McDermottDrink Profile

Draft guest goblet at Flossmoor Station. Solid color of a stout lets in just a little light. A firm half-finger of brown foam. Bright, sweet cherry smell. Excellent woody taste: not oaky or otherwise over the top, like sniffing a freshly turned boccie ball. Despite strength, I taste no alcohol burn. Notes of aged tequila, a slight bite of yeast, and just a hint of smoke at the end.
Tried from Draft on 01 May 2008 at 11:38

Tried from Draft at Flossmoor Station on 01 May 2008 at 16:38

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Phaze Dust from Elysian Brewing

9 months ago

7/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7.5 Texture 7 Overall 7

Can sent by Elysian for my comment. Much less haze than the Juice Dust. An orange-gold beer with very small floaties under a thin head. Smell has less aggressive fruit, clearly from the hops. Taste has more of the standard hop bitterness, the West Coast version, with fruit notes to the background. A little more malt backbone, too.

Tried from Can on 06 Aug 2025 at 03:05

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Juice Dust from Elysian Brewing

9 months ago

7/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 6 Overall 7

Much hazier pour than the main Space Dust, yes, like some orange and Grapefruit combination. Smell has plenty of grapefruit to it, and then some orange. Taste emphasizes the citrus notes by being pretty "juicy." Some hop bitterness makes its way in here, too.
This example does demonstrate the balance that's needed in making an IPA with both fruity hop character AND actual fruit juice. This beers seems to have let the bittering hops go in favor of matching citrus notes. Although the nose does show up a bit of Citra once I get my nose into the glass.
Can sent to me by Elysian for my comment.

Tried from Can on 05 Aug 2025 at 03:27

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Pils Legende from Wernesgrüner Brauerei

9 months ago

6.4/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 6 Flavor 6.5 Texture 6 Overall 6.5

500 ml can. Finally trying this, after learning it's not just an Aldi rebranding of some cheap beer. Pours a very clear straw color, under a white head, very little effervescence once the pour settles. Smell has very light bready malt and a flourish of German hops, so it's not too far off a pilsner style. Taste opens up work some malt sweetness, but once that's down they're some hop bitterness left on the tongue. Surprisingly nice for a bargain beer

Tried from Can from Aldi (United States) on 03 Aug 2025 at 19:32

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Adam - Batch #41 (1999) from Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

9 months ago

7.6/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 8 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 8

1999 bottle, batch 41. Once again proving why I need to clear more old beers from my cellar. Popped the cap to be greeted by a strongly malty nose. Pour is deep blackish brown color, with just a few bubbles around the edge. Initial impression is that it's rather flat, again whether by design or age I'm not sure. Smoky taste, impressed that it's still there after 23 year, and it's still in the tolerable Bamberg beer range. Also a bit of plum and cherry after the next few sips. Not much hop bitterness left. Interesting beer, and since I don't know its intended historical style, I can't say how well it held up. Hmm, after finishing, there is a bit of a buzz one wouldn't expect from that somewhat thin mouthfeel. So notching it up a few more points.

Tried from Bottle on 17 Oct 2022 at 03:44

McDermottDrink added a new beer Adam - Batch #41 (1999) by Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
9 months ago

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Fred Batch #79 from Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

9 months ago

8.1/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 8 Flavor 8.5 Texture 8 Overall 8.5

Rating #4,500! Bottle purchased in Indiana, 2011. Dark brown pour with a short head of ecru foam. Smell has some malt and a bit of brandy. Smell started a little off, but then the taste pulled it through. A thick, sweet hit of Bourbon, in the guide of an Oktoberfest. For a moment, I thought this might have gotten too old, but I'm finding new ways it's held up.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Aug 2025 at 03:38

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Pothole City from Pipeworks Brewing Company

9 months ago

7.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 8

16 oz. can dated 1/5/23. I actually get some almond in the nose right under the tab, which doesn't always happen with a "nut" beer. Pours a brownish-black body with a short but still brown head. Marshmallow "smell" doesn't trigger anything in me, but I do catch a bit of cream or vanilla. Taste works pretty well. Kind of a syrupy impression, but the almond and marshmallow stay on the tongue. Cocoa comes up from behind, giving this a nice impression of a Rocky Road chocolate cluster. Alcohol helps enforce the cocoa and vanilla flavors.

Tried from Can at Pipeworks Dojo on 30 Jul 2025 at 03:58