Category: Reviews

Guest Review #2: SLIM Reviews Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss Hefeweizen

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Thanks for the review SLIM!

Guest Review by SLIM: Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Hefeweizen

 The first beer I’ve chosen to review is also the first offering I have ever had from Sierra Nevada (http://www.sierranevada.com/index2.html). I’m not completely sure why I have avoiding trying this brewer until now but it could be because it’s pretty mainstream and made in California . They’re most famously known for their pale ale (I’m not too crazy about pale ale’s…almost always pick a hefeweizen or a stout over a pale ale). I certainly did enjoy Kellerweis, though. It had a lot of flavor, was very drinkable, and finished okay. I recommend this beer to anyone but don’t think I would go as far to say it is as good as Boulevard Wheat. It is moderately priced though and worth a look.

 Review (Unfortunately, I don’t have quite as good of a flavor-catching pallet that the beerbaron boasts but I will do the best to relay my opinion on the quality of this brew to the best of my ability.)

Pour-Hazy golden pour with an all white head.

Aroma-Smell of citrus and a slight hint of hoppiness.

Taste-Very fruity, sweet, but somewhat artificial tasting finish.

Overall: B

  Eastern Iowa Residents: You will generally find this at any Hy-Vee and at most liquor stores. This isn’t quite as widely available as the Pale Ale but you should be able to track it down without much difficulty.

Guest Review #1: SLIM Reviews Legends American Grill, Des Moines, IA

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Guest Review by SLIM: Legends American Grill, Des Moines IA

I’m very excited to contribute a review to this fine website. I chose Legends (http://www.legendsamericangrill.com/home.htm) for my first restaurant review. This is a popular dining option in the Des Moines area with 5 locations in the metro area and 2 more in Marshalltown and Ames . We went to the Johnston location and were very satisfied with our experience. It’s a very sports themed environment but a more causal dining environment section of the restaurant is available too. I was impressed by the amount of different selections they had on tap and in bottles. Some brewery selections they featured here that I hadn’t previously seen in other places included: Flying Dog, Point, and Samuel Smith. Legends has good drink specials every day of the week and the food is reasonably priced. I would say the food is above average. If you’re not familiar with Des Moines and you’re looking for a place to eat, Legends is a good bet with its casual, relaxed environment and convenient locations.

Beer Review #30: Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse

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If you are a fan of wheat beers and have not tried Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisee you are missing out. A very good wheat beer that is brewed with 60% wheat and 40% barley for a refreshing beer. Made in Munich, this beer is a go too for many wheat fans. I do like this beer, however, there are other German Hefe’s out there that can trump this. A little pricey but it is worth it, especially if you have not tried it yet.

REVIEW
POUR: Hazy golden yellow pour with a thick white head.
AROMA: Wheat, banana, and bubble gum aroma; maybe a grassy smell as well.
TASTE: Wheat and banana flavor with lemon zest at the end.
OVERALL: C

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Also John’s has many Hacker-Pschorr products, including their Octoberfest, which I have yet to try.
If you’ve tried it, let me know what you think!

Beer Review #29: Millstream John’s Generations White Ale

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I remember when my wife first brought this beer home and I was thinking that any beer named after a grocery store in Iowa City was going to be awful. I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you like Blue Moon, Shocktop, and white ales, then you must try this beer. A really great example of how a white ale should taste. Breadiness, spicy with corriander and orange peel. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. Another great thing about this beer is that it is brewed in Amana, IA at Millstream brewing (www.millstreambrewing.com) which is only 20 or so minutes from my front door. Sadly, I haven’t been there to drink but that is on my to do list. (Road trip anyone?)
REVIEW
POUR: Hazy yellow pour with a nice thick white head. Great lacing on the glass.
AROMA: Smell of citrus, corriander, and orange peel.
TASTE: Spicy flavor of corriander and orange/citrus. Sweet finish.
OVERALL: B+

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Very affordable and a very good beer. Check out the brewery in Amana also.

Beer Review #29: Millstream John's Generations White Ale

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I remember when my wife first brought this beer home and I was thinking that any beer named after a grocery store in Iowa City was going to be awful. I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you like Blue Moon, Shocktop, and white ales, then you must try this beer. A really great example of how a white ale should taste. Breadiness, spicy with corriander and orange peel. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. Another great thing about this beer is that it is brewed in Amana, IA at Millstream brewing (www.millstreambrewing.com) which is only 20 or so minutes from my front door. Sadly, I haven’t been there to drink but that is on my to do list. (Road trip anyone?)
REVIEW
POUR: Hazy yellow pour with a nice thick white head. Great lacing on the glass.
AROMA: Smell of citrus, corriander, and orange peel.
TASTE: Spicy flavor of corriander and orange/citrus. Sweet finish.
OVERALL: B+

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have seen this beer at every Hy-Vee and liquor store in Eastern Iowa that have decent selections. Very affordable and a very good beer. Check out the brewery in Amana also.

Beer Review #28: Bell’s Expedition Stout

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A brewery that you are almost guaranteed good beer from is Bells Brewery out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. (www.bellsbeer.com) When I saw this six pack at John’s Grocery in Iowa City, IA I remembered that I had heard nothing but good things about this beer. I’ve started to become more of a fan of Imperial stouts than I was in the past so I thought I would give it a try and I was glad I did.  Double malts and five times the hops and you can definitely taste it, a great beer. According to their website, this beer is perfect to put in the cellar for a while as it ages very nicely.
REVIEW
POUR: Black pour with a nice thick brown head.
AROMA: Smell of hops and malts along with coffee and dark chocolate.
TASTE: Roasted malt with chocolate, coffee, and bitterness of hops.
OVERALL: A-   

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have only seen this beer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City. If you’ve seen it elsewhere in Eastern Iowa please let me know.

Beer Review #28: Bell's Expedition Stout

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A brewery that you are almost guaranteed good beer from is Bells Brewery out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. (www.bellsbeer.com) When I saw this six pack at John’s Grocery in Iowa City, IA I remembered that I had heard nothing but good things about this beer. I’ve started to become more of a fan of Imperial stouts than I was in the past so I thought I would give it a try and I was glad I did.  Double malts and five times the hops and you can definitely taste it, a great beer. According to their website, this beer is perfect to put in the cellar for a while as it ages very nicely.
REVIEW
POUR: Black pour with a nice thick brown head.
AROMA: Smell of hops and malts along with coffee and dark chocolate.
TASTE: Roasted malt with chocolate, coffee, and bitterness of hops.
OVERALL: A-   

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: I have only seen this beer at John’s Grocery in Iowa City. If you’ve seen it elsewhere in Eastern Iowa please let me know.

Beer Review #27: Goose Island IPA

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A brewery that constantly puts out great beer is Goose Island (www.gooseisland.com). One of my favorites is their IPA.  A hop lover’s dream, this one packs a major hop punch but is still very smooth and delicious. Another great thing is that it is very affordable and available all around the Eastern Iowa location. I have yet to actually visit Goose Island, but have heard nothing but great things about it.

REVIEW
POUR: Dark orange color pour with a thick white head.
AROMA: Smell of hops and citrus is very evident.
TASTE: Citrus taste with hop bitterness that mellows out at the end.
OVERALL: B+     

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: Available almost everywhere. $8 for a six pack and every bottle will be well worth it. An underrated IPA.

Beer Review #26: Red Stripe

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Early on in my beer drinking days I always thought that this was a treat. Once you start to develop a taste for other beers you realize that stuff you drank early on is actually beer that doesn’t need to exist. Not to knock on Red Stripe (www.redstripebeer.com), because on hot Summer day it is pretty satisfying, but compared to some of the beers that are available out there now this doesn’t even come close. Very watered down and the price tag for a six pack is close to $9 which is ridiculous.
I think the best thing about this beer is the commercials on TV.

REVIEW
POUR: Hazy yellow pour with minimal head.
AROMA: Smell is somewhat grainy/grassy. Not nearly as skunky as Corona.
TASTE: Not really a distinct taste. It isn’t bad, but nothing really sticks out.
OVERALL: D+       

EASTERN IOWA RESIDENTS: Available almost everywhere. With a $9 price tag you would think you would be treating yourself with something special but avoid it and get a really good beer for the $9 or even less.