Beer of the Week: Crazy Stallion

Beer score: 2.0

Company: City Brewing Company

ABV: 5.9
IBU: NA

Once upon a time, this concoction was known as "Crazy Horse," but the title has changed over the decades. Originally from the Hornell Brewing Company of LaCross, Wisconsin, now it is available from the City Brewing Company.

The can says this is the "original malt liquor," but I don't know if that has any truth to it.

In the glass, it looks like dark urine. And it tastes about like a typical malt liquor, slightly sweet at first, but then a bunch of carbonation that destroy what little taste there was.

If you like beer, you won't want to drink this. Or maybe you will. At least afterwards you will know not to drink it again.

Books read in 2020: No. 4 -- Death's Sting

edited by Jason M Waltz

Started: Jan. 2
Finished: Feb. 5

Notes: Though I finished reading this one a while back, I'm only now posting about it here on the blog because I helped to edit this collection and didn't want to promote it too soon before it is released (which is any day now).

Mini review: As with most collections, I have my favorite stories here, but I'm not going to name them since I was one of the editors. However, I will say that fans of KEW's Kane character, and perhaps my own John Dee character, will enjoy this anthology because all the tales are about immortal figures, mostly in other-worlds fantasy though there are some historical fantasy stories here, too.

Books read in 2020: No. 3 -- Cold Mountain

by Charles Frazier

Started: Jan. 29
Finished: Feb. 17

Notes: I'm reading this book now for several reasons. One, I'm in the mood for some fiction, especially some serious literary fiction, which this seems to be. Two, yes, I'm seen the movie and found it somewhat depressing, but I also thought it would make quality literature. Three, I actually don't live too far from where the events of this historical novel take place, so I might find some interest and familiarity there.

Mini review: This was a damn fine book. It took me a hundred pages or so to realize how good it could be, but I got there. The writing style here is superb, reminding me a bit of Cormac McCarthy but better, more accessible. There are some flashback sequences, a practice which I normally can't stand, but they work here mostly because they are relatively short and to the point. I'm not going to give anything away as I don't want to ruin this book for anyone, but it is rather bleak and takes place during the U.S. Civil War. The ending is not an overly happy one, but it's also not a complete tragedy, slightly annoying so for me.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Rhino Chasers Peach Honey Wheat

Beer score: 7.3

For one reason or another, I've not had much of an opportunity of late to enjoy some beer, but I have notes from old beer reviews from other sites I've written for over the years, so I thought I'd share some of that here.

The first time I tried this beer was back in the 1990s when it was brewed and bottled by the William and Scott Brewing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. I tried it later when it was brewed by the M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company of Ashburn, Virginia. Either way, this beer no longer seems to be around.

Which is too bad.

I'm not much of a peach fan, and I don't care for overly sweet beers, but this one was neither. I mean, it had a peach flavor, but it was just barely there, present but not overpowering. Also, this brew had a nice frothy feel with that light, sweet taste. It reminded me a little of Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blonde except peach-like instead of strawberry flavor, but alas, even Pete's is no longer around.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Paradise Ale

Beer score: 8.0

Company: Hoppy Brewing Company

This is another beer that's not around any more, which is most unfortunate as this was quite the good beer. Still, even though it's not around, I have some of my notes about it.

Originally this beer came from the American River Brewing Company of Auburn, California, but that company was eventually bought out by the Hoppy Brewing Company of Sacramento. This was a clean, strong, bitter pale ale. Pale ale fans should not pass this up if they get a chance, but that's doubtful to ever happen unless someone has the recipe for this beer and decides to make it again some day. Apparently the Hoppy Brewing Company is also now closed, or at least it's currently changing locations as I write this. Either way, they don't seem to make this beer any more. A shame.

What Robert E. Howard has Meant to me

You see the headline above, and that's what I talk about this week over at Black Gate.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Elephant Red

Beer score: 4.0

Company: Carlsberg

Here's another beer that's no longer around, though fortunately I've still got some of my notes about it.

It tastes like a premium "red" beer, like the many there were hitting the market in the mid-1990s. Too much fizz for my taste, and speaking of taste, it was full of a cheap sweetness. It definitely had a red color to it, but there was next to no head to it once poured. To my knowledge (and memory), this one only came in a can, for I never saw it in a bottle.

Not a great beer by any means, but also not the worst. Still, there's a reason some beers are no longer being brewed.