Saturday, April 27, 2013

Three Floyd's Jinx Proof Lager



We haven't reviewed many lagers, other than the occasional American adjunct that we keep in the fridge for "everyday" beer. Nothing wrong with lagers, but most don't move me to purchase them. If you are looking for a couple of recommendations for craft lagers, this and Scrimshaw Pilsner by North Coast, as well as Great Lake's Dortmunder Gold. Yes, I can say "this", because we've killed half a six-pack while waiting to review it.

I wanted something light and easy-going to take us through the end of the hockey game. The Blue Jackets had their final regular-season game tonight, and if the stars align right, we make the playoffs. That's a pretty unusual predicament for Jackets fans. We've only made the playoffs, what, once since their inception? However, even though the Jackets have played like they really want to make the playoffs, we need one of two teams to lose. And Detroit didn't lose. So come on, Colorado. Ugh, that hurt a bit to say.

Yes, I love hockey. It's my favorite sport. I grew up with it, and have even played it. It takes a ton of skill to not only skate, but also to move a puck and maneuver your stick while remaining upright on skates. No other sport combines two such skills, hence my love for it. And you thought I would only love it for the fights... that's amateur moves there, yo.

Anyway, while watching hockey, we drink beer. I enjoy a good Canadian beer while watching hockey, but that's just me. Or even a bad Canadian beer, because even Labatt's, which is now owned by AB-InBev (that's Anheuser-Busch for the uninitiated), is better than most American adjuncts. But tonight, we're drinking a craft dortmunder-style lager from Indiana. Three Floyd's, to be precise. Rather appropriate on Dark Lord Day, don't you think? (Dark Lord is Three Floyd's super-limited release Holy Grail of beers.) It's a madhouse in northern Indiana today.

So, onto this, the antithesis of Dark Lord. This is Jinx Proof, which was brewed in collaboration with Jinx Proof Tattoo in Washington, DC. Hence the awesome label. This pours a hazy amber color with a moderate white head. Ooh, the smell on this is lovely... there are biscuit note and faint citrus aromas, with just a tinge of grassiness. Wait, a hoppy lager? Oh, yes, please! Let's take a sip... the biscuit notes come out immediately, followed by a burst of orange-y, citrusy hop aromas, and finishing with dry, with a late note of toastedness coming in to finish off the sip. This is 5.1% ABV, a little higher than most lagers. Moderately carbonated, this is one of the best-balanced lagers I've had.

Three Floyd's has something of a cult following, and between this and Zombie Dust, I can see why. This would be perfect on any given warm day, which today actually was in Ohio. The weather here was perfect... sunny and mid-70s. This is a perfect complement to both that as well as a wonderful, rousing hockey game. Now, come on, Avalanche!

4.8/5 caps

-Jennie

Well, after drinking a Hopslam and watching the Jackets win, keeping track of the Wild game... damn it... I realize that I am now a hockey fan, and the Blue Jackets did not make playoffs. Previous to there being a Phil in the house, I could care less about some dudes skating and smacking a cylinder of hard rubber with a crooked chunk of wood. But throughout this shortened season, The Phil has opened my eyes to this, to where I want to have a CBJ jersey (to go along with my OSU football jerseys). Speaking of jerseys, we need to get a logo down, and create personalized jerseys with our logo. Does any of the readers know of someone/ some business that does personalized jerseys for a decent price and small quantities?

And apparently in Columbus sports, the Crew's scoreboard caught fire... wow...

But back to my passion, beer.

I have no idea what this pours, as I'm drinking out of the bottle, but judging by what was in Jennie's pint, It looks like how she described it. The aroma is biscuit, citrus and I catch a bit of floral in here. So onto the best part of this, the flavor. The taste is... hang on... I need more... Yum... It starts off biscuity, for about the first 2 seconds, then kicks in with some citrus flavors, almost orange, for a few more seconds before ending with bready and toasted notes on the end. Finishes dry with a lighter body and moderate carbonation.  I like this.

Here's the only problem I have with Three Floyd's; the lack of it being readily available in Ohio. I guess that's because AS SOON AS they have a release here, it's sold out, instantaneously. A cult following is not the proper terminology, more of fanatical devotion like the Spanish Inquisition had to the Pope (Python reference).

This is fantastic, well worth the purchase, but there should be more. Why is the beer always gone? Hopsus, please lend your hoppy hand and grace us with more beer.

4.8/5

-Nathan

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