Fort Garry Riptide Pilsner

I've been told that Fort Garry brews "Riptide" specifically for South Beach Casino in Manitoba, but I've never witnessed anyone ordering it there.  Today I found out why.

This watered-down version of Fort Garry Pale has a garish, artificial coloring that is yellower than day-old piss.  Smells like nothing.  Tastes like faint wannabe hops, plastic, carbonation, dishwater, and absolutely nothing else.

The Bottom Line: I couldn't make myself finish drinking this mess.

The Rating: The Gag Reflex.  I had to create a special rating just for this beer.

Samuel Adams Nobel Pils

I don't normally care for light beer (read: pale lager), so I wasn't expecting much from this Samuel Adams Noble Pils. I was, however, pleasantly surprised.

This pilsner pours a very nice white head with decent lacing, set daintily atop clear gold. Aroma is mostly hops, with subtle notes of orange zest or grapefruit or other citrus. The taste starts off mild and with a ghost of sweetness on the onset, but this is quickly replaced with a grapefruit-like bitterness that's a little dry. The finish is bitter and dry and lingers.

Properly chilled, the barky citrus character of this beer would be a perfect end to a long hot day of yardwork. I wouldn't care to binge with it, but I would keep a few in the fridge during the summer.

The Bottom line: Get me hot and bothered and we'll try again.

The Rating: Not Bad.