Win bought tickets for a Mets game in early July, so I went down to NY to go to the game and see Win, Dave, and David. I got into town Friday afternoon, and we took the subway to Park Slope, and had dinner at a German restaurant whose name escapes me. I had two new beers there with dinner.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
This beer pours a clear, straw-golden color, and is topped by a white head that fads to a ring, but is fed by streams of bubbles. The aroma is a bit richer than a lot of other Pilseners. It's grassy and has a bit more of a pronounced malt character that other examples of the style.
A mild, malty sweetness upfront moves into a dry, crisp finish with grassy hops, which leave a nice lingering bittereness. This beer is crisp, and clean with good carbonation.
I thought that this was a pretty tasty Pils.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Keegan Ales
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
This IPA pours a very lightly hazed amber. It's topped by a thick, off-white head that leaves good lace. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, slight roast, and chocolate, which is very odd for an IPA. The hops are mild and resiny with hints of citrus.
Caramel malts upfront move into a dry grassy, and citric hop finish. This beer is medium-modied with moderate carbonation.
Despite the interesting combination of aromas this was a nice, bitter IPA with good malts to back up the hops.
After dinner we went across the street to a great beer bar and small plates establishment called Beer Table, which had a phenomenal beer list, great snack plates, and a knowledgeable server.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Del Ducato
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Chimera pours a cloudy red color, and it topped by a creamy, off-white head. It looks very nice. The aroma is mild with notes of cherry, and a mild acidity, which made it seem like it might be a milder Flanders Red.
It starts off malty and moves into a light, cherry fruitiness in the center. The finish has a pulpy fruit character, notes of chocolate, and a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and dry.
This beer reminded my of a mild Flanders Red that was more balanced and less tart.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
This beer pours a hazy golden color. It's topped by a white head that quickly fades to a ring, and eventually disappears altogether. The aroma has typical esters thrown off by Belgian yeast: bananas and citrus. There's also a bit of graininess, and an odd, hard to place aroma.
Grassy malts move into a fruity, banana sweetness in the center. The finish has a grassy bitterness. This beer feels a bit watery.
The flavors here were good, but it lacked pep.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Molen
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is Double IPA from a Dutch brewery... interesting. It pours a hazy caramel color, and is topped by a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is malty with overripe banana, buttery notes, and some nuttiness. There's a strong peppery alcoholic whiff, and notes of resiny hops.
Sweet caramel and bready malts upfront move into a center that's sweetened by flavors of overripe fruit. The finish has peppery alcoholic heat, and a resiny, citric hop character, that imparts a moderate bitterness. Full-bodied and moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
Though not quite an American DIPA this was definitely an enjoyable beer.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij 't Brouwkot
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Netebuk pours a hazy golden color, and is topped by a half-inch, bright white head that fades to a film. This is a very attractive beer. The aromas are subdued, but there are notes of lemon, citrus, and grass.
Grassy notes upfront quickly give way to sweet fruity flavors of bright citrus. The finish is crisp with a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied with refreshing and vigorous carbonation.
I though this was a crisp and refreshing saison.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.15
Hof Ten Dormaal's Blond pours a cloudy golden, and is topped by a tall, white head that fades away very slowly. The aroma has a sourdough breadiness, notes of banana, and hay.
Upfront there's a clean but quite sweet maltiness that yields to a banana and citric fruitiness in the center, and moves into a yeasty finish with only hints of bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and highly carbonated.
Pretty aggressive for a saison, but quite tasty.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Montegioco
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.35
My notes started to get shorter here. This beer pours a hazed red color. The head is thin, and is made up of large, thin bubbles. The aroma is acidic with notes of sour cherries, and woody notes.
There are flavors of cherries, dark fruit, and woody notes. The sourness is there, but as an undertone. The finish has a mild bitterness. This beer is dry and crisp with low carbonation.
Despite not being as sour as I normally like I thought that this beer was a good balance between a puckering Flanders Red and a milder beer.
After leaving Beer Table we went to a bar called The Gate, where we had a couple more drinks.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.83%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
WTF pours a clear brown color, and is topped by an off-white head that is thick and fluffy. The aroma is a nice mix of citric hops and caramel and molasses malts.
This beer starts malty with a mix of roasted and caramel notes. It mellows towards the center before moving into a resiny, grassy hop bitterness. It's medum-bodied and moderately carbonated.
It's a bit strong, but makes a good sipper.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a quickly fading beige head. The aroma has notes of grapefruit hops and mild malts.
It's sweet upfront, moving into a citric hop finish. It's sort of one-note. There are citric hops, but not a lot of malt baking, which for me makes the mild.
We had this, among other beers at the Beer Garden in Queens after the game.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Královský Pivovar Krušovice
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
I thought that I'd had this one before, so I didn't take notes. I remember enjoying it, and that's about all I remember about it.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Tap
Style: German Pilsener, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0| Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.65
This beer pours a clear, straw-golden color, and is topped by a white head that fads to a ring, but is fed by streams of bubbles. The aroma is a bit richer than a lot of other Pilseners. It's grassy and has a bit more of a pronounced malt character that other examples of the style.
A mild, malty sweetness upfront moves into a dry, crisp finish with grassy hops, which leave a nice lingering bittereness. This beer is crisp, and clean with good carbonation.
I thought that this was a pretty tasty Pils.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Keegan Ales
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
This IPA pours a very lightly hazed amber. It's topped by a thick, off-white head that leaves good lace. The aroma is malty with notes of caramel, slight roast, and chocolate, which is very odd for an IPA. The hops are mild and resiny with hints of citrus.
Caramel malts upfront move into a dry grassy, and citric hop finish. This beer is medium-modied with moderate carbonation.
Despite the interesting combination of aromas this was a nice, bitter IPA with good malts to back up the hops.
After dinner we went across the street to a great beer bar and small plates establishment called Beer Table, which had a phenomenal beer list, great snack plates, and a knowledgeable server.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Del Ducato
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Chimera pours a cloudy red color, and it topped by a creamy, off-white head. It looks very nice. The aroma is mild with notes of cherry, and a mild acidity, which made it seem like it might be a milder Flanders Red.
It starts off malty and moves into a light, cherry fruitiness in the center. The finish has a pulpy fruit character, notes of chocolate, and a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied, moderately carbonated, and dry.
This beer reminded my of a mild Flanders Red that was more balanced and less tart.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar
Alcohol: 5.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.45
This beer pours a hazy golden color. It's topped by a white head that quickly fades to a ring, and eventually disappears altogether. The aroma has typical esters thrown off by Belgian yeast: bananas and citrus. There's also a bit of graininess, and an odd, hard to place aroma.
Grassy malts move into a fruity, banana sweetness in the center. The finish has a grassy bitterness. This beer feels a bit watery.
The flavors here were good, but it lacked pep.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij De Molen
Alcohol: 9.20%
Serving: Bottle
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is Double IPA from a Dutch brewery... interesting. It pours a hazy caramel color, and is topped by a white head that fades to a film. The aroma is malty with overripe banana, buttery notes, and some nuttiness. There's a strong peppery alcoholic whiff, and notes of resiny hops.
Sweet caramel and bready malts upfront move into a center that's sweetened by flavors of overripe fruit. The finish has peppery alcoholic heat, and a resiny, citric hop character, that imparts a moderate bitterness. Full-bodied and moderately carbonated with a smooth finish.
Though not quite an American DIPA this was definitely an enjoyable beer.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij 't Brouwkot
Alcohol: 6.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.25
Netebuk pours a hazy golden color, and is topped by a half-inch, bright white head that fades to a film. This is a very attractive beer. The aromas are subdued, but there are notes of lemon, citrus, and grass.
Grassy notes upfront quickly give way to sweet fruity flavors of bright citrus. The finish is crisp with a mild bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied with refreshing and vigorous carbonation.
I though this was a crisp and refreshing saison.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Alcohol: 8.00%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Saison / Farmhouse Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 5.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.15
Hof Ten Dormaal's Blond pours a cloudy golden, and is topped by a tall, white head that fades away very slowly. The aroma has a sourdough breadiness, notes of banana, and hay.
Upfront there's a clean but quite sweet maltiness that yields to a banana and citric fruitiness in the center, and moves into a yeasty finish with only hints of bitterness. This beer is light-bodied and highly carbonated.
Pretty aggressive for a saison, but quite tasty.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Birrificio Montegioco
Alcohol: 8.50%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.35
My notes started to get shorter here. This beer pours a hazed red color. The head is thin, and is made up of large, thin bubbles. The aroma is acidic with notes of sour cherries, and woody notes.
There are flavors of cherries, dark fruit, and woody notes. The sourness is there, but as an undertone. The finish has a mild bitterness. This beer is dry and crisp with low carbonation.
Despite not being as sour as I normally like I thought that this beer was a good balance between a puckering Flanders Red and a milder beer.
After leaving Beer Table we went to a bar called The Gate, where we had a couple more drinks.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.83%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Strong Ale
WTF pours a clear brown color, and is topped by an off-white head that is thick and fluffy. The aroma is a nice mix of citric hops and caramel and molasses malts.
This beer starts malty with a mix of roasted and caramel notes. It mellows towards the center before moving into a resiny, grassy hop bitterness. It's medum-bodied and moderately carbonated.
It's a bit strong, but makes a good sipper.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Mild Ale, BJCP Style Guide
This beer pours a clear, copper color, and is topped by a quickly fading beige head. The aroma has notes of grapefruit hops and mild malts.
It's sweet upfront, moving into a citric hop finish. It's sort of one-note. There are citric hops, but not a lot of malt baking, which for me makes the mild.
We had this, among other beers at the Beer Garden in Queens after the game.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Královský Pivovar Krušovice
Alcohol: 3.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
I thought that I'd had this one before, so I didn't take notes. I remember enjoying it, and that's about all I remember about it.
Labels: American Double IPA, American IPA, American Strong Ale, Belgian Dark Ale, Belgian Pale Ale, English Pale Mild Ale, German Pilsener, Saison, Schwarzbier
We woke up late on Saturday morning. I was in a bad state until I got delicious, delicious brunch at Kitchenette. After brunch we headed up to the Bronx to see the grave of Gouverneur Morris, author of much of the Constitution. We sat in a nearby part for half-an-hour or so, and then headed out to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for some more beer.Our first stop in Greenpoint was Black Rabbit, a newish looking bar. Black Rabbit has a nice atmosphere. The ceiling is painted bright red, but the rest of the bar is almost monochrome with dark-brown, almost black wood paneling on the lower-half of the walls and off-white paint on the top half. The booths have doors and a button to press for service, and there's a retro television near the front of the bar. David and Win played backgammon and we had Welsh rarebit fondue and a cheese plate.
951. Captain Lawrence Brown Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Brown Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.7
Captain Lawrence is another New York brewery that I don't see in Boston. I was impressed last time I went to New York. Their Brown Ale pours a clear, garnet brown and is topped by a light brown head that fades to a film leaving spots of lace. The aroma is malty: toasty, bready, and chocolate notes as well a hint of fruit.
Toasty and roasty upfront. Chocolate notes and a bit of sweetness in the center. The finish has a light, roasted bitterness. Light-to-medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation. The roasted malts give a nice husky character.
A nice session beer.
952. Trader IPA
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company
Alcohol: 4.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.3
Pours a cloudy copper. Topped by a white head that fades to a film, leaving no lace. The aroma has notes of resiny hops, caramel malts and an apricot fruitiness.
Sweet, bready malts upfront move through more of the same in the center to a mildly bitter hop finish. There's also a bit of residual sweetness in the finish. Could use a good bit more bitterness. Thin feeling with moderate carbonation.
Needs a bit more hop bitterness and flavor.
953. Kelso Chocolate Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Greenpoint Beerworks
Alcohol: 6.75%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.9
Kelso's Chocolate Lager is a clear, garnet brown in color. A thick, light brown head fades to a film. Roasty malts on the nose with a strong chocolate component.
Roasted malts and chocolate sweetness are the predominant characters in the beer. The chocolate starts off sweet, but then melds nicely into the roasted malt flavors in the finish. Medium-bodied and nicely carbonated.
The chocolate is very dominant in the beer, and could perhaps be toned down for the sake of balance, but otherwise delicious.
Labels: American Brown Ale, American IPA, Schwarzbier, Travel
Back in college Shiner Bock was my go to beer. When I wasn't trying something or drinking something terrible and cheap I was likely drinking Shiner. Now I've tried more, and better beers and Shiner seems pretty middle of the road, but I always have a few when I go back to Texas. It's "comfort beer".
Spoetzl Brewery may not produce exciting or innovative beers, but they consistently brew above average lagers with crossover appeal. I knew quite a few people in college who wouldn't drink "dark beer," but would gladly drink a Shiner. Shiner probably won't be a beer epiphany for most people. At worst it's a step above Bud Light. At best it can be a gateway beer, and it's brewed locally (if you're in Texas).
Beginning about 4 years ago Spoetzl started releasing limited edition anniversary beers starting at 96 and counting up to their centennial, which was released last month. In general their anniversary beers have been better than their flagship, and one, the Black Lager, has made its way into Spoetzl's permanent line-up.
I missed Shiner 97 when it was first released so I brought a six-pack over to Win's house sometime the week before Christmas. Ward also brought over a pack of Shiner Holiday Cheer.
930. Shiner Bohemian Black Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.75
Pours a clear brown, and is topped is by a creamy, beige head that fades quickly, leaving a persistent film on the surface f the beer. The aroma is roasty with undercurrents of chocolate and dark fruit.
Toasty malts quickly move into their darker, roastier counterparts. There's a light, sweet undertone throughout the beer that grows into a raisiny, chocolate character before moving into a roasty bitterness in the finish. Medium-bodied and smooth with moderate carbonation.
Tasty, probably Shiner's best year-round beer.
931. Shiner Holiday Cheer
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Dunkelweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel:4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.85
This holiday beer is brewed with peaches and pecans, an interesting combination. Pours a clear, dark, copper color. A thick, light brown head fades to a sudsy film leaving sheets of lace. Peaches dominate aroma masking most others. The combine with the light maltiness to give a candied impression. There might be slight notes of pecan, but it's hard to tell if that's the label planting things in my head.
Carmel malts, and a definite pecan nuttiness upfront. The sweet fruitiness of the peaches appears in the center along with a bit of spiciness. The finish is mildly bitter, especially in the aftertaste, which is reminiscent of the dryness of pecan husks. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a pleasing husky dryness in the finish.
A little sweet overall, but definitely a flavorful and interesting beer. The odd combination of pecans and peaches in a beer really works here.
Spoetzl Brewery may not produce exciting or innovative beers, but they consistently brew above average lagers with crossover appeal. I knew quite a few people in college who wouldn't drink "dark beer," but would gladly drink a Shiner. Shiner probably won't be a beer epiphany for most people. At worst it's a step above Bud Light. At best it can be a gateway beer, and it's brewed locally (if you're in Texas).
Beginning about 4 years ago Spoetzl started releasing limited edition anniversary beers starting at 96 and counting up to their centennial, which was released last month. In general their anniversary beers have been better than their flagship, and one, the Black Lager, has made its way into Spoetzl's permanent line-up.
I missed Shiner 97 when it was first released so I brought a six-pack over to Win's house sometime the week before Christmas. Ward also brought over a pack of Shiner Holiday Cheer.
930. Shiner Bohemian Black Lager
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 3.75
Pours a clear brown, and is topped is by a creamy, beige head that fades quickly, leaving a persistent film on the surface f the beer. The aroma is roasty with undercurrents of chocolate and dark fruit.
Toasty malts quickly move into their darker, roastier counterparts. There's a light, sweet undertone throughout the beer that grows into a raisiny, chocolate character before moving into a roasty bitterness in the finish. Medium-bodied and smooth with moderate carbonation.
Tasty, probably Shiner's best year-round beer.
931. Shiner Holiday Cheer
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Spoetzl Brewery
Alcohol: 5.40%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Dunkelweizen, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel:4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.85
This holiday beer is brewed with peaches and pecans, an interesting combination. Pours a clear, dark, copper color. A thick, light brown head fades to a sudsy film leaving sheets of lace. Peaches dominate aroma masking most others. The combine with the light maltiness to give a candied impression. There might be slight notes of pecan, but it's hard to tell if that's the label planting things in my head.
Carmel malts, and a definite pecan nuttiness upfront. The sweet fruitiness of the peaches appears in the center along with a bit of spiciness. The finish is mildly bitter, especially in the aftertaste, which is reminiscent of the dryness of pecan husks. Highly carbonated, medium-bodied with a pleasing husky dryness in the finish.
A little sweet overall, but definitely a flavorful and interesting beer. The odd combination of pecans and peaches in a beer really works here.
Labels: Schwarzbier, Spoetzl Brewery
922. Buzzard's Bay Black Lager
A labmate took his qualifying exam on December 1st, so we went to The Muddy Charles for some beer afterwards. They had Buzzard's Bay Black Lager on tap so I ordered a pitcher.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Buzzard's Bay Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
Pours a dark black with brown tints at the edges. Topped by a thin, sudsy, beige head that fades to a bubbly film. The aroma is roasted malts, coffee and a bit of breadiness.
Lightly sweet, chocolate notes upfront over a dark roasty backbone with a bit of roasted and hop bitterness in the finish. Moderate carbonation, medium- bodied. Roasted grains give the beer a bit of husky dryness.
Decently flavorful. Nice, but not terribly complex.
A labmate took his qualifying exam on December 1st, so we went to The Muddy Charles for some beer afterwards. They had Buzzard's Bay Black Lager on tap so I ordered a pitcher.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Buzzard's Bay Brewing
Alcohol: 5.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 3.5 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.55
Pours a dark black with brown tints at the edges. Topped by a thin, sudsy, beige head that fades to a bubbly film. The aroma is roasted malts, coffee and a bit of breadiness.
Lightly sweet, chocolate notes upfront over a dark roasty backbone with a bit of roasted and hop bitterness in the finish. Moderate carbonation, medium- bodied. Roasted grains give the beer a bit of husky dryness.
Decently flavorful. Nice, but not terribly complex.
Labels: Buzzard's Bay Brewing, Schwarzbier
853-854. Burlington: American Flatbread
Published by Unknown on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
Jadyn and I went to Burlington, Vermont the weekend of July 11th. We left Cambridge at about 3:30 and drove to Burlington. After checking into our hotel and relaxing for about an hour we walked into town and decided to have dinner at American Flatbread. We'd been to a similar restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on the way back from skiing a couple times. The two have to be related somehow; they have similar menus, and similar atmospheres, but they have different websites. The one in Burlington has a brewery associated with it, so I wanted to stop for dinner and beer.
We started with their Evolution Salad, which has greens, carrots, celery, arame seaweed, and crumbled blue cheese topped with a nice raspberry vinaigrette. They have an identical salad at the restaurant in Portsmouth, it's so good that it was a must order for us. I had one of the special pizzas, which had chipotle barbecued pork, smoked cheddar cheese and zucchini, and Jadyn had the ratatouille pizza. Both pizzas were very tasty as was the slice of carrot cake that we split for dessert.
853. Mr. Black
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Zero Gravity Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear, brownish black with garnet tints against the light. Topped by a thick, beige head that thins to a persistent film. The aromas are light overall, but still pleasing. There's a nice whiff of cherries, some caramel notes, and a nice roastiness on swirling.
There's a light bready sweetness upfront that's met by a toasty malts with some hints of caramel. Roasty throughout with a nice bit of roasted bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, high carbonation, crisp.
Flavorful and easily sessionable.
854. London Calling
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Zero Gravity Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, sudsy film of a head. The aroma is relatively light. There are hints of apple fruitiness and a juicy hop presence. There's a grainy, mineral yeast aroma.
Toasty, lightly sweet, caramel malts. Moves through to an apple-like character in the finish with some husky, hop bitterness and a light citric character. Light-bodied, moderately carbonated with a nice dryness in the finish.
Good balance with a dryness that keeps you drinking.
We started with their Evolution Salad, which has greens, carrots, celery, arame seaweed, and crumbled blue cheese topped with a nice raspberry vinaigrette. They have an identical salad at the restaurant in Portsmouth, it's so good that it was a must order for us. I had one of the special pizzas, which had chipotle barbecued pork, smoked cheddar cheese and zucchini, and Jadyn had the ratatouille pizza. Both pizzas were very tasty as was the slice of carrot cake that we split for dessert.
853. Mr. Black
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Zero Gravity Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.95
Pours a clear, brownish black with garnet tints against the light. Topped by a thick, beige head that thins to a persistent film. The aromas are light overall, but still pleasing. There's a nice whiff of cherries, some caramel notes, and a nice roastiness on swirling.
There's a light bready sweetness upfront that's met by a toasty malts with some hints of caramel. Roasty throughout with a nice bit of roasted bitterness in the finish. Light-bodied, high carbonation, crisp.
Flavorful and easily sessionable.
854. London Calling
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Zero Gravity Brewery
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: English Pale Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 3.5 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 3.85
Pours a hazed copper. Topped by a thin, sudsy film of a head. The aroma is relatively light. There are hints of apple fruitiness and a juicy hop presence. There's a grainy, mineral yeast aroma.
Toasty, lightly sweet, caramel malts. Moves through to an apple-like character in the finish with some husky, hop bitterness and a light citric character. Light-bodied, moderately carbonated with a nice dryness in the finish.
Good balance with a dryness that keeps you drinking.
Labels: English Pale Ale, Schwarzbier
After leaving The Blind Tiger David and I headed to Lederhosen for dinner and German beer. We must have had more beer at The Blind Tiger because I was fairly inebriated by the time we arrived. I had the Zigeunerschnitzel for dinner, I don't remember what David had though.
812. Köstritzer Schwarzbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Köstritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Pours a deep black with a thick brown head that clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is surprisingly light: biscuity malt, a hint of fruit and light roastiness.
Malty throughout, bready, toasty and lightly sweet. The finish has a nice mild roasty bitterness. Mild, but impressive. High carbonation, light to medium-bodied.
Incredibly drinkable. Mild but still flavorful.
812. Köstritzer Schwarzbier
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Köstritzer Schwarzbierbrauerei
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Bottle
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.05
Pours a deep black with a thick brown head that clings to the side of the glass. The aroma is surprisingly light: biscuity malt, a hint of fruit and light roastiness.
Malty throughout, bready, toasty and lightly sweet. The finish has a nice mild roasty bitterness. Mild, but impressive. High carbonation, light to medium-bodied.
Incredibly drinkable. Mild but still flavorful.
672. Ugly Pug Black Lager
This came from another Rahr six-pack that Bryan sent me in a trade. I let this warm to 45º F or so and served it in one of my NERAX pint glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, dark, ruby-brown with a thick, beige head that retains well, leaving patches of lace.
Smell (4.0): Malty with roasty notes and a light fruitiness.
Taste (3.5): Malty upfront with a light toasty element, which quickly becomes roastier. Sweet through the center with hints of fruit before being met by more roasted, bitter flavors in the finish. There's also a light graininess in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Light-bodied, high-carbonation, but a tad watery.
Drinkability (4.0): Flavorful and balanced.
Overall (3.7)
This came from another Rahr six-pack that Bryan sent me in a trade. I let this warm to 45º F or so and served it in one of my NERAX pint glasses.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, dark, ruby-brown with a thick, beige head that retains well, leaving patches of lace.
Smell (4.0): Malty with roasty notes and a light fruitiness.
Taste (3.5): Malty upfront with a light toasty element, which quickly becomes roastier. Sweet through the center with hints of fruit before being met by more roasted, bitter flavors in the finish. There's also a light graininess in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.0): Light-bodied, high-carbonation, but a tad watery.
Drinkability (4.0): Flavorful and balanced.
Overall (3.7)
Labels: Rahr and Sons Brewing Company, Schwarzbier
458. Samuel Adams Black Lager
On Fridays there's a weekly beer hour that follows a brief talk by a researcher in a Cancer Center affiliated lab. The beer selection varies from week to week. This week it looks like someone bought a couple Sam Adams mixed twelve packs. I had a Harpoon IPA while talking with some labmates and I grabed a bottle of Sam Adams Black Lager to take home. I served this at around 45º F in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, dark brown with ruby tints. It's topped by a thick, fluffy, beige head that thins to a sudsy film leaving patchy lace on the glass.
Smell (4.0): The nose is predominantly malty. There are notes of caramel, tart fruit, burnt sugar and coffee.
Taste (3.5): Sweet caramel, dried fruit, smoky roasted flavors, with a very light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, medium-bodied, a tad sticky.
Drinkability (4.0): Mild flavors and low alcohol make this easily sessionable.
Overall (3.75): Not much to say here...
On Fridays there's a weekly beer hour that follows a brief talk by a researcher in a Cancer Center affiliated lab. The beer selection varies from week to week. This week it looks like someone bought a couple Sam Adams mixed twelve packs. I had a Harpoon IPA while talking with some labmates and I grabed a bottle of Sam Adams Black Lager to take home. I served this at around 45º F in my NERAX pint glass.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 4.90%
Serving: Bottle, 12 oz.
Style: Schwarzbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear, dark brown with ruby tints. It's topped by a thick, fluffy, beige head that thins to a sudsy film leaving patchy lace on the glass.
Smell (4.0): The nose is predominantly malty. There are notes of caramel, tart fruit, burnt sugar and coffee.
Taste (3.5): Sweet caramel, dried fruit, smoky roasted flavors, with a very light bitterness in the finish.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Moderate carbonation, medium-bodied, a tad sticky.
Drinkability (4.0): Mild flavors and low alcohol make this easily sessionable.
Overall (3.75): Not much to say here...
Labels: Boston Beer Company, Reviews, Schwarzbier
