Books, beer and barbarians

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Killarney's Red Lager

2026-06-29T04:30:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 3.8

This liquid refreshment was Anheuser-Busch's very late attempt to market a red beer in 2001 several years after the red-beer craze had pretty much died out.

Anyway, this one poured a light red color and gave off smells of weak, sweet maltiness

It was a little sweet at first and wet, kind of like a brown ale.

Non-beer snobs probably thought this one was something different. It wasn't. Which is why it's still not around.

However, I've had worse beers. This one just didn't excite me.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Bert Grant's Scottish Ale

2026-06-22T04:30:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 6.9

No new beers to try this week, but as always I have notes from beers I tasted years ago.

This one hits especially hard because the Bert Grant's brand had some awesome beers.

It poured a reddish brown color with a slightly sweet, orange smell.

This one had a sweet taste in the beginning that turned into a strong bitter flavor on the way down. Very little fizz. Wet to the point of being almost like tea. Was probably too rough for beginning beer snobs.

Books read in 2026: No. 8 -- Space Battle

2026-06-18T15:29:56.819-04:00

by Jamie Lendino

Started: June 14

Finished: June 18

Notes: Anyone old enough to remember the home video game market of the late 1970s and early 1980s will know the Atari system was king, but second was obviously the Intellivision system. I had both and enjoyed both for different reasons. Here I'm taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane with this book which covers the history of the Intellivision.

Mini review: This one was a fun read and also informative without becoming bogged down. Still, sometimes it got a little tedious reading section after section about the details of various video games of the era, though not enough to keep me from reading. Many of the games for the Intellivision are covered here, and no small number of those not covered in depth still receive mention, and there's also a fair amount about the history of the console itself, most of which I knew though there were still a few surprises. Fans of 1980s video games will want to read this. Fans of the Intellivision definitely should read this.

Beer of the Week: Old Milwaukee Beer

2026-06-15T04:30:00.000-04:00

Beer score: 2.1

Company: Pabst Brewing Company
ABV: 4.6
IBU: 12

Yesterday was my birthday, and this is what I get.

Before I even have a taste of this stuff, it looks green and smells nasty.

Okay, after that sip, the verdict is weak, watery, a little sweet. Thank goodness it doesn't taste as bad as it smells.

This beer would go good with a meal at any restaurant that serves battery acid.

Books read in 2026: No. 7 -- Dungeon Crawler Carl

2026-06-14T10:40:20.858-04:00

by Matt Dinniman

Started: May 24

Finished: June 14

Notes: The girlfriend has been reading this series, which has become quite popular, and she suggested it to me, so I thought I'd give it a go, at least the first book in the series.

Mini review: Fans of silly fantasy and LitRPG, and those who like their D&D or video game RPGs on the funny side, should like this one. It was a fun read, but it didn't really fit my mood of late, though I don't blame that on the book or the author.

Beer of the Week: Doggie Style

2026-06-08T04:30:00.024-04:00

Beer score: 7.1

Company: Flying Dog Brewery
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 35

This pale ale pours a light copper color while giving off a rather large foamy head.

There's a little citrus in the scent, maybe some lemon or orange, and a touch of sweetness.

Smooth and wet, the way a pale ale should be, but this one is a little too bitter for a typical pale ale. There's some more of that citrus in the flavor, but not as much as in the smell.

This one is worth drinking.

Beer of the Week: Shock Top Belgian White

2026-06-01T22:26:00.025-04:00

Beer score: 4.7

Company: Shock Top Brewing Co.
ABV: 5.2
IBU: 10

In my search for a good warm-weather beer, I thought about trying a Shock Top, which I've not had in more than a decade. At first I feared this beer was no longer in production, but then I had a pleasant surprise and found out Anheuser-Busch had sold this Belgian white ale off. So, some beers have an extended life beyond their original brewer.

Anyway, this one poured a light golden color with some haziness and maybe the barest hint of orange. Funny enough, it has a bit of that orange in the smell and more in the taste. However, there also is a light wheat smell, but most of that is overpowered by the citrus in the flavor.

It's not the best Belgian white around, but it's pretty decent and worth drinking with lighter foods, like fish or baked chicken. I wouldn't turn up my nose if handed one.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Wild Goose India Pale Ale

2026-05-25T04:00:00.009-04:00

Beer score: 5.4

Man, I've had no luck of late when looking for some beers I hadn't tried in a while. This is another one no longer on the market, and even the brewer is out of business. At least I've got memories and some old notes.

This one poured a light brown color with a little malty smell and maybe a touch of corn.

The taste was pretty bitter with just a hint of the fruity sourness common to most IPAs and the barest touch of sweetness. A little fizzy, even in the aftertaste.

People who like bitter beers that go down a little rough would have enjoyed this one.

Books read in 2026: No. 6 -- The Mystery of Smuggler's Cove

2026-05-24T02:38:57.630-04:00

by Retro Myrtle Beach Guy

Started: May 23

Finished: May 24

Notes: The author of this one is a YouTube content creator who focuses most of his material on the Myrtle Beach area. His content tends to be fun and family oriented, and he's created a couple of indie films as well as a number of other projects, including a handful of books, such as this one. As I'm entertained by him and enjoy his work, I thought I'd give one of his books a shot for more fun.

Mini review: Just a fun, silly little adventure of two pals, Retro and Tiki, as they attempt to thwart a villain in the Myrtle Beach area. Fans of Myrtle Beach should enjoy this one as there are a number of local landmarks and establishments mentioned, and the focus is on building community and helping local, smaller businesses. The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce should stock copies of this book in their offices, especially as they turn out to be one of the heroes of the tale!

Books read in 2026: No. 5 -- Long Time No See

2026-05-23T23:08:26.303-04:00

by Ed McBain

Started: May 18

Finished: May 23

Notes: My readings so far this year have been on the heavier side, so I decided it was time for something lighter. Yes, for me, murder is lighter. At least when it's written by Ed McBain.

Mini review: Someone is murdering blind people. Why? That's what Detective Steve Carella and the rest of the 87th gang have to determine. Not the best of this series, perhaps even one of the more predictable of these books, or maybe I've just read so many of them I've become overly familiar with the author's style. That being said, it's still an 87th Precinct book, which means it's like pizza ... even when it's not great, it's still pretty darn good.

Books read in 2026: No. 4 -- The Marquis de Sade: A Life

2026-05-18T16:39:22.856-04:00

by Neil Schaeffer

Started: April 22

Finished: May 17

Notes: For some while I've been intrigued by the mad figure of the Marquis de Sade, so when I came across this biography, I had to snatch it up.

Mini review: Much as I thought, this book seems to say that Sade was a more complex and misunderstood figure not only today but in his own time as well. That's not to say he was a nice guy, but it does mean his reputation was worse than the reality, at least according to historical records of which there were many. And I've said for some while now that while one might not approve of Sade's material, the man could write. Was he insane? Likely not, though I think it's beyond doubt that he had some emotional and possibly mental issues. Was he a murderer? Rapist? Pedophile? That's not how it looks in the historical records we have. Still, not someone I'd want to hang out with, but he could write.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Rolling Rock Light

2026-05-18T04:30:00.013-04:00

Beer score: 5.4

Still searching for a lighter beer for warm weather, one I've not had before or at least not in a long time, so I thought I turn to the Rolling Rock brews. And was I surprised this one was no longer in production.

As a side note, I've also seen this beer sold as Rock Green Light or Rock Light, but those aren't around either.

Whatever the name might be, this one wasn't bad for a light beer.

As can be expected, this one poured an almost-clear yellow color with scents of corn, typical for most premium or mass-produced beers.

Smooth. There was a little of the corn sweetness in the taste, and it was slightly watery.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Caguama Light

2026-05-11T12:26:00.022-04:00

Beer score: 3.2

Warm weather is approaching and I thought I'd try a lighter beer I'd not had in a while. Thinking I'd go for something unusual, at least for me, I sought out the Caguama brews and found they are no longer being made. Still, I have some notes from the last time I had one of these in the light version.

Poured a bright golden color while giving off scents that reminded me of plain cereal. It tasted like a premium light beer with some corn and a little bread. Touches of sweetness, a hint of bitter, not much more.

This one wasn't nearly as smooth as the non-light version of Caguama. It had way too much fizz, though that's fairly typical for light beers. Still, like the non-light version, this one was fairly cooling on hot days and went decent with spicy foods, and it made a decent bar beer.

Beer of the Week: Lowenbrau Dunkel

2026-05-04T02:53:00.022-04:00

Beer score: 4.9

Company: Lowenbrau
ABV: 5.2
IBU: 18

Sometimes this beer is labeled as Lowenbrau Premium Dark, but it's the same beer.

Pours a dark brown color in a clear glass while giving off scents of burnt chocolate and toffee.

This is pretty weak for a dark beer. There is a little of the expected burnt taste, but not much. However, there is a little sweetness here, almost like caramel.

For the price, you can do better, but still not the worst beer around.

Beer of the Week: Busch Light

2026-04-27T04:30:00.018-04:00

Beer score: 2.9

Company: Busch
ABV: 4.1
IBU: 5

Been a long time since I had one of these, but thought I'd give it another try. so see if it had improved. It hadn't.

When you pour it, it's got that familiar pale golden color common to premium beers. It smells a bit like grain and possibly regret.

This is a weaker and sweeter version of Bush beer, but don't worry, because the fizz is still there if you want to burp. And it's not the worst beer on the market.

The best thing about this beer is the price. So, if you are broke and on a diet, this isn't a bad choice for you.

Books read in 2026: No. 3 -- Anna Karenina

2026-04-23T14:59:00.002-04:00

by Leo Tolstoy

translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Started: Jan. 8

Finished: April 22

Notes: I've read quite a bit of Tolstoy's work, and a fair bit about the man, mainly because I've been intrigued by him as an individual and as a writer, but for years I've been putting off this, one of his most famous works, because of its length. Well, that ends today.

Mini review: It took me long enough to read this one, but not as long as it did War and Peace. What's to say? Most modern readers will find much of this dry, especially the somewhat lengthy sections on farming in Russia in the mid-1870s and the politics of the same era, but all of that slower material serves a purpose in pointing out what Tolstoy considers truly important or unimportant. This is really two lengthy stories that connect only through occasional characters, one tale that of a young nobleman and how he finds happiness in farming and eventually marriage and fatherhood and ultimately to a belief in God or at least a universal goodness, while the other tale is the exact opposite, the tragedy of a young woman who leaves her husband and son for another man. There is a death scene near the end of this book that is not gory, but it is disturbing emotionally after a lengthy buildup. Following that death scene, most of the rest of the novel, something like 30 to 50 pages, is mostly a philosophic debate a character has with himself about the meaning of life, religions, goodness, God, etc. My guess would be most readers will drawn more toward the tragic tale told here, but I believe Tolstoy's point was more focused toward the less melodramatic of these two stories, the philosophical one. But that's mere conjecture on my part. Not a difficult read as far as understanding goes, or at leas my translation proved helpful with all its notes, but this isn't a novel to be gulped down in a matter of days. No, this is a book that needs to be read slowly and steadily, and should be given some thinking. That type of thing isn't for everyone, but I'm glad I read this one.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Pyramid Fling Pale Ale

2026-04-20T02:12:00.017-04:00

Beer score: 7.0

Another brewery that went out of business, but that had some quality brews, and I have some of my notes from trying their beers in yesteryear.

This drink started as their Spring beer for 2010.

It poured a light golden color, and gave off light citrus and flowery smells while being poured.

This one was a tad strong and bitter for a pale ale, but it went down easy and wet. It also went down a little fruity. Was too heavy for casual drinking, in my opinion, but was just right for sipping.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Sierra Nevada Glissade

2026-04-13T04:30:00.015-04:00

Beer score: 8.2

This was quite possibly my favorite of all the brews from the Sierra Nevada folks, so I was quite disappointed when I went looking for it recently and discovered it's no longer in production. Damn!

Quite possibly the perfect beer for hot weather.

It poured a dark yellow, almost orange color and gave off smells of wheat and maybe a little citrus. Had a light bitterness on the tongue. There was a touch of sweetness right at the beginning, but that dies away after the first sip, though that sweet, almost honey-like quality was still present in the smell.

Had a smooth, fruity quality and a light texture that made this an awesome brew for summer. Basically, this was Sierra Nevada's season brew for Spring.

Must have been a fine trick with the malts to have made such a smooth beer that was known for a high bitterness units rank.

Beer of the Week: Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel

2026-04-06T04:30:00.023-04:00

Beer score: 7.0

Company: Ayinger
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 21

This German brew pours a dark brown color but it's not opaque like the thickest of stouts. It has a hint of a sour smell, but not enough to really ruin the experience, mainly because there are also some bready caramel and chocolate scents.

There's some carbonation on the tongue, but again, not enough to hurt.

It's not as heavy as it looks, and tastes nutty with caramel and coffee and a hint of that chocolate.

The perfect beer? No, but it's one of the best I've had in weeks, so I can't complain.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Young's Old Nick Barley Wine Ale

2026-03-30T04:30:00.021-04:00

Beer score: 3.3

I was too busy to try any new beers this week, but as is always the case, I had some notes about an older beer that's no longer being produced. I last tasted this one a little more than a decade and a half ago, and while I always hate to see beers disappear, I can't say I miss this one.

Some folks liked this brew from London, but I could barely tolerate it because it was extremely sweet. It poured a dark color with scents of fruit and nuts, possibly cherries. The flavor was similar to the smell with perhaps some coffee taste, and this drink was somewhat syrupy.

To me, the sweetness was reminiscent of some of the stronger Scottish ales.

I guess I just don't care for overly sweet beers, so this one was never one I liked.

Beer of the Week: Molson Golden

2026-03-23T04:30:00.021-04:00

Beer score: 4.6

Company: Molson
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 12

I've had better. I've had worse.

Pours a pale golden color while providing a skunky smell with maybe hints of wheat grain.

This drink has a flat, fizzy texture to it. There's a little bitterness, but not much. There's some more of that wheat grain in the flavor along with some corn taste, but not much else.

Not awful when served cold.

This beer could use some work, but by the third or fourth one, you really don't care what you're drinking anyway.

Beer of the Week: Young's Double Chocolate Stout

2026-03-16T05:00:00.031-04:00

Beer score: 5.7

Company: Damm
ABV: 5.2
IBU: 25

The Young's brews in the UK have gone through various corporate hands over the years, but they continue to still be some pretty pleasant drinks.

This one isn't the best, but it's not awful by any means.

As one might expect for a stout, this one pours a dark brown color not unlike the look of molasses, though perhaps not quite that dark. It gives off a sweet smell of coffee, dark chocolate, and maybe some hints of brown sugar.

It's a wet stout without the heavy syrupiness of some stouts. The flavor definitely is controlled by chocolate and some sweetness, but there are light bitter hints and nuttiness to be found.

I thought this stout started out okay, but about halfway through I tasted a flat, soapy flavor. I've heard of others who liked this beer about halfway through and then lost interest or turned away, so I'm not the only one.

Worth trying if you're a stout drinker.

Beer of the Week: Gritty McDuff's Best Bitter

2026-03-09T04:30:00.016-04:00

Beer score: 4.3

Company: Grittys
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 25

I found the heavy mix of sweetness and bitter to be overpowering at first, but that strength dies away until it is tolerable by the time you're halfway through the bottle

The smell is too strong, in my opinion.

Leaves the mouth dry, but I found this one went well with bar food, your typical chicken strips, tiny burgers, etc.

Not a great beer, not even worth going out of your way to try, but not the worst I've ever put to my lips.

Beer of the Week: Coors Light

2026-03-02T04:30:00.024-05:00

Beer score: 2.3

Company: Coors
ABV: 4.2
IBU: 10

Quite the popular beer for the mass audience, but not really worth the notice of beer aficionados.

Pours a clear, faint golden color. Smells a little sweet.

There is a little flavor and some carbonation here, but that's about all. Oh, there is some of the familiar cheap corn taste common to most mass-produced beers. Just slightly better in taste than the non-light version, but just barely.

If it's all you've got, that's fine. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Harpoon Munich Type Dark Beer

2026-02-23T04:30:00.012-05:00

Beer score: 6.2

No chance to try a new beer this week, so I'm resorting again to my old beer notes about a beer I tried years ago, a beer that's no longer available though the maker is still in business. Also, of note, this beer has gone by a couple of different names over the decades, and the maker does continue to make dark beers, so it's not as if all is lost.

This drink reminded me of a weak porter. It had strength, but it was more like one of those mass-marketed dark beers than a true porter or stout. It had a decent burnt flavor that wasn't too strong, with just the slightest hint of carbonation. A little smokiness and maybe chocolate in the smell and the taste.

Was worth trying.