Rubicon Rosebud Special Ale Is Especially Rye

As much as I want to be one of "them good old boys drinking whiskey and rye" described in Don McLean's seminal "American Pie," I'm really just a middling mid-to late 20's man-child drinking bourbon but never rye (Bulleit Bourbon an exception). It's personal preference. To my palate, rye whiskey and beer are off-putting, like hipsters.

A lazy Tuesday night catching up with Castle

Rye can be sour and bitter, but the Rubicon Special ale mixes a wheat rye with malted barely and brewers yeast which cuts down on the sour and bitterness and brings out the rye's sweetness - though this is by no means a sweet beer, such as a Belgian. Rubicon has been good to us in the past and this ale was cheap. If you like something different try this, but I won't be having this rye anytime soon. ARMAGEDDON rating.

Green Flash Brewing Le Freak is Freaky Delicious

When I say 'freaky,' let me place it in context; not freaky like a Barnum & Bailey sideshow or like the creepy clowns that run around at Knott's Berry Farm in October or HIPSTERS, but freaky like Victor Frankenstein's Monster - a freak of science. Green Flash Brewery out of San Diego made Le Freak a Belgian Style Imperial IPA.  That's a mouthful (of decliciousness).

It's a crossbreed, like a Labradoodle or Sharktopus. Hoppy and zesty like an IPA, sweet and full bodied like a Belgian. First sip really surprised me and each sip thereafter I enjoyed even more. I would love this at a dive bar with college buddies or relaxing next to a fire after a day of bombing down ski slopes. This beer is ambidextrous and one to experiment with different food and unusual settings. I'm looking forward to my next Le Freak. This is one of the BAD BOYS.