Yazoo Hefeweizen

When it comes to trying something new, I jump in head first. I support local and regional businesses. So, when I found out my local grocery store started carrying a regionally produced beer I was game. Yazoo was started by two Mississippi transplants who weren't happy with fixing tires and decided to take that next step make beer.

First of all, the appearance is a little unique as in it is suprisingly clearer for a hefeweizen. The nose is typical of this kind of beer with banana and clove coming through. With the first taste the banana and clove are the immediate flavors that rush through. Unlike other Hefewiezens, it has a little more aggresive spiciness to it which compliments it very well. It finishes with a slight bitterness and a little tart. All in all, not a bad interpretation.

B+/$7.99 per six pack/ www.yazoobrew.com

It's Been Too Long

Well, I'm back. The year and a half since my last posting was very eventful. I have tried a myriad of different drinks and will be providing by views on every last one of them. I hope to see you here soon. My next review will be on a southeast regional beer. Stay tuned.

Tito's Handmade Vodka

I was at my local beverage store talking to the owner. I asked if he had something I've never tried before and he turned around and placed in front of me this old-fashioned looking bottle with this rustic looking label on it. So knowing that he has never steered me wrong before, I bought the bottle and took it home. It's 100% corn, distilled six-times, and filtered through activated carbon. So to say the least i was intrigued by this vodka.

The nose of this vodka is medicinal like most of the vodka on the market. The first sip exposes the true nature of this vodka, smooth...very smooth. A tangerine, crisp citrus comes through with a slight pepper. It has a very clean taste that finishes with a herbal, melon character. A little ice and a touch of lemon makes this incredibly smooth vodka go down with ease. If you are a vodka drinker, Tito's deserves a serious looking into.

A+/$17.99 per 750 ml/www.titos-vodka.com

Sam Adams Boston Lager

This is the beer some credit for the revitalization of the American small brewery a.k.a. the microbrewery movement. If you have a television, you know the story of this beer and The Boston Beer Company. It has almost a cult following among people who want something more out of an American beer then the clean-tasting beer from the Mega-brewers. Here's the review.

The beer is amber in color with a creamy head. On the nose, this beer comes off toasty and has a rounded hoppiness to it. The first sip introduces you to a taste of roasted malt, a mild but flavorful hop, and an overall well developed balance of flavors. The finish is smooth and bitter, but a pleasant bitterness. Not an overwhelming brew, it compliments most foods especially rich flavored foods. Worth a try to shake up the palette.

A/$7.39 per six-pack/www.samadams.com

Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum

Sailor Jerry was a naval man and a tattoo artist who helped establish tattooing as a valid form of expression and mainstreamed the art by way of other sailors in Hawaii. The bottle features some of Sailor Jerry's tattoos a swallow and a Hulu dancer. Interesting container but not as interesting as what's inside of this bottle

Sailor Jerry’s is a very flavorful spiced rum with a note of cherry ringing above the rest. Do not take it as Captain Morgan’s bland spice mix bombarded with vanilla, it has flavor depth. Some of the flavor notes that come through are sugar, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, a hint of chocolate, and maybe a hint of nutmeg. It does mix well with coke which is how 90% of spiced rum is consumed. The higher alcohol content, 92 proof, brings this superb rum to the next level. It’s around the same price as Captain Morgan’s, so give it a try next time the urge of spiced rum calls.

A/$15 per 750 ml/www.sailorjerry.com

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

According to the website, Dead Guy Ale was produced as a private brewing for a place in Portland for the Day of the Dead. Also, the guy on the label is a favorite of the dead-heads (extreme fans of the Grateful Dead). Here's the review.

This beer is of the Maierbock style which is not a common style in the states and by any indication of this beer it’s a very hoppy style of beer. At the first sip, the very hoppiness of the beer can be a little off putting but after a few sips the flavor comes through. The nose is a little heavy but that’s because of the hops. The head of course is bitter but the true nature of the beer starts to come through. Honey, a hint of brown sugar and chocolate and slight smoke cuts through the bitterness. Quite the experience for the avid beer enthusiast, but in my humble opinion this isn’t a beer for novice beer drinkers.

B+/$7.49 per six-pack/www.rogue.com

Pabst Blue Ribbon

This is my defense of the American beer. The classic American beer has been charged with being tasteless, watery, bland...i don't think that is accurate at all. The classic American beer is meant to be a clean beer and making a totally clean beer without any skunky or off flavors is a very difficult task. In this light, traditional American beers do have subtle flavors. Clean beers, in my opinion, can appeal to the masses and that's why the number one and two beers in the world are American.

PBR is a typical American-styled beer, in that it is a very clean beer with no stand out flavor notes. On the nose is nothing to write home about. The taste of course is clean and the feel is very light. It ends a little bit more bitter and watery than expected. I know we here at the Gusto of Drink are fools for balance and PBR delivers. Not a bad beer overall.

B-/$6.50 per six-pack/www.pabstblueribbon.com