7BB Double Red

My friends love me. Okay, I'm not sure if they actually love me. But they bring me beer when they travel and that's good enough for me.

My gal pal Lindsay recently went to New Hampshire for work. She asked if I'd ever been to Seven Barrel Brewery. Uhm, no. No I hadn't

So, Lindsay brought me beer! And a story. Lindsay always has an amusing tale to tell. This one is too good not to share.

Her job is to teach physicians and staff how to use new medical equipment. She was on a particular job where this one doctor avoided her. She would greet him every day and he wouldn't even acknowledge her. Well, Lindsay had a job to do and, doggonit, she was going to get that job done!




So, one day she stopped this doctor and said, "Listen, you and me we're going to be friends. You don't have to like me but we need to get this thing done."

She did her job and showed him how to use the new-fangled technology and the doctor was impressed.

Thereafter they were buddies.

So one day a co-worker says, "You like dogs, right?" Lindsay does indeed love dogs. So the person says, "You should ask Dr. so-and-so about his dog."

Lindsay says, "Are you trying to get me into trouble or something?"

"No! No! He just got a new puppy! You should ask him about it!"

Lindsay goes up to her new doctor friend and asks, "You have a new puppy??!"

"Yes I do."

"Ooooh! What kind of dog did you get."

"A poodle."

"What? They didn't have any dogs for men?"

You could hear a pin drop.

Lindsay put down her head and was like 'oh f^ck!'

"Lindsay?"

She looked up sheepishly, "I'm lucky you like me?"

"Yes."

_________________________________________________________

Double Red  (7.9% ABV) is one of the two growlers Lindsay gave me. We drank it after an afternoon in the garden.

It poured a clear reddish amber with a smallish head.

The aroma was mildly malty.

The taste was all malt. It was slightly sweet but more bitter. The alcohol was well concealed. The finish was a linger after taste of malt and bitterness.

The mouthfeel was medium with moderate carbonation.

I wish I had more to say about this brew but it is a pretty straightforward red ale. Not bad but not outstanding either.

Overall: good

Global Warmer

It's a brutally cold, snowy wintry day. I don't mind the snow or the cold. But some folks might be crying out for global warming.

I'm with them on that one! A frosty cold Six Point Global Warmer, that is.

You see what I just did there?  Clever huh?  (ツ)

I fully acknowledge I have not been a huge rah-rah fan of Six Point beers. But I really like this one. Quite a lot, actually.

Global Warmer is Six Point Brewery's take on the winter warmer. It's an imperial red ale although, with all the hoppiness going on, it's close kin to an IPA. Mmm, it's hoppy and malty and really flippin' good!








Global Warmer (7% ABV) pours a hazy honey color. It has a tight head the diminishes to a thin foam but clings desperately to the side of the glass.

The aroma dank, earthy, resinous hops and sweet malt.

The taste is a big bite of bitter pine with a tease of caramel maltiness.  There's some dankness on the back of the palate. The flavors are wonderfully, precariously balanced in favor of the hops. I like it! The finish is persistent, mouthwatering bitterness.

The mouth feel is mediumish, tingly, and crisp. Very refreshing.

Global Warmer is a nice change of pace from some sweeter, spicer winter ales. Mmmmm, so good.

Overall: very good.

Ishmael

I never read Moby Dick as a child, although I read it later as an adult. It wasn't required reading and I wasn't interested so I didn't read it. I didn't really get into reading until I read Stephen King's Salem's Lot, but that's neither here nor there (whatever dafuq that means).

Almost everyone knows the firs line of the book whether they've read it or not. Moby Dick not Salem's Lot.

"Call me Ishmael." No, don't call me Ishmael. That's the first line of Moby Dick.

What's this got to do with beer? Hang in there, I'm getting to the point.

Rising Tide Brewery has a beer called Ishmael. See? BEER!

It is an American copper ale that is, indeed, named after the protagonist in Moby Dick.

Ishmael (5.% ABV) pours a bright coppery orange with a dense head the leaves behind little lacing. It is a beautiful looking beer; gorgeous color!

The aroma is incredibly malty, primarily caramel, and a hint of roastiness.

The taste is deep and complex. It is initially sweet caramel malts followed by a darker roastier, almost smoky, flavor. There is mild bittering to offset the sweetness of the malt, although there is not a strong hop presence. The finish is clean despite the malty sweetness.

The mouthfeel is medium with brisk carbonation making this brew crisp and drinkable.

Ishmael is a good beer from a brewery that has yet to disappoint me. A good example of the style. Another enjoyable beer from Rising Tide.

Overall: good

Chillaxin' at the Moat

Photo by Jeff S.

After having a blast of day with my pal Jeff - and I mean blast quite literally - it was decided that it was time to take the fun down a few notches and relax with some good cold brews and a bite to eat.

One of my favorite places for a fresh, tasty beer (or three) and delicious food is Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing.  The restaurant/brewery overlooks the beautiful Moat range and, if the conditions are right, the top of Mount Washington can be seen looming in the distance.

The Moat is a great place to unwind with a nice meal, cool beverages and pleasant conversation.

What about the beer, you may be thinking.  After all, isn't that what it's all about?  Yes, it's always about the beer.

Summertime Kölsch is a light refreshing sessionable brews.  Served in a shaker pint, it is a clear amber, surprisingly dark for a kolsch.  It arrived with a wisp of foam swirling prettily on top of the brew.


The aroma was bright and inviting; smelling of sweet grains, tart citrus, and a whisper of hops.

The taste is as fresh as the aroma. Dry and crisp with the flavors malted grains and lemon melding into a nice, pleasant summer brew. 

Overall: very good

Belgian Tripel (8.90% ABV) is a big, boozy beer; almost brandy-like. Served in a shaker pint, it is a dense amber color with a fine froth of foam.  

The aroma is malty with a burst of fruit.  The alcohol is clear and present.

The taste is rich and bold.  Malt and dark fruits with spice notes. There is a nice bready yeast presence, as well, adding to the overall complexity of the beer. The alcohol is felt and tasted in a warm pleasant way.  This is not a brew for a novice beer drinker but to me it is quite wonderful.

Overall: very good.

Matilda's Red Rage (5.4% ABV) is an American style red ale.  Served in a shaker pint it is as red as a red ale should be.  Very pretty. It arrived with a finger of fluffy white foam that left some great lacing behind.

The aroma is kind of mellow but caramel malt and a hint of smoke can be detected.

The taste is quite nice.  Malty with a touch of caramel sweetness complimented by smoke and hint of hops.  This is a good balance beer.  Smooth, refreshing and very drinkable.  Delish.

Overall: very good.

Cooking with Beer - Beer Brined Grilled Pork Chops

Beer tenderizes the pork chops and adds subtle flavor.  The brine creates a salty sweet taste that perfectly compliments the flavor of the meat.

Yum!

Beer Brined Grilled Pork Chops

2 Cups Water 

1 12-Ounce Bottle Red Ale

1/4 Cup Kosher Salt 

3 Tablespoons Packed Light Brown Sugar 

2 Tablespoons Dark Molasses 

2 Tablespoons Honey

1 Cup Ice Cubes 

6 Thick Center-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops 

Seasoned Salt ( I use Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning)

Combine water, beer, salt, sugar, molasses and honey in large bowl. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Stir in ice. Place pork chops in large resealable plastic bag. Pour beer brine over pork chops; seal bag. Refrigerate 4 hours, turning bag occasionally. 

Preheat grill to a medium high heat.  

Remove pork chops from beer brine.   Sprinkle with seasoned salt.  

Grill pork chops for approximately about 10 minutes per side or until no longer pink inside.

Transfer to a plate, cover with foil and allow to rest for about five minutes before serving.

Zoe - A Happy, Hoppy, Amber Ale

The beer I selected  for my first beer of American Craft Beer Week was a good one and it earned me a special badge from Untappd.  

I've enjoyed every beer I've had from Maine Beer Company so far.  Peeper Ale is a yummy mix of malt and hops.  Lunch with its sweet malt and citrus is delish.



One of the things I like about Maine Beer company - besides their beer, of course - is their minimalist packaging.   Not that I don't appreciate and love fun creative labeling but there's something to be said for simplicity.  I like it. 

Zoe (7.2% ABV) has a cute smiley face on the label and a fun tagline - Our Happy, Hoppy, Amber Ale. :)

It poured a dark reddish brown with an big off-white head.  I would have expected a lighter color; this brew is pretty dark for the style. It's pretty dense in complexion with some sediment floating around.  

The aroma is pretty malty with a good blast of hops.  Lots of citrus and resin.  Mmmm, mouthwatering.

The flavor was bigger on malt than on hops.  Caramel and biscuit dominate, although there is a plenty of grapefruit and pine to balance out the sweetness. There also some undertones of chocolate which adds additional complexity.  The finish is mildly bitter and dry, but there is a lingering yeasty breadiness that's very nice.

The carbonation is very lively and the mouthfeel is spot-on medium.  

Zoe is a very drinkable ale.  Very tasty and a good example of the style.  I wish I hadn't had to share. 

Overall: very good.