Fellow beer enthusiasts,
You all have clamored for a change, and your words have fallen on sympathetic ears. The Homebrew Section is in sore need of some love, and so it has been handed off to me. As of Monday, I have taken over all Homebrew stocking, ordering, and managing. It will be a long and hard process to get it back to where it needs to be, but it should be up to par in another week or so. Check back and watch it slowly grow! On a related note, I want everyone to be a part of this. I can't promise I will carry everything, but email me at LiquorBarnLetters@gmail.com and let me know what you would like me to carry that we don't have. I will take the top suggestions and make sure they are included in the next order. Thanks for the support you all have given Tyler and myself.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Incoming Pint Night!
Greetings ladies and gentlemen! This week's Pint Night will be featuring a variety of new beers in a plethora of styles. Officially we will be featuring Sam Adams, but as you can see quite a few new brews will be on tap:
Each of these beers is as diverse as the next.In addition, we will be tapping a mystery keg, as we have yet to decide on what to tap; how exciting! We have decided on the Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Harvest Ale, how delicious! That makes six new beers, each a different style, perfect for enjoying a flight of six two-ounce samples for $5. The diversity, the intrigue...its almost too much to bear! You'll definitely need to make it in Friday to sample these fine brews!
- Samuel Adams Summer Ale
- Samuel Adams Grumpy Monk Belgian IPA
- Ommegang Art of Darkness Belgian Strong Dark Ale
- Boulder Hazed & Infused Dry Hopped APA
- Left Hand Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout
- Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Harvest Ale
Each of these beers is as diverse as the next.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews
New Holland White Hatter
Most of these Hatters are new to our wall, and this one is no exception. One could call this a White Ale crossed with an IPA, and the flavors mix beautifully. The nose is full of citrus, coriander, pepper, cloves, and broccoli. It makes for an interesting and well blended aroma. The taste is crisp and bitter up front with flavors of citrus, grapefruit, and ash. The finish throws in some mango for good measure and a decent amount of clove, hay, and chalk. Crisp and refreshing, this IPA is possibly the best fit I have seen on our wall for these scorching days.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
New Holland Oaked Hatter
This is probably one of the hardest styles to get right. The vast majority of these beers don't have enough hop flavors to blend well with that Oak. This one is no exception. The nose is thick with a cloyingly sweet aroma of caramel and brown sugar. Softer aromas of honeydew and pie crust were picked up as the beer warmed slightly. The taste had an overbearing amount of bourbon up front with flavors of cream and sweet lemon. The finish had better hop notes on it once the flavor of buttered corn passed. Bitter and woody with pine and grapefruit flavors at the end, but by then it was too little too late. To those of you who enjoy Burton Baton, this is a cheaper alternative.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6/10
New Holland Black Hatter
A new Black IPA to the tap wall. While it is a little warm for these types of IPA's, this one is thin enough to remain drinkable as another unbearable Summer rolls around.The nose is rich with aromas of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, cocoa, and white chocolate. It is almost like stepping into a coffee shop in the morning. This brew is tart up front with flavors of coffee and grapes with a slight bitter twang. The finish pumps up the bitterness and has more of those stout-like qualities. Thick flavors of baking chocolate, charcoal, smoke, and oats were prevalent with lighter hop flavors of lemon and grass.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
New Holland Imperial Hatter
This is the lone one of the Hatters that has been on the wall before. Imperial Hatter is usually known for its deep pine flavors, but this one had plenty of flavors outside of that. The nose was skunky with aromas of sweet onion, citrus, and what could only be described as that of a backed up sink. Suffice to say the stinky hops dominated the aroma. The flavor was far different. Sweet up front with flavors of papaya, lemon pith, and parsley. The finish turns the beer from sweet to bitter with those flavors of pine I mentioned earlier. Softer flavors of citrus and lemongrass are also present and make this a fairly well rounded Imperial IPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Southern Tier 2X Steam
Back by popular demand, this Imperial Steam Beer drinks like an IPL (India Pale Lager). The nose has tons of citrus with lighter aromas of copper, pine, and bran. The nose is light, but is still quite fragrant. The taste is crisp and clean with flavors of bright citrus, garlic, papaya, and a dash of licorice. The finish is dominated by strong flavors of pine resin with dashes of lemon thrown in. While not quite as crisp and flavorful as the first keg we got of this, it has still held up remarkably to a month of age and remains very drinkable and another good choice for these hot days.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Most of these Hatters are new to our wall, and this one is no exception. One could call this a White Ale crossed with an IPA, and the flavors mix beautifully. The nose is full of citrus, coriander, pepper, cloves, and broccoli. It makes for an interesting and well blended aroma. The taste is crisp and bitter up front with flavors of citrus, grapefruit, and ash. The finish throws in some mango for good measure and a decent amount of clove, hay, and chalk. Crisp and refreshing, this IPA is possibly the best fit I have seen on our wall for these scorching days.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
New Holland Oaked Hatter
This is probably one of the hardest styles to get right. The vast majority of these beers don't have enough hop flavors to blend well with that Oak. This one is no exception. The nose is thick with a cloyingly sweet aroma of caramel and brown sugar. Softer aromas of honeydew and pie crust were picked up as the beer warmed slightly. The taste had an overbearing amount of bourbon up front with flavors of cream and sweet lemon. The finish had better hop notes on it once the flavor of buttered corn passed. Bitter and woody with pine and grapefruit flavors at the end, but by then it was too little too late. To those of you who enjoy Burton Baton, this is a cheaper alternative.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6/10
New Holland Black Hatter
A new Black IPA to the tap wall. While it is a little warm for these types of IPA's, this one is thin enough to remain drinkable as another unbearable Summer rolls around.The nose is rich with aromas of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, cocoa, and white chocolate. It is almost like stepping into a coffee shop in the morning. This brew is tart up front with flavors of coffee and grapes with a slight bitter twang. The finish pumps up the bitterness and has more of those stout-like qualities. Thick flavors of baking chocolate, charcoal, smoke, and oats were prevalent with lighter hop flavors of lemon and grass.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
New Holland Imperial Hatter
This is the lone one of the Hatters that has been on the wall before. Imperial Hatter is usually known for its deep pine flavors, but this one had plenty of flavors outside of that. The nose was skunky with aromas of sweet onion, citrus, and what could only be described as that of a backed up sink. Suffice to say the stinky hops dominated the aroma. The flavor was far different. Sweet up front with flavors of papaya, lemon pith, and parsley. The finish turns the beer from sweet to bitter with those flavors of pine I mentioned earlier. Softer flavors of citrus and lemongrass are also present and make this a fairly well rounded Imperial IPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Southern Tier 2X Steam
Back by popular demand, this Imperial Steam Beer drinks like an IPL (India Pale Lager). The nose has tons of citrus with lighter aromas of copper, pine, and bran. The nose is light, but is still quite fragrant. The taste is crisp and clean with flavors of bright citrus, garlic, papaya, and a dash of licorice. The finish is dominated by strong flavors of pine resin with dashes of lemon thrown in. While not quite as crisp and flavorful as the first keg we got of this, it has still held up remarkably to a month of age and remains very drinkable and another good choice for these hot days.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Mad Hatter Pint Night
Greetings everyone! The post is coming a bit late, so I will make it short and sweet. We will shortly be featuring New Holland's Hatter Series:
There will be New Holland pint glasses and chalices available for all glassware enthusiasts. We also have the Southern Tier 2X Imperial Steam Ale on tap, a perfect thirst quencher on a hot day. Stop in for some refreshing brews tonight!
- New Holland White Hatter
- New Holland Black Hatter
- New Holland Oaked Hatter
- New Holland Imperial Hatter
There will be New Holland pint glasses and chalices available for all glassware enthusiasts. We also have the Southern Tier 2X Imperial Steam Ale on tap, a perfect thirst quencher on a hot day. Stop in for some refreshing brews tonight!
Friday, June 14, 2013
Weekly Beer Reviews
Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale
The ever popular Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This stuff flies out of the store in 4-packs, which is why I usually tend to leave it off draft. However, with the hot weather rolling in and bourbon drinkers seeking a refreshing alternative, I decided to squeeze it on and make it one of the featured beers. The nose has with hints of vanilla, cream, corn, and hay. However, those lovely hints are almost immediately drowned out by an overwhelming bourbon aroma. The taste is sweet up front with hints of cream and clover. The finish has light flavors of corn, vanilla, and honey. Light, refreshing, and with a high ABV should appeal, but the flavor is just not there. Almost like a domestic light beer aged in a Kentucky Gentleman barrel.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.5/10
Bell's Oberon
We now move on to everyone's favorite Summer beer. This Pale Wheat Ale from Bell's is the perfect amount of flavor while still remaining refreshing. The nose is light with soft hints of half and half, honeysuckle, peach, corn, and wheat. It certainly reminds you of Summer with the nose on this brew. The taste is light and floral with hints of lemon and clover blending well. The finish is more diverse with flavors of lemon, honeycomb, cream, and minerals. This smooth and refreshing Summer Wheat is sure to delight as it does every Summer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Rivertown Hop Bomber
This American Pale Ale comes to us from across the river in Lockland, Ohio right outside of Cincinnati. The nose is slightly sweet with aromas of caramel, brown sugar, fresh linen, and pine. Softer hints of soap and minerals was also present. The taste is very pleasant with flavors of orange, lemon juice, and soap up front showing off those hops. The finish is intriguing with flavors of pears, soap, and nutmeg with woody flavors also present. While not my favorite APA, it drinks more like an IPA while remaining refreshing. It seems we loaded up on refreshing beers this week to help you all deal with those blazing temperatures.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10
Rivertown Roebling Imperial Porter
This Imperial Porter is labeled as a Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter. That should delight the growler customers that enjoy those rich, sweet dessert beers. However, whereas I find the Southern Tiers a little too sweet and one-sided, this beer is well-balanced. The nose is rich with aromas of fudge brownies, chocolate covered raisins, espresso, cream, vanilla, and hot chocolate. It was like a plethora of desserts smashed into one. I expected it to be incredibly sweet when I tasted it, yet it had a body similar to a Young's Double Chocolate Stout, except with tons more flavor. Chocolate covered raisins, cinnamon, cream, and roasted coffee were present up front. The finish was noticeably different with flavors of espresso, vanilla, and whipped cream. This should delight the Porter, Stout, and Sweet beer fans.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Southern Tier Compass Imperial Sparkling Pale Ale
I was told about this beer just a day before we tapped it. An American Pale Ale with a Sparkling Yeast strain brewed with Rose Hips. So, going into this beer, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Let's just say that it certainly impressed. The nose was light and floral with hints of freshly cut grass, hibiscus, lavender, rose, and citrus. The flavor is intense, with a large bitter flavor hitting your palate. Flavors of lavender, lemon verbena, and soap were present up front. The finish tones down the bitterness and keeps those lovely lavender flavors. Additional flavors of lemon oil and coriander make for another refreshing beer to our wall, with a 9% ABV to boot.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
The ever popular Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This stuff flies out of the store in 4-packs, which is why I usually tend to leave it off draft. However, with the hot weather rolling in and bourbon drinkers seeking a refreshing alternative, I decided to squeeze it on and make it one of the featured beers. The nose has with hints of vanilla, cream, corn, and hay. However, those lovely hints are almost immediately drowned out by an overwhelming bourbon aroma. The taste is sweet up front with hints of cream and clover. The finish has light flavors of corn, vanilla, and honey. Light, refreshing, and with a high ABV should appeal, but the flavor is just not there. Almost like a domestic light beer aged in a Kentucky Gentleman barrel.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.5/10
Bell's Oberon
We now move on to everyone's favorite Summer beer. This Pale Wheat Ale from Bell's is the perfect amount of flavor while still remaining refreshing. The nose is light with soft hints of half and half, honeysuckle, peach, corn, and wheat. It certainly reminds you of Summer with the nose on this brew. The taste is light and floral with hints of lemon and clover blending well. The finish is more diverse with flavors of lemon, honeycomb, cream, and minerals. This smooth and refreshing Summer Wheat is sure to delight as it does every Summer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Rivertown Hop Bomber
This American Pale Ale comes to us from across the river in Lockland, Ohio right outside of Cincinnati. The nose is slightly sweet with aromas of caramel, brown sugar, fresh linen, and pine. Softer hints of soap and minerals was also present. The taste is very pleasant with flavors of orange, lemon juice, and soap up front showing off those hops. The finish is intriguing with flavors of pears, soap, and nutmeg with woody flavors also present. While not my favorite APA, it drinks more like an IPA while remaining refreshing. It seems we loaded up on refreshing beers this week to help you all deal with those blazing temperatures.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.75/10
Rivertown Roebling Imperial Porter
This Imperial Porter is labeled as a Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter. That should delight the growler customers that enjoy those rich, sweet dessert beers. However, whereas I find the Southern Tiers a little too sweet and one-sided, this beer is well-balanced. The nose is rich with aromas of fudge brownies, chocolate covered raisins, espresso, cream, vanilla, and hot chocolate. It was like a plethora of desserts smashed into one. I expected it to be incredibly sweet when I tasted it, yet it had a body similar to a Young's Double Chocolate Stout, except with tons more flavor. Chocolate covered raisins, cinnamon, cream, and roasted coffee were present up front. The finish was noticeably different with flavors of espresso, vanilla, and whipped cream. This should delight the Porter, Stout, and Sweet beer fans.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Southern Tier Compass Imperial Sparkling Pale Ale
I was told about this beer just a day before we tapped it. An American Pale Ale with a Sparkling Yeast strain brewed with Rose Hips. So, going into this beer, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Let's just say that it certainly impressed. The nose was light and floral with hints of freshly cut grass, hibiscus, lavender, rose, and citrus. The flavor is intense, with a large bitter flavor hitting your palate. Flavors of lavender, lemon verbena, and soap were present up front. The finish tones down the bitterness and keeps those lovely lavender flavors. Additional flavors of lemon oil and coriander make for another refreshing beer to our wall, with a 9% ABV to boot.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Pint Night Time
Tonight's Pint Night will feature an amalgamation of different brews from our beloved region:
Southern Tier's Compass, an Imperial Sparkling Ale brewed with rose hips and citrus hops, has been tapped as well, along with the Bell's Oberon. Also, we still have the Zombie Dust on tap, which is a celebration in its own right. So I won't fool around with a gross collection of unnecessarily complex terms, and instead will endeavor to make my message succinct: get on over here to Pint Night tonight!
- All Tech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale
- Rivertown Hop Bomber Pale Ale
- Rivertown Roebling Vanilla Espresso Imperial Porter
Southern Tier's Compass, an Imperial Sparkling Ale brewed with rose hips and citrus hops, has been tapped as well, along with the Bell's Oberon. Also, we still have the Zombie Dust on tap, which is a celebration in its own right. So I won't fool around with a gross collection of unnecessarily complex terms, and instead will endeavor to make my message succinct: get on over here to Pint Night tonight!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Growler Wall Price Drops
Another week and I find myself with a few extra IPA's on the wall with more on the way. As such, I am dropping the price on 3 favorites in order to usher them out and welcome a new batch of Single and Double IPA's for everyone to enjoy. So, without further ado, the changes:
Come in and take advantage of these deals while supplies last! Also, check back for the Pint Night announcement and our reviews for the week!
- Great Lakes Rye of the Tiger IPA - WAS: $9.99; NOW: $7.99
- Green Flash West Coast IPA - WAS: $10.99; NOW: $8.99
- Stone IPA - WAS: $9.99; NOW: $8.99
Come in and take advantage of these deals while supplies last! Also, check back for the Pint Night announcement and our reviews for the week!
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