Tasting Notes: 5BEANS Bazaar Porter from Sixpoint Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

5beanscarpetIn the pursuit of something a little different, this week’s Tasting Notes has us trading our hops for beans as we feature 5Beans Bazaar Porter from Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York).

Not too long ago, I let you know of Sixpoint Brewery’s plans to ship 5BEANS Bazaar Porter out to distribution (click here to check out that post).  This Imperial Porter is the brewery’s latest “*BEANS” offering and newest addition to their Cycliquids Series, a constantly rotating lineup of beers in which the brewery experiments with new styles and/or reformulates new takes on past releases.  With this release, the brewers at Sixpoint decided to create their take on Turkish coffee by brewing a beer with Romano beans, cacao, vanilla, coffee and cardamom.  5BEANS Bazaar Porter is available now as a limited release offering, and you can find it in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments within the brewery’s distribution footprint.  With those details now covered, let’s open up a can o’ beans!

Tasting Notes for 5BEANS Bazaar Porter from Sixpoint Brewery

Appearance: Deceptive at first glance, 5BEANS makes you believe that it is filling the glass with a brew that is glossy black in color.  The introduction of direct light proves otherwise by exposing that the beer is actually the darkest of browns, inky and slightly tinted red.  Although it is almost completely opaque, a rolling carbonation presence can be seen as light breaks through at the top and bottom of the beer.  The pour quickly built three fingers of caramel colored foam.  Retention is good, eventually falling to a lasting half finger of creamy head.  The foam clings easily and beautifully, leaving webs of lace all over the Willi Becher glass.

Aroma: The exotic character of the cardamom reigns supreme here, sitting uncontested atop all other aromas produced by this beer. Intensely aromatic, it is herbal, savory & sweet.  A touch of citrus moves us to recognize dark roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate notes.  A smooth, but light vanilla tone rounds off this bold, seductive fragrance.  As soon as it first hits your nose, you are easily convinced that you are about to experience something quite special with this one.

Taste: Just as it did in aroma, the cardamom leads the way with exotic spice, citrus, and herbal notes.  The coffee has more confidence here, rising up to embrace and support the cardamom with dark roasted goodness and a light fruity character.  Vanilla and dark cocoa form a sultry alliance to provide some balance to the cardamom spice and coffee bitterness.  That said, nothing is going to stop that cardamom from shining.  It is wonderfully on point and absolutely worthy of top billing in this brew.

Mouthfeel: This Porter falls closer to the medium-side of full bodied, and a higher carbonation presence makes the beer feel much lighter than you would expect.  The beer is silky on the palate, allowing flavors to playfully linger.  At 10%, the ABV is present to remind you of the beer’s size with a warmth that builds in the throat and coats the belly.  Cardamom remains as the only aftertaste.

Final Thoughts: Bold.  Complex.  Intense.  Exotic.  These are the words that constantly run through my mind as I sip 5BEANS Bazaar Porter.  This offering brashly forces you to take notice of its differences from any other coffee beer currently on the market, but it does so with a wonderfully composed complexity and an obvious understanding of how flavors work. The cardamom acts as the perfect ingredient to reinvigorate the taste buds and imagination while giving a renewed energy to the beans previously used in this series.  Sure, the 10% ABV makes this offering come across a little hot, but it keeps you honest in your approach to the beer.  It convinces you to slow down, sip and luxuriate in each and every note this beer throws at the senses.  Once you do so, it easy to see that more is definitely better when it comes to 5BEANS Bazaar Porter.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit from SweetWater Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

squeezebox-bottle-smallSince the wildly popular India Pale Ale style has been inexplicably missing from Tasting Notes as of late, we shall remedy this situation by pouring up a Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) to feature in this week’s segment.

Not too long ago, I let you all know of SweetWater Brewing Company’s plans to release Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit this November as the brewery’s newest winter release in their Catch n’ Release Series of seasonal brews (click here to check that out).  Just as the name suggests, this offering is a juicy India Pale Ale boasting “five tropical hop additions and dosed with a shot of . . . grapefruit.”  This 6.1% ABV IPA is available now through January and can be found in 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in the Winter Variety Mixed 12-Pack of cans and bottles, and on draft.  Look for this one to turn up at craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida, and throughout SweetWater’s full distribution footprint.  With the pertinent background information now covered, let’s pop open this can and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance: Squeeze Box presents itself as a copper-hued orange in color.  Held to direct light, these deep, burnt oranges gain intensity and brilliance.  The beer is completely clear and displays a lively carbonation activity surging skyward to feed the head.  Speaking of that head, the pour produced two fingers of creamy, white foam that slowly falls to a tight, lasting half finger. The foam proves that it has some good stick to it by painting patterns of lace across the glass.

Aroma: The aromatic profile of this beer is absolutely dominated by grapefruit zest and juice.  Incredibly citrusy and inviting.  Surprisingly, the hop presence is not as pungent as one might expect from an IPA brewed by SweetWater.  Instead, a more reserved tropical hop presence is here to lend notes of citrus, pineapple and mango to further support the showcased grapefruit.  I believe “alluring” is the proper word to use here.

Taste: The grapefruit certainly came to play here and it once again leads the way.  That grapefruit character is ridiculously clean and allows you to experience every aspect of the fruit: pith, meat, juice and zest.  The hops meld easily with the grapefruit and further intensify this juicy experience by adding notes of tangerine, mango, papaya, and an extra punch of grapefruit bitterness.  The malt sweetness is nicely amplified to act as a lovely counterbalance to the sharp and bitter qualities of the grapefruit.  A lot of thought went into creating this balancing note in a way that avoids being cloyingly sweet or distracting from the added grapefruit, and it is spot on.  Mighty tasty.

Mouthfeel: This brew is on the lighter side of medium in body with a big carbonation presence.  This wonderfully crisp sip creates an experience that is easy drinking and outstandingly refreshing.  The ABV at 6.1% is nicely hidden and only tickles the throat occasionally with the faintest of heat.  Spoiler alert: the aftertaste is all grapefruit goodness.

Final Thoughts: There is no denying that Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit is another home-run from SweetWater Brewing Company.  The grapefruit is superbly presented, translating in both flavor and aroma as incredibly clean, natural and refreshing.  The hop varietals utilized here were the perfect selections to support and complement the featured grapefruit while taking nothing away from it.  With all of that said, what I really dig about this beer is the slightly elevated malt presence that tempers the bitter grapefruit with just enough sweetness.  It is reminiscent of sprinkling sugar on your morning grapefruit, and it is flawlessly executed.  If fruit-forward IPAs are your jam, make a note to try some Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit during its current release as a winter seasonal.  Prost!

Tasting Notes – Spirits Edition: Maple Bacon Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Co.

Posted on by mashingin

moonshinecap1000Tasting Notes is going to close the week out by venturing into the world of craft spirits by sipping on some Maple Bacon Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Co. (Gatlinburg, Tennessee).

Just as the craft beer community has been experiencing amazing growth and popularity over the last several years, so has the world of fine liquor and craft spirits.  It can be said that both of these industries share common characteristics that have acted as the catalyst for their mutual growth: hand-crafted, locally produced, use of fine ingredients, an adventurous and playful approach to their products, quality of product over quantity of production, etc.  Beyond that, these two often collaborate or draw inspiration from one another whether it be by experimenting with similar flavor profiles or by aging craft beer in the used liquor barrels of the other (or vice versa in some cases).  Because of this parallel, Tasting Notes will occasionally branch out to take a look at a spirits offering that shares something in common with craft beer.  Since the use of maple and bacon has been a recent, popular combo in craft beer as of late, we are going to launch the first Spirits Edition of Tasting Notes by trying out Maple Bacon Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Co.  

Before we break the seal on this Mason jar, let’s cover some background info on this distillery and offering.  Sugarlands Distilling Co. of Gatlinburg, Tennessee first began distillation of craft quality moonshine and whiskey in 2014, and their dedication to producing “innovative drinks with a raconteur and thrilling vibe” has been key to their success.  Fans can experience their offerings at the downtown distillery while also enjoying live music, Appalachian storytelling, moonshine tastings, distillery tours and “outdoor adventures in the Sugarlands—an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, also known as ‘moonshiners’ paradise’.”  Since opening, Sugarlands Distilling Co. has earned 28 awards, been recognized by several publications and media outlets, and has been named “America’s top-rated distillery experience and the number one ‘thing to do’ in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, according to TripAdvisor.com.” Spirits from Sugarlands Distilling Co. are now available in stores in 21 states nationwide and online at www.BuySugarlands.com.

Maple Bacon Moonshine is one of many Moonshines produced by Sugarlands and is a release within the distillery’s Outlandish Series, the “Seriously Not-So-Serious Moonshine Series”.  Just as the name suggests, this breakfast-inspired, 70 Proof Moonshine “combines the tastes of smoked bacon and candied maple syrup” in an offering that can be enjoyed on its own or as a part of a full-flavored cocktail.  Now that we have those particulars covered, let’s track down a rocks glass and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Maple Bacon Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Co.

Appearance: In the jar, Maple Bacon Moonshine presents as a deep, rich, red-hued mahogany in color.  Once poured in the glass, the colors soften a bit to produce lighter browns that still flaunt some reddish tones.  The body is clear, but there are some dark, ashen floaties bouncing around in there.  This Shine absolutely has some legs to it, and it leaves a sugary trail on the glass as well.

Aroma:  As soon as the cap is removed, the room is filled with rich, smoky bacon goodness.  I mean . . . this is instantly conjuring up memories of waking up as a kid to a house filled with the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.  Once you pull yourself out of this bacon-induced spell, maple syrup and a sweet grain presence that is pancake-like comes forward.  The final layer to this decadent fragrance is a touch of dark caramel lingering in the background.  The only thing I can say to all of this is “Yes please!”

Flavor: The maple hits first in the flavor department and we are talking about a beautifully represented note of sweet, syrupy perfection.  The bacon and smoke then slides across the palate to counter the sweetness with a balancing savoriness.  Rich, nearly burnt caramel and a light presence of dark fruit rounds everything off.  It may be sweet, but I am happily surprised at how that sweetness has been cut, smoothed and leveled out.  Breakfast in a glass is the only way to describe what we have here.

Mouthfeel:  Not surprising at all, this Maple Bacon Moonshine has a syrupy texture to it that thoroughly coats and saturates the taste buds in the delightful flavor experience mentioned above.  Although the offering is sweet, balance is nearly achieved with its savory, smoky qualities.  The alcohol heat is wonderfully tempered and well hidden.  Smoke lingers after each sip.

Final Thoughts: With just a quick glance at the label, name and description of Maple Bacon Moonshine, one may be a bit worried that this is an offering that would ultimately be too sweet to enjoy on its own.   I am here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth.  I enjoyed this both straight and on-the-rocks, and the balance in this Moonshine must be noted, praised and celebrated.  The bacon is not acting as just the ridiculously awesome ingredient that bacon is, but its savory and smoky characteristics are put to work in this Shine as a means of balancing that maple syrup note.  This is not a gimmick. No, this is craftsmanship and it is delicious.  I suggest you give this one a try and enjoy it on its own, as a foundation for inventive craft cocktails, or as a flavorful addition to your after-dinner coffee.  Any way you want to try it, make it happen.  You certainly won’t regret it.  Prost!

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Tasting Notes – The Classics: Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

highlandgaeliccansThis week’s Tasting Notes pays respect to a true classic by taking a look at Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, North Carolina).

With a steady stream of new beers releasing every day, it is important to revisit the classics at times to recognize the brews that paved the way for the amazing craft beer landscape that we currently enjoy.  That’s where The Classics edition of Tasting Notes comes in, and Mashing In’s first installment in this series is dedicated to Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company.

Originally released under the name Celtic Ale in 1994, Gaelic Ale went from being Highland Brewing’s first beer to now having the distinction of being “the top-selling native beer in North Carolina.”  This Amber Ale achieved its fan-favorite status thanks to a rich malt body that has been “exceptionally balanced” with the “complex hop flavor and aroma” created by the additions of Cascade and Willamette hops.  Gaelic Ale is truly an iconic craft beer on the East Coast, and it is high time that we give it the full Tasting Notes treatment!

Tasting Notes for Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company 

Appearance:  Gaelic Ale fills the nonic pint glass as a deep and copper-hued amber liquid.  Held to direct light, the vibrant oranges and rich reds one typically associates with amber present themselves and radiate.  The beer is completely clear and displays a moderate carbonation level streaming within.  The pour produces two fingers of lush, off-white head that shows pretty resilient retention.  The foam fades just a bit to a lasting finger, but this is mostly due to the amount of lace that has broken away to grasp onto the glass during the experience.   I cannot stress enough how beautifully the light plays with this ale’s colors.  Absolutely mesmerizing.

Aroma: As soon as the beer begins to course from the can, a spicy and floral hop character immediately blossoms to fill the air.  Lightly fruity, these hop notes easily shift to accommodate the solid foundation that has been laid with earthy grain and caramel malt characteristics.  This aroma may be clean, straight forward and easily discernible, but it is still big enough in presence to be incredibly impactful.

Taste: Naturally sweet, earthy grains, a touch of nuttiness, and caramel malts are the first notes to greet the tongue.  The qualities of those grains build and act as an easy bridge to the earthy and spicy hops that begin to push forward.  The flavors then settle down and finish with floral and citrusy tones. The flavors fade away completely to perfectly execute this beer’s ultimate plan of luring you in for that next sip.

Mouthfeel: Gaelic Ale sits on the lighter side of medium in body with a medium carbonation presence.  This combination creates an easy drinking experience while still allowing the beer to retain some size.  The ABV is light at 5.5% and poses no threat here whatsoever.  The only aftertaste left behind is just a bit of that floral and citrus hop character.

Final Thoughts:  I think it is a quite common occurrence for beer fans to eventually move away from the lighter ales – such as the Amber Ale, Red Ale, Blonde Ale, etc. – that may have introduced them to craft beer for the styles that are deemed more “complex” or en vogue at the time. This shift can often create a false stigma that those “introductory” or “gateway” styles have nothing to offer once your palate develops.  It is times like these that I am so glad that I took a moment to revisit a beer like Highland Brewing Company’s Gaelic Ale to further solidify my stance that any style – when executed well – has something to offer the beer novice, the educated connoisseur and anyone whole falls in-between.  This beer displays an amazing level of craftsmanship and balance that simply cannot go unnoticed.  The hops display an impressive level of complexity, and play a huge role in balancing this beer’s solid malt backbone to give Gaelic Ale the ability to effortlessly tiptoe that line between sweetness and bitterness.  There is no wonder why this beer has been impressing beer lovers and consistently earning Highland Brewing Company new fans for over two decades.  That’s impressive.  That’s iconic.  That’s what makes a true classic.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: A Beer Pairing with the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods

Posted on by mashingin

nealbros_200For a little change of pace, this week’s Tasting Notes gets its snack on with a special beer pairing featuring the delicious Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods (Toronto, Ontario).

I was recently approached by representatives from Neal Brothers Foods to see if I would be willing to provide them with some input on possible beer pairings for their line of “Extremely Tasty” Kettle Chips.  The more I looked over their available flavors – Maple Bacon, Montreal Steak Spice, Pink Himalayan Salt, & Spicy Srirachup -, the more excited I got about this possibly becoming a fun new project to be featured as a Tasting Notes segment.  I pitched my idea to them, and the good folks at Neal Brothers gave me the go-ahead.

Before this delicious, snack-filled pairing can commence, we first need to cover some particulars on Neal Brothers Foods.  Peter and Chris Neal started Neal Brothers Foods in 1988 by making croutons out of their mother’s home in Aurora, Ontario, and the croutons proved to be a huge hit with locals. The company quickly outgrew their headquarters in mom’s kitchen, and Neal Brothers Foods moved to Toronto, Ontario to create a variety of delicious products. With a dedication to the freshest ingredients, Neal Brothers offers products made from “organic ingredients to help sustain our environment and keep us healthy and chemical free,” and they are also firm believers in the Fair Trade movement.  This commitment to creating “great tasting, ‘better for you’ snacks” has made it possible for Neal Brothers to steadily grow.  One of their most popular offerings are these “all natural, non-GMO, kettle-cooked chips.”  Thanks to an exclusive partnership created with Whole Foods Market, Neal Brothers Kettle Chips are now available in the United States.

Now that we have all of that covered, let’s get our sip and chip on with a little Tasting Notes Beer Pairing featuring the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods!

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips with Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Co.

  • The Pairing – Since the flavor of these Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips is going to be pretty straight forward, I wanted to keep the pairing simple by going with a highly drinkable lager like Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Co.   The chips really showcase the potato by highlighting its earthy, hearty and lightly sweet qualities.  Combine this with a salt character that is incredibly spot on – not too heavy, but not too light – and you now have a chip that kind of forces your hand to return to the bag for another.  The idea here may be simple on paper, but these chips pack quite a bit of flavor and are mighty tasty.
    Pair this experience up with Longboard Island Lager, and the earthy grain and gently sweet notes of the pale malts easily lift that potato flavor to another level.  The lightly spicy, floral and citrusy hop tones push forward to work with and add complexity to the saltiness.  On the other side of the card, the chips improve the overall drinking experience by coaxing out a nice lemon zest note hiding within the beer.  Simultaneously, the beer clears out the saltiness of the chips while that saltiness resets the palate for another sip.  The goal here was to create an easy pairing to enjoy while you sit down to watch the game on the couch.  Mission accomplished.
  • Paring Alternatives – Staying with the idea of keeping it simple, I would stick with Lagers and lighter, easy drinking Ales to pair with these Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips.  Since it is Fest season, you could skip the pretzels and pair these chips with a Festbier like the 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager collaboration from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Mahrs Bräu.  Looking for something more accessible (on multiple levels)?  Well, you could always go with a good, mass-produced Pilsner like Miller High Life.  In more of an Ale mood?  Go with a Blonde Ale like American Blonde from Cahaba Brewing Co. or a classic American Amber Ale such as Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company. If you want to amp up this salty experience, you could always go with a briny Gose like Troublesome from Off Color Brewing. Also, if you are hosting a beer tasting, a big ol’ bowl of these chips will act as the perfect palate cleanser between brews.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Maple Bacon Kettle Chips with Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

  • The Pairing – Breakfast, anyone?  These Maple Bacon Kettle Chips hit the palate with a luxurious maple syrup flavor at first bite.  When I say maple syrup, I mean seriously good maple syrup.  You know . . . that maple syrup you see at the store, question the price, finally try it, and never go back to the cheap stuff again.  That kind of maple syrup.  As this flavor seduces the taste buds, things somehow get better as a smoky bacon note slow-rolls into the picture.  After a couple chips, you could swear that you just wolfed down a whole plate of bacon.  This bag is insanely difficult to put down . . . but we must to take a sip of Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale from Starr Hill Brewery.
    This English-style Brown Ale – like most English-style brews – is reserved.  Its aromatic and flavor profile is light in sweetness, light in hop presence, and smoothly teases your palate with soft tones of vanilla and maple.  Now . . . pop one of those chips in your mouth.  WHOLE. NEW. WORLD.  The maple notes now absolutely explode from the beer, making you question if someone shuffled in a new beer when you were not looking.  The sweetness is still contained, but the experience is increased tenfold.  The malty aspects of the beer then go to work on that bacon to pull out even more smoky pork goodness from the chips.  This combination conjures up the image of sitting down to an awesome breakfast where warm maple syrup wanders from my pancakes to not only the bacon on the plate . . . but also to my hash browns.  And I am not mad at it.
  • Pairing Alternatives – If you are not within Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area, just seek out a good, locally available English-style Brown Ale like Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale or a more malt-forward American representation like Hazelnut Brown Nectar from Rogue Ales.  We can progressively step things up in intensity and sweetness by venturing into the world of Scotch Ales by pairing these Maple Bacon Kettle Chips with Old Chub Scotch Ale from Oskar Blues Brewery.  If you would like to bring out more bacon notes, go with a Smoked Beer like Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Co. or a more traditional Rauchbier from Schlenkerla.  For a decadent, over-the-top breakfast experience, pick up some Breakfast Stout from Founders Brewing Co. and thank me later.  Cider fans, just about any Apple Cider you can come up with will also work wonders with these kettle chips.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chips with Oatsmobile Ale from Bell’s Brewery

  • The Pairing – If you are anything like me, you cannot think of a better condiment for just about anything than the perfect mixture of Sriracha and good ketchup.  So, I was obviously stoked to see these chips as an available option from Neal Brothers Foods.  As I greedily consume these Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chips, I am constantly reminded of the act of dipping really good, spiced fries (think curly fries from Arby’s) into that sweet heat concoction comprised of Sriracha and ketchup.  Seriously, it is spot on and I cannot describe them any better.
    Now, we must introduce the beer.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this offering, Bell’s Brewery Oatsmobile Ale is a Session Pale Ale brewed with oats.  The addition of those oats adds a creamy texture to the more expected pale malt and bright hoppy characteristics of the American Pale Ale.  That velvety texture makes you take more notice of the beer’s malt sweetness, and this works with the chips by bringing out the sweet tomato character of the ketchup.  The tropical hop notes then sync up with the chilies of the Sriracha, making you experience more than just heat.  Those hops force the chilies to bloom and expose their fruity and vegetal flavors.  That texture then reveals that it can pull double duty by making you believe that you have a much larger beer here to tackle the huge flavor of these chips, but still remains light enough on its feet to keep you sipping without the worry of getting weighed down throughout the experience.  This Oatsmobile Ale and Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chip combo just might be a perfect pairing.
  • Pairing Alternatives – If you are a fan of all things spicy, you are going to get a progressively more intense experience the hoppier you go with the pairing.  If you want to stay light but go a step further than a Pale Ale, a Session IPA like Stone Go To IPA from Stone Brewing Co. will do some good things here.  You can go full on IPA with a brew like Jai Alai® India Pale Ale from Cigar City Brewing or step it up big time with a Double IPA such as Snake Handler Double India Pale Ale from Good People Brewing Company.  Feeling adventurous? Pour up a Chili Beer such as Dia de los Serranos Double Stout from Green Flash Brewing Co. or Ghost Face Killah from Twisted Pine Brewing Company.  For those who may want to quell the heat and bring out more of the sweetness from the ketchup, you won’t go wrong in pairing these chips with a fine American Porter like Edmund Fitzgerald Porter from Great Lakes Brewing Co.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips with Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.

  • The Pairing – As I open up this bag of Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips and take big whiff of the exquisite aroma billowing forth, I cannot believe that this is the first time I have realized that Montreal steak spice is basically pastrami curing spice (some quick Googling proved my suspicions correct).  It is kind of crazy to think that it ultimately took a bag of chips for me to put this together, but the aromas and flavors in these chips are so pronounced and blatant that they make it unmistakable.  Garlic, chili flake and dill really pop in these chips, and a little coriander and mustard lingers in the background.  The hearty, meaty potato acts as a perfect replacement for the steak and provides a solid foundation beneath all of this savory spice.
    Since these chips are so big in flavor and incredibly complex, they need a beer dynamic enough to stand up to them.  My mind immediately went to Saison and one of the best out there is Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.  This beer has a beautiful peppery quality that is immediately at home with the garlic, mustard and potato notes in these chips.  The citrusy and floral hop tones then mingle with the chili and dill, making them even more pronounced.  The coriander in the chips then kicks in to intensify the earthy qualities of the Saison.  Finally, the beer’s effervescence easily cleans the palate after each sip is complete, allowing you to fully experience every aspect of this combo with each chip and sip.  Absolutely lovely.  If you have been looking for a way to get high-class with beer and snack chips, you just found it.
  • Pairing Alternatives – A wide variety of easy-drinking lagers will work incredibly well with these chips, but I’m going to stick with suggesting more complex brews to pair here.  Additional Saisons such as Saison Dupont from La Brasserie Dupont and Hennepin from Brewery Ommegang will act as fantastic stand-ins for Tank 7.  A Belgian-style Tripel would work as well, and I would go with La Fin du Monde from Unibroue or Tripel Karmeliet from Brouwerij Bosteels.  If mind-blowing complexity is your intention, snack on these chips while sipping a Sour Ale such as Oro de Calabaza from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales or Duchesse de Bourgogne from Brouwerij Verhaeghe.

The Wrap-Up – I cannot possibly relay to you how impressed I am with these ridiculously tasty Kettle Chips from Neal Brothers Foods.  They are not just fantastic chips, but they are truly incredibly good food.  As far as snacks go, they can curb some cravings and still remain pretty good for you thanks to their natural, non-GMO recipes.  It is obvious that no corners were cut in the creation of these Kettle Chips, and not one flavor was dumbed down for the sake of wide market appeal.  It is this component of huge flavors that makes these chips a perfect snack to be enjoyed alone or accompanied by a variety of fine beers.  The next time you need chips for a get-together you are hosting, be sure to swing by Whole Foods Market and delight your guests with the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Partner Ships Rye Wit from Heavy Seas Beer & Terrapin Beer Co.

Posted on by mashingin

hsbtbcryewitlabelThis segment of Tasting Notes continues the collaboration theme by taking a look at the Partner Ships Rye Wit collaboration from Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) and Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia).

Not only is Rye Wit the current installment in The Partner Ships Series, a lineup of limited releases from Heavy Seas Beer “produced in collaboration with other regionally and nationally recognized brewers in the spirit of friendship, creativity, and adventure,” but it might also be one of the most stealthily clever beer names of the year. How so?  Well . . . Rye Wit sounds a little like “pirate”, an obvious part of the Heavy Seas schtick; it is a homophone for “wry wit”; and it has been said that pirates can indeed have a wry wit.  Savvy?

Alright, let’s move beyond the word play and get back on track with information on this beer.  For this release, Heavy Seas Beer collaborated with the brewers at Terrapin Beer Co. on a recipe that combines the proficiencies for which each brewery is known: the barrel-aging practices of Heavy Seas and Terrapin’s love/obsession with rye.   They ultimately decided to brew up a Witbier boasting the distinct characteristics of rye malts, and then aged it for sixteen weeks in Chardonnay barrels.  Once completed, the 6% ABV Partner Ships Rye Wit was packaged in 22 oz. bottles and released as a limited offering available within the distribution area of Heavy Seas.  This offering is nearing the end of its availability to make room for the next release within the Partner Ships series (click here to read up on that one), but you still stand a pretty good chance of coming across a bottle or two at your favorite craft beer retailer.  That should just about cover the particulars, so let’s put this sweet Witbier glass to some good use and get to the Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Partner Ships Rye Wit from Heavy Seas Beer and Terrapin Beer Co.

Appearance: Rye Wit flows into the glass to produce a body that is a sunburst orange in color.  When held to direct light, golds radiate near the top and bottom of the glass while the orange center deepens and intensifies.  The body has a good amount of haze and cloudiness to it, but a lazy carbonation presence can be seen meandering about in the form of bubbles that intermittently surface.  The pour generated 3+ fingers of fluffy, snow-white foam.  Head retention is quite good, eventually falling slowly to a lasting finger of a top cap.  This foam displays an other-worldly level of stick, leaving globs of pillow-like lace all over the glass.  Spot on, textbook example of what a Witbier should look like.

Aroma:  An alluring white wine character greets the nose to start.  A fruity sweetness presents itself in the form of Chardonnay grapes and melon, and the barrel lends a touch of creamy vanilla as well.  While savoring this quality, the spicy rye begins to gently bloom.  Wheat then lends an earthy grain note and a touch of banana that mingles easily with light, citrusy hop tones.  One word comes to mind here: Exquisite.

Taste: Rye is so unmistakable as an ingredient, so it is no surprise that it hits the taste buds first.  With that said, those spicy, black pepper tones are tempered as a gentle grain sweetness builds and the banana-like qualities of the wheat come forward.  Also, a touch of coriander arrives to complement the rye even further.  The hops then slide into the frame to provide balance with notes of orange, lemon and peach.  The Chardonnay barrels then embrace the entire experience by rounding and smoothing it all out with a snappy white grape character, a bit of tropical fruit, some earthiness, and the faintest of vanilla sweetness.  This may seem like a lot to take in – and it is -, but it all coalesces with an impeccable level of balance that allows you to fully enjoy and distinguish every aspect of this beer’s flavor.  Incredibly impressive.

Mouthfeel:  Rye Wit is medium in body with a medium level of carbonation.  This brew is crisp and dry, so much so that it further reminds the drinker of a tannin-like, white wine experience.  Aspects of sweetness, bitterness and spice are all allowed to play on the palate, but all of this cleans up and out with remarkable quickness.  At just 6% ABV, the alcohol presence is incredibly light to non-existent.  Delicate Chardonnay notes linger as the only trace of an aftertaste.

Final Thoughts: Like I mentioned above, we all know that Terrapin Beer Co. is a huge fan of using rye as an ingredient in their beers.  Knowing this and seeing that this beer’s name starts with “Rye”, I was initially a bit worried that Partner Ships Rye Wit might take the gracefully nuanced Witbier style to a level of spice overload that just translates as a brutish rye bomb.  The reality is that I was unfairly pessimistic because the intricate level of balance achieved by Heavy Seas and Terrapin in the creation of this beer is simply stunning.  Sure, that spicy rye is showcased, but it is done in such a way that it is reserved and knows its place.  Notes of citrusy hops, a sweet and earthy wheat presence, and sophisticated fruity and vanilla tones from the Chardonnay barrels interlace with the rye to create an elaborate experience that is completely devoid of any aggression or harshness.  Each corner of this beer is softly rounded, allowing every quality of Rye Wit to glide and dance freely across the palate.  This beer is ridiculously complex, but it has been presented in a manner that is approachable and familiar.  Oh, and if you have been looking for that perfect offering to introduce the white wine drinker in your life to world of craft beer, this is it right here.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Mahrs Bräu

Posted on by mashingin

snofestsixerWe at Mashing In continue to honor Fest Season this week by taking a look at the 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager collaboration from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California) and Mahrs Bräu (Bamberg, Germany).

Last year, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. began a new approach to the annual release of their Oktoberfest.  Instead of revisiting the same beer recipe each year, the brewery now works in collaboration with the finest brewers in Germany to create one-time only releases that pay proper respect and homage to the Festbier style.  This 2016 release of Oktoberfest was brewed with the help of Mahrs Bräu.  Located in Bamberg, Germany, this “family owned and operated business, run with conviction and passion,” has been brewing beer with “Character” since 1895.  Combing countless years of brewing knowledge, representatives from both Sierra Nevada and Mahrs Bräu decided to brew up an “authentic version of the festival beer . . . deep golden in color with a rich malt complexity, but with a noticeable spicy hop character from the use of the nearly forgotten Record hop varietal.”  That description alone is enough to whet my appetite, so let’s grab a glass and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. & Mahrs Bräu

Appearance: As this 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager fills the glass, it is obvious that it differs from the subject of last week’s Tasting Notes – Oktoberfest from Cigar City Brewing (click here to read up on that one) – by being an offering that is a lighter, more blonde representation of the Festbier style’s history.  This one presents itself as a rich gold in color.  When held to direct light, it then glows with hues of brighter golds and straw yellows.  The body has an immaculate clarity and displays a carbonation presence pulsing rhythmically in a few locations along the glass.  A little over a finger of intensely white foam built off of the pour.  It clings with determination to its initial site, leaving sizable chunks of lace at the mouth of the glass.  Because of this, the head falters to a thin top cap after just a few sips. As you can see from the photo above, it is truly a sight to behold.

Aroma: Surprisingly, lager yeast greets the nose first with that clean earthiness that we all seem to associate as that archetypal, “that’s beer!” characteristic fragrance.  A light malt presence works its way forward with crackery notes and a dollop of honey.  The hops then saunter in casually to finish things off with delicate earthy, spicy and fruity tones.  The overall aroma is by no means dainty.  It is blatantly foreshadowing this beer’s full intentions.

Taste: The malts turn up first with gently sweet notes of grain, cracker, and simple breads. The malt and grain presence may be light, but it is by no means shy.  They are here to shine and are held up by a pronounced lager yeast note that gives the drinker a full on Pils-like experience.  This is all accompanied by a soft hop character putting out grassy and spicy notes along with just a whisper of fruity tones in the background.

Mouthfeel: This lager is light in body, but it wants to push itself closer to medium.  It has a generous carbonation level that tickles the tongue and throat.  On the palate, it is crisp with just a touch of playful sharpness.  The sweetness of the malts seems to vanish just as quickly as it hits the taste buds.  At 6%, the ABV does make itself known a bit with some warmth turning up on the throat and in the belly.  The aftertaste is just some lingering light grains.

Final Thoughts: Stay with me here while I paint a picture for you.  You are driving down a country road with the windows down to soak in everything that this beautiful day has to offer.  Your travels take you by a farm that is in the process of harvesting grain.  As you pass, you notice a presence that is filling the air.  This is more than just the hearty, clean aroma of freshly cut grain.  No, this is an indescribable phenomenon that permeates and saturates all-encompassingly: a smell in your nose, a taste in your mouth, a flood of memories in your mind, etc.  Nostalgia.  This is something you have felt before, but it is almost as if you are experiencing it once again for the first time.  Losing yourself in this realization and whatever images this experience has conjured up in your mind, you cannot help but grin, slow down just a bit and fully take it all in before the moment passes.

This beer is that experience in a glass.  What I mean is that it is obvious that Sierra Nevada and Mahrs Bräu wanted to create the cleanest, most quintessential of lagers when they approached this 2016 Oktoberfest.  From the first sip, they want your experience with this lager to somehow be both virginal and familiar.  That first sip, although new, is processed as a memory.  This is a beer that makes you feel like you may have had it before while still coming across with a level of craftsmanship that you have yet to encounter during your craft beer journey.  If you are looking for a simpler description, we can push verbosity aside and say that this is a beer meant to quench the thirst of the beer connoisseur and the everyman.  A beer that is so refreshing and clean in flavor that it will never have the chance to go warm in 2 liter steins at Oktoberfest celebrations everywhere.  In summation, it is a beer that can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Oktoberfest German-style Festbier from Cigar City Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

CCBOfestThese Florida breezes carrying fleeting cooler temperatures certainly call out for the flavors and styles of fall.  I will wisely heed this call by taking a look at Oktoberfest German-style Festbier from Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) in this week’s edition of Tasting Notes.

Back in September, I gave you all the lowdown on the seasonal return of Cigar City Brewing’s Oktoberfest German-style Festbier (click here to view that post).  Brewed with Hallertauer Mittlefruh hops, Munich malt and five other varieties of German malts, the brewery describes this Festbier as a nod “firmly toward the style’s history with its amber color.”  The news of a more traditional, heartier, locally-produced Oktoberfest lager certainly piqued the interest of my German side, and I just had to go out and grab a few cans to experience this one for myself.  So, here we are . . . can in hand . . . stein at the ready . . . I guess the only thing left to do is get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Oktoberfest German-style Festbier from Cigar City Brewing

Appearance: Oktoberfest fills the stein with an amber colored liquid popping with brown, garnet and sunny orange hues.  Held to direct light, the body brightens and bursts with lighter browns and burnt oranges.  The beer is quite clear with an ample carbonation presence darting throughout.  The pour produced two fingers of off-white to light tan foam.  The head is loose and bubbly, falling to a thin ring that leaves minimal lacing.  This brew certainly makes this stein look good and feel at home.

Aroma:  Each time the stein’s cap is raised, the air is filled with a comforting presence that is as gentle and subdued as a fall day.  Grains . . . so much grain presence pushes forward to produce notes of the beautifully baked, hearty breads of Europe.  Real bread.  This fantastic grain note and a bit of nuttiness comprises the majority of the profile, but there is a muted and restrained hop presence kicking around in here to lend complementing earthy and herbaceous tones.  If these aromatics could fill my house each and everyday, I would not be upset at all.

Taste: Cereal grains and rich breadiness lead the way once again.  A touch of caramel is woven in along with just a kiss of floral honey.  Although this brew is malt driven, it is by no means overly sweet thanks to a deft and balancing infusion of hops.  Herbal in character, these hops supply a wisp of complementing flavor and just enough bitterness to pull everything together.  Delicious and incredibly satisfying.

Mouthfeel: This one is medium in body with a bright carbonation that carries the beer gracefully across the palate.  Sweet on the tongue, but it clears out with haste to achieve a wonderful level of crispness and drinkability.  The ABV shows itself as quite light in presence with just the slightest tinge of heat prickling the throat at times.  The aftertaste is all bready malt.

Final Thoughts: When my mind wanders to ideas of what makes a good Oktoberfestbier, the characteristics residing within Cigar City’s Oktoberfest German-style Festbier are pretty much what always come to mind: comforting, bready malt qualities possessing just enough sweetness to meld seamlessly with floral and herbal hop notes that supply balance and added depth.  Malt is the unrivaled yet careful wheel-man for this ride, and the hops know that their place is in the backseat.  Through cunning and a non-obtrusive nature, this Oktoberfest proves that malty beers can also be easy drinking and quenching.  If my notes have led you astray, please do not be mistaken because there is nothing simple about this beer. No, sir . . . this is artful complexity disguised as simplicity.  Without a doubt, this is a beautifully executed, respectful homage to the Festbier . . . and to that, I can always raise a glass.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: PC Pils from Founders Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin
pcpilsaction
Image credit – Founders Brewing Co.

Lager madness continues to dominate and delight the Tasting Notes segment this week as we take a look at PC Pils from Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan).

I first brought you news of PC Pils back in August  when Founders Brewing Co. announced that this offering would be joining their portfolio as a new fall to winter Seasonal release (click here to read the full post).  This “American Hopped Pilsner” employs the expected qualities of the fine Pilsner malts you would find in European examples, but the brewery throws your palate a curve with the use of Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hop varietals sourced stateside.  This happy union produces piney, citrusy and floral flavors and aromatics in a beer that can only be described as “profoundly crushable, pleasantly crisp.”  PC Pils is available through the end of the year and can be found on draft, in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles for the suggested retail price of $9.99, and in 15-packs of 12 oz. cans for the suggested retail price of $17.99.  Look for this one at craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout the full distribution footprint of Founders Brewing Co.  With that information covered, let’s open this can, quench some thirst and take some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for PC Pils from Founders Brewing Co.

Appearance: PC Pils slips into the glass as a light golden yellow in color.  When exposed to direct light, the body glows, gaining a vibrancy that can only be described as a highlighter yellow hue.  The body is pristine, clear, and shows off a moderate carbonation level meandering about.  The pour built three fingers of pillowy, bubbly foam that is the brightest of whites.  Retention is good, eventually causing the head to fall to fluffy, amoebic masses playfully acting as a top cap.  Lacing is decent and turns up as chunky spots left behind sparingly and sporadically after sips.  Reserved in presentation but silently screaming all things Pilsner.

Aroma: A delicate but unmistakable hop presence gets things started in the department of aromatics.  Light pine and juicy citrus laze about, mingling casually with the fresh floral tones that nonchalantly greet the nose on each and every inhale.  Clean and lightly sweet Pilsner malts cut the hops a bit by lending a touch of biscuity goodness. It may sound simple, but this is one alluringly fragrant Pils.

Taste:  Without any apprehension at all, the hops certainly show a little more bite here.  Pine resin kicks the flavors off, shifting to bitter grapefruit peel and zest with ease.  Lithe floral and serene grassy tones soften things up a bit as the flavors move toward a crackery Pils malt presence that is more savory than sweet.  The maltiness complements and lends balance to the hops.  A fine level of brewing craftsmanship is stamped all over this brew’s flavor profile.

Mouthfeel: This offering is light in body with a bright carbonation level to it.  That said, the beer is still somehow allowed to retain a touch of weight.  This gives PC Pils the ability to properly and fully engage the palate, and separate itself from any mass-produced lagers out there masquerading as standards for the style.  The ABV plays zero role here, and rightfully so.  The beer is crisp, clean, dry and incredibly easy drinking.  Aftertaste is just a touch of lingering pine and grapefruit zest.

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for a traditional, Euro-style Pilsner, PC Pils probably will not get you that fix.  Sure, it retains the malt characteristics of a traditional Pils and European examples of the style do have a snappy hop presence . . .  but full disclosure warrants that I inform you that the hops in PC Pils show some teeth.  Aptly described as an “American Hopped Pilsner,” this offering absolutely shows the brashness that our country is often accused of having and displays our seemingly undying love of lupulin.  This being the case, I do have to say that the bitterness and hoppiness are both presented in such a way that the beer retains the style’s easy drinking nature.  This is not a case of over-hopped insanity.  No, not at all.  It is more of an artistically penned love letter to American hops delivered in a medium other than the expected IPA.  It is a beer that will satisfy the most decorated of hophead, and will also act as a great way to introduce the craft beer novice to the bewildering world of hops in the format of an easy drinking and more approachable style.  Crisp and wonderfully drinkable, PC Pils is a welcomed addition to the new and growing landscape of American lagers.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Tesla Hop-Charged Lager from Sixpoint Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

tesla-medallion-chyeaTasting Notes continues its examination of the recent boom of American-brewed Lagers by taking a look at Tesla Hop-Charged Lager from Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York).

Tesla Hop-Charged Lager is the latest offering to come out of Sixpoint Brewery’s Cycliquids Series, a constantly rotating lineup of beers where brewers experiment with new styles and/or create new takes on past releases.  Tesla is an Imperial Lager boasting juicy notes supplied by “big doses of American hops” and a “clean snappiness of a cold-fermented, meticulously-lagered beer.”  The finished beer officially weighs in at 7.1% ABV and 49 IBUs.  Tesla is a limited release that is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans.  Look for this brew on the shelves at your favorite craft beer retailer in Florida, Alabama and throughout Sixpoint’s distribution area.  Now to the fun part.  Let’s get our sip on and scribble down some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Tesla Hop-Charged Lager from Sixpoint Brewery

Appearance: Tesla pours up a deep, rich gold color that tapers from light oranges to electric yellows from the top of the body down.  When held to direct light, the yellows build with intensity to brighten the beer’s golden hue.  The body is clear and displays a very lively carbonation level.  The carb bubbles slingshot up to feed two fingers of pristine, white foam built off the gentle pour.  The beer proudly presents the signature head retention of a fine Lager.  The head eventually falls to a lasting finger that diligently notches the glass after each and every pull.

Aroma: Living up to its name, hops fuel this Lager with incredibly clean citrus, tropical and floral notes.  Mango, pineapple and tangerine embrace a sweet floral character that is almost nectar-like.  Although pronounced, the hops are not overly aggressive in the aromatic profile.  This allows pops of bready malt and Lager yeast to surface from time to time.  Lovely and beautifully presented here.

Taste: The hops absolutely spearhead the charge as the beer hits the palate.  That said, they are not nearly as bellicose as I may have initially – and unfairly – feared.  Grapefruit zest, orange and lime are all accounted for to provide those juicy and refreshing citrus hop qualities.  A touch of pine and grassy tones then add an earthy hoppiness and dankness.  The hops wrap up with booze-soaked tropical notes of pineapple and mango.  These hop notes may account for the majority of the experience, but they are by no means over the top or at the level of stripping the enamel off of your teeth.  A Zen-like balance tempers those hops with lightly sweet malt notes of bread and cracker.  American hopped?  Affimative.  Trademark Lager balance?  Achieved.

Mouthfeel: This Lager is medium in body with a medium carbonation level to it.  Bitter on the palate with just a tinge of sweetness weaving in to dexterously counter.  Alcohol certainly has some size to it at 7.1% ABV, and that does present itself with a gentle heat on the throat and in the belly.  The beer dries out as much as it can, but a bit of hoppiness stubbornly lingers.  Aftertaste is all grapefruit zest.

Final Thoughts: Sure, I will admit the tagline of “Hop-Charged” may have had me a bit worried that this offering may hide its Lager qualities behind an overly hopped experience.  I am elated to say that my worries were unnecessary and unfounded.  Tesla is most assuredly hop-forward, delivering a bitterness that is on point and showcasing beautifully clean flavors and aromatics.  That being the case, the beer does not forget that it is indeed a Lager and it retains a level of crispness thanks to a seemingly remarkably achieved balance.  My only gripe is the elevated ABV level that may shift this beer from the daily drinker category to more of a sip and savor brew.  All in all, Tesla is wonderfully put together with just enough of Sixpoint’s “Mad Science” personality provided to keep the beer unique and fun to drink.  Prost!