700. Long Trail Double Bag
I had this the other night at Jadyn's. We split a bottle that her roommate gave us.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear brownish-copper. Topped by a thick, sudsy head that fades to a film leaving patchy sheets of lace. The head is fed by fizzy bubbles that cling, cola-like, to the side of the glass.
Smell (4.0): Very malty, caramel, aromatic alcoholic aromas.
Taste (4.0): Prickly carbonation greets the tongue giving a mild bite initially. Very malty throughout. Initially there are caramel and toffee flavors, followed by a tart bite and an alcoholic spice in the finish that hints at something heavier. There's also a mild bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.0): Flavorful and surprisingly drinkable for something with alcohol this evident.
Overall (3.95)
I had this the other night at Jadyn's. We split a bottle that her roommate gave us.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear brownish-copper. Topped by a thick, sudsy head that fades to a film leaving patchy sheets of lace. The head is fed by fizzy bubbles that cling, cola-like, to the side of the glass.
Smell (4.0): Very malty, caramel, aromatic alcoholic aromas.
Taste (4.0): Prickly carbonation greets the tongue giving a mild bite initially. Very malty throughout. Initially there are caramel and toffee flavors, followed by a tart bite and an alcoholic spice in the finish that hints at something heavier. There's also a mild bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.0): Flavorful and surprisingly drinkable for something with alcohol this evident.
Overall (3.95)
Labels: Altbier, Long Trail Brewing Company
699. Smuttynose Maibock
I've had this bottle in my fridge since the spring sometime. Jadyn bought some heirloom tomatoes at the Davis Square farmer's market along with some ravioli from Dave's Fresh Pasta. We had this with dinner, which was the ravioli tossed with chopped tomato and sliced heirloom tomatoes.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.70%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Maibock/Helles Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.0): Pours a clear copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head that thins to a film, leaving no lace.
Smell (3.5): Malty, spice, grassy hops and strong alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Sweet and malty upfront, some juicy fruitiness. The finish is a peppery alcoholic spice with a mild bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): The alcohol is very evident.
Overall (3.45): This is a pleasant enough beer, but the alcohol really masks a lot of the other flavors and aromas.
I've had this bottle in my fridge since the spring sometime. Jadyn bought some heirloom tomatoes at the Davis Square farmer's market along with some ravioli from Dave's Fresh Pasta. We had this with dinner, which was the ravioli tossed with chopped tomato and sliced heirloom tomatoes.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.70%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Maibock/Helles Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.0): Pours a clear copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head that thins to a film, leaving no lace.
Smell (3.5): Malty, spice, grassy hops and strong alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Sweet and malty upfront, some juicy fruitiness. The finish is a peppery alcoholic spice with a mild bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): The alcohol is very evident.
Overall (3.45): This is a pleasant enough beer, but the alcohol really masks a lot of the other flavors and aromas.
To celebrate a successful (and very positive) thesis committee meeting Jadyn and I went to The Publick House on Wednesday. I tried the Fried Stoemp, fried mashed potatoes, this time. I'd been eying them the last few trips, but I always opted for some of their other Belgian styled dishes. They were excellent, soft and creamy inside and nicely seasoned. Jadyn had the veggie burger. After dinner we had a Gouda cheese board and a couple more beers each.
Round One
Thom: Allagash Hugh Malone
Jadyn: La Chouffe
Round Two
Thom: De Ranke XX Bitter
Jadyn: Westmalle Tripel
Round Three
Thom: Cantillon Kriek
Jadyn: Don De Dieu
698. Allagash Hugh Malone
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance (4.0): Pours a very nice, hazy reddish-copper. It's topped by a dense off-white head that fades to a film, leaving a little bit of patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Very fruity and malty. Light cherries, and perhaps a light note of honeydew melon. There's a peppery spiciness and a light resiny hoppiness. The hops are noticable, but overpowered by the Belgian yeast aromatics.
Taste (4.5): Lightly sweet fruitiness upfront, that's met by a spiciness contributed by the carbonation. There's a tart, cherry sourness that remains prominent. The finish is a mild, but persistent, aged, hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): High carbonation, medium-bodied, and smooth with an effervescent feel on the tongue.
Drinkability (4.0): Very tasty and flavorful, it falls on the sweet side, but never seems cloying.
Overall (4.2): This beer isn't the hoppiest Belgian IPA that I've had, nor is it particularly hoppy. The hops are noticeable, but are dominated by the fruity characteristics. Despite this, I'm giving the beer high marks because it's very enjoyable even though the name may be a misnomer.
Round One
Thom: Allagash Hugh Malone
Jadyn: La Chouffe
Round Two
Thom: De Ranke XX Bitter
Jadyn: Westmalle Tripel
Round Three
Thom: Cantillon Kriek
Jadyn: Don De Dieu
698. Allagash Hugh Malone
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance (4.0): Pours a very nice, hazy reddish-copper. It's topped by a dense off-white head that fades to a film, leaving a little bit of patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Very fruity and malty. Light cherries, and perhaps a light note of honeydew melon. There's a peppery spiciness and a light resiny hoppiness. The hops are noticable, but overpowered by the Belgian yeast aromatics.
Taste (4.5): Lightly sweet fruitiness upfront, that's met by a spiciness contributed by the carbonation. There's a tart, cherry sourness that remains prominent. The finish is a mild, but persistent, aged, hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): High carbonation, medium-bodied, and smooth with an effervescent feel on the tongue.
Drinkability (4.0): Very tasty and flavorful, it falls on the sweet side, but never seems cloying.
Overall (4.2): This beer isn't the hoppiest Belgian IPA that I've had, nor is it particularly hoppy. The hops are noticeable, but are dominated by the fruity characteristics. Despite this, I'm giving the beer high marks because it's very enjoyable even though the name may be a misnomer.
Labels: Belgian IPA, The Publick House
David's wedding was on the 4th of August on Shelter Island, NY. David brought his remaining Westvleterns that we'd picked up on our trip to Belgium last November: two blondes and three 12s. David, Bennett, Win, Ward, Cindy, Jadyn and I toasted with them before the reception got started.
Labels: Belgian Pale Ale, Brouwerij Westvleteren, Quadrupel, Trappist, Travel
I went to New York on July 31st for David's wedding. He was busy and had to work on Wednesday, but I stayed with Dave in Park Slope on Tuesday night. After arriving, I headed out to Park Slope and waited for Dave and Kristin, his girlfriend, in the Tea Lounge. We dropped my bags off at Dave's place and took a bottle of Tripel Karmeliet and a bottle of red wine to The Olive Tree Cafe. We had a couple of their pizzas, one with spiced, ground lamb, and the other with eggplant, zucchini, artichokes and mozzarella.
After dinner we went to the Brazen Head for some beers.
694. Hoptical Illusion
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy copper. A fluffy, beige head thins to a half-inch layer, laving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): Lightly toasty malts and citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.0): Toasty malts, with some mild sweetness. The finish is resiny, herbal and leafy hops. Needs a bit more sweetness to balance.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Light-bodied, low carbonation. Feels a bit thin
Drinkability (3.5): It's hurt by the lack of balance.
Overall (3.45)
695. Titan IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear copper. A foamy, beige head thins to a film.
Smell (4.0): Sweet caramel, fruity malts, some spiciness and light resiny hops.
Taste (4.0): Toasty, light caramel sweetness, grassy bitterness, with a nice peppery finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): High carbonation, medium-bodied, quite refreshing feeling.
Drinkability (4.0): Well balanced.
Overall (4.0)
696. Black Hole XXX Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Foreign / Export Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours an opaque black/brown. It's topped by a thin, beige head that subsides to a film, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Roasted malts: coffee and chocolate with some mild fruitiness.
Taste (4.0): There's a fruity soda like sweetness upfront. The finish is some nice roasted coffee and dark chocolate flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium to full-bodied. Low carbonation. Smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): A little sweet, but nice.
Overall (3.75)
697. Raspberry Wheat
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Fruit Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.0): Pours a hazy, reddish copper. Topped by a thin head that leaves light patches of lace.
Smell (3.5): Just raspberries, but still pleasant.
Taste (3.5): Pretty standard for a wheat beer brewed with fruit. Some neutral graininess with raspberries to add some sweet and tart notes. There's a light bitterness, which was nice.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, grainy, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Pretty tasty and drinkable.
Overall (3.45)
After dinner we went to the Brazen Head for some beers.
694. Hoptical Illusion
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a hazy copper. A fluffy, beige head thins to a half-inch layer, laving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): Lightly toasty malts and citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.0): Toasty malts, with some mild sweetness. The finish is resiny, herbal and leafy hops. Needs a bit more sweetness to balance.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Light-bodied, low carbonation. Feels a bit thin
Drinkability (3.5): It's hurt by the lack of balance.
Overall (3.45)
695. Titan IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear copper. A foamy, beige head thins to a film.
Smell (4.0): Sweet caramel, fruity malts, some spiciness and light resiny hops.
Taste (4.0): Toasty, light caramel sweetness, grassy bitterness, with a nice peppery finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): High carbonation, medium-bodied, quite refreshing feeling.
Drinkability (4.0): Well balanced.
Overall (4.0)
696. Black Hole XXX Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Foreign / Export Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours an opaque black/brown. It's topped by a thin, beige head that subsides to a film, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Roasted malts: coffee and chocolate with some mild fruitiness.
Taste (4.0): There's a fruity soda like sweetness upfront. The finish is some nice roasted coffee and dark chocolate flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium to full-bodied. Low carbonation. Smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): A little sweet, but nice.
Overall (3.75)
697. Raspberry Wheat
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Fruit Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.0): Pours a hazy, reddish copper. Topped by a thin head that leaves light patches of lace.
Smell (3.5): Just raspberries, but still pleasant.
Taste (3.5): Pretty standard for a wheat beer brewed with fruit. Some neutral graininess with raspberries to add some sweet and tart notes. There's a light bitterness, which was nice.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, grainy, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Pretty tasty and drinkable.
Overall (3.45)
Labels: American IPA, Blue Point Brewing Company, Chelsea Brewing Company, Export Stout, Fruit/Vegetable Beer, Great Divide Brewing Company, Travel
693. Dinkel Acker Cd-Pils
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dinkelacker-Schwabenbraeu
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
I had a bottle of this at a house warming party for some of Jadyn's labmates. I drank this from the bottle, and since it's been a while since I drank it I don't remember much. I remember it being pleasantly hoppy, and pretty refreshing.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dinkelacker-Schwabenbraeu
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
I had a bottle of this at a house warming party for some of Jadyn's labmates. I drank this from the bottle, and since it's been a while since I drank it I don't remember much. I remember it being pleasantly hoppy, and pretty refreshing.
Labels: Dinkelacker-Schwabenbraeu, German Pilsener
692. John Harvard's Burning Bridge Bock
I had this at John Harvard's with Jadyn a few weeks ago. The "Burning Bridge" in the name refers to smoked malts used during brewing.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. A thin beige head fades to sudsy patches, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): There are some light malty hints below a strong aroma of smokiness.
Taste (4.0): Initially toasty before it moves into sweeter, caramel flavors. There's a bit of spiciness before the smoke hits in the finish, which remains through, with a light bitterness, in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, low to moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (3.0): Very nice and malty, though the smoked character is a bit strong.
Overall (3.7)
I had this at John Harvard's with Jadyn a few weeks ago. The "Burning Bridge" in the name refers to smoked malts used during brewing.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. A thin beige head fades to sudsy patches, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.5): There are some light malty hints below a strong aroma of smokiness.
Taste (4.0): Initially toasty before it moves into sweeter, caramel flavors. There's a bit of spiciness before the smoke hits in the finish, which remains through, with a light bitterness, in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, low to moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (3.0): Very nice and malty, though the smoked character is a bit strong.
Overall (3.7)
Labels: Bock, John Harvard's
691. Endurance Pale Ale
I had this a while ago at Jadyn's. Her roommate had a six-pack of this in their beer fridge.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Endurance Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a light copper with a sudsy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Toasty, bready malts, Citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, sweetness in the center that lasts through to the finish. Met by a nice hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty well balanced.
Overall (3.6)
I had this a while ago at Jadyn's. Her roommate had a six-pack of this in their beer fridge.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Endurance Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a light copper with a sudsy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Toasty, bready malts, Citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, sweetness in the center that lasts through to the finish. Met by a nice hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty well balanced.
Overall (3.6)
690. Founders Dirty Bastard
I bought a six-pack for Jadyn and I at the liquor store down the block from her. I served it in a pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy, reddish brown. It's topped by a thin beige head that fades to a film, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Very malty: rich caramel, molasses and dark fruit.
Taste (4.5): Sweet caramel and dark fruit. Moves into a spicy alcohol with a nice roastiness for balance. Very flavorful, but not over the top.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Heavy and thick.
Drinkability (3.5): Strong.
Overall (4.15): A very nice Scotch Ale. It's flavorful, but everything seems to work well together, without one aspect overpowering any of the others.
I bought a six-pack for Jadyn and I at the liquor store down the block from her. I served it in a pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy, reddish brown. It's topped by a thin beige head that fades to a film, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Very malty: rich caramel, molasses and dark fruit.
Taste (4.5): Sweet caramel and dark fruit. Moves into a spicy alcohol with a nice roastiness for balance. Very flavorful, but not over the top.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Heavy and thick.
Drinkability (3.5): Strong.
Overall (4.15): A very nice Scotch Ale. It's flavorful, but everything seems to work well together, without one aspect overpowering any of the others.
I went to Texas in early July for Brent's wedding. I had some new, mostly Texas, beers in Waco and Houston.
The night I arrived in Waco I went to Cricket's for a few beers with Dave and Win. I had a couple of new Rahr beers as well as some old Liveoak and Real Ale favorites. I was surprised to see a few copies of the Beer Advocate magazine at Cricket's.
685. Rahr Stormcloud IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a foamy, beige head that thins to a film.
Smell (3.5): Herbal and grassy hops, with undertones of toasty malts.
Taste (4.0): Toasty, lightly sweet malts upfront, moving into a citric, herbal and grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, medium-bodied, a little oily.
Drinkability (4.0): Nicely balanced, not too sweet.
Overall (3.85): A nice IPA.
686. Rahr Buffalo Butt
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: Pours a hazy amber. The beige head thins to a ring.
Smell: Buttery diacetyl dominates. There's an underlying fruitiness that's hard to pin down.
Taste: Sweet and tart upfront that quickly moves into a strong, smooth, buttery flavor.
Mouthfeel: Low to moderate carbonation. Light to bedium-bodied. Smooth.
Drinkability: Too buttery.
Overall: I've refrained from rating this one because it seems spoiled.
Dave and I stayed at Ward's place in Houston for Brent's wedding. We got there on Friday night and had a beer or two at Ward's place before going out for dinner at Goode Company BBQ.
687. San Miguel Dark Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: San Miguel Corporation
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Euro Dark Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a clear brown-red. The fluffy, beige head retains well leaving patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Very malty: caramel, dark fruit, with a light neutral graininess.
Taste (3.0): Sweet, bready maltiness upfront. Center is some date-like dark fruit notes with a hint of spiciness. The finish is mildly roasty with a faint bitterness. Flavorful, but too sweet. There's also a metallic character.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, medium-bodied, smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): Flavorful, but a bit too sweet.
Overall (3.6)
After excellent BBQ, we went to Hans Bierhaus and had a few drinks. The bartender was also mixing a tasty combination of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Blackberry Mead.
688. Saint Arnold Summer Pils
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear golden. Topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a thin film, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.0): Very clean, some light tart aromas with light grassiness.
Taste (3.5): Bready, sweet malts upfront. Moves through a lightly tart center to a grassy bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, crisp, low carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Refreshing and light. This was perfect for the humid Houston evening.
Overall (3.6)
689. Saint Arnold Elissa IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear, dark copper. A thickish, beige head thins to a film, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.0): Sweet caramel, toasty malts, light resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, caramel sweetness. Moves into a grassy, resiny bitterness, which remains to the finish. There's an odd residual sweetness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Thick and full-bodied with low carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Not bad, but not that great.
Overall (3.4)
The night I arrived in Waco I went to Cricket's for a few beers with Dave and Win. I had a couple of new Rahr beers as well as some old Liveoak and Real Ale favorites. I was surprised to see a few copies of the Beer Advocate magazine at Cricket's.
685. Rahr Stormcloud IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a foamy, beige head that thins to a film.
Smell (3.5): Herbal and grassy hops, with undertones of toasty malts.
Taste (4.0): Toasty, lightly sweet malts upfront, moving into a citric, herbal and grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, medium-bodied, a little oily.
Drinkability (4.0): Nicely balanced, not too sweet.
Overall (3.85): A nice IPA.
686. Rahr Buffalo Butt
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: Pours a hazy amber. The beige head thins to a ring.
Smell: Buttery diacetyl dominates. There's an underlying fruitiness that's hard to pin down.
Taste: Sweet and tart upfront that quickly moves into a strong, smooth, buttery flavor.
Mouthfeel: Low to moderate carbonation. Light to bedium-bodied. Smooth.
Drinkability: Too buttery.
Overall: I've refrained from rating this one because it seems spoiled.
Dave and I stayed at Ward's place in Houston for Brent's wedding. We got there on Friday night and had a beer or two at Ward's place before going out for dinner at Goode Company BBQ.
687. San Miguel Dark Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: San Miguel Corporation
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Euro Dark Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a clear brown-red. The fluffy, beige head retains well leaving patchy lace.
Smell (4.0): Very malty: caramel, dark fruit, with a light neutral graininess.
Taste (3.0): Sweet, bready maltiness upfront. Center is some date-like dark fruit notes with a hint of spiciness. The finish is mildly roasty with a faint bitterness. Flavorful, but too sweet. There's also a metallic character.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, medium-bodied, smooth.
Drinkability (3.5): Flavorful, but a bit too sweet.
Overall (3.6)
After excellent BBQ, we went to Hans Bierhaus and had a few drinks. The bartender was also mixing a tasty combination of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Blackberry Mead.
688. Saint Arnold Summer Pils
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear golden. Topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a thin film, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.0): Very clean, some light tart aromas with light grassiness.
Taste (3.5): Bready, sweet malts upfront. Moves through a lightly tart center to a grassy bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, crisp, low carbonation.
Drinkability (4.5): Refreshing and light. This was perfect for the humid Houston evening.
Overall (3.6)
689. Saint Arnold Elissa IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear, dark copper. A thickish, beige head thins to a film, leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (3.0): Sweet caramel, toasty malts, light resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, caramel sweetness. Moves into a grassy, resiny bitterness, which remains to the finish. There's an odd residual sweetness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Thick and full-bodied with low carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Not bad, but not that great.
Overall (3.4)
Labels: American Amber/Red Ale, American IPA, Euro Dark Lager, German Pilsener, Rahr and Sons Brewing Company, Saint Arnold, San Miguel
