Brew Review: Red Stripe

Red StripeAll of this Halloween talk and fall weather had me reaching for one beer last night: Red Stripe. A summer-styled lager in the near-winter month of October? Why not?

Red Stripe Jamaican beer is known for its spiced flavor and smooth finish. This lager has a large stable of enthusiasts due to its unique taste and stubby bottle. The famous Red Stripe “bitterness” is caused by its crisp, almost-acidic blend of roasted corn and (vegetable?) hops. No matter what the weather it’s refreshing.

While pricy compared to budget-beers Red Stripe is still reasonably affordable for those wanting some variety in their brew-drinking habits. Warning: hipsters have taken a liking to Red Stripe, so you may be labeled unfairly as one when sipping.

Ways to avoid being labeled a hipster whilst drinking a Red Stripe Jamaican Lager:

Get into a brawl with a Hell’s Angel (not recommended)

Never, ever utter the phrase “post-modern” or worse, “Po-Mo”

Don’t act like a self-righteous, judgmental, know-it-all hipster (see what I did there?) Read More »

Brew Review: Miller Chill

Miller ChillEver heard of a “chelada”? Not enchilada, although those are really rad…but that’s neither here or there.

A chelada is a Mexican style of beer that’s flavored with lime and salt (Corona with salt, basically). The drink is popular in Mexico and Costa Rica but has yet to become a hit in America. The day where cheladas are popular in the U.S. has been set back a decade or so with the release of Miller Chill, a poor excuse for a beer.

Miller Chill apes that mask-the-awful-taste-with-limes-and-salt formula cheladas have down pat - with an unfortunate twist. Chill contains the flavor of artificial limes and salt that leaves an aftertaste similar to flat Sprite lingering in your mouth.

Miller Chill tastes like sour soda.

Usually my preference for a certain kind of beer is nonexistent - I enjoy Negro Modello as much as I do a bootleg brand like Schlitz, when the occasion hits - but Chill is plain ill. Drinking it to get wasted is much more difficult than regular brews due to its kiddie-sweet flavor. After convincing my bro to share a six-pack of the stuff with me he opted out after one-and-a-half beers. Read More »