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Monday
Aprl
6, 2009
18:50
EDT
April: Dixie Backened Voodoo (By VOODOO)
Honestly, I bought this beer because of the name.... A
Münchner dunkel is perhaps the last thing that you might expect Dixie to do
well, especially after suffering through a bottle of their pallid flagship
product, but honestly this one really comes through.
A well-done Münchner dunkel is a truly fine beer; rich and complex, but not
heavy or aggressive. And Blackened Voodoo is very true to the style.
It pours up black with ruby highlights and a smooth tan head. Smell is
roasted and sweet, a rich molasses scent with maybe some caramel around the
edges. It's hard to place, but there's a nuttiness to it; maybe hazelnuts or
almond.
The taste is very well-balanced, full but focused. It's predominantly malt,
with the hops apparent only as a background sharpness. Mouthfeel is very
good, quite hefty with just enough carbonation to keep it from turning
syrupy. Molasses pervades, and like real molasses there's a sweetness in the
undertone but a fuller range of flavor on the palate.
Tuesday
September 8,
2009
18:50
EDT
September: Magic Hat Roxy Rolles Autumn Seasonal Ale
Roxy Rolles pours beautifully, a somewhat cloudy reddish-amber color with a
towering, persistent head of soft, fluffy foam. Excellent nose as well,
which parlays a sweet, toasty malt with a large burst of resinous hops. The
flavor is a fine mix of very tasty malt, reminiscent of toasty bread crust,
with a nice biscuitness, together with fairly fruity yeasty tones, and, yes,
a large helping of resiny, lightly citrusy hops, which dries out the beer a
lot in the finish. If there's a fault, it's that the body seems a little
thin, though that might be the lower strength.
A very good autumn beer.
Friday
September
5, 2008
1221 EDT
October: Blue Moon "Harvest Moon" Pumpkin Ale
The Harvest
Moon Pumpkin Ale is the fall seasonal from Blue Moon Brewing Company, makers
of Blue Moon. (Blue Moon is actually part of Coors Brewing Company.
Molson Coors is sort of sneaky. They label some of its brands as if they are
"micro brews", however the reference to being brewed in Golden, CO blows its
cover.)
The first time I had this beer I was unsure what to expect. Past experience
with "fruited" beers weren't always great (I despise Sam Adams Cherry
Wheat). But you may be saying "well pumpkin isn't a fruit, it's a
vegetable!" and I would admit I've got very little experience with
vegetable-based beers, but pumpkin is actually a fruit, though we generally
regard it as a vegetable. That aside, let's get onto the review...
It's got a good malt aroma and a nice subtle flavor. I was able to pull out
notes of caramel, roasted malts, some florals, alcohol, brown sugar, clove,
nutmeg, spices and a slight sweet pumpkin aroma. The initial flavor is
lightly sweet. The pumpkin is really done well (meaning it's subtle) and
there's enough other things going on that you don't over-focus on it -
though the other notes are not nearly as discernible in the taste as they
were in the smell. I was also surprised to pick up a touch of alcohol in the
taste, given it's relatively average gravity (only 5.6% ABV).
It's a very unique taste for a beer. One of the best pumpkin brews out
there. I like it a lot, as for me it seems to go hand in had with
early season September football. It's not something you'd want to
drink all year round, or all day for that matter, but it's a tasty treat
that you can only get for a short time. I recommend picking yourself
up a six pack and trying it out!
Tuesday
November 4,
2008
21:46
EST
November: Long Trail Ale
"Long Trail Ale
is full-bodied amber ale modeled after the "Alt-biers" of Dusseldorf,
Germany. Our top fermenting yeast and cold finishing temperature result in a
complex, yet clean, full flavor. Originally introduced in November of 1989,
Long Trail Ale quickly became, and remains, the largest selling craft brew
in Vermont. It is a multiple medal winner at the Great American Beer
Festival." -- Long Trail Brewing
This ale pours a
light amber color with a frothy, small head. There is virtually no residue
on the glass. The body is clear with minimal bubbles. Not an overpowering
aroma, but there are hints of flowery hops, as well as some peach. Taste is
lightly acidic and lightly bitter, finishing just lightly bitter. Light
mouthfeel with a watery texture and lively carbonation. A somewhat chalky
feel on the finish.
This is a Vermont
staple beer that goes with everything. It's one of my favorite
non-pale ales. And remember, if it's not from Vermont, it's crap!
Friday
May
8, 2009
18:50
EDT
May: Heineken
Heineken is a beer brewed in Holland since 1873. When I
found out it was a Dutch beer I poured it out. The End.
Thursday
March
1, 2009
0:00
EST
March: Guinness (By VOODOO)
It's March. What else could possibly be the beer of the month?
Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like a nice Guinness Draught! This is
not so much of a review because... it's St. Patty's Day! YOU HAVE
TO DRINK GUINNESS, YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!! You don't want to piss
off drunk Irish guys!
Go out and get
yourself some (A LOT of) Guinness Draught, it's March... it's mandatory!
And remember, if it's not Irish.... IT'S CRAP!!
( Article submitted by IRISH-x- )
Thousands of tiny bubbles surge and
cascade through the liquid to form a dense, creamy head on the surface.
"Nitrogen bubbles are much smaller than the carbon dioxide bubbles you see
in other beers. That's what gives the appearance of a creamy head," Monsees
said.
The key to the well-known Perfect Pour of Guinness is two parts: Holding the
glass at a 45-degree angle as the beer flows in (you'll hear a constant hiss
from the tap) and then giving the stout two minutes to settle before filling
the glass to the brim, Baugher said.
If the Guinness is too cold or the pressure in the tap off its mark, the
flavor will suffer, tasting metallic because gas is still trapped in the
beer, Monsees said.
"They say you drink Guinness with your eyes," he said. "If it forms the
perfect, 1-inch head on the pint, not only does it look appealing but you
know it's breaking out the gas right."
And the head should last, clinging to the sides of the glass and forming
rings of creamy foam as the pint is drained -- a tell-tale sign of each sip.
"You'll have people who get very particular about their Guinness," Baugher
said.
"One guy from Ireland would come in, tap the glass with a fork and wouldn't
drink unless it had the right ping."
Representatives of Sheffer Beer Distributor, which supplies the pub's Irish
beers, have trained bartenders at Harp & Fiddle on the Perfect Pour.
"It's doing great now everywhere sales-wise," said Sheffer sales supervisor
Pete Bedrosian. "It's the taste and the presentation."
Sheffer boosts its Guinness inventory by a third in anticipation of St.
Patrick's Day each year, Bedrosian said.
Harp & Fiddle, which will double its number of Guinness taps to four this
weekend, went through 14 kegs of Guinness last year between the York St.
Patrick's Day Parade and the holiday itself, said general manager Damian
McGarvey. There are 90 pints in a keg.
"This is our biggest season, our biggest month," Monsees said. "This is our
Christmas."
Friday
Jun
2, 2009
18:50
EDT
June: Magic Hat "WACKO"
Trying to go into this with an open mind but the initial
appearance and aroma are not helping the situation.
Pours a clear red/pink color with a large frothy pink white
head that actually has nice retention and lacing. Aroma is very unappealing
to me, very earthy and musty, beets obviously, I don't know...dirt? In
general very vegetable like and grainy. Not necessarily offensive, certainly
unique, just not appealing to me.
Smooth medium body with fairly high carbonation, flavor
follows the nose, very earthy and vegetable like. Actually taste is more
appealing to me than aroma suggested and has a slight hop presence in
finish. As this warms up I start to get a little more of a a sweet, mildly
fruit like presence in the body before the drier, slightly unpleasant
vegetable/beet finish.
This is actually kind of refreshing and not as awful as
expected, however for my own taste I'll be skipping this in the future.
Friday
Jun
5, 2009
13:22
EDT
June: Magic Hat "HI.P.A."
I've been on a mission to find the tastiest, most satisfying
brew in my region (North East) and this, do far, is the best. Very full of
flavor; Citrusy & crisp, with a nice bold flavor. Not just bitter like
most other IPAs.
This beer has an amazing herby aroma that grabs you right
away. Very good hoppy IPA flavor with some strong citrus hints, opaque in
clarity, goes down very smooth. This will be an excellent beer to appreciate
on a warm summer day...
Probably one of the the best IPAs I've ever had. Highly
recommened!
Thursday
January 1, 2009
0:00
EST
January:
Becks Premier Light (By VOODOO)
It's the middle of winter. I hate winter. I thought it may be a
good idea to pick up my summertime-mowing the lawn, just want a beer when
it's hot outside beer. Becks Premier Light. With only 64 calories
and 3.9 grams of carbs it's not exactly a "full bodied pale ale" but
I think it's
much better than the standard light lagers like Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, or Miller
Lite.
What's it look like: clear golden color, no foam no residue
on the glass. Actually pretty boring looking. It smells like
Becks normally smells. A much more complex smell compared to a miller
light, or a bud light. As far as flavor goes, it's 1/2 the calories of
my favorite beer (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) and it seems to me if you took a
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale poured out 1/2 and filled it back up with soda water
it would taste just like Becks Premier Light. Amstel Light is probably
my favorite light beer. Becks Premier Light is pretty bland compared
to Amstel but some people like that. For me it's all about making me
think of summer in the middle of winter, that's why I have some in the
fridge right now.
If you like light beers or are just watching calories... or
just want a refreshing beer on a hot summer day give this one a try.
Friday
February,
6 2008
1521 EST
February: Harpoon I.P.A.
5.90% ABV
Presentation:
12 oz brown long neck with an ink jet printed bottled on date above the
label.
Appearance: Vibrant deep golden hue with a fine clarity, densely frothed
head sticks just about everywhere. Light-to-medium bodied with a rather mild
carbonation. Pours a somewhat hazy golden-amber hue capped with a rich
pillow of slightly off-white foam that shows great retentive properties and
clings to the glass in thick rings.
Smell: Earthy and citric hop in the nose with a mild maltiness in the back,
hops are a mix of Cascade and Cluster.
Taste: Soft citric hop throughout, bitterness is just above the malt
flavours. Some alcohol is there with a warming factor towards the end. A bit
of mildly sweet, mostly bready malt flavor up front and through the middle,
melding with a nice hit of bitter, resinous hops before flowing into a
bitter, dry finish that leaves a bit of grain in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Moderate body, lined crispness with a smooth backing.
Drinkability & Notes: A highly drinkable bottled ale, seems faintly
withdrawn over the years but is still a reliable American IPA.
One of my favorites especially when I can get it with a month old or less
"bottled on date". Nothing like fresh Harpoon IPA! Oddly I like this brew
better in the bottle than on tap.
Monday
December 1,
2008
0:00
EST
December: Samuel Adams Winter Lager (By dixieSMASH)
This is a seasonal brew only available for a limited time. It has basically
taken the place of the Octoberfest brew. This beer is a dark wheat lager
brewed with winter spices (whatever they are).
For a dark beer (see picture above) it is very light in
taste. It has the feel and taste of a light beer. So if you like Bud,
Miller, or any other light beer, you will like this one as it has more taste
than those beers. Very smooth and goes down easy with the slightest hint of
nutmeg. It would be a great tasting beer to accompany the holiday sweets you
may be enjoying; ginger bread cookies and pumpkin pie. I'm pretty sure it
would go well with your dinner as well. I have not tested it with dinner as
I just drink it while playing PS3.
Pick up a 6 pack and enjoy all that is winter...
-dixieSMASH
Sunday
August 2, 2009
18:50
EDT
August: Brooklyn Brown Ale
Shows a deep chocolate-brown hue with ruby highlights when
held to the light, nicely clear and with a thin, tawny head of creamy foam
that holds to the side, leaving behind thick rings of lace.
Aroma is mildly sweet, with faint toffeeish notes and a nice citric/herbal
hop presence that is quite distinctive of American hops.
Medium-full body with a slick mouthfeel and mild-moderate level of
carbonation. Sweet caramel and faint chocolate up front that develops into a
light toastiness and a bit of nuttiness in the middle, joining a wallop of
citric grapefruit hop flavor along with a little earthiness that all leads
into a mildly hoppy, slightly sweet lingering finish.
Quite drinkable and balanced, and a well-made example of the American
version of the English brown ale that makes generous use of American hop
character. Decidedly drinkable. Truly one of my favorite beers on the
planet.
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