Pilsner Power

I will rate and hopefully enjoy two domestic Pilsners as I watch the 81st Academy Awards being presented.
Lion's Head Deluxe: Color-Yellow golden Nose-Of grain First taste-Strong taste; fast fade Observations-Back throat feel Fizziness-Mild head; bubbles Where brewed? Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Saying-The Best Head in Town Cost-$.83 Aftertaste-Some Rating-7
Saranac Bohemian: Color-Golden Nose-Of grain First taste-Strong taste; fades away Observations-Pleasant taste left Fizziness-Frothy head; few bubbles Where Brewed? Utica, NY Saying-The Spirit of the Adirondacks Aftertaste-Slight Rating-6.75
Final Thought-Close Nod to LionsHead in an almost even tilt.
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Ales on Wednesday

A cold rain has hit the New York area. I am dedicating this ale tasting to the birth of my new cousin Nathan Jon Somma son of Nicole and Jon. 
Magic Hat Hocus Pocus: Color-Golden  Nose-Citrus  First taste-Full mouth; some flavor  Observations-Pleasant  Where Brewed? So. Burlington, VT.  Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles  Cost-$.84  Style-Summer ale  Saying-Honey bee on label  Container-12 oz. bottle  Aftertaste-Complex  Rating-6.75
Saranac E.S.B.(Extra Special Bitter): Color-Orange amber  Nose-Cinnamon; malty  First taste-Full mouth; flavorful  Observations-Very drinkable  Where Brewed? Utica, NY  Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles  Cost-$1.16  Style-Special bitter  Saying-Spirit 0f Adirondacks  Container-12 oz. bottle  Aftertaste-Slightly bitter  Rating-7.50
Final Thought-"All's Well that Ales Well."

Mike Komaroff   BeerBaron

Vermont's Amber Ale Alternatives

Approaching Presidents Day and Audrey's week off following it, I am testing 2 Vermont amber ales. I expect a good showing by both as I am very familiar with both brewers.
Magic Hat Roxy Rolles: Color-Dark red amber Nose-Very hoppy First taste-Full mouth; solid Observations-Refreshing; hop emphasized Where Brewed?So. Burlington, VT. Fizziness-Frothy; few active bubbles Saying-Ingredients harmonize chemically Style-Hoppy amber ale Alc#-5.1% Aftertaste-Revived grapefruit Rating-7.75
Otter Creek Copper Ale: Color-Orange amber Nose-Sweet vinegar First Taste-Bitter full mouth Observations-Not positive taste Where Brewed? Middlebury, VT. Fizziness-Medium head; active bubbles Saying-Small batch craft organic brewer Style-Medium bodied amber ale Aftertaste-Bitterness personified Rating-7.25
Final Thought-Roxy Rolles lost a 1/4 point for its' hoppiness being too intense; Otter Creek ale gained 1/4 point for leveling off from total bitterness!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Pale Ale Parade

Following some hours volunteering at MS51 for a drama event, I am home and ready for some mild hoppiness on my BeerBaron palate.
Flying Dog "Doggie Style": Classic Pale Ale Color-Amber Nose-Hoppy First taste-Tangy; on tongue Observations-Tasty; balanced Where Brewed? Frederick, Md. Fizziness-Mild head; many active bubbles Cost-$.83 Style-Pale Ale Saying-Hunter S. Thompson-"Good people drink good beer." Alcohol#-5.5% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Consistent Rating-7.75
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Color-Golden amber Nose-Hoppy First taste-Full mouth Observations-Fades; some taste remains Where Brewed? Chico, Cal. Cost-$.83 Style-Pale Ale Alcohol#-5.6% Container-12 oz. bottle Saying-Bottle conditioned Fizziness-Rim head; few bubbles Aftertaste-Still good Rating-7.5
Final Thought-Very close battle in the pale ale category!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Winter Ale (Wow!!!)

A day before my 58th birthday I will compare 2 domestic winter ales on a 60 degree day in mid-February!!!
Red Hook Winter Hook: Color-Reddish orange Nose-Fresh; slightly sweet First taste-Full mouth Observations-Nice taste Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Fizziness-Mild head; active bubbles Cost-$.83 Alc#-5.9% Aftertaste-Wonderful Rating-8.5
Weyerbacher Winter Ale: Color-Reddish brown Nose-Chocolate First taste-Cloaked sweet taste Observations-Fast fade; not consistent Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Where brewed? Easton, Pa. Cost-$.76 Container-12 oz. bottle Style-Winter Ale Saying-Snowmen on Label Aftertaste-Same taste as before Rating-6.25
Final Thought-Red Hook one of the "best" winter ales I've ever taste!!! Weyerbacher more like a porter; did not have the "panache" a quality winter ale should!!!
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Bryce Return UDel Tasting

Bryce has been here since Dec.16 on her inter-session break. She drove back to Delaware last night; I'm going to wet my whistle with some European beers from brewing nations.
Karlovacko Beer (1854): Color-Golden yellow Nose-Of grain First taste-Back throat; hard taste Observations-Holds its own Fizziness-Mild head; many active bubbles Where Brewed? Karlovack, Croatia Cost-$.83 Container-11.15 fl. ozs. Aftertaste-Very European feel Rating-7.25
Krusovice Imperial Lager: Color-Amber Nose-Mild scent First taste-Full mouth; even flavor Observations-Lasting taste Fizziness-Rim head; some bubbles Where brewed? Krusovice, Czech Republic Cost-Gift Container-16.9 fl. ozs. Aftertaste-Emblematic of "Czech" brews Rating-7.5
Final Thought-Both are exemplary examples of European lagers; very close; edge to Krusovice!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Pumpkin Ale Powwow

As winter temperatures seem to be moderating here, I will try some pumpkin ales with Audrey.
Jack's Pumpkin Ale (w/spices): Color-Clear orange amber Nose-Spicy First taste-Quick taste; quicker fade Observations-Not much going on Fizziness-Foamy head; few bubbles Cost-$.83 Where Brewed? St.Louis, Mo. Factoid-From Michelob Collection Aftertaste-Slight Rating-Mike-6.5 Audrey-8 Avg.-7.25
Smuttynose Pumpkin: Color-Clear orange amber Nose-Pumkiny First taste-Nice flavor; lingers Observations-Tasty; slightly bitter Fizziness-Rim head; some carbonation Cost-$1.20 Where Brewed? Portsmouth, NH Factoid-Cuchobino Pumpkin Aftertaste-Full mouth Rating-Mike-7.75 Audrey-6.5 Avg.-7.125
Final Thought-Audrey liked Bud's Pumpkin (w/spices)more; Smuttynose my fave!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron

Czech Republic Ambrosia

This tasting took place before our Florida trip; it was among the best I've ever done, but not surprising as the Czech Republic is one of the worlds best brewing nations.
Pilsner Urquell: Color-Clear golden Nose-Slight floral First taste-Full mouth; satisfying Observations-Wonderful; satisfying Fizziness-Rim head; limited carbonation Where Brewed? Plezen, Czech Republic (1869) Cost-Gift Alc#-4.4% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Remember it!!! Rating-8.5
Staropramen Premium: Color-Clear golden Nose-Slight floral First taste-Quick taste; slight fade Observations-Solid flavor remains Fizziness-Rim head; slight carbonation Where Brewed? Prague, Czech Republic(1842) Cost-$.83 Alc#-5% Container-11.2 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Nice Rating-7.75
Final Thought-Close to full point differential in comparison came down to overall taste and a fine finish!!!
Mike Komaroff BeerBaron