As last weekend began a stretch of 90+ temps. with high humidity has hit the northeast and southeast. We are much warmer here now than our Florida brethren. Beer can be used as a cooling agent so let's get going with a domestic lager tasting pitting 2 northeast brews.
Brooklyn Lager: Color-Orangish amber Nose-Fresh First taste-Flavorful; full mouth Observations-Well balanced Where brewed? Utica, NY Fizziness-Light head; steady bubbles Cost-90 cents per 12 ozs(up now to $1.04) Saying-"The Pre-Prohibition Beer" Ingredients-Malted barley, hops, water and yeast Aftertaste-Lasting positive experience Rating-8
Yeungling Lager: Color-Dark yellow amber Nose-Of yeast First taste- Some taste; fast fade Observations-Strong flavor Where Brewed? Pottsville, Pa. Fizziness-Rim head; good carbonation Cost-65 cents per 12 ozs.(a bargain) Saying-"America's Oldest Brewery" (1829) Ingredients-Hops, barley, malt, yeast and water Aftertaste-Pleasant Rating-6.75 Final Thought-Price of Brooklyn Lager has gone up recently at Costco from $21.49 to $24.99 a sign that other brewers will follow?
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
IPA's in the Heat
An actual June summer type heat wave has hit the Northeast bringing daytime temps. into the 90's. We doing the beach club (Rockaways) by day and beer tastings at night. Let's get on with our IPA challenge:
Red Hook Long Hammer IPA: Color-Clear amber Nose-Floral First taste-Hop taste; then quick fade Observations-Not lasting flavor Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Cost-$1.16 Fizziness-Foamy head; active bubbles Style-IPA Alc#-6.5% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Some taste left Rating-7.25
Weyerbacher Hops Infusion IPA: Color-Cloudy rust Nose-Heavy hop odor First taste-Full mouth; deep taste Observations-Some hints of alcohol Where Brewed? Easton, Pa. Cost-71 cents(COOP sale) Fizziness-Thick foam; carbonated well Alc#-6.2% Container-12oz. bottle Aftertaste-Hop taste left Rating 7.5
Final Thought- Not top shelf IPA's, but representative!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
Red Hook Long Hammer IPA: Color-Clear amber Nose-Floral First taste-Hop taste; then quick fade Observations-Not lasting flavor Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Cost-$1.16 Fizziness-Foamy head; active bubbles Style-IPA Alc#-6.5% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Some taste left Rating-7.25
Weyerbacher Hops Infusion IPA: Color-Cloudy rust Nose-Heavy hop odor First taste-Full mouth; deep taste Observations-Some hints of alcohol Where Brewed? Easton, Pa. Cost-71 cents(COOP sale) Fizziness-Thick foam; carbonated well Alc#-6.2% Container-12oz. bottle Aftertaste-Hop taste left Rating 7.5
Final Thought- Not top shelf IPA's, but representative!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
5 Days Til' Buzzy Ale Tasting
The regular group is gathered at the home of the BeerBaron (yours truly) on an untypical Monday in early June. We will be sampling three domestic ales which would be classified IPA's or very hoppy cousins of that class. Let the festivities commence:
1) Saranac India Pale Ale: Foamy head; floral bouquet; medium hoppy; not much aftertaste; grapefruit bitter, then dissipates!!! Gary-6.5 Mike-7.5 Rita-6.5 Avg.-6.833 Note-An extensive fire at this brewery in Utica, NY decimated the entire canning capability; the beer operation will not be affected but some stock might have to be sent to other breweries for packaging!!!
2) Magic Hat Roxy Rolles: Burnt molasses; slight grapefruit; smoky; nice backbite; foamy head Gary-7 Mike-7.5 Rita-5 Avg.-6.5
3) Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale: Hoppy; bitter; grapefruit; Nice backbite; rim head Gary-7.5 Mike-7.75 Rita-5.5 Avg.-6.916
The numbers on this tasting were a bit lower than usual but representative!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
1) Saranac India Pale Ale: Foamy head; floral bouquet; medium hoppy; not much aftertaste; grapefruit bitter, then dissipates!!! Gary-6.5 Mike-7.5 Rita-6.5 Avg.-6.833 Note-An extensive fire at this brewery in Utica, NY decimated the entire canning capability; the beer operation will not be affected but some stock might have to be sent to other breweries for packaging!!!
2) Magic Hat Roxy Rolles: Burnt molasses; slight grapefruit; smoky; nice backbite; foamy head Gary-7 Mike-7.5 Rita-5 Avg.-6.5
3) Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale: Hoppy; bitter; grapefruit; Nice backbite; rim head Gary-7.5 Mike-7.75 Rita-5.5 Avg.-6.916
The numbers on this tasting were a bit lower than usual but representative!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
Beachclub Ale Taste
Back to Silver Gull Beach Club to open our cabana for the '08 season. While eating lunch I will do a quick tasting to launch the season. It will pit a Magic Hat entry vs. an old friend from Sierra Nevada. Let's go!!!
Magic Hat Hocus Pocus: Color-Amber Nose-Of cloves First Taste-Full mouth Observations-Good Flavor Where Brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Alc# 4.5% Fizziness-Rim head; minimal carbonation Aftertaste-Pleasant Rating-7
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale: Color-Amber Nose-Hoppy First Taste-Very Crispy Observations-Grapefruit; bitter Where brewed? Chico, Cal. Alc# 6.8% Fizziness-Slight head; mild bubbles Aftertaste-Bitterness remains Rating-8
FINAL THOUGHT- Two stalwarts did well; Celebrations' hoppiness won out!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
Magic Hat Hocus Pocus: Color-Amber Nose-Of cloves First Taste-Full mouth Observations-Good Flavor Where Brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Alc# 4.5% Fizziness-Rim head; minimal carbonation Aftertaste-Pleasant Rating-7
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale: Color-Amber Nose-Hoppy First Taste-Very Crispy Observations-Grapefruit; bitter Where brewed? Chico, Cal. Alc# 6.8% Fizziness-Slight head; mild bubbles Aftertaste-Bitterness remains Rating-8
FINAL THOUGHT- Two stalwarts did well; Celebrations' hoppiness won out!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron
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