Mississippi Mud

Mississippi Mud is a beer apparently brewed by the Arizona Beverage Co., or so I’m told by a reviewer of the beer over at epinions.com, although the bottle says “Mississippi Brewing Co, Utica, New York”.  I’ve had it before but I’ve wanted to review it for this blog for some time now. Here goes…

 According to the bottle, this is “Mississippi Mud: Famous slow-brewed black and tan beer”. Here’s more info from the jug:

Dating back to 18th-century England, the custom of blending pale and dark beers has kept the “Black and Tan” a favorite of experienced beer drinkers for centuries.

Our famous recipe combines a robust English porter with a fine Continental Pilsner, preserving the character of each, while creating the classic taste of the legendary “Black and Tan”. In true American style, we bring you the best of both beers as they meet in Missisippi Mud.

The Pour
This pours out of the moonshine jug a dark rich brown that does allow some light to pass through. The head it develops with a vigorous pour is average, with slight lacing and a nice caramel color.

The Nose
The chocolate and coffee scents standard to a porter are immediately noticeable. Some hops finally made their way through after a few good inhales. The porter and the pilsner are both evident in the nose.

The Taste
This beer shows up with slightly smoky coffee flavors, with just a bit of chocolate. It’s somewhat light bodied. Not quite medium-bodied, but not far off. There is slightly above average carbonation but it’s not too much, really. There is a crisp finish to the beer which I see as the pilsner making its presence known.

Overall
This is really not too bad. I enjoy it, myself, on occasion. This could be a good way to start branching out into things like porters and stouts, if you’ve never had them before. It’s very drinkable and not too heavy. It would also be great if you’re in the mood for a stout or a porter but the weather outside suggests something lighter.

Recommended: Sure, it’s a nicely flavored drinkable beer for the price.

Price: $2.69 for a 32 oz jug

ABV: 5%

Margaritaville Brewing Co.: Landshark Lager

I am a Parrothead. I’m an introverted Parrothead who prefers to enjoy Jimmy Buffett’s music in solitude, and who’s only been to one Buffett concert so far, but a Parrothead nonetheless. So when I heard Bubba was coming out with a beer, I was thrilled! But then I tried Landshark Lager, and realized Bubba had made a big mistaica.

To be fair, it is actually made by Anheuser-Busch, who have specialized in making beer for the taste-deprived for a long time. But Jimmy, did you try the beer before you put your name on it?

The Pour
This pours with a decent, loose head. It is a typical Anheuser-Busch beer color, a dirty straw color, resembling watered-down apple juice. The beer looks very thin and extremely light bodied.

The Nose
This smells like a standard American lager. It’s very light with vague and subtle floral hop notes. Like the color and the taste, the nose is barely there.

The Taste
Imagine drinking a good lager down to the last swallow, then filling the rest of the bottle with water. Then drinking it. You’ve just had a Landshark Lager. There is barely a hop note that appears mid-finish, but for the most part it’s like drinking sparkling water. Depth of flavor: absolutely none. So light bodied it could be anorexic.

Overall
Do not buy this beer. Sure, if you’re a Parrothead, you may want to help put more money in Bubba’s pockets in return for the years of music and fun. Do it some other way. Bubba, I’d love to buy you a couple of beers. First, a Landshark Lager, so you can see what is being sold in your name. Second, a good lager, so you can see what is possible.

Recommended: No. As Robb Zerr over at The United Nations of Beer says, “it bites!”

Price: $7.49 for a 6-pack

ABV: 4.7%

Visit the Landshark Lager Web site

New reviews coming soon

I’m back from the beach, and while I didn’t get a chance to really sample any locally brewed beers, I did take tasting notes for two brews to be reviewed on this blog: First will be Jimmy Buffett’s Landshark Lager. I knew what to expect going into this purchase, but wanted to review it myself. In a nutshell: don’t buy it.

Second will be Mississippi Mud….found it at the grocery store there. Look for both reviews soon