Stout Offerings

As we approach leap year this Friday, the "Stout of Dublin" will take on Jim Koch's cream stout from Beantown.
Guinness Extra: Color-Black; red tinge Nose-Clean First taste-Full mouth; intense Observations-Staying power Fizziness-Constant Head Where brewed? Dublin, Ireland Container/type-Bottle/ no nitrogen Cost-Gift Aftertaste-How a stout should remain in your mouth Rating-8
Sam Adams Cream Stout: Color-Black/ orange hue Nose-Medicinal First taste-Smooth; goes down easy Observations-Impresses me; consistent Fizziness-Frothy head Where brewed? Boston, Mass., USA Container-12oz. bottle/Brewmaster's Collection Cost-$1.00 per 12 ozs. Aftertaste-Hint of coffee; doesn't have the traditional aftertaste, but taste is there. Rating-7.5
FINAL THOUGHT-Cream Stout made good showing; Guinness was just better!!!

European Beer Tasteoff

With the Academy Awards presentation as the backdrop, here goes with another beer evaluation of European brews.
Tennent's of Scotland: Color-Golden Nose-Funky First taste-Full taste; doesn't last Observations-Quality product Fizziness-Frothy head; slight carbonation Where brewed?Glasgow, Scotland Cost-99 cents per 11.2 ozs. Aftertaste-slight Rating-6.75
Warsteiner: Color-Yellow Nose-Fresh, clean First taste-Back throat Observations-Goes down easily (drinkable) Fizziness-Rim head; active bubbles Where brewed? Warstein, Germany Cost-96 cents per 11.2 ozs. Aftertaste-Pleasing Rating-7.5
FINAL THOUGHT-German triumph over Scotch brew!!!

Lager Lavishness Tasting

Garrett Oliver's Brooklyn Lager will again challenge Jim Koch's Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Shall we begin the quaffing session?
Brooklyn Lager: Color-Reddish gold cloudy Nose-Hoppy First taste-Full mouth; pleasing taste Observations-Just grows on me Fizziness-Frothy head Where brewed? Utica, NY Cost-90 cents per 12 ozs. Container-Bottle Aftertaste-I remember it well!!! Rating-8
Samuel Adams Boston Lager: Color-Golden; reddish, yellow hue Nose-Clean First taste-Slight burst; dissipates Observations-Solid not excellent Fizziness-Frothy head Where brewed? Boston, Mass. Cost-$1 per 12 ozs. Container-Bottle Aftertaste-Some taste left Rating-7
FINAL THOUGHT: Brooklyn Lager value priced at $21.49 per case at Costco!!!

Rising raw material cost

A recent Saranac email talked of increases at the retail level of 50 cents per 6-pack and $2 per case. This seems to be the ongoing rule and far from any exception. Skyrocketing costs of hops worldwide are the cornerstone of the brewers' problems. As the Beer Baron I made a New Year's resolution to stop buying cases so my beers' shelf life can be better controlled. I now plan on purchasing a case of Brooklyn Lager at Costco's cheap price of $21.49 a case; I expect this will cost more SOON!!! Cherry picking the great buys will be my new credo as we travel these uncharted waters in 2008. I will buy any 50 centers at Eagle Provisions once; I will repurchase any beer/ale that scores 5 or more on my rating system. These 2 for $1 specials can have shelf life issues and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. I hope to get back to a great beer distributor in West Chester, Pa. the next time i go to visit my daughter Bryce at UDel in Newark, Del. They have a terrific selection of beers by the case; some recently expired items are vastly reduced in price. I will pass on other thoughts in future emails.

Sincerely,

The Beer Baron

IPA Tasteoff

The difference between this tasting and the one when I first tasted Rogue Bitter, is that I've had Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale before. Yet, I can say it is one of my favorite "IPA style beers"!!! I rated it a blastoff 8.5, which is the highest rating I've ever given it. I realize it is a winter seasonal item, so I know it will soon not be available, (i did a few bottles at the Park Slope Food Coop) until the end of the year when the 2008 edition is brewed. Both ales tested tonight were 6.8% alcohol. Quite intoxicating as Audrey and I watched the lunar eclipse. Let us begin:
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale: Color-Reddish gold Nose-Hoppy First taste-Strong;doesn't last Observations-Strange hard edge taste Fizziness-Light head; mild carbonation Where brewed? Utica, NY Style-IPA Grapefruit level-Slight Aftertaste-Not memorable Rating-7
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (2007): Color-Amber; reddish tinge Nose-More intense smell of hops First taste-Full bodied wonderful Observations-Steady long lasting full mouth Fizziness-Medium frothy head; heavily carbonated Where brewed? Chico, California Style-Winter seasonal ale Grapefruit level-Very intense Aftertaste-I'll remember it forever!!! Rating-8.5
FINAL THOUGHT- Celebration Ale is one of my all time favorites!!!
Beer Baron
MK

Central American Tasting

It's President's Day and I need to wet my whistle. I'll compare a beer from El Salvador with one from Mexico. Audrey will share the Cantina with me tonight.

CANTINA: Color-Golden yellow Nose-Mild First taste-Back throat; dissipates Observations-Slight taste remains Where brewed? San Salvador, El Salvador Cost-50 cents per 12 ozs. Container-Bottle Type-Lager Fizziness-Light head; some bubbles Aftertaste-Not much Rating-5
DOS EQUIS XX: Color-Cream w/yellow tinge Nose-Of cloves First taste-Full Mouth Observations-Stronger taste Where brewed? Monterrey, Mexico Cost-Gift Container-Bottle(12 ozs.) Type-Amber lager Fizziness-Medium head; active bubbles Aftertaste-Lingering positive Rating-7
FINAL THOUGHT: Mexican product more impressive import!!!

Valentine's Beer Tasting

Beers from Brazil and Guatemala will be evaluated this evening.
Gallo(Guatemala): Color-clear golden yellow Nose-funky First taste-strong; total fade Observations-very light Cost-gift Fizziness-rim head; medium bubbles Container-can(350 ml) Type-Light lager Aftertaste-not there Rating-3.75
Nova Schin (Brazil): Color-cloudy golden Nose-not distinct First taste-full mouth Observations-a foreign flavor Cost-50 cents Fizziness-rim head; light bubbles Container-bottle(355 ml) Type-pilsner Aftertaste-some taste there Rating-5.5
Final Thought-Two foreign beers-not top shelf!!!

Beer Baron 57th B-Day Homebrew

This home brewed beer was a gift from my nephew Craig via one of his friends who brewed it. Here goes:
Home Brewed: Color-brown; red hue Nose-sweet First taste-full mouth Observations-taste lingers Fizziness-rim head; some carbonation Where brewed? Durham, N.C. Type-porter Comment-Had consistency Aftertaste-has some(positive) Rating-7.25

Dark Beer Tasting

My nephew Craig sent the Guatamalan Moza Bock which was included in this tasting.
Moza Bock: Color-Brown Nose-Burnt First taste-Burnt taste Observations-Flattens out Where brewed? Guatamala Fizziness-Frothy head; quick fade Container-Can-350 ml. Type-Bock Cost-Gift Aftertaste-Flat Rating-3.5
Saranac Chocolate Amber Lager: Color-Brown; yellow tinge Nose-Smooth chocolate First taste-Full taste; nice range Observations-Consistent flavor Where brewed? Utica, NY Fizziness- Thick very frothy head Container-Bottle-12ozs. Type-Lager Cost-96 cents per 12 ozs. Aftertaste-Nice lingering effect Rating-7.5
FINAL THOUGHT-Choc. Amber lager much more impressive!!!

Novice Lager Tasting

As part of our outreach to drinkers who long to get into beer tasting, I led a seminar with my daughter (UDel student) and her friend (NYU student). The results seem predictable but check them out for yourselves.
1)Brooklyn Lager: sweet, champagne like, bitter, soapy, "bitterish aftertaste", flowery bouquet Bryce-4 Jordan-3 Mike-8 Avg.-5
2)Budweiser: buttery smell, sweet, refreshing, like soda carbonation, like cider, not much taste, very light Bryce-6 Jordan-6 Mike-3 Avg.-5
3)Sam Adams Winter Lager: sweet, honey, tingly, nutty, not as bitter as Brooklyn Lager Bryce-4.5 Jordan-5 Mike-6.5 Avg.-5.333
Comments-Novices have potential; their descriptions were quirky!!!

A GIANT Victory!

I guess all the sports prognosticators have to re-evaluate their read on what the Giant team was tonight; also which QB between Brady and Manning would grab the brass ring and the World title. The Giant front four provided relentless pressure throughout the game literally beating the stuffing out of Brady. This pass rush proved critical in the second half allowing the Patriots one second half score; fortunately Eli Manning duplicated that TD drive to Plaxico Burress providing the 17-14 final score. Always keep the faith Giants fans; never say die!!! When you least expected the playoff victories, the Giant road warriors delivered. 11 straight road wins!!! Truly incredible!!!

Trader Joe's 2007 Vintage Ale

What better way to celebrate the Giants 17-14 improbable victory over the Pats than to evaluate a brown ale imported by Trader Joe's.
2007 Vintage Ale: Color-Orange brown Nose-Of Cloves First taste-Full mouth Observations-Slight backbite; tastes like cloves Where brewed? Cranbly, Quebec, Canada Cost-$5.00 per 25.4 ozs. Alc.#9% Fizziness-Nice thick head; carbonated Aftertaste-Some left in mouth Rating-7.5
Final Thought-Above average (brown) ale
Bonus Evaluation
Hoegaarden White Beer: Color-Opaque yellow gold Nose-Clean First taste-Not special Observations-taste not special Where brewed? Hoegaarden, Belgium Cost-$1.33 per 12 ozs. Fizziness-No head; light foam;some bubbles Aftertaste-Flat Rating-6
Final thought-I'm not an enthusiast of white beers in general; they seem to emulate wheat beers to me!!!

Groundhog Day IPA Tasting

From south of Park Slope in Brooklyn to Riverdale in the Bronx via the R,F,A, and No.1 trains plus the Bx.7 bus the Beer Baron arrived. Our IPA's included the following with descriptive statement on how we evaluated them.
1. Magic Hat Roxy Rolles: (Burlington, Vermont) Sweet, bitter, full taste, cloudy off orange color, crisp early, some grapefruit, bitterness building, nostalgic taste, nice aftertaste(bitterness lingers!!! Gary-7.75 Mike-8 Rita-9 Avg.-8.25
2. Smuttynose IPA: (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) Strange smell, Cloudy, very bitter, not grapefruit, organic earthy, lemon rind feel, "radicchio" bitter taste, Stays bitter full mouth, medicinal herbal taste Gary-7.5 Mike-7.25 Rita-7 Avg.-7.25
3. Brooklyn East India Pale: (Utica, New York) barley smell, strange taste, slightly bitter, alcoholic bitter taste, hints of chicory, tasted worse as it warmed up Gary-6.5 Mike-6.75 Rita-5 Avg.-6.083
4. Mojo IPA: (Boulder, Colorado) Perfect grapefruit, crisp backbite, floral scent, intense grapefruit aftertaste Gary-7 Mike-7.5 Rita-6 Avg.-6.833
5. Weyerbacher Hops Infusion: (Easton, Pennsylvania) Grapefruit smell; taste dissipates,bitterness gets less intense still leaving a slight "bitter" aftertaste Gary-7.5 Mike-7 Rita-6.5 Avg.-7
6. Sierra Nevada Celebration 2007: (Chico, California Grapefruit; dissipates; aftertaste solid Gary-7.75 Mike-8 Rita 7 Avg.-7.583
7. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA: (Milton, Delaware) Chewed coffee bean taste, Bitter, not grapefruit Gary-8 Mike-8 Rita-8 Avg.-8

More 50 Centers (Ugh!!!)

I am happy that I'm the only one who was subjected to drinking this swill. The Beer Baron realizes that fiasco's will sometimes occur; finishing the task is my ultimate goal. In the case of half dollar beers I guess "you get what you pay for." I paired an Indian "premium" beer with a Brazilian brew. Now on to the disaster:
Haywards 5000: Color-Opaque golden Nose-Clovelike First Taste-Awful Observations-Undrinkable; worst thing I ever tasted Where brewed? Uran, Maharashtra, India Cost-50 cents per 11.2 ozs. Fizziness-Foam rim top glass; carbonation Type-Premium 7% alc. Aftertste-Hope not Rating-1
Sambadoro: Color-Cloudy yellow Nose-Clean First taste-Back throat Observations-Not very tasty; flat Where brewed? Uberlandia, Brazil Cost-50 cents per 12 ozs. Fizziness-Foam on top; some bubbles Type-Standard Aftertaste-Slight Rating-3.5
FINAL THOUGHTS-Was absolutely worst 2 beer test; I suspect the beers were old and well past their prime. Maybe reason for price mark down.

50 Cent Each Pilsner Tasting

For those seeking moderately priced beers in the $3.00 a six-pack price range, I'm checking them out tonight. The contestants are a Brazilian import vs. a domestic Pilsner from FX Matt Brewing of Utica, NY. Here goes:
Nova Schin: Color-Golden Nose-Funky First taste-Refreshing Observations-No Distinct Features Where brewed? Brazil (4.7 alc.#) Fizziness-No head; little carbonation Container-Bottle Cost-50 cents per 12 ozs. purchased at Eagle Provisions Style-Pilsner Aftertaste-None Rating-5
Old Harbour Select: Color-Golden Nose-Clean First taste-Full Mouth Observations-Flattens out a bit Where brewed? Utica, NY Fizziness-Slight head; more carbonated Container-Can Cost-50 cents per 12 ozs. purchased at Pioneer Supermarket-Westside Manhattan Style-Pilsner Aftertaste-Some lasting taste Rating-6
FINAL Thought-Domestic Pilsner showed more zing. Both were refreshing and well worth the fifty cent price tag!!!