January 2009 Archives
Ommegang brews a variety of bottle-conditioned Belgian-style ales and is even labeled as part of the Duvel family of ales. Hennepin is its saison, strong farmhouse ale -- a sneaky 7.7% ABV.
Characteristics: Slightly cloudy and pale gold color; light body; medium carbonation; a hoppy opening leads to malty sugars that blossom at proper temperature (about 40F) with a moderating yeasty element throughout.
Minor Gripes: When the balance of yeast, malt, and hops gets out of whack, Hennepin can be a bit of a rollercoaster (like many Belgian ales).
Bottom Line: As long as you don't have anything to do the next day, feel free to enjoy a full 750ml bottle. It's sufficiently easy-going and yet complex to drink over the course of an evening, especially if you can keep the temperature constant. Just keep in mind that it packs the wallop of three "normal" 12 ounce beers in the volume of two.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Characteristics: Slightly cloudy and pale gold color; light body; medium carbonation; a hoppy opening leads to malty sugars that blossom at proper temperature (about 40F) with a moderating yeasty element throughout.
Minor Gripes: When the balance of yeast, malt, and hops gets out of whack, Hennepin can be a bit of a rollercoaster (like many Belgian ales).
Bottom Line: As long as you don't have anything to do the next day, feel free to enjoy a full 750ml bottle. It's sufficiently easy-going and yet complex to drink over the course of an evening, especially if you can keep the temperature constant. Just keep in mind that it packs the wallop of three "normal" 12 ounce beers in the volume of two.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
This creamy, nitrogenated cousin of Smithwick's is available only in Europe and only on tap, which is a total shame. I first tasted (and loved) it in Ireland about 3 years ago but was pleasantly reacquainted while in Helsinki a few months back.
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color topped by a rich nitrogenated head with that classic rising effect as poured; light to medium body; low carbonation; malty, slightly toasted/biscuity flavors dominate with a slight Fuggles hoppy bite in the finish to keep it from getting too sweet.
Minor Gripes: Lack of availability in the US, and variability in the hoppiness (though not as much as Smithwick's, which sometimes presents as a fecking competitor to Sierra Nevada).
Bottom Line: For now, Kilkenny's is a lovely bonus for Americans making it over to Europe. I think it could do well stateside in the widget cans, but I also trust that Diageo has done its market research. Given a choice, I will always take Kilkenny over Smithwick's -- the smoothness of the nitro-pour really does make a difference in the flavor and drinkability. I'd also take Kilkenny over Boddington's, as the latter seems to have hardly any taste of late.
Rating: 7.25 / 10
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color topped by a rich nitrogenated head with that classic rising effect as poured; light to medium body; low carbonation; malty, slightly toasted/biscuity flavors dominate with a slight Fuggles hoppy bite in the finish to keep it from getting too sweet.
Minor Gripes: Lack of availability in the US, and variability in the hoppiness (though not as much as Smithwick's, which sometimes presents as a fecking competitor to Sierra Nevada).
Bottom Line: For now, Kilkenny's is a lovely bonus for Americans making it over to Europe. I think it could do well stateside in the widget cans, but I also trust that Diageo has done its market research. Given a choice, I will always take Kilkenny over Smithwick's -- the smoothness of the nitro-pour really does make a difference in the flavor and drinkability. I'd also take Kilkenny over Boddington's, as the latter seems to have hardly any taste of late.
Rating: 7.25 / 10
I'm always intrigued and frightened by winter ales. Intrigued by the idea of cinnamon and nutmeg and ginger and cloves, like a mulled wine or cider, but frightened by the attendant malt sugars that overwhelm the rest of the brew. Blue Point's entry for 2008-09 gets the job done by dialing back some of the spices and adding more hops to maintain balance.
Characteristics: Deep amber-brown color, low-to-medium carbonation, medium body, flat malty start that leads to a battle of citrusy hops and a mix of spices -- mostly coriander and nutmeg -- that continues through the finish and aftertaste.
Minor Gripes: I'd prefer for the spices to win a little more definitively. Fans of American Pale Ales, or those who dislike winter ales but are forced to consume this one, may hold different opinions.
Bottom Line: As winter ales go, Blue Point's is one of the most drinkable. I wouldn't buy it more than once a year, but that's typically enough for winter ale season (unlike pumpkin ales, which I would sample all year round).
Rating: 6 / 10
Characteristics: Deep amber-brown color, low-to-medium carbonation, medium body, flat malty start that leads to a battle of citrusy hops and a mix of spices -- mostly coriander and nutmeg -- that continues through the finish and aftertaste.
Minor Gripes: I'd prefer for the spices to win a little more definitively. Fans of American Pale Ales, or those who dislike winter ales but are forced to consume this one, may hold different opinions.
Bottom Line: As winter ales go, Blue Point's is one of the most drinkable. I wouldn't buy it more than once a year, but that's typically enough for winter ale season (unlike pumpkin ales, which I would sample all year round).
Rating: 6 / 10
