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Guinness Alternatives for Saint Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I know I’m not alone when I say I’m not a fan of Guinness. Nothing against lovers of that particular Stout, or the Stout itself. It just doesn’t suit my tastes. And before you ask, yes, I have genuinely made the effort to find a way to like it. After all, I’m Irish. I’m supposed to not just like it, but love it. I’ve experienced the perfect pint, I’ve tried the different variations, but I’m just not a fan. So come Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m always looking for a good alternative, while trying to stay connected to the green.

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!

Murphy's Premium Red AleLet’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.

 

 

 

Harpoon Celtic AleFor 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.”

 

Killians

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/

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/

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!

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Adams Irish RedI’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.

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Flounder – the Brewer

March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s not every day a craft beer fan learns that a brewery is opening in his or her neck of the woods. Well, not just neck of the woods, but only 2.5 miles away. Needless to say, when I heard about Flounder Brewing coming to Hillsborough about a year ago, I was excited. And I made it my mission to meet the brewer and get to know him. While it’s awesome to have a brewery coming to town, it’s great to see a new business of any kind opening. And it made a lot of sense for a connection to happen between Digital Artscape and Flounder Brewing. After all, I’m also a big fan of Beertography and even have a contest winning piece of beer-related photography hanging at the TapHouse Grille in Wayne, NJ. In other words, on both personal and business levels, getting to know each other almost had to happen.

Since I first connected with them, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting with the Flounder Family from time to time over the past year. I’ve also been very fortunate to photo-document much of the behind the scenes work. It’s turned into a nice working relationship with a good group of folks and like so many others, I’m really looking forward to their opening day.

Jeremy "Flounder" Lees

Jeremy “Flounder” Lees

This photo celebrates a big step forward for Flounder Brewing. It was taken on the day they began brewing their first commercial batch of Hill Street Honey Ale. Towards the end of the process, I asked Jeremy “Flounder” Lees (Yes, the namesake of Flounder Brewing and yes, named for the “Flounder” of Animal House fame) to step outside for a quick photo with his Jeep, which is nicely branded with the Flounder Brewing logo. It had been a long day for him, but he happily obliged.

I’ve learned a lot about Jeremy, Flounder Brewing, the brewing process and beer in general over the past year. It’s a family affair and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of the Flounder clan and even their pets. They are really a great group of hardworking people that the craft beer community is going to love. Even beyond that, I believe Flounder Brewing will find they have quite the home here in Hillsborough and they’ll be embraced by the locals. I also have no doubt that having a local brewery here will introduce people that have never walked past the Big American Beer case in the local liquor store to the world of craft beer.

So here’s to Flounder Brewing! Wishing them all the best as they take one more step toward success!

Want to know more about Flounder Brewing?
Check them out on Facebook
Visit their Homepage

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

Settings:
ISO 1600; f/5.6; 1/1000 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

Post Processing:
Processed in Photoshop CS6, converted to grayscale with select coloring added through layers.

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Frank the Beer Guy

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Many of you reading this know that over the past couple of years, I’ve become a big fan of craft beer. Many of you also know that I avoided drinking beer outside of social settings at all costs, for the better part of a decade. I am NOT a fan of big breweries. Never liked the taste, couldn’t find anything I loved, so I gave up. That was up until I got together with a friend who was in Philly on business and I was introduced to The Mad Elf. It was all uphill from there.

Exploring the world of craft beer is a lot of fun. But it really helps when you have a knowledgeable guide to help you navigate that world. That’s where Frank comes in.Frank - Mr. Craft Beer

Frank is the Craft Beer Manager/Specialist/Guru/Genius behind the epic selection of beer at Petrock’s Liquors in Hillsborough. Over the past two years, Frank has helped me find some incredible brews and introduced me to a number of different styles. And outside of the genre of sour beers, Frank has managed to find something I enjoy in everything from Belgians to Saisons. We’ve even reached a point that when I’m out of state, I’ll text Frank to find out what I should keep an eye out for and ask if he wants me to bring anything back. THAT has led to both of us getting some really tasty stuff.

And just how cool a guy is Frank? He came to my opening night at HAT Tavern in 2012. We didn’t know each other well, but the fact that he showed up told me everything I needed to know about Frank. From that point forward, I began to refer to Frank as a friend, not just the beer guy.

These days, I usually see Frank more often than I see a lot of my friends. I rarely miss the Petrock’s craft beer tastings (Most Saturdays from 3-6) that Frank puts together and there’s usually a midweek visit or two, as well. This shot was taken at the tasting on Saturday, where Frank featured a pretty killer trio of  Ballast Point Calico Amber Ale, Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye, and Bockor Bellegems Bruin. I brought home a 6 pack of the Ruthless Rye and when it warms up, I see Calico Amber Ale being a regular in my fridge, too.

Anyway, if you’re near Hillsborough and looking for Craft Beer, head down to Petrock’s and ask for Frank. The rest of the staff is very knowledgeable as well and are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. But when it comes to craft beer, Frank’s the man. He’ll help you find what you’re looking for, even if you don’t know what it is when you walk through the door!

Location:    Petrock’s Liquors, Hillsborough, NJ
Camera:       Canon EOS T4i
Lens:             Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro
Light:           Commercial – overhead flourescent

Settings:
ISO 800; f/5.6; 1/25 sec.; Aperture Priority mode; Evaluative Metering

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Lakefront IPA

August 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This might be the first time I’ve reviewed a beer that comes out of Milwaukee. That seems strange to me, since when I think of beer, Milwaukee is one of the places that comes to my mind immediately. They have such a rich history in the realm of brewing, it’s hard to believe that nothing coming out of that city has really caught my attention.

But this week it happened, when I met a local sales rep for Lakefront Brewery at a tasting. I sampled a couple of their brews and found that Lakefront’s IPA is right up my alley. I was more than a little surprised that it took me this long for me to find it.

Here’s what the brewer has to say: “Pours a hazy orange with a rocky white head that lasts, and leaves soft lace on your glass as you sip this refreshing beer. American Cascade and Chinook hops dominate the aroma, yielding a citrusy, floral bouquet. The hops give a nice bitter bite to the flavor, but this beer is surprisingly well balanced with a full body and smooth malty flavor to back up the hops. It finishes smooth and crisp with a lingering hop flavor reminiscent of fresh ruby red grapefruit. 

Goes well with any spicy food, historically Indian food as well as Thai, Cajun, or Mexican. Try our IPA with Buffalo wings, blackened chicken or pepperoni pizza. Beef dishes or fried seafood can stand up to the hops as well.  Ideal Serving Temp: 54-56° F “

Normally, this is where I put a description of what the beer looks like. Since they did it for me, I don’t have to! The above description hit the nail right on the head (head…get it? Ha!).

The description is right on the money, too. There’s not much I can add to any of that. I will say (like I always do about the beers I seem to enjoy most), that this is a VERY well balanced and smooth IPA. I’ve enjoyed it while grilling on a hot day and then as a nice compliment to just about anything I’ve cooked. The hops are ever-present, but not at all overbearing. While they do dominate the flavor, they don’t do so in an overpowering way. The malty flavor rides the tongue along with the hops and keeps the bitterness at bay.

This is definitely one of the smoothest IPA’s I’ve had to date. Nice flavor, goes down easy and very refreshing. And it isn’t too boozy, either. It comes in at 6.9%, but drinks like something much lighter than that. It hit the mark for price, too. $9.99 for the six, worth every penny.

I’m going to give this one a 7 out of 10 and advise you to pick up a 6 pack when you see it! 

 

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New Belgium Trippel

August 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A slight departure from the norm today, as I took a trip to Virginia last week and found what seems to be Craft Beer Heaven at Total Wine in Sterling.

Seriously, their craft beer selection was the best I’ve ever seen. It is no exaggeration for me to state that their craft beer section is larger than some of my local liquor stores. I just wish the RateBeer.com app hadn’t chosen to crash while I was in the store. Oh well, I still got some killer brews!

So why is this a departure from the norm? Because this week I’m reviewing a beer from New Belgium Brewing that isn’t available in NJ (yet).

I’ve had Fat Tire from New Belgium and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t feel it was as good as expected. It could be because I heard so much hype, that I expected to be blown away. Since so many people rave about the brewery though, I figured I’d give the Trippel a shot, since I’m a huge fan of Belgian style ales. But seeing the statement “Brewed with Coriander” on the label had me wary. The price was excellent at $7.99 for the six pack though, so it was totally worth the risk.

As soon as I popped the top, I knew I had chosen wisely. The aroma was wonderful – very warm, a little spice, a little fruit (primarily banana)…just what I was hoping for.

New Belgium describes it: “Our Trippel Belgian Style Ale (pronounced triple) opens with a bold blast of hops that slowly gives way to the fruity esters implied by our Belgian yeast strain. In the Belgian tradition of brewing singles, doubles and triples, Trippel is the strongest with the longest fermentation. Remarkably smooth and complex, our bottle-conditioned Trippel is spiced with a trace of coriander.” 

I’ve been enjoying this beer in a tulip glass, since I don’t have a proper chalice or goblet. It pours with a nice , creamy, white, two finger head over a hazy, golden body and leaves a nice amount of lacing behind.

The taste…the taste is wonderful. I think the highlight for me lies in the carbonation. It’s there, you can see it. But the hops seem to weigh it down, so while it livens up the feel, it doesn’t interfere in the least with the taste. And don’t let the mention of the hops scare you off, either. This beer is so complex, yet so simple and nothing dominates the flavor. Truly a work of art in a bottle. There are hints of banana, hints of spice, hints of sweet breads, hints of clove…but that’s it. Just hints. They are so well blended that they seem mild, but together they create a flavor-filled ale. The coriander that had me somewhat frightened is present, but again, the brew is so well blended that it doesn’t grab you like I thought it might. You do get a good three dimensional taste on the tongue with Trippel – starts out with a mild hoppiness that quickly gives way to that sweet bread flavor and finishes out with a mild spiciness, that leaves you with a warm feeling. It really makes me think of autumn in the kitchen – pumpkin pie, great spices, a warm oven.

I look forward to more of this coming my way. I’ve already asked my buddy Ox (Of OxenTrot blog fame) to bring me a case when he comes up for a visit in a few weeks.

I’m so pleased with Trippel that I’m giving this bad boy an 8.5 out of 10. 

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River Horse Special Ale

July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’ve been meaning to get to a brew from River Horse for a while.  After all, not only is this a Jersey brewery, but it’s only about 20 minutes from my house. So when the opportunity came up this week, I decided to go with it.

Here’s what the folks at River Horse have to say about their Special Amber Ale: “A variety of specialty malts are the backbone of the American Amber Ale; a perfect session beer.”

A simple description for a rather simple beer. And honestly, one I can see myself using to introduce Bud fans to the world of craft beer.

 Most of the amber ales I’ve tried are very traditional. More malts than hops and fairly smooth, so there’s nothing overpowering or off-putting. As I’ve said before, it’s hard to go wrong with an amber ale.

River Horse Special Ale pours out a nice, dark orange under a frothy, off-white head about two fingers tall. It leaves behind a surprising amount of lacing, too. And due mostly to the malts, it has a nice scent, too. Hints of caramel,  sugar, but a little bit of earthiness as well.  

The flavor is your typical amber ale and is reminiscent of Big American Beers, but better. With a fairly low alcohol content (5.5%) and a nice, mellow and refreshing taste, this is one for the masses. It would be a great session beer and totally drinkable on a hot day. You’ll get some caramel flavor, some roast and no bitterness. Really, just one of those simple, smooth and enjoyable beers.

Enjoyed it enough that I’m putting a visit to the brewery on my schedule, so I can sample some more of what they offer.

If you want the overpowering flavor that a lot of craft beer drinkers are after, this probably isn’t for you. But for an easy-drinking session beer, this fits the bill nicely.

 I’ll rate it a 5.5 out of 10. A good, solid, average ale.

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Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale

July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

First of all, I’d like to say thanks to The Lady in Red Who Writes, who is the sponsor of the blog this week! Check out her blog – it’s the only blog I follow regularly that isn’t about photography, beer or graphic design.

Now, about the beer. When Frank told me he had a limited edition brew from Lagunitas, I had to have it. There was no waiting, no questions, just buy it. NOW.

And away I went, happily toting a 6-pack of Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale. I’m a Lagunitas fan, so I was really looking forward to cracking one of these open.

Here’s what the fine folks over at Lagunitas have to say about Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale: “ Our oxymoronic ‘Imperial Mild’ – A redux to remember the ’05 St. Paddy’s Day Massacre. Defiant as to style … We Can say for sure it is unforgiven and unrepentant.”

 I’ve now seen it referred to as an American Double, Imperial IPA, Double IPA, and American Strong Ale in addition to “Imperial Mild.” I’m going to stick with Imperial Mild, since that’s what the brewer calls it.

But I think applying “Mild” to this brew is laughable, since there is nothing mild about it!

When I cracked the top, on the nose, it immediately brought 120 Minute IPA to mind. That worried me, because believe it or not, I’m not a big fan of 120 Minute  IPA. Loved 60 Minute, enjoyed 90, but 120 just isn’t my style of beer. I know, I know…but don’t be hatin’. It’s just too sweet for me.

But I digress. The aroma is fruity and sweet. Big malts, big hops – a little bit of the grassy scent you expect with the hops, but primarily the fruitiness.

Beautiful pour into a Nonic pint – off-white head about two fingers tall over a beautiful caramel-colored body. The head reduces, but never goes completely away, leaving light, spotty lacing on the glass as it goes down.

 This one is all about the flavor though. Like I said, the scent had me worried, so I was very careful and slow with that first sip. Turns out, taking my time to get there had it’s own reward. The flavor really develops as you sip it. You get an initial IPA-type taste, very hoppy and strong, but then it gives way to the fruity, sweet flavor you expect from the aroma. Then, before you know it, you’re back to a different hoppiness. The hops are there – they take the edge off that fruitiness and keep it from becoming overbearing. I wouldn’t call it tart, but there’s this almost spicy thing that develops on the back end. So you start with the hops, then get hit with the malt, then end with the hops again. That continues on throughout the glass and it makes it kind of a fun beer to drink.

It is a bit on the boozy side. You KNOW you’re drinking a strong beer. Not just strong flavor, but you can tell the alcohol content is high.  Light carbonation, big flavors – not a bad beer at the end of the day. A good night-time sipper, but also paired very well with seasoned burgers off the grill and homemade nachos grande. Take your time with it and enjoy it – it’s 9.8% and if you drink it too fast, you’ll feel every bit of that content.

Picked it up for $10.99 for the six pack and am glad I did. I’m a little sad knowing it’s a limited release though. I could see myself buying this one time and time again.

Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shutdown Ale might not be for everyone, but it hit me just right and I’m giving it an 8 out of 10!

And don’t forget to check out the Lady in Red Blog!

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Founders Centennial IPA

July 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This week, I was introduced to Founders Brewing Co. – they’ve been around for quite a while, but I haven’t had any of their brews. For the beer drinker, Centennial IPA falls into the “must try” category, as it has really set the standard in the world of American IPA’s.

From ratebeer.com: “Selected as a benchmark for the Beer Judge Certification Program used in all American based beer judgings. Centennial IPA has quickly become the IPA of choice. Pour yourself a pint of this complex flavorful ale and bask in the frothy head’s floral bouquet. Relish the immense citrus accents, achieved by the abundance of dry hopping. This ale’s sweet, malty undertones balance the hop character with a finish that never turns too bitter.”

And from the Founders Brewing folks: “Get ready to bask in the glory of the frothy head’s floral bouquet. Relish the citrus accents from the abundance of dry hopping. This one’s sweet, yet balanced. Malty undertones shake hands with the hop character for a finish that never turns too bitter.”

I’ve become a huge fan of the lighter-flavored IPA’s recently, brewed with a sweeter taste. Loose Cannon, Double Jack, along those lines. Even with Last Chance, there’s just a certain smoothness that your typical IPA doesn’t possess. And since I’d gotten away from the traditional IPA for so long, Centennial caught me a little off guard.

Right off the bat, Centennial smells like a beer. No hidden scents, no warmth. Straight up piney hops and citrus. When it hits the nose, you get a very good idea of what you’re in for. There’s no mistaking that IPA aroma!

It pours really nicely with a two finger, cream-colored head over a slightly cloudy amber body. The foam dissipates slowly, retaining about a half-finger head behind that coats the glass with a decent amount of lacing.

Centennial is great from the first sip – as long as you’re an IPA fan. If  you aren’t – just steer clear. Right off the bat, the hops are there and they override everything. While you get some hints of malts and citrus, any hint you catch, gives way to the hops again. To me, this is actually a good thing. I hate trying to figure out what I’m tasting – some beers, as good as they taste, they’re overly complicated and you can get caught up in trying to figure out what all is crossing your taste buds. With an IPA like this, the simplicity is what you find yourself enjoying. It is bitter, but not overly so. The citrus is there and I guess keeps it in check, but like I said, you only get hints of the citrus coming through, which tells me this is more balanced than the initial taste led me to believe. And at 7.2%, you’re not overwhelmed by the alcohol.

This is a winner for me. I mean, Centennial IPA IS an award winner, but for me, it was a great IPA that served as a reminder to what an IPA is supposed to be. I’ll definitely be buying it again. At $10.99 for the six pack, it’s a little pricier than my usual $9.99 limit, but in my opinion, it’s worth it!

I’m giving Centennial IPA a 7 out of 10! 

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Shiner Wild Hare

July 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I know, I know. I’m late this week. I swapped the blog to Thursday, because I had a long shoot on Wednesday and wanted to spend the rest of the holiday with my family. I snapped off the picture  for the blog, but then the day got away from me and I forgot to write it. So, here we are. Better late than never, right?

This week, I grabbed a 6-pack of Shiner’s Wilde Hare. I’ve made no secret of my love for Shiner. I was introduced to it while my parents lived in Texas and it’s lack of availability in NJ probably played a big part in why I gave up beer for such a long time. It was disappointing to know that there were good beers out there, but I couldn’t get them at home. So I was super excited when I started seeing Shiner Bock moving it’s way East, followed shortly by their other styles.

Last year, I picked up one of their “Family Packs” which is a mixed 12 pack of Shiner beers. I found that I enjoyed everything in there, so a week later, I picked up Ruby Redbird. I couldn’t stand it. For me, Ruby Redbird is by far the worst “beer” I’ve ever consumed. I couldn’t even give the stuff away. Since then, I’ve been hesitant to try anything from Shiner that I’m not already familiar with.

But when I saw Wild Hare Pale Ale on the shelf, I got curious. So I put it on the list of beers for the blog. Then, last week, I got a text from a friend of mine that’s been living in Texas for the past year telling me I have to try it and that it’s one of his current favorites. That’s all it took. Wild Hare moved to the top of the list and I grabbed the 6-pack on Tuesday.

I’m glad I did. I mean, it’s hard to screw up a Pale Ale, so I knew it wouldn’t be bad. And it has restored my faith in Shiner, too.

Here’s what the folks at the Spoetzl Brewery have to say about Wild Hare: “This classic American Pale Ale features two row barley malt with a blend of Munich and Caramel malt for rich malt flavor and golden color. High alpha Bravo and delicate US Golding hops are used in the kettle and fermenter for crisp bitterness and assertive fresh hop fruit and floral aroma. This is new territory for a Shiner Ale with more than one pound of hops per barrel, created in our most traditional cellars using legacy fermenters that have been pristinely preserved.” 

An aggressive pour into a pint glass provide about a finger and a half, light head over a crystal clear amber body. It leaves a ring at the top of the glass, but very little lacing is left behind. It has a faint, sweet aroma with hints of citrus and hops. 

The taste is typical of a pale ale. Nothing overbearing, nothing offensive, but at the same time, nothing really grabs you, either. And while that sounds less than complimentary, it’s what makes this beer so drinkable. From start to finish, Wild Hare is very smooth and easy to drink. It’s very complimentary to your basic meals, too. Sandwiches, burgers, chips, etc. And if you’re manning the grill in 90º+ weather, a refreshing beer is exactly what you want.

You’ll find hints of hops, malts and citrus that are very well blended to create a very palate-pleasing beer. And while it may not be the beer you grab out of the case when you’re looking for flavor, it is definitely a beer you’ll want to grab when you’ve got your buddies over on a hot day, or for session drinking. I paid $8.99 for the six pack, so it’s not something I would mind sharing, either! It comes in a 5.5%, making it one of the beers you can enjoy a few of, without fear. And since the taste is so crisp, you don’t get that heavy feeling that comes with stronger, more flavorful beers.

This is another beer I know will become a staple for me – and definitely a beer I will utilize when introducing friends to something different.

All in all, I definitely consider this another quality Shiner product.

This one gets a 5.5 out of 10 from me.

 

 

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Yards India Pale Ale

June 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Yards is one of those breweries that, as unfair as it is, I generally avoid. I don’t know many people that are big fans, so I’ve been skeptical. Even after reviewing their Saison (which I did enjoy), I was still hesitant to try the rest of the line.

That all changed this week when Ron Johnson, the Yards New Jersey Sales Rep, was co-hosting a craft beer tasting at my favorite place to buy the goods. They were sampling out four different brews (including Saison) that I had not tasted, but was more than willing to try. I enjoyed all four that I tried, especially “Brawler” and their India Pale Ale.

So, I grabbed a six of the IPA and brought it home with me. And I got a pretty cool pint glass to pour them into, too!

 Anyway, here’s what the fine folks over at Yards have to say about their India Pale Ale: “IPAs were originally brewed to survive the epic sea voyages from England to India. Ours is no different. Hailing from a perfect marriage of sweetness and bitterness and loaded through and through with citrusy and piney hops, this beer will surely survive the journey from your fridge to your couch.”

First of all, this is a beautiful pour. Clean, clear golden color with copper lowlights. Seriously, when I think of beer, this is what I see in my mind’s eye. A typical pour yields a thick, foamy off-white head that holds up very well and leaves a nice amount of lacing behind. The aroma is light – some hops, some citrus, definitely some malts and some other fruitiness as well.


Obviously, the taste is what made me bring it home after sampling it. Not your usual IPA by any means and not really one for the hop cravers, but it is still a nice  offering. There is a strong malt presence that overrides the hops from start to finish. Of course, if you aren’t a fan of the hops, then this might be the perfect IPA for  you. And while this isn’t at all what I usually expect out of an IPA, I’ve still enjoyed every sip. You get a bit of the citrus up front along with a hint of hops, but like I  said, the malts create the most present flavor, which really smooths things out. Very little carbonation allows you to really enjoy the flavors that are present,  allowing the beer to sit on your tongue a bit longer. And since this India Pale Ale has such a nice aftertaste (similar to the first sip), that’s really not a bad thing.

 I’ve been drinking this one with some pretty strongly-flavored meals. Mexican burgers (smothered in salsa and cheddar), Apricot-glazed chicken, extra sharp  cheddar cheese on crackers (see picture), things like that. And it’s really been a good match for those types of flavors. 

 It comes in at 7%, which is not bad for a midday pint, or hanging out at the grill. You aren’t going to hurt yourself if you have a couple. The price is pretty good too, at  $8.99 for the six.

 Congratulations to the crew at Yards. They’ve won me over by going two for two (Well, really four for four, since I enjoyed everything at the tasting, too). I’m looking  forward to grabbing Brawler, too!

 I’m giving this one a 6.75 out of 10. 

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