It's the time of the seasonal ales

Your Weekend Starter with Carter: Sierra doesn't pale when put to the test

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ($6.49 for a six-pack, available at Hannaford) My first experience with this pale ale was just a few months ago on a cool, crisp summer night in northern California (where it is brewed). Widely regarded as a great casual beer, Sierra Nevada did not disappoint?its light texture and subtle flavorings were a delight, delivering a memorable drinking experience from first sip to last gulp. Unlike other high-end beers, it is not a chore to drink an entire six pack of Sierra Nevada.

Your Weekend Starter with Carter: Southern brews and toxic booze

Pacifico ($6.99 for a six-pack) Though brewed in Mexico, this beer is classified as an American-style Lager like PBR or Bud. The taste, however, is not nearly as bitter as its associates. Rather, it is sweet and almost fruity. Imagine what Corona would taste like if it were a dark, brown beer?funky enough to drink during Spring Break on the beach, but heavy enough for a night indoors and without the feeling that you're taking down liquid candy. Pacifico's composition goes wonderfully with Mexican food because it quells overstimulating spices.

Your Weekend Starter with Carter

It's the time of the seasonal ales

This piece represents the opinion of the author:

Carter Thomas

Columnist

September 30, 2005

Geary's Autumn Ale?($7.49 for a six-pack, available at Dead River)

As the autumn weather shuffles in, beer drinkers everywhere eagerly await whatever fabulous seasonal brews this fall will bring. Luckily, Maine-based Geary's Brewing Company stepped up with its caramel-colored brown ale, the dark horse of all seasonals: the Autumn Ale.

Classified as a brown ale, this beer incorporates smooth, malt flavorings, along with subtle, tender chocolate overtones. Probably the most unique component of this beer's texture is the toffee flavor, reminding people of fall's crisp breezes and beautiful colors. Adam Dann '06 said, "This beer tastes like what you would think a pile of leaves would taste like." His description is more or less astute. Unlike summer ales, this beer lends itself well to sweater weather and autumn barbecues. A great beer for the month of October, especially for people who don't like the sweet flavor of pumpkin ale. My scores: Taste: 4.50, Partyability: 2.47, Cost/Benefit: 3.06.

Miller High Life?($3.79 for a six-pack, available at Hannaford)

Toasted by advertisers as the "champagne of beers," High Life is known for its sweet flavor and classy reputation. Brewed in Wisconsin, this beer seems to have a devout following. Though it is an American Lager much like Budweiser, drinkers everywhere tend to stay true to High Life once they become acquainted with it. When asked why he always goes back to the golden bubbly, Steve Thompson '08 said, "It just reminds me of a sick Skynyrd concert I went to once, and that's all right with me."

Many tasters describe High Life as having a corn-like flavor in both the body and aftertaste, accentuated by a sweetness that most other beers lack (hence the champagne nickname). Consequently, this champagne effect is articulated by the carbonation - I would say that it has about 10 to15 percent more bubbles per beer, but that's just a ballpark figure.

The bottles of High Life are clear and can be spotted yards away because of their bright golden hue, while the cans have a darker, more saturated-yellow appearance. However, both of these containers deliver terrific products. I would tell anyone who enjoys a good lager to give High Life a try, especially if they enjoy sweeter beers. My scores: Taste: 3, Partyability: 4.11, Cost/Benefit: 4.22.

Colt 45?($1.49 for a 40-ounce bottle, available at 7-11)

Though it has been seen in a six-pack of cans, traditionally Colt is bought in a 40-ounce glass bottle. Dropping the hammer with a solid 6.1 percent alcohol content, Colt labels itself as "malt liquor" because of its powerful taste and thick texture.

I got a bad first impression of this beverage when I smelled a freshly opened bottle, expecting a pleasant surprise. I was wrong. The fumes were disagreeably strong?so strong that I might have guessed a shot of cheap vodka was among its ingredients.

A bit syrupy, Colt goes down easier as you get further into the night, especially when you realize you only paid $1.50 for it. A cautionary note: do not let this brew warm up. If it is consumed at any temperature other than ice cold, you are not in for a treat. One trick I learned when I was visiting Oklahoma State University was to drink the 40-ouncer down to where the cone evens out to the cylinder (about a quarter of the way) and then fill it up with orange juice to create a concoction known as "brass monkey." It tastes like Orangina.

If you are pinched for cash and looking for a good time, two Colt 45s fit the bill. My scores: Taste: 0.89, Partyability: 4.9, Cost/Benefit: 5.

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