I went to NYC this weekend to visit David and Dave. I arrived in the always clean Port Authority Bus Terminal, and then headed to David's apartment to drop my stuff off. We decided on Sri Lankan food, and since Sigiri is BYOB we stopped at Columbia Deli and Market to pick up some beer to have with dinner. The selection was pretty impressive. We picked up a bottle of McChouffe and a bottle of Hitachino Nest Weizen.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
Labels: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Brasserie d'Achouffe, Hefe Weizen, Kiuchi Brewery, NYC, Reviews, Travel
