924. Stoudts Winter Ale
Jadyn and I had dinner at The Asgard on December 8th. They had quite a few beers on tap that I'd never tried. I ended up getting the Stoudts Winter Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stoudts Brewing Co.
Year: 2008
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a deep black with garnet tints. Topped by a brown head that fades to a film. Roasty coffee, rich chocolate, and a bit of dried fruit in the aroma. A bit of citric, hop aroma is evident. Swirling brings out more chocolate.
Attenuated, roasted malts upfront with a tinge of chocolate sweetness. Dark fruit has a minor appearance in the center followed by a roasty and hoppy bitterness in the finish. Light to medium-bodied, moderate carbonation with a warming spice.
Nice on a cold day like today.
Jadyn and I had dinner at The Asgard on December 8th. They had quite a few beers on tap that I'd never tried. I ended up getting the Stoudts Winter Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stoudts Brewing Co.
Year: 2008
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a deep black with garnet tints. Topped by a brown head that fades to a film. Roasty coffee, rich chocolate, and a bit of dried fruit in the aroma. A bit of citric, hop aroma is evident. Swirling brings out more chocolate.
Attenuated, roasted malts upfront with a tinge of chocolate sweetness. Dark fruit has a minor appearance in the center followed by a roasty and hoppy bitterness in the finish. Light to medium-bodied, moderate carbonation with a warming spice.
Nice on a cold day like today.
Labels: American Porter, Stoudts Brewing Co.
923. He'Brew Genesis Ale
Jadyn and I went to the Muddy on Friday December 5th with some friends. They kicked the keg of Buzzard's Bay Black and put on a new keg of He'Brew Genesis Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours a cloudy amber. Topped by a thick, fluffy, beige head. Leaves sheets of lace on the side of the glass. The head retains very well. The aroma is sugary and malty: caramel and cherry notes. There are also citric and piney hop aromas.
Sugar, caramel and tart fruit are present through the center. The finish is citric, piney hops with a light bitterness. A little watery with mild carbonation. Upping the carbonation would help give things a little more body.
I thought that this was a likable beer. The flavors were nice, but the lack of carbonation and body made it seem a bit thin and watery.
Jadyn and I went to the Muddy on Friday December 5th with some friends. They kicked the keg of Buzzard's Bay Black and put on a new keg of He'Brew Genesis Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours a cloudy amber. Topped by a thick, fluffy, beige head. Leaves sheets of lace on the side of the glass. The head retains very well. The aroma is sugary and malty: caramel and cherry notes. There are also citric and piney hop aromas.
Sugar, caramel and tart fruit are present through the center. The finish is citric, piney hops with a light bitterness. A little watery with mild carbonation. Upping the carbonation would help give things a little more body.
I thought that this was a likable beer. The flavors were nice, but the lack of carbonation and body made it seem a bit thin and watery.
Labels: American Pale Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Company
922. Buzzard's Bay Black Lager
A labmate took his qualifying exam on December 1st, so we went to The Muddy Charles for some beer afterwards. They had Buzzard's Bay Black Lager on tap so I ordered a pitcher.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Buzzard's Bay Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
Pours a dark black with brown tints at the edges. Topped by a thin, sudsy, beige head that fades to a bubbly film. The aroma is roasted malts, coffee and a bit of breadiness.
Lightly sweet, chocolate notes upfront over a dark roasty backbone with a bit of roasted and hop bitterness in the finish. Moderate carbonation, medium- bodied. Roasted grains give the beer a bit of husky dryness.
Decently flavorful. Nice, but not terribly complex.
A labmate took his qualifying exam on December 1st, so we went to The Muddy Charles for some beer afterwards. They had Buzzard's Bay Black Lager on tap so I ordered a pitcher.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Buzzard's Bay Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
Pours a dark black with brown tints at the edges. Topped by a thin, sudsy, beige head that fades to a bubbly film. The aroma is roasted malts, coffee and a bit of breadiness.
Lightly sweet, chocolate notes upfront over a dark roasty backbone with a bit of roasted and hop bitterness in the finish. Moderate carbonation, medium- bodied. Roasted grains give the beer a bit of husky dryness.
Decently flavorful. Nice, but not terribly complex.
Labels: Buzzard's Bay Brewing, Schwarzbier
921. Palo Santo Marron
I picked up a couple bottles of this beer at Liquor World in Porter Square, after reading the New Yorker article on Dogfish Head. Jadyn and I split a bottle while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and I had another bottle later that evening.
Palo Santo Marron means "Holy Tree (or Wood) Brown", and refers to the fact that this beer is aged in barrels made of Paraguayan Palo Santo, a hard, aromatic wood from South America. Palo Santo barrels are often used in South American wine making.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 12.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
Palo Santo Marron seems thick and viscous as it is poured from the bottle to the glass. A thick, dark brown head appears on the pour, and quickly fades to an uneven coating of bubbles on the surface of the beer, and a sudsy ring. The beer itself is a very dark, opaque, brown, resembling an imperial stout. Swirling brings back the head and leaves trailers of lace on the side of the glass. Rich and malty aromas are prevalent. Most noticeable is a dark chocolate aroma over subtler notes of dry fruit, and a distinct woody aroma. On warming the roasty edge of the chocolate is mellowed, giving the overall aroma a sweeter, molasses character. Swirling brings out astringent and spicy alcoholic notes.
Sweet, chocolate malts are prevalent initially, but give way to notes of molasses and dry fruit in the center with a hint of alcoholic spice. The spiciness gains strength towards the finish, and meets a dry, woody character. Upon warming the tannic woodiness and spicy alcohol in the finish become stronger. The beer is thick and full-bodied on the palate, with a good amount of carbonation that keeps the beer from feeling to syrupy or heavy on the palate.
This one is strong, malty and high alcohol; it's definitely a sipping beer, and isn't meant to be sessioned. Overall I found it very enjoyable. The Palo Santo gave the beer a woodiness that was distinct from other barrel aged beers that I've had before. If you can get your hands on a bottle give it a try. I'll probably pick up a couple more bottles to see how this one does in the cellar.
I picked up a couple bottles of this beer at Liquor World in Porter Square, after reading the New Yorker article on Dogfish Head. Jadyn and I split a bottle while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and I had another bottle later that evening.
Palo Santo Marron means "Holy Tree (or Wood) Brown", and refers to the fact that this beer is aged in barrels made of Paraguayan Palo Santo, a hard, aromatic wood from South America. Palo Santo barrels are often used in South American wine making.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 12.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
Palo Santo Marron seems thick and viscous as it is poured from the bottle to the glass. A thick, dark brown head appears on the pour, and quickly fades to an uneven coating of bubbles on the surface of the beer, and a sudsy ring. The beer itself is a very dark, opaque, brown, resembling an imperial stout. Swirling brings back the head and leaves trailers of lace on the side of the glass. Rich and malty aromas are prevalent. Most noticeable is a dark chocolate aroma over subtler notes of dry fruit, and a distinct woody aroma. On warming the roasty edge of the chocolate is mellowed, giving the overall aroma a sweeter, molasses character. Swirling brings out astringent and spicy alcoholic notes.
Sweet, chocolate malts are prevalent initially, but give way to notes of molasses and dry fruit in the center with a hint of alcoholic spice. The spiciness gains strength towards the finish, and meets a dry, woody character. Upon warming the tannic woodiness and spicy alcohol in the finish become stronger. The beer is thick and full-bodied on the palate, with a good amount of carbonation that keeps the beer from feeling to syrupy or heavy on the palate.
This one is strong, malty and high alcohol; it's definitely a sipping beer, and isn't meant to be sessioned. Overall I found it very enjoyable. The Palo Santo gave the beer a woodiness that was distinct from other barrel aged beers that I've had before. If you can get your hands on a bottle give it a try. I'll probably pick up a couple more bottles to see how this one does in the cellar.
920. Lagunitas PILS
I apologize for the quality of the picture. I'm still trying to find a nice place to take pictures of beers in the new apartment. Jadyn wanted something that would go well with the stuffed cabbage she was making. I thought a crisp, balanced Czech Pilsener might do the job.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.15
Pours a bright, clear golden. A thin, bright white head bubbles up on the pour, but quickly fizzes away to a thin film. The aroma, like most pilsners in my experience, is light. Though there are nice malty caramel aromas and a bit of herbal hops.
Sweet and bready flavors greet the tongue, moving into a more defined malty sweetness. The finish is a pretty spot on. There's a nice citrus-tinged, spicy hop finish with a good lingering bitterness. Crisp, nicely carbonated and light-bodied.
I apologize for the quality of the picture. I'm still trying to find a nice place to take pictures of beers in the new apartment. Jadyn wanted something that would go well with the stuffed cabbage she was making. I thought a crisp, balanced Czech Pilsener might do the job.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.30%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.15
Pours a bright, clear golden. A thin, bright white head bubbles up on the pour, but quickly fizzes away to a thin film. The aroma, like most pilsners in my experience, is light. Though there are nice malty caramel aromas and a bit of herbal hops.
Sweet and bready flavors greet the tongue, moving into a more defined malty sweetness. The finish is a pretty spot on. There's a nice citrus-tinged, spicy hop finish with a good lingering bitterness. Crisp, nicely carbonated and light-bodied.
Labels: Czech Pilsener, Lagunitas Brewing Company
919. Up On Cripple Kriek
Jadyn and I had a couple of beers at the CBC on November 19th. They had a "limited release" Kriek on tap, so I had to try it.
From the website:
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability:4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a deeply cloudy, red hued brown. No head was evident when it was served, though a few stray bubbles around the edges were constantly renewed. Swirling brings up a transient, beige, filmy head. There's quite a bit going on in the aroma. The first thing I noticed were oaky, tannic aromas in addition to acidic, cherry notes. As the beer warmed more malty aromas appeared: caramel, molasses and a faint hint of vanilla.
The tartness in this beer is evident immediately, accentuated by the prickly carbonation, but isn't mouth-puckering or overly-strong. A cherry sweetness appears in the center, moreso than a traditional kriek, but not overly sweet. The finish is lightly funky and lightly oaky, which contributes a good bit of dryness to the beer. Light-bodied throughout.
I think the key to this beer is balance. It's both sweet and tart, but not in excess. I prefer sourer beers, but this was nice.
Jadyn and I had a couple of beers at the CBC on November 19th. They had a "limited release" Kriek on tap, so I had to try it.
From the website:
This malty amber-colored ale was brewed as a postscript to our famous Cerise Cassée. Basically we were just tryin’ out a new batch of sour cherries, we had a little left over after brewing, and we needed something to put ‘em into. Just enough, we thought, to flavor a little ten gallon batch of beer with some nice caramel malt flavors complimenting that tart cherry character. Of course, we didn’t expect we’d age it for over a year and a half, but things occasionally get lost and forgotten about. And our (temporary) loss is, of course, your gain. Medium-to-full bodied, and served in our flute glasses emphasizing its beautiful amber-red color and intensifying its cherry and malt nose. Not too tart, not too sweet.It's not quite a lambic, but I thought that the taste was closest to a Flanders Red Ale, so that's what I'm putting for the style.
Just a nice brown ale with cherries.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability:4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a deeply cloudy, red hued brown. No head was evident when it was served, though a few stray bubbles around the edges were constantly renewed. Swirling brings up a transient, beige, filmy head. There's quite a bit going on in the aroma. The first thing I noticed were oaky, tannic aromas in addition to acidic, cherry notes. As the beer warmed more malty aromas appeared: caramel, molasses and a faint hint of vanilla.
The tartness in this beer is evident immediately, accentuated by the prickly carbonation, but isn't mouth-puckering or overly-strong. A cherry sweetness appears in the center, moreso than a traditional kriek, but not overly sweet. The finish is lightly funky and lightly oaky, which contributes a good bit of dryness to the beer. Light-bodied throughout.
I think the key to this beer is balance. It's both sweet and tart, but not in excess. I prefer sourer beers, but this was nice.
918. Saint Hubbins Abbey
I bought a bomber of St. Hubbins at Downtown Wine & Spirits. Jadyn and I split this on the 12th of November. There was a picture, but it ended up blurry.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: High and Mighty Beer Co.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Dubbel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, light brown. It's clearer when first poured, but the sediment comes out readily and clouds the beer. A half-inch, beige head fades to a film, and is fed by tiny bubbles. The aroma is nice: subtle, but not overly done. The malts are toasty with the Belgian yeast kicking in notes of fruit and perhaps a bit of citrus. Alcohol is noticeable, especially on swirling.
There's a lot going on on the palate. Toasty malts upfront that fade nicely into the hoppy finish. There's a light bready sweetness in the center along with a bit of citrus. The Belgian yeast flavors aren't present like they are in the aroma. The finish is peppery with strong alcoholic spice, and a nice, hop bitterness in the finish. The alcoholic spice is a bit strong overall, and could be subdued. Medium-bodied and highly-carbonated. The prickliness of the carbonation really accentuates the spiciness in the finish, perhaps a bit too much.
Overall the alcohol and spiciness are a bit too much, but otherwise a very tasty beer.
I bought a bomber of St. Hubbins at Downtown Wine & Spirits. Jadyn and I split this on the 12th of November. There was a picture, but it ended up blurry.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: High and Mighty Beer Co.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Dubbel, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a cloudy, light brown. It's clearer when first poured, but the sediment comes out readily and clouds the beer. A half-inch, beige head fades to a film, and is fed by tiny bubbles. The aroma is nice: subtle, but not overly done. The malts are toasty with the Belgian yeast kicking in notes of fruit and perhaps a bit of citrus. Alcohol is noticeable, especially on swirling.
There's a lot going on on the palate. Toasty malts upfront that fade nicely into the hoppy finish. There's a light bready sweetness in the center along with a bit of citrus. The Belgian yeast flavors aren't present like they are in the aroma. The finish is peppery with strong alcoholic spice, and a nice, hop bitterness in the finish. The alcoholic spice is a bit strong overall, and could be subdued. Medium-bodied and highly-carbonated. The prickliness of the carbonation really accentuates the spiciness in the finish, perhaps a bit too much.
Overall the alcohol and spiciness are a bit too much, but otherwise a very tasty beer.
Labels: Dubbel, High and Mighty
917. Trader Joe's Hofbrau Bock
Jadyn and I went to some friends' apartment to see their new kittens. I had a bottle of Trader Joe's Hofbrau Bock while there.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Honestly, I don't remember much about this beer, as I'd already had a few. It was a clear golden in color. It was fairly clean and crisp, with a decent maltiness that stood up to the hops in the finish.
Jadyn and I went to some friends' apartment to see their new kittens. I had a bottle of Trader Joe's Hofbrau Bock while there.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Bock, BJCP Style Guide
Honestly, I don't remember much about this beer, as I'd already had a few. It was a clear golden in color. It was fairly clean and crisp, with a decent maltiness that stood up to the hops in the finish.
Labels: Bock, Trader Joe's Brewing Company
Scott, a friend from Texas, was in town the weekend of November 8th, so we met at the CBC for dinner and drinks. There were two new beers on tap so I had one of each.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
Labels: American Barleywine, Belgian IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
914. John Harvard's Centennial Common Ale
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
914. John Harvard's Centennial Common Ale
Jadyn and I went to John Harvard's for drinks on November 7th. The place was packed with what looked to be Harvard parents, but we were lucky enough to get seats at the bar. I started with their new California Common style beer, which I hadn't had before. I also had a pint of their Bitter on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: California Common / Steam Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.5
Pours a clear, pale, straw color. Topped by a bright, white head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma is light overall. There's a crisp grassiness, and a hint of citrus on the swirl.
Bready malts upfront, citric notes in the center, and an herbal bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, but the carbonation gives it a nice crisp character.
Definitely drinkable, a bit lacking in well rounded flavor though.
Jadyn and I went to John Harvard's for drinks on November 7th. The place was packed with what looked to be Harvard parents, but we were lucky enough to get seats at the bar. I started with their new California Common style beer, which I hadn't had before. I also had a pint of their Bitter on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: California Common / Steam Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.5
Pours a clear, pale, straw color. Topped by a bright, white head that fades to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma is light overall. There's a crisp grassiness, and a hint of citrus on the swirl.
Bready malts upfront, citric notes in the center, and an herbal bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, but the carbonation gives it a nice crisp character.
Definitely drinkable, a bit lacking in well rounded flavor though.
913. Long Trail Hefeweizen
I had a bottle or two of this beer while watching election coverage at Matt's apartment.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, but I remember being pleasantly surprised at this one. A nice German style hefeweizen with great banana and clove aromatics and flavors. I'd definitely pick this one up again.
I had a bottle or two of this beer while watching election coverage at Matt's apartment.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, but I remember being pleasantly surprised at this one. A nice German style hefeweizen with great banana and clove aromatics and flavors. I'd definitely pick this one up again.
Labels: Hefe Weizen, Long Trail Brewing Company
210. Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale
This is another six-pack that I purchased when Susan and Christian came over for dinner. The last bottle sat in the fridge for a week or two because I thought I hadn't had it before, but this must have been one I had sometime my first two years in grad school.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a hazed copper, and is topped by a fluffy, one-inch head that retains well. The aroma is pumpkin flesh and accompanying pumpkin pie spice. Definitely strong cinnamon and nutmeg. Smells like pumpkin pie, which is what I like in a pumpkin beer.
Sweet pumpkin starch upfront, moving into a spicy center with the sweetness of the pumpkin as an undercurrent. There's a bit of toastiness as well. The finish has more hop bitterness than most other pumpkin ales that I've had. Light-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Pretty spicy, so not something to have a lot of.
This is another six-pack that I purchased when Susan and Christian came over for dinner. The last bottle sat in the fridge for a week or two because I thought I hadn't had it before, but this must have been one I had sometime my first two years in grad school.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a hazed copper, and is topped by a fluffy, one-inch head that retains well. The aroma is pumpkin flesh and accompanying pumpkin pie spice. Definitely strong cinnamon and nutmeg. Smells like pumpkin pie, which is what I like in a pumpkin beer.
Sweet pumpkin starch upfront, moving into a spicy center with the sweetness of the pumpkin as an undercurrent. There's a bit of toastiness as well. The finish has more hop bitterness than most other pumpkin ales that I've had. Light-bodied, high carbonation, smooth.
Pretty spicy, so not something to have a lot of.
Labels: Pumpkin Ale, Smuttynose Brewing Company
David and I had already sobered up a bit by the time we got back from Salem. Jadyn had to do some lab work, so David and I decided to burn time at the CBC before our dinner reservations at Hungry Mother.
Since David is an enabler, he insisted that I get a sampler with all of the beers on the menu that I hadn't had. Shockingly I hadn't had two of their standard offerings. Now I've had the complete house beer lineup.
908. Regatta Golden
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale, golden yellow. Topped by a thick, fluffy, white head that clings to the side of the glass. Subtle grassy and peppery notes in the aroma, leaves a crisp impression. Clean and crisp with a nice grassy quality. The finish has a nice peppery quality and a nice hop bitterness.
909. Tall Tale Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring. There are aromas of caramel malts, a juicy apricot fruitiness, and pungent resiny hops. Bready and caramel malts upfront move into an apricot fruitiness before a dry, grassy, herbal hop bitterness in the finish. This one is very tasty. I'm surprised I haven't tried it before. Very good.
910. 21 Bones Salute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a tribute to 21 years of Red Bones BBQ in Davis Square. Pours a deep amber-copper. A thin beige head fades to a thin ring. The aroma is fairly mild, but is toasty and bready with a tinge of resiny hops. Mild bready and caramel sweetness upfront moves into a resiny hop finish with some citric character.
911. Blackout Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Blackout Stout is a very dark brown with garnet tints. A dense, brown head thins to a film leaving huge patches of lace. The aroma is a typical Irish Stout aroma: hints of dark fruit under a roasted malt aroma that's neither chocolate or coffee. Roasty backbone, with a light sweetness throughout. Notes of chocolate and coffee with a roasted bitterness in the finish.
912. Arquebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Barley Wine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with no visible head. The aroma is very malty. Sharp cherries, general fruitiness. Swirling brings out caramel malts. Upfront there are notes of caramel and raw sugar. There's a tart fruitiness in the center. The finish is lightly bitter with a warming alcoholic spice.
Since David is an enabler, he insisted that I get a sampler with all of the beers on the menu that I hadn't had. Shockingly I hadn't had two of their standard offerings. Now I've had the complete house beer lineup.
908. Regatta Golden
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Kölsch, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale, golden yellow. Topped by a thick, fluffy, white head that clings to the side of the glass. Subtle grassy and peppery notes in the aroma, leaves a crisp impression. Clean and crisp with a nice grassy quality. The finish has a nice peppery quality and a nice hop bitterness.
909. Tall Tale Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring. There are aromas of caramel malts, a juicy apricot fruitiness, and pungent resiny hops. Bready and caramel malts upfront move into an apricot fruitiness before a dry, grassy, herbal hop bitterness in the finish. This one is very tasty. I'm surprised I haven't tried it before. Very good.
910. 21 Bones Salute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
This beer is a tribute to 21 years of Red Bones BBQ in Davis Square. Pours a deep amber-copper. A thin beige head fades to a thin ring. The aroma is fairly mild, but is toasty and bready with a tinge of resiny hops. Mild bready and caramel sweetness upfront moves into a resiny hop finish with some citric character.
911. Blackout Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Blackout Stout is a very dark brown with garnet tints. A dense, brown head thins to a film leaving huge patches of lace. The aroma is a typical Irish Stout aroma: hints of dark fruit under a roasted malt aroma that's neither chocolate or coffee. Roasty backbone, with a light sweetness throughout. Notes of chocolate and coffee with a roasted bitterness in the finish.
912. Arquebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Barley Wine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with no visible head. The aroma is very malty. Sharp cherries, general fruitiness. Swirling brings out caramel malts. Upfront there are notes of caramel and raw sugar. There's a tart fruitiness in the center. The finish is lightly bitter with a warming alcoholic spice.
Labels: American Pale Ale, Cambridge Brewing Company, English Barley Wine, Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), Irish Dry Stout, Kölsch
David came up to Boston the weekend of October 18th. As usual, we had a weekend of drinking scheduled. David arrived at around 10 PM on Friday night, had a bite to eat at our place, and then we went to the oddly named pub, "Joe Sent Me", for a few beers.
David had found a small Beer/Mead/Wine fest in Salem on Saturday, called the Salem Harvest Fest. We had a particularly nauseating ferry ride to Salem, but managed to walk most of it off before having lunch at Upper Crust.
The Fest itself was small. Initially it was very crowded and a bit hard to move around, but people ended up leaving relatively early and it got much better. There was pizza from Upper Crust, and some cheese and crackers for snacking. There were beer booths from Magic Hat, Harpoon, Mercury Brewing, and Fisherman's. I managed to try all of the beers that I hadn't had yet (only 9). I was particularly impressed with what Fisherman's was offering, and I'll have to try them again.
There were also several booths serving wine and a booth serving mead. There were three very nice Danish meads , one made with ginger, one made with hibiscus, and one made with caraway. We also had a bit of wine towards the end of the fest.
We also witnessed an heroic effort to get sloshed by an overweight, middle-aged, white guy. We would stand next to a booth, get a sample and quickly sip it, all the while manufacturing his best attempt at a contemplative face. After he finished the sample he would simply hold his glass out waiting for a refill. He would repeat this until he was denied service at the booth, and would move on to the next.
Rather than taking the ferry back to Boston in our inebriated states, we opted to take the much smoother commuter rail back into Boston.
899. Roxy Rolles
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.80%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear amber-copper. Topped by a sudsy film. The aroma is resiny hops. There's a nice toasty malt backbone and a strong hop bitterness.
900. Stone Cat Octoberfest
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed copper color. The aroma is toasty with light, sweet, caramel notes. The flavors are much the same with a bit of bitterness in the finish.
901. Ipswich Harvest Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown with a sudsy, beige ring for a head. The aroma is toasty and bready with a bit of hops and caramel. Hoppy, with a lightly sweet backbone that's best described as bready.
902. Ipswich Oatmeal Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Oatmeal Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque black. The head is a brown ring. The aroma is very roast: notes of coffee, chocolate, and a boozy quality. The backbone is nice and roasty. Sweet chocolate upfront moves into a nice coffee bitterness.
903. Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.75%
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque black, with a sudsy beige head. There's pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in the aroma, over a background of roasted malts. Sweet pumpkin flesh upfront that melds well with the spices. Roastiness appears in the center along with a sharp note. The finish is lightly bitter. Very smooth. This is the first pumpkin ale that I've had that doesn't stick to the standard pale/ale, amber ale format, tasty and interesting.
904. Fisherman's Dunkelweizen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Dunkelweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy amber. The head is a sudsy ring. Strong notes of banana and clove in the aroma with undertones of malt and other nondescript fruit. Sweet banana with clove and peppery spice.
905. Stone Cat Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a reddish-brown with no head. The aroma is malty, notes of caramel, pumpkin, and a light spice. A bready character moves into sweet pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices. The finish has a light hint of roasted malts.
906. Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: Braggot
Pours a clear golden with a fluffy, white head. The aroma is initially grassy, followed by notes of honey, and a bit of grape fruitiness. Grassy upfront moving into a honey sweetness in the center, followed by a peppery finish.
907. Glacier Harvest '08 Wet Hop Beer (100 Barrel Series #24)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, light copper with a sudsy head. Light caramel maltiness in the aroma with lots of floral and resiny hops. Light sweetness upfront moves through to a neutral breadiness with a surprisingly mild hop bitterness in the finish.
David had found a small Beer/Mead/Wine fest in Salem on Saturday, called the Salem Harvest Fest. We had a particularly nauseating ferry ride to Salem, but managed to walk most of it off before having lunch at Upper Crust.
The Fest itself was small. Initially it was very crowded and a bit hard to move around, but people ended up leaving relatively early and it got much better. There was pizza from Upper Crust, and some cheese and crackers for snacking. There were beer booths from Magic Hat, Harpoon, Mercury Brewing, and Fisherman's. I managed to try all of the beers that I hadn't had yet (only 9). I was particularly impressed with what Fisherman's was offering, and I'll have to try them again.
There were also several booths serving wine and a booth serving mead. There were three very nice Danish meads , one made with ginger, one made with hibiscus, and one made with caraway. We also had a bit of wine towards the end of the fest.
We also witnessed an heroic effort to get sloshed by an overweight, middle-aged, white guy. We would stand next to a booth, get a sample and quickly sip it, all the while manufacturing his best attempt at a contemplative face. After he finished the sample he would simply hold his glass out waiting for a refill. He would repeat this until he was denied service at the booth, and would move on to the next.
Rather than taking the ferry back to Boston in our inebriated states, we opted to take the much smoother commuter rail back into Boston.
899. Roxy Rolles
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.80%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear amber-copper. Topped by a sudsy film. The aroma is resiny hops. There's a nice toasty malt backbone and a strong hop bitterness.
900. Stone Cat Octoberfest
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazed copper color. The aroma is toasty with light, sweet, caramel notes. The flavors are much the same with a bit of bitterness in the finish.
901. Ipswich Harvest Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.90%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy brown with a sudsy, beige ring for a head. The aroma is toasty and bready with a bit of hops and caramel. Hoppy, with a lightly sweet backbone that's best described as bready.
902. Ipswich Oatmeal Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Oatmeal Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque black. The head is a brown ring. The aroma is very roast: notes of coffee, chocolate, and a boozy quality. The backbone is nice and roasty. Sweet chocolate upfront moves into a nice coffee bitterness.
903. Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.75%
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque black, with a sudsy beige head. There's pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in the aroma, over a background of roasted malts. Sweet pumpkin flesh upfront that melds well with the spices. Roastiness appears in the center along with a sharp note. The finish is lightly bitter. Very smooth. This is the first pumpkin ale that I've had that doesn't stick to the standard pale/ale, amber ale format, tasty and interesting.
904. Fisherman's Dunkelweizen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Dunkelweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy amber. The head is a sudsy ring. Strong notes of banana and clove in the aroma with undertones of malt and other nondescript fruit. Sweet banana with clove and peppery spice.
905. Stone Cat Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Mercury Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Pumpkin Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a reddish-brown with no head. The aroma is malty, notes of caramel, pumpkin, and a light spice. A bready character moves into sweet pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices. The finish has a light hint of roasted malts.
906. Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: Braggot
Pours a clear golden with a fluffy, white head. The aroma is initially grassy, followed by notes of honey, and a bit of grape fruitiness. Grassy upfront moving into a honey sweetness in the center, followed by a peppery finish.
907. Glacier Harvest '08 Wet Hop Beer (100 Barrel Series #24)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, light copper with a sudsy head. Light caramel maltiness in the aroma with lots of floral and resiny hops. Light sweetness upfront moves through to a neutral breadiness with a surprisingly mild hop bitterness in the finish.
Labels: American Amber/Red Ale, Beer Fests, Märzen / Oktoberfest, Oatmeal Stout, Pumpkin Ale
