That’s why I was so happy when Tully greeted us at the door with his Mommy in tow. I love taking pictures of people with their pets – most of the time they’re impossible to pose, but that’s part of the fun. Some of my favorites can be found in my portfolio. Each of those photos was selected for display on that page because the candid moments we share with our pets are much like those we share with our kids. Uninhibited and loaded with personality. That’s why photos with animals are among my favorites to take.

Photos with Animals | Erin & Tully

As much as I talk about the pets and love photos with animals, usually, they are at their happiest when they are with their families. We’re just as important to them as they are to us. So I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that there is also a person in this picture.

Erin is the better half of Eddie, who was featured in the previous 52 Portraits entry. In fact, I knew Erin before she went off to college, where she met Eddie. Erin was also in our wedding party.

See, Erin and Eddie are part of this small group of our friends that have been together since high school. As life has gone on, we’ve become more and more spread out. Jobs have moved many out of state, families take priority over evenings at the Cavalier Diner (which is gone now, anyway), early mornings at work trump late weeknights. But without fail, we gather on the 23rd of December every year to celebrate and catch up. It’s still up for debate, but we believe this has been going on for 20 years now. Not everyone can make it every time, but we have been blessed that more often than not, we are all able to be together for at least that one night. And now, another generation is taking over, as the gathering has become as much about our children as it is about our friendships, that can now be measured in decades.

Some of the fondest memories any of us have, were created together with this extended family. And as I was writing this, a very funny moment came back to me.

A large group of us were out enjoying dinner together. This was a fairly regular occurrence for us – anywhere from 8-16 people. Anyway, on this night we were at TGI Fridays in Watchung, NJ and there seemed to be a LOT of birthdays happening. With every single one, Erin got excited – clapping, maybe even singing along. And if you know Erin, you know that’s just her nature. Always smiling, always positive. Genuinely happy to see joy in the lives of others, whether she knows them or not. Somewhere along the way, I got the idea that it needed to be Erin’s birthday. I spoke to a friend of mine who happened to be our waiter and asked him to deliver a birthday dessert to Erin.

As they came out, chanting their birthday tune, Erin was clapping and singing along, getting even more excited as they headed into our area. I will never forget the look on her face! Erin turned bright red when she realized they were coming right to her. I find myself laughing out loud over that memory, 15-16 years later. But that night, I couldn’t breathe, I was laughing so hard. To her credit, it didn’t even phase Erin. She blew out the candle and had a good time with it. I wouldn’t have expected any less.

After writing all of this and memories started flooding back, I realize that I’m going to have to feature each of the people involved in those memories in this project. It just has to happen.

So for those of you implicated…and you know who you are…consider this your warning. I’m coming for you.

Location:    Cranford, NJ
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Natural

Settings:
ISO 400; f/4.5; 1/640 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

We met up at JJ Bittings in Woodbridge for great craft beer and food, then headed down to the water. 

Scott is a long exposure photography wizard. Gevon’s not too shabby, either. And both of them were using excellent filter kits (Scott with a Lee Filter kit, Gevon with a WonderPana). Since I don’t usually shoot what would be truly considered long exposure photography, I was not as prepared as I wish I was. But that’s OK! With the time of evening we were shooting, a little knowledge, some advice and input from Scott and Gevon and a couple of stacked filters, I was able to get the results I was after. Of course, it left me wanting to experiment more, so I’m researching neutral density filters.

Long Exposure Photography

From Wikipedia:
Long-exposure photography or time-exposure photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. The paths of moving light sources become clearly visible.

 

I’ve done some long exposure photography in the past, including one of my absolute favorite images, “As Time Goes By.”

But in terms of long exposure, this was short. Just enough to get the blur of modern vehicles as they passed by the truck on Main Street. In Sewaren, our exposure times were measured in minutes, not seconds. With a camera like the T4i, this can be a challenge, unless you have a controller that allows you to set your exposure times (I use a Neewer timer remote). Even then, it took a little finagling and some ideas from Scott before I got it working the way I needed it to.

I consider myself lucky, because Scott (along with our friend Joe) is preparing to host a workshop on Long Exposure Photography. So as much as he was enjoying the time we were shooting, he was also very much in teacher mode, whenever I had a question. It didn’t take long to get things dialed in – even though I was using my least favorite lens out of my bag. A funny thing when I’m around other photographers – I don’t feel competitive, but I do want to make sure I’m not only learning, but applying the techniques I see them using while we’re all shooting. There’s a certain sense of pride that goes along with learning something and being able to apply it immediately. There’s an even bigger sense of pride when I can do it using my own equipment – especially if it’s a piece I very rarely use (In this case, a Canon 75-300mm lens). Not that it’s a bad lens, we just don’t seem to get along most of the time.

A small fishing boat navigates the Arthur Kill. The water was very calm, allowing them to travel at a high rate of speed.

At first, I was cursing myself – to date, I have not purchased a single ND filter for my Sigma 17-70mm lens. But as any photographer will tell you, you have to adapt. You have to work with what is in your bag and be prepared to change course when you have to. One of my favorite quotes is “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” Since I had filters for the 75-300, that’s what I was going to use and I was going to make it work.

The B. Franklin Reinauer tug boat is one of the strangest I’ve ever seen. Seems to be as tall as it is long, if not taller.

The evening proved to be interesting. I learned that the 75-300mm. is more versatile in these situations than I thought it would be. We had opportunities beyond shooting just a skyline/waterscape. One of the most interesting tugboats I’ve ever seen came into the dock, there were pleasure boaters and fishermen, barges and even some interesting wildlife. Beyond all of that, you could see the New York City skyline.

I watched with fascination as this Double-crested Cormorant dove under water for what seemed like an eternity, coming up with a fresh catch almost every time!

Scott even spotted a Ghost Tog in one of his exposures. And while I did use the  Sigma here and there, after a certain point, the 75-300mm stayed on the camera.

From our vantage point, there was several areas of interest. First of all, the industrial landscape is excellent. Directly across the Arthur Kill was a large ship, riding high in the water. To our left was what I believe was a refinery. With four stacks, a burn off tower and a neon HESS sign, the reflections in the water were excellent and ideal for long exposure photography.

A look at the scene through my screen.

So, the lessons learned:
1) The 75-300mm isn’t really the worst lens I own. As I already suspected, there was nothing wrong with the lens…
2) Being forced to try something different will inevitably end in a learning experience.
3) Long exposure photography is a lot of fun, especially with friends.
4) I NEED a neutral density filter kit, or at the very least, a darker ND lens, 72mm.
5) The beer and food at JJ Bittings are awesome, which kind of makes up for the lackluster service (in the seating area, not at the bar!).

If you’re interested in learning more about long exposure photography, I highly encourage you to sign up for the workshop Scott and Joe have put together. Space is limited, so don’t wait! Based on what I learned just by hanging out with Scott, I know the workshop will be excellent!

For more information about Scott and Joe‘s Long Exposure Photography Workshop, click here:
http://scottwyden.com/long-exposure-photography-workshop/
To register, click here:
http://scottwyden.com/nj-photography-workshop/

Scott even created a short video titled “Time Is On Your Side: Long Exposure Photography” that you can see on YouTube.

Equipment list from Long Exposure Photography outing:
Canon EOS T4i
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro lens
Canon 75-300mm lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto lens
Neewer Timer Remote
Neutral Density Filter
Circular Polarizer
Ravelli Tripod

As usual, no one is safe from the portrait blog and since I was there to teach, how could anyone argue?

Eddie didn’t  hesitate to work with me and I had a shot in mind. But as I started to arrange things for the photo, things took a turn. I knew that I wasn’t going to get my shot. The thing is, once I captured a the photos you see below, I didn’t care!

New Jersey Family Portraits

There is a reason that I keep my options open while shooting. Even though I usually have a specific result in mind, things change. In those situations, it’s better to adapt, than to try and force a shot.

In this case, there’s a little history behind the photo I wanted to capture. You see, Eddie and I go back a ways. He was in my wedding party and even though we don’t see each other often enough, when we do, it’s as if no time has passed. Things have changed since the first time we met. Eddie graduated from college, we’ve both gotten married to wonderful women, we both have kids, we’ve both chosen career paths (although Eddie was already well on his way with his chosen profession when we met), etc.

But even though all of that has changed, the friendship hasn’t. We joke around about a lot of the same things that we always have (baseball especially – Eddie is a Mets fan, I’m a Yankees fan) and genuinely enjoy each others company. So when we got together with the families, I made sure I wore a Yankees jersey, just to rub it in a little. What I didn’t expect was to see Eddie in a Mets shirt, but I wasn’t surprised. And that’s exactly why the shot I wanted to get was that of a frustrated Mets fan. Eddie has a good sense of humor and a good nature, so I knew he wouldn’t fight it!

But before I could get my shot, Eddie’s little girl happened to notice him sitting on the steps. And what you see here is what she decided to do when Daddy had a seat.

After seeing this, how could the shot be anything else?

When  you’re taking pictures, it is imperative that you are aware of your surroundings and be prepared to adapt to the things that unfold. Scenes like this are the reason I rarely go for just a single shot, instead focusing on personality for a period of time. It allows me to capture candid photos during a session that would otherwise be missed. In this case, a daughter, unprompted, is showing her Daddy just how much she loves him. Eddie never saw her coming, which brought the natural smile to his face that his friends see frequently. I’m  happy that I was able to capture this moment, because this is the definition of the Eddie we all know and love!

Location:    Cranford, NJ
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Natural

Settings:
ISO 400; f/4.5; 1/400 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

Don’t worry – the handler is experienced. That grip is just tight enough to keep the chick secure and safe!

There are many great things about being a Dad. But when you’re a Hillsborough, NJ Photographer who also happens to be a Dad of a student, you get some fun opportunities to put your skills to good use.

Back in April, the kindergartners at my daughters school had the opportunity to observe the early life of baby chicks, starting out as eggs. The eggs and equipment were provided by a local farmer. Of course, the chicks went back to the farm, before they got too big for the classroom!

When the day came for the parents to visit, the teachers had put together a full presentation with the kids. They sang songs, we did a craft together and the teachers even put together a slideshow presentation, so we could see the baby chicks with the kids in the classrooms.

One of the best parts for me was the ability to not only document the event through photography, but to then be able to share those photos with the families, with the help of the teachers. Parents who hadn’t been able to attend, were able to see photos from the day. Families that did attend, got to see things through a different set of eyes, or got to see things they hadn’t noticed, while they were busy with their own kids.

All in all, it was a fun morning. 

The Baby Chicks and the Hillsborough, NJ Photographer

But as a photographer, it was a field day. Really, how often do you get up close and personal with a brood of chicks?
So I popped on the 17-70mm Sigma lens and went to town.

The chicks were still small enough to be handled with ease, but some of them felt the need to explore. This made it easy to get some fun shots of them both in the hand and on their own.

I’m looking forward to the years of school events we have ahead of us. I really am. To be a proud Dad is awesome all by itself. But knowing I have the skills to document those events makes me feel even better about securing these memories for my daughter!

Equipment List:
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Overhead flourescent

Camera Settings:
ISO 1600; f/4.5; (multiple shutter speeds), Aperture Priority Mode, Evaluative Metering

Processed in Adobe Lightroom 5 (beta).

For Christie Gucker. Because she thinks she’s got Peeps.

But we all know that I gots the Peeps!

My Peeps!

Unique portraits that are vintage in nature are a passion of mine. Many of my personal projects involve old cars and models that are decked out in a pin-up style. It’s not unusual for me to seek out vintage/classic/retro toys and apparel at consignment sales. One prop can inspire an entire day of shooting. Such was the case when I worked with Archer – I found the Radio Flyer Retro Rocket at a sale and immediately a vision came to mind. The same thing happens often when I see Nick. He’s my neighbor and we have a lot in common, which surprised me quite a bit. You see, like many people, I had a preconceived (and way off base) notion of what it means to be a Jehova’s Witness. I really didn’t believe that they could enjoy certain things. Things like popular music, or alcohol. So I’m sure you can imagine my confusion the first time I saw Nick wearing a Beatles shirt. Or when later, I found out he’s a craft beer fan, like me. These two things prompted me to start asking Nick questions about his faith. It was a pleasant conversation and one that I’m glad we had. I learned quite a bit that day and am better for it.

I also discovered that much like me, Nick has a vintage style and is a fan of Steampunk. And ever since, I’ve been wanting to get Nick in front of the lens. I didn’t really pursue it too much, but when I started seeing photos of Nick wearing a derby and sporting a mustachio, I knew I had to make it happen. I had an end result in mind, so it was just a matter of getting the shot.

Unique Portraits – Getting the shot

Like I said, I’m all about the unique portraits. When Nick and I were chatting the other day, I decided it would be a good time to take a few minutes to get the shot. Not only did Nick oblige, but he went inside to grab his derby and wax up the mustache. See, Nick’s an amateur photographer. He gets what it means to have a shot in mind. It’s always fun to work with someone who “gets it” because they don’t usually mind taking that extra step or two, to help bring a vision to life.

I tried a couple of different spots in the area, finally deciding on a brick wall backdrop with even shade. The light reflecting off the wall gave me the bounce I wanted to highlight the derby, without washing out Nick’s features. The setting sun was dropping below the buildings behind me, creating a shadow across the lower quarter of the shot, about even with Nick’s collar. It was ideal for creating separation between his face and jacket, drawing your eyes up, to the important elements of the image.

I opted against using any kind of fill light or reflectors, because I wanted some shadows to add depth to the photo and lend to the vintage end result I was after.

That’s right – even when you’re using natural light, a lot of thought goes into the setting and how the light highlights the subject. It isn’t just finding a sunny or shady spot – it’s about finding the lighting that falls where you want it to, to create a final product that matches the look you want.

Here’s the original:

To see some of Nick’s work,
check him out on Tumblr!

Shot data:
Location:  My own stomping grounds
Camera:    Canon EOS T4i
Lens:          Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto
Light:        Natural

Settings:
ISO 400; f/6.3; 1/125 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

Processing:
Photoshop CS6, Hue/Saturation layer to create tintype coloring, multiple texture layers to add antiqued appearance. Motion and surface blur added to mimic long-exposure times which were necessary in the early days of photography. Levels adjusted to blow out the highlights a little more and darken portions of the portrait. Vignetting and border layers added.

Behind the scenes of Robert’s headshots session.

Commonly, actors that are just starting to make their name in the industry look for a trade of “Time for Print.” Such was the case with Robert, who wanted to update his portfolio.

What you see above is one of the setups we tested that afternoon: A simple reflector, and a neutral backdrop.

What you can’t see is the monolight and then the behemoth 79″ Rime Lite softbox with a Dynalite SH 2000 Blower Cooled Studio Flash Head. Control for all of the lighting was handled via PocketWizard PlusX and Plus III units.

The Rime Lite is a thing of beauty. It was like having the sun as your own personal strobe, with a giant softbox on it.  The kind of lighting it creates is evidenced in the above photo. With just a simple backlight for fill, the lighting is smooth, even and very natural looking.

Headshots

It was important to get the necessary headshots that most actors need, but it was also important to get a few creative shots. After all, if all you have is a standard image, how will you stand out from the crowd? Robert worked well with the photographers at the session. And in my case, he was patient as we changed around some lighting to achieve the different results.

In the end, we all got what we needed out of this event. Great portfolio pieces for everyone, plus the photographers were able to get hands-on with some new equipment. In my case, it afforded me the opportunity to start developing a new skill set. Unfortunately, it also resulted in a rather large shopping list of things that I want!

For more information about Robert James Kobus, check the following sites:
RobertKobus.com
Robert’s SAG listing
Robert on Model Mayhem (the profile shot there might look familiar!)

 Equipment list for headshots:

Location:          DynaLite, Inc. – Union, NJ
Camera:             Canon EOS T4i
Lens:                    Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:                   Single strobe (modeling light), reflector, DynaLite Sh2000, DynaLite Grand Series 79″ Rime lite
Accessories:    PocketWizard PlusX

Settings (Behind the Scenes, only):
ISO 200; f/10; 1/100 sec.; Manual mode; Evaluative Metering

Post Processing:
Optimized for web viewing in Photoshop CS6.

Recently, Joanna volunteered her services for “This is Studio Light,” hosted by Scott and DynaLite.

While new to the industry, it quickly became apparent that Joanna really knows her stuff. She was a consummate professional from the minute she walked in the door. Friendly and easy to work with, Joanna worked her magic like an experienced pro. Watching her work, I couldn’t believe she wasn’t an artist with years of experience under her belt. She worked quickly and achieved amazing results.

Not only did Joanna handle makeup duties, but later in the day, I asked her to step in front of the cameras. You wouldn’t have guessed that she had no experience as a model. She took direction very well and clearly enjoyed her time at the event.

Professional Portrait Photography

As Joanna worked, I began documenting the process. As I said, she was a professional all the way and I wanted to capture that as she applied the makeup to Gianna. I love photographing people while they perform their duties and this case was no exception. Truth be told, it was fascinating, watching the change in Gianna’s appearance. Joanna wasn’t phased as I snapped away, capturing images of her as she performed her work. She did an amazing job and I know I’m not the only photographer that attended the event that is looking forward to working with her again.

Joanna, on the other side of the lens.

And a fun little side note – after the event, I sent Joanna a friend request on Facebook, so I’d be able to get in touch with her more easily for potential jobs. Once we were connected, I discovered that she is family to a friend of mine from my days at Seton Hall. Small world, huh?

For more information about Joanna, the Mobile Makeup Maven, check the following sites:
Mobile Makeup Maven
On Facebook
On Model Mayhem

Location:    DynaLite, Inc. – Union, NJ
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Overhead flourescent

Settings (Joanna at work, only):
ISO 400; f/4.0; 1/50 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

Post Processing:
Softened in Photoshop CS6 using inverted high pass filter and Imagenomic Noiseware plugin.

Gevon and I first met a few months ago during a photowalk in NYC with the incredible Trey Ratcliffe. Since both of us have a tendency to stray from the crowds during events like this, we wound up hanging out most of the afternoon, chatting and shooting the scenery. One of the things we noticed was that we were drawn to many of the same photo ops, but we had very different methods of capturing them and very different results. That’s how it is with photographers – you can put 300 of us in the same place, taking a picture of the same thing and you’ll wind up with 300 different photos, some that will look similar, but no two exactly alike. But I digress…

Since that time, Gevon and I have gotten to know each other better, finding we have a lot in common. We hang out a lot at photography events and now, we’ve even been getting together with our kids at a local playground. Even our kids get along great – no surprise there.

Gevon, known in photography circles as G Servo, is also a blogger at ThePhoblographer.com. On a regular basis, Gevon tests and reviews camera gear for the site. He also writes on his own personal blog at GServo.com. If you’re a coffee junkie, Gevon is someone you need to follow. He’s a connoisseur of the first order and always comes up with great photos to go along with the latest news and reviews in the world of java. He even maintains a paper.li site dedicated to the obsession called “League of Coffee Tweeters.”

Portrait Photography

This photo was captured during an event called “This is Studio Light” which was hosted at DynaLite and put together by Scott Kivowitz.  While we had models for the event, we have a tendency to turn our cameras on each other. At the end of the day, we started testing a single light set up, using just a modeling light and a reflector. I had already told Gevon I wanted to get him on this blog, so he agreed to have a seat and let me get this shot.

If you’d like to learn more about Gevon or see his work, check out these links to his sites:
Twitter: @gservo
Personal blog: gservo.com
Contributor to: ThePhoblographer.com
Body of work at: 500px

Location:    DynaLite, Inc. – Union, NJ
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Single strobe and reflector

Settings:
ISO 200; f/8.0; 1/60 sec.; Manual mode; Evaluative Metering

Post Processing:
Softened in Photoshop CS6 using inverted high pass filter and Imagenomic Noiseware plugin.

The fact is, Stouts are not for everyone. Only recently have I found my taste for a good Stout, but I’m extremely picky about what I’ll bring home. I’m always willing to try, but very few make it to my fridge. So this list is completely devoid of Stouts. If you’re a fan of the style, then you know what to look for, anyway and this blog isn’t for you!

Very often, especially in recent weeks, I have people ask me “So what should I drink on Saint Patrick’s Day, if I don’t like Guinness?” With that in mind, this entry is all about alternatives to Guinness for those that celebrate  Lá Fhéile Pádraig. I’ll do my best to keep it short and sweet!

Let’s start with Murphy’s “Premium Red Ale.”
Murphy’s has become my beer of choice for Saint Patrick’s Day in 2013. Well, not just for the day…I’ve been drinking it all week. A little light bodied for your traditional Red, but smooth and flavorful nonetheless. Most of the flavor in this one, like the other Reds, comes from the malts and grains, but this one adds a little bit of a floral hop to the profile. Clean and crisp, this Irish Red has been a nice surprise for me. Another beer that’s readily available at most places that carry a decent selection of beer. Brewed in Cork, Ireland, look for this one near the Killian’s and Guinness, most likely in the Imports section.

For the craft beer fans, if you can find it, pick yourself up some Harpoon Celtic Ale. Truth be told, I’m pretty irritated that it hasn’t appeared in my area this year. It’s my hands down favorite Red. I blogged about it this time last year. That entry can be found here: Harpoon Celtic Ale (Irish Style Red)
Here’s a snippet from that blog: “I was surprised to see such a large, foamy head when I poured this into the glass. Considering the lighter taste, I just didn’t expect it. It’s medium-bodied with a nice, reddish color and leaves behind light lacing. Pleasant, sweet smell to this one, too. Maybe a little touch of citrus to the aroma.

Another thing  that surprised me was that the light carbonation lasted throughout the glass.  Every Harpoon I’ve had has been very smooth, including this one. So to see the continued bubbling, that didn’t match the feel, was kind of neat. It definitely lightened the taste up a bit.”

Photo courtesy Dan Henry Distributing http://danhenrydist.com/

Next up, the old standby: Killian’s Irish Red.
Readily available at most places that sell beer, Killian’s is a step above your average beer. A little more flavor, beautiful coloring and a nice poor. Like most Irish Reds, Killian’s flavor is heavy on the malts. It’s medium-bodied with average carbonation. A little creamier than most of your high-volume brews. Available in the US since 1981, Killian’s Irish Red is still fairly true to it’s roots. Since it’s so readily available and of a better-than-average quality, Killian’s Irish Red makes a great alternative for Saint Patrick’s Day.

Photo courtesy GLIS Distributing http://www.glibeer.com/

Next: Harp Lager
Also available at most locations that sell beer, Harp is probably the most popular alternative to Guinness on Saint Patrick’s Day. Brewed by Guinness in Dundalk, this pale lager is significantly more flavorful than most of the other high volume examples of the style. Light to medium bodied and light color, the flavor is provided mostly by the malts and grains, with a little hint of hops thrown in. A simple beer and a great alternative for those who prefer to stay on the lighter side of things. But if you happen to have a pint of Guinness and a pint of Harp, go for the half and half mix. While I’m not a big fan of either, a combination of the two is actually very enjoyable.

Photo courtesy http://beeradayblog.blogspot.com/

Another offering from Guinness is Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale. For me, Smithwick’s is a step above Killian’s. Better flavor, smoother, very well-balanced and a little more traditional. Smithwick’s is my go-to pint when I’m in a pub that doesn’t offer craft beer. Sweet malts, light grains and a hint of brown sugar and caramel create a nice blend that’s easy on the palate. Very drinkable!

I’ll offer one last alternative, so as not to overload those brain cells, which at this point, should really be looking forward to a nice, cold pint. This one is new to the market and has been another nice surprise: Sam Adams Irish Red.
The fine folks over at Sam Adams seem to be really testing their range lately, offering some new and different brews. And while there are a few good ones, those are for a different entry.

This traditional Irish Red Ale is a solid entry in the style. Nothing extreme, nothing to make it standout…but then, that’s what makes it good. Very well balanced and smooth. And like the others, the flavor comes primarily from the malts and grains. There is the slightest hint of hops in the end, in a pleasant way. Had I not picked up the Murphy’s, I’d be drinking this on Saint Patrick’s Day. If  you’re a fan of Sam Adams, this is the one for you.