Lager Faceoff

Beer tastings during the daylight hours are rare for me; yet I sometimes feel in the mood as spring type weather sets in. Today's will taste and evaluate two domestic lagers.
Brooklyn Lager: Color-Amber Nose-Floral First taste-Full mouth Observations-Extremely smooth Fizziness-Frothy head; steady carbonation Where Brewed? Utica, NY Style Saying-"The Pre-Prohibition Beer" Container-12oz.bottle-5.2%alc. Components-Malted barley, hops, water, yeast Aftertaste-Great staying power Rating-8
Red Tail Lager: Color-Golden Nose-Clean First taste-Full Mouth Observations-Good taste Fizziness-Thinner head; medium carbonation Where Brewed? Saratoga Springs, NY Style Saying-"The Legend Grows" Container-12 oz. bottle Components-Barley malt, yeast, hops, water Aftertaste-Not memorable; Very average Rating-7
FINAL THOUGHTS: Brooklyn Lager my all time fave; Red Tail quite good!
BeerBaron

Porter Beer Tasting

Audrey went to a Retirement dinner for a former principal at her middle school. Upon her return my beer tasting began as we watched TV in the living room.
Sam Adams Holiday Porter: Color-Dark brown w/red hue Nose-Chocolate First taste-Full Mouth Observations-Smooth; satisfying Fizziness-Frothy head; nice carbonation Where Brewed? Boston, Mass. Cost-99 cents per 12 ozs. Container-Bottle (5.8% Alc.) Type-Caramel, Munich & Chocolate Hops Aftertaste-Solid Rating-7.5
Saranac Caramel Porter: Color-Dark brown w/orange tinge Nose-Caramel First taste-Funky sweet Observations-Back throat Fizziness-Frothy head; steady carbonation Where Brewed? Utica, NY Cost-96 cents per 12ozs. Container-Bottle (5.2% Alc.) Type-Caramel w/fuggles and East Kent goldings Aftertaste-Sweet still; negative Rating-6.25
FINAL THOUGHTS-Sam Adams Holiday impressive!!! Over sweetness of Saranac doomed its rating!!! Beer Baron

Czech Rebel Beer

With an early day tomorrow driving Audrey to a Dept. of Education meeting, I set my senses on a 16.9 ounce Czech Rebel Beer which I have always taken a fancy to.
Czech Rebel Beer: Color-Golden Nose-Aromatic First taste-Full mouth Observations-Strong intensity on the taste buds, Where brewed? Havlickuv, Czech Republic Cost-Gift Aftertaste-Taste lingers Rating-7.5
FINAL THOUGHT- Not for the "namby pamby" beer sipper type; has sufficient taste and drink ability to satisfy the Beer BARON!!!

Belgian/Belgian Style & Bud Light

My cousin Stevie mailed me some beer including a domestic brewed example of a Belgian Tripel. It will be tested in a future tasting.
Hoegaarden White: Color-Pale light yellow Nose-Exotic First taste-Sharp Observations-Taste subsides Fizziness-Rim head; slight carbonation Where Brewed? Hoegaarden, Belgium Cost-$1.33 per 12 ozs. Aftertaste-Some Rating-6.25
Leffe Blonde Ale: Color-Golden yellow Nose-Clean First taste-Pungent Observations-Taste stays in mouth Fizziness-Medium Head and carbonation Where brewed? Brussels, Belgium Cost-$1.33 per 11.2 ozs. Aftertaste-Some; not positive Rating-6
Saranac Belgian Style Ale: Color-Amber w/red hue Nose-Foreign First taste-Strong Observations-Back throat Fizziness;Slight head; active bubbles Where Brewed-Utica, NY, USA Cost-96 cents per 12 ozs. Aftertaste-Slight Rating-6.5
FINAL THOUGHT-All brews were different types; Results representative!!!
Additional Bud Light Tasting (same night): Color-Golden yellow Nose-Clean First taste-Flat uneven Observations-Not any discernible taste Fizziness-Shallow rim head; limited carbonation Where brewed? Corporate Headquarters St. Louis, Mo. Type-Light Aftertaste-None Rating-2.5 NOTE: Not securing the screw cap overnight a factor at least in carbonation; maybe taste too!!!
FINAL THOUGHT- Left over beer(s) from my daughter Bryce's get together!!!
Signed: Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Lager Tasting

As I sit in the living room with Audrey watching a PBS program on famous movie musicals through the years, I decided a comparison of two different types of lagers was needed.
Red Tail Lager: Color-Amber Golden Nose-Clean First taste-Full mouth Observations-Taste remains; drinkable Fizziness-Rim head; mild carbonation Cost-$1 per 12 ozs. Where Brewed? Saratoga Springs, NY by the Mendocino Brewing Co. Style-Lager Add-Ons-Straight Lager Aftertaste-Slight; back throat Rating-7.25
Sam Adams Winter Lager: Color-Dark amber Nose-Molasses First taste-Intense Observations-Taste does fade Fizziness-Slight head; mild carbonation Cost-$1 per 12 ozs. Where Brewed-Boston, Mass. by Jim Koch, Brewer Style-Winter lager Add-Ons-Dark wheat beer with spices Aftertaste-Not much Rating-6.75
FINAL THOUGHTS: Close Contest; 2 Representative lagers (Flagship Boston Lager might be better opponent for Red Tail!!!)

March to IPA's Beer Tasting

With our regular crew assembled in the area south of Park Slope, Michael Kagan has joined us for todays activities. We will be tasting an array of IPA's or hoppy ales that qualify in a similar category.
1)Troeg's Amber Ale (Pa.): Burnt wood smoked molasses; grapefruit backbite;sour; Pleasant taste left(bitterness back tongue); watery; Alc-6% Gary-6.5 Michael-6.5 Mike(Baron)-7 Rita-4 Avg.6
2)Sierra Celebration Ale (Cal.): Well balanced;lemon grapefruit; more bitter than sour; taste stays in your mouth; backbite-Alc.6.8% Gary-7.25 Michael-8 Mike-8.25 Rita-7 Avg.7.625
3)Hooker IPA (Brewed in NY(Connecticut): strange bitter taste;medicinal taste in background;too carbonated Gary-5.25 Michael-5 Mike-6.5 Rita-3.5 Avg.-5
4)Wolaver IPA (Vt): burnt wood; sweet; smoky; nice smell Gary-4.5 Michael-4.5 Mike-5 Rita-3.75 Avg.-4.4375
5)Brooklyn East India Pale Ale (NY): good drink ability;floral scent; floral bitter aftertaste; Alc-6.8% Gary-5 Michael-7 Mike-6.75 Rita-6.25 Avg.-6.25
6)J.W. Dundee's IPA (NY): slight hoppy;backbite; molasses; bitter; nice aftertaste Gary-6.75 Michael-7.25 Mike-6.75 Rita-6 Avg.-6.6875
Conclusions-M. Kagan suggested a top 6 tasteoff of the very best IPA's we've tried? We will collect the appropriate ales and schedule when it is convenient for the group!!!