Friday Beer O'clock Selections

 

Sierra Nevada Estate 2009 - Friday Beer O'Clock Selection 2-26-10

Sierra_estate

Today's Beer O'Clock Selection was Sierra Nevada's 2009 Estate Brewers Harvest Ale - 1st Release.

From the bottle:
This is one of the only estate-made ales available in the world today. Produced with hops and barley grown on the premises of our brewery in Chico, this ale reflects the flavors of our surroundings in California's fertile Central alley. By Growing our own natural ingrediaents, we ensure the finest two-row barley and the freshest hops on earth, from the field and into the brew kettle.

First impression:

This brew has sweet, flowery,herbal aroma. Actually very nice. It has a nice amber color and poured out producing a thick head with long retention and lacing.

Flavors are rich and pretty well balanced, but the finish is dry and leaves a little too much bitterness at the back of the mouth for my taste.

Over all it's it's not too bad. If not for the finish, I would have liked this much more.

24 oz bottle
6.7% AVB
$8 and change at Kappy's Liquors (US)

Filed under  //   Ale   Beer O'Clock   Sierra Nevada  
Posted February 26, 2010 by Ed Stafford 
 

Beer O'Clock Friday Selections! Now On Posterous

As some of you may already know, I like Beer!! And if you didn't, well, you do now! Not just any beer, but good quality microbrews, craft beers, and foreign treats. You'll never find Budweiser mentioned here - well... except for that, but it won't happen again.

A little more than a year ago, I decided to start a weekly Beer O'Clock ritual by selecting a different brew each Friday to feature and share thoughts about it with friends online. Let me state from the start that I am in no way a beer snob, expert, aficionado or anything else along those lines. I just like beer and want to experience as many different kinds as I can and try to learn a little more about the different types of brew along the way. I've even tried adding my incredibly amateur opinions / reviews with selections when I can.

Up till now, I used flickr, twitter and facebook to post weekly selections. But now it's time to graduate to something a little more permanent, so I have set up a posterous page to post weekly selections to. The good thing about posterous is that the Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook updates will still continue. 

So, if you like beer and want to check out what's being featured each week and share your own thought and opinions about them, head over to http://beeroclock.posterous.com

Filed under  //   Beer   beer o'clock  
Posted January 20, 2010 by Ed Stafford 
 

Friday Beer O'Clock Selection for 1-15-10 - Monchshof World Classic Schwarz

 

Today's Friday Beer O'clock Selection for 1-15-10 is:

Monchshof
World Classic Schwarz: The Original Black
Kulmbach Germany.

Quick Review:
First thoughts - thinner than expected, malty, coffee, roasted, tasty

The pour rolled out without much action, but after a short delay, the head exploded over the glass rim and settled into a nice consistent bed of foam with good lacing
The aromas were a little on the subdued side and didnt' do much to excite the senses there. At least for me.
Color is dark and carbonation is mild.
The finish was dry and left a tasty roasted bitterness lingering at the back of the tongue.

Overall I liked this brew. It has good drinkability and might be compared with Guinness with a lighter body.

 

Filed under  //   Beer   beer o'clock   imported  
Posted January 15, 2010 by Ed Stafford 
 

Friday's Beer O'Clock Selection for 12-04-09: Fraoch - Heather Ale

Heather_ale

Friday's Beer O'Clock Selection for 12-04-09: Fraoch - Heather Ale

From the label:

Fraoch is Scotland's native Ale

Heather ale has been brewed in Scotland since 2000 b.c. Brewed using heather flowers and Scottish malt, it has a distinctive floral aroma, full malt character and a dry wine-like finish. As one of the oldest styles of ale in the world ther are many legends and folklore surrounding it.


Opinion/Review

Appearance: The color is a medium clear light golden amber and poured with a creamy stable head that has good retention. Carbonation is steady but not over-active.

Aroma: First impression - Sweet, Floral, Caramel and a hint of Spice. Over all, the aroma was very pleasant. I could almost taste the flavors just by smell...and it was GOOD!!

Taste: First impression - Smokey sweetness, hint of spice or floral tones, woody? Reminded me of a campfire. The flavors all come together nicely with a smooth light malty dry finish.

Mouthfeel: SMOOTH! This was a very smooth brew. There is a little carbonation bite but it fits well with the rest of the characteristics of this brew. Not over done and not under-done, just a nice balance. It's got a light and smooth body.

Drinkability and Final Impression: WOW.. This is a delicious brew. Full flavored brew with fantastic characteristics. Easy to drink. Not something to "pound", but definately worth taking some time with and enjoying every last drop.

Did I mention it was Delicious?

Price: $5.49 1 pt bottle - Kappy's Liquors, Medford MA

Filed under  //   Ale   Beer O'Clock   Recommended   Scottland   imported   top-pick  
Posted December 4, 2009 by Ed Stafford