An 8.2% ABV hefe? Interesting.
I'm sure I've had this one before, but don't remember it fully. I'm iffy on some of their beers, really like others, and I'm hoping for the best out of this one.
Pours a hazy, slightly amber yellow, with a great light tan head that gets pillowy and stays.
Man, quite an odd and sharp chemical smell being thrown off. It seemed hoppy at first, but as the head settled it changed more to a sharp alcohol and plastic smell. I know I'm going to regret saying this, but I get a hint of banana under it all, especially right after the pour. Damnit I hate admitting that. Although I use that descriptor sparingly (this makes the second beer ever that I've used it with), instead of with every other beer like some do.
Ugh. What an horrible band aid and chemical taste. The malty is under tehre, but I'm not taking another sip.
From now on, I just have to remember:
American wheat beers: Good.
European hefes: Bad.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Avery Brewing Company's The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest
Interesting. An Imperial Oktoberfest... lager. I'm intrigued by this one, actually. Most "imperials" piss me off.
Pours orangish and coppery like an Oktoberfest should, but heavier, with slower bubbles like an imperial would indicate. Good light tan head for a lager, it sticks for a while with decent (but relatively slowly rising) bubbles. Hope that's a good sign of a bigger grain bill.
Nice. Smells hoppy and spicy, but more peppery from the hops than spicy from any additions. Good malt backbone as well. Not bready or sweet, but there.
Damn, that's the heaviest lager I've ever felt. Great Oktoberfest flavor, malty, slightly hoppy, and peppery, with a body that for once earns the Imperial designation. The 9.73% ABV, almost unheard of for a lager, starts to bite as it warms, so drink it as cold as possible.
One of my favorite Avery beers, if not the best altogether.
Pours orangish and coppery like an Oktoberfest should, but heavier, with slower bubbles like an imperial would indicate. Good light tan head for a lager, it sticks for a while with decent (but relatively slowly rising) bubbles. Hope that's a good sign of a bigger grain bill.
Nice. Smells hoppy and spicy, but more peppery from the hops than spicy from any additions. Good malt backbone as well. Not bready or sweet, but there.
Damn, that's the heaviest lager I've ever felt. Great Oktoberfest flavor, malty, slightly hoppy, and peppery, with a body that for once earns the Imperial designation. The 9.73% ABV, almost unheard of for a lager, starts to bite as it warms, so drink it as cold as possible.
One of my favorite Avery beers, if not the best altogether.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Boulder Beer Company's Mojo India Pale Ale
I don't like anything that looks tie-dyed. Or the word 'mojo.' But, I'll try to be nice anyway.
Pours a strange yellowish orange, heavy on the yellow, with a soft drink level of carbonation that just ain't right. Very light tan head that is supported by the heavy carbonation.
Pretty good grassy smell though. Crisp, and slightly sweet.
Well, the initial bitter zap is decent, and the head has a great flavor, but the beer itself quickly hollows out and tastes like an orange soft drink.
Not real wild about this one, or this brewery.
Pours a strange yellowish orange, heavy on the yellow, with a soft drink level of carbonation that just ain't right. Very light tan head that is supported by the heavy carbonation.
Pretty good grassy smell though. Crisp, and slightly sweet.
Well, the initial bitter zap is decent, and the head has a great flavor, but the beer itself quickly hollows out and tastes like an orange soft drink.
Not real wild about this one, or this brewery.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Left Hand Brewing Company's Warrior IPA
I'm not sure why I come back to Left Hand beers. I keep hoping for the best, I guess.
Pours an orangish=amber with a decent enough light tan head. Low, slow, carbonation.
Smells decent enough as well. Grassy hops with a sweet malty backbone. It's light for an IPA, but good.
Solid bitter hops hit, but it gets dull awful fast. The aftertaste then turns to a grainy, dark bread flavor. Kind of like a heavier Coors in the aftertaste.
I always associate bombers with big beers that are going to knock you out with hops, or a huge grain bill, or something. This one gives none of that. It has a pop, but it fades instantly and just feels, flat.
Pours an orangish=amber with a decent enough light tan head. Low, slow, carbonation.
Smells decent enough as well. Grassy hops with a sweet malty backbone. It's light for an IPA, but good.
Solid bitter hops hit, but it gets dull awful fast. The aftertaste then turns to a grainy, dark bread flavor. Kind of like a heavier Coors in the aftertaste.
I always associate bombers with big beers that are going to knock you out with hops, or a huge grain bill, or something. This one gives none of that. It has a pop, but it fades instantly and just feels, flat.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Boulder Beer Company's Flashback Anniversary Ale
I'm not going to go back and look, but I think I remember being miffed at this "India-style" brown ale bullshit.
Pours more coppery than a brown should. Good light tan head and decent carbonation.
The head throws off an alcohol bite as well as a hoppy bitterness, both of which settle into a more malty pale smell as it warms.
It's obvious why they chose the India-style crap, but it's way too bitter for a brown. Honestly, it reminds me of a weaker Bigfoot--an IPA strength version of it. And that's good enough to make this a decent beer, but the misnomer really pisses me off.
Decent beer, but I'm not really impressed by this brewery.
Pours more coppery than a brown should. Good light tan head and decent carbonation.
The head throws off an alcohol bite as well as a hoppy bitterness, both of which settle into a more malty pale smell as it warms.
It's obvious why they chose the India-style crap, but it's way too bitter for a brown. Honestly, it reminds me of a weaker Bigfoot--an IPA strength version of it. And that's good enough to make this a decent beer, but the misnomer really pisses me off.
Decent beer, but I'm not really impressed by this brewery.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Cape Ann Brewing Company's Fisherman's Ale
Man, Kolsch is one of my favorite styles, I can't believe I let one get by me and sit for this long.
Pours a bit hazy for a Kolsch, and a smidge on the amber side of yellow. We'll see what that has to do with anything in a bit. Fizzy white head that goes away quickly, almost like a macro, which is just fine in this light style of beer.
Nice, slightly sweet malt smell, a bit like a white grape instead of bread, which is right on type. The tiniest twinge of hops is noticeable. Just barely grassy.
Huh. I'm trying to place the twang that it has. It's light with a fast body that is just right, but it's twangier than I think a Kolsch should be. I can't quite place it, but it's like a zingy white grape juice almost. The hops, which are a little higher than most Kolschs, provide the zing I guess, and the malt doesn't settle down to any noticeable grain taste until the aftertaste.
Not sure about this one. Kolsch is one style where less is more, and this one seems to go in several different directions that I don't really like.
Pours a bit hazy for a Kolsch, and a smidge on the amber side of yellow. We'll see what that has to do with anything in a bit. Fizzy white head that goes away quickly, almost like a macro, which is just fine in this light style of beer.
Nice, slightly sweet malt smell, a bit like a white grape instead of bread, which is right on type. The tiniest twinge of hops is noticeable. Just barely grassy.
Huh. I'm trying to place the twang that it has. It's light with a fast body that is just right, but it's twangier than I think a Kolsch should be. I can't quite place it, but it's like a zingy white grape juice almost. The hops, which are a little higher than most Kolschs, provide the zing I guess, and the malt doesn't settle down to any noticeable grain taste until the aftertaste.
Not sure about this one. Kolsch is one style where less is more, and this one seems to go in several different directions that I don't really like.
Real Ale Brewing Company's Brewhouse Brown Ale
Alright, time to finish off this Real Ale sixer and resume cleaning out the spring and summer beers I've hoarded in my cellar. Well, my cabinet where I have to hide my beer so the wife's buddies don't think I'm an alcoholic.
Pours decently enough. I don't ever think I'll find an honest brown with a good head on it though. This one is almost non-existent, although the color is right on.
Bready, a little grainy, and a hint of nutty. All good qualities in a brown, as long as they're balanced, and so far they seem to be. No hops of note, also a good thing.
Well, I thik the body would be right on but it seems a little over carbonated. That makes it a little zippier than it should be. And makes me wonder why the head disappeared so fast if there's this much carbonation. Slight hops, but just a hint. Still nutty and grainy, all of which are appropriate. As it warms the body gets hollow, and the carbonation makes it feel almost like a Perrier, with that carbonated bite that an overly-carbonated drink has.
Smacks of their past carbonation issues, but is decent enough. Not the best of their beers by far.
Pours decently enough. I don't ever think I'll find an honest brown with a good head on it though. This one is almost non-existent, although the color is right on.
Bready, a little grainy, and a hint of nutty. All good qualities in a brown, as long as they're balanced, and so far they seem to be. No hops of note, also a good thing.
Well, I thik the body would be right on but it seems a little over carbonated. That makes it a little zippier than it should be. And makes me wonder why the head disappeared so fast if there's this much carbonation. Slight hops, but just a hint. Still nutty and grainy, all of which are appropriate. As it warms the body gets hollow, and the carbonation makes it feel almost like a Perrier, with that carbonated bite that an overly-carbonated drink has.
Smacks of their past carbonation issues, but is decent enough. Not the best of their beers by far.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's 2008 Celebration Ale
Alright, with all of the Sn beers lately, I decided to drag out last season's Celebration. Another AIPA sounded like a good thing.
Pours deeper than Anniversary, but still a deep amber. The color difference is probably due to the dry hopping, and it seems to be unfiltered, or at least loosely filtered. The head is a little smaller than it probably used to be because it's aging a little bit.
Good grassy smell. Not sweet this time, this one seems to lean more toward the hoppy side.
Yep, it's a little older and the hops has lost some of its initial pop. Solid bitterness despite that though, good body and decent malt backbone that isn't really grainy or bready, but keeps the body fairly solid. Many holiday ales are spiced in some way, but this one accomplishes what it wants with dry hopping. Slightly peppery and zippy, without anything added that shouldn't be there.
Great beer. Can't wait for this year's.
Pours deeper than Anniversary, but still a deep amber. The color difference is probably due to the dry hopping, and it seems to be unfiltered, or at least loosely filtered. The head is a little smaller than it probably used to be because it's aging a little bit.
Good grassy smell. Not sweet this time, this one seems to lean more toward the hoppy side.
Yep, it's a little older and the hops has lost some of its initial pop. Solid bitterness despite that though, good body and decent malt backbone that isn't really grainy or bready, but keeps the body fairly solid. Many holiday ales are spiced in some way, but this one accomplishes what it wants with dry hopping. Slightly peppery and zippy, without anything added that shouldn't be there.
Great beer. Can't wait for this year's.
Real Ale Brewing Company's Rio Blanco Pale Ale
Nice. Pours a light amber with a very light, almost white, head. Pours nicely, looks right. No more consistency/distribution issues? Let's hope.
Grassy hops backed by a bready, slightly sweet malt. Still on track.
A little light in the body, but the hops have the right amount of punch. Well within the type, and a good beer. Not their best, but enough to keep me coming back to a Texas brewery.
Grassy hops backed by a bready, slightly sweet malt. Still on track.
A little light in the body, but the hops have the right amount of punch. Well within the type, and a good beer. Not their best, but enough to keep me coming back to a Texas brewery.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's 2009 Anniversary Ale
At first glance, this one seems indistinguishable from their Harvest Ale from yesterday's post. I guess it's not quite as coppery, and maybe the head is a hair lighter. Still, it's a solid amber and the head, like the Harvest Ale, is as big as you want to pour it.
Also similar in the smell to Harvest, except if you stay with it you get a nice piney hops smell. Very sweet malt as well. Right on style for an AIPA, a specialty of this brewery.
Strong bitterness that has pine overtones, with a slight citrus zing that makes it crisp, but also has a substantial and more dull bitterness underneath. The malt is very subdued in the taste compared to the smell. The body is there, but the sweetness is taken over by the hops. I wouldn't say overpowered, but it's clearly a hop-forward IPA.
Very good beer. One of the best IPA's out there, it's plenty hoppy but knows its place below barley wines. Always glad to see this one roll through Houston.
Also similar in the smell to Harvest, except if you stay with it you get a nice piney hops smell. Very sweet malt as well. Right on style for an AIPA, a specialty of this brewery.
Strong bitterness that has pine overtones, with a slight citrus zing that makes it crisp, but also has a substantial and more dull bitterness underneath. The malt is very subdued in the taste compared to the smell. The body is there, but the sweetness is taken over by the hops. I wouldn't say overpowered, but it's clearly a hop-forward IPA.
Very good beer. One of the best IPA's out there, it's plenty hoppy but knows its place below barley wines. Always glad to see this one roll through Houston.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's 2009 Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale
Sweet. One of the best things about being serious about the beers you buy is paying attention over the course of months or years and knowing that when certain new ones pop up you should be pretty damn excited about it. This one is no exception, and this is one of the ones that got me to try SN again years after having tried SNPA and not being impressed with it. Those were my unwashed days of drinking almost exclusively Jack Daniels though, and Shiner was the only "different" beer I knew. And SN is now one of my favorite breweries.
Pours a deep, almost coppery amber with a great pillowy light tan head that's as big as you want it to be when you pour. Bubbles rise fairly slowly, telling me it's got some body to it.
Crisp, zingy hops smell. Not too much though. The hops are a big part of why they brewed this beer, but they're not over the top. Good bready and sweet malt smell as well.
Great beer. Solid hops that are well balanced bt prominent. It's not the usual grassy bitterness that hits and fades. It's deeper, more substantial, than that. The bitterness hits you across the back of the tongue and stays there. It's a deeper bitterness, more dull but at the same time still very crisp. Has to be the fact that the hops are so newly picked.
At under 7% ABV, this is a perfect example of how a good brewery can make a great beer without pumping up the ABV so high that you can only drink one. They focus on the taste, without sacrificing or trying to artificially hide anything. Again, great beer. Just like I remember the '07 and '08 being.
Pours a deep, almost coppery amber with a great pillowy light tan head that's as big as you want it to be when you pour. Bubbles rise fairly slowly, telling me it's got some body to it.
Crisp, zingy hops smell. Not too much though. The hops are a big part of why they brewed this beer, but they're not over the top. Good bready and sweet malt smell as well.
Great beer. Solid hops that are well balanced bt prominent. It's not the usual grassy bitterness that hits and fades. It's deeper, more substantial, than that. The bitterness hits you across the back of the tongue and stays there. It's a deeper bitterness, more dull but at the same time still very crisp. Has to be the fact that the hops are so newly picked.
At under 7% ABV, this is a perfect example of how a good brewery can make a great beer without pumping up the ABV so high that you can only drink one. They focus on the taste, without sacrificing or trying to artificially hide anything. Again, great beer. Just like I remember the '07 and '08 being.
Real Ale Brewing Company's Full Moon Pale Rye Ale
I'm always looking for an excuse to buy Texas beers, and the only regularly offered mixed sixer in the state gives me just that. More bang for the buck, and it's been a while since I bought this one. I'm hoping their past infection/carbonation issues (or whatever it was that was causing them to foam or be funky) are handled.
So far so good. Pours a hazy amber with a light tan head that fades faster than I'd like, but that's something else that Real Ale beer have always done.
Smells crisp and grassy. All the good characteristics that a pale and a rye should have. Decent bready malt backbone as well.
Nice. Solid bitterness grabs you up front, with a smooth body. It's light bodied, which is OK for a pale but expected in a rye. The bitterness has a particular twang that's good for a rye as well. Bitterness lingers in the aftertaste for just a bit before finishing clean.
Very good beer. Hope the consistency and QC is improved, and I'll come back to it more often.
So far so good. Pours a hazy amber with a light tan head that fades faster than I'd like, but that's something else that Real Ale beer have always done.
Smells crisp and grassy. All the good characteristics that a pale and a rye should have. Decent bready malt backbone as well.
Nice. Solid bitterness grabs you up front, with a smooth body. It's light bodied, which is OK for a pale but expected in a rye. The bitterness has a particular twang that's good for a rye as well. Bitterness lingers in the aftertaste for just a bit before finishing clean.
Very good beer. Hope the consistency and QC is improved, and I'll come back to it more often.
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