James Drinks Some Beers

Man, just sometimes I drink some six-packs and talk about them here.James Drinks Some BeersTumblr (3.0; @jamesdrinkssomebeers)http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/Dundee - Honey Brown<p><a href="http://365beers365days.blogspot.com/2011/04/beer-46-dundee-honey-brown-lager.html"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2m3b6dSdj1r5sz9m.jpg" width="226"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.honeybrownlager.com/the-beer">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/302/832">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>From the makers of such quality brews as Genesee Cream Ale - usually cheaper than PBR - comes Honey Brown Lager. The name was a bit deceptive when I saw it on the shelf - it’s not really a brown lager, though clearly it would like you to think so. I didn’t really expect much, since the brewer was nowhere easily discernible. I didn’t expect it would be a one-off from a macrobrew necessarily, but it would appear that’s what I got. Not to prejudge, though - let’s see how it does, shall we? </p> <p>The pour, true to its name, is a nice honey-ish amber with pleasant enough off-white head, quickly settling into the glass. The aroma is mostly sweet malts and other, more hearty grains. Grains that would go well with honey - think Honey Nut Cheerios - but no discernible honey aromas as yet. As I moved on to taste, I found that its a touch heavier in the mouth than most American macro-lagers, though not a great deal more so. It’s honey-esque enough, and nice enough on the front, though it never really comes together and the finish is pretty well off. On the whole, I’d pick this over most Light versions of the Big Boys’ American Lagers, and it was worth a taste, but maybe just one draught and not a whole pack.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21576632767http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21576632767Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:06:48 -0400DundeeGeneseeHoney BrownLagerAmber LagerSchlafly - Coffee Stout<p><a href="http://www.brewgene.com/beer/schlafly-coffee-stout"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2739d0b9S1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.schlafly.com/beers/styles/coffee-stout/">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/583/1994">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I first heard of Schlafly (which is damnably hard to spell, by the by) while visiting a friend in St. Louis. I quickly got the impression that the brewery is very much A Thing to the locals. I don’t know if I got to try anything too out-of-the-way while there - probably just a standard Lager or Amber - but I do like my coffee. I find that it’s hard to balance with the beers it usually finds its way in to, so let’s see how my friend’s hometown hero manages.</p> <p>Pours a thick, coffee-ish near-black brown with not even a finger of dark copper head. Dark, French-roasted coffee is the main aroma, followed by sweet malts. The first sip has an acidic tang which is more reminiscent of lighter coffees. The carbonation is higher than I’d expect, hitting a good deal at the top of my mouth. The flavors don’t stay on the tongue long, and don’t really remind me much of oatmeal nor coffee - though I suppose each was present as an aftertaste as I clicked my tongue. On the whole, I don’t think this brew is for me. It could be just because it had sat on shelves too long - I picked the six-pack up for under $4 as part of a seasonal clearance sale - but the metallic tang is just too present in the front of the taste for me to get over. I noticed that it was less present the more I sipped rather than slurped the stout, but present nonetheless in either case.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21502742245http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21502742245Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:08:58 -0400SchlaflyCoffee StoutOatmeal StoutAleNew Belgium - Dig<p><a href="http://microbeerreviews.com/dig-spring-pale-ale-beer-review-belgium-brewing-company-dig-spring-pale-ale-beer-review-belgium-brewing-company/2012/02/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m231capDnM1r5sz9m.jpg" width="180"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=6bf4da61-f80d-4947-b024-397616f1888f">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/77480">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’m starting to repeat a good many of my breweries these days. New Belgium, most famously the makers of Fat Tire, were the first beer I reviewed: their <a href="http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/15428370776/new-belgium-1554">1554 Black Ale</a>. It’s one of the very few breweries I’ve actually been to, and their tasting room in Fort Collins, Colorado is very much worth a visit. I’ve been seeing this spring seasonal around a good bit, and for some reason, have some disdain for it - maybe it’s trying too hard, maybe it’s just a bit omnipresent, I don’t know. It seems like they’re trying to make a splash with the introduction of this new brew, so what the hell, let’s give it a whirl.</p> <p>The pour leaves a half-inch of dense, off-white foam. There’s a very pungent aroma, almost botanical - both of sweet, typical floral scents and the more meaty scents you might get from some blooms. Hops are very apparent in the taste, hitting right up front. While there was some hint of peach and lemon in the flavor, as I went back looking for them, they seemed to show up mainly in the aroma. On the whole, I’d say it was a good spring seasonal, but not so noteworthy that I’d go out of my way to find it again. The fruit notes have me itching for my favorite summer seasonal, 21st Ammendment’s Hell or High Watermelon.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21438704141http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21438704141Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:47:00 -0400New BelgiumDigPale AleAleRed Hook - Nut Brown<p><a href="http://thebitternib.blogspot.com/2012/01/redhook-nut-brown-ale.html"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1xqgllVbX1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://redhook.com/beers/nut-brown/">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1330/72/">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>As I mentioned when I reviewed <a href="http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16336069651/red-hook-winterhook">Winter Hook</a>, Red Hook is a brewery that seems pretty solid to me, though I haven’t tried very many of their beers. I’m always a fan of brown ales, though I tend to shy away from the Nut Browns. In any event, gotta try something new, and this one shows promise, so here goes!</p> <p>This ale pours a surprisingly-transparent (especially when compared to my last brown ale) medium brown with half a finger of nice white head, quickly settling. The aroma is light in the extreme, reminding me of nothing so much as a darker commercial lager. As I take my first sip, the first thing I notice is that is that the ale has a bit of a bite to it; the second is that the body is rather light, even thin. As it warmed, it got more of a caramel and malty character, but the taste never really came together for me. As much as I love my brown ales, and as much as I would really like to love Red Hook, I’d have to say give this one a miss.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21383706674http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/21383706674Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:56:49 -0400Red HookNut BrownBrown AleAleVan Steenberge - Piraat<p><a href="http://www.dailybeerreview.com/2011/12/piraat-ale.html"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1oa5famfK1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://piraat.vansteenberge.com/en/piraat-1">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48/156">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>Brouwerij Van Steenberge is hands-down my favorite Belgian brewer. (Bear in mind, I’ve been holding off on trying many Trappist ales until my palate is somewhat better educated.) When I discovered their Gulden Draak - which I imagine I’ll be reviewing in the near future - my love of craft beer went to another level. I had assumed that Piraat was the Dubbel version of Gulden Draak’s Trippel, and it’s clear that many stylistic choices are likely rooted in the tried-and-true flagship. However, I was surprised to find that this was categorized as an American IPA, especially as I didn’t recall much hop presence upon a previous tasting.</p> <p>Piraat pours a deep, hazy gold with quite a bit of white head. A great number of bubbles lined the sides of my glass, letting me expect quite a highly carbonated brew. Signature Flemmish sours gave the aroma that peculiar funk, but on the whole there was an extremely light aroma - no hops to be noticed. As I moved ahead to tasting the ale, there was a light sour pucker on the front, with hops gradually settling in without reaching the point where they really “bite.” The mouthfeel is very light, even airy. The beer hits mainly on the tip of the tongue and is lightly effervescent, tickling the roof of my mouth. Above all, I’d say this beer is extremely easy drinking; when I was finished, I was sad that I had only picked up the one. Well worth a try!</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/20845660816http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/20845660816Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:45:00 -0400Van SteenbergePiraatAleBelgian IPAIPADogfish Head - Indian Brown Ale<p><a href="http://www.musingsonbeer.com/2010/09/dogfish-head-indian-brown-ale.html"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1mkvwDPUo1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/indian-brown-ale.htm">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/64/1161">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I suppose I should thank Dogfish Head for somewhat self-consciously leading the craft beer charge for all these years. They make some great beers and they’ve got a lot of goodwill from me, even though I’ve not tried many of their offerings. I try to make it a point to go to their tavern outside of DC each year while I’m in the area. I suppose the main reason I haven’t tried a great many of their beers is because their ingredient choices are sometimes off-putting to me, and this coming from a guy who has ordered pizza with conch and figs. Nonetheless, apart from their odd ingredients and sometimes gimmicky brews, I’m expecting great things here - according to Beer Advocate, this is a world-class brew in my favorite style, so let’s dig in.</p> <p>The pour is a near-black brown with an finger of tan, rich foamy head. Very pleasant aroma with biscuty malts - which really make a brown ale for me - featuring prominently. Overall, there are many enchanting grain aromas in the nose - perhaps there’s some rye in there? Earthy, tangy coffee notes take the lead upon tasting, followed with a strong and continued presence of roasted malts. This brew had a substantial hoppiness for a brown ale, but the bitterness is balanced and rounded out very nicely with citrus flavors. The body is medium to light, and normally I wouldn’t really find that substantial enough for a brown this dark, but I think there’s enough complexity in the flavors that I’m happy to let it wash over the tongue a bit. On the whole, this is a great brown ale, though maybe not something I’d personally reach for first - the coffee and hops get a little too much for me as I go along.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/20782221381http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/20782221381Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:49:59 -0400Dogfish HeadIndian Brown AleBrown AleAleLegend - Brown Ale<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shyzaboy/4897866298/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m10h8hzKUb1r5sz9m.jpg" width="272"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.legendbrewing.com/beers.asp">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/486/1647">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’ve got to support my hometown breweries, so of course I have to review Legend Brown. As I said when <a href="http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18024754084/legend-maibock">reviewing their Maibock</a>, “Their brown ale was one of the first craft brews I had that propelled me to finding so many others, so I feel I am too kind to their brews, perhaps as a show of my gratitude.” That probably still holds true, but I think consensus is that Legend’s Brown is well worth a try, so I should only be overselling what really is a quality product.</p> <p>It pours a nice, dark earthy brown with great head retention - I couldn’t help but sample a bit to get that toasty, biscuity malt flavor that’s so prominent in the aroma. The best part about this beer is its well-rounded flavor profile - beyond the hearty maltiness which I’ve mentioned, molasses notes smooth it, caramel notes brighten it, and a just-enough-hops finish gives it a perfectly refreshing finish. I suppose the only thing I might be wanting to try for comparison would be a heavier-bodied or higher-carbonated version of this same beer, both are on the mid-to-light side. On the other hand, perhaps I only wish it would linger more because this is a beer which leaves you wanting another taste, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s a brewer’s job done right.<br/><br/>To follow up my first unequivocal pass, I’ll have to give this beer my whole-hearted seal of approval. I don’t think I could say it’s the very best brown ale, and I don’t think I could even say it has any real distinctive character. It is, however, a very solid Brown - a great place to benchmark the style from, in my book. If any non-local readers were willing to trade local brews, feel free to contact me and we’ll figure something out. It’ll be worth your while.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19785040591http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19785040591Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:05 -0400LegendBrown AleAleNewcastle - Founders' Ale<p><a href="http://www.thebarleyblog.com/2012/newcastle-founders-ale/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0r84vzyLP1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://newcastlebrown.com/#/the_rooftop/limited_editions/founders_ale">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/342/77775">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>Newcastle Brown, I hope we can agree, is dirty water. Their <a href="http://newcastlebrown.com/#/the_rooftop/limited_editions/werewolf">Werewolf</a> wasn’t bad; it seemed like it might be the concentrate they dilute to make the no-bodied flagship. Nothing really drew me to sample this one save that the grocery had a light selection this particular day, but desperate times and all, so I did what needs must.</p> <p>Several fingers of creamy foam appear while pouring this golden-tan pale ale. Hoppy bitter notes and malts are foremost in the rather light aroma. True to its Newcastle Brown roots, the body is very light, with an unbalanced hoppy flavor and very little else, perhaps some malts and citrus on the finish. Looking at the reviews on Beer Advocate, it seems like there’s no good agreement on what flavors are coming through on this brew - perhaps it varies by the batch or it doesn’t travel well. Personally, I would make this my first unequivocal “don’t bother,” if my memory serves.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19734298228http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19734298228Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0400Pale AleAleNewcastle Founders' AleCaledonian Brewery CompanyThomas Creek - Deep Water Doppelbock Lager<p><a href="http://beertimestories.wordpress.com/2009/08/18/deep-water-dopplebock-8510/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m181f9po7q1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.thomascreekbeer.com/beer.html">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2454/6149">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I suppose it would be fair to say that I’m a fan of Thomas Creek’s, despite having never been there nor knowing a great deal about the brewery. I’ve even considering ordering some merchandise, sight-unseen, and if you know me you’ll know a good 90+% of my shirts are thrift store finds, not brands I actually support. I’m not sure why - certainly, the 70’s-retro styling suckered me in to some extent. In general, though, I just think they offer some well-rounded beers with enough personality to stand out from the pack - I’m surprised that I don’t see them around more, but if Beer Advocate is any indication, mine is not a widely-held opinion.</p> <p>The pour is a deep coffee brown-black with a modest, light-tan head which settled quickly, leaving no lace on the glass. Rich malts are very much at the forefront of the aroma with fruity notes - figs, perhaps - complementing them. This lager hits the mouth with a good, full body and a pleasant, sharp bite, most likely from the carbonation. The bready, malty flavors feature prominently, and on the whole, it has a nice syrupy feel to it, like a <a href="http://vansteenberge.com/en">Van Steenberge</a> brew. This was one of the first doppelbocks I tried, and perhaps that colors my perception of where it sits in its style, but I quite enjoy it - I’m not sure why the Beer Advocate crowd seem to disagree so strongly.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19682073713http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19682073713Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:00:06 -0400Thomas CreekDeep Water Doppelbock LagerDoppelbockLagerDevils Backbone - Vienna Lager<p><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m18185URRk1r5sz9m.jpg" width="226"/><br/><a href="http://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/beers.aspx">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18539/46793">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>Another Virginia brewery emerges in local distribution! This is turning into a banner year for local brewing in my book. Devil’s Backbone is located just on the ridgeline of the Appalachians, very near the ski resort of Wintergreen. If I’m not mistaken, the name comes from a landmark on the Appalachian Trail, and the brewery has already made been building a strong reputation with its draught offerings which have been popping up in town recently. Very few have reviewed this lager yet, so consider yourself scooped, <strike>blagosphere</strike> <strike>tumblotron</strike> blogodrome!</p> <p>The lager poured a nice deep coppery-amber, the carbonation rushing to form a finger of off-white head which settled rather quickly and cleanly. The aroma is almost too light to be detected - all I got was a hint of malt and caramel. My first sip brings to mind white whine, though without the dryness or fruity crispness. The beer quickly washes over the tongue while a the carbonation - a bit higher than most I try - tickles the roof of the mouth. Flavors would be hard to define, but a sweet, almost fruity maltiness is the first thing that hits. Apples and caramel are also present, but only again as hints. A dash of hoppy bitterness hits the back of the mouth, but it is so light that I almost missed it in the effervescence. All in all, there’s no other way to describe this lager as “easy-drinking.”<br/><br/>I’d be interested to taste it alongside Boston Lager or Negra Modelo - both of which, I was surprised to find, are classified as Vienna Lagers - but I imagine it would compare favorably. It was lighter than I prefer, and earlier bottles (and perhaps a draught) I had sampled had more prominent sour, citrusy flavors - perhaps if I had let it warm, it would’ve been more to my liking. In any case, I’m still glad to have another solid brewery in Virginia, and though I may not love this offering, it’s a solid offering in its style.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19671255382http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/19671255382Wed, 21 Mar 2012 02:43:08 -0400Devils BackboneVienna LagerVienna Style LagerLagerHighland Brewing - Oatmeal Porter<p><a href="http://charlotterestauranttraffic.com/reviews/charlotte-beer-week-with-highland-brewing-company/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0g2am51Kf1r5sz9m.jpg" width="190"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.highlandbrewing.com/craft-brews/style/oatmeal-porter">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/811/6088">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’m a big fan of Highland’s. Not only because Asheville is about as cool a town as one could ask for, but also because when it was <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/30/2816847/law-would-be-boon-to-craft-beer.html">announced</a> that bigger dogs like New Belgium and Sierra Nevada may be coming to town, the owner admitted that the competition would likely hurt his business, “but it’s the American way.” That kind of attitude is worth celebrating, so I figured I’d raise a glass to the guy.</p> <p>This porter poured a near-black shade of brown with a half an inch of head which settled slowly, leaving a good deal of tan residue around the glass. Malt and oatmeal feature prominently in the ale’s aroma alongside chocolate and some hints of coffee. The body is lighter than one might expect, no heavier than a brown ale, and it stays well-balanced as it sits on the tongue. Oats feature foremost in the taste, the keystone among the very strong, solid grain flavors, though there’s still a bit of coffee and chocolate mixed in. The finish is very true to the style and the light/moderate carbonation leaves a pleasant sensation on the roof of the mouth. On the whole, I’d say this is a very good benchmark porter and well recommended for anyone interested in the style.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18832623546http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18832623546Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:15:54 -0500HighlandOatmeal PorterPorterAleOld Dominion - Dominion Oak Barrel Stout<p><a href="http://365beers.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/beer-189365-dominion-oak-barrel-stout/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m034t0YgqC1r5sz9m.jpg" width="228"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.olddominion.com/brews/">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/402/1192">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’m trying to decide what to think of a brewery that began in Virginia and moved to Delaware. I mean, I understand that you expand where you expand, but I don’t understand why Old Dominion felt the need to leave the Old Dominion entirely and go slummin’ in <em>Delaware</em> of all places. In any event, I need some more not-ambers to try, so why not give this stout a shot?</p> <p>The beer pours near-black with a dark tan head which subsides but never quite disappears. Alcohol is strong in the nose, belying the 6.1% ABV of this stout. Roasted notes of coffee and barley are also prominent in the aroma. As dark as this beer is, the body is surprisingly light, though the flavors hit all around and fill the mouth. This is probably on the more-heavily-hopped side of a stout, but this hits at the same time as the coffee notes, balancing it out nicely. I get a light red-winey taste in the finish, though the main flavors are chocolate and vanilla. On the whole, it has some interesting flavors, but nothing so outstanding as to highly recommend it - a nice change of pace, but not something I’ll likely buy a second time.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18422200839http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18422200839Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:18:13 -0500Old DominionDominion Oak Barrel StoutStoutAleLegend - Maibock<p><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzrfwkVp9L1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/><br/><a href="http://www.legendbrewing.com/index.asp">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/486/23301">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’ve been lax on reviewing one of my early-favorite breweries, the hometown hero, Legend. They just celebrated their 18th year, and thankfully have some new neighbors in Virginia to send them well-wishes on the occasion. Their brown ale was one of the first craft brews I had that propelled me to finding so many others, so I feel I am too kind to their brews, perhaps as a show of my gratitude. Nonetheless, I’m glad I found this - I wasn’t sure if I would review a previously-tried local brew or if I would have to review another Red. I’d been thinking I’d like to find a doppelbock or something similar, and for a change of pace, this fit the bill nicely.</p> <p>There’s hardly any head in this pour, which quickly settles into the dark gold in the glass. This lager has precious little aroma, mainly citrusy with some floral notes. The taste is curious - it hits the sides of the tongue, washing through with a nice light, clean feel. Lightly tangy, citrusy bubbles play and fill the mouth following each sip - something like a crisp apple cider in the finish, perhaps. I haven’t had many maibocks, but apparently this is a bit of a departure as there is no real presence of hops either in the aroma or flavors. So while I may not be able to judge it on its merits in the style, I can say that I enjoyed this beer, and will most likely revisit it once the warmer weather of spring arrives.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18024754084http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18024754084Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:36:49 -0500LegendMaibockLagerHarpoon - Irish Red<p><a href="http://www.beerbasics.com/blog/tag/massachusetts-bay-brewing-company"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzf23xtszA1r5sz9m.jpg" width="190"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?pid=28514">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10097/47298">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’ve had some good experiences with Harpoon’s six packs in the past, and wasn’t aware until writing this that they’re another Boston brewery. I’m not sure why, but they seem like a strong, no-nonsense brand to me - perhaps it’s the strength of the name and their logo on the cap. At any rate, I expect good things from this Irish Red.</p> <p>Poured a deep coppery amber with little carbonation and a good amount of off-white head. It smelled primarily of grains, perhaps some carmelly malts as well. I was surprised how light the body was as well as by how quickly the sweet, malty flavors initially seemed to wash over my tongue before returning with a hoppy finish. On the whole, this is a solid offering, but it doesn’t really seem to stand out to me - I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed, just not impressed.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18022239379http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/18022239379Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:46:58 -0500HarpoonCeltic AleRed AleAleOtter Creek - Winter Red Ale<p><a href="http://reelrecon.tumblr.com/post/15720004424/otter-creek-red-ale"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzf1f8Wo101r5sz9m.jpg" width="199"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/119/75048">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I don’t think I’ve had any Otter Creek previously, but I’m generally fond of northeastern breweries, particularly New England ones. It seems like they’re so thick on the ground in the wake of Boston Beer Company’s success, and the ones that tend to be ‘exported’ down south are generally - if not the cream of the crop - from solid, larger-scale operations. I guess I’ve been doing a lot of reds lately, and while I’d like a change of pace, there’s not much that appeals to me when I’ve been shopping lately, so here we are.</p> <p>Not a lot going on in the nose; a light, clean, yeasty aroma predominates. It poured about a finger of head which quickly settled. The beer itself was cloudy with a typical deep amber/red color and only light carbonation. The taste has a citrusy twinge followed by a slightly bitter bite when the hops kick in. Something about the flavor makes me want to pair it with a nice juicy hamburger or steak. The body is light, however, and the flavors dissipate quickly. I would have reviewed this offering earlier, but it got passed around the cabin a few weekends ago before I could really pay it proper attention - it’s an easy-drinking beer that’s easy to enjoy and share.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17642411077http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17642411077Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:02:55 -0500Otter CreekWinter Red AleRed AleAleAbita - Amber<p><a href="http://www.brewsandblues.org/2009/09/01/abita-amber/"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lywlqtYGte1r5sz9m.jpg" width="200"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.abita.com/brews/amber.php">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3/5">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I don’t always love Abita. Purple Haze seems a bit too gimmicky for what is ultimately just another wheat beer. I’ve had other offerings, some hits and some misses, but nothing exceptionally one way or the other. I suppose in many ways they remind me of the beers of their Texan neighbors at Shiner - I want these beers to stand out, but often just find them unremarkable.</p> <p>I’m not sure if I’d call this an amber <strike>ale</strike> lager from the color - it seems more like a dark lager perhaps, and has more of an orange or brown tint than a red one. Not a lot going on in the nose, just a clean, grainy aroma - the freshness called to mind cool spring water, which may be appropriate, as the cap claims that’s the water they used. Very little body to it at all, though the higher carbonation let it seem to wash over my tongue and foam like a wave breaking on the shore. It was just bitter enough to remind you that you were drinking a beer, and at 4.5% ABV, you wouldn’t expect anything much stronger. All told, I found it pleasant enough - good choice to sit out on the porch with on a nice cool day.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17074959162http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17074959162Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:57:00 -0500AbitaAmberAmber LagerLagerWilliamsburg Alewerks - Washington's Porter<p><a href="http://thebrewthusiast.com/?p=224"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lykqp3wBF31r5sz9m.jpg" width="172"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.williamsburgalewerks.com/Beers-Ales/williamsburg-alewerks-washingtons-porter-ale.aspx">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/14952/33565">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I guess I should say that I like Virginia pretty well, and want to like its beers. I probably give Legend too much credence, and I love to see places like Hardywood Park and O’Connor on draught around town. That said, I think I’ve been unimpressed by Williamsburg AleWerks before, and wasn’t expecting much. (On the subject of Virginia beers to give a miss: Anything by Roanoke Railhouse. Not even once.) Nonetheless, I’m kinda scraping the bottom of the barrel of my local Kroger’s beer selection, unless I’m going to go back and review stuff I’ve tried before. Besides, it’s not a stout or an IPA, and I need to learn some more about porters as a style, so why not?</p> <p>It poured very dark brown - nearly black - and smelled primarily of chocolate and a bit of coffee. Mostly, though, it had a tangy smell I couldn’t quite place - my instinct would be to say malt perhaps, or some other less-common grain? There was little carbonation, though that may be because I did let it sit a bit before drinking. It didn’t sit very heavy in my mouth or linger on my tongue, but the taste was quite tangy, and reminded me of nothing else than the exceptionally hard tap water I drank in my college apartment. Perhaps it was my unrefined palate or my ignorance of what Williamsburg AleWerks was looking to do with this beer, but I can’t say I recommend it at all. The lower ratings on Beer Advocate suggest that the brewery may have quality control or even sanitation issues, and I tended to agree that my experience certainly didn’t sound much like many of the average-or-better reviews.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17073703839http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/17073703839Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:32:56 -0500Williamsburg AlewerksWashington's PorterPorterAleStarr Hill - Festie<p><a href="http://www.dailybeerreview.com/2010/11/festie.html"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyaldpfIGQ1r5sz9m.jpg" width="225"/></a><br/><a href="http://www.starrhill.com/brews/brew_item/festie">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13667/44804">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>I’d never heard of an Amber Lager before, but Starr Hill is second only to <a href="http://www.legendbrewing.com/">Legend</a> as the most-common local brewer. Festie isn’t the most common Starr Hill you’ll see, but it’s somewhat the most gimmicky to me - a Charlottesville brewery making a beer with almost-but-legally-distinct from the name of Charottesville’s <a href="http://www.thefesty.com/">The Festy</a> music fest? So I’ve got a chip on my shoulder along the lines of “too much marketing, not enough quality brewing,” but I was pleasantly surprised by <a href="http://www.starrhill.com/brews/brew_item/boxcar">Boxcar</a> Pumpkin Porter this fall, so why not?<br/><br/>This is the first canned beer I’ve reviewed, though usually I see Festie in bottles as pictured. It poured a great deal of head, and was a surprisingly warm, amber color with a very light, malty aroma. In the cold can, it didn’t taste much different from any other mass-produced darker lager, but as it warmed in a glass, the feel is quite different - it fills the mouth with a warm, sweet, lighter taste than its color had me expecting. On the whole, sweet grains feature very prominently, and it would do well at a traditional German Oktoberfest - not a bad beer to have all day, but not one I’d say you could really savor.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16400147987http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16400147987Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:57:01 -0500LagerAmber LagerStarr HillFestieRed Hook - Winterhook<p><a href="http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2011/11/12/2557232/public-skate-get-those-canadian-beers-back-out-its-miller-time"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly8jvoI5kM1r5sz9m.jpg" width="300"/></a><br/><a href="http://redhook.com/beers/winterhook/">Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18134/13906">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>Red Hook always seemed like a solid brewery to me, though I don’t see it around very often. Mostly all I know is their <a href="http://redhook.com/beers/ipa/">Long Hammer IPA</a> and <a href="http://redhook.com/beers/esb/">ESB</a>, but I thought both were solid offerings. I was torn between a few options, but this seemed a pretty good selection. The ski-jumper on the label is matched by one under the cap, which was a humorous touch.</p> <p>It’s a nice copper color to it, pretty light for a winter seasonal. Reviews talk about cloves and piney hops in the aroma, I mostly got a light, clean grain scent with a hint of that wintery edge that takes the air when it gets snowy. The taste was very clean and crisp with an extremely light body and a good amount of hoppy bite, not as much of the warming alcohol taste you might expect from a typical strong-ale winter warmer. It’s also at the low end of the spectrum on alcohol content; under 6% by volume. Very much worth a try, but certainly not your typical winter seasonal.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16336069651http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16336069651Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:16:00 -0500AleWinter AleRed HookWinterhookLong Trail - Hibernator<p><a href="http://brewgene.com/beer/long-trail-hibernator"><img height="298" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly4oaeEgoB1r5sz9m.jpg" width="188"/></a><a href="http://www.longtrail.com/home.html"><br/>Official Site</a> - <a href="http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/94/271">Beer Advocate</a></p> <p>For no particularly good reason, I’ve been skeptical of Long Trail for some time. Part of it might be that Long Trail’s brews are readily available in supermarkets I frequent, but you never see them on draught. That, to me, suggests that having tasted them, you might not want another round. After a few years of seeing Hibernator around, I gave in - there wasn’t much actual info on the label or box to go on, but I was pleased to find out that it was a Scottish Ale.</p> <p>The aroma is pleasantly malty-yeasty, with some hints of a citrus fruit I can’t identify. It’s a hearty lager that lands heavier on the tongue than I expected. As it rolls off, it leaves carbonation and hoppy, sometimes tea-ish notes behind. On the whole, it’s a pretty solid offering, though it has a bit of tang that builds for me as it goes along. Can’t say I would really recommend it highly, but worth a try.</p>http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16206731953http://jamesdrinkssomebeers.tumblr.com/post/16206731953Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:29:00 -0500AleScottish AleLong TrailHibernator