Kirkland German Lager

Kirkland German Lager: Color-Amber golden Nose-Slightly sweet First taste-Fast flavor; quick fade Observations-Not even; not level Fizziness-Mild head; few bubbles Where brewed? Utica, NY Cost-$.79 Saying-Alc#-5.5% (Considered malt liquor in Texas) Style-Domestic lager; German type Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Funky Rating-6.25
Factoid: One of four beer types made (by Utica Club Brewing) for Costco Wholesale. Strong similarity between Simpler Times (available at Trader Joe's) and this Kirkland product. BeerBaron

Mission St. IPA

A trip to Trader's Joe's on Atlantic Ave. & Court St. in Brooklyn has unearthed a different IPA. I will do a quick evaluation and Gary & Rita will be excluded since it will be included in our October IPA festivities.
Mission St. IPA: Color-Amber yellow Nose-Hoppy First taste-Quick grapefruit Observations-Balanced Where Brewed? Paso Robles, Cal. Fizziness-Some head; active bubbles Cost-$1.16 Alc#-6.8% Container-12 oz. bottle Aftertaste-Lingering hops burst Rating-7.5
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

"Coney Island" Steel Hop Lager

Fellow Beer Enthusiasts: The sexy sword swallower on the label; Coney Island rube figure as the cornerstone of Schmaltz Brewing. They are contract brewed out of Saratoga Springs, NY. Here goes:
Coney Island Steel Hop Lager: Color-Golden yellow Nose-Fresh, clean Fizziness-Steady head; active bubbles How obtained-Gift First taste-Slighty harsh; burst of flavor Observations-Substantial taste; back throat feel Container-22 oz. bottle Alc#-6.8% Malts: Specialty 2-row, Rye ale, Canada wheat malt, Best malt Vienna Hops: Warrior, Northern brewer, Palisade, Crystal, Fuggle, US Golding, Cascade Dry Hop: Cascade, Crystal, Amarillo Aftertaste-Pleasant; I'll remember it!!! Rating-8
Final Thought-I remember trying some other Schmaltz products a while back and I am still impressed.
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Kirkland Pale Ale

A trip to costco does not often bring the opportunity to try four new contract brewed beers under the flagship Kirkland brand for $18.99 per case. Utica Club is the Contract brewer out of Utica, New York. The one I will rate tonight is their pale ale brewed with Yakima Valley (Wash.) hops.
Kirkland Pale Ale: Color-Golden Nose-Hoppy First taste-Hops then total fast fade Observations-Maintains some balance but falters Fizziness-Frothy head; few active bubbles Cost-$.79 Where brewed? Utica, NY Container-12 oz. bottle Alc.#-5.4% Aftertaste-Not much stamina; slight remaining taste Rating-6.25
Final Thought-Average Pale Ale; Nothing More!!!
Mike Komaroff, BeerBaron

Magic Hat Lucky Kat (IPA)

A quick evaluation of one of the summer collection of Magic Hat brews purchased last month at West Chester, Pa. on our Delaware trip bringing Bryce back to college.
Magic Hat Lucky Kat: Color-Orange red cloudy Nose-Hoppy, pleasant Fizziness-Multiple active bubbles Head-Foamy, ample First taste-Strong blast of hoppiness Observations-Slight grapefruit Cost-$.83 (Case price*$19.99) Alc.-5.8% Brewed-So. Burlington, Vt. Aftertaste-Lasting hop character Rating-7.75
Mike Komaroff
BeerBaron

Magic Hat Odd Notion Summer '09

BeerBaron back with you doing an individual tasting from the Magic Hat summer collection procured from West Chester, Pa. on my trip to Delaware with Bryce and Audrey. Each seasonal assortment has an odd notion selection: this one is a Belgian type ale.
Magic Hat Odd Notion: Malts: Pale Hops: Apollo Gravity: 15.5 Alc.%-5.9 IBU(Bitterness)-17 Yeast: Belgian Ale Color: Golden Very drinkable and light. Surprise ingredient is Belgian candy sugar. Mildly carbonated. Rating-7.5
Mike Komaroff
BeerBaron

Thumbnail Beer Evaluation

Since summer has hit I have curtailed my full scale beer tasting except for occasions when Gary & Rita join for IPA festivities. Tonight I will do an abbreviated test of a German pilsner Konig Pilsner using the Czech Republic's famous Pilsner Urquell as my foundation brew. This German beer as well as all others are subject to the Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) originating in 1516. The Konig has a harder edge in taste than its' Czech cousin. It is not as memorable but does carry the day with a pleasant feel and nice aftertaste. I purchased a 4-pack of 500 ml. cans for $5 at Eagle provisions in my neighborhood. I do recommend this pilsner to all discriminating beer fans!!!
BeerBaron

Brooklyn Lager 12 oz. bottle

Before Bryce left for UDel to finish her final exams she told me to go to her car. She said I would find beer in a Party City bag in her trunk. I cannot remember leaving any beer there but did find seven Brooklyn Lager (alc #5.2%) there. My first task was to check for dates to see if the beer was drinkable. Usually this beer used notches on the label somewhere to designate when the beer is in its' most desirable state. When my careful label check showed nothing I perused the sides of the bottle finding a Best Before Aug. 2009 below the neck. You learn something new all the time. Keep those beer bottles on your lips and enjoy!!!
Skol,
"THE BEER BARON"

Intriguing IPA's

Craig and Jacqueline are visiting us while Audrey is at mema's in Florida.
1)Acme California IPA (Ft.Bragg, Cal.): Alc.6.5% Cloudy; citrusy; slight bitter bite; well balanced; 55 IBU; smoothness Craig-8 Mike-7.75 Avg.-7.875 http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/beer-AcmeIPA.htm
2)Mad Hatter IPA (Holland, Mich.): Alc.5.8% Cloudy; strong hoppy nose; citrusy; heavy hops taste; not bitter; piney tang; lacks smoothness Craig-7.75 Mike-7.5 Avg.-7.625 http://newhollandbrew.com/corp/beer/mainstays
3)Titan IPA (Denver,Col.): Alc.6.8% Clear; mild hops; sharp; tangy; fades; has flavor Craig-7 Mike-7 Avg.-7 http://www.greatdivide.com/#/beer
4)Indica IPA (Eureka, Cal.): Alc.6.5% Cloudy; hoppy nose; citrusy; not bitter; drinkable Craig-7.5 Mike-7 Avg.-7.375 http://www.lostcoast.com/
5)Magic Hat Roxy Rolles (So. Burlington, Vt.): Alc.-5.1% Strong burst; flavorful; hoppy Craig-7.5 Mike-7 Avg.-7.25 http://www.magichat.net/
All in all a very fine evening of hoppy IPA's!!!
Signed: Craig Brodsky & Mike Komaroff BeerBaron