Taproom Talk

On a recent trip down to Houston I had the pleasure of trying, what turned out to be, a phenomenal beer. I had never even heard of the Saint Arnold Brewing company when I decided to try their Amber Ale; however, within one sip I was comfortable these brewers were masters at the fine art of producing beers worthy of highbrowed beer drinkers.

Their Ale was obviously an amber color with a light head and few bubbles that gave off a complex malty aroma that was easily complemented by the wonderfully crisp malt taste with a slight hoppy backdrop. The finish was wonderful with a subtle spiciness. This is a fabulous beer– I thoroughly enjoyed drinking this refreshing ale as I sat eating Texas Barbeque even though it was 100+ degrees outside.

The Saint Arnold brewery has produced a winner with their Amber Ale– the next time I find myself in Houston, I plan to drink as many as I can.

I remember reading something, somewhere, years and years ago that gave me a prime directive. Like a seed that can germinate years later, it nestled itself in my brain. I will now share this defining element with you, but please do not wait as long as I did. There is a beer that has a red tailed bird on its label. If you see it, buy it, because it will be one of the best beers of your life.

While at a local ‘SUPER BEER AND WINE WAREHOUSE OHMYGOODNESS!’ I spied two candidates. Immediately, like in Robocop, I saw the prime directive before me

R.E.D T.A.I.L = B.U.Y I.M.M.E.D.I.A.T.E.L.Y

I bought those two candidates: one beer that I liked, Red Tail Ale (which I will review seperately) and one that I loved, RED NECTAR. Simply put, Red Nectar is one of the most delicous, balanced and thouroughly drinkable beers I have ever had.

What else needs to be said? “An American classic – and a Gold Medal winner at the 2006 California State Fair and a Silver Medal winner at the 2005 Los Angeles County Fair and 2004 Great American Beer Festival Cheers.”

I rarely imbibe pilsners for some odd reason, for when I do happen to have one, I’m usually impressed. Coupled with the fact that I happened to get my hands on a Pilsner from the Czech Republic, it should come as no surprise that I was thoroughly impressed with the Lev Lion Pale Double Bock from the Mestansky Pivovar Havlickuv Brewery.

This light gold colored intensely bubbly beer poured with a nice white head that revealed an inviting hop nose with a subtle maltiness. The taste was true to a smooth and crisp Pilsner and had a slight pepperiness to it that finished with a well done maltiness.

This is a great Pilsner style beer from a brewery that clearly knows a thing or two about producing highly drinkable beers. If you can get your hands on a Lev Lion Pale Double Bock, you’ll surely enjoy it!

Every once in awhile, I like to pick up some exotic beer with labels containing a good dose of unrecognizable wordage. One of my latest finds was the Ducassis from the Brasserie des Géants brewery in Belgium. This pleasant, unfiltered fruit ale, fashioned from blackcurrants, which give it a plumb color, has a bold floral taste with a huge, lasting head that produces a heavy flowery aroma. The taste is wonderfully complex– I picked up hints of malts intertwined with a strong currant flavor that produced a sour, but satisfying finish.

The Ducassis is a rare find and I plan to keep an eye out for more beers from this brewery due to the interesting showing of this fruity brew.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of pleasantly hoppy beers. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I approached River Horse’s Hop Hazard with the same glee and excitement I used to experience as a wee lad with a whole dollar to spend in a candy store.

The beer poured with absolutely no head and gave off a welcoming citrusy hop smell; moreover, upon inspection, the Hazard was a darker than expected color, almost typical of a logger. Crisp and smooth as I drank it, I did notice a malt backdrop that progressively became more pronounced as I continued to drink giving the beer a grassy taste that left me somewhat disappointed. Hazard’s malt finish was a bit bland as well.

I love hoppy beers, especially in the summer time; however, River Horse’s Hop Hazard didn’t live up to my expectations.

Oh black beer, black beer, how do you taste? Like a dark chocolate espresso from an ancient master’s recipe that has been retraced.

Oh black beer, black beer, tell me more about your flavor. I have a spicy maltiness and a pleasantly burnt taste that you will surely savor.

Oh black beer, black beer, what is your body? Ever so smooth and crisp without the peppery strong alcohol taste that leaves you feeling shoddy.

Oh black beer, black beer, what is your name? I am the great 1554 Brussels style black ale from the New Belgium Brewery, where amazingly good beers like Fat Tire gave us our fame.

With its big white head that lasts an eternity and a wonderful hoppy smell, Mendocino White Hawk IPA is sure to please the most highbrowed of beer snobs. The White Hawk has an elegant hop taste with subtle spiciness, which is highly complemented by a malty backdrop and a smooth refreshing finish. Its gold hue and light bubbly body give off an inviting essence that leaves you feeling lonely once you’ve finished this fine beverage.

As far as IPAs go, Mendocino has done it once again with a strong showing of yet another beer– you’ll find yourself wanting to take the White Hawk home every time!

Smuttynose Robust Porter didn’t take me by storm when I saw it on tap. I half reluctantly (I say half because how could I be reluctact to try a new beer?!?!?!) asked for it at a multi-tapped pool hall I drop by from time to time.

The first sip sent my head spinning. It was a waterfall of delicious smokiness with chocolate undertones. The porter blew me away. I must admit that I underestimated this killer beer from New England. I’m partial to stouts and didn’t believe that a porter could deliver such full bodied complexity. Its chickory aroma blends perfectly with its sweet smoky taste. The flavor is like a delicious dark chocolate with a caramel aftertaste.

My excitement grows to try more Smuttynose.

Wolaver’s pale ale poured with a dark gold essence that revealed a light hop nose containing little-to-no head. In my glass, the beer gave off a few bubbles and had a wonderfully light hoppy pale ale taste that had a subtle malt backdrop with hints of grapefruit. All in all, this beer has an elegant taste that is superbly done.

Apparently, the brewers in the great state of Vermont know a few things about good beer- Wolaver’s pale ale is a strong showing, that easily complements the likes of the Magic Hat Brewery. Wolaver’s has the added benefit of being entirely of organic barely and hops. On a warm summer’s day, it’s easy to hail Wolaver’s pale ale.

A few years ago, around the Holidays, I picked up a case of Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale. I enjoyed that year’s brew throughout most of the year. Then I picked up another case the following year. And then again and again, until it became a yearly tradition or as I like think “a yearly Celebration.” This is a beer of magnanimous proportions requiring a subtle aging so as to bring out its highest qualities of spicy hoppiness.

For instance, the 2005 batch pours with an elegant white head that ever so slowly dissipates producing light bubbles which last even longer. A deep amber hue in color and the pleasant smell of hops eagerly greets the privileged few that possess the patience to hold off drinking the whole lot during the holidays. Celebration’s taste has just the right amount of spices that permits this fine ale to be easily imbibed during warmer times as well as during the Holiday months. The finish has a restrained malt taste which is complemented by a slight spicy bitterness that leaves me anticipating the next sip.

Indeed, Sierra Nevada’s Celebration is cause for celebration and those epicureans who wait for this convivial beer to age have a festival of taste awaiting them!