Beer of the Week: Grimbergen Double Ambree

Beer score: 5.8

Company: Grimbergen
ABV: 6.5
IBU: 22

This has got to be one of the sweetest beers I've ever tasted. That doesn't mean the taste is bad, but it's difficult to get to that taste through all the sweetness. This was so sweet, I couldn't finish a whole bottle (but in fairness, it was a big bottle).

As for pouring, it has a nice, light golden color while giving off smells of caramel and fruitiness.

Going down, there's some of that caramel and fruit flavoring, but again, the sweetness here is just overpowering. It also leaves behind a strong alcohol aftertaste.

Only truly experienced beer tasters should even thing about trying this. Worth it for when you are in the mood for something unique.

Beer of the Week: King Cobra Premium Malt Liquor

Beer score: 1.6

Company: Anheuser-Busch
ABV: 5.9
IBU: NA

There is little flavor in this malt liquor, but it goes down smooth.

At least it pours a golden color and gives off plenty of foamy head (jokes can be inserted here). The taste ... eh, it tastes like cheap, crappy beer, maybe a little bit of malt, a little bitterness, not much sweet. Basically, it tastes like a cheap beer, which is what it is.

Don't waste your money on this liquid. It's barely beer. Hell, it's not even a good cheap beer.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Perry's Majestic

Beer score: 4.3

I'm almost always saddened when a beer is no longer being brewed, but in this case I don't think we're missing much. It's not that this was a particularly bad beer, but it was nothing real special, just another medium lager with a little fizz.

Ho hum.

If one really stretched their taste buds, you could pick up the barest hint of honey sweetness.

And that was about it.

Books read in 2023: No. 31 - The Gospel According to St. Matthew

published by Zondervan

Started: Oct. 6
Finished: Oct. 11

Notes: I'm glad to finally getting to the New Testament. From a narrative point of view, I find it one of the most compelling sections of the Bible. And if you're wondering about the length of the title I above gave to this book, that's the official title from my KJV, though I understand I could have abbreviated it to 'The Book of Matthew' or simply 'Matthew' or something similar.

Mini review: The longest of the Gospels, I found it interesting not only for what it said but what it did not say. For instance, while the Resurrection is detailed briefly, there is no mention of the Ascension. However, the Sermon on the Mount is laid out here fairly extensively, and a number of parables are told.

Beer of the Week: Chouffe Bok 6666

Beer score: 8.3

Company: Chouffe
ABV: 6.66
IBU: NA

In my opinion, the best beers on the planet come from Belgium, and this beer is one that helps prove my point.

It has the look of a thin coffee or dirty tea, yet it is smooth and wet with a not-overpowering dark flavor. There's just the barest hint of a fruity or cinnamon sweetness.

A good dark drink for folks who like their dark beers, but this one is not too heavy.

Books read in 2023: No. 30 -- The Telltale Lilac Bush and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales

edited by Ruth Ann Musick

Started: Oct. 2

Finished: Oct. 4

Notes: It's October, which means the Halloween season is upon us, so I thought I'd re-read one of my favorite collections of ghost stories.

Mini review: Well, that fit the bill. Just what I was looking for. Though it's odd. These tales aren't told in a particularly spooky manner, but more in a folksy manner, but perhaps that makes them all the more spooky.

Books read in 2023: No. 29 -- The Book of The Sword

by Richard F. Burton

Started: Sept. 8

Finished: Oct. 2

Notes: In recent years I have tried to read at least one swording book per year, whether it be a book on dueling, metallurgy, history, etc. This particular book was published in 1884, and I'm sure there's been plenty of historical research since then, but I sometimes like to look back and see what earlier generations thought concerning history. This one apparently covers a period from the earliest of times up to slightly past the Roman era. Originally this was to be the first of three books on the history of swords, but the author did not live long enough to finish the other two books.

Mini review: There is much here that today we know to be incorrect, but this was still an interested read. For one thing, this book showed just how much 19th Century intellectuals actually did know, which is more than many today would give them credit. Also, I found it funny the British author's prejudices, though I don't necessarily mean racism (there were a few hints of this, but not much); mainly, this author was stuck on all things Egyptian, believing these ancient peoples were practically responsible for everything civilized during the last several thousand years, that the ancient Egyptians had or created everything first from civilization itself to philosophy to weapons and more.

Beer of the Week: Anchor Porter

Beer score: 7.1

Company: Anchor Brewing Company
ABV: 5.6
IBU: 40

I hadn't had any of the excellent beers from this company in a while, but since it was announced a few months ago that they were going out of business, I thought I should try the beers again while I had the chance. On the upside, there apparently is talk of the company's employees taking over and purchasing the business, so maybe there's hope yet.

Anyway, this one pours a nice dark color reminiscent of good porters, almost as dark as a stout. Comes with a nice foamy head well giving off smells of coffee and roasted chocolate.

Has a strong maple flavor that is likely too complicated for novice beer drinkers to truly enjoy (yes, I realize I sound elitist here), and has the thick, heavy texture of a stout. This one is a bit dry on the tongue, and also gives off flavors of toffee, coffee, chocolate, and perhaps some caramel.

Not the most superb of brews, but still pretty damn good and definitely worth tasting. I'd never turn one down.