Tasting Notes: Aloha! Berlin from Stone Brewing & Maui Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

StoneMauiBottleThis week’s installment of Tasting Notes has us fending off the midweek malaise with a very special bottle of Aloha! Berlin Imperial Coconut Porter from Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) and Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei, Hawaii).

Originally released back in late 2016 as the first of fourteen Stone Groundbreaking Collaborations brewed to commemorate the opening of Stone Berlin, Aloha! Berlin is an Imperial Coconut Porter that carries on a long history of collaboration between Stone Brewing and Maui Brewing Co.  Filled with “the welcoming spirit of the Aloha State”, Aloha! Berlin echoes past collaborations between the two breweries as it showcases “ingredients familiar to the islands – rich coffee and pounds of hand-toasted coconut – and introduces hazelnuts into the mix.”  Clocking in at 9.3% ABV, Aloha! Berlin boasts an experience “deeply rooted in Hawaii, San Diego, Europe and friendship, capturing the true essence of the word ‘aloha,’ which also means on a deeper level ‘joyfully sharing life.'”

Although Aloha! Berlin was originally released in 2016 via a special-order campaign, a limited amount of it and six other Stone Groundbreaking Collaborations were re-released back in December of 2017.  It may be a bit more difficult to track them down these days, but a few of these 750ml and 1.5L bottles might still be tucked away on shelves at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s distribution footprint.

That should just about wrap up this beer’s background info, so let’s properly introduce Aloha! Berlin to a glass and get into these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Aloha! Berlin Imperial Coconut Porter from Stone Brewing & Maui Brewing Co.

Appearance: Aloha! Berlin pours a seemingly black in color and wears right at a finger of almond colored foam.  When held to direct light, the color opens – especially at the edges – to reveal that this Imperial Porter is actually a rich, dark brown.  The beer is opaque, but a pulse of carbonation can be seen near the edges of the glass.  Head retention is decent, but it does eventually fall to a lasting ring that leaves behind chunky lace patterns after each pull.

Aroma: Toasted coconut leads the aromatics with a supporting cast of mixed nuts – mostly hazelnuts and cashews.  Coffee rises up to establish a bit of earthiness and a whole lot of roasty goodness.  That roast then draws your attention to the underlying malts that also offer notes of indulgent caramel and bittersweet chocolate.

Taste: A firm Porter base establishes itself first with really nice layers of dark chocolate, caramel and toffee.  A toasted coconut presence that is both sweet and booze soaked then emerges alongside a dollop of cream.  Just before the entire experience becomes awash with a closing flood of roasted coffee, a European influence settles in as hazelnuts ride in on another layer of rich chocolate.  There is a lot at work here, but it is all nuanced and ridiculously tasty.

Mouthfeel:  Sitting on the fuller side of medium in body with a moderate carbonation level, this beer has a great weight that maintains a smooth, easy sippin’ experience. Although it is mostly sweet on the palate, the roast from the coffee brings out a nice bitterness that assists with balance and keeps this thing from getting cloying.  The ABV does bring a touch of heat to the throat and further promotes this beer’s intention to be a sipper.  The aftertaste leaves behind some dark chocolate and coffee.

Final Thoughts:  Aloha! Berlin comes together as a wonderful mashup of a solid but larger representation of Maui Brewing’s respected Coconut Hiwa Porter and Stone Brewing’s love of everything that is unapologetically big and bold.  That combo on its own is more than enough to result in an amazing beer, but they took this experience to the next level by recognizing the establishment of Stone Berlin with the addition of hazelnuts – an ingredient that is often used in German treats and chocolates.  All of these layers result in a sip that simultaneously possesses plenty of tropical goodness, a European quality that has a comforting familiarity, a robust coffee character that serves as some middle ground, and a careful mix of the three that translates as a slightly scaled back, not-so-sweet German chocolate cake note.  It is everything you could possible want when you see a beer label that reads “Aloha! Berlin Imperial Coconut Porter“.  It is all things Maui Brewing Co. . . . It is all things Stone Brewing . . . and it is abundantly clear why this offering served as the first of the fourteen beers in this series.  If you are lucky enough to run across this beer out in the wild, you owe it to yourself to try it.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

DueSouthCoastlinePour600For this week’s Tasting Notes, we seek out a quiet, relaxing patch of sand so that we can properly enjoy some Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co. (Boynton Beach, Florida).

Back in March of this year, veteran owned and operated Due South Brewing Co. announced that it would transition all of its packaged beer to 16 oz. cans.  This move includes all Year-Round offerings that were previously sold in 12 oz. packaging and is being appropriately spearheaded by the emergence of Coastline Lager.  Descriptions are brief when it comes to this new Year-Round offering as the brewery quickly sums Coastline (4% ABV) up as a “crisp and delicious [American-style lager], expertly brewed for wherever your adventure takes you.”  Coastline Lager is available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located throughout Due South’s distribution footprint in Western Florida.

Now that we have those pertinent details out of the way, I do believe it is time to crack these cans, put our toes in the sand and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co.

Appearance: Coastline fills the glass with a pale, straw yellow-colored brew that is capped with a little over a finger of airy white foam.  Held to direct light, the yellows take on a slightly golden hue, but those straw tones hold most of their ground.  The beer is pristine in clarity and shows a fervid carbonation presence streaming upward in countless uniform lines.  Despite the zealous nature of those bubbles, the head quickly falls to a bubbly ring that occasionally leaves thin threads of lace behind on the glass.

Aroma:  As is the case with most lagers of this kind, the aromatics are light and unobtrusive but still have the ability to make an impact.  A clean grain presence leads the way here with earthy and lightly sweet notes.  The yeast contributes just a touch of fruitiness, and the hops close out the profile with some faint grassy and citrusy tones.

Taste:  Just like in the nose, the first thing to surface is a lightly sweet, reserved grain presence.  The hops are a bit more confident here, pushing forward to balance this thing beautifully with floral and grassy tones that are held up by a light but refreshing lemon and lime presence.  These notes are all distinguishable but remain light enough to quickly cancel each other out in anticipation of the next sip.

Mouthfeel: Light in body with a bright carbonation, this lager is crisp and refreshing.  It is wonderfully balanced on the palate and cleans up nice and quickly.  The 4% ABV is completely hidden, keeping things smooth and easy-drinking.  Aftertaste is a light grain sweetness with a twist of lime.

Final Thoughts:  All in all, this glass holds a clean, crisp lager that wants nothing more than to be just that . . . a lager.  Make no mistake, that statement is not at all calling this beer boring. It is wonderfully executed, but it is a beer that you do not have to think about in those moments when all you want is something cold, refreshing and flavorful.  Coastline Lager is that go-to brew that you can crush on the daily after work, the gym, yard work, a hike, while on the beach . . .  and the list goes on.  Not only that, but it also has gateway potential for those occasions when you have to entertain non-craft drinkers.  It allows you to appease the masses without funding the big boys that mass-produce American Lagers.  Coastline Lager is 16 ounces of easy-drinking, thirst-quenching canned convenience.  When you boil it all down, that is typically what most of us are after when we reach for a lager anyway.  Its simplicity is its allure, and we dig that.  Be sure to give it a shot the next time you get that itch for a lager.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Wild Ones from Red Cypress Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

RedCypressWildOnesPour1000For this edition of Tasting Notes, we journey into the untamed areas of the craft beer landscape to hunt down a pour of Wild Ones American Wild Ale from Red Cypress Brewery (Winter Springs, Florida).

Originally released by Red Cypress Brewery on December 2 of 2017, Wild Ones is an American Wild Ale that has been “oak fermented and aged . . . for 14 months.”  That lengthy aging process and the use of Brettanomyces yeast ultimately allows Wild Ones (7% ABV) to emerge from its rest with “a big nose of earthy funk and fruit and tastes slightly tart with a white wine oakiness followed by a dry body.”

Wild Ones was released in limited quantities at the tail end of last year, but a quick internet search shows that 500ml bottles of this Limited Release might still be available in Red Cypress Brewery’s taproom and at select craft beer establishments located in and around the Winter Springs/Orlando area.

Alright . . . now that we are all caught up on the back story of this quiet release, let’s crack open a bottle and subject this Wild Ale to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Wild Ones from Red Cypress Brewery

Appearance:  Wild Ones presents itself as a bright lemon yellow in color and is wearing over two fingers of tight, white foam that builds and reaches well above the brim of the glass.  When hit by direct light, this beer absolutely glows as it takes on a shimmering gold tone.  The beer has a soft cloudiness to it, but it remains clear enough for us to observe an insane amount of exuberant carbonation bubbles darting about within.  Head retention is spectacular, eventually reducing down to a chunky finger that lays wide sheets of lace down on the glass.

Aroma: Brett notes just permeates the air with earthy, funky goodness that translates as damp hay, barnyard, musty wood in the attic, leather and touch of pepper.  A gentle sweetness then rises in form of a vinous, white wine character.  The grains hold it all together by adding both earthiness and sweetness.  Gorgeous.

Taste:  The flavors do not deviate far from the aromas as barnyard funk and earthiness once again take lead with some wet hay, grassiness, oak, fresh leather, and a dash of black pepper.  A pop of fruit then surfaces in the form of ripe pear, lychee, and a sweet, semi-dry Gewürztraminer grape/wine character.  A gentle tartness creeps in for just a moment, but it is quickly held in check by a lightly sweet grain character.

Mouthfeel: Light side of medium in body with an effervescent carbonation level, this beer is bright, crisp and refreshing.  It is mostly funky, earthy and lightly sweet on the palate, but there is a slight tartness that carries throughout to balance and dry this thing out.  Although it weighs in at a respectable 7% ABV, there is absolutely no hint of alcohol to found in this beer.  The aftertaste is all white wine and oak.

Final Thoughts:  This lovely beer can be summed up in just three words: Pure Brett Bliss.  Wild Ones is exactly what I – Guillermo, self-proclaimed Brettanomyces fanatic – look for in a Brett beer.  Earthy, barnyard funk is here to carry nearly the entire experience, but it still remains elegantly composed and beautifully executed thanks to its slight tartness and spot on level of sweetness.  Even with all those dynamic flavors and aromas, this beer’s balance keeps the experience refreshing, approachable and damn near gulp-inducing.  It is just so ridiculously good, and it is clearly one of the finest beers to hit our tasting table this year.  If you see it, get it.  Prost!

**Side Note – Wild Ones can also serve well as a gateway beer for wine drinkers. If you have a buddy that enjoys delicate white wines and vehemently claims that he/she just does not enjoy the taste of “beer”, pour them a glass of Wild Ones and watch his/her mind explode.**

 

Tasting Notes: Looking Glass IPA from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

SHBLookingGlassPour600_editedThis week’s installment of Tasting Notes finds us reflecting on the India Pale Ale style as we take a long look at Looking Glass IPA from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

Currently serving as Starr Hill’s 2018 Spring Seasonal, Looking Glass IPA is a fruity India Pale Ale that sources pronounced “notes of juicy pineapple, mango and passion fruit” from an impressive hop bill comprised of Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic and Columbus hops.  Although Looking Glass (6.5% ABV, 40 IBUs) is packed with a “big hop aroma and flavor”, it remains incredibly easy-drinking “with minimal bitterness.”

Looking Glass IPA is available now and will hang around through April 2018.  You can expect to find this Seasonal brew available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Virginia and throughout the rest of Starr Hill’s distribution footprint.

Now that the background data has been properly presented, let’s gaze deeply into the Looking Glass and lose ourselves in some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Looking Glass IPA from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance:  Slightly hazy in appearance, this IPA presents itself as a pale golden in color with just over a finger of bubbly white foam resting on top.  When held to direct light, the golden tones take on a bit of a soft orange hue.  Although hazy, the beer avoids being ridiculously cloudy and allows the drinker to see the tiny carbonation bubbles hard at work within.  Head retention is good, falling gradually to a lasting cap that leaves an intricate web of lace behind on the glass.

Aroma:  A strong tropical wave hits the nose first with a crash of pineapple and mango.  Grapefruit zest and orange juice act as a solid foundation for those tropical notes and the hops close out with just a grace of pine.  Malts lie underneath with a subtly sweet presence of clean grain.  Mighty juicy and oh-so pleasant.

Taste:  That juiciness carries over onto the palate as Looking Glass basically comes across as a fruit bowl of mango, passion fruit, grapefruit and pineapple blended into a base of sweet orange juice.  The zest of various citrus fruits and a touch of resinous pine then surface to cut the fruitiness at the perfect moment.  The malts and yeast mingle throughout the experience to add some balancing sweetness, but otherwise they are not really players in this game.  The hops are the star, and they flex their ability to provide both a fruit-laden flavor and a subdued but present level of bitterness.

Mouthfeel:  Falling on the lighter side of medium in body with a moderate carbonation, this IPA provides an experience that is quite smooth and easy drinking.  It is nicely balanced and dry, but there is a sharp – but not harsh – jab of bitterness that creeps in near the finish.  The ABV does bring a bit of warmth to the throat at times, but it is not at all out of hand.  The aftertaste is a lingering presence of orange juice with a twist of pineapple.

Final Thoughts:  What we have here is middle ground. Looking Glass IPA has found a comfortable spot somewhere between classic American IPAs and those newfangled hazy brews that everyone is so gaga over these days.  Sure, it definitely has some characteristics of the New England/Hazy IPA: a slightly hazy appearance, a good amount of balance, and a serious burst of tropical juiciness sourced from a sublime hop bill.  With that said, it is not so hazy/cloudy/muddy that it comes across as a tall pour of orange juice in a fancy glass.  It still retains a semblance of that invigorating hop bite that many of us long for when we see the letters “IPA” or the words “India Pale Ale”.  It is there in middle.  It is a balanced and juicy not-so-filtered American IPA.  It is a more bitter, less hazy New England-style IPA.  It is the neutral ground between the two where fans of either style can come together and discuss their allegiances (like adults) over a beer that appeals to both of them.  Now that we are at a point where we are altering and adding style guidelines to accommodate changing tastes and preferences, Looking Glass IPA serves as a much-needed place to discuss where we have been and where we will go in this ever-evolving, hop-fueled realm of craft beer.  It sparks a conversation and I can certainly get behind that.  Be sure to check this one out before its Seasonal run comes to a close at the end of April.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales

Posted on by mashingin

RogueColdBrew2.0x1000This week’s Tasting Notes satisfies our mid-day cravings for both coffee and beer with a look at Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

Developed to be a bit of an unconventional union of coffee and a lighter beer style, Rogue’s Cold Brew 2.0 is a Seasonal Blonde Ale that “explores the intricacies of coffee aromatics and delicate malt notes.”  Beer and coffee fans alike can expect Cold Brew 2.0 (5.6% ABV) to supply them with an enjoyable experience that “opens with a big hit of coffee aroma and flavor” – thanks to the recipe’s use of Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee – and closes with the subtle “nuances of the hops and malts.” This Seasonal offering is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft, and you can find it through June 2018 at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area.

Now that all the pertinent details are out of the way, let’s take a little coffee break and get into these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales

Appearance – The look is that of a straight-up Blonde Ale.  It pours a pale golden in color and wears a solid finger of creamy, bright white foam.  When held to direct light, the gold gains some intensity and picks up a more vibrant honey-like appearance.  The body is clear and displays an exuberant carbonation presence coursing within.  The head falls quickly to a thin cap that leaves behind pencil-thin streaks of lace on the glass.

Aroma – The nose is greeted by a pronounced note of lightly roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate.  A sugary cream presence builds and comes across as a bit of a marshmallow note.  All of this is supported by a soft maltiness that is most notably characterized as toasty cereal grains.

Taste – This brew hits the palate with a heavy dose of cold brew coffee and a touch of cream. Lightly sweet notes of vanilla and cocoa support the coffee before the experience settles into a full-on Blonde/Cream Ale mode filled with clean malts and balancing hops.

Mouthfeel – Light in body with a medium carbonation, Cold Brew 2.0 still has an impressively sneaky weight to it.  The beer puts those taste buds to work by playing with a soft roastiness, a pleasant level of sweetness, and a gently contrasting bitterness.  All in all, it is nicely balanced and does not overly exhaust any side of palate.  ABV is light (as expected) and keeps things easy drinking and refreshing.  Aftertaste is just a bit of toasted grain and cream.

Final Thoughts – This beer definitely plays with your mind’s expectations as the look and feel are all Blonde Ale while the aromas and flavors possess characteristics that you would expect more from a Porter or a more playful Brown Ale.  That said, the cold brew coffee note is spot on and runs this show.  This dynamic coffee presence rides upon a light Blonde Ale experience to mimic the satisfying nature of an iced or cold brewed coffee.  Rogue Ales absolutely accomplished their mission here by creating an easy-drinking and refreshing coffee beer, and Cold Brew 2.0 can proudly sit alongside Rogue’s Cold Brew IPA as shining examples of successfully innovative and unexpected approaches to using coffee as an ingredient in the brewing process.  Be sure to get your hands on a pour of Cold Brew 2.0 before its Seasonal Release comes to an end.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company

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LagunitasUndercoverPour1000In order to get a head start on St. Patty’s Day weekend, we are shutting down the office early and getting into some Tasting Notes on the infamous Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California).

Brewed in “remembrance of the 2005 St. Patrick’s Day Massacre and in commemoration of the 20-day suspension that followed” (click here to get more info on that event and an explanation of the featured photo above), Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is Lagunitas Brewing Company’s “especially bitter” response to the ABC’s claim that the brewery was operating a “Disorderly House” on that fateful day.  Best described as an American Strong Ale, Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is a “malty and rich beer with a snappy hop finish [that] truly defies style…Imperial Mild?…Uber ESB?” Who knows?! What we do know – besides the fact that this beer’s name is incredibly long – is that Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale clocks in at an unruly 9.6% ABV and 66.6 IBUs and cannot possibly be held accountable for its actions.  Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is available now as a Limited Release offering, and you can track it down in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s vast distribution area.

Now that we have covered the background on this subject, let’s dig deep and crack the case on this Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Appearance: This brew presents itself as a dark amber in color with just a slight orange hue to it.  When held to direct light, that orange tone gains intensity and the liquid takes on more of a bright, shining copper appearance. The beer is impeccably clear and displays a bountiful carbonation presence dedicated in its mission to feed the perfect finger of frothy white foam resting above.  Head retention is quite good, and that foam provides a huge amount of lace that utterly coats the Mason Jar-style glass by the end of the experience.

Aroma:  Pine confidently steps forward first and fills the nose with resiny hop goodness. This eventually takes a gentle turn to the floral before a countering presence of caramel and grain settles in.  Not to be outdone, the hops surface one last time with a parting pop of citrus zest.

Taste:  The script flips in this arena as the flavors lead with a soothing presence of caramel and toffee.  To keep things from getting overly sweet, the hops follow closely behind with a resinous pine note that is accompanied by grassy and floral tones.  A fruit-filled character then surfaces in the form of tropical mango, candied orange and a bit of grapefruit zest.  Still, even as all these hop notes gain momentum, there remains a composed layer of sweet grain and malt interwoven throughout to keep the bitterness in check.  Really nicely done here.

Mouthfeel:  With a spot-on medium body and a moderate carbonation level, this beer has a creamy feel and a somewhat long finish that leaves behind notes of orange and grapefruit zest.  Although it puts in some serious work on both the bitter and sweet sides of palate, this beer’s level of balance is simply stunning. Combine that with an ABV that translates much lighter than its 9.6%, and you are left with a big ol’ brew that is dangerously drinkable.

Final Thoughts: This may be another beer that steps outside the norm to defy style guidelines, but somehow it is blatantly obvious that Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale nailed the brewery’s intentions and expectations.  We say that because every aspect of this beer is synced up. Its look is absolutely gorgeous and coyly lures you in for sip after sip.  The aromatics and flavors have achieved a brilliant level of balance.  The feel is so damn smooth and has just enough weight to properly carry the experience. And then there’s that hidden ABV . . . We wracked our brains but could not come up with another beer that exceeds 9% ABV and drinks this easy and refreshing.

All in all, we had a hard time deciding whether this beer was more dumbfounding or sensical, and then it hit us. Not only does this beer properly commemorate a moment in the history of Lagunitas, but it also lives up to its name (especially the “Undercover Investigation” portion) by being a well-orchestrated, sneaky brew that will get you into trouble if you let it.  It warns you to proceed with caution while still encouraging you to enjoy the hell out of every moment spent with an Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale in your hand.  If a beer could be a maniacal genius, it would be this one.  Be sure to check it out.  Prost!

Tasting Notes – The Classics: Bigfoot (2017) from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

Bigfootpour1000This week’s installment of Tasting Notes has us revisiting an old favorite as we get into a pour of the iconic Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale (2017) from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California).

The legend of Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot started in 1983 and has since grown to establish this beastly Barleywine as a cult classic in the American craft beer community.  This strong and robust American-style Barleywine reached this status by showcasing “bold flavors of bittersweet malt and heaps of aggressive whole-cone Pacific Northwest hops.”  Since it weighs in at an imposing 9.6% ABV and possesses a substantial hop bill, Bigfoot can either be enjoyed fresh or it can age “like a fine wine, developing new flavors and character as it matures in the bottle.”

Although we are stepping back a year in time for these Tasting Notes, the 2018 vintage of Bigfoot is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Sierra Nevada’s expansive distribution area.

Now that we have covered the history of this classic, let’s grab a glass and sit down to some Tasting Notes with the Bigfoot.

Tasting Notes for Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale (2017) from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Appearance:  Bigfoot fills the glass as a dark caramel-colored brew that has a reddish undertone to it.  When held to direct light, that caramel tone softens a bit and its red hue shifts to become more of a vibrant copper.  The beer is pristine in clarity and shows a good amount of tiny bubbles streaming skyward.  The pour produced just over a finger of tight, sandy-colored foam that has fantastic retention and thoroughly coats the glass with chunky gobs of lace.

Aroma:  The aromatics on this beer are gorgeously distinct and aggressively storm the nose as soon as its cap is removed.  There is a firm earthy layer up front that is both floral and piney.  Those notes are then followed by sweet tones of brown sugar, caramel, and toffee.  A touch of dark fruit and a bright burst of citrus character smooth it all out to close the profile.

Taste:  Resinous pine strikes the palate first with a hoppy bite that is then quickly tempered by a sweet and sturdy malt backbone of toffee and caramel.  Dark fruits – mostly reading as sticky, caramelized dates – then emerge and bring with them some more earthy and floral characteristics from the hops.  Gaining a second wind, the hops assert themselves once again by saturating the finish with a parting dose of grapefruit-laced pine.  Absolutely delicious.

Mouthfeel:  Full-bodied with a mild carbonation, Bigfoot has a hefty weight to it and sticks a bit on the palate. Even after a year, the hops still have a good amount of bite to them, but an underlying sweetness is there to do what it can in providing some balance.  As expected, that 9.6% ABV brings with it a building heat that settles in the throat and radiates down to the belly.  The aftertaste is a long lingering note of pine.

Final Thoughts:  There is a lengthy list of reasons for why Bigfoot is so respected and beloved, but its unwavering degree of consistency must be near the top of that list.  Year in and year out, fans of this American-style Barleywine just know that it is going to be aggressively and deliciously hop-laden when fresh but still has the potential to turn into a balanced, sweet sipper over time.  Those of us who cellar beer rest easy knowing that there will be no surprises with this brew as we stash a sixer or case of each vintage away for years on end.  It is just a given that our Bigfoot cache will effortlessly evolve into a steady progression of captivating flavors and aromas as the years tick by, and I think many of us take the beauty of that for granted at times.  Sierra Nevada has achieved an artful level of craftsmanship with Bigfoot that unquestionably holds its own against time, and – for that reason – it has inspired countless brewers to create their own American Barleywines over the last 35 years.  Bigfoot truly is a standard for its style and the craft of American brewing in general, and that is why it deserves our attention, appreciation and praise with each year’s release.  That is why it is a classic.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Beyond the Galaxy IPA from Terrapin Beer Co.

Posted on by mashingin

IMGP8751_editedFor this week’s installment of Tasting Notes, we find ourselves cruising through the mid-week doldrums at warp speed thanks to a little help from Beyond the Galaxy IPA from Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia).

Arriving as the single hop successor to Terrapin’s Mosaic Red Rye IPA, Beyond the Galaxy is a new Seasonal India Pale Ale that features a “stellar flavor and . . . aroma of candied pineapple and tropical fruit” sourced from “an astronomical amount of Galaxy hops.” Clocking in at 6.3% ABV and sporting “a soft, juicy bitterness”, Beyond the Galaxy IPA aims to “take you on a voyage where no man has gone before.”

Beyond the Galaxy IPA is available now and will hang around throughout the spring months.  You can find this new Seasonal offering in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of Terrapin Beer Co.’s distribution area.

Now that we have appropriately covered all those necessary particulars, let’s crack open a few cans and single hop our way into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Beyond the Galaxy IPA from Terrapin Beer Co.

Appearance:  Beyond the Galaxy presents itself as a deep, golden colored beer that has a solid orange hue radiating at its core.  When held to direct light, that orange tone softens and the golds glow.  This IPA is completely clear and displays an abundant carbonation level coursing within.  The pour produced nearly two fingers of bright white foam that quickly retreats down to a wispy but complete top cap.  No matter its size, the head still coats the glass with some serious lace coverage.

Aroma: The aromatics are dominated by distinct, tropical fruit notes of passionfruit, grapefruit, orange, mango and pineapple.  An undercurrent of pine progressively settles into the background and the experience closes with just a grace of sweetness from the pale malts.  Just as it should be, this aroma is all Galaxy hops.

Taste:  Leading with pronounced notes of passionfruit and pineapple, the Galaxy hops have come ready to work in this department as well.  A slight malt character eventually threads its way in as the hops transition to juicy and sweet citrus tones.  This opens further to bring some pine resin and dankness just before the experience closes out with a vibrant pop of orange and grapefruit zest.

Mouthfeel:  Falling on the lighter side of medium in body with a bright carbonation presence, this India Pale Ale is pleasantly crisp and dries out nicely.  This beer does have a moderate amount of bitterness, but it cleans up quickly.  Weighing in at just 6.3%, the ABV is incredibly reasonable for the style and further adds to the easy-drinking nature of the experience.  The aftertaste is minimal, but there is a touch of orange and grapefruit left to linger.

Final Thoughts:  Just as expected, Beyond the Galaxy IPA is a super solid study in Galaxy hops and all the tropical goodness they have to offer.  The hops absolutely rule the arenas of aroma and flavor, but the bitterness is kept in check with just the right amount of balance.  That deft level of balance combines with the beer’s juicy character, lighter mouthfeel and reasonable ABV to create an absolutely crushable, thirst-quenching experience.  Seriously, this beer is ridiculously drinkable, and it deserves your consideration whenever you are partaking in a little warm weather drinking this spring.  Check it out.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Front Row Golden Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

FrontRowbottle1000This installment of Tasting Notes provides us with a little mid-week beverage break supplied by Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia) and its newly released Front Row Golden Ale.

Debuting this month as Starr Hill’s newest Year-Round offering, Front Row is a light and refreshing Golden Ale that finds “the perfect balance of hop bitterness and a honey-like malt body.”  Coming in at a sessionable 4.9% ABV and 20 IBUs, this accessible ale promises to keep you in the front row when “savoring life’s moments in-person and sharing the experience with others.”  Front Row Golden Ale is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Virginia, and throughout the rest of Starr Hill’s distribution area.

Now that all that background information is out of the way, I do believe it is time to grab a few glasses, find a bottle opener and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Front Row Golden Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance:  Front Row fills the glass with a honey-hued golden colored brew that is topped with a perfect finger of bright white head.  The beer is pristine in clarity and displays countless single file lines of carbonation streaming the length of the pour to feed the top cap.  As dutiful as that carbonation presence is, the head does dissipate down to a chunky ring that leaves behind sticky sheets of lace whenever the glass is jostled.

Aroma: A clean Pilsner presence greets the nose first with honey-filled, biscuity tones.  The malt character picks up some light caramel notes before the hops stealthily balance things out with a lovely floral presence that is laced with a tinge of citrus.

Taste:  Pils malt takes the lead again by laying down a firm base that is biscuity and lightly bready.  A light layer of caramel and a dollop of honey then work their way in to round off the malt profile.  The hops easily glide in to restrain that sweetness with a balancing presence of ruby red grapefruit and floral tones.

Mouthfeel:  Although it is light in body with a moderate carbonation level, this beer still establishes itself with a little weight and texture (no doubt thanks to the added oats).  The balance is on point, never tipping one way or the other toward sweet or hoppy.  This level of balance keeps the experience super refreshing and easy drinking.  The ABV is light and it never really efforts to make its presence known.  Overall, this beer cleans up nicely and quickly, but there is just a wisp of honey left behind in the aftertaste from time to time.

Final Thoughts:  All in all, Front Row achieves exactly what it set out to do: be an accessible, easy-drinking brew that can go anywhere and pair well with any moment.  Although it is accessible and balanced, the Cascade hops have just enough presence to give the beer a likable personality and add dimension to that light malt foundation supported by biscuity, caramel and honey notes.  It is non-distracting while still remaining memorable . . . it is coy.  It is an experience that just works in a seemingly effortless manner, and the aptly named Front Row is here to join you front and center whenever you are out enjoying all that means most in life.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales

Posted on by mashingin

RogueRollingThunder2018_editedAfter barreling through another awesome week of beer news, we close it out in proper fashion by jotting down some Tasting Notes on Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

Just last week, we hit you with the news that Rogue Ales had officially begun the limited release of its Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018).  If you happened to miss that post, Rolling Thunder can basically be summed up as a massive Imperial Stout “brewed with ingredients grown at Rogue Farms, and then ocean aged for nine months in barrels made by hand at Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works.”  The house-made Dead Guy Whiskey that once filled those barrels lends notes of whiskey and vanilla to complement the base beer’s dark roasted malts while raspberries – the special ingredient for 2018 – provide a unique thread of lightly tart sweetness.

Rolling Thunder is available now for a limited time in 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located throughout Rogue’s nationwide distribution footprint.

That should just about catch everyone up on this release, so let’s keep this thing rollin’ and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales

Appearance: From a bottle hand-numbered as Barrel #4 of 17 & Bottle #249 of 413, Rolling Thunder pours an inky black in color and has just over a finger of creamy, chocolate milk colored foam resting on top.  The beer is completely opaque and remains so when held directly against a light source.  Head retention is good, but the foam does eventually fall to a thin but lasting top cap.  The beer itself does leave a yellow-tinged slick on the glass after each sip, but some spots of lace are just stubborn enough to grab hold sporadically throughout the experience.

Aroma:  The aromatics begin with a defined sherry presence that is loaded with nutty and sweet dark fruit character. This elegant note gracefully transitions into a subtle raspberry tone that is quickly overtaken by a closing barrage of roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and oak.

Taste:  The barrel grabs your attention first here with a big ol’ pop of vanilla and oaky whiskey.  This shifts into those sweet sherry notes of dark fruit (fig mostly) and molasses.  The raspberries are slightly jammy and pull double duty by bringing both complementary sweetness and a contrasting dose of tartness.  Those bright raspberries refresh the palate just as the beer stoutly settles in with satisfying, decadent notes of caramel, brown sugar, roasted grains, dark chocolate, and fudge studded with pecans.

Mouthfeel:  Full bodied with a moderate carbonation level, this enormous Imperial Stout has a chewy, viscous feel to it.  The beer takes its time on the palate, allowing the flavors to linger and fully develop at their own pace.  Sitting at 14.4%, the ABV certainly has a presence that establishes a building warmth in the throat and belly.  The aftertaste is all vanilla, chocolate and booze-soaked oak.

Final Thoughts:  From the first sip, it is quite evident that Rogue built this year’s Rolling Thunder to come out swingin’ and clear a place for itself among the highest echelon of barrel-aged Imperial Stouts.  It achieves this with an artful composition that sandwiches that raspberry addition between oaky whiskey notes and the base stout’s chocolaty, roasty goodness.  Simply put, this Imperial Stout is pretty much a whiskey-infused raspberry truffle . . . and it is heavenly.

Over the last 30 years, Rogue has amassed a long list of beers that have become standards in the industry, and we confidently predict that this year’s version will add Rolling Thunder to that list.  Yeah . . . it is that good, and you need to get your hands on a bottle or pour of Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) before this Limited Release dries up.  Make it happen.  Prost!