Alright, this rather tumultuous week is drawing to a close and more beers from the Missouri stash are calling my name. Today's selection is Genesis Ale from He'Brew. As my beer is cooling down, I am indulging further nerdy tendencies by listening to "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". I think in some deep, pretentious recess of my mind, I'm hoping for an aural pairing with the beer I am about to consume. HA.
On a side note, I really want a time machine. I watched a documentary a couple of days ago on Genesis (the band) and am absolutely amazed at the bizarre stage prescense of Peter Gabriel. In many ways, I think I was born about 20-25 years too late. No matter.
Moving on to the main event:
Upon the pour, I fear my pairing of "Lamb" might be off. The beer is amber in color, though the label claims that it is a "light brown ale". Fair enough, I didn't make the beer, so who am I to say what it is or isn't intended to be. Changed the music to "A Trick of the Tail", much lighter in most regards, with a greater infusion of classic Genesis humor. The color of the beer is a pristine amber, with lager-like clarity. Carbonation is quite visible and seems appropriately active. A medium full head fades through the glass, with just a ring remaining at the end. It retains a pleasant cream color with just a touch of the amber from the beer.
Smell is grainy, with a touch of barley husk. While quite simple, it is inviting. Strikes me as really good home cooking in a way, simple but immensely pleasing. There is a touch of hops towards the end, which leads me to believe this will be well balanced.
The taste follows in kind, with the slightly sweet grain and huskiness coming to the forefront. The hops are more fully realized as well, and provided a surprising and refreshingly dry finish to what could easily be an over malted brown. Again, simple, but supremely satisfying.
Mouthfeel is light to medium, and the carbonation is fitting. Quite an easy drinker, and I regret only having one instead of a six pack. My grief is brief, as I realize many more beer runs will be in order.
Overall: 7.75/10 A superb beer, but not phenomenal. This would make an excellent early fall session beer.
In other beer news, Freestate is going to open up a bottling facility in east Lawrence. They are going to be able to put 25,000 barrels a year, which is a tenfold increase from their current production levels. I may make some inquiries and see if I can't get in on the ground floor. I'll be a brewer yet.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Fraoch Heather Ale
With the change in weather, beer sales are sadly slowing and my interactions with customers turn to a greater focus on wine. I am almost sad in a way, but I've been working on my wine knowledge of late so I am getting to stretch my new chops.
In any case, this evenings drink of choice is Fraoch Heather Ale, produced by the Williams Bros. Brewing company of Alloa Scotland. This should be an interesting go round, as this beer is un-hopped. It is instead flavored with heather flowers.
Pours a murky burnt orange, with a bright white head. A half inch had rises to the brim of the glass, but quickly fades down to a ring with some patchy coverage over the beer proper. Very few bubbles break the surface after the initial pour. There is minimal, patchy lacing on the glass.
The smell is quite unique. The heather is readily apparent. It reminds me of a wind open meadow in late spring, after everything has come into bloom. Distinctly floral notes combine with a fair amount of malt sweetness to to present an intriguing, if not enticing, nose.
Taste follows much in line with the nose, with the floral, slightly clove-like heather flavor hitting the tongue first. The malt bill is quite sweet, and at the end of each sip I am left expecting the balancing hop bitterness that will never come. Perhaps a homebrew version of this, except with the addition of hops would be a good choice... All in all the flavor is pleasant, but lacks depth. The taste is just too sweet for this to be one to keep coming back to.
Mouthfeel is a bit flat, with the carbonation fizzing out rather quickly. Slightly viscous, there is a sense of a film forming on the tongue. Not unpleasant, but odd. A touch of a numbing sensation follows.
Overall: 6/10 A unique beer, but not actually "good" by my taste. I am glad have tried it, and will view it as what it is: part of the historical evolution of beer.
In any case, this evenings drink of choice is Fraoch Heather Ale, produced by the Williams Bros. Brewing company of Alloa Scotland. This should be an interesting go round, as this beer is un-hopped. It is instead flavored with heather flowers.
Pours a murky burnt orange, with a bright white head. A half inch had rises to the brim of the glass, but quickly fades down to a ring with some patchy coverage over the beer proper. Very few bubbles break the surface after the initial pour. There is minimal, patchy lacing on the glass.
The smell is quite unique. The heather is readily apparent. It reminds me of a wind open meadow in late spring, after everything has come into bloom. Distinctly floral notes combine with a fair amount of malt sweetness to to present an intriguing, if not enticing, nose.
Taste follows much in line with the nose, with the floral, slightly clove-like heather flavor hitting the tongue first. The malt bill is quite sweet, and at the end of each sip I am left expecting the balancing hop bitterness that will never come. Perhaps a homebrew version of this, except with the addition of hops would be a good choice... All in all the flavor is pleasant, but lacks depth. The taste is just too sweet for this to be one to keep coming back to.
Mouthfeel is a bit flat, with the carbonation fizzing out rather quickly. Slightly viscous, there is a sense of a film forming on the tongue. Not unpleasant, but odd. A touch of a numbing sensation follows.
Overall: 6/10 A unique beer, but not actually "good" by my taste. I am glad have tried it, and will view it as what it is: part of the historical evolution of beer.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Upon returning from Missouri
This afternoon my roommate Chris and I ventured forth into the dark and unwelcoming wasteland of Missouri in search of two things: new beer and a repaired iPhone. The success of our venture was resounding.
I will spare the details of the rather uneventful trip to the Apple Store on the Plaza, but prior to it there was an immense purchase of beer unavailable in the state of Kansas.
The haul:
1 750ml Kriek de Rank from Brewery de Ranke (Belgium)
1 750ml Boulevard Smokestack Saison (USA)
1 750ml Boulevard Smokestack Double Wide IPA (USA)
1 22oz He'Brew Jewbelation 11th Anniversary Ale (USA)
1 16.9oz Fraoch Heather Ale (Scotland)
1 6-pack Bell's Two Hearted Ale (USA)
1 6-pack Bell's Special Double Cream Stout (USA)
1 6-pack Bell's Kalamazoo Stout (USA)
1 4-pack Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (USA)
1 6-pack mixed beers: Schlafly Coffee and Oatmeal Stouts, Schlafly Dry Hopped APA, Schlafly Winter ESB, Bell's Winter White Ale, and He'Brew Genesis Ale
All in all, a great start into the beers I can't normally get a hold of. I also stayed under my budget of $100, although just. However, having new beers around will keep me busy for quite some time, and I doubt I will expend any other money on alcohol for sometime, with the exception of drinks at the bars.
My impressions of the liquor store (Lukas Liquor on Stateline Road) these were all acquired from were mixed. The store is far larger than any I have been in, and reminded me of the size of say, a smaller Target. The selection, to one who is only familiar with the selection in Kansas, is impressive. Only a select few beers I have not heard of, but probably pushing over 100 as far as beers I have not had the joy of sampling. Pricing was mixed, with most prices being equivalent to my place of work, with some being noticeably more, and a few being around a dollar less. The staff was marginally friendly, and though I was provided a recommendation, it wasn't followed with any information. My apologies for the rather dull description of the store, but on we go.
I sampled one of the Bourbon County Stouts earlier this evening, and shared it with my friends Kevin A., Bridey, Kush, and John C. It was meet with both great appreciation (Bridey and Kevin) or a touch of apprehension (John and Kush). My own opinion was quite high, and I will review the beer in depth at a later time. I will say, however, that I cannot wait to have it with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream.
The subject of my first proper review (Bell's Special Double Cream Stout) is currently chilling down to a lovely 45 degrees.
Here goes:
First of all, the package design is simple, but effective. The label is a subdued in color and style, with a cream colored background, a leafless tree branch, and the name in bold font. I'll upload a picture once I get a means of taking one, but for now that will have to suffice.
I chose to pour this one into a 10 oz snifter, and it comes out a deep black/brown. The head is surprisingly light in color and reminds me of chocolate milk with only a drop of Hershey's in it. This head fades quickly, leaving a sticky ring around the edge.
The first note out of the nose is slightly sweet, with hints of cream and vanilla. The body behind it is enormous, with a large roasted malt bill making its presence known. This beer, however, avoids the somewhat acrid scent that some stouts (Avery's Out of Bounds...) that I have been noticing of late. This one simply smells decadent.
I have been missing out. This is a delicious beer. The first sip is malt heaven. I should note that at this point, the ring of foam has taken on a somewhat darker color. Interesting. The flavor just continues to impress me. Chocolate milk, fresh whipped cream, and just a touch of ever so slightly smoky bitterness. For the second time this evening, I'm left wanting chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Truly phenomenal. I gave my roommate (Chris) a sip, and I think his sentiments match mine. Superb. I do not think I've had a beer yet that catch match the smooth body of this beer.
My only regret with this beer is that it is so rich that I can only enjoy one glass in a sitting.
I cannot really find complaint with this beer on any level.
Final Judgment: 9.5/10 I feel lucky to have 5 more of these stashed away. I have been missing out.
My next entry will not be as long, I'm sure. I plan on keeping this mostly relating to be so topics will include work, tasting, sharing, and thoughts on that topic. I promise I'll keep my personal life out of here...mostly.
I will spare the details of the rather uneventful trip to the Apple Store on the Plaza, but prior to it there was an immense purchase of beer unavailable in the state of Kansas.
The haul:
1 750ml Kriek de Rank from Brewery de Ranke (Belgium)
1 750ml Boulevard Smokestack Saison (USA)
1 750ml Boulevard Smokestack Double Wide IPA (USA)
1 22oz He'Brew Jewbelation 11th Anniversary Ale (USA)
1 16.9oz Fraoch Heather Ale (Scotland)
1 6-pack Bell's Two Hearted Ale (USA)
1 6-pack Bell's Special Double Cream Stout (USA)
1 6-pack Bell's Kalamazoo Stout (USA)
1 4-pack Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (USA)
1 6-pack mixed beers: Schlafly Coffee and Oatmeal Stouts, Schlafly Dry Hopped APA, Schlafly Winter ESB, Bell's Winter White Ale, and He'Brew Genesis Ale
All in all, a great start into the beers I can't normally get a hold of. I also stayed under my budget of $100, although just. However, having new beers around will keep me busy for quite some time, and I doubt I will expend any other money on alcohol for sometime, with the exception of drinks at the bars.
My impressions of the liquor store (Lukas Liquor on Stateline Road) these were all acquired from were mixed. The store is far larger than any I have been in, and reminded me of the size of say, a smaller Target. The selection, to one who is only familiar with the selection in Kansas, is impressive. Only a select few beers I have not heard of, but probably pushing over 100 as far as beers I have not had the joy of sampling. Pricing was mixed, with most prices being equivalent to my place of work, with some being noticeably more, and a few being around a dollar less. The staff was marginally friendly, and though I was provided a recommendation, it wasn't followed with any information. My apologies for the rather dull description of the store, but on we go.
I sampled one of the Bourbon County Stouts earlier this evening, and shared it with my friends Kevin A., Bridey, Kush, and John C. It was meet with both great appreciation (Bridey and Kevin) or a touch of apprehension (John and Kush). My own opinion was quite high, and I will review the beer in depth at a later time. I will say, however, that I cannot wait to have it with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream.
The subject of my first proper review (Bell's Special Double Cream Stout) is currently chilling down to a lovely 45 degrees.
Here goes:
First of all, the package design is simple, but effective. The label is a subdued in color and style, with a cream colored background, a leafless tree branch, and the name in bold font. I'll upload a picture once I get a means of taking one, but for now that will have to suffice.
I chose to pour this one into a 10 oz snifter, and it comes out a deep black/brown. The head is surprisingly light in color and reminds me of chocolate milk with only a drop of Hershey's in it. This head fades quickly, leaving a sticky ring around the edge.
The first note out of the nose is slightly sweet, with hints of cream and vanilla. The body behind it is enormous, with a large roasted malt bill making its presence known. This beer, however, avoids the somewhat acrid scent that some stouts (Avery's Out of Bounds...) that I have been noticing of late. This one simply smells decadent.
I have been missing out. This is a delicious beer. The first sip is malt heaven. I should note that at this point, the ring of foam has taken on a somewhat darker color. Interesting. The flavor just continues to impress me. Chocolate milk, fresh whipped cream, and just a touch of ever so slightly smoky bitterness. For the second time this evening, I'm left wanting chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Truly phenomenal. I gave my roommate (Chris) a sip, and I think his sentiments match mine. Superb. I do not think I've had a beer yet that catch match the smooth body of this beer.
My only regret with this beer is that it is so rich that I can only enjoy one glass in a sitting.
I cannot really find complaint with this beer on any level.
Final Judgment: 9.5/10 I feel lucky to have 5 more of these stashed away. I have been missing out.
My next entry will not be as long, I'm sure. I plan on keeping this mostly relating to be so topics will include work, tasting, sharing, and thoughts on that topic. I promise I'll keep my personal life out of here...mostly.
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