Clive Barnes Memorial (Dead at 81) Lager Lunacy

We mourn Clive Barnes NY Times theater critic dead at age 81 on my mother Rhoda's birthday. One Canadian lager (a pilsner) will take on two domestic lagers; one is the king of beers, and the other from Trader Joe's.
Budweiser: Color-Clear golden Nose-Of grain First taste-Strong Observations-Fast fade Where Brewed? St. Louis, Mo. Fizziness-Foamy; lots of bubbles Cost-$.63 Aftertaste-Not much Rating-5.5
LaBatt's: Color-Clear golden Nose-Funky strange First taste-Nice taste Observations-Smooth; refreshing Where Brewed? Toronto, Canada Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Cost-$1.00 Aftertaste-Full mouth Rating-7.25
Trader Joe's Bohemian: Color-Slightly cloudy golden Nose-Weird First taste-Back throat Observations-Unusual flavor Where Brewed? San Jose, Cal. Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Cost-$1.00 Aftertaste-Still different Rating-6.75
Final Thought-LaBatt very good; Trader Joe's OK; Bud innocuous
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Pale Ale Potential

Back from a weekend trip to UDel and Bryce, it is a great time to continue my pale ale revues. Tonight I will compare two ales from Vermont; let the evaluating begin!!!
Magic Hat No. 9: Color-Dark yellowish Nose-Heavy hops First taste-Smooth; tangy Observations-Taste remains Fizziness-Foamy head; many bubbles Cost-$.84(Variety Show Pack purchased West Chester, Pa.) Where Brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Saying-"Essence of Apricot" Aftertaste-Can taste hint of apricot Rating-7.5
Wolaver Pale Ale: Color-Orange amber Nose-Caramel like First taste-Strong; back throat Observations-Fleeting taste; still some Fizziness-Rim head; some carbonation Cost-$1.31 Where Brewed? Middlebury, Vt. Saying-"Certified Organic" Aftertaste-Remainder has some depth Rating-6.75
Final Thought-No. 9 very good pale ale!!!
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Punctuating Pale Ale

This is another in my series of pale ale tastings; more will follow as this is an area of ale that I have a strong fondness for. Today upstate NY's Saranac (FX Matt Brewing) will take on a New England pale ale from Smuttynose (Shoal's).
Saranac: Color-Clear reddish amber Nose-Hoppy First taste-Smooth; tasty Observations-Well Balanced Fizziness-Nice head; few bubbles Where Brewed? Utica, NY Cost-$1.05 Saying-"Spirit of the Adirindacks" Aftertaste-Solid Rating-7.75
Smuttynose Shoal's: Color-Cloudy orange amber Nose-Not distinct First taste-Strong; back throat Observations-Quick fade; taste remains Fizziness-Foamy head; no bubbles Cost-$1.20 Saying-"Home of Smuttynose Island" Aftertaste-Strange; weird Rating-7
Final Thought-Saranac one of the best pale ales I've ever sampled. Smuttynose Shoal's a representative pale ale!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

German Beers

I'm home nursing a cold looking forward to a get together tomorrow with Rita & Gary in Windsor Heights(the new name for our neighborhood). All German beers are brewed under regulations of the Reinheitsgebot (only barley (or wheat), hops and water) a law passed in 1516. The Czech Republic also adheres to these regulations.
St. Pauli Girl Color: Golden Nose-Of grain First taste-Full mouth Observations-Smooth Fizziness-Light head; many active bubbles Cost-$1.00 Style-Lager Where Brewed? Bremen, Germany Aftertaste-Quality lasts Rating-7.5
Warsteiner: Color-Golden Nose-Sweet First taste-Good first taste Observations-Flattens out Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Cost-$.96.5 Style-Pilsner Where Brewed? Warsteiner, Germany Aftertaste-Some taste remains Rating-6.75
Final Thought-St. Pauli Girl better!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Inside the Pale (Ale)

After going to the Chocolate Show on the Westside piers we are home. Following dinner I am doing an ale tasting while awaiting the onset of the Giants-Eagles tilt in Philadelphia. Three of our familiar pale ales will do battle all of them domestic.
Knight's Head Pale Ale: Color-Cloudy dark orange Nose-Of hops First taste-Strong; hoppy Observations-Some lasting flavor Where Brewed? Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cost-$.42 Saying-"Brewing Refined" Aftertaste-Strong taste remains Rating-6.75
Porkslap (Farmhouse) Pale Ale: Color-Clear dark amber Nose-Funky First taste-Piercing; weird observations-Not positive Where Brewed? Garrattsville, NY Cost-$1.11 Saying-"All Malt" Aftertsate-Some; not great Rating-5.75
Smuttynose (Shoal's Pale Ale): Color-Cloudy dark amber Nose-Weird Observations-Interestingly good Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Cost-$1.20 Saying-"Smuttynose Island" Aftertaste-Lasting taste Rating-7
Final Thought-Knight's Head Bargain Choice (When any beer/ale can be purchased for $.42 and be good/very good it is a wonderful buy!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Post Obama Victory IPA Revelation Ale Tasting

We have reconvened the regular group at the brownstone of the BeerBaron in Greenwood Heights in Brooklyn. It is only four days since the historic election of Barack Obama as President. We are celebrating this event with an IPA tasting today.
1) Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA: (Del.) Very grapefruity; you can smell the hops; crispy; dissipates; still smooth; hint of lemon off grapefruit taste; refreshing Gary-7.25 Rita-7 Mike-7.75 Avg.-7.333
2) Saranac IPA: (NY) Nice nose; initial hoppy; then dissipates; burst then bitterness on back of throat; floral leftover aftertaste that seems soapy (not a Plus) Gary-6 Rita-5 Mike-7 Avg.-6
3) Wolaver IPA: (Vt.) Hint of burnt molasses; bitter hoppy; earthy taste; unpleasant after taste Gary-7 Rita-4 Mike-5.5 Avg.-5.5
4) SmuttyNose IPA: (NH) Hoppy nose; very grapefruit; very hoppy; hint of molasses; lingering sheer grapefruit after taste; ending bitterness Gary-7.75 Rita-6.5 Mike-7.5 Avg.-7.25
Very successful tasting followed by lunch at the Park Slope Ale House!!!
Signed: Gary J. Sweeney, Rita Renella & Mike Komaroff (BeerBaron)

Lay it On: The Lagers

Election eve finds us awaiting the election of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. If the polls are correct we are less than 24 hours away from taking over the White House from Bush and his cohorts. Letting lagers quench my thirst as I rate is tonight's beer game plan. Saranac's Adirondack Lager will take on Yeungling Lager. Onward and upward:
Saranac Adirondack Lager: Color-Amber Nose-Of grain First taste-Strong; flavorful Observations-Good smoothness Fizziness-Rim head; bubbles Where brewed? Utica, NY Cost-$1.05 Style-Lager Saying-"The Spirit of the Adirondacks" Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Lasting Rating-7.5
Yeungling Lager: Color-Amber Nose-Exotic First taste-Back throat Observations-Some taste on tongue Fizziness-Rim head; not heavy carbonation Where Brewed? Pottsville, Pa. Cost-65 cents Style-Lager Saying-America's Oldest Brewery (1829) Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Pleasant Rating-7.5
Final Thought- Saranac the WIN; Yeungling bargain special!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Pale Ale Parade(Session 2 of 2)

Election day beckons as we enter the month of November; I'll finish off this Pale ale extravaganza with my last 2 selections all having been tasted before. I'll reiterate that more raw numbers will allow the averages to help me formulate conclusions about all the categories tested.
Knight's Head Pale Ale: Color-Cloudy amber Nose-Hoppy First taste-Full mouth; fade; then hops Observations-Mostly balanced Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Where Brewed? Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cost-$.42 Saying-"Brewing Refined" Aftertaste-Still hops Rating-6.75
Pass Time Pale Ale: Color-Cloudy orange amber Nose-Fresh (Audrey) First taste-Quick taste; flattens out Observations-Not memorable Fizziness-Frothy head; few bubbles Where Brewed? Boulder, Col. Cost-$.79 (Pioneer Super Market -W.74th & Columbus Ave.) Saying-Colorado's 1st Micro-Brewery Aftertaste-Pass on this one Rating-6
Final Thought-Possible shelf life problem with Pass Time; Was definitely better when tasted during the spring and summer!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron