Tasting Notes: Coffee King of Hop from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

4kingscoffeepour800To celebrate the workweek finally reaching its midpoint, we are getting into some Tasting Notes action with a little help from Coffee King of Hop Imperial IPA from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

As we recently reported, Coffee King of Hop comes to us by way of Starr Hill Brewery’s Four Kings IPA Pack, a limited release mixed 12-pack that showcases the versatility of King of Hop Imperial IPA by offering it alongside inventive variants that feature various natural ingredients.  The lineup changes each year, and the 2017 Four Kings IPA Pack contains three bottles of each of the following four offerings:

  • King of Hop Imperial IPA
  • Coffee King of Hop
  • Mango Habanero King of Hop
  • Orange King of Hop

The Four Kings IPA Pack officially released on April 1, and these mixed 12-packs are available for a limited time at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Virginia, and other states within Starr Hill’s distribution area.

Coffee King of Hop immediately caught our attention when we opened the box, so let’s get into some Tasting Notes and see what this beer is all about!

Tastings Notes for Coffee King of Hop Imperial IPA from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance:  Coffee King of Hop presents itself as a deep golden in color with hues of burnt orange radiating at its core.  Held to the light, bright yellows and oranges push through.  The body is crystal clear and displays a lively carbonation presence.  The pour produced two fingers of lily white foam.  Those carbonation bubbles are quick to feed the head, so retention is fantastic.  The foam has great stick to it, and massive webs of lace are left behind on the glass after each pull.  An absolutely beautiful beer to look at.

Aroma:  One might expect the aroma of any Imperial IPA to begin with big, bursting notes of juicy hops, but this one actually leads with the coffee.  It is nothing crazy or over the top, just a lightly-roasted coffee note that is definitely motivated to quickly stake claim to this beer.  Proving to have floral and lightly fruity characteristics, the chosen coffee beans complement the hops with ease and actually accentuate their notes of fresh citrus fruits.  A touch of light caramel sweetness from the malts finishes off the experience and adds further cohesion to the profile.

Taste:  Things flip flop a bit here as the hops take the lead in flavor.  The base Imperial IPA’s hop notes of grapefruit, tangerine and passion fruit lay down a wonderfully juicy foundation.  Just as some herbal hop notes begin to reveal themselves, they are quickly overtaken by the rising coffee tones.  The coffee is easily identified by its roasted character and soft bitterness, but it then delights and surprises the palate with those floral and fruit notes found in the nose.  Translating as flavors of citrus, stone fruit and berries, these fruit notes fuse easily with the fruitiness of the hops to create a seamless and mighty tasty experience with each sip.

Mouthfeel:  This beer is medium bodied with a somewhat assertive carbonation level.  This combo keeps things refreshing and easy drinking, but the beer does retain a bit of stickiness on the palate.  The tongue is entertained by a hearty helping of hoppy bitterness and a touch of sweetness.  For an Imperial IPA, the 7.5% ABV is incredibly reasonable and further reinforces the easy-drinking nature of the beer.  Aftertaste is made up of juicy hops notes and a bit of lingering coffee roast.

Final Thoughts:  Although I have had many previous experiences with beers that combine coffee and hops, I was honestly a bit wary of Coffee King of Hop because it is an Imperial India Pale Ale.  Although uniting coffee and hops definitely makes sense on paper (and a practice I am fully on board with), it just seems that it would translate better in styles like American Pale Ales and India Pale Ales that possess a little less aggressiveness in the hop department.  In this case . . . I must say I was totally wrong because Coffee King of Hop absolutely nailed it.  The base beer’s established hop presence works beautifully with the chosen coffee beans to create aromatic and flavor notes that are simply unmatched in my experience.  Factor in the lower ABV level and the beer’s overall drinkability, and all those worries surrounding an Imperial IPA have been washed away.  In conclusion, Coffee King of Hop is certainly a standout offering in the Four Kings IPA Pack as well as in the Coffee IPA trend in general.  If distribution in your area allows it, be sure to pick up a Four Kings IPA Pack and let us know which of these tasty brews establishes itself as your favorite.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Bloody Show from Against the Grain Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

bloodyshowbwr1000The lager love returns to Tasting Notes this week as we take a look at Bloody Show Lager with Blood Orange from Against the Grain Brewery (Louisville, Kentucky).

Bloody Show – read into that name as much as you wish – was originally brewed in 2012 as a draft-only collaboration beer between Mikkeller (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Against the Grain. Still going strong, this lager is “brewed with German Pilsner and Munich malts, hopped with American Citra, Columbus, Amarillo and Czech Saaz and fermented with Danish lager yeast.”  This Bohemian Pilsner is then finished off with “the zest and juice from a shit-ton of blood oranges” to result in “a nice easy drinking lager that exhibits a tart and citrusy aroma and flavor.” Bloody Show recently hit packaging in 2016, and is currently available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans at craft beer establishments found throughout Against the Grain’s distribution area.

Now that we all know the background information on Bloody Show, let’s crack open this can and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Bloody Show Lager with Blood Orange from Against the Grain Brewery

Appearance: Bloody Show pours a bright bronze in color with a good two fingers of white foam.  When held to direct light, the body brightens dramatically to display golden yellow and vibrant orange hues.  The body is clear and shows off a very active carbonation presence.  The head has good retention when you consider the large amount of chunky lacing left on the glass after each sip.

Aroma: The aromatics may be subtle, but there is still plenty to find kicking around in here.  Tones of orange zest and juicy, tropical hops are easily recognizable and comprise the majority of the profile.  There is also an undercurrent of earthy and floral hop notes.  Bready malts do come through at times to lend support with a clean grain presence and a touch of sweetness.

Taste: Ah, here we go.  Things really open up and develop in the flavor department.  Blood orange juice and zest step forward first to provide a punch of citrus and an incredibly refreshing tart character.  This easily transitions into a dynamic hop profile pumping out notes of grapefruit, lemon, apricot, dank herbal tones, earthy grassiness, and just a dash of black pepper.  These notes clear out to leave behind just a fantastic, lightly sweet grain character.

Mouthfeel: Light, bordering on medium in body with a crisp carbonation level.  This beer skips across the palate to touch the bases of bitter, sweet and tart.  The ABV (5.5%) is light and only hints at evidence of its existence.  Aftertaste is minimal, but there is a slight amount of blood orange zest and grassy hops left to linger.

Final Thoughts:  Bloody Show proves that it is indeed possible to pay respect to a traditional style while still putting your own twist on it.  Sure, this lager strays from tradition by being loaded with tart blood orange and juicy American hops, but that does not mean that the experience is devoid of notes characteristic of the Bohemian Pilsner.  Once the bright and shiny new ingredients subside, the tried-and-true notes of beautifully clean grain and earthy/spicy noble hops are there to provide a solid, time-tested backbone. All the ingredients play off of each other nicely to raise the established easy-drinking nature expected in a lager with that slight tinge of tartness supplied by the blood orange.  This takes the refreshment level to crazy new heights, proving it to be a damn good choice to enjoy after a long day in the Tampa sun.  Well done.  Nicely executed.  Stupid good.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Share This: OC from The Bruery

Posted on by mashingin

BruerySTOCglass1000This week’s Tasting Notes finds us drinking with a purpose as we take a look at Share This: OC from The Bruery (Placentia, California).

Not too long ago, we let you all know about the recent release of Share This: OC (click here to check that out).  If you happened to miss that post, this offering comes to us by way of The Bruery’s Share This program, a beer series that acts as a fundraising effort for charities in regions that supplied ingredients or inspiration for each release.  For Share This: OC, the brewers focused on their “home county and its history as a significant growing region for oranges” by creating an Imperial Stout “dosed with orange zest, TCHO cacao nibs, and vanilla beans.”  For each bottle of Share This: OC produced, The Bruery will donate $1 to Food Forward of Southern California – a 501(c)(3) charity that provides hunger relief within their community by rescuing “fresh, local produce that would normally go to waste from backyard fruit trees, public orchards, farmers markets, and the downtown Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market.”  Share This: OC is available for a limited time in 750ml bottles.  You can support this wonderful cause by picking up a bottle at craft beer establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of The Bruery’s distribution network.

With that information now covered, I do believe it is time to pour up a few glasses for the Mashing In family and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Share This: OC from The Bruery

Appearance:  Deep black in color, Share This: OC presents itself in the glass with a look that is similar to highly polished obsidian.  When presented with direct light, the oily blacks stand firm to deny any light from penetrating.  The body is completely opaque and reflective.  The pour produced a good two fingers of creamy, dark tan foam.  The head displays good retention and eventually settles in as a chunky half finger that lasts throughout the experience.  Each sip leaves behind a solid sheet of lace on the glass that slowly slips back down to rest in the top cap once again.  Truly stunning in appearance.

Aroma:  As soon as the nose approaches the glass, it is greeted by intense notes of heavily roasted malt and the finest dark chocolate.  The chocolate is splendidly pronounced, but it eventually opens up a bit to reveal a layer of freshly scraped vanilla beans.  Just as you think the beer is done, it closes out with a lingering, comforting fragrance of fresh orange juice and zest.

Taste:  Just as in the aroma, the chocolate is more than happy to bat lead-off in the flavor.  We are talking about some incredibly rich chocolate qualities that span from notes of bars of bittersweet dark chocolate to luxurious chocolate pot de crème to tall glasses of chocolate milk.  Vanilla builds and merges with a heavily roasted, black coffee character to lend some light mocha tones. At 11% ABV, a touch of alcohol presents itself in the flavor but it finds a place with the orange zest to create an orange liqueur note.  All of these flavors harmoniously work together to make each sip an indulgent delight.

Mouthfeel:  Fullest of the full in body with a moderate carbonation presence.  Slick and coating on the palate, the flavors are allowed to linger so that the drinker can truly savor everything hitting the taste buds.  With that said, the hops and citrus qualities lift the beer a bit to keep it from being cloying.  The ABV is absolutely there and creates a warmth that rises slowly from the belly.  The aftertaste conjures memories of chocolate oranges at Christmas.

Final Thoughts:  True to the name of the series, there is no denying that Share This: OC is a massive beer that is meant to be sipped and shared with friends.  Once you get beyond the sheer size of this brew, it becomes quite easy to get lost in its intoxicating chocolate and citrus notes.  The use of the orange gives the beer added dimension and supplies it with a bright freshness not often found in big ol’ Imperial Stouts.  That being the case, Share This: OC can be enjoyed on its own, as a pairing with dessert, or could even have some play with a few savory dishes as well.  No matter how you choose to enjoy it, we highly suggest you pick up a bottle of Share This: OC during its limited release.  Not only so you can enjoy a truly delicious brew, but to also support the very worthy cause of Food Forward in the process.  Make it happen because there is absolutely no way that you can walk away from this beer disappointed.  Prost!

foodforward

Tasting Notes: Double Bass from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

doublebassbottle500As the work week finally comes to an end, we settle into our Friday by indulging in some Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout from Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, Virginia) for this week’s Tasting Notes.

Starr Hill Brewery introduced Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout in January as a new member of their All Access Series, a limited lineup of the brewery’s “most unique & inspired beers.”  This offering is a 7.8% ABV Imperial Stout that has been loaded with six malts (2-Row, Chocolate, Caramel, Crystal, Golden Oats and Flaked Barley), cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and lactose.  Clearly all about that malt and chocolate, the decadent recipe for Double Bass produces aromatic and flavor notes of dark chocolate, mocha, vanilla, bittersweet chocolate and dark fruit. Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout is a limited release that is available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  If you wish to try this offering, Double Bass is still pouring in the Starr Hill Brewery Tap Room and can also be found hanging around on shelves and taps at select craft beer establishments in Alabama, Virginia, and other areas within the brewery’s distribution footprint.

Now that we are all caught up on this beer’s background information, it is finally time to put some Double Bass in this snifter and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance:  Double Bass pours as a glossy, inky black in color.  Held to direct light, the deep and dark blacks hold but a bit of cola brown presents itself at the top of the pour.  The body is completely opaque, so the carbonation level cannot be observed visually.  The pour produced well over a finger of mocha colored foam (impressive considering the size of this snifter), and the head gradually falls to a thin top cap over time.  When swirled in the glass, the beer leaves behind a coating oil slick that makes it difficult for any lace to gain a firm hold.

Aroma:  Sweet and deeply roasted malts hit the nose first.  The malts eventually open up to expose luscious notes of chocolate.  Creamy fudge, rich dark chocolate, and satisfying milk chocolate are all present.  The roasted malts circle back around to finish things off with a black coffee character that works beautifully with all the chocolate currently filling the air.

Taste:  The flavor profile begins with a huge pop of bittersweet dark chocolate, and this note holds for quite some time.  As it fades, tones of cream, vanilla, cocoa and milk chocolate develop to create a flavor combination that is strikingly reminiscent of a gourmet, scratch-made hot chocolate.  The roasted malts supply closing notes of caramelized brown sugar and dark coffee.  Rich and intense, but still smooth and composed.

Mouthfeel:  Silky in texture, this Stout is on the lighter side of full-bodied thanks to a lifting carbonation presence. It is sweet on the palate, but still has a good amount of balancing bitterness from the heavily roasted malts, cocoa nibs and added hops.  Although gently warming, it certainly does not feel like this beer is pushing 8% ABV.  Decadence also resides in the aftertaste as it leaves behind notes of dark chocolate and fine coffee.

Final Thoughts:  To put it simply, Double Bass is a wonderfully executed, big, beautiful Chocolate Stout.  It possesses all of the roast and chocolate character you could possibly want while still somehow avoiding being overly sweet or cloying.  The hops are dialed in perfectly to stealthily provide balance while hiding behind the lightly bitter qualities supplied by the cocoa nibs and the more heavily roasted malts. Oh, and the mouthfeel on this Stout . . . a thing of beauty.  It has more than enough weight to it to firmly establish itself as a robust representation of the style, but it does so with a gliding gracefulness while on the palate.  Factor in that the ABV is so well hidden, and then you are left with a full-flavored Imperial Stout that maintains an almost unrivaled level of drinkability.  If there was a list of beers out there that makes a case for any time of year being Stout Season, Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout would certainly make our Top 5.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

cahabaIrishStoutIn celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to double down on Tasting Notes this week by getting festive with a little Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co. (Birmingham, Alabama).

At the start of February, we let you all know that Irish Stout was returning to shelves and taps as Cahaba Brewing Co.’s current Seasonal offering.  To create their take on the Irish Dry Stout, Cahaba’s brewers crafted a recipe that boasts floral Horizon hops, fruity Irish yeast, and “unique influences of roasted barley and roasted malt.”  Since the release of Irish Stout just so happens to coincide with the world’s greatest drinking holiday, this beer weighs in at just 4.4% ABV so that you can easily enjoy it all day long on St. Patrick’s Day.  Irish Stout is currently available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer retailers, restaurants and bars located within Cahaba Brewing Co.’s distribution area in Alabama.

Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day . . . that’s today and that means it is Stout time.  Let’s get into this can and some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co.

Appearance:  Seemingly inky black in appearance, the introduction of direct light reveals that Irish Stout is actually an incredibly dark shade of brown.  The body is opaque, but carbonation bubbles can be seen consistently lifting from the bottom of the glass.  The pour produced nearly a finger of tan foam that eventually falls to a thin but lasting top cap.  With the beer appearing to be slick on the glass, any lace that attempts to cling on eventually slips back down to rest once again in the top cap.

Aroma:  Roasted malts dominate the aroma with an enjoyable sweet smokiness.  A light earthy character from the hops casually settles in to work wonderfully with the roasted grain.  The aroma closes out with a touch of cocoa and strikingly distinct notes of barley. Coyly seductive, this is an aroma that we easily fell in love with.

Taste:  That closing note of barley in the aroma is the first to eagerly greet you in the flavor.  Slightly sweet, toasted grains hit the palate and eventually develop comforting notes of smoke.  Bittersweet dark chocolate and muted floral/earthy hop tones push forward to supply balance.  The beer finishes with just a slight pop of nondescript dark fruit flavors.

Mouthfeel:  Irish Stout is on the lightest side of medium in body with an energetic carbonation level.  It may be lightly sweet on the palate for just half a moment, but the beer ultimately dries out quickly.  ABV . . . what ABV? At just 4.4%, this Stout is ridiculously easy-drinking.  The aftertaste is minimal, but there is a touch toasty, roasty malt left behind.

Final Thoughts: When it comes to being an Irish Dry Stout, Cahaba Brewing’s Irish Stout is all that it should be.  Full-flavored but not cloying.  Dynamic but not busy.  Satisfying but still easy-drinking.  Although we were thoroughly impressed by the entire experience, Irish Stout’s aroma and mouthfeel are simply on another level.  The fact that they nailed these two categories shows that the brewers really took their time in developing a recipe that truly honors the style and the brewing traditions of Ireland.  If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Birmingham, do yourself (and all of us) a favor by skipping the green beer to celebrate in proper fashion with a tall pour of Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co.  Be safe out there and have an amazing St. Patrick’s weekend.  Prost!

cahabairishstoutposter

Tasting Notes: Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

IMGP5451_editedSince spring is just around the corner, we welcome the season with a little Tasting Notes action focused on Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia).

Grass Monkey debuted back in February as SweetWater Brewing’s newest Catch n’ Release Seasonal.  To make this offering an ideal option for spring weather drinking, Grass Monkey is an American Pale Wheat Ale that packs “a big citrus blast” thanks to being dosed with “a big stash of Lemondrop hops.”  Lemongrass herbs were then added to the equation to give the beer “a refreshing twist and exotic aroma.” At just 5.4% ABV and 35 IBUs, this brew proves to be “extremely complex but very easy drinking.”  Grass Monkey is a Seasonal release that will only be around until April.  You can find this offering available in 12 oz. cans, 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area.  I do believe that covers all the necessary background information, so let’s pry off this cap and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance:  Grass Monkey fills the glass as a bright golden colored brew that pulses with burnt orange hues at its center.  Held to direct light, the golden yellows gain more vibrancy and softly glow.  The body is lightly hazy, but a steady carbonation presence can still be seen coursing within.  The pour produced nearly a full finger of tight white foam.  Showing that it has an incredible level of retention, the head maintains its size throughout the experience despite leaving plenty of chunky strings of lace behind after each sip.

Aroma:  Pure and unmistakable, wonderfully clean notes of lemon simply billow from the glass.  We are talking the full fruit: zest, pith, meat and juice.  Lemongrass is close behind with supporting citrus, grassy and herbaceous, tea-like qualities. The wheat is light in the aroma, but it is still present enough to lend some bready, grain sweetness.

Taste:  Just as in the aroma, gorgeous notes of lemon lead the way here.  With just the right amount of citric tartness, this lemon character translates as more of a fresh-squeezed lemonade that has been made with just a sprinkle of sugar and dash of lemon zest.  Not too sweet, not too sour, not too bitter. . . just a chance to truly appreciate all of the refreshing qualities of the lemon.  The lemongrass then supplies earthy, grassy and herbal aspects that further accentuate and complement the lemon.  The flavor profile rounds off with just a touch of underlying pine and some light malt sweetness that reads as honey wheat bread.

Mouthfeel:  This brew is light in body with a peppy carbonation presence.  It is both lightly sweet and hoppy on the palate, but it each sip fades quickly and cleans up nicely.  At 5.4% ABV, the alcohol plays no role here and keeps the experience wonderfully easy drinking and refreshing.  The aftertaste is just a grace of lingering lemon.

Final Thoughts:  Grass Monkey ultimately comes together as a fantastic warm weather brew that successfully uses the easy-drinking nature of the American Pale Wheat Ale to act as a vehicle for a truly hop-focused experience.  The Lemondrop hops are beautifully showcased as the star, but this has been done in such a manner that they are not overly aggressive or bitter.  Just as you feel the hops about to take firm hold of your palate, the wheat and subtle lemongrass notes intervene with a wisp of sweetness and some attention-grabbing complexity.  Although the label reads “hoppy’, overt dankness was clearly not the intention. No . . . the intention here was to achieve optimum levels of refreshment while still respecting everything that these unique hops can offer a beer’s flavor and aroma.  If that was the true endgame when SweetWater was brewing this beer, consider that mission accomplished. If you have not yet, make sure you pick up a sixer or order a pour of Grass Monkey before its Seasonal run comes to an end in April.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Mulberry Road Dubbel from the Breweries of the Alabama Brewers Guild

Posted on by mashingin

As ABGplate1000_editedTampa Bay Beer Week nears its conclusion, this week’s edition of Tasting Notes finds us taking a liquid journey back home to Alabama via the Mulberry Road Dubbel, a collaboration beer brewed by the many breweries of the Alabama Brewers Guild.

Not too long ago, we informed you all of the release of Mulberry Road as the third installment in the Alabama Brewers Guild Capital Series (click here to read more).  Brewed and released annually as a collaboration between brewery members of the Alabama Brewers Guild, the beers of the Capital Series are crafted to trace the history of Alabama’s five historic capitals with the final beer to arrive in 2019 when the state celebrates its 200th birthday.

For the 2017 Capital Series release, the Alabama Brewers Guild honors Cahawba, the first permanent capital of the State of Alabama from 1820-1826.  Drawing inspiration from “the stately mulberry trees lining the streets of the scenic town of Old Cahawba,” the brewers of the Alabama Brewers Guild created Mulberry Road to be Belgian-style Dubbel that features “the natural sweetness of the mulberry.”  This limited release offering is available now in 12 oz. cans and on draft throughout the great state of Alabama.  Now that we are caught up on the background information, let’s pop this can, get to sippin’ and take some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Mulberry Road Belgian-style Dubbel from the breweries of the Alabama Brewers Guild

Appearance: Mulberry Road pours a mahogany brown that holds deep red hues that span from dark cherry to garnet.  When presented with direct light, the browns brighten and the beer displays tinges of red-orange. The body is clear and shows off a lazy carbonation presence.  A somewhat aggressive pour produced only half a finger of light tan foam that dissipated almost as quickly as it formed.

Aroma: This beer’s aroma leaves no doubt that this is indeed a Dubbel.  The malts arrive first with a rush of sweet caramel.  The Belgian yeast then takes over with banana and just a touch of clove.  Behind this lies a dark fruit character that is bold and sweet.  I am no expert when it comes to this fruit, but I can only imagine this to be the mulberries introducing themselves.

Taste:  Those signature Dubbel qualities show up first once again as they wash over the palate with a wonderfully restrained level of Belgian sweetness.  Caramel, a dash of cocoa, dark fruit and clove lay down a foundation of flavors sourced from the malts and Belgian yeast.  Behind that lies just a bit of earthy and floral hop tones that blend in subtly with those malt and yeast flavors.  Wandering in at their own pace, the mulberry notes sit high upon this Dubbel base to lend a distinct berry presence that has qualities of sweet and tart blackberries, rich prune and soft plum.

Mouthfeel:  This beer is spot-on medium in body with a medium carbonation level.  Sweet on the palate, this Dubbel has some stick to it but eventually fades away.  The ABV builds a soothing warmth in the throat, but does not hinder the beer’s drinkability.  To allow the drinker the chance to further ponder its flavors, an aftertaste of Belgian yeast qualities and sweet, dark fruits lingers softly behind.

Final Thoughts:  The first thing that must be said about Mulberry Road is that its brewers absolutely nailed the Dubbel style with this recipe.  The essential and easily-recognizable characteristics of the Belgian yeast and malts are wonderfully on point, and the hops only present the needed level of balance that translates as a soft, floral touch.  Second and most importantly, the decision to use this stunning Dubbel base to act as the vehicle for the featured mulberries was ingenious.  The mulberry’s dark, sweet and lightly tart character is more than at home with the dark fruit and yeast esters (banana and clove) already present in the style’s profile.  This union allows the mulberry to be featured, experienced and enjoyed within a beer that is strong and capable enough to not allow those bold flavors and aromas to overpower and run wild.  All is in order . . . calm, sophisticated, interesting, and engaging.  The beer has a soothing voice that softly speaks its intended purpose: to tell a story of Alabama history through the artistic medium of craft beer.  Beautifully done and we simply cannot wait for the next story headed our way from the Alabama Brewers Guild Capital Series.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Sundance Grapefruit Saison from Lonerider Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

loneriderSundancecan.jpgAs the seasons begin to slowly shift, we welcome the coming spring by recording some Tasting Notes on Sundance Grapefruit Saison from Lonerider Brewing Company (Raleigh, North Carolina).

Set to officially debut on March 6 as Lonerider Brewing’s newest spring seasonal, Sundance Grapefruit Saison is a “traditionally inspired Saison” that has received an added kick of grapefruit refreshment.  The use of fresh grapefruit is meant provide “extra tartness and citrus flavors” to complement the unique characteristics of the beer’s yeast and Jarrylo hops.  Clocking in at just 6% ABV and 34 IBUs, this Saison promises a crisp and fresh experience that “exhibits legendary smoothness and taste.”  When released, Sundance Grapefruit Saison will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, North Carolina, and throughout the rest of Lonerider’s distribution area.

That should get everyone caught up on the background information for Sundance Grapefruit Saison, so let’s not waste another moment and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Sundance Grapefruit Saison from Lonerider Brewing Company

Appearance: Bright and vibrant, Sundance Grapefruit Saison fills the glass with a hazy body that is deep orange at its core, but surrounded by shades of color that taper from lighter oranges down to straw yellow.  Held to direct light, yellows push through a bit more but the deeper oranges hold most of their ground.  A cautious pour produced over three fingers of loose, bubbly white foam.  The head falls rather quickly, leaving a paper-thin, airy top cap that drops wispy tracks of lace on the glass from time to time.

Aroma: Just as billed, this beer grabs the nose’s attention with distinct notes of pithy grapefruit and Saison yeast.  The grapefruit note is big, incredibly fresh, and wonderfully enticing.  This is complemented nicely by trademark peppery and musty Saison qualities.  It may sound simple and straightforward, but each aromatic waft of this beer convincingly suggests that you need to take a sip.

Taste: The brewers have represented the Saison well here by allowing the characteristic flavors of the style to take center stage.  Wonderfully earthy, this beer is filled with notes of wet wood and grain, mustiness, herbaceousness, and just a touch of barnyard.  The yeast then shifts to its sweet and spicy side to add tones of black pepper and citrus fruit.  This makes for a seamless transition to the grapefruit, lending a supporting hand that is sweet, bitter and a little tart.  The grapefruit is easily recognizable but held in check to only act as a counterbalance to the spicy, peppery qualities of the yeast.  Nicely composed.

Mouthfeel: This beer falls on the lighter side of medium in body and displays a lively carbonation presence.  This makes for a crisp and easy-drinking sip with a beautifully dry finish.  The beer plays with the palate by being earthy, sweet, bitter and lightly tart.  The ABV is subdued and plays no role in the experience.  The aftertaste is a touch of lingering black pepper and grapefruit.

Final Thoughts: From the first sip, it is quite obvious that Sundance Grapefruit Saison was meant to be a Saison first and a Fruit Beer second.  Saison characteristics absolutely dominate the flavor and only allow the grapefruit a supporting role in that arena.  With that said, there is a bit of give and take here when you consider that the grapefruit acts as the prominent seductive element in the beer’s aroma.  The grapefruit unquestionably knows its place, and that is to lift up, accentuate and celebrate the signature qualities of the Saison style.  If I was forced to voice one gripe about the beer, it would be concerning its lack of head retention.  Saisons typically have a big, rocky top cap that stubbornly lasts throughout the experience to boost the beer’s aromatics.  Sundance falters a bit in that regard, but truly excels in so many other areas.  This offering defines the idea of full-flavored, but it still remains refreshing and gulp inducing.  This is a remarkably well thought out brew, and I definitely see myself enjoying many cans of Sundance Grapefruit Saison this spring.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: The Unkindness from Barley Mow Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

img_20170212_150838_923The work week gently fades to black as we get into some Tasting Notes covering The Unkindness Black Ale from Barley Mow Brewing Company (Largo, Florida).

Fondly referred to as “the beer that started it all” for Barley Mow Brewing Company, The Unkindness is an American Black Ale (a.k.a. a Cascadian Dark Ale or Black IPA) that has been named after a flock of ravens.  This offering blends an assertive hop bill with a dark malt backbone to provide a dualistic experience that boasts notes of pine, grapefruit, chocolate and coffee.  The Unkindness is a Core/Year-Round release that is available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located within Barley Mow’s full distribution area.

Alright, it is now time to grab a pen and a glass to embrace the darkness residing within The Unkindness!

Tasting Notes for The Unkindness Black Ale from Barley Mow Brewing Company

Appearance: The Unkindness settles into the glass as an incredibly dark brown, nearly black colored brew.  Held to the light, the beer remains opaque but does display some richer brown hues.  The pour built a perfect two fingers of creamy, tan foam.   Head retention is very good, but the showstopper here is the elaborate lace patterns that sheet the glass and completely coat it by drink’s end.

Aroma: As the beer pours, juicy grapefruit and citrus notes anxiously fill the air to greet the nose.  As the beer settles, those hop notes mingle nicely with a building earthy grain quality supported by notes of dark roast and coffee.  Fresh tobacco and a wisp of chocolate bring it all together to beautifully round off the aromatic profile.

Taste: The really interesting characteristic here is how the hops effortlessly weave themselves into every aspect of the flavor experience.  They first appear innocently and playfully as a subtle pop of grapefruit and pine.  Just as the roasted malts push forward to expose notes of bittersweet chocolate and black coffee, the hops slide in to cradle them with a complementary bitterness of citrus zest.  Hearty, roasted grains then meet resinous pine to strike a balance between dankness and sweetness. A gentle herbaceous quality saunters in at the end to leave a final, lasting impression courtesy of the hops.

Mouthfeel: This brew is medium in body and has a medium carbonation level.  On the palate, the beer confidently walks a tightrope, teetering on the edges of both bitter and sweet.  At 7.4% ABV, the beer does bring a bit of warmth but it is nothing excessive or unpleasant.  The aftertaste leaves lingering tones of dark roasted malts, grapefruit zest and touch of herbal qualities.

Final Thoughts:  The Unkindness proves to be a wonderful study in the idea of balance.  The sweet, roasted malts and assertive hops engage in a delightful tug of war that results in a beautiful stalemate that truly captivates the senses.  Although the hops can be fully enjoyed throughout the experience, the malts temper their bitterness with meticulous precision.  In a loud but composed proclamation, the hops and malts both voice their worth with a more than justified display of hubris.  If these ingredients – and the brewers behind them – did not have this cocksure level of conviction, the beer resting in the glass before us would not be nearly as delicious, easy-drinking or impressive.  Impressive . . . that is indeed the best word to describe The Unkindness.  This beer is a remarkable representation of the American Black Ale/Cascadian Dark Ale/Black IPA, and we could easily make an argument for it being a benchmark for the style.  Ridiculously good.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Southern Sixer IPA from Highland Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

hbcsouthern6erTo feed the hop fiend within, we close out the week by taking some Tasting Notes on Southern Sixer IPA from Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, North Carolina).

Recently released as the brewery’s newest Seasonal offering, Highland Brewing Company developed Southern Sixer IPA to be a West Coast-style India Pale Ale that pays homage to the Southern Sixers – “a group of Southern Appalachian mountains over 6,000 feet in elevation.”  In keeping with this theme of six, this 6% ABV, 60 IBU offering features six hop varietals – Ekuanot™, Mosaic, Columbus, Cascade, Chinook and Simcoe – to result in a golden IPA that “finishes bitter and crisp with a lingering, dank hop presence.”  Southern Sixer IPA is currently available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly bars, restaurants and retailers found in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of the Highland Brewing distribution footprint.

Now that we are caught up on the particulars, let’s grab a pen and a glass so that we can jot down some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Southern Sixer IPA from Highland Brewing Company

Appearance: Southern Sixer pours an orange-tinted, rich golden in color.  When exposed to direct light, the golden yellows glow with intensity and that deep orange tone holds in the center of the glass.  The body is impeccably clear and displays a steady carbonation streaking up to feed the two fingers of snow white foam built off of the pour.  The head retention is quite good and keeps over a finger of a top cap throughout the experience.  The foam has good stick to it and lays down ample chunks of lace after each pull.

Aroma: As soon as the beer begins to flow from the bottle, the hops hit the nose with a flourish. Massive amounts of juicy citrus, grass and pine arrive first.  The beer then opens further to release a tropical melon-like quality that is supported by a touch of sweet grain.  Fresh and quite juicy, but not overly dank or aggressive.

Taste: Pine emerges initially to call the taste buds to attention with some resiny bite.  The hop profile then gradually expands to expose notes of tangerine, orange, papaya, berries, sweet bell peppers, and freshly cut grass.  The malts are light but balance nicely with a countering, honey-like sweetness.  Balance is certainly on point with this one.

Mouthfeel: This IPA is on the lighter side of medium in body and has a carbonation presence that is bright and snappy.  It mostly shows a hoppy bite on the palate, but still leaves a soft touch of sweetness.  Frankly, I cannot believe that this beer is 6% ABV because it drinks more like a sub-4% Session IPA.  Wonderfully crisp, this beer is ridiculously easy drinking and refreshing.  The aftertaste is minimal, but some orange zest and pine hangs back to linger a bit.

Final Thoughts: I have said it before and I will say it again – Highland Brewing Company has been absolutely killing it lately when it comes to their recent string of IPA releases.  Southern Sixer IPA is further proof of this.  As should be the case with any West Coast-inspired IPA, the hops are without a doubt the star in Southern Sixer IPA.  That said, one of the beer’s achievements is that the brewery has pulled off a pleasurable, hop-laden experience that avoids stripping the palate with an overly harsh bitterness.  The malt presence has been expertly tuned to lend the needed level of balance while not taking anything away from the hop flavor.  As impressive as that may be, the true highlight here is the mouthfeel.  Ridiculously crisp and light on the palate, Southern Sixer IPA has the perfect weight to achieve a level of drinkability that will have you three pours deep before you know it.  It has everything you could possibly look for in an IPA experience: big hop flavors and aromatics in a package that is dangerously easy-drinking.  If you are hophead, you need to get you some Southern Sixer IPA before its Seasonal run comes to an end.  Prost!