Without question, cans are no longer a novelty or trend, but are here to stay.
Hat tip to my Dad, Shipyard's number one booster.
Showing posts with label Beer in a can. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beer in a can. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Shipyard joins ranks of canners
Without question, cans are no longer a novelty or trend, but are here to stay.
Hat tip to my Dad, Shipyard's number one booster.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Spring sippings
Maybe it's just me, but springtime seems built for hoppy beers. Those malty winter beers tend to get pushed to the back of my beer shelf for some fresh hopped-up six-packs. This is what I have been sampling:
Berkshire Saint of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA, 9
berkshire decided to go for it with this gutsy idea for a beer. i thought it worked too. hops and bourbon play nice together and its sour without being over the top. very interesting.
Blue Hills Comet Tail Pale Ale, 7
a pretty big pale ale. malty in the front and hoppy in the back.
Cambridge Weekapaug Gruit Ale, 7
while this is an unhopped style, the replacement spices give it a springy feel as well. points for the phish reference too.
Mayflower Spring Hop, 6
solid hoppy amber.
Sixpoint Resin, 7
really stands out on the shelf with its sharp green label and skinny can. heaps of delicious piney, citrus hops. not to be confused with a session beer however.
Berkshire Saint of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA, 9
berkshire decided to go for it with this gutsy idea for a beer. i thought it worked too. hops and bourbon play nice together and its sour without being over the top. very interesting.
Blue Hills Comet Tail Pale Ale, 7
a pretty big pale ale. malty in the front and hoppy in the back.
Cambridge Weekapaug Gruit Ale, 7
while this is an unhopped style, the replacement spices give it a springy feel as well. points for the phish reference too.Mayflower Spring Hop, 6
solid hoppy amber.
Sixpoint Resin, 7
really stands out on the shelf with its sharp green label and skinny can. heaps of delicious piney, citrus hops. not to be confused with a session beer however.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
A mixed six of first timers
Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist, 7
found on tap at public eat + drink in north adams, a solid beer bar. this hopped up red weighs in at a healthy 8% abv.
Gulden Draak, 9
pretty sure i have had this before but never wrote it up. dark, sweet, and sour all at once. delightful.
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, 8
a dark, malty 6% porter. imagine it would be even tastier on tap, or better yet, nitro.
Keegan Ales Mother's Milk Stout, 6
one of several milk stout's floating around the states with this name. good not great.
Oskar Blues Dale's Deviant IPA, 9
big fruity hop flavor in a can! an excellent double, just be prepared to pay for it at $14 for 4 tallboys. much better than their GUBNA.
Wandering Star Mild, 4
4.3% porter. in my opinion, mild's should be light enough to be sessionable. this was not.
found on tap at public eat + drink in north adams, a solid beer bar. this hopped up red weighs in at a healthy 8% abv.
Gulden Draak, 9
pretty sure i have had this before but never wrote it up. dark, sweet, and sour all at once. delightful.
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, 8
a dark, malty 6% porter. imagine it would be even tastier on tap, or better yet, nitro.
Keegan Ales Mother's Milk Stout, 6
one of several milk stout's floating around the states with this name. good not great.
Oskar Blues Dale's Deviant IPA, 9big fruity hop flavor in a can! an excellent double, just be prepared to pay for it at $14 for 4 tallboys. much better than their GUBNA.
Wandering Star Mild, 4
4.3% porter. in my opinion, mild's should be light enough to be sessionable. this was not.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Winter grab bag
Whether you prefer dark or hoppy for your wintertime drinking, there is something for everyone in this grab bag of recently sampled beers. Dig in!
21st Amendment Bitter American, Score: 8
at 4.4% abv, this is an excellent session beer. great bitter flavor without being over-the-top. my favorite offering yet from this canner.
Blue Hills Three Peaks Holiday Stout, Score: 9
flavor is complex, bordering on crowded. an unusual milk stout but the best new winter seasonal i have tried this year.
Full Sail Elevation, Score: 7
nice beer. don't let the imperial ipa tag scare you off -- bitterness isn't brash at all.
Full Sail Wassail, Score: 5
malt heavy, lacking in pop. if given a choice, i would go for another one of their seasonals, wreck the halls.
Furthermore Obscura, Score: 7
a coffee california common lager. so pretty unique and it worked.
Green Flash Imperial IPA, Score: 8
off the charts IBU's at 101. a nice beer i would have tried before now if the price point wasn't always so high.
Maine Beer Mean Old Tom, Score: 6
i think this beer was a victim of the brewers previous success... and my sky high expectations. was hoping for bigger aroma / taste considering aged on vanilla beans.
Shipyard Applehead, Score: 4
clearly the brewer is trying to match runaway success of Pumpkinhead with a seasonal offering for the rest of the year. so much so, that i would have trouble distinguishing the two in a blind taste test. not my thing, but friends have enjoyed it.
Sierra Nevada Grand Cru, Score: 8
another solid offering from the 30th anniversary series.
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA, Score: 7
a new offering. well balanced. solid.
Slumbrew Flagraiser IPA, Score: 8
nice hoppy brew out of the gate for this somerville newby. there is a hef, cream, and porter out there too...
Southern Tier Unearthly Oak Aged, Score: 6
not sure i would choose this over the regular unearthly.
21st Amendment Bitter American, Score: 8
at 4.4% abv, this is an excellent session beer. great bitter flavor without being over-the-top. my favorite offering yet from this canner.
Blue Hills Three Peaks Holiday Stout, Score: 9
flavor is complex, bordering on crowded. an unusual milk stout but the best new winter seasonal i have tried this year.
Full Sail Elevation, Score: 7
nice beer. don't let the imperial ipa tag scare you off -- bitterness isn't brash at all.
Full Sail Wassail, Score: 5
malt heavy, lacking in pop. if given a choice, i would go for another one of their seasonals, wreck the halls.
Furthermore Obscura, Score: 7
a coffee california common lager. so pretty unique and it worked.
Green Flash Imperial IPA, Score: 8
off the charts IBU's at 101. a nice beer i would have tried before now if the price point wasn't always so high.
Maine Beer Mean Old Tom, Score: 6
i think this beer was a victim of the brewers previous success... and my sky high expectations. was hoping for bigger aroma / taste considering aged on vanilla beans.
Shipyard Applehead, Score: 4
clearly the brewer is trying to match runaway success of Pumpkinhead with a seasonal offering for the rest of the year. so much so, that i would have trouble distinguishing the two in a blind taste test. not my thing, but friends have enjoyed it.
Sierra Nevada Grand Cru, Score: 8
another solid offering from the 30th anniversary series.
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA, Score: 7
a new offering. well balanced. solid.
Slumbrew Flagraiser IPA, Score: 8nice hoppy brew out of the gate for this somerville newby. there is a hef, cream, and porter out there too...
Southern Tier Unearthly Oak Aged, Score: 6
not sure i would choose this over the regular unearthly.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Buzzworthy beers
I spent this past weekend up in Maine and while there encountered two exciting new beers. I found both of these beers at The Lighthouse Wine & Seafood in Manchester, ME, now my go-to bottle store in the state. You will find bigger selections, but everything is quality, fresh, and well-marked. And they are always the first to stock that new, buzzworthy beer.
Rising Tide Ursa Minor, Score: 10
i thought rising tide's ishmael was an ambitious, if not quite spectacular, debut. a little pricey as a starting price point, but i definitely wanted to give them another try.
as a "weizen stout" this beer drew on mostly german ingredients... which concerned me, quite honestly. german wheat often has a skunkiness i can't get into. but all of this worry was for naught. this was amazing!
nearly black pour with attractive tan head... i get both weizen and stout characteristics in the aroma... a cacophany of flavors hit your tongue: chocolate, banana, vanilla, hazelnut, roastiness and bitterness. and yet, it isn't cluttered in the least... medium bodied, spot on carbonation, and very clean. wow.
simply put, this one shocked me. i thought it came together just perfectly. the best beer i have had for a couple of months. not cheap at $7 bombers, but worth it. try it.
Baxter Brewing Pamola Extra Pale Ale, Score: 6
a new brewer moving into the bates mill complex in lewiston, maine? they are naming it for baxter state park? their logo is pamola, a flying moose? and they are going to be the first all-can brewery in new england? seems too good to be true, i know.
first beer off the line is an american pale ale. the word extra gives you an idea of what you are in for... their flagship appears determined to compete with maine's ultimate session beer -- shipyard export. although at $9.99 for six cans it appears that baxter, much like rising tide, is pricing themselves as an elite craft brewer.
pale color with quickly dissipating head... hint of floral hops in aroma but that is all... light, sweet malt profile leads, followed by very light hoppiness. hops are fruity, not bitter though. balanced, for sure... extremely crisp, light-bodied, and clean.
hard to get excited by a beer this light but i thought this was a great first effort. at 4.9% this is a session beer in the truest sense of the word. this could be a huge summer beer. that said i am really hoping their next beer, the stowaway ipa, brings a bolder flavor.
Rising Tide Ursa Minor, Score: 10
i thought rising tide's ishmael was an ambitious, if not quite spectacular, debut. a little pricey as a starting price point, but i definitely wanted to give them another try.
as a "weizen stout" this beer drew on mostly german ingredients... which concerned me, quite honestly. german wheat often has a skunkiness i can't get into. but all of this worry was for naught. this was amazing!
nearly black pour with attractive tan head... i get both weizen and stout characteristics in the aroma... a cacophany of flavors hit your tongue: chocolate, banana, vanilla, hazelnut, roastiness and bitterness. and yet, it isn't cluttered in the least... medium bodied, spot on carbonation, and very clean. wow.
simply put, this one shocked me. i thought it came together just perfectly. the best beer i have had for a couple of months. not cheap at $7 bombers, but worth it. try it.
Baxter Brewing Pamola Extra Pale Ale, Score: 6
a new brewer moving into the bates mill complex in lewiston, maine? they are naming it for baxter state park? their logo is pamola, a flying moose? and they are going to be the first all-can brewery in new england? seems too good to be true, i know.first beer off the line is an american pale ale. the word extra gives you an idea of what you are in for... their flagship appears determined to compete with maine's ultimate session beer -- shipyard export. although at $9.99 for six cans it appears that baxter, much like rising tide, is pricing themselves as an elite craft brewer.
pale color with quickly dissipating head... hint of floral hops in aroma but that is all... light, sweet malt profile leads, followed by very light hoppiness. hops are fruity, not bitter though. balanced, for sure... extremely crisp, light-bodied, and clean.
hard to get excited by a beer this light but i thought this was a great first effort. at 4.9% this is a session beer in the truest sense of the word. this could be a huge summer beer. that said i am really hoping their next beer, the stowaway ipa, brings a bolder flavor.
Friday, January 14, 2011
On tap for 2011
The New Year in beer
By JOSH SMITH December 29, 2010
http://providence.thephoenix.com/movies/113490-on-tap-for-2011/?page=1#TOPCONTENT
Unquestionably, 2010 was another banner year for craft beer. Personal highlights include the release of barrel-aged and specialty beers such as Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Series, and the recognition of Cascadian Dark Ales (or Black IPAs) as a style. Here are seven other trends we can expect to see in 2011.
THE BIRTH OF MACRO-CRAFT BREWERIES. Quick, who is the largest American owned brewery? Give up? It's the Boston Beer Company, aka Samuel Adams. Twenty-five years after Jim Koch decided to take on the establishment and brew a flavorful beer, he now stands alone atop the mountain.
All of which begs the question: when does craft beer stop becoming craft beer? Craft breweries are defined as those that produce less than 2 million barrels of beer annually, but Sam Adams is pushing up against that threshold with 1.84 million barrels sold last year. The birth of nanobreweries makes the contrast between the big and little guys even more stark.
THE DECLINE OF EXTREME BEERS. One undeniable trend in the past decade has been the rise of extremism among craft brewers. New territory has been chartered by brewers such as Scotland's BrewDog and its beer with a staggering 55% Alcohol By Volume! More disconcerting is the quiet creeping up of alcohol levels in styles such as Pale and Brown Ales that at one time consisted mainly of sessionable beers. As craft beer goes mainstream, look for a return to sanity and tradition by pragmatic brewers.
CONTINUED RISE OF SOUR BEERS. I'm tempted to tab 2010 the Year of the Sour Beer for the style's meteoric rise to relevance. This was all pretty remarkable for such a brash, distinctly flavored beer. While I do not buy that this is the second coming of the IPA, I think that there is still room for the style to grow.
TWITTERING ABOUT BEER. Like every-thing in this world, craft beer is being shaped by the new social media. As a man from Maine, I'm not sure I'm ready for all of this new technology. But I've got to say, updates on what is now pouring at my favorite beer bar sounds like a pretty fantastic idea!
LET THERE BE CANS! The creation of micro-canning technology has allowed craft brewers of all stripes to put their product out in aluminum. Easy to transport, good for the environment, and just plain cool, this is one trend that isn't going anywhere. 2011 may just be the year that your own favorite local brew shows up in a can!
BORN-ON DATE FOR PACKAGING. Okay, this one may be more wishful thinking than anything else, but can someone explain to me why most beers do not have a born on date on the label? Fresh beer is better and consumers deserve to know exactly what they're buying.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SMALL BREWERIES. It's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of craft beer's growth — after all, boutique brews earned a larger segment of the market yet again this year. However, this rate of growth hasn't kept up with the number of new players entering the market. While it is fun to rail against the macrobrewers and pretend we are all on the same team, at the end of the day this is a business. And there simply isn't enough for everyone.
So who is going to get squeezed out? Sadly, I think it is going to be some of our longtime favorite breweries. Look no further than nearby Westport, Massachusetts, and the decline of Buzzards Bay Brewing. The brewer did fine for years when they were the only show in town. But increased (and superior) competition in the past few years made Buzzards Bay the odd man out.
We've had much to be thankful for in 2010 and even more new beers to look forward to in 2011. Just don't forget to support your local favorites while you are at it!
By JOSH SMITH December 29, 2010
http://providence.thephoenix.com/movies/113490-on-tap-for-2011/?page=1#TOPCONTENT
Unquestionably, 2010 was another banner year for craft beer. Personal highlights include the release of barrel-aged and specialty beers such as Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Series, and the recognition of Cascadian Dark Ales (or Black IPAs) as a style. Here are seven other trends we can expect to see in 2011.
THE BIRTH OF MACRO-CRAFT BREWERIES. Quick, who is the largest American owned brewery? Give up? It's the Boston Beer Company, aka Samuel Adams. Twenty-five years after Jim Koch decided to take on the establishment and brew a flavorful beer, he now stands alone atop the mountain.
All of which begs the question: when does craft beer stop becoming craft beer? Craft breweries are defined as those that produce less than 2 million barrels of beer annually, but Sam Adams is pushing up against that threshold with 1.84 million barrels sold last year. The birth of nanobreweries makes the contrast between the big and little guys even more stark.
THE DECLINE OF EXTREME BEERS. One undeniable trend in the past decade has been the rise of extremism among craft brewers. New territory has been chartered by brewers such as Scotland's BrewDog and its beer with a staggering 55% Alcohol By Volume! More disconcerting is the quiet creeping up of alcohol levels in styles such as Pale and Brown Ales that at one time consisted mainly of sessionable beers. As craft beer goes mainstream, look for a return to sanity and tradition by pragmatic brewers.CONTINUED RISE OF SOUR BEERS. I'm tempted to tab 2010 the Year of the Sour Beer for the style's meteoric rise to relevance. This was all pretty remarkable for such a brash, distinctly flavored beer. While I do not buy that this is the second coming of the IPA, I think that there is still room for the style to grow.
TWITTERING ABOUT BEER. Like every-thing in this world, craft beer is being shaped by the new social media. As a man from Maine, I'm not sure I'm ready for all of this new technology. But I've got to say, updates on what is now pouring at my favorite beer bar sounds like a pretty fantastic idea!
LET THERE BE CANS! The creation of micro-canning technology has allowed craft brewers of all stripes to put their product out in aluminum. Easy to transport, good for the environment, and just plain cool, this is one trend that isn't going anywhere. 2011 may just be the year that your own favorite local brew shows up in a can!
BORN-ON DATE FOR PACKAGING. Okay, this one may be more wishful thinking than anything else, but can someone explain to me why most beers do not have a born on date on the label? Fresh beer is better and consumers deserve to know exactly what they're buying.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SMALL BREWERIES. It's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of craft beer's growth — after all, boutique brews earned a larger segment of the market yet again this year. However, this rate of growth hasn't kept up with the number of new players entering the market. While it is fun to rail against the macrobrewers and pretend we are all on the same team, at the end of the day this is a business. And there simply isn't enough for everyone.
So who is going to get squeezed out? Sadly, I think it is going to be some of our longtime favorite breweries. Look no further than nearby Westport, Massachusetts, and the decline of Buzzards Bay Brewing. The brewer did fine for years when they were the only show in town. But increased (and superior) competition in the past few years made Buzzards Bay the odd man out.
We've had much to be thankful for in 2010 and even more new beers to look forward to in 2011. Just don't forget to support your local favorites while you are at it!
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Beers of 2010
You might not believe it based on the list of 1200-some beers that I just posted, but I actually cut back on my beer consumption in 2010. Writing for The Providence Phoenix led to less time spent with the blog, and consequentially, less new beers drank than in previous years. It's a hard knock life, for sure.
Even so, reading this article looking back on the year in beer I was a little surprised at just how many of the most buzzworthy beers of 2010 evaded my grasp. I mean, of these 25 I only tried four (Oskar Blues Gubna, Dogfish Head Saison du Buff, Victory Yakima Glory, and Jolly Pupkin La Parcella!) While it may now be 2011, I am determined redeem myself -- I am not done with these beers just yet! Here are my top targets:
1) Ithaca Super-Friends IPA: good buzz on this collaborative brew.
2) Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout: loved the regular stout, so do want to try the vanilla.
3) Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild Ale: again, the little sumpin' wheat was great so curious what some wild yeast did to the beer.
4) Brooklyn Sorachi Ale: a new saison!
5) Allagash & New Belgium Lips of Faith Vrienden: two good brewers should mean one great beer!
6) Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale: this isn't a typo so i imagine this strong ale has a kick to it.
7) Ommegang Zuur: i am sure they are going to get this flanders right.
8) Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew: this beer seems older than just one year, but i still haven't tried it.
9) 21st Amendment Back in Black IPA: a black ipa in a can -- nice.
10) Pretty Things Babayaga: i added this last one to round out the list. their first stout!
Even so, reading this article looking back on the year in beer I was a little surprised at just how many of the most buzzworthy beers of 2010 evaded my grasp. I mean, of these 25 I only tried four (Oskar Blues Gubna, Dogfish Head Saison du Buff, Victory Yakima Glory, and Jolly Pupkin La Parcella!) While it may now be 2011, I am determined redeem myself -- I am not done with these beers just yet! Here are my top targets:
1) Ithaca Super-Friends IPA: good buzz on this collaborative brew.2) Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout: loved the regular stout, so do want to try the vanilla.
3) Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild Ale: again, the little sumpin' wheat was great so curious what some wild yeast did to the beer.
4) Brooklyn Sorachi Ale: a new saison!
5) Allagash & New Belgium Lips of Faith Vrienden: two good brewers should mean one great beer!
6) Stone Lukcy Basartd Ale: this isn't a typo so i imagine this strong ale has a kick to it.
7) Ommegang Zuur: i am sure they are going to get this flanders right.
8) Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew: this beer seems older than just one year, but i still haven't tried it.
9) 21st Amendment Back in Black IPA: a black ipa in a can -- nice.
10) Pretty Things Babayaga: i added this last one to round out the list. their first stout!
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Ratings Are Coming! The Ratings Are Coming!
Here is a roundup of the new beers I have sampled in the past couple of months. Some overdue complete updated ratings to follow.
Blue Hills Wampatuk Wheat, Score: 7
Caledonian Organic Great Scot Pale Ale, Score: 4
Cape Ann Fisherman's Bavarian Wheat, Score: 5
Cape Cod Hot Blonde, Score: 7
Clown Shoes Black I.P.A., Score: 7
Dubuisson Scaldis Triple (Bush Ambree), Score: 7
Fuller's ESB, Score: 7
Goose Island IPA, Score: 8
Goose Island Sofie, Score: 8
Grand Teton Pursuit of Hoppiness, Score: 7
Kirin Ichiban, Score: 2
Koshihikari Echigo Beer, Score: 4
Les Trois Mouquetaires Imperial Weizen, Score: 5
Manchester Conspiracy Theory, Score: 4
Manchester Emperor Norton's Peppermint Stout, Score: 3
Mayflower Golden Ale, Score: 6
New Belgium Abbey Style Belgian Ale, Score: 9
New England Sea Hag IPA, Score: 9
Paper City Fogbuster Coffee House Ale, Score: 8
Penobscot Half Moon Stout, Score: 7
Piraat Ale, Score: 7
Rogue Somer Orange Honey Ale, Score: 2
Shipyard Wheat Ale, Score: 5
Blue Hills Wampatuk Wheat, Score: 7
Caledonian Organic Great Scot Pale Ale, Score: 4
Cape Ann Fisherman's Bavarian Wheat, Score: 5
Cape Cod Hot Blonde, Score: 7
Clown Shoes Black I.P.A., Score: 7
Dubuisson Scaldis Triple (Bush Ambree), Score: 7
Fuller's ESB, Score: 7
Goose Island IPA, Score: 8
Goose Island Sofie, Score: 8
Grand Teton Pursuit of Hoppiness, Score: 7
Kirin Ichiban, Score: 2
Koshihikari Echigo Beer, Score: 4
Les Trois Mouquetaires Imperial Weizen, Score: 5
Manchester Conspiracy Theory, Score: 4
Manchester Emperor Norton's Peppermint Stout, Score: 3
Mayflower Golden Ale, Score: 6
New Belgium Abbey Style Belgian Ale, Score: 9
New England Sea Hag IPA, Score: 9
Paper City Fogbuster Coffee House Ale, Score: 8
Penobscot Half Moon Stout, Score: 7
Piraat Ale, Score: 7
Rogue Somer Orange Honey Ale, Score: 2
Shipyard Wheat Ale, Score: 5
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Drinking for the Phoenix
Much of my new drinking has been driven by what I am writing about for The Providence Phoenix. Some have already trickled onto the blog already, but here are the ones I have neglected to this point:
Justified Arrogance
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale, Score: 8
Stone Double Bastard Ale, Score: 9
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2006, Score: 8
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2009, Score: 7
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2006, Score: 9
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2009, Score: 8
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Score: 9
Eco-Friendly
Butternuts Moo Thunder Stout, Score: 4
Central City Red Racer Pale Ale, Score: 6
Oskar Blues GUBNA Imperial IPA, Score: 5
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils, Score: 8
Irish Ayes
Murphy's Irish Red Beer, Score: 5
O'Hara's Irish Red, Score: 5
O'Hara's Irish Stout, Score: 8
Strangford Lough Legbiter, Score: 6
Strangford Lough St. Patrick's Best, Score: 5
O'Hara's Irish Red, Score: 5
O'Hara's Irish Stout, Score: 8
Strangford Lough Legbiter, Score: 6
Strangford Lough St. Patrick's Best, Score: 5
Justified Arrogance
Stone 07.07.07 Vertical Epic Ale, Score: 8
Stone Double Bastard Ale, Score: 9
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2006, Score: 8
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2009, Score: 7
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2006, Score: 9
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2009, Score: 8
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, Score: 9
Eco-Friendly
Eel River Climax Noel, Score: 6
Neumarkter Lammsbrau Organic Pilsner, Score: 8
Neumarkter Lammsbrau Organic Pilsner, Score: 8
Pinkus-Mueller Organic Ur Pils, Score: 7
Samuel Smith's Organic Raspberry Fruit Beer, Score: 3
Samuel Smith's Organically Produced Ale, Score: 8
Samuel Smith's Organically Produced Ale, Score: 8
Have Beer, Will Travel
21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer, Score: 1Butternuts Moo Thunder Stout, Score: 4
Central City Red Racer Pale Ale, Score: 6
Oskar Blues GUBNA Imperial IPA, Score: 5
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils, Score: 8
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Drinking for value
Research for my recent article on drinking on a budget for the Providence Phoenix required some price comparisons. Honestly, I don't usually pay enough attention to prices and only remember when they are outrageous. This was a pretty interesting exercise though and I plan to be more conscious of price in the future.
Most of these quotes came from a very reasonably-priced large-scale liquor store on Massachusett's South Shore. Value of course means that the quality of the beer is also factored in, alongside price. The article will be available in full on Wednesday at http://thephoenix.com/providence/.
Best Six-pack Value
Ipswich $8.49
Cape Anne Fisherman's Ale $8.99
Paper City $8.49
Long Trail $7.99
Saranac $7.99
Newport Storm $8.29
Best Twelve-pack Value
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale $14.99
Widmer Hefeweizen $14.99
Shipyard Export $14.99
Smuttynose $15.49
Brooklyn Lager $14.99
Opa opa $12.99
Newcastle $12.99
Victory $16.99 / mix-pack
Magic Hat $13.99
Best Bomber (22 oz) Value:
Stone IPA $4.99
Bear Republic $5.49
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid $5.49
Berkshire $4.49
Ballast Point Porter $5.25
Just Beer $2.99
McNeill's $4.29
Best European Beer Value:
Baltika #4 $1.99
Ayinger $ 3.49 / 16.9oz
Weihenstephan $2.99
Okocim #2.19
Best Regional Beer Value:
Yuengling $5.29 / 6
Pabst $4.49 / 6, $17.99 / 30
Gansett $4.99 / 6 16oz cans
Genesee $3.99 / 6, $11.99 / 30
Schlitz $6.39 / 6
Sam Adam's $16.99 / 18
Most Overpriced:
Rogue $6.49-9.99 / 22 oz
Hoppin' Frog $7.59-16.49 / 22 oz
Southern Tier $6.99-8.49 / 22 oz
Dogfish Head $10.99 / 6
Most of these quotes came from a very reasonably-priced large-scale liquor store on Massachusett's South Shore. Value of course means that the quality of the beer is also factored in, alongside price. The article will be available in full on Wednesday at http://thephoenix.com/providence/.
Best Six-pack Value
Ipswich $8.49
Cape Anne Fisherman's Ale $8.99
Paper City $8.49
Long Trail $7.99
Saranac $7.99
Newport Storm $8.29
Best Twelve-pack Value
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale $14.99
Widmer Hefeweizen $14.99
Shipyard Export $14.99
Smuttynose $15.49
Brooklyn Lager $14.99
Opa opa $12.99
Newcastle $12.99
Victory $16.99 / mix-pack
Magic Hat $13.99
Best Bomber (22 oz) Value:
Stone IPA $4.99
Bear Republic $5.49
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid $5.49
Berkshire $4.49
Ballast Point Porter $5.25
Just Beer $2.99
McNeill's $4.29
Best European Beer Value:
Baltika #4 $1.99
Ayinger $ 3.49 / 16.9oz
Weihenstephan $2.99
Okocim #2.19
Best Regional Beer Value:Yuengling $5.29 / 6
Pabst $4.49 / 6, $17.99 / 30
Gansett $4.99 / 6 16oz cans
Genesee $3.99 / 6, $11.99 / 30
Schlitz $6.39 / 6
Sam Adam's $16.99 / 18
Most Overpriced:
Rogue $6.49-9.99 / 22 oz
Hoppin' Frog $7.59-16.49 / 22 oz
Southern Tier $6.99-8.49 / 22 oz
Dogfish Head $10.99 / 6
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Quick hits
Baltika #4, Score: 6
dark pour, good flavor, easy drinking. good value.
Cascade Sang Rouge, Score: 8
Okocim Beer, Score: 3
watery, fairly sweet macrolager. i hear their porter is much better and the same price...
dark pour, good flavor, easy drinking. good value.
Brooklyn Local 2, Score: 8
soft, flavorful malts. very well brewed.
Butternuts Porkslap Pale Ale, Score: 4
pretty bland -- even for beer in a can.
pretty bland -- even for beer in a can.
Cascade Sang Rouge, Score: 8a sour, and a good one. 750 ml is kind of a lot to drink by yourself though... nice to see some of these oregon beers popping up all of a sudden.
Frosty Knuckle Ale, Score: 6
out of ispwich... surprising amount going on here: hops, yeast, and quite crisp.
Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat, Score: 6
got this at bleachers bar at fenway. pretty light though.
Goose Island Matilda, Score: 7
good but didn't blow my socks off.
Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale, Score: 5
fine.
He'Brew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13), Score: 8
i will always give them extra points for such a brilliant name.
High & Mighty Two-Headed Beast, Score: 4
thought i would give these guys another chance, but just another slickly marketed beer afterall.
thought i would give these guys another chance, but just another slickly marketed beer afterall.
Hitachino Nest White Ale, Score: 4
a severe disappointment: medicinal aftertaste that i couldn't get into.
Just Beer Moby D, Score: 5
the successors to buzzards brewing. this mild is one of several unexciting styles now hitting the shelves. cheap to start though...
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Score: 7
one of the best values you will find for a bomber at $5.49.
McSorley's Irish Black Lager, Score: 4
i added some of this to a black bean dip. definitely a beer you don't feel bad cooking with.
Okocim Beer, Score: 3watery, fairly sweet macrolager. i hear their porter is much better and the same price...
Pretty Things February 27th, 1832 Mild Ale, Score: 7
a historic recreation, which is fun. nice to drink for 10.5%
Stone Smoked Porter, Score: 8
especially enjoyable alongside barbeque.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
From British Columbia to Boston
AleSmith Horny Devil
750 ml -- Luke's, Rockland
very nice looking beer with lacing that goes the distance... yeasty aroma is quite fresh... a trappist yeast apparently... flavor is spicy and bready too... hides the 11% very well. as good as you would expect.
Score: 9
Central City Red Racer IPA
Can -- RSVP Discount Beverage, Portland, ME
from british columbia. it seemed like they fit every flavor of hop into this little can -- grapefruit, piney, citrus, you name it. some bready malts but maintains robust bitterness. sticky mouthfeel but leaves me wanting more. as good as (or better than) dale's pale ale.
Score: 10
Lagunitas IPA
Bottle -- Luke's
i was suprised to see this unrrated. pretty cut and dry ipa: clean and hoppy. nice.
Score: 7
Narragansett Lager
Tall boy -- Great Lost Bear, Portland, ME
this one i know i have had before, but was unrrated. $1.99 for a tall boy, so that is something. old school can says "made on honor. sold on merit." i like that. sweet corn you expect in an adjunct lager. quite grainy, with some hops peaking out at finish. very crisp, clean taste. as far as these regional macro alternatives go, i thought this held up pretty well.
Score: 5
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
Sample -- Great Lost Bear, Portland
the clever name led me to expect another over-marketed rogue beer. loved it though. great lacing on pour and the grapefruit hops are just fantastic. wonder if i would have rated it this highly had i still been on the west coast, or am i just missing real ipa's?
Score: 8
Samuel Adam's Noble Pils
Bottle -- RSVP Discount Beverage, Portland
my wife was crushed to hear this would be replacing her beloved white ale as their spring seasonal. got to say, i do like this a lot better though. surprisingly assertive herbal hops and crisp mouthfeel. still not sure why it debut's in february though...
Score: 7
Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock
Tap -- Chili Head BBQ, W. Bridgewater
had never heard of this beer until i saw it on tap at chili head. when they told me it was a golden bock it sounded kind of like an oxymoron to me. apparently, this is a helles bock though. hoppy nose with sweet body. nothing special.
Score: 5
Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale
Sample -- Ebenezer's Pub, Lovell, ME
clear, light color... something is floating at bottom, probably spices... pretty sweet taste with slight twist at end. never could put my finger on it.
Score: 7
The People's Pint Pied pIPA
22 oz -- Cambridge
i was excited to finally find this beer. can't say it matched expectations though. pretty bitter, without the hop character you crave in an ipa. i will probably give them another shot at some point, but this is a pass.
Score: 4
Victory Wild Devil
750 ml -- Washington, D.C.
a belgian ipa with more than healthy carbonation. funky yeast cuts bitterness. thanks hil and franklin for a pretty cool christmas gift!
Score: 7
750 ml -- Luke's, Rockland
very nice looking beer with lacing that goes the distance... yeasty aroma is quite fresh... a trappist yeast apparently... flavor is spicy and bready too... hides the 11% very well. as good as you would expect.
Score: 9
Central City Red Racer IPACan -- RSVP Discount Beverage, Portland, ME
from british columbia. it seemed like they fit every flavor of hop into this little can -- grapefruit, piney, citrus, you name it. some bready malts but maintains robust bitterness. sticky mouthfeel but leaves me wanting more. as good as (or better than) dale's pale ale.
Score: 10
Lagunitas IPA
Bottle -- Luke's
i was suprised to see this unrrated. pretty cut and dry ipa: clean and hoppy. nice.
Score: 7
Narragansett Lager
Tall boy -- Great Lost Bear, Portland, ME
this one i know i have had before, but was unrrated. $1.99 for a tall boy, so that is something. old school can says "made on honor. sold on merit." i like that. sweet corn you expect in an adjunct lager. quite grainy, with some hops peaking out at finish. very crisp, clean taste. as far as these regional macro alternatives go, i thought this held up pretty well.
Score: 5
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
Sample -- Great Lost Bear, Portland
the clever name led me to expect another over-marketed rogue beer. loved it though. great lacing on pour and the grapefruit hops are just fantastic. wonder if i would have rated it this highly had i still been on the west coast, or am i just missing real ipa's?
Score: 8
Samuel Adam's Noble Pils
Bottle -- RSVP Discount Beverage, Portland
my wife was crushed to hear this would be replacing her beloved white ale as their spring seasonal. got to say, i do like this a lot better though. surprisingly assertive herbal hops and crisp mouthfeel. still not sure why it debut's in february though...
Score: 7
Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock
Tap -- Chili Head BBQ, W. Bridgewater
had never heard of this beer until i saw it on tap at chili head. when they told me it was a golden bock it sounded kind of like an oxymoron to me. apparently, this is a helles bock though. hoppy nose with sweet body. nothing special.
Score: 5
Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale
Sample -- Ebenezer's Pub, Lovell, ME
clear, light color... something is floating at bottom, probably spices... pretty sweet taste with slight twist at end. never could put my finger on it.
Score: 7
The People's Pint Pied pIPA
22 oz -- Cambridge
i was excited to finally find this beer. can't say it matched expectations though. pretty bitter, without the hop character you crave in an ipa. i will probably give them another shot at some point, but this is a pass.
Score: 4
Victory Wild Devil
750 ml -- Washington, D.C.
a belgian ipa with more than healthy carbonation. funky yeast cuts bitterness. thanks hil and franklin for a pretty cool christmas gift!
Score: 7
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Randomness
You'll see these beers came to me from all over the map. And the march to 1,000 beers continues...
Avery White Rascal
Bottle -- Julio's, Northborough
kelly purchased this after realizing that she liked most witbier's, not just allagash white. powerful yeast, but i have had tastier. fruitiness makes up for it in flavor. certainly goes down easy.
Score: 5
Capital Blonde Doppelbock
Bottle -- Julio's, Northborough
medium brown color... lighter malt profile, albeit with a slight skunkiness. better than your average doppelbock, i thought.
Score: 6
Coney Island Sword Swallower
Tap -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
solid citric bitterness on nose and flavor. not bad. have to say though, george ordered one of these later in the evening and it was awful. dregs of the keg? i'm not sure.
Score: 6
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
Tap -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
first off, classy name. i just don't like these guys. beer itself has rather rawish hops with maltiness in center of taste. meh.
Score: 6
Founders Double Trouble
Bottle -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
i actually had to send back an incorrectly delivered founders breakfast stout in order to get this beer -- seems like a crime. this was very good at least. pungent nose... sweet peach flavor... excellent.
Score: 8
Kona Wailua Wheat
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
off-putting aroma... formaldehyde? not sure. flavor is equally bad. don't order this beer.
Score: 1
New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
not the hoppiest ipa you'll ever find with a solid malt profile. my really complaint was that it was a little watery. pretty good overall though. i'd still like to try another one from this much respected brewer.
Score: 7
Otter Creek Helles Bock
Bottle -- Peabody
malty, blah.
Score: 3
Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
little cloudy. apricot and wheat flavor. easy enough to drink but not especially well-constructed.
Score: 5
Saint Somewhere Lectio Divina
750 ml -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
the bottle calls this an amber ale. beer advocate lumps it in with belgian strong pale ales. all i know is i have never had anything like it. big pop once the cork comes off. raisins and a candied sugar sweetness dominates. alcohol was kind of strong too. not my favorite.
Score: 6
Two Brothers Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale
Bottle -- Luke's
don't think i have had a biere de garde before. sustained head... subdued aroma with slight twinge of yeast... slight sourness and fruity. interesting.
Score: 7
One to seek out:
Caldera IPA
Can -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
never found this beer while out in oregon. comes in very bright can. hops are closest to grapefruit and quite nice. this may have been my favorite beer of the weekend.
Score: 10
Avery White Rascal
Bottle -- Julio's, Northborough
kelly purchased this after realizing that she liked most witbier's, not just allagash white. powerful yeast, but i have had tastier. fruitiness makes up for it in flavor. certainly goes down easy.
Score: 5
Capital Blonde Doppelbock
Bottle -- Julio's, Northborough
medium brown color... lighter malt profile, albeit with a slight skunkiness. better than your average doppelbock, i thought.
Score: 6
Coney Island Sword SwallowerTap -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
solid citric bitterness on nose and flavor. not bad. have to say though, george ordered one of these later in the evening and it was awful. dregs of the keg? i'm not sure.
Score: 6
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
Tap -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
first off, classy name. i just don't like these guys. beer itself has rather rawish hops with maltiness in center of taste. meh.
Score: 6
Founders Double Trouble
Bottle -- Prezo Grille and Bar, Milford
i actually had to send back an incorrectly delivered founders breakfast stout in order to get this beer -- seems like a crime. this was very good at least. pungent nose... sweet peach flavor... excellent.
Score: 8
Kona Wailua Wheat
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
off-putting aroma... formaldehyde? not sure. flavor is equally bad. don't order this beer.
Score: 1
New Holland Mad Hatter IPA
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
not the hoppiest ipa you'll ever find with a solid malt profile. my really complaint was that it was a little watery. pretty good overall though. i'd still like to try another one from this much respected brewer.
Score: 7
Otter Creek Helles Bock
Bottle -- Peabody
malty, blah.
Score: 3
Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen
Bottle -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
little cloudy. apricot and wheat flavor. easy enough to drink but not especially well-constructed.
Score: 5
Saint Somewhere Lectio Divina
750 ml -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
the bottle calls this an amber ale. beer advocate lumps it in with belgian strong pale ales. all i know is i have never had anything like it. big pop once the cork comes off. raisins and a candied sugar sweetness dominates. alcohol was kind of strong too. not my favorite.
Score: 6
Two Brothers Domaine DuPage French Style Country Ale
Bottle -- Luke's
don't think i have had a biere de garde before. sustained head... subdued aroma with slight twinge of yeast... slight sourness and fruity. interesting.
Score: 7
One to seek out:
Caldera IPA
Can -- Brickskeller, Washington D.C.
never found this beer while out in oregon. comes in very bright can. hops are closest to grapefruit and quite nice. this may have been my favorite beer of the weekend.
Score: 10
Friday, September 18, 2009
Brewers that have eluded me... until now!
Butternuts Heinnieweisse Weissebier
Can -- Unknown
rumor has it that this new york brewer is as good or better than their can rival oskar blues. and i've got to say some of the styles they tackle are pretty impressive: kolsch, wild ale, saison, and this hef. not bad either, with tasty flavor of banana and clove. very drinkable. probably not the best hef i've ever had, but could work well for that summer camping trip.
Score: 6
Cape Cod IPA
Tap -- British Beer Company, Falmouth, MA
can't believe this is my first beer from cape cod's only microbrewery. color is a pretty solid red with big sudsy heads (they just switched taps -- nice!) floral hop aroma with robust, somewhat raw bitterness in taste. light bodied but powerful bitterness disqualifies it from being sessionable. not great.
Score: 6
Can -- Unknown
rumor has it that this new york brewer is as good or better than their can rival oskar blues. and i've got to say some of the styles they tackle are pretty impressive: kolsch, wild ale, saison, and this hef. not bad either, with tasty flavor of banana and clove. very drinkable. probably not the best hef i've ever had, but could work well for that summer camping trip.
Score: 6
Cape Cod IPA
Tap -- British Beer Company, Falmouth, MA
can't believe this is my first beer from cape cod's only microbrewery. color is a pretty solid red with big sudsy heads (they just switched taps -- nice!) floral hop aroma with robust, somewhat raw bitterness in taste. light bodied but powerful bitterness disqualifies it from being sessionable. not great.
Score: 6
Friday, September 4, 2009
A mess of summer drinking
To lump all these beers together as "summer beers" may be pushing it, but they were all beers I picked up as light, low alcohol, drinkable brews for a hot summer evening.
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema
Bottle -- Luke's
tastes exactly like a cream soda, with a bit of vanilla. creamy and smooth. a very unique beer. could see this being a big hit with some of my friends...
Score: 6
Founders Cerise
Bottle -- Luke's
a cherry fermented ale. ruby color. sour all around, which reminds me more of raspberries more than cherries. very unusual as well.
Score: 6
Goose Island Honker's Ale
Bottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
this popular chicago brewer has been on my watch list for a few months now. malty, freshly hopped, light -- very pleasant to drink. missing butteriness of traditional bitter though if that is what you are looking for...
Score: 7
Harpoon UFO White
Bottle -- Sweeney's, Brockton
flavor is definitely orange, lots of spices with nutmeg emerging to the front. pretty flat. yuck.
Score: 3
Lakefront Cream City Pale Ale
Bottle -- Beer of the Month Club
lakefront's coffee flavored stout was such a disappointment that i have avoided returning to them until now. hard to go wrong with a pale ale though, and this is no exception. dry hopping delivers solid bitterness while still sessionable.
Score: 7
Mayflower Summer Rye
Growler -- Mayflower Brewing Co., Plymouth
one of my best discoveries of the summer, with thanks going to devon of drinkcraftbeer.com. smell is of spicy belgian yeast, citrus and lemon. all of these are present in flavor along with grainy rye. good flavor. extremely light and clean, with low alcohol -- a must for a quality summer brew. fantastic.
Score: 9
Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils
Can -- Gordon's, Waltham
pushed on me by dan in an effort to clean this undesirable beer out of his fridge. now it is no secret that i like oskar blues and have been appreciating lighter beers more lately, but this fell a little flat. smell of pilsner malt, add faint hay bitterness and you have the beer. that said, i would drink this again.
Score: 6
Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss Hefeweizen
Bottle -- Luke's
big clove taste overpowers yeast. that is all i can say about it since my wife proceeded to water it down with ice cubes... what a travesty. good hef though.
Score: 7
Spanish Peaks Crystal Weiss
Bottle -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
strong wheat smell, with a side of apple juice. taste isn't my favorite: wheat is kind of skunky. pass.
Score: 4
Sprecher Black Bavarian
Bottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
a schwarzbier from wisconsin... but it looks like it could be european with the crest they use on the label. at first i thought it was smoke on the nose, but really its more burnt than anything. roasted malt i expected, but quite a bit of sweet chocolate too. there was something else i couldn't put my finger on but the alstrom brothers correctly identified it as strong acidity from the malts. i haven't had a lot of dark lagers but this is one i could get into.
Score: 8
The Bruery Orchard White
750 ml -- Luke's
first time i have seen the bruery available in mass. produces a big billowy head into my oversized wine glass with an unusually pale color. smells of alcohol and white grapes to me, with just a little spice. i would say i am more struck by the dryness of the beer than the flavor. nice, but not cheap.
Score: 7
Trade Route Ginger Pale Ale
22 oz -- Superstar Discount Beverage, Huntington
this seattle brewery is only a couple of years old but i had heard a little bit about it while in oregon
(it used to be known as laughing buddha brewery...) they are clearly playing for the "beer to drink with asian food" market. yes, it really is that competitive among craft brewers in the northwest! anyways, it wasn't very good. ginger comes on very strong, perhaps accompanied by a little lemon. not much else going on though. i suppose it would work to wash down sushi, but doesn't stand up on its own.
Score: 4
Wachusett IPA
Bottle -- Gordon's, Waltham
sweet, fruit nose. taste is a little weak, but grows on you. nice mouthfeel. goes down very easy.
Score: 5
Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale
Bottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
very old looking label, to the point that i was concerned about freshness. no need to worry, the hops were fresh and springy. very smooth and drinkable. another reason to get down to philly...
Score: 7
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema
Bottle -- Luke's
tastes exactly like a cream soda, with a bit of vanilla. creamy and smooth. a very unique beer. could see this being a big hit with some of my friends...
Score: 6
Founders Cerise
Bottle -- Luke's
a cherry fermented ale. ruby color. sour all around, which reminds me more of raspberries more than cherries. very unusual as well.
Score: 6
Goose Island Honker's AleBottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
this popular chicago brewer has been on my watch list for a few months now. malty, freshly hopped, light -- very pleasant to drink. missing butteriness of traditional bitter though if that is what you are looking for...
Score: 7
Harpoon UFO White
Bottle -- Sweeney's, Brockton
flavor is definitely orange, lots of spices with nutmeg emerging to the front. pretty flat. yuck.
Score: 3
Lakefront Cream City Pale Ale
Bottle -- Beer of the Month Club
lakefront's coffee flavored stout was such a disappointment that i have avoided returning to them until now. hard to go wrong with a pale ale though, and this is no exception. dry hopping delivers solid bitterness while still sessionable.
Score: 7
Mayflower Summer Rye
Growler -- Mayflower Brewing Co., Plymouth
one of my best discoveries of the summer, with thanks going to devon of drinkcraftbeer.com. smell is of spicy belgian yeast, citrus and lemon. all of these are present in flavor along with grainy rye. good flavor. extremely light and clean, with low alcohol -- a must for a quality summer brew. fantastic.
Score: 9
Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils
Can -- Gordon's, Waltham
pushed on me by dan in an effort to clean this undesirable beer out of his fridge. now it is no secret that i like oskar blues and have been appreciating lighter beers more lately, but this fell a little flat. smell of pilsner malt, add faint hay bitterness and you have the beer. that said, i would drink this again.
Score: 6
Sierra Nevada Kellerweiss Hefeweizen
Bottle -- Luke's
big clove taste overpowers yeast. that is all i can say about it since my wife proceeded to water it down with ice cubes... what a travesty. good hef though.
Score: 7
Spanish Peaks Crystal Weiss
Bottle -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
strong wheat smell, with a side of apple juice. taste isn't my favorite: wheat is kind of skunky. pass.
Score: 4
Sprecher Black Bavarian
Bottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
a schwarzbier from wisconsin... but it looks like it could be european with the crest they use on the label. at first i thought it was smoke on the nose, but really its more burnt than anything. roasted malt i expected, but quite a bit of sweet chocolate too. there was something else i couldn't put my finger on but the alstrom brothers correctly identified it as strong acidity from the malts. i haven't had a lot of dark lagers but this is one i could get into.
Score: 8
The Bruery Orchard White
750 ml -- Luke's
first time i have seen the bruery available in mass. produces a big billowy head into my oversized wine glass with an unusually pale color. smells of alcohol and white grapes to me, with just a little spice. i would say i am more struck by the dryness of the beer than the flavor. nice, but not cheap.
Score: 7
Trade Route Ginger Pale Ale
22 oz -- Superstar Discount Beverage, Huntington
this seattle brewery is only a couple of years old but i had heard a little bit about it while in oregon
(it used to be known as laughing buddha brewery...) they are clearly playing for the "beer to drink with asian food" market. yes, it really is that competitive among craft brewers in the northwest! anyways, it wasn't very good. ginger comes on very strong, perhaps accompanied by a little lemon. not much else going on though. i suppose it would work to wash down sushi, but doesn't stand up on its own.Score: 4
Wachusett IPA
Bottle -- Gordon's, Waltham
sweet, fruit nose. taste is a little weak, but grows on you. nice mouthfeel. goes down very easy.
Score: 5
Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale
Bottle -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
very old looking label, to the point that i was concerned about freshness. no need to worry, the hops were fresh and springy. very smooth and drinkable. another reason to get down to philly...
Score: 7
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Maine vs. Canada
On my recent vacation up to eastern Maine I got to try a lot of beers from Maine and our neighbors to the north. But who brews a better beer? Let's put four beers from each head-to-head. This is a highly scientific study.
Canada's Contenders:
Alexander Keith's IPA
Can -- Campobello, Canada
an ipa in a can... so i had a hunch this wouldn't be very good. but still, this was shockingly bad. very light, few hops -- more like a lager than an ipa. not a good start for team canada...
Score: 2
Picaroon's Best Bitter
Bottle -- Campobello, Canada
the grocery store i bought this from had a very limited selection. this stood out as the only beer not in a can. from fredrickton, new brunswick. taste black patent malt, lively grassy hops up front that gives way to wateriness. not bad.
Score: 6
Picaroon's Man's Best Friend
Bottle -- Campobello, Canada
a porter. burnt malt and a little sour. not very good.
Score: 4
Unibroue Chambly Noire
750 ml -- New York
my first beer from this epic canadian brewer. this belgian dark ale is very yeasty, not especially dark, with a chalky mouthfeel. a little unsatisfying. not exactly their most acclaimed beer so i will have to try them again.
Score: 5
Maine's Contenders:
Atlantic Brewing Bar Harbor Summer Ale
Bottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse, Ellsworth, ME
i have taken a renewed interst in these guys after they bought up Bar Harbor Brewing and its Cadillac Mountain Stout. citrus and Belgian yeast reign here, just as you would expect in a summer ale. little raw for my taste.
Score: 4
Gritty 21 IPA
Bottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse
a fresh, classy label to celebrate gritty's 21st birthday. the fact that caramel malts dominate this ipa is jarring. only minor bitterness will disappoint most hop heads.
Score: 5
Kennebec River Summer Ale
Bottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse
dan berated me for not having rated more than one beer from kennebec river... so of course i had to pick this one up. glad i did too. bright attractive pour, clean nose, hoppy but rounded around edges, and quite refreshing. recommended.
Score: 7
Penobscot Bay Whig Street Blonde Ale
22 oz -- Global Beverage Warehouse
Alexander Keith's IPA
Can -- Campobello, Canada
an ipa in a can... so i had a hunch this wouldn't be very good. but still, this was shockingly bad. very light, few hops -- more like a lager than an ipa. not a good start for team canada...
Score: 2
Picaroon's Best BitterBottle -- Campobello, Canada
the grocery store i bought this from had a very limited selection. this stood out as the only beer not in a can. from fredrickton, new brunswick. taste black patent malt, lively grassy hops up front that gives way to wateriness. not bad.
Score: 6
Picaroon's Man's Best Friend
Bottle -- Campobello, Canada
a porter. burnt malt and a little sour. not very good.
Score: 4
Unibroue Chambly Noire
750 ml -- New York
my first beer from this epic canadian brewer. this belgian dark ale is very yeasty, not especially dark, with a chalky mouthfeel. a little unsatisfying. not exactly their most acclaimed beer so i will have to try them again.
Score: 5
Maine's Contenders:
Atlantic Brewing Bar Harbor Summer Ale
Bottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse, Ellsworth, ME
i have taken a renewed interst in these guys after they bought up Bar Harbor Brewing and its Cadillac Mountain Stout. citrus and Belgian yeast reign here, just as you would expect in a summer ale. little raw for my taste.
Score: 4
Gritty 21 IPA
Bottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse
a fresh, classy label to celebrate gritty's 21st birthday. the fact that caramel malts dominate this ipa is jarring. only minor bitterness will disappoint most hop heads.
Score: 5
Kennebec River Summer AleBottle -- Global Beverage Warehouse
dan berated me for not having rated more than one beer from kennebec river... so of course i had to pick this one up. glad i did too. bright attractive pour, clean nose, hoppy but rounded around edges, and quite refreshing. recommended.
Score: 7
Penobscot Bay Whig Street Blonde Ale
22 oz -- Global Beverage Warehouse
my first beer from this winterport brewer. translucent amber... very malty aroma... distinctively musty/earthy Perle hops... tongue tingeling... very balanced by pale malt. pretty impressive. my favorite of the bunch.
Score: 8
Score: 8
Winner: MAINE wins again!
Monday, July 27, 2009
West Coast Beers
Sadly, the last of the beers I brought back from the honeymoon are listed below, along with a few west coast brewers that are a little more widely available.
21st Amendment IPA
Can -- Superstar Discount Beverage Center, Huntington, NY
sold to me as a drinkable ipa, and it was all of that. very enjoyable. one notch below dale's pale ale, but that is all.
Score: 7
Alaskan Smoked Porter 2008
22 oz -- Cork, Portland, OR
big aroma: smoke, cola, and coffee. smoked meat features in flavor, but it really does fit. very smooth and lively. its a shame i won't see any more of these alaskan beers for a while.
Score: 9
Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Double IPA
22 oz -- Cork, Portland, OR
first thing that strikes you about this beer is the somewhat unusual aroma. sweet, with citrus hops and fruity esters... and very heavy, hanging in your nostrils. malts balance hops nicely, but still finishes with some punch. a fun beer.
Score: 8
Heater Allen Pils
22 oz -- Belmont Station, Portland, OR
a czech pilsner with simple, classy label. nice golden color with thick lacing that clings to my stange glass. sharp aroma of fresh hay. decent bitterness up front. textured mouthfeel, but easy to drink. highly recommended but you may have to be on the west coast to find it...
Score: 8
North Coast Old Plowshare Stout
Bottle -- Luke's, Rockland
an organic stout from one of my favorite brewers. somewhat see-through black. nice coffee aroma and some molasses, i think. tasty, with bitterness giving edge to beer. almost thin, but doesn't necessarily detract from beer. delicious.
Score: 8
Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
22 oz -- Luke's, Rockland
yet another fresh hop beer -- these are really hot lately. hazy, dark golden pour... distinctive cascade hops at work here... sharp bitterness on finish... wears a little thin over the course of the bottle.
Score: 7
Can -- Superstar Discount Beverage Center, Huntington, NY
sold to me as a drinkable ipa, and it was all of that. very enjoyable. one notch below dale's pale ale, but that is all.
Score: 7
Alaskan Smoked Porter 2008
22 oz -- Cork, Portland, OR
big aroma: smoke, cola, and coffee. smoked meat features in flavor, but it really does fit. very smooth and lively. its a shame i won't see any more of these alaskan beers for a while.
Score: 9
Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Double IPA
22 oz -- Cork, Portland, OR
first thing that strikes you about this beer is the somewhat unusual aroma. sweet, with citrus hops and fruity esters... and very heavy, hanging in your nostrils. malts balance hops nicely, but still finishes with some punch. a fun beer.
Score: 8
Heater Allen Pils22 oz -- Belmont Station, Portland, OR
a czech pilsner with simple, classy label. nice golden color with thick lacing that clings to my stange glass. sharp aroma of fresh hay. decent bitterness up front. textured mouthfeel, but easy to drink. highly recommended but you may have to be on the west coast to find it...
Score: 8
North Coast Old Plowshare Stout
Bottle -- Luke's, Rockland
an organic stout from one of my favorite brewers. somewhat see-through black. nice coffee aroma and some molasses, i think. tasty, with bitterness giving edge to beer. almost thin, but doesn't necessarily detract from beer. delicious.
Score: 8
Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
22 oz -- Luke's, Rockland
yet another fresh hop beer -- these are really hot lately. hazy, dark golden pour... distinctive cascade hops at work here... sharp bitterness on finish... wears a little thin over the course of the bottle.
Score: 7
Pick of the litter:
Alesmith IPA
22 oz -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
especially impressive head on this one, perfectly proportioned. what a great smell: rich and tropical fruit. and the flavor is almost as big, grapefruit and bready malt. as hoppy a beer as you will find, but without being over-the-top. excellent.
Score: 10
22 oz -- Shoreline Beverage, Huntington, NY
especially impressive head on this one, perfectly proportioned. what a great smell: rich and tropical fruit. and the flavor is almost as big, grapefruit and bready malt. as hoppy a beer as you will find, but without being over-the-top. excellent.
Score: 10
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Malt Liquor Madness
Beer tasting parties are something I have been wanting to try, but I knew my friends weren't quite ready for it. Now don't get me wrong, they have been really good sports about my beer fetish by going to brewpubs most every weekend and trying countless styles of beer. But that doesn't mean they have always liked it. With this in mind, Malt Liquor Madness was born.
To begin, I had to find 8 different kinds of malt liquor, which was harder than you might think. Seven liquor stores later, I had my lineup of contenders and started peeling labels so that this could be a blind taste test. All of my friends participating were then given a scorecard with space for tasting notes on each of the five categories (I was the only one to actually take down notes...) and were asked to give the beer an overall score from 5 to 1. (Odds are the best malt liquor in the world is a 5 on a 10 point scale, so this worked out about right...) As for the tournament, there would be four contenders going head-to-head on either side of the bracket, with the two beers receiving the highest total of points from the judges advancing to the finals. (20oz was split nine ways into clear solo cup so that there would be enough left if that beer advanced to the championship match...) With all of this worked out, we were ready to start.
And as samples of contender number one were being passed around, every single person at the party asked me what a malt liquor is. Oi. Okay, let's take a step back. Beer advocate?
"For the most part, Malt Liquor beers are sold in the infamous 40 oz sized bottles. Straw to pale amber in color, most use excessive amounts of adjuncts, such as corn, rice, refined brewers sugar (dextrose) and as a result there are very few "all malt" brewed malt liquors. Hops are barely used, just enough is added to balance off any cloyingness. Higher alcohol versions tend to have a loads of fusel alcohol, which gives off solvent or fuel like aromas and flavors. They are attenuated very well, meaning a higher ratio of fermentable sugars are present over other beers, but without using as many ingredients and still ending up with a high alcohol content. Some breweries enable the use of special enzymes to further breakdown the malt and adjuncts so they will yield a larger percentage of alcohol. This makes for quite a dry beer, with only a small amount of unfermented sugars and a kick that will knock you on your ass."
Bottom-line? It's a macrolager with alcohol. Our contenders started at 5.6% abv and topped out at 8.1% (Steel Reserve). This was one of the reasons I chose malt liquor; even in the small samples we were doing, you will feel the alcohol a little. That would not be the case with the Bud Light's and Coor's. I originally toyed with the idea of doing this tournament with these macrolagers but feared that when something like Miller Light won, people would take it as an endorsement to drink that vile stuff. I doubt we will have that problem with malt liquor. (Although, I will say I was surprised to the extent that all of these beers were owned by the big boys... probably should have seen that coming.) Alright, let's do this! I will list these in the order that they finished, with my own notes and score below. May the best malt liquor win! Please?
#8 Steel Reserve 211
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
hold on, steel reserve finished dead last?! you have got to be kidding me! i don't think these people are even qualified to rate malt liquor! okay, deep breath. this malt liquor from texas was my favorite beer of them all. good head retention and actually has an aroma of light malt and even a few faint hops. corn isn't the only flavor going on, with some clean malts and not unpleasant alcohol. i will actually buy this again. i think the problem was that this was the first beer tasted of the night, and for most people the first malt liquor they had ever tasted... well, live and learn.
Score: 5
#7 Mickey's
22 oz -- Blanchard's, Brockton
owned by miller. i had high expectations for mickey's as well, but i can't disagree with the low rating. i found this to be very watery.
Score: 2
#6 King Cobra Premium Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Cheers, Brockton
a product of A-B. very bland, with the little flavor being corn. light bodied. very bad.
Score: 1
#5 Colt 45 Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
from pabst, the classic 40. picked up some faint hops here. taste is quite sweet. very creamy mouthfeel. really what you would expect in a malt liquor. that said, i wish i had liked this more than i did.
Score: 2
#4 Haffenreffer Private Stock
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
in my mind, this was the favorite going in. very classy label stating that this has "the imported taste." funny. again, misseeding may have cost them here as this was the last beer of the night... this was the hoppiest of the beers in my opinion (which isn't saying much), but bitterness does show up here. as a result, it was also the most balanced.
Score: 4
#3 Olde English 800
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
A-B. raw taste of corn and water. very light. very unpleasant. nevertheless, it only missed advancing to the finals by one vote! oi.
Score: 1
#2 St. Ides High Gravity Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Blanchard's, Brockton
this pennsylvania malt liquor advanced to the finals from the first bracket. fresh malt, lots of corn, and very creamy. fairly well constructed. my third favorite of the contenders.
Score: 3
#1 Molson XXX
22oz Can -- Blanchard's, Brockton
molson xxx?! in a landslide?! what a shocker! well, this was the only contender coming from a can and weighs in at 7.3% abv. husky alcohol, grainy, with some bitterness. in no way pleasant to drink. to be absolutely clear, i in no way endorse this beer. the only lesson to take away from this little experiment is what a bunch of savages my friends are. apparently it is going to have to be a while longer before i have a proper beer tasting party. or as dan suggested, we may need to get some new beer friends.
Score: 2
To begin, I had to find 8 different kinds of malt liquor, which was harder than you might think. Seven liquor stores later, I had my lineup of contenders and started peeling labels so that this could be a blind taste test. All of my friends participating were then given a scorecard with space for tasting notes on each of the five categories (I was the only one to actually take down notes...) and were asked to give the beer an overall score from 5 to 1. (Odds are the best malt liquor in the world is a 5 on a 10 point scale, so this worked out about right...) As for the tournament, there would be four contenders going head-to-head on either side of the bracket, with the two beers receiving the highest total of points from the judges advancing to the finals. (20oz was split nine ways into clear solo cup so that there would be enough left if that beer advanced to the championship match...) With all of this worked out, we were ready to start.
And as samples of contender number one were being passed around, every single person at the party asked me what a malt liquor is. Oi. Okay, let's take a step back. Beer advocate?
"For the most part, Malt Liquor beers are sold in the infamous 40 oz sized bottles. Straw to pale amber in color, most use excessive amounts of adjuncts, such as corn, rice, refined brewers sugar (dextrose) and as a result there are very few "all malt" brewed malt liquors. Hops are barely used, just enough is added to balance off any cloyingness. Higher alcohol versions tend to have a loads of fusel alcohol, which gives off solvent or fuel like aromas and flavors. They are attenuated very well, meaning a higher ratio of fermentable sugars are present over other beers, but without using as many ingredients and still ending up with a high alcohol content. Some breweries enable the use of special enzymes to further breakdown the malt and adjuncts so they will yield a larger percentage of alcohol. This makes for quite a dry beer, with only a small amount of unfermented sugars and a kick that will knock you on your ass."
Bottom-line? It's a macrolager with alcohol. Our contenders started at 5.6% abv and topped out at 8.1% (Steel Reserve). This was one of the reasons I chose malt liquor; even in the small samples we were doing, you will feel the alcohol a little. That would not be the case with the Bud Light's and Coor's. I originally toyed with the idea of doing this tournament with these macrolagers but feared that when something like Miller Light won, people would take it as an endorsement to drink that vile stuff. I doubt we will have that problem with malt liquor. (Although, I will say I was surprised to the extent that all of these beers were owned by the big boys... probably should have seen that coming.) Alright, let's do this! I will list these in the order that they finished, with my own notes and score below. May the best malt liquor win! Please?
#8 Steel Reserve 21140 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
hold on, steel reserve finished dead last?! you have got to be kidding me! i don't think these people are even qualified to rate malt liquor! okay, deep breath. this malt liquor from texas was my favorite beer of them all. good head retention and actually has an aroma of light malt and even a few faint hops. corn isn't the only flavor going on, with some clean malts and not unpleasant alcohol. i will actually buy this again. i think the problem was that this was the first beer tasted of the night, and for most people the first malt liquor they had ever tasted... well, live and learn.
Score: 5
#7 Mickey's
22 oz -- Blanchard's, Brockton
owned by miller. i had high expectations for mickey's as well, but i can't disagree with the low rating. i found this to be very watery.
Score: 2
#6 King Cobra Premium Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Cheers, Brockton
a product of A-B. very bland, with the little flavor being corn. light bodied. very bad.
Score: 1
#5 Colt 45 Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
from pabst, the classic 40. picked up some faint hops here. taste is quite sweet. very creamy mouthfeel. really what you would expect in a malt liquor. that said, i wish i had liked this more than i did.
Score: 2
#4 Haffenreffer Private Stock
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
in my mind, this was the favorite going in. very classy label stating that this has "the imported taste." funny. again, misseeding may have cost them here as this was the last beer of the night... this was the hoppiest of the beers in my opinion (which isn't saying much), but bitterness does show up here. as a result, it was also the most balanced.
Score: 4
#3 Olde English 800
40 oz -- Shovel Shop Spirits, Easton
A-B. raw taste of corn and water. very light. very unpleasant. nevertheless, it only missed advancing to the finals by one vote! oi.
Score: 1
#2 St. Ides High Gravity Malt Liquor
40 oz -- Blanchard's, Brockton
this pennsylvania malt liquor advanced to the finals from the first bracket. fresh malt, lots of corn, and very creamy. fairly well constructed. my third favorite of the contenders.
Score: 3
#1 Molson XXX22oz Can -- Blanchard's, Brockton
molson xxx?! in a landslide?! what a shocker! well, this was the only contender coming from a can and weighs in at 7.3% abv. husky alcohol, grainy, with some bitterness. in no way pleasant to drink. to be absolutely clear, i in no way endorse this beer. the only lesson to take away from this little experiment is what a bunch of savages my friends are. apparently it is going to have to be a while longer before i have a proper beer tasting party. or as dan suggested, we may need to get some new beer friends.
Score: 2
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New brewers to town
I have found that in order to find new brewers, I have to try a little bit harder these days. A couple of months ago, I took a swing down through my old stomping grounds of Fall River and came up with a couple of these new brewers. The other two came from two of my favorite local haunts: Luke's in Rockland and The Jury Room in Quincy.
Eel River Certified Organic Porter
Bottle -- Chris Gasbarro's, Seekonk
another good california brewer. color is brown with definite reddish tint... lots of chocolate on nose... creamy texture actually makes bigger first impression than flavor... subdued taste of caramel malts, chocolate, faint roasted coffee, and somthing close to vanilla. tasty enough, but i have had better porters.
Score: 6
McNeill's Extra Special Bitter
22 oz -- Luke's, Rockland
first time i have found this fairly well-known vermont brewer. a robust esb for sure, with big flavorful piney hops. decent balance but seemed to break down towards the end of the bottle. wouldn't rush back for this one but am curious to try another.
Score: 6
Snapperfish IPA
Can -- Pour Judgement, Quincy
felt bad ordering this can when dale's pale ale was available but i can rarely pass on a chance to try a new brewer. snapperfish is from upstate new york. a milder ipa, with hops taking on a grapefruit-like coarseness. if ever faced with this choice, go for the dale's without a second thought.
Score: 4
Troegs Pale Ale
Bottle -- Cardoza's, Fall River
i have been waiting for this popular harrisburg, pennsylvania brewer to make it up here, and was some excited when it did. light copper color... malts are quite sweet in the aroma -- think honey... hop character is closest to earthy... flavor is a little bland with an not altogether pleasant bitterness... light mouthfeel, well-balanced... good, not great.
Score: 6
Best bet:
Troegs Hopback Amber Ale
Bottle -- Cardoza's, Fall River
shallow amber with reddish tint and neat head. wow, now this is my kind of amber! big, flavorful citrus, piney hops on nose. hops in taste are balanced by solid malt profile. robust bitterness at end. smoothness only lends to drinkability. my excitedness to finally find troegs was totally justified. order this beer!
Score: 8
Eel River Certified Organic Porter
Bottle -- Chris Gasbarro's, Seekonk
another good california brewer. color is brown with definite reddish tint... lots of chocolate on nose... creamy texture actually makes bigger first impression than flavor... subdued taste of caramel malts, chocolate, faint roasted coffee, and somthing close to vanilla. tasty enough, but i have had better porters.
Score: 6
McNeill's Extra Special Bitter
22 oz -- Luke's, Rockland
first time i have found this fairly well-known vermont brewer. a robust esb for sure, with big flavorful piney hops. decent balance but seemed to break down towards the end of the bottle. wouldn't rush back for this one but am curious to try another.
Score: 6
Snapperfish IPA
Can -- Pour Judgement, Quincy
felt bad ordering this can when dale's pale ale was available but i can rarely pass on a chance to try a new brewer. snapperfish is from upstate new york. a milder ipa, with hops taking on a grapefruit-like coarseness. if ever faced with this choice, go for the dale's without a second thought.
Score: 4
Troegs Pale Ale
Bottle -- Cardoza's, Fall River
i have been waiting for this popular harrisburg, pennsylvania brewer to make it up here, and was some excited when it did. light copper color... malts are quite sweet in the aroma -- think honey... hop character is closest to earthy... flavor is a little bland with an not altogether pleasant bitterness... light mouthfeel, well-balanced... good, not great.
Score: 6
Best bet:Troegs Hopback Amber Ale
Bottle -- Cardoza's, Fall River
shallow amber with reddish tint and neat head. wow, now this is my kind of amber! big, flavorful citrus, piney hops on nose. hops in taste are balanced by solid malt profile. robust bitterness at end. smoothness only lends to drinkability. my excitedness to finally find troegs was totally justified. order this beer!
Score: 8
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Six to add to the list...
Carrabassett Winter Ale
Bottle -- Shipyard Brewery Gift Shop, Portland, ME
listed as a winter warmer (6.8% abv), but it pours a burnt orange. aroma is very malty, caramel. flavor is nutty, diacetyl (like most of carrabassetts beers), with some mild hops hidden inside. creamy mouthfeel. probably the lightest winter warmer i have ever encountered.
Score: 4
Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager
Bottle -- Gordon's, Waltham
my second louisiana beer (after abita) and what i have heard about dixie isn't promising. reddish appearance with minor ammount of dark fruit in aroma. flavor is very sweet malts, light and sticky. better than expected.
Score: 5
Harpoon Celtic
Sample -- Great Lost Bear
an irish red, surprise, surprise. bready... and that's about it. one-dimensional, as most in the style are.
Score: 5
Middle Ages Wailing Wench
750 ml -- Luke's, Rockland
a widely available strong ale. reddish pour with big head. alcohol hits nose even before hops. lots of pungent hops in flavor. this wasn't the let down i half expected.
Score: 8
Thirsty Dog Old Leghumper
Sample -- Great Lost Bear, Portland
a porter with heavy coffee aroma and flavor. watery though. clever marketing on the label, but hard to believe this is the same brewer that made their siberian night.
Score: 6
My favorite:
Oskar Blues Old Chub
Can -- Chris Gasbarro's, Seekonk
pours startlingly dark from can to tulip glass... dark fruit and alcohol in aroma... slightly charred taste, with heavy but not unpleasant maltiness... this was very nice. love these guys.
Score: 9
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