When I decided to review this Pitch Black IPA from Widmer, I checked my absurdly massive archives and much to my surprise I had not reviewed any beers from this brewery despite their close proximity to my abode. Probably because most of their beer sucks donkey balls. Amnesia Brewing is right down the street from Widmer and they are WAY better (Amnesia does not currently bottle their beer, or have a website, but soon enough I will do a review on the brewery itself). Occasionally, Widmer comes out with a good limited release brew which is why I picked up this six-pack. Basically this is a nice black ale in its own right. Too bad that in a bullshit marketing move Widmer decided to slap the IPA label on it. I am sure they did this because out here anything that says "IPA" sells like hot cakes while "Black Ales" are marginalized. I don't really blame them since this marketing ploy worked on me and I did enjoy the beer but I still think that it is pretty fucked up. If you do have a chance to visit the brewery on Russell Street be sure to do it in the summer. You can sit outside in the shadow of the Fremont Bridge and drink beer from a huge ass stein (I can't remember the exact size but it is at least 40oz) while smoking fine cigars and conversing with good company. Well, in your case, talking to yourself and updating your twitter about what stupid shit your cats did today. 3.95 out of 5. Drink it.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Widmer Brewing - '10 Pitch Black IPA
When I decided to review this Pitch Black IPA from Widmer, I checked my absurdly massive archives and much to my surprise I had not reviewed any beers from this brewery despite their close proximity to my abode. Probably because most of their beer sucks donkey balls. Amnesia Brewing is right down the street from Widmer and they are WAY better (Amnesia does not currently bottle their beer, or have a website, but soon enough I will do a review on the brewery itself). Occasionally, Widmer comes out with a good limited release brew which is why I picked up this six-pack. Basically this is a nice black ale in its own right. Too bad that in a bullshit marketing move Widmer decided to slap the IPA label on it. I am sure they did this because out here anything that says "IPA" sells like hot cakes while "Black Ales" are marginalized. I don't really blame them since this marketing ploy worked on me and I did enjoy the beer but I still think that it is pretty fucked up. If you do have a chance to visit the brewery on Russell Street be sure to do it in the summer. You can sit outside in the shadow of the Fremont Bridge and drink beer from a huge ass stein (I can't remember the exact size but it is at least 40oz) while smoking fine cigars and conversing with good company. Well, in your case, talking to yourself and updating your twitter about what stupid shit your cats did today. 3.95 out of 5. Drink it.
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6 comments:
Yeah. What's with the Black IPA thing, anyway?
For Christmas, why don't you spend like 30 minutes and create a free website for Amnesia, then take a laptop down and show them how simple it is? I'm sure you'd be rewarded.
That is not such a bad idea. I actually know the owner/brewer (he is my neighbor) and his assistant brewer pretty darn well. Also my buddy owns the big ass house behind the brewery which is totally sweet.
If you do take on the challenge, don't let this happen...
http://www.thirdbasebrewery.com/
I saw that! Freaking hilarious!
While I agree with the improper marketing scheme, the amount of IBU in the beer can certainly fit it into the category of an IPA. It's not a face melter like most others, but it's good, so who's complaining?
I think you may have missed the boat on Widmer. The beers they produce are far from watered down micro-schrill. Their small batch beers are great, such as the winter Brrr.
You bitching about beer is no different than any other chap on twitter bitching about their cat shitting on their bed. It's unfortunate, but nobody can have a blog about great beer and keep it that way. Enthusiasts are forced to constantly rake through the poor opinions.
Sorry, Gordon Strong does a great job. Mainly because he doesn't suck, and is knowledgeable about beer.
Perhaps you should read a book, or maybe listen to one on tape.
Dear Anonymous -
You probably have a direct affiliation with Widmer. This is not my first rodeo. I would have appreciated it if you identified yourself so your words would have more credence.
It should be called a Cascadian Dark Ale and not bullshitted as a black IPA but that is really a trivial matter.
I don't like Widmer's beer, end of story. Next to their competitors in Portland, they don't have a leg to stand on.
"Enthusiasts are forced to constantly rake through the poor opinions."
This is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever read. Yeah, there are poor opinions. Because not all beer is good, genius!
We enthusiasts have discriminating tastes so we are not all fooled by Widmer.
I don't pretend to be an expert on beer and never have (you obviously have not read anything else I have written). I just know what I like and what sucks. Widmer sucks.
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