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!