Matt had been pushing the idea of a six=pack swap for awhile, so not long after Jadyn and I returned from Spain we gave it a go. Of the six beers I had, the two that Jadyn and I brought were new to me.
1182. Honker's Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Bottle 12 oz.
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5| Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall:3.75
Honker's Ale pours a hazy copper color, and is topped by an off-white head that fades to a sudsy film. The aroma is toasty and bready with notes of caramel, and mild, piney hops.
This beer is toasty and bready upfront with a lightly sweet caramel that builds towards the center. The malts continue on to the finish where they're met by mildly bitter, piney hops. This bitter is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, and a mild husky quality.
True to what an English Bitter should be, this beer is balanced and would make a great session beer.
1183. Goose Island India Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: English India Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Goose Island IPA pours a clear, golden-copper color, and is topped by a light, fluffy, off-white head that fades slowly, leaving good lace. The aroma is nice and hoppy. There are notes of pine, resiny hops, and a light, sugary maltiness.
Toasty malts upfront build into a raw sugary sweetness towards the finish. The finish itself has a piney, resiny hop bitterness. This IPA is light-bodied, and moderatley carbonated, though it could be a bit bulkier.
As and English IPA it does the trick, though I tend to prefer the hoppier American varieties, but I can't criticize them for doing what they set out to do.
1182. Honker's Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Bottle 12 oz.
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5| Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall:3.75
Honker's Ale pours a hazy copper color, and is topped by an off-white head that fades to a sudsy film. The aroma is toasty and bready with notes of caramel, and mild, piney hops.
This beer is toasty and bready upfront with a lightly sweet caramel that builds towards the center. The malts continue on to the finish where they're met by mildly bitter, piney hops. This bitter is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, and a mild husky quality.
True to what an English Bitter should be, this beer is balanced and would make a great session beer.
1183. Goose Island India Pale Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 5.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: English India Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Goose Island IPA pours a clear, golden-copper color, and is topped by a light, fluffy, off-white head that fades slowly, leaving good lace. The aroma is nice and hoppy. There are notes of pine, resiny hops, and a light, sugary maltiness.
Toasty malts upfront build into a raw sugary sweetness towards the finish. The finish itself has a piney, resiny hop bitterness. This IPA is light-bodied, and moderatley carbonated, though it could be a bit bulkier.
As and English IPA it does the trick, though I tend to prefer the hoppier American varieties, but I can't criticize them for doing what they set out to do.
Labels: English Bitter, English IPA
1099. Howdy Pilgrim
Jadyn and I had dinner at the CBC shortly before Thanksgiving. I had a pint of Howdy Pilgrim, a Bitter dry-hopped with Pilgrim hops, and served on Cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5| Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Pours a deeply cloudy, amber tinted, copper color. It's topped by a sudsy, off-white head that fades to a film. The aroma is somewhat mild. There are light caramel and toasty malt notes, as well as herbal hops.
Initially, toasty malts and a lightly sweet breadiness greets the palate. The maltiness opens up in the center with a bit more sweetness and some fruity hints. A strong, hoppy bitterness quickly takes over towards the finish. Herbal and floral hop flavors complement the lingering bitterness in the aftertatse, which, oddly, has aslight, lingering sweet undertone. This Bitter is light-bodied and briskly carbonated.
I thought this was an excellent session beer, which fits the style.
Jadyn and I had dinner at the CBC shortly before Thanksgiving. I had a pint of Howdy Pilgrim, a Bitter dry-hopped with Pilgrim hops, and served on Cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5| Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Pours a deeply cloudy, amber tinted, copper color. It's topped by a sudsy, off-white head that fades to a film. The aroma is somewhat mild. There are light caramel and toasty malt notes, as well as herbal hops.
Initially, toasty malts and a lightly sweet breadiness greets the palate. The maltiness opens up in the center with a bit more sweetness and some fruity hints. A strong, hoppy bitterness quickly takes over towards the finish. Herbal and floral hop flavors complement the lingering bitterness in the aftertatse, which, oddly, has aslight, lingering sweet undertone. This Bitter is light-bodied and briskly carbonated.
I thought this was an excellent session beer, which fits the style.
Labels: English Bitter
971-980. The Extreme Beer Fest Part II
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:30 AM.
This is the second set of beers that I tried at the Beer Advocate Extreme Beer Fest 2009.
971. OatGoop
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 10.40%
Style: Wheat Wine (Oat Wine)
Pours a hazed copper. Floral hops and sugary malts are the strongest component of the aroma. Sweet and fruity upfront and through the center. The finish has some floral hop bitterness and a bit of sweetness.
972. Dwarven Hammer
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden-copper. The aroma is light, but predominantly malty. Sweet and malty throughout with nice notes of caramel. The finish had a sugary character tat complemented the coffee flavors well.
973. Phunky Duck
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Lost Abbey
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Unblended Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is the base lambic for a Gueuze project that Lost Abbey is working on. It's nice to see American brewers trying for authentic lambics. Pours a hazed-straw golden. The aroma is classic lambic: acidic, earthy and funky. Very sour throughout: nice bright and acidic. There are nice grassy and citric notes as well a good, funky earthiness. An excellent rendition of the style. Another fest favorite (yes, they all tend to be sour beers).
974. Brute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
I couldn't pass up either of Ithaca's sour beers. The Brute pours a cloudy, straw color. The aroma has a nice grainy, wheat component, fruit, mild acidity and hint of Brettanmyces. Well attenuated so there's a good amount of wheat character without a lot of malty sweetness. Sourness builds through the center, followed by a nice earthy finish. I liked this one a lot. I'll have to give it another try if I see any bottles in the area.
975. "Sour" Flower Power Bretted IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company
Alcohol: 7.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
This is Ithaca's Flower Power IPA fermented for an additional three months with Brettanomyces. Pours a cloudy golden. The aroma is a nice combination of citric hops and mild Brettanomyces. The malts are attenuated to the faintest of sugary hints. The hops remain unscathed, leaving nice hop flavors and bitterness that really relegate the usually dominant Brett to a minor role in the finish.
976. Special Holiday Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Winter Warmer, BJCP Style Guide
This is a collaborative Winter Warmer brewed by Stone, Jolly Pumpkin and Nøgne-Ø. Pours a cloudy, dark amber color. Spices domiate the aroma: sage and juniper, but there are also malty aromas. Sweet upfront: malty and fruity. The finish is herbal and spicy with a nice bitterness.
977. Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Bruery
Alcohol: 3.10%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a pale straw color. Notes of sour apples, hay and an earthiness in the aroma. There's a mild graininess in the backbone underneath fruity notes of apple, and a nice lactic sourness.
978. Magic Hat Bergamot Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.50%
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
This is Magic Hat's Ordinary Bitter with bergamot added during conditioning. Pours a pale copper color. The aroma is dominated by the bergamot: peppery notes, reminiscent of Earl Grey tea. Lightly malty with some good breadiness and a finish that's peppery and lightly bitter.
979. Apex
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.10%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with a frothy head. The aroma is hoppy with notes of citrus and resin. The malt backbone is mildly sweet and provides a good counterpoint to the strong resiny and citric hop flavors.
980. Founders Double Trouble
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.40%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden, with a huge, white head. The aroma is resiny and herbal hops over a backbone of caramel and sugary malts. Resiny and leafy hops are evident throughout the beer over a mildly sweet malt backbone.
971. OatGoop
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 10.40%
Style: Wheat Wine (Oat Wine)
Pours a hazed copper. Floral hops and sugary malts are the strongest component of the aroma. Sweet and fruity upfront and through the center. The finish has some floral hop bitterness and a bit of sweetness.
972. Dwarven Hammer
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 6.00%
Style: Altbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed golden-copper. The aroma is light, but predominantly malty. Sweet and malty throughout with nice notes of caramel. The finish had a sugary character tat complemented the coffee flavors well.
973. Phunky Duck
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Lost Abbey
Alcohol: 7.00%
Style: Unblended Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
This beer is the base lambic for a Gueuze project that Lost Abbey is working on. It's nice to see American brewers trying for authentic lambics. Pours a hazed-straw golden. The aroma is classic lambic: acidic, earthy and funky. Very sour throughout: nice bright and acidic. There are nice grassy and citric notes as well a good, funky earthiness. An excellent rendition of the style. Another fest favorite (yes, they all tend to be sour beers).
974. Brute
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company
Alcohol: 6.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
I couldn't pass up either of Ithaca's sour beers. The Brute pours a cloudy, straw color. The aroma has a nice grainy, wheat component, fruit, mild acidity and hint of Brettanmyces. Well attenuated so there's a good amount of wheat character without a lot of malty sweetness. Sourness builds through the center, followed by a nice earthy finish. I liked this one a lot. I'll have to give it another try if I see any bottles in the area.
975. "Sour" Flower Power Bretted IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company
Alcohol: 7.50%
Style: American Wild Ale
This is Ithaca's Flower Power IPA fermented for an additional three months with Brettanomyces. Pours a cloudy golden. The aroma is a nice combination of citric hops and mild Brettanomyces. The malts are attenuated to the faintest of sugary hints. The hops remain unscathed, leaving nice hop flavors and bitterness that really relegate the usually dominant Brett to a minor role in the finish.
976. Special Holiday Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Winter Warmer, BJCP Style Guide
This is a collaborative Winter Warmer brewed by Stone, Jolly Pumpkin and Nøgne-Ø. Pours a cloudy, dark amber color. Spices domiate the aroma: sage and juniper, but there are also malty aromas. Sweet upfront: malty and fruity. The finish is herbal and spicy with a nice bitterness.
977. Hottenroth Berliner Weisse
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Bruery
Alcohol: 3.10%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a pale straw color. Notes of sour apples, hay and an earthiness in the aroma. There's a mild graininess in the backbone underneath fruity notes of apple, and a nice lactic sourness.
978. Magic Hat Bergamot Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.50%
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
This is Magic Hat's Ordinary Bitter with bergamot added during conditioning. Pours a pale copper color. The aroma is dominated by the bergamot: peppery notes, reminiscent of Earl Grey tea. Lightly malty with some good breadiness and a finish that's peppery and lightly bitter.
979. Apex
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Bear Republic Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.10%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazed copper with a frothy head. The aroma is hoppy with notes of citrus and resin. The malt backbone is mildly sweet and provides a good counterpoint to the strong resiny and citric hop flavors.
980. Founders Double Trouble
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.40%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden, with a huge, white head. The aroma is resiny and herbal hops over a backbone of caramel and sugary malts. Resiny and leafy hops are evident throughout the beer over a mildly sweet malt backbone.
Labels: Altbier, American Double IPA, American Wild Ale, Beer Fests, Berliner Weissbier, English Bitter, Unblended Lambic, Wheat Wine, Winter Warmer
825. Bitchin Bitter
I had this at the CBC sometime not long after I got back from New York.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy amber that borders on a brownish copper. The beige head hd faded to a wispy film by the time our beers arrived. The aroma has notes of light caramel, a slight nuttiness, and a some herbal hops.
Sweet bready notes upfront that moves through to a bit of toastiness that seamlessly blends with a light grassy bitterness in the finish that's accented by a bright citric flavor that appears just before the finish. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated with a bit of a grainy texture in the finish.
Nicely balanced and drinkable.
I had this at the CBC sometime not long after I got back from New York.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy amber that borders on a brownish copper. The beige head hd faded to a wispy film by the time our beers arrived. The aroma has notes of light caramel, a slight nuttiness, and a some herbal hops.
Sweet bready notes upfront that moves through to a bit of toastiness that seamlessly blends with a light grassy bitterness in the finish that's accented by a bright citric flavor that appears just before the finish. Medium-bodied and highly carbonated with a bit of a grainy texture in the finish.
Nicely balanced and drinkable.
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, English Bitter
After a couple of beers at McSorley's David and I went to d.b.a. for a few rounds. We sat at a table outside in back of the bar. It was a nice sunny day and it was nice to be outside.
815. Gavroche
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Bière de Garde, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a hazy, reddish copper, topped by a frothy, beige head. The aroma is fairly light. There's a bit of an acidic bite with a grassy hop aroma.
Pretty balanced. There's a light bready sweetness with some toasty elements. There's a light acidic tartness in the finish with a bit of hop bitterness. Light-bodied with vigorous carbonation and a husky dryness.
Balanced, subdued and drinkable.
816. Hooky Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hook Norton Brewery
Alcohol: 3.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a lightly hazed copper. Topped by a sparse, sudsy head that fades to a ring. There's a nice malty caramel aroma with some citric notes. Swirling brings out some more fruity aromas and some herbal hops.
There's a neutral maltiness upfront and a light caramel sweetness. Some tart, green-apple fruitiness appears mid-palate and the finish is citric with very little bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation.
Definitely a session beer, feels light and isn't too carbonated.
817. Organic Ur Pils
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Pinkus Mueller
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Pours a lightly hazed, straw golden. Topped by a thin white film of a head. The aroma is grainy and lightly hoppy with a nice yeastiness. There's a floral quality as well.
Sweet initially, but gives way to a nice grainy maltiness. There's a light sweetness throughout that gives way to a nice graininess and a grassy, herbal hop bite. Medium to light-bodied, smooth with a bit of a sticky character.
Very drinkable, an awesome German Pils.
818. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Heller-Trum
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Rauchbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 2.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy, amber color. Topped by a beige film of a head. There may be a light fruitiness peaking out from underneath the overpowering smokiness.
Smoke, smoke, smoke that moves into a fruity sweetness. Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.
I like smoky beers, and this one certainly delivers, but it's a way too smoky to do anything other than sample.
815. Gavroche
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Bière de Garde, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.8
Pours a hazy, reddish copper, topped by a frothy, beige head. The aroma is fairly light. There's a bit of an acidic bite with a grassy hop aroma.
Pretty balanced. There's a light bready sweetness with some toasty elements. There's a light acidic tartness in the finish with a bit of hop bitterness. Light-bodied with vigorous carbonation and a husky dryness.
Balanced, subdued and drinkable.
816. Hooky Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hook Norton Brewery
Alcohol: 3.60%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.75
Pours a lightly hazed copper. Topped by a sparse, sudsy head that fades to a ring. There's a nice malty caramel aroma with some citric notes. Swirling brings out some more fruity aromas and some herbal hops.
There's a neutral maltiness upfront and a light caramel sweetness. Some tart, green-apple fruitiness appears mid-palate and the finish is citric with very little bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation.
Definitely a session beer, feels light and isn't too carbonated.
817. Organic Ur Pils
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Pinkus Mueller
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Pours a lightly hazed, straw golden. Topped by a thin white film of a head. The aroma is grainy and lightly hoppy with a nice yeastiness. There's a floral quality as well.
Sweet initially, but gives way to a nice grainy maltiness. There's a light sweetness throughout that gives way to a nice graininess and a grassy, herbal hop bite. Medium to light-bodied, smooth with a bit of a sticky character.
Very drinkable, an awesome German Pils.
818. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brauerei Heller-Trum
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Rauchbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 2.5
Overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy, amber color. Topped by a beige film of a head. There may be a light fruitiness peaking out from underneath the overpowering smokiness.
Smoke, smoke, smoke that moves into a fruity sweetness. Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.
I like smoky beers, and this one certainly delivers, but it's a way too smoky to do anything other than sample.
Labels: Bière de Garde, Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre, Brauerei Pinkus Mueller, English Bitter, German Pilsener, Hook Norton Brewery
David knows when to leave a sinking ship. After securing a new job at Merrill Lynch he gave his two weeks at Bear Stearns, and was told by his boss not to bother coming in those two weeks. I went down to New York to visit David on the last weekend before he started his new job.
I got to New York sometime in the middle of the afternoon. I'd had a sandwich on the bus, but we decided to grab some beer and a bit to eat anyway. David recommended The Spotted Pig, a pub that I think is in the West Village. David had the Sheep's Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter and Sage, which were excellent, and I had the Cubano, also excellent. We each had a pint or two of the Spotted Pig Bitter.
808. Spotted Pig Bitter
I can't find this beer on Beer Advocate, but I found a New Yorker article saying it's brewed by Brooklyn.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Copper colored with a light haze. It's topped by a dense, foamy, beige head that retains well and clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is bready with a hint of citrus and light resiny hops. There's also a touch of sweet, berry fruitiness.
The toasty flavors upfront give way to a hint of caramel and a burst of fruitiness, which is followed by a subtle finish that's lightly grassy and herbal with a muted bitterness in the aftertaste. Soft on the palate due to light carbonation, medium-bodied and smooth.
I thought this one was very drinkable. It's flavorful but subdued.
I got to New York sometime in the middle of the afternoon. I'd had a sandwich on the bus, but we decided to grab some beer and a bit to eat anyway. David recommended The Spotted Pig, a pub that I think is in the West Village. David had the Sheep's Ricotta Gnudi with Brown Butter and Sage, which were excellent, and I had the Cubano, also excellent. We each had a pint or two of the Spotted Pig Bitter.
808. Spotted Pig Bitter
I can't find this beer on Beer Advocate, but I found a New Yorker article saying it's brewed by Brooklyn.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Copper colored with a light haze. It's topped by a dense, foamy, beige head that retains well and clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is bready with a hint of citrus and light resiny hops. There's also a touch of sweet, berry fruitiness.
The toasty flavors upfront give way to a hint of caramel and a burst of fruitiness, which is followed by a subtle finish that's lightly grassy and herbal with a muted bitterness in the aftertaste. Soft on the palate due to light carbonation, medium-bodied and smooth.
I thought this one was very drinkable. It's flavorful but subdued.
Labels: Brooklyn Brewery, English Bitter
It's been time to get out of Boston for awhile now. Jadyn and I took a daytrip up to Portland, Maine last weekend. Gritty McDuff's was one of the first things we walked by in town. Jadyn was kind enough to humor me, so we stopped in for some beer. I had the Best Bitter, and had enough of Jadyn's Halloween Ale to review.
708. Gritty McDuff's Best Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a fluffy beige head with good retention.
Smell (4.0): Mild bready malts, light citrus, herbal, grassy hops.
Taste (4.0): Mild, toasty, biscuity malts upfront. Moves into a light, fruity sweetness. Notes of citrus. Light bitterness in the finish that strengthens in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, smooth, light-bodied.
Drinkability (4.5): A classic session beer.
Overall (3.9)
709. Gritty McDuff's Halloween Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a very slightly hazed amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a ring.
Smell (3.5): Mostly malty, some caramel and fruits. A little bit of spicy alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Malty and sweet, caramel is most evident. It evokes pumpkin-spice notes, but only slightly, so I'm not convinced that they were used. Nice bitterness in the finish followed by a light spiciness. A little bit sweet for me.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation. Leaves a light graininess on the back of the palate.
Drinkability (3.5): A little too sweet for me.
Overall (3.5)
708. Gritty McDuff's Best Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a fluffy beige head with good retention.
Smell (4.0): Mild bready malts, light citrus, herbal, grassy hops.
Taste (4.0): Mild, toasty, biscuity malts upfront. Moves into a light, fruity sweetness. Notes of citrus. Light bitterness in the finish that strengthens in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, smooth, light-bodied.
Drinkability (4.5): A classic session beer.
Overall (3.9)
709. Gritty McDuff's Halloween Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a very slightly hazed amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a ring.
Smell (3.5): Mostly malty, some caramel and fruits. A little bit of spicy alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Malty and sweet, caramel is most evident. It evokes pumpkin-spice notes, but only slightly, so I'm not convinced that they were used. Nice bitterness in the finish followed by a light spiciness. A little bit sweet for me.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation. Leaves a light graininess on the back of the palate.
Drinkability (3.5): A little too sweet for me.
Overall (3.5)
Labels: English Bitter, ESB, Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
684. John Harvard's Bitter
Jadyn and I stopped for a beer at John Harvard's on Monday night. I had their bitter on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: 4.70%
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy amber with a dense, creamy, beige head, which thins to a film leaving patchy lace.
Smell (4.5): Mostly citric and resiny hops with some mild bready malts.
Taste (4.0): Bready, toasty malts upfront that moves into a malty caramel sweetness with some fruity hints. The finish is a citric, grapefruit bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, low carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, mild, very drinkable.
Overall (4.1)
Jadyn and I stopped for a beer at John Harvard's on Monday night. I had their bitter on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: 4.70%
Serving: Cask
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy amber with a dense, creamy, beige head, which thins to a film leaving patchy lace.
Smell (4.5): Mostly citric and resiny hops with some mild bready malts.
Taste (4.0): Bready, toasty malts upfront that moves into a malty caramel sweetness with some fruity hints. The finish is a citric, grapefruit bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, low carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, mild, very drinkable.
Overall (4.1)
Labels: English Bitter, John Harvard's
I went to the New England Real Ale Exhibition on Wednesday the 2nd. NERAX is an annual real ale event held in Somerville, MA. All beers at NERAX are cask conditioned, and are served by gravity or hand pump. I'd been the previous year, and it had slipped my mind that it was coming up. Fortunately, I passed by the Dilboy VFW Post on my way home to do laundry and noticed the sign. It's only about three blocks from my apartment so I walked over at 5:45, but wasn't able to get in until 7:15 because of limited admissions.
The Dilboy Post
The firkins
I stuck to half-pints this year, except the last beer I had which was a pint. Overall it was a pretty good fest, a little expensive, but the beer was good. I wore my Cantillon shirt and counted eight comments from other people.
661. Portsmouth American Mild
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Portsmouth Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper with a thin sudsy head. The aroma is nicely hoppy and citric with toasted malts and a heavy fruitiness. Malty upfront with toasty, bready and caramel flavors. The finish has a lingering resiny and citric hop bitterness. Light-bodied with low carbonation, and a touch oily.
662. Martha's Smoked Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Martha's Exchange
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a thin, dense, brown head that fades quickly. The aroma is dominated by smoke, with some evident coffee and chocolate notes, swirling brings out fruity and hoppy aromas. Mildly sweet upfront that is a mix of fruit and chocolate. The finish is smoky with a nice roasted bitterness.
663. Hop Back Crop Circle
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a thin, white film for a head. The aroma is grainy with a bit of sulfur, as well as yeastiness and a hint of sour apple. Grainy with some sour apple fruitiness as well as a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a dry finish.
664. Hop Back G.F.B.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 3.50%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an almost clear copper with a sudsy white head. The aroma is much the same as the Crop Circle, with a hint of sulfur and some grassy aromas. The taste is also similar to Crop Circle, but a bit more bitter. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation and dry in the finish.
665. Hop Back Summer Lightning
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden-copper with a relatively dense, sudsy, white head. The same hint of sulfur gives this beer a characteristic "Hop Back" aroma, but the graininess is diminished and a hint of caramel takes its place. Sweet and fruity upfront followed by a significant grassy bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation and smooth with a grassy dryness in the finish.
666. Hop Back Odyssey
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy amber with a sudsy, off-white head. The aroma is yeasty grassy and hoppy. Toasty malts upfront that become lightly sweet in the center. The finish is a nice mild herbal bitterness. Low-carbonation, light-to-medium-bodied.
667. Dark Star HopHead
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Star Brewing
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a sudsy white head. Piney, resiny hops dominate the aroma with some graininess that appears upon swirling. Malty upfront, only lightly sweet, with a nice resiny hop bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied with low carbonation.
668. Harpoon Brown Session Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, amber-brown with a beige head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel as well as a nice dose of hops. The flavors are malty with notes of caramel, fruit and nuttiness. The finish is nicely hoppy. Light-bodied, low carbonation.
669. Moat Mountain Brown Spruce
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style:Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brown with a half-inch, beige head. The aroma is malty with nutty and caramel aromas. The taste is much the same with a lightly bitter finish. The spruce is evident, but becomes much more noticeable towards the end of the pint. Light-to-medium-bodied, low carbonation.
The Dilboy Post
The firkins
I stuck to half-pints this year, except the last beer I had which was a pint. Overall it was a pretty good fest, a little expensive, but the beer was good. I wore my Cantillon shirt and counted eight comments from other people.
661. Portsmouth American Mild
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Portsmouth Brewery
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper with a thin sudsy head. The aroma is nicely hoppy and citric with toasted malts and a heavy fruitiness. Malty upfront with toasty, bready and caramel flavors. The finish has a lingering resiny and citric hop bitterness. Light-bodied with low carbonation, and a touch oily.
662. Martha's Smoked Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Martha's Exchange
Alcohol: 6.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a thin, dense, brown head that fades quickly. The aroma is dominated by smoke, with some evident coffee and chocolate notes, swirling brings out fruity and hoppy aromas. Mildly sweet upfront that is a mix of fruit and chocolate. The finish is smoky with a nice roasted bitterness.
663. Hop Back Crop Circle
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.20%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a thin, white film for a head. The aroma is grainy with a bit of sulfur, as well as yeastiness and a hint of sour apple. Grainy with some sour apple fruitiness as well as a nice grassy bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a dry finish.
664. Hop Back G.F.B.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 3.50%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an almost clear copper with a sudsy white head. The aroma is much the same as the Crop Circle, with a hint of sulfur and some grassy aromas. The taste is also similar to Crop Circle, but a bit more bitter. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation and dry in the finish.
665. Hop Back Summer Lightning
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear golden-copper with a relatively dense, sudsy, white head. The same hint of sulfur gives this beer a characteristic "Hop Back" aroma, but the graininess is diminished and a hint of caramel takes its place. Sweet and fruity upfront followed by a significant grassy bitterness. Medium-bodied, low carbonation and smooth with a grassy dryness in the finish.
666. Hop Back Odyssey
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hop Back Brewery
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy amber with a sudsy, off-white head. The aroma is yeasty grassy and hoppy. Toasty malts upfront that become lightly sweet in the center. The finish is a nice mild herbal bitterness. Low-carbonation, light-to-medium-bodied.
667. Dark Star HopHead
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Star Brewing
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden with a sudsy white head. Piney, resiny hops dominate the aroma with some graininess that appears upon swirling. Malty upfront, only lightly sweet, with a nice resiny hop bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied with low carbonation.
668. Harpoon Brown Session Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harpoon Brewery
Alcohol: 4.30%
Serving: Cask, Half-Pint
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, amber-brown with a beige head. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel as well as a nice dose of hops. The flavors are malty with notes of caramel, fruit and nuttiness. The finish is nicely hoppy. Light-bodied, low carbonation.
669. Moat Mountain Brown Spruce
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style:Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark brown with a half-inch, beige head. The aroma is malty with nutty and caramel aromas. The taste is much the same with a lightly bitter finish. The spruce is evident, but becomes much more noticeable towards the end of the pint. Light-to-medium-bodied, low carbonation.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Porter, Beer Fests, Cask Ale, English Bitter, English Pale Ale, English Pale Mild Ale, Herbed/Spiced Beer, NERAX, Real Ale
658. The Softest Bullet Ever Shot
Last weekend it was finally nice in the Boston area. On Sunday I decided to walk to Harvard Square for a beer after I finished up in lab. The route I took also happened to be the route of the Human Genome Trail, which consists of banners representing each chromosome hung on light posts along the route. The banners are scaled representations of chromosome banding patterns. It was a nice walk, and the genome trail is a cool exhibit to get people interested in science.
After stopping at Cardullo's for chocolate and tea, I went to John Harvard's and had a burger and two pints of the Flaming Lips themed The Softest Bullet Ever Shot, an English Bitter served on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style: English Bitter. BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a nice, lightly-hazy, amber-copper. It's topped by a dense, thin, off-white head that fades to a thin layer leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Lightly malty with a nice hop aroma. Toasty with notes of caramel, and fruit. The hop aromas are herbal and resiny. Swirling really brings out the caramel and fruity aromas.
Taste (4.0): Bready and toasty upfront with caramel and fruity sweet flavors appearing in the center. The finish is a nice mix of herbal, grassy and resiny hops that impart their flavors first before a mildly bitter finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, low carbonation, smooth, a little sticky.
Drinkability (4.5): Mild, but enough flavor to keep you interested. Definitely a session beer.
Overall (4.15)
Last weekend it was finally nice in the Boston area. On Sunday I decided to walk to Harvard Square for a beer after I finished up in lab. The route I took also happened to be the route of the Human Genome Trail, which consists of banners representing each chromosome hung on light posts along the route. The banners are scaled representations of chromosome banding patterns. It was a nice walk, and the genome trail is a cool exhibit to get people interested in science.
After stopping at Cardullo's for chocolate and tea, I went to John Harvard's and had a burger and two pints of the Flaming Lips themed The Softest Bullet Ever Shot, an English Bitter served on cask.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: John Harvard's Brew House
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Cask, Pint
Style: English Bitter. BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a nice, lightly-hazy, amber-copper. It's topped by a dense, thin, off-white head that fades to a thin layer leaving sheets of lace.
Smell (4.0): Lightly malty with a nice hop aroma. Toasty with notes of caramel, and fruit. The hop aromas are herbal and resiny. Swirling really brings out the caramel and fruity aromas.
Taste (4.0): Bready and toasty upfront with caramel and fruity sweet flavors appearing in the center. The finish is a nice mix of herbal, grassy and resiny hops that impart their flavors first before a mildly bitter finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, low carbonation, smooth, a little sticky.
Drinkability (4.5): Mild, but enough flavor to keep you interested. Definitely a session beer.
Overall (4.15)
Labels: English Bitter, John Harvard's
366. Ridgeway Bitter
I was in the mood for a milder beer so I picked up a bottle of Ridgeway Bitter at Downtown Wine & Spirits last night. I let this warm up a bit and served it in my NERAX pint glass. This is an English Bitter. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear copper with excellent clarity. It has a foamy white head that thins to a patchy layer and eventually disappears.
Smell (4.5): Sweet fruity aroma with notes of malt and hops.
Taste (4.0): An initial sweetness fades into toasty malt flavors. This finish is tart and fruity with moderate bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, smooth and light-bodied with a light dryness in the finish.
Drinkability (4.0): Really easy to drink. The flavors are good but not overpowering and the alcohol content is low.
Overall (3.95): This is just what I was wanting tonight, a flavorful beer that's not overpowering and not high in alcohol.
I was in the mood for a milder beer so I picked up a bottle of Ridgeway Bitter at Downtown Wine & Spirits last night. I let this warm up a bit and served it in my NERAX pint glass. This is an English Bitter. BJCP Style Guide.
Appearance (3.5): Pours a clear copper with excellent clarity. It has a foamy white head that thins to a patchy layer and eventually disappears.
Smell (4.5): Sweet fruity aroma with notes of malt and hops.
Taste (4.0): An initial sweetness fades into toasty malt flavors. This finish is tart and fruity with moderate bitterness.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, smooth and light-bodied with a light dryness in the finish.
Drinkability (4.0): Really easy to drink. The flavors are good but not overpowering and the alcohol content is low.
Overall (3.95): This is just what I was wanting tonight, a flavorful beer that's not overpowering and not high in alcohol.
Labels: English Bitter, Reviews, Ridgeway Brewing
358 - 363. The New England Real Ale Exhibition
Published by Unknown on Sunday, May 07, 2006 at 4:08 PM.
Last night I went to the final session of the 10th Annual New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX) at the George Dilboy V.F.W. Post in Somerville, MA (only a few blocks from my apartment). All beer served at NERAX is Real Ale, meaning it is cask-conditioned. The NERAX site has a good brief description of what Real Ales are all about.
I've heard that NERAX is one of the best Real Ale events in the country. Unfortunately the final session probably wasn't the best one to go to. Many of the casks had already been emptied during previous sessions, and several were emptied during the session. Still, I had several excellent beers and I walked away with a nifty NERAX Imperial Pint glass.
Full-pints (20 oz.), half-pints (10 oz.) and quarter-pints (5 oz.) were available at the cash bar. I stuck to half-pints and quarter pints to maximize the number of different beers that I could sample. I also tried to cut down on the length of my tasting notes since it's hard to write and drink when standing.
358. Young's Bitter - England
Appearance: Clear copper, with a thin white head.
Smell: Malty with resiny hops.
Taste: Light toasty malts with a pleasing hop bitterness that isn't overpowering. The flavor of hops is more pronounced than the hop aromas.
Mouthfeel: Low-carbonation, smooth and light-bodied.
Drinkability: Very easy to drink, nice bitterness that isn't overpowering.
359. Dark Star American Pale Ale - England
Appearance: Pours a clear golden with a frothy thin head.
Smell: Very pronounced hops.
Taste: Sweet bready malts with a strong hop finish with notes of citrus.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, low-carbonation, oily.
Drinkability: Nice interplay of flavors, but the hops might be too much for some.
360. Milly's Brown-noser - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours an almost opaque dark brown with ruby edges. The only sign of a head is a thin ring of bubbles.
Smell: Roasted malts and dark fruit.
Taste: Sweet malts and fruit upfront, fading into light roasted flavors of chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Smooth with very low carbonation.
Drinkability: Nice subdued sweet and roasted flavors.
361. Coniston Bluebird Bitter XB - England
Appearance: Clear copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Damp cloth, nutty, hops.
Taste: Toasty malts, fruitiness, not a lot of hop presence.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and light to medium-bodied.
Drinkability: Not huge on flavors, but easy to drink.
362. Milly's 4th Anniversary Ale - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours a clear reddish copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Piney hops with a light citrus.
Taste: Light sweetness with a piney hoppy finish.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and oily.
Drinkability: Hard to tell, I'm full of beer.
363. Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale - Massachusetts
Appearance: Opaque black with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Nutty toffee, caramel and roasted malts.
Taste: Sweet caramel, dark fruits. The finish is sweet and candy-like with hints of roasted malts.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with a sweet syrupy finish.
Drinkability: Tasty, but a little heavy.
Overall I had a good time at NERAX. Of the beers I tried I think Dark Star APA is the winner, followed by Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale.
I've heard that NERAX is one of the best Real Ale events in the country. Unfortunately the final session probably wasn't the best one to go to. Many of the casks had already been emptied during previous sessions, and several were emptied during the session. Still, I had several excellent beers and I walked away with a nifty NERAX Imperial Pint glass.
Full-pints (20 oz.), half-pints (10 oz.) and quarter-pints (5 oz.) were available at the cash bar. I stuck to half-pints and quarter pints to maximize the number of different beers that I could sample. I also tried to cut down on the length of my tasting notes since it's hard to write and drink when standing.
358. Young's Bitter - England
Appearance: Clear copper, with a thin white head.
Smell: Malty with resiny hops.
Taste: Light toasty malts with a pleasing hop bitterness that isn't overpowering. The flavor of hops is more pronounced than the hop aromas.
Mouthfeel: Low-carbonation, smooth and light-bodied.
Drinkability: Very easy to drink, nice bitterness that isn't overpowering.
359. Dark Star American Pale Ale - England
Appearance: Pours a clear golden with a frothy thin head.
Smell: Very pronounced hops.
Taste: Sweet bready malts with a strong hop finish with notes of citrus.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, low-carbonation, oily.
Drinkability: Nice interplay of flavors, but the hops might be too much for some.
360. Milly's Brown-noser - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours an almost opaque dark brown with ruby edges. The only sign of a head is a thin ring of bubbles.
Smell: Roasted malts and dark fruit.
Taste: Sweet malts and fruit upfront, fading into light roasted flavors of chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee.
Mouthfeel: Smooth with very low carbonation.
Drinkability: Nice subdued sweet and roasted flavors.
361. Coniston Bluebird Bitter XB - England
Appearance: Clear copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Damp cloth, nutty, hops.
Taste: Toasty malts, fruitiness, not a lot of hop presence.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, and light to medium-bodied.
Drinkability: Not huge on flavors, but easy to drink.
362. Milly's 4th Anniversary Ale - New Hampshire
Appearance: Pours a clear reddish copper with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Piney hops with a light citrus.
Taste: Light sweetness with a piney hoppy finish.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and oily.
Drinkability: Hard to tell, I'm full of beer.
363. Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale - Massachusetts
Appearance: Opaque black with a thin bubbly head.
Smell: Nutty toffee, caramel and roasted malts.
Taste: Sweet caramel, dark fruits. The finish is sweet and candy-like with hints of roasted malts.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with a sweet syrupy finish.
Drinkability: Tasty, but a little heavy.
Overall I had a good time at NERAX. Of the beers I tried I think Dark Star APA is the winner, followed by Sam Adams Nut Brown Ale.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American Pale Ale, Beer Fests, English Bitter, English Pale Ale, Reviews
