You're the only person I know that would leave BEER at a POST OFFICE for EVER! BEER!

Lol, I don't generally mind people spreading lies about me, but when they may lead to less beer packages in the future they are CRUDE and HORRIBLE!!!

I just came back from the post office with the package btw, and jesus christ that thing is huge. The problem for getting it here wasn't the weight, but the size of the box. Since I couldn't get a good grip on it, I had to basically carry it while constantly holding it in front of me which killed my arms after a while. Not to mention getting it on a city bus and up the stairs.

But awesome!!! I'm gonna explore its contents and get back to you.

haha, awesome. And yea, it's pretty large and pretty heavy. Glad I could give you a workout. Next time I may send a box of bricks just to screw with you.

Lol. I doubt the woman at the post office would be able to lift that over the counter anyway she was already struggling with this one. All the beer is being cooled now, I'll offer impressions once I get around to them.

So...I already told you guys about how that one spicy (bison) meat thing was tough for me to take...apparently, that wasn't the REALLY spicy one. There was normal, spicy, and extra spicy. I just tried the extra spicy, and you'll be happy to know that it actually made me tear up from its sheer spiciness. Jesus.

lol, awesome. Europeans are such spice pansies. Except maybe the Turks... do they count as Europeans at this point? Ah well...whatever. Glad you're enjoy the meet sticks!

Myeah, they are and they aren't. It's kind of an unresolved issue...they've been candidate member to the EU for years now, but there is a major hesitance from many EU countries to actually allow them in. Officially because of human rights issues (the way minorities like the Qurds are treated etc), unofficially because Turkey is culturally and geographically only marginally "European". They're making massive efforts towards meeting EU standards and have an economy that is very, very rapidly growing so I do see them become members in time.

On a less political level, they are member of the UEFA, the European football union, and participate in the European competitions (and not the Asian ones) as such. Although that isn't necessarily saying much, since countries like Azerbeidjan and Israel are part of the UEFA, even though they are culturally or geographically (Israel) clearly not 'European'. So, in short, it's a fuzzy matter. We don't have oceans to seperate us from the rest of the world like you.

And I just blew through my wine, so I'll start sampling beer soon. I checked the meatsticks and the extra spicy pepper ones are all gone (thank god lol), but I jkuist noticed the alligator ones are "cajun style". God help us all.

hahahaha. The hot meat sticks are best consumed whilst drinking beer. The two are very complimentary. Actually that's pretty common... a crawfish boil is incomplete without a keg of beer... though it's typical of the lighter variety... can't really drink dark beer with crawfish.

So, after a lot of tasting, procrastinating and in the past week or two playing semi-allnighters of Terraria, I finally got around to posting my beer evaluation list online!

Here we go!

Shiner Bock

Looks great and amber, tastes a little watery but a great caramel-like aftertaste. Must be really refreshing on a warm day, or for continuous drinking.

Polygamy Porter

Shit, that's a strong taste. Very dark and full, almost coffee-like. The first taste is a shock, but once you get drinking it actually softens up a bit. Still, not really my thing...love the bottle and concept though!

Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat Ale

Soft and agreeable. Nothing spectacular but definitely enjoyable.

Shiner Hefeweizen

Strong, spicy taste. I like it a lot. Very reminiscent of Belgian style strong blonde beers. One of my favorite beers from the ones you sent.

Shiner Old Time Alt

Tastes a little like an improved Shiner Bock - all of the upsides with none of the downsides (ie not as watery). A favorite.

Bombshell Blonde

I'm not sure I agree with the brewer's opinion that it's better to bottle beer in a can than in a bottle, but this is actually pretty good. It's nothing spectacular, but it's one of those beers you could see becoming a regular for 'light drinking' like at a bar. Nice can too.

Wild Blue

I was really surprised, but this tasted incredible. If I had to give a bad mark it'd be because it kind of looks a little sissy still, but the taste is impeccable. Beery but you can clearly taste blueberry, flowing over into each other nicely. Damn. And I just KNOW I'm gonna get a remark for liking a girly beer now.

Firemans 4

Spicey! But gentle. I can understand why Satis likes this one so much. It's one of the better ones I had for sure. That they also make pimp bicycles is just a bonus.

Real Ale Full Moon & Real Ale Rio Blanco

For some reason these two beers didn't click for me - they tasted a little rootbeerish, very sweet but without a real character. Could be me though of course.

Real Ale Brewhouse Brown

Just when you think you hate the entire brewery line you taste this good dark ale...still not my favorite from all the beers you've sent me by a long way, but very decent and soft.

Blue Moon

I made sure to insert a slice of orange in there as per your instructions, but I also took a sip without it first just to taste the difference. Without the orange the beer tasted a bit thick/bitter, but once I put it in there the taste markedly improved. Tasty, and very refreshing.

Pale Moon

A little more gentle than Blue Moon, again blending really well with the orange. If I had to choose between these two it'd be close, and it would probably depend on the occasion/taste of the day.

Shiner Black Lager

I know this isn't exactly gonna sound like a surprise given its origin, but this tasted very much like a central European dark ale. I'm just saying that because I didn't recognize it as much in many of the other Shiner products - they have their own 'twang'. It's a very good, deliciously thick beer too. Good stuff.

Shiner Blonde

Has the typical Shiner taste (in as far as I'm an expert on Shiner beers now ), but like with the old timer I like it better than the 'regular' Shiner. Not as much as the old timer though!

Shiner 102 Double Wheat

A little sweeter than most of the Shiner blondes, but nothing that stood out for me either.

Apparently I forgot to write down how the Shiner Kosmos tasted. So I can't give you much info on that, it's been like a week or over since I actually drank it and I can't recall the taste. Sorry about that.

My favorites from what you sent me...*drum roll* (in no particular order)

Firemans 4
Wild Blue
Shiner Old Time Alt
Shiner Hefeweizen

Worth mentioning:

Bombshell Blonde
Blue & Pale Moon
Shiner Black Lager
Real Ale Brewhouse Brown

Thanks again for the amazing package you guys, and sorry for waiting so long with the evaluation! i'm curious to hear your opinions on my opinions (haha).

Thanks for posting the review, Ox. It's interesting to see your opinions of the various beers we drink regularly. See, not all US beers suck! If and when we send another package of collectible beer bottles, we'll probably slip a few of your favorites back in there.

I am glad you enjoyed the beer package and it was interesting to read your opinions of the beers. Clearly the ones we threw into the package for the what the hell vibe went off as expected. I personally am thrilled you enjoy the blueberry lager. It really isn't a sissy beer as it is high in alcohol. I have not actually had any of my beer guy friends not like that beer. Thanks for drinking and writing about it. As for kosmos - I am not a fan so I am sure you did not miss much by forgetting it. Next time we ship a package we will try for other breweries - the majority of what we sent were actually Texas beers.

Hehe yeah, the blueberry one made me question my masculinity for a moment, then I just went wth and enjoyed it. I honestly don't think that anyone could genuinely dislike it - maybe if they hated blueberries, but even then. It's not as sweet as many other fruit beers, but has a soft taste that blends well with the bitterness of the beer. And yay for extras of my favs!

I'll see what I can do to send a batch over myself....will depend on a few factors, but we'll see!

cool. Shiny got a book of beers for her birthday. I think she may have some requests.

haha, I'll be happy to comply!