Taste: 2 Finish: 2 Visual: 3 Aroma: 1
Total: 8
It's cold. It's wet. It tastes like "beer". It smells of boiled malt. It has a cooked down flavor. But, it does have a decent color!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Bear Republic Racer 5: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 5
Total: 24
Bear Republic is partially credited for bringing ultra-hopped IPAs to California, and ultimately the country.
It has a slightly cloudy yellow color with a hint of orange. It has a full creamy head. It has a grapefruit and spiced aroma.
The bitter hops are front and center. Behind it is a bit of grapefruit but not as much as I expected. In fact, the whole brew is oddly strong yet muted. It's lightly carbonated giving it just a bit of sizzle around the edges of the tongue. The finish has some dry hops on it but it's not overpowering.
It's a step stronger than a good IPA but nothing as powerful as a Stone Arrogant Bastard or Smuttynose Big A IPA. Very drinkable for a big beer.
Total: 24
Bear Republic is partially credited for bringing ultra-hopped IPAs to California, and ultimately the country.
It has a slightly cloudy yellow color with a hint of orange. It has a full creamy head. It has a grapefruit and spiced aroma.
The bitter hops are front and center. Behind it is a bit of grapefruit but not as much as I expected. In fact, the whole brew is oddly strong yet muted. It's lightly carbonated giving it just a bit of sizzle around the edges of the tongue. The finish has some dry hops on it but it's not overpowering.
It's a step stronger than a good IPA but nothing as powerful as a Stone Arrogant Bastard or Smuttynose Big A IPA. Very drinkable for a big beer.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Harpoon Octoberfest: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 24
It has a perfect amber color with a very full and creamy head. The aroma is sweet but faint.
There is the typical sweet malt upfront. Nothing too strong. That washes over the tongue and then a nice amount of bitter hops kicks in the back. So, it has a great balance. The finish is a bit dry and clean and dissipates quickly.
It's missing a bit of that standard Octoberfest flavor. But it's still a solid brew. Very drinkable with just the right amount of sweet and bitterness to it.
Total: 24
It has a perfect amber color with a very full and creamy head. The aroma is sweet but faint.
There is the typical sweet malt upfront. Nothing too strong. That washes over the tongue and then a nice amount of bitter hops kicks in the back. So, it has a great balance. The finish is a bit dry and clean and dissipates quickly.
It's missing a bit of that standard Octoberfest flavor. But it's still a solid brew. Very drinkable with just the right amount of sweet and bitterness to it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale:27
Taste: 9 Finish: 10 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 27
This brew is made by combining a barleywine with a wheat brew and then hopping it.
It has a very deep mahogany color with very little head. The aroma is of very sweet malt but also of ripe red fruit.
It is a totally unique taste. There is a bit of sweetness upfront. But pretty quickly the alcohol kicks in (10.7%). It's a warming alcohol, not a harsh one. Similar to a red wine. Towards the back the hops show up nicely. Just a bit of bitterness around the tongue to balance out the alcohol. In the finish the ripe red fruit picks up and it ends a bit tart and a bit sweet. I taste some plums and cherries.
A really great brew. Would be great to start a meal or finish it. It's too complex to eat a main course with. I've read that if you cellar this bottle for a while it will tame the alcohol. But cellar it too long (~2 years) and it takes all the punch out of it.
So, pick up 2 bottles from this year. Drink one now and then another next year. It will be a nice treat.
Total: 27
This brew is made by combining a barleywine with a wheat brew and then hopping it.
It has a very deep mahogany color with very little head. The aroma is of very sweet malt but also of ripe red fruit.
It is a totally unique taste. There is a bit of sweetness upfront. But pretty quickly the alcohol kicks in (10.7%). It's a warming alcohol, not a harsh one. Similar to a red wine. Towards the back the hops show up nicely. Just a bit of bitterness around the tongue to balance out the alcohol. In the finish the ripe red fruit picks up and it ends a bit tart and a bit sweet. I taste some plums and cherries.
A really great brew. Would be great to start a meal or finish it. It's too complex to eat a main course with. I've read that if you cellar this bottle for a while it will tame the alcohol. But cellar it too long (~2 years) and it takes all the punch out of it.
So, pick up 2 bottles from this year. Drink one now and then another next year. It will be a nice treat.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Stoudts Oktoberfest: 24
Taste: 7 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 24
It has a great copper color with a full creamy head. It has a very light malt aroma.
It has a moderate sweetness upfront from the malt. Under it is a bit of roasted nuts and caramel. There is a bit of brightness of hops at the back of the tongue. But it finishes very cleanly. In fact, it's a bit dry which I wasn't expecting. Definitely some walnut. It's really nice. I expected a bit more character upfront. But the finish is great.
Total: 24
It has a great copper color with a full creamy head. It has a very light malt aroma.
It has a moderate sweetness upfront from the malt. Under it is a bit of roasted nuts and caramel. There is a bit of brightness of hops at the back of the tongue. But it finishes very cleanly. In fact, it's a bit dry which I wasn't expecting. Definitely some walnut. It's really nice. I expected a bit more character upfront. But the finish is great.
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