Beers I've Sampled

I recently decided to start logging the various craft beers I sample - yes there are many more varieties that I've had in the past, but we can only write about our current exploits, though I've attempted to rack my brain and list my other samples, if without a review...  I also hope to improve upon this as I sample more beers - if I can remember to keep it updated after new ones.

Please note, my beer tastes are really geared toward the darker, heavier beers so you will see more of those on the list than anything else.

• Hop Czar Imperial IPA by Bridgeport 
• Upon imediate opening I could smell the hops, always a good sign when going for a hoppy beer.  The first taste hits you strong, if you aren't into hoppy beers, however subsequent pulls find the initial flavors quite pleasant with a continued strong hoppy after taste.  By the third pull I was really liking this IPA as the hoppy tastes settled down and my palate opened up to receive them.
• Black Xantus Imperial Stout by Nectar Ales 
• This is a big, full bodied stout that was delicious.  It had all the great flavors one comes to expect from a good barrell aged stout - chocolate, coffee, a little vanilla and yes some bourbon hints.  The head was excellent, not too foamy and not thin, just right.  I really enjoyed this and would definetly have it again.
• Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout by North Coast Brewing 
• Ugly Dog Stout by Dempsey's Restaurant & Brewery 
• 1554 Enlightened Black Ale by New Belgium
• Dig Pale Ale by New Belgium
• Fat Tire Amber Ale by New Belgium
• Lagunitas IPA by Lagunitas
• Racer 5 IPA by Bear Republic
• Black Racer by Bear Republic
• This beer was a dark version of the Racer 5 IPA.  It really tasted like a Racer 5 in terms of hoppiness, but it had the excellent roasted tastes of a dark beer.
• Hop Rod Rye by Bear Republic
• A great rye beer that I'd put above the par of the Ruthless Rye by Sierra Nevada.  One of the stronger beers at 8% ABV, but very delicious - and what an awesome label.
• Guinness Stout by Guinness
• Oatmeal Stout by Mendecino Brewing Company
• Anchor Steam by Anchor Brewing
• Torpedo IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Ruthless Rye IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale by Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Sierra Nevada Porter by Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Sierra Nevada Stout
• Celebration Ale by Sierra Nevada Brewing
• Boston Lager by Samuel Adams 
• Chocolate Bock by Samuel Adams
• From what I can remember I wasn't a big fan of this beer and probably won't have it again.
• Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout by Firstone-Walker 
• I really liked this beer and would put it in my top 5 under $10 6-packs.
• Stockyard Oatmeal Stout by Trader Joe's Brewing via Gordon Biersch
• Chocolate Stout an American Stout by Rogue beers 
• Delicious had it at a fondue place and it paired nicely with the meat course.
• Gordon Biersch Blonde Bock by Gordon Biersch
• Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen by Gordon Biersch
• Curve Ball Blonde Ale by Pyramid
• Apricot Ale by Pyramid
• I did not like this, but then I'm not much for fruity beers.
• Hefeweizen by Pyramid
• Private Reserve Pale Ale by Henry Weinhards
• Hefeweizen by Henry Weinhards
• Smithwick's Imported Irish Ale
• Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
• Very sweet tasting stout with a strong cappuccino flavor - very delicious, but sometimes a little over the top on the sweet side.  ~1/4 inch head, dark chocolaty look.
• Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale
• Firestone DBA
• Arrogant Bastard Ale
• I was looking for a nice ale to enjoy on the hot day and found this to be an unexpectedly hoppy ale considering it wasn't an IPA/APA, but then it's in a class all on it's own.  Given this, the first taste was a bit overpowering, but as I finished the 22oz I found I really enjoyed it.  
• Maverick's Amber Ale by Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.
• I sampled this little delight from the tap at the brewery while enjoying a burger.  It was listed on the menu as the recommended pairing to their burger.  Perfect!  I couldn't have asked for a better beer to go with a burger and fries on the warm/sunny day at the beach.

Other (non-craft) styles - generally this are the beers that many people, myself included, got started on; before our palates developed and we learned the what makes a good tasting beer.  Yes, I still drink some these at parties when nothing else is available and/or at the bar when I don't feel like spending a lot of money per beer. 

• Bud Light
• Coors Light
• Pabst Blue Ribbon
• Corona
• Corona Light
• Negro Modelo