Some days the beer and conditions come together perfectly. Today is a warm, sunny April Sunday. This, smooth and delicious beer puts me in mind of the good aspects of summertime and makes me think I should tuck a few away for July. It is a malty, but not sweet, beer that slakes a thirst wonderfully without compromising on character. I'm very impressed. This is the best beer I've had from Flying Dog.
This is the first conscientious tasting I've done in quite some time, so I'm feeling self-conscious. Nevertheless, I'm not afraid to say I'm not dazzled by this beer. I generally like higher alcohol versions of styles, but I don't think making a Dunkel a "Double Dunkel," is offering any benefits to this brew. The taste lacks the pleasantness of most wheat beers. I'm out of practice for describing why I don't care for a beer, so I'll just leave it with this: it doesn't taste good.
I had some trepidation in trying this beer. It's from my hometown, so I really wanted to like it, but I remember Thirsty Dog from its days as a struggling brewpub. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't all that impressive. Fortunately, this beer is delicious and an excellent representation of the style. I'd like to compare it to Great Lakes Eliot Ness to see which Dortmunder is better. I resolve to host a Northern Ohio Dortmunder smackdown.
I was eagerly anticipating this session. I made PBC's Fleur De Lehigh my unofficial spring/summer refreshment beer last year. It featured a perfect combination of spices (ginger, lemongrass) with tasty malt to make it a unique and highly quaffable ale when I was having more than one. Sadly, I either got a bum bottle or this year's production was tweaked. It's not that it's a bad tasting beer, but this bottle simply didn't have the pizazz that set this beer apart from other summer beers.
Yet again I come face to face with a beer that I enjoy drinking, but that seems to miss its mark stylistically. I love the dry character of the finish in this beer and its faint spicy hops, but it just seems too malt-dominated to consider a saison. I love Yards, but this tastes closer to a wit to me (and even that has fruitier notes than this). On the upside, it's still a wonderful refresher for summer drinking.
I'm visiting Canada and trying beers that I've never seen in the US. Apparently Old Style Pilsner (not to be confused with Old Style beer) has quite a history and presence up here. To my surprise (I say surprise for two reasons: 1.) very popular beers tend to suck and 2.) most Canadian beers I've tried have sucked), this is a well-made pilsner that I would drink again.
What's the perfect family activity when the thermometer climbs over 90? Why, visiting a brewpub of course! Originally our plans had involved a family hike to be followed by lunch, but we were all happy just to be somewhere air-conditioned.
Bethlehem isn't exactly next door to Philly, but it's a pretty easy 1 hour and 20 minute drive up the Northeast Extension. I had never been up this way and was struck by how different it looked from southeastern PA. The geography and architecture look much more southern NY state, which, of course, makes sense.
Part IV of my trip to Milwaukee. I'm a week out now, so the memories are getting fainter, but I can't overlook the Milwaukee Ale House, one of my original favorite beer places and one of the reasons I decided to revisit the Cream City.
I've been a bit underwhelmed by Starr Hill in the past (I visit Virgina frequently and have had occasion to sample a lot), but this was, happily, a yummy beer.
I've come around to preferring a nice malt presence to accompany my hops in IPAs, but that's not what Imperial IPAs are for. And really, when I just surrender to the hops, it's like a big, green, bitter french kiss. In a good way.
I've long been a partisan of Sprecher. Indeed, I will challenge anyone who might malign their Maibock to a duel. Unfortunately, this brew is a miss. It happens occasionally and I certainly won't turn my back on this fantastic brewery and I applaud them for attempting to craft a very challenging style.
I will say this: it's a very pretty beer to look at. I can appreciate unique flavors, but this was just unpleasant. Sprecher, stick with the German styles that you have mastered.