New rating system and Trail Magic

As I begin sampling more local flavors it is becoming apparent that using availability and cost simply aren't factors that should be included in the score. While they are important (I don't want to go broke drinking) they shouldn't negatively affect a quality beer (see KBS). As such, I have reduced the scoring to drinkability and taste. Enjoy.

Trail Magic Series Volume 4

As described by Nantahala Brewing:

Homage to the Imperial that got us started. This version has stepped up to Maker's Mark barrels and a higher gravity, but keeps it's sorghum and wildflower honey roots.

 With the spirit of big challenges and a desire to connect our brews with the wilderness that surrounds us, the forth in our Trail Magic Ale™ series, is a velvety bourbon barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout. Along with our liberal use of roasted and caramel malts, local sorghum syrup and wildflower honey give this stout a unique character, while tying it's flavors to the Great Smoky Mountains.

If you don't live in Bryson City or vacation there, you aren't tasting this beer unless someone is nice enough to gift it to you. This beer is a 5 can beer for taste plain and simple, it is in my top 3 stouts and maybe top 5 of all beers. You can taste a subtle hint of Makers mark yet still enjoy the robust stout flavor. At 10% abv you can enjoy them slowly and still feel them. The smooth flavor will let you drink several (if you enjoy stout) and makes for a quality day long beer (although pacing yourself is recommended). Enjoy the taste like you would a fine Scotch or whiskey, drink to enjoy it, not to get drunk, although you will. This brewery is fantastic, only if they could distribute.

Taste: 5 cans

Drinkability: 4 cans

Overall: 4.5 cans

Paradox Smokehead Imperial Stout

Next beer up in the weekly review is an imperial stout from Brew Dogs. Paradox Smokehead  (10% abv). The smooth, robust stout has been completely infused with the Atlantic smoke, heavy peat, vanilla oak and balancing fruit and honey flavours of the powerful Smokehead whisky to deliver a deliciously complex flavour. - See more at: http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/30#sthash.on4vn69b.dpuf

Theses guys partnered with an Irish Whiskey company and aged the smoked stout in single malt irish whisky barrels for a ling time. The result is a smoky beer with a whisky flavor. I normally love a good whiskey aged beer, and this was no exception. It had good flavor, but the smokey taste too strong and overpowered the benefits of aging in whiskey casks. At $9.99 per bottle was ridiculously expensive for a beer of this quality, i would have been happy paying $5 and felt like it was worth it. It is unlikely to find this beer anywhere other than a place that carries rare seasonal brew (it isn't even listed under beers on Brew Dogs site). Another draw back is its drinkability. Unlike Backwoods Bastard or other whiskey infused stouts,I don't see anyone being able to handle more than two or three at a time, but at 10% abv, you probably don't need more than that. Overall, it was a good beer to try, but not worth the cost to purchase again.

Overall: 2 cans

Drinkability: 1 can

Affordability: 1 can

Taste: 2 cans

Availability: 1 can

Death By Hops

Death by Hops as explained by their brewmaster: "71lbs of high alpha hops were used to make this beer. That’s just over 20 grams of hops used for each pint! DBH was brewed with 2 row barley, Carapils and Crisp Crystal 45 malts and fermented to 7% alc/vol. DBH was hopped with 5 different West Coast hops: Chinook, Columbus, Simcoe, Centennial and Cascade. Additionally, DBH was twice dry hopped with different combinations of these hops. The net result is an amazing aroma of ripe juicy fruit mixed in with a bouquet of spring flowers. DBH was brewed to a level of bitterness of 108 IBU’s, and leaves a lingering bitterness; it is, after all, a double IPA!"

While not an IPA drinker by nature, I have tried to expand my tastes. I have started to develop a liking for these types of beers and this one was very good. I had never heard of Olde Hickory brewing, but while I was at the local beer store, their rep happened to be stocking shelves. I asked what he recommended and this was the end result. The taste was typical IPA, but with a better finish. The fruit tastes were subtle, just enough to provide great flavor and I didn't find the bitter after taste to be as strong as other double IPAs I have had. Very inexpensive, at $7.99 for a 750mL bottle, Death By Hops is a terrific buy. The 7% by volume is lower than most IPAs, but with a less bitter after taste, I could probably drink a few more. Brewed here in NC makes this beer readily available at most specialty shops, but probably a very difficult find outside of NC. A good find, and a good recommendation.

Taste: 3.5 cans
Drinkability: 3.5 cans
Affordability: 4 cans
Availability: 2 cans
Overall: 3.5 cans

Ratings Explained.

Ratings update:

Some people have discussed the similarities between critieria and the faults of some them as well. Here is the explanation of criteria used to rate each beer:

Affordability: How much does it cost to enjoy the beer for a day of drinking.
Taste: How good does one beer taste, the flavors of the beer
Drinkability: Can I drink this beer for an extended period of time without getting heart burn or feeling something other than the normal affects of too much to drink.
Availability: The number of places I can buy the beer, if people don't have access to it other than the brewery and select stores, it doesn't make it a bad beer, it just limits the number of people who have access to it.


The best beers are going to be available to more people, have all day drinking capabilities, be affordable for all day drinking and have good taste. Obviously this is all personal preference, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Mango Magnifico

Brewed by Founder's Brewing Company the Mango Magnifico is definitely something different. As described by Beer Advocate:
Mango Magnifico pours a yellowish amber into the glass with a moderate sized, creamy head. As the foam fades away a few spots and lines of lace clings to the glass.
The armoa is sweet and fruity. Notes of mango, peach and a little citrus.
Each sip of this medium bodied beer is smooth with mild carbonation. The flavor begins fruity with lots of mango and some orange citrus. There's some bready malt in the middle and it finishes with a peppery spice. The spice and mango lingers on the palate when gone. 
A tasty beer and interesting combination of flavors. It would go great with Mexican food.

I would describe the initial taste like Rubaeus except Mango flavor. Initial taste is very intense and very fruity. This is followed by a slow burn after taste provided by the habanero. If you can't handle spice say hello to instant heart burn.  I loved it, and if I lived near Founders, would probably drink it every time I went in there. Since I don't, I won't. It is on the expensive side at $12.99 per 750mL bottle. It does bolster an 11% by volume so it packs some punch. The brew is limited release, but easily attainable at any beer store that carries Founders products. Overall I rate the beer at 3 cans.

Taste: 4 cans

Affordability: 1 can

Drinkability 4 cans

Availability 1 can

Overall: 3 cans

FWIW, a day after buying the local Founders' rep was part of a St Founders' Day Celebration at a local beer vendor. It is pretty awesome to see Founders' getting serious run here in Durham. It remains my favorite brewery of all time, mixing in different beers for different tastes better than any brewery I have known.