Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Beer score: 5.1

Company: Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 18

The folks at Samuel Adams have brought this beer out several times over the decades, sometimes with a slightly different name, and this year they've released it once again for their Spring collection.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color into a clear glass. Gives off some typical, premium bready beer-like scents with maybe just the barest hint of citrus.

On the tongue, it has some pale bitterness up front and then a slightly sweet aftertaste that lingers. There are a little of woodsy flavors here, along with maybe some honey.

Not a weak beer, but also not overly strong.

Not a bad beer, but also not all that great.

Probably one of the most mediocre beers produced by Samuel Adams. Again, not bad, but nothing great. Your Budweiser friends might think it's something special.

Beer of the Week: Jenlain Ambrée

Beer score: 4.4

Company: Brasserie Duyck
ABV: 7.5
IBU: 25

I've tried this one a few times over the years, and I hate to say it, but it's always kind of let me down. I think my expectations were just too high.

Anyway, this French brew pours a slight reddish color while giving off some fruity and bread-like smells.

Extremely sweet. The honey sweetness is so strong it destroy any other flavoring. There is some spiced fruity flavor and maybe a little apple among all that sweetness. At least it goes down light and smooth.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Younger's Special Bitter

Beer score: 7.4

Brought to us from the folks at Rogue Ales, this quality beer is no longer with us.

It poured a vaguely orange color while giving off scents of citrus and earthiness.

Extremely smooth going down despite the barest hint of carbonation. A light, wet bitterness on the tongue that left me more than satisfied.

I found it went well with chili.

Alas, a good ale gone down. Perhaps the Rogue Ales gang will make it again some day.

Beer of the Week: Tennent's Lager

Beer score: 6.0

Company: Tennent's
ABU: 4.0
IBU: NA

Been a long while since I've enjoyed a Tennent's beer, in no small part because they've become somewhat difficult to find here in the U.S., especially during the last year with tariffs and the like (I'm not taking sides, blame who you want, but it is what it is).

Anyway, this one pours an amber color with hints of citrus sweetness in the smell, though there's not a lot of that smell.

Tastes very sweet in a caramel way with an almost fizzy, cider-type texture. Goes down pretty smooth. There's just the barest hint of citrus in the flavor.

Worth trying for its uniqueness.

Beer of the Week: Corona Light

Beer score: 4.0

Company: Constellation Brands
ABU: 4.0
IBU: 18

Pours a pale golden color while giving off some bare scents of grain. On the tongue, there's just a hint of bitterness and sweetness, but not much.

Weak and watery like Corona, but there's less carbonation, which is surprising because most light beers have plenty of fizz. This one is so weak, it's almost like drinking water.

I guess if I were to drink light beers regularly, this might be the one, mainly because it's the only light beer I know (off the top of my head) that doesn't have more carbonation than the non-light version.

Books read in 2026: No. 2 -- The Undiscovered Self

by C. G. Jung

Started: Jan. 2

Finished: Jan. 8

Notes: Though I've read a fair amount about Jung over the years, I've never actually sat down and read one of his books, though of course I've read excerpts and quotes, etc. I've been intrigued, so now I hope to learn a thing or two.

Mini review: An interesting look at the individual and his/her relationship with the masses, or Society or the State. Jung seems to reach the decision that the individual must come to terms with the darkness that resides within our subconscious for us to have any chance of facing or even defeating the evil that resides within our world. I can't say I disagree, but I was often surprised in this book how words written approximately 70 years ago are still quite relevant today. On the down side, I don't care for Jung's writing, finding him too ... hmm, "pedantic" doesn't seem quite the right word, but it's close. And Jung is overly wordy, in my opinion, his writing not being overly readable by the average person, though Jung wasn't necessarily writing for the average person.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Grolsch Amber Ale

Beer score: 5.5

Yet another beer that's no longer with us.

There was a little power to this brew, making it seem a little stronger than most amber ales, so novice beer snobs had to beware.

The taste was dry but also smooth. Lighter than I'd expected, but not weak. Not overly sweet but also not overly bitter, kind of an even mix of both. A touch of carbonation with a hint of spice.

A decent drink to go along with cheese and crackers.

Not great, but not bad.