Is it still a guilty pleasure if everyone else likes them too?

Koningshoeven Dubbel

i had to… i just HAD to review a Trappist ale one of these days, and why not for my first post in quite a while?  I'm fully aware that Belgian-style beer is the rage and that everyone who has ever drank at a bar is now familiar with the ubiquitous Chimay signs, but then again, there is reason for this love. Belgian beers are wonderfully crafted creations and the Trappist varieties are, by far, the most sought after bunch. However, I did want to mix it up a bit by choosing the odd-ball (though it is the largest) of the Trappists, Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, the only Trappist brewery outside of Belgium (its located in the Netherlands, if you were wondering). 

Upon first pouring the Koningshoeven Dubbel I was met with a deep brown brew with small (and quickly diminishing) head. The aromas were of prunes and other dark fruits with some faint spices mixed in. This is definitely a beer that tastes like it smells, with those dark fruits becoming just a bit more prominent. Upon further "tastesploration" I also picked up some mellow cherry flavors and decided that the spices I were smelling were consistent with banana bread - all in all a flavor that I heartily enjoy. This was all capped off with the light, effervescent mouthfeel that is so familiar with many Belgian-style beers.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but there is a big part of my that has always felt like dubbels are like the baby brother of Belgian Strong Dark Ales (which I absolutely LOVE). They're lower in ABV, they're more mellow in terms of the dark fruit flavors, yet they're still delicious (it is weird to say that, considering the baby brother analogy?). I know the opinion varies on this ale, but all in all… I love it. Koeningshoeven makes some wonderful beer and this is just another shining example of their brewing skill. 

QUICK TASTE

Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, La Trappe Dubbel

Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands

ABV 6.5%

Dubbel

Appearance: Dark amber brown with a 1/2 finger head

Aromatics: Banana bread, dark fruits, sweet yeasts, faint spices like cloves.  

Taste: Sweet and light on the palate, light bubbly carbonation, some cherries. The finish is bubbly, then quickly diminishes to a mild lingering taste. A slight tangy/medicinal note right before the flavor drops off to the "lingering"…. back of tongue likes it quite a bit

Notes: Overall subdued/mild mannered, but a nice beer with great complex flavors. It's also very, very drinkable, especially with the fairly low ABV

90/100

Hop City

So, for everyone not in Atlanta Hotlanta, I am sorry for the beautiful things that I am about to say that you, alas, cannot experience.

For everyone that IS in Hotlanta. Enjoy. AND if you haven't yet, haul ass over to the place that I am about to speak of.

There is a special time that comes about once every month for me, and no, its not my man-period... assholes. It involves a pilgrimage to West Midtown (Marietta Street, to be exact) to a place known as HopCity where I stock up a wide variety of beer. Ignoring the fact that they also sell lesser alcohols like wine (beer snobbery here I come!) HopCity is the quintessential beer store. Ever. (Or, at least in my experience)

5 Random Reasons of Awesomeness (and a bonus!):

1.) Beer divided up by style, so I can go an look at every Imperial IPA known to man lined up on one shelf.
2.) One big corner of the store is devoted to Belgian Beers. Fan-fricken-tanstic.
3.) Super-chill, super knowledgeable staff. For instance, I asked about He'brew's Origin Pomegranate Ale and how fruity it was. I got the whole shebang, not only regarding the flavor of that beer, but on different fruits' flavor profiles and how those notes are picked up in different beers. Straight awesome.
4.) Frequent Buyers Card. It makes me feel special; like I'm part of some elite club.
5.) Homebrewing central: they'll teach you to homebrew so you can make delicious beers of your own
BONUS, 6.) Partnerships with Octane and 5 Seasons allow them to hold some exclusive tastings and pairings.

Do yourself a favor and check that shit out!!!!
http://www.hopcitybeer.com/

 Some of my purchases

Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am

Victory Hop Wallop

I just got walloped - Hop Walloped to be exact (it was an obvious pun, but it had to happen) - by Victory's robust, year round Imperial IPA offering. 

Bearing the image of the legendary coal miner Horace "Hop" Wallop (he's fictional, just FYI if you get upset when you don't find his name on wikipedia) this delicious beer pours a golden yellow color with about a finger of head. 

When I went in to smell it I was immediately hit with a strong aroma of grapefruit with some piney undertones, possibly from the use of Cascade hops (?). I'd heard of grapefruit being a taste present in many IPAs but never was it so obvious for me as in the Hop Wallop. 

Not being a huge grapefruit fan, I wondered how that character would carry over to the taste, but upon drinking it was very pleasantly surprised at just how great the flavor was. Its very hoppy while managing to remain well balanced. The finish is especially great; the zingy hop flavor sits on the palate and back of the throat for some time allowing you to really enjoy the complex flavors. As the beer warms the flavor continues to evolve, staying very hoppy, but becoming more and more balanced. 

All in all an great offering from an great Philly brewery.

-Andrew

QUICK TASTE

Victory Hop Wallop

Downingtown, PA 

American Double/Imperial IPA

8.5% ABV

Appearance: golden yellow with low carbonation

Aromatics: stroooong smell of grapefruit with spicy piney undertones

Taste: very crisp on the tongue, bright

nice lingering finish, zingy hop flavor stays on the palate and back of throat for quite some time

Notes: Delicious, one of my more favorite Imperial IPAs due to the fact that its hoppy, but not mind-blowingly so

87/100

Mom... Theres a 400 Pound Monkey under my bed...

With a name like "400 Pound Monkey" I thought I might be facing a badass crazy hoppy Imperial IPA. Well, I should have known better due to it being billed as an English IPA, but I tend to be a slow learner, especially when my mind is allowed to stray towards the arena of huge, lineman-sized monkeys. 

Either way, this Monkey was not the best beer that I've ever had, but certainly a very tasty and sessionable (yeah, using a buzzword, so shoot me) English IPA that'll sneak up on you with its deceptively high ABV (almost 7%). 

It poured a light golden yellow with a nice, small head and had a very understated aroma. Herbaly(?) hops were definitely the first aroma I got, with a little bit of citrus mixed in. 

The taste followed in just the same manner, with a forefront of subtle pine notes and some lemony citrus bite afterwards. As I usually find with IPAs, the flavors are enhanced as the beer warms and the Monkey was no exception. The flavor became better and better with every sip, but no one flavor ever took over the show. 

All in all, a very well balanced B+ grade English IPA. If you want to enjoy an IPA but can't handle something like a Double Dry-hopped Arrogant Bastard, this one is a great starter with which to begin understanding the nuances of the style. And trust me, I should know... I'm a total wuss when it comes to extremely hoppy beers... and I totally liked the Monkey.

- Andrew


QUICK TASTE

Left Hand Brewing Company 400 Pound Monkey 

Longmont, CO

ABV 6.70%

English IPA

Appearance: Light golden yellow with a quickly diminishing 1-2 finger head

Aromatics: Quite subtle, with herbal smelling hops

Taste: Fairly thick mouthfeel for an IPA. Lower bitterness, as would be expected from the English style, yet still maintains a nice dry, citrusy finish. A few different flavors coming out, from pine to an almost lemon-honey flavor. Well balanced though, so no one flavor dominated.

Notes: A great "beginner" IPA due to its non-overwhelming hoppiness and nice bright flavor. A tasty, above average representation of an English IPA. 86/100.

Dogfish Recipes!

**recipes found at: http://www.knowyourbrewer.com/2010/03/04/kyb7b/

Poached Festina Salmon with Festina Reduction
Recipe by Brian Connery

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh Salmon- cleaned, deboned and fat cut off
• Sliced fresh peaches
• Salt and pepper (to the taste)
• Chopped green onion or scallion
• 1 bottle of Dogfish Head Festina Peche

In a shallow pan, place the salmon, seasoned with a small amount of salt and pepper. Place the peaches on and around the salmon. Pour one bottle of Festina Peche into the pan. Cover tightly with foil and place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until done. Thick cuts of salmon will take longer to cook.

Place it on plate and top with reduction and scallions. Use peaches and mushrooms as side dishes.

Reduction preparation:
Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Dogfish Head Festina Peche
• 1 cup of brown sugar

In a small pot, bring Festina up to a simmer. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BRING TO RAPID BOIL. IT WILL BOIL OVER. Add brown sugar and simmer until thick texture is achieved. Remove from heat and allow to cool and thicken. Drizzle over salmon and peaches.

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA Mushrooms
Recipe by Brian Connery

Ingredients:

• 1 package of whole button or shiitake mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic (I use a tablespoon because I love garlic!!!)
• 1 tablespoon of chopped onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A few leaves of fresh herbs of your choice- chopped (I like Basil myself!)
• 1 bottle of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Bring bottle of 90 minute IPA up to a simmer. DO NOT BRING TO A BOIL. IT WILL BOIL OVER.

Add garlic and onion, salt, pepper and fresh spices, cook until onions are tender. Add mushrooms. Cook mushrooms on low heat until soft. Add to plate with salmon and enjoy!!

Editor’s note: Unfortunately, Festina Peche is a summer seasonal. We successfully cooked this recipe up at home using Midas Touch; we suggest adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to mimic the tangy sourness of the Festina Peche.

Introduction to the A

So, I'm Andrew, the A of N/A Brews. My love affair with beer began in my senior year at Penn State, all thanks to Zeno's Pub. See, Zeno's has this thing called the Passport (a.k.a. 80 Beers Around the World). Though I was tentative at first about starting the passport (due mainly to the massive amounts of money that it would cost me) I gave in and was immediately hooked. I quickly grew from a kid who looked forward to the occasional Yuengling (and don't get me wrong, I have a soft spot for Yuengling) to one who savored the banana undertones of an Orval. After I finished my passport (which I did BEFORE Nate) my enjoyment and enthusiasm for great beer only continued to grow. Atlanta is now my new home base for tasting, enjoying and learning more about beer, but this blog serves as my connection to my Brew-Bro, (just made that one up. Its pretty catchy, eh? granted, it might be kinda gay too...) Nate, so that we can expand our understanding of beer.