Brewery: Goose Island
Location: Chicago, IL
Style: ESB
Brewery Website
Rating: B
In my glass today is the Honker's Ale from Goose Island in Chicago. The Honker's Ale is an ESB that at first taste is clearly modeled after the prototypical English style. In the glass it is a golden-amber in color with a faint haze. The head pours on the shorter side and white in color. The nose detects citrus and pine hops in balance with malty biscuit notes.
On the palate there is an initial flash of aromatic hops that quickly fades to a malty bread/crackers note which finally leads to some lingering bitter hops. The hops has herbal and floral notes taking the lead over a background of citrus and pine. The bitterness level is moderate and well-balanced. Also present are notes of mineral water as well as a slightly sweet berry note. The Honker's Ale is light-to-medium bodied. The finish has saltines along ngering piny hop notes.
The Honker's Ale is a well-balanced, British-style ESB. It is easy drinking, but it seems a bit thin to me. This is a good beer, but with a fuller body and a bit more of a bitter bite it would have the potential for greatness.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Heavy Seas Loose Cannon Hop³ Ale
Brewery: Clipper City Brewing Co.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Style: IPA
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is the Loose Cannon Hop³ Ale from Clipper City's Heavy Seas line of big beers. As one can imagine from the name, this is a big American-style IPA. The Loose Cannon pours with a short, off-white bubbly head. The beer is a hazy gold with some light amber hues. The nose screams "Cascade!", as the hops aroma asserts itself quite boldly. It's sort of like getting smashed in the face with a grapefruit, James Cagney style. In a good way.
The initial flavor is big, fruity hops, although some bready malt notes do peek through the haze. The Loose Cannon has some slight residual sweetness. There is a moderate level of bitterness, but overall the bite is rather mild for such a heavily hopped ale. The hops flavors run the gamut from herbal/fresh-cut grass notes, to a hint of juniper, and of course the big citrus Cascade notes are present in spades. I found the carbonation level was a bit lacking, leading to a slightly flat mouthfeel. The Loose Cannon has a smooth finish that is balanced between aromatic and bitter hops with a hint of wheaty malt.
Clipper City continues to put out some really good beer under their Heavy Seas line. The Loose Cannon is a well-rounded IPA with lots of hops flavor. I did find myself wanting a bit stronger kick of bitterness as counterbalance to the aromatic hops, but overall this is a very enjoyable IPA.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Style: IPA
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is the Loose Cannon Hop³ Ale from Clipper City's Heavy Seas line of big beers. As one can imagine from the name, this is a big American-style IPA. The Loose Cannon pours with a short, off-white bubbly head. The beer is a hazy gold with some light amber hues. The nose screams "Cascade!", as the hops aroma asserts itself quite boldly. It's sort of like getting smashed in the face with a grapefruit, James Cagney style. In a good way.
The initial flavor is big, fruity hops, although some bready malt notes do peek through the haze. The Loose Cannon has some slight residual sweetness. There is a moderate level of bitterness, but overall the bite is rather mild for such a heavily hopped ale. The hops flavors run the gamut from herbal/fresh-cut grass notes, to a hint of juniper, and of course the big citrus Cascade notes are present in spades. I found the carbonation level was a bit lacking, leading to a slightly flat mouthfeel. The Loose Cannon has a smooth finish that is balanced between aromatic and bitter hops with a hint of wheaty malt.
Clipper City continues to put out some really good beer under their Heavy Seas line. The Loose Cannon is a well-rounded IPA with lots of hops flavor. I did find myself wanting a bit stronger kick of bitterness as counterbalance to the aromatic hops, but overall this is a very enjoyable IPA.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery
Location: Frederick, MD
Style: Pale Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
On the tasting block today is the Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale, an American-style Pale Ale from Flying Dog. The beer pours a deep, golden-brown color with lots of carbonation. A huge tan, foamy head with big clumps forms immediately upon pouring. The nose has citrus and herbal hops notes, along with a faint pretzel/malty note.
On the palate the Doggie Style Pale Ale has a pretzely malt note along with a fruit/wine note up front. There is a bitter hops note with a moderate bite. The hops present both citrus and herbal flavors. There is also a distinct alcohol/winy note as well. The Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale is medium-bodied with a juicy mouthfeel and some chewy astringency. The finish has both winy and pretzel notes.
Typical of Flying Dog's beers, the Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale is a nice, hoppy pale ale. My only issue is that this beer is a bit too juicy for my tastes; I'd prefer that it was a touch dryer. All-in-all, this is another very good showing from Flying Dog.
Location: Frederick, MD
Style: Pale Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
On the tasting block today is the Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale, an American-style Pale Ale from Flying Dog. The beer pours a deep, golden-brown color with lots of carbonation. A huge tan, foamy head with big clumps forms immediately upon pouring. The nose has citrus and herbal hops notes, along with a faint pretzel/malty note.
On the palate the Doggie Style Pale Ale has a pretzely malt note along with a fruit/wine note up front. There is a bitter hops note with a moderate bite. The hops present both citrus and herbal flavors. There is also a distinct alcohol/winy note as well. The Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale is medium-bodied with a juicy mouthfeel and some chewy astringency. The finish has both winy and pretzel notes.
Typical of Flying Dog's beers, the Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale is a nice, hoppy pale ale. My only issue is that this beer is a bit too juicy for my tastes; I'd prefer that it was a touch dryer. All-in-all, this is another very good showing from Flying Dog.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Lagunitas Pils
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Location: Petaluma, CA
Style: Pilsner
Brewery Website
Rating: A
In my glass today is the Lagunitas Pils, a Czech-style Pilsner. The Lagunitas Pils is a deep golden-yellow in color. There are fine bubbles of carbonation and a white bubbly head. The nose detects juiciness, herbal hops and a light breadiness.
On the palate there is an initial squirt of juiciness that trails off rapidly. The Lagunitas Pils is dryer than the nose an initial juiciness suggest. A bready note akin to naan or a flour tortilla is here. There is a nice bitter hops kick. Overall, the hops have a grassy, herbal character supported by some floral notes. The Lagunitas Pils is medium-bodied, crisp and has a pleasant fizz of carbonation. The finish is rather short with bitter hops and bready notes.
The Lagunitas Pils is a crisp, dry euro-style pilsner. I love this interpretation of the style. The flavor is bold yet refreshing. While this is clearly styled after your typical euro-pils, there is not even a hint of the typical eurolager skunkiness here. Green-bottle beer fans, this is what your beer is supposed to taste like.
Location: Petaluma, CA
Style: Pilsner
Brewery Website
Rating: A
In my glass today is the Lagunitas Pils, a Czech-style Pilsner. The Lagunitas Pils is a deep golden-yellow in color. There are fine bubbles of carbonation and a white bubbly head. The nose detects juiciness, herbal hops and a light breadiness.
On the palate there is an initial squirt of juiciness that trails off rapidly. The Lagunitas Pils is dryer than the nose an initial juiciness suggest. A bready note akin to naan or a flour tortilla is here. There is a nice bitter hops kick. Overall, the hops have a grassy, herbal character supported by some floral notes. The Lagunitas Pils is medium-bodied, crisp and has a pleasant fizz of carbonation. The finish is rather short with bitter hops and bready notes.
The Lagunitas Pils is a crisp, dry euro-style pilsner. I love this interpretation of the style. The flavor is bold yet refreshing. While this is clearly styled after your typical euro-pils, there is not even a hint of the typical eurolager skunkiness here. Green-bottle beer fans, this is what your beer is supposed to taste like.
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