March 2008 Archives
It's a week after Easter and therefore close to the end of the classical season for doppelbocks (but just about the peak for me locally). I was a little surprised that Weihenstephan doesn't have a classic "-ator" name for its variation (cf. Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator, Spaten Optimator), but the beer itself certainly holds its own within the doppelbock category.
Characteristics: Rich brown color with reddish highlights, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation and a minimal head, slightly smoky opening with a round, sweet malty middle and a slightly spicy hop element that grows through the finish.
Minor Gripes: If it gets too close to room temperature, the sugar and alcohol flavors overwhelm the subtle mix of spicy hops and round malts. Otherwise, the 7.4% ABV is hardly noticeable.
Bottom Line: None of the doppelbocks are session beers, with the possible exception of Moretti La Rossa. Knowing that, spend a nice evening by the fireplace curled up with an oversized bottle of Korbinian (truly a "dunkles starkbier" -- "dark strong beer") and enjoy.
Rating: 6.75 / 10
Characteristics: Rich brown color with reddish highlights, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation and a minimal head, slightly smoky opening with a round, sweet malty middle and a slightly spicy hop element that grows through the finish.
Minor Gripes: If it gets too close to room temperature, the sugar and alcohol flavors overwhelm the subtle mix of spicy hops and round malts. Otherwise, the 7.4% ABV is hardly noticeable.
Bottom Line: None of the doppelbocks are session beers, with the possible exception of Moretti La Rossa. Knowing that, spend a nice evening by the fireplace curled up with an oversized bottle of Korbinian (truly a "dunkles starkbier" -- "dark strong beer") and enjoy.
Rating: 6.75 / 10
I rarely go for the "topical" or "timely" brew, but tonight this lovely large (22 ounce) bottle just called out to me from the cooler in my favorite local shop... and I am a better person for heeding that call.
Characteristics: Cloudy yellow gold color, light body with medium carbonation that dissipates quickly, crisp opening from the carbonation that yields to mellow, clean malty middle and a crisp, almost crabapple finish.
Minor Gripes: There are many evenings when one may not be interested in drinking 22 ounces, and Rogue's bottles do not feature resealable tops. Distribute this one in a Grolsch-style bottle with the rubber seal top (or a traditional 12-ounce six pack), and you've got a real winner.
Bottom Line: Nice combination of crisp opening and closing tastes surrounding a warm malty middle. I can't say that Kells strikes me as particularly "irish," but it's certainly a welcome diversion from the creamy stouts and red ales that dominate the Irish-American landscape (since there hasn't been enough demand to bring Kilkenny Cream Ale to the US).
Rating: 7 / 10
P.S. For those who feel compelled to participate in amateur hour this coming Monday, please show a little moderation... for those around you if not for your own sake. Thanks.
Characteristics: Cloudy yellow gold color, light body with medium carbonation that dissipates quickly, crisp opening from the carbonation that yields to mellow, clean malty middle and a crisp, almost crabapple finish.
Minor Gripes: There are many evenings when one may not be interested in drinking 22 ounces, and Rogue's bottles do not feature resealable tops. Distribute this one in a Grolsch-style bottle with the rubber seal top (or a traditional 12-ounce six pack), and you've got a real winner.
Bottom Line: Nice combination of crisp opening and closing tastes surrounding a warm malty middle. I can't say that Kells strikes me as particularly "irish," but it's certainly a welcome diversion from the creamy stouts and red ales that dominate the Irish-American landscape (since there hasn't been enough demand to bring Kilkenny Cream Ale to the US).
Rating: 7 / 10
P.S. For those who feel compelled to participate in amateur hour this coming Monday, please show a little moderation... for those around you if not for your own sake. Thanks.
Two separate beers, but so close in overall impressions that I'm going to lump them into a single review. And as much as I like Smuttynose's other brews, I am not particularly excited by these beers. In other words, I need to stick to mostly malty beers.
Characteristics: Shoals has a rich reddish gold color, light-to-medium carbonation and body, and a taste that starts with an oyster cracker or stale biscuit taste that is quickly dominated by citrusy hops through the aftertaste. The IPA is yellow-gold and lighter-bodied, starting with a sharp carbonated moment but mellowing out into a flat bitterness.
Minor Gripes: The Shoals is almost like drinking a raw Arnie Palmer (lemon juice and unsweetened tea), while the IPA needs a little more malt for balance.
Bottom Line: When it's all about the hops, I just lose interest... and that's exactly what these two beers present -- two different, but equally dominant, hop experiences.
Rating: Shoals -- 4.5 / 10; IPA -- 5 / 10
Characteristics: Shoals has a rich reddish gold color, light-to-medium carbonation and body, and a taste that starts with an oyster cracker or stale biscuit taste that is quickly dominated by citrusy hops through the aftertaste. The IPA is yellow-gold and lighter-bodied, starting with a sharp carbonated moment but mellowing out into a flat bitterness.
Minor Gripes: The Shoals is almost like drinking a raw Arnie Palmer (lemon juice and unsweetened tea), while the IPA needs a little more malt for balance.
Bottom Line: When it's all about the hops, I just lose interest... and that's exactly what these two beers present -- two different, but equally dominant, hop experiences.
Rating: Shoals -- 4.5 / 10; IPA -- 5 / 10
Catching up with old favorites:
Spring is on its way, a little earlier than necessary, but not completely unwelcome. And its arrival means cherry blossom hysteria here in Washington, DC ... and the return of Smuttynose's Hanami Ale. I picked up a few bottles in a sampler pack for a Super Bowl party and was surprised at how much they've turned up the tart cherry aspects of the beer this year (i.e. while the beer is still chilled). Last year it seemed like they were angling for the essence of cherry blossoms until it warmed up significantly. This year's Hanami is giving the kriekbiers a run for their money but doesn't cross into that "cherry juice" zone... add half a point to the previous rating if you find a six-pack this year.Legal:
The Anheuser Busch / Budejovicky Budvar battle (previously 1 and 2) turns another page, this time surrounding a strange twist in UK trademark law that allows A-B to the exclusive rights to the name going forward... and in honor of this convoluted turn in the proceedings, the IPKat hosted two competitions to explain the proceedings -- one to summarize the case in under 150 words, the other for haiku about the continuing controversies.Gadgetry:
The big trademark trend these days in the European Union seems to be the "designation of origin" or "geographic indication" filing. The latest uproar involves the designation BAYERISCHES BIER and its conflict with BAVARIA HOLLAND Beer (courtesy of Class 46 and the IPKat). Interestingly, Bavaria Brewery was also responsible for the lederhosen / ambush advertising incident at the 2006 World Cup -- picking a fight with Anheuser Busch (the exclusive beer sponsor of the World Cup) during the Netherlands / Ivory Coast match in Stuttgart, in southern Germany... perhaps not the wisest business move in the world.
It's days and scenarios like these two that make me reconsider my decision to leave the wonderful world of trademark law...
InBev has teamed with Krups (shiny kitchenware folks) to bring the BeerTender, -- a mini-keg and counter-top dispenser systemm to the US market. I salute the idea of enjoying draft beer in the privacy of one's home, but I can't get on board with the execution... between the skunky export-grade Heineken, the proprietary, single-use mini-keg, and the overpriced distribution at Williams-Sonoma, this puppy seems doomed to me. (Courtesy of BoingBoing Gadgets, Engadget)
