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A pitcher of cold beer and a pair of frosty mugs were brought to our table forthwith and an order of hot and saucy wings were delivered shortly thereafter.
As I was sucking the spicy wings sauce from my fingers I happened to glance at the beer menu above the bar and spied not one but two new-to-me beers listed there - Brooklyn Summer Ale and Allagash Odyssey. WOOT!
Summer Ale (5% ABV) by Brooklyn Brewery
My experience with Brooklyn beers has been mostly meh. I have a theory as to why - read about it here. So, since I was fully expecting to dislike the Summer Ale and didn't want to have to actually pay for the stuff, I asked for a sample.
When Danielle placed the glass before me I chuckled knowingly. My expectations were soon to be realized. I just knew it! The beer was as pale or paler than the Bud Light in my frosty mug - paler even!
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Don't judge me! It's a tradition - hot wings and Bud Light. Besides - it's like drinking water and you have to drink water sometimes.
There was little aroma to speak of except a light metallic scent that wafted forth. Uh huh. I knew exactly where this is leading.
I ventured forth, nonetheless, and took a sip. I was like, "Oh!" Then I was like, "Hmm." Then "Huh."
Hubby said, "You're going to have to get a pint now, aren't you?"
That's right. I actually liked it. I know! I'm as surprised as anyone. But it was actually fairly tasty. Light but tasty.
Summer Ale is malty with a burst of citrus and had a nice crisp finish. The mouth feel is light and very drinkable. This is a great sessionable brew, perfect for the hot days of summer.
Overall: Good.
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Since we didn't want to get knocked our butts, hubby and I decided to share a glass. I took a taste and then he took a taste.
The interesting thing about beer is that people experience them differently. The case in point is Odyssey.
We can both agree on the appearance which was deep and dark with a thick off-white head.
Me: The aroma was very wheaty and a bit malty. The taste was very big on wheat but also fairly sweet and malty with a touch of fruit. The finish was crisp and dry. The mouthfeel was heavy and somewhat creamy. Smooth.
Hubby: The aroma was smokey and sweet smelling. The taste was smokey with a larger than normal barley profile. Sweet and malty almost like a smokey barleywine.
After he pointed the smokiness out to me I could pick it out. He got no wheat and I got no barley. I could taste and feel a definite alcohol presence whereas hubby experienced none. Very interesting.
Here's the thing. Beer advocate describes Allagash Odyssey as follows:
A dark wheat beer aged for ten months, a portion in oak barrels and the remainder in stainless tanks. The recipe includes 2-row barley, malted wheat, a generous amount of roasted barley and Belgian candi sugar. This deep brown beer boasts an aroma of black treacle and raisin. The flavor hints at dates, with a mildly roasted finish imparted by aging in both medium and heavy toast American Oak barrels. The finish is dry, punctuated by vanilla.
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Between me and hubby we nailed the brew right on the head. But separately we experienced only some of the aspects of this complex beer.
Overall: Very Good!
Proost!!
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