1234. Common Man Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Common Man Ale is an American Pale Ale brewed by Smuttynose for the Common Man restaurants in New Hampshire. It pours a hazed copper color, and has notes of caramel, and herbal and citric hops.
There are toasty malts with a mild sweetness upfront, and a nice strong citric and leafy hop bitterness in the finish. High carbonation gives this beer an effervescent feeling. Overall it's a nice hoppy APA.
Labels: American Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Smuttynose Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer was part of a Smuttynose mixed twelve-pack that we picked up during our lab camping trip. It was a nice, hoppy APA.
Labels: American Pale Ale
Back in June Jadyn and I went car camping and hiking in New Hampshire. We stopped at the store in Lincoln, NH and picked up a six-pack of Pemi Pale Ale to drink at the campsite.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Woodstock Inn Brewery
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Since we didn't have glassware at the campsite I drank this one from the bottle. It was a pretty solid APA, with a nice bready malt backbone, and a good dose of resiny hops.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Woodstock Inn Brewery
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Since we didn't have glassware at the campsite I drank this one from the bottle. It was a pretty solid APA, with a nice bready malt backbone, and a good dose of resiny hops.
Labels: American Pale Ale
1171-1173. Three From Dillon Dam Brewery
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM.
Matt Jeremy and I skiied at Keystone on Thursday, at Vail on Friday, and at Copper on Saturday. We spent most of our time at Vail and Copper skiing trees and bumps, and by the end of the day at Copper Jeremy and I had gotten the hang of bumps, and were skiing them pretty well. It's going to be hard to go back to skiing in the Northeast. After our day at Copper we went to Dillon Dam Brewery for our après-ski.
1771. Extra Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Extra Pale Ale pours a clear copper, and is topped by a sudsy, beige head that fades to film, leaving good lace. The aroma is dominated by piney, and citric hops, but has a base of mild, toasty malts.
This is a pretty standard APA flavor-wise. Toasty malts upfront move through to a slightly sweeter, bready finish, where leafy and grassy hops provide a firm bitterness for balance. This beer was light-bodied, crisp, and had a nice, prickly carbonation to it.
I thought that this beer was very refreshing, and was a great after ski beer.
1172. Pallavacini Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.75
This Porter pours a ruby-tinted, dark brown, and is topped by a thin, brown head that retains well. The aroma had a nice dose of roasty malts. There were nice chocolate notes, as well a dark roasted malts.
A rich, chocolate sweetness upfront, moves through to a slightly fruity, astringent center, with a mellow finish that has a bit of roasted bitterness, but not as much as I'd like to see. Pallavicini Porter is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and has a rough roasty character.
Overall this beer is a bit sweet, but was overall pretty good.
1173. Sweet George's Brown
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Sweet George's Brown pours a lightly hazy, reddish brown, and is topped by a light beige film of a head. The aroma is bready, and has a light fruitiness, and hints of roast. This smells like a very nice English Brown Ale.
There's a bready sweetness upfront that moves into a fruitiness in the center, that's balanced by a roasty, hoppy bitterness in the finish. This English Brown Ale is medium-bodied, highly carbonated, and has a bit of a coarseness that I associate with roasted malts.
I really liked this beer, it had a nice malt profile that was the focus of the beer, but it was nicely balanced by judicious use of roasted malts and hops.
1771. Extra Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Extra Pale Ale pours a clear copper, and is topped by a sudsy, beige head that fades to film, leaving good lace. The aroma is dominated by piney, and citric hops, but has a base of mild, toasty malts.
This is a pretty standard APA flavor-wise. Toasty malts upfront move through to a slightly sweeter, bready finish, where leafy and grassy hops provide a firm bitterness for balance. This beer was light-bodied, crisp, and had a nice, prickly carbonation to it.
I thought that this beer was very refreshing, and was a great after ski beer.
1172. Pallavacini Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.75
This Porter pours a ruby-tinted, dark brown, and is topped by a thin, brown head that retains well. The aroma had a nice dose of roasty malts. There were nice chocolate notes, as well a dark roasted malts.
A rich, chocolate sweetness upfront, moves through to a slightly fruity, astringent center, with a mellow finish that has a bit of roasted bitterness, but not as much as I'd like to see. Pallavicini Porter is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and has a rough roasty character.
Overall this beer is a bit sweet, but was overall pretty good.
1173. Sweet George's Brown
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dillon Dam Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Sweet George's Brown pours a lightly hazy, reddish brown, and is topped by a light beige film of a head. The aroma is bready, and has a light fruitiness, and hints of roast. This smells like a very nice English Brown Ale.
There's a bready sweetness upfront that moves into a fruitiness in the center, that's balanced by a roasty, hoppy bitterness in the finish. This English Brown Ale is medium-bodied, highly carbonated, and has a bit of a coarseness that I associate with roasted malts.
I really liked this beer, it had a nice malt profile that was the focus of the beer, but it was nicely balanced by judicious use of roasted malts and hops.
Labels: American Pale Ale, American Porter, English Brown Ale
Jeremy, Matt and I bought a few six-packs to drink while we were at Matt's family's place in Colorado. The two that were new to me were Levity from Odell and Flying Dog's Doggie Style Pale Ale. I only drank them out of the bottle, so no reviews here.
1169. Odell Levity Amber Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Odell Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer was considerably maltier than Odell's 90 Shilling, which was also an Amber Ale. It was tasty and had some nice sweet malt flavors, but wasn't as balanced as 90 Shilling. Overall it was decent.
1170. Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Flying Dog
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This was a decent, straight-ahead pale ale. The malts were bready and toasty and were balanced by a bit of hops.
1169. Odell Levity Amber Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Odell Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer was considerably maltier than Odell's 90 Shilling, which was also an Amber Ale. It was tasty and had some nice sweet malt flavors, but wasn't as balanced as 90 Shilling. Overall it was decent.
1170. Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Flying Dog
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This was a decent, straight-ahead pale ale. The malts were bready and toasty and were balanced by a bit of hops.
Labels: American Amber/Red Ale, American Pale Ale
We had our annual, lab camping trip in New Hampshire from the 1st of September to the 3rd. On the 2nd we hiked the Brook-Liberty trail loop to the summit of Mount Chocorua. Rather than cook for ourselves after hiking, we ended up driving into North Conway for dinner. Jenny suggested Moat Mountain, a restaurant/brewery nearby. We split some appetizers, and I had meatloaf for dinner. It came with green beans, squash and mashed potatoes, all very tasty. Rather than choosing one beer I had the six-beer sampler.
1073. Hoffman Weiss
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol:5.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Hoffman Weiss pours a cloudy, straw color. It has a nice weiss aroma: cloves, banana and bubble gum with a slight sharpness. Initial malts are neutral and grainy, and move into a citric sharpness with a good banana flavor. There's a nice crispness from the wheat. I though this was a good hefeweizen. I placed it at #3 out of 6 beers in the sampler.
1074. Golden Dog Pilsner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, golden, straw color. The aroma is mild, but there's a bit of peppery spicy, and some grassy notes. Crisp carbonation upfront moves into a mild fruitiness in the center, which when combined with a mild, peppery spice, is reminiscent of blueberries. The finish has a mild, hop bitterness. Decent, there's a bit of flavor, but not a ton. #4 out of 6.
1075. Czech Pilsner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, straw, golden color. The aroma is exceedingly mild, you really have to try for it: hints of citrus, and grassy hops. The start to this one is mild, there's some pepperiness in the center and a mild bitterness in the finish. This was too light, and didn't have much flavor. It tasted better after I accidentally dropped a chuck of melted jack cheese and onion in it. This was #5 of 6.
1076. Iron Mike Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper color. There's a very nice, hoppy aroma with notes of citrus and apricot. A caramel sweetness greets the palate, followed by a fruity maltiness and a leafy bitterness in the finish with a nice lingering taste. I thought this was a very nice APA, definitely my favorite of the sampler, #1/6.
1077. Opa's Oktoberfest
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 7.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, reddish brown. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel and toffee. There's a strong malty start to the beer. It's predominantly a caramel sweetness, but there are also hints of chocolate. The finish has a mild, but nice, bitterness. There's also a rough chalkiness in the finish. I liked this one. #2/6.
1078. Bear Peak Brown
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear brown color. There's a mild roastiness, and slight fruitiness in the aroma. Unfortunately the taste doesn't match up with the aroma. There's almost no flavor until the finish where there's a mild roasty flavor and slight fruitiness. Watery, bland not good at all. Easily #6/6.
1073. Hoffman Weiss
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol:5.70%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Hoffman Weiss pours a cloudy, straw color. It has a nice weiss aroma: cloves, banana and bubble gum with a slight sharpness. Initial malts are neutral and grainy, and move into a citric sharpness with a good banana flavor. There's a nice crispness from the wheat. I though this was a good hefeweizen. I placed it at #3 out of 6 beers in the sampler.
1074. Golden Dog Pilsner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, golden, straw color. The aroma is mild, but there's a bit of peppery spicy, and some grassy notes. Crisp carbonation upfront moves into a mild fruitiness in the center, which when combined with a mild, peppery spice, is reminiscent of blueberries. The finish has a mild, hop bitterness. Decent, there's a bit of flavor, but not a ton. #4 out of 6.
1075. Czech Pilsner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: Czech Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, straw, golden color. The aroma is exceedingly mild, you really have to try for it: hints of citrus, and grassy hops. The start to this one is mild, there's some pepperiness in the center and a mild bitterness in the finish. This was too light, and didn't have much flavor. It tasted better after I accidentally dropped a chuck of melted jack cheese and onion in it. This was #5 of 6.
1076. Iron Mike Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper color. There's a very nice, hoppy aroma with notes of citrus and apricot. A caramel sweetness greets the palate, followed by a fruity maltiness and a leafy bitterness in the finish with a nice lingering taste. I thought this was a very nice APA, definitely my favorite of the sampler, #1/6.
1077. Opa's Oktoberfest
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 7.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, reddish brown. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel and toffee. There's a strong malty start to the beer. It's predominantly a caramel sweetness, but there are also hints of chocolate. The finish has a mild, but nice, bitterness. There's also a rough chalkiness in the finish. I liked this one. #2/6.
1078. Bear Peak Brown
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear brown color. There's a mild roastiness, and slight fruitiness in the aroma. Unfortunately the taste doesn't match up with the aroma. There's almost no flavor until the finish where there's a mild roasty flavor and slight fruitiness. Watery, bland not good at all. Easily #6/6.
Labels: American Pale Ale, Czech Pilsener, German Pilsener, Hefe Weizen
1072. Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 9:30 AM.
1072. Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale
Jadyn bought a bottle of Sierra Nevada's 2009 release of their Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Ale. I drank this one on the 30th of August.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.0
This Pale Ale pours a cloudy copper. It's topped by a frothy, off-white head that clings to the side of the glass. There's a nice toasty aroma with a bit of caramel, a slight alcoholic spice, and hops that are leafy and citric with a bit of fruitiness.
There's a mild, caramel sweetness upfront with a good, toasty backbone. The malts quickly give way to an alcoholic spice, and a spicy, leafy, hop bitterness. Medium-bodied, highly carbonated, and coarse in the finish.
I thought this beer had a great malt-hop balance with good flavors from both elements.
Jadyn bought a bottle of Sierra Nevada's 2009 release of their Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Ale. I drank this one on the 30th of August.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Year: 2009
Alcohol: 6.70%
Serving: Bottle, 22 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.0
This Pale Ale pours a cloudy copper. It's topped by a frothy, off-white head that clings to the side of the glass. There's a nice toasty aroma with a bit of caramel, a slight alcoholic spice, and hops that are leafy and citric with a bit of fruitiness.
There's a mild, caramel sweetness upfront with a good, toasty backbone. The malts quickly give way to an alcoholic spice, and a spicy, leafy, hop bitterness. Medium-bodied, highly carbonated, and coarse in the finish.
I thought this beer had a great malt-hop balance with good flavors from both elements.
Labels: American Pale Ale
Jadyn and I went to Shelter Island, NY for memorial day weekend. We stayed at David's wife's family's house there. David (enabler) brought up several new beers for me to try.
1017. St-Ambroise Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: McAuslan Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.2
St-Ambroise Pale Ale pours a cloudy, amber-copper color. It's topped by a light, off-white head that quickly fades to a film. Lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is an interesting mix. There's a bright interplay of fruit, caramel, citric hops, and a mild, phenolic twang.
The beer itself is well-attenuated with only a mild residual sweetness upfront. The malts are predominantly toasty before moving into a very mild malty sweetness that's a mix of caramel and fruity esters. The finish has a moderately bitter, herbal hop quality. This pale ale is light-bodied and moderately carbonated with a pleasing dryness in the finish.
I liked this beer a lot. It's balanced, but only mildly sweet. The dryness is pleasing and helps make this a good session beer.
1018. Southampton Altbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southampton Publick House
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
This Alt pours a clear brown with copper tints. It's topped by a fizzy, three-quarter inch, eggshell colored head that rises quickly on the pour, and just as quickly fades to a film. Pinprick dots of lace adorn the glass. The aroma is quite nice. There are notes of caramel malts, hints of roastiness and a mineral twang.
Caramel malts upfront move into a mild estery fruitiness in the center. The finish has a mineral twang and a mild bitterness. Overall this beer is very clean on the palate. Its flavors are there, but don't pop. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it works well here to showcase a nice mineral character that would have otherwise been overpowered. This Alt is moderately carbonated and medium-bodied, and has a very nice crispness.
This beer is a decent Alt. I think a bit more hoppiness would have been nice, provided the beer stayed crisp.
1019. Brooklyn Local 2
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 9.00%
Serving: Bottle, 750 mL
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
I'd been looking forward to trying this beer, since Brooklyn Local 1 was so good. Local 2 pours a cloudy brown with reddish tints. It's topped by a sudsy beige head that fades to a continuous film. The aroma is incredibly bright for the style. There's a bright layer of citrus and honey, below which lie the rich malty aromas of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale: dark fruit and candi sugar. I think the addition of some more aromatic ingredients really did a lot for the aroma of this beer, making it seem more light and inviting than a typical Belgian Dark.
This beer's flavors tell the same story as the aroma: the honey and citrus upfront give a lighter, brighter impression before diving deeper into the darker, maltier depths. The dark malt flavors in the center are a nice mix of candi sugar, caramel, rasins, dates and other dark fruit. The finish has a nice mix of peppery and alcoholic spice, a brief reprise of citrus, and a mild bitterness. Local 2 has very prickly carbonation, is medium-bodied and is surprisingly smooth once some of the carbonation dissipates.
This is another winner for Brooklyn's Local series. It's strong, fizzy and has an interesting addition of honey and citrus that I think adds a lot to the mix.
1020. Batemans XXXB
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Batemans Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle, 500 mL
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
Based on the handwriting in my notebook, I dictated this review to Jadyn (you're the best, thanks for humoring me).
This ESB pours a crystal clear copper, and is topped by a sudsy, frothy, off-white head that fades to a film. Sustained bubbling seems to keep the film intact. The aromas are nicely malty: biscuity malts, toffee, and a little bit of an apricot aroma.
Upfront this beer is mildly sweet with a lot of maltiness. The sweetness is contributed by toffee flavors, but the bulk of the maltiness is buiscuity and toasty, which lasts through to the finish. The finish is moderately bitter with grassy and herbal hop flavors. This ESB is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated and has a mild dryness in the finish.
I thought that Batemans XXXB was a nice malt-forward beer that managed to keep the sweetness in check and that had a nice bitterness in the finish.
1021. Blue Point Summer Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.40%
Serving: Bottle 12 oz.
Style: American Blonde Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 2.5 | Taste: 2.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 2.85
Blue Point's Summer Ale pours a clear golden and is topped by a thick, bright white head, which fades fairly quickly to a film. The aroma is fairly light. There's a hint of citrus and a mild graininess.
There's a mild sweetness as he beer first hits the palate with some neutral graininess as well. Fruity esters make a brief appearance in the center, and are met by a mild peppery character and mild bitterness in the finish. This beer is light-bodied and moderately carbonated, but feels a tad watery.
I was pretty disappointed with this beer. I know summer beers tend to be lighter, but this one was bland and lacked the crispness that makes a beer like this refreshing.
1017. St-Ambroise Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: McAuslan Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.2
St-Ambroise Pale Ale pours a cloudy, amber-copper color. It's topped by a light, off-white head that quickly fades to a film. Lace clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is an interesting mix. There's a bright interplay of fruit, caramel, citric hops, and a mild, phenolic twang.
The beer itself is well-attenuated with only a mild residual sweetness upfront. The malts are predominantly toasty before moving into a very mild malty sweetness that's a mix of caramel and fruity esters. The finish has a moderately bitter, herbal hop quality. This pale ale is light-bodied and moderately carbonated with a pleasing dryness in the finish.
I liked this beer a lot. It's balanced, but only mildly sweet. The dryness is pleasing and helps make this a good session beer.
1018. Southampton Altbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southampton Publick House
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
This Alt pours a clear brown with copper tints. It's topped by a fizzy, three-quarter inch, eggshell colored head that rises quickly on the pour, and just as quickly fades to a film. Pinprick dots of lace adorn the glass. The aroma is quite nice. There are notes of caramel malts, hints of roastiness and a mineral twang.
Caramel malts upfront move into a mild estery fruitiness in the center. The finish has a mineral twang and a mild bitterness. Overall this beer is very clean on the palate. Its flavors are there, but don't pop. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it works well here to showcase a nice mineral character that would have otherwise been overpowered. This Alt is moderately carbonated and medium-bodied, and has a very nice crispness.
This beer is a decent Alt. I think a bit more hoppiness would have been nice, provided the beer stayed crisp.
1019. Brooklyn Local 2
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: 9.00%
Serving: Bottle, 750 mL
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 4.25
I'd been looking forward to trying this beer, since Brooklyn Local 1 was so good. Local 2 pours a cloudy brown with reddish tints. It's topped by a sudsy beige head that fades to a continuous film. The aroma is incredibly bright for the style. There's a bright layer of citrus and honey, below which lie the rich malty aromas of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale: dark fruit and candi sugar. I think the addition of some more aromatic ingredients really did a lot for the aroma of this beer, making it seem more light and inviting than a typical Belgian Dark.
This beer's flavors tell the same story as the aroma: the honey and citrus upfront give a lighter, brighter impression before diving deeper into the darker, maltier depths. The dark malt flavors in the center are a nice mix of candi sugar, caramel, rasins, dates and other dark fruit. The finish has a nice mix of peppery and alcoholic spice, a brief reprise of citrus, and a mild bitterness. Local 2 has very prickly carbonation, is medium-bodied and is surprisingly smooth once some of the carbonation dissipates.
This is another winner for Brooklyn's Local series. It's strong, fizzy and has an interesting addition of honey and citrus that I think adds a lot to the mix.
1020. Batemans XXXB
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Batemans Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle, 500 mL
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB), BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
Based on the handwriting in my notebook, I dictated this review to Jadyn (you're the best, thanks for humoring me).
This ESB pours a crystal clear copper, and is topped by a sudsy, frothy, off-white head that fades to a film. Sustained bubbling seems to keep the film intact. The aromas are nicely malty: biscuity malts, toffee, and a little bit of an apricot aroma.
Upfront this beer is mildly sweet with a lot of maltiness. The sweetness is contributed by toffee flavors, but the bulk of the maltiness is buiscuity and toasty, which lasts through to the finish. The finish is moderately bitter with grassy and herbal hop flavors. This ESB is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated and has a mild dryness in the finish.
I thought that Batemans XXXB was a nice malt-forward beer that managed to keep the sweetness in check and that had a nice bitterness in the finish.
1021. Blue Point Summer Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.40%
Serving: Bottle 12 oz.
Style: American Blonde Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 2.5 | Taste: 2.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 2.85
Blue Point's Summer Ale pours a clear golden and is topped by a thick, bright white head, which fades fairly quickly to a film. The aroma is fairly light. There's a hint of citrus and a mild graininess.
There's a mild sweetness as he beer first hits the palate with some neutral graininess as well. Fruity esters make a brief appearance in the center, and are met by a mild peppery character and mild bitterness in the finish. This beer is light-bodied and moderately carbonated, but feels a tad watery.
I was pretty disappointed with this beer. I know summer beers tend to be lighter, but this one was bland and lacked the crispness that makes a beer like this refreshing.
Labels: Altbier, American Blonde Ale, American Pale Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB)
1010. Mighty Arrow Pale Ale
On Sunday (Easter) Win and I drove down to Temple, Texas, where David's dad lives. We spent some time at his dad's place before heading out in search of drink. After an unsuccessful attempt to find a dive called "Old 95" we headed to O'Brien's, an Irish pub in downtown Temple. O'Brien's is an attractive, two-level space with wood paneling, high ceilings and a modest, but impressive, beer list. I had a couple of beers before trying a beer from New Belgium that I hadn't had before.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale copper, and is topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a film leaving good lace. The aroma has a nice punch of citric hops as well as some malty and fruity undertones.
Toasty malts upfront with an underlying, light, bready sweetness. The finish has a good dose of leafy, piney hops. Medium-bodied with low carbonation with a touch of oiliness.
A nice session beer, but it could have used a bit more hops.
On Sunday (Easter) Win and I drove down to Temple, Texas, where David's dad lives. We spent some time at his dad's place before heading out in search of drink. After an unsuccessful attempt to find a dive called "Old 95" we headed to O'Brien's, an Irish pub in downtown Temple. O'Brien's is an attractive, two-level space with wood paneling, high ceilings and a modest, but impressive, beer list. I had a couple of beers before trying a beer from New Belgium that I hadn't had before.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, pale copper, and is topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a film leaving good lace. The aroma has a nice punch of citric hops as well as some malty and fruity undertones.
Toasty malts upfront with an underlying, light, bready sweetness. The finish has a good dose of leafy, piney hops. Medium-bodied with low carbonation with a touch of oiliness.
A nice session beer, but it could have used a bit more hops.
Labels: American Pale Ale
David was heavily pushing French food for dinner, but was over-ruled; however, the Mexican restaurant that we'd picked out had a two-hour wait. So we ended up having French food for dinner at Chez Nous. We each had the prix fixe option. I had the duck liver mousse as an appetizer, a sirloin steak cooked in a Burgundy-wine sauce topped with herbed butter as an entree, and a crêpe stuffed with apples stewed in Calvados and topped with a caramel sauce and crème fraîche. Dinner was very good.
After dinner we headed to Lovejoy's Taproom, I wouldn't be surprised if we were the only ones that evening who went from Chez Nous to Lovejoy's. Lovejoy's has a wonderfully divey atmosphere: murals on the wall, smokey, beat up tables and chairs, and heavily tatooed employees.
They had a pretty decent beer selection. There were a lot of Texas craft breweries represented: Live Oak, Real Ale, Independence, 512 and St. Arnold's. There were also a other scattered craft beers including Old Rasputin and Magic Hat #9. More notably they had three of their own beers on tap, something I couldn't pass up.
1003. Demon Steam
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: California Common / Steam Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.5
Pours a hazed copper-golden with no head. Bready and grainy malts appear on the nose, along with a nice bit of fruitiness and slight, peppery spice.
Bready and sweet malts are evident upfront with a mild banana(?) fruitiness in the center. There's a good, leafy hop-bitterness in the flavor, but only a mild bitterness. Light-bodied and thin. It could have used a bit more carbonation.
Tasty, but could have used a bit more body.
1004. Sparky's Special Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.3
Pours a lightly cloudy copper color. Topped by a sudsy head that faded to a wispy film. Bready malts and a light diacetyl were present in the aroma.
Reminiscent of a mild. There are light caramel malts upfront and a hint of diacetyl. The finish has a light hop bitterness. Medium-bodied with a nice bite in the carbonation.
A bit light on flavor, but it grows on you. Malty and mild with a nice hop finish.
1005. The Chronic
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Comes a cloudy copper topped by a thin head. The aroma is toasty and malty with a bit of resiny hops.
A toasty maltiness upfront lends a light sweetness to the beer. The finish has a good amount of leafy hop bitterness. Light-bodied, high carbonation and a tad leafy.
Tasty, a really good sessioner.
After dinner we headed to Lovejoy's Taproom, I wouldn't be surprised if we were the only ones that evening who went from Chez Nous to Lovejoy's. Lovejoy's has a wonderfully divey atmosphere: murals on the wall, smokey, beat up tables and chairs, and heavily tatooed employees.They had a pretty decent beer selection. There were a lot of Texas craft breweries represented: Live Oak, Real Ale, Independence, 512 and St. Arnold's. There were also a other scattered craft beers including Old Rasputin and Magic Hat #9. More notably they had three of their own beers on tap, something I couldn't pass up.
1003. Demon Steam
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: California Common / Steam Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.5
Pours a hazed copper-golden with no head. Bready and grainy malts appear on the nose, along with a nice bit of fruitiness and slight, peppery spice.
Bready and sweet malts are evident upfront with a mild banana(?) fruitiness in the center. There's a good, leafy hop-bitterness in the flavor, but only a mild bitterness. Light-bodied and thin. It could have used a bit more carbonation.
Tasty, but could have used a bit more body.
1004. Sparky's Special Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.3
Pours a lightly cloudy copper color. Topped by a sudsy head that faded to a wispy film. Bready malts and a light diacetyl were present in the aroma.
Reminiscent of a mild. There are light caramel malts upfront and a hint of diacetyl. The finish has a light hop bitterness. Medium-bodied with a nice bite in the carbonation.
A bit light on flavor, but it grows on you. Malty and mild with a nice hop finish.
1005. The Chronic
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lovejoy's Taproom
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Comes a cloudy copper topped by a thin head. The aroma is toasty and malty with a bit of resiny hops.
A toasty maltiness upfront lends a light sweetness to the beer. The finish has a good amount of leafy hop bitterness. Light-bodied, high carbonation and a tad leafy.
Tasty, a really good sessioner.
1002. Pine Belt Pale Ale
Win picked David and me up at the Austin airport and we drove to Ward's sister's house where Ward was waiting for us. We discussed dinner options (at length and without much decisiveness) and had beer. Ward brought a four-pack of Pine Belt Pale Ale, a beer from Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, a new Texas brewery.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Star Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Can, 16 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a lightly hazed copper with a stiff, creamy, off-white head that fades slowly leaving patchy lace. The aroma is very malty: caramel, malted barley, and a hint of hoppiness.
Caramel and malty sweetness upfront that mellows in the center where it's met by a mild, leafy hop-bitterness and a mild peppery spice that both hold through to the finish. Smooth, creamy, medium-bodied.
A nice session beer. Malt-forward, but not too sweet.
Win picked David and me up at the Austin airport and we drove to Ward's sister's house where Ward was waiting for us. We discussed dinner options (at length and without much decisiveness) and had beer. Ward brought a four-pack of Pine Belt Pale Ale, a beer from Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, a new Texas brewery.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Star Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Can, 16 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours a lightly hazed copper with a stiff, creamy, off-white head that fades slowly leaving patchy lace. The aroma is very malty: caramel, malted barley, and a hint of hoppiness.
Caramel and malty sweetness upfront that mellows in the center where it's met by a mild, leafy hop-bitterness and a mild peppery spice that both hold through to the finish. Smooth, creamy, medium-bodied.
A nice session beer. Malt-forward, but not too sweet.
Labels: American Pale Ale
990. Switchback Pale Ale
Jadyn and I drove up to Jay Peak to go skiing the weekend of February 27th. Rain Friday afternoon followed by a cold front melted all of Jay's fresh snow and froze it into ice. Saturday was cold and icy, despite a couple fresh inches Friday night. Sunday way much nicer with warmer weather and trails in better condition.
We stayed at Jay Village Inn, and had dinner there Saturday night. We ordered chips and guacamole for an appetizer, and were surprised by the vast mountain of chips and what seemed like at least two avocados worth of guacamole. I had one of their specials, salmon topped with a dill hollandaise sauce. The salmon came with a salad with a nice horseradish peppercorn dressing, and several slices of warm bread with a generous amount of garlic and butter. Jadyn had a grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries. The food and service were both great. I had a couple of pints of Switchback Ale before dinner and a couple of pints of The Shed's Mountain Ale with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Switchback Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Poured a cloudy, copper hued amber. Topped by a thin, wispy head. The aroma is toasty with a notes of citrus, fruit, and resiny hops. A light bready sweetness upfront faded into a toasty backbone with less evident sweetness. The finish has a leafy hop bitterness. A pretty good session beer.
Jadyn and I drove up to Jay Peak to go skiing the weekend of February 27th. Rain Friday afternoon followed by a cold front melted all of Jay's fresh snow and froze it into ice. Saturday was cold and icy, despite a couple fresh inches Friday night. Sunday way much nicer with warmer weather and trails in better condition.
We stayed at Jay Village Inn, and had dinner there Saturday night. We ordered chips and guacamole for an appetizer, and were surprised by the vast mountain of chips and what seemed like at least two avocados worth of guacamole. I had one of their specials, salmon topped with a dill hollandaise sauce. The salmon came with a salad with a nice horseradish peppercorn dressing, and several slices of warm bread with a generous amount of garlic and butter. Jadyn had a grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries. The food and service were both great. I had a couple of pints of Switchback Ale before dinner and a couple of pints of The Shed's Mountain Ale with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Switchback Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Poured a cloudy, copper hued amber. Topped by a thin, wispy head. The aroma is toasty with a notes of citrus, fruit, and resiny hops. A light bready sweetness upfront faded into a toasty backbone with less evident sweetness. The finish has a leafy hop bitterness. A pretty good session beer.
On Sunday morning we woke up late, much to David's chagrin, and had brunch at Toast near David's old apartment. Afterwards we looked around in a few bookstores before going to see Frost/Nixon. Win was in the mookd for something ethnic for dinner, so we used the Urban Spoon application on my iPhone to find a small Ethiopian restaurant that turned out to be a winner.
After dinner we stopped at Spitzer's Corner for a round of beers, a bar I'd previously been to with David. We had a round there before returning to David's apartment.
957. Coney Island Sword Swallower
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazed, light copper color. Topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer while clinging to the side of the glass, leaving good lace. The aroma is hoppy. There are peppery and leafy notes with a bit of citrus. There's also the undertone of fruity sweetness.
Mild breadiness upfront gives way to a lightly sweet character. The malty backbone continues to be prevalent through to the center, but is overtaken bit the hoppy finish, which has notes of citrus and pepper. The sweetness becomes more prevalent overall as the beer warms. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated.
A tad sweet overall, but nicely hoppy.
958. Tröegs Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear copper. The head thins to a film leaving pin-prick spots of lace. The aroma is relatively simple: predominantly resiny hops with a bit of caramel maltiness.
Toasty malts upfront, a bit of breadiness, and caramel sweetness with a pleasantly coarse leafy hop flavor in the finish. Medium-bodied, highly carbonated with a rough quality from the hops.
A good session beer.
After dinner we stopped at Spitzer's Corner for a round of beers, a bar I'd previously been to with David. We had a round there before returning to David's apartment.
957. Coney Island Sword Swallower
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazed, light copper color. Topped by a fluffy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer while clinging to the side of the glass, leaving good lace. The aroma is hoppy. There are peppery and leafy notes with a bit of citrus. There's also the undertone of fruity sweetness.
Mild breadiness upfront gives way to a lightly sweet character. The malty backbone continues to be prevalent through to the center, but is overtaken bit the hoppy finish, which has notes of citrus and pepper. The sweetness becomes more prevalent overall as the beer warms. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated.
A tad sweet overall, but nicely hoppy.
958. Tröegs Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear copper. The head thins to a film leaving pin-prick spots of lace. The aroma is relatively simple: predominantly resiny hops with a bit of caramel maltiness.
Toasty malts upfront, a bit of breadiness, and caramel sweetness with a pleasantly coarse leafy hop flavor in the finish. Medium-bodied, highly carbonated with a rough quality from the hops.
A good session beer.
Labels: American Pale Ale, American Pale Lager, Travel
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
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
850. Dale's Pale Ale
I've been hearing about Dale's Pale Ale and other beers from Oskar Blues for awhile now. It's one of the first canned craft beers that I heard about, and it seemed to be getting much of the press for a resurgence in canned beers over the last two years. I'd been intending to pick it up for awhile now, but for some reason never have. However, Ward recently tweeted about some Oskar Blues beers, and seemed to like them. Ward tends to have pretty good taste when it comes to beer so I think that this is what made me decide to pick up a six-pack for dinner at some friends' apartment.
I haven't taken proper notes on the beer, but I've picked up another six-pack, and I'm four-beers through that. It's definitely a good beer to have in the fridge, and I'll probably be picking up some more beers from Oskar Blues.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Can, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a heavily-hazed copper color. Topped by a small, sudsy, off-white head that retains fairly well, but eventually, fades to a wispy film. The aromas are very strong piney and fruity hops with a bit of toasty maltiness. The flavors are much the same. There's a nice bready, toasty, caramely malt backbone that stands up to - but doesn't overwhelm - the strong hops. The finish has a nice assertive, lasting, hop bitterness. Highly carbonated and a tad oily, which gives the beer a fuller feeling than other pale ales. This is a fantastic APA.
I've been hearing about Dale's Pale Ale and other beers from Oskar Blues for awhile now. It's one of the first canned craft beers that I heard about, and it seemed to be getting much of the press for a resurgence in canned beers over the last two years. I'd been intending to pick it up for awhile now, but for some reason never have. However, Ward recently tweeted about some Oskar Blues beers, and seemed to like them. Ward tends to have pretty good taste when it comes to beer so I think that this is what made me decide to pick up a six-pack for dinner at some friends' apartment.
I haven't taken proper notes on the beer, but I've picked up another six-pack, and I'm four-beers through that. It's definitely a good beer to have in the fridge, and I'll probably be picking up some more beers from Oskar Blues.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Can, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a heavily-hazed copper color. Topped by a small, sudsy, off-white head that retains fairly well, but eventually, fades to a wispy film. The aromas are very strong piney and fruity hops with a bit of toasty maltiness. The flavors are much the same. There's a nice bready, toasty, caramely malt backbone that stands up to - but doesn't overwhelm - the strong hops. The finish has a nice assertive, lasting, hop bitterness. Highly carbonated and a tad oily, which gives the beer a fuller feeling than other pale ales. This is a fantastic APA.
Labels: American Pale Ale
David is an enabler, so when we're out drinking he almost always insists on me adding to the list. So after we left Radegast we had to go to Spuyten Duyvil for another round. I'm a big fan of this place, great atmosphere, great beer and awesome bar snacks. I'd been twice before, once when visiting David, and once for his bachelor party.
We had a single round out on the back porch, and then either played around with the wiffle ball some more, or we went to Barcade and then went played around with the wiffle ball (Barcade may have been Sunday night instead).
843. Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale
This was my thirds choice. They were out of the two harder-to-come-by beers that I tried to order first.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
Pours a hazy amber. Topped by a thick, off-white head that fades somewhat, but sticks around as a half-inch layer. Leaves sheets of lace over the side of the glass. The aroma is dominated by hops that are resiny, and piney. There's also an undertone of fruit present.
Hoppy as fuck. There's a brief flash of sweet malt backbone upfront before the citric and resiny hops take over. The bitterness is intense and lingers long into the finish. Medium-bodied, moderately-carbonated and oily.
This is one hell of a pale ale. The hops hit you over the head, but i wouldn't expect and less from Sierra Nevada.
We had a single round out on the back porch, and then either played around with the wiffle ball some more, or we went to Barcade and then went played around with the wiffle ball (Barcade may have been Sunday night instead).
843. Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale
This was my thirds choice. They were out of the two harder-to-come-by beers that I tried to order first.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
Pours a hazy amber. Topped by a thick, off-white head that fades somewhat, but sticks around as a half-inch layer. Leaves sheets of lace over the side of the glass. The aroma is dominated by hops that are resiny, and piney. There's also an undertone of fruit present.
Hoppy as fuck. There's a brief flash of sweet malt backbone upfront before the citric and resiny hops take over. The bitterness is intense and lingers long into the finish. Medium-bodied, moderately-carbonated and oily.
This is one hell of a pale ale. The hops hit you over the head, but i wouldn't expect and less from Sierra Nevada.
Labels: American Pale Ale
After eating dinner at Cafe Polonia David, Win and I went to Deep Ellum for more beer. Deep Ellum was a planned stop about a year ago when David and Dave came up to visit on St. Patrick's Day, but we never made it then because of numerous detours to bars of lesser quality, and serious inebriation. We were in much better shape when we set out for Deep Ellum this year, and were in comparatively better shape when we finished up our night this year, though not by much. These beers were again split three ways, so therefore no ratings.
I need to start making notes about the bars that I go to, because I remember being impressed by the atmosphere at Deep Ellum, but I don't remember much of it now.
793. Two-Headed Beast
Beer Stats:
Brewery: High and Mighty Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Foreign / Export Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep black with a thick, dark brown head that leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is all roasted malts with nice hints of chocolate and a slight metallic note. Sweet malts, with notes of chocolate and dart fruit that move through to a sharp finish with a light roasted bitterness and a bit of coffee. Thick feeling on the palate, high carbonation. I was a fan of this one.
794. Sixpoint Diesel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brownish-ruby. Topped by a beige head that fades to a thin film. The aroma was surprisingly fruity, almost a grape soda-like aroma, though there was some good roastiness as well. The flavors were lightly fruity and sweet through the center with a sharp finish with not much bitterness. I thought this one was a tad sweet.
795. Gritty's Black Fly Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.10%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Dark black in color, with amber edges. A dense, creamy, beige head sits atop the beer leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is a nice mix of coffee and fruit with a faint buttery character. The sweetness is held in check by a nice roasty character throughout. There are hints of coffee, but it's not overwhelming or obvious. Smooth, medium-bodied, lightly carbonated.
796. Grey Lady
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden with a merengue-like, white head that leaves nice lace. Lots of coriander in the nose, with additional notes of citrus and yeast. Lightly sweet malts, nice notes of citrus and coriander, lightly grainy in the finish with hints of pepper and a lingering sweetness. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.
797. Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Laberbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Heller-Trum
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, golden with a white, film of a head that leaves thick lace. The aroma is predominantly smoky, but notes of graininess appear upon swirling. There are sweet and grainy malts throughout. The finish is smoy with a moderate, leafy, hop bitterness.
798. Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Thomas Hooker Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. The head thins to a white film, leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is citric and leafy hops with some bready and sweet malts underneath. The flavor is overly sweet, lots of malt with a citric hop bitterness. Pretty bland overall.
799. Saison d'Epeautre
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie de Blaugies
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy straw-golden with lts of yeast particles floating around. The thick white head retains well. Grainy, citrus, fruit in the aroma. Not too sweet. Neutral maltiness upfront with notes of citrus and banana in the center. There isn't a lot of bitterness, but the beer isn't so sweet that it needs it. Light-bodied, highly carbonated with a dryish finish.
I need to start making notes about the bars that I go to, because I remember being impressed by the atmosphere at Deep Ellum, but I don't remember much of it now.
793. Two-Headed Beast
Beer Stats:
Brewery: High and Mighty Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Foreign / Export Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a deep black with a thick, dark brown head that leaves sheets of lace. The aroma is all roasted malts with nice hints of chocolate and a slight metallic note. Sweet malts, with notes of chocolate and dart fruit that move through to a sharp finish with a light roasted bitterness and a bit of coffee. Thick feeling on the palate, high carbonation. I was a fan of this one.
794. Sixpoint Diesel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 6.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brownish-ruby. Topped by a beige head that fades to a thin film. The aroma was surprisingly fruity, almost a grape soda-like aroma, though there was some good roastiness as well. The flavors were lightly fruity and sweet through the center with a sharp finish with not much bitterness. I thought this one was a tad sweet.
795. Gritty's Black Fly Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.10%
Serving: Tap
Style: Irish Dry Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Dark black in color, with amber edges. A dense, creamy, beige head sits atop the beer leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is a nice mix of coffee and fruit with a faint buttery character. The sweetness is held in check by a nice roasty character throughout. There are hints of coffee, but it's not overwhelming or obvious. Smooth, medium-bodied, lightly carbonated.
796. Grey Lady
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden with a merengue-like, white head that leaves nice lace. Lots of coriander in the nose, with additional notes of citrus and yeast. Lightly sweet malts, nice notes of citrus and coriander, lightly grainy in the finish with hints of pepper and a lingering sweetness. Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.
797. Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Laberbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Heller-Trum
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Munich Helles Lager, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear, golden with a white, film of a head that leaves thick lace. The aroma is predominantly smoky, but notes of graininess appear upon swirling. There are sweet and grainy malts throughout. The finish is smoy with a moderate, leafy, hop bitterness.
798. Thomas Hooker American Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Thomas Hooker Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. The head thins to a white film, leaving plentiful lace. The aroma is citric and leafy hops with some bready and sweet malts underneath. The flavor is overly sweet, lots of malt with a citric hop bitterness. Pretty bland overall.
799. Saison d'Epeautre
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie de Blaugies
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy straw-golden with lts of yeast particles floating around. The thick white head retains well. Grainy, citrus, fruit in the aroma. Not too sweet. Neutral maltiness upfront with notes of citrus and banana in the center. There isn't a lot of bitterness, but the beer isn't so sweet that it needs it. Light-bodied, highly carbonated with a dryish finish.
Labels: American Pale Ale, American Stout, Export Stout, Irish Dry Stout, Munich Helles Lager, Saison, Witbier
691. Endurance Pale Ale
I had this a while ago at Jadyn's. Her roommate had a six-pack of this in their beer fridge.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Endurance Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a light copper with a sudsy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Toasty, bready malts, Citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, sweetness in the center that lasts through to the finish. Met by a nice hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty well balanced.
Overall (3.6)
I had this a while ago at Jadyn's. Her roommate had a six-pack of this in their beer fridge.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Endurance Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a light copper with a sudsy, white head that fades to a quarter-inch layer, leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): Toasty, bready malts, Citric, resiny hops.
Taste (3.5): Toasty malts, sweetness in the center that lasts through to the finish. Met by a nice hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation.
Drinkability (3.5): Pretty well balanced.
Overall (3.6)
606. Harvest Ale
I really felt like a beer after getting home from lab at 10:30 tonight. I played Excite Truck on Wii for about half an hour then I opened this one up. It came in the same mixed six-pack that Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale came in. I let it warm to around 40º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): This looks very similar to Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale. It pours a lightly hazy golden-copper that's perhaps a shade lighter. The off-white head is thick and frothy and fades to a sudsy layer leaving patches of lace on the side of the glass.
Smell (3.5): The aroma is much stronger than Phin and Matt's. There are light citrus and fruit aromas along with a sweet maltiness that hit the nose before the hop aroma that is resiny and grassy.
Taste (4.0): Sweet malts upfront that become toasty with a lingering residual sweetness that lasts through to the finish. A strong hop bitterness appears in the finish, it's citrusy and grassy with a little bit of resiny character. The aftertaste is a nice lingering bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light to medium-bodied with moderate carbonation and a slick oiliness.
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, hoppy and well-balanced.
Overall (3.85): I was disappointed with Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale, but this is a good APA. It's nice and hoppy without too much sweetness.
I really felt like a beer after getting home from lab at 10:30 tonight. I played Excite Truck on Wii for about half an hour then I opened this one up. It came in the same mixed six-pack that Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale came in. I let it warm to around 40º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: American Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): This looks very similar to Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale. It pours a lightly hazy golden-copper that's perhaps a shade lighter. The off-white head is thick and frothy and fades to a sudsy layer leaving patches of lace on the side of the glass.
Smell (3.5): The aroma is much stronger than Phin and Matt's. There are light citrus and fruit aromas along with a sweet maltiness that hit the nose before the hop aroma that is resiny and grassy.
Taste (4.0): Sweet malts upfront that become toasty with a lingering residual sweetness that lasts through to the finish. A strong hop bitterness appears in the finish, it's citrusy and grassy with a little bit of resiny character. The aftertaste is a nice lingering bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light to medium-bodied with moderate carbonation and a slick oiliness.
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, hoppy and well-balanced.
Overall (3.85): I was disappointed with Phin and Matt's Extraordinary Ale, but this is a good APA. It's nice and hoppy without too much sweetness.
Labels: American Pale Ale, Southern Tier
