XXX--Molson

Looking for an affordable beer that doesn't taste like water? Molson XXX is one of my favorite beers yet.  It has an orange/amber color, and bitter sweet flavor. The higher carbonation, and almost hoppy/whiskey after-taste makes it not necessarily for everyone.  The bottle makes it look like poison, but its contents taste like angel kisses.

With 7.3% ABV and roughly $11 for a 12-pack, you get a "super premium" beer for a very reasonable price.  It's imported from Canada, and seems to be the one thing they got right, especially after they cursed the world with Justin Bieber.  XXX goes good with most man-food and makes my mid-afternoon Taco Bell seem as enjoyable as a late-night Chipotle.  Try it.

Stay thirsty,

-Thirsteve

Dragon's Milk--New Holland Brewing Company

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate icy roads than with a Dragon-themed brew. The New Holland Brewing Company brings us Dragon's Milk, a very dark, basically opaque ale. I've been eyeing this up for months in the store and just recently talked myself into buying it. It has a malty, fairly sweet taste, almost like a rum candy. They describe it as a "roasty malt character intermingled with deep vanilla tones, all dancing in an oak bath." It is somewhat like a rich, malty, milk stout. Boasting a 10% ABV, you will be soaring like a dragon after a few of these.

Its pairings are said to be: red meat, smoked foods, balsamic, rich cheese, and dark chocolate. So naturally I chose to enjoy mine with some Chipotle. The only real downside to this is that it is incredibly expensive, running roughly $4 per bottle. However, milking a dragon is understandably a dangerous job, and the high price comes with the risk.

As far as taste goes I am not disappointed, but I do not see myself paying $16 again for a 4-pack any time soon. I slayed the dragon, not with a sword, but through my appetite for a premium ale, being only disappointed in the price. Ask for this as a Christmas present, or gift it to a friend.  It's a great special-occasion drink, but too pricy to enjoy on a regular basis.

Stay thirsty,

-Thirsteve