Rediscovering Modern Classics

I haven't completely run out of new beers around the Lehigh Valley to try, but new brews are generally getting more expensive and harder to find. The hunt is fun sometimes, but lately I've been revisiting great beers that I tried years ago and then forgot about in my quest to try, well, everything.


Honker's Ale
Goose Island
English Bitter | 4.20% ABV

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

Heck of a beer - the 6-pack didn't last too long in my fridge. While this beer is crisp and rich in flavor like a good American Pale Ale, it has the low alcohol and balanced taste of a classic English Bitter. I'd consider this a well-made hybrid of the styles. On one end there's a tasty mix of barley grain, dark bread, and wholegrain crackers, while the Styrian Golding hops present both earthy spice notes and fruity citrus rind. This brew covers a lot of different and complimentary flavors, all while keeping a light, drinkable body. This is a fantastic session beer.


Two Hearted Ale
Bell's Brewery, Inc.
American IPA | 7.10% ABV

A- / 4.05
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5

Ok, this might be the best looking IPA I've ever had, but not the best. The appearance has a short creamy head with thick lacing. The aroma is just a general citrus punch, a little weak. The flavor picks things up a bit, but it's not as bitter as I expected. It's a smooth bitter that puts it on par with a hearty pale ale. Still, the taste is of wonderfully fruity hop juice. Not overly powerful, but nice. I'd like a little more kick, but it's still a great beer.


Pikeland Pils
Sly Fox Brewing
German Pilsener | 4.90% ABV

A- / 4.2
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

This beer looks amazing, it has a white head that won't stop and reminds me of Duvel. Smells of sweet, light malts. The flavor is bland at first but then the hops kick in. Overall tastes of long-lasting grassy, earthy hops with added grapefruit and a bit of fruity malt. A little hoppier than the imports I've had, more like Prima Pils. Actually it's a lot like Prima Pils, but I think I like this better. My can was a touch over carbonated, but it was still very drinkable.


Rare Vos (Amber Ale)
Brewery Ommegang
Belgian Dark Ale

B+ / 3.8
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4

Had a bottle with seafood enchiladas at The Mission Restaurant in Syracuse, a great pairing. Rare Vos reminds me a bit of an amber Duvel, though not quite as the complex. The malts are sweet and mild with an apple, cherry, and berry taste. Very drinkable and tasty, but it might be overpriced if you're a budget beer shopper or think Rogue is too expensive.
I've heard people recommend this to beer noobs, but I dont think I'd do the same. The flavor is really all in the bitterness, so if you're not into that, tough.

Better Know a Beer Style: Munich Dunkel Lager

Style 4B: Munich Dunkel Lager

This is classic German brown lager was developed around Munich's moderately carbonate water. The aroma should have a rich, bready Munich malt sweetness that comes off like bread crust or toast. This style should be free of fruity esters and diacetyl in aroma and flavor, but a bit of Noble hops is appropriate.

In addition to the bready malt, there can be accents of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. Burnt grains are inappropriate and the malt should be less rich than a bock. The hops should be noticeable, but low and the sweetness should be balanced so it's not cloying. The aftertaste should be a medium-dry, possibly with a slight astringency, and the body should be medium to medium-heavy. Overall, this is about as close as beer gets to liquid bread, especially is unfiltered.

Munich malt can make up to 100% of the grist (grain bill), but pilsner malt can also provide the base and a little crystal malt can add color and dextrins. Roasted malt can also be added for light flavors, but should be in small amounts. Moderately carbonate water is appropriate, along with lager yeast, and a decoction (up to a triple) can add flavor and color.

OG: 1.048-1.056
FG: 1.010-1.016
ABV: 4.5-5.6%
IBU: 18-28
SRM: 14-28

Case Study: Sly Fox Dunkel Lager

Good for the style but a little lacking in complexity. There's distinct (and tasty) Munich malts with dark licorice flavors. The body is light-medium and incredibly smooth and drinkable. A great German session beer. I appreciate that I can get this fresh from a local brewer instead of having to try a green bottle that's been shipped thousands of miles.