Saranac Vanilla Stout

Saw this one and had to try it seeing as how I like vanilla and chocolate mixtures. This stout was interesting, nice black color with a ruby undertone. Head was firm and a nice tan color. Flavor was malty to start, very slight hint of vanilla, finish was a bit on the bitter side, not sure if it was the roasted malts, hops or both. For some reason it reminded me a bit of Guiness with out the trademark sour finish. This one is OK or more should I say a bit above average. You won't be disappointed, but you won't be knocked over either.

Lump of Coal

Here is an interesting one for you, nice and black, little to no head (this was disappointing) light carbonation and nice roasted malt flavor. This one comes in at 8%. There is a hint of bittersweet or dark chocolate and a clean finish. Once again this one needs to consumed at the proper tempature, too cold and you miss out on the maltiness! I went for it for the name, catch and I figured it would be a nice black stout. I wasn't disappointed.

Father Christmas Highland Ale

Here is a local beer for you, Burnside Brewery's Christmas Highland Ale, at 9.2% it is rather potent. This beer is very malty and has a nice dark color to it. Make sure you don't drink this one too cold as you will loose the maltiness of this brew.

I don't know how I'd classify this one, it sorta is between a porter and a stout, overall not bad, nice and malty, properly carbonated and pleasant to drink. Give this one a try for the holidays!

Redhook Double Black Stout

I must admit I have been hesitant at time to try Redhook beers, I think it has to do with their association with Bud, but that's just me.

I received the "Beer Update" from Jimmy today and when I saw a Double Black stout, I had to try it, regardless of who it is from. I am happy to report that Redhook did an excellent job with this limited release. Last available in 2000, this stout will not disappoint. When pouring, the first thing you notice is the deep black color and tan head. Mouth feel is what I expect from a stout like this, nice and thick. For me nothing worse than a watery feel to a stout. Flavor wise, great roasted barley flavors and nice aroma of coffee. Well balanced from beginning to end. All I can say is get it while you can!

Opa Opa Southampton Porter

Been a while blogging about beer, had a nice vacation with my wife, and baseball is over, now its Halloween, so why not sit down between visitors and try a new beer.

I tried making a Porter a while ago and had one while I was out in California at the Silverado Brewing Co, while I think this style of beer is one of the least know, it often times can be very very good.

After talking with Jimmy a bit the Opa Opa Southampton Porter was recommended, my first growler! This Porter is dark and rick in color with an ample head, which rather surprised as the growler was rather quiet when opened. The flavor was as expected from Porters, chocolaty with a hint of cocoa, a bit sweet and the a bit bitter. No real sense of hops. I am not sure if it is the growler or the brew, but it is a bit flat overall. The Porter at Silverado was exceptional, so maybe my expectations were set to high, still not a bad way to spend Halloween, drinking some beers!

Budweiser American Ale

When Jimmy suggested that I try a Bud American Ale, first thought that popped into my head was "Bud?", what is Jimmy crazy! Most people I know tell me I am a beer snob because I do not like, Bud Miller or Coors. I always say I prefer beer with some semblance of taste. Bud's American Ale was a pleasant surprise, compared to a regular Bud.

First and foremost I was glad to see that it is an all malt ale, no corn or rice. The American Ale has a great copper color and nice head that lingers. There is a nice sweet malty taste with a hint of hops as well as good aroma of, I am guessing, Cascade Hops. One complaint, though, I do feel it is a bit too carbonated, little less would help balance overall.

If you've read my other posts, you know I am a very big fan of Pale Ales, there does appear to be a bit of a distinction with Americans. Pales are still my favorite, but this one is not bad, especially for a Bud. Give it a try, if you like Pales, it is a bit different, but not bad

Sam Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale

Waiting on the debate, so I figured good time for trying something different. Stopped by MWL and figured I'd give a couple of Sam Smith's a try.

I am starting with Sam's Pale Ale. Sam's starts off with a nice dark copper color, good head and mild carbonation. Right off the bat you can tell the difference between an english pale ale and an american. Sam's has a sweet malty taste and just a hint of hops on the taste and little to none on the nose. Sam's is a good quality ale, if you like malty beer light on hops, this one is for you, myself, I prefer american styles more and more.

Dragon Stout

My friend Alex came to me the other day telling me about this great beer that he tried at a Reggae festival in Rhode Island. Alex is not a big beer drinker and for him to rave about a beer is something else. Alex told me that he tried to obtain Dragon from a variety of places. Knowing that I know Jimmy pretty well I called on Alex's behalf. Not on did Jimmy know this beer like all the others MWL carries it as a regular offering.

Because of Alex's excitement I sampled a six of the Stout. I brought it to a tailgate party and sampled it right out of the cooler. I must admit the first few mouth fulls were a bit disappointing, but as the stout warmed down to a cool temperature the flavor blossomed. Dragon stout will not be for everyone, you will either like or you won't. I myself did enjoy it but it would not go to the top of my list.

Do not be surprised by the small bottle as it is a strong beer, 7.5%. I prefer to drink it out of a large wine glass, this concentrates the aroma and adds to the experience. This is a dark, intense flavor full of roasted malt, cocoa and espresso.

If you are in an experimental mood, give it a try. You might like it, then again you might not!

Saranac Pale Ale

I find it interesting how I trend to certain styles of beers. Back when I had time to actually brew my own beer I focused on Pales, Ambers and Stouts. This summer I found myself really enjoying the crispness of many Pale Ales and Saranac is another winner.

A typical Pale with a nice copper color, good head and proper bend of hops on the pallet and nose and fruity flavors. While I do measure most Pales against Sierra Nevada, choose Sarnac and you will not be disappointed. I wasn't.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Over vacation I brought along a classic, Sierra Nevada, I think, one of the best Pale Ales around. While I have had Sierra a number of times in the past, I thought I'd talk about it. This is a great Pale Ale. Nice color and carbonation. Crisp and clear and and you can taste the Cascade Hops. This one is good anytime, but I especially enjoy it during the summer on hot days! If you haven't tried this one and like Pale Ales, its a must!

Ipswich Ales

Went on vacation last week and had a great time at the cape. I needed it after the way the sox and yank weekend ended up. I took the opportunity to bring a sampler pack of Ipswich Ales along.

The sampler pack has Original Ale, Dark Ale, IPA and their Oatmeal Stout. The stout is deep and rich in color and properly carbonated well balanced flavor with a hint of chocolate over the roasted malts, I did wish at the time that I had more than 3 for the week. Ipswich does a very good job on this one. I highly recomend it.

Next was the Dark Ale, a very good dark ale. Nice dark copper color with a good head. Good flavor with a good balance of hops, once again another good brew.

Later on during vacation I hit the Original Ale and IPA, the original is your typical Pale Ale, nice copper color good balance of hops and a nice malty flavor. While I found this to be an OK brew, for a Pale Ale there are better out there.

The IPA is as expected, a highly hopped version of their Original. Nice flavor and if you like hops, you will like this one. Overall Ipswich does a good job. For me though the Stout is a keeper!

Augustiner Maximator

Jimmy has been picking out most of the beers based on my history at MWL and the conversations we have had over the years. I have been going in on a weekly bases and telling him "this is what I am thinking of". Jimmy, without hesitation has pointed me in a variety of directions depending upon what I have been asking for. In this case, Jimmy hit the target dead on with his suggestion of Augustiner Maximator. While I typically stick to American craft brewer or English ales, this dark Geman beer is the best I have tried to date.

Nice dark brown color with good head when intially poured. This is a malty, sweet dopplebock style beer that won't disappoint. When tasted you can tell right off that it is a German style beer, reminding me of Spaten Optimator that I often have when visiting East Side restaurant in New Britian, only better.

Maximator is a bit on the expensive side, but if you like malty beers as I do, this is worth the treat. I look at it this way, many people won't think twice about $30-$40 dollars for a good wine, what's $10-$12 for a good six pack every now and them. I figure I deserve it and you do too.

Berkshire Imperial Stout

Sox won another, so its time to try an imperial stout, this one from the Berkshire Brewing Co. just north of here.

The Imperial starts off with a nice head and a color that you would expect from an Imperial Stout, rich and dark. Carbonation is moderate and mouthfeel is nice and full. Hop aroma is minute as well in the taste. Flavor is a nice blend of chocolate and coffee and overall well balanced brew.

I liked this much better than the Smutty Nose as there wasn't an overabundance of hops. If you like stouts this one is worth trying, well balanced and not disappointing.

Old Scratch Amber Lager

Fifth inning, sox up 6-0 and Pettite is out. On to my next Flying Dog, Old Scratch Amber Larger.

The beer pours a nice white head with another pleasant amber color. Mildly carbonated with nice malty taste, hardly a hint of hops on the aroma but slight on the finish. I did notice a familiar taste of wheat. Unfortunately I am not a fan of wheat so this one is not high on my list. A nice beer, even for a wheat, but I must admit, I liked the Pale Ale better.

Doggie Style Pale Ale

Sitting down enjoying the first of a 4 game series between the Sox and the Yanks. Enjoying it cause the Sox have jumped out to an early lead and it's the 3rd of July, first night of a three day weekend.

Figure this is a great time to sample more beers! Tonight I am focusing on two from Flying Dog. First to the pallet is Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale.

The first thing that I noticed, pleasantly so, was a tremendous amber color and then a very appealing hoppy aroma. As expected the taste and quality did not disappoint, as the proper blend of malts and hops hit the pallet initially followed by second burst of hops.

If you like lighter styles and hop flavor and aroma you should give this one a try!

Smutty Nose Imperial Stout

If you like Imperial Stouts you might like this one. I have to admit it was not to mike liking. This Imperial was rather hoppy in taste and aroma. While I am a big fan of hops in Pale Ales and IPA's I found the over abundance of hops in the balance with malt just too much.

The quality of the Imperial Stout was impressive, very clean and fresh, just not to my liking, but if you do like hops in the more malty style of beers, this one might be for you

Silly Scotish Ale

I had an opportunity to try a unique beer, yes it's name is Silly from Brasserie de Silly.

SCOTCH de SILLY is a top-fermenting hearty Scotch Ale brewed with pure malt, English hops and some sugars. If you like a "malty" beer with little hops you love this one. It comes in a 750ml corked bottle.

The aroma, color and taste are all well balanced. This is the kind of beer I really like and would recommend to anyone who likes malt fflavor. It is 8% alcohol, so it does creep up on you. There is something about Belgian ales, a bit of a sweet/sour after taste that sets this apart. You get a change, give it a try.

Gritty McDuff's Scotch Ale

This week I have "sampled" Gritty McDuff's Scotch Ale. A very pleasant well balanced scotch ale. While this type of beer typically is enjoyed during colder times of the year, I find that it is very enjoyable on a hot summer afternoon or evening. This Ale has a very well balanced profile balancing a slight sweetness and maltiness. While there is an underlying presence of hops, they compliment the taste very well and do not overpower.

If you enjoy malty styles of beer, I highly recommend this one.