Archive for the 'Beer Reviews' Category

Another gem from the fine folks at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY. This one is an example of a Quadruple ale. Ales of this type do tend to be just that, four times as strong as those brews labeled as a double or triple. What makes these stand out is the higher alcohol presence in the taste, the heavy sweetness and malt presence.

Brewery Ommegang is located in Cooperstown, New York. They are very somewhat unique among American craft brewers. Taking the Belgian attitude of  taking risks with traditional styles and producing bold flavors and high alcohol, this American craft brewery feels as if it’s in the heart of Brussels itself.  Beginning only a meager 12 years ago, they have not only cemented their reputation in the states as the premier brewery of Belgian style ales, the got the attention of Belgian brewery Duvel Moortgat who bought the brewery in 2003 increasing Ommegang sales into Canada and Belgium. Since then though, Ommegang has continued to operate as they did before producing fine, bold Belgian style brews.

In absence of a tulip glass, preferred for this style, I poured this one into a standard pint glass. Still, it poured well, displaying a very deep, cloudy copper color that almost takes you back to that last great sunset you saw. It produced a plethora of bubbles that continued to rise to the top, just at the point when you thought they would end. This produced a great one finger head that stuck around for a good ten minutes before settling a little. What you end up with is a lacing on the glass, that stuck well.

The aroma is about what I would expect from this one. A sweet, very fruity scent, likely from the cherries that Ommegang says it puts in. hops are also prevalent, giving the aroma alone the bite I expect to see upon tasting. Take another whiff and you get a very nice malt presence balanced out by a subtle alcohol aroma.

Wow, this one was what I expected it to be. A sweet fruity taste, almost sticky if that is possible. Just wonderful with a spice I can not place. The fruit I smelled earlier is there and is definitely cherry. Upon reviewing Ommegang’s site, it turns out they put about 5% of a Kriek mixed with this traditional Belgian Quadrupel ale. Kriek is a traditional cherry Lambic of Belgian origin. The longer it lingers in your mouth, the more the malt presence and alcohol come out. The alcohol is subtle and is more present on the back end, at least if you sip this one slowly as you should.

Mouthfeel is good. Crisp, but also creamy. Very much like this style should be.

Overall a great beer. Treat it with the respect it deserves and it will reward you. Definitely placed g side Belgium’s best Quadrupels. Weighing in at around 9.8% ABV, you’ll want to take your time with this one, but it will be worth it. I decided to pair this one with a vanilla ice cream I had last nite and a great homemade brownie.

Other reviews of Three Philosopher’s you should check out:

Beer A Day

Brewed as an American Stout, Jason Davis in his infinite and unquestionable wisdom decided to add Belgian yeast to this one. Stouts are originally British in origin, with some hailing from the Emerald Isle as well. American stouts deviate a little by having a little more hopped up character and these days like to have their morning coffee while being brewed.  Hops range in variety, as wel as the amount of bitter taste and often a roasted malt flavor.

Brought again to us by the Freetail Brewing Co. This is unique brewpub, is still determined to change your perception of beer and of Texas craft brews (Yes, we have very good craft brews here in Texas)!  Born out of inspiration in 2005 while at Chama River Brewing Co., in Albuquerque, NM, owner Scott Metzger and brewer Jason Davis have created a very unique brewpub that has paid homage to Texas and its inhabitants. Named after the official Texas flying mammal, the Mexican Free-Tail Bat and the beers definitely take on the attitude of its namesake, as well as that of the owner and brewer.

BearAdvocate.com recently rated Freetail as the #1 rated brewpub in Texas and was the winner of the San Antonio Express-News 2009 Critics Choice for “Best Place for a Cold Beer”.

Appearance is typical for a stout. Pours a very dark brown, almost black, color into a pint glass. Produces a minimal head, with just the right amount of carbonation and leaves a nice lacing that hangs around on the glass very nice.

Aroma is of chocolate, roasted malts and a very nice caramel. Hops are definitely definitely present lending a nice balance to this stout. What’s different about this is that the Belgian yeast comes to the surface to balance out the chocolate and caramel. The floral notes present remind one of cruisin’ through South Texas looking at the wildflowers..but I digress..

When I first sipped this one, all that I smelled earlier came rushing at me. Another sip or two brought out some coffee flavor with an almost tart orange hint to it. The hops are present and balance out the chocolate. The Belgian yeast makes this a bit creamy for a stout, but a welcome change to this style.

Mouthfeel was definately that of a full bodied stout that almost felt like a meal aafterwards!

Overall, I like this one. I had not come across a stout with a belgian attitude, but leave to Jason to try it. It would be interesting to take it further and try a Simcoe hopped version of this one. Although that might be a bit much…At about 5% ABV I had another and it went well with the 5 layered lasagna that the kitchen whipped up.

An example of an American IPA . Color can range from pale golden to red and often are cloudy. The American IPA is typically big on hops and often a little herbal or citrus flavor. If you get a good one, bitterness will be present. They tend to be medium in body with a mild malt character.

Heading up to the norwest part of the United States, we find ourselves in Seattle, Washington and The Pike Brewing Co. Afters years of talking about owning a brewery, Charles and Rose Ann Finkel opened their doors in 1989 in Seattle, Washington in the La Salle Hotel on Western street, underneath the famed Pike Place Public Market. The Finkels wanted to brew beers that were the equal of those in Europe, as well as ones that paired well with food, concentrating on Ales, Porters, Scotch Ales and Barley Wines.

This one poured a beautiful light to medium copper into a standard pint glass. A nice medium one finger head that dicipated, but obly to a nice thjin sustainable one. Lacing on the glass stuck well, almost covering the entire glass.

Aroma is primarily of hops. Although not overpowering, the aroma is subtle but there and definitely nice. Malt is present but not prominent. Seems that the hops should be enough to make your nose smell the bitter, but not with this one.

The taste makes up for it a little.. all hops, just not as strong as I’d expected. Dry hopping would have been nice. If it was done hearm it van not be tasted. The malt comes out, but only as an after thought. A hint of alcohol, not much, but it is present.

Mouthfeel is good. Not as crisp as I’d like, but you taste the bite of this IPA as I would have hoped. The longer this one lingers the more the hops come out.

Overall, a solid IPA.  Not as strong as those from Stone, Dogfish Head or Green Flash, but a good effort indeed. Went very nice with the herbed steak topped with blue cheese. At about 6.5% ABV this one wont knock you over, but will allow you to enjoy more than one.

This one is also an example of  an American Amber Ale or Red Ale. This style usually heavier on the malt, contains hops  and very often has a fruity character to it, with spices sometimes present. It has been said that the American Amber Ale is a kind of catch all category for ales that are amber in color all the way to read.

Brought to us again by the Green Flash Brewing Co in Vista, Ca, San Diego County.  Locally owned and operated by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. The name is unique and the owners describe the name “Green flashes are real phenomena seen at sunrise and sunset, when part of the sun suddenly changes color.Green flashes usually are brief, lasting only one or two seconds.Green flashes do not always light up the sky, but are often small and inconspicuous. To see green flashes, you must be in the right place. An ocean horizon can often provide optimum green flash viewing conditions. To see green flashes, the air should be reasonably clear.”  They

This one poured a medium to deep amber color into a pint glass, having a small almost half finger head that settles into a sustainable thin one and leaves a very nice lacing that sticks well to the glass.

The aroma of this one is wonderful. Heavy hop aroma is very predominant when first sniffing this one and have a definate floral aroma to them, with a nice balanced malt smell.

This flavor of this the Hop Head Red is just that: hoppy, and very bitter. Unusual for a beer labled as a red ale.  The floral I smelled before also come out in the flavor and with this one being as bitter as it taste, it has to be dry hopped.  The malt is there, but takes a nice supporting back seat to the hops and has a slight caramel accent to them.

Mouthfeel on this medium and just right for this brew. Crisp, yet has some weight to it. The longer it lingers, the more bitter the hops taste.

Overall, not quite what I expected from what is billed as a red ale, but also exactly what I was hoping for with the description ‘Hop Head’ in the name. Green Flash poses the question: ‘Is this a Red IPA?” Me thinks it is. Some characteristics of a red ale, but this brew is all about the hops.  Paired nicely with the bananas I had as a snack, as they brought out a slight citrus flavor in the brew. Yes, I said bananas..

I seem to be on an IPA kick, as this one is also an example of an American IPA . As always, color can range from pale golden to red and often are cloudy. The American IPA is typically big on hops and often a little herbal or citrus flavor. If you get a good one, bitterness will be present. They tend to be medium in body with a mild malt character.

This one comes to us from the Green Flash Brewing Co in Vista, Ca, San Diego County.  Locally owned and operated by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. The name is unique and the owners describe the name “Green flashes are real phenomena seen at sunrise and sunset, when part of the sun suddenly changes color.Green flashes usually are brief, lasting only one or two seconds.Green flashes do not always light up the sky, but are often small and inconspicuous.To see green flashes, you must be in the right place. An ocean horizon can often provide optimum green flash viewing conditions.To see green flashes, the air should be reasonably clear.

Poured a medium to deep copper color into a pint glass. Definitely cloudy as well giving it a wonderful appearance. Small head, but is sustainable and leaves moderately think lacing on the glass.

Aroma is all hops. Some malt mixed in, but hops are what jump out at you as soon as you sniff this one. If your nose stays around long enough smells of flowers and I swear wood seem to come about. Surprising to me for an IPA, but nice.

It tastes as it smells. Hops, hops and more hops. Reminds me of Stone’s Ruination IPA, as this one is bitter and gets more bitter with each sip. The malt is there, by very subtle, as is the alcohol that is present on the back end. What was nice, is that there was a definite sour to it likely from the alcohol.  Instead of taking away from the bitter, it accented it nicely.

Overall, I was impressed with this one. Very hippy and very bitter. It acomplishes what it was meant to and that is to blow your socks off. Definately in league with Stone’s Ruination IPA and Hop Juice. Weighing in at 7% ABV it is just right. Went very well with the Grilled Ham and Cheese with Sweet Potatoe fries.