1001 Beers

Beer No: 79
Page No: 93
Category: Amber

Well, despite a pretty boring second game with a 0-0 tie between France and Uruguay, the day went very well in South Africa.  Somehow, as the #83 ranked team in the world, South Africa was able to get a 1-1 tie with #17 ranked Mexico.  The game was actually very entertaining with Mexico dominating the first half, having a goal wiped away on an offsides (the correct call) and then coming out in the second half somewhat listless and allowing South Africa to score first on Tshabalala's goal - the first goal in a World Cup on African soil (trivia right there for y'all).  So with those four teams going, today's first World Cup beer came from Mexico - the Cucapa Barley Wine Ale.

Now, I'm not a fan of Barley Wines - I think I've made that clear in the past.  The alcohol just isn't hidden enough for me and I always prefer hops to malts.  So these strong, high ABV, malty beverages just don't sit well with me and I tend to avoid them when I have the choice.  However, this was the only Mexican beer left that I could find in stores, so, a barley wine it is.  1001 Beers doesn't really have much to say about this barley wine and instead goes into how the brewery was named, which is probably a good idea, as I didn't enjoy this barley wine at all.  I found it just way too sweet - full of malts, alcohol, and flavors of raisins and sugar.  Overall, not the best start to the World Cup drinking experience, but, I'll be sampling upwards of 32 stouts tomorrow, so I'm sure that will be a much better experience.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Cucapa Barley Wine Ale (Centenario) by Cerveceria Cucapa

Aroma: 6/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 6/10
Palate: 2/5
Overall: 11/20

Rating: 2.8 / 5.0

Had from 750 ml bottle from Hi Time Wines. Pours ruby brown with no head and very slight carbonation. Lacing is good. Aromas of sugar, fruits, raisin, toffee, malts, and caramel. Taste is similar, very sweet, overpowering sugars and fruits. Heavy alcohol flavor with lots of malts and toffee. Finishes sweet. Not my favorite style, but I have had better barley wines. An ambitious beer from Mexico though.

Beer No: 61
Page No: 154
Category: Amber

I'm usually not a fan of barleywines.  I find them excessively malty with a watery/oily texture that just doesn't really go well with what I have come to expect from my beer.  I like some bite with my beer - most notably a nice hoppy bite.  So while 1001 Beers is filled with all sorts of beers in all sorts of categories, I've really been putting off trying any of the barleywines.  But, it was either the Avery Hog Heaven or a Duvel last night and for some reason, I figured a Hog Heaven would hit the spot.

And boy did it.  Not your standard run-of-the-mill barleywine, Avery's Hog Heaven packs a hop wallop with 100+ IBUs and a hoppy nose that will knock you back a step.  Using the Columbus hop - a high-alpha acid hop variety - the pine and citrus aromas and flavors really dominate this barleywine.  Perhaps that's why the label calls it a "Barleywine-style Ale" and not just your standard barleywine.  Whatever you call it, Avery once again delivers a top-of-the-line product here with a malt richness that is balanced well with the hop bite.  I have just one more Avery beer to go in the book, but I'll definitely be going back to their fine ales, as they really have blown me away with their flavors and quality of beers.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Avery Hog Heaven from Avery Brewing Company

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 7/10
Palate: 3/5
Overall: 14/20

Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

Had from bottle from BevMo. Pours cloudy orange with a nice bubbly white/tan head. Aroma is a nice blend of hops and malts with the hops really coming through. Sweet malts are dominant as well in this barleywine. Though I’m not the biggest fan of barleywines, the taste of Avery’s really worked for me. I think the hops really upped the drinkability as the malts don’t dominate the flavors here. Taste is initially bitter from the hops, finishes a bit dry and sweet. A nice ale for those that probably aren’t huge barleywine fans.