Westmalle Trappist Tripel

Poured from 330mL Trappistenbier bottle in Chimay goblet

Poured from 330mL Trappistenbier bottle in Chimay goblet

Poured from 330mL Trappistenbier bottle into Chimay goblet. The color is a beautiful golden blonde. Very fine bubbly head. Mild retention and lacing. Clear and sharp. Looks very crisp.

Sour yeasty smell is the first to present itself. Hints of butter, tropical fruit. A bit piney and floral hop odor. Smells like a Belgian.

Bitter, crisp taste. Similar to a high gravity lager. Sweetens as it warms. Hops come through strongly but there is no oily dominance. The alcohol is well hidden. This beer is a precisely crafted ale with the impeccable balance and composition that is the signature of the Trappist monks.

The mouthfeel is similar to champagne except slightly thicker and creamier. Very carbonated. The word “crisp” represents each and every quality of this beer.

This is an extremely refreshing and drinkable brew, despite the alcohol content. However, one too many and you might wake up in some strange places.

A-, and on The Drunkard’s Progress Scale, “Step 3: A glass too much” and a curb for a pillow.

Published in:  on Saturday, 18 July 2009 at 4:58 PM Leave a Comment
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Drink What You Can, Can What You Drink – Cans and Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer

Hell or High Watermelon - 21st Amendment Brewery

Hell or High Watermelon - 21st Amendment Brewery

Wandering around the grocery store, I stumbled upon this: Hell or High Watermelon, a new wheat beer from 21st Amendment Brewery that is brewed with watermelon juice. Hell or high time I had a new favorite cookout brew, I thought as I picked up two frosty ones and checked out.

While the beer isn’t bad, it just didn’t do it for me. It’s a bit bitter and unbalanced at first taste and a little lean on the flavor profile. I was unimpressed. It did, however, improve dramatically with each sip and amounted to be some pretty decent steamy summer suds.

This watermelon wheat had me thinking cookouts: hot dogs, corn on the cob, freshly cut watermelon and seed-spitting and, most importantly, beer in the can.

I remembered past cookouts, the best ones, and how it was always the ice cold beer in the can that really got me going. The occasional bottle was nice, but the can- reaching into the ice water to get it, the chill of the aluminum, the snap of the pop top, the condensation on loosely gripped fingers, the crisp bite of the first sip and the satisfying crush of the empty just before chucking at the back of a friend’s head- it just couldn’t be beat.

Ahh, one for the good days

Ahh, one for the good days

The nostalgia of the can is undeniable. With craft beer so ferociously on the rise again and all bars worth their salt taking notice, the can, it would seem, has been crushed by the bigger “better” bottles: the classic 12 oz., the 22 oz. brown bomber and the 750 mL corked and caged champagne.

But I remember the chill, the crisp taste, and all that came with that first frosty can at the cookout. I miss the towers, the trash piles, the crumpled silver glints, the hollow plink, and I say beer me! Breweries seem to agree. Better and better beers are being canned everyday (Oskar Blues, Surly, 21st Amendment, Moose Drool, Caldera, I’m looking at you). It’s only a matter of time until the can is back, and in a big way. In the meantime, I’ll keep looking for the perfect cookout brew and I will not rest until I find that canned satisfaction. I will not rest until I find the one, the ultimate, the cookout brew that CAN’t be beat.

Published in:  on Sunday, 12 July 2009 at 1:42 PM Leave a Comment
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Goose Island Night Stalker- Imperial Stout

nightstalkerpint

Night Stalker Imperial Stout poured from growler into pint glass (half devoured)

Poured from a 64oz. growler into a 16oz. pint glass. The brew is jet black, like a good stout should be. A small espresso head forms, but dissipates almost instantly. A small, tan ring of lacing is left. Does not appear too carbonated. Instead appears delicious. Let’s stick our nose in it.

On the nose a smoky caramel scent comes on strong, along with molasses, syrup, brown sugar, and a good oak note. Reminiscent of a good, sweet breakfast stout, but smells more strongly of alcohol. Scent really is as dark, mysterious, and inviting as the brew itself.

Per a few recommendations of people I stalk I have let this beer warm up a bit before drinking. First taste is quite sweet, syrupy. Definite caramel, brown sugar, molasses flavors shine through, as well as a bit of bourbon and brandy. Very well composed flavor. Deep and complex. Alcohol is fairly well hidden but a good sting does hit the nose. Nice bitter aftertaste complements the initial sweetness exceptionally. There is a strange, grassy herbal character as well as some sweet candied fruits (plum, cherry, maybe a subtle pomegranate) dancing just beneath it.

Mouthfeel is thick and luscious. Very smooth and heavy. Low carbonation, like many tap stouts. Powerful on the tongue, silky going down.

If this beer wasn’t the high octane drunk-fuel it is, I’d swear I could drink it all day. So smooth with a perfect sweet/bitter balance. I will most definitely have another, and another, and another, and then another when I wake up from my stupor.

A+, and on The Drunkards Progress Scale, “STEP 9: Death by suicide”. If nine, ten pints of this brew didn’t kill me, I’d die happily by my own hand knowing that it was my last on this earth.

(Photo of pint and growler below)

Published in:  on Wednesday, 8 July 2009 at 6:53 PM Leave a Comment
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GOOD GOD: A Growler of Goose Island Night Stalker!

Just got a 32oz. fill of Night Stalker today at New Beer Distributors:

32oz. fill of Nightstalker

32oz. fill of Night Stalker

Let’s celebrate!  This is one for the photo album. I’ve already lost all motor skills and conscious control of my body in excitement. Rarely does a beer like this surface for too long, and surely, when they do, I do my best to snatch them up.

But shh…don’t celebrate too vigorously yet. It’s sleeping. Quiet while I break in through the window, sneak up behind it and sniff it first.

Drooling all over myself. Review to follow. Groveling guaranteed!

Published in:  on at 6:33 PM Leave a Comment
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Gorgeous Growler of Firestone Walker Red Nectar, New to New York

My new growler from The Ginger Man in New York:

Ginger Man growler

Ginger Man growler

It is nice, eh? Especially when filled with Firestone Walker Red Nectar, available for the first time in New York this month. Poured here into a fine, red mustachioed pint.

Red Nectar mustachioed pint

Red Nectar mustachioed pint

Read on for details on this tasty new resident:

Paso Robles, CA, (June 16, 2009) – Firestone Walker Brewing Company, brewers of Nectar Ales, announced the first major expansion of Red Nectar in years. The brewery is partnering with Union Beer Distributors in New York to bring their award winning beers to the state.

“We’re very excited to partner with a great beer distributor to bring a California classic to New York,” said Proprietor David Walker.

Red Nectar, an American amber style ale, will be available on draft and in 12 ounce bottles beginning in July to select accounts in New York. This will mark the first time that Red Nectar will be available in New York. Nectar India Pale Ale is expected to also be available in July.

“Union Beer has consistently strived to bring the best beers from around the globe to the New York metro area, and the full line of Nectar Ales fits perfectly into our portfolio. The craft beer market here has quickly evolved into one of the country’s best. Our consumers have high expectations, and we are thrilled to offer them the highly acclaimed and delicious Nectar Ales line of beers, ” said Robert Hodson, Union’s Sales and Marketing Manager.

First brewed in 1987 in Arcata, California, Red Nectar is one of the pioneering beers of the craft beer movement in the U.S. First brewed by Humboldt Brewing Company, Nectar Ales were brewed under contract by Firestone until the brand was purchased in 2004 by Firestone Walker Brewing Company. Nectar Ales was named “Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year” at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival.

Published in:  on at 12:09 PM Leave a Comment
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Cantillon Classic Gueuze- 100% Lambic, Aged in Oaked Barrels

Poured from 750 mL champagne bottle into flute

Poured from 750 mL champagne bottle into flute

Poured from a 750 mL champagne bottle into a flute. No real head forms. Thin, white lacing. Mild carbonation. Beautiful, deep golden color. A bit cloudy. This Gueuze looks very crisp, bright and refreshing.

On the nose, it is dry, tart and fruity. Green/granny smith apples and a citrus of lime and lemon both come through, as well as some spiciness I can’t quite identify (cumin, lemon zest, light pepper smell) as well as honey and a strong sour, yeasty aroma.

What you smell is almost what you get. Supplement some bitterness on top of a strong, tart citrus flavor and some serious yeastiness and you get this Gueuze. Very sharp and tangy, not at all sweet, a little barrel taste. The bite is refreshing and complex. The longer I let this explore the less I seem to understand it: the sign of a truly complex beer. Good balance of flavors and very indicative of lambic style. The complexity and the inability to get a handle on this makes it all the more delicious.

The mouthfeel of this lambic is not too thick, but it feels thicker because of the minimal carbonation. Very pleasant, soft, billowy almost—a trait I’ve been finding more and more in lambics.

This beer goes down extremely easy and improves with each sip. The first taste confuses, the second entices, and the third entrances. This is one for the beer Gods. Endlessly complex. A true experience.

A-, and on The Drunkard’s Progress Scale, “Step 3: A glass too much” is what it will take to get my head around this one.

Published in:  on Monday, 6 July 2009 at 6:09 PM Leave a Comment
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Bear Republic Big Bear Black Stout

Poured from 22 oz. brown bomber into Brooklyn Brewery snifter

Poured from 22 oz. brown bomber into Brooklyn Brewery snifter

Poured from a 22 oz. brown bomber into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter. This stout settles jet black and looks solid as a rock. A small espresso-tan head forms but dissipates quickly. Thick with good carbonation. The lacing is small but somewhat sticky. This just begs for a whiff.

Yeast comes first up to the nose. Then a deep, bitter chocolate maltiness. Very smoky and roasty. Notes of nuts, toasted bread, and a nice sourness overtop. Carmel, a bit candied, maybe cherries or brandied cherries. Malt dominates this dark, deeply inviting stout. Let’s take a dive.

First taste is bitter, very nutty. A subtle malt sweetness, a bit like plum, comes sneaking up followed by a bitter, smoky, espresso aftertaste. This is such a well-executed beer. So balanced. No single flavor outshines the others. The taste is so subtle, a magnificent blend. So mellow for 8.1% ABV. The light bitterness beckons you back with every sip.

And so smooth too! It’s striking how graceful it feels. Thick, but not too much so, not light, not heavy. Drinks like a dream. Just the right carbonation. A very dangerous and delicious stout.

This is a treat. Not too sweet like some stouts, this Big Bear Black Stout is right on the money of what a solid stout should be. No gimmicks. This is a beer lover’s brew. A-, and on The Drunkards Progress Scale, “STEP 5: The summit attained / Jolly companions / A confirmed drunkard”. This is fast becoming a go-to choice. The 8.1% ABV seems like some ridiculous yarn when this bear gets its claws in you.

Published in:  on Thursday, 2 July 2009 at 5:37 PM Leave a Comment
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