Lammin Kataja Olut
January 23, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Don’t brew beer with juniper branches. It is a bad idea. if you want proof, drink Lammin Kataja Olut from Finland. Do the Finish drink this stuff? They shouldn’t.
Sinebrychoff Porter
January 23, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Finish porter!
According to the Sinebrychoff website,
Porter was the first product of industrial brewing and remained the most common beer category in Finland until Prohibition. Sinebrychoff fermented Porter already in the 1860s, though in relatively small quantities and primarily during winter months. Ab P. Sinebrychoff made Sff Ruunu-Portteri during the 1910s and Sff Porteri was brewed during the 1930s.
Sinebrychoff’s Porter is Sinebrychoff’s oldest special beer. Produced continuously since 1957, the recipe has remained virtually unchanged from one decade to the next. Sinebrychoff’s Brewmasters Nils Sandman and Boris Orlo as well as Laboratory Manager Aarne Rahiala are credited with the development of Sinebrychoff’s Porter. Legend has it that the yeast required for the manufacturing of porter was smuggled in a test tube from the British Isles to the Hietalahti brewery. The yeast was preserved in the brewery’s own laboratory and transferred only several decades later for processing at The Technical Research Centre of Finland’s yeast bank in Espoo.
So a porter from 1957, not that old but, the quality is great and the thing is this. Porter had virtually disappeared till the 1970′s/80′s when they made a comeback in the US. For anyone to be brewing porters in the 50′s is pretty cool and this one is good. A nice heavily malted Baltic Porter Style. Very nice.
Avery Anniversary Ale – Seventeen (Dry Hopped Black Lager)
January 22, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Make it black is all the rage, as I stated in my Back in Black review. This one, a lager, and in black. I dig it. Too bad the Avery Anniversary Ale – Seventeen was only brewed once. Perfectly hopped and not too sweet this beer is proof that putting the yeast at the bottom doesnt have to mean that it is light and tasteless. Happy birthday Avery!
Conspiracy Theory
Not a bad oatmeal stout from the old Manchester Brewing in New Hampshire, now closed. It is a bit too thin for me and it has a hint of coffee which I was not really expecting. Nothing special, solid stout.
Pretty Things ‘Our Finest Regards’ Barleywine
January 22, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Well, Pretty Things has done it again, created a pretty beautiful ale that everyone should bow down and worship. Quality brews everytime from this little brewery. Take note and drink this! ’Our Finest Regards’ Barleywine is amazing.
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Well, Happy Birthday to me! For my special day I decided to hide a bottle of Stone’s Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale in my coat pocket and head to the theater to watch Black Swan. I couldn’t see the beer since I was in a movie theater drinking to out of the 22oz bottle but wow could I taste it! I think this is the perfect beer to pair with Black Swan. Both are great, both are disturbing.
This beer is bitter and sweet all at the same time, like the swan queen. It is strong and not to be messed with. It doesn’t back down and it good to the last drop. The aroma could probably be smelled 3 rows away, not the best to sneak into a place. However, no one would complain cause the hops and malt are so perfectly balanced. Drink this beer!
(Thanks to The Full Pint for the image, I was in a dark theater)
Puffers Smoked Porter
January 17, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Went to lunch with some friends to Amherst Brewing Company, in Amherst, MA (of course) decided to try the Puffers Smoked Porter. I am a fan of many smoked porters so I was looking forward to their spin. Wow, was I disappointed. It is not a bad beer at all but they left out the smoke! The flavour and aroma are so faintly smokey that you really have to strain for the sensation of sitting next to a fire. The mouthfeel is light, perfect with my blue cheese burger. Not too dark I could almost see through it.
It you like porters you will probably dig this. Just don’t expect any smoke in your eyes.
Back in Black
Everyone is doing it, Black IPA’s. Black IPA’s are hipper than PBR on a warm day in Williamsburg. And in a can? Watch out Pabst!
So far I have been a fan of the 21st Amendment (brewery and otherwise). Back in Black is no exception. Hoppy and delicious! What beer in a can should taste like. Crisp and not syrupy like some strong IPAs. There is a slight roasted flavour that you will not usually find in lighter colour IPA’s. Slight citrus aroma, which throws my brain in a knot since the colour is dark. I like to be fucked in the head so I’m down with this beer!
Delirium Tremens
January 16, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
Delirium tremens (Latin for “shaking frenzy”, also referred to as The DTs) is an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813. DT is also a great little Belgian ale from Brouwerij Huyghe in Melle, Belgium. This Belgium Strong Ale uses 3 yeast strains to create its unique flavour. Very floral in the nose with some esters. Pepper and bread (all that damn yeast) are prominent in the flavour. Very nice beer.
The Dogfather
January 16, 2011 by justin · Leave a Comment
I know, I say “Dogfather” and you automatically think of the infomercial dog trainer dude. No, I’m talking about Laughing Dog Brewing’s Imperial Stout. This stout is as dark as my black lab but not as sweet. At 11% ABV it is heavier than my dog as well. A slightly roasted flavour is present but it is too thin and bubbly in the mouthfeel for me and a bit, could be less carbonated for sure. The aroma is very full, chocolate, almonds, fennel, coffee. The alcohol is nicely hidden. Not bad at all.
PS Yes that is my street in the background, hard to tell its a road with all that snow on it!