A taste of… Harpoon Celtic Ale

Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company
dba
Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 574-9551

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Harpoon Celtic Ale was purchased for $1.75(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a “Best by 05/15/10020” on the bottle neck.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A crystal clear brilliant copper colored brew with sparkling small bubbles that form a dense, smooth sandy brown with a hint of orange head of tiny bubbles. The Belgian lace slides easily down the sided of the glass this morning.

Aroma: The first aromas are of roasted grains with a hint of herbal greenery. A second visit brought a slight trace of Seville orange citric tang. The final nose-dive revealed more of the roasted grain.

Flavor: The first flavors are slightly metallic citric flavors that are joined, for a short while, by a dark sugar candy flavor. The second sip reveals a hint of banana and then a spike of hop flavors with the citric orange whispers. The third visit recognizes the earlier flavors and has started to fit them together.

Mouth feel: The body of this brew is lean with no extra weight.

Finish: This is a remarkably dry finish with the tang of the hops remaining to keep the last traces of toasty grain happy.

Comments: I have yet to discover the USP (Unique Selling Point) of the various lagers and ales with the “Irish Red” moniker. This one has a “red” color but the body and flavors would fine an equally warm welcome from the Anglophiles should it be called Pale Ale.

Food & Beer: This brew would be my choice to go with a sliced Brooklyn bagel topped with just a “shmear” of cream cheese and a thin slice of smoked salmon… not lox!

The Brewery: http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10097/47298

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/harpoon-celtic-ale/11987/

A taste of… Samuel Adams Black Lager

Boston Beer Company
30 Germania Street,
Jamaica Plain, MA‎
(617) 983-9036‎

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Samuel Adams Black Lager was purchased for $2.49(USD) at Garden of Eden Gourmet Market, 180 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY. There was a “Enjoy before month notched…” – this bottle was marked MAR 2010.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: The deep, deep dark cherry red garnet color of this brew is in contrast to the rather frothy light tan brown café au lait head of large and medium sized bubbles that leaves a well tatted Belgian lace.

Aroma: The first impression is of prune plumb. The next visit reveals leather and bitter chocolate. The third visit brings out some tobacco and more prune plumb.

Mouth feel: Full bodied but not buxom.

Flavor: The first impression is liquorish and tobacco that blends into a prune flavor. The second visit finds chocolate and a slight dusty finish on the pallet. Third sip finds the various flavors, now familiar to the taste receptors, smoothing out and enjoying each other’s company.

Finish: There is a fairly quick exit here but the trace of cocoa last longest.

Comments: The range of the Boston Beer folks is remarkable. This is no stout, not a porter and yet is recognizable.

Food & Beer: Here is a fine desert drink to enjoy after a grilled dinner of fish, foul, or red meat. I am about to see what taste sensation it will become when tasted with Brisling sardines, slightly smoked and packaged in spring water. Wish me luck eh?


The Brewery: http://www.bostonbeer.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=69432&p=irol-homeProfile

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/21300

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-adams-black-lager/41887/

A taste of… Stoudts Oktober FEST

Stoudts Brewing Co.
Route 272, PO Box 880
Adamstown, Pennsylvania, 19501
United States
(717) 484-4387

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Stoudts Oktober FEST was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is no “Best by…” information posted on either the bottle or the label. This is a seasonal brew for sale in the fall. This tasting is taking place in late January.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: Amber honey color and a very active carbonation combine to make a smooth dense head of light brown tiny to small bubbles. The lace is noticeable but not ostentatious.

Aroma: The first aromas are floral with only a hint of grain. The second visit brings out more of the grain aromas but the overall impression is only slightly stimulating. The final nose-dive reveals some light caramel and then…

Mouth feel: Not a Bavarian sized blond but handsome nevertheless.

Flavor: The first flavor is sugar candy sweet with a brown sugar undertone. (A rather shy brew…)The second visit brings a refreshing sensation of cool and grain sweetness. The third sip and I am able to call up memories of the beers of the Schottenhamel tent of the Munich1988 Oktoberfest. However there seems to be a bit less alcohol in this brew.

Finish: Quick and refreshing.

Comments: This bottle has stood well the passage of the last few months… And, finally an Oktoberfest brew without tons of hops. As noted above, I was at the Munich celebration in 1988 and found almost all the festival brews to be slightly sweet and fairly low in alcohol. Then again, just before the Triple-Loop took me for a spin, I am told my last words were “Oh, s*#t!”

Food & Beer: Bratwursts – either steamed or grilled!

The Brewery: http://www.stoudtsbeer.com/brewery.html

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/394/25382

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stoudts-oktoberfest/6248/

A taste of… Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
1075 East 20th Street
Chico, CA 95928-6722
(530) 893-3520

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA was purchased for $2.75(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There is a date code on the neck of the bottle: “0012219:10”.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: This crystal clear reddish copper brew has a carbonation of fine beads of bubbles that form a rocky parchment colored head of medium and tiny bubbles that tat a fine Belgian lace.

Aroma: As soon as this bottle was opened there was a presence of grapefruit that quickly faded. The first nose-dive reveals floral accents of honey suckle. A second visit brings out more of the floral aromas with a edge of citric aromas. The third visit had the aroma receptors accustomed to the assorted floral aromas and weaving them together too tightly to deconstruct.

Flavor: The first impression is a creamy frothy sensation that introduces a spike of almost metallic tang. The second sip reveals grapefruit flavors to give the early flavor sensations a name. A third sip finds some sweet crystal sugar candy accents that, on the slightly singed edge reflect the tangy flavors.

Mouth feel: There is a full frothy first feel that only recedes slightly.

Finish: Creamy and full bodied but not obese.

Comments: The label tells me that this beverage is 7.2% alcohol by volume. There is also mention of the use of whole-cone American hop flowers. I am still left to wonder the meaning of “Torpedo”.

Food & Beer: The floral accents to this brew would feel right at home with a field green salad with bits of apple and walnuts in a light dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.


The Brewery: http://www.sierranevada.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/30420

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sierra-nevada-torpedo-extra-ipa/59261/

A taste of… Guinness Extra Stout (Imported)

GUINNESS USA
Dba
North American Breweries
445 Saint Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14605-1726
(585) 546-1030

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Guinness Extra Stout (Imported) was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There was an illegible date code jet-printed near the bottom of the bottle.

One thing more, now pay attention… This bottle of Guinness Extra Stout Traditionally Brewed St. James Gate Dublin is actually brewed and bottled at the Labatt (AB-InBev) brewery in New Brunswick, Canada and distributed by AB-InBev outside of the US while a company called North American Breweries distributes the Canadian made Irish icon in the United States.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: I could see the light from my Maglite through this deep dark red garnet brew. The head is light café au lait brown composed of medium and large bubbles forming a rocky head and leaving considerable amounts of foam on the sides of the glass.

Aroma: The first impression is a slight anis aroma. The second visit brought out a seaside aromatic and the third nose-dive revealed coco accents.

Flavor: The first flavors are grainy and a touch of sharp hop spike, a lean not harsh first impression. The second sip is creamy with a slight metallic flavor that builds but doesn’t crest. The third swallow shows off the tang of the slightly metallic flavors noted previously but doesn’t really let any of the malt roast come through.

Mouth feel: This poor child is seriously underweight if I am to consider it a stout.

Finish: The metallic flavor carries through for a while and then leaves the pallet drier than when it arrived.

Comments: If this is Irish Stout I will have to credit those Canadian brewers with a good deal of hubris.

Food & Beer: On a hot summer day, just out of the cooler full of bottles and ice, as a quencher while enjoying grilled hamburgers and sausages, this brew would do just fine.


The Brewery: http://www.guinness.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/209/650

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/guinness-extra-stout-north-america/4456/

A taste of… Samuel Adams Noble Pils

Boston Beer Company
30 Germania Street,
Jamaica Plain, MA‎
(617) 983-9036‎

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Samuel Adams Noble Pils was purchased for $2.49(USD) at Garden of Eden Gourmet Market, 180 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY. There was a “Enjoy before month notched…” – this bottle was marked MAY.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of a creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A light golden brew with tiny bubbles of carbonation. The head is a fairly dense and not too rocky head of almost white, more slight tan than white, foam that leaves a noticeable Belgian lace.

Aroma: The first impression is not a rush of aromas. This is a rather shy brew. A second visit reveals very slight aromas of such number that they are hard to find and identify, rather elusive is a non-frustrating way. The third nose-dive found little trace of grain and a continued coy flirtation by the floral hop aromas.

Mouth feel: Slim and yet sensuous.

Flavor: The first taste finds the malt as a lightly roasted grain flavor. The hops are still shyly hanging back but more familiar. Second visit senses the slight tang of hop oils that gradually increase but never quite crescendo. The third sip finds the deeper bittering accents of the hops settling in alongside the now richer, almost plush, malt grain flavors.

Finish: The finish is fairly long but not obnoxious.

Comments: If you are looking for an American-Style hopping here you will be left wanting. This is a very subtle brew that is not so much a sylph, rather a “femme a quarante ans”…

Food & Beer: Take one pleasant spring afternoon, find a meadow of soft green grass, unpack a picnic of sliced cold meats, savory chutneys, semi soft cheeses, a loaf of bread and enjoy with or without company.


The Brewery: http://www.bostonbeer.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=69432&p=irol-homeProfile

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/54904

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-adams-noble-pils/107598/

A taste of… Molson Golden

Molson Coors Brewing Company (Canada)
1555 Notre-Dame Est
Montreal, Quebec H2L 2R5
Tel: 514-521-1786
1-800-566-1786

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Molson Golden was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. The neck is stamped: MAY0910 – 02807N

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A bright straw yellow beverage with a very lively carbonation that forms a rather thick, dense almost whipped egg white textured head of small bubbles

Aroma: The first impression is of fresh green vegetation and a hint of roasted grain. The second visit revealed more of the grain influence backed with a bit of a skunky scent. The third nose-dive lost the skunk and returned to the refreshing green vegetation found in the first impression.

Mouth feel: It's there.

Flavor: The first impression is of sharp bitter tangs followed by grain accents. The second visit toned down the sharp edges of the bitter first flavors and then they became/become a touch steely. The third sip revealed a touch of lemon at the start and then a growing sense of grain.

Finish: The finish is quick and clean although there is a bit of a viscosity that is hard to place but disappears before it can be identified.

Beer & Food: I prescribe a bottle of Molson Golden be taken with a tin of sardines, half a tube of saltine crackers and fifteen minutes of National Hockey League game viewed on as big a screen as you can get. Repeat this until all the beer is gone or the game ends.

N.B. – Note on the right hand side of the bottle label – “ Imported by Molson USA, Golden , CO”


The Brewery: http://www.molsoncoorscanada.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/433/1313

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/molson-golden/247/