Kelpie Seaweed Ale

      Well, I have found a number of unique beers lately, but this might take the cake.  It is in fact made with seaweed.  Kelpie pours out a very dark brown with mocha, caramel and a salty tang on the nose.  There's nice big solid mocha flavors, with a rich sweet caramel .  I don't get much seaweed here, but this is a really nice dark beer.  I forgot to mention it does have a bit of nice crisp hop.  Serve this less than ice cold it got better as it warmed up.  I could also start to taste the sea, but in a pleasant way.  This is surprisingly good, I will get this again.  Recommended.  Almost time for the madness that is the Spring Beer Tourney.

Trader Jose Dark

      This is Trader Joe's version of a Mexican dark like Negra Modelo.  TJ's usually has good stuff, so here it goes.  It's a medium brown with rich caramel, mocha and a hint of crisp hop on the nose.  In this case the nose is correct as there is a rich caramel mocha flavor. The hops are with you throughout with a strong tingle on the tongue.  This is very similar to Negra Modelo, which is a good thing.  This is a nice lighter dark beer that goes well with the warm weather.  It' nice and refreshing, balanced and flavorful but drinkable.  I would get this again, it's very nice, I like it.