Erie Brewing Company - Railbender Ale Review

ERIE BREWING COMPANY

Type: Scottish Style Ale

ABV: 6.8%

Color: Dark mahogany brown with lighter highlights at the bottom...Minimal white head that is gone very quickly.

Aroma: Very basic smell of malt, with no bitterness, floral, or fruitiness noticed at all.

Taste: Nice emphisized malt up front with a hint of sweet sugars and a smidge of caramel. Subtle hoppiness that is very light and the aftertaste lingers on the tongue pleasantly

Overall: Nice medium body brew that puts the focus on malt. There is almost a good balance between the maltiness and the bitterness, but the malt wins out. Very enjoyable and can easily be over-enjoyed due to its ease of drinkability.

Score: 7.8/10

Southern Tier Brewery - 422 ALE Review

Type: Pale Wheat Ale

ABV: 5.8%

Color: Hazy dark golden yellow with almost no head or lacing.

Aroma: Spicy sweet with a bready nose. Some orange notes come through the deeper you inhale.

Taste: Orange zestiness with light bitterness. Medium body with a touch of spice that tingles the tongue. The finish is easy and smooth.

Overall: Tingles nicely and mellows to a citrusy smooth finish. The wheat makes it a little more filling, so your either gonna drink it slower or not as many overall.

SOUTHERN TIER BREWERY

Score: 7.8/10

Barley & Hops Brewery - Hoptopsy ESB Review

Barley & Hops Brewery

Type: ESB

ABV: 5.6%

Color: Light Copper with virtually no head. Gold hues at the top and bottom of the glass

Aroma: Some nice malt sweetness with a chill floral "over-scent" , that is crisp and refreshing.

Taste: Very nice hoppiness that lets go to a nice malt body. The tongue stays entertained long after the swig. The finish is dry and welcoming.

Overall: Nice balance between  3 things...sweetness, bitterness and dryness. It is supposed to be an ESB, but it would rank with some of the better IPA's out there.


Score: 9.0/10.

HUYGHE Brewery BELGIAN - Delirium Nocturnum Review

Delirium Nocturnum

Type: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

ABV: 8.5%

Color: Deep Dark Brown with amber touches at the bottom of the glass. Nice thick solid creamy tan head

Aroma: Sweet but not too much with possible cherry essence. Very mild hop nose with a malt end.

Taste: Some coffee up front with cherry and even a hint of banana in there. Then the alcohol, as light as the taste is, is still distinguishable. The finish is straight forward and non-lingering.

Overall: Nice sweetness that I shows up first with a light to medium body that laces tha glass well. Sippable beer than i can enjoy in moderation. It is true to the style, and Huyghe made an exceptional offering.

Score: 8.4/10

Ommegang Abbey Ale Review

Ommegang Brewery

Type: Dubbel

ABV: 8.5%

Color: Dark Iced-tea brown with a huge rocky-tan head that laces considerably.

Aroma: Some sweet honey, and mild chocolate engage the nose at first, then subtle fruit comes next. Some spice...maybe clove or cinammon to finish it.

Taste: The first mouthful yields a blah taste...wait a few seconds then it hits ya...licorice and maybe toffee. The alcohol comes in and smacks ya...then a mild fruitiness of plum or raisin close out the taste.

Overall: Lighter bodied than the name or color would imply. Very mild carbonation and a decent taste of alcohol. The fruitiness tries to balance things out, but not enough to do so effectively. Decent try but not quite there.

Score: 7.8/10