Review of Mavericks Obama 08 Presidential Ale
Posted By Ken Friday, 04 September 2009 15:27
This was another selection that Zach picked up from his trip to California. I remember reading prior to the election that Half Moon Bay Brewing had made an Obama and a McCain beer, and this one became the one for Obama winning the nomination. I had not seen this actually available anywhere around here, so I was glad to hear that he was able to find a bottle to pick up before supply had completely run out. Read on and see how the Presidential Ale experience went.
Ken's Review
Taste: B- The taste aspect of the Presidential Ale was a sort of confusing one, but I'll try my best to capture my impressions of it. The odd thing about the taste is that it came across almost in a champagne-style manner. There was a very bubbly feeling on the tongue, and it seemed to ride the line between a beer and a champagne in the taste. The taste was there, but didn't really waver that much when on your tongue like other ales do where you would get a strong impression that slowly settles, or vice versa. This one kind of rode the wave (forgive the pun) in a flat line until you swallowed it. Overall, a surprising impression from this aspect.
Packaging: A- Quite a lot is going on when it comes to packaging. The Presidential Ale comes in a 1 pint, 6 fluid ounce bottle (I'm not going to even try converting that), and has a large label that wraps completely around the bottle. Starting from one side, you see "Time for Change" written sideways, with a smiling Barack Obama pictured on a background of the Half Moon Bay tidal wave that wraps completely around. "Mavericks" is at the top with the Obama campaign symbol and "Obama '08 Presidential Ale" beside it. Below that is printed "Congratulations to Barack Obama, our 44th President of the United States, so honored by this limited edition bottling of Harbor Light Ale". And, finally, in the upper part of the label corner is what depicts a campaign button reading "Mavericks alection 08 WINNER!". Whew!
Value: C I didn't pay for this, but I do know that a single bottle of Presidential Ale ranges in the $3.00 to $4.00 range. I understand this from a "collectible" standpoint, but unless you are into champagne style beers (real ones, not High Life ones) then I don't know I would plop that down to try it, unless you run an alcohol review website like we do. If you wanted to purchase for collectible purposes, then it is worth it, but that isn't what we grade on here.
Drunkeness: B Presidential Ale comes in at a 4.8% alcohol content. A little more than some beers, and just a little less than most, this is a resonable level for what you are drinking. After all, you aren't going to use this as a primary source for a night of debauchery, so to share with a friend or something of that nature while relaxing still makes this a decent option content-wise.
Overall: B+ Obama 08 Presidential Ale was a surprise, and not a bad one thankfully. While I would not say that I am a huge fan of champagne-like ales, I will say that I would have enjoyed the opportunity to have one of these every once in awhile. But since it is a limited edition, I guess I will have to take my memories and go forward with the knowledge I did get to try it. If you can find some leftover, I would recommend trying it. After all, if you don't like it you probably won't be able to find it again.