Summer In The City

Brooklyn Summer Ale

So, to continue my summer beer theme, I recently picked up a bottle of Brooklyn Summer Ale. I did this partially because I knew I was going to be in Brooklyn a few days later... unfortunately the brewery is only open on the weekends and I was only there on a Tuesday. Such is life.

The first thing I noticed about this beer was a very unique smell. It’s neither good, nor bad; just very unique and strong. The aroma that I’m talking about is very sweet and grainy, but I can’t put my finger on the exact scent, though I did notice the same smell when I walked around the outside of the brewery. If anyone can define it please tell me, because I couldn’t find what I was looking for on BeerAdvocate.

As far as summer beers go this beer is a PAR beer. It’s refreshing and not offensive; nothing special and nothing disappointing. The normal summer beer grainy flavors and fruity notes are present and accounted for. All in all, if you want a cold beer for a hot day (like the day I spent in NYC), then its a good, refreshing way to go.

QUICK TASTE

Brooklyn, Summer Ale

Brooklyn, NY

ABV% 5.00

Beer Style: English Pale

Appearance: Clear, golden amber, with a thin to medium size white head

Aromatics: Smells of fruit and bread and something else I cant identify.

Taste: Very grainy, hops are present but only ever so slightly, some apple-like flavors

Notes: Beer is like every other summer beer. Nothing special, slightly refreshing, bland flavor at best, It actually smells like the Brooklyn Brewery which I visited the day after I tasted it.

Score: 73

Local Love Falls Short

Hanger 24 Orange Wheat

Everyone loves his or her local watering hole, no matter how bad it actually is. Local breweries are very much the same way. Two years ago my local brewery, Hangar 24, opened (Happy 2nd Anniversary, btw) in Redlands, CA. Their flagship beer is the Orange Wheat. It appeals to the local history of the area, which was once covered in orange groves, even going so far as to have many of their logos mimic orange crate labels.

There is not a bar in my area where you cannot at least get a pint of Orange Wheat, if not a few of Hanger 24’s other beers. But is it a great beer?

The short answer is: I don’t think so… but, I do think it is the perfect beer for the Inland Empire area. My reasons? Inland Empire is hot as balls all year round (seriously.) and Orange Wheat is a refreshing, low alcohol wheat beer. Second, it appeals to the locals and local history. Finally, what it lacks in innovation and creativity it makes up for with a orange flavor that will certainly please the average beer drinker.

QUICK TASTE

Hanger 24, Orange Wheat

Redlands, CA

ABV: 4.60%

Beer Style: American Wheat Ale

Appearance: Cloudy golden color, ¼ inch thin head

Aromatics: Oranges, a bit of grainy hay smells

Taste: Sweet, not much bitterness, tart and very refreshing

Notes: A well-made beer but nothing exciting or overly unique, Smart advertising placement

Score: 79

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

Sparklers, Beer, and Merriment

Just wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July! Grab some tasty brews, start up the grill, and have a great day!

-Andrew and Nate

Summer Beer (That Doesn't Taste Like Water)

Ok... I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you're like me (somebody who's standard beer is anything by Stone) you generally steer clear of anything that claims to be a summer beer or a session beer. I personally hate the lack of robust flavor that tends to come with these "refreshing lawn mowing beers".

However, Three Floyds brewery out of Munster, IN went and performed themselves a miracle with their Alpha King Pale Ale. A friend of mine recently (well, not really) bought me some of this beer while on a trip to Illinois and I'm glad he did. Three Floyds successfully brewed a beer thats not only refreshing and light, but also packs some serious flavor.

When I first popped open the beer I noticed a very familiar smell that got me excited; it smells almost exactly like Troegs Nugget Nectar. I then took a sip and was extremely impressed with the balance of flavor and refreshment. The smell proves to be very misleading, but not in a bad way. While the taste has all of the subtle flavors that the smell suggests, it is not nearly as strong as expected. But, if you're looking for a warm weather beer that is a definite plus.

If I could actually find this beer in PA, it would be one of my go-to beers this summer. So if you're ever in an area where this beer is available I suggest picking up a 6 pack.

Three Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale
Munster, IN

ABV% 6.00

American Pale Ale

Appearance: Redish Brown, 1/4in white head

Aromatics: Sweet Hops

Taste: Hops, light malt

Notes: Great Smell, light in taste, but very refreshing

87

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

Good people drink good beer...

Just a little quote for today and for beer lovers everywhere...




There is an ancient Celtic axiom that says 'Good people drink good beer.' Which is true, then as now. Just look around you in any public barroom and you will quickly see: Bad people drink bad beer. Think about it. 


--Hunter S. Thompson


Thanks Kevin A. Doran for the inspiration pic from Flying Dog Brewery!