My apologies for not getting these up for you all sooner. Seems my notes eluded me for a while, and I hate to taste them all again which each week brings new samples to taste and rate. So, here are the others from last week!
Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale
The weather is scorching outside, and so Tyler and I decided to throw up a plethora of lighter beers that have plenty of flavor yet remain drinkable during these Summer days. We start with Great Lakes Conway's Irish Red Ale. The pour contained a thick head that delighted our noses with aromas of raspberries, maple syrup, caramel, and hints of grass. The taste is creamy with soft flavors of corn and honeycomb. Floral notes tingled the tongue as well as the finish brought about smooth flavors of creamed honey, raisins, and minerals. A delightful ale that remains very drinkable.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8/10
Dogfish Head Festina Peche
This Peach-flavored Berliner Weiss is sure is delight everyone. Very light bodied and slightly bubbly, it combines a sour and dry style with the taste of fresh peaches. The nose exhibits that straight off. Strong aroma's of peach and fruit cocktail mingled with a hint of lemon Pine-Sol. None of it was overpowering and made for a nice entry into this beer. The taste is dry and tart with strong flavors of unripened peaches. A hint of marshmellow cream delighted after the peach flavor. The finish remains tart but also has a refreshing quality to it. The unripened peach flavor remains with hints of hay. If you are a fan of Peaches, this should be right up your alley.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Founder's Dry-Hopped APA
I was a little reluctant to put this up, as it has about 6 months of age on it. With most APA's, that would kill all the flavor and ruin the nose. However, this one holds up exceptionally well. The nose is light with soft hints of green tea, citrus, sesame seed, and grass. It reminds me of an early Summer day in the South, but what do I know? The taste is clean and soapy with flavors of grapefruit, citrus, and a hint of chives. The wonderful flavor is ruined in the finish, where only hints of cracked pepper appear before the bitterness kicks in. However, with the age on this not hurting the flavor too much and the price so low, it has become one of the best sellers on the wall very quickly.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Southern Tier 2X Milk Stout
Southern Tier is normally known for their hoppy IPA's and exceptionally sweet stouts. This is part of their 2X Line and definitely not as sweet as their Creme Brulee or Choklat. The nose has wonderful hints of roasted coffee, chocolate syrup, and smoked bacon along with a weird hint of cough drops. The taste didn't fit nearly as well. Most of it was very unbalanced, with flavors of white chocolate, chocolate milk, and stale tootsie rolls. The finish had hints of pepper, mint, and Smarties. The smattering of flavors made for a weird brew that we just didn't like.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6/10
Southern Tier 2X Steam
The last keg was so good and held up so well to the couple of weeks of age that I didn't mind throwing this one on. This one didn't do so well with that age. The nose was severely diminished with only light hints of citrus, cologne, and hay. I figured a sip would reveal more, but it was just as diminished as the nose. Hints of grapefruit, minerals, and floral notes up front with a bitter finish that displayed only flavors of citrus and wheat. It's a shame, as this one had quickly become one of my favorite Southern Tier brews to drink.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.25/10
Founder's Centennial IPA
This is many peoples go-to Founder's beer, but it has always rubbed me the wrong way. Which is fairly ironic, as Founder's is my favorite brewery. This exceptionally fresh batch has rubbed off onto me a bit better than it usually does. The nose is floral and full of aroma's of grapefruit, fruit medley, citrus, and marshmellows. The taste is just as floral and perfume filled as I remember, yet this time these flavors blend better together and are accentuated with flavors of citrus and grass. A bitter, floral, and toasty finish round out this IPA that gets its name from the fact that it is just overloaded with Centennial hops.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Friday, July 19, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Music To Your Beers
A big thanks to Melinda Simpson for providing the information & link to the following very interesting and cool article:
It's a coincidence that the founder of Beck's Brewery started concocting beers in the 1870s right around the time that Thomas Edison was first tinkering with recorded music technology, but the world's first playable beer bottle isn't a coincidence at all. Matt Tizard of Shine, an Auckland-based advertising agency hired by Beck's New Zealand, noticed the similarity in form between the humble glass beer bottle and the cylinders used to play music on early phonographs. Thus, the Edison bottle was born.
The production team faced no shortage of challenges in translating technology usually used to record vinyl records onto the surface of a glass cylinder, from sourcing the machinery necessary to cut the grooves to compensating for noise produced by that machinery. After multiple prototypes, the engineers at Gyro Constructivists managed to produce a structurally sound bottle that can not only contain 12 oz. of beer, but can also play three minutes' worth of music at vinyl quality : "Here She Comes," the latest single from local band Ghost Wave. Whether or not the band makes it big, being the first band to record on beer bottle is a distinct honor in itself.
It's a coincidence that the founder of Beck's Brewery started concocting beers in the 1870s right around the time that Thomas Edison was first tinkering with recorded music technology, but the world's first playable beer bottle isn't a coincidence at all. Matt Tizard of Shine, an Auckland-based advertising agency hired by Beck's New Zealand, noticed the similarity in form between the humble glass beer bottle and the cylinders used to play music on early phonographs. Thus, the Edison bottle was born.
The production team faced no shortage of challenges in translating technology usually used to record vinyl records onto the surface of a glass cylinder, from sourcing the machinery necessary to cut the grooves to compensating for noise produced by that machinery. After multiple prototypes, the engineers at Gyro Constructivists managed to produce a structurally sound bottle that can not only contain 12 oz. of beer, but can also play three minutes' worth of music at vinyl quality : "Here She Comes," the latest single from local band Ghost Wave. Whether or not the band makes it big, being the first band to record on beer bottle is a distinct honor in itself.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Pint Night Reviews Part I
Hello Fellow Beer Enthusiasts. We have quite the lineup this week, as Tyler alluded to with his Pint Night Post. This is the first of two days of ratings that will be posted. This one poses mostly beers that have never appeared on our tap wall before, and all delightful. John Bernedo happened to stop by, and so I added a third member to our tasting team this week. Come and check these beers out on Friday!
Boulder A Honey of a Saison
This is one heck of a strong Saison. In fact, you could label it as a Belgian Strong Ale as it comes in at a whopping 11.5% ABV. The nose has subtle aromas of sour peaches, applesauce, creamed honey, and hay. It definitely smells like Spring or Summer, even though this Saison is released in February. The flavor is immediately tart with flavors of raspberries and orange juice right off the bat. The finish is just as tart as the opening, but brings in a plethora of flavors to delight your taste buds. Watermelon, applesauce, cardamom, coriander, and wheat made for a very tasty finish on this brew. However, that 11.5% ABV rears its ugly head with an alcohol burn after the finish. Other than that, this is a good Saison.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 8.5/10
Founders Rübæus Raspberry Ale
Some of you all might remember Founders Cerise, a Cherry Ale from last year, that was a wonderfully crafted brew. This year we have Rübæus which trades in the cherries for raspberries. However, the quality is still there. The nose gives off strong hints of raspberries (what a surprise!), cream, cough syrup, and grape kool-aid. The taste is silky smooth with flavors of raspberry cobbler, raspberry yogurt, and hay up front. Those raspberry flavors slowly dissipate as the finish rushes forward. That finish displays silky smooth and malty flavors of oats, honeycomb, hay, and pie crust. It makes for a delectable beer that will mix well with any of our stouts or ciders.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9/10
Founders Double Trouble Double IPA
Double Trouble is one of the most easily recognizable Imperial IPA's on the market, and for good reason. Each keg is positively delicious, with few exceptions. This one is not that exception. The nose has pungent aromas of cinnamon, citrus, pine, grapefruit, armpit, and cologne. It makes for a very potent aroma. The taste is quite bitter up front and displays flavors of pine, lemon pith, lemon zest, and toasted rye. The finish is dry and bitter but still displays cloying flavors of perfume and resin. However, all of these flavors blend together to form one of the more intense and flavorful Double IPA's that you will find on tap this Summer.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9.5/10
Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA
No, that isn't a misprint. I said Triple IPA. This label is applied to very few beers, and this one is no exception. 2 months of age has taken some of the bang from it, but this beer is still the hoppiest beer we have on tap by far. It has a huge malt build to balance out the insane amount of Alpha hops that went into this behemoth. On top of that, Founders dry hops it for over 3 weeks after it is made (or so I hear). After pouring this beautiful beer, the nose displayed a plethora of hop aromas like mango, grapefruit, orange, pine, and plenty of earth notes. Hints of caramel and brown sugar showed off the high malt content. The taste smacks you in the face with bitterness up front before you get flavors of grapefruit, pine resin, unsweetened cocoa, and earthiness. The finish continues that bitter trend with flavors of toast, lemon pith, and cilantro. Come and grab a pint of this 12% ABV beer if you so dare.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9.75/10
Boulder A Honey of a Saison
This is one heck of a strong Saison. In fact, you could label it as a Belgian Strong Ale as it comes in at a whopping 11.5% ABV. The nose has subtle aromas of sour peaches, applesauce, creamed honey, and hay. It definitely smells like Spring or Summer, even though this Saison is released in February. The flavor is immediately tart with flavors of raspberries and orange juice right off the bat. The finish is just as tart as the opening, but brings in a plethora of flavors to delight your taste buds. Watermelon, applesauce, cardamom, coriander, and wheat made for a very tasty finish on this brew. However, that 11.5% ABV rears its ugly head with an alcohol burn after the finish. Other than that, this is a good Saison.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 8.5/10
Founders Rübæus Raspberry Ale
Some of you all might remember Founders Cerise, a Cherry Ale from last year, that was a wonderfully crafted brew. This year we have Rübæus which trades in the cherries for raspberries. However, the quality is still there. The nose gives off strong hints of raspberries (what a surprise!), cream, cough syrup, and grape kool-aid. The taste is silky smooth with flavors of raspberry cobbler, raspberry yogurt, and hay up front. Those raspberry flavors slowly dissipate as the finish rushes forward. That finish displays silky smooth and malty flavors of oats, honeycomb, hay, and pie crust. It makes for a delectable beer that will mix well with any of our stouts or ciders.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9/10
Founders Double Trouble Double IPA
Double Trouble is one of the most easily recognizable Imperial IPA's on the market, and for good reason. Each keg is positively delicious, with few exceptions. This one is not that exception. The nose has pungent aromas of cinnamon, citrus, pine, grapefruit, armpit, and cologne. It makes for a very potent aroma. The taste is quite bitter up front and displays flavors of pine, lemon pith, lemon zest, and toasted rye. The finish is dry and bitter but still displays cloying flavors of perfume and resin. However, all of these flavors blend together to form one of the more intense and flavorful Double IPA's that you will find on tap this Summer.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9.5/10
Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA
No, that isn't a misprint. I said Triple IPA. This label is applied to very few beers, and this one is no exception. 2 months of age has taken some of the bang from it, but this beer is still the hoppiest beer we have on tap by far. It has a huge malt build to balance out the insane amount of Alpha hops that went into this behemoth. On top of that, Founders dry hops it for over 3 weeks after it is made (or so I hear). After pouring this beautiful beer, the nose displayed a plethora of hop aromas like mango, grapefruit, orange, pine, and plenty of earth notes. Hints of caramel and brown sugar showed off the high malt content. The taste smacks you in the face with bitterness up front before you get flavors of grapefruit, pine resin, unsweetened cocoa, and earthiness. The finish continues that bitter trend with flavors of toast, lemon pith, and cilantro. Come and grab a pint of this 12% ABV beer if you so dare.
Mike, Tyler, and John's Rating - 9.75/10
Founder's Pint Night Spectacular
Hello everyone!
This Friday's Pint Night will be a thrill and a pleasure, as we will be featuring some of the best beers that we have had on tap in quite some time:
A hell of a lineup! As some of you probably recall, to know the Founder's Double Trouble is to love it; and if news of this beer's presence makes you quiver with anticipation, than the Founder's Devil Dancer will send you right over the edge! It is intense in flavor and alcohol content. The Founder's Rübæus is a raspberry delight, and reminiscent of the Framboise Lambic. Mix it with Original Sin Cider, the Rivertown Roebling Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter, or the Founder's 2X Stout for a sweet, heavenly elixir. The Saison & Festina Pêche are amazing and unique in their own right; stay tuned for Mike's reviews (presented in two parts) for the full flavor profiles!
To compound the pleasure of the evening, we will have Founder's pint glasses and goblets available for purchase, so come unarmed. But whatever you do make sure you certainly come, as this Pint Night Spectacular is sure to bring forth a pure euphoria within.
This Friday's Pint Night will be a thrill and a pleasure, as we will be featuring some of the best beers that we have had on tap in quite some time:
- Founder's Dry-Hopped APA
- Founder's Centennial IPA
- Founder's Double Trouble Double IPA
- Founder's Devil Dancer Triple IPA
- Founder's Rübæus Raspberry Ale
- Boudler A Honey of a Saison
- Dogfish Head Festina Pêche Berliner Weissbier
- Southern Tier 2X Double Milk Stout
Berliner Weisse
Berliner Weisse
A hell of a lineup! As some of you probably recall, to know the Founder's Double Trouble is to love it; and if news of this beer's presence makes you quiver with anticipation, than the Founder's Devil Dancer will send you right over the edge! It is intense in flavor and alcohol content. The Founder's Rübæus is a raspberry delight, and reminiscent of the Framboise Lambic. Mix it with Original Sin Cider, the Rivertown Roebling Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter, or the Founder's 2X Stout for a sweet, heavenly elixir. The Saison & Festina Pêche are amazing and unique in their own right; stay tuned for Mike's reviews (presented in two parts) for the full flavor profiles!
To compound the pleasure of the evening, we will have Founder's pint glasses and goblets available for purchase, so come unarmed. But whatever you do make sure you certainly come, as this Pint Night Spectacular is sure to bring forth a pure euphoria within.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews Part II
Hello folks! I hope you all had a great 4th of July. That lovely celebration has caused my reviews to be pushed back a day, but Tyler has given you a tantalizing view of what is to come. I have 3 Great Lakes beers and a Great Lakes/Deschutes Collaboration to review. So, let us move onward.
Great Lakes The Wright Pils
This is definitely one of my favorite Pilsners. The nose starts out with floral hints and lovely aromas of applesauce, corn, and wheat. The end has a hearty aroma of shrimp broth. The taste is lightly bitter up front with a lovely tart flavor of granny smith apples. Ash and mineral notes accompany that flavor. The finish clears the lingering bitterness and brings sweater flavors of honeycomb, orange zest, and banana with soft floral notes. While not a traditional Pilsner without those funky hop notes, I found this one to be far superior to the normal Czech and Germans Pilseners.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Great Lakes Silver and Gold India Pale Lager
I am sure a few of you all have taken a glance at the name and said "India Pale...Lager? What?", I said the same thing the first time I sampled one of these elusive brews. However, when done right an IPL can be just as good or greater than your average IPA. The hop flavors aren't held back by the malt flavors as Lager have a lighter malt presence. That is immediately present after taking a whiff of this fantastic brew. Onion, armpit, garlic, and prosciutto assault the nose first with softer aromas of grapefruit, raspberries, and basil picked up after that initial burst. At the first sip, an intense bitterness erupts. Yet that quickly dissipates and you get flavors of green onion, pine, grapefruit, and lemon. The finish is quite hearty with thick flavors of garlic, roast beef, and mushrooms with earthy notes spread throughout.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Great Lakes/Deschutes Class of '88 Imperial Smoked Porter
This collaboration between two fine breweries has made a nice addition to our tap wall. Especially as the Stouts and Porters tend to dwindle down during those sweltering Summer days. The nose is quite complex with sweet aromas of espresso, milk chocolate, and bacon mixing with more bitter aromas of smoke, cracked pepper, sharp cheddar, and garlic. This complexity transfers over to the flavor. The front of this brew exhibited flavors of smoke, charred wood, and grapefruit. The finish is bitter with the smoke remaining. Additional flavors of bacon, dark chocolate, and cream rounded out this fantastic porter. Perfect for cooking and drinking, this Imperial Porter is sure to delight dark beer lovers.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
This is a staple on our wall during the Summer, and is certainly the first beer I think about when I think of Great Lakes. The age on this keg had us wary, but it is the best keg of Lake Erie Monster we have had this year. The nose is pungent with aromas of pineapple, mango, cracked pepper, and necco candy with soft floral and onions notes. The flavor is bitter up front with thick, mouth-watering flavors of mango, peaches, pineapple, papaya, and raspberries. The finish is a bit shocking, as the bitterness dissipates immediately and leaves flavors of lemon zest, oranges, and licorice with soft floral hints towards the end. Another stellar brew from Great Lakes.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Great Lakes The Wright Pils
This is definitely one of my favorite Pilsners. The nose starts out with floral hints and lovely aromas of applesauce, corn, and wheat. The end has a hearty aroma of shrimp broth. The taste is lightly bitter up front with a lovely tart flavor of granny smith apples. Ash and mineral notes accompany that flavor. The finish clears the lingering bitterness and brings sweater flavors of honeycomb, orange zest, and banana with soft floral notes. While not a traditional Pilsner without those funky hop notes, I found this one to be far superior to the normal Czech and Germans Pilseners.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Great Lakes Silver and Gold India Pale Lager
I am sure a few of you all have taken a glance at the name and said "India Pale...Lager? What?", I said the same thing the first time I sampled one of these elusive brews. However, when done right an IPL can be just as good or greater than your average IPA. The hop flavors aren't held back by the malt flavors as Lager have a lighter malt presence. That is immediately present after taking a whiff of this fantastic brew. Onion, armpit, garlic, and prosciutto assault the nose first with softer aromas of grapefruit, raspberries, and basil picked up after that initial burst. At the first sip, an intense bitterness erupts. Yet that quickly dissipates and you get flavors of green onion, pine, grapefruit, and lemon. The finish is quite hearty with thick flavors of garlic, roast beef, and mushrooms with earthy notes spread throughout.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Great Lakes/Deschutes Class of '88 Imperial Smoked Porter
This collaboration between two fine breweries has made a nice addition to our tap wall. Especially as the Stouts and Porters tend to dwindle down during those sweltering Summer days. The nose is quite complex with sweet aromas of espresso, milk chocolate, and bacon mixing with more bitter aromas of smoke, cracked pepper, sharp cheddar, and garlic. This complexity transfers over to the flavor. The front of this brew exhibited flavors of smoke, charred wood, and grapefruit. The finish is bitter with the smoke remaining. Additional flavors of bacon, dark chocolate, and cream rounded out this fantastic porter. Perfect for cooking and drinking, this Imperial Porter is sure to delight dark beer lovers.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
This is a staple on our wall during the Summer, and is certainly the first beer I think about when I think of Great Lakes. The age on this keg had us wary, but it is the best keg of Lake Erie Monster we have had this year. The nose is pungent with aromas of pineapple, mango, cracked pepper, and necco candy with soft floral and onions notes. The flavor is bitter up front with thick, mouth-watering flavors of mango, peaches, pineapple, papaya, and raspberries. The finish is a bit shocking, as the bitterness dissipates immediately and leaves flavors of lemon zest, oranges, and licorice with soft floral hints towards the end. Another stellar brew from Great Lakes.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews Part I
Greetings Everyone!
Mike is out living it up on this celebratory evening, while I am stuck working. Joyous explosions and smoke surround the Liquor Barn even as I write this. I am not without my own pleasures, however, as I was able to tap, sample, and critique the Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA myself.
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA
The nose is aromatic and pleasant, and starts with a small hint of peaches, followed by a soapy armpit hop; delicious! A sweet floral scent permeated lightly throughout, followed by a mineral, almost gin-like smell, accented with lime. The nose finished pungently and malty. When first sampled, the palate is assaulted with supremely bitter hops and the taste of lime pith. It quickly finishes just as bitter with flavors of lime juice and zest, burnt toast, and garlic. After a few sips, one is able to weave around the bitterness and detect a slightly sweet soap presence, along with sage and bright pineapple on the front. Again, the bitterness is hard to overstate.
A wild, intense, yet complex bitter-bomb all the way!
Tyler's Rating - 9.0/10
Mike is out living it up on this celebratory evening, while I am stuck working. Joyous explosions and smoke surround the Liquor Barn even as I write this. I am not without my own pleasures, however, as I was able to tap, sample, and critique the Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA myself.
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA
The nose is aromatic and pleasant, and starts with a small hint of peaches, followed by a soapy armpit hop; delicious! A sweet floral scent permeated lightly throughout, followed by a mineral, almost gin-like smell, accented with lime. The nose finished pungently and malty. When first sampled, the palate is assaulted with supremely bitter hops and the taste of lime pith. It quickly finishes just as bitter with flavors of lime juice and zest, burnt toast, and garlic. After a few sips, one is able to weave around the bitterness and detect a slightly sweet soap presence, along with sage and bright pineapple on the front. Again, the bitterness is hard to overstate.
A wild, intense, yet complex bitter-bomb all the way!
Tyler's Rating - 9.0/10
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Great Lakes Pint Night
Good day everyone,
Friday's Pint Night will feature a true crowd favorite -- Great Lakes Brewery, along with some of their most popular brews:
The Class of '88 is a collaboration between Great Lakes and Deschutes Brewery. It should be a real treat for all you lovers of dark, intense beer. The Lake Erie Monster is of course one of our favorite Imperial IPAs, while the Wright Pils was quite popular when we had it on tap last year. In spectacular addition, we will have the famous Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA on tap, which should create an atmosphere of ecstacy for all to enjoy.
As a Pint Night growler special, the Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout will be reduced from $8.99 to $6.99 a growler; this is a one night special, so take advantage while you can!
Luxurious Great Lakes chalices and goblets will be available for purchase, topping a brilliant selection off with appropriate glassware for such an exquisite occasion. Only an uncouth vermin would dare to miss such a Pint Night!
Friday's Pint Night will feature a true crowd favorite -- Great Lakes Brewery, along with some of their most popular brews:
- Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
- Great Lakes The Wright Pils Pilsner
- Great Lakes Silver & Gold India Pale Lager
- Great Lakes Class of '88 Imperial Smoked Stout
- Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout
The Class of '88 is a collaboration between Great Lakes and Deschutes Brewery. It should be a real treat for all you lovers of dark, intense beer. The Lake Erie Monster is of course one of our favorite Imperial IPAs, while the Wright Pils was quite popular when we had it on tap last year. In spectacular addition, we will have the famous Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA on tap, which should create an atmosphere of ecstacy for all to enjoy.
As a Pint Night growler special, the Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout will be reduced from $8.99 to $6.99 a growler; this is a one night special, so take advantage while you can!
Luxurious Great Lakes chalices and goblets will be available for purchase, topping a brilliant selection off with appropriate glassware for such an exquisite occasion. Only an uncouth vermin would dare to miss such a Pint Night!
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