Erie Brewing Company Ol' Red Cease & Desist Wee Heavy Ale

Erie Brewing Company is the closest brewery to us that bottles and sells its own brew at other establishments other than its own. It's only 45 mile from the house of beer blog. It's sad that we live in such a small town that their is nothing closer to us that bottles but at least it's not Wyoming (for you Nick.)

We have tried Erie Brewing Company's beers before and have never been too impressed. Railbender Ale is okay and Misery Bay IPA is decent. There is nothing original nor anything special that makes you want to pick up another six pack of their brews.

At U-Pick-6 in Erie PA, Mike noticed a beer in their fridge that he had never seen before- Ol' Red. It looked interesting and carries a nice punch at 10.1% ABV. Could this beer save our perceptions of EBC?

Ever have first impressions that stuck? This beer is one of them. It has a good beginning with a nice malt taste, much unlike most red or wee ales. Everything goes down hill from there- it completely lacks in body. This beer is like "It" from the Addams Family. The alcohol does not seem to be too prevalent given the ABV but there doesn't seem to be any redeeming factors to it.

Erie Brewing Company- how you have let us down. Our three closest bottling brewers besides you, Great Lakes, Southern Tier & Thirsty Dog (sorry Buckeye Brewing, you don't quite have distribution to make the list) have put you to shame. They should Cease & Desist from creating beer. Keep with the brew pub for a while and let us know when you come up with something better. This beer should have been called Ol' Yeller instad of Ol' Red.

Oz Scale: 5.5
Mike Scale: 5.1

Great Lakes Brewing Company's Oktoberfest

After a disappointing trip to Guitar Center, our mission had become clear: We needed to contribute to the beer and music blog. Our choice was marred by two delectable brews: Flying Dog's Dogtober Marzen or Great Lakes Oktoberfest. The choice soon became clear as the Oktoberfest was cold and it was a long journey home.

After a kiss to the lips, the dark amber lager crashes the deepest palettes of the tongue and lingers with malty sweetness on the sides of the tongue. The beer tastes clean and finishes so smooth that you are left with a difficult decision: Should I drink more or savor.... and then drink more? Let us be the first to tell you that drinking more always wins. We haven't ran into a brew that begs to be drank beer after beer in quite some time (see previous blog, we lie.)

Having been brewed under the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, (Reinheitsgebot) this brew is not without flaw. Its flavor begs the question: Why can I not relish this beer slowly? Is beer not meant to be enjoyed to its fullest extent? (Bud Light drinkers need not apply this question.) In our never ending quest to bring knowledge of fine brews, we are sad to say that the drinkability of this beverage outweighs the taste. Not that the taste is bad, it is just WAY too easy to guzzle. It is 6.5% ABV, by the way.

Overall:
Mike Scale: 7.5
Oz Scale: 7.6