Friends with Brews: Two friends, two brews, many topics

“This one does taste spicy to me. It's not bad, and it definitely has a pumpkin season vibe to it, but it's not my favorite one. I can drink this without being too outraged.”

“It's a pale ale, and it does look pale, and it's got quite a head. That's actually really nice.”

“It's not super complex, and I don't need a complex coffee today. Hazelnut, I believe that. The milk chocolate and navel orange are very subdued, if they're present at all: they may be in the class, but they're sitting in the back row.”

“It tastes a lot like other Athletic beers, and it tastes a lot like other American light beers. Zero taste. That's my review. That said, it's actually not that bad! I think my tastes have started to adjust to the non-alcoholic beer.”

“This is what beer was meant to be. Being done with work for the week makes it taste even better, and it's nowhere near the leftover tea on my hot plate.”

“It's a surprisingly good pumpkin ale, and not all pumpkin ales are all that good. I've had it before and I'll have it again.”

“It's very dark and a little bit sweet, but for an imperial stout it's not super thick. It drinks easy. I approve this.”

“That's not bad. They say it's a light-bodied malty ale with caramel and a touch of roast, and I would actually agree with all of that.”

“I get a little chocolate, and it is good and not bitter. A very good, non-offensive coffee.”

“A good, solid dark roast and a go-to for me: if I'm in a chain grocery store and don't see something more eclectic, I can always fall back to this. With a teaspoon of half-and-half. This is a repeat.”

“Notes of chocolate brownie, Colombian, medium, printed in the smallest blue text on a blue background. Maybe I'm in a suggestible mood, but I do taste the chocolate brownie. I like Trailhead.”

“Tasting better than the first one I had a few days ago, maybe because it's a tiny bit warmer, and now that I know it's inspired by porters it probably should be drunk a little warmer. It's a touch watery, but for a non-alcoholic beer it tastes pretty good.”

“I've been shopping at Trader Joe's more these days. The quality of their products is about on par with Wegmans. This is one of the best decaf coffees I have had in a long time.”

“They claim cacao nib, cherry, caramel, and mandarin. Cacao nib yes, cherry okay, caramel and mandarin no — but it's a good coffee, and a dollar a bag supports the trail keepers of Oregon.”

“As with most things Athletic Brewing Company, it tastes kind of like a beer. It's a little watery. But if you're going for something that tastes like a beer, this tastes like a beer. Yes, I would drink this again.”

“I've decided I prefer Sapporo of the Japanese beer I've tried. You won't regret having a Sapporo. I give it two thumbs up. I have had it before, I am having it now, and I will have it again.”