Hillsborough, New Jersey Photographer | Digital Artscape
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“Cuttalossa View”
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A beautiful hobby mill that is nestled in the landscape near the Delaware River is featured in this unique print. It is comprised of 9 individual prints behind 9 individual panes of glass and adds a sense of realism to this unique scene.
With handcrafted window pane frame made with reclaimed wood, washed and distressed gray finish and nine individual panes.
9 available, signed and numbered.
30″ x 36″ color print – $400.00
“Behind Bars”
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A truly unique frame surrounds this image captured at Eastern State Prison in Philadelphia. Hand crafted and designed to look like prison bars, this 2″ deep shadow box creates a feeling of what it’s like to view the cell block the other side of the bars.
The depth of the frame allows the print to interact with the lighting in your room. As the light source changes, so will angle of the shadows being cast on the print.
Only 9 available, signed and numbered.
13″ X 10″ color print – $200.00
“Cell Block 7″
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A look down the cell block from a catwalk in Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA. This structure was opened in 1829 and operated until 1971. Once home to one of the most famous Chicago gangsters of the 20th century, Al Capone, this structure has acted as the backdrop for such films as ’12 Monkeys’ and ‘Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen’. It now stands in arrested decay as a monument to the early criminal justice system in America.
With handcrafted frame made with reclaimed wood, gloss black finish and forest green mat.
10 available, signed and numbered.
16″ x 24″ color print – $200.00
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.
If you need a reason other to buy beer other than the fact that Weyerbacher has unleashed a beast of a West Coast-style IPA, then do it for the cause!
From the Weyerbacher site: “Why “Last Chance?” The name “Last Chance” is a nod to something held very close to the hearts of many of the employees at Weyerbacher Brewing Company: Animal Rescue. Weyerbacher donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every drop of Last Chance IPA to small, regional animal rescue operations. These shelters offer dogs, cats and other pets their last chance to find a new home.
Have a glass, make a difference! Cheers!”
On to the review!
First of all, I think I’ve made it very clear that I’m a big fan of West Coast IPAs. If I haven’t, allow me to do so now: I am a very big fan of West Coast IPAs.
That said, as much as I love Weyerbacher, I had my doubts that an East Coast brewery could deliver on their claim that they brewed a West Coast-style IPA. After all, East is East, West is West and the styles are VERY different. East Coast IPAs tend to be much more subdued and nowhere near as hoppy as their West Coast counterparts. Not that they’re bad, they just aren’t as strong in the flavor arena.
Until now.
I cracked open this IPA and knew just from the scent that Weyerbacher nailed this one down.
Here’s what they have to say about it: “Weyerbacher’s new Last Chance IPA is a west coast-style full-flavored hop assault delightfully lacking in balance. We’ve added a combination of Centennial, Cascade, Simcoe and Columbus hops are used to produce pungent aromas of grapefruit, pine and citrus. Last Chance IPA weighs-in at 5.9% ABV and 62 IBUs.”
See how they use the words “hop assault” up there? YUP. It is an absolute assault on the palate and exactly what the IPA hop fiend is seeking.
On the nose, it’s all citrus (grapefruit) and pine. Very much a hallmark of the West Coast style. My typical pour resulted in a frothy white head (2 fingers, at least) over a clear golden body and leaves behind a nice lacing.
Normally, I talk about balance here. But like the brewer says, this is wonderfully unbalanced. It’s a hop house all the way through. You’ll never get a boozy flavor out of it, thanks to that. Don’t read that as a lack of flavor though – for a beer that only comes in at 5.9%, this IPA starts and finishes strong in that department. Light carbonation makes it a very drinkable beer, too. While I was grilling, my wife commented on how quickly the first one disappeared. I didn’t even realize I’d finished it. The aftertaste follows along the initial flavor, very hoppy with a little bit of that grapefruit bite. But if you plan to drink anything different after this one, I’d advise eating about a loaf of bread before doing so.
For a single IPA (Which are enjoyable, but I prefer a Double IPA), Last Chance IPA is sure to please the hopheads. It certainly pleased this one.
Last Chance IPA is still early in the shipping stages from what I understand. As a matter of fact, it was so new to the store that when I went to purchase it, they hadn’t even entered the price in the system. Frank texted me later to let me know he owes me a dollar, because they wound up charging me the wrong price. LOL So what I thought was a $10.99 six pack is actually a $9.99 six pack.
Get out there and find it – if nothing else, do it for the animals!
Great work, Weyerbacher. I’m looking forward to more Last Chance and the opportunity for some of my money to go towards a great cause! I hope more brewers will follow your lead!
I’m going to put this one at a 7.5 out of 10!
This is my first experience with a Saison and also my first beer from Yards Brewing.
Since I’m not at all familiar with the Saison style, I decided to check Wikipedia and find out what I could. Here is an excerpt: “Saison (French, “season”) is the name originally given to low-alcohol pale ales brewed seasonally in farmhouses in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium, for farm workers during harvest season. Modern-day saisons are also brewed in other countries, particularly the USA, and are generally bottle conditioned, with an average range of 5 to 8% abv,[1] though saisons at the more traditional 3.5% strength can still be found.”
Here’s what they say on the Yards Brewing site:
“Saisons were historically brewed to keep the farmhands happy and hydrated during the warm summer months. Crafted using Belgian pilsen malt and candi sugar, this golden Belgian style ale is a refreshing change from your usual beer lineup.“
I was warned that the Yard’s Saison is an uncomplicated beer. Usually you would expect me to be discussing the hops or malts or citrus, or some such thing.
Not with this one. It is truly a simple beer, but that makes it all the more enjoyable. Brewed right down the road in Philly, I’m always happy to find a good, solid, local brew. This Saison certainly fit the bill.
It pours a nice, light golden color with a decent amount of carbonation. I poured a couple tonight into pint glasses and had about a one-finger, clean, white head on each. It has a light, fruity aroma. It actually made me immediately think of the fermentation process. Really, all I could smell at first was the yeast, but then a little citrus and even a light peppery aroma come through.
Right away, I was pleased with the taste. It’s by no means a great beer, but it IS a GOOD beer. The predominant taste on my tongue was of wheat, sweetened up by a little bit of a honey flavor and some fruitiness. Frank told me that a little pepper kick was kind of a hallmark for the style, but that it was off-putting for some. Frank knows me well. I think a pepper taste to this would have killed it for me.
Yard’s Saison is a very well-balanced beer. Nothing spectacular, but it goes down easy. It’s another one I can see myself enjoying on a hot day. I have to admit, I was a little surprised at how much my wife enjoyed this one. We had it over dinner, a basic breaded chicken and the Saison was a good match for that. While I don’t see myself seeking it out, I could see it making a return once or twice during the summer months.
The more I think about this, the more I think Yard’s Saison would be a fantastic introduction for the non-craft crowd to craft beer. There’s nothing overwhelming happening, but it’s significantly more flavorful than the big American beers.
I’ll give Yard’s Saison a 5 out of 10. It’s a good, average, VERY drinkable beer.
After researching, it looks like this one is a little to the high side for the style at 6.5% and I can think of better beers at the $9.99 per 6 mark, but unlike some I’ve had, I think I can find the value in it.
Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Nugget Nectar has a massive purchasing swing each year when they release it and for good reason. Nugget Nectar is a fantastic brew, but I’ll say this: Anything you taste for a while afterwards WILL be impacted by the taste of this extremely hoppy brew!!
What they say: “Squeeze those hops for all they’re worth and prepare to pucker up: Nugget Nectar Ale, will take hopheads to nirvana with a heady collection of Nugget, Warrior and Tomahawk hops. Starting with the same base ingredients of our flagship HopBack Amber Ale, Nugget Nectar intensifies the malt and hop flavors to create an explosive hop experience.”
Last year, I picked up Nugget Nectar just after starting to embrace the craft beer scene. That might have been a mistake. Seriously. I wasn’t ready for such a hopped up beer. I drank them all, but I wasn’t sure I liked it. It was overpowering in so many ways, so I really can’t suggest this as a starter for newcomers.
Nice lace left behind by Nugget Nectar
But here we are a year later and I can’t get enough of the stuff. When I visited the brewery, they had already sold out of cases and six packs, so all I could do was drool while I watched the bottling process happening right in front of me. The good news was, I knew I could get it once I got back to NJ.
Nugget Nectar pours nicely, especially into a hops glass. Nice golden orange color with a thick, white head. Has a nice, pine aroma with a little sweetness to it. Leaves nice lacing on the glass, too.
Again, the flavor is strong – the different hops remind you why you’ve bought Nugget Nectar. And if you like a beer with citrus flavors, this one will be right up your alley. Lots of orange and grapefruit, a hint of spices. And for all the complexity involved in creating this monster, it’s still one of the tastiest, most well-balanced ales available. The Trogner brothers just keep getting it right, one pint after another. Not too heavy to drink a few either, coming in at 7.5%.
Now that the release rush is over, it’s pretty easy to find at most stores that sell craft beer. A little outside my usual price goal at $12.99, but well worth it.
Nugget Nectar gets a 8.75 out of 10 in my book!
When it comes to big brewers, there aren’t many I trust. Shiner comes to mind, as does Yuengling. I’m not sure what it is that makes me like Yuengling, but I do. So when I saw their Bock offering, I picked up a 6-pack.
It’s not like I had high expectations. I never do with Yuengling. I know what I’m going to get – a beer better than Budweiser, that isn’t a craft beer. I expect more of an adjunct taste from a beer like this, but Yuengling is one of my go-to breweries when we’re hosting parties. So I figured, why not give this Bock a shot and review it?
Good news.
While not the best example on the market of a Bock, this is a good, drinkable example of the style. Easy to drink more than one and VERY wallet friendly. So no, it isn’t a craft beer, but it is definitely something I’m comfortable handing to a Miller Lite fan and saying “Try something better.” (Which I did and she loved it.)
What they say: “America’s Oldest Brewery proudly offers Yuengling Bock Beer. This seasonal release resurrects an old brewery tradition of producing a Bock in the late winter and early spring. Dark brown in color, this unique brew offers an exceptional flavor to be enjoyed by all. We invite you to to enjoy the taste of traditional, quality family brewing.”
My take:
This Bock pours a dark brown with a short, cream colored head that dissipates quickly and leaves some light lacing behind. When you lift the glass, you notice a very sweet smell. It’s almost candy-like and not at all what you expect. Again, this is not a craft beer, but for a big brewery, this is a very good offering.
I might even prefer this to Shiner Bock, which was a brew I couldn’t wait to see on the shelves on the East Coast.
While there’s more carbonation than I typically like, it does go down smooth. The flavor is nice, but average for a Bock. It pairs up nicely with things like Hamburger Helper or pizza. Just enough to cut through those flavors, without being overpowering.
It’s kind of like drinking a Yuengling Traditional Lager, but with more flavor. It just has a certain feel that Yuengling fans know very well. It’s hard to put into words if you haven’t had a Yuengling, but easy to understand if you have!
As long as they’re keeping Yuengling Bock on the shelves, I can see myself keeping a supply in the fridge. If you aren’t a fan of lagers and IPAs, this is a good alternative for the spring when you’re at the grill. Flavorful, while remaining light enough to enjoy on a hot day.
SO while I’m happy to return to true craft beers next week, I’m glad I took this little diversion to the Yuengling Bock. It’s inexpensive and unoffensive. It made me a little sad that the 6-pack disappeared from my fridge so quickly.
Oh well, at least there’s a Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA waiting in there, too. It makes me feel a whole lot better.
Overall, I’ll give the Yuengling Bock a 5 out of 10. It’s a good, average beer that I think would surprise a few folks!
What they say (Weyerbacher Brewing Co., 21+ please):
“When you try this beer you’re in for a unique treat. The special effervescence and creaminess are immediately apparent when pouring. The pilsner malts combined with the Belgian yeast strains yield a remarkable and complex flavor- perhaps you’ll note subtle hints of banana and cookie dough.”
My take on it:
Whoa. Why did it take me so long to get to Weyerbacher? This is one of the best things you can get in a bottle from the East Coast.
I’ve sampled a few of their brews. And I’m yet to find a bad one. Is there such a thing as a bad Weyerbacher?
They describe Merry Monks’ as a “Belgian Style Golden Ale” on the label. And as far as I’m concerned, you generally can’t go wrong with a Belgian, as long as you are getting it from a reputable brewery. And of course, this is no exception.
The label art is fun, even if it’s not of the highest quality. I mean, it’s cute and all, but if you saw it somewhere other than a beer label, you would probably look right past it. It’s not eye-catching at all, which might be why I looked past Weyerbacher for so long. They just unveiled a new logo though, so that will probably help them gain some ground. And before anyone else says it, yes, I know. It’s about the beer, not the label. They focused on the product first.
I’m glad they did!
First of all, it pours REALLY nicely. Even a slow pour results in about a 2 finger head that fades fast over a nice, golden body. It leaves little lacing, but it does leave a liquid coating on the glass, much like a wine.
The flavor is sweet and after having a few sips, I have a taste in my mouth similar to the aftertaste of banana nut bread. Even the aroma is pleasing to the nose, so from the moment you pop the cap, the experience begins. It’s to the lighter side of a full-bodied beer, with a lift coming by way of an easy carbonation. And it’s dangerous! It goes down very easy, but comes it at 9%. After having one, I know I’ve had one. And I’m no lightweight! As long as I’m not driving, I’m happy to have more than one though.
There aren’t many beers that I find myself really looking forward to, but this is definitely one of them.
I highly recommend Merry Monks’. This will be my all-season answer when I find myself craving the Mad Elf.
The price is a tick above the $10 limit I try to keep to for the blog, but sometimes, ya gotta treat yourself. This was $11.99 for the 6 pack.
8.5 out of 10 from me.
The last in the series of portraits from “This is Studio Light.” Robert needed some new headshots, so he volunteered to be our male model for the afternoon. 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, [...]
