Good Beer from Good People: Ithaca Brute, Trout Hop, and People's Pint

I've had a good streak this week of amazing beer and it's largely been at the hands of fellow beer friends. Usually I'll seek out brews that are new to me, interesting (but not always good), or stuff that isn't overly expensive.

Maybe it's karma, maybe I've just found the right people, but I'm going to be sure to pay back all the good brews that have come my way lately.

Brute
Ithaca Beer Company
American Wild Ale | 6.50% ABV

A- / 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5

A big thanks to my friend Keith for sharing a bottle from Ithaca. This was a fantastic sour that reminded me of the best gueuzes I'm sampled. The main difference between this and its Belgian counterparts was the lack of the barnyard character that make a lambic extra funky. This, instead a had a lightly sweet, but mostly sour herbal lemon tang. The oak aging adding a subtle candy vanilla while the champagne yeast helps with a dry finish to round the beer out. If you like sours, you need to find this.


The People's Pint Imperial Stout
The People's Pint
Russian Imperial Stout | 9.20% ABV

A- / 4.1
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

Label reads: 2008, Bottle #879. Thanks to Speakorspasm for this one.

Yum. I'm not a huge fan of the style, but this is a tasty beer. I like the mild fruity, juice character in the middle of this beer. It's surrounded by smoke, roast, chocolate, and espresso, but the sweet cherry and strawberry make a tasty contrast. The aroma a bit like red wine for the subtle esters, however, there's still alcohol in the nose. The body isn't overly thick like some of the bigger RIS's, making this reasonable a dessert beer, but also decent for any time you want a big stout in your glass.


Trout Hop Black IPA
Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Black IPA / Cascadian Dark Ale | 8.50% ABV

A- / 4.15
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 5

Oh wow, I didn't realize this was stronger than a normal IPA. I've had a fair number of black IPAs lately and this is one of my favorites. The balance of bitter grains and hops leans toward to fruity citrus. Still there's a light and tasty creamy cocoa, mild espresso, and black grains. The hops are a touch juicy with a little apple and white grape before the orange rind and grape fruit kick. The finish is dry and roasty with a bitter tang. I'd have another pint. Good luck finding this one. It's at the top of the style.


Paulaner Oktoberfest-Märzen
Paulaner Salvator Thomasbraeu AG
Märzen / Oktoberfest | 5.80% ABV

B+ / 3.95
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5

Ah, I love the original Oktoberfests. I wish I'd had this earlier in the season because these put everything in perspective. The aroma and flavor are a smooth caramel flavor that finish with light roasted flavors and a hint of hops. The flavor is fairly clean and there's nothing remotely off. Basically it's tasty and very drinkable. I'd drink a stein-full anytime.

New England Beer Follow Up

I didn't drink everything on my list while in Providence and Boston a couple weeks ago, but damn I had some good beer. Over the course of the day, I hit up Cambridge Brewing Co, Deep Ellum, and American Craft with friends and here are a few of my favorites from the trip.


Clown Shoes Black I.P.A.
Clown Shoes
American IPA | 7.00% ABV

B+ / 3.9
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

Had a glass at Deep Ellum along with some tasty Parmesan fries. This is a pretty decent take on the style. The malt background is a bit more like a Irish dry stout than anything with its dry and bitter roasted character. The hops are predominantly citrusy and amplifies the dry character. Unfortunately, the hops and malt blend instead layering flavor.


Session In The Rye
Lawson's Finest Liquids
Saison / Farmhouse Ale | 4.50% ABV

A- / 4.15
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 5

Rare Batch #142, Bottle #51.

I think this is a great session beer and Belgian ale. The yeast spices are subtle like a true Belgian and there are mellow layers of barley and rye backed by balanced floral citrus hops. The aroma has a mix of spicy rye bread and vanilla coriander. The bread carries over into the taste with a slight cocoa note and crust.

For the strength, this is a complex beer that's also quite drinkable. It's a shame this is a small-batch brew.


Pied PIPA
The People's Pint
American IPA | 5.20% ABV

B / 3.65
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4

I picked up a bomber for $5 while in Boston and think this is better than a B-. Sure, the beer is undercarbonation and has no head, but it's pretty tasty overall. The hops bring a big, smooth mix of floral and citrus rind flavors and aromas. There's a hint of a nutty malt backbone and a dry bitter finish (though the finish does fall a bit flat. It's not the biggest or most bitter IPA, but it's a fine beer to drink a bomber of solo. It's a little juicy, a little earthy, and all good. Sort of reminds me of a lighter version of Victory Hop Devil.


"The Wind Cried Mari..." Scottish Heather Ale
Cambridge Brewing Company
Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale | 4.40% ABV

A- / 4.05
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4

Had a glass with Sunday beerunch at the CBC and it was a great beer for my eggs benedict. I'll often say a beer tastes like bread, but none have matched the fresh whole-grain taste of this brew. The herbal additions match the seeds and spice of a craft-baked loaf (if that makes sense) and the light lavender with wildflower honey. This is one of the most interesting beers I've had in a while. Check it out.