Beer Tasting Notes – October 13
Welcome to Drinking N Stuff
Once a week, I get together with a select group of friends for a beer tasting — and I figured
it was finally time to start writing it all down. Each week, I’ll post our notes on the beers
we’ve tried — the great ones, the not-so-great ones, and everything in between.
Quick disclaimer: I’m not a certified beer judge or expert — just a guy who enjoys good
brews and honest opinions. Everything you read here is based purely on my personal taste
and experience. So grab a pint, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
Bavarian Kittens – Fat Orange Cat
Style: Fest Bier | ABV: 5.5% | Rating: ★★★☆☆
A classic German-style fest bier — light, crisp, and easy-drinking. Nothing fancy, but exactly
what you want in a clean, balanced Oktoberfest pour. Reliable and refreshing.
Black Lager – Shiner
Style: Lager | ABV: 4.9% | Rating: ★★★☆☆
Very clean and crisp with that signature Shiner smoothness. A simple, spot-on lager that
nails the flavor profile — no gimmicks, just good beer craftsmanship.
Yellow Rose Smash – Lone Pint
Style: IPA | ABV: 6.8% | Rating: ★★★★☆
Single-hop, single-row IPA that’s bright and smashable. Light body, crisp hop bite, and not
overly piney. Super drinkable and perfectly balanced for its ABV. Standout of the session.
Celestial Death – River North / Third Eye
Style: Barleywine | ABV: 10.3% | Rating: ★★★★☆
Rich chocolate and cinnamon up front with a warming malt finish. Could’ve aged a bit
longer to smooth the edges, but still bold and flavorful — a winter-worthy sipper.
Master Shredder – The Veil
Style: IPA | ABV: 5.5% | Rating: ★★★☆☆
Mosaic-forward and hazy, though a bit too basic for the hype. It’s solid and drinkable, but
lacks the punch or complexity to make it stand out.
Fluffy Orange – Odyssey Beerwerks
Style: Cream Ale | ABV: 5.4% | Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Big orange aroma, light orange flavor, and a soft cream-ale base. Slight marshmallow note at
the end. Fun experiment, but probably a one-and-done.
Vintage Ale Kirkland – Deschutes
Style: Barrel-Aged Ale | ABV: 12% | Rating: ★★½☆☆
Whiskey burn dominates this one. The base ale is solid, but it doesn’t quite come together.
Interesting concept that needs more balance — not bad, not memorable.
Overall Takeaway
A strong lineup with Yellow Rose Smash leading the pack for its clean hop character and
drinkability. Celestial Death follows close behind with bold flavor, while Bavarian Kittens
and Black Lager hold down the reliable “session beer” category.
#CraftBeer #BeerTasting #ColoradoBeer #IPA #Barleywine #Lager #BeerReviews
