Today I had the pleasure of being in the vicinity of the Dogfish Head Alehouse at Seven Corners, Falls Church, Virginia.  My friend and I rolled in, had a little lunch, and sampled a couple of beers.  The “new beer” for today: the Chickory Stout!

Wow!  This beer is great on tap.  I love the color, the nose just gives you that coffee/chocolaty/roasted malt smell … and then the flavor … great!  The only thing I would like more is if the temperature on their taps was a smidgeon warmer!  Otherwise, this place is great!  I had the wood smoked Salmon sandwich (with Gorgonzola cheese) — yes.  Great.  Recommended!

Beer Mentor

If you know me (or have followed this blog at all …), you know that I really like APA/IPAs.  I would classify these styles as my favorite.  I just like that hoppy flavor in these beers.  You can also find my opinion on east coast/west coast versions of these brews.  Today’s beer is neither — it is from New Holland Brewing.

Since they are from Michigan, they don’t seem to fall into the standard classification I’ve described before.  This particular IPA, the Mad Hatter, stands on its own.  The nose is excellent, and the flavor definitely hits me where I like … right on the Hop taste buds.  I could easily drink lots of this beer … I picked this one up at the Whole Foods store in Springfield, VA.

Beer Mentor

I picked a special beer out of my cellar for my 200th beer (in 200 days): The Gouden Carolus “Cuvée van de Keizer Blauw” … the 2007 brewing.   This beer is brewed every year on the 24th of February.  See this link for what others think of it and a little history behind the brew.

This beer can be “cellared” for up to 10 years … so mine I’ve had for two years … I thought it was time to drink it. (Yes, I bought the 2007 in 2008).  In all fairness on the rating, this is a “mish-mash” of different years … although most of the ratings are high for this beer, there is no particular rating for a specific year.  I “think” this is a bottle conditioned beer, so the flavor will change from year to year and as you cellar it.

Here’s a picture of my 2007 … I poured it in three glasses (to share with my daughters).  I drank the Orval glass and my daughters had a Gouden Carolus glass and an Ommegang glass.

The 11% ABV kind of sneaks up on you … the flavor on this beer was exceptional … I really enjoyed it … when poured, it is that nice ruby color — obviously the head retention won’t be long with this high of an alcohol content.  The body and character were right in target for the Belgian Strong ale style — I could easily drink more of these!

Fortunately, I will have the chance to drink at least two more … I also own the 2008 and 2009 releases! (nice dust build-up on my 2008  … hehe)

I definitely look forward to enjoying those in a couple of years!

Beer Mentor

I went out today with my family to an Indian restaurant and had a Kingfisher Premium Lager.  It said it was made from the best Barley and Hops, but it sure had that taste like it had Rice (or corn) in it.

This beer is brewed and bottled in New York by a subsidiary brewery of this company.  I could swear it had that hot, dry alcohol flavor you get when you use rice/corn as an adjunct.  I agree with these reviews, it is drinkable, but it wouldn’t be my first choice … unless my first choice was bud light, then it would probably be my first choice!

Beer Mentor

I cracked open a bottle of Southern Tier’s 422 Pale Wheat Ale tonight (I bought it in a sampler 12-pack from Total Wine and MORE).  I have to say, this is the first Southern Tier beer that didn’t really knock my socks off.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a very drinkable Wheat “ale,” and I enjoyed the extra hoppiness that you wouldn’t find in a normal wheat beer, but it was basically a session beer … and if I want a session “wheat” beer I would probably reach for a Saison or a Belgian Wit.  Oh well, all of their beers may not be homeruns, but most of them are at a minimum a double!

Beer Mentor

I drove to North Carolina today to visit my son and found a six pack of New Belgium’s Ranger IPA in the shoppette.  Sweet!  I hadn’t had this beer yet (they weren’t making IPAs when I was in Colorado before…)

Don’t be confused by these pictures if you’ve seen this before — the packaging is actually lime green — the lights in my hotel room where a different color for some reason and made the packaging look yellow.

As for the taste/flavor/etc … yes, I like this beer!  This is definitely in style for an IPA, it had a very nice flavor (really enjoyed the hop finish and the aftertaste).  Excellent offering of an American IPA from a typically Belgian Beer maker…

Beer Mentor

Just a quick update for today.  I had another Leinenkugel’s … this time their 1888 Bock.  This is a nice offering, in style except it seems a little light for a bock.  Of course, this is also the case (I think) for the Shiner Bock beer too.  I’m not sure, but both of these beers are a larger offering from Craft Brewers and they seem to be slightly thin (from a bock perspective).

So far, I like all the beers I’ve had from Leinenkugel’s brewing — you can tell they take pride in their beers and in the presentation.  Overall, this is a quite drinkable beer — I will continue to sample the six-pack I bought! LOL!

Beer Mentor

I had a Flying Dog today–their summer seasonal … it is a Belgian-style Wit Beer.  I thoroughly enjoyed this beer.  I think they got this one right–excellent aroma, very nice flavor, I think the right ABV, and excellent finish … add all these up and this is a great summer drinking beer!

I recommend it!

Beer Mentor