Dogfish Head - 60 Minute IPA Review

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Type: IPA

ABV: 6%

Color: Nice copper tone with a creamy white head about 1 1/2 fingers thick.

Aroma: Sweet citrusy nose with a pleasant floral undertone.

Taste: Mild and lightly hoppy with a slightly dry floral tingle. The alcohol pops and hangs in the back of the throat til the next sip.

Overall: Chill and mild with nothing really standing out. The hoppiness is there but very lax. Not much dry. The alcohol taste is mild also. I guess it could be called balanced, but still nothing overly impressive.

Score: 8.0/10

Stone Brewing Company - IPA Review

Stone Brewing IPA

Type: IPA

ABV: 6.9%

Color: Nice golden yellow that is translucent and has an orange hue to it. The head is an inch or so thick and is creamy white.

Aroma: Awesome floral bite up front with nice citrus punches from the hops. A light malt sweetness at the end.

Taste: Sweet, tingly and clean are my first impressions. Orange is the biggest taste, then dryness comes through with the light maltiness closing it out.

Overall: Nicely balanced with the citrus sweetness, hoppy dryness and tongue-clinging malt. A splash of alcohol essence to bring it all together. A classic that won't disappoint.

Score: 8.7/10

DOGFISH HEAD - Festina Peche Review

Dogfish Head - Festina Peche

Type: Summer Seasonal Berliner-Weisse

ABV: 4.5%

Color: Golden-white that is barely see-thru, with a generous amount of carbination coming up from the bottom to the top of the headless brew.

Aroma: Definitely and obviously Peach. It comes through crisp and clean to the nose.

Taste: Sour leamony punch to the up-front peach. The body is light and clean. The tart of the peach holds onto the tongue corners while the rest of the tongue is clean and clear.

Overall: Been looking forward to this one for a while, and while i was surpriseed by the usual "outside the box" approach...I still totally enjoyed it. Knowing what to expect from Sam and the Dogfish Head crew. I would best describe this one as a "Peach and Tonic"

Score: 8.2/10 

SARANAC BREWERY - India Pale Ale Review

SARANAC - INDIA PALE ALE

Type: IPA

ABV: 5.8%

Color: Clear bronze yellow with some flairs of lighter yellow at the base. The head pours finger thin a clears quickly leaving a thin white film on the surface.

Aroma: The aroma doesn't drift to far from the glass...you need to dip your nose to get it. Earthy hoppy and slightly citrusy with very little sweetness from the malt also.

Taste: Spice(clove & coriander) in the front, that brings dryness to the party. The bitterness is a bit underwhelming(probably between 40-50 IBU's) but is there. There isn't much malt sweetness to speak of.

Overall: Light to medium body and a pleasant mouth-feel, tingly and dry. The hops that are noticed are mellow in my opinion. There is a touch of alcohol taste that stays with the dry on the tongue til the next taste.

Score: 7.8/10

Troubadour Obscura "Mild Stout" Review

Type: Belgian Strong dark Ale

ABV: 8.2%

Color: Deep dark-brown with lighter browns on the bottom...A nice full rocky tan head that hangs for a while.

Aroma: Sweet roasted maltand alcohol with a nice touch of chocolate.

Taste: The title if mild stout is dead on...Very mild and sweet for a stout. Some alcohol taste that isn't overpowering. Nice roasted malt that holds on. The chocolate is undrlying but still represent well.

Overall: I've said it before, that I am not a fan of stouts...But this one is very good. I like the light dryness, and the nice malt accents that blend well with the alcohol. It is nice and light bodied and can be enjoyed in moderation.

Score: 8.2/10

Red Hook Brewery - Slim Chance Ale Review

Red Hook Brewery

Type: Light Lager

ABV: 3.9%

Color: Translucent golden-yellow with a very minimal white head

Aroma: Citrusy, mostly lemon, but some orange hints also. Mild floral tones that hang.

Taste: Some dry, some citrus, but not all that hoppy. Almost creamy in texture.

Overall: Not too bad for a craft light beer. Good taste of citrus and a nice attempt of balance with the dry. The malt is basically none existant, and there is a pleasant coating on the tongue at the end.

Score: 7.6/10

Abita Brewing Company - Restoration Pale Ale Review

ABITA Restoration Ale

Type: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.0%

Color: Pleasant Darker Golden-yellow with a finger-thin white head

Aroma: Very blah. Not much of a nose at all...possibly a light malt twinge

Taste: Earthy but muted, Bptter but not really bitter, dry but not really dry...It's hard to explain. No pronounced sweetness really, but a little orange

Overall: Very tricky describing this one. It's not bad nor at all unique to be classified as great. On first taste there is a bitterness that wants to come through but doesn't quite do it. There is a dry aspect that doesn't really completely go dry. I guess i would put it this way...If someone was talking to you while you were underwater you can hear them, but the words aren't clear or distinct. Multiply that effect a number of times and that is how the taste is. There, but muted

Score: 7.0/10

SIERRA NEVADA - Harvest Series - Southern Hemisphere Review

SIERRA NEVADA - Southern Hemispere - Harvest

Type: American IPA

ABV: 6.8%

Color: Translucent amber-brown with a tinge of red to add a little uniqueness. The head poured thick, creamy, tan, and lasting.

Aroma: Nicely Hoppy...Alot of hop nose, but not too much as too make you turn your head like with some other beers. A slight hint of spice tingles the back of the throat.

Taste: Tingly and bitter with a nice amount of dryness, i take it that, that is from the earthy hops the beer was focused on. A note of citrus rings through(most like lemon). The dryness holds the tongue firmly, not letting go til the next swig. The end finishes buttery and again helps the dryness hold on for some time.

Overall: It pours nice and has what i like...Bitter, and Dry. There is a little off-balance action going on, nothing to pull your attention, but it is there. I mean there is Bitter, and Dry, but I really don't get much malt action at all. I actually enjoy that this time around and that might be what makes this brew different. It could be over-enjoyed if not paying attention, that is how easy it goes down. Another fine product from Sierra Nevada.

Score: 8.8/10

"Brew at the Zoo" Brewfest Quick thoughts and observations

Coming back from the Maryland Zoo's "Brew at the Zoo" brewfest this Memorial Day weekend, I figured I post some observations I noticed while there.

First, the collection of Microbrewers in attendance was of quality brewers such as Stone, Ommegang, Magic Hat, and Dogfish Head, and a favorite of mine Oliver Ales. But it also didn't include such notable local Baltimore area brewers, and one of my overall favorites Heavy Seas(Clipper City) and Duclaw. They did make their way to a different fest in Frederick, Md though. It's ashame, and no offense to the Springfest, but alot of the proceeds to the Brew at the Zoo go directly to the Zoo(which is in need of the funding), so I think they deserved a representation from those two breweries specifically.

When arriving to the fest, we were quickly throught the gates to get our glass and age verification. After that the walk started with a kids play zone and some retail dealers selling fake pandora beads and personalized wooden barrels for home brewing(they were both overpriced). Up the hill were food stands, and more food retail dealers with sauces and such. Finally we headed down to the tasting area.

At the tasting area we skipped through the breweries and tried one type from each of them. Most of the beers there have already been tried and even reviewed by myself. I was a little disappointed with most of the offerings with regards to selection not quality. I would expect these breweries to bring at least one each of a unique or harder to find beer to the public to try out. Don't get me wrong, a few did bring some specials:

Oliver Breweries Ltd.(Baltimore, Maryland) -  "Iron Man IPA" - Which I'm gonna get a Growler of this week to review. This is a fresh brew that was finished just a week before the fest.

Evolution Craft Brewing(DelMar, Delaware) - "Summer Session" - This I have tried at the brewery, and reviewed. Good choice because they made it in limited quantity and it wasn't getting bottled for regional distribution.

Ommegang(Cooperstown,NY) - "RARE VOS Amber Ale" - I haven't heard of this one nor have I seen it anywhere in the region, so it was a good addition as well as a good beer.

We went through the 12 or so breweries in attendance then proceeded to the "Grilled Cheese Co." a new upstart "idea"...BCT - Bacon Cheese and Tomato(was so, so) & Crabby Melt - Crab meat and cheese(so so also). Nice niche concept but i don't think it will survive. I could an do make better Grilled Cheeses at home.

After some grub went back for a second round of brew and to cast my votes for best of fest. I gladly added six of my eight vote tickets to Evolution Craft Brewery booth.  All of the beers are top quality, but the "Summer Session" is worth the drive to Delmar, Delaware. Light, refreshing, with citrus and rye popping through. If you can check it out, it is worth the drive. My review is here: EVOLUTION CRAFT BREWING - "SUMMER SESSION"

I also put two votes in for Stone Brewing Co. - "Oak-Aged Arrogant Bastard" & Dogfish Head -"Aprihop".

The crowd was very docile and polite...not a total surprise, but with (unlimited)drinking, you never know what to expect. After the second tour of the beer booths we went out to see the animals of the zoo. Also a nice experience as always.

So all in all, it was a good fest. Great weather, good brews and good people. 

Score: 9.2/10

Germany's KOSTRITZER SCHWARZBIER Review

KOSTRITZER SCHWARZBIER

Type: Schwarzbier

ABV: 4.8%

Color: As the name would imply...It is black with a thin white head

Aroma: Sweet maltiness with very little to almost no floral or hoppy tones

Taste: Definitely a roasted malt kick to it up front. Then some dryness that is nearly overwhelming. Alcohol is there but not to a ridiculous degree.

Overall: The look and taste are very close to a stout. It has the overall complexity of a lager, with the texture of the stouts. It isn't bad at all. I could drink it regularaly, but not more than maybe 2 at one sitting.

Score: 7.6/10

Belgiums BAVIK Pils Review

BAVIK PILS

Type: Pilsner

ABV: 5.2%

Color: Bright white-yellow with a very thin white head that is gone way to quickly as it leaves trailed lacing.

Aroma: Floral sweet with an aromatic refreshing overall nose

Taste: Mildly sweet and almost buttery. Light bitter that finishes with a mellow sour aftertaste

Overall: Not bad a all. When first poured it looked like a white beer...very very light in yellow color. Not as much of an aftertaste as i wanted. That is what would have seperated this Pils from alot of others. A good beer but not distinctly memorable.

Score: 7.8/10

New Zealand's Monteith's Pilsner Beer Review

MONTEITH'S PILSNER

Type: Pilsner

ABV: 5%

Color: A deep Golden Yellow with a thin white head that dies off quickly

Aroma: Floral hints along with a touch of sour. Clean subtle hop presence that is fresh and crisp.

Taste: A tad bit of lemon along with a nice bitter bite start it off. The light to medium dryness comes next and it finishes off leaving a tongue coating sour that hangs for a while.

Overall: Nothing special about this pils...you can't really go wrong when you follow traditional methods. I would drink this pilsner than any other of the big brewers offerings. This will lead me to trying other Monteiths beers in the future.

Score: 7.8/10

ALTON BROWN'S Good Eats Episode on Brewing Beer

Hey there everybody, I remember seening this episode of the every informative Good Eats show The Food Network. So when I came across it on the net I figured I'd post the show here for my friends and such to enjoy. So here it is - Good Eats: BREWING 101

DuClaw Brewing Company - Sawtooth Review

DuClaw Brewing - Sawtooth

Type: Belgian White Ale

ABV: 4.8%

Color: Cloudy wheaty-gold with a nice full white head that is gone almost as fast as it appeared. It leaves a thin white film on the top of the beer.

Aroma: Citrus, wheat and subtle malt sweetness. Something else I can't really place. A very inviting scent.

Taste: Orange with a medium to full citrus bitter are prominent. There is a nice tingle on the tongue from the alcohol. The ending stays bitter to almost sour to the lingering aftertaste.

Overall: Full filling body that has a nice sweet. The aftertaste is a nice compliment to the beginning.

Score: 8.2/10

Brewers Art Brewing Company - La Petroleuse Ale Review

The Brewer's Art

Type: Belgian Ale

ABV: 7.8%

Color: Cloudy deep orangish-brown with nice golden hues at the bottom. The head is full and creamy, but disappears quickly.

Aroma: In order of dominance: Alcohol, Citrusy-orange, and malt sweetness.

Taste. Alcohol also mildly dominates the taste, but the citrus does come through, lightly mixing with some mild hints of malt. The finish is uneventful and leaves an alcohol taste on the tongue.

Overall: I was so anticipating this beer, but when i finally took a drink, the excitement vanished. I didn't get malt or the citrus that much, and that was disappointing. I don't hate it, but I think the expectations my be making me bias in the rating I am given. The Belgian influences are there, and are why i give it some extra respect.

Score: 7.8/10

Brewers Alley Brewing Company - India Pale Ale Review

Brewer's Alley Brewery

Type: IPA

ABV: 5.4%

Color: Cloudy orange with golden touches on the top and bottom. A one finger thick white head that dies almost immmdiately after the pour.

Aroma: Very clean and strong orange nose with some bite from the hops. Other citrus notes pop as well, grapefruit and lemon mostly.

Taste: Nice bitter and orange rind are the first tingles on the tastebuds. Medium body that is a little pleasant, with a finish that is simple and dry.

Overall: Like it alot. The nose really brings you in and has you wanting to drink this badly. Fisrt sip is intriguing, but after that not much to elaborate on.

Score: 8.3/10

Brewers Alley Brewing Company - 1634 Ale

Brewer's Alley Brewery

Type: Rye Beer

ABV: 5.8%

Color: Dark iced-tea brown with red tones...No head formed at all(and I poured it sloppily too boot).

Aroma: Sweet, and a little spicy with malt coming though. Alcohol is abundant in the breath with little to no hop presence.

Taste: The initial taste of alcohol is strong and almost overwhelming. Some malt and possible caramel does cover the alcohol taste. It finishes as uneventful as it began, with little aftertaste.

Overall: Mellow in everything but the taste of alcohol. It almost makes me not want to finish it. I did and got used to the taste and it grew a tad on me. Not completely terrible, but not really all that good either.

Score: 6.2/10

Abita Brewing Company - Jockamo IPA

Preface: I am now up to 50 reviews on the blog in the short amount of time I've been doing reviews. So I was thinking what beer should I review to mark the occasion...Well I was gonna do a hard to find original from my neck of the woods. Then I thought,  how about the best Belgian Beer out there..."Orval"...Neither of those hit me good, so i figured I'd do the highest rated brew that i have submitted for review so far.

ABITA Brewing Company

Type: India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.5%

Color: Very attractive orange-brown with a lighter hue on the bottom. It pours with a very nice and creamy head that hangs on nicely

Aroma: An overwhelming orange on first inhale then get some light florals in the nose also...Completely enjoyable and intoxicating.

Taste: Orange is dominant, but there is definitely grapefruit and i would say lime coming through also. Not as much bitter bite as you might expector want with an IPA, but some bitter is there. The finish hangs onto the tongue nicely.

Overall: Love it, a great effort from Abita. Nice citrusiness and just the right amount of dryness. The only complaint could be not enough bitter for an IPA, but the body, nose, and mouthfeel totally overcompensate for any hop bitterness lacking. Great balance and just an all around great beer.

Score: 9.4/10

SMUTTY NOSE BREWING COMPANY - "Finestkind" IPA

Smutty Nose Brewing

Type: India Pale Ale

ABV: 6.9%

Color: Opaque cloudy orange with lighter tones on the top and bottom. Light head that leaves a little lacing.

Aroma: Nice citrus hoppiness that comes clean and holds the nose for some time.

Taste: Bitter and dry with a pleasant floral and citrusy punnch. The body is light to medium and it finishes hanging onto the roof of the mouth

Overall: The dry more than the bitter is what is most dominant. It comes through clean and almost overwhelming with the dryness. I ilke it. Some of you won't. Very good effort Smutty Nose.

Score: 8.1/10

MURPHY'S IRISH RED ALE REVIEW

Type: Irish Red Ale

ABV: 5%

Color: Transparent brown with a red tone(no really?) with a one-finger thick creamy white head.

Aroma: Mellow spicy sweet with a nice floral bouquet that stays within the glasses frame.

Taste: Creamy but dry with a mild bitterness. There is a very light malt touch that hangs til the end as it coats the tongue nicely.

Overall: Good but very simple. Not too complex at all. It is balanced but nothing stands out to make it unique from the other reds out there.

Score: 7.3/10