Proving I'm not always behind the times:
- Behold the iBeer, a paid version of the Carling-branded iPint (a free promotional download from the iTunes store, which makes for painful link experiences) (HT: BoingBoing Gadgets).
And reverting to my usual lack of timeliness:
- Happy belated birthday to the Reinheitsgebot. May you remind us of the principles of quality brewing for another 400+ years.
- Two items combining two of my recurring interests, trademarks and beer:
- The backstory on Collaboration Not Litigation Ale.
- reflections on the Ballantine's logo (read through the comments!).
- Two suggestion tools, courtesy of LifeHacker:
- Beer Suggest for days when you aren't reading the M&B Chronicles.
- Beer Menus, to find a favorite brew in NYC.
- Glassware follies:
- HIK! Glasses made from recycled beer bottles (HT: Treehugger).
- certified imperial pint glasses (HT: BoingBoing Gadgets).
- Entertaining entries on beverages from sites not necessarily known for that angle:
- Salon.com founder Scott Rosenberg
- English digital radio maven James Cridland
- And wandering into the world of malted barley without hops, a not-so-existential discussion on whether Scotch is still Scotch when bottled outside Scotland (HT: IPKat).
Finally, from the enviro-front, a/k/a Treehugger:
- As previously noted here, the prices of raw materials are apparently climbing due to global warming, causing upheavals among many brewers...
- and to ease your enviro-guilt, try a 100% Carbon-Offset beer (at least until it's shipped to your continent of choice from Australia...).
My first review of a "local" beer since getting to NYC, where the insane tax rate means that decent six packs (even on sale) start close to $10. I'm starting to think that it's better to buy the big (22-24 oz) bottles (and a wine bottle stopper) than to persist with the six pack. But that's not a reflection on this particular brew, which presents different concerns.
Characteristics: Golden-reddish color, medium-to-high carbonation, light body, with strong citrus hops running roughshod over the toasted malt opening and then lingering on the tongue.
Minor Gripes: I'm simply not a fan of overblown hops, especially of the citrus variety. This beer is dominated by its hops, though not as much as a comparable American pale ale.
Bottom Line: I wanted to like this beer. It originates from a nice low-key town on Long Island, and the name "toasted lager" is appealing. But the citrus finish just doesn't match the malty intentions of the name and coloring. A softer hop profile would allow the "toasted" flavor (and not just the color) come out.
Rating: 5 / 10
Characteristics: Golden-reddish color, medium-to-high carbonation, light body, with strong citrus hops running roughshod over the toasted malt opening and then lingering on the tongue.
Minor Gripes: I'm simply not a fan of overblown hops, especially of the citrus variety. This beer is dominated by its hops, though not as much as a comparable American pale ale.
Bottom Line: I wanted to like this beer. It originates from a nice low-key town on Long Island, and the name "toasted lager" is appealing. But the citrus finish just doesn't match the malty intentions of the name and coloring. A softer hop profile would allow the "toasted" flavor (and not just the color) come out.
Rating: 5 / 10
I've made my way to a new city, but the same cruddy summer weather followed me here a couple weeks back. And that means it's time for crisp beers that are best consumed cold and quickly. Harpoon's not-so-imaginatively-named "Summer Beer" is its adaptation of the kolsch style most often associated with Cologne/Koln, Germany.
Characteristics: Light golden yellow color, slightly above-average carbonation, thin body, and a flavor that starts with sharp, dry hops (accentuated by the carbonation) and trails off to a slightly malty sweetness. Easily among the lightest ales I've ever sampled.
Minor Gripes: The variability in the flavor can be somewhat frustrating, especially when the hops and malt get out of synch. And like any kolsch, this beer is too thin for any part of the year other than muggy summer afternoons and evenings. And now that the weather has broken in NYC (evenings in the low 60s!), this beer is suddenly out of season (at least for another week).
Bottom Line: When it gets muggy and nasty and you can't walk three steps without breaking a sweat, Harpoon Summer Beer is an excellent option.
Rating: 6 / 10
Characteristics: Light golden yellow color, slightly above-average carbonation, thin body, and a flavor that starts with sharp, dry hops (accentuated by the carbonation) and trails off to a slightly malty sweetness. Easily among the lightest ales I've ever sampled.
Minor Gripes: The variability in the flavor can be somewhat frustrating, especially when the hops and malt get out of synch. And like any kolsch, this beer is too thin for any part of the year other than muggy summer afternoons and evenings. And now that the weather has broken in NYC (evenings in the low 60s!), this beer is suddenly out of season (at least for another week).
Bottom Line: When it gets muggy and nasty and you can't walk three steps without breaking a sweat, Harpoon Summer Beer is an excellent option.
Rating: 6 / 10
Wow. A domestic doppel that has definitely earned the storied "-ator" appellation. I'm generally a fan of the Bell's brews, but this one is a knockout even by their standards. And they earn some brownie points for the clean packaging -- white label with copper and brown print featuring two mirrored goat heads.
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color, light-to-medium carbonation, light body, toasted biscuit malt and yeast flavors that are moderated by a mid-level yeastiness and a little alcohol kick.
Minor Gripes: If you keep it too long, chill it too much, or let it approach room temperature, the alcohol dominates the other flavors... and at a typical 7% ABV, that dominance may not be welcome.
Bottom Line: A splendid addition to the doppelbock tradition. Keep this one in mind when the weather cools off again (doppelbocks are hard to handle in the summer).
Rating: 7.25 / 10
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color, light-to-medium carbonation, light body, toasted biscuit malt and yeast flavors that are moderated by a mid-level yeastiness and a little alcohol kick.
Minor Gripes: If you keep it too long, chill it too much, or let it approach room temperature, the alcohol dominates the other flavors... and at a typical 7% ABV, that dominance may not be welcome.
Bottom Line: A splendid addition to the doppelbock tradition. Keep this one in mind when the weather cools off again (doppelbocks are hard to handle in the summer).
Rating: 7.25 / 10
I'd heard about Southampton's brews for some time, mostly from the period "Beers of the Times" feature in the New York Times. As a fitting preparation for my upcoming move to NYC, I recently managed to score a six-pack of the Double White Ale.
Characteristics: Pale cloudy yellow (when poured properly), full head that dissipates promptly into medium carbonation, medium to heavy body, with a mild yeasty flavor tempered by spices and hops and an orangey tail.
Minor Gripes: There's no warning that you need to swirl the end of the bottle when pouring (or that you should never drink straight from the bottle). Without the settled spices and yeast, the beer is thin and overly hoppy and dominated by alcohol. And when poured right, you'll never know that
Bottom Line: For those who like the Belgian-style witbiers, the Double White is a tasty addition to the tradition. It's certainly heavier than the old-school Celis / current Hoegaarden versions, but no less tasty.
Rating: 6 / 10
Characteristics: Pale cloudy yellow (when poured properly), full head that dissipates promptly into medium carbonation, medium to heavy body, with a mild yeasty flavor tempered by spices and hops and an orangey tail.
Minor Gripes: There's no warning that you need to swirl the end of the bottle when pouring (or that you should never drink straight from the bottle). Without the settled spices and yeast, the beer is thin and overly hoppy and dominated by alcohol. And when poured right, you'll never know that
Bottom Line: For those who like the Belgian-style witbiers, the Double White is a tasty addition to the tradition. It's certainly heavier than the old-school Celis / current Hoegaarden versions, but no less tasty.
Rating: 6 / 10
