Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat

This pic is from Leinenkugel's official site.
I in NO way endorse calorie counting for beer.

This is a special post as it's my first "Special Request Review." I feel like Carson Daly except witty and I still have hope for my future (yes a TRL joke...no I'm not above cheap shots). You remember when MTV used to actually show music videos instead of  "reality" shows of vapid shameful misrepresentations of humanity? ...What?...get back to the point you say?....yeah you're right...BIER/BEER...
So lemme hop off the soapbox and back on to the bar stool. Anyway, so this is my GF's favorite beer, which should already tell you something about this brew. This was actually her suggestion for me to first try it as well as review it. So this beer was a great surprise for me and I have great memories drinking it. Which again is really WHY people drink socially. For the experience. The camaraderie. And the sweet siren song of inebriation. As the poet Homer (Simpson) once said "Here's to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems"

Ok so this beer is a surprise. It's not what you expect from a Belgian witbier which are categorically sour in taste. Sunset Wheat has a very distinct flavor profile. It's sweet with a very familiar taste This is a beer that is strong enough for a man but-nah actually it's less than 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). But then again if you're drinking beer just to get drunk you probably the same dude that'll fill up a pool from the sink tap. This is another great beer to drink when it's hot but I could drink it year round. The first thing that'll really grab your attention from this piece of art is the aroma. As soon as you crack open the top this very pungent FRUITY PEBBLES aroma fills the air. And I put that in all caps because I want you to try this beer then come back and comment and say "Roberto this tastes like Fruity Pebbles" and Imma be like "yea I know, I said that son. Check that all caps statement in the middle" then you gonna be all like "Oh...well yea I concur." I loved drinking this beer because of that distinct taste. In all seriousness that taste is actually from blueberry. But it's a completely different blueberry from say, a Sweetwater Blue. It really hits that flavor across the entire back end of the drink. It's somehow more pronounced in the profile than other fruit brews but in a way that has me resisting oxymoronic statements like "more pronounced in a subtle way." But honestly that's what it is. Taste it and tell me I'm lying.

Writing this is making me want one right now so excuse the comical imagery and frequent A.D.D. sidebars. Sunset Wheat is readily available at most quality liquor stores and for a pretty good price, usually less than $10. So I drank this in a bottle and also out of my trusty weizen glass. In both cases the smell overtook everything in the room but moreso in the glass. The pour really opened up the flavor and I encourage anyone that fancies themselves a drinker to invest in quality beerware or just steal a few from the local bar (but ask first, they might just give you one if you tip well). Yea and you should learn how to properly pour a beer. After you've enjoyed the aroma and set yourself up for the next step: the look let's skip that and drink it. Enjoy the flavor, let it marinate and then let that distinct after taste hit you. (I'll wait...)

So let's go back to the look of this beer. The first picture seems a little bright to me that's not the beer I remember. This pic to the left is a little closer to what I drank. Much more of a copper than a gold. Maybe that beer in the first picture has the same image consultant that Sammy Sosa has... But I love that tone. The feel of the beer is a richer one than most wheat beers I've had. It's a smooth feel but not rich in the sense of a stout or anything. You could easily put away a few of these without feeling like it's Thanksgiving Eve at big momma's house.





Look: Great coloring. Good head. Obvious cloudiness from the wheat and what I believe to be that dust from the bottom of the cereal box.

"Wow...momma I made it!"

Taste: Imagine drinking a great wheat beer but thinking "man I really want some Fruity Pebbles but I don't wanna stop drinking this awesome beer." Voila! Sunset Wheat...(don't believe me Google 'fruity pebbles beer')
Mouthfeel: One of the smoothest non-stout beers in terms of how it feels on the palate. But exceptionally smooth taste and finishes.
Drinkability: Again...so effin smooth! My girlfriend loves this and she *sigh* normally hates beer because of the usual bitter aftertaste associated with my favorite beverage.
Pairing: Because of the unique flavor I can't recommend you drink this with any and everything.
Event: This would be great at a co-ed event that you know will have a lot of ladies that aren't opposed to a good longneck (feel free to interpret that as you'd like) 






This won't be the last beer I review from the brothers at the Leinenkugel's brewery. Subscribe and watch out for my next random beer review or comment and suggest one.
Thanks for reading. Cheers...

Blue Moon's Honey Moon Review

Anyone who knows me knows I have a serious warm place in my alcoholic heart for the fine people at the Blue Moon Brewery. They have to yet to do serious wrong in my eyes although their winter/fall offerings are...well lemme save that for another review. Today's artfully crafted subject is their summer offering, Honey Moon (now known as Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat or something but to hell with marketing I prefer Honey Moon).

To start off this is an amazingly refreshing beer, perfect for the hot days of summer. I'm not gonna lie, this is my Gatorade during the hot summers here in ATL (if that sounds wrong to you you're obviously reading the wrong blog). Does this have electrolytes or some dude with a sneaker deal endorsing it? No, don't be ridiculous. But what it lacks in celebrity it makes up in taste. P Diddy might not tweet about this beer but as sure as Sean can't fully close his mouf, you won't be able to put this summer ale down.

In my eyes, Honey Moon gets extra points for being a quality craft beer at an affordable price. It's sweet honey-infused aroma will hit your olfactory senses as the symphony of bubbles dance in the air...sorry. But this does smell as good as most can imagine a beer smelling. I love the rich amber tone of it and the stark white head gives the coloring an even more amazing tone by contrast. Ok ok Roberto...it looks like ambrosia and smells like a plate of yams wit extra syrup...but how does it taste exactly? I'm glad you asked make-believe reader..it tastes great. Is it the best beer I've ever tasted? Nah, but it's far from the worst and like I said it's my go-to beer for the arid days of life. I mean, look it's the first beer I chose to review, doesn't that say something? But in all seriousness this tastes like a traditional Blue Moon unfiltered wheat ale with the hints of coriander and citrus peel and glitter...but with an unmistakable burst of honey. This is a definite "sample beer" for the people who dislike beer because of bitter brews or harsh after-tastes.

Ok here's the "official" stats:

Look: Beautiful coloring and even carbonation. As with any wheat beer, it's gonna be a lil murky like the swamps of Heaven.

Taste: Sweeter than most domestic beers you'll taste that are still considered "normal". (No starfruit or loganberries in this brew)

Mouthfeel: It feels like authentic cream soda. Ron Burgundy would be proud of the "rich mahogany" feel of it...and the alcohol in it.

Best Way to Drink: A tulip glass...hmmm..sounds girly..um let's call it a "top-heavy woman" glass. Yea...that's much better. I usually drink from a weizen glass which is the 2nd picture. (Will still taste awesome in red Solo cup)

Drinkability: So smooth, your girlfriend would drink this...or Drake would rap about it in a smooth sing-song tone that doesn't frighten Caucasoids. Almost no bitter after taste. Well covered by the honey & hops combo.

Pairing: Um...oxygen? Happiness? Bacon would probably taste great with this. Or really anything salty that would balance the sweetness. (Bacon FTW)

Event: This beer is real chill. It would be great at any BBQ/get-together or even woulda been great at our baby shower (hint, hint). NOT the beer for "pre-gaming" my friends. You don't wanna "shotgun" these. Save that for Bud Lights.

Questions? Comments? Wanna go grab a few?

Lemme know in the comments section below...cheers

The First Round

Welcome to 85 Proof: Libations and Lifestyle. An odd mash-up of beer reviews, advice (read rants) and random commentary on life and the pursuit of happiness. Happiness through the amber tones of a micorbrew ale, an alcohol-related joke or the hilarious life and times of a beer addict.

So what exactly are you doing on this blog? Better yet, what am I doing? I'm trying to help those of you who, although it pains me to say, HATE BEER. Now calm down fellow beer lovers, lower your pitchforks. We were all naive once, help me bring them to the light. What I want to offer is a simple, plain English guide to buying, drinking and pairing beer with food and even events. Yes events. Beer is a complex, social beverage and you should be able to enjoy it with everyone. If Hitler can find a soul (term used here loosely) mate and VH1 can find 40 lonely "ladies" to fight over Flava Fla, I can mate you to beer you'll love.

I hope that I make good on these promises in the coming posts. Feel free to add to or challenge anything I write. I welcome the feedback. Cheers!