898. Gourd of the Rings
I had this on tap at the CBC in early October. It sounded good so I decide to give it a try.
From the website:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
The CBC seems to be on a pumpkin beer binge. Three pumpkin beers are currently available on tap (as of 11/12).
Pours a cloudy, golden tinted, straw color. Topped by a thin white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is floral with ginger and peppery spice. Swirling brings out a bit of pumpkin, yeast and a grassy undertone.
Neutral toasty malts upfront. Sweet through the center with a nice pumpkin flavor that melds with the ginger spice. The finish is grassy with some citric hints, peppery, yeasty and mildly bitter. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a lightly dry feel in the finish.
An interesting mix of flavors. Sweet overall, but the light spice helps moderate.
I had this on tap at the CBC in early October. It sounded good so I decide to give it a try.
From the website:
Gourd of the Rings wears a pale yellow hue from a mix of Belgian pilsner, Vienna and wheat malts. A moderate hop profile allows the notes of fresh ginger, black pepper and fresh orange to take prominence over any lingering bitterness. The spicy notes of our authentic Belgian yeast strain also allow the pumpkin to express itself subtly and not overwhelm the delicate palate.Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
The CBC seems to be on a pumpkin beer binge. Three pumpkin beers are currently available on tap (as of 11/12).
Pours a cloudy, golden tinted, straw color. Topped by a thin white head that fades to nothing. The aroma is floral with ginger and peppery spice. Swirling brings out a bit of pumpkin, yeast and a grassy undertone.
Neutral toasty malts upfront. Sweet through the center with a nice pumpkin flavor that melds with the ginger spice. The finish is grassy with some citric hints, peppery, yeasty and mildly bitter. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a lightly dry feel in the finish.
An interesting mix of flavors. Sweet overall, but the light spice helps moderate.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Saison
897. Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
897. Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest
I bought a 6-pack of this at Downtown Wine & Spirits in early October. Jadyn wanted something "autumny" so I thought an Oktoberfest would be a good choice. I chose this one because I always seem to pass over this brewery. I served it in my Cambridge Brewing Company pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Coastal Extreme Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a clear, light copper. Topped by a sudsy off-white head that fades to a film leaving patchy lace. Caramel in the aroma with some toasty malts and apricot fruitiness.
Toasty, bready malts upfront, with caramel sweetness that runs through the center. The finish is a tad citric with a light hop bitterness. High carbonation, medium-bodied.
A tasty and balanced Oktoberfest.
I bought a 6-pack of this at Downtown Wine & Spirits in early October. Jadyn wanted something "autumny" so I thought an Oktoberfest would be a good choice. I chose this one because I always seem to pass over this brewery. I served it in my Cambridge Brewing Company pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Coastal Extreme Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a clear, light copper. Topped by a sudsy off-white head that fades to a film leaving patchy lace. Caramel in the aroma with some toasty malts and apricot fruitiness.
Toasty, bready malts upfront, with caramel sweetness that runs through the center. The finish is a tad citric with a light hop bitterness. High carbonation, medium-bodied.
A tasty and balanced Oktoberfest.
There's an article about Dogfish Head and "Extreme Beer" in last week's "Food" issue of the New Yorker. The article is long, and focuses mostly on Dogfish Head, and some of the more unusual brews that they they produce. There's also a good bit of brewing history, from the Reinheitsgebot, to the decline of American brewing after prohibition, to the craft beer resurgence.
There's too much to distill it down to a few quotes. I recommend reading the whole thing. It's also nice to see press for craft beer.
There's too much to distill it down to a few quotes. I recommend reading the whole thing. It's also nice to see press for craft beer.
Labels: News
896. Sunrise Weiss
I bought a 6-pack of Sunrise Weiss and a 6-pack of Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale because we were having Susan and Christian over for dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Victory Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefeweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, straw yellow, and is topped with a fluffy, white head that fades to a wispy film. The classic hefeweizen aromas are present: citrus, banana, yeast and a bit of graininess.
Sweet breadiness upfront moves into a fruit center with notes of bananas, bubble gum and citrus. The finish is lightly grainy with peppery notes and a light bitterness. Prickly carbonation, medium bodied and smooth.
Very refreshing and drinkable.
I bought a 6-pack of Sunrise Weiss and a 6-pack of Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale because we were having Susan and Christian over for dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Victory Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefeweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, straw yellow, and is topped with a fluffy, white head that fades to a wispy film. The classic hefeweizen aromas are present: citrus, banana, yeast and a bit of graininess.
Sweet breadiness upfront moves into a fruit center with notes of bananas, bubble gum and citrus. The finish is lightly grainy with peppery notes and a light bitterness. Prickly carbonation, medium bodied and smooth.
Very refreshing and drinkable.
Labels: Hefe Weizen, Victory Brewing Company
891-895: The Return of the Belgian Beer Fest: Part 3
Published by Unknown on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
This is the third and final post containing the last five beers that I had at the beer fest. Not much else to say, other than to say it was a great fest.
891. Weyerbacher Thirteen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 13.60%
Style: American Double Stout
Pours an opaque black, and is topped by an dark brown head. The aroma is banana bread, chocolate and roasted grain. There are notes of chocolate, banana, tart fruit, coffee and chocolate.
892. Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.60%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a sudsy white head. There's an apple fruitiness in the aroma. Bready sweetness with hints of caramel and fruit. Lightly bitter in the finish.
893. Harpoon Wild Hibernian
Beer Stats:
Brewery:Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a thick beige head. The aroma is characteristic Brettanomyces with a bit of apple fruitiness. Sweet upfront, bready with hints of apples. Mildly spicy with a light funkiness in the finish.
894. Southampton Bier de Mars
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southampton Publick House
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy golden. Topped by a thin, sudsy white head. Banana and honey in the aroma. Notes of pepper, banana, and honey on the palate. There's a course graininess in the finish along with a light bitterness.
894. Smuttynose Abbey Single
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden. Citric aroma, hoppy? Light but flavorful. This is the extent of my notes, I was probably in a rush to try to get a last sample of La Folie.
891. Weyerbacher Thirteen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 13.60%
Style: American Double Stout
Pours an opaque black, and is topped by an dark brown head. The aroma is banana bread, chocolate and roasted grain. There are notes of chocolate, banana, tart fruit, coffee and chocolate.
892. Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.60%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a sudsy white head. There's an apple fruitiness in the aroma. Bready sweetness with hints of caramel and fruit. Lightly bitter in the finish.
893. Harpoon Wild Hibernian
Beer Stats:
Brewery:Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a thick beige head. The aroma is characteristic Brettanomyces with a bit of apple fruitiness. Sweet upfront, bready with hints of apples. Mildly spicy with a light funkiness in the finish.
894. Southampton Bier de Mars
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southampton Publick House
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy golden. Topped by a thin, sudsy white head. Banana and honey in the aroma. Notes of pepper, banana, and honey on the palate. There's a course graininess in the finish along with a light bitterness.
894. Smuttynose Abbey Single
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden. Citric aroma, hoppy? Light but flavorful. This is the extent of my notes, I was probably in a rush to try to get a last sample of La Folie.
Labels: American Double Stout, American Wild Ale, Beer Fests, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Saison
881-890. The Return of the Belgian Beer Fest: Part 2
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
These are the second set of 10 new beers that I had at the Belgian Beer Fest. A good portion of them seem to be rare or one-off beers given that they're not in the BA database. I think this is a sign of a good beer fest, that brewers are willing to bring their small batch, one-off beers to a fest, or better yet, to brew them for a fest. It helps keep the variety high and the offerings interesting.
881. The Tap Honing Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a sudsy head. Honey is definitely present in the aroma with a bit of a resiny character. The sweetness of the honey mingles well with a nice tart fruitiness from the yeast. I thought this was an excellent honey ale, and was one of my favorite beers from the fest.
882. L'esprit de l'escalier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden-copper, and is topped by a thin white head. Grassy, grainy, light fruit and citrus in the aroma. Toasty malts upfront with some honey-like sweetness. The finish has a peppery spice, and a light bitterness in the aftertaste.
883. Samuel Adams Blonde Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 10.20%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed, golden. Topped by an off-white head. The aroma and taste are both peppery with notes of apple fruitiness.
884. Samuel Adams Knee Deep Kriek
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed reddish-copper with a pinkish head. Cherries in the aroma. Light cherry flavors upfront move into a tart finish. Not a lot of depth.
885. Dernière Volonté
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden, topped by a thin white head. Bready, with notes of caramel and honey in the aroma, and perhaps a hint of medicinal phenols. Light sweetness upfront moves into a medicinal character. Very tasty.
886. Stone Cali-Belgique
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.90%
Style: Belgian IPA
Pours a lightly-hazed golden. Topped by a thin, white head. Strong aroma of a Belgian ale, banana and other fruitiness. There's also a good bit of hops in the aroma. There is a sweet Belgian fruitiness upfront for a fleeting moment, before it's crushed by a wall of hops. Hoppy, definitely my preference for a Belgian IPA, but lacks balance.
887. Orphan Annie
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Port Brewing Company/The Lost Abbey
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a hazed, reddish brown. The head is a wispy beige ring. The aroma is woody with cherry fruitiness. Lightly sweet cherry flavors upfront move into an awesome cherry tartness. Dry finish. This was another favorite from the fest.
888. Avril
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Dupont
Alcohol: 3.50%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
I'm calling this one a Belgian Pale Ale rather than a Saison, which is what BA has it listed as. I think a BPA is closer in style.
Pours a lightly cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a thin, white head. The aroma is surprisingly strong for a table beer, nice grassy and grainy malts and a bit of banana fruitiness. Lightly grainy malt upfront with light fruit and light peppery spice. Pretty mild.
889. Unibroue 17
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Unibroue
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown. Toppe by a thick, light brown head. The aroma seemed a bit hoppy and chocolatey. Lightly bready malts upfront, roasty with notes of chocolate and a peppery finish.
890. Les Deux Brasseurs
Beer Stats:
Brewery: De Proefbrouwerij
Alcohol: 8.50%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a collaboration between De Proef and Allagash.
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. The aroma seems to be characteristic Brettanomyces, with some acidic hints. Lightly sour upfront moving through to a medicinal, funky finish with a light bitterness.
881. The Tap Honing Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a sudsy head. Honey is definitely present in the aroma with a bit of a resiny character. The sweetness of the honey mingles well with a nice tart fruitiness from the yeast. I thought this was an excellent honey ale, and was one of my favorite beers from the fest.
882. L'esprit de l'escalier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden-copper, and is topped by a thin white head. Grassy, grainy, light fruit and citrus in the aroma. Toasty malts upfront with some honey-like sweetness. The finish has a peppery spice, and a light bitterness in the aftertaste.
883. Samuel Adams Blonde Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 10.20%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed, golden. Topped by an off-white head. The aroma and taste are both peppery with notes of apple fruitiness.
884. Samuel Adams Knee Deep Kriek
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed reddish-copper with a pinkish head. Cherries in the aroma. Light cherry flavors upfront move into a tart finish. Not a lot of depth.
885. Dernière Volonté
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden, topped by a thin white head. Bready, with notes of caramel and honey in the aroma, and perhaps a hint of medicinal phenols. Light sweetness upfront moves into a medicinal character. Very tasty.
886. Stone Cali-Belgique
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.90%
Style: Belgian IPA
Pours a lightly-hazed golden. Topped by a thin, white head. Strong aroma of a Belgian ale, banana and other fruitiness. There's also a good bit of hops in the aroma. There is a sweet Belgian fruitiness upfront for a fleeting moment, before it's crushed by a wall of hops. Hoppy, definitely my preference for a Belgian IPA, but lacks balance.
887. Orphan Annie
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Port Brewing Company/The Lost Abbey
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a hazed, reddish brown. The head is a wispy beige ring. The aroma is woody with cherry fruitiness. Lightly sweet cherry flavors upfront move into an awesome cherry tartness. Dry finish. This was another favorite from the fest.
888. Avril
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Dupont
Alcohol: 3.50%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
I'm calling this one a Belgian Pale Ale rather than a Saison, which is what BA has it listed as. I think a BPA is closer in style.
Pours a lightly cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a thin, white head. The aroma is surprisingly strong for a table beer, nice grassy and grainy malts and a bit of banana fruitiness. Lightly grainy malt upfront with light fruit and light peppery spice. Pretty mild.
889. Unibroue 17
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Unibroue
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown. Toppe by a thick, light brown head. The aroma seemed a bit hoppy and chocolatey. Lightly bready malts upfront, roasty with notes of chocolate and a peppery finish.
890. Les Deux Brasseurs
Beer Stats:
Brewery: De Proefbrouwerij
Alcohol: 8.50%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a collaboration between De Proef and Allagash.
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. The aroma seems to be characteristic Brettanomyces, with some acidic hints. Lightly sour upfront moving through to a medicinal, funky finish with a light bitterness.
Labels: American Wild Ale, Beer Fests, Belgian IPA, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Fruit Lambic, Saison
I'm finally caught up with blogging. I've been perpetually behind for quite a while now. The multi-beer posts —whether beer fests or going out with friends— tend to pile up and dramatically increase the posting activation energy, and the posting momentum usually isn't sufficient to get through the entire backlog.
I finally made myself finish writing up my backlog of posts. I'm deploying them every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until they're all up. There are currently thirteen write-ups scheduled for posting out to December 17th. They represent beers 881-918, and a time span of late September to mid-November.
I'll be adding new posts to the queue, but I suspect that at some point the blog posts will catch up to real time, and the frequency will then be determined by time/budgetary constraints on my beer drinking.
I finally made myself finish writing up my backlog of posts. I'm deploying them every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until they're all up. There are currently thirteen write-ups scheduled for posting out to December 17th. They represent beers 881-918, and a time span of late September to mid-November.
I'll be adding new posts to the queue, but I suspect that at some point the blog posts will catch up to real time, and the frequency will then be determined by time/budgetary constraints on my beer drinking.
Jadyn and I went to the afternoon session of Beer Advocate's Return of the Belgian Beer Fest on Saturday September 27th. This is always my favorite BA fest... I can't get enough Belgian beer. I do regret no going to the Friday night special session though. The format seems to be pretty constant now: unlimited 2 ounce samples, food from Sunset, Belgian sugar waffles, talks, and booths from a good variety of breweries and importers.
I was pleased to see New Belgium at this fest. They haven't been at any of the other Beer Advocate fests that I've been to, and I managed to get a couple samples of the phenomenal La Folie.
871. Brooklyn Flemish Gold
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a white head that thins to a film. The aroma is fruity with notes of bananas, as well as grainy and hoppy aromas. Upfront is a neutral bready malt character. A mild banana sweetness in the center with a mildly hopped finish.
872. Brooklyn Grand Cru
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 8.40%
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an insanely cloudy, beige color with an almost reddish tint. Topped by a thick, off-white head. Notes of coriander, orange peel and alcohol in the aroma. Smooth banana fruitiness, citric orange, and peppery spice.
873. Saison Rue
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Bruery
Alcohol: 8.50%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden-copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head. Apples and a light peppery spice in the aroma. Apple sweetness with an accompanying tartness upfront. There's also a slight medicinal character in the finish.
874. Duvel Draft
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a crystal clear, straw color. Topped by a rocky, merengue-like head. The aroma is fruity with hints of apple and banana. The flavor is mild. There are grainy and lightly fruity flavors with maybe a hint of apple tartness. The finish is lightly bitter with a grassy dry quality.
875. Ommegang Rouge
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Ommegang
Alcohol: 5.50%
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy reddish-brown. Topped by a thick beige head that faded quickly to a film. The aroma is nice and acidic. Amazingly tart upfront, with a cherry fruitiness and moderate sweetness in the center. The finish is woody and medicinal. Delicious. One of my favorites from the fest.
876. Rock Bottom Blueberry Lambic
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy purple. Topped by a sudsy, purple head. The aroma is blueberries and funk. Sour upfront with blueberries throughout and a mild funkiness in the finish. I thought this was an odd combo, the blueberries and lambic characters didn't mesh well. I still have to applaud the attempt though.
877. Eric's Ale (Lips of Faith #3)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
This is a sour ale brewed with peaches. It pours a hazed orange-copper, and is topped by a thin, off-white head. The aroma is lightly acid with hints of peach. Sour, but not mouth puckeringly tart. The sourness is balanced nicely by a light sweetness from the peach.
878. Harpoon Belgian Dip
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 13.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
I'm guessing at the style here, so take that into account. Pours a hazed-reddish copper. Sweet on the nose: chocolatey, caramel and candi sugar. There's also a mild whiff of alcohol. Sweet throughout with dominant flavors of candi sugar, caramel and toffee. The finish has a pronounced alcoholic spice. Overall a bit one-dimensional.
879. Harpoon Belgian Chocolate Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is black with a sudsy, brown head. The aroma is deeply chocolatey with hints of toffee as well. Sweet chocolate upfront, roasty in the center and finish.
880. Monk's Brew
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mikkeller
Alcohol: 11.50%
Style: Quadrupel, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown, and topped by a beige head. The aroma is fairly light, but is much the same as the palate. Caramel with hints of chocolate and dark fruit. The finish has a peppery and alcoholic spiciness.
I was pleased to see New Belgium at this fest. They haven't been at any of the other Beer Advocate fests that I've been to, and I managed to get a couple samples of the phenomenal La Folie.
871. Brooklyn Flemish Gold
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. Topped by a white head that thins to a film. The aroma is fruity with notes of bananas, as well as grainy and hoppy aromas. Upfront is a neutral bready malt character. A mild banana sweetness in the center with a mildly hopped finish.
872. Brooklyn Grand Cru
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 8.40%
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an insanely cloudy, beige color with an almost reddish tint. Topped by a thick, off-white head. Notes of coriander, orange peel and alcohol in the aroma. Smooth banana fruitiness, citric orange, and peppery spice.
873. Saison Rue
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Bruery
Alcohol: 8.50%
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden-copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head. Apples and a light peppery spice in the aroma. Apple sweetness with an accompanying tartness upfront. There's also a slight medicinal character in the finish.
874. Duvel Draft
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV
Alcohol: 6.80%
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a crystal clear, straw color. Topped by a rocky, merengue-like head. The aroma is fruity with hints of apple and banana. The flavor is mild. There are grainy and lightly fruity flavors with maybe a hint of apple tartness. The finish is lightly bitter with a grassy dry quality.
875. Ommegang Rouge
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brewery Ommegang
Alcohol: 5.50%
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy reddish-brown. Topped by a thick beige head that faded quickly to a film. The aroma is nice and acidic. Amazingly tart upfront, with a cherry fruitiness and moderate sweetness in the center. The finish is woody and medicinal. Delicious. One of my favorites from the fest.
876. Rock Bottom Blueberry Lambic
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy purple. Topped by a sudsy, purple head. The aroma is blueberries and funk. Sour upfront with blueberries throughout and a mild funkiness in the finish. I thought this was an odd combo, the blueberries and lambic characters didn't mesh well. I still have to applaud the attempt though.
877. Eric's Ale (Lips of Faith #3)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
This is a sour ale brewed with peaches. It pours a hazed orange-copper, and is topped by a thin, off-white head. The aroma is lightly acid with hints of peach. Sour, but not mouth puckeringly tart. The sourness is balanced nicely by a light sweetness from the peach.
878. Harpoon Belgian Dip
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 13.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
I'm guessing at the style here, so take that into account. Pours a hazed-reddish copper. Sweet on the nose: chocolatey, caramel and candi sugar. There's also a mild whiff of alcohol. Sweet throughout with dominant flavors of candi sugar, caramel and toffee. The finish has a pronounced alcoholic spice. Overall a bit one-dimensional.
879. Harpoon Belgian Chocolate Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is black with a sudsy, brown head. The aroma is deeply chocolatey with hints of toffee as well. Sweet chocolate upfront, roasty in the center and finish.
880. Monk's Brew
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mikkeller
Alcohol: 11.50%
Style: Quadrupel, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown, and topped by a beige head. The aroma is fairly light, but is much the same as the palate. Caramel with hints of chocolate and dark fruit. The finish has a peppery and alcoholic spiciness.
Labels: American Stout, American Wild Ale, Beer Fests, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Flanders Red Ale, Fruit Lambic, Quadrupel, Saison, Witbier
870. Staropramen Lager
Win came to New York in mid-September for a couple of Mets games against the Braves. I don't rememeber the chronology, but I believe we ended up at a beer garden in Queens after the Saturday night double-header. We played backgammon and had many pitchers of beer between the three of us.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Pivovar Staropramen Pražské Pivovary
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a merengue-like, off-white head. Good retention and lacing. The aroma is fairly light overall, though there are some nice malt notes and a hint of hops.
Neutral and toasty upfront, moving into a nice caramel sweetness. Balanced by a nice resiny hop presence in the finish.
Flavorful and refreshing, a very drinkable pilsener.
Win came to New York in mid-September for a couple of Mets games against the Braves. I don't rememeber the chronology, but I believe we ended up at a beer garden in Queens after the Saturday night double-header. We played backgammon and had many pitchers of beer between the three of us.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Pivovar Staropramen Pražské Pivovary
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a merengue-like, off-white head. Good retention and lacing. The aroma is fairly light overall, though there are some nice malt notes and a hint of hops.
Neutral and toasty upfront, moving into a nice caramel sweetness. Balanced by a nice resiny hop presence in the finish.
Flavorful and refreshing, a very drinkable pilsener.
Labels: Czech Pilsener
868. Sixpoint Bengali Tiger
Jadyn and I got drinks at Christopher's in September. You don't often see Sixpoint on tap in Boston so I seized the opportunity.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, so I don't remember much about this beer, but I remember enjoying it. It was hoppy with a good bit of spice. Edit: I found the notes on my iPhone!
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
P ours a cloudy orange copper. Topped by a thin head that fades to a film. Resiny and citric hop aroma with a bit of spice.
Toasty and caramel malts upfront. Moves through a lightly sweet center to an earthy and citric hop finish with a nice spiciness. Hop bitterness is present but surprisingly mild. Tingly carbonation, medium bodied with a bit of oiliness.
Balanced and not too bitter but very tasty.
869. Spaten Münchner Hell
I had a bottle of this after I gave the Koch Institute Focus talk at beer hour on a Friday in September.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
I don't remember much either. It was crisp and refreshingly drinkable.
Jadyn and I got drinks at Christopher's in September. You don't often see Sixpoint on tap in Boston so I seized the opportunity.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, so I don't remember much about this beer, but I remember enjoying it. It was hoppy with a good bit of spice. Edit: I found the notes on my iPhone!
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
P ours a cloudy orange copper. Topped by a thin head that fades to a film. Resiny and citric hop aroma with a bit of spice.
Toasty and caramel malts upfront. Moves through a lightly sweet center to an earthy and citric hop finish with a nice spiciness. Hop bitterness is present but surprisingly mild. Tingly carbonation, medium bodied with a bit of oiliness.
Balanced and not too bitter but very tasty.
869. Spaten Münchner Hell
I had a bottle of this after I gave the Koch Institute Focus talk at beer hour on a Friday in September.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
I don't remember much either. It was crisp and refreshingly drinkable.
Labels: American IPA, Munich Helles Lager
867. Quatre-Centième
I bought this at Downtown Wine & Spirits in early September. Jadyn and I shared it on the 8th of September.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Unibroue
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle, 750 mL
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, golden color. It's topped by a fluffy, white, three-finger head that fades to a persistent half-inch layer. Patchy lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is predominantly fruity, with notes of banana. There are also notes of bready malts, pepper, yeast, and alcohol on the swirl.
Sweet and malty upfront, bready and toasty. These malts give way to a grainy maltiness that remains as the backbone. Banana becomes evident in the center with a bit of clove spiciness. The finish is spicy, predominantly peppery and alcohol taht seems to get warmer the more you drink. There's a yeasty and lightly bitter aftertaste. Medium-bodied with a nice carbonation that isn't too strong.
I've been a nit disappointed by some of Unibroue's more recent releases, but this one is a solid Belgian Strong Pale Ale.
I bought this at Downtown Wine & Spirits in early September. Jadyn and I shared it on the 8th of September.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Unibroue
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle, 750 mL
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, golden color. It's topped by a fluffy, white, three-finger head that fades to a persistent half-inch layer. Patchy lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is predominantly fruity, with notes of banana. There are also notes of bready malts, pepper, yeast, and alcohol on the swirl.
Sweet and malty upfront, bready and toasty. These malts give way to a grainy maltiness that remains as the backbone. Banana becomes evident in the center with a bit of clove spiciness. The finish is spicy, predominantly peppery and alcohol taht seems to get warmer the more you drink. There's a yeasty and lightly bitter aftertaste. Medium-bodied with a nice carbonation that isn't too strong.
I've been a nit disappointed by some of Unibroue's more recent releases, but this one is a solid Belgian Strong Pale Ale.
Labels: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Unibroue
