Tasting Notes: SeaQuench Ale from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

SQ2Tasting Notes journeys into the world of Session Sour Ales this week by taking a look at SeaQuench Ale from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware).

Before we get to the review, let’s cover some background information on this exciting new brew.  SeaQuench Ale is a new limited release from Dogfish Head that combines the stylistic worlds of Kölsch, Berliner Weisse and Gose in one beer.  This union features a good dose of wheat, sea salt, black limes, and fresh lime juice to create a highly drinkable Sour Ale capable of quenching any thirst.  This 4.9% ABV offering is still hanging out on shelves in six-packs of 12 oz. bottles and pouring on draft, but its limited availability is nearing an end.  Look for this brew at craft beer establishments in Florida and throughout Dogfish Head’s distribution footprint.  For more information on this offering, click here to read the release profile I published back in August.  Now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s see what SeaQuench is all about with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for SeaQuench Ale from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Appearance: SeaQuench hits the glass as a hazy, straw yellow in color.  When held to direct light, lemony yellows develop and that haze holds fast but also divulges that it is not completely opaque.  The body displays a carbonation level that judiciously streams bubbles in single file lines found randomly along the full circumference of the glass.  The pour produced a fizzy half finger of bubbly white head that dissipates almost as quickly as it appeared.

Aroma: Just as it should, lime citrus saturates the air as soon as the beer is poured.  Lime zest and peel account for the majority of the aromatic profile, but a touch of the briny black lime hints at its role in this beer with a salty citrus quality turning up as well.  Trademark lactic sour notes develop around just a whisper of wheat.  It may be cliché, but this smells of summer on the coast.

Taste: Tart lime and lactic sourness initially grab your attention with a quickness on each sip. Lime juice, peel and zest shine brightly along with a nicely timed interjection from the preserved lime character.  The brininess of the black lime and the added sea salt jump in to clean things up with a breezy, saltwater quality.  Coriander and spicy hops add a little dynamic jolt at times.  The wheat is a bit of a wallflower here, but it does timidly wave hello just as the beer’s flavors vanish from the palate. Bright, clean, and delicious.

Mouthfeel: This beer is wonderfully light in body with a moderate carbonation level.  It is mostly tart on the palate, but salt and a touch of sweetness tickles the taste buds as well.  The ABV is absolutely nowhere to be found, allowing the beer to be incredibly crisp, refreshing and quenching.  The aftertaste is all freshly squeezed lime.

Final Thoughts: By combining the easy-drinking German styles of Kölsch, Berliner Weisse and Gose, the folks at Dogfish Head have an absolute winner here.  The lactic hit of the Berliner easily works with the limes to create a refreshing tartness that is balanced by the subtle, grain sweetness you expect from a Kölsch.  The saltiness from the Gose then kicks in and finishes things off with a perfect level of salinity that wipes the palate clean to entice another sip.  I also have to say that I am totally sold on the idea of black limes making an appearance in future Gose offerings.  Simply a perfect choice in ingredient and I feel like a fool for not thinking of it myself.  All in all, SeaQuench Ale has achieved the level of an ultimate thirst quencher.  Each sip is bracing and a delight. I simply cannot get enough.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

encorecrown_web2This segment of Tasting Notes gets in on a celebration twenty years in the making by taking a look at Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California).

While looking for the inspiration for a beer worthy of commemorating “20 years of revolutionary brewing,” the folks at Stone Brewing Co. did not have to look much further than the Citracado Parkway running alongside the brewery.  The parkway itself is a tribute to the citrus and avocado agricultural history of the area, so why not brew a beer with a similar theme?  Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA pulls this off by utilizing Citra hops and avocado flower honey to produce “dominant orange and floral aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor.” This limited release offering is available now on draft and in 22 oz. bottles at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, and all other markets nationwide where Stone Brewing beers are sold.  If you would like to learn more about Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA, you can click here to check out the release profile I posted a few weeks ago.  As for now, this beer is calling for me to serve it up and get to these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Appearance: Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA pours a copper hue that displays deep oranges and the lightest/brightest browns possible.  When held to direct light, the beer illumes a bit to push more vibrant oranges through the body and displays a consistent carbonation activity residing within.  Two fingers of off white, chunky and thick head adorns the top of the brew.  Head retention is great, slowly but eventually falling a bit to a lasting finger of foam.  The only reason the head falters is because it has so much stick on the glass, leaving abundant lines of lace after each sip.

Aroma: Oh, yes . . . the beautiful and unmistakable aroma of Citra hops surges from the glass.  Big citrus hop notes of orange zest and the sweet, juicy meat of the fruit lure you in with ease.  A floral note cleanly interlaces itself with the citrus to lift the aromatic profile to an even higher level of freshness.  Although the hops easily steal the show here, a light hint of honey can be recognized.  The sugary qualities are light enough to complement the hops by further sweetening the fruit notes.

Taste:  There is a hop dankness that is not at all shy in the flavor of this beer.  Citrus hops once again dominate with notes of orange, lemon and grapefruit.  Pine pushes that dankness forward with a tinge of resiny sharpness.  A floral hop quality blends in and creates a seamless transition into the avocado flower honey.  The honey pulls the malts up to the surface a bit to produce an insanely smooth balance.

Mouthfeel:  This Double IPA falls on the heavier side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level.  Silken in texture, it has some stickiness to it on the palate but it dries out quickly to produce an amazingly clean sip.  I honestly cannot believe this brew comes in at 9% ABV because there is zero evidence of that sizable alcohol level found.  The aftertaste is just a tinge of orange and honey.

Final Thoughts: I am not going to beat around the bush here . . . Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA is easily one of the best Double IPAs I have had this year.  The fine line between aggression and restraint is gracefully traversed to present these hops in beautiful fashion. Furthermore, the decision to use avocado flower honey was an inspired and elegant choice to give this beer an unrivaled level of balance.  The most impressive feat achieved here is the complete removal of any trace of a very considerable 9% ABV.  This attribute makes the beer one of the easiest drinking Double IPAs I have ever encountered.  In summation, this is a beer that pulls no punches but still has a level of disciplined restraint to not be all haymakers either.  Confident and calculating, Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA embodies the true spirit of Stone Brewing Co.  If you are going to create a beer that reflects upon 20 years of top tier brewing reputation, this is indeed how you do it.  Finely crafted and just a joy to drink.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill

Posted on by mashingin

starr-hill-basketcaseThis edition of Tasting Notes has me seeking out a new lager experience by pouring up a Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

Before we pry off any bottle caps, let’s cover the background information on Basketcase American Helles.  This beer is the latest installment in Starr Hill’s Heavy Rotation Series, a limited line of non-IPA brews that has their brewers exploring new styles and/or ingredients.  This offering is a Munich Helles-style lager sporting an American twist of Cascade hops.  2-row, Munich and Carafoam round this 5.4% ABV beer off with a balancing malt presence. Basketcase is available now as a limited offering in Alabama and throughout Starr Hill’s distribution area.  Look for this one at craft beer friendly establishments in the Fall Variety Pack mixed 12-pack, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

**Like all Heavy Rotation brews, Basketcase is meant to be enjoyed while listening to a carefully selected playlist of complementing tunes. Simply click here to check that out.**

My duty of supplying you with the facts is now fulfilled, so let’s get to sipping and opining with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Basketcase American Helles from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance: Basketcase American Helles hits the glass with a rich golden body.  Held to direct light, the gold lightens to become a gleaming shade of yellow.  A speedy and plentiful carbonation presence races throughout the crystal clear body.  That carbonation is feeding the two fingers of bright white foam that was built off the pour.  Retention is decent with the head eventually dropping to a loose, bubbly ring that is present for the majority of the experience.

Aroma: This beer casually fills the air with aromas distinct to a German Helles.  The grain presence is clean and clear, leading the way with a light sweetness and breadiness.  Spicy and floral hop notes then open things up and invite you to inhale deeply.  The aroma closes out with a light citrus presence of grapefruit.  It may sound a bit on the simple side, but these notes all mesh to produce a billowing and beautiful aroma.

Taste:  Once again, I am more than a little surprised that this American take on a Munich Helles is nearly spot on.  The hops come forth first to charm the palate with a very fresh floral and light citrus quality.  These notes are further supported by an earthy, spicy character that has strength but is not at all aggressive in flexing those muscles.  A sweet, bready malt presence lends balance by stifling almost all of the bite these hops could muster while still avoiding any possibility of being too pronounced or cloying.  Lager yeast then sets in at the finish with a clean and unmistakable quality that brings it all together.

Mouthfeel: Basketcase is medium in body with a zippy carbonation level.  This combination supplies a beer that is crisp, dry and clean to maximize drinkability while remaining a lager that still has some size to it on the palate.  The 5.4% ABV is completely hidden and this makes the beer even more easy drinking.  The aftertaste is just a touch of earthy, floral hop tones.

Final Thoughts: I was a little more than excited when I opened the Fall Variety Pack to find that Starr Hill Brewery had taken on a Helles Lager.  I am even more delighted to report that the brewers absolutely nailed this beer.  The use of Cascade hops had me a little worried that the beer may go too far in the direction of a beer that is dominated by citrus.  That worry was quickly swept away as I found a level of craftsmanship that coaxed out the more European spicy and floral notes residing within this hop.  That said, there is still a kiss of citrus left to linger and declare, “I’m made in America.”  The attention to detail given to Basketcase American Helles supplies this offering with plenty of flavor while allowing it to keep a clean lager presentation that steers clear of overloading the palate with an unneeded level of challenging complexity.  This Helles is all about being easy drinking with just the right amount of dynamics and personality.  Fantastic and finely crafted.  I finish with the inclination to thank Starr Hill for joining a select few other American craft breweries that are dedicated to restoring the good name of the lager.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

stonemochaipaThis week’s Tasting Notes seeks a new twist on the IPA style by taking a look at Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California).

Stone Mocha IPA is a new seasonal that Stone Brewing Co. added to their lineup of packaged offerings this year.  Inspired by Aleman / Two Brothers / Stone DayMan Coffee IPA and Stochasticity Project Master of Disguise Golden Stout, Stone Brewing’s Liberty Station Brewing Manager Kris Ketcham first created this beer back in 2015 and it was an instant hit with the brewery’s fans.  It was soon decided that it needed to be shared with craft beer enthusiasts across the country, and Stone Mocha IPA’s cocoa, coffee and hoppy goodness was officially released into distribution on draft and in 12 oz. bottles beginning in June.  This alluring and unique brew can still be found on shelves at some craft beer-friendly retailers within Stone Brewing’s distribution area, but be sure to act quickly because its “Enjoy By” date is fast approaching.  I’m going to go ahead and take my own advice here and get into this brew for some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Stone Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Appearance: Stone Mocha IPA pours a honey-like, copper in color with deep orange hues residing throughout.  The oranges gain intensity when presented with direct light and the copper gains luster.  The body is clear with a moderate carbonation stirring within.  The pour produced a finger of light tan foam that has some pretty decent retention to it.  Over time, it does gracefully fall to a thin but complete frothy top cap that leaves some chunky lace on the glass.  This brew does come across darker than typical Double IPAs, but that should be expected with the added coffee and cocoa.  That said, it certainly presents itself in wonderful fashion.

Aroma: Coffee is the first note to hit the nose, but it is not exactly the heavily roasted and robust variety you may find in some coffee Stouts and Porters.  No . . . this is a coffee character reminiscent of more exotic beans that produce floral and fruity tones.  Shifting gears, a dark cocoa note coaxes the malts out to actually make an appearance at this DIPA party by contributing a floral honey sweetness.  The hops then go to work to finish off the aromatic profile with citrusy tones of orange and tangerine.

Taste:  Wow . . . it shouldn’t be a surprise, but complexity certainly abounds here.  Each flavor experience pings the palate in a quick, staccato manner to keep your mind and taste buds both guessing and completely entertained.  Cocoa strikes first with a dark chocolate note that easily complements any bitterness from the approaching hops.  The mocha quality of the coffee joins in next and has both bitterness and sweetness.  This double duty allows the coffee to apply contrasting and complementary aspects to both the cocoa and hops.  Speaking of hops, they wrap things up with a vast array of citrus fruitiness that somehow plays nicely with the coffee.  Although each and every flavor in this beer is zealous and forward, they all seem to come together effortlessly.  In perceived chaos we find harmony.

Mouthfeel: This brew is medium in body with a medium level of carbonation that allows the beer to have a creamy and delightfully soft texture.  The ABV of this Double IPA does flex some muscle at 9%, but the level of warmth is comely and comforting.  The beer brings both bitterness and sweetness to the palate, but neither is too heavy or lasting.  The aftertaste is just a wisp of citrus hops and coffee.

Final Thoughts: Coffee IPAs are becoming more and more en vogue these days, and I personally welcome this trend.  Although the idea of these flavors mingling together may sound strange or even off-putting to some, beer lovers should recognize that this combination works beautifully in both theory and practice.  Coffee, chocolate and hops function well together because they all can share one common trait: bitterness.  This attribute brings them together but the richness of the cocoa, the comforting familiarity of the coffee, and the bright citrus hoppiness are all allowed to shine individually.  Stone Mocha IPA not only displays all of this with grace and ease, but it also captivates its drinker with each sip by providing an incredibly fresh and dynamic experience.  Simply fantastic.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Brettanomyces Fermented IPA from Blue Pants Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

BPlogoThis segment of Tasting Notes takes me back home to Alabama with a sensory experience exploring Brettanomyces Fermented IPA from Blue Pants Brewery (Madison, Alabama).

Earlier this year, the brewers at Blue Pants started experimenting with wild yeast to produce a couple limited release beers featuring Brettanomyces.  Brettanomyces Fermented IPA – along with Brettanomyces Fermented Pinstripe Stout – was the result of this professional curiosity and dabbling.  For this offering, the folks at the brewery laid an India Pale Ale foundation that is supported by “whole leaf Amarillo, Mandarina Bavaria, and Citra” hops.  A “custom Brettanomyces blend” was then utilized during fermentation to bring the funk and some unique stone fruit characteristics.  This treatment produces a “dry, subtly funky, moderately fruity, and very citrusy IPA” that can be enjoyed fresh or properly aged.  This 6.5% ABV, Wild IPA is a limited release that is brewed infrequently.  When it is available, you can find this offering on draft and in 750 ml bottles.  All this research to cover the background on Brettanomyces Fermented IPA has me eager and excited to finally get a taste.  Let’s get to those Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes on Brettanomyces Fermented IPA from Blue Pants Brewery 

Appearance: A gentle tilt of the 750ml bottle provides me with a deep golden colored body with a touch of orange pushing through at the wider portion of the glass’s bulb.  Held to direct light, the yellows really intensify to the level of positively glowing.  The body is perfectly clear with an abundant carbonation level coursing throughout (Note: later pours do cloud up a bit due to the yeast sediment residing in the bottle).  The careful pour still produced a huge, fluffy white head that clocks in at over three and a half fingers.  Head retention is spectacular, with the level of foam only falling due to the huge amount of lace coating the glass.  Absolutely gorgeous.

Aroma: At first glance and sniff, you are going to be convinced this is just a beautiful, wild Saison/Farmhouse Ale.  The Brett presence is massive with notes of barnyard funk, hay and wet wood permeating the air.  Peach and other stone fruit characteristics wrap around that Brett funk to provide a bit of sweet freshness.  A bit of citrus and tropical fruit comes forward with orange, mango and pineapple developing.  The malts are mostly lost behind all that funk, but a waft of grain can be identified from time to time.

Taste: The Brett certainly shines here as well.  Wet hay, dusty barn wood and musty funk are all present and accounted for.  The hops kick in with some juicy notes of peach, mango and a fruit bowl of citrus.  There is a snappy bite of resinous pine that takes a grip from time to time as well.  With that said, the funk definitely trumps all and casts a long shadow over any malt presence.  As billed, this beer is not at all shy with the Brett and I find the flavor profile to be absolutely beautiful.

Mouthfeel: This beer is on the lighter side of medium in body with a crisp carbonation level to keep things easy drinking.  The ABV is respectable at 6.5%, but it is completely disguised and makes zero attempt to attract any attention.  Funky and lightly bitter on the palate. This brew dries out nicely and has a lovely easy-drinking nature to it.  Any aftertaste that remains is all barnyard funk.

Final Thoughts:  Full disclosure – I am a huge fan of any and every beer that utilizes Brett correctly, and Blue Pants Brewery’s Brettanomyces Fermented IPA absolutely fits that bill.  Instead of phoning this one in with an IPA that hides behind its hops and has just a pinch of Brett character, the folks at the brewery went all in to properly give this yeast the respect and stage it deserves.  Brett can handle and complement hops with graceful ease, and that is displayed wonderfully with this offering by living up to its label description of “Hoppy, Juicy, Funky.”  This is just another fantastic brew from Blue Pants and a true accomplishment in brewing craftsmanship.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower from Victory Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

BWwElderVBCWith these insanely hot days still lingering into September, this segment of Tasting Notes is all about refreshment by taking a look at Blackboard #3: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower from Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Pennsylvania).

Berliner Weisse with Elderflower is the third installment in Victory Brewing’s Blackboard series, a new lineup that “unifies craft beer with market-fresh culinary inspirations similar to specials found on a blackboard in restaurants.”  Just as the very descriptive name implies, this Berliner is a “wheat ale brewed with Hallertauer Hallertau hops” and infused with the essence of elderflower.  Floral, earthy, lightly tart and crisp, this brew is all about easy drinking refreshment.  You can find Blackboard #3: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower now through September in Alabama, Florida and throughout Victory’s 37 state distribution footprint.  Look for this one at craft beer-friendly establishments in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles for the suggested retail price of $9.99 (price may vary upon location).  You now have the details, and I’d like a beer.  Let’s get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Blackboard #3: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower from Victory Brewing Company

Appearance: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower hits the glass as a pale, lemony yellow in color that has a fair amount of haze to it.  Held to the light, the yellows brighten a touch but remain pretty consistent.  Carbonation activity is high and makes haste throughout the body. The pour produced a little over a finger of white head that fades quickly to a pencil-thin ring that hugs the edge of the glass.  There is very little lace to note or mention.  This is pretty much exactly what one might expect to see when a Berliner is put in front of them.

Aroma: Things begin here with all of the aromas synonymous with American-made Berliners these days.  An earthy and grainy wheat presence leads the way for the twang and tartness of the lacto.  What allows this beer to stand apart is the lightly sweet and floral notes blooming from that elderflower addition.  It may be subtle, but it provides just enough unique qualities to pique the interest of the drinker.  This brew certainly has my attention.

Taste: A spot on portrayal of a Berliner Weisse here as well.  The lemony, tart character of the lacto grabs your tastebuds right out of the gate.  The wheat provides a solid base of grain, but it gracefully keeps the malt levels light and even.  The floral and lightly sweet elderflower provides a kiss of dynamics that also lends a touch of honeysuckle and vanilla notes.  The flavors start expected and finish surprising.  In doing so, the taste comes together as alluring and satisfying.

Mouthfeel: Light in body with a high carbonation level to it, this brew is effortlessly easy drinking.  It is tart on the palate, and it dries out crisp and clean.  I was a bit worried about the slightly higher than normal (for the style) 5.2% ABV, but it is completely hidden from sight.  The aftertaste is all tart lemon and floral tones.

Final Thoughts: It is not at all surprising that the German beer style-lovin’ brewers at Victory Brewing Company nailed a Berliner Weisse, but I’ll just go ahead and say for the record that this is truly a fantastic representation.  The base beer is absolutely on point and the decision to include elderflower was a perfect choice to complement every aspect of the beer.  The floral notes work in harmony with the tart citrus, and the light sweetness draws out earthy tones and that lovely, subtle vanilla presence.  Blackboard #3: Berliner Weisse with Elderflower is quietly complex and incredibly satisfying thanks to the massive amount of drinkability it possesses.  Simply put: a beautiful beer that is a ridiculously good choice in a summer release for both the brewer and the drinker.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Hoppelbock from Heavy Seas Beer & Tröegs Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

Heavy-Seas-Partnerships-HoppelbockTasting Notes doubles down this week by taking a look at the Partner Ships Hoppelbock collaboration from Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) and Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, Pennsylvania).

Hoppelbock was created by brewers from both Heavy Seas and Tröegs Brewing as part of the Partner Ships Series, a lineup of limited releases from Heavy Seas that is “produced in collaboration with other regionally and nationally recognized brewers in the spirit of friendship, creativity, and adventure.” This 8% ABV twist on the Doppelbock style gets its malty foundation thanks to a “large percentage of locally sourced malt from Deer Creek Malthouse in Pennsylvania” and a hoppy counterbalance by way of five German hop varieties (Hallertau Mittlefrue, Opal, Perle, Magnum and Herkules hops).  A limited amount of Hoppelbock was officially released in May, but 22 oz. bottles may still be hanging around out there at craft beer-friendly establishments within the Heavy Seas distribution area.  Now that we covered the background on this beer, let’s pour this bomber and get familiar with Hoppelbock in some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Partner Ships Hoppelbock from Heavy Seas Beer & Tröegs Independent Brewing

Appearance: Hoppelbock pours up a burnt orange to rich caramel brown in appearance.  Held to direct light, lighter brown, shimmering orange and deep garnet hues push through.  This glowing body is crystal clear and shows off a lazy carbonation level meandering within.  The pour got me two fingers of bubbly, off-white to light tan colored foam.  Head retention is decent, eventually falling to a much tighter and chunkier half finger that has some real lasting ability.  Lacing is minimal, as most wisps of foam glide quickly back down the glass to rest once again in that top cap.  The look of this beer is both beautiful and imposing.

Aroma: The malty goodness you want from a Doppelbock absolutely billows from the glass. A biscuity and caramel sweetness leads the grains to have some serious size in the aromatic profile, but an assertive hop presence resides within.  Spicy hops and a light dark fruit character complements the malt nuances with ease, and a floral note stands tall to declare the “Hoppel” portion of this Bock.

Taste: The balance is on point with this beer.  There is a delightful dance of push and pull between the malty backbone and the hoppy accents.  Like in the aroma, the malts lay down a wonderfully sweet foundation of caramel and bready qualities.  The hops then come forth with some black pepper spice that shifts into graceful floral and nondescript fruity notes.  Although it may sound simple to some, this harmonious flavor profile is a lot to take in and a joy to explore.

Mouthfeel:  This is a medium to full bodied lager that bears a nice weight to it.  On the palate, it has a velvety, silken texture that is a touch creamy as well.  At 8% ABV, the alcohol has a bit of heat to it but it is more than reasonable.  The carbonation level falls in the middle of the road, keeping the beer somewhat easy drinking while still allowing it to have some heft.  Aftertaste is full of those wonderful malt tones and some lingering floral notes.

Final Thoughts: Just as the name suggests, Hoppelbock is a wonderfully duplicitous brew by providing its drinker with the best of both worlds: It has all the malts you expect and crave from a German Doppelbock, and the assertiveness you want from American-made hoppy brews.  This beer is a constant give and take that takes its time to show each and every malty and hoppy note within.  Some may want or expect a bit more in-your-face dynamics from this beer, and to them I would suggest that they slow down and truly allow the senses to drink in all aspects of this offering.  In doing so, the craftsmanship employed to create this brew’s fine level of balance will not go unnoticed.  Sip, savor and revel in this wonderful, American take on the Doppelbock style by two great breweries.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Puff IIPA from Sixpoint Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

puff_angleTasting Notes goes big with the hops this week as we take a look at Puff Cloudy IIPA from Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York).

Puff Cloudy Imperial India Pale Ale was a special summer release in Sixpoint Brewery’s Cycliquids Series, a constantly rotating series of beers where brewers experiment with new styles and/or create new takes on past releases. Puff is a throwback to a time when many Sixpoint offerings stood out from the crowd by being the “hazed-up, cloudy, bitter, and aromatic” beer on the bar.  Times have changed and most beers you get from Sixpoint these days are “crystal-clear. No floaties, no yeasties, just beastly flavors.”  Puff harkens back to the hazy past by taking fan favorite Resin IIPA and leaving it completely unfiltered.  By skipping this step and adding an “extra dose of dry hops”, Puff gives you an otherworldly hoppy beer experience that will not soon be forgotten.  This is a limited release offering that may still be floating around craft beer shelves in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans.  With that info covered, let’s pop the top and hit this Puff for some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes on Puff Cloudy IIPA from Sixpoint Brewery

Appearance:  Puff pours up a tangerine to deeper orange that tapers in depth of color from the bottom to the top of the glass.  Held to direct light, the oranges intensify and brighten to display more radiate hues.  The body lives up to the beer’s name by displaying a wonderfully cloudy appearance that even has some floaties and sediment moving around in there.  A moderate carbonation level feeds the finger and a half of tight white foam built off the pour.  Retention is pretty good and the lace coats the glass thanks to the amazing level of stick it has.

Aroma: Even with the glass almost at arm’s reach from me, nothing but incredibly dank, resiny hops fill the air to greet my nose.  Pine and citrus pretty much dominate everything happening here with notes of grapefruit and pineapple wafting about.  The malts are easily overtaken by the hops, but there is a distinct sweetness lurking in the background. This is nothing but blatantly huge Imperial IPA aromatics and I want to bury my nose in it.

Taste:  I know this is going to shock many of you, but the hops are massive and crazy dank here as well.  The hops crash the palate with aggressive grapefruit notes of juiciness from the fruit’s meat and bitterness from the zest.  Tropical tones of pineapple and mango also turn up, and resinous pine eventually asserts its dominance.  Sweet caramel malts lend some sweetness . . . but just as you feel you are beginning to wrap your mind around them, a hop note bites back to remind you that you are and always will be dealing with an Imperial IPA when sipping this beast.

Mouthfeel: Puff falls on the higher side of medium in body with a moderate carbonation level.  This beer has incredible stick to it, coating the mouth with a constant hop experience.  To be honest, I have never experienced a beer that leaves so much hop residue and oil on the palate.  The ABV does have size to it, so there is some heat that lingers a touch in the throat.  The ABV might actually be more intense than it comes across, but the hop level acts as a distraction from that as well. Dropping serious levels of both bitter and sweet, this beer finishes with an aftertaste that is all citrus hop insanity.

Final Thoughts:  The one word that I keep coming back to when sipping this beer is “intense”.  I have said many times in the past that the brewers at Sixpoint can do some amazing things when you put hops in their hands, and that absolutely applies once again when you take a look at Puff.  Actually, it takes that observation to a whole new level thanks to the unfiltered nature of this offering presenting you with every character and aspect of these hops.  There is so much dynamic hop character filling the aroma and flavor that it is delightfully overwhelming and mind-blowing at times.  Puff IIPA is definitely not a daily drinker or lawnmower beer, but this big boy is a fantastic sipper that forces you, whether you like it or not, to take notice and appreciate all it and its boatload of hops have to offer.  Sip and get your hop fix here, folks.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc from Schlafly Beer

Posted on by mashingin

hoptrialfinalThis week’s edition of Tasting Notes focuses on the fundamentals with a peek into the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack from Schlafly Beer (St. Louis, Missouri).

Schlafly Beer recently got back to the basics by creating and releasing the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack, a variety of four beers showcasing a Single Malt and Single Hop (SMaSH).  The focus of this pack is to take a look at unique hop varieties from four different hop growing regions: Bramling Cross of England, Enigma of Australia, Eureka! of the United States, and Hallertau Blanc of Germany.  This approach truly highlights everything these hops have to offer, and it allows the brewery to test out these varieties before they utilize them in future releases.  The Hop Trial SMaSH Pack contains three bottles of each beer and was released last month to select retailers within Schlafly’s distribution area.

For the sake of my liver and a reduced word count, this post will concentrate on just one of the variations available in the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack.  Since my heritage makes me a sucker for anything German, let’s jot down some Tasting Notes on Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc.

Tasting Notes on Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc from Schlafly Beer

Appearance: Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc absolutely lives up to the name of its Golden Ale style by pouring up a shimmering golden with just a touch of more defined orange hues pushing through.  Held to the light, the yellows brighten a bit but the overall color remains consistent regardless of light intensity.  The body has a touch of haze to it, but that dissipates quickly as the beer warms and reveals a clean, clear appearance.  The carbonation is moderate, displaying uniform lines of bubbles that industriously course their way to the head.  The pour produced over a finger of chunky foam that is perfectly white.  The head has great retention, falling incredibly slowly during the drink to eventually settle in as a half finger that lasts for the rest of the experience.  Lines of lace are left at times, but a good portion tends to slip slowly back down the glass to return to the top cap.

Aroma:  I am more than happy to find that this beer owns the overall intention of the SMaSH Pack by truly being an in depth look at the Hallertau Blanc variety.  The aroma begins with a big floral bouquet that is fresh, clean and an easy reminder of a spring day’s splendor.  A wisp of tropical and citrus fruits resides in the background only to be overtaken by an elegant white wine grape character ( lightly fruity, wonderfully earthy grape must aroma). The malt presence is light, providing balance with an almost wildflower honey-like quality.  I cannot express how truly delightful this aromatic experience is.

Taste:  The flavor leads off with that grape character, translating as a chardonnay note.  There is then an easy transition to floral and grassy tones that are accompanied by just a grace of grapefruit and lemon zestiness.  The hops are definitely pronounced, but they are in no way aggressively overbearing or ridiculously dank.  This is thanks to a beautiful balance achieved by the light, sweet and biscuity malts.  The malt presence is clean and stealthy to allow those hop notes to take center stage.  The proper adjective to use here is elegant.

Mouthfeel:  This brew is on the lighter side of medium in body with a lively carbonation level.  The carb level mimics the prickliness of some white wines, and that even more so brings the beer together by creating cohesion between the aromatic and flavor profiles and the mouthfeel.  The ABV is light and does not really make its presence known at all.  Aftertaste is all floral hop notes.

Final Thoughts:  Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc is simply a wonderful experience overall and it easily achieves the goals for which this series was created.  The base Golden Ale is a perfect canvas that allows this beautiful hop to exhibit those absolutely stunning floral and white wine notes unique to the Hallertau Blanc variety.  This hop has so much to offer countless styles, and I now know that because the treatment of this variety in this offering makes me feel like I truly learned something from a beer.  Incredibly well done and high praise to Schlafly for the achievement earned in the creation of Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc and the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack as a whole.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

IMGP3395_editedThis week’s Tasting Notes gets a little arrogant as we take a look at Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co./Arrogant Brewing (Escondido, California).

Who You Callin’ Wussie comes to us by way of Stone Brewing’s side project known as Arrogant Brewing, a splinter brewing project that focuses on the brash intensity of the Arrogant Bastard line and newly developed beers full of liquid arrogance.  Who You Callin’ Wussie is the newest year-round offering from Arrogant Brewing and this Pilsner absolutely pulls no punches.  The purpose of Wussie is to take back the Pilsner by proving that this style can be so much more than the “gutted . . . soulless and anemic . . . fizzy yellow” product that “tyrannical industrialized beer overlords” produce and peddle.  Wussie is a Northern German Pilsner that spares no expense to utilize only the finest ingredients to create a 5.8% ABV lager that forces you to take another look at this style.  This year-round offering is available now in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution footprint.  Look for it at craft beer-friendly establishments in 6-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.  With that background info now covered, let’s open a can of arrogance and take some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Who You Callin’ Wussie Pilsner from Stone Brewing Co./Arrogant Brewing

Appearance:  Who You Callin’ Wussie emerges from the darkness of this matte black can as a bright golden liquid.  Held to direct light, the gold color gains more depth and some brighter, lemony yellow hues force through as well.  The body is incredibly clear with a medium to high carbonation level coursing throughout.  The pour produced two fingers of bubbly, perfectly white foam that has moderate retention.  This head fades slowly during the experience to eventually settle in as a thin but complete top cap.  The foam grips the glass with authority, leaving a notch after every sip taken.  Without a doubt, this beer nails the look.

Aroma:  The surprises start here as the signature Pale & Pilsner malts you expect from the style are clear and right up front.  Lightly sweet, a touch toasty, and absolutely representative of a Pils.  Things kick up a bit from there when the hops join the party.  Earthy and floral to start, the hops then gain a bit of spiciness.  The aromatic profile rounds off with a kiss of citrus and some lemongrass.  Everything here is pretty balanced as the malts and hops get equal attention.  Arrogant? Maybe.  Selfish?  Negative.

Taste:  Seriously . . . the first sip takes me right back to Germany.  Sure, the hops turn up first in the flavor profile and they bring a bit more bite than a “traditional” Euro-brewed Pils.  That said, they are also a hell of a lot more restrained than you would expect from a beer coming out of a Stone Brewing facility.  The hops are floral, bring a touch of spicy bite, earthy overall, but still have just a bit of citrus behind them to bring things stateside.  The malts then push their way forward to give you all the grain goodness you want from a Pils.  Grain is absolutely the word here, lightly toasted and a bit sweet.  The malts share the spotlight evenly and Wussie is sporting nothing but damn fine Pilsner flavor.

Mouthfeel:  This lager is light in body with a high carbonation level to achieve as much drinkability possible.  The ABV sitting at 5.8% does have a touch more presence than I hoped and it does lend a bit of heat at times.  The beer dries out clean and fast, easily coaxing you to take another gulp.  The aftertaste is minimal, but earthy hops and light malts linger just long enough to remind you they were there.

Final Thoughts: To be completely honest, when I first heard that this beer was being brewed I was a little worried that the folks at Stone Brewing would over-hop it to level of the now commonplace India Pale Lagers being brewed these days.  My fears were eased immediately because that is absolutely NOT the case when it comes to Who You Callin’ Wussie.  This beer is clearly a study in German brewing tradition with just a grace of Stone Brewing personality and arrogance infused along the way.  The only gripe I can come up with here is the alcohol presence, but that is truly a reach just to find at least one flaw.  Wussie comes together with effortless confidence to be a beautiful Pils and something that I could definitely get used to being brewed by more craft breweries over time.  Revisit the past and respect tradition, but have enough arrogance to make it your own in the process.  That pretty much sums up what this beer achieves.  Prost!