Well I Already Hated Magic Hat…

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If you’ve read any of the older reviews on this site, which no one has done, you may know that I don’t care for most Magic Hat products. Well, now I have more reason to have them. West Sixth Brewing Company, which just finished up its first year, is being threatened by Magic Hat’s corporate powers over trademark infringement and is demanding all of their profits.

West Sixth has a petition. Sign it or I’ll bleed on you:

http://www.westsixth.com/no-more-magic-hat/?age-verified=c9f923e346

Not enough comedy in this post? Well follow me on twitter @BoozeTweets or like the Facebook page for sporadic nonsense.

Beer Review #49: Erdinger Weißbräu

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One day my friend Dan and I went up  into my attic to find a Black Santa Claus figurine that we needed for a prank. Dan just assumed that I’d have one because I’m Black and I was incredibly upset when we learned he was right. More importantly, we also found an off-brand Slip-n-Slide.

We took it back with us to campus to add a little something to a Summer party, besides cheap booze and thinly veiled racism, and it was a hit. I noticed Dan was avoiding it so we all demanded that he go down. Upset and defiant, he agreed.

As he began his sprint I knew something was wrong because he started too far back and ran with the odd gait of a retarded horse trying to solve a Rubik’s cube. As he hit the thin, slick plastic his body buckled, he flew up, landed, and continued on his trip sitting Indian-style instead of the typical prone position.

Dan let out a great yelp and began spinning wildly out of control, leaving a deep red spiral of blood on the bright yellow kid’s toy. Apparently there had been a sharp rock pointing up through the plastic and Dan caught his anus on it. Screaming, and demanding medical attention, Dan demanded that some terrified girl survey the damage. She looked at me, began laughing uncontrollably, and said that it looked like a spiral-sliced Thanksgiving ham. I don’t eat ham anymore.

ErdingerBefore the review I must give credit to my stepfather for gifting to me a set of gorgeous beer glasses and my mother, who is both pictured at the bottom and half responsible for the genetics that bring you this nonsense, for hunting down the beer labeled on said glasses. Let’s review!

Appearance: As a self-proclaimed porter/stout snob I am always partial to a beer that blocks all light and this one does just that. This weißbier poured wonderfully, possibly benefiting from having the brewers glass, showing a nice thick head, strong carbonation, and a personally gratifying cloudiness.

The head is thick, white, and full of tiny bubbles that unfortunately prevent much of any retention or lacing. I’d describe the color as a slightly darker goldenrod or straw ready for harvest. The bubbles seem to be infinite.

Smell: It’s a bit weak, but I’m definitely getting the fruit smells one expects from a hefeweizen, but not banana in particular. It’s difficult to place. There really isn’t a great deal of any sort of aroma coming off of this beer. After a good swirl and deep inhale I get a noticeable wheat smell and some yeast too. The clove aroma that I expected is absent.

Taste: Very crisp, a result of the carbonation no doubt, with a pleasant medium body; I could drink this forever out on the porch on a nice sunny day. The lack of aroma definitely served as a predictor for the taste because there isn’t much really. The fruit is a lot more pronounced and a certain sweetness seems to take over everything else. A bit of wheat comes through too, but not much else. There’s little to no aftertaste.

MomOverall: I liked this beer, but I don’t really have a good reason for it. I’m a fool for aesthetic I guess. I can’t in good conscience rate this anything over 72/100, but I still like it a lot and intend on finishing this off under the sun. After some time the smell and taste did improve, but I’m not used to drinking hefeweizen too warm.

Up Next: The Fiftieth Beer Review Spectacular!

Beer Review #48: Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Conway’s Irish Ale

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I’ve been busy. Wanna fight about it? Send all inquires to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205. They know me there. Just tell them you want satisfaction.

Conways1Appearance: One is immediately awe-struck by the incredible effervescence of this beer. Bubbles are seemingly infinite in number, never ceasing in their endless rush to the top of my glass. I’ve attempted to capture this phenomena on film, but I am no photographer and there’s just too much movement to capture.

This beautiful motion is accompanied by a seductive, rich brown color. Darker than citrine and with a touch of red, it’s like staring into dark, hazel eyes. An off-white head completes this unbelievable picture and does us the favor of sticking around for quite some time.

Bubbles?

Bubbles?

Smell: Malt. More than anything you’d regularly expect though. A bit of citrus creates a deep, bold aroma that dominates all of the senses.

Taste: I’m immediately concerned by the thin to medium body of this beer; I expected something a bit more robust. The taste is rich in malt and the citrus carries through as well. The malt is pleasing, but does not make up for the fact that there is almost no presence of hops in this beer. I will say, however, that while there isn’t much of an aftertaste, my mouth feels fantastic after each drink.

Overall: Well I’m perplexed here. It looks and smells amazing, but the taste just isn’t there. Let me be clear though, I very much enjoyed this beer and intend on drinking it many times in the future, but there’s something missing. It gets perfect scores in appearance and smell, half of the taste points, and well… I give it 82/100.

Beer Review #47: Stone Levitation Ale

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Today I realized that I don’t know if it’s to babies or dogs that you can’t give chocolate. I was babysitting my one-year-old niece while eating a chocolate bar when the dog shimmied over. They both clearly wanted some of the chocolate and I knew for sure it was poisonous to one of them, but if I’m anything I’m fair; I gave them each a piece. Five minutes later I learned that nothing gets rid of the smell of dog and baby diarrhea mixed on shag carpet. To the review!

Stone Levitation

Stone Levitation

Appearance: Reminiscent of the autumn. A leaf fading to brown or maybe dry pine needles. Incredible clarity and lasting carbonation and a nice, thick, off-white head. Glorious aesthetics.

Smell: A very light and nuanced aroma. A bit of malt. Definitely some herbal notes. Very hard to read.

Taste: I’m immediately stricken by how smooth and refreshing this beer is; to say it goes down easier than Britney Spears’ career would be an understatement. The tastes are all very muted, but enjoyable. The malt comes through quite well, but I don’t get much in the way of hops. Maybe something reminiscent of apple though I may be forcing that. There’s a nice up-note in the wonderful way that this beer coats the mouth and its herbal aftertaste makes me grin wide.

Overall: This one was strange. It was so crisp and clean, the flavors so muted; I don’t know where to go. 84/100. I wanted more from the aroma, but this beer was gorgeous and I have no legitimate taste complaints. Fun Stuff.

Up Next: Columbus Brewing Co. Creeper

Beer Review #46: 21st Amendment Brewery Brew Free or Die IPA

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I’ve been striking out with the ladies a lot recently and I find the whole process completely baffling. For instance, I’ve always heard the phrase “nice guys finish last” as a euphemism for making sure that one’s companion “finishes” first. I’m a gentleman, so I’ve taken that to heart, but I must be doing something wrong.

I’m having a real fun time in some chick and she tells me she’s there and more, to take it easy and get ready for my turn. I’m a perfectionist, so I respond with, “I’ll tell you when we’re finished”. We’re taking that line off of the “Great Ways to Motivate Your Lover” list. Here’s the review.

21st IPAAppearance: I’m awestruck by the head on this beer. It’s beautifully thick and foamy and long lasting. Its pleasing off-white color forms a peak that floats wonderfully just over the rim of my glass. I’ve attempted to capture this effect in a photo.

The beer itself is cloudy, has very low carbonation and almost appears as if I’ve poured a glass of honey. Everything about it screams “Drink Me!”. I intend to oblige.

Smell: An immediate citrus jumps out at me, something tropical, followed by a DSCN0070difficult to place herbal aroma and subtle breadiness.

Taste: It’s quite sweet and  the malt tends to hover around for a long time in the aftertaste. It has a nice medium body that aids the lingering aftertaste. A bitterness carries throughout, but it is very muted, almost to the detriment of this beer. That citrus aroma from before is also comes through a bit, but only as soon as the beer hits the tongue.

Overall: If I were to do a photo shoot this would be one of the first beers I’d grab; the head and color are simply stunning. Unfortunately, the taste left a lot to be desired. Looking at my half empty glass I’m just thrilled with the lacing, but that can only get you so many points in my seemingly arbitrary rating system. I do like that it came in a can. Anyhoo, I’ll call this one 69/100.

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Up Next: I think I skipped Stone Levitation, so that.

Beer Review #45: Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red IPA

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We’re Back. I got a lot of questions during the break. Did you chase another piece of foil into oncoming traffic? Has your halfway house for troubled young cats finally taken off? Are you lazy? The answer to these, and more, questions will never be found. (Yes, No, and Yes.) Anyway. Let’s get back to the bread and butter.

DSCN0031

Appearance: Holy shit! We have reasonable pictures. Well check that out. Isn’t that something? No? I’m being told that this technology has existed for a very long time and that I’m an idiot for just now doing this. Is that my dining room table? On the internet? Someone will steal my social security number with this information!

This ale is very, very clear; almost to the point of being distracting. The color is somewhere between rust and an Arizona sunset. I love the head; it’s rich and creamy, thick and just slightly off-white. It holds quite well and leaves a beautiful lacing on my glass.

Smell: This may be the best smelling beer I’ve encountered this year. There is an instantaneous eruption of citrus; as if I were walking through a grove right before harvest. The hops add a pleasant herbal something or other that’s balanced quite well with an ever so slight sweetness.

Taste: To be completely frank, this was a bit of a letdown. The hops are incredibly aggressive here. One finds themselves nearly overcome by the bitterness. It’s very hard to work through that beat down and get to the other flavors. In the end, though, there is a nice lingering maltiness that forces me to keep drinking; albeit this is not a unique quality in any beer when in my hands. Also, I expected more of a presence in the mouthfeel of this beer, but it is very light bodied.

Overall: This was by no means a bad beer, but I will likely not repay it a visit in the near future. It looked alright, smelled fantastic, but the taste just wasn’t there. I love bitter, but this was an outright attack. 67/100.

Up Next: Stone Levitation.

Remember, If you want regular updates to like my page on Facebook or follow me on twitter @BoozeTweets! Tell your friends too.

Beer Review #44: Elevator 1810 Oktoberfest

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Appearance: Wildly hazy with a rust to copper-like color. The head is just slightly off-white and dissipates quickly. While pouring this beer seems quite volatile, but the carbonation dies down after only a few seconds.

Smell: Interesting. Quite subtle, but I get a lot of spices and toastiness. The aroma is just slightly sweet in a very enticing way.

Taste: I get an immediate bitterness that is quickly cut into by sweet malt. It’s got a thin to medium body that doesn’t really do it a lot of favors. A bit of hops comes through in the end, but that mainly just brings back the bitterness which is not balanced very well.

Overall: I was not a huge fan of this and could never see myself ordering it when out on the town. 65/100. That bitterness is just too much to get over and I love bitter tastes. Oh well.

Up Next: I’ll tell you later.

Beer Review #43: Left Hand Black Jack Porter

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Appearance: I was awestruck by the beautiful deep amber color of this beer as I poured it into my glass. It was nothing short of perfection. Once in the glass it takes on an impenetrable darkness with a this light tan head. My room is very quiet  an I can hear the carbonation coming off of the Black Jack as well. I’d call myself speechless, but I am typing this so…

Smell: I stuck my nose to far into the glass and when I inhaled I got a bit of liquid. I don’t know why I’m sharing that. Now that that’s been cleared up, the smell is a bit of a let down. There’s really not much there save for a bit of roasted grain and a very slight coffee aroma.

Taste: Again, a bit of a let down. There’s an immediate taste of alcohol that really cuts in to the other flavors. I get the sweet roasted malt taste that is typical of a porter along with the familiar coffee taste, though the coffee is very tame. There is a bit of hops in the finish, but one really has to focus for it. The sweetness of the malt is balanced, and I really appreciate that, but there’s not much else going on here.

Overall: From the marvelous appearance of this beer I was a bit disappointed after tasting it. It’s definitely not bad, but I would not recommend it over half of the porters that have been featured on this site. 72/100.

Up Next: Elevator Brewing Co. 1810 Oktoberfest.

2012 Year End List Spectacular!

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Here is a list of things that I’ve listed. Enjoy. If you disagree with any you are wrong.

Egg Preparations
5. Shirred
4. Soft-Boiled
3. Basted
2. Poached
1. Over Easy

Worst Political Ads
5. Todd Akin – “Forgiveness”
4. Mitt Romney – “Cherished Relationship”
3. Priorities USA – “Understands”
2. Thomas Peterffy – “Freedom To Succeed” 
1. Rick Perry – “Strong” 

Birds
5. Crow
4. Red Hawk
3. Peregrine Falcon
2. Cardinal
1. Bald Eagle

TV of 2012
5. The League
4. Justified
3. Bob’s Burgers
2. Homeland
1. Breaking Bad

Worst Songs To Bang To
5. “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” – Meatloaf
4. “One” – Metallica
3. “We are the World” – USA for Africa
2. “Only Women Bleed” – Alice Cooper
1. “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin

Ladies of 2012
5. Sofia Vergara
4. Miranda Kerr
3. Mila Kunis
2. Alessandra Ambrosio
1. Marisa Miller

Personal Moments of 2012
5. Reason Rally
4. Getting a Roommate/New Friends
3. Business Cards/This Website
2. Earning a Mug at Bernie’s
1. The Ohio State – Michigan Game and Perfect Football Season

Science Fiction Novels
5. Neuromancer
4. Slaughterhouse 5
3. The Forever War
2. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
1. Ender’s Game

DuckTales Characters
5. Gladstone Gander
4. Flintheart Glomgold
3. The Beagle Boys
2. Scrooge McDuck
1. Fenton Crackshell

The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong

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The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong, Third Revised
The Ohio State University Version

Authored by Mr. Shannon M. Ransom Jr., All Rights Reserved

- Preface -

When Beer Pong was created is was meant to be much more than a simple drinking game. It’s a game that brings together friends, family, and strangers alike to celebrate binge drinking and debauchery. While it may be a game meant to loosen inhibitions, it’s also a gentleman’s game. As such these rules serve to keep the game fair, civil, and fun.

  • All games should be played with 16 oz. Solo® brand party cups, two standard ping pong balls, and an adequately long table.
  • All games are to begin with ten cups arranged in a way similar to bowling pins:
  • Four in a line parallel with the back of the table
  • Then three cups in front of the first four
  • Then two cups
  • Then one cup in the front
  • These “Game Cups” are to always touch in such a way as to not have any overlapping rims. If rims are overlapping, the opposing team may request that they be aligned properly.
  • The arrangement should be centered and positioned approximately one cup length from the back of the table.
  • One extra cup is to be reserved for water. This cup is to be set significantly away from the other ten cups. The water should be kept hot and changed frequently.
  • All teams are to consist of two, and only two, members.
  • For convenience, a list should be kept with the order of play. This list should be updated as frequently as possible but not in a way that would interrupt play.
  • A minimum of two beers should be used to evenly fill the ten cups. More may be used at the discretion of the players. Other intoxicating beverages may be permitted so long as the cup contains an adequate amount of liquid and are cleaned out afterward by the team making the substitution.
  • The winners of the previous game shoot first. If this is the first game, opposing players are to make eye contact and shoot a single ball. The team that makes the shot gains possession. If both teams make it, the process is repeated by the other two players until a team gains possession.

- Section One – Shooting and Scoring -

  • On their possession, each member of a team is to shoot or bounce one ball into the opposing team’s cups. They must not shoot simultaneously. When shooting, the shooter’s elbow must not breach the plane of the table’s back edge.
  • If a ball is successfully shot into a cup, it is removed and the beer is consumed by the opposition. Opposition should alternate which player drinks. Balls are to always be washed in the water after a shot.
  • A bounced ball is worth two cups: the cup that the ball bounced in and another cup of the opposition’s choice. In order to constitute a bounce, the ball must touch at least one surface before entering a cup in order to constitute a bounce. This may occur after touching a cup, but a cup itself does not count as a surface. A bounced shot may be blocked by the opposition.
  • Should both players on a team choose to bounce, they must first wait for the first bounce to miss or enter a cup. If it’s a miss the second player may immediately bounce. Should the first bounce go in then the second bounce must wait until the scored cups are removed.
  • Should a ball come to rest on three cups then the shot is declared a miss. Beer Pong rewards skill, not luck.
  • Should both teammates make successful shots, the balls are given back and their possession starts again. This is called “Bringing it Back”.
  • If a player has made cups on two consecutive possessions, they may announce to the other team that they are “heating up”. If this player then makes a cup on the following possession they may declare that they are “On Fire”. An “On Fire” player may shoot until they miss a cup. “Fire” shots begin immediately even if balls were brought back.
  • During play, but before a re-rack, should any cup not be in contact with any other cup as a result of surrounding cups being removed then that cup is an “Island”. Each player on a team may declare “Island” and attempt to shoot at this cup. Should there be multiple islands a player must specify which island they intend on shooting at. If an island is made the opposition must drink it and one additional cup of their choice. If a player declares island but makes a different cup then it does not count. Each player may only call “Island” once per “Island”.
  • If both players make a shot into the same cup the “Death Cup” rule is in effect. “Death Cup” results in an immediate loss for the opposition. Any game cup with beer in it is fair game for death cup.
  • After a player’s shot, should the ball roll back across the table and not hit the floor the shooter may attempt to shoot the ball again, but they must do so in one motion behind their back. The other team may attempt to stop the ball from rolling back.
  • A cup accidentally knocked over by a ball counts as a successful shot. Should a cup be purposely knocked over by a shot than it is replaced and the offending team is penalized a cup.

- Section Two – Special Rules for Play -

  • Distracting the opposing team and trash talking are encouraged so long as no party fouls are committed and players stay on their side of the table. Everything else is fair game. Everything.
  • As cans of beer are opened and emptied for the game they should be lined up along both sides of the table. This is done in order to keep the ball on the table and for aesthetics.
  • While a ball is spinning in a cup, a hoe may blow the ball out, but a dick must not attempt to flick the ball out of the cup. The ball may not be at rest when blown.
  • At the beginning of a team’s possession and only after the opponents have shot, they may decide to “Re-Rack” the cups. The cups may be “Re-Racked” in any formation the team agrees to, so long as it does not exceed the distance of a line of five cups. If the cups slide due to beer on the table, a team may ask the opposition to push the cups back into formation. They may also ask that the table be wiped down.
  • When play is limited to the dormitory, noise level must be kept at a reasonable as to avoid alerting outside parties.
  • Any cups knocked over by their players also count as a score for the other team and are removed from the table. These are not to be refilled.
  • If a cup is on the edge of the table a player may elect to have it moved forward in order to keep it from falling.
  • If a cup falls off the table is counts as a score, even if caught. However, a team may stop a cup from falling from the table so long as they do not impede play.
  • A player may request that a spectator take their shot for them. This is called a “Celebrity Shot” and a player may only do this only if they took the preceding shot. If a player is found to be relying on the “Celebrity Shot” they are removed from the game and permanently replaced by the celebrity of the opposition’s choosing.
  • If a shot ball is interfered with before it lands in a cup the shooter is given another attempt. This does not apply if the ball had no reasonable chance of landing in a cup.
  • There may come times when a team wishes to fill their game cups with water instead of intoxicating liquids; electing to drink from some other container. In such a situation all beer pong rules apply to those water cups, including, but not limited to, the “Death Cup” rule. Also, in order to ensure that the blasphemous team with water cups is drinking enough the opposition decides what alcoholic beverage, and how much of it, the blasphemers drink.

- Section Three – The Closure -

  • When the final cup is made the game enters the closure phase.
  • If the first shooter made the final cup, the second shooter gets a chance for ”Death Cup”. The second shooter may ask for the first ball to be removed from the cup.
  • If a team has a negative cup count the game is over.
  • If the final cup is knocked over the game is over. Fill your cups properly.
  • If there are two cups left and each shooter makes a different cup the game is over.
  • If only one shooter makes it the opposition has a chance for a rebuttal.
  • Each opposing player shoots for the rebuttal and if either makes a cup play continues with no cups removed.
  • If both players make it, the second cup is consumed and play continues. There is no bring back or death cup in this case. If the other team also has one cup when this happens they then shoot a rebuttal shot.

- Section Four – End of the Game -

  • Once the game has a clear winner, the losing team must consume all of the remaining beer in play on the table unless the winners elect to save the cups for the next game.
  • The winning team remains on the table to take on the next opponent on the list.
  • The losing team should cross their names off of the list.
  • The record board should be updated, if necessary, at this time.
  • The winning team may volunteer to retire. In this case, they lose all streaks and the next two teams on the list play.
  • At the end of the night, any streaks remain active.
  • Losers must get beer for the next game.
  • If a member of the losing team never made a cup, then that member of the team must choose to either run once around the outside of the house completely nude or buy a case of no less than 24 beers for the house.

- Section Five – Party Fouls and Authority -

Beer Pong is a gentleman’s game, but there will sometimes be inappropriate behavior. These behaviors are deemed party fouls.

The following are “Party Fouls”:

  • Interference of a ball
  • Belligerence
  • Being a general dick
  • Blatant rule violation
  • Violating the elbow rule multiple times
  • Purposely knocking a cup over
  • Needlessly delaying the game
  • Leaving the table mid-game
  • In the event of a party foul the offending player may receive a warning, may be penalized a cup, or may be removed from play. Any penalty is at the full discretion of the house pong executives. If a house pong executive is involved in the current game they may not enforce or reject penalties.
  • These rules may be modified before any game by any reasonable house pong executive, but never during the game unless presented with hobos.

The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong, Third Revised P1 The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong, Third Revised P2 The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong, Third Revised P3 The Unabridged Rules to Beer Pong, Third Revised P4

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