New Summer Craft Beer

It's been a damn sweaty summer. Thank God there's been good beer to match. I haven't been terribly excited about summer seasonal beers in years past, but craft brewers are finally coming around to building interesting, complex blond ales and wheat beers that are more than sweetish crowd pleasers.

Schmetterling Gose
Local Option
Gose | 4.50% ABV

4.05/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a snifter at Brouwerij Lane in Greenpoint Brooklyn. Ah, so fresh, so refreshing. The aroma was a sharp mix of sour rose and berries with a big hit of fresh-baked bread. The toasty malt steps back a bit in the flavor and a mix of salty spices (with coriander) comes with with the pleasantly sour (gentler than a lambic) earthy fruit (almost like fruit skin) through the finish. I don't get a big salty taste or feeling, so I'd say it's well balanced. The body is on the lighter side, as I said, very refreshing. Check this beer out if you can. Easily the best gose I've had.


Somersault
New Belgium Brewing
American Blonde Ale | 5.20% ABV

3.88/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a six-pack while in OBX, seemed like a good beach beer. It was. Instead of the clean, bland blond ales you usually meet in the summer, this had a lovely mix of mild citrus hops and grapefruit sourness (not bitterness) that adds an extra-refreshing edge. The aroma has a mix of freshly toasted bread/malt and light apricot fruit. Overall, a great take on the style. I'm glad to see brewers finally figuring out how to make a fun and satisfying blond ale.


Summer Ale
Summit Brewing Company
Kölsch | 4.90% ABV

4.05/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Mmm. Reminds me a bit of Summit's Kolsch from a couple summers back. The slight earthy mineral note is subdued, but there's still a wonderfully subtle character of bready malts, mellow citrus hops, and light fruit esters. Complex, yet drinkable, what a fine beer. It opens with fresh-baked bread and finishes with a dry grassy bitterness. I'll have another.


Apollo
Sixpoint
Kristalweizen | 5.20% ABV

4.05/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed a 16 oz can of Apollo, stamped best by Sept 2012. Is this really a kristalweizen? There's no sediment in the can, but the beer is a hazy amber. Either way, it's a fine wheat beer that reminds me of Weihenstephaner's hefe for the subtle, but rich, spicy clove yeast character. Slightly fruity (banana and orange) bread balance the phenols. The carbonation is a little lighter here, but instead of feeling heavier, it smooths the beer out. Great beer, best wheat beer in a can, maybe.

Bucket List Beers: Moonlight Brewing

I spent a little time drinking in San Francisco, which offered a couple bucket-list beers from Moonlight Brewing Co.

Moonlight, a small craft brewer in Santa Rosa, has been quietly producing a couple of the best American-made lagers for years. Unlike most breweries their age (21 this year), they've never made any major expansions, never bottled, and rarely leave the Bay area. I was lucky enough to find their two most vaunted beers, Reality Czech (#1 Czech Pilsener on BeerAdvocate) and Death & Taxes (#1 Euro Dark Lager).

The Reality Czech was an excellent pilsner, but not the best I've had. Maybe this minor disappoint (really, it's tasty and worth trying) was what kept me from keeping notes on it. Death & Taxes, however, blew me away. After ordering a pint for myself, I insisted on a pitcher for the table. Nobody was disappointed.

Death & Taxes Black Beer
Moonlight Brewing Company
Euro Dark Lager | 5.00% ABV

4.38/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm always a fan of the style, seeking out new (at least to me) examples, and this is the best I've had. It has the agreeable drinkability of your standard dark lager or schwarzbier, but the depth of a great Baltic porter. There were fruity, cherry tones at times, and then dry toffee and cocoa with an interesting cola edge. I'm so impressed by how many, clean distinct (and delicious) dark malt flavors are crammed into this lager. Go find this beer. You need it.

Craft Beer in Tucson, AZ

I had the pleasure of testing bikes in sunny Tuscon for five days recently. Naturally, every great ride is followed by great beer, so here are a few of my favorites from the trip. One highlight in particular was SanTan's Devil's Ale. I'm not easily impressed by pale ales, but this was thoroughly satisfying and hoppy without coming off too heavy. An easy summary is that's it's a more drinkable Dale's Pale Ale.

Devil's Ale
SanTan Brewing Co.
American Pale Ale (APA) | 5.50% ABV

4/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a tall, white head over an orange body. I'm reminded of Dale's Pale Ale, but this is a bit more drinkable—not as thick. The aroma has a subtle floral touch and then there's still a big rich grapefruit citrus flavor with a grassy edge. The hops don't have a super sharp dry-hop edge, the the flavor rolls nicely through the bitter fruit character with a mild dry, bready toffee malt note in the finish. This is a great pale ale for a hot day, check it out.

Barrio Tucson Blonde
Barrio Brewing Company
American Blonde Ale | 4.53% ABV

3.55/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Noble Hops in Tucson. It's a clean blonde, but I was hoping this would be closer to Chelsea's Checker Cab Blonde, which has a nice clean bready character. Tucson Blonde was clean, no flaws, but the barley and citrus hops were very mild. Yes, the beer was refreshing and not too light, but I'd have wanted more flavor.

Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Ale
Four Peaks Brewing
Scottish Ale | 6.00% ABV

3.68/5
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Kilt Lifter is just a nice, clean Scottish ale with mild caramel and a touch of roast. The aroma, like the flavor, is all malt, but with more of a bready bent to it. The softer caramel taste rolls over your tongue with a lighter carbonation and a very slight herbal, earthy edge. I wouldn't call it peaty, but it's close. Worth a try.

HopShock IPA
SanTan Brewing Co.
American IPA | 7.10% ABV

3.95/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

HopShock poured a hazy orange with a white head and lacing as I drank it down. The aroma has a mix of citrus melon and light floral hops with a very slight earthy note. The flavor is balanced by dry toffee malts that provide a quiet backbone to the biting citrus rind flavor and dry finish. The bitterness could be bigger and the hops could be deeper, but it's a very solid IPA. Certainly a great canned option.

Worst Beers of 2011

Brewers make better beer when customers demand it. So in the interest of constructive criticism, I present the five worst beers I had the pleasure of reviewing last year. You can see my top beers of 2011 here, but here are the most offensive brews I encountered in '11.

Palma Louca Pale Pilsner
Cervejaria Kaiser
German Pilsener | 4.50% ABV

1.95/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

I hope nobody is seriously calling this mess a German pilsner. I don't usually walk away from a beer, but I left nearly half of this at the bar. This tasted like well water with lemon cookie ground up and mixed in. Yes, the body was watery. No, it wasn't refreshing or pleasant. Steer clear.


Lvivske 1715
Lvivska Pivovarnya (BBH)
Euro Pale Lager | 4.00% ABV

2.17/5
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I dont think is headed anywhere but the drain. It smells like a very light lager with a soft pale malt aroma, but the flavor is dominated by a sweet white grape juice taste. What the hell happened here? The Ukraine can have this one back.

I mean, if you're really into grape juice, this is your beer. If you're looking for a decent lawnmower lager, run.


Riserva
Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
American Wild Ale | 11.40% ABV

2.28/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

2010 Batch. I went to Abe's Cold Beer looking for a sour and this seemed like a good option. However upon opening, it was clear this beer wasn't going to stand up to previous reviews. There was a strongly acidic earthy garden tang. Not quite of rotting produce or horseblanket, but very unpleasant. The raspberry element was quite good and nicely balanced against the level of the funk. The sour character needs work, or at least a lot more time. I didn't bother to finish the bottle. It's not the pleasant, zesty flavors and aromas you'd expect in a framboise or lambic sour ale.


Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Style Pale Ale
Alexander Keith's
American Pale Ale (APA) | 5.40% ABV

2.5/5
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I have to assume this beer is no way shape or form represents the pale ales of Nova Scotia. Otherwise, it implies the island has never heard of hops. For a cheap amber ale, the beer isn't bad - with only a hint of macro character. There's a basic caramel malt and bread crust taste and maybe, just maybe the slightest touch of earthy hops.


Terrapin So Fresh & So Green Green
Terrapin Beer Company
American IPA | 6.60% ABV

2.63/5
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Had a pint at Liberty St. Tavern and didn't bother finishing the glass. It wasn't very hoppy and there was a strong, vaguely cheesy off flavor. Has this been sitting out too long, maybe with an infection run a muck? There was a little smooth ester character and a touch of grapefruit, but not much. Watch out for this landmine.

Best Beer in Burlington VT

I joined friends in Burlington over the MLK weekend for a few days of skiing, ice cream, cheese, and craft beer. The full day at Stowe was a treat, but the real highlight was easy access to Heady Topper, Hill Farmstead, and Lawson's Finest Liquids. I also swung by the Vermont Pub & Brewery and the Zero Gravity Brewery, which are both must-drink brewpubs. I had few complaints about the Vermont craft beer scene, so I'll just share my favorites:


Twilight Of The Idols
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a glass at the Farmhouse in Burlington VT. Damn, that's a porter. The coffee and vanilla are wonderfully blended into the beer. So many coffee porters and stouts go too heavy on the java, and even get a stale taste. This beer takes a great cup of joe, adds a dash of subtle vanilla, and still brings a great porter. The malt brough a dark, chocolate character with a sharp roasted edge that's balanced by the sweet vanilla. The beer is formidable, but never too heavy. Find this porter.


Everett Robust Porter
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV

4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. This is a hell of a porter. The body is thick, like a robust porter should be, but is a pleasure to sip (though you don't have to). In addition to a big mix of cocoa and mocha grains, there are clear notes of maple syrup, molasses, and smoke. Damn, this is good. It goes above and beyond what a good porter tastes like.


Double Sunshine IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV

4.28/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. Stopped by with friends for dinner on the way back from Stowe, and damn this hit the spot. The body is on the lighter side for the style, which I prefer, and the hop character is heavy on floral citrus, with an earthy undertone. The hops vary between fruity and juicy to a more herbal lemon, with a hit of spice. Damn tasty overall. Very hoppy, but I could enjoy a few glasses. You should.


Trapp Golden Helles Lager
The Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge
Munich Helles Lager | 4.80% ABV

4.2/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a pint at the Farm House in Burlington VT. Damn, it's hard to ask for much more from a helles. There's a crisp dry Brady malt character in the aroma with a little balance of spicy hops. There's mild lager fruit over the malt, but it's not sweet. Otherwise it's clean and super drinkable. Find this beer.


Heady Topper
The Alchemist
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV

4.47/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Picked up a couple six-pack at the cannery. I'm told they were packaged just a week ago.

I wasn't sure what to make of this beer at first, which says a lot because DIPAs aren't usually a surprising style with a lot of leeway. It's most easily described as "hop juice," not an IPA. The balance of hops is unique in that the flavor is huge, but it's never over the top, where overly-hoppy beers become perfumey messes (I'm thinking of Weyerbacher's Hop Explosion).

The aroma has a clean and clear floral grapefruit character with an earthy, citrus seed edge—think about when you're eating an orange and you get a seed on your tongue. The flavor is intense but manageable. In addition to the vivid grapefruit and orange peel citrus, there's a vague grassiness, tropical notes, and an odd (and thoroughly unexpected) touch of barbeque sauce that fades as the beer warms.

I approached this beer as a skeptic, but it's easily one of the most complex beers I've tried, and one of the most drinkable at that. I should have bought a case.

Steel Toe Brewing Beer Reviewed

Steel Toe Brewing was a major highlight while I was back in Minneapolis over the holidays. I'd first found their Size 7 IPA on tap at Muddy Waters and immediately wanted to find the rest of their new offerings. Luckily, the fine folks at the Four Firkins had bombers of all four ales. Thanks Alvey.

Provider
American Blonde Ale | 5.00% ABV

4.1/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a bomber at the Four Firkins for $5. I should have bought another. It's a simple, but very tasty and well-made blonde ale that borders on the lighter side of a pale ale. The aroma is a mix of lightly toasted pale malt and mild, floral tangerine hops. These carry through to the flavor, where the gentle, floral hops character picks up, reminding me of a for subtle Surly Bitter Brewer. It's smooth, very drinkable and finished with a little kick of pale malt grain instead of hops. Wow, this is a great session beer.


Rainmaker
American Amber / Red Ale | 6.50% ABV

4.15/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Off the bat, it reminds me a bit of Furious, as a big, red, and tasty beer with a huge hops character. Of course, it's plenty different when you get down to the details. Foremost, the Rainmaker has a strong floral component. You could also say it's a touch darker, though both are more red than your average IPA, or close to a double IPA or red ale. The aroma has a piney, pungent kick over the floral undertones. The flavor balances fruity citrus tangerine and grapefruit on top of mild spice, pine and the floral. The body is more drinkable for a double red, but that's fine by me. I'll take another.


Dissent
Foreign / Export Stout | 7.00% ABV

4.1/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cracked open a bottle for dessert. Poured pitch black with a short tan head from my bomber. Mmm, nice chocolate aroma with a fresh coffee background. The flavor has a tasty, clean dry cocoa roast with a bready malt undertone. Hops come in for a big dry bitter finish that's a little more American stout/double stout. This is an awesome stout, just don't expect something on the sweet side like Lion or Dragon stouts.


Size 7
American IPA | 7.00% ABV

4/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a pint at Muddy Waters on Lyndale. This is a classic American IPA like you'd expect to find in Denver, Boston, or of course, Minneapolis. I liked that it wasn't too thick, there was just enough clean malt to let the hops stand up and shine. The character was rich with floral fruit, lots of citrus, but nothing too biting. It was a big, but smooth bitterness in the finish. I'd like to try this side-by-side with Masala Mama, this is an IPA I'll be happy to see around town.

Drinking & Reviewing Olvalde Farm & Brewing

I'm back in Minnesota for the holidays and have a lot of catching up to do on 2011's new breweries in the state. On the way back from the airport, I swung by St. Paul's Wine Thief and Ale Jail, which has a great craft beer boutique section that will Minneapolis beer lovers of the Four Firkins. Among other fancy beers, I picked up both offerings from Rollingstone, MN's Olvalde Farm & Brewing Company: Ode To A Russian Shipwright and The Auroch's Horn.

Not many breweries brew beers honoring Peter the Great, and even few name Belgian ales after extinct wild cattle (wiki auroch), but Olvalde is far from your average midwestern brewery.

The Auroch's Horn
Olvalde Farm & Brewing Company
Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 10.00% ABV

3.95/5
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer doesn't quite jump out of the glass, but it's an impressive US-made Belgian. For the strength, it seems a touch muted, but there's a wonderful mix of soft pale malt and spicy Belgian yeast. Hops add a mild citrus undertone and balance to sweet, toasty grains. Check this out, it's a great example of a subtle Belgian ale.


Ode To A Russian Shipwright
Olvalde Farm & Brewing Company
American Porter

4.15/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An imperial stout porter? Well it certainly doesn't taste like your average imperial stout. For a strong, dark beer, it's a little lighter in body and dials back the big roast. Instead, there's a more interesting mix of cocoa and mild mocha with the spicy rye and herbal spruce. Nothing's overpowering, and nothing's normal - I like that. My only complaint is that I'm pulling a little rubber phenol out of the beer, but it's a minor knock on an otherwise awesome beer. Go find this and enjoy.

Drinking Craft Beer in New Orleans

Last week I spent an extended long weekend in New Orleans with a good group of friends. In addition to seeing some gators and binging on fried shrimp po-boys, I had to check out the local craft beer scene. Now the Big Easy is certainly no beer mecca, but there was more than enough tasty beer to complement the seafood and live music.

Smoky Mary
New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company (NOLA)

5.90% ABV | B+ / 3.95
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had a pint a NY Pizza on Magazine St. in New Orleans. I had the odd urge to eat this beer, the mix of spice and smoke with toasty malt and caramel reminds me of food. Or at least it'd make a great pairing with anything spicy. This is surprisingly complex for an amber, or smoked ale, with a great balance between the smoke and malt. Find this beer.

LA-31 Bière Pâle
Bayou Teche Brewery

B / 3.63
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 6-pack from Roushes in New Orleans. It poured a clear amber with a short head, but left sticky lacing. The aroma is a bread crust and light toffee mix with a touch of honey, but little hops character. There's a pleasant piney, lemon hop finish that balances out the sweet malts. This is certainly on the hoppy end of the style's spectrum, but it's a good beer. Drinkable and malty with a respectable hops component. Worth a try.

Hopitoulas IPA
New Orleans Lager & Ale Brewing Company (NOLA)

B+ / 4 | 6.50% ABV
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a few pints around New Orleans, easily one of the best beers in town. I loved the contrast of fruity, floral hops up front, with a rich, deep grapefruit and pine finish. Mixed in for balance was a healthy share of bready, toffee malt to balance out the bitterness. Overall, a damned tasty IPA.

Interesting Beer: Sour Porter and Rye Session Ale

I had a good run of beer in NYC's East Village over the weekend. While there was no shortage of tasty ales, here are a couple of the more memorable ones I recommend looking out for.

Dark Humor
Ithaca Beer Company
American Porter | 7.00% ABV

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

Had a 10 oz. pour at Good Beer in the East Village. I like the balanced Brett character. I wouldn't have guessed the strength, but maybe the wild yeast has helped dry this one out a bit, the mild tang certainly seems to lift the body. Otherwise there's a wonderful, clear chocolate roast with a little bit of candy sweetness. The Brett pops in for a sharp, slightly acidic citrus note, but not much else. Heck of a beer.

Ryely Summer Rye Ale
Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery

B / 3.58
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had an imperial pint at Drop Off Service in the East Village. It was billed as a summer rye ale, and I believe it. This is just a nice, satisfying session beer in the same vein as an American wheat ale in that it's simple and clean, showing off a non-barley specialty malt. Instead of the sweet, bready wheat taste, this has the spicier rye character. Very drinkable and though it wasn't the most complex rye beer I've had by a long shot, I'd happily have a couple more pints.

Someone at the FDA needs a reality check

Nine students at Central Washington University were recently hospitalized and Four Loko is to blame. For anyone unfamiliar with Four Loko, it's a 12% fruit-flavored malt beverage with an undisclosed amount of caffeine (it's more than enough). It's about $2 for a 24-ounce can and widely available and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. It's basically like combining a 6-pack of light beer with a couple cups of coffee in one convenient can. Sounds like an awful idea right?

Frankly I think it's a bad enough idea that if adults want to imbibe, that's their choice/problem. Four Loko isn't the only drink like this. If the Blue Raspberry flavor isn't to your liking, you can pick up a can of Watermelon-flavored Joose (only 10% ABV), or make a vodka-tonic with some 3 A.M. Vodka.

My only problem is that the FDA has included a craft-brewed coffee stout on their list of caffeinated alcoholic beverages. I don't know who thought singling this beer out was a good idea, or would even warn of the potential pitfalls of a delicious stout, but I'm disappointed that nobody can recognize the difference between a "$2 blackout in a can" and a spendy, well-made beer. I'd hate to see legit coffee beers with negligible amounts of caffeine getting dragged into this mess.

One of these things is not like the other:

List of Manufacturers of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

Charge Beverages Corporation
Products: Liquid Charge, Liquid Core, High Gravity Core

United Brands Company, Inc
Products: Joose, Max Vibe, Max Fury, Max Live, 3Sum

Phusion Projects LLC
Products: Four, Four Loko, Four Maxed

Point Blank Beverages Co.
Products: Torque

Hard Wired Brewing Company, LLC
Products: Hard Wired

Mix Master Beverage Co
Products: 24/7

Catalyst Beverage Company
Products: Catalyst

New Century Brewing Company
Products: Moonshot

Melanie Brewing Co
Products: Evil Eye

Thomas Creek Brewery, LLC
Products: Mobius Lager

Diageo North America, Inc
Products: Smirnoff Raw Tea Malt Beverage

Constellation Brands
Products: Wide Eye

The P.I.N.K. Spirits Company/Prohibition Beverage Inc
Products: P.I.N.K. Vodka, P.I.N.K. Tequila, P.I.N.K. Rum, P.I.N.K. Gin, P.I.N.K. White Whiskey, P.I.N.K. Sake

Delicious Brands Inc.
Products: Lotus Vodka

Sovereign Brands
Products: 3AM Vodka

Moet Hennessey/Millennium Import LLC
Products: Belevedere IX

Shotpak Vodka
Products: Gravity Vodka

Wingard USA (Importer)
Products: V2 Vodka with Caffeine, Everglo Vodka

LeVecke Corporation
Products: Vicious Vodka with Caffeine

Rocktail Drinks/Liquid Manufacturing LLC
Products: Slingshot Party Gel

Cold Spring Brewing Company/Atomic Brands
Products: A:M Carpe Noctern

808 Spirits Co.
Products: 808 Mango Beat

Gaamm Imports Inc.
Products: Booya Espresso Silver Tequila with Caffeine

Ithaca Beer Co.
Products: Ithaca Eleven Malt Beverage with Coffee

Gluek Brewing Company
Products: Gruv Malt Beverage with Guarana

MHW, Ltd and Niche Import Company
Products: Agwa De Bolivia

Rizer Spirits Inc
Products: XZO Vodka with Caffeine, Taurine, and Guarana

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.

New England Beer Hit List

Next weekend I'll be driving up to Providence, RI and Boston to first visit friends, and then second, drink all their (good) beer. It's been a about 4 years or so since I pulled up a stool in this neck of the woods, so there's plenty of work to be done. Here's a few of the brews that'll be on my radar.

Berkshire Brewing Co. Lost Sailor IPA
Frankly I'll be trying to get my hands on anything and everything from BBC. And luckily, it appears most craft beer bars are ready to help me out. This English IPA has actually been on my want-to-try list for years, as I love this seldom-brewed (in the US) style.

The People's Pint Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
While I can't decide if the brewery name is more socialist, populist, or democratic, I'm pretty certain this beer will eb mighty tasty. This is also another favorite style of mine that I find particularly pleasant if I'm having a couple beers. In fact, I'll be having an ESB tonight with dinner.

Element Brewing Co. Dark Matter
Being classified as an "American strong ale" means this beer could be just about anything except boring. I can be fairly certain it will be good, but hope to be surprised by how the beer does it.

Mayflower Porter
Mayflower Brewing opened back in 2008 and I've heard nothing but praise for this traditional American craft brewery. That, and I love a good porter.

Haverhill Leatherlips IPA
I really only know two things about Haverhill. One, all their labels have pinup girls on them. And two, they only make tasty, tasty brews. I'll start by looking for their flagship beer and work my way through the rest of the lineup if possible.

Clown Shoes Black IPA
Any brewers with balls big enough to name their brewery "Clown Shoes" had better know what they're doing. My research indicates they do, and that this beer rocks.

Bike Ride Beer

I've had a few good rides lately with either a beer stop, or with cold brew waiting at the end. When you're sweating bullets in the summer heat, even a well-rounded drinker like myself, will grab for the lighter, drinkable beers. Here's a few of the fine ales I've been sipping when I get out of the saddle.


Namaste
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Witbier | 5.00% ABV

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

I split a large bottle at Little Ortino's in Schwencksville, PA. The beer poured a hazy light gold with a soft white head. The mix of subtle spice dominates the flavor (not in a bad way) while there's a smooth Belgian wheat background. The individual spices don't stand out so much as just melt together from the orange peel, to the coriander, then lemongrass. All in all a tasty beer, near the top of the style.


Stegmaier Summer Stock Lager
Lion Brewery, Inc.
American Pale Lager | 5.00% ABV

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

Picked up a case (under the name Summer Stock Pils) while visiting friends in Scranton. Not a bad beer at all. The label has some nonsense about being a German style pils, but I think the flavor is plainly American. The malt is smoother, bready, and with just a hint of inoffensive corn. This is followed up by a grassy hop kick with a share of orange rind. The lager finishes with a mild, spicy bitterness. All in all, it seems like a tasty and somewhat traditional American take on the pilsner.


Devotion Ale
The Lost Abbey
Belgian Pale Ale | 6.25% ABV

B+ / 4
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4.5
rDev: +2.7%

On-tap from a friend's kegerator. I know it's a touch strong, but this comes off like a Belgian session ale. It's light, tasty, and I could drink it all day.

The Tettanger hops had a slightly sharp and interesting herbal flavor in addition to the spicy citrus background. There's a smooth grain and bread flavor with hint of subtle Belgian fruit esters. My only complaint is that the flavor can seem a touch muted at times. I suppose this is on the hoppy side of a Belgian pale ale, but it's still very drinkable. Check this beer out.

Yeah, Portland Kicked Ass

My week in Portland, OR flew by, and try as I might, I was not able to wipe out the city's beer supply. Still, I had tons of amazing beers, met a lot of great brewers, and got well-acquainted with a couple relatively new styles: the single-malt ale and Cascadian dark ale (black IPA). Here are a few of my favorites that I took notes on below.

The picture to your right is from my visit to Wyeast Labs as part of a tour put on by the Oregon Craft Brewers Guild. We trying several beers that differed only in yeast strain - very cool. The day also had a visit to Full Sail Brewing where brewmaster Jamie Emmerson pulled bottles of Session off the line for us to drink. I may never have a fresher beer.


Thomas Fawcett Single Malt Bitter
New Old Lompoc Brewery
English Bitter | 3.40% ABV

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

On cask at the brewpub. This beer blew me away. I've never had a great low-alcohol bitter on cask in the US before, let alone that the beer is US-brewed. The flavor is a little spicier than the Baird Maris Otter, with jasmine and cake frosting notes mixed with the bread crust and biscuit malt notes. Man, I wish there were more beers like this. I mean, it has so little alcohol that it actually helps hydrate you, but it has all the complexity of a beer twice its size.


HUB Lager
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Czech Pilsener | 5.10% ABV

A / 4.3
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 4.5

Had a pint at the Horse Brass with friends. Man this is a heck of a beer. I certainly wouldn't mind having a liter-stein of it. There's a soft, bready malt character with very mild hints of spice and vanilla. There's also a note or toast and a little citrus. The beer is dry and super drinkable, and frankly, I'm glad I have the self-control to move along.


Black Bear XX Stout
Alameda Brewhouse
Foreign / Export Stout | 6.80% ABV

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

Split a bomber with friends. Nothing surprising about the appearance, big and black with a tan head. I really enjoyed this stout because it wasn't the usual thick, chewy stout. Instead it was a touch lighter, like an export stout should be, with two dominant characteristics: dry roasted black malts and sweet cocoa chocolate. Heck of a beer, check this out.


India Pelican Ale
Pelican Pub & Brewery
American IPA | 7.50% ABV

A- / 4.2
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

I split a bomber at Bailey's Taproom... but ended up enjoying most of it. Despite the extra strength, it hardly felt like a heavier IPA. In fact, I had no problem finishing my pint. What I really loved about this beer was that it covered a lot of different hop flavors - floral to earthy to citrus - and balance them all well to make a slightly juicy, and wholly delicious IPA. Yum.