tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36278557140071839442024-03-15T12:19:38.336-07:00John's Beer BlogProviding simple, straight-from-the-bottle beer experiences to the whole internet.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-7899971611956506542024-03-04T10:50:00.000-08:002024-03-04T10:50:10.497-08:003/4/24: Christian Moerlein Brewing Company's Maibock<p><a href="will most likely be the last Moerlein brew I ever drink" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Do you remember when I drank Moerlein's bad Märzen last September and said it would "...most likely be the last Moerlein brew I ever drink?"</span></a> Well, I threw in that "most likely" because I needed to give myself some wiggle room.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxnFn3p-u_JfTE2XcO8om6yja3Ca9ZFEd2RFJrgv2Z3677FvdtW0f4sHhc8ns_L5RDWPEf2tHLIjMQO452SHmhoFHLnjqg1rS1YKiWdT9cQInhSLp1-MhMhb418rEk2NXmw1KSwyXecuIg7XQIazbsruajGos0LtIoizoXzw36uYwAMgCaHPhnuPsMqg/s4032/IMG_7739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Moerlein's Maibock." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxnFn3p-u_JfTE2XcO8om6yja3Ca9ZFEd2RFJrgv2Z3677FvdtW0f4sHhc8ns_L5RDWPEf2tHLIjMQO452SHmhoFHLnjqg1rS1YKiWdT9cQInhSLp1-MhMhb418rEk2NXmw1KSwyXecuIg7XQIazbsruajGos0LtIoizoXzw36uYwAMgCaHPhnuPsMqg/w320-h240/IMG_7739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />See, I'm not one to completely write off any brewery. Just because I haven't had a beer I enjoy from them doesn't mean I won't ever have a beer I enjoy from them, you know? What if, this fall, Moerlein puts out the greatest pumpkin ale to ever be produced? I don't want to keep myself from trying it just because the brewery's always missed for me.<p></p><p>That was my line of thinking when I picked up this lone can of Moerlein's Maibock for this year's blog bock season. <i>Maybe,</i> thought I, <i>this will be the Maibock to end all Maibocks. </i>And so it went into my sixer.</p><p>Let's see if my hopeful thoughts will pan out (I doubt they well, but I've been surprised before!).</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Christian Moerlein is a Cincy staple. The name (and some form of beer) has been in and out of the city's consciousness for nearly one-hundred-fifty years. <a href="https://www.christianmoerlein.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Their website</span></a> says their brews offer "...exceptional flavor in every pour." This is true if one realizes "exceptional" doesn't equate to "good."</p><p>Maibock doesn't have a full profile on the brewery's website (linked in the above paragraph for your convenience), so we're going to <a href="https://untappd.com/b/christian-moerlein-brewing-maibock/5705433" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Untappd. Its profile here</span></a> bills it as a 6.8% "...Spring Classic...[that's] slightly hoppier and stronger than a traditional bock."</p><p>The lager's incredibly spring-like, featuring a bouquet of citrusy, lemony zest and malt (the latter here is biscuits, crackers, and toffee). There's no funk to be found from the hops here--just the clean citrus scent and a frosty morning aroma. Purrl, who's obviously feeling better this week, gave my can three upside down whiffs--it's not her thing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsY-FV4Tnk0Eul-pOj6-6es7WAZHuAvR7YO9DMi9lugNggjQnNcHL4h0FU3bHQgE6vnik7bpkwAvipAU_ZnWZ7buDnHdYgk3ZQ9-gZp88hDh51eomBEfXuUsQW5TCqvRAH30Lo4wegfZg9ysuVj6H7L4Px4ZK-jv7wM0A19M1EvGd1NlMfDaSkEan4qs/s4032/IMG_7743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl laying up side down and sniffing my open can of Maibock." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsY-FV4Tnk0Eul-pOj6-6es7WAZHuAvR7YO9DMi9lugNggjQnNcHL4h0FU3bHQgE6vnik7bpkwAvipAU_ZnWZ7buDnHdYgk3ZQ9-gZp88hDh51eomBEfXuUsQW5TCqvRAH30Lo4wegfZg9ysuVj6H7L4Px4ZK-jv7wM0A19M1EvGd1NlMfDaSkEan4qs/w320-h240/IMG_7743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Maibock's flavor profile's light; it's lemon and orange zest, straw, and biscuit and toffee from the hops. It gets a little cloying in the finish, however, thanks to a sudden rush of sweetness that brings down the affair.<p></p><p><b>EDIT: This is John from a few paragraphs in the future. The more I drink the beer, the worse it tastes. There's a kind of artificial candy butter flavor that's become apparent that I absolutely despise.</b></p><p>The mouthfeel's fine. It's a lager, so it's foamy and quaffable. It's be floored if Moerlein managed to mess up this aspect of the beer.</p><p>This can's like spring: Flowers are in bloom, the sun's shining, and it's warm. It'd be a perfect day if it wasn't for my allergies setting in.</p><p>I'll be honest with you. From the bouquet alone, I thought this was going to be the Moerlein for me. I was ready to give it an 8.5/10. But then I did the unthinkable: I drank the beer. The more I sit with my can, the more unappealing it's becoming. That fake buttered popcorn flavor is strikingly reminiscent of my least favorite Dum Dum (Buttered Popcorn). That mixed with the aspartame-like sweetness has made my rating plummet to a 4.5/10. So, it's better than Moerlein's Märzen, but only just. </p><p>Who knows if I'll ever find the Moerlein that does it for me? </p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-39629458668805760792024-02-29T18:05:00.000-08:002024-02-29T18:05:10.549-08:002/29/2024: Pipeworks Brewing Co.'s Ninja Vs. UnicornI'll bet you thought I forgot about the blog this month, huh? Well, here I am with a bit of a Leap Day miracle for you. Before I turn my attention to my typical March fare (bocks), I have a single beer to do up this month.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePgGBRTb-nhRGkHTz2kcRAL5oAN53UGNhCqzO5dh-HKcMAXgYIZ9zc8mAcHPx9uCZ2oGfkVmEJr5FIwyldUuYGtkV1ixkUb2QKpG2ZVYCDDyO0MsdOZddFE3lIdFSihSlQ9uMxq4KSK_-gw0vAh7JZB3nMRZeftmY-mYNm2HloxPaKh3sqZPfIFmk8h4/s4032/IMG_7712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An unopened can of Ninja Vs. Unicorn on a bookshelf." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePgGBRTb-nhRGkHTz2kcRAL5oAN53UGNhCqzO5dh-HKcMAXgYIZ9zc8mAcHPx9uCZ2oGfkVmEJr5FIwyldUuYGtkV1ixkUb2QKpG2ZVYCDDyO0MsdOZddFE3lIdFSihSlQ9uMxq4KSK_-gw0vAh7JZB3nMRZeftmY-mYNm2HloxPaKh3sqZPfIFmk8h4/w320-h240/IMG_7712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was recently at a local bottleshop looking at single cans and bottles when a guy (who was not an employee of said bottleshop) recommended today's beer to me. "It's an IPA," he cautioned. I told him I liked IPAs and happily put the can into the sixer I was building. That can was a pint of Pipeworks' Ninja Vs. Unicorn, aka today's beer.</div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Pipeworks was started by some buds in Chicago in 2012. The goal was to make beers that were as creative as they were high-quality. Their brews can be found throughout the majority of the Midwest and into the Mid-Atlantic. <a href="https://pdubs.net/about" target="_blank">Pipeworks' about page lives here</a>, just in case you'd like to check it out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since there's not a place on the brewery's website showcasing their beers, <a href="https://untappd.com/b/pipeworks-brewing-company-ninja-vs-unicorn/129534" target="_blank">we're turning to Untappd for our info on Ninja Vs. Unicorn</a>. A double IPA brewed with an amount in excess of five pounds of hops per barrel, this unfiltered ale clocks in at 8% ABV. And that's all the information we have at our disposal. Let's see what we can find out through the beer blogger's scientific method (what I'm now calling "just drinking the beer").</div><div><br /></div><div>Cracking into my can, I'm finding myself immediately pleased with its bouquet. It's fruity and sweet, filled with orange, passion fruit, guava, pineapple, purple grape, strawberry, and bubblegum. Layered beneath this soaring sweetness is pine, an aroma akin to that of a frosty morning, and a hint of booze, denoting that 8% ABV.</div><div><br /></div><div>Purrl refused to give my can a single whiff. This could be because she's still recuperating from a brief stint at the emergency vet's last weekend (she'll be fine). I guess I'm saying don't take this as her definitive rating.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cr5TEjatLQBFxsypCDuf9uw56qmVHqPqB2bclAFg0savtFkU1SVylIRnC-B3nysoEG7VeoRmg81TWcwEtUmwgM_BQZDviMJOiOUj2LOZrydKZv2NsJ5n4ukTN-Rme6PnXzv4PZ8N7WeVIShyphenhyphen0zGbkRKbttCN6x_8G3Plv_Sxug7I69vd7xND88n5DgA/s4032/IMG_7718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl cat refusing to sniff my open can of beer." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cr5TEjatLQBFxsypCDuf9uw56qmVHqPqB2bclAFg0savtFkU1SVylIRnC-B3nysoEG7VeoRmg81TWcwEtUmwgM_BQZDviMJOiOUj2LOZrydKZv2NsJ5n4ukTN-Rme6PnXzv4PZ8N7WeVIShyphenhyphen0zGbkRKbttCN6x_8G3Plv_Sxug7I69vd7xND88n5DgA/w320-h240/IMG_7718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Ninja Vs. Unicorn's flavor profile's more tart than the bouquet makes it out to be. There're lemon, pine, and big grapefruit flavors here. But, as I sit with the ale, I'm finding more than what it presented in that initial taste, and some of that sweetness from the bouquet comes around: strawberry, orange, passion fruit, and mango. The finish is rich, verdant, and almost sappy pine with a touch of booze, accompanied by a residual strawberry flavor lingering on my lips. I have to tell you, this is a damn tasty beer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mouthfeel's smooth, almost cream-like. There's a bit of alcohol burn in the back of my throat that stands in contrast with the ale's softness.</div><div><br /></div><div>This beer's like being outside on my porch on a summer evening, watching the sun set and the fireflies begin their nightly dance in the front yard. It's a break after a long day of outdoor work when the kid's already in bed and I'm winding down before turning in myself. It's a quiet calm after a rush of activity and excitement.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pipeworks has made something special with Ninja Vs. Unicorn. I paid $3.49 for my pint and I'd've gladly paid more than that for a beer of this caliber. The DIPA's an easy 9.5/10. Kudos to the dude at the bottleshop for recommending it to me!</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-91336140092036504232024-01-31T19:49:00.000-08:002024-01-31T19:49:22.874-08:001/31/23: Guinness 0.0<p>For my second and final Dry January (well, in my case, more like Damp January--I had my planned hiccup weekend and a one-beer, post-moving-out-a-friend unplanned hiccup) post, I'm doing something special. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMxdmYiAv9-rOsmZxUhG_6e71uPVgBWVATmn3nEJ3RlWA53-GdJu2H3CHNE4-xdYKRjkD-jsIfE6NQe6TLBtlR-ezFGVSFQS1I_8J2qPqH_B-50LRvr4EpRSabF2qPRSxxWCGj-XBGFILJiKiMD-YyZctIuSXGimFYwXoSay31wcjkM-HzPUeEuzj1og/s4032/IMG_7599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A pint glass filled with Guinness 0.0 beside the beer's empty can." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMxdmYiAv9-rOsmZxUhG_6e71uPVgBWVATmn3nEJ3RlWA53-GdJu2H3CHNE4-xdYKRjkD-jsIfE6NQe6TLBtlR-ezFGVSFQS1I_8J2qPqH_B-50LRvr4EpRSabF2qPRSxxWCGj-XBGFILJiKiMD-YyZctIuSXGimFYwXoSay31wcjkM-HzPUeEuzj1og/w320-h240/IMG_7599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was at a local bottleshop trying to decide what non-alcoholic beer to grab next. The lady working there suggested the Guinness, saying that she's been having customers report to her after trying it, saying "It's as good as the real thing!" With her recommendation (and an observation that it was the cheapest non-American macro option), it was a done deal. This evening, I'm doing up Guinness 0.0.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I know Guinness. You know Guinness. They're one of Dublin's favorite sons. They've been in the game longer than the US has been independent. There's a very specific way to pour their beer from a tap. Their legacy is one of excellence. I don't need to say more, but I'll still point you to <a href="https://www.guinness.com/en/our-craft/guinness-story" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">their "The Story of Guinness" page</span></a> for your perusal. </p><p><a href="https://www.guinness.com/en/beers/guinness-zero" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Guinness 0.0</span></a> (0.0 henceforth) is a non-alcoholic variation of the brewery's flagship stout. The brewery does up a standard batch of the black stuff before putting it through a cold filtration process that removes the alcohol. What's left (after a little tweaking and mixing) is our finished product: 0.0, which boasts aromatics of coffee and chocolate, malt flavor that's, at turns bitter and sweet, and a ruby body with a creamy head.</p><p>In my glass (because this is a Guinness and I'm not a monster), the beer boasts the same aroma of what it's attempting to recreate. By this, I mean I'm getting coffee, chocolate, and a little lactose. If I'm digging deeper, I get plum and a light touch of candied orange. Really, this is a near-perfect facsimile of a pint of Guinness. Purrl gave it eight whiffs (she's not sure if she's a big Guinness cat).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9ZOYFhmhtN9Z8o0yjXhG0fHBg6PeS4KJehMJtLG8dIO_1sP8xH7sUlHtKRHrj1tq184kdEBLuAAwIsf2RCD0iMOyDInJnkq4mWfKw98K2AFr4K_NrrlOSFFsZ7l8-UIn3PznZaavKNOTTF1kCdiyNPLofVF7QgjTdlu79GngeGJ0rhq3wOaVVyR56vI/s4032/IMG_7607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my pint of Guinness 0.0." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9ZOYFhmhtN9Z8o0yjXhG0fHBg6PeS4KJehMJtLG8dIO_1sP8xH7sUlHtKRHrj1tq184kdEBLuAAwIsf2RCD0iMOyDInJnkq4mWfKw98K2AFr4K_NrrlOSFFsZ7l8-UIn3PznZaavKNOTTF1kCdiyNPLofVF7QgjTdlu79GngeGJ0rhq3wOaVVyR56vI/w320-h240/IMG_7607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />0.0's flavor profile's wonderful. There's coffee and chocolate on the fore which, combined here, taste like a chocolate mousse. The plum and orange from the bouquet are absent, but they aren't missed. There's some dryness in the long finish, hops and black coffee.<p></p><p>The mouthfeel's a little thinner than your typically pint of the black stuff, but I'm more than willing to overlook that for an NA beer as flavorful as this.</p><p>And, since it's in a glass, let's talk a little about its appearance. At first, the body's as black as Guinness Draught, but that ruby red coloring is revealed when the beer's held to a light. The head topping my pint's pillowy soft with delicate, cream-colored lacing.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs6GKMJb4XpyL8Tqg15isIpZyKTQsYFMk5lniNs6Vx7PasuCFV87m61hrf1TEnEhv1bK7AJ5F8YmqeUufz_YztZo339WqmW3oJyl03-Djto8gk-ciESlfdICpfQ9p8ftIwBm0sxzQHybfe_rvQumwtiyZf5KBFNwmM2RWPjl8f_ZWQQ5F-T14eGPmLnw/s4032/IMG_7614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My pint glass held to a light to show the ruby-colored body." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs6GKMJb4XpyL8Tqg15isIpZyKTQsYFMk5lniNs6Vx7PasuCFV87m61hrf1TEnEhv1bK7AJ5F8YmqeUufz_YztZo339WqmW3oJyl03-Djto8gk-ciESlfdICpfQ9p8ftIwBm0sxzQHybfe_rvQumwtiyZf5KBFNwmM2RWPjl8f_ZWQQ5F-T14eGPmLnw/w320-h240/IMG_7614.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's ruby!</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68qFo_phOG5Fh7R_4zKwUdHgEBLwKCrTVHhiyBcmiXI4RkDB4_dpr-dFPxoDYjzhG592CmioPhOWlq0UgWknaLTIax6mAAs_z-IIgyc4uw8E5ok4lflcJjf2A41exydgwHGyYs8LmYMW3hweCfh8Vy23g-s0oNVgjUDUTiXe23CIIehA0cwvSQc1yCmg/s4032/IMG_7603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The creamy head on my pint." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68qFo_phOG5Fh7R_4zKwUdHgEBLwKCrTVHhiyBcmiXI4RkDB4_dpr-dFPxoDYjzhG592CmioPhOWlq0UgWknaLTIax6mAAs_z-IIgyc4uw8E5ok4lflcJjf2A41exydgwHGyYs8LmYMW3hweCfh8Vy23g-s0oNVgjUDUTiXe23CIIehA0cwvSQc1yCmg/w320-h240/IMG_7603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />0.0 is reminding me of the first time I had Guinness: at a bar in Athens during my undergrad. I met up with a friend for a quick drink and ordered a pint. I got to watch the bartender pour it properly and was awed by the skill she exhibited and the way the head cascaded up the glass. It was my first stout, and it set a high bar.<p></p><p>Anyway, 0.0 clocks in at a 9.0/10. I mean that on my regular, not-non-alcoholic rating scale. It's that damn good. Guinness really took the challenge of making an alcohol-free version of their bread and butter and ran with it. Honestly, I'd most likely drink this over regular Guinness and it'll be a frequent staple in my fridge from here on out.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-49830681060444392302024-01-13T13:26:00.000-08:002024-01-13T13:26:39.512-08:001/13/24: Athletic Brewing Co.'s Upside Dawn<p>This month, I'm trying something new. Well, new to me. You see, Dry January's been a concept I've know about for something like five years. I've never done it, but it's always interested me. As a beer blog guy, I've tried to take a step back occasionally to examine my relationship with alcohol. This year, I decided in mid-December, was going to be my year. I'd do Dry January (with a slight, planned hiccup that'll I'll atone for in February).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRMwjUfxvxm-LB42WgjZGjtdxQhil0wU7bfWHqgrPGzPJmLFi_jx3_FgEE1ZtgjalS_DPIUBuUB5ukXOsYAwjMmfnq35T_AFxULgkrI-FR2IqA-ye26897OErAIP8_DHIy5LdX_mCezuLtFdnXBsaf4H9goon0hO6d5wzYUJoI8h_M_enInnibVY-l-U/s4032/IMG_7536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Athletic's Upside Dawn" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRMwjUfxvxm-LB42WgjZGjtdxQhil0wU7bfWHqgrPGzPJmLFi_jx3_FgEE1ZtgjalS_DPIUBuUB5ukXOsYAwjMmfnq35T_AFxULgkrI-FR2IqA-ye26897OErAIP8_DHIy5LdX_mCezuLtFdnXBsaf4H9goon0hO6d5wzYUJoI8h_M_enInnibVY-l-U/w320-h240/IMG_7536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So far, it's been fine! I've noticed neither benefits nor disadvantages. I'm the same weight, my sleep hasn't improved, my mental health's the same, and my energy level hasn't changed. On the flip side, I don't have any symptoms that would denote a risky relationship with booze. I'm the same, only I've spent a little less this month (craft beer's getting expensive!).<p></p><p>But, I still want to drop in with a blog post. Remember <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2023/09/91523-athletic-brewing-cos-oktoberfest.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">four months ago when I said I'd get to more Athletic brews</span></a>? Well, here we are: Athletic's Upside Dawn.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Athletic's a company that spans the country. Bill and John started test brewing in Stratford, CT before going commercial and moving to Milford, CT. From there, they also opened a brewing facility in San Diego, CA and now ship their (non-alcoholic) beers around the country (and <a href="https://athleticbrewing.com/collections/beer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">right to your door</span></a>).</p><p><a href="https://athleticbrewing.com/products/upside-dawn" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Upside Dawn</span></a>'s a golden ale. It's billed as light-bodied, clean, and refreshing, boasting citrus aromatics and notes of earth and spice. Sounds good enough, right?</p><p>The bouquet is malt (biscuit, toffee, bread) and some mild citrus (lemon, orange, and grapefruit). There's an earthy quality here for sure, along with a bit of funk that's not off-putting so much as it's intriguing. I'm also sussing out a bit of basil and lemongrass. Overall, yeah, killer nose. Purrl doesn't like the non-boozy stuff, though; she gave my can three quick whiffs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVBBvptF-6r0ZaAyBGLZSxRqdAd9fe5Ulq0pSxF7W6qkVPg5OL5NnOUTO-NF2ffjoJ9z0IrOqeXqWTfwTOVuHC370cFyM8vMbf21tAUlIoKF2sggDbUaWXhhOitIALwZWYxUfl4Ea8nfpSQH35xr0Zj3sjUbsdUlQQYaxUOpVZHdkmpLIUoI0s_yNLdA/s4032/IMG_7537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat Purrl lazily sniffing my open can of Upside Dawn." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVBBvptF-6r0ZaAyBGLZSxRqdAd9fe5Ulq0pSxF7W6qkVPg5OL5NnOUTO-NF2ffjoJ9z0IrOqeXqWTfwTOVuHC370cFyM8vMbf21tAUlIoKF2sggDbUaWXhhOitIALwZWYxUfl4Ea8nfpSQH35xr0Zj3sjUbsdUlQQYaxUOpVZHdkmpLIUoI0s_yNLdA/w320-h240/IMG_7537.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Upside Dawn has that light beer thinness I've come to expect from all NA brews. But, it has some great flavors layered atop of it: a bright maltiness (those notes I attributed to it above, with some caramel, to boot), citrus, the basil and lemongrass, and a touch of coriander. It's a great flavor profile, and I'm not just saying that because I haven't had a proper beer in nearly two weeks!<p></p><p>The mouthfeel's the most convincing part of the whole affair. This drinks like an ale, light, effervescent, and fuller than I'd think.</p><p>Despite the beer's name, it's making me think of summer evenings. I'm out on the porch after a long day of yard work. The air smells like cut grass and charcoal (because someone around me's cooking out). The sun's low and the day's humid, but there's a cool breeze rustling the leaves in the oak in our front yard and making the whole evening damn pleasant.</p><p>Look, I won't lie to you here. I've had this beer before. I purchase a handful of sixers of it a year, for those times when I want a beer without wanting an actual beer. As a non-alcoholic beer, Upside Dawn's an easy 9.0/10. As a beer beer, it's still something I enjoy enough to give an 8.0/10. If you haven't tried it yet, get on it.</p><p><br /></p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-33864441940747899102023-12-28T16:13:00.000-08:002023-12-28T16:13:39.483-08:0012/28/2023: Victory Brewing Company's Merry Monkey (A Late Christmas Post)<p>Well, that was a whirlwind. How was your Christmas? Mine (if you can't tell) got away from me a little. But hey, what's Christmas around here without a late post? And, for this post, I have a little something.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKD5pRImmAd_mfBac5VpfVh040fUF1Mi3ambr465BDvZ7xckvFRo9C_C055kgFIKTWl6AoTVxZZ7j300DwRQz3yW9G8wjeXQI5OiKKwhD19AOYD6QWqVoX6598LPo_V5LOdNmVtIfcjiSFV4YaS7k2JQ6j1yCphXqRTVMspHl8kRghlyn3ZwZJvmml-o/s4032/IMG_7482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bottle of Merry Monkey beside a Christmas countdown decoration." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKD5pRImmAd_mfBac5VpfVh040fUF1Mi3ambr465BDvZ7xckvFRo9C_C055kgFIKTWl6AoTVxZZ7j300DwRQz3yW9G8wjeXQI5OiKKwhD19AOYD6QWqVoX6598LPo_V5LOdNmVtIfcjiSFV4YaS7k2JQ6j1yCphXqRTVMspHl8kRghlyn3ZwZJvmml-o/w320-h240/IMG_7482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>That little something is nothing else than Victory Brewing Company's Merry Monkey, the first beer I've ever had from this prolific brewery. Let's see if it's as Santa's little helpery as I'm hoping it is (we're in the midst of our second Christmas right now).</p><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Twenty-seven years ago, long-time buds and classically-educated and -trained brewers Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet opened a brewery together in Downington, PA. That brewery, <a href="https://victorybeer.com/about/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Victory</span></a>, grew and grew. They added a secondary production facility to the fold after expanding their capacity to max in Downington. Since, they've opened several more locations and have collaborated with NY breweries to create <a href="https://artbrewventures.com/about/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Artisanal Brewing Ventures</span></a>, an umbrella under which they can hold strong to their brewing independence.</p><p><a href="https://victorybeer.com/beers/merry-monkey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Merry Monkey</span></a> is Victory's Christmas beer. This 10% ABV Belgian-style ale's brewed with nutmeg, orange peel, cinnamon, and cranberry. Sounds plenty Christmassy to me!</p><p>The bouquet on the ale's cinnamon, raisin, clove, nutmeg, and banana (yeah, it's a Belgian-inspired beer). I can't say that I'm finding any cranberry, nor am I finding any booze--odd, given the ABV. Regardless, this is a wonderful aroma, even though it's not necessarily something I'd pin as "Christmas." </p><p>Lest we forget Purrl, she gave my bottle three whiffs. I'll need to go back to see if it's just because Belgian ales aren't her thing. <b>EDIT: Yeah, she doesn't like them.</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBq3WOZabSCcpnH6Pc4BcF8Z28LdcUnlZgZrfXfrTeav2YcjEVNFRQW14iS_K7ZsmcgxWpbA3Jzp11nxFAnhQcyTW3j5w2o4X455Mc0n-M0Ku2xRqCksjefg7xKtEjCgRH_j1IcwzNCbSR9foIy04BkKR1b4PtVRFwuXNct2iLsXjWThKJAooBxpTozM/s4032/IMG_7485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my bottle of Merry Monkey." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBq3WOZabSCcpnH6Pc4BcF8Z28LdcUnlZgZrfXfrTeav2YcjEVNFRQW14iS_K7ZsmcgxWpbA3Jzp11nxFAnhQcyTW3j5w2o4X455Mc0n-M0Ku2xRqCksjefg7xKtEjCgRH_j1IcwzNCbSR9foIy04BkKR1b4PtVRFwuXNct2iLsXjWThKJAooBxpTozM/w320-h240/IMG_7485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Interestingly, the cranberry's the first thing in get from Merry Monkey's flavor profile. Layered beneath it's nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange. The banana from the nose is absent, but the raisin's still here and swinging. There's also some freshly-baked bread and toffee rounding out before the finish, which is all of the aforementioned flavors, which some honey added for good measure.</p><p></p><p>The booze in this thing's a bit of a sleeper. It's present, but the only real indication of it is a slight nag at my throat and a pleasant warming sensation after each swig.</p><p>Merry Monkey has a bit of bite to it, but it's mouthfeel's mainly just robust and smooth. It drinks just like how you'd think it'd drink.</p><p>I can't say today's beer reminds me of Christmas, but it does remind me of December stars. Being outside at night (or, if you're unlucky enough to need to shovel the drive before work, early morning), fighting the cold because, in my memories, December's always cold. You look up at the sky and get caught in the stars, gleaming and twinkling in the dark.</p><p>I'm pleased to say that Victory's Merry Monkey is the best beer I've had this season. It sits at a 9.5/10. If you're looking for the beer to cap off your December, this might just be it.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-40491803265487357532023-12-23T19:40:00.000-08:002023-12-23T19:40:45.413-08:0012/23/2023: North Peak Brewing Company's Blitzen<p>I nabbed this beer in Michigan while we were up there for Thanksgiving. Since, I've been waiting to review it. I have a feeling that it'll be the most traditional (for me, at least) <strike>Christmas</strike> Festivus beer I'm doing up on the blog this year. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkfzqzM8uwcJlfNmkX6-g5Xif_Y6DwTb2ZmW8KNxzYLApBFitVK2V4z31arm00SU3LAPzfA38F2T5AojnxqsVjSy3LkhqsKaC8gcn1_AOlg_PeN5Pc99xvBV5lgKv0zDLCJxOUmJWYm3BnjTANNp0A2Ypkdf5zoPebuACFtkAFXFJ6zF3nEIOKk38_zk/s4032/IMG_7461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Blitzen beside a Christmas countdown decoration." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkfzqzM8uwcJlfNmkX6-g5Xif_Y6DwTb2ZmW8KNxzYLApBFitVK2V4z31arm00SU3LAPzfA38F2T5AojnxqsVjSy3LkhqsKaC8gcn1_AOlg_PeN5Pc99xvBV5lgKv0zDLCJxOUmJWYm3BnjTANNp0A2Ypkdf5zoPebuACFtkAFXFJ6zF3nEIOKk38_zk/w320-h240/IMG_7461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />That's it. I have no further preamble. I have North Peak's Blitzen and I'm ready to drink it for your reading pleasure.<span></span><p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><a href="https://www.northpeakbeer.com/about" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">North Peak Brewing Company</span></a>'s based in Traverse City, MI. Well, that's where their pub is located. Back in 1997, their brewing operation was headquartered there (making them some of the brewing old guard). That changed in 2013 when production was moved to Dexter, MI, where it's still handled to this day. </p><p>Blitzen, the elf (according to North Peak), is a legend of northern Michigan. He appears on December twenty-third and trades sugar for feats of strength. <a href="https://www.northpeakbeer.com/blitzen" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Blitzen, the beer</span></a>, is named after that cryptid. It boasts rye aromatics and flavors of malt, spice, and--if you'd believe it--rye. Yes, rye is an adjunct here. This all clocks in at a respectable 6.8% ABV.</p><p>That promised note of rye in the ale's bouquet is absolutely present. But peppered before it makes itself known are hints of malty sweetness (namely caramel), some hazelnut, ginger, and a touch of nutmeg. Overall, it's an effective nose, although Purrl only gave it six whiffs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9fO8G6W-rePA7LSRADzfFdT8Knl3VW8t4ycPmUTCFxmUs4HflwaC6Mii_E746JcfQwrTfh9k_AHKWEuI595GwtHBZXnU_vHACh5PdPy4gFQ2gXxAEqgcdO45aPPGwr2g_fhjhr_tJWxPjZDwzfBlh_JYTQbHQor0QZL4StUTClSFYm5A2fd7S9xM13E/s4032/IMG_7462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl cat sniffing my open can of Blitzen." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9fO8G6W-rePA7LSRADzfFdT8Knl3VW8t4ycPmUTCFxmUs4HflwaC6Mii_E746JcfQwrTfh9k_AHKWEuI595GwtHBZXnU_vHACh5PdPy4gFQ2gXxAEqgcdO45aPPGwr2g_fhjhr_tJWxPjZDwzfBlh_JYTQbHQor0QZL4StUTClSFYm5A2fd7S9xM13E/w320-h240/IMG_7462.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Blitzen's flavor profile is rye, rye, and rye. The rest of the flavors seem to struggle to find places around the grain. Sure, they're here; I find honey and caramel on my first swig, along with some piney hops. My second brings previously hidden nuttiness (hazelnut and almond). In terms of spice, I can almost taste ginger in the finish, coupled with some malty sweetness, before the rye envelops everything and lingers for a good, long while.<p></p><p>The mouthfeel here's sharp and bitey, which is exactly what I want in a winter ale, and precisely what the last beer I drank for the blog was so sorely missing.</p><p>A favorite winter activity of mine is to take a nighttime walk in newly fallen snow. I head out into our road and leave my footprints in it before any cars can come by and make their tracks. If I'm lucky, snow's still falling on these occasions, so I can see it contrasted against the orangey light of the streetlamp down from my house. I can imagine drinking a beer just like this on those walks.</p><p>So, unfortunately, North Peak's Blitzen's not as spicy as I thought it'd be, it's much more built around the rye (which I have to think can only be something tied to Blitzen lore). If you like rye, grab a can. If you don't, maybe sit this one out. I'm giving the Festivus ale an 8.0/10.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-30213788468044328752023-12-18T14:47:00.000-08:002023-12-18T14:47:17.262-08:0012/18/23: Einstök Beer Company's Winter Ale<p>Remember that illness I mentioned off-hand in my last post? It was the damn plague. It hit everyone in my household and now, well over a week later, it's finally letting up. I felt horrible in the depths of it and my sense of taste turned a little wonky for a minute. But, now that I'm only fatigued, I can finally get around to my next beer of the season.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpxk7jvcQDyOhjaDfh8xCud1GwIXnTbK4xtfVgfuDWOpVz6HNIEvwAoAwr-0mkxnZ-lySjm-ailNWA25rBi2U-_rP9KtzRBE2DA6Po9NHyqu3zDKOjRIabuPFqCQ5sMx7Fzfik8Ao4KvDQSH7E6CdhLoST4l1tGfuk9HPYLrsln0HsO1poq08dRVYaHI/s4032/IMG_7444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Einstök Winter Ale beside a Christmas countdown decoration." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpxk7jvcQDyOhjaDfh8xCud1GwIXnTbK4xtfVgfuDWOpVz6HNIEvwAoAwr-0mkxnZ-lySjm-ailNWA25rBi2U-_rP9KtzRBE2DA6Po9NHyqu3zDKOjRIabuPFqCQ5sMx7Fzfik8Ao4KvDQSH7E6CdhLoST4l1tGfuk9HPYLrsln0HsO1poq08dRVYaHI/w320-h240/IMG_7444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Yeah, that's right: Christmas doesn't stop for COVID-19. Now, over two weeks out from the first Christmas beer '23 post, our Christmas lights are hung and our tree's nestled in our living room, trimmed to our satisfaction. Let's keep this holly and jolly going with Einstök's Winter Ale.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://einstokbeer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Einstök Ölgerd</span></a>'s from Iceland. Akureyri, to be more specific. They seem to make beer worth waiting for--it take take up to a year for them to explore and release a new style. Once these beers are ready for market, Einstök ships them to over 22 countries (with help from its production facilities around the world--my can's from Connecticut).</p><p><a href="https://einstokbeer.com/our-brews/icelandic-winter-ale/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Winter Ale</span></a> (my can's not "Icelandic Winter Ale" seemingly since it's not from Iceland) is an 8.0% ale that's brewed with "whisky-cured spruce" and smoked barley. Let's see if it'll put some jingle in my Kringle.</p><p>The spruce is first on the nose, good and wintry. There's also that smoked barley some light caramel and honey. Other notes I'm finding are coffee, chocolate, and some orange. The bouquet was pretty shallow at first but the more it sit with it the greater depth I find. There's a smokiness rounding out the aromatics that I can only attribute to the smoked barley. Lottie and I are in agreement: It's a pleasant bouquet (she gave my can 28 whiffs).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F-SXfY1BSxafkO2a15gr14OQnWwEHt1LEWafBU2QIXWmrYONqjrtgcNGz2QpM7WJz1k3cLlJrXE_y4CjyGUYnDjLQzjHSaMpXDXC2JCGyAVhV3BQ_isjFNAazAX7GxwGhl9K3-Y4afi73WsoAp93mkKIsKty7-_IFRYzdE2QuANngFRZr5EsV8SM3TE/s4032/IMG_7454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lottie sniffing my open can of Winter Ale." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F-SXfY1BSxafkO2a15gr14OQnWwEHt1LEWafBU2QIXWmrYONqjrtgcNGz2QpM7WJz1k3cLlJrXE_y4CjyGUYnDjLQzjHSaMpXDXC2JCGyAVhV3BQ_isjFNAazAX7GxwGhl9K3-Y4afi73WsoAp93mkKIsKty7-_IFRYzdE2QuANngFRZr5EsV8SM3TE/w320-h240/IMG_7454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately, the depth in the ale's nose doesn't carry through to the flavor profile, which is incredibly thin. Really, there's no noticeable flavors apart from what's in the finish, which are coffee, spruce, chocolate, caramel, and some smoky savoriness. That's it. It's all crammed in the finish and buried beneath the coffee (which is the core flavor). Nothing here smacks of "Christmas" or even "winter."<p></p><p>Winter Ale's mouthfeel's just as thin as the flavor. There's not bite, no sharpness. The carbonation's just foamy in my can.</p><p>The memory drinking this is dredging up isn't anything Christmassy. Instead, I'm being remind of going for runs in the summer and coming home to our apartment to enjoy a (much better) coffee beer on our balcony. I liked that post-run beer a lot. I can't quite say the same for Winter Ale.</p><p>Einstök should've let their Winter Ale percolate for another year. It's okay. I wouldn't not drink it again, but I wouldn't intentionally seek it out, especially during the Christmas season when some of my favorite beers are on store shelves. I'm giving it a 7.0/10. I guess you can try it and see if you like it more?</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-74705216602552832832023-12-01T19:20:00.000-08:002023-12-01T19:20:14.764-08:0012/1/23: West Side Brewing's Holiday Ale<p>It's now, officially, the holiday season here on the blog, folks. December 1st has finally rolled into town, bringing with it chilly weather, yuletide cheer, and dark evenings.</p><p>I (might, depending on illnesses on the home front) have a big Chirstmassy weekend lined up: hanging lights, getting and trimming the tree, piecing together a Christmas list, a maybe a little more present shopping. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IYdeTItJGPfnpwLgvmdgUhMyZx3LRkLic64eTTDSTn3tr-zSW8hi5oucE261w4Kypq0ccQsWHyywAXTfQKPuA4mKNfC1OF5fa4OLaoYgOhvwI5S1Pz7jZewPkrDIaZFWfUH0g5XGsP6dFgSqs_xQWtwh1Eh2nKWXata_Mf2BJ1WrSsTMmaumxlOJ4WU/s4032/IMG_7377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Holiday Ale in front of a Days Until Christmas countdown sign, with "24" selected." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IYdeTItJGPfnpwLgvmdgUhMyZx3LRkLic64eTTDSTn3tr-zSW8hi5oucE261w4Kypq0ccQsWHyywAXTfQKPuA4mKNfC1OF5fa4OLaoYgOhvwI5S1Pz7jZewPkrDIaZFWfUH0g5XGsP6dFgSqs_xQWtwh1Eh2nKWXata_Mf2BJ1WrSsTMmaumxlOJ4WU/w320-h240/IMG_7377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Despite all that, I'm making time tonight to do up the first Christmas beer post of 2023. I have a small smattering of holiday brews to discuss (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/dining/anchor-brewing-closing-beer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Anchor went under</span></a>, so their Christmas Ale will, for the first year since I started blogging, not be featured as there isn't one), so we might as well get started now! To start the season off (hopefully!) right, we're settling down with some Vince Guaraldi Trio and West Side's Holiday Ale.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://westsidebrewing.com/about/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">West Side</span></a>'s located in Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood. The brewery, which was first conceived in 2014, ran <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1586083921/west-side-brewing-cincinnati-be-a-backer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017</span></a>. Since, they've officially launched and have taken to putting out beers that I've come to enjoy. Case in point: <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/09/92221-west-side-brewings-oktoberfest.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Their mighty fine Oktoberfest-style lager</span></a>.</p><p><a href="https://westsidebrewing.com/beer/holiday-ale/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Holiday Ale</span></a>'s listed as a 6.42% ABV amber ale that's brewed with Galaxy hops, orange peel, cinnamon, and ginger. It's presented as a malty and spicy (flavor, not heat) ale.</p><p>The nose on my can is definitely spicy; I'm finding the orange, the cinnamon, and the ginger, sure, but I'm also getting honey, biscuit, and toffee. There's also nutmeg, but that might just be my brain filling in the logical gap here. There's a touch of extra citrusiness from those Galaxy hops. Overall, yeah, Holiday Ale smells Chirstmassy enough! I like the bouquet, even though Háma only gave my can four whiffs.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYRjwrDlyj5CpUJVGZVYF8XABxFVk3ZcQiQNYJ1fNlxeAFnlxq3Im1VFKmSzjNgi_sSwpWlaPYNpmpi2jFWp742FUaZ02qMd2PxiuGlw9oVuMa05r0UI86mTyQdMehLm4uPaWb2kRguokJ-0PbkCGekomEROF1TVzOWNng3e-17wZpdF4Phabr-ZHEGY/s3338/IMG_7384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cat Háma sniffing my can of Holiday Ale." border="0" data-original-height="2504" data-original-width="3338" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYRjwrDlyj5CpUJVGZVYF8XABxFVk3ZcQiQNYJ1fNlxeAFnlxq3Im1VFKmSzjNgi_sSwpWlaPYNpmpi2jFWp742FUaZ02qMd2PxiuGlw9oVuMa05r0UI86mTyQdMehLm4uPaWb2kRguokJ-0PbkCGekomEROF1TVzOWNng3e-17wZpdF4Phabr-ZHEGY/w320-h240/IMG_7384.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy woke up just in time to smell the beer.</td></tr></tbody></table>Those good malty flavors are the first to grace my palate, toffee and honey and caramel. Landing closely after these is the cinnamon, which is followed in short succession by the orange and the ginger. These latter flavors are what prevail strongest in my swig, lingering into the finish with the citrus (and almost peach) of the hops, only to be usurped by the honey and cinnamon again as it draws out to its conclusion; this is a long finish--it just keeps going and going, seemingly never stopping.</p><p>The ale's mouthfeel is just what I want. A little sharp, somewhat full. Really fitting for the spirit of the season.</p><p>Last weekend, Michelle, Lottie, our toddler, and I drove home from Michigan. We'd been up visiting family for Thanksgiving (and I picked up a beer that you might see around these parts this month). The day we left for home was cold and overcast and, shortly before we packed up our car and piled in, snow started falling. It didn't accumulate much, but it was the first real snow we'd seen this season and we were excited.</p><p>The first two or three hours of our drive were through the storm. It was gorgeous seeing the snow falling against the bare brown trees and tall evergreens. We queued up a bossa nova Christmas playlist and enjoyed the drive. This sole can is like that drive: calm and pleasant.</p><p>Look, I'll never say no to a West Side beer. I've liked everything I've had from them (and I'm hoping they'll do a pumpkin beer next year so I can drink/talk about it here). Their Holiday Ale gets an 8.5/10 from me. It's good stuff!</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-77447457157834000922023-11-28T18:20:00.000-08:002023-11-28T18:20:16.299-08:0011/28/23: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery's Wake Up World Wide Stout (2022)<p>And here we are. Like I promised in this month's first post, I've saved the biggest beer for last, which is especially fitting as I crossed the 50,000-word NaNoWriMo finish line this morning (go, me!). Today, we're taking a look at a special beer from one of my original favorite craft breweries (<a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/05/52821-dogfish-head-craft-brewerys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">has it really been two and a half years since they got screen time on the blog? Wow, too long</span></a>).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiU7mQQBwERVC9B4zIF2OLBxPFXxYQBPX0B4CLvhLvbujf4CIO6TXatgkM4RXE_ssKw03ccwkYFOReqdAM0GiZHEg-IADosm6ldNj1_GuS6Xb0BuUwutXw18Rvvhu9aOCO-ZM_JX_oZHqvIVRlkxRQ2SG00L5ao-j6RtWHF8lXIU_ekKU2Y9k-5eFTqI/s4032/IMG_7339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An empty bottle of Wake Up World Wide Stout beside a tulip glass filled with the beer." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiU7mQQBwERVC9B4zIF2OLBxPFXxYQBPX0B4CLvhLvbujf4CIO6TXatgkM4RXE_ssKw03ccwkYFOReqdAM0GiZHEg-IADosm6ldNj1_GuS6Xb0BuUwutXw18Rvvhu9aOCO-ZM_JX_oZHqvIVRlkxRQ2SG00L5ao-j6RtWHF8lXIU_ekKU2Y9k-5eFTqI/w320-h240/IMG_7339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Nestle in, friends. Grab a strong maple beer of your own. Throw another log on the fire against late-November chill. Tonight, we're going big and heavy. Tonight, I'm drinking and telling you about Dogfish Head's Wake Up World Wide Stout.<p></p><a name='more'></a>Odds are that you know about <a href="https://www.dogfish.com/company" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Dogfish Head</span></a>. The Milton, DE brewery was started by Sam and Mariah Calagione. Sam had fallen headlong into homebrewing and, after a quick convo with his dad, he and his wife opened a brewpub where he could make beer professionally. Since then, they've put out a wide assortment of great and odd-ball beers, including <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2017/09/92817-dogfish-head-craft-brewerys-midas.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">resurrecting ancient and lost recipes</span></a>.<p></p><p>Then, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/05/10/722095992/makers-of-sam-adams-and-dogfish-head-beer-announce-merger-deal" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">in 2019, the brewery merged with The Boston Beer Co.</span></a> Aside from a <a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/utopias-barrel-aged-world-wide-stout" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Utopias World Wide Stout</span></a> (which I saw in the wild but balked at the price), not much has changed for DFH (aside from <a href="https://www.bostonbeer.com/news/2023/09/can-you-believe-it-dogfish-heads-fall-favorite-punkin-ale-is-back-available-in-cans" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Punkin being in cans</span></a>, which was a choice I wouldn't've made). That's good news, at least.</p><p>Speaking of <a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/world-wide-stout" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">World Wide Stout</span></a>, tonight's beer is from that lineup (and my first from it). <a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/wake-world-wide-stout" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Wake Up World Wide Stout</span></a> is a breakfast-style imperial stout that's brewed with plant-based milk, coffee, and (important for this blog this time of year) maple syrup. Made to be aged (I held out over twelve months!), this beer has an ABV that clocks in somewhere between the 15-20% range--my bottle lists it as 15.3%.</p><p>The nose on this thing's black coffee, dark fruits (plums and dates), and some purple wine grapes. Layered with all this is a touch of maple sweetness and that same savory note that I mentioned finding in <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2023/11/112023-tales-from-cellar-goose-island.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the beer I drank in my last post</span></a>. The booze here's only a whisper, definitely nothing that would make me pinpoint this as a 15.3% juggernaut. To my knowledge, this stout isn't barrel-aged, but I'm getting a touch of oakiness in its bouquet regardless.</p><p>While I love the bouquet, Purrl does not: She only gave the open bottle I offered her two quick whiffs before hopping down from her cat tree. Her loss.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9wSSxPfYujppuu66mHdWc5V3R0JXQd800vw9sgMWZWu__9l6jBBc0JAWNoJGq53xMsFIMg9Wf41tRDY9gUxPwjc-n9fJex4SwxMvwRW4gKdRTJ6wiO5NSdr20LZHOjaTnXwfz-IuxC5li68hNQoUZO7gkgG_wq4SlzMhiRKLpLmhzVvmBANA3BLm2qY/s4032/IMG_7331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my bottle of today's beer." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9wSSxPfYujppuu66mHdWc5V3R0JXQd800vw9sgMWZWu__9l6jBBc0JAWNoJGq53xMsFIMg9Wf41tRDY9gUxPwjc-n9fJex4SwxMvwRW4gKdRTJ6wiO5NSdr20LZHOjaTnXwfz-IuxC5li68hNQoUZO7gkgG_wq4SlzMhiRKLpLmhzVvmBANA3BLm2qY/w320-h240/IMG_7331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Wake Up WWS's a fitting name because, seriously, the flavor profile here's liable to jolt you awake. It's black, almost charred, coffee. Coupled with this is vanilla and plum. The whole flavor hinges on roasted malt, which shine here, dark and deep, lending a baker's chocolate taste to the affair. <p></p><p>I'll note now that the maple is understated in the flavor profile. It's present, but mainly just in a stickiness lingering on my lips after each swig. Much more present is the booze, which isn't a flavor as much as it is a feeling, warming me to my core as the coffee lingers long into the finish. These deceptively simple flavors make for one hell of a beer.</p><p><b>EDIT: </b>As the beer's warming in my glass, the maple's comping through more abundantly now. It's still sticking to my lips, but the flavor's become more present and persistent on my palate. It's mingling and combining perfectly with everything else Wake Up WWS has going for it.</p><p>The mouthfeel here's an experience. Each small swig swells and expands, becoming something full and decadent. It is absolutely befitting a stout of this caliber.</p><p>Since it's in a glass (because, come on; I'm not a monster), let's talk about how it looks. The body's a used motor oil, cold coffee black. The head's a quickly dissipating khaki with intricate-yet-varied lacing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6aNVJDXJ1KvldIHQHnyp1FN8HjoGx6NDrXTV0ZPrzgSMuI6Xn21fa39vXBbcT-4N-j_DYrV5PyRveTp8KsNpGe7Ck9QcumnqpgHK014Htiwxx0NOhpHMSMA4pKiB8D2j5oMOTCnoXDhTaPMqPgWAUI-FioAg4Sfd9KvcKJoJpMQjPyyFiOY0Yc3kj68/s4032/IMG_7343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The sandy head of Wake Up World Wide Stout." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6aNVJDXJ1KvldIHQHnyp1FN8HjoGx6NDrXTV0ZPrzgSMuI6Xn21fa39vXBbcT-4N-j_DYrV5PyRveTp8KsNpGe7Ck9QcumnqpgHK014Htiwxx0NOhpHMSMA4pKiB8D2j5oMOTCnoXDhTaPMqPgWAUI-FioAg4Sfd9KvcKJoJpMQjPyyFiOY0Yc3kj68/w240-h320/IMG_7343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />This stout reminds me of the first cabin trip Michelle and I took by ourselves. <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2016/10/103016-beer-beer-everywhere.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">I'd brought along with us a sixer I'd built at a local bottleshop, full of autumnal beers and pumpkin ales</span></a>. We kept a pot of coffee on that whole trip while we hiked and just vegged out, enjoying getting away from the world for a few days. Today's beer is, to me, a cloudy day under a blanket in that cabin, secluded, warming, and wonderful.<p></p><p>It should come as no great shock to you that I'm giving Dogfish Head's Wake Up World Wide Stout a 10/10. It's devilishly complex in its simplicity and it drinks like a beer of its heft should. What a killer way for me to celebrate my NaNo win!</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-58889748928531196282023-11-20T17:48:00.000-08:002023-11-20T17:48:59.917-08:0011/20/23: Tales from the Cellar--Goose Island Beer Co.'s Bourbon County Brand #4 Stout (Revisited)<p>I'm making the second post of 2023's Maple Month a fun one. I try to nab an extra bottle/can of the beers I discuss in November whenever I'm able, in the hope that I'm able to revisit them some Maple Month down the road. I have a small shelf in my beer cabinet dedicated to this.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8hcp4WA0fKfbgc8NMOUqgdCHl7dAR_iOOaOKDjsWK70w39rH94KzoaZ63slSADHS1fdaInd1Xq5xsHEWFV1ZtI8CWJMb6h6y8n1OdgYh9gPBkGnx95ja9sK_PAWVMx7DAZGs3MS2CV12-JnbKvlwKEywunKg8s31yehH1CLnavi3KWX5uwif6u3MaRY/s4032/IMG_7311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="BCBS #4 in a Goose Island stemmed glass beside its empty bottle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8hcp4WA0fKfbgc8NMOUqgdCHl7dAR_iOOaOKDjsWK70w39rH94KzoaZ63slSADHS1fdaInd1Xq5xsHEWFV1ZtI8CWJMb6h6y8n1OdgYh9gPBkGnx95ja9sK_PAWVMx7DAZGs3MS2CV12-JnbKvlwKEywunKg8s31yehH1CLnavi3KWX5uwif6u3MaRY/w320-h240/IMG_7311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Do you remember <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/11/112421-goose-island-beer-cos-bourbon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">two years back when I did up Goose Island's maple-forward Bourbon County Brand Stout</span></a>? I loved it, giving it my highest recommendation. Since I'm keeping things compressed this month, I figured I could break into my second (of two!) bottles of the beer today. Let's see if BCBS Special #4 is just as good at three years old as it was at one.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://www.gooseisland.com/about" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Goose Island's owned by AB InBev</span></a>. This has been true for twelve years. This also doesn't change the weight Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS) pulls in the craft beer community. Each Black Friday, these beers are sought with fervor, most selling out before your friendly neighborhood beer blogger can make it to his nearest bottleshop (yes, this is an anecdotal statement). The beer's good, InBev or no.</p><p>When I last tried this beer, I couldn't find any official presence of it on Goose Island's website. Well, with a little further internet sleuthing this time, I found <a href="https://www.gooseisland.com/beers/barrel-house-beers/bourbon-county-special-4-stout" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">its page</span></a>! #4 took <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/02/21521-tales-from-cellar-snow-day.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the standard BCBS</span></a> and added oats, coffee from Intelligentsia Coffee, and bourbon barrel-aged syrup from Ohio's Bissell Maple Farm. This resulted in a 13.8% ABV stout (the alcohol content's pulled from <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/11/112421-goose-island-beer-cos-bourbon.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">my 2021 review of the beer</span></a>) that's sweet, nutty, and fruity.</p><p>I have to hand it to Goose Island: The bouquet on this thing is sweet, it's nutty, and it's fruity. I'm first finding the coffee here, which brings the nuttiness along with dark chocolate and a little roastiness. Layered beneath this lies the maple syrup, sticky sweet, and dark fruit aromatics. There's an inexplicable smokiness that I can't quite place; this makes me think of crispy, freshly-fried thick-cut bacon. Beyond all this is bourbon barrel aging, bringing oak, vanilla, and no small amount of bourbon booziness. This is a beer that boasts an incredible amount of heft, yet smells like a fantastic breakfast. A fantastic boozy breakfast.</p><p>Purrl gave my bottle seven whiffs, so she seems to think the stout's improved with age (she gave it two whiffs two years ago). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GIIedODt-chiiso9X8XgZ2MNPlhmM1qiQGCDQxnHtML3mmOalT3XaZ_o1tDP0ALhx4IjsZAg7ef7zaftSyPcm9bCoj_q6oX_VqkYkgOJXe58R3qRwgyXhvV82tB_XYqbclXc1navn7K9gTWRK3J98m2duDv7lSWZ2sduoE9322PUp4fv377RIaGozko/s4032/IMG_7304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my bottle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GIIedODt-chiiso9X8XgZ2MNPlhmM1qiQGCDQxnHtML3mmOalT3XaZ_o1tDP0ALhx4IjsZAg7ef7zaftSyPcm9bCoj_q6oX_VqkYkgOJXe58R3qRwgyXhvV82tB_XYqbclXc1navn7K9gTWRK3J98m2duDv7lSWZ2sduoE9322PUp4fv377RIaGozko/w320-h240/IMG_7304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Ticking off the flavors in order as they hit my palate: black, dark roast coffee; an almost burnt chocolate; a light drizzle of maple syrup; those quintessential BBA flavors (vanilla, oak, bourbon); and plums and figs. The finish here is that burnt chocolate, black coffee, and boozy warmth. The maple flavor lingers on my lips after each sip.<p></p><p>Turning to the mouthfeel, and this thing's a monster. #4's a thick stout, thick to the extent that it drinks like how it looks. Just about chewy thick. Each small sip holds more weight than what it seemingly should. BCBS always nails how a stout should drink; this is no exception to that statement.</p><p>Speaking of how #4 looks, I poured it into a glass, so let's talk about it. The body of the stout is used motor oil, just as it was two years ago, with a little ruby shining through the edges of my glass as it catches the light. The head, which dissipates within seconds of pouring, is comprised of wet sand-colored bubbles of variable size. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLloPpayuX8iqjgR9iyUFgq1AF73q00WpeO4o3x0cWZuNfCnzc4x8VlP4s6a5xcMkkHDPfi8GfgB6YF4o_n7baFHthvxe2ZwDlNNvZxbOSiFg09cxUioddY7_MQqUrektIACCj48OLhX4yppyMRucFb8kAj4QJFsbZiglwNZk2lxOML2KlxzZ7P9KTG6g/s4032/IMG_7316.jpg"><img alt="Small head on #4" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLloPpayuX8iqjgR9iyUFgq1AF73q00WpeO4o3x0cWZuNfCnzc4x8VlP4s6a5xcMkkHDPfi8GfgB6YF4o_n7baFHthvxe2ZwDlNNvZxbOSiFg09cxUioddY7_MQqUrektIACCj48OLhX4yppyMRucFb8kAj4QJFsbZiglwNZk2lxOML2KlxzZ7P9KTG6g/w240-h320/IMG_7316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />When Michelle and I first started dating, we'd (pretty frequently) have Eggs Benedict for dinner, which is a far fancier breakfast for dinner that what I was ever used to. Hell, even now we still have it occasionally. We split cooking duties when we make it: she handles poaching the eggs and toasting the English muffins while I fry up the bacon (we use turkey bacon instead of Canadian bacon) and do up the Hollandaise sauce. <p></p><p>This is a meal I love and, although it features no maple syrup (if it did, I wouldn’t be able to name a meal I like more), this evening's beer would pair perfectly with it.</p><p>Look, I'm giving Bourbon County Brand #4 Stout at 10/10. This is my highest recommendation. It's drinking perfectly now (in the last two years, its fudginess has fallen off and been replaced by a certain smoky quality). My bottle warns that I'm consuming it after its best by date, which is fine with me. This is now richer and more robust than it was last time I had it. If you have a bottle of it you've been sitting on, now might just be the time to crack into it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a24r8Lorh5hkpWQFihwhMWRjlak1IjsnGhqZjxcuylvQ4yGGn83Py6hO5IL_lqX5qsXkwdZuYYvI86g53t-t6lEKTJ5aaB41Lrm9TtIzObAgAHogo9nxynOFbRz8wQ8YrquBb994pBRzr6Cr_3Cvqd5XLy5QXhuCuhdlJGe0kecdqYOL7kL9CRie1KY/s4032/IMG_7314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#4 best by date" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a24r8Lorh5hkpWQFihwhMWRjlak1IjsnGhqZjxcuylvQ4yGGn83Py6hO5IL_lqX5qsXkwdZuYYvI86g53t-t6lEKTJ5aaB41Lrm9TtIzObAgAHogo9nxynOFbRz8wQ8YrquBb994pBRzr6Cr_3Cvqd5XLy5QXhuCuhdlJGe0kecdqYOL7kL9CRie1KY/w320-h240/IMG_7314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-76348950803572345052023-11-16T14:45:00.000-08:002023-11-16T14:45:37.551-08:0011/16/23: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company's Rush Hollow Maple AleWelcome to Maple Month 2023! Yeah, we're over half-way through November now. I was sick. Sorry. The good news is that I only have three beers slated for discussion this month because, well, I'm doing <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">NaNoWriMo</span></a> again. After failing to cross the finish line last year (I only clocked 80% of the required 50k words), I'm dialing things back on the blog to make sure I can reach the event's goal this time.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4XzB3oj7FvLepZS_pVUWUpHfDS6Y-BXwDuaX5gaXD30IeYlq4c6twKUBc5MLWsgW1DO0tJb3evaL5CmVMG1oJsIrB4gX1NrRRZYD5AGYeBjqIyPf5IHUi5PomB52_Kl302F1vCl5j7BC2h_syZvvQBPbiGdAlAv1RZy1t8dqZ2QtO9K6PMM-IVoWKS8/s4032/IMG_7258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bottle of Rush Hollow on a shelf." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4XzB3oj7FvLepZS_pVUWUpHfDS6Y-BXwDuaX5gaXD30IeYlq4c6twKUBc5MLWsgW1DO0tJb3evaL5CmVMG1oJsIrB4gX1NrRRZYD5AGYeBjqIyPf5IHUi5PomB52_Kl302F1vCl5j7BC2h_syZvvQBPbiGdAlAv1RZy1t8dqZ2QtO9K6PMM-IVoWKS8/w320-h240/IMG_7258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>But, don't you fret; the three beers I have are all promising. Take today's ale, for instance. It's a bomber-sized 8.7% monster. I know, I know. You're probably sitting there saying, "Wait. I thought John typically does the heaviest hitters later in the month. Why's he doing such a big beer now?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the thing: all three beers I'll be doing up are heavy hitters. In fact, today's beer is the lightest of them. Although I won't be around as often as I typically am in November, expect me to drink some (hopefully!) good brews for your infotainment. </div><div><br />Now, with all of that out of the way, let's get to Toppling Goliath's Rush Hollow.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><a href="https://www.tgbrews.com/history" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Toppling Goliath</span></a> hails from Decorah, IA, where it was founded in 2009 by Clark and Barbara Lewey. The place gained notoriety through their IPAs and barrel program (which features the lauded Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout, a beer I've never even seen in the wild but would love to write about some November!).</div><div><br /></div><div>Believe it or not, <a href="https://www.tgbrews.com/rush-hollow-maple-ale" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Rush Hollow</span></a> isn't part of the brewery's barrel-aging program. This beer (which is, as stated previously, 8.7% ABV) is a rustic ale with my most favorite of adjuncts: pure maple syrup. Toppling Goliath bills it as a "...full-bodied ale with a hint of maple in the finish."</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtumjIVF2E5MGWV-NY8Yq34UcUEEUf8bKA5So6OzaJhTcOz7pcrqhyphenhyphen32w5gZd-Q7GClVsvhmJMOcSiw4ryKgXkbixM9ogNWCQJEzdWdbvTNgGCCxTMRvEU83YU6WhT3mYzN-v1BEXwfMHSRxZ3nubMYZpihDao6S2ss66-jadiB1-i-VdmXE_-ohSNWwI/s4032/IMG_7262.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The description on Rush Hollow's label." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtumjIVF2E5MGWV-NY8Yq34UcUEEUf8bKA5So6OzaJhTcOz7pcrqhyphenhyphen32w5gZd-Q7GClVsvhmJMOcSiw4ryKgXkbixM9ogNWCQJEzdWdbvTNgGCCxTMRvEU83YU6WhT3mYzN-v1BEXwfMHSRxZ3nubMYZpihDao6S2ss66-jadiB1-i-VdmXE_-ohSNWwI/w320-h240/IMG_7262.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight from the horse's mouth.</td></tr></tbody></table>My bottle (yes, I'm drinking this beer straight from the bomber containing it) boasts an incredible malty bouquet. I'm picking up on candied orange and caramel here, along with some slight smokiness, some toffee and, just maybe a hint of maple (I could easily see this "maple" being the sweetness of the malt playing off of the orange, though). I not finding much booze--that's fine, this is neither imperial nor barrel-aged. I just thought that, given the ABV, there'd be some. Overall, I like the bouquet, which is more than Purrl can claim; she gave my bottle five quick whiffs.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-upzdL_JRG0UMs6WRXc9RDGnekIMNYyI2cDirv5oDfpyBWbArDa9-w-_EV1lcpIQRlHIJn4UlekMInWELQK6psuV9XkgfCi7UV76LqGfDF11AlkPYRSMX0R_J-EyahahNKlvNzX2ctIXqFRAoRIzYerwjmkGCZSrTR0wqooiP29EajMt6dQfdUWvr08/s4032/IMG_7263.jpg"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my open bottle of Rush Hollow." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-upzdL_JRG0UMs6WRXc9RDGnekIMNYyI2cDirv5oDfpyBWbArDa9-w-_EV1lcpIQRlHIJn4UlekMInWELQK6psuV9XkgfCi7UV76LqGfDF11AlkPYRSMX0R_J-EyahahNKlvNzX2ctIXqFRAoRIzYerwjmkGCZSrTR0wqooiP29EajMt6dQfdUWvr08/w320-h240/IMG_7263.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The flavor's good and slightly rustic (if that's the word I'm looking for--it's the one most readily available to me that fits). I'm tasting the orange, toffee, and caramel noted above, along with an undercurrent of marshmallow. There's a smattering of big, obvious maple syrup flavor right between these core flavors and the finish, which is longer and drier than I'd've thought it'd be, although the maple does stick around for it. I want to liken the finish to black coffee, although the flavor's not really a fit for that (the dryness definitely is). I will say now that there's nothing in Rush Hollow's palate that denotes the 8.6% ABV--booziness is a ghost here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I find the mouthfeel to be bright and crisp. It bites at my tongue a little, but that's perfectly fitting for the style. This drinks quick and easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blame it on the marshmallow I'm picking up from the ale, blame it on the malty sweetness, the smokiness, or its bouquet, whatever--this is a perfect campfire beer. Drinking it, I can picture myself sitting outside with friends or loved ones around a roaring fire, roasting marshmallows and laughing beneath stars dotting the clear sky overhead. Pair that with a cold November evening and you have the recipe for one hell of a good time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Toppling Goliath's showing exactly why they're so lauded with Rush Hollow. It's a phenomenal start to Maple Month '23. It's big, yet lighter than I expected it to be, it's maple-syrup sweet, and it's a rock-solid 9.0/10. This is a high bar set for the month's two remaining beers.</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-22975694058714931042023-10-31T17:28:00.000-07:002023-10-31T17:28:00.461-07:0010/31/23: Southern Tier Brewing Company's Caramel Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale: A Halloween Post<p>Lo!, the veil now grows thin, weakening to a mere patch of gossamer hanging loose in its haphazard suspension betwixt our world and that of those who no longer walk amongst us. Devilry is afoot on this dark and unholy eve, dear reader. I hope that your curtains are drawn tightly over your windows. I hope that you are well-kept against the terror this night brings. I hope that should some manner of ghastly or gruesome creature call upon your door, you are able to appease its infernal appetite with what you are best able to offer, dispelling it forevermore from your dwelling.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOzA4KkYfXMcbZAdxwbcx2FxMSfRcaADBZavzVgBaaZZtdZozNupY_pU6-funEjtwzj-CcweDrtlSkFUO_zP0QiMDrWXnP2LS5c4n3tTda8N1VeQmIUGNIk2eS3TCaxGeG7LdhzrHuLNk01-RD0_3FPNb6E_CCkopmvxXi29MkTR_CtcFa5o-84_CCQM/s4032/IMG-7230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bottle of Caramel Pumking between a Halloween cat decoration and a Halloween countdown decoration that displays 00 days until Halloween." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOzA4KkYfXMcbZAdxwbcx2FxMSfRcaADBZavzVgBaaZZtdZozNupY_pU6-funEjtwzj-CcweDrtlSkFUO_zP0QiMDrWXnP2LS5c4n3tTda8N1VeQmIUGNIk2eS3TCaxGeG7LdhzrHuLNk01-RD0_3FPNb6E_CCkopmvxXi29MkTR_CtcFa5o-84_CCQM/w320-h240/IMG-7230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />What might you offer to this vision upon your step? Well, sweet treats may just suffice. Yet, if this monster prowls low as some horrid feline, something of greater heft and richness may be needed to make it leave you be. Would, perchance, a bottle of Southern Tier's Caramel Pumking would banish the beast? Perhaps, fellow cowerer in the dark. Perhaps.<span></span><p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>For two decades have those that would come to concoct this serum operated in the woods of New York state. It was there, in the settlement of Lakewood, that Phineas DeMink, Sara DeMink, and Skip Yahn performed the work of Victor Frankenstein himself, using parts from those that have come before to give new life to their mad phantasies. With equipment scavenged from Old Saddleback Brewing Co., this trio brought into this world a creation that would soon spread across these United States: <a href="https://stbcbeer.com/story/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Southern Tier Brewing Company</span></a>. Ill content with their inability to satiate demand for their elixirs, Yahn and the DeMinks established further hubs of production in Pennsylvania and Ohio to better allow the tendrils of their desires to spread across vale and hill, drowning our nation in both brew and spirit.</p><p>Those desires have manifested tonight in <a href="https://stbcbeer.com/beers/caramel-imperial-ale/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Caramel Pumking</span></a>, a brew of pumpkin and caramel. Dashed with alluring spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, the flesh of that autumnal emblem, the pumpkin itself, was amalgamated in a cauldron with the sticky sweetness of caramel to produce a potion of considerable (8.6% ABV) potency. Let us hope that I, he who is now made to sample this brew, contain within myself the fortitude necessary to stomach such a drink, the kind of which would bestow unto me the ability to withstand the horrors of All Hallows Eve.</p><p>Now, we have reached the end of our dissection of the beer. The night grows ever colder, ever darker, and there is but one thing yet to do! </p><p>With a pop, the cap pressed onto the bottle of Caramel Pumking is removed. Once the contents are exposed to the air, its aroma, enticing and alluring, billows into the room about me. Within this, I detect notes of caramel, chocolate, and graham cracker crust. The pumpkin spice, if it indeed lurks within the bowels of my bottle, is well-hidden, as is any hint that might denote the ale's alcohol content.</p><p>Egad! From the confines of her chamber in some forgotten corner of my home, Henrietta the Horrid prowls my halls now on this unholy eve! See in her evil eye that look that strikes dread into the very hearts of all good and hardy men! Silently does she approach my bottle. In fear do I offer it to her, that she might pass her terrible judgement upon its contents. Fourteen whiffs does she make at the elixir's glass encasement before turning to vanish once more into the darkness from whence she had come. I, grateful to still breathe after such a harrowing encounter, sit shaking upon my chair, Caramel Pumking in hand.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcB5uIe5vFAgByF9wZ_ASu6jWhsn8NhVz-vAH_lbIKAFGVxxEYSl8lF2K8e1eRhSAgGiunqpd5zYshdHRwKSeti0ail0MSvupi5QSzov18nMntfnwoIID6hLnq-NEf0Z1jon3bX0PFyN4lKseDH-kwMgmmSX4TpWa86CjI8nr_VNIzBHGuPI7bsoZt9o/s4032/IMG-7232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat Henrietta the Horrid sniffing at a bottle of Caramel Pumking." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcB5uIe5vFAgByF9wZ_ASu6jWhsn8NhVz-vAH_lbIKAFGVxxEYSl8lF2K8e1eRhSAgGiunqpd5zYshdHRwKSeti0ail0MSvupi5QSzov18nMntfnwoIID6hLnq-NEf0Z1jon3bX0PFyN4lKseDH-kwMgmmSX4TpWa86CjI8nr_VNIzBHGuPI7bsoZt9o/w320-h240/IMG-7232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />As a means of restoring to me my strength and wits, I take a pull of the ale from my bottle. My heart settles whilst I contemplate the flavors dancing upon my tongue: The chocolate I first divined in the serum's bouquet is here absent. The tastes playing upon my palate are graham cracker, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices, and caramel, before a warmth of alcohol stirs within me, rushing to my core, restoring me to the man I was before my terrifying experience but mere moments ago.<p></p><p>All that's left once the flavor finishes is a sharp sensation upon the tip of my tongue and a warmth clinging tightly to my cheeks. A second pull of Caramel Pumking brings me the potion in a certain fullness, which is befitting of it's strength and imperial stature.</p><p>The lights within our Jack-o'-lanterns have now burned low. Soon, the witching hour's darkness will enshroud our porch, bringing with it all those who would use this night to bedevil the living ere the veil waxes once more. With luck, I hope to find myself in my bedsheets and fast asleep should some spectre call upon my door, that I might ignore its mournful wail and, instead, dream of more peaceful and happier times. </p><p>All that I have left to do ere I slumber through what horrors may yet come this eve is announce what I would rate this bottle of Southern Tier Brewing Company's Caramel Pumking Imperial Ale. I would provide this beer with a scoring of 9.0/10. There is something hauntingly delectable about this brew that those mad creatives at Southern Tier have produced, whether their workings were sorcery, science, or some strange combination of the two. For now, I must bid you farewell, dear reader. I hope that you weather this night of horrors as best you may. I leave you with only this: Happy Halloween!</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-89778089084801542802023-10-27T18:32:00.002-07:002023-10-27T18:32:10.771-07:0010/27/23: Ellicottville Brewing Company's Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Ale with Coffee and Pumpkin<p>I've had two Ellicottville beers on the blog, and neither have made an impression on me that goes above "meh." Four years ago it was <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2019/10/10419-ellicottville-brewing-companys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Pumpkinville Latte</span></a>, which I gave a 7.5/10. I tried their <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2020/03/3420-ellicottville-brewing-companys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Blueberry Maple Pancake</span></a> five months later--that one ended up with a 7.0/10.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhday4dYM0lh6i5SCbpacCZZNJS3cwyw7PlMkl0_ktM8zzxpfhBZThJLNzlIlDE1BPrOxsLSzBuY99XI0DECysuBR7Yk6PLZ25AGXzsIW7E03PQC-nCaHpDWh_C9MWWypbw6TZ4YDpbZfR3SYo2UGIgTfUB9J3fKAoRsglj8HA6wpzYq8OqpnQQxW3bBe8/s4032/IMG-7217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhday4dYM0lh6i5SCbpacCZZNJS3cwyw7PlMkl0_ktM8zzxpfhBZThJLNzlIlDE1BPrOxsLSzBuY99XI0DECysuBR7Yk6PLZ25AGXzsIW7E03PQC-nCaHpDWh_C9MWWypbw6TZ4YDpbZfR3SYo2UGIgTfUB9J3fKAoRsglj8HA6wpzYq8OqpnQQxW3bBe8/s320/IMG-7217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Why, then, did I grab today's can when I saw it at my local bottleshop? I have two reasons: 1) I'm easily swayed by anything with the Headless Horseman on it and 2) I'm always allured by barrel aging. <p></p><p>Here in our just-east-of-Cincinnati home, our pumpkins will soon be carved and our toddler's fast asleep. Now's the perfect time to find out if Ellicottville's Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Ale with Coffee and Pumpkin (a collaboration with <a href="https://ironsmokedistillery.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Iron Smoke Distillery</span></a>) is scary good or frighteningly mediocre.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>A ski trip to Colorado inspired Ellicottville founder, Peter Kreinheder, to open a brewery in 1995 in the middle of New York's ski country: Ellicottville. Nearly thirty years later, Ellicottville (the brewery, not the village) operates five brewpubs and boasts a 75,000 square-foot production facility. Don't believe me? Head over to <a href="https://www.ellicottvillebrewing.com/our-history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">their "Our History" page</span></a> to read for yourself.</p><p>Okay, here's where things get interesting for me. I wasn't sure what I was in for when I picked up today's can. Looking at <a href="https://untappd.com/b/ellicottville-brewing-company-barrel-aged-pumpkin-with-iron-smoke/4459860" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Untappd, where the beer's called "Barrel Aged Pumpkin with Iron Smoke"</span></a> (so I'll call it Barrel Aged Pumpkin from here on out), it says it's base is just Pumpkinville Latte. <a href="https://www.ellicottvillebrewing.com/ebc-ironsmoke/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Ellicottville's website</span></a> calls it "Pumpkinville Latte with Iron Smoke." I wasn't impressed with Pumpkinville Latte when I drank it. Both pages linked in this paragraph bill the beer as a 6.5% ABV ale that's aged for over half a year in Iron Smoke whiskey barrels. They both say to expect coffee, vanilla, oak, autumn spice and, you guessed it, pumpkin. The official Ellicottville also promises a certain smokiness.</p><p>Purrl gave my can of Barrel Aged Pumpkin thirty-eight whiffs! I'm not sure she liked its bouquet as much as she was intrigued by it. And, giving it a whiff or two myself, I get that. I get straight whiskey, roasted pumpkin (good and gourdy), coffee, vanilla, cream cheese frosting, and an oaky warmth. It's a super complex bouquet, with each individual component vying for the top spot on any given waft. Like I said, it's intriguing but, beyond that, I'm not sure what to make of the nose.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntgKhiKcHyfqs2WC6YXiMtB1ORGJaIUsXlZiFo51nGhUdq6ogULi7v0lZOHVmeh4ESRgMmZEfukx0-GYeU8O_wkrOfs9pm1BroaJzgoj7XfCCPZTktpie4RRFywlMIL-MAINzfoVCAVX3m7_YZ14mmWzRUcO3j3JtD_upeRt1Qnh84u0IdGd_GYB2rL8/s4032/IMG-7219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntgKhiKcHyfqs2WC6YXiMtB1ORGJaIUsXlZiFo51nGhUdq6ogULi7v0lZOHVmeh4ESRgMmZEfukx0-GYeU8O_wkrOfs9pm1BroaJzgoj7XfCCPZTktpie4RRFywlMIL-MAINzfoVCAVX3m7_YZ14mmWzRUcO3j3JtD_upeRt1Qnh84u0IdGd_GYB2rL8/s320/IMG-7219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />My first swig is sweet: lactose and some vanilla. My second's all black coffee with a hint of unmixed in non-dairy creamer. The third's a sort of charred flavor--which I'd guess is attributable to the oak of the whiskey barrels, but I'm not certain--with that lactose sweetness coming around again. There's some pumpkin spice in here, but not too much. The complexity of the bouquet added to the appeal of the beer. In the flavor profile, however, that same complexity comes across as disjointed in a way that takes me out of the experience of drinking ale. And that sweetness is just too damn much.<p></p><p>The mouthfeel on Barrel Aged Pumpkin is full and smooth. It's almost creamy.</p><p>Like I said earlier, Michelle and I are on the cusp of carving our pumpkins. I love setting our Jack-o'-lanterns out on the porch when we're done, lighting the tea candles inside of them so they can flicker out against the night while we turn in. I can't explain why, but that's what this evening's beer is bringing to mind.</p><p>Look, I'd like to tell you I enjoy Ellicottville's Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Ale with Coffee and Pumpkin. But I can't. The beer itself is somehow even more clunky than its name, with an overwhelming sweetness that becomes more and more off-putting as I drink my way through this pint. I'm giving the beer a 6.0/10. This is the last Ellicottville brew you'll see here; I've finally learned my lesson.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-10247740147272835432023-10-22T19:09:00.004-07:002023-10-24T17:46:51.878-07:0010/22/23: Seventh Son Brewing Company's Mr. Owl<p><b>WE INTERRUPT OUR STANDARD OCTOBER PUMPKIN BEER CONTENT TO BRING YOU THIS SPECIAL POST.</b></p><p>I got into birding last year. Michelle and I were expecting and figured the hobby would 1) be free (minus a guide, a notebook, and a cheap pair of binoculars) and 2) train me to be observant; both these aspects are important in the life of a new dad.</p><p>My big goal of birding was to see an owl in the wild. I hear them frequently from my porch (we have both great horned and barred owls around here) but they always take wing before I can draw near to where they're perched and singing. I knew that, with persistence, it was only a matter of time before I saw one of the raptors. In preparation, I bought a single can of Seventh Son's Mr. Owl to discuss on the blog to honor the occasion of adding one of these guys to my life list.</p><p>Well, guess what! I'm drinking and discussing Mr. Owl today. I saw an owl--two, at that! The pair of great horneds were in a tree outside my house when I took Lottie out this morning. I quickly ushered her back indoors one her business was through before spending a good twenty minutes watching and listening to the birds (and hearing another pair some distance from our house that I couldn't see) until a flock of mallards flew too close to the tree and spooked them away. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwYVA-CoePBDRxLkx_rFJOPEuwYwa0gpcyVfJRvN4tZbaojZd7z_4dOef23lkeFtqIcBvWyRbyvH6kGqMhUCBKM9o-mKXnef9wohBUuuIVC3mrekE11XO4Y3toFW1vzYBH_n1tdctlkIdgBT_jvoMkyvJIiJHbqYBCYgRZFJDoiDgtVizcfumGjsqRSI/s4032/IMG-7190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwYVA-CoePBDRxLkx_rFJOPEuwYwa0gpcyVfJRvN4tZbaojZd7z_4dOef23lkeFtqIcBvWyRbyvH6kGqMhUCBKM9o-mKXnef9wohBUuuIVC3mrekE11XO4Y3toFW1vzYBH_n1tdctlkIdgBT_jvoMkyvJIiJHbqYBCYgRZFJDoiDgtVizcfumGjsqRSI/s320/IMG-7190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This post will feature the audio and (admittedly terrible) pictures I took of the pair while they were visiting.<p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Seventh Son's "Story" page is defunct and hidden on their website. Lucky for you, I have <a href="https://www.seventhsonbrewing.com/story-old"><span style="color: #783f04;">the link to it</span></a>. The brewery operates in Columbus, OH's Italian Village. Its owners have been friends since they were in middle school. Turns out long-lasting friendship makes for great beer. Who knew?</p><p>Mr. Owl's not listed on Seventh Son's website, so we'll get our info from <a href="https://untappd.com/b/seventh-son-brewing-company-mr-owl/581623" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Untappd</span></a>. It's an 8.5% ABV double India brown ale (according to my can--Untappd doesn't mention "India" the beer's style). It's a Tootsie Pop-inspired beer brewed with candi syrup that boasts notes milk chocolate, orange zest, and tropical fruit.</p><p>In my glass (okay, it's actually Michelle's glass--she loved the original Who Cooks for You Jackie O's design so I got it for her. I couldn't not use an owl glass for this beer), Mr. Owl's the color of cold brew coffee with a fluffy, intricate and varied sandy head.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2833qhNgQRgAO8NelNo3yoLYuRkmww0HU9111rpLELtts_swtfqvrlrAlixz7mJlqgR7p0vLADXtN4LKmQ8vv0rkeUqPYhyphenhyphen-G70UD4SzzjqaD_xAuBkjGPKbXSsv2U5oDZYiBMxGjI_qEmMtPDle7J5pNnfdQjt9TsLBw5SMCsrIXFcTXQnyV7xpBRw/s4032/IMG-7186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A close-up of Mr. Owl's head in my glass." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2833qhNgQRgAO8NelNo3yoLYuRkmww0HU9111rpLELtts_swtfqvrlrAlixz7mJlqgR7p0vLADXtN4LKmQ8vv0rkeUqPYhyphenhyphen-G70UD4SzzjqaD_xAuBkjGPKbXSsv2U5oDZYiBMxGjI_qEmMtPDle7J5pNnfdQjt9TsLBw5SMCsrIXFcTXQnyV7xpBRw/w320-h240/IMG-7186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The bouquet's definitely reminiscent of an Orange Tootsie Pop. The orange zest and citrusy hops come through first, followed by the chocolatey malts (with a hint of coffee here, too). It's a big and juicy nose, which might be why Lottie gave my glass twenty-three whiffs. I get that--I've given it at least as many.<p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81J5qhyphenhyphennHMMinU5688fWsUJ1OopEsc3HZLpgeKzcRaX_s0ZfoG5uLKap3s-nOR7gH4lWBAr9ThLTggCd3KQ-S6Wx8iJCQNqQImSdDhLJM5Qmb9JCxiPKyHGQwVZQN8jL2YuWBQ1BPazhaR8capeCwOcR1BEed5BbQ4tSBrY-eZ3X-2_T8faOMd8C5x-A/s3321/IMG-7193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A blurry picture of Lottie sniffing my beer." border="0" data-original-height="2488" data-original-width="3321" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81J5qhyphenhyphennHMMinU5688fWsUJ1OopEsc3HZLpgeKzcRaX_s0ZfoG5uLKap3s-nOR7gH4lWBAr9ThLTggCd3KQ-S6Wx8iJCQNqQImSdDhLJM5Qmb9JCxiPKyHGQwVZQN8jL2YuWBQ1BPazhaR8capeCwOcR1BEed5BbQ4tSBrY-eZ3X-2_T8faOMd8C5x-A/w320-h240/IMG-7193.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry it's out of focus--she's four now and still a little ball of energy.</td></tr></tbody></table>On the flavor front, the ale's more subdued than I'd expected from its aroma.There's some fruitiness here--orange, namely, but with some lime and guava--that lingers into the finish, but the chocolate's the star of the show. This isn't overpowering, it's just the most prominent note present. It takes on an almost savory flavor as it carries into the long finish with the citrus. There's a little booze, but not enough to make me think: "Wow. This is absolutely an 8.5% ABV beer."</p><p>Each swig's smooth. This beer doesn't have a lot of bite (I've aged it for more than a year, but I doubt that'd knock out too much carbonation, right?), only the ghost of one half-heartedly nibbling at the back of my tongue.</p><p>Okay, let's get to the owls I saw. Like I said, they were in a tree by my house this morning (just before dawn), so my pictures are a little not great. But here's what I have!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOChYit-0m7MZSunso64crGJ7Em6scaXEW2Kn_dA9azmOdorDAb2kAs-zHuHJXJBTRKoCE4ev-Vio1hX310mVzwr5lxTVZxl_OONmp1MAk65gxD5fmxhZSoEDoa3EiWpPBCyVC1CGNGFPa1Y-yifZvd-YWeRfqUPvxcFzUSZwEdviYRZpp6GTEC4lnau8/s4032/IMG-7170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Owls in a tree" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOChYit-0m7MZSunso64crGJ7Em6scaXEW2Kn_dA9azmOdorDAb2kAs-zHuHJXJBTRKoCE4ev-Vio1hX310mVzwr5lxTVZxl_OONmp1MAk65gxD5fmxhZSoEDoa3EiWpPBCyVC1CGNGFPa1Y-yifZvd-YWeRfqUPvxcFzUSZwEdviYRZpp6GTEC4lnau8/w240-h320/IMG-7170.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair in the tree.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbBqHFF4oiCS-wo1TbNor45BAccnSw8hg5fTVX2yymFI776AeZKRcUw7FADqKY_jVtm8b-EDYbc3DayYSXQ_u7WzW8BXjRUuymSNW3thqDj8hErpA7LMthqgJJltxniw2E8_y_u0sVKUBv4qhmZSW3VLf2hnZv-CRAHCnpdE6iTxqSKNaD6o6u3QvAZU/s4032/IMG-7175.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owl in a tree." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbBqHFF4oiCS-wo1TbNor45BAccnSw8hg5fTVX2yymFI776AeZKRcUw7FADqKY_jVtm8b-EDYbc3DayYSXQ_u7WzW8BXjRUuymSNW3thqDj8hErpA7LMthqgJJltxniw2E8_y_u0sVKUBv4qhmZSW3VLf2hnZv-CRAHCnpdE6iTxqSKNaD6o6u3QvAZU/w240-h320/IMG-7175.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_v0WQaGAbsWqlxgMrvjCvU4LMUt3MvKSdGsncaMXmko_bTqnUFf0e27Q09GFd6gfWG0vA13i_y_uOesJCfbU3KJXMMDmwpmf7Nx1ADRCNEgaZ1n5G5cwVY7oNPyvEmA6tTQGFrd_FnvmLGVEocWIhyphenhyphen0Dz5pPw1U7Ne9XNzf5Q5zmSEXr48Lz6MbTs9M/s4032/IMG-7165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owl in a tree." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_v0WQaGAbsWqlxgMrvjCvU4LMUt3MvKSdGsncaMXmko_bTqnUFf0e27Q09GFd6gfWG0vA13i_y_uOesJCfbU3KJXMMDmwpmf7Nx1ADRCNEgaZ1n5G5cwVY7oNPyvEmA6tTQGFrd_FnvmLGVEocWIhyphenhyphen0Dz5pPw1U7Ne9XNzf5Q5zmSEXr48Lz6MbTs9M/w240-h320/IMG-7165.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FiukF1qswJC3WpUBbZ-j83KqzJ6SlbmE88Rvmcj1blOLxBs-eOaQr4FvpX0BG6CbdZxgyOokiFxnzh4ORUW4BubJhsOVxIswMp-QntssvQNhdE5mH3bC_2Twekvmt2vxHEmkpuqKsZddlFrJTu8XCZML3b9NCmDETUPsrAevR4Aa7kCzVjOwEW73UOI/s4032/IMG-7176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owl in a tree." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FiukF1qswJC3WpUBbZ-j83KqzJ6SlbmE88Rvmcj1blOLxBs-eOaQr4FvpX0BG6CbdZxgyOokiFxnzh4ORUW4BubJhsOVxIswMp-QntssvQNhdE5mH3bC_2Twekvmt2vxHEmkpuqKsZddlFrJTu8XCZML3b9NCmDETUPsrAevR4Aa7kCzVjOwEW73UOI/w240-h320/IMG-7176.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I know some of these are Bigfoot-level photos. I'm not a photographer.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19L-W5FD9sVs4fLsFOqodpFAx-a72m0QD/view?usp=share_link" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Here's the audio</span></a>; I've uploaded it to Google Drive for your convenience. You can stream it there or even download it if you so desire. In it, you can hear the owls (along with other early-morning birds and people-oriented mechanical sounds).</div><div><br /></div><div>Seventh Son's Mr. Owl's really the perfect beer for me to drink in celebration of my witnessing these two truly awesome birds. I'm glad, nearly eighteen months ago (when I first got into birding), that I thought to grab it to stash it away for such a personal victory in the hobby. It's a 10/10 beer. If Seventh Son ever re-releases it, I'll need to get another can for when I (hopefully) inevitably spot a barred owl.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-46605863832015515152023-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:002023-10-12T04:00:47.654-07:0010/11/23: Royal Docks Brewing Company's Pumpkinslayer <p>Our second beer for the month is the final of two pumpkin-themed ales I picked up post-Halloween last year. You can tell this is last year's can because it has the old label art (which I prefer--the new one isn't as fantasy-driven, going from the check-in pictures on <a href="https://untappd.com/b/royal-docks-brewing-co-pumpkinslayer/3963056" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the ale's Untappd page</span></a>).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSfpnqZ3vRxxPeN5ehjABKboEwM0oynv6ZEULOpaSwCwRiXRYtkMDjnBbt60X_67n_QXyNx2T5HP3WAPBmxWvb3iKi542JpMulA7TdNsj3Y1fqVz-pmTs3h_S3w9dL7NFO8G5MAulJHh-fH6zz4U6d8v4xNEArQnkgGBwarU68-QRp8vjDodEQGUlhBY/s4032/IMG-7117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Pumpkinslayer by my Halloween countdown decoration." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSfpnqZ3vRxxPeN5ehjABKboEwM0oynv6ZEULOpaSwCwRiXRYtkMDjnBbt60X_67n_QXyNx2T5HP3WAPBmxWvb3iKi542JpMulA7TdNsj3Y1fqVz-pmTs3h_S3w9dL7NFO8G5MAulJHh-fH6zz4U6d8v4xNEArQnkgGBwarU68-QRp8vjDodEQGUlhBY/w320-h240/IMG-7117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today, we're doing Royal Docks' Pumpkinslayer, which I grabbed from a bottleshop in my hometown while visiting with my folks during the last Christmas season. It came in a four-pack, and I drank three cans of it in pretty quick succession during the end of December '22 and beginning of January '23. I liked it then. Let's see if I still like it nine months removed.<span><br /></span><p></p><a name='more'></a>Here's a fun game for you: Take a shot every time you read the word "culture" in the following paragraph.<p></p><p>Royal Docks is the shared vision of John and Adriana Bikis and Dave Sutula. See, John and Adriana feel in love with England's pub culture while living in London. When they came back to Canton, OH, they wanted to start a brewery paying tribute that culture. That's where Dave comes in; having cut his brewing teeth in the UK, he joined up with John and Adriana to found RDBC in 2015. You can hit up <a href="https://www.docks.beer/culture" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">their "Our Culture" page</span></a> for more information.</p><p>Unfortunately, Pumpkinslayer isn't presently present on RDBC's website (<a href="https://www.docks.beer/pumpkinsla" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the Pumpkinslayer URL</span></a> actually leads to the page for the brewery's Royal Dark). So, allow me to relink t<a href="https://untappd.com/b/royal-docks-brewing-co-pumpkinslayer/3963056" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">he Pumpkinslayer Untappd page</span></a> linked in the first part of this post. Here, we learn not only that this 7.7% blonde ale's brewed with coffee, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, and cinnamon (so, no pumpkins were harmed in the crafting of this beer) but that Pumpkinslayer just won a bronze medal at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival*. </p><p>The nose here is black coffee (medium roast), baking chocolate, cinnamon, and a touch (not a punch) of pumpkin spice. This smells like an early fall morning, the kind where you wake up before the sun, brew your coffee, and sit and stare dark outside of your window with your warm mug in hand. In short, it's wonderful. Háma, who's always my early morning companion, agrees; he gave my can fourteen whiffs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7XO9XnBQZm1Y02j63PeyXv7Eu9s6dRPEY450sGtUkTbajPwy2eQ1ugky7tiYzkSCDw-SSAwaBk21OGufIYf6OU5NpDs1hsm5SrjoYAvPOu7vkeUg2Hc4aW6699u-li1qennOuPlbo9AYK1FYBWQQNTWzwpoWFTvf2cifLjfPCkCDwLppxtt8uqJkroQ/s4032/IMG-7121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat Háma giving my can fourteen whiffs." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7XO9XnBQZm1Y02j63PeyXv7Eu9s6dRPEY450sGtUkTbajPwy2eQ1ugky7tiYzkSCDw-SSAwaBk21OGufIYf6OU5NpDs1hsm5SrjoYAvPOu7vkeUg2Hc4aW6699u-li1qennOuPlbo9AYK1FYBWQQNTWzwpoWFTvf2cifLjfPCkCDwLppxtt8uqJkroQ/w320-h240/IMG-7121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pumpkinslayer's flavor profile closely mirrors its bouquet: black coffee, chocolate (dark this here, though), and those good seasonal spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and some allspice). There's a bit of boozy warmth in the back of my throat after each successive swig. The finish is pumpkin spice coffee, mellow earthy hops, and a bit of stand-out nutmeg. It's flavor is simple, yet effective. I can't say anything here screams "blonde ale," though.<p></p><p>This ale's a tad bitey, and not wholly from the carbonation: The spice blend used here is sharp on the tongue, like what you'd find in a good root beer.</p><p>You know what? Let's circle back to that dark fall morning coffee routine I brought up briefly earlier. </p><p>One of my favorite things about summer mornings is eating my breakfast on our front porch, while the sun shines down and the rousing dawn chorus swells from the tree line beside our house. This is something that I don't do in the fall.</p><p>When the mornings get to be dark and cold, I become an inside-dweller. I wake up, take Lottie out, and get coffee brewing before hopping in the shower. When I'm out and all dried off, I pour myself a cup, which I nurse while looking out of our kitchen window as I wait for my egg to fry. I stare at the single streetlight on our road, it's brilliant orange light standing in stark contrast to the pooling darkness around it.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTwdianXJCvz2Gww84IviqRZiNYAcsi8SAqtedkpRA_U8mHMWMBw0s9ehyub3Gnkgo1HkZJJRjeBp-RWVTfN1IaXbiG60h1uJmOSavrJCRWQjWkdyoDuEVprB_9O47ojfVwv1Ocz2WGn379ox4F61Kix-fv3-andpZS-BsZiTPp2IwXT0pgK7gkSJM9I/s4032/IMG-7129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My morning coffee against the dark outside." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTwdianXJCvz2Gww84IviqRZiNYAcsi8SAqtedkpRA_U8mHMWMBw0s9ehyub3Gnkgo1HkZJJRjeBp-RWVTfN1IaXbiG60h1uJmOSavrJCRWQjWkdyoDuEVprB_9O47ojfVwv1Ocz2WGn379ox4F61Kix-fv3-andpZS-BsZiTPp2IwXT0pgK7gkSJM9I/w320-h240/IMG-7129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't do the orange of the light or darkness of the sky justice.</td></tr></tbody></table>Today's ale is like that. It's the calm moment on an October morning before you start getting going.<p></p><p>Royal Docks' Pumpkinslayer is a mighty fine ale. I love the dark fantasy aesthetic of my can nearly as much as I love what it houses. I'm giving it a 9.5/10. I'm willing to bet this'll be hard to top this season.</p><p>*Unrelated note: A good buddy of mine went to the GABF last month and I'm super duper jealous of him for doing that.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-22652482589375463882023-10-09T17:49:00.003-07:002023-10-10T11:34:58.194-07:0010/9/23: Lone Pine Brewing Company's Pumpkin Party<p>I don't care that most of last week was in the 80-degree range. It's October. It's finally, finally October. And, here in week two of the month, a chill is beginning to settle upon the region. What's the weather going to be in a few days? Who cares? It's cool now. The nights are dark and lengthening. Let's dive into pumpkin season.</p><p>The first beer of Spooky Finger Puppet Ghost Month 2023 is something I picked up after '22's pumpkin beer season. I saw an eight-pack of it on my local bottleshop's shelves and couldn't resist the impulse purchase. I drank the first seven in pretty quick succession but have held onto the the final can for today. I'll let you know what I remember about the ale: It's light and I like it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PdTI0ReHYcu2xQ-5g-1jpTWTssBIklvN-My8QAovUhHLLNeYJxpTjtJ7HstCRmlFU5ldpssgdNtbhKKBN7h6HjNMuTTwjvB-CLS3BJkvKl96brlbvIb8zmlptZQIegDqMBUjHvRdTPCsomo0ruU1YSVddfJ7GAo_3CuYC9hyphenhyphenP7gQ33cmf30eA_gIMj0/s4032/IMG-7110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Pumpkin Party beside my Halloween countdown decoration." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PdTI0ReHYcu2xQ-5g-1jpTWTssBIklvN-My8QAovUhHLLNeYJxpTjtJ7HstCRmlFU5ldpssgdNtbhKKBN7h6HjNMuTTwjvB-CLS3BJkvKl96brlbvIb8zmlptZQIegDqMBUjHvRdTPCsomo0ruU1YSVddfJ7GAo_3CuYC9hyphenhyphenP7gQ33cmf30eA_gIMj0/w320-h240/IMG-7110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The beer's from Lone Pine (makers of <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2021/07/7421-lone-pine-brewing-companys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">my favorite Independence Day beer not brewed for Independence Day</span></a>). Grab yourself a drink and find a blanket for the cold. This evening, we're drinking Pumpkin Party.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://lonepinebrewery.com/about-lone-pine/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Lone Pine</span></a> was founded in Portland, ME in 2016. Two years later, they were the fourth-fastest growing brewery in the country; a year later, they opened a second location in Gorham, ME. Throughout the expansion of their physical space and their distribution footprint (hi, I can find them easily in Cincinnati), the brewery's still devoted to conservation and sourcing their ingredients locally.</p><p><a href="https://lonepinebrewery.com/beers/seasonal/pumpkin-party/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Pumpkin Party</span></a>'s a 4.2% ABV pumpkin ale that's brewed with pumpkins and an autumnal spice blend. The brewery's tasting notes for the beer is "Lightweight Pumpkin." "Lightweight" is the operative word here, which pairs perfectly with what I remember of the ale.</p><p>The nose on Pumpkin Party is light (but not slight): It's brown ale through and through, with roasted malt, chocolate, graham crackers, and brown sugar. Behind this there's pumpkin spice (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe a touch of ginger). I can't say for certain whether I'm picking up on any actual pumpkin or if I'm just imagining that it's present--if it is in the bouquet, it's incredibly faint. What I'm sure I'm finding is a touch of hoppy bitterness kicking around that doesn't really detract from the ale's overall maltiness. I like how Pumpkin Party smells--it's nose is mild but layered. Purrl? Not so much--she only gave my can four whiffs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHu7e9N8HpYOkPHD9DNNJoUAseHY6RyY2LWcqmL24qYVRnI0sucW9CkzNK4EuznqFVmR-OBGIKA30klhp80fSsRgQCJSZ47QNzpRFWV6g5bSb2a50Z7ZQD-R0vguYAoyq6bMS9gexh5ZoP_2uGhvOLPdBlQ-dBmfA-y4iATGO7lc1ZbJw8Li4sQHdXCg/s4032/IMG-7112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl smelling my can of Pumpkin Party." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHu7e9N8HpYOkPHD9DNNJoUAseHY6RyY2LWcqmL24qYVRnI0sucW9CkzNK4EuznqFVmR-OBGIKA30klhp80fSsRgQCJSZ47QNzpRFWV6g5bSb2a50Z7ZQD-R0vguYAoyq6bMS9gexh5ZoP_2uGhvOLPdBlQ-dBmfA-y4iATGO7lc1ZbJw8Li4sQHdXCg/w320-h240/IMG-7112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Surprisingly, the flavor profile here is somewhat at odds with the bouquet. It isn't necessarily opposing it, but they don't quite match. I'm finding molasses with a little bit of marshmallow and a hint of vanilla. It's not as spicy as I thought it'd be from the aroma. I'm finding those bitter hops, though, carrying into the slender finish with the roasted malts from Pumpkin Party's grain bill.<p></p><p>The beer feels light in my mouth. There's carbonation, sure, but it's not overpowering. It's subtle, but not anything I'd call "thin." It's airy, I guess. Pleasantly carbonated.</p><p>Pumpkin Party reminds me of Athens, OH at Halloween. You know the deal for college kids on that night when the veil thins: Dress up, head out, mill about to see what the rest of the town's doing, and hit up a party or two before the inevitable crash of the approaching dawn.</p><p>Those parties typically involve beer, usually of the light (or lite) variety. Swap out that cheap macro stuff for this sweet spiced ale and you'd have a hit. Take note, college kids.</p><p>Lone Pine's Pumpkin Party gets an 8.0/10 from the blog. It's a good pumpkin beer and definitely something to reach for if you don't want all the heft that can usually be associated with this style. I'm happy that I've enjoyed both Lone Pine beers I've had--I can't wait to try whatever else they make.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-64860095329567645852023-09-29T12:21:00.001-07:002023-09-29T12:21:38.615-07:009/29/23: Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier<blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><i>In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus: Eins, zwei, g'suffa!</i></div><div><i>Da läuft so manches Fäßchen aus:</i></div><div><i>Eins, zwei, g'suffa!</i></div><div><i>Da hat so mancher brave Mann:</i></div><div><i>Eins, zwei, g'suffa!</i></div><div><i>Gezeigt was er so vertragen kann</i></div><div><i>Schon früh am Morgen fing er an</i></div><div><i>Und spät am Abend kam er heraus</i></div><div><i>So schön ist's im Hofbräuhaus.</i></div></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mjGWXbLucHvafWVKMeLPG9UuUncQtneFocTqaVHFXyuYDr_iODvivORfJ1DLpEQjjAoNvTsZcv5PbD7ucVSft2u6IjH9fThYb8hw90IEsDmHY-rsP_gQsjVhfOsQvrTKULDbvJrDBmPiZthJqv5PPpRDzH8gGF33siRsLEB9kTd9a38TcJZVmAVKLXc/s4032/IMG-7038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bottle and mug of Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mjGWXbLucHvafWVKMeLPG9UuUncQtneFocTqaVHFXyuYDr_iODvivORfJ1DLpEQjjAoNvTsZcv5PbD7ucVSft2u6IjH9fThYb8hw90IEsDmHY-rsP_gQsjVhfOsQvrTKULDbvJrDBmPiZthJqv5PPpRDzH8gGF33siRsLEB9kTd9a38TcJZVmAVKLXc/w320-h240/IMG-7038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here we are, my friends, at the end of September. There's a cackle and a howl upon the night wind, ready to usher in Spooky Finger Puppet Ghost Month. But, before we let in the vampires and ghouls, we have one beer left for Oktoberfest season. A special lager, straight from Munich: Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Hofbräu's been around nearly as long as the <i>Reinheitsgebot</i>, which is the German beer purity law that specifies beer can only be brewed with malt, water, and hops (yeast was later added when humanity came to better understand it). It's only 73 years younger. Sure that may seem like a long time by American beer standards but once you realize that Hofbräu was founded in 1589 by Duke William V of Bavaria, that three-quarters of a century doesn't seem like that long of time.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the nearly-four and a half centuries Hofbräu's been making beer, they've seen (and done--we're talking creating storied beer styles, here!) a lot. Far too much for me to detail in a single blog post. Please allow me to direct you to <a href="https://www.hofbraeu-muenchen.de/en/hb-tradition" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the brewery's "HB Tradition" page</span></a>, where you can (and should!) read all about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of tradition, Hofbräu's Oktoberfestbier transcends that. It's an institution. As one of the six official Oktoberfest breweries, Hofbräu has the annual creation of this beer down to a science (which, coming from someone like me who considers brewing to be an art form, is a hell of a statement). It rings in at 6.3% ABV and is a full-bodied lager with a "fine hoppy aroma" and "a slightly sweet finish." That's all <a href="https://www.hofbraeu-muenchen.de/en/beer/hofbrau-oktoberfestbier" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the official description</span></a> (of the flavor and bouquet--it's also called "supple soft") we have to go on, but I truly think that's really all we'll need.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgbJ6bBbEt2ecEtuHW0_lhIMIr1XBmrdpG1Rok4TdlgQnxTKUUKas0RiVmc4VXvSUQxQfpR1JNXfDnxakaTHfTxN8-gtHNVvyb6QXIdMHZbxtEZS40yGLe4fF04GL0mkGtdgI_-xu1AxYHRkOLztX-5UNSrXZo4xeCs408g8682qfLW0P1oPuqHi1Boo/s4032/IMG-7039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Oktoberfestbier label detail." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgbJ6bBbEt2ecEtuHW0_lhIMIr1XBmrdpG1Rok4TdlgQnxTKUUKas0RiVmc4VXvSUQxQfpR1JNXfDnxakaTHfTxN8-gtHNVvyb6QXIdMHZbxtEZS40yGLe4fF04GL0mkGtdgI_-xu1AxYHRkOLztX-5UNSrXZo4xeCs408g8682qfLW0P1oPuqHi1Boo/w320-h240/IMG-7039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The story on the back of the bottle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div>I've poured my beer today into my Paulaner <i>Maßkrug</i>, using three bottles to fill it. What can I say? 'Tis the season!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oktoberfesbier's nose is that of a classic festbeer (obviously): biscuits, honey, toffee, caramel, a little straw, and German hop bitterness. When I think of a beery aroma, this is precisely what comes to mind. Maybe it isn't Purrl choice for a beer bouquet, however; she only gave my heady mug six whiffs.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LKILgBGsHcuqg1C5pNE316SmNPumgNqCChrnXZz8U-fWDK8eMaRWX-_Jz6EXt9PNuGBNorvCcPwa1SVQtod2pI44NAem6c5QHwC3an6MsZxVDfjL7eZ59Oeq-WtMmsmDDHuL61XHXzKbg0shG3ylLdN2_TVtM0kjc_hwDwUkcHZh9axZdHdP5VDBNQ/s4032/IMG-7044.jpg"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my mug of beer." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9LKILgBGsHcuqg1C5pNE316SmNPumgNqCChrnXZz8U-fWDK8eMaRWX-_Jz6EXt9PNuGBNorvCcPwa1SVQtod2pI44NAem6c5QHwC3an6MsZxVDfjL7eZ59Oeq-WtMmsmDDHuL61XHXzKbg0shG3ylLdN2_TVtM0kjc_hwDwUkcHZh9axZdHdP5VDBNQ/w320-h240/IMG-7044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The flavor profile lands solidly with its maltiness. I'm finding honey and biscuits, caramel and freshly-baked bread (the straw I noted on the nose is absent). This is all rounded out by a wallop of hops that give the whole affair an earthy grounding. They tug at me in the finish, pulling me toward my mug for yet another swig.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the most quaffable beer I've had all season. It's frothy, crisp, and crushable, drinking exactly like how an expertly-crafted German lager should.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since this is in a mug, let's talk about it's appearance. It's strikingly gold (the same color as its battle cap) with a frothy white head laced with bubbles of varying sizes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKENM8kGKZMuzjFVDcn0Of_wg1BQfCzLv_rGUpGIf8cF_2mZLDTng_w0hz9RGNUvEZ0ewF9Zth-rrypgv3iEKLEKikc6p0czCnPLJfa8VpRt3IWTuAG2N1_y9rd0EoIECDMj5qPzUwID2G0RALqXKr6llPCfyxEbAk4VjHg0PeMUMNTBmtyb1tgLJWIY/s4032/IMG-7058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The beer's golden coloring." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKENM8kGKZMuzjFVDcn0Of_wg1BQfCzLv_rGUpGIf8cF_2mZLDTng_w0hz9RGNUvEZ0ewF9Zth-rrypgv3iEKLEKikc6p0czCnPLJfa8VpRt3IWTuAG2N1_y9rd0EoIECDMj5qPzUwID2G0RALqXKr6llPCfyxEbAk4VjHg0PeMUMNTBmtyb1tgLJWIY/w240-h320/IMG-7058.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBz8WSVBr5JE2yUBHSYQ1c-pm7DhqzjlMNLYLAqhMpaw0xZ2R_CU9PIP9tidgGVpKKhWs1C0Rz1hsxuMR0ZUN05A26fISb5m0kPKsjcak9VcPW7WU-RaR7rNPSMpelSphynowrl_OIBvAcVbr8jXvwXYXSakp-1bGKBb4bC092dRdugHua4zOrUka9r8/s4032/IMG-7046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The beer's frothy head." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBz8WSVBr5JE2yUBHSYQ1c-pm7DhqzjlMNLYLAqhMpaw0xZ2R_CU9PIP9tidgGVpKKhWs1C0Rz1hsxuMR0ZUN05A26fISb5m0kPKsjcak9VcPW7WU-RaR7rNPSMpelSphynowrl_OIBvAcVbr8jXvwXYXSakp-1bGKBb4bC092dRdugHua4zOrUka9r8/w240-h320/IMG-7046.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Oktoberfestbier reminds me of the very first time I ever encountered an Oktoberfest-style lager. It was in Kroger during the end of the summer between my undergrad and grad school. In their beer section, I noticed a shelf full of Samuel Adams' Oktoberfest.</div><div><br /></div><div>This had the old label on it, all autumnal red leaves. Something about the label and name immediately drew me to the lager. I purchased it and enjoyed it. Since then, I've been on a quest to better understand the style and its history.</div><div><br /></div><div>That quest lead me directly to today's beer. Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier marks the third Munich Oktoberfest brewery I've had (and my fourth official Oktoberfest beer). I have to say, I'm continually astounded by the creativity and tradition of German brewing in adherence to the <i>Reinheitsgebot</i>. The lager scores an easy 10/10 from me. That's my highest recommendation. Now, go get some for yourself and <i>g'suffa</i>!</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-76461984208020906562023-09-22T17:31:00.001-07:002023-10-04T10:30:40.119-07:009/22/23: Listermann Brewing Company's FestbierToday's beer is one that I've wanted to get around to for some time. See, Listermann's a brewery whose name always grabs my attention. This means that I've been bummed when I see their Oktoberfest out in the wild because, historically, it drops just after I cement my Oktoberfest lineup for the blog.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdVk5vn-fEsHp4ckSY-cFvosIbm5ghPJalBK0_UkBCianNBW6E-JK3Ni1-LtWQmTmqkauS5BV2KVkF53Uo8Xm7nrRR1IVPIu6Ik3N25Ji3juVYoKM05ewEaeYGYuvFu-UfJSXS3HGa7J6-8l3VNqs7vnmdg-X_ZSfHHGYklmwGyxr0PuJyFslMpEQ7Xk/s4032/IMG-7010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Listermann Festbier." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdVk5vn-fEsHp4ckSY-cFvosIbm5ghPJalBK0_UkBCianNBW6E-JK3Ni1-LtWQmTmqkauS5BV2KVkF53Uo8Xm7nrRR1IVPIu6Ik3N25Ji3juVYoKM05ewEaeYGYuvFu-UfJSXS3HGa7J6-8l3VNqs7vnmdg-X_ZSfHHGYklmwGyxr0PuJyFslMpEQ7Xk/w320-h240/IMG-7010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This year, however, it dropped in time for inclusion. Let's see how their addition to the canon holds up. I present, at last, Listermann's Festbier.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><a href="https://www.listermannbrewing.com/listy-history" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Listermann</span></a> started when Dan Listermann began manufacturing and shipping homebrewing equipment in 1991. Four years later, he and his wife, Sue, purchased a vacant space to use as a homebrew store and parts manufacturing space. In 2008, they acquired both equipment from a shuttering brewery and a brewing license. With that, a Norwood, OH legend was born.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.listermannbrewing.com/press-releases" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Dan and Sue have since stepped away from the brewery</span></a>, but it still proudly bears their shared name and carries on the legacy they crafted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Festbier is (as of the time of this publication) the third beer listed on <a href="https://www.listermannbrewing.com/copy-of-event-space" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Listermann's Taproom page</span></a>. It's billed as 5.4% ABV lager that's true to the area's German roots, brewed "... with Weyermann pilsner, vienna, and munich malts." </div><div><br /></div><div>The nose on this brims with simple presentation. It's straw, biscuit, bread, and very light notes of both caramel and toffee. Beneath this, however, is some grounding hoppiness, giving the the lager an almost cold aroma (think ice cubes in a glass or new-fallen snow). It's a wonderful bouquet and perfectly fitting for a beer you're meant to drink quickly and in large quantities (which is great because it's an Oktoberfest-style lager in a pint-sized can). <br /><br />Purrl gave it seven whiffs, indicating that she likes how the lager smells but isn't as infatuated with the nose as I am.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGBUN-ODl-4ZlsCbk0pjG4EtTEWEyPpURatYyf9o9550seay-Xp1nRUxAhmG1zN2JSNlzz5M7D8AyPGjTskyZmFa9mjv8Wcp9DHeZOs_-7OeBvnGamXzIcBaosm4w3NL58bpH6FsQO6auDdCWpmlRqAUVyFhfT_pnPQCODDllvfPx1t3RH1vHAVEjYhc/s4032/IMG-7015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl sniffing my can of beer." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGBUN-ODl-4ZlsCbk0pjG4EtTEWEyPpURatYyf9o9550seay-Xp1nRUxAhmG1zN2JSNlzz5M7D8AyPGjTskyZmFa9mjv8Wcp9DHeZOs_-7OeBvnGamXzIcBaosm4w3NL58bpH6FsQO6auDdCWpmlRqAUVyFhfT_pnPQCODDllvfPx1t3RH1vHAVEjYhc/w320-h240/IMG-7015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Festbier features a great flavor profile. I'm finding everything I previously mentioned in the bouquet: those good malt characteristics and the grounding hops. Seriously, the hops are the star of the show here as they only impart a slight bitterness that tempers the sweetness of the malt, which might otherwise soar to ridiculous heights. The hops also provide the beer with flavors of grapefruit and pine, both of which compliment all the lager has going for it. The finish (which is deceptively long) ends with that cold aspect I noted above, begging me to take another pull.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mouthfeel here is spot-on. It's frothy, crisp, and infinitely quaffable. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm drinking Festbier on my porch at night after our toddler has gone to bed. The air is cooling after a warm final day of summer, insects are buzzing and clicking, and, somewhere off in the distance, a dog's barking. Hell, our porch is already decked out for Halloween, with pumpkins, ghosts, a skeleton, and a scarecrow. All this to say, this is a perfectly calm night amidst the storm my life's lately become. I'm happy that right now, on this gentle evening, I have this beer in my hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's something I'll say without hyperbole: Listermann's Festbier might just be the greatest Oktoberfest-style lager I've had that isn't imported from Germany. I'm flabbergasted that I haven't had this beer before, as it's an easy 10/10. This is something I'll need to grab more of before it disappears for the season.</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-13872737170703595242023-09-18T09:38:00.001-07:002023-09-22T12:12:27.117-07:009/18/23: Christian Moerlein Brewing Company's Märzen<p>Ah, Christian Moerlein. I've had more than a few of their beers and can't say I particularly care for what they do. The only one I've done up on the blog was <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2019/07/72619-christian-moerleins-gliers-goetta.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">their Glier's Goetta Lager</span></a>, which landed squarely in the "okay" range. Anything else I've had from the brewery unfortunately ranks lower.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA7cH5DHYNE3pwkkzSpl5pZB6EczQveHtKPfsbzfawkvc0gqAUzOe-QI1WUemRWmMZ7FRL1PP1zArftAHx9TZC3_UFz91GVEguU3X7CGytHc10qg_MlLaSXciXmjcayO4ljsQ_nQmcdb-bUZcgn_gQ5TGBnCP73ULU5HUOSIenGA5SeSg4jzoiBpcoD4/s4032/IMG-6981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Märzen." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA7cH5DHYNE3pwkkzSpl5pZB6EczQveHtKPfsbzfawkvc0gqAUzOe-QI1WUemRWmMZ7FRL1PP1zArftAHx9TZC3_UFz91GVEguU3X7CGytHc10qg_MlLaSXciXmjcayO4ljsQ_nQmcdb-bUZcgn_gQ5TGBnCP73ULU5HUOSIenGA5SeSg4jzoiBpcoD4/w320-h240/IMG-6981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'll tell you now that the only reason I picked up this beer was because it was the first Oktoberfest available at my local Kroger this season. I've had it and have already formed an opinion on it (you might be able to read between the lines of the above paragraph for a spoiler) that I hope to get down in type today. Buckle up; it might just be a rough ride.<p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://www.christianmoerlein.com/history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Christian Moerlein</span></a> was a Bavarian immigrant who settled in Cincinnati in 1841 as a blacksmith. He soon began brewing beer in his shop, an endeavor turned into the largest brewery in the state. His brewery continued operations after his death (in 1897) until Prohibition hit. In the '80s, a brand bearing his name was reintroduced, which was bought up and brought home to The Queen City in 2004.</p><p>It seems like, super recently, Moerlein's gone through a bit of a shakeup and are looking to reinvent themselves. I say this because they only have two beers listed on <a href="https://www.christianmoerlein.com/our-beer/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">their "Our Beer" page</span></a>; one of them is Märzen. It's here listed as "The official beer of the Oktoberfest season" (<a href="https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/magazine/eat-and-drink/the-six-munich-breweries-at-oktoberfest" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Munich would like a strong word with Moerlein</span></a>), one brewed with Munich, Vienna, and Two Row malts and Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops. My can lists the ABV as 5.8%.</p><p>Getting into the lager's nose, I find biscuit, toffee, lemon (which is odd), and (so odd it's inexplicable) an undue measure of skunky funkiness. While I genuinely enjoy the sweetness of the beer's malt in its bouquet, that off-aroma is disastrous. I can see why Purrl only gave my can four quick whiffs.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asuX3iFn_2xkWSPhjSAyD9pInp4aYwQNfc37UvcxvDaJ9XkbsrzjlELrp7qd9dy37ee3t7RKmkS9Uw_64qlMHNHutWzJDtueKOb5jcdMdSrUQT-5Vd2DxDihJeHyHrlRMCLQA2MBGbuC5-arAfxgNbP-M2DLcnyaFteWy7g0WodqKgtj-WgJq2_BC4A/s4032/IMG-6983.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Purrl cat sniffing my can of Märzen." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asuX3iFn_2xkWSPhjSAyD9pInp4aYwQNfc37UvcxvDaJ9XkbsrzjlELrp7qd9dy37ee3t7RKmkS9Uw_64qlMHNHutWzJDtueKOb5jcdMdSrUQT-5Vd2DxDihJeHyHrlRMCLQA2MBGbuC5-arAfxgNbP-M2DLcnyaFteWy7g0WodqKgtj-WgJq2_BC4A/w320-h240/IMG-6983.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, Kitty Girl.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>For those hoping the unpleasantness with Märzen would only be found in it's aroma, I'm sorry to report that it carries through to the flavor. Sure, the flavor profile's fine enough at first: There's taffy and citrus (which are strange flavors in a Märzen but ones I can overlook if they're inoffensive, as there are here), which are followed closely by expected biscuit and breadiness. Then, the funk settles--to my palate its a mix of sour and skunk (kind of like an over-ripe lemon that's been submerged in a bucket of used dish water) that mingles with the maltiness into the finish, turning those pleasant malt notes into cloying sweetness by the end of my swig. There's a bit of alcohol wallop here that doesn't match the lager's ABV. It hits pretty heavy and I have no idea why.</p><p>The one thing Moerlein got right here is the mouthfeel. It's crisp and frothy. It's a lager that, going from only mouthfeel, would make one want each successive pull.</p><p>I'm sure I've mentioned before on the blog about the Oktoberfest celebration my roommates and I had in our apartment back in the late-2010s. I've talked about how we bought a case of cheap beer and drank it one chilly autumnal Saturday afternoon because hitting an actual Oktoberfest was out of the question that year.</p><p>What I'm sure I never mentioned is what that cheap beer was. It was Bürger Classic. I'm saying this now because Bürger Classic is a better Oktoberfest beer than Moerlein's Märzen.</p><p>Before we got to the beer's rating, can we talk about little bit about its label design? Because it's terrible. The background is orange and the main text is red. Cool, okay, that works. But the additional text (including the Surgeon General's Warning, ABV, and info about the beer/Moerlein) is gold which, against the orange, is damn-near unreadable. I'm not a graphic design person, but I know this shouldn't have been put out looking like it does.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIWU-rbarg1Wfrz0FR_3-L42p1CegljYI9UMR_A7GseuDecSfPucxjmhkC17x9LvHCBxwv35ir4GAtI73qg6422NfNxcHia2cLL5T1MDiVztXHhIOj3w7KcnLN2rtyKF3WVM2ZDAOeutdi-TEmWaT2tdWRSJC-cC6eLNW4ViSXYNNCXvsecBMn4nTjyo/s4032/IMG-6986.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Showing off the illegible gold text on the Märzen can." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIWU-rbarg1Wfrz0FR_3-L42p1CegljYI9UMR_A7GseuDecSfPucxjmhkC17x9LvHCBxwv35ir4GAtI73qg6422NfNxcHia2cLL5T1MDiVztXHhIOj3w7KcnLN2rtyKF3WVM2ZDAOeutdi-TEmWaT2tdWRSJC-cC6eLNW4ViSXYNNCXvsecBMn4nTjyo/w320-h240/IMG-6986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, can't read it.</td></tr></tbody></table>Look, I won't mince words. Christian Moerlein Märzen's a 4.0/10 beer. It's the worst Oktoberfest I've had and will most likely be the last Moerlein brew I ever drink. Keep away from this stuff.<p></p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-36353216965564688362023-09-15T06:40:00.001-07:002023-09-15T06:40:20.627-07:009/15/23: Athletic Brewing Co.'s OktoberfestToday's post is something of a rarity around these parts: A non-alcoholic beer. <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2020/02/22620-brewdogs-stout-af.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">The last one I drank for the blog was in February '20, just before the pandemic hit the US</span></a>. If you'll recall, I enjoyed it.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnMWvRDUBx8D25RyYH0LVQO32XMPxzFr60uPisBxjcWRbTezFsLI5-xWDP4R8g0EP6tPevWglLDqgLQ-nMQDbQ7fdCXyz04O-lXiJgeXx2Tv2RWzAc_ZKGEVgbwg6NQzjVusNeJ5hz6g0j2xzCPWzi6d2R7Zp4b5ELW07LD6Vy8AAbh8Ez01dnKS1Z8M/s4032/IMG-6971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Athletic's Oktoberfest" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnMWvRDUBx8D25RyYH0LVQO32XMPxzFr60uPisBxjcWRbTezFsLI5-xWDP4R8g0EP6tPevWglLDqgLQ-nMQDbQ7fdCXyz04O-lXiJgeXx2Tv2RWzAc_ZKGEVgbwg6NQzjVusNeJ5hz6g0j2xzCPWzi6d2R7Zp4b5ELW07LD6Vy8AAbh8Ez01dnKS1Z8M/w320-h240/IMG-6971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>You might imagine my surprise, then, when I spotted Athletic's NA take on an Oktoberfest beer on store shelves. I bought it on sight, hoping it'd scratch that frothy, malty itch I get this around this time each year, without needing to worry about the booze or calories weighing me down. Does it do what I'm hoping? Only one way to find out!</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Athletic Brewing Co. has two locations on opposite ends of the country: It's home in Milford, CT and its sister location in San Diego, CA. Between these two breweries stretches their beer's footprint (which actually stretches even farther, since <a href="https://athleticbrewing.com/collections/shop-all" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Athletic brews can be delivered directly to your door</span></a>). Owners Bill and John developed their proprietary method of brewing NA beers on homebrewing equipment before going commercial and opening what's thought to be the world's largest dedicated NA brewery. <a href="https://athleticbrewing.com/pages/about" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Here's the page when you can learn more about this and all else Athletic has going for themselves</span></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fashioned after traditional German Festbiers (not Märzens), Oktoberfest features a grain bill of Munich and Vienna malts and Hallertau, Mittelfruh hops, which is to say it seems to nail the German essence it's going for. It also boasts an ABV of <0.5%. The flavors specifically listed on <a href="https://athleticbrewing.com/products/oktoberfest " target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">its official page</span></a> are: bread, malt, and honey.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oktoberfest has a bright bouquet. It's citrus and straw with some freshly baked bread, bringing a sort of rustic vibe to the affair. Aside from the breadiness, I'm not finding any malt of note (so no toffee, caramel, or biscuits), but, since this is styled after a Festbier that's not much of a problem. Purrl gave my can seven whiffs, so it seems that (at least for the time being) she's more drawn to the hoppy aromas.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMXozQdVJ2KAMHhzxhFb3rgrdtnptHVFUod7nVu7BIr7uVJziNuSya3WiaUo0y5QIWM0xsmWpWRNsY8dP5yeAPXZiD4mxy7TdkMTsoD0AkB5ko5lCvjqroE1J5bIt0gTtOJTcpJ2UhUptRBi5UnbwbbxY2gtqY7XEVw3o_Yr1VNKgH2_dpipH36dRWd4/s3391/IMG-6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl cat sniffing my open can of Oktoberfest" border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3391" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMXozQdVJ2KAMHhzxhFb3rgrdtnptHVFUod7nVu7BIr7uVJziNuSya3WiaUo0y5QIWM0xsmWpWRNsY8dP5yeAPXZiD4mxy7TdkMTsoD0AkB5ko5lCvjqroE1J5bIt0gTtOJTcpJ2UhUptRBi5UnbwbbxY2gtqY7XEVw3o_Yr1VNKgH2_dpipH36dRWd4/w320-h240/IMG-6974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Those bright hop notes shine into the beer's flavor profile--citrusy and floral. The straw's back, too. In the finish, which is shorter than I thought it'd be, I'm finding some malt: freshly baked bread, lightly burnt toast, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Unfortunately, the expected subdued caramel, toffee, and touted honey flavors are absent.</div><div><br /></div><div>This beer drinks like any good Festbier should: Crushable and easy-drinking. With the absent ABV, it'd be all to easy to throwback stein after stein of this seasonal offering.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blame it on the brewery's name, the calories (70!), or the lack of alcohol, but I'm thinking back to my post-run routine when we lived within city limits as I drink this. </div><div><br /></div><div>See, I'd only run on the weekends, and these were all eight-plus milers. When I'd get back to the apartment after ascending Pleasant Ridge's hills, I'd head out to our balcony and enjoy a frosty beverage in celebration of finishing my workout. If I'd had this Oktoberfest on those occasions, I would've really reveled in the relaxation of it all, feeling the breeze and the overlooking the comings and goings of our street.</div><div><br /></div><div>Athletic's Oktoberfest is proving tricky to rate, so I'll give it two ratings. The first is when compared to other NA brews I've had. Here, I'd give it a 9.0/10, a hearty recommendation. This beer's great for those who want to get into the Munich spirit without sweating the calories or booze.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, it's official rating when contrasted against the other Oktoberfest beers I've discussed on the blog? That'd be a 7.0/10. Not the worst, but just not what I want out of a Festbier. Unless there's a reason why you'd reach for this, I'd say you can safely skip it and grab a can or bottle of some other Oktoberfest-style lager.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I go, I will say that I'll definitely be buying and drinking more Athletic brews! But I'll probably pass on this specific offering in the future.</div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-2074436521305496482023-09-08T12:52:00.005-07:002023-09-08T12:53:08.433-07:009/8/23: Geo. Wiedemann Brewing Company's Oktoberfest MarzenbierIt's hard to fathom the year's moved so quickly, yet, somehow, Oktoberfest season has come to the blog. The evenings are growing cooler and the mornings darker. It's the time to be outside, drink malty beer, and listen to oompah music.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRre9ZAcCH_X7-_oMhgsLo1_puNW6WJAHl50yptR8Ma5lVea8Hb29FOcEyp3JeTVWUL_glX95SBdFOAK6D-bzy8q1qTF0WYR5GL620lrxxCznfG1RT7W8-e7_UaW5fJ8lRlSaZfvU6f9ZJE6G9wd0lwKXUvtqzMX3f59JCNifY_3HJzQcy0l28vx-bUEk/s4032/IMG-6938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Wiedemann's Oktoberfest Marzenbier." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRre9ZAcCH_X7-_oMhgsLo1_puNW6WJAHl50yptR8Ma5lVea8Hb29FOcEyp3JeTVWUL_glX95SBdFOAK6D-bzy8q1qTF0WYR5GL620lrxxCznfG1RT7W8-e7_UaW5fJ8lRlSaZfvU6f9ZJE6G9wd0lwKXUvtqzMX3f59JCNifY_3HJzQcy0l28vx-bUEk/w320-h240/IMG-6938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm breaking into Märzens and festbiers and grabbing my Oktoberfest hat out of storage. We're in the first of the year's four best months. I'm celebrating that with Wiedemann's Oktoberfest Marzenbier.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Located in St. Bernard (an independent village within Cincinnati), <a href="https://wiedemannsfinebeer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Wiedemann's</span></a> can trace their lineage (or, at least, their name) to 1870. Back then, George Wiedemann began brewing Wiedemann's Fine Beer in Newport, KY. Over the years, the brewery's name changed hands before being purchased and settled in St. Bernard. Now they offer some classic Wiedemann's brews and some newer recipes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oktoberfest Marzenbier isn't listed on their website, so we're heading to <a href="https://untappd.com/b/geo-wiedemann-brewing-company-wiedemann-s-oktoberfest/456953" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Untappd</span></a> for what relevant information we can find on the lager: At 5.6% ABV, it's toasty, malty, and perfect for drinking in cool biergärten weather.</div><div><br /></div><div>Diving into my can's bouquet, I'm finding incredible malty notes of biscuit and caramel, with some wet straw layered beneath them. That's it for the nose. It's simple and without any frills, meaning it's exactly what I want from an Oktoberfest beer. However, maybe that's what's putting Purrl off on the lager; she refused to even give my can a single whiff. Her loss, I say.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTOE7HHAMPeoJUdZtk8pD_jMEVULCHTcxMqQLcziKy3-Jp9HO6PT9c2BlbvBiXbv75d2ayyJVIWkYp_vewXZE31yrMpKkMiX76nMnMmJUY6zM3r6ZiZUev845IwR5PZAdMQYuJPoGIcumuKHqxx2ER_M3cXbuAdCfFDavuDGM-J8lZWPodazyWTCd0KM/s4032/IMG-6941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl refusing to sniff my can of Oktoberfest" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTOE7HHAMPeoJUdZtk8pD_jMEVULCHTcxMqQLcziKy3-Jp9HO6PT9c2BlbvBiXbv75d2ayyJVIWkYp_vewXZE31yrMpKkMiX76nMnMmJUY6zM3r6ZiZUev845IwR5PZAdMQYuJPoGIcumuKHqxx2ER_M3cXbuAdCfFDavuDGM-J8lZWPodazyWTCd0KM/w320-h240/IMG-6941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Going from Oktoberfest's aroma alone, I wasn't expecting a smattering of hoppiness to be the first flavor on my tongue, yet here we are. They're bitter, but they quickly fade into that good Märzen malt that I picked up on the bouquet: caramel, biscuit, and straw, with some toffee and freshly-baked bread thrown in for good measure. These linger into the finish with some (expected given the beer's description) toastiness and (unexpected) smokiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>This drinks like what any good Märzen (or lager, for that matter) should drink: smooth, crisp, and immensely crushable.</div><div><br /></div><div>When our baby was born, I quickly realized that I wanted to slot a little Oktoberfest into my "me" time. Part of this stemmed from my (turns out) unfounded thought I wouldn't be able to attend an in-person Oktoberfest celebration last year. </div><div><br />So, when Michelle would have the baby in the afternoon and I'd get home from my daily run, I'd microwave a brat and retire to our porch with it and a mug of some Oktoberfest beer. While eating and drinking, I'd pull up German polka classics to jam out to. I never drank Wiedemann's Oktoberfest during these sessions, but it would've fit in perfectly.</div><div><br /></div><div>All this to say, Wiedemann's Oktoberfest is a damn good try at a Märzen. It's simplicity is just right, although that initially hoppiness was unexpected. I'm giving my can an 8.5/10. This is a fine way for me to start the season.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-62352835109540423422023-08-30T14:56:00.003-07:002023-08-30T14:57:02.828-07:008/30/23: HighGrain Brewing Company's TipperPossibly my favorite kind of beer for summer months is a spruce tip IPA. Not sours nor lagers (although I drink both styles during the summer, too!), but this very specific adjunct IPA.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahfHOjuGui4nfIkKwsdv6dbe7UE-37mQFSKWCbw3RNrfd-i7KIMZ8ogun6ZGOjx7LDFdvxnC3UJbH4Bqz6l_feEkp7P3js8mdwVSxGpvLQlbBCS3T_C3snCjWWBKn5wx-o5FBJByGKjb9iqJu_SDeGPFnXL4tv6aVpu2syxC5Y7aBGAqoqzEXxDPK5LM/s4032/IMG-6885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of HighGrain's Tipper." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahfHOjuGui4nfIkKwsdv6dbe7UE-37mQFSKWCbw3RNrfd-i7KIMZ8ogun6ZGOjx7LDFdvxnC3UJbH4Bqz6l_feEkp7P3js8mdwVSxGpvLQlbBCS3T_C3snCjWWBKn5wx-o5FBJByGKjb9iqJu_SDeGPFnXL4tv6aVpu2syxC5Y7aBGAqoqzEXxDPK5LM/w320-h240/IMG-6885.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've only had a few IPAs of this style in the past (and <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2016/07/7616-jackie-os-new-growth.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">I wrote about one over seven years ago</span></a>). Seriously, these are things I encounter with great infrequency. Imagine, then, my surprise at finding a single can of one at my local bottleshop. I picked it up without knowing anything about it other than the brewery (which I've had before and <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/search?q=highgrain" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">have featured on the blog</span></a>). Figuring that I love the this kind of beer and can appreciate the brewers, I bought the can. Today, let's see if HighGrain's Tipper is what I'm hoping for from one of my favorite styles.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>HighGrain's based in Silverton, OH, a Cincinnati-area village just minutes up the street from where I used to live when I lived within city limits (and damn near <a href="https://www.italianettepizza.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Krimmer's Italianette</span></a>, the area's best pizza joint). The brewery's housed within an old police station, which has been retrofitted to make might fine, environmentally-conscious beer.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I say "environmentally-conscious," I mean it. On <a href="https://highgrainbrewing.com/sustainability" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">HighGrain's "Sustainability" page</span></a>, the brewery details all the thought and planning they've put into creating an eco-friendly brewery. From receiving electricity from renewable sources, to planting a native plant garden and crafting carbon-neutral beer, they're good people doing good things.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://untappd.com/b/highgrain-brewing-company-tipper/4406139" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">We're pulling our details on Tipper from Untappd</span></a> (since I can't find anything official on HighGrain's website). It's a 5.5% IPA that's brewed with a healthy, 30-pound heaping of spruce tips picked fresh from <a href="https://www.cincynature.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the Cincinnati Nature Center</span></a>. The Untappd profile for the beer also states that (much to my dismay) it's a "limited-time-only" deal. Bummer.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, sure, the limitedness of the ale is a bummer. Know what's not? It's bouquet. First up here is a hefty hit of maltiness, which brings to mind a Märzen. This is, of course, a mixture of biscuits, toffee, and fresh bread notes. Layered with these are piney-quality hops and the definite pine notes from the ale's spruce tip adjuncts. Purrl loves this nose as much as I do; she gave my can twenty-eight whiffs.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZaFBSY3WpGVd29YlKqeb8E863WH1Ji63O632ZLnqWbuT98KizQc4ZtJ6fa3L_OKZCVXY1Gi1uD2j7YWZ3j7IsyJ-USdoHbXpiJ8sy9JfhrVvHdaM73_7dRmHopXiQR_lVeF3F1NMJysnwAtR2QvUWUHHREzqXWFlBZ9h0qzxvWFb7g6UF4TLM4MUDo/s4032/IMG-6891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl cat sniffing my can of Tipper." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sZaFBSY3WpGVd29YlKqeb8E863WH1Ji63O632ZLnqWbuT98KizQc4ZtJ6fa3L_OKZCVXY1Gi1uD2j7YWZ3j7IsyJ-USdoHbXpiJ8sy9JfhrVvHdaM73_7dRmHopXiQR_lVeF3F1NMJysnwAtR2QvUWUHHREzqXWFlBZ9h0qzxvWFb7g6UF4TLM4MUDo/w320-h240/IMG-6891.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Tipper's flavor is like nothing I've before experienced. I get pine/spruce immediately, followed closely but the biscuity, toffee-like, and bready malt qualities I mentioned above. This is all coupled with big juicy fruity tastes that were completely hidden in the bouquet. These surge as almost taffy-like flavors of banana, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, and lemon. They come damn close to overwhelming those good malt flavors, but don't quite manage the task, and, instead, pair with them nicely. The spruce returns in the IPA's finish, and sits perfectly with the malt and the fruit.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll say that my can specifically calls its content's "spicy." I don't get much in terms of spice here. Maybe a smidgen of black pepper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Each swig of Tipper begs for another. I'm sure the ale's robust, almost creamy mouthfeel has something to do with this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Summer's finally dwindling, and fall's nearly here. Yet, if I sit on my porch at night, it's almost as if I can still spot the last few lingering fireflies, like they're just out of my periphery. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we lived in Athens and I worked at Kroger, I'd walk to and from work. My route was mainly situated on the bike path that stretched along the bank of the Hocking River. I'd usually work in the evenings until my department closed before walking home after dark.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since the path wound along the Hocking, the trees were always alight with fireflies. They'd pulse at random, providing a summery ambience to my trek back to our apartment, the warmth of their glow contrasting against the cool breeze blowing from the water.</div><div><br /></div><div>In truth, though, this season's fireflies all departed weeks ago. Summer's coming to a close (only three weeks left). I'm happy to have a beer like HighGrain's Tipper to see it out with. The ale's a 10/10 and the best, and most intriguing, beer I've had in quite some time.</div><div><br /></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-48940870868007581152023-08-10T17:27:00.001-07:002023-08-10T17:34:11.439-07:008/10/23: Brewyard Beer Company's Tripel of WisdomMay, June, and (excepting Christmas in July) July slipped by me. I'd say I don't know how, but that'd be a bold-faced lie. I know exactly how those three months got lost: <i>The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom</i> released. I knew it was coming and I knew it'd consume my life. That's exactly what happened.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOGhe4OAsfbNpLew-zQVEDmcEunTz9qiEO4jhfYXsPf_9bGEdwaCHtsQREXxWS_r6qaiME8pjamg88P6xkjuieyw-ny0CMB023QD_sE2H-_4CnpLB6CXB3RJHuT1tl5_U4NdZ3ng2bQMc_D7gdkISmKLlXLhm4ZkLY_IMCrUectmxPJVq37_96OSxFkc/s4032/IMG-6601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tripel of Wisdom poured into a green pint glass featuring the Triforce beside the Collector's Edition of Tears of the Kingdom and the beer's can." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOGhe4OAsfbNpLew-zQVEDmcEunTz9qiEO4jhfYXsPf_9bGEdwaCHtsQREXxWS_r6qaiME8pjamg88P6xkjuieyw-ny0CMB023QD_sE2H-_4CnpLB6CXB3RJHuT1tl5_U4NdZ3ng2bQMc_D7gdkISmKLlXLhm4ZkLY_IMCrUectmxPJVq37_96OSxFkc/w320-h240/IMG-6601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While I'd initially planned to cobble this review together for the game's launch, I figured I'd actually just rather play the thing. Now, having given the game well over 150 hours of my life, I've finally finished it. Hyrule's at peace. Ganon's defeated. And titular princess? Well, that's a spoiler. </div><div><br /></div><div>To celebrate my (and Link's) victory, I'm at long last drinking the first and only <i>Zelda</i>-themed beer I've ever encountered: Brewyard Beer Company's Tripel of Wisdom.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe6I9uHcanMW21v6MDLgyJgW3g2nroWRGl1nQ9bh6fRVIcgT0AfIso3oOjdpfX1SPDBvYQdwgmE_xxonJKruQlIDzWCx1W0A_-rbMz1d061rZ8SkRpGfGHdKqc-7Nu1JnTVCiSdlGw7eJsNvH7_DG7MqB2RKxr9VkqWbhW8_tzdGeZQl9D2gyiF3uzO4/s4032/IMG-6605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Close up on Tripel of Wisdom's can." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe6I9uHcanMW21v6MDLgyJgW3g2nroWRGl1nQ9bh6fRVIcgT0AfIso3oOjdpfX1SPDBvYQdwgmE_xxonJKruQlIDzWCx1W0A_-rbMz1d061rZ8SkRpGfGHdKqc-7Nu1JnTVCiSdlGw7eJsNvH7_DG7MqB2RKxr9VkqWbhW8_tzdGeZQl9D2gyiF3uzO4/w240-h320/IMG-6605.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Glendale, CA's first microbrewery, Brewyard (<a href="https://www.brewyardbeercompany.com/about/?ao_confirm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">"About" page here</span></a>) is housed in a converted warehouse. Founded in 2015 by Kirk and Sherwin (two guys who have been buds since high school), the brewery specializes in lagers, although they dabble with Belgian-style ales and barrel aging. The owners have Japanese and Filipino heritage, so they also like to make use of traditional Asian flavors as adjuncts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tripel of Wisdom can't be found on <a href="https://www.brewyardbeercompany.com/beer/beer-list/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Brewyard's Beers List</span></a>, so, like always, we'll turn to <a href="https://untappd.com/b/brewyard-beer-company-tripel-of-wisdom/4571641" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Untappd</span></a> for our intel on it. The beer's a Belgian Triple-style ale that clocks in at 9% ABV. It boasts notes of clove, apricot, and pear and features boozy warmth and a honey-like malt flavor.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindoSAGgbRj_yiir_V6UeXgU5t_KXJFFaCfa5g93qXuGuocHFmiMS4touH8isBRIatCp_ET5xebju8WhLep7DYEvwLPPJrNAfZ5ID4qcMpAiElZKJNBOGN3LV0xN2_lQlyu352sWMAVVOJlpzg6RWWndpbh7uUKu6q685pIVyvZb78Keg3HzG9a-2xMeQ/s4032/IMG-6606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Description of beer printed on its label." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindoSAGgbRj_yiir_V6UeXgU5t_KXJFFaCfa5g93qXuGuocHFmiMS4touH8isBRIatCp_ET5xebju8WhLep7DYEvwLPPJrNAfZ5ID4qcMpAiElZKJNBOGN3LV0xN2_lQlyu352sWMAVVOJlpzg6RWWndpbh7uUKu6q685pIVyvZb78Keg3HzG9a-2xMeQ/w320-h240/IMG-6606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say, I'm impressed with the aroma notes listed for the ale because I'm getting both clove and pear from the its nose. The former's delivered by a quick waft that also brings me raisins, white grapes, brown sugar, honey, caramel, and straw. There's a little boozy punch here that's quickly followed by even more fruit: apples, pineapples, and, layered intricately here, even more pear. It's a delectable bouquet. Purrl gave it seven whiffs, indicating some kind of approval.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ9Y5bVfoE0LCSbi_uaxFzi76h2V7PLrtOctJ7PFIMGMYNWiDKjimGZtSXZMXQFK3sxbpufP6dLTeOkRMjAF4hbapAG2a0HT5EJTbnI2oGxiGK4wRpT_7lKAQRMf8UuGNYf5tkfrokRzI3T8FHpsd4QU0O8-cbTgvURFLynYqMfRC1Jz9US7GTjinNwQ/s4032/IMG-6610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Purrl in her cat tree sniffing a glass of Tripel of Wisdom." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ9Y5bVfoE0LCSbi_uaxFzi76h2V7PLrtOctJ7PFIMGMYNWiDKjimGZtSXZMXQFK3sxbpufP6dLTeOkRMjAF4hbapAG2a0HT5EJTbnI2oGxiGK4wRpT_7lKAQRMf8UuGNYf5tkfrokRzI3T8FHpsd4QU0O8-cbTgvURFLynYqMfRC1Jz9US7GTjinNwQ/w320-h240/IMG-6610.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She looks a little bit like <i>TotK </i>character Mineru here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The tripel has triumphant flavors of the aforementioned fruits (bolstered with plums and an extra emphasis on the grapes). Behind these fruits, I find straw and a little yeast. The sweetness dries out in the finish, though ghosts it them linger with an oaky quality and a mere shadow of alcohol <i>oomph</i>, which is far less powerful than I thought it'd be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since I poured my beer into a glass (it's a special occasion, after all), I can talk about the delicately laced its white bubbles are, each a unique size that leads to a head with an almost cloud-like quality. The glass from which I'm drinking (you may note it's a special <i>Zelda</i> one) is tinted green, however, so I can't really go into much detail about the ale's appearance.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p0tkPFpiZgoI8czR7EKI-wxkQoc_4QaH33p4gwoyKNgcMKbz9KNmMAlRKW6Ids-VrlNyc2VcYEtRmd_w7B8wl20NnB9hzmH_a4M8qQ4JkQh8pv9kvdwSFm5aE1LNaZ3VbpfzfLK18KUqd3e2dtpSbuXp84S4Vyif6jb4Io_OWz1Iv3cind4ULg8i7Tw/s4032/IMG-6600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tripel of Wisdom head." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p0tkPFpiZgoI8czR7EKI-wxkQoc_4QaH33p4gwoyKNgcMKbz9KNmMAlRKW6Ids-VrlNyc2VcYEtRmd_w7B8wl20NnB9hzmH_a4M8qQ4JkQh8pv9kvdwSFm5aE1LNaZ3VbpfzfLK18KUqd3e2dtpSbuXp84S4Vyif6jb4Io_OWz1Iv3cind4ULg8i7Tw/w320-h240/IMG-6600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tripel of Wisdom's mouthfeel is just about where I'd want it to be: crisp and immensely quaffable, yet slightly more viscous than I expected.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know, I bet this is exactly the kind of beer Link would drink after his long quest. He'd return home to his spot just south of Tarrey Town; unbuckle his boots; hang up his sword, bow, and shield; and kick back with a cold can of Tripel of Wisdom. As he'd drink, the whole of his adventures would wash over him and he'd relive their highlights as that kind of exhaustion that usually only comes after a long day of good work settles over him. That's what's settling over me right now, having helped the Hylian achieve his goal.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvuZCB0QCkOx6cTSJWIVi7s9bqWHv40CbUWV7Vl6rZRsA3l-wOXVPvJuCXcWYjJCWDoNtoNIOKXlHlzQO20KgOqmRN4lyaTJyv6Kq0aVksbV4cJnz_C06IijMs3olEjf1aJJAoc5BMuoxNaLuhCNQyIdYztZbzffSfbSh-ws_CkiFFwiVgJbIVG0YO1c/s4032/IMG-6599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tripel of Wisdom can, TotK Collector's Edition box, TotK game case." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvuZCB0QCkOx6cTSJWIVi7s9bqWHv40CbUWV7Vl6rZRsA3l-wOXVPvJuCXcWYjJCWDoNtoNIOKXlHlzQO20KgOqmRN4lyaTJyv6Kq0aVksbV4cJnz_C06IijMs3olEjf1aJJAoc5BMuoxNaLuhCNQyIdYztZbzffSfbSh-ws_CkiFFwiVgJbIVG0YO1c/w320-h240/IMG-6599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'm ecstatic that I found a beer like Brewyard's Tripel of Wisdom to celebrate my time with of one of this generation's classic video games. This beer nets an easy 9.0/10 from me. I still have four cans of it left that I plan to drink in commemoration of the next four <i>Zelda</i> titles--just don't expect blog posts to accompany those.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-61350382529220389472023-07-25T13:43:00.001-07:002023-07-25T13:43:12.783-07:007/25/23: Christmas in July! (Hoppin' Frog Brewery's Frosted Frog Christmas Ale)<p>Let's try something. If I were to ask you to close your eyes and picture a location that you associate with Christmas, what would you conjure? The North Pole and Santa's workshop? Bethlehem and a little manger? A farm with the perfect tree hidden, just waiting to adorn your living room? A crowded auditorium where you sit beside other people watching a children's pageant? A snow-covered countryside flying by the window as your parents drive you to your relatives' to celebrate the holiday with your extended family, Christmas songs coming through on the radio?</p><p>Did I guess it? Well, regardless, I'm willing to bet (unless you're part of a select group of folks), you didn't think of Akron, OH. And I get that. There was a time that I wouldn't've, either. The city makes one of my favorite Christmas beers (which, if you catch me on the right sort of day, I just might call my favorite beer), so the city actually crosses my mind whenever I think about Christmas. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifENtv6IPDZereUf9II1tkNcnVMdr35bPTXewNDmaD9RGovqkQ7-hHY6Mary0YvJaJOo62weXzkrjVQf1T5css8Ls2iKQst5kQLICaQgQiL8bRYy9oFvXji9JrB113zU6dOPCtIpzZbYGQ_Yr_LKcf3NgMctVDCt-RDHphl1eV-Nr3kh4ubR4GSEqd_cA/s4032/IMG-6848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A can of Hoppin' Frog's Frosted Frog and a sign that reads "Santa stop here for John!"" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifENtv6IPDZereUf9II1tkNcnVMdr35bPTXewNDmaD9RGovqkQ7-hHY6Mary0YvJaJOo62weXzkrjVQf1T5css8Ls2iKQst5kQLICaQgQiL8bRYy9oFvXji9JrB113zU6dOPCtIpzZbYGQ_Yr_LKcf3NgMctVDCt-RDHphl1eV-Nr3kh4ubR4GSEqd_cA/w320-h240/IMG-6848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Today, on this too-hot July day, I'm turning my attention another Christmas ale from the city, one I've never before tried: Hoppin' Frog's Frosted Frog Christmas Ale. Let's see if it'll become a new holiday classic.</p><p></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://hoppinfrog.com/our-story/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Hoppin' Frog</span></a>'s been turning out beers that would go on to win awards since '06. They specialize in "...very flavorful beers in the most flavorful styles." I can anecdotally say that certain brewers in the greater Cincinnati area hold the brewery in esteem high enough to bring Hoppin' Frog beers to bottleshares.</p><p><a href="https://hoppinfrog.com/beer/frosted-frog-christmas-ale/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Frosted Frog</span></a>'s an 8.6% ABV spiced brown ale whose flavor profile is claimed by its makers to capture the very essence of the holiday season.</p><p>The ale's bouquet does a pretty solid job of capturing the whole Christmas thing; I'm finding honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, molasses, allspice, and a little inexplicable hint of pine in my first waft. It's a heady nose, but not one that's overpowered by the ale's ABV--there's not really even enough of it here to bear mention, aside from contrasting it against lack of a boozy punch in the aroma.</p><p>Lottie (yes, she's still here and happy as ever) gave my can a whopping twenty-eight whiffs. That's my girl!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFECFQSiWYyvSvBIR44EIzMt0dZoLVU_yodcOH10aPKfIzUUw95MW9aFBYoqhk59udL4sVjsugsGZf046E6Onngzf_e5lV8IdK7Vv6bTDn5xbdbpaIEgKETroP6tqisytWtOKZ2XRsqOm2O4KqX9wvaEvQiBXyB4KrteNh6vqsMMtte2ARv5DKRDQ7EmI/s4032/IMG-6850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puppy Lottie sniffing toward an open can of Frosted Frog." border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFECFQSiWYyvSvBIR44EIzMt0dZoLVU_yodcOH10aPKfIzUUw95MW9aFBYoqhk59udL4sVjsugsGZf046E6Onngzf_e5lV8IdK7Vv6bTDn5xbdbpaIEgKETroP6tqisytWtOKZ2XRsqOm2O4KqX9wvaEvQiBXyB4KrteNh6vqsMMtte2ARv5DKRDQ7EmI/w320-h240/IMG-6850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Christmassy is just as apt descriptor of Frosted Frog's flavor profile as it is it's bouquet. All those notes I just mentioned? They're here, too. The standout is the molasses, which give the whole affair an almost cookie quality. That booziness is a tad more present here in the ale's flavor, standing in the finish with pine and molasses, warming me to my core.</p><p></p><p>The mouthfeel on this thing hits just as an ale should, yet--especially given the robustness of Frosted Frog's taste and aroma--it's thinner than I had initially expected. After grounding myself and remembering the beer's style, I have no complaints on this front.</p><p>You know, it's really something special that can make me feel like it's Christmas time in July. Sitting here and drinking this ale's really doing the trick. I feel like Michelle and I just finished trimming our tree and decorating our home, full of the holiday spirit.</p><p>Normally, after those activities, I like to relax on the couch with a certain other Akron Christmas beer and admire our handywork. Now, I'll have another NE Ohio beer to nurse on those special, once-a-year nights.</p><p>Hoppin' Frog's Frosted Frog is most definitely an Akron Christmas ale, and that is a compliment I don't lightly give. This is a 9.5/10 from me; just the thing to get me over the last lingering bit of the year until Christmas brews hit store shelves once more.</p><p>Well, the review proper's finished and you're still here. You are still here, right? Cool. I have a little bit of housekeeping to go over.</p><p>As you might have noticed, I've been pretty damn scarce the last few months. See, I have a special beer that I was going to drink to commemorate the release of the lastest <i>Legend of Zelda </i>game. However, I quickly realized that I'd much rather drink it to celebrate my finishing the title. And, since my free time is pretty slim ever since we brought our son home a year ago, that's taking a little longer than I expected.</p><p>I'd ideally like to get that post and one more up before Oktoberfest season hits the blog in September. Even if I haven't finished the game, I'll drink the beer and write about it for you by or on August 31st. If it takes that long, I won't get to that second beer until the new year. I hope it's worth the wait!</p><p>All this to say: Thanks for your patience and sticking around with me! I'll be much more active on here as the year comes to a close (Oktoberfest, Halloween, Maple Month, and Christmas'll all round out 2023). </p><p>Until next time (and since it is July 25th), grab that final Christmas ale you've been sitting on out of your fridge, throw on your favorite Christmas album, and let the joys of the season wash over you.</p>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3627855714007183944.post-69464740641531745672023-04-28T06:42:00.001-07:002023-04-28T06:42:18.526-07:004/28/23: New Holland Brewing's Dragon's Milk Tales of GoldIt seems as though New Holland stumbled upon a whole den of dragons, each slumbering atop a separate pile of treasure. Only earlier this week did I unleash my post of the series' bourbon barrel aged red ale. Now my attention's focused on the next great slumbering wyrm: Tales of Gold.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6U6y_BlvHaMjUKUX3DWMUtHtlknFmns4i6Jy79ezKbwkFP8kOdrOVeLLrL0G4gFrIIgwWZSqnqtjMrfSFaM4MtHaUKN1_gEo7JytFAe_uatOJBye98ni2SyGF99jzBByQQERIwa7Iu_ytaPKUV115k4w7voCjyXYfbnjhxZLx4uzilOW5gmrsMU7/s4032/IMG-6503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An unopened bottle of Dragon's Milk Tales of Gold" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6U6y_BlvHaMjUKUX3DWMUtHtlknFmns4i6Jy79ezKbwkFP8kOdrOVeLLrL0G4gFrIIgwWZSqnqtjMrfSFaM4MtHaUKN1_gEo7JytFAe_uatOJBye98ni2SyGF99jzBByQQERIwa7Iu_ytaPKUV115k4w7voCjyXYfbnjhxZLx4uzilOW5gmrsMU7/w320-h240/IMG-6503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Just like Crimson Keep, Tales of Gold isn't a traditional Dragon's Milk offering in that it isn't a stout. Yet, it seems set to carry on the lauded lineage of the brand by keeping it's high ABV and bourbon barrel aging. Remember--I enjoyed Crimson Keep although it wasn't a typical Dragon's Milk! Here's hoping I find just as much to enjoy in Tales of Gold.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>I've mentioned <span>my Tales of Gold a few times now, which indicates to me that I really ought to link that post</span>. <a href="https://www.johnlikesbeer.com/2023/04/42423-new-holland-brewings-dragons-milk.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">I'm doing it here</span></a> so you can hop over there to see a little about New Holland's history; since I just wrote about it, I'm not doing it today. I'll also link you to <a href="https://www.newhollandbrew.com/our-journey/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">the brewery's "Our Journey" page</span></a> for you to read up on the finer details about who they are, what they do, and why they do it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://dragonsmilk.com/tales-of-gold" target="_blank"><span style="color: #783f04;">Tales of Gold</span></a>'s an 11% ABV BBA golden ale that's brewed with milk sugar in finished in bourbon barrels. New Holland writes that it features notes of honey, caramel, oak, and a slight amount of sweetness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unsurprisingly, there's a slight amount of sweetness on the ale's nose, manifested as toffee, caramel, graham cracker, and vanilla (I'd guess this last bit comes from the bourbon barrels). Before all of that, however, I pick up on straw-like aromas and a little bit of yeast (like what you'd get in a Belgian blonde). Purrl gave my bottle seven whiffs, which I disagree with; the bouquet here is incredibly pleasant and inviting. Really, the only qualm I might have with Tale's of Gold's nose is the lack of booze--for 11% ABV, I'd expect it to smell hot. This lack of alcohol bite is a commonality it and it's red-scaled brother share.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIyubosov_N90dFJIpmF6Ag5B5Pl-wzolggs1e7d0n37CrYwD61RCFBNpTQahNEO1DwOqMSgdLNCSbxnQEUnR0dQ2yzee42dRg8HFuZNkGlVxnozZeht3KVRY_htfqek7LYQ8RW1kmyor3MQm9bm00TSzbk06PZFFErsvSJZUo4ywX9bST2YAOwU3/s4032/IMG-6509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Purrl the cat sniffing an opened Tales of Gold bottle" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIyubosov_N90dFJIpmF6Ag5B5Pl-wzolggs1e7d0n37CrYwD61RCFBNpTQahNEO1DwOqMSgdLNCSbxnQEUnR0dQ2yzee42dRg8HFuZNkGlVxnozZeht3KVRY_htfqek7LYQ8RW1kmyor3MQm9bm00TSzbk06PZFFErsvSJZUo4ywX9bST2YAOwU3/w320-h240/IMG-6509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The flavor profile here contains many of the bouquet's notes: caramel, toffee, straw, oak, and vanilla (although these two are more ethereal than I'd look for them to be). Citrusy qualities also abound with candied oranges and lemons. The sum of all these wonderful flavors isn't unlike a shortbread cookie. Again, as with the nose, there's a decided lack of booze on my palate--it's here, but only just.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm happy to report that Tales of Gold's mouthfeel is velvety smooth. Crimson Keep was punchy and bitey, which I had half-expected here. Instead, I'm met with an almost creaminess that fits the bouquet and palate perfectly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Much like with Crimson Keep, a healthy head's developed in my bottle (no glass-pouring for this beer).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cYbxVPIekHEsPNBxOXTNdvX7_-xvKHMxWz70pMw_f0fs6ZApUBykB0ERvoOuq7hHcGPiE5QIs5tjTSmuBEdo_TW2NUyFJyy3KWVRXVzW4uPGHwbrvLmQEBjHopcI8CXQw9VAQ1Xtgd88JcMarFztLVP2NRWXTmiY9dC2M_w8i8SD8aWAWwlZN8P2/s4032/IMG-6531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A frothy head in a Tales of Gold bottle" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cYbxVPIekHEsPNBxOXTNdvX7_-xvKHMxWz70pMw_f0fs6ZApUBykB0ERvoOuq7hHcGPiE5QIs5tjTSmuBEdo_TW2NUyFJyy3KWVRXVzW4uPGHwbrvLmQEBjHopcI8CXQw9VAQ1Xtgd88JcMarFztLVP2NRWXTmiY9dC2M_w8i8SD8aWAWwlZN8P2/w240-h320/IMG-6531.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Have you ever wandered through a hayfield just after a rainfall? The fresh and earthy aromas of straw and dirt rolling over the acres. The sky lightening rapidly as the wind carries the clouds away. The first warm rays of the sun spreading wide. This is all much like the sensation of drinking this beer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both New Holland's Dragon's Milk Tales of Gold and Crimson Keep are great beers. However, they aren't wholly equal. Tales of Gold is, in my humble opinion, the better of the two, scoring a firm 10/10. If New Holland can keep pushing the definition of Dragon's Milk with offerings of this quality, I'll follow them into the deepest and unmapped dungeons.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375425372320149846noreply@blogger.com0