Fix 1864 Spezial (Lion Brewery)

Appearance - 7

It pours a pretty, but boring yellow gold color.  Very clear brew, Fix 1864 Spezial has no opaqueness to it.  Much like any American Style Lager.  The head is thin, dissipates quickly, and leaves almost no lacing.  Pretty boring and common in appearance.

Aroma - 7

Again, much like the look, this beer is pretty typical in the aroma section.  There is a hint of sweetness when you fist nose the beer, but other than that it is pretty bland, even for a lager.  Nothing special, but nothing terrible.  Just a little less than average.

Taste - 25

I thought the taste of Fix 1864 Spezial was average for this style of beer.  Nothing great, but nothing terrible. Just right in the middle.  Similar to many lagers, the flavor was decent while cold, but as the glass and beer warmed a bit, the flavor went downhill.  There were no flavors that really stood out.  I was able to make out a hint of corn and some grassy hop flavors, but not much.  There really was no aftertaste.  What you first put in your mouth is what you get.  Just a middle of the road Lager.

Drinablility - 7

There wasn't much to this beer, and there really wasn't much to drink it either.  Drinking was pretty easy, no strong aftertaste, no pungent odor to clog you nose.  But it wasn't great either.  Nothing I would rush out to get.  So the drinkability was a little above average.

Hip-Hop - 5

Well they pretend to be cool by claiming to be a Greek Lager (and I guess it is a Greek recipe.)  However, the beer is brewed here in America, and tastes like any other American Lager.  It is still would look a little better walking around with this than a Budwiser or something, so...average in the Hip-Hop category.

Total Score - 51

Website: Fix 1864 Spezial (Lion Brewery)

Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale (Jester King Craft Brewery)

Appearance - 15

Noble King has an amazing pour.  One of the most beautiful pours that I can remember seeing.  I give it the full 15 points here.  It is a wonderful orangeish-golden hue that instantly catches your eye.  There are little yeast floaties that can be seen in the beer, and are expected for beers in this style.  Noble King also has a great head that seems to build on thick and linger forever.  It leaves great lace as you drink the beer (if you can put it down to notice.)  This is what a Saison / Farmhouse beer should look like.

Aroma - 13

Again, this beer excels in the aroma category, but not quite to the extent that it did in appearance.  There is a good initial pop or hops in the nose that should be expected. The florals were very notable, and you cen even smell the yeast.  Nice aroma.

Taste - 46

Great taste, but not perfect (but almost.)  The only real downfalls for me were that the beer became a little too earthy as it warmed up, and there could have been a bit more hops.  It is very refreshing, like a farmhouse should be, and your initial taste if full of some light and refreshing hops.  As you drink, the earthy tones in the taste become more evident.  These are desired, and at first are wonderful and not too strong.  But as your glass warms, and in turn the beer in side, this earthiness becomes a little more evident.  Don't let that worry you though, overall the taste is excellent.

Drinkablility - 9

The beer is well balanced.  It looks, smells, and tastes like it should (and it is good.) It is light and refreshing.  Noble King also has a lower alcohol by volume that other American Saison / Farmhouse brews, which to me only helps with the drinkability and makes it more of a true Sasion / Farmhouse beer.  The only slight downfall is when it warms after a while.

Hip-Hop - 9

Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale is cool.  It is from a smaller brewery just outside Austin, Texas.  It is organic, and they brew it the way they should.  It would be cooler if they sold in in a little bit smaller bottles.  Oh, and I am not a huge fan of "fantasy" like most of the Jester King labels.

Total Score - 92

Website: Noble King Hoppy Farmhouse Ale (Jester King Craft Brewery)