French Broad Wee-Heavy-er Scotch Ale

Posted on May 19, 2012 by

French Broad Wee-Heavy-ErI’m very pleased that my fee for helping some friends move was a 6 pack of North Carolina beers that I can’t get here in Ohio. My first is French Broad Wee-Heavy-er Scotch Ale.

Pours nicely with a bigger head than most Scotch Ales, and that familiar deep amber color. Toasted malt and toffee are coming through in the aroma. Rather inviting. Surprising amount of chocolate in the flavor. Toffee and smoked malt are rather noticeable, as well. Hops provide just a bit of a bitter and dry finish, but don’t overpower anything, just as it should be with Scotch Ales.The 7% ABV give a bit of heat in the flavor and warmth in the finish.

I like this Wee-Heavy-er Scotch Ale. Perhaps not quite in the top tier of the style, but the chocolate gives it a nice twist.

Grade: B

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Old Speckled Hen

Posted on May 11, 2012 by

 

Old Speckled Hen

The Hen was first brewed to celebrate the 50the anniversary of the MG car factory.

Pours clear and deep amber. But the clear bottle does make me a little wary of skunk. None in the aroma, thankfully. That is rather inviting with toffee and fruit. Very crisp on the tongue. Toffee, apple, some cherries come through before grassy hops and a slightly bitter and dry finish. Goes down nice and smooth. Doesn’t pack a huge punch at 5.3% ABV, but a few of these would put you where you want to be.

Solid beer, this. Easy to drink, tasty enough.

Grade: B

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Smuttynose Homunculus

Posted on May 5, 2012 by

Smuttynose Homunculus

Part of their Big Beer series, Smuttynose Homunculus is their interpretation of a Belgian Golden Ale.

Hazy gold with a fluffy white head, the fruit from the Belgian yeast is very noticeable in the aroma. At first, fruit dominates the flavor as well, with orange, apricot, and banana. Even a bit of bubble gum. Hops flavors come through after the fruit with a peppery jolt, leading to a dry and somewhat bitter finish. The aftertaste is similar to butterscotch candy. Some heat comes from the 9.9% ABV, but not overpowering.

Very tasty. If they keep this is a yearly, seasonal release beer, I can see it get very popular

Grade: A

 

 

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North Coast Old No. 38 Stout

Posted on May 4, 2012 by

North Coast Old No 38 StoutPouring as black as the coal that likely fueled engine No. 38, this stout from North Coast offers quite the inviting aroma, as well. Overflowing with caramel, currants, and raisins. Very smooth on the palate and a bit sweeter than expected as there is a flavor of burnt marshmallows. The hops come in late and are not particularly strong, but just enough to cut the sweetness before it gets cloying. Charred woods comes to the forefront as it warms. The dry finish also becomes more noticeable.

Overall, another very impressive brew from North Coast. It takes a bit to get used to all the fruit notes, but the charred and toasted character along with peppery hops lead to a very nice balance. Pick this up when you find it!

Grade: A

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Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager

Posted on April 19, 2012 by

Great Divide HossThe rye style is one that’s been growing on me recently, so I’m excited to try Great Divide’s lager version, Hoss.

Pours a crisp, transparent amber, as expected. Floral and fruity hops come through most in the aroma. Loads of roasted, sweet malt are noticed first, followed by dark fruit,, spicy rye, and a very late bitter kick from the hops. As it warms, the flavors, especially the rye, become more pronounced. It’s rather fruitier than I anticipated, but it works.

Rye isn’t the foremost flavor here, but it’s there. Overall, it’s well balanced and tasty. Little higher ABV than you might expect from a lager with 6.2%. Definitely worth a try

Grade: B

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Harpoon Cider

Posted on April 13, 2012 by

Harpoon Cider

Poured in a similar glass, you’d have trouble telling the difference between this and a white wine. The smell, however, is pure apple juice.

Carbonation is evident from the first sip, a refreshingly bubbliness. Starts sweet, but is countered by a very tart finish. Definitely has some apple flavor, but I’m not really blown away by it.

Kind of a middle of the road cider, but not bad.

Grade: C

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Dogfish Head Immort Ale

Posted on April 7, 2012 by

Dogfish Head Immort Ale

As expected from Dogfish Head, Immort Ale is a style all its own. Maple syrup, smoked barley, juniper, and vanilla are all added to the brew before it’s aged in oak barrels.

Nice dark brown color here, even without much head. The aroma is very strong with cooked sugar, raisins, and a lot of alcohol. The flavor is, of course, unique. The maple syrup really does come through along with the vanilla. There is no attempt to mask the alcohol here. You know you’re drinking a beer that clocks in at 11% ABV. The flavors tend to mellow out and blend more as it warms. Lots of bourbon character noticeable, too.

Complex, boozy, very tasty, and above all, unique. What else would you expect from Dogfish Head?

Grade: A

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Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Posted on March 19, 2012 by

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

If the name has you thinking this is a straightforward chocolate stout, the aroma will let you know you’ve wandered into Imperial Stout territory with Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout.

The pour is as dark as you’ll find with a fluffy dark tan head. The smell is filled with toasted and charred malts, dark fruits, and dark rum. The flavor is complex and powerful. A hit of alcohol comes first, followed by charred marshmallows, dark fruit, and chocolate. Noticeable kick from the hops leads to a long, dry, woody, slightly sour finish.

Very big, very tasty. Grade: B

 

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North Coast Red Seal Ale

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

Spicy hops aromas lead the way in North Coast Red Seal Ale. It’s more of a hazy copper than it is red, however.

Slightly roasted and slightly sweet malt are balanced very well by the spicy, piney hops. There’s even an underlying hint of ginger, I believe.The finish is long, dry, and more bitter than expected. Overall, the flavors are not overpowering or particularly big, but it tastes good and it’s well balanced.

Pretty tasty red ale, this. Maybe not on the same level as other North Coast offerings such as Old Rasputin and Old Stock ale, but you won’t be disappointed.

North Coast Red Seal Ale

Grade: B

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Boulevard Bully Porter

Posted on March 10, 2012 by

Boulevard Bully! Porter

A very well regarded brew, I have been wanting to try Boulevard Bully! Porter for a while.

Pours very dark brown, but not quite black. Chocolate, wood, and cherries fill the nose. Roasted flavors dominate the palate and a kick of bitterness speaks to a higher hops level than most porters. Charred wood, slightly overdone coffee and dark cherries come through in the flavor, as well.

It’s different than a lot of porters. Definitely hoppier. Considering they use 5 kinds of hops, that’s not surprising. This is on the side of hoppy porter more than it is Black IPA. Mouthfeel also might not be as creamy and smooth as other porters. Still tasty.

Grade: B

 

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