We woke up late on Saturday morning. I was in a bad state until I got delicious, delicious brunch at Kitchenette. After brunch we headed up to the Bronx to see the grave of Gouverneur Morris, author of much of the Constitution. We sat in a nearby part for half-an-hour or so, and then headed out to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for some more beer.

Our first stop in Greenpoint was Black Rabbit, a newish looking bar. Black Rabbit has a nice atmosphere. The ceiling is painted bright red, but the rest of the bar is almost monochrome with dark-brown, almost black wood paneling on the lower-half of the walls and off-white paint on the top half. The booths have doors and a button to press for service, and there's a retro television near the front of the bar. David and Win played backgammon and we had Welsh rarebit fondue and a cheese plate.

951. Captain Lawrence Brown Ale

Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide

Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0

Overall: 3.7

Captain Lawrence is another New York brewery that I don't see in Boston. I was impressed last time I went to New York. Their Brown Ale pours a clear, garnet brown and is topped by a light brown head that fades to a film leaving spots of lace. The aroma is malty: toasty, bready, and chocolate notes as well a hint of fruit.

Toasty and roasty upfront. Chocolate notes and a bit of sweetness in the center. The finish has a light, roasted bitterness. Light-to-medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. The roasted malts give a nice husky character.

A nice session beer.

952. Trader IPA

Beer Stats:
Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide

Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5

Overall: 3.3

Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a white head that fades to a film, leaving no lace. The aroma has notes of resiny hops, caramel malts and an apricot fruitiness.

Sweet, bready malts upfront move through more of the same in the center to a mildly bitter hop finish. There's also a bit of residual sweetness in the finish. Could use a good bit more bitterness. Thin feeling with moderate carbonation.

Needs a bit more hop bitterness and flavor.

953. Kelso Chocolate Lager

Beer Stats:
Brewery: Greenpoint Beerworks
Alcohol: 6.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide

Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0

Overall: 3.9

Kelso's Chocolate Lager is a clear, garnet brown in color. A thick, light brown head fades to a film. Roasty malts on the nose with a strong chocolate component.

Roasted malts and chocolate sweetness are the predominant characters in the beer. The chocolate starts off sweet, but then melds nicely into the roasted malt flavors in the finish. Medium-bodied and nicely carbonated.

The chocolate is very dominant in the beer, and could perhaps be toned down for the sake of balance, but otherwise delicious.

Labels: American Brown Ale, American IPA, Schwarzbier, Travel