The Beer Babe

What's In Your Glass?

December 7, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Nogne O / Jolly Pumpkin / Stone Brewing Co – Special Holiday Ale

This review is brought to you as part of the Beer Advent Calendar over at The Brew Site – check it out for some great holiday brews, one reviewed each day until Christmas!

With three men on camels riding into an orange sunset, who could resist this for a whimsical holiday drink? A collaborative effort between Nogne O (Sorry, I don’t know how to make the special characters!), Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and Stone Brewing Company, I first spotted this on the bottle list at Novare Res in Portland, and vowed to try it again. Another year passed, and it has finally made it into my hands again.

It pours with a really creamy head that stays for a while and seeped out of the bottle when I was first trying to open it (though that also could have been the result of me man-handling it while trying to get it open without an opener available). The smell was at first vaguely reminiscent of cookies baking. There is definitely “spice” in this beer – and the sage, caraway and juniper leap right out at you. Put your nose in deep and you’d swear it was a ginger snap cookie – but there’s no ginger to be found in this brew. There is some maltiness there, but the spices certainly are the overwhelming smell here.

The first sip is almost shockingly spiced – the sage and juniper leave the tongue feeling dry and it opens up your nose a bit. It does smell and taste a bit like a mushed-up cookie – in a really good way. Each sip grew on me a bit more – and revealed some complexity. Not too thick (I expected thicker considering the head and the dark brown color) the primary characteristics here are not the malt backbone but the added ingredients. I can admit that I have not had any chestnuts in my lifetime, so this ingredient is eluding me, though maybe it is the source of the bready or starchy part of this brew? I’ll have to go get some in NYC when I’m down there for the holidays to compare.

As far as this beer’s place on the advent calendar, I’d say it is solid. It reminds me of the incense they used to burn at Midnight mass in the church I attended in my youth, and the yeast+spice combination does make me think of baking cookies. With each sip I liked it more and more, and I think I could only have topped off the experience if I were sitting with a bottle of it while watching new December snow fall.

December 3, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Ithaca Beer Co. – Apricot Wheat

I also picked this one up at Wegmans in Dewitt, as well. (This may become a theme in the next few weeks. There’s a lot of beer waiting to be tasted).

On my first relaxing evening in a long time, I decided to open up the fridge and pull out something fun. Not willing to break into something really heavy or high in alcohol, I pawed through the bottles and saw the Apricot Wheat beer from Ithaca Brewing.

It pours a great golden color with an-almost pilsner like behavior – lots of swirling effervescence and a nice springy head. I was happy that a sweet aroma of apricots wafted up to my nose before even taking a sip. The full nose is very sweet, not a lot of wheat there that I can pick up.

Then, I tasted it. To anyone looking for something subtly apricot (like a Magic Hat #9), you will not be happy with this beer. For someone looking for a great flavor to complement things like bleu cheese, walnuts and a great salad, you’re in luck. This beer has a lot to offer, and is very strongly flavored. However, I like it a lot – mostly for its unapologetic apricot taste. I think it’s great fodder for pairing, could be enjoyed with something sweet or savory, and defies the seasons. I’m drinking this in December – and I’m thinking about figs and pears. But this could equally be enjoyed in the heat of summer. Nice job, Ithaca! I’m looking forward to trying a few more brews from these guys if I can get a hold of them.

November 30, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Sackets Harbor Brewing – War of 1812 Amber Ale

When visiting the now epic craft beer section of Wegmans in my hometown of Dewitt, NY I took the opportunity that they offered to create a “mixed six” pack of beer (well, ok, I made 3 six packs). This one was from a brewery that I have never heard of – Sackets Harbor Brewing – from Sackets Harbor NY, a coastal town on the shore of Lake Ontario near Watertown. I bet they get a lot of snow there.

The brew I chose was the “War of 1812 Amber.” Poking around their website I found that they also make a Light version of this brew, so I think that the aim of their brewery may be to make good local session brews. I think that’s a pretty good fit for upstate NY – there’s been a long standing appreciation for local beer for quite a while (since the heydays of Matt Brewing and Utica Club beer).

It is described on the website as:

5.2% ABV Awarded a Silver Medal in the World Beer Championships in the Amber Ale category for 1998, this is our flagship ale. It has a nutty malt flavor which is balanced by a citris hop flavor and a classic ale fruitiness. We distribute this ale on draft and in bottles throughout Northern & Central New York.

It pours a really nice clear amber color, and has the kind of head that forms with big bubbles and fades quickly, but brings a lot of aroma up as it bubbles. It smells nutty and fruity, and very inviting. I took a sip and the first thing I thought was that it was thin. It didn’t have the body of some of the heavier beers I’ve been drinking as of late, but then I paused. For the style, it really doesn’t need to. I found myself, instead, taking several gulps of this beer each time that I went to sip it.

I could definitely drink this during the summer. It has a nice fruitness to it, and a classic nutty malt. It’s very smooth, and has a bit of a lingering taste that makes you want more of it. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a brew to be their good “drinking beer” (which is my way of saying, keep a six pack of this around for whenever, and enjoy it without needing a special occasion or having to think about drinking it.

November 26, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Jolly Pumpkin – Luciernaga (Firefly)

If you’ve ever been with me at a nice beer bar, I usually start the evening by asking if they have anything funky. Usually I am disappointed, as those are hard to get and yet remain a rare treat for me when I can come across them. So, it was pleasantly surprising for me to learn that Jolly Pumpkin brews (notoriously complex, funky or sour) were available in Maine. This one was released in June, but says that it can be used to make any season a celebration. So I’m taking that as a cue that it would fit well in the post-Thanksgiving pre-Christmas limbo that we are in right now.

This one is named Luciernaga which means Firefly – and it is a Grand Cru style ale brewed with spices. The label appears to be a masthead of a beautiful woman holding a glowing beacon to guide a ship into port. The labels on all Jolly Pumpkin brews are beautiful, but I almost wish I had this in poster-size to frame (it reminds me of the old Absynthe ads).

I like Grand Cru-style brews because they bring just a little tart bite to the party, but still retain some of the hoppiness and great character of a less-sour beer.

This one pours a hazy caramel orange, with an unrelenting head that makes you stop pouring it several times to serve. I know this wasn’t my fault, however, because this weekend at Novare Res I saw them having to do the same thing with another Jolly Pumpkin that they had on tap. After the fizzy foam calmed down a little, I finally went over to have a big whiff. I got a nice aroma of yeast, an almost apple-like smell with a little bit of tartness or sourness too. Very difficult to describe, but not the “barnyard” type smell that some really funky brews carry. This was lighter, and spicier (maybe it is the coriander) by smell and very enticing, despite its slight sourness.

I admit to having a hard time describing the taste of this one. I really like it, but it’s hard to put a finger on (or pick words that fit) what it is about the taste that just works. It is a little hoppy but has a very dry feeling on the tongue. Very complex, lots of swirling flavors – like the high notes of an IPA mixed with a little funk. It finishes cleanly, but leave it in your mouth a little longer and there’s that little sour sting. The coriander is nice and I can almost taste the lemon-ish grains of paradise, too, though I’m not sure if I’d have been able to isolate that without knowing that it was in the beer.

Overall, I really dig this beer – and hope that I can get my mitts on some more Jolly Pumpkin soon. It’s a rare treat to have something so complex and flavorful come my way. And at only 6% ABV it doesn’t knock me out after a glass, either. Cheers!

November 23, 2010
by The Beer Babe
2 Comments

5 Beers to Bring To Thanksgiving Dinner – Local Edition

To continue with a long-standing tradition here at The Beer Babe, I want to offer you my thoughts on five beers that you could bring to Thanksgiving dinner. Not for sophisticated pairing reasons, but a variety of thoughts on what would make good conversation, an interesting meal and beers to bring people together. I decided that this year I would offer up something slightly different – a more locally-focused list that tags some of my favorite brews of the year that would go very well with this meal.

1. Maine Beer Co – Spring Peeper – Most of you by now know my high opinion of this beer, but I think that it would make a great addition to the Thanksgiving lineup. Not too heavy, not too overwhelming in its flavor, this would be a good one to have with a cheese course or appetizers while the meal is being prepared in the kitchen. It’s nice and aromatic, too, so it’ll get you in the mood for the other brews ahead.

2. Sebago Brewing Co – Local Harvest – Though this is an IPA, it won’t tarnish your tastebuds like some others, and has a great flavor and character to it. A nice follow-on beer to the Peeper, this one amps up the flavor just a little bit in anticipation of the meal.

3. Sheepscott Brewing Co – Pemaquid Ale- A seldom mentioned brew that could do a lot if given the chance. The nice nuttiness of the malts and the smooth taste would make any of the earthy thanksgiving dishes go down quite well, and I would love to try this with some sweet potatoes.

4. Allagash – Black – Wait, not White to go with the turkey? I dare you to check this one out. The Allagash Black, though on the pricier side of these brews, would be a great pairing for some of the hearter dishes in the meal. Not overwhelmingly heavy but full of flavor, I think this one is worth a go for either dinner or dessert.

5. Unibroue – Quelque Chose - This offering from Quebec is entirely different than most beers you’ve probably had. A strong ale with cherries, this one pours the color of red wine and smells like dark cherries. This would go great, I think, with the main course or with many sides, including stuffing and even mashed potatoes. This can also be served hot, and may be a new winter staple for you if you give it a chance.

So, I present to you my picks. Agree? Disagree? Any glaring omissions? I’d be happy to read them if you leave them in the comments. Happy Thanksgiving and safe journeys if you are traveling!

-The Beer Babe

hoppress-logo

November 22, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Beers to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner (Hop Press Edition!)

Every year on my blog I write a post about what beers to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. I don’t do this soley because the variety of dishes served at this meal are just waiting to be paired with some great craft beer, but instead beacause its an opportunity for beer education. What better way to pass the time at the dinner table than discussing new and different beers that (in all liklihood) your family isn’t familiar with? Beats Grandma asking about your ex in front of your new beau, or talking about another family member’s digestive status…. [...Read more]

November 19, 2010
by The Beer Babe
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Shipyard – Prelude

Shipyard PreludeIn Maine, there are lots of things that mark the change of seasons from fall to winter. The geese finally travel south seeking warmer climates, the fountain is removed from the pond in the park and the vibrant leaves that have fallen become duller yellow mushy piles under the late autumn rains. Another cue – especially for the beer geeks among us – is the release of several key Maine-brewed seasonal beers, most notably the appearance of the Shipyard Prelude.

Shipyard Prelude is described as a “winter warmer” or an English Ale, depending on where you look. Released in mid-November, it is one of those things that reminds you that there’s a long winter ahead. It pours a caramel brown color and has a slightly nutty aroma. The taste is of a typical winter warmer, lots of sweetness and a little bit of warmth from the alcohol, balanced by a nice dose of malts. This one feels thicker in my mouth than some other offerings from Shipyard, and its flavors are definitely complex and interesting.

I think what I like about Prelude is that it has a no-nonsense approach to a winter seasonal. Not overly spiced or gimmicky in its flavor, its really just a very drinkable beer that will begin to shift your palate over to darker brews as the seasons go on. I don’t really know how far this distributes, but if you’re in Maine, it’s a bit of a tradition around here.

November 16, 2010
by The Beer Babe
3 Comments

Pretty Things – Baby Tree

Pretty Things - Baby TreeAt the American Craft Beer Festival in Boston, MA, there was a huge line at the booth for the Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project – an artisnal brewery out of Massachusetts. I got swept up in the crowd psychology and got in line, not knowing anything about these guys. At the front of the line, I hastily chose their “Jack D’Or” and enjoyed it. Though every beer geek I talked to later said, “What? You didn’t get the Baby Tree? Too bad.” So, though I enjoyed the Jack D’Or, I was saddened that I probably wouldn’t run into Baby Tree again soon. Then, at my new favorite Massachusetts beer stop (Acton Wine & Liquors) I saw it and just snagged it without pause.

The label is a little freaky – I noticed once I got it home that there are fat purple babies in a large tree on the label, which I suppose is innocent (and there is other spring images such as baby chicks, lambs and tulips) but I’ll admit that purple infants were a little creepy. Described as a “quadrupel with dried plums” I was still intrigued.

After letting the dark amber brew warm a little in the glass, I took a whiff. Like any good quad, it’s got some of those “dark fruit” smells going on – a fig, plum or prune smell – with a little bit of sweetness. The taste, too is very deep, with some very nice undertones of that Belgian candied sugar and a definite note of raisins and plums. This is very nice, and it might sneak onto my list of beers you should have with thanksgiving dinner- this would rock with a Pecan pie or even a sweet-potato dish. I have to admit that I like this about as much as I liked the Jack D’Or.

As far as I know, this is not available outside of Mass, but I’m just glad to see that even a small brewery with limited distribution can make a really nice Belgian style brew. Keep it up, Pretty Things. Just de-creepify the label for the next few releases, and I think you’ll do quite well.