Here's Rye in Your Eye!

Jim Beam Rye

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey



According to Jim Beam this is "The World's Finest Rye".  Well Uncle Jimmy also told us that Jim Beam Whiskey is "The World's Finest Bourbon" and we found out he was a liar.  (Read our review on March 4th, 2011).  We are giving Uncle Jimmy another chance... you know like a person in an abusive relationship gives their partner another chance even though she drew blood biting you through your jeans and then made you apologize to her family for making her act that way.  Let us hope the troopers will not be involved in this one.

Jim Beam Rye is 80 proof.  It is an American rye whiskey which means it is made from a mash of at least 51 percent rye and is aged in charred oak barrels.  Secondary grains are usually corn and/or barley.  Bourbon is made from a mash of at least 51 percent corn.  There are some other rules that go with what makes it a rye but we forget and our memory will only get worse with tasting.

Has a spicy flavor that is slightly sweet.  Very nice to sip on straight.  Guest taster Sam said, "It is different and that can be dangerous... mighty tasty!"  After trying it straight it was time to go crazy.  Mixed up a Duck Cocktail.  Jim Beam Rye, ice and Canada Dry ginger ale.  We know... pretty crazy mixing up Kentucky with Canada.  (Libel to come up with an Ohioan).  The ginger flavor goes well with spiciness of the rye.  DUCKS BEWARE!

Uncle Jimmy did not steer us wrong this time.  Our relationship has be reconciled until we catch him in Betty King alley giving hand jobs for crack. 

Best paired with duck poppers (as long as you have plenty of bacon and plenty of toothpicks) or apple pie.

RATING: 3.14159265

SHINER

Shiner Spring Ale made by Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. 

Ahh Texas!  Well maybe on a hot spring day in Texas Private Cowboy would enjoy this beer.  Just what in the Wide World of Sports is Dortumunder style?  After tasting, we really don't want to know.  Perhaps they copied they style of Natural Light but decided it needed a fancier name.

"There's Nothing FINER!  Than a springtime shiner!"

Well we beg to differ.  It is not a horrible beer but it lacks flavor.  This is a seasonal ale that is made in the winter.  Makes perfect sense if you are from Texas.  Why bother making a spring ale in spring?  So if you want to run to the liquor store to get a Shiner Spring Ale... too fucking late.  However, I am sure their winter lager should be released next week.

Color:  Yellow (like every Texan)

ABV: 5.5%

RATING: Winter time 3.0  Spring time 1.8

OVERALL: 2.9

Look what we found in the trash!

NORTHERN LIGHT

We were about to take out the trash and found a bottle of Northern Light Canadian Whisky!

We put it back.

RATING: 0.6

Bridgeport Hop Harvest Ale

"From the Field to Brew in One Hour"

From the bottle to our mouths in one minute.  Don't run to the store to find this one because we just drank the last bottle.  A special brew that Bridgeport makes when they are feeling hoppy.  No immediate plans to make this ale in the future... but, if they do, give your mouth a harvest from the northwest.  It is lighter in color and does have some small particles floating (due to the unfiltered process or perhaps it is hippy dust).

You would think it would be a little harsh but it is smooth and very tasty.  No flashy SHINE ON label to draw you in.  This triple hopped imperial style ale is all about flavor.  Did we tell you about Miller lite being triple hopped? 

ABV: 6.56%

RATING: 3.75+

KINGPIN

Bridgeport Kingpin

Triple Hopped Double Red Ale

Triple hopped?  You know Miller lite claims it is triple hopped brewed.  We call bullshit and so do a lot of folks.  The IBU of Miller lite is around 8 so that means the hops might be in the same plant when it is made.  Enough about Miller lite.  Bridgeport Brewing is Oregon's oldest craft brewery.  Located in Portland, Bridgeport does not require employees to shave their legs and Birkenstock repair classes are offered to all.

So it is kind of a red colored ale.  A little closer to amber but color has never stopped us from tasting...   Definitely a nice aroma of hops.  Nice bitterness and smooth finish.  On a rainy spring day, this would be a nice beer to have.  Or perhaps on fall day... or perhaps on a drinking day.  It is a beer that would make you forget about the girl server with dreadlocks, hairy armpits and the odor of chanterelles (or patchouli oil).  This would pair well with a mushroom dish or almost any fine northwest cuisine.  However it would not pair well  with the crap served at the whiskey tasting last night.  Unreal!  Let's pair a high end Scotch Whiskey like Oban with nacho cheese.  NOT KIDDING!  NACHO CHEESE!  How many kilt wearers do you think walk into the local pub and order a single malt with a side of nachos?  Might as well have served Ritz with Easy Cheese (as long as it was the bacon flavored).  But I digress...

ABV 7.5%  IBU 65 


Rating: Solid 4