Friday Beer O'clock Selections

 

Pretty Things - Saint Botolph's Town English Brown Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 6-10-2011

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When I think of beer [and I assume most are with me on this] I don't necessarily think of  Pretty Things. Today, all that has changed thanks to the Friday Beer O'Clock Selection for the week - Pretty Things, Saint Botolph's Town, English Brown Ale. AND as an added "coolness" bonus, this brew has a connection right here to Boston.

From the site:

The name "Saint Botolph's Town" is in tribute to our great home in America: Boston. The original Boston in Lincolnshire, England is an abbreviation of "Botolph's Town" or "Botolph's Stone". When we were back in Yorkshire recently, we found a churchyard where St. Botolph spoke in the year 675; a 'stump' (broken old cross) marks the spot. Saint Botolph is a 7th century saint from England whose feast day is June 17th. Perhaps a great day to save a bottle or two for! 

How great is that? ... And their "Project" is located right here in Cambridge, MA - practically my back yard (but not really - but that would be pretty cool too). I mention "Project" because that how they refer to themselves. Pretty Things does not own a brewery, and in fact, they actually rent one, which I think only make them even more interesting.

But now on to the important stuff....

Appearance: Poured with a deep brown color forming a two finger thick frothy beige colored head that slowly retreated to a consistent thin froth across the surface. Collar is dense and lacing is consistent and smooth, coating the sides of the glass. There are lighter shades of brown seen through the glass with a very slight tint of red-orange when held up to the light.

Aroma: A delicious bouquet of roasted malts, brown sugar, black licorice and toasted bread. There are some other complex subtleties here as well, but these are the big players for me.

Taste: Toasted malts dominate the mouth with supporting roles provided by caramel malts, molasses and hints of coffee up front sliding into a dry and surprising burst of hops at the back. The hops in the back really add a nice balance and contrast to what I expected based on the nose.

Feel: Weighing in with a medium body, this brew is very smooth right up to the end where the bitter hops mingle with some carbonation to give it a little bite. Personally, I like the idea that it goes out in the end with a bit of a fight. There is a contrast here as well, from mouth to finish, that was not expected but is more than welcome.

Drinkability: Certainly not a "pounder", but this is a very enjoyable brew. Fill a mug, and take some time to savor this one. I am recommending this one and looking forward to trying some of their other brews available.

Have you had a chance to try this brew? What did you think?

Filed under  //   Brown Ale   Pretty Things  
Posted June 10, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Samuel Adams Black Larger - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 5-27-2011

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My wife's nephew is a young 23-ish year-old budding  beer enthusiast - I like to think I had some influence on that - and has learned early that Bud (mud), Miller, et al, do not leave much to consider in terms of defining "good" beer once you've crossed the line to micro and craft brews. This week, he passed along a Samuel Adams Black Larger to me after learning that I had not tried it yet.

On inspection, some might think this would be a Porter, or Stout, both traditionally British style ales, but this style is based on a Schwarzbier (Black Beer), a traditional beer style from Eastern Germany that uses a bottom fermenting larger yeast.

ABV: 4.90%

Appearance: Poured into a beer mug with a dark brown color forming a one finger tan head that receded to a thing broken layer across the surface with some lacing. Color is very dark, almost black and reveals accents of red and amber when held to the light. There is also a "fizzy" quality similar to soda but much less active.

Aroma: Amazing roasted malts kick the senses into high gear right from the start with notes of molasses, coffee, chocolate and a hint of hops. 

Taste: Up front is a mix of delicious roasted malts and caramel, adding some sweetness before mingling with some coffee, chocolate in the middle and some type of fruit, and finally picking up a touch of smooth mild bitter hops in the end. In the end, all very well balanced.

Feel: With the "fizziness" from the pour, I expected a bit of an edge in the feel, but instead I got a nice smooth medium carbonated body that weighed in on the lighter side of medium, crisp and refreshing 

Drinkability: I'm putting this on the higher end of the drinkability scale. I could easily pass the time disposing of a few of these with some friends, and with the lower ABV, this makes a good session brew.

Tried this one yourself? What did you think?

Filed under  //   Sam Adams   black beer   black larger   larger  
Posted May 27, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 5-20-2011

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This week I was looking for a clean refreshing summer selection that I might be able to mix things up with during the summer months. After browsing the stock, I came across the Brooklyn Summer Ale and decided to go for it. The Brooklyn Brown Ale left such a great impression, I figured I try it and see if Brooklyn Brewery had the stuff or if they were just a one night stand.. :)

ABV: 5%

Appearance: Poured into a mug with a subtle haze, light golden wheat color with very slight orange hues and formed a white fluffy 2 head with a lot of small carbonated bubbling action. The head "deflated" after a minute releasing large air/gas  bubbles leaving behind a scattered foam layer across the surface with a decent callar and lacing.

Aroma: I picked up a little bit of citrus lemon/orange and apricot on the nose with coriander and bready malts. I'm also getting a earthy chalkiness (lack of better description) and wheat straw.

Taste: Consistent and balanced straight through. Wheaty malts, subtle honey sweetness with mild hops that add a slight bitterness, coriander. Finish is a nice mild bitter hop and lemon citrus with mild sweetness.

Feel: I really like the mouth on this. Great carbonation. On the lighter side with a semi-dry finish. Refreshing and crisp.

Drinkability: I'm a fan. This has great drinkability. Clean, refreshing, flavorful. When I think of Summer Ales, I tend to gravitate to Sam Adams Summer Ale for comparison. This certainly meets the expectations I have for a good summer ale.

Conclusion: Move over Sam Summer Ale - You've got some competition. I plan on adding this to my go-to summer ale line up.

What do you think of this weeks' selection? Have any other suggestions for a great summer ale?

Filed under  //   Ale   Brooklyn Brewery   summer   summer ale  
Posted May 20, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Troegs Sunshine Pils - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 5-13-2011

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This week's selection brings another brew from the Troegs Brothers. The Hop Back and Nugget Nectar put Troegs on the charts for me and I'm hoping this week, their Sunshine Pils will not disappoint. I'm a little short on time this week, so I'll keep this one short.


Appearance: poured into a pilsner with a clear golden color forming a decent 2-3 finger head that slowly reduced to a thick consistent coat across the surface right up the the edges and collar. Color is very light and super clear displaying a good amount of bubbling action.

Aroma: grassy lemon zest, straw and fresh earthy hops.

Taste: Surprising hop bite (then again, it is Troegs so should be expected). Light malt and bready taste in front that gives way to a lemon zest, sourish, bitter hop finish. That might not sound so appealing, it actually works pretty well here for me.

Feel: Crisp, clean, refreshing and light. 

Drinkability: This is an ideal brew for a summer day. Great feel and good taste provide a nice refreshing brew here.

There it is! Keeping it short wasn't difficult after all. To me, this is a pretty straight forward brew. Not big on complexity but just as good.

Filed under  //   Troegs   pilsner  
Posted May 13, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 5-6-2011

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This week's Beer O'Clock Selection is from a local favorite brewer, Samuel Adams Brewery, right here in Boston, MA. Latitude 48 I.P.A. is part of their Brew Master's Collection. I have not had this before and I've seen it on the shelves a few times now and while I almost reached for, I always opted for something a little more "different". Not sure what d"different" means, but probably something along the lines of less familiar - Sam Adams is almost analogous to Boston. Last week a friend, Stephen Dill (@srdill) asked me if I had tried it yet, and having not, I figured it's about time. I'm raising this one to you Stephen!!

From the Bottle: Samuel Adams® Latitude 48 IPA is a unique IPA brewed with a select blend of hops from top German, English, and American growing regions all located close to the 48th latitude within the “hop belt” of the Northern Hemisphere.  The combination of hops in this beer creates a distinctive but not overpowering hop character.

Appearance: The pour rolled into my pint glass with a brilliant golden brown amber color forming a thick cream-colored two finger head. Retention was good and eventually broke down to a consistent thin foam layer across the surface with a thick frothy collar. Lacing is super thick and completely coats of the sides of the glass.

Aroma: Fresh piney bitter hops on top with rich malt thrown on for good measure. Theres also a mild spicy sweetness underneath - caramel and cinnamon?

Taste: Mild refreshing sweetness sneaks in just before the piney hops take control. Getting some bready crust in here as well. The end is a fairly strong hop flavor finaly finishing with a dry bitterness. BUT, the mild sweetness takes some of the edge off the bitter finish, usual for an IPA. Personally I think it a nice touch and adds to the drinkability. Finish lingers with moderate bitterness.

Feel: Medium body fits nicely here. Carbonation is consistent, with a moderate bite, just enough to accommodate the bitterness.  Finish is dry and leaves a little bit of a film at the back of the mouth and tongue.

Drinkability: Very High!! I find this to be very easy to drink (I'm on my second as I writ this). It's a clean, crisp well balanced, refreshing IPA. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you'll know IPA is not my favorite, so that has to count for something - right?

So that's it! There's my opinion. But what really matter is yours! What do you think about this brew?

Filed under  //   IPA   Sam Adams  
Posted May 6, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Clown Shoes Clementine White Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 4-29-2011

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This week's Beer O'Clock Selection came as a recommendation. I've seen it on the shelf a few weeks back and made a note to try it, when "The Beer Guy" at my favorite local provider convinced me it's worth a try. I liked their Eagle Claw Fist Imperial Amber, and with the recommendation, I expect this to be a decent brew as well. What am I talking about, you ask? It's Clown Shoes Seasonal Clementine White Ale (Witbier).

ABV: 6%

Appearance: This brew poured from it's bottle into a pint glass with a light golden ochre color with forming a deep white and frothy head at about two fingers. It's a bit cloudy but provides enough visibility to catch the active carbonation. The head gives out after a bit and leaves a dense film on the surface with a thick collar around the edge.

Aroma: First up front is a bready malts and wheat aroma with floral and coriander notes. A little deeper and I get some orange and clove as well.

Taste: In front I definitely pick up the wheat malts but moving into the middle the orange rind/peel take over and mingle with some hop bitterness and coriander to the end where things linger with bitter orange peel and coriander. There's a lot of bite in the flavor and some might bite a bit too hard for my taste. At the same time it makes for an interesting blend that starts to grow on you.

Feel: Crisp and light with a mild body and medium wetness through out. Finishes on the drier side and carbonation is a bit abrasive.

Drinkability: If the conditions are right [hot summer day] this might be a decent brew to break out, but I didn't find this one to live up to it's expectations.

Overall, I had higher hopes for this. I loved the introduction, but the orange peel flavor and bitter combination make it a bit awkward for me. Orange peel could be brought down a peg or two, in my opinion. I've got another bottle of this and will save it for the hotter days of summer which it seems more appropriate for. Maybe I'm just missing something in this one.

Thats my version! Whats yours?

Filed under  //   Ale   Seasonal   belgian white   flavored   white ale   witbier  
Posted April 29, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Troegs Flying Mouflan - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 4-22-2011

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This week's Beer O'Clock Selection, as I'm told, is a very limited distribution and available only at selected locations. Brewed by Troegs Independent Craft Brewery, and having some of their other brews, I'm expecting a delicious hop-filled euphoria -  something they do well in my opinion.Troegs says - Dubbed the Flying Mouflan, this alluring ale is like "pushing our Nugget Nectar of the side of a cliff" - Tastes like hops dipped in candied sugar and rolled in dark chocolate dibs.

ABV: 9.3%

Appearance: Poured from a 1pt 6 fl.oz bottle with a brown red/amber color. I thought I had a nice controlled pour going, until the glass erupted over the rim with an explosive head before settling into a 2-3 finger thick frothy head with great retention and thick lacing that sticks heavily to the sides.

Aroma: First on the nose is a fantastic sweet floral hop aroma. Getting deeper, the aroma is is a bit more complex. There is hoppy citrus and grapefruit with a bit of pine, orange, caramel and raisin there as well.

Taste: This was a surprise and not what I expected. Not the flavor explosion I expected based on the aroma (and past Troegs experience). Right from the minute it hits the mouth, the flavors are almost subdued and mellowed., but very well balanced. It's a nice contrast to the aromas. Up front is nice caramel and raisin (fruit) flavors. Middle slides into some sweet orange and floral hop flavors and ends with more of the citrus and pine on the back finishing with a nice balance of hop and dark fruits. The alcohol is revealing and has a bit of a booziness, but I'm not put off by it here - it sort of works well.

Feel: Smooth and velvety with a heavy body and mild carbonation. Leaves a wet sticky film across the lips and coats the mouth.

Drinkability: If not for the high alcohol, I think I could throw a bunch of these back. It's a really good, casual drinking brew with great balance, aromas and delicious flavor. Initial subdued flavors really contrast with the aroma and adds a bit of a "plot twist" to the experience. Over all, I say go for this one if you get your hands on it. In the end, euphoric might be over-stepping, but it definitely has the marks of Troegs all over it - that's a good thing if you ask me. Nugget Nectar, move over!!

Hunt it down, try it out, and share your thoughts. Once it's gone, it's gone..!!

Filed under  //   Ale   Recommended   Troegs  
Posted April 22, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Belhaven Brewery - Wee Heavy Scotch Ale - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 4-15-2011

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This week's Selection brings us back to the Wee Heavy Scotch Ale style of brews. If you've learned anything from these reviews, it's that if it's brewed in Scotland, It's probably a good bet that it going to be delicious. Can you tell I'm a fan?

Up to a couple weeks ago, I've had no personal opinions of the Wee heavy style brews. My first was the Sam Adams Wee Heavy. Not really a "true" Wee Heavy and they took som liberty with changing it up a little, but it was good. This week I wanted to get a taste of a true, classic Scottish Wee Heavy straight from the quilted lands and brought home a bottle Belheaven Wee Heavy.

ABV: 6.5%

Appearance: Poured with a dark copper color revealing lighter copper and red colors against the light. The pour formed a small one finger (or less) head that dissipated quickly leaving little evidence that one ever existed at all. Collar is broken and loose around the edge. Some lacing, but very spotty and no retention.

Aroma: Mostly barley and malts with some wood smokiness. Also getting some decent caramel but overall, a little flat on the nose. (Disclaimer: Sinuses are a bit backed today, so I am not likely getting all that is offered from this brew.)

Taste: Impressive first mouth. First on the tongue a smoky barley and malt, followed by great caramel and fruits. Most notable for me are plum, raisins, rum, and a general fruitness. Really nice all the way through with sweeter finish lingering with slight smoky rum raisin and very ever so slight hop that almost goes unnoticed.

Feel: Slightly carbonated, but still velvety smooth having some weight and body behind it with a wet finish. Like the Sam Adams Wee Heavy, the sweetness with the heavy smooth body lend it an almost syrup quality with out being syrupy. I'm guessing this is characteristic of the Wee Heavy style at this point. 

Drinkability: Drink it you got it... and if you don't got it. go get some. This is a delicious brew perfect for sipping and just relaxing - With friends, watching the game or lounging in the yard. That's what I'm talking about... Enjoy.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. What do you think? Like it? Love it? or could live without it?

Filed under  //   Belhaven   Recommended   Scottland   Wee Heavy   scottish ale  
Posted April 15, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Sam Adams, Wee Heavy Ale - Friday Beer O'clock Selection 4-1-2011

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This week while browsing the available stock at the local supplier, I noticed a new package from Sam Adams. On closer inspection, I realized that it was a Scotch Wee Heavy Ale, and figured, hey, I like Sam Adams, I really like Scottish Ales (so far) and haven't tried a Wee Heavy Style yet, so why not?

According to the label, Samuel Adams Wee Heavy was inspired by traditional Scotch ales with deep roasted flavors but adds an extra level of complexity by adding peat smoked malt usually used in Scotch whiskies giving it a unique Sam Adams touch.

Sounds good, right? So lets see how it stacks up.

ABV: 10%

Appearance: I was surprised to see how dark this poured filling the mug with with a deep and very dark brown color with barely visible red/copper accents when held up to the light. The pour formed an active cream colored head that exploded over the rim and had some decent retention before leaving a nice consistent thin layer across the top and a thick collar with frothy lacing that completely coated the side of the glass.

Aroma: A nice bready scent fills the surrounding area. Up close, the nose picks up sweet roasted malts and caramel notes with undertones of smokey bread and yeast. Very appealing. Wait, is that a chocolate cherry I'm getting in here too?

Taste: I don't know where to start. Definitely a lot of smoked flavor all the way through and actually very good I might add. Caught off guard by the first mouth, but pleasantly surprised once I got past the surprise complexity - this is complex for sure. Up front and into the middle, there is the sweet malts and hints of bread crust. Some alcohol is picked up somewhere in the middle and with the sweetness it *almost* crosses the line to a syrup like taste but doesn't quite get there (that's a good thing). The back and finish round things up with slight bitter but still sweet with roasted malts, some coffee and warm alcohol.

Feel: Even with a moderate carbonated feel, the brew comes off overall as being smooth with a bit of weight behind it. Some warmth from the high alcohol.

Drinkability: In the end, I'm pleasantly surprised. It's not what I was expecting, but then again, this is the first "Wee Heavy" styled Scotch Ale I've had. The evident alcohol is the point breaker in my opinion, but with that said, it's not over the top - but in terms of overall characters, the alcohol brings it down a bit for me. Other than that, I enjoyed this brew very much and would recommend you give it a try. The smoked aroma and flavors are nice and I think this would make a great cool evening warmer.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. What do you think?

Filed under  //   Sam Adams   Wee Heavy   scottish ale  
Posted April 1, 2011 by Ed Stafford 
 

Founders Porter - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 3-25-2011

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I've selected Founders Porter for this week's Beer O'Clock Selection. I've heard some good things about it and had it sitting in the queue for a while now.

ABV: 6.5%

Appearance: Poured like Texas Gold, with a very dark and heavy appearance. Pour formed a light brown but very thin head that dissipated quickly leaving behind a equally modest collar providing spotty lacing at best. Opacity is pure black on this one allowing no light through the glass.

Aroma: Cocoa, Chocolate and caramel dominate followed by light coffee and slight roasted malt notes. It's super appealing and invites you right in.

Taste: Delicious!  Lots of chocolate all the way through with roasted malts, coffee, molasses and a surprising amount of hops along the way. Some acidity in here as well. As it warms, hops become more prominent and lend a more bitter chocolate taste. Finishes with nice bitter sweet chocolate, cocoa and hops. All in all, much more complex than I expected.

Feel: Body is on the heavier side as was expected with some noticeable carbonation, but it's also pretty smooth, leaving a creamy velvety film behind. As it warms, there is an acidic burn that becomes more evident.

Drinkability: Very good drinkability. Appearance, aroma, taste, and feel are all winners here coming together to create a very nice brew. I enjoyed this one a lot, but don't allow it to warm too much to get the most out of this one. It's best on the colder side in my opinion.

Filed under  //   Ale   founders   porter  
Posted March 25, 2011 by Ed Stafford