Beer Blog: Archive

New Belgium Transatlantique Kriek

Grade: B-

“In a never-ending quest to create new beers and defy category, New Belgium Brewing and Brewerij Boon of Belgium have partnered together again to create Transatlantique Kriek - a spontaneously fermented lambic ale made with Polish cherries.This authentic kriek beer began life in the oaken vessels at Frank Boon’s brewery in the Lembeek region of Belgium. After more than two years aging, Boon’s offering shipped across the Atlantic and found its way to the intuitive palate of New Belgium’s Brewmaster Peter Bouckaert. After much sampling and internal consultation, Peter and his brew staff created a full-bodied golden lager to round out the light-bodied kriek.The cherry nose gives way to a pleasingly sour flash across the palate that rolls gently into a slightly sweet finish. Crisp, effervescent carbonation keeps the mouthfeel bright and delightfully tingly.”
I picked this up because my wife loves it. She’s only had it once and that was on tap when we visited the New Belgium brewery. I myself enjoyed it also. While I don’t enjoy sweeter beers a whole lot, I prefer the lambic side of the category. Lambic can be some what complex. When I first tried this one I thought it wonderful for a lambic. It had so many different levels.Now into the glass this time. Poured into the glass with a very minimal head. Cherries dominate the nose. Taste, well, it tasted much better the first time I had it. It just tasted flat this time. Flat seems to be a trend with Bevmo beers lately. No carbonation at all. Once it got warmer it was a lot better. If you happen to visit New Belgium, try it there, don’t buy it.

Apr 30, 2010

Brew Dog Hardcore IPA

Grade: C-

”This little bottle has a grandiloquent story to tell. 2,204 malted Maris Otter grains gave all they had to offer the world to provide the robustly delicate toffee malt canvas for the ensuing epic.

6 Hop Cones willingly sacrificed themselves in fiery cauldron that is our brew kettle to ensure your mouth is left feeling punished and puckering for more.9,900,000,000 yeast cells frantically fermented their little hearts out as the sugars were magically turned into alcohol in the dark depths of our fermentation tanks.This explicit ale has more hops and bitterness that any other beer brewed in the UK. This is an extreme beer rollercoaster for freaks, gypsies and international chess superstars.”
I was so excited to try this beer. I love IPAs and the harder the hardcore the better. It has a whopping 150 IBUs and 9.2% ABV. I was ready for so much bitterness and deliciousness. Pouring it in the glass there was no head at all. I could smell the sweetness. After smelling it, my excitement went down. Then into my mouth the sweetness was overwhelming. My excitement at this time is zero if not a negative rating. There was also a strong taste of alcohol. It reminded me of drinking a flat soda, not the same taste, just the same style. Once it got warmer, it was a little better, but still not that good. This bottle did have a best by date, which wasn’t until September. I read other reviews and they were nothing like what I experienced. Maybe it was a bad batch.

Apr 24, 2010

Dog Fish Head Burton Baton

Grade: B+

“This is a blended beer that we’ve been brewing for the past several years and it’s recently been gaining in popularity.For Burton Baton we first brew two ‘threads’ or batches of beer: an English-style Old Ale and an Imperial IPA. After fementating the separate beers in our stainless tanks, the two are transferred and blended together in one of our large oak tanks. Burton Baton sits on the wood for about a month.When enjoying the Burton Baton, you’ll find an awesome blend of the citrus notes from Northwestern hops melding with woody, vanilla notes from the oak. The wood also tends to mellow the 10% of the beer - so tread cautiously!Burton Baton is brewed and released three times per year.”
My dozenth review is a beer hailing from my favorite brewery out of Delaware. I have never heard of this beer until I saw it at Bev Mo earlier this week. At Bev Mo all the beers have a little description of the beer underneath it. It also says if it’s won any awards. Bev Mo’s description of this beer said it was a combination of DFH’s 90 Minute IPA and an oak aged English strong ale. DFH’s site says nothing of 90 Minute, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. It does say an Imperial IPA, which 90 Minute is.
Soon after I brought it home I opened one up and poured it. Pretty much no head here. Smell was sweeter than I was expecting with a trace of biscuit. Into the mouth now, wow, was not expecting how sweet it is. I was expecting hoppy hoppiness. Next thing I noticed was the smooth alcohol taste, not bad, but not great. Enough there to warm me a little bit. Also very malty and creamy. You can also tell it’s oak aged, lots of wood tones to be had here. I think I’d have to compare this to 120 Minute IPA, not as good, but similar. There is so much to this beer that I can’t figure out, very complex. If it wasn’t so sweet, I would give it a higher score.

Apr 18, 2010

Anchor Liberty Ale

Grade: A

”First introduced in 1975, Liberty Ale^® is brewed strictly according to traditional brewing methods, and, like all Anchor Brewing Companyproducts, uses only natural ingredients — water, malted barley, fresh whole hops and yeast. A special top-fermenting ale yeast is used during fermentation and is responsible for many ofLiberty Ale’s subtle flavors and characteristics. Carbonation is produced by an entirely natural process called “bunging,” which produces champagne-like bubbles. Dry-hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), imparts a unique aroma to the ale. It is a process rarely used in this country today.”

Welcome back! It’s been a while since I reviewed. I didn’t have this beer until I came to San Francisco. I know I had Steam Beer in the other places I lived, but never noticed this one. First time I had it was when I was photographing an engagement party at an art gallery. Drinks were on the house and I had three of these. I loved it right away. I love it even more every time it hits my lips, it’s so good!

As I poured it in the glass, I don’t know what happened. It was all foam when it reached the bottom. I gave it time to foam out and continued pouring. I love the smell of this. It smells slightly how the brewery smells, like a warm cereal smell. Also smells like biscuits, yeast, citris, and malts. I think others call this a bitter, hoppy beer. I think it’s extremely smooth and hardly bitter at all. Pretty malty and an almost earthy taste. Find this beer and drink it!

Apr 10, 2010

Beer Blog

April 2010

4 posts