Why we picked it: No specific reason for this one. We are trying two beers from this brewer. This beer got mixed reviews...an 82 and a 90 on the beer advocate site.
About Mendocino's Eye of the Hawk: An excellent, rich bodied ale that is brewed to perfection. "Eye" is coppery reddish-
Beer Advocate Score: 82 and 90
ABV: 8.0%
Case Cost: $30 ($8.5 a six pack)
*website: http://www.mendobrew.com/collections/select.html
Tasty, boozy, imperial ale.
ReplyDeleteI like it but it doesn't wow me either. Definite far superior to the Sapporo that I am prolly gonna have at the sushi prince tonight.
Glad I had it but I wouldn't go out looking for more
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI kinda liked the other Mendocino beer we had so I was somewhat excited about the other one. The bird of prey on the front certainly did not hurt its chances. However, this one is pretty indiscriminate. I am not sure what I should be looking for in it. I am not getting a real boozy taste. It is decent but does not have an identity.
ReplyDeleteStill think the label is totally hokey
DeleteEasy with the hokey reference
DeleteDecent, but I missed the unique taste. I do like the 8%, but its not one that I would buy. C- in my book.
ReplyDeleteTommy sums it up in the 1st 2 words. Tasty and boozy. This is hitting the spot right now! Nice malty taste. Towards the end it tastes a bit like a shot of rubbing alcohol was thrown in the mix so don't let this sit out too long. This is the definition of a decent Amber ale. Nothing flashy but it gets the job done. I wouldn't seek it out but would pick up a 6 if there's nothing more interesting around. B!
ReplyDeleteMine was fairly warm as well...I was rushing to drink it after a day of repairing insulation (uuugh) and running out to dinner with the lady. I imagine that nice and chilly this would prolly not taste so hot
DeleteBy hot, I mean high in alcohol
DeleteNot sure why we keep getting all excited about these bird labels. To add injury to insult, my bottle actually came without a label. I mean, it's better than not getting an ornament on my Ayinger, but I still feel a bit left out when we start debating the hipness of the bird.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is a strange bird, I mean beer. All over the place. Seemed sort of malty and caramely at first, but as Ro said, it has that "Budweiser" flavor to it so it almost tastes like a pilsner. And then I get hit by the booze. Still never ever would have guessed 8% but does have a boozy aftertaste. I drank this in near record time in a series of sips trying to identify what the hell I was tasting and before I knew it I was out of beer.
Unlike those winter ales that just seem bland and boring, this is certainly not like that at all. This falls into the middle of my rankings because I honest to god can't figure out if I like it or not. Lot going on here. Some good, some bad. I'd drink it again, but I wouldn't go looking for it.
We're promoting bill to the 24 DoB expert blog site, a super secret club for only the most qualified among us.
DeleteThis beer was just average however if I had to pick out of the two bird labels I would pick this one but there still terrible.
ReplyDeleteI like ale and I like this one! smooth and very little nasty after taste. Enjoy the high ABV too! Nice way to watch the CAPs pound on the PENs. Just need to finish it now
ReplyDeleteI think I like this beer. Nothing amazing about it, but I'm finished and I kinda want another one. Grade 8 of 10, B-
ReplyDeleteSeems different than the last time I had this. Try the Lagunitas Brown Shugga, Rogue XS Dead Guy or go hard with a He'Brew Jewbelation.
DeleteFunky bread on the nose. Slightly rough, malty caramel. Smooth with little sweetness. This is brewed to be a chameleon of flavours for its style, albeit somewhat boozy even at only 8% (double digits or bust. Sorry, go big or go home if you're going to be boozy).
ReplyDeleteI've had this a few times in the past and this one seemed to lack the smooth finish that I remember. Seems kind of caramel/bread/booze rough. The funkiness on the nose didn't jog the memory either...
I am shocked that this is 8%. Usually the high alcohol content beers are noticeable. I wander if they mixed a couple of different types of their ales into one to make a potent but smooth blend. Although, as I am finishing this beer, it is getting a stronger taste.
ReplyDeleteBetter than I expected. Not as good as its self description - really "excellent," "luxurious" and "enviable"? - but still, a quality ale that's got a lot of body and boozy without being overwheming. 3/5.
ReplyDeleteAnother bird beer! This label is not as strange as the first one, and the neck label is actually pretty cool. Enough about that. For some reason I was thinking that this was going to be an IPA, so when I opened and smelled it, I was not what I expected. I does taste like an Amber, but the ABV and the hop character make it different, in a good and balanced way. It disappeared quickly and I really enjoyed trying to put my finger on why I like it. I'm still not exactly sure, but think that Bill's observation was right on - malty caramely, with a kind of a pilsner bite. Very cool and different. Wish I had another.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this beer. It had a nice color but didn't pick up any distinctive smells. There was a caramel aftertaste that added to my enjoyment. Despite the 8% ABV, I could see this as a session beer sitting out by the fire pit. A-
ReplyDeleteJust OK for me. Nothing to reel me in for a second chance. Glad I tried it but not terribly impressed.
ReplyDeleteC