We all do it.  Against our better judgment we impulsively grab a bottle of beer off the shelf–a beer that we know nothing about–we place it in our cart, and pay for it without knowing why.  It’s stupid.  It’s reckless. It’s random.  So why do we do it?  Perhaps it was cool label, a low sale price, a new brand, or maybe just the allure of the gamble.

A few weeks ago, after spending an hour in the beer aisle I had carefully planned the next week of beer consumption.  Nearly every beer was in my cart for a reason.  Nearly every beer had a day of the week on it.  A meal or mood to be matched.  But not these two beers:

The first, Barrel House Red Legg Ale (220z) commandeered my impulses with a $2.99 price tag and a Cincinnati location.  As an Ohio resident, I enjoy  supporting beers native my state.  I had never heard of the brewery, nor the beer.  I didn’t read the label.  I put in my cart.  My subconscious alone was controlling my motor senses.  Seconds later, walking down the same aisle, I grabbed a bottle of Weyerbacher’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale (220z).  It was marked down to $4.99, having been a leftover from the 2008 pumpkin beer madness.  Even though it was discounted, and a year old (I love trying store aged beer), as my hand was placing the bottle in the cart my mind was saying, “Nate, why are you doing this?  You despise pumpkin ale.  It is an abomination to all that is beer sacred…”

I don’t know…I guess I felt left out.  Hardly a beer site these days is not singing the praises of pumpkin beer. But I don’t like pumpkin ale.  And that’s ok.  If we all had the same tastes and preferences the world would be horribly boring.

Anyway, how did these impulse buys fare?

Red Legg Ale

The label says it’s an American Amber Ale.  That’s what I’m expecting.  A mild yet full malt flavor balanced with a mild, yet assertive hop flavor.  But upon opening, something was obviously wrong.  I did not have to pour this beer into my glass for sour aromas to tickle my nostrils.  Upon pouring, the sour aroma was over powering.  Upon drinking the sour flavor absolutely dominated the experience.  I took sip after sip in shock.

This beer had to be flawed.  Who knows how long it had sat on the shelf?  There were no hop notes, and no malt sweetness, just sour, matched by forthright fruit tones, mostly grape and apple.  But, it wasn’t too bad.  I am a sour beer geek.  Even this not-so-appealing sourness was drinkable, particularly since fruity notes were present.  I was so astounded by this beer I tried to call the brewer.  No one answered.  I was planning on asking when the beer was bottled and whether or not any know bacteria had entered this batch, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Weyerbacher’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale

A few days later I popped and poured this beer.  You have got to be kidding me.  Sour.  Since this beer boasts an 8% ABV I assumed it could have weathered a year fairly well.  Wrong. Burying my nose into my snifter yet another overwhelmingly sour aroma knocked me out, although it wasn’t as formidable as the Red Legg.  but unlike the Red Legg, there were extremely funky and disgusting smells.  Meat (raw hamburger), ketchup, some spice, and things I cannot describe.  it is important to note there was absolutely nothing reminiscent of pumpkin.

The beer tasted EXACTLY like A1 Steak Sauce and a Belgian sour.  There were hints of nutmeg, but overall, it was steak sauce.  It was disgusting.  I couldn’t drink it all.  I am 100% sure this beer tasted completely different a year ago.

Now, please don’t assume that I am being nasty to either of these breweries.  In fact, I love quite a few of Weyerbacher’s line up, and even though it was odd, I wasn’t horrified by the Red Legg Ale.  I know both of these beers were cheap for a reason.

So will I keep buying impulsively?  Of course!  I think that is part and parcel with being a beer geek.  Have you bought any beers on a whim lately?  Please share!