Hopzilla

Rebecca cooked extra spicy jambalaya tonight, so we decided to pair that with Deviant Dales.... it was a great pairing.  The Dale's stood up nicely to the extra spice.

After dinner, we headed to Mellow Mushroom for Hopzilla on draft. The beer pours honey in color.  The head was 1/2 inch and as the beer drank down it had great lacing. Aromas of honey and pine predominated. The beer started on the front palate with lemon and sugar.  Mid palate is where the bitterness and hops came in with a bang.  The aftertaste was very pleasant, without the metallic bitter of other beers.  Overall, a solid beer, similar in appearance and taste to the famous Hopslam.

Overall rating: 90
Rebecca's rating: 96

Food pairing: This beer would not stand up to spicy Jambalaya! But would go nicely with a milder red thai curry.

Deviant Dales

I decided to take my winnings from my bet on I'll Have Another and go on a beer buying trip. Bestway in Greensboro NC got Deviant Dales in this weekend.  I am a fan of Dale's Pale Ale, and had high hopes for this beer. I postulate that Dale's cans make for good road sodas as they look like a coke can, but I would, of course, strongly advise against testing my theory.

The beer pours copper orange with an inch head.  As it's drunk down, the beer has some decent lacing.  The nose has pine, citrus, and is a little danky.  The palate is brimming with pine and syrup.  Citrus notes strike mid palate.  Mild bitterness as an aftertaste, and very hoppy.  Not too boozy. Overall, a winner.

Overall score:  90
Rebecca's score: 94

Food pairing: Goat cheese and crackers