Bears at Big River

Walking down the boardwalk a bear eventually comes to realize that every restaurant is owned by a country or blues superstar and claims to serve the best BBQ or burgers in the state.  Combinations vary.  We however, were not interested in these claims.  Mostly we wandered in the stifling heat looking for the two things bears like best: deals on food and ice cold beer.  Yet, despite our efforts, prices refused to budge and the growing oppression of cowboy hats, fanny packs, and amateur street performers waiting for their big break made our heads spin until we stumbled into The Big River Brewing Company on the corner of Broadway and 2nd.

We ordered the usual of pizza and beer, but this time we wanted to really put on our professional-beer-tasting-bear faces, and so, we got a beer sampler.  Beer samplers come in a wide range and generally try to include the best and/or basics of a brewery's selection.  This sampler was, like most things in the south, one of the biggest I have ever seen.  It included 6 on tap regulars plus 2 seasonal specials.  A mouth-full, to say the least... ha ha, ugh.  Anyways, the beer.

This is the sampler.  Theoretically 8 of the finest beers Nashville has to offer.

There seems to be an inevitable problem which arises from trying more than about 4 beers at a time, and that is that, especially without an adequate pallet cleanser, the flavor tend to become muddled and flavorless after a bit.  But, I will try to do my best to give this quick synopsis.

     1) The Seasonal, Maibok?
"Whoa, I've never tasted anything like that..."
Sweet, kind of like bud, but with a strange, unidentifiable note.  I guess, rice?
     2) Southern Flyer Light Lager
Enjoyable.  Semi-sweet carbonated rice...
     3)16th Avenue Pilsner
An interesting kind of bitter.  Good and lightly hoppy.
     4) Nashville Steamer Golden Ale
Almost sour.  Lightly sweet, but inevitably nondescript.  "Extremely drinkable" is how it's described, and we agree.  "I'd order it" - BPB
     5) House Brand IPA
"Edgy but not full.  I like it though"
Hoppy like an IPA should do, but plain.
     6) Sweet Magnolia American Brown, "Award Winning" 1998
Full, good, mysterious... We had/have little experience with Browns.  They are not particularly popular, probably because they are completely unmemorable.
     7) Iron Horse Stout, "Award Winning"
"Bitter, but bitter with chocolate"
Chocolate is a common flavor in stouts because its complementary to a stouts robust design and bitter notes.  Stouts are generally very solid, cornerstone beers which are almost always good, as long as you like them.  This one is actually made with a British recipe, so their beer explanation describes, and thus, we take points for not being a Nashville original, but it was nevertheless still very good.
     8) Summer Wheat
Wheats are generally my favorite, this one however left something to be desired, however it was memorable.  It had a strange scent and reminded me of pickle brine... or capers?.. asparagus?.. the oregon coast?  I could never put my fuzzy claw on it, but it sticks in my memory like a rotten salmon.

Final thoughts:
"This brewery is wasting its time.  The stout is worthwhile, the IPA is actually good, but the rest aren't noteworthy" - BPB
They went for quantity over quality and the beer suffered... one big bear tear is shed.