Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 4 Aroma: 3
Total: 21
The color is a good medium golden. The aroma has some malt and honey. It's got a good carbonation level to it giving it a crisp mouth feel. There's a bit of malt sweetness upfront. Under it is some good earth flavors of straw. The hops in the end have a bit of a copper flavor to it. Some lemon left on the tongue. For a Helles, I'd say it's not sweet enough. It's more bitter than sweet. But forgetting that, a pretty good brew.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saranac Rye Pilsner: 19
Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 2 Aroma: 3
Total: 19
Visually it's pretty blah. It's a crystal clear, very light amber. The head is full but dissipates quickly. The flavor is much better. Some sweet malt up front. But some spiciness kicks in the middle. Definitely some fall flavors of the rye, hay, and nutmeg. It finishes with a little hop bitterness and lemon. And then it's clean. It's definitely a bolder version of a Pilsner. I kind of like it.
Total: 19
Visually it's pretty blah. It's a crystal clear, very light amber. The head is full but dissipates quickly. The flavor is much better. Some sweet malt up front. But some spiciness kicks in the middle. Definitely some fall flavors of the rye, hay, and nutmeg. It finishes with a little hop bitterness and lemon. And then it's clean. It's definitely a bolder version of a Pilsner. I kind of like it.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Saranac Amber Wheat: 19
Taste: 5 Finish: 6 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 19
It's got a great creamy head. The color is equally great. A deep and cloudy amber. The aroma is a bit light but smells of wheat and hay. The flavor is a bit lacking. There's a bit of caramel undertone to it. Definitely can taste the wheat. It's got a medium body. And the finish has a little bit of hops to it. It's a beer you could easily drink a lot of, but not one to really enjoy. It's kind of a jacked up Yuengling. More flavor, more color. But certainly less than special.
Total: 19
It's got a great creamy head. The color is equally great. A deep and cloudy amber. The aroma is a bit light but smells of wheat and hay. The flavor is a bit lacking. There's a bit of caramel undertone to it. Definitely can taste the wheat. It's got a medium body. And the finish has a little bit of hops to it. It's a beer you could easily drink a lot of, but not one to really enjoy. It's kind of a jacked up Yuengling. More flavor, more color. But certainly less than special.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Saranac Pale Pale Ale: 16
Taste: 5 Finish: 5 Visual: 4 Aroma: 2
Total: 16
It has a fizzy head. The color is a good pale amber. The aroma is light, but of hops and malt. I don't get any citrus. Up front it is a bit sweet. Honey and malt. A bit of lemon hits in the middle. In the finish a bit of bitter hops. Nothing notable. And that's kind of how I see this brew. Not bad. But nothing really good either. Kind of like spicing up a macrobrew a bit. For a brew that wants to be the best pale ale you ever had (on the label), it totally misses that mark.
Total: 16
It has a fizzy head. The color is a good pale amber. The aroma is light, but of hops and malt. I don't get any citrus. Up front it is a bit sweet. Honey and malt. A bit of lemon hits in the middle. In the finish a bit of bitter hops. Nothing notable. And that's kind of how I see this brew. Not bad. But nothing really good either. Kind of like spicing up a macrobrew a bit. For a brew that wants to be the best pale ale you ever had (on the label), it totally misses that mark.
Saranac Summer Ale: 19
Taste: 6 Finish: 7 Aroma: 3 Visual: 3
Total: 19
It has a good copper color. Unfortunately it's got coloring added to it. Odd. The aroma is nice of sweet malt and honey. Wow, it's a sweet brew. Honey. Malt. Sugar. Mid tongue the bitterness starts to kick in. A good punch of lemon and orange. And some hop bite. It really helps clean the palate. A good brew for a hot day and a barbecue. I find it to be a bit too sweet up front. But certainly a good choice.
Total: 19
It has a good copper color. Unfortunately it's got coloring added to it. Odd. The aroma is nice of sweet malt and honey. Wow, it's a sweet brew. Honey. Malt. Sugar. Mid tongue the bitterness starts to kick in. A good punch of lemon and orange. And some hop bite. It really helps clean the palate. A good brew for a hot day and a barbecue. I find it to be a bit too sweet up front. But certainly a good choice.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Witches Brew: 22
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 22
The aroma is muted. Honey and citrus. The flavor is big. It is very sweet with honey, but also lemon cuts through to make it tart. Little to no hop bitterness or bite. And definitely some warming alcohol in the back and aftertaste (9%). Overall, very good. Could use a bit more aroma. And there could be some hops. It's reminiscent of a barley wine. Given the price ($12/750ml), it's a bit pricey and probably not worth the money. Would be a great buy at $8.
Total: 22
The aroma is muted. Honey and citrus. The flavor is big. It is very sweet with honey, but also lemon cuts through to make it tart. Little to no hop bitterness or bite. And definitely some warming alcohol in the back and aftertaste (9%). Overall, very good. Could use a bit more aroma. And there could be some hops. It's reminiscent of a barley wine. Given the price ($12/750ml), it's a bit pricey and probably not worth the money. Would be a great buy at $8.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Stone 13th Anniversary: 28
Taste: 10 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 28
It pours with a great dark creamy head. The color is deep mahogany. The aroma is full of hops and smells sweet. The flavor is very reminiscent of Arrogant Bastard and Ruination. Lots of upfront flavors. Big bitter hops all the way through (90+ IBU). An undertone of caramel. More of an alcohol bite (9.5%). After a few sips the pine starts to come through. And a bit of grapefruit, but that's muted by the huge hops. This thing is bitter and delicious. Even though they brewed it as a red, this thing has double IPA all over it. Fantastic.
Total: 28
It pours with a great dark creamy head. The color is deep mahogany. The aroma is full of hops and smells sweet. The flavor is very reminiscent of Arrogant Bastard and Ruination. Lots of upfront flavors. Big bitter hops all the way through (90+ IBU). An undertone of caramel. More of an alcohol bite (9.5%). After a few sips the pine starts to come through. And a bit of grapefruit, but that's muted by the huge hops. This thing is bitter and delicious. Even though they brewed it as a red, this thing has double IPA all over it. Fantastic.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Ommegang Witte: 25
Taste: 8 Finish: 9 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 25
It has a huge and fizzy head. The color is a very light straw and it has a uniform cloudiness. The aroma is of light malt/straw and a bit of banana. I don't get any citrus or bread. It's very sharp on the tongue with its carbonation. Good orange peel and lemon citrus flavors come through in the middle to end. And just a hint of spice at the end. Maybe clove and coriander. It has a great citrus finish that cleans the tongue. A great hot day brew or one just to enjoy lazily.
Total: 25
It has a huge and fizzy head. The color is a very light straw and it has a uniform cloudiness. The aroma is of light malt/straw and a bit of banana. I don't get any citrus or bread. It's very sharp on the tongue with its carbonation. Good orange peel and lemon citrus flavors come through in the middle to end. And just a hint of spice at the end. Maybe clove and coriander. It has a great citrus finish that cleans the tongue. A great hot day brew or one just to enjoy lazily.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Victory Whirlwind Witbier: 20
Taste: 6 Finish: 8 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 20
It pours with a big head that dissipates quickly. There is no lacing. Big chunks of yeast are dispersed throughout which is interesting, but I'm more used to a uniform "cloud". The aroma is nice of bread, bananas, and coriander. The flavor is very light. It's easy to just suck it down quickly. There is some nice orange peel and lemon. A bit of coriander but it's muted. It's moderately acidic which really quenches the thirst. And the finish is clean.
It's a good brew but lacking punch. It could really use a slice of orange, which for me says it's missing a bit of flavor. But perfect for a hot day on the deck.
Total: 20
It pours with a big head that dissipates quickly. There is no lacing. Big chunks of yeast are dispersed throughout which is interesting, but I'm more used to a uniform "cloud". The aroma is nice of bread, bananas, and coriander. The flavor is very light. It's easy to just suck it down quickly. There is some nice orange peel and lemon. A bit of coriander but it's muted. It's moderately acidic which really quenches the thirst. And the finish is clean.
It's a good brew but lacking punch. It could really use a slice of orange, which for me says it's missing a bit of flavor. But perfect for a hot day on the deck.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Great Divide Hercules Double IPA: 30
Taste: 10 Finish: 10 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
It is a great golden amber color. The aroma is full of floral hops and honey. Lots of hops up front but then the alcohol numbs the tongue a bit allowing it to flow over. Honey undertones. Then mid-tongue the hops kick back in through the finish. There's also some citrus as expected.
Really, this is a flawless big IPA. It does not disappoint. One of the best I've had easily on par with 90 minute. Maybe better. I'll have to try them side by side.
It is a great golden amber color. The aroma is full of floral hops and honey. Lots of hops up front but then the alcohol numbs the tongue a bit allowing it to flow over. Honey undertones. Then mid-tongue the hops kick back in through the finish. There's also some citrus as expected.
Really, this is a flawless big IPA. It does not disappoint. One of the best I've had easily on par with 90 minute. Maybe better. I'll have to try them side by side.
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