper but the anise just dominated the taste for me.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a lot of carbonation.

Overall: An absolutely great brew but the anise just kept throwing me off. I swear I tasted Jagermeister and it was driving me crazy. Don't worry Patrick Rue I I'm pretty sure I was the only one meaning my taste buds just suck. Oh well, I still enjoyed the hell out of it though and will grab another bottle whenever I see it.

Score: 4 out of 5 Buddhas

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha

Beer Review: Cigar City Big Sound Scotch Ale

My dad's family is from Tampa, Florida, My dad and all his brothers attended Jesuit High School and I remember many trips down to Tampa to visit my grandparents and the rest of the family. I especially remember the cuban sandwich we used to get from some place I don't remember and I also remember always going to The Colonnade restaurant and getting a plate of the fried wild Florida gator! Yum!

I was always to young to drink beer went we went to visit and when I was of legal age the only craft brewery in town at the time was Ybor City and well, it wasn't all that good. Like Louisiana, Florida wasn't really a craft beer state. Fast forward to 2008 and my how things have changed.

Again like Louisiana, craft breweries have been popping up right and left in Florida and one of them is Cigar City in Tampa. Buy unlike many breweries in the country it seems Cigar City operates with less rules and more fly by the seat of their pants attitude which has made them a highly coveted and award winning brewery. Owner Joey Redner and Head Brewer Wayne Wambles have created a brand that not only has seen a 400% growth in 12 months and two medals at the Great American Beer Festival but also landed them on Entrepreneur.com's 10 Hot Start-ups list.

I am fortunate enough to have family in Florida(my parents live in Orlando) as I mentioned before so whenever I go visit I make sure to stop by Knightley Spirits in Orlando and grab some bottles. I was recently lucky enough to have a friend bring back two bottles of Big Sound Scotch Ale and a 110K+OT. If you find yourself in Florida make sure you do yourself a favor and grab some Cigar City. Here is my review of the Scotch Ale:


Brewery: Cigar City

Beer: Big Sound Scotch Ale

Style: Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale

ABV: 8.50%

Louisiana Availability: None

Appearance: This brew poured a nice deep copper color with a nice solid off white head. Lacing present throughout.

Smell: Wonderful aroma of caramel, tobacco, roasted malt and dark fruit.

Taste: The taste in similar to aroma. Caramel and dark fruits dominate. Slight tea like bitterness which balances the sweetness well. Nice booziness comes across.

Mouthfeel: This is one full bodied brew with very little carbonation.

Overall: Incredible brew! Perfect brew for the colder nights! On a side note I actually marinated some pork shoulder in this brew and it was incredible.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 Buddhas

Cheers!

The Beer Buddha