Christmas-Chanukah IPA Tasting

The holiday season has brought together the usual suspects in the Park Slope environs to renew our India pale ale saga.
1)Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA(De.): Slight bitterness; pleasant; pilsner like; subtle grapefruit; smoothness Gary-7.25 Rita-8 Mike-7.75 Avg.-7.666
2)Magic Hat Roxy Rolles(Vt.): Earthy; subtle grapefruit; pleasant; crispy on tongue Gary-6.75 Rita-7 Mike-7 Avg.-6.91
3)Sierra Nevada Pale Ale(Cal.): Fast grapefruit; quick fade; bitter feel; nice aftertaste Gary-6 Rita-6 Mike-7.25 Avg.-6.416
4)Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale'08(Cal.): Nice crispy; molassy burnt taste; crispness on outset; lasting on tongue; pleasant nice aftertaste; dissipates at end Gary-8 Rita-7 Mike-8 Avg.-7.666
Commentary-Fitting tie for first place!!!
Signed: Gary Sweeney, Rita Renella, Mike Komaroff (BeerBaron)

"Repeat" Pumpkin Ale Tasting

Almost 2 months to the day (10/23/08) I will again evaluate two pumpkin ales.
Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin: Color-Clear orange amber Nose-Fruity First taste-Balanced Observations-Decent taste Fizziness-Average head; carbonated Where Brewed? Golden, Colorado (Coor's) Cost-$1.16 Style-Pumpkin ale Saying-6 spices & Crystal malt Aftertaste-Consistent Rating-7.25
Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale: Color-Cloudy amber Nose-Pumkiney First taste-Funky Observations-Still strong tasting Fizziness-Rim head; medium carbonation Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Cost-$1.20 Style-Pumpkin ale Saying-Cucurbita Pepo (pumpkin) Aftertaste-Very intense Rating-6.75
Final Thought-B.M. Harvest Moon still the winner!!! Slightly poorer showing by both might be seasonally based!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Lager Legacy

Unfortunately my football Giants have their hands full playing Dallas on the road; a 20-8 loss has put them in a tough spot with the biggest game of the year next Sunday. A win then, (I will be there) will right the ship; a loss would be devastating and could cause a free fall. A beer taste test is in order this evening:
Trader Joe's Bohemian: Color-Mildly cloudy golden Nose-Fresh; gritty First taste-Strong; taste remains Observations-Taste does fade Where brewed? San Jose, Cal. Fizziness-Mild head; more bubbles Cost-$1.00 Style-Bohemian lager Saying-Resembles Czech Republic lager Container-12 oz. bottle Alcohol %-5% Aftertaste-Not lasting Rating-6.25
Yeungling Lager: Color-Clear amber Nose-Floral First taste-Smoother Observations-Full mouth Where Brewed?Pottsville, Pa. Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Cost-$.75 Style-Lager Saying-US's First Brewery (1829) Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Some; decent Rating-7.25
Final thought-Yeungling flagship beer just outclasses Bohemian style TJ's.
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Light Beer Libation

Generally speaking, I consider light beers to be a step down from their higher caloried brethren. As the BeerBaron I still feel obligated to rate them; here goes!!!
Knight's Head Light: Color-Clear golden Nose-Not distinct First taste-Strong Observations-Back throat Where Brewed? Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cost-$.42 Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Saying-Brewing Refined Aftertaste-Some Rating-5.5
Yeungling Light: Color-Clear amber Nose-Of grain First taste-Flat Observations-Taste a negative Where Brewed? Pottsville, Pa. Cost-$.75 Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Saying-US's oldest brewery (1829) Aftertaste-Not good Rating-4
Final Thought-There must be better light beers than these two.
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Pale Ale Prioritized

In my continuing pale ale profiles I will compare 2 domestic examples.
Knight's Head Pale Ale: Color-Cloudy amber Nose-Toned down hoppy Observations-Overall quality not good Where Brewed? Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Cost-$.42 Style-Pale ale Container-12 oz. bottle Saying-"Brewing Refined" Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Aftertaste-Some taste remains Rating-6.25
Magic Hat No. 9: Color-Clear golden Nose-Nice; hoppy First taste-Intense; full mouth Observations-Smooth; pleasant taste Where brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Cost-$.84 Style-Almost pale ale Alcohol level-4.6% Container-12 oz. bottle Saying-"Not quite pale ale" Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Aftertaste-Positive Rating-7.5
Final thought-Knight's Head sample may have been compromised by shelf life issues.
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Brown Ales (2 Sessions)

12/07/08
Otter Creek Raspberry Brown: Color-Brown; yellow tinge Nose-Raspberry First taste-Quick taste; fade Observations-Balances Out Where Brewed? Middlebury, Vt. Fizziness-Rim head Cost-$1.00 Style-Raspberry brown ale Aftertaste-Raspberry on tongue Rating-7.25
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog: Color-Brown; orange hue Nose-Spicy First taste-Sharp; back throat Observations-Nice taste Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Fizziness-Rim head Cost-$1.20 Style-Brown ale Aftertaste-Lasting Rating-7.50

12/08/08
Saranac Brown Ale: Color-Orange brown Nose-Fresh caramel First taste-Good first taste Observations-Smoothness Where Brewed? Utica, NY Fizziness-Frothy head; bubbles Cost-$1.06 Style-Brown ale Aftertaste-Nice finish Rating-8.25
Final Thought-In this two day comparative test, Saranac was the clear winner!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Prohibition Repeal (1933) Trader Joe's Beer Blast

We have gotten to Friday and a key day in the drinkers' historical database. Prohibition of alcoholic beverages pervaded our nation from 1919-1933. I celebrate the 75th anniversary by testing two Trader Joe products one foreign the other domestic.
Trader Joe's Dark: Color-Brown orange hue Nose-Caramel First taste-Back throat Observations-Tastes alright Fizziness-Foamy head; bubbles Where Brewed? Mexico Cost-$1.08 Aftertaste-Smooth Rating-6.5
Trader Joe's Bock: Color-Cloudy dark golden Nose-Funky First taste-Strong on tongue Observations-Weird follow through Fizziness-Mild head; little bubbles Where Brewed? Chico, Cal. Cost-$1.00 Aftertaste-Not pleasant Rating-5.75
Final Thought-Individual Beers!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

"Previous" Black & Tan's

Following a sumptuous Thanksgiving celebration at my cousin's house in Scarsdale, we are hanging out at home with my mom; here through next Wednesday. I am doing a repeat of a previous test expecting similar results.
Saranac B&T (Stout & Lager): Color-Orange hue brown Nose-Malty First taste-Full mouth Observations-Nice Balance Where Brewed? Utica, NY Cost-$1.05 Aftertaste-Smooth Rating-7.25
Yeungling B&T (Porter & Premium): Color-Red Tint Brown Nose-Of caramel First taste-Strong; flattens out Observations-Tastes good; fades out Where Brewed? Pottsville, Pa. Cost-$.75 Aftertaste-Backthroat Rating-6.5
Final Thought-Black & Tan's-Good ones!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Ales Are Alive

Thanksgiving evening following a day of family gathering and eating at my cousin's house in Scarsdale. Ales come in many taste patterns and types.
Magic Hat Notion (Summer '08): Color-Orange tinted brown Nose-Of maple; syrup smell First taste-Burnt taste Observations-Nice flavor; balanced Cost-84 cents; Alc.#4.2% Fizziness-Rim head; bubbles Where Brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Saying-Chaotic Chemistry, Humble Patience, & Blind Faith Ingredients-Components of English Ale Aftertaste-Like a "Porter" Ale Rating-7.5
Yeungling Lord Chesterfield: Color-Golden yellow Nose-Of grain First taste-Strong; fast fade Observations-Good ale highlights Cost-75 cents Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Where brewed? Pottsville, Pa. Saying-First US Brewery(1829) Ingredients-An American Ale Aftertaste-Full mouth Rating-7
Final Thought-2 Different classes of ale. Both satisfied!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Wheat (Weisse) Beer

Audrey is at PS1 a Sunset Park elementary school recruiting students for next fall's 6th grade class. I will again encounter the world of wheat beers (originally developed in Germany) with 2 domestic examples.
Brooklyn: Color-Cloudy golden Nose-Of cloves First taste-Full mouth, intense Observations-Sharp; not refreshing Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Where brewed-Utica, NY(Kegs brewed in Brooklyn) Cost-$1.34 Process-Contains yeast Saying-"Brewed in New York Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Back throat Rating-6.25
Magic Hat Circus Boy: Color-Clear yellow Nose-Fruity First taste-Quick taste; fast fade Observations-Levels out Fizziness-Frothy; few bubbles Where brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Cost-$.84 Process-Is Filtered Saying-"The Hefeweizen" Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Some taste stays Rating-7
Final Thought-Not my favorite style; 2 representative examples!!! .
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Thanksgiving IPA Tasting

The BeerBaron, the Aleman, and the Icegirl are together again in Riverdale for another in our series of IPA quaffings.
1)Hazed & Infused (dry hopped ale) Colorado: grapefruit; dissipates as crispy fades; different bitter at end; caramel burnt taste stays Gary-6 Mike-7 Rita-5.5 Avg.-6.16
2)Stone IPA-California: real grapefruit; full bite; well balanced Gary-7 Mike-8 Rita-6.5 Avg.-7.16
3)Victory Hop Devil IPA-Pa.: very bitter; big grapefruit explosion at first; crispy on back of tongue; burnt bitter Gary-7.75 Mike-7.5 Rita-7 Avg.-7.41
{Lunch Break}
4)Smuttynose IPA-NH: very bitter(lemon seed); bitter; hoppy; not grapefruity; full bodied; rounded Gary-8.25 Mike-7.75 Rita-6 Avg.-7.33
5)Saranac IPA-NY: crispy; then dissipates; aftertaste hot in mouth (sometimes evocative of higher alcohol content); bitter not grapefruit or lemon Gary-7.5 Mike-7.5 Rita-6.5 Avg.-7.16
Signed-Gary J. Sweeney, Mike Komaroff, & Rita Renella

Pale Ale Permutations

Audrey is giving Maxine a break in Florida by visiting her mom in the re-hab recovering from shoulder replacement surgery. I will do another in my series of pale tastings pitting 2 domestics ones.
Magic Hat No.9: Color-Cloudy golden Nose-Strongly hoppy First taste-Full mouth Observations-Nice taste Where brewed? So. Burlington, Vt. Fizziness-Medium head; active bubbles Cost-$.84(Discounted case price) Style-Almost pale ale Saying-Not quite pale ale Alcohol-4.6% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Some Rating-7.25
Troeg's: Color-Clear yellowish Nose-Pleasant hoppy First taste-Slight grapefruit Observations-Well balanced Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Cost-$1.36 Style-Pale ale Saying-Independent Craft brewery Alcohol-5.4% Container-12 oz. Aftertaste-Smooth; tasty Rating-7.5
Final thought-Both very good pale ale types!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron