Friday, November 22, 2013

(203) Lager

Another successful evening out drinking cold beer and hot wings. The food was great, the beer was cold.

By all accounts, a good time was had by all.

We had Jaime modelling the latest Porky's fashion. And Katalin held up the bar in grand style.

Everything was great. There was even a new-to-me beer on tap. However, when I saw who it was brewed by I was less interested, but intrigued nonetheless.

The beer was (203) Lager by Stony Creek. I've never had their beer but I have some issues with the "brewery" itself.

You see they are a contract brewer. Which, in itself, is not problematic to me. What I do take issue with is that they hide it.  Their website makes make it appear as if they brew they're own beer in Branford. When, in fact, their beer is brewed by Hooker. But you need to do a bit of digging to find out that information.

The point is, I don't hate contract brewers.  What I don't like is a brewer who promote the illusion of having an established brewery and producing their own beer. Making no mention of contracting out their brewing nor of the brewery who is doing the work.  Meanwhile, another brewery is making their beer and slapping the other brewery's label on the bottle.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't have respect for that.

Yes, I know that the contractor uses the other brewer's recipe.  And, if they are reputable, will respect the recipe and follow it to the letter.  I also know that not all breweries who produce contract beers are so dutiful. And, for that, I have even more disdain.


All that ranting and raving aside, I was still curious about their beer since I'd never had it before. So I ordered one.

(203) Lager (4.7% ABV) was served in a standard shaker pint.  It was a nice clear amber color with a finger of bright white foam that left next to no lacing behind.

The aroma is light and inoffensive; there is pretty much no smell at all.

The taste is equally light and unremarkable. There's nothing stand-out-ish about this beer.  In fact, it's fairly watery and tasteless from start to finish.

Drinkable? Yes. It goes down easy.

Would I recommend it? No. There's really nothing to it. To me it tastes like an uninspired super light adjunct lager.

Overall: meh












<< The look on his face pretty much sums it up.




If you're thinking I'm just being harsh and/or unfair because they contract out their brewing, nothing could be further from the truth. I'm a huge fan of Evil Twin and Terrapin and Brash and other brewers that contract out all or some of their beers. I simply did not like this beer. If I did I'd be honest enough to say so.









2 comments:

Unknown said...

Critical of a Lager? Many relish our focus on quality from fine German malts to a meld of Columbus, Spalter and Cascade hops. It’s our recipe, ingredients and over 40 years of beer experience. We’re a new beer company. Curt is our friend, helped us start and it’s no secret. Love to share a beer some time.
http://www.ct.com/entertainment/restaurants/nm-ht35nccontractbrewing-20130827,0,1836278.story
http://www.theday.com/article/20130424/BIZ05/304259728/0/SEARCH
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