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
1016. Fisherman's Bavarian Wheat
I'm again a bit behind on blogging. I initially bout a six-pack of this beer for American Craft Beer week, but didn't have time for a proper review until the 19th of May. I dropped my Harpoon Weizen glass getting it down from the shelf, another casualty, so I ended up serving the beer in one of my NERAX pint glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
This hefeweizen pours a surprisingly clear, golden color. There's a touch of cloudiness, but nothing approaching what you would expect for the style. Clarity aside, it's topped by a thick, bright white head that retains fairly well.
While the appearance may be off, the aroma is that of a classic German hefeweizen. There are nice fruity notes of bananas and citrus, as well as a bit of clove spiciness and yeastiness.
Bavarian Wheat is initially sweet with hints of citrus. The initial sweetness continues through the center where banana flavors come to the fore. As the banana fruitiness fades a bit of spiciness emerges, particularly notes of pepper and clove. The finish has a light citric twang and a mild, grassy bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and crisp with a nice dose of carbonation.
A solid hefeweizen, I'd definitely have it again.
I'm again a bit behind on blogging. I initially bout a six-pack of this beer for American Craft Beer week, but didn't have time for a proper review until the 19th of May. I dropped my Harpoon Weizen glass getting it down from the shelf, another casualty, so I ended up serving the beer in one of my NERAX pint glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cape Ann Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
This hefeweizen pours a surprisingly clear, golden color. There's a touch of cloudiness, but nothing approaching what you would expect for the style. Clarity aside, it's topped by a thick, bright white head that retains fairly well.
While the appearance may be off, the aroma is that of a classic German hefeweizen. There are nice fruity notes of bananas and citrus, as well as a bit of clove spiciness and yeastiness.
Bavarian Wheat is initially sweet with hints of citrus. The initial sweetness continues through the center where banana flavors come to the fore. As the banana fruitiness fades a bit of spiciness emerges, particularly notes of pepper and clove. The finish has a light citric twang and a mild, grassy bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and crisp with a nice dose of carbonation.
A solid hefeweizen, I'd definitely have it again.
Labels: Hefe Weizen
913. Long Trail Hefeweizen
I had a bottle or two of this beer while watching election coverage at Matt's apartment.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, but I remember being pleasantly surprised at this one. A nice German style hefeweizen with great banana and clove aromatics and flavors. I'd definitely pick this one up again.
I had a bottle or two of this beer while watching election coverage at Matt's apartment.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Long Trail Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
I didn't take notes, but I remember being pleasantly surprised at this one. A nice German style hefeweizen with great banana and clove aromatics and flavors. I'd definitely pick this one up again.
Labels: Hefe Weizen, Long Trail Brewing Company
896. Sunrise Weiss
I bought a 6-pack of Sunrise Weiss and a 6-pack of Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale because we were having Susan and Christian over for dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Victory Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefeweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, straw yellow, and is topped with a fluffy, white head that fades to a wispy film. The classic hefeweizen aromas are present: citrus, banana, yeast and a bit of graininess.
Sweet breadiness upfront moves into a fruit center with notes of bananas, bubble gum and citrus. The finish is lightly grainy with peppery notes and a light bitterness. Prickly carbonation, medium bodied and smooth.
Very refreshing and drinkable.
I bought a 6-pack of Sunrise Weiss and a 6-pack of Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale because we were having Susan and Christian over for dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Victory Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.70%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Hefeweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.1
Pours a cloudy, straw yellow, and is topped with a fluffy, white head that fades to a wispy film. The classic hefeweizen aromas are present: citrus, banana, yeast and a bit of graininess.
Sweet breadiness upfront moves into a fruit center with notes of bananas, bubble gum and citrus. The finish is lightly grainy with peppery notes and a light bitterness. Prickly carbonation, medium bodied and smooth.
Very refreshing and drinkable.
Labels: Hefe Weizen, Victory Brewing Company
855-856. Burlington: The Vermont Pub and Brewery
Published by Unknown on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
On Saturday Jadyn and I left the hotel and drove into downtown Burlington. On our way to rent bikes we stopped at a farmer's market and had some nice tamales and a black bean salad for brunch. Then we bought a loaf of bread, some peas, strawberries and some Willow Hill Farm Summertomme cheese, a sheep's milk cheese with an herbed crust.
After the farmer's market, we rented bicycles and rode the Island Line Bike Trail. The Island Line Trail is a 12.5 mile bike trail that begins at Oakledge Park in Burlington, runs through Burlington near the lake, crosses the Winooski River, runs through Colchester, and out onto a marble causeway originally built for a railroad that served the Lake Champlain Islands. The trail runs out to a gap in the causeway that's used by boats to pass from one side to the other. The trail continues on past the gap onto South Hero, but there's currently no means to cross it unless you arrange something ahead of time. We started at around mile 2.5 and rode to end of the causeway, where we stopped. We snacked on the peas, bread, cheese and strawberries, and then had a short swim before heading back. We stopped at North Beach on the way back, but didn't swim because it was crowded, so we snacked some more, and then sat on the grass resting for awhile.
After returning the bikes we walked around downtown some more, and then stopped at The Vermont Pub and Brewery to have a couple beers before dinner.
855. Spuyten Duyvil
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Vermont Pub & Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Pours a hazed, brownish-red. The off-white head fades to a thin film leaving patchy lace. The aroma is lightly acidic. There are also notes of wood with a nice funky, lambic earthiness on the swirl.
Acidic tartness throughout, light cherry fruitiness in the center with a woody finish. It could use a bit more of a puckering quality in the finish. Light-bodied and moderately carbonated with a light dryness in the finish.
Really drinkable because it's not overly sour. A damn good shot at a Flanders Red.
856. Beetlejuice
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Vermont Pub & Brewery
Alcohol: 6.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Jadyn and I split this one.
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours like a saturated yeast culture: cloudy and straw-golden. The head thins to a persistent film with good lace. The aroma is light with notes of citrus, banana, neutral grain and yeast.
Sweet upfront, but not overly so. There's nice banana and citrus fruitiness. Neutral graininess in the center with a yeasty finish. Light-bodied and moderately carbonated.
A perfect summer day beer.
After the farmer's market, we rented bicycles and rode the Island Line Bike Trail. The Island Line Trail is a 12.5 mile bike trail that begins at Oakledge Park in Burlington, runs through Burlington near the lake, crosses the Winooski River, runs through Colchester, and out onto a marble causeway originally built for a railroad that served the Lake Champlain Islands. The trail runs out to a gap in the causeway that's used by boats to pass from one side to the other. The trail continues on past the gap onto South Hero, but there's currently no means to cross it unless you arrange something ahead of time. We started at around mile 2.5 and rode to end of the causeway, where we stopped. We snacked on the peas, bread, cheese and strawberries, and then had a short swim before heading back. We stopped at North Beach on the way back, but didn't swim because it was crowded, so we snacked some more, and then sat on the grass resting for awhile.
After returning the bikes we walked around downtown some more, and then stopped at The Vermont Pub and Brewery to have a couple beers before dinner.
855. Spuyten Duyvil
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Vermont Pub & Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Flanders Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.9
Pours a hazed, brownish-red. The off-white head fades to a thin film leaving patchy lace. The aroma is lightly acidic. There are also notes of wood with a nice funky, lambic earthiness on the swirl.
Acidic tartness throughout, light cherry fruitiness in the center with a woody finish. It could use a bit more of a puckering quality in the finish. Light-bodied and moderately carbonated with a light dryness in the finish.
Really drinkable because it's not overly sour. A damn good shot at a Flanders Red.
856. Beetlejuice
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Vermont Pub & Brewery
Alcohol: 6.40%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Jadyn and I split this one.
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Pours like a saturated yeast culture: cloudy and straw-golden. The head thins to a persistent film with good lace. The aroma is light with notes of citrus, banana, neutral grain and yeast.
Sweet upfront, but not overly so. There's nice banana and citrus fruitiness. Neutral graininess in the center with a yeasty finish. Light-bodied and moderately carbonated.
A perfect summer day beer.
Labels: Flanders Red Ale, Hefe Weizen
284. Cambridge Brewing Company's Hefeweizen
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 6:47 PM.
284. Cambridge Brewing Company's Hefeweizen
Jadyn and I went to CBC for drinks on Saturday afternoon (I think). I had the CBC Hefeweizen, which I had had before, but didn't remember trying.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a brilliant, straw-golden color with a thin white head that eventually fades completely.
Smell (3.5): Banana fruitiness, with some grain and yeast on the swirl.
Taste (4.0): Sweet banana and bubblegum upfront. Moves into a citric flavor in the center, and ends with husky grain and yeast flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Definitely a nice summer brew. It's thirst-quenching, and pretty easy to have a few of.
Overall (3.95)
Jadyn and I went to CBC for drinks on Saturday afternoon (I think). I had the CBC Hefeweizen, which I had had before, but didn't remember trying.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a brilliant, straw-golden color with a thin white head that eventually fades completely.
Smell (3.5): Banana fruitiness, with some grain and yeast on the swirl.
Taste (4.0): Sweet banana and bubblegum upfront. Moves into a citric flavor in the center, and ends with husky grain and yeast flavors.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, smooth.
Drinkability (4.5): Definitely a nice summer brew. It's thirst-quenching, and pretty easy to have a few of.
Overall (3.95)
Labels: Cambridge Brewing Company, Hefe Weizen
Needing to get out of the black hole of entertainment that is my grandparents' house, I headed to Cricket's for some beer on Monday the 18th. When I arrived I called Win and Jordan. Jordan arrived first and we played darts for an hour or so. Win arrived later, after we had moved to a table on the balcony.
I started off with the always tasty Live Oak Hefe before moving on to new beers.
588. New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear copper with a thick off-white head that fades to a film leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): There's a light Belgian yeast fruitiness, bananas are particularly evident. There are some hints of grain as well as some peppery spice.
Taste (3.5): Some toasty malts and sweet fruitiness. The finish is peppery with some citric tartness and a low but lasting bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, but I was hoping for a bit more.
Overall (3.7)
589. 60 Minute IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, copper color with a thick off-white head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (4.5): Some light, toasty malts and some floral and grassy hops.
Taste (4.5): Toasty malts upfront followed by some sweet caramel. The finish is a strong grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation with a touch of oiliness.
Drinkability (5.0): Sessionable as hell.
Overall (4.4)
590. Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest-Märzen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr Bräu GmbH
Alcohol: 5.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear amber with an off-white head that thins to a film.
Smell (4.5): Rich and malty with lots of caramel and toffee and a little bit of a tart fruitiness.
Taste (4.0): Some light toasty malts that meld with sweet caramel and toffee flavors. There's a very light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium to full-bodied and creamy with low carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Nice, but a little rich.
Overall (4.1)
288. Live Oak Liberation
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Live Oak Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Very lightly hazy copper with an off-white head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (5.0): A bit of toasty malts, but the aroma is dominated by a wonderful citrusy and grapefruity hop aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty upfront with some light citric sweetness and tartness, followed by a bit of peppery spice. The finish is a nice grapefruit and grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, low carbonation with a smooth oiliness.
Drinkability (4.5): Nicely balanced with a great grapefruit character.
Overall (4.25)
591. Münchner Kindl Weissbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Staatliches Hofbräuhaus
Alcohol: 5.10%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a cloudy, straw golden with a white head that fades to a patchy layer.
Smell (4.5): Bananas, citrus, bubble-gum, cloves and a light graininess.
Taste (4.0): The taste is much like the smell. There are strong bananas, light bubblegum, cloves and a light graininess in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Medium-bodied, low carbonation
Drinkability (5.0): Tasty and very easy to drink.
Overall (4.35)
I started off with the always tasty Live Oak Hefe before moving on to new beers.
588. New Belgium Saison Harvest Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: Saison, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear copper with a thick off-white head that fades to a film leaving patchy lace.
Smell (3.5): There's a light Belgian yeast fruitiness, bananas are particularly evident. There are some hints of grain as well as some peppery spice.
Taste (3.5): Some toasty malts and sweet fruitiness. The finish is peppery with some citric tartness and a low but lasting bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, high carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Tasty, but I was hoping for a bit more.
Overall (3.7)
589. 60 Minute IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, copper color with a thick off-white head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (4.5): Some light, toasty malts and some floral and grassy hops.
Taste (4.5): Toasty malts upfront followed by some sweet caramel. The finish is a strong grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation with a touch of oiliness.
Drinkability (5.0): Sessionable as hell.
Overall (4.4)
590. Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest-Märzen
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr Bräu GmbH
Alcohol: 5.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Märzen / Oktoberfest, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear amber with an off-white head that thins to a film.
Smell (4.5): Rich and malty with lots of caramel and toffee and a little bit of a tart fruitiness.
Taste (4.0): Some light toasty malts that meld with sweet caramel and toffee flavors. There's a very light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium to full-bodied and creamy with low carbonation.
Drinkability (4.0): Nice, but a little rich.
Overall (4.1)
288. Live Oak Liberation
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Live Oak Brewery
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Very lightly hazy copper with an off-white head that thins to a patchy film.
Smell (5.0): A bit of toasty malts, but the aroma is dominated by a wonderful citrusy and grapefruity hop aroma.
Taste (4.0): Toasty upfront with some light citric sweetness and tartness, followed by a bit of peppery spice. The finish is a nice grapefruit and grassy hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, low carbonation with a smooth oiliness.
Drinkability (4.5): Nicely balanced with a great grapefruit character.
Overall (4.25)
591. Münchner Kindl Weissbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Staatliches Hofbräuhaus
Alcohol: 5.10%
Serving: Tap
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours a cloudy, straw golden with a white head that fades to a patchy layer.
Smell (4.5): Bananas, citrus, bubble-gum, cloves and a light graininess.
Taste (4.0): The taste is much like the smell. There are strong bananas, light bubblegum, cloves and a light graininess in the finish.
Mouthfeel (4.5): Medium-bodied, low carbonation
Drinkability (5.0): Tasty and very easy to drink.
Overall (4.35)
Labels: American IPA, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Hacker-Pschorr Bräu, Hefe Weizen, Live Oak Brewery, Märzen / Oktoberfest, New Belgium Brewing, Saison, Staatliches Hofbräuhaus
390. Ayinger Bräu Weisse
I purchased this tonight at Downtown Wine & Spirits along with a few other bottles. I'd already made a trip to a liquor store for beer this week. However, after working in lab for 17 hours yesterday, sleeping on the couch in my advisor's office and getting up early today I figured it was worth it. I chilled this in the fridge and served it in my UFO Weizen glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying
Alcohol: 5.10%
Serving: 500 mL
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a cloudy golden with a thick creamy white head that collapses to a thin quarter-inch layer.
Smell (4.0): Very yeasty with notes of bubble-gum, banana, clove and citrus. There are also grainy and spicy aromas.
Taste (3.5): Sweet upfront, with spicy cloves in the center and a citric and grainy finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a crisp finish.
Drinkability (4.0): Very refreshing, especially given the current weather.
Overall (3.75): This is a good beer, but not my favorite Hefe.
I purchased this tonight at Downtown Wine & Spirits along with a few other bottles. I'd already made a trip to a liquor store for beer this week. However, after working in lab for 17 hours yesterday, sleeping on the couch in my advisor's office and getting up early today I figured it was worth it. I chilled this in the fridge and served it in my UFO Weizen glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying
Alcohol: 5.10%
Serving: 500 mL
Style: Hefe Weizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a cloudy golden with a thick creamy white head that collapses to a thin quarter-inch layer.
Smell (4.0): Very yeasty with notes of bubble-gum, banana, clove and citrus. There are also grainy and spicy aromas.
Taste (3.5): Sweet upfront, with spicy cloves in the center and a citric and grainy finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodied, moderate carbonation with a crisp finish.
Drinkability (4.0): Very refreshing, especially given the current weather.
Overall (3.75): This is a good beer, but not my favorite Hefe.
Labels: Brauerei Aying, Hefe Weizen, Reviews
321-324. New York City: Brooklyn Brewery Tour
Published by Unknown on Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 11:49 PM.
On Saturday we went to the Brooklyn Brewery for a tour. The tours are free and occur hourly beginning at 1 PM on Saturdays. The tour lasts about half an hour, and is one-half history of the brewery and one-half about how beer is brewed. The entire tour takes place in a single room where the wort is made and where the fermenters are. I was surprised how open the access was. None of the equipment is roped off or behind glass. There was a tub of iodine solution for sterilizing equipment in the middle of where the tour group stood.
Brooklyn Brewery Logo
The tour setup was surprisingly focused on drinking beer. There is an open access bar area with a large amount of seating, art on the walls, and fairly 'hip' music playing. You can get full-sized beers at the bar by purchasing tokens for $3 each. The brewery opens at 12 PM and closes at around 5 PM. There is no limit to how long you can drink there, they just kick everyone out when it closes. There's also a happy hour from 6-11 PM on Fridays. There were 8 beers on tap: Brooklyner Weisse, Brooklyn Lager, Saison de Brooklyn, Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55, Brooklyn Pilsner, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Brooklyn Smoked Porter.
Brooklyn Smoked Porter, Brooklyner Weisse & Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.
A cat that seems to be a brewery resident.
321. Saison de Brooklyn
I had this on tap, obviously at the brewery, in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Saison, which is a farmhouse ale typically brewed in the winter for summer consumption.
Appearance: Pours a hazy pale golden, with persistent carbonation. The white head diminishes to a thin layer, and leaves nice lacing.
Smell: Major notes of bananas and cloves, with an earthy aroma as well.
Taste: There are flavors of pepper, cloves and bananas at the front of the palate. The center has acidic tartness with some malts. The finish is slightly sweet, with bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light-bodied with some tingly carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is light and refreshing and pleasantly flavored.
Overall: This reminds me of a dry Hefe Weisse.
322. Brooklyn Smoked Porter
I had this on tap in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is an American Porter that uses smoked malts to achieve a smoky flavor.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a dark brown, bordering on opaque. There's a yellowish-brown tint through the light. A thin beige head fades into a thin layer.
Smell (4.0): Aromas include smoky roasted malts, coffee and chocolate.
Taste (4.5): The front of the palate is sweet followed by coffee and dark chocolate flavors from the roasted malts in the center. There is a smoky aftertaste. There is bitterness from hops and roasted malts, which is balanced by sweetness and some acidic tartness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Carbonation is mild. The beer is very thick and creamy.
Drinkability (3.0): This beer drinks like a meal.
Overall (TC: 4.05, BA: 4.1): This is an exceptionally well balanced porter. Very nice.
323. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Once again, served on tap at Brooklyn Brewery in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Russian Imperial Stout.
Appearance: This pours a dark black, with some ruby tints when held to the light. There's a one-half inch brown head that sticks to the glass nicely.
Smell: There's a sweet almost berry-like aroma.
Taste: The beer is sweet upfront. Dark chocolate flavors fade into bitterness from roasted malts and hops. The 8.5% abv is very evident in this beer.
Mouthfeel: This beer is smooth and full-bodied, with light carbonation.
Drinkability: This would go nice with a meal, but is way to heavy to drink several of.
324. Brooklyner Weisse
Had on tap at Brooklyn Brewery in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Bavarian style Hefe Weizen. I had some water between the Black Chocolate Stout and this to cleanse the palate.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy golden, with moderate carbonation. A creamy white head persists as a quarter-inch layer, with nice lacing.
Smell (3.5): There are light clove and banana notes, though not as pronounced as the Saison. The most obvious aroma is a yeast, musty smell.
Taste (3.0): This is lightly sweet at the beginning, with cloves and bananas at the center. There isn't much bitterness or flavor in the finish.
Mouthfeel (2.0): Strong carbonation up front. Other than carbonation this beer is very light-bodied, almost watery.
Drinkability (3.0): This beer is light and easy to drink, what flavors there are, are pleasant.
Overall (TC: 2.975, BA: 3.2): This was a pretty disappointing beer. The fruity and spicy flavors and aromas of German Hefes are present, but the flavors just fall flat. Look to Live Oak Hefe Weizen for one of the best American made German style Hefes.
"For a relaxing time, make it Santori Time"
The following pictures were taken while saying the above phrase.
David
Dave
Thom (note: definitely the worst picture of the three)
Next entry, two more beers that I had elsewhere in NYC.
Brooklyn Brewery Logo
The tour setup was surprisingly focused on drinking beer. There is an open access bar area with a large amount of seating, art on the walls, and fairly 'hip' music playing. You can get full-sized beers at the bar by purchasing tokens for $3 each. The brewery opens at 12 PM and closes at around 5 PM. There is no limit to how long you can drink there, they just kick everyone out when it closes. There's also a happy hour from 6-11 PM on Fridays. There were 8 beers on tap: Brooklyner Weisse, Brooklyn Lager, Saison de Brooklyn, Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55, Brooklyn Pilsner, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Brooklyn Smoked Porter.
Brooklyn Smoked Porter, Brooklyner Weisse & Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.
A cat that seems to be a brewery resident.
321. Saison de Brooklyn
I had this on tap, obviously at the brewery, in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Saison, which is a farmhouse ale typically brewed in the winter for summer consumption.
Appearance: Pours a hazy pale golden, with persistent carbonation. The white head diminishes to a thin layer, and leaves nice lacing.
Smell: Major notes of bananas and cloves, with an earthy aroma as well.
Taste: There are flavors of pepper, cloves and bananas at the front of the palate. The center has acidic tartness with some malts. The finish is slightly sweet, with bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light-bodied with some tingly carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is light and refreshing and pleasantly flavored.
Overall: This reminds me of a dry Hefe Weisse.
322. Brooklyn Smoked Porter
I had this on tap in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is an American Porter that uses smoked malts to achieve a smoky flavor.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a dark brown, bordering on opaque. There's a yellowish-brown tint through the light. A thin beige head fades into a thin layer.
Smell (4.0): Aromas include smoky roasted malts, coffee and chocolate.
Taste (4.5): The front of the palate is sweet followed by coffee and dark chocolate flavors from the roasted malts in the center. There is a smoky aftertaste. There is bitterness from hops and roasted malts, which is balanced by sweetness and some acidic tartness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Carbonation is mild. The beer is very thick and creamy.
Drinkability (3.0): This beer drinks like a meal.
Overall (TC: 4.05, BA: 4.1): This is an exceptionally well balanced porter. Very nice.
323. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Once again, served on tap at Brooklyn Brewery in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Russian Imperial Stout.
Appearance: This pours a dark black, with some ruby tints when held to the light. There's a one-half inch brown head that sticks to the glass nicely.
Smell: There's a sweet almost berry-like aroma.
Taste: The beer is sweet upfront. Dark chocolate flavors fade into bitterness from roasted malts and hops. The 8.5% abv is very evident in this beer.
Mouthfeel: This beer is smooth and full-bodied, with light carbonation.
Drinkability: This would go nice with a meal, but is way to heavy to drink several of.
324. Brooklyner Weisse
Had on tap at Brooklyn Brewery in a plastic Brooklyn Brewery cup. This is a Bavarian style Hefe Weizen. I had some water between the Black Chocolate Stout and this to cleanse the palate.
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazy golden, with moderate carbonation. A creamy white head persists as a quarter-inch layer, with nice lacing.
Smell (3.5): There are light clove and banana notes, though not as pronounced as the Saison. The most obvious aroma is a yeast, musty smell.
Taste (3.0): This is lightly sweet at the beginning, with cloves and bananas at the center. There isn't much bitterness or flavor in the finish.
Mouthfeel (2.0): Strong carbonation up front. Other than carbonation this beer is very light-bodied, almost watery.
Drinkability (3.0): This beer is light and easy to drink, what flavors there are, are pleasant.
Overall (TC: 2.975, BA: 3.2): This was a pretty disappointing beer. The fruity and spicy flavors and aromas of German Hefes are present, but the flavors just fall flat. Look to Live Oak Hefe Weizen for one of the best American made German style Hefes.
"For a relaxing time, make it Santori Time"
The following pictures were taken while saying the above phrase.
David
Dave
Thom (note: definitely the worst picture of the three)
Next entry, two more beers that I had elsewhere in NYC.
Labels: American Porter, Brewery Tours, Brooklyn Brewery, Hefe Weizen, NYC, Russian Imperial Stout, Saison, Travel
I went to NYC this weekend to visit David and Dave. I arrived in the always clean Port Authority Bus Terminal, and then headed to David's apartment to drop my stuff off. We decided on Sri Lankan food, and since Sigiri is BYOB we stopped at Columbia Deli and Market to pick up some beer to have with dinner. The selection was pretty impressive. We picked up a bottle of McChouffe and a bottle of Hitachino Nest Weizen.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
319. McChouffe
McChouffe is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. I chose this beer because I've heard good things, and because it's Belgian. We had a 750 mL green bottle with a larger than normal bottle cap, and a Scottish looking gnome character on the front. This had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a hazy brown color. A thick beige head diminishes to a thin layer, but leaves nice lacing.
Smell: This had a surprisingly light aroma. There were some bready sweet aromas, as well as hints of spice.
Taste: Peppery spicy flavors dominate the front of the palate, with light malts in the center. The finish is sweet, with warming alcohol. There was mild bitterness in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, and medium bodied.
Drinkability: As with beers of this and similar styles I like the interplay between spicy and sweet flavors. I could drink a lot of this.
320. Hitachino Nest Weizen
Hitachino Nest Weizen is a Hefe Weizen brewed by the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan. We picked this up because I wanted to try more of the Hitachino Nest beers. It came in a 750 mL brown bottle with the owl on the front. As with the McChouffe, this had warmed sufficiently by the end of our subway ride, and was served in a wine glass.
Appearance: The beer pours a lightly cloudy golden color with little carbonation. A thin fluffy head emerges but quickly vanishes.
Smell: The aroma is fruity, like that of a typical hefe. I get sour apple, clove and banana aromas.
Taste: Sweetness and clove spices are present in the front of the palate. Sourness comes through in the center. There is a very, very light bitterness.
Mouthfeel: This beer is light bodied with mild carbonation.
Drinkability: This beer is very light and refreshing.
DEL: "Sour apple aftertaste encourages you to drink another." "Representative of its class in a good way."
Other Beer
We then went to an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre where we each had four PBR cans. After improv we went to a bar and each had a Bud Light on tap. There are two more entries to do for this trip. They include a tour of the Brooklyn Brewery, and some new beers in various bars.
Labels: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Brasserie d'Achouffe, Hefe Weizen, Kiuchi Brewery, NYC, Reviews, Travel
