Jadyn and I had dinner and beers at the CBC on October 28th. They had a new IPA that decided to give a try.
An overabundance of hops here at CBC has permitted your local brewers to go a bit hop-wild! Hops are at their best when fresh, so all their myriad flavors and aromas come through in your beer. But, our Brewmaster over-bought for the year, and now we’re forced to brew IPA after IPA. Terrible news, right? Expect to see a rotating IPA on tap almost full-time until Will has finished his penance. Bumper Crop IPA was brewed with Pilsner malts and a variety of hops including: Simcoe, Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, and new-hop-on-the-block Citra. An outstanding citrusy aroma and flavor dominate this beer, while clean malt character provides a modicum of balance through the finish. Cheers!Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Bumper Crop IPA pours a lightly hazed, bright, copper color. It's topped by an off-white head that fades to a film. The aroma is bright and hoppy with notes of resin and citrus. There's also an undercurrent of grainy malts.
Toasty malts upfront provide just enough balance to the hops without detracting from them. Resiny, grassy, and citric hops appear in the center and move into a strongly bitter finish. The beer is light and crisp on the palate with carbonation that provides a good bite.
This is a nice hoppy IPA.
Labels: American IPA
Jadyn and I had dinner at Cambridge Common on October 20th. I had a couple pints of Ithaca's awesome Flower Power IPA.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 5.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.55
Sometimes you have an IPA that reminds you how wonderful hops are, and how a lot of IPAs have hop bitterness, but sacrifice hop flavors. Ithaca's Flower Power IPA captures the essence of hops.
It pours a very nice, hazed, orange-copper color, and is topped by a thick, creamy, off-white head that fades, leaving the side of the glass coated with lace. The aroma is intensely hoppy. There are floral and citric notes, as well as a pungent, resiny bite. This really smells like sticking your nose in a bag of hops. Swirling the beer brings out the malts, which are predominantly bready and biscuity.
There's a mild malty sweetness upfront that's bready and sugary. The hops begin to assert themselves in the center, first with favors of citrus and grass, and then a strong resiny bitterness appears in the finish. The hops oils are evident on the palate, but are balanced by the crisp carbonation.
Overall I thought that this was a fantastic IPA. It really showcased both the hops bitterness and flavors.
Labels: American IPA
Win bought tickets for a Mets game in early July, so I went down to NY to go to the game and see Win, Dave, and David. I got into town Friday afternoon, and we took the subway to Park Slope, and had dinner at a German restaurant whose name escapes me. I had two new beers there with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
This beer pours a clear, straw-golden color, and is topped by a white head that fads to a ring, but is fed by streams of bubbles. The aroma is a bit richer than a lot of other Pilseners. It's grassy and has a bit more of a pronounced malt character that other examples of the style.
A mild, malty sweetness upfront moves into a dry, crisp finish with grassy hops, which leave a nice lingering bittereness. This beer is crisp, and clean with good carbonation.
I thought that this was a pretty tasty Pils.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Keegan Ales
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
This IPA pours a very lightly hazed amber. It's topped by a thick, off-white head that leaves good lace. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, slight roast, and chocolate, which is very odd for an IPA. The hops are mild and resiny with hints of citrus.
Caramel malts upfront move into a dry grassy, and citric hop finish. This beer is medium-modied with moderate carbonation.
Despite the interesting combination of aromas this was a nice, bitter IPA with good malts to back up the hops.
After dinner we went across the street to a great beer bar and small plates establishment called Beer Table, which had a phenomenal beer list, great snack plates, and a knowledgeable server.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Del Ducato
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Chimera pours a cloudy red color, and it topped by a creamy, off-white head. It looks very nice. The aroma is mild with notes of cherry, and a mild acidity, which made it seem like it might be a milder Flanders Red.
It starts off malty and moves into a light, cherry fruitiness in the center. The finish has a pulpy fruit character, notes of chocolate, and a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and dry.
This beer reminded my of a mild Flanders Red that was more balanced and less tart.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
This beer pours a hazy golden color. It's topped by a white head that quickly fades to a ring, and eventually disappears altogether. The aroma has typical esters thrown off by Belgian yeast: bananas and citrus. There's also a bit of graininess, and an odd, hard to place aroma.
Grassy malts move into a fruity, banana sweetness in the center. The finish has a grassy bitterness. This beer feels a bit watery.
The flavors here were good, but it lacked pep.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Molen
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is Double IPA from a Dutch brewery... interesting. It pours a hazy caramel color, and is topped by a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is malty with overripe banana, buttery notes, and some nuttiness. There's a strong peppery alcoholic whiff, and notes of resiny hops.
Sweet caramel and bready malts upfront move into a center that's sweetened by flavors of overripe fruit. The finish has peppery alcoholic heat, and a resiny, citric hop character, that imparts a moderate bitterness. Full-bodied and moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
Though not quite an American DIPA this was definitely an enjoyable beer.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij 't Brouwkot
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Netebuk pours a hazy golden color, and is topped by a half-inch, bright white head that fades to a film. This is a very attractive beer. The aromas are subdued, but there are notes of lemon, citrus, and grass.
Grassy notes upfront quickly give way to sweet fruity flavors of bright citrus. The finish is crisp with a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied with refreshing and vigorous carbonation.
I though this was a crisp and refreshing saison.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.15
Hof Ten Dormaal's Blond pours a cloudy golden, and is topped by a tall, white head that fades away very slowly. The aroma has a sourdough breadiness, notes of banana, and hay.
Upfront there's a clean but quite sweet maltiness that yields to a banana and citric fruitiness in the center, and moves into a yeasty finish with only hints of bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and highly carbonated.
Pretty aggressive for a saison, but quite tasty.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Montegioco
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.35
My notes started to get shorter here. This beer pours a hazed red color. The head is thin, and is made up of large, thin bubbles. The aroma is acidic with notes of sour cherries, and woody notes.
There are flavors of cherries, dark fruit, and woody notes. The sourness is there, but as an undertone. The finish has a mild bitterness. This beer is dry and crisp with low carbonation.
Despite not being as sour as I normally like I thought that this beer was a good balance between a puckering Flanders Red and a milder beer.
After leaving Beer Table we went to a bar called The Gate, where we had a couple more drinks.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.83%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
WTF pours a clear brown color, and is topped by an off-white head that is thick and fluffy. The aroma is a nice mix of citric hops and caramel and molasses malts.
This beer starts malty with a mix of roasted and caramel notes. It mellows towards the center before moving into a resiny, grassy hop bitterness. It's medum-bodied and moderately carbonated.
It's a bit strong, but makes a good sipper.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a quickly fading beige head. The aroma has notes of grapefruit hops and mild malts.
It's sweet upfront, moving into a citric hop finish. It's sort of one-note. There are citric hops, but not a lot of malt baking, which for me makes the mild.
We had this, among other beers at the Beer Garden in Queens after the game.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Královský Pivovar Krušovice
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
I thought that I'd had this one before, so I didn't take notes. I remember enjoying it, and that's about all I remember about it.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
This beer pours a clear, straw-golden color, and is topped by a white head that fads to a ring, but is fed by streams of bubbles. The aroma is a bit richer than a lot of other Pilseners. It's grassy and has a bit more of a pronounced malt character that other examples of the style.
A mild, malty sweetness upfront moves into a dry, crisp finish with grassy hops, which leave a nice lingering bittereness. This beer is crisp, and clean with good carbonation.
I thought that this was a pretty tasty Pils.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Keegan Ales
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
This IPA pours a very lightly hazed amber. It's topped by a thick, off-white head that leaves good lace. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, slight roast, and chocolate, which is very odd for an IPA. The hops are mild and resiny with hints of citrus.
Caramel malts upfront move into a dry grassy, and citric hop finish. This beer is medium-modied with moderate carbonation.
Despite the interesting combination of aromas this was a nice, bitter IPA with good malts to back up the hops.
After dinner we went across the street to a great beer bar and small plates establishment called Beer Table, which had a phenomenal beer list, great snack plates, and a knowledgeable server.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Del Ducato
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Chimera pours a cloudy red color, and it topped by a creamy, off-white head. It looks very nice. The aroma is mild with notes of cherry, and a mild acidity, which made it seem like it might be a milder Flanders Red.
It starts off malty and moves into a light, cherry fruitiness in the center. The finish has a pulpy fruit character, notes of chocolate, and a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and dry.
This beer reminded my of a mild Flanders Red that was more balanced and less tart.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
This beer pours a hazy golden color. It's topped by a white head that quickly fades to a ring, and eventually disappears altogether. The aroma has typical esters thrown off by Belgian yeast: bananas and citrus. There's also a bit of graininess, and an odd, hard to place aroma.
Grassy malts move into a fruity, banana sweetness in the center. The finish has a grassy bitterness. This beer feels a bit watery.
The flavors here were good, but it lacked pep.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Molen
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is Double IPA from a Dutch brewery... interesting. It pours a hazy caramel color, and is topped by a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is malty with overripe banana, buttery notes, and some nuttiness. There's a strong peppery alcoholic whiff, and notes of resiny hops.
Sweet caramel and bready malts upfront move into a center that's sweetened by flavors of overripe fruit. The finish has peppery alcoholic heat, and a resiny, citric hop character, that imparts a moderate bitterness. Full-bodied and moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
Though not quite an American DIPA this was definitely an enjoyable beer.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij 't Brouwkot
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Netebuk pours a hazy golden color, and is topped by a half-inch, bright white head that fades to a film. This is a very attractive beer. The aromas are subdued, but there are notes of lemon, citrus, and grass.
Grassy notes upfront quickly give way to sweet fruity flavors of bright citrus. The finish is crisp with a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied with refreshing and vigorous carbonation.
I though this was a crisp and refreshing saison.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.15
Hof Ten Dormaal's Blond pours a cloudy golden, and is topped by a tall, white head that fades away very slowly. The aroma has a sourdough breadiness, notes of banana, and hay.
Upfront there's a clean but quite sweet maltiness that yields to a banana and citric fruitiness in the center, and moves into a yeasty finish with only hints of bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and highly carbonated.
Pretty aggressive for a saison, but quite tasty.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Montegioco
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.35
My notes started to get shorter here. This beer pours a hazed red color. The head is thin, and is made up of large, thin bubbles. The aroma is acidic with notes of sour cherries, and woody notes.
There are flavors of cherries, dark fruit, and woody notes. The sourness is there, but as an undertone. The finish has a mild bitterness. This beer is dry and crisp with low carbonation.
Despite not being as sour as I normally like I thought that this beer was a good balance between a puckering Flanders Red and a milder beer.
After leaving Beer Table we went to a bar called The Gate, where we had a couple more drinks.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.83%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
WTF pours a clear brown color, and is topped by an off-white head that is thick and fluffy. The aroma is a nice mix of citric hops and caramel and molasses malts.
This beer starts malty with a mix of roasted and caramel notes. It mellows towards the center before moving into a resiny, grassy hop bitterness. It's medum-bodied and moderately carbonated.
It's a bit strong, but makes a good sipper.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a quickly fading beige head. The aroma has notes of grapefruit hops and mild malts.
It's sweet upfront, moving into a citric hop finish. It's sort of one-note. There are citric hops, but not a lot of malt baking, which for me makes the mild.
We had this, among other beers at the Beer Garden in Queens after the game.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Královský Pivovar Krušovice
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
I thought that I'd had this one before, so I didn't take notes. I remember enjoying it, and that's about all I remember about it.
Labels: American Double IPA, American IPA, American Strong Ale, Belgian Dark Ale, Belgian Pale Ale, English Pale Mild Ale, German Pilsener, Saison, Schwarzbier
1174. Black Ryder
The weekend after I got back from by trip to Colorado and Las Vegas Jadyn and I went to the CBC for drinks. They had a new beer on tap that I had to try. Black Ryder is a "rye malt, double India Black Ale".
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.15
Black Ryder pours a dark black with ruby tints, and is topped by a creamy, brown head, which fades leaving nice lace. The aroma has notes of strong resiny, herbal hops, noted of dark fruit, and a slight spice. The fruity notes really make the aroma.
Toasty malts upfront move into a caramel sweetness, and grape-like fruitiness in the center where spicy rye malts appear. This sweetness is balanced by a strong, resiny hop bitterness in the finish. This beer is medium-bodied with prickly carbonation.
The hops, and roasty malts make this a pretty bitter beer, but the other flavors make this a far more interesting beer than just another DIPA.
The weekend after I got back from by trip to Colorado and Las Vegas Jadyn and I went to the CBC for drinks. They had a new beer on tap that I had to try. Black Ryder is a "rye malt, double India Black Ale".
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.15
Black Ryder pours a dark black with ruby tints, and is topped by a creamy, brown head, which fades leaving nice lace. The aroma has notes of strong resiny, herbal hops, noted of dark fruit, and a slight spice. The fruity notes really make the aroma.
Toasty malts upfront move into a caramel sweetness, and grape-like fruitiness in the center where spicy rye malts appear. This sweetness is balanced by a strong, resiny hop bitterness in the finish. This beer is medium-bodied with prickly carbonation.
The hops, and roasty malts make this a pretty bitter beer, but the other flavors make this a far more interesting beer than just another DIPA.
Labels: American IPA
1167. Back Bay IPA
Jeremy, Matt, and I went to Colorado and Las Vegas in early April. We had beers and some nachos at the Beer Works in Logan Airport while we were waiting for our flight.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Beer Works
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
This IPA pours a hazed copper, and is topped by a white head that fades to film leaving good lace. The aroma has notes of raw sugar, and toasty malts. There's also a good amount of herbal, resiny hops.
Sweet, toasty, and bready malts upfront move into a citric center with notes of raw sugar and then into an herbal, piney, hop bitterness. This beer is smooth and medium-bodied with moderate carbonation
I though this beer was pretty well balanced, and overall was a decent IPA.
Jeremy, Matt, and I went to Colorado and Las Vegas in early April. We had beers and some nachos at the Beer Works in Logan Airport while we were waiting for our flight.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Beer Works
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
This IPA pours a hazed copper, and is topped by a white head that fades to film leaving good lace. The aroma has notes of raw sugar, and toasty malts. There's also a good amount of herbal, resiny hops.
Sweet, toasty, and bready malts upfront move into a citric center with notes of raw sugar and then into an herbal, piney, hop bitterness. This beer is smooth and medium-bodied with moderate carbonation
I though this beer was pretty well balanced, and overall was a decent IPA.
Labels: American IPA
I flew to Texas in late March, and Win and I visited Ward in Houston on the weekend of the 26th. I had several new beers while there
1157. Phoenixx Double ESB
After we arrived at Ward's we went to Anvil, a bar that focuses on cocktails, but with a respectable beer list. I started off with a cask beer, but then switched to cocktails.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Cask
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
This ESB pours a lightly hazed, copper-amber color, and is topped by a thick, creamy, beige head. The aroma is citric and malty, which gives an impression of orange cream. There are caramel and bready notes, grassy hops, and an almost cinnamon-like spice.
Mildly sweet, bready and toasty malts upfront move into a lightly-citric center. The finish has a rough, hoppy bitterness and a slight spiciness. This beer is smooth and creamy upfront, but moves into a rough, coarse finish.
I thought that this was an amazingly balanced beer.
1158. Hop Czar
I split a bottle of this beer with Ward at his apartment after we got back on Friday night.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: BridgePort Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Hop Czar pours a clear copper color, and is topped by a wispy, white head. The aroma is disappointingly mild for a Double IPA. It's toasty with mild, citric, and resiny hop notes.
Toasty malts upfront move into citric and resiny hop flavors and bitterness in the finish. Medium-bodied, and moderately-carbonated.
This beer is decently hoppy, but it pretty mild for a DIPA.
1159. Modus Hoperandi
Ward had a birthday party for a friend at his apartment on Saturday. I'd picked up a six-pack of Modus Hoperandi at Spec's earlier in the day, and had this while I was grilling.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ska Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Can., 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes on this beer, but it was a pleasing, straightforward IPA. I'd definitely try it again.
1160. Shiner Kosmos Reserve
I had a few ounces of Ward's bottle of this beer later in the evening on Saturday.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Kosmos Reserve pours a clear copper color, and is topped by a thin, white head. The aroma is pils-like: mildly sweet malts, grainy, and grassy hops.
Sweet bready and grainy malts upfront move through to a subtle, earthy hop flavor in the finish with a mild bitterness. It's crisp and medium-bodied.
I thought this beer was pretty good, but as with most lagers, I thought it could use a touch more hops.
1161. Transatlantique Kriek
At Spec's they had several of New Belgium's Lips of Faith series so I bought a bottle of each. We split this bottle at the end of the Party on Saturday night.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.30%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.75
Transatlantique Kriek pours a clear, ruby-red color with copper tints. It's topped by a thick, pink head that fades to a fluffy, sudsy film, leaving patchy lace. The aroma is mild with notes of cherries, buttery diacetyl, and mild funkiness.
Sweet cherry flavors greet the palate, but are quickly tempered by an acidic sourness that's strong enough to cut the sweetness, but isn't mouth puckering. The finish has a mildly earthy, funkiness. This beer is medium-to-light-bodied, has low carbonation, and a dry finish.
A decent sour. It's blended, so the sourness is attenuated, but it could be stronger.
1162. Le Fleur Misseur
This was purchased at Spec's. We split this beer on Sunday afternoon.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0| Drinkability: 5.0
Overall: 4.3
Le Fleur Misseur pours a cloudy, straw-golden color, and is topped by a very nice, bright white head that fades to a sudsy film. The aroma is mildly malty with notes of grainy and sweet malts. There's a fruity citrus kick that mingles with banana notes. To top it off there's a mild note of Brettanomyces. Overall this smells like an inviting beer.
A neytral graininess upfront gives way to fruity notes of banana and citrus in the center. The finish is dry, mildly bitter, and Brett-tinged. This beer is light-bodied, dry and has a good dose of carbonation.
I thought that this was an excellent beer. The wild yeasts really add to the style.
1157. Phoenixx Double ESB
After we arrived at Ward's we went to Anvil, a bar that focuses on cocktails, but with a respectable beer list. I started off with a cask beer, but then switched to cocktails.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.20%
Serving: Cask
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
This ESB pours a lightly hazed, copper-amber color, and is topped by a thick, creamy, beige head. The aroma is citric and malty, which gives an impression of orange cream. There are caramel and bready notes, grassy hops, and an almost cinnamon-like spice.
Mildly sweet, bready and toasty malts upfront move into a lightly-citric center. The finish has a rough, hoppy bitterness and a slight spiciness. This beer is smooth and creamy upfront, but moves into a rough, coarse finish.
I thought that this was an amazingly balanced beer.
1158. Hop Czar
I split a bottle of this beer with Ward at his apartment after we got back on Friday night.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: BridgePort Brewing Company
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Hop Czar pours a clear copper color, and is topped by a wispy, white head. The aroma is disappointingly mild for a Double IPA. It's toasty with mild, citric, and resiny hop notes.
Toasty malts upfront move into citric and resiny hop flavors and bitterness in the finish. Medium-bodied, and moderately-carbonated.
This beer is decently hoppy, but it pretty mild for a DIPA.
1159. Modus Hoperandi
Ward had a birthday party for a friend at his apartment on Saturday. I'd picked up a six-pack of Modus Hoperandi at Spec's earlier in the day, and had this while I was grilling.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ska Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Can., 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes on this beer, but it was a pleasing, straightforward IPA. I'd definitely try it again.
1160. Shiner Kosmos Reserve
I had a few ounces of Ward's bottle of this beer later in the evening on Saturday.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Kosmos Reserve pours a clear copper color, and is topped by a thin, white head. The aroma is pils-like: mildly sweet malts, grainy, and grassy hops.
Sweet bready and grainy malts upfront move through to a subtle, earthy hop flavor in the finish with a mild bitterness. It's crisp and medium-bodied.
I thought this beer was pretty good, but as with most lagers, I thought it could use a touch more hops.
1161. Transatlantique Kriek
At Spec's they had several of New Belgium's Lips of Faith series so I bought a bottle of each. We split this bottle at the end of the Party on Saturday night.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.30%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.75
Transatlantique Kriek pours a clear, ruby-red color with copper tints. It's topped by a thick, pink head that fades to a fluffy, sudsy film, leaving patchy lace. The aroma is mild with notes of cherries, buttery diacetyl, and mild funkiness.
Sweet cherry flavors greet the palate, but are quickly tempered by an acidic sourness that's strong enough to cut the sweetness, but isn't mouth puckering. The finish has a mildly earthy, funkiness. This beer is medium-to-light-bodied, has low carbonation, and a dry finish.
A decent sour. It's blended, so the sourness is attenuated, but it could be stronger.
1162. Le Fleur Misseur
This was purchased at Spec's. We split this beer on Sunday afternoon.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0| Drinkability: 5.0
Overall: 4.3
Le Fleur Misseur pours a cloudy, straw-golden color, and is topped by a very nice, bright white head that fades to a sudsy film. The aroma is mildly malty with notes of grainy and sweet malts. There's a fruity citrus kick that mingles with banana notes. To top it off there's a mild note of Brettanomyces. Overall this smells like an inviting beer.
A neytral graininess upfront gives way to fruity notes of banana and citrus in the center. The finish is dry, mildly bitter, and Brett-tinged. This beer is light-bodied, dry and has a good dose of carbonation.
I thought that this was an excellent beer. The wild yeasts really add to the style.
Labels: American Double IPA, American IPA, American Pale Lager, Belgian Pale Ale, ESB, Fruit Lambic
1095. Frye's Leap India Pale Ale
This is one of the bottle that David brought down from New Hampshire when he visited in October. I let this warm a bit and served it in my CBC Great Pumpkin Festival glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 2.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Frye's Leap pours a hazy, copper color. It's topped by a meringue-like, off-white, two-finger head that retains well, leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is predominantly hoppy with floral notes, and mild hints of resin. There's also a mild undertone of toasty malts.
The initial toastiness gives way to a mild, bready sweetness with mild hints of caramel. This mild maltiness persists through the center. A prickly spiciness precedes the finish, which has herbal and resiny hop flavors, and a strong hop bitterness that lingers well into the aftertaste. I thought the malt backing was a bit weak, and could be increased just a bit. Despite a good dose of carbonation, I thought this beer felt a bit watery on the palate.
Overall I thought this was an average IPA. There were things to like (strong dose of hops), and things to dislike (weak malts, and thinness).
This is one of the bottle that David brought down from New Hampshire when he visited in October. I let this warm a bit and served it in my CBC Great Pumpkin Festival glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 2.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Frye's Leap pours a hazy, copper color. It's topped by a meringue-like, off-white, two-finger head that retains well, leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is predominantly hoppy with floral notes, and mild hints of resin. There's also a mild undertone of toasty malts.
The initial toastiness gives way to a mild, bready sweetness with mild hints of caramel. This mild maltiness persists through the center. A prickly spiciness precedes the finish, which has herbal and resiny hop flavors, and a strong hop bitterness that lingers well into the aftertaste. I thought the malt backing was a bit weak, and could be increased just a bit. Despite a good dose of carbonation, I thought this beer felt a bit watery on the palate.
Overall I thought this was an average IPA. There were things to like (strong dose of hops), and things to dislike (weak malts, and thinness).
Labels: American IPA
1080. Simply Red IPA
I had this beer on tap at the CBC on September 23rd. Unfortunately I have very little info about it. The only description on the website says it was dry-hopped with amarillo hops. I do remember that this beer was brewed for the 40th birthday of a CBC regular. I apologize for the horrible quality of the photo.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Simply Red pours a very cloudy, amber-copper color. It's topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring, and leaves a good smattering of lace. The aroma is bursting with hops. Resiny, and earthy hops blend with grainy and caramel malts to create a sweet, yet hoppy aroma. There are grassy and citric notes on the tale end of the nose.
Toasty malts move into a bready sweetness that's mildly sweet, and serves as the backbone. Peppery, herbal, and floral hop flavors come into play, before the finish which is moderately bitter. This IPA is moderately carbonated, medium-bodied, and slightly oily.
I though this beer had good balance, and nice flavors.
I had this beer on tap at the CBC on September 23rd. Unfortunately I have very little info about it. The only description on the website says it was dry-hopped with amarillo hops. I do remember that this beer was brewed for the 40th birthday of a CBC regular. I apologize for the horrible quality of the photo.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Simply Red pours a very cloudy, amber-copper color. It's topped by a thin, white head that fades to a ring, and leaves a good smattering of lace. The aroma is bursting with hops. Resiny, and earthy hops blend with grainy and caramel malts to create a sweet, yet hoppy aroma. There are grassy and citric notes on the tale end of the nose.
Toasty malts move into a bready sweetness that's mildly sweet, and serves as the backbone. Peppery, herbal, and floral hop flavors come into play, before the finish which is moderately bitter. This IPA is moderately carbonated, medium-bodied, and slightly oily.
I though this beer had good balance, and nice flavors.
Labels: American IPA
1079. Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale
I'm not sure where I got this bottle, but I had this beer on September 13th. I served it in my CBC pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5| Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
This beer pours a slightly hazed, copper color. It's topped by a two-finger, cream colored head that rises quickly, and quickly fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving sheets and patches of lace. The aroma is malty with toasty and bready notes, along with a caramel sweetness on swirling. The hop aroma is more subtle. There are mild grassy notes, and a bit of peppery spice.
The malty backbone of this beer is the first character to greet the palate. There are toasty notes with an underlying, bready sweetness, which moves into a sweeter caramel character. A peppery bite becomes evident in the center, and moves into a resiny hop flavor with a lingering bitterness. The sweet, malty backbone underlies the finish. This IPA is medium-bodied, has mildly prickly carbonation, and has a bit of roughness in the finish.
I thought this was a balanced IPA. There's a good deal of malty sweetness to off-set a strong bitterness in the finish. A good, but not great IPA.
I'm not sure where I got this bottle, but I had this beer on September 13th. I served it in my CBC pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5| Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
This beer pours a slightly hazed, copper color. It's topped by a two-finger, cream colored head that rises quickly, and quickly fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving sheets and patches of lace. The aroma is malty with toasty and bready notes, along with a caramel sweetness on swirling. The hop aroma is more subtle. There are mild grassy notes, and a bit of peppery spice.
The malty backbone of this beer is the first character to greet the palate. There are toasty notes with an underlying, bready sweetness, which moves into a sweeter caramel character. A peppery bite becomes evident in the center, and moves into a resiny hop flavor with a lingering bitterness. The sweet, malty backbone underlies the finish. This IPA is medium-bodied, has mildly prickly carbonation, and has a bit of roughness in the finish.
I thought this was a balanced IPA. There's a good deal of malty sweetness to off-set a strong bitterness in the finish. A good, but not great IPA.
Labels: American IPA
1013. Leatherlips IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
This IPA pours a slightly hazed, copper color, and is topped by a off-white, sudsy head that fades to a persistent film leaving patches of lace. Upon pouring, the aroma is dominated by strong resiny and citric hop aromas. Letting the beer air out for a bit allows malts to come to the fore. There are notes of caramel and apricot, with the hops adding a bright, citric aroma.
Malty and moderately sweet upfront, and into the center: notes of caramel and apricots. The sweetness is short lived, however, with a strong hop bitterness appearing in the center and lasting through the finish. There are nice citric hop flavors as well as a light resiny kick. The beer is moderately carbonated, medium-bodied and slightly oily.
This is a nice hop-forward IPA that manages to have a decent amount of maltiness that doesn't steal focus from he hops.
For American Craft Beer Week I'm trying new beers brewed by local (Massachusetts) craft brewers, especially those that I tend to overlook when picking out a six-pack of beer to have in the fridge. I've seen Leatherlips around various liquor stores in the area, but for some reason I've never picked any up. Last night I picked up a six-pack at Downtown Wine & Spirits, and had a bottle with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
This IPA pours a slightly hazed, copper color, and is topped by a off-white, sudsy head that fades to a persistent film leaving patches of lace. Upon pouring, the aroma is dominated by strong resiny and citric hop aromas. Letting the beer air out for a bit allows malts to come to the fore. There are notes of caramel and apricot, with the hops adding a bright, citric aroma.
Malty and moderately sweet upfront, and into the center: notes of caramel and apricots. The sweetness is short lived, however, with a strong hop bitterness appearing in the center and lasting through the finish. There are nice citric hop flavors as well as a light resiny kick. The beer is moderately carbonated, medium-bodied and slightly oily.
This is a nice hop-forward IPA that manages to have a decent amount of maltiness that doesn't steal focus from he hops.
Labels: American IPA
1001. Indie Pale Ale
I flew to Texas over Easter weekend this year. David was also flying in, which gave Ward, Win, David and me a chance to hang out, something all four of us haven't been able to do since David's wedding in August 2007. My flight was scheduled to leave Logan at noon, but was delayed by an hour. I used the extra time to have a beer at the Cisco Brew Pub in Terminal B.
Terminal B's food options have improved dramatically since I first moved to Boston, when the only options after security were a Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and a Burger King / Pizza Hut. Now there's an expanded food court, at least one nicer restaurant, and the Cisco Brew Pub, which I'm pretty sure is in the spot formerly occupied by the Burger King.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a sudsy, off-white head that's fed by large bubbles. The head thins to a film leaving nice lace. The aroma is mildly toasty, but any maltiness is overshadowed by a huge hop aroma: grapefruit, apricot and a bit of resin.
Toasty and bready malts are evident upfront, but are well attenuated with only a mild sweetness that mellows towards the center, and is overtaken by hop flavors: apricot, citus and resin, The finish is a nice lingering hop-bitterness. Medium-bodied, a tad oily with restrained carbonation.
A damn tasty IPA. This is only the second beer from Cisco that I've had, which is surprising given how frequently I've seen their beers. I'll definitely have to pick up some of their other beers.
I flew to Texas over Easter weekend this year. David was also flying in, which gave Ward, Win, David and me a chance to hang out, something all four of us haven't been able to do since David's wedding in August 2007. My flight was scheduled to leave Logan at noon, but was delayed by an hour. I used the extra time to have a beer at the Cisco Brew Pub in Terminal B.
Terminal B's food options have improved dramatically since I first moved to Boston, when the only options after security were a Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and a Burger King / Pizza Hut. Now there's an expanded food court, at least one nicer restaurant, and the Cisco Brew Pub, which I'm pretty sure is in the spot formerly occupied by the Burger King.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a sudsy, off-white head that's fed by large bubbles. The head thins to a film leaving nice lace. The aroma is mildly toasty, but any maltiness is overshadowed by a huge hop aroma: grapefruit, apricot and a bit of resin.
Toasty and bready malts are evident upfront, but are well attenuated with only a mild sweetness that mellows towards the center, and is overtaken by hop flavors: apricot, citus and resin, The finish is a nice lingering hop-bitterness. Medium-bodied, a tad oily with restrained carbonation.
A damn tasty IPA. This is only the second beer from Cisco that I've had, which is surprising given how frequently I've seen their beers. I'll definitely have to pick up some of their other beers.
Labels: American IPA
998. Magic Hat Hi.P.A.
Jadyn and I stopped for beers at Christopher's on Friday (April 3rd) after work. I had Magic Hat Hi.P.A. and Jadyn had Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a clear copper in color, and is topped by a creamy, off-white head, which retains well and leaves a solid sheet of lace down the entire glass. The aroma is hoppy with floral, citric and resiny notes. Letting the beer sit undisturbed yields occasional notes of orange blossoms, and a bit of a caramel aroma come out on warming.
Sweet and bready upfront with a bit of toastiness appearing towards the center. The finish has a good dose of resiny hops with citric hints and a good amount of lingering bitterness. Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated.
A pretty easy drinking IPA, nicely balanced with a good hop focus.
Jadyn and I stopped for beers at Christopher's on Friday (April 3rd) after work. I had Magic Hat Hi.P.A. and Jadyn had Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.7
Pours a clear copper in color, and is topped by a creamy, off-white head, which retains well and leaves a solid sheet of lace down the entire glass. The aroma is hoppy with floral, citric and resiny notes. Letting the beer sit undisturbed yields occasional notes of orange blossoms, and a bit of a caramel aroma come out on warming.
Sweet and bready upfront with a bit of toastiness appearing towards the center. The finish has a good dose of resiny hops with citric hints and a good amount of lingering bitterness. Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated.
A pretty easy drinking IPA, nicely balanced with a good hop focus.
Labels: American IPA
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
After leaving Jimmy's No. 43 we headed to Against the Grain, another beer bar in New York that I hadn't been to. The bar is small, it's narrow and not very deep. There are two rows of seating on either side of the bar with a narrow table in the center. There's a pressed tin ceiling and dark brick walls. The bartender was friendly, knowledgeable, and described the beers to us as he was pouring. These reviews are also based on split beers.
Wexford's, Bell's and the Cuvee.
942. Two Hearted Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 5.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.55
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a fluffy, meringue-like, white head with good retention. The aroma is hop-focused: delicious orange-blossom citrus and resiny hops. There's also a bit of a raw sugar undercurrent.
There's a toasty malt backbone with a light, raw sweetness. There's a nice citric hop flavor with a light herbal, resiny kick. Well balanced, there's a focus on the hop flavors rather than the hop bitterness. Light-bodied with a nice kick from the carbonation.
Well balanced. All of the hop flavor is there with just enough of the bitterness.
943. Cuvée Du 8ème
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Pours a very nice, hazed, reddish amber. The head thins to a wispy film. The aroma is sharp with acidic cherry notes. Wonderfully tart smelling.
Much milder on the palate than suggested by the aroma. On the sweet side of sour, but only mildy so. There's a nice tart fruitiness. The finish has a hint of cocoa. Mild overall, but tasty. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.
Nice for a milder sour ale.
944. Wexford Irish Cream Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Greene King / Morland Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Can
Style: Cream Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.4
Pours a slightly hazed copper color. The thick, fluffy head retains as a half-inch layer leaving sheets of lace. Malty aroma caramel, toffee and golden raisins.
There's a sweet, malty backbone: caramel and toffee with a mild bitterness in the finish. There are some decent flavors, but it comes off a bit bland overall. Smooth and creamy with moderate carbonation and a sticky, sugary finish.
Flavorful in certain aspects, but a but bland overall.
Wexford's, Bell's and the Cuvee.
942. Two Hearted Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Alcohol: 7.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 5.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.55
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a fluffy, meringue-like, white head with good retention. The aroma is hop-focused: delicious orange-blossom citrus and resiny hops. There's also a bit of a raw sugar undercurrent.
There's a toasty malt backbone with a light, raw sweetness. There's a nice citric hop flavor with a light herbal, resiny kick. Well balanced, there's a focus on the hop flavors rather than the hop bitterness. Light-bodied with a nice kick from the carbonation.
Well balanced. All of the hop flavor is there with just enough of the bitterness.
943. Cuvée Du 8ème
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes
Alcohol: 7.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Pours a very nice, hazed, reddish amber. The head thins to a wispy film. The aroma is sharp with acidic cherry notes. Wonderfully tart smelling.
Much milder on the palate than suggested by the aroma. On the sweet side of sour, but only mildy so. There's a nice tart fruitiness. The finish has a hint of cocoa. Mild overall, but tasty. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.
Nice for a milder sour ale.
944. Wexford Irish Cream Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Greene King / Morland Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Can
Style: Cream Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.4
Pours a slightly hazed copper color. The thick, fluffy head retains as a half-inch layer leaving sheets of lace. Malty aroma caramel, toffee and golden raisins.
There's a sweet, malty backbone: caramel and toffee with a mild bitterness in the finish. There are some decent flavors, but it comes off a bit bland overall. Smooth and creamy with moderate carbonation and a sticky, sugary finish.
Flavorful in certain aspects, but a but bland overall.
Labels: American IPA, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Cream Ale, Travel
Win flew to New York on the Friday of President's day weekend. I rode the Fung Wah bus down Friday afternoon and met up with him and David in the East Village. Our first stop was Jimmy's No. 43, which David characterized as a "gastropub", for dinner.
Jimmy's No. 43 is a basement level bar with low lighting and low, arched, brick ceilings. The walls were adorned with various antlers and barrels. The food was tasty. I had a nice duck cassoulet, David had pulled pork with Brussels sprouts, and Win had a sampler plate with Kielbasa, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, rare beef, and cornichons. The beer selection was moderate in size, but consistently high quality. David and I had two rounds each, but switched half-way through, because of his stubborn desire to push my beer count higher. That's the general theme with drinking with David, pushing my beer count higher.
Mason's Black and Otis.
938. Mason's Black Wheat
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Dark Wheat Ale
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
You don't see Sixpoint frequently enough in Boston, but it's - not surprisingly - everywhere in New York. I started with Sixpoint's Mason's Black Wheat, which in many ways seemed similar to a Schwarzbier.
Pours a dark, clear black with garnet hints at the edges. The brown head thins to a film. The roasted malt aromas are very reminiscent of a Schwarzbier. There are also notes of chocolate, ripe fruit and raisins.
Roasted malts are dominant upfront, moving into a chocolate-tinged fruitiness in the center, before the roast backbone reemerges in the finish with an accompanying bitterness. Highly carbonated, light-bodied, crisp.
Flavorful and easy-drinking. Roasty with a sweet center.
939. Otis
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.10%
Serving: Nitro-Tap
Style: Oatmeal Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.05
Pours a cloudy brown. Topped by a thick, brown head that fades to a persistent quarter-inch layer, and leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is strong and sharp initially, an unexpected nosefull of resiny hops. Underneath a roasty, chocolate character appears.
Roasty upfront. Fruity in the center: chocolate, dates, and other dark fruit. The coffee notes in the finish build to a strong hop bitterness. Thick with the nitro-tap smoothness, which honestly, I'm not a fan of. I think it makes beers feel thin no matter how full-bodied they may be.
A good oatmeal stout with an unexpected dose of hops.
940. The Immortal IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Elysian Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Pours a clear copper. Topped by a fluffy, creamy, beige head that leaves clinging sheets of lace. The aroma is fairly light overall. Notes of citric hop, and some resin, but hard to place.
Bready and toasty malts set the stage for a wave of strong hop-bitterness that's dominated by resiny and citric hops. Oily and medium bodied on the palate with high carbonation.
Hop-focused with good hop flavors.
941. Chelsea Hop Angel IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours a dark, clear copper. Topped by an off-white head that fades, but leaves patchy lace. The hop aroma is subdued with only a light resiny character evident. Malty aromas of caramel and apricot make up for the light hops.
Sweet upfront, with raw sugar, citrus and fruity hints. The finish is mosty hop bitterness with only a bit of resiny hop flavor. Smooth, low carbonation cask feel.
Smooth but a bit more hop flavor would have nicely complemented the hop bitterness.
Jimmy's No. 43 is a basement level bar with low lighting and low, arched, brick ceilings. The walls were adorned with various antlers and barrels. The food was tasty. I had a nice duck cassoulet, David had pulled pork with Brussels sprouts, and Win had a sampler plate with Kielbasa, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, rare beef, and cornichons. The beer selection was moderate in size, but consistently high quality. David and I had two rounds each, but switched half-way through, because of his stubborn desire to push my beer count higher. That's the general theme with drinking with David, pushing my beer count higher.
Mason's Black and Otis.
938. Mason's Black Wheat
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Dark Wheat Ale
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
You don't see Sixpoint frequently enough in Boston, but it's - not surprisingly - everywhere in New York. I started with Sixpoint's Mason's Black Wheat, which in many ways seemed similar to a Schwarzbier.
Pours a dark, clear black with garnet hints at the edges. The brown head thins to a film. The roasted malt aromas are very reminiscent of a Schwarzbier. There are also notes of chocolate, ripe fruit and raisins.
Roasted malts are dominant upfront, moving into a chocolate-tinged fruitiness in the center, before the roast backbone reemerges in the finish with an accompanying bitterness. Highly carbonated, light-bodied, crisp.
Flavorful and easy-drinking. Roasty with a sweet center.
939. Otis
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.10%
Serving: Nitro-Tap
Style: Oatmeal Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.05
Pours a cloudy brown. Topped by a thick, brown head that fades to a persistent quarter-inch layer, and leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is strong and sharp initially, an unexpected nosefull of resiny hops. Underneath a roasty, chocolate character appears.
Roasty upfront. Fruity in the center: chocolate, dates, and other dark fruit. The coffee notes in the finish build to a strong hop bitterness. Thick with the nitro-tap smoothness, which honestly, I'm not a fan of. I think it makes beers feel thin no matter how full-bodied they may be.
A good oatmeal stout with an unexpected dose of hops.
940. The Immortal IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Elysian Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Pours a clear copper. Topped by a fluffy, creamy, beige head that leaves clinging sheets of lace. The aroma is fairly light overall. Notes of citric hop, and some resin, but hard to place.
Bready and toasty malts set the stage for a wave of strong hop-bitterness that's dominated by resiny and citric hops. Oily and medium bodied on the palate with high carbonation.
Hop-focused with good hop flavors.
941. Chelsea Hop Angel IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Chelsea Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.65
Pours a dark, clear copper. Topped by an off-white head that fades, but leaves patchy lace. The hop aroma is subdued with only a light resiny character evident. Malty aromas of caramel and apricot make up for the light hops.
Sweet upfront, with raw sugar, citrus and fruity hints. The finish is mosty hop bitterness with only a bit of resiny hop flavor. Smooth, low carbonation cask feel.
Smooth but a bit more hop flavor would have nicely complemented the hop bitterness.
Labels: American Dark Wheat Ale, American IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Travel
936. Fisherman's IPA
Jadyn and I had dinner at The Miracle of Science in late January. I've been meaning to give some of Cape Ann's other beers a try since the beer fest last fall. They had Fisherman's IPA on tap so I gave it a try.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a shiny off-white film. There are hints of sweet, caramel malts in the aroma with an herbal, resiny hop character. The combination of the two evokes a fruity aroma.
There's a toasty malt backbone throughout the beer with a light sweetness. The finish is herbal and citrusy with a nice bitterness. Medium-bodied, lightly oily and highly carbonated.
I though this was a nice balance, the hops were definitely the dominant character.
Jadyn and I had dinner at The Miracle of Science in late January. I've been meaning to give some of Cape Ann's other beers a try since the beer fest last fall. They had Fisherman's IPA on tap so I gave it a try.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a shiny off-white film. There are hints of sweet, caramel malts in the aroma with an herbal, resiny hop character. The combination of the two evokes a fruity aroma.
There's a toasty malt backbone throughout the beer with a light sweetness. The finish is herbal and citrusy with a nice bitterness. Medium-bodied, lightly oily and highly carbonated.
I though this was a nice balance, the hops were definitely the dominant character.
Labels: American IPA, Cape Ann Brewing Company
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
Jadyn and I went to Waco in early May. We went to the dancing bear with Win one evening. Unfortunately they're still being dicked around by the ATF so they haven't been able to start brewing yet.
830. Real Heavy
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a lightly hazy amber-brown with a filmy beige head. Malty, caramel, raisins and bit of spice in the aroma. Fruity and malty sweetness upfront and through a thick feeling center. The finish is a lingering fruitiness and a mild, but lingering bitterness. Lightly carbonated.
831. Warrior IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a hazy copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head that leaves rings of lace as the glass is drained. The aroma is hoppy, citric and leafy with a bit of sugar and caramel below.
Bready and toasty maltiness upfront. A light caramel sweetness appears before being quickly overtaken by citrusy hops and a leafy bitterness. Medium to light-bodied, highly carbonated.
Not overly hoppy, well balanced. Not sessionable, but very tasty and definitely worth revisiting.
830. Real Heavy
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a lightly hazy amber-brown with a filmy beige head. Malty, caramel, raisins and bit of spice in the aroma. Fruity and malty sweetness upfront and through a thick feeling center. The finish is a lingering fruitiness and a mild, but lingering bitterness. Lightly carbonated.
831. Warrior IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a hazy copper. Topped by a sudsy, off-white head that leaves rings of lace as the glass is drained. The aroma is hoppy, citric and leafy with a bit of sugar and caramel below.
Bready and toasty maltiness upfront. A light caramel sweetness appears before being quickly overtaken by citrusy hops and a leafy bitterness. Medium to light-bodied, highly carbonated.
Not overly hoppy, well balanced. Not sessionable, but very tasty and definitely worth revisiting.
Labels: American IPA, American Strong Ale, Left Hand Brewing Company, Real Ale Brewing Company
805. Spring Training IPA
I had this beer awhile ago at the CBC, unfortunately I don't remember when, probably late February or early March. I've started carrying around my digital camera with me so in the future I should have shots of beers at restaurants and such.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.65
Pours a particularly lovely, golden, straw color. The bright, white head thins to a thin, lasting layer over the surface of the beer. The aroma is, for lack of a better word, fresh. The hop aromas are nice mix of citrus, grassy and floral. There's also a light maltiness evident under the bright hop aromas.
The malt backbone of this beer is toasty and lightly sweet with a bit of fruitiness. The hop finish is grassy and strong. Medium-bodied, high-carbonation and a tad oily across the palate.
I thought this was a nice, hop-focused IPA that creatively used different hop varieties to evoke the spring. It gets high marks for the impeccable execution of the brewers intent (unfortunately I can't find the description on the CBC website).
I had this beer awhile ago at the CBC, unfortunately I don't remember when, probably late February or early March. I've started carrying around my digital camera with me so in the future I should have shots of beers at restaurants and such.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.65
Pours a particularly lovely, golden, straw color. The bright, white head thins to a thin, lasting layer over the surface of the beer. The aroma is, for lack of a better word, fresh. The hop aromas are nice mix of citrus, grassy and floral. There's also a light maltiness evident under the bright hop aromas.
The malt backbone of this beer is toasty and lightly sweet with a bit of fruitiness. The hop finish is grassy and strong. Medium-bodied, high-carbonation and a tad oily across the palate.
I thought this was a nice, hop-focused IPA that creatively used different hop varieties to evoke the spring. It gets high marks for the impeccable execution of the brewers intent (unfortunately I can't find the description on the CBC website).
Labels: American IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
297. Late Harvest IPA
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 10th of December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a frothy, white head that thins to a patchy film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Resiny, citric hops, and a biscuity malt aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty and sweet malts that move into a resiny bitterness that lingers into the finish with a bright citric character.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, mellow, with an oiliness in the finish,
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, has a nice assertive bitterness. This went well with the spiciness of the chili we had.
Overall (4.1)
I had this on tap at the CBC on the 10th of December.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a lightly hazed golden. Topped by a frothy, white head that thins to a patchy film leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Resiny, citric hops, and a biscuity malt aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty and sweet malts that move into a resiny bitterness that lingers into the finish with a bright citric character.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation, mellow, with an oiliness in the finish,
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, has a nice assertive bitterness. This went well with the spiciness of the chili we had.
Overall (4.1)
Labels: American IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
