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Southern Tier Pumking

28 Nov

Pumpkin Ale

Rating: B

Poured from bottle to pint glass.

I figured I ought to review the Pumking that has been sitting in my fridge for two weeks since we’re now past the harvest season.  I meant to bring it to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving, but I’m glad that I didn’t in retrospect; not because it wasn’t enjoyable, but rather because I got supremely tanked as it was.  The Pumking pours dark orange with two fingers of a quick to recede foamy head.  Surprisingly, there was little to no lacing.  The nose, as to be expected, was rich with pumpkin pie, clove, cinnamon, spice, pepper and graham cracker.  The taste fell a little short of the nose, but was fairly well-balanced and added hints of nutmeg and brown sugar.  The carbonation stings the pallet briefly before a pleasant buttery finish.  I’m not very big into flavored beers, but the Pumking was enjoyable albeit a bit of an overdose at 650ml.  I have yet to be disappointed by a Southern Tier Imperial.  I will absolutely try this one again next season…and share it.

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Hellhound On My Ale

17 Nov

I drove down to New Paltz the other day.  Tiny little hippy town outside of Poughkeepsie, NY.  I have friends that go to college there, and I was somehow lured out of my apartment to go drink out of a keg in a dusty basement.  I mention this, as Evan is a graduate from SUNY New Paltz and Marena is currently attending.  While the traffic was terrible all weekend (Seriously they need more than three roads in that fucking place), and I drank more Red Bull than beer at the aforementioned kegger, I did happen to come across a little gem.  

While getting the keg, I started to mosey around the store to find Dogfish Head Hellhound On My Ale.  The name of the beer is an homage to the legendary blues musician Robert Johnson, who allegedly sold his sold to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for being able to play the guitar.  It was released on what would have been Johnson’s 100th birthday.  The style of beer is an imperial India pale ale, brewed with lemons.  (The lemons are included as a nod to Blind Lemon Jefferson, who influenced Johnson.)  Now, this can go one of two ways.  As with most Dogfish Head offerings, you’re likely to either hate it or love it, and it’s certainly strong.  (My girlfriend tried it and reacted as if a meteor had hit her palate.)  As I read the label, I thought to myself, “I really hope this doesn’t taste like there’s dishwashing detergent in my beer.”  Luckily, the lemon flavor really doesn’t show itself until the finish.  The beer has all the hoppy, citrusy aromas commonly associated with an imperial IPA, but again more lemon than grapefruit.  The beer was meticulously brewed to revolve around the number 100, such as the IBU rating is 100 and the alcohol content is 10.0%.  Having said that, the beer is remarkably drinkable.  As always, imbibe responsibly.  Dogfish Head has become a brewery where I’ve had far more of their seasonals and rarities than I have their year round brews.  If you happen to be out at the store and this catches your eye, you won’t be disappointed.

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Man Up, Albany…Wait, Seriously?

14 Nov

Miller’s new billboard campaign reads “Man Up, [fill in the blank city].”  On my way home from Latham tonight I saw three Miller Lite billboards telling me to “Man Up.”  This bothers me on multiple levels.

First of all, I am a drinker of Miller Lite.  If I am going to have more than six beers, it’s usually Miller Lite.  Why?  Because for light beers it sucks less that Coors, Busch, Bud and Keystone…not because I enjoy it.  There has never once been a time in my life where I’ve felt like more of a man drinking a Miller Lite.  It was a diet decision for me.  I used to be the dark prince of Bud Heavies.  Shut up.  I was also on Lipitor at 21.  I feel like a total asshole drinking Miller Lite.

This is the other level it bothers me on.  Fran Fudge and Connie the Cat Lady Get Mad About Beer.  Ladies…Miller is dumb.  This campaign is dumb.  “A recent study shows that 9 out of 10 Miller Lite drinkers are misogynists…”  No.

Next time, how about claiming that your beer is quadruple hops brewed.  God dammit.  I already undergo enough scrutiny for being a pansy.

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Ellicottville Pale Ale

8 Nov

American Pale Ale

Rating: B-

Poured from bottle to pint glass.

Light amber with a one finger tiny-bubbled head.  Lacing is very thin and trails throughout.  The aroma is by far the most satisfying part of this beer: flowery hops, grapefruit, apple cider, honey-sweet malt.  I wish I could say that the taste is as satisfying.  There is nothing fundamentally wrong with it; it is a decent balance of citrusy hops and sweet malt, but it doesn’t live up to the aroma.  The mouthfeel is a little too watery to be satiny and so it’s kind of flat on the taste buds despite the medium carbonation.  It is rather drinkable despite its lack of complexity from a taste standpoint.  This was the first Ellicottville that I’ve tried, and although I wasn’t wowed, I’m making a mental note to pick up a sixer of another one of their beers.  Not bad.

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Stone Levitation Ale: Gravity Rides Everything

30 Oct

At the rate I’ve decided to do beer reviews, Evan is going to have to change the name of this blog to “the self hating hopster.” (See what I did there?)  I’ve been reviewing so much beer I feel there could be a Joanie Loves Chachi-like spin off to this Happy Days of a blog somewhere down the line.  For now, I remain your faithful servant in amateur beer reviews.

To that point, I’ve noticed that Continue reading →

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Fall Beer Guide 2011: Pumking Down!

19 Oct

The fall is undoubtedly the best season for craft brewing in the country.  The Great American Beer Fest kicks things off in Denver, and countless beer gardens and taprooms celebrate Oktoberfest across the country.  As we approach the holiday season, another shift in seasonal beer availability is not too far off.  (In fact, Magic Hat has already been shipping it’s holiday sampler pack.)  So to honor the now fading harvest moon, here is a list of the top ten pumpkin beers I have had this season.

10.  St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale (Citrouille) (Montreal, QB) – Labeled “The Great Pumpkin” in the US, this Canadian offering doesn’t leave much room for interpretation.  Bland, but not at the risk of saying it was bad.  Drink it if you’re curious about Canadian ideas regarding pumpkin.

Continue reading →

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Long Trail Brewing Co. – Triple Bag Ale

17 Oct

Forgive me for not following the guidelines to a traditional beer review.  Websites like Beer Advocate and others have a formulaic process with lots of things I don’t know what has to do with beer.  I’ve had a lot of craft beer over the last year attempting to sound even remotely like I know what I am talking about.  Most extended trips I’ve taken have involved trying to find local brews and bombers exclusive to the given area.  I’ve bartered with friends from across the country for seasonal selections and other microbrews.  I still feel I have no idea what I am doing.  Be that as I may, I am here to give it a try.  If you know me well enough, you’d know I am a card carrying supporter of the Long Trail brewery located in Northern Vermont, about 120 miles from Albany.  Their flagship Long Trail ale is my favorite everyday beer.  Their strong ale Double Bag is a darker, nuttier brew that was once only reserved for those who came to visit the brewery as a token of appreciation.  It’s popularity led the brewery to brew Double Bag throughout the year.  Occasionally they up the ante to their version of an American Strong ale, the subsequent Triple Bag.  It’s a lot like Double Bag of course, but just with the volume turned up.  The chocolate aroma and malty flavor are ever present, with enough hops to balance things out.  The alcohol content increases from 7.2% to 8.2% providing a warm finish like most higher alcohol beers.  This isn’t your average Sunday afternoon beer.  This will put you on your ass.  If you’re interested in trying it, I’d start with a Double Bag.  If you’re not impressed, I can’t say this will do much more for you.  On the contrary if you’re into it, be sure to pick up a four pack at your local beverage center.

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Lagunitas IPA

16 Oct

American IPA

Rating: B+

On tap at City Beer Hall in Albany, NY.

Very clear dark amber in color with a ½ inch bubbly, off-white head.  Nose has piney hops, citrus and a bready malt back.  Initially, the taste is aggressive and bitter with the hops, though that is quickly balanced by caramel malt sweetness.  Light-medium body with mid-hi carbonation.  Creamy on the tongue with a clean, satisfying finish.  It has a great drinkability and although it really should not be a session beer with a 6.2% ABV, I have made it one on a number of occasions.  Not my favorite IPA (Smuttynose IPA), but I will definitely order this beer out again or bring a 6’er home to slam with a pizza.

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Hazed & Infused

4 Oct

American Pale Ale

Rating: B-

Poured from bottle to pint glass.

Pours a cloudy amber with a 3-finger white head.  Leaves striated lacing.  The aroma is the most impressive thing about this beer.  It has a caramel malt, piney hops, minty and floral.  The taste is much less compelling; it is basically like a bland version of the aroma.  The mouthfeel is smooth , light-medium body, light carbonation and a very dry finish.  I’d like to try this on tap somewhere to see if it’s any tastier, but I will not be buying the beer again anytime soon.

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Jever Pilsener

30 Sep

German Pilsener

Rating: B-

Poured from bottle to pint glass.

Color is a transparent straw-yellow.  It has a thin, bright white head with nice retention and lacing.  Aroma is very green bottle skunky at first, then earthy, malt and grass.  At first, the taste is honey-sweet and then gives way to a strong, but not entirely unpleasant bitterness.  There are hints of cracker and grainy malt with a bit of astringency.  Medium body with good, zingy carbonation.   The dry finish sort of sits on the back of your tongue.  Pretty average.

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