New Brew Reviews: Playing Catch Up Still

Beer Luvvas,

I have 4 empties, and one currently in consumption that I need to update y'all on. So let's cut straight to the chase....

Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale: Another great contribution from our Northern Californian friends. The aggressive hopping of this Scottish red makes it another new Red brew for Freebird that again displaces her previous fav: Deschutes Cindercone. I don't know what happened to her taste buds while we were in Arizona, but I ain't complainin.

Elysian The Immortal IPA: Unfortunately, relative to other NW IPAs, Elysian's a mere mortal. But still a damn good summer sipper. And since it's only mid-July, there are a few more sips to be had! Item of note: bottled for Portland market by New Belgium Brewing in Colorado...not the most environmentally friendly distribution policy.

Lompoc C-Note Imperial Pale Ale: Not an IPA, an Imperial Pale, this Portland local is a bit of a legend. Now available in 22oz bombers @ your local supermarket. Although it's best out of the tap so bring anything with a lid down to your local Lompoc establishment and they'll figure out a price to fill it for you to take home!

Laughing Dog Brewing DogZilla Black IPA: This was the treat of this particular post! Laughing Dog has found a sweet minor chord in the DogZilla's dark roasted malt and NW IPA hops ZING! A little heavy for a mid-day summer sipper, but when the sun goes down and you're looking for a quaff around the backyard fire pit....Go Go DogZilla! Woah-ohhh!

Millstream Brewing Colony Oatmeal Stout LAGER: Unfortunately what I hoped would be another stellar find from the Microbrew Beer of the Month Club, turned into an interesting, but underwhelming quaff. The first sip was very hopefull with a heavy oatmeal flavor and stout-like mouth feel, but the finish was all lager (aka macro-swill) which was very disappointing. Over time, the two flavors have mingled into an interesting light/heavy taste, not too different from the musical conundrum of the 60s that was Iron Butterfly. Although the best of this month's shipment, not what I would consider a winner.

Wow. All caught up which means Freebird will be happy to have the desk in the office clear of empty beer bottles.

Prost to clearing out Dead Soldiers!