Thursday, April 26, 2012

Moat Mountain Iron Mike Pale Ale



There are many types of ales . . . Pale ones, Brown ones and Ales that hail from Scotland and Belgium, there are Old ones and Mild ones and so on and so forth.  They all have their own special characteristics, but in general ales are brewed from malted barley and hops.  










Ales are top fermented at a warm temperature because of the variety of yeast used.  Ales tend to have a sweet, full bodied, fruity taste and, depending on the amount of hops used, the hoppy bitterness acts in concert with the sweet malt to create symphony of flavor.





One of my favorite ales is Iron Mike’s brewed by Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery.  Moat Mountain is a small brew pub the makes micro batches of some marvelous beers.  Located in the Mount Washington Valley of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, it is one of our favorite places to stop for beer and food when we vacation there. 



Iron Mikes is a pale ale that comes in BIG 24 ounce cans . . . and like it says . . . everyone loves big cans! 


Don’t be put off by the fact that this beer comes in a can.  The can does an excellent job of protecting the beer from ultra-violet light.  Not that I don’t like bottled beer, but the cans protect the beer from skunking much better than bottles that allow the evil light in. 



Poured into a tall, cold glass Mikes flows a paled golden color with a fluffy head.  It imparts a citrusy aroma that is a mouthwatering tease to the grapefruity flavor.  It’s hoppy without being overly bitter . . . Mikes is nicely balanced and a truly refreshing brew.  A very drinkable 5.6% ABV . . . sit back, have a couple and chill.  All hail the pale ale!

For more information, check out Moat Mountain's website or visit them on Facebook


Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale



A new-to-me ale that I picked up recently was Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale brewed by Rogue Brewery. Rogue is easily one of my favorite micro-breweries.  Located in the pacific northwest they are another brewery that made their start as a brew pub but have now expanded distribution so that we on the east coast may enjoy their yummy beers.






OREgasmic Ale is one of four special brews that are marketed as GYO (grow your own).  This particular beer is made with Dare malt and Revolution hops which Rogues grows on their micro farms . . . get it?  GYO?  








This ale has a golden amber color that holds it's creamy head.  Pouring this ale will release a piney/fruity aroma.  OREgasmic is a full bodied beer that tastes of hops and malt and caramel . . . an amazing blend of flavors that are very well balanced.  It finishes clean with little to no after taste.  Quite delicious!  6.0% ABV

Visit Rogue at their website  or on Facebook 


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Fuller's Organic Honeydew




You won't find me buying anything . . . including beer . . . based solely on its organic-ness.  In my opinion, a lot of organic stuff isn't as all natural as the manufacturer would like us to believe.  Just because you're buying something that hasn't been subjected to antibiotics, hormones or pesticides doesn't mean that it's source hasn't been genetically modified . . . what's worse?  Definitions of what can be considered organic is a bit dicey.  Okay . . . I'll step down off my soap box . . . 



That being said, I decided to give a couple of organic beers a try and I did purchase them based on the their organic-ness.  Am I a hypocrite?  No . . . I did for no other reason than to earn a badge on Untapped.  April is Organic Beer Month and in order to earn this badge one must consume two organic beers . . . easy enough.  I think I can manage to choke down a beer or two.  Who says we don't need no stinkin' badges??





I chose this beer completely at random based only on the fact that it claimed to be organic.





Fuller's Organic Honeydew is . . . in a few carefully chosen words . . . an incredibly divine brew.   This beer is like none I've ever had before . . . and I've drunk a lot of beer in my time.


Brewed by Fuller Smith & Turner in London England, this ale is sweet-mother-of-God good.  I'm might be willing to sacrifice a baby cow to the gods of beer for this deliciousness in a bottle.  Yeah, I liked this beer.  Can you tell?




Its flavors are an interesting blend of two ancient styles of brew . . . mead and beer.    It pours a golden color with a rapidly diminishing head.  I was immediately struck by the honey taste.  Fear not, this beer is not overly sweet but has distinctive honey flavor. . . real honest-to-goodness honey . . . followed by a mellow maltiness.  Not a hint of bitterness here.  Smooth . . . easy to drink.  Too easy . . . this is a beer I could drink all day long on a hot summer day and feel refreshed with every mouthful.  






And, for all you greenies, this is an organic beer.  So feel free to indulge while you're out there saving the world.






Unfortunately, it is not available in six packs . . . 16.9 oz singles only.  Seriously, give it a go.  I don't think you will be disappointed.  This ale is truly the nectar of the gods!   (5% ABV)


For more information go to the Fuller's website or visit them on Facebook.

Samuel Smith Organic Lager


You won't find me buying anything . . . including beer . . . based solely on its organic-ness.  In my opinion, a lot of organic stuff isn't as all natural as the manufacturer would like us to believe.  Just because you're buying something that hasn't been subjected to antibiotics, hormones or pesticides doesn't mean that it's source hasn't been genetically modified . . . what's worse?  Definitions of what can be considered organic is a bit dicey.  Okay . . . I'll step down off my soap box . . . 





That being said, I decided to give a couple of organic beers a try and I did purchase them based on the their organic-ness.  Am I a hypocrite?  No . . . I did for no other reason than to earn a badge on Untapped.  April is Organic Beer Month and in order to earn this badge one must consume two organic beers . . . easy enough.  I think I can manage to choke down a beer or two.  Who says we don't need no stinkin' badges??




I had to choose beer based only on the fact that they claim to be organic. One those was Samuel Smith's Organic Lager.


Samuel Smith Brewery is located in merry ol' England.  Although it is Yorkshire's oldest brewery  . . established in 1758 . . . it only produces the 5% of the town's beer.  I find it interesting that Samuel Smith uses water from a well that was dug over 200 years ago; they also use hand-weighed hops and an ancient strain of yeast that dates back to when the brewery first opened.












I can't really judge the Organic Lager based on it organic-ness but I can certainly judge it on its own merits.  I can't say that I've ever consumed a British made lager before.  So, I don't know if this particular lager is indicative of all English Lagers.




I very much enjoyed this one.  It is a lovely golden color with a frothy head.  It was slightly sweet with a lot of malty flavor and not at all bitter; simply a refreshing, smooth, full-bodied lager. Organic or not, I would certainly buy this beer again.  (5% ABV)




For more information go to Samuel Smith's website.






Thursday, April 12, 2012

Harpoon Chocolate Stout


Since I started writing reviews for the new beers that I drink I've notice an ever increasing awareness of the complexities of the flavors of different beers and a growing appreciation for styles of beer that I never truly enjoyed before.


Take porters and stouts for example.  I always considered them heavy beers with strong flavor.  This is true and yet it's not.  They certainly can drink like a meal but they can also spin an intricate web of subtle flavors that combine to make for a truly pleasurable drinking experience.







A stout that follows along along those lines is Harpoon Chocolate Stout.  You open that bottle and your pouring chocolate beer . . . dark chocolate beer.  Slightly sweet and a little bitter . . . a delight to be sure.

This yummy stout is brewed by Harpoon Brewery which has plants located in Boston Massachusetts and Windsor, Vermont.  


What makes this beer so chocolatey?  According to Harpoon it is brewed with an abundance of chocolate malt and a touch of chocolate. Enough said.  



It pours a dark rich brown . . . almost black . . . with a light brown head.  Chocolate, of course, is the primary flavor but there are hints of nuts and coffee, as well.  Not particularly sweet and finishes bitter with very little hoppiness.

This stout a got a nice mouth feel and is not overly carbonated.  It feels and tastes just right, in my estimation.  A beer to be savored and enjoyed . . . I think its a good curl-up-with-a-good-book beer or to be shared while relaxing good friends.


Just try to stop at just one.  Very drinkable at 5.9% alcohol by volume.

Cheers!


Check out their other beers on the website or visit them on Facebook.

Saranac Caramel Porter


Since I started writing reviews for the new beers that I drink I've notice an ever increasing awareness of the complexities of the flavors of different beers and a growing appreciation for styles of beer that I never truly enjoyed before.


Take porters and stouts for example.  I always considered them heavy beers with strong flavor.  This is true and yet it's not.  They certainly can drink like a meal but they can also spin an intricate web of subtle flavors that combine to make for a truly pleasurable drinking experience.









Saranac Caramel Porter . . . brewed by Matt Brewing Company is just a such a beer.  This 127 year old brewery located in the heart of the Adirondacks created a perfectly delicious porter.  



The caramel aroma and flavor are unmistakable and, yet, it is not an overly sweet beer.  Due to it's low carbonation, it pours with a light frothy head that dissipates quickly.  It has a soft mouth feel . . . very smooth.  Along with the caramel, there is a roasted malt flavor that finished slightly bitter . . . a nice balance of complex flavors.








A medium-ish alcohol content . . . 5.4% ABV . . . makes this a nice beer that you can enjoy a few over a couple hours and not be slammed.


All-in-all a very good beer.  Two-thumbs up!


Check out their other beers on the website or visit them on Facebook.



Thursday, April 5, 2012

Cavalry Brewing Hatch Plug Ale and XLimited Ale


I love micro brews . . . I especially love to find breweries as close to home as possible; you know, support the local little guy.  I'd be hard pressed to find a brewery as close to home as Cavalry Brewing Company . . . they are a scant 23.5 miles away in scenic Oxford, CT.


Cavalry is owned by one man who also happens to be the brewmaster, Mike McCreary.  In 2008, he fell victim to the economic downturn that is plaguing so much of our country.   He was forced to find an alternate means of making a living and decided to pour his passions into a bottle and make beer.  


The concepts for his beer tell a story . . . not just about the craft of brewing a good beer but about his experiences.  His first line of beers pay tribute to those experiences and to all the soldiers who fight for this country.


I'm a patriotic gal to the core and I love beer . . . so, of course, when I saw Cavalry's beer at my favorite beer store I snatched up a couple of six packs to give them a whirl.  


The first beer I tried was the Hatch Plug Ale.  


A happy tanker is a fat tanker and a real fat tanker is a Hatch Plug. This beer is named after a 1st Lieutenant that was traded for six M-16’s to another unit prior to departing for Iraq in early 2003. Hatch Plug went on to run the Baghdad airport and helped establish the telecommunications system in the region. Despite what we did to him he remains a good friend to this day.


It is made in the style of a classic English ale. 
I would describe it as an anytime anywhere kind of beer.  It's light enough to enjoy a few while hanging out with friends but complex enough to compliment a good meal.  


It pours with a thin head and is a lovely a reddish gold color.  It smells like . . . mmm, it smells very bready.  The yeasty aroma carries over very well to the palate and finishes with a bit of sweetness.  


It's a very good beer . . . dangerously drinkable . . . like you could drink the whole six pack in one sitting dangerous.  It's low alcohol content saves the day at 4.5% alcohol by volume.






The second of my Cavalry selections was called X-Limited Ale . . . Lot #2.  The 'X' is for experimental and the lot number one of two batches out.  The idea is to get a thumbs up or thumbs down from consumers . . . like a missile, this beer will be launched only if the drinkers deem it so.  The brewery wants to know if it's a "Patriot" or a "Scud"!


I say Lot #2 X-Limited Ale is a Patriot!  It is an Extra Special Bitter ESB, which is my first time trying this style of beer.  ESB is a strong bitter pale ale as opposed to an ordinary bitter in which is the category the average British IPA falls into.


The head on this beer was amazing!  It poured with a thick creamy head very much like a root beer and was a deep golden color.  The aroma made my mouth water with its citrussy hoppy nose.  It was very hoppy but not overpowering . . . pleasantly bitter with a hint of malty sweetness.  The flavors balance out nicely with just the right amount of carbonation. 


With a relatively low 5% ABV, I could enjoy a few of these ESB without feeling like I got hit by a missile.



I think this is a beer that should definitely go from experimental to full-on production.  Two thumbs up!



I'm looking forward to trying more offerings from Cavalry . . . cheers!


For more information on Cavalry visit their website.