Each time I visit Celebration Town Tavern I try to get some numbers from other people that will determine my choices for the beer list that day. It gives me a pool of numbers to choose from so I can make a decision not to chase an IPA with a fruit beer since that wouldn’t be good for evaluating either (or for my enjoyment). In the past I have asked my Twitter followers to choose for me, but this last time my computer was not cooperating so I asked The Wife for some numbers.
It was quite nice that the three numbers given to me corresponded to three beers that worked pretty well with each other. I only had to decide the final order to drink them in.
The first number that I went with was 98, which turned out to be a Warsteiner Premium Verum (German Pilsner). I know that have tried this one before (or at least their Oktoberfest), but it has been quite a while now. It pours very clear and yellow/straw to golden in color with the head leaving a slight bit of trail. The aroma is light overall, but does have some sweet maltiness to it. The flavor is light and clean like the aroma with some malty sweetness up front and a slight hop bitterness from the middle to a clean finish that does have a bit of minerally dryness to it.
Warsteiner Premium Verum
If I had to rank the three beers that day this one would be very slightly under the last (see below), but since they can stand alone I gave it a 3.5 (as did Bill). Certainly I would choose this over the similar style domestics on the list at the same price ($4). This beer is perfect for your burgers, fries, and onion rings, but the crispness would also stand up well with spicier dishes.
The second beer of the afternoon was a Red Stripe (number 71) and the familiar short brown bottle. In fact, for the first time at CTT I drank this one straight from the bottle thanks to Rich giving me the option. It seemed appropriate both for this beer and sitting at the outdoor patio bar. Of course I did not see it on that day, but I know that it is crystal clear and a pale golden/yellow color. The beer is clean and crisp with a light sweetness and slight bite towards the finish. Though it is a slightly different style, it is like a less flavorful and more nondescript version of the Warsteiner we started with (both priced at $4).
It just wasn't the same without the ocean breeze.
In the right environment I do enjoy this beer from time to time. Unfortunately sitting at a bar (even one outside) isn’t the right place for me to really enjoy it. Since I think this is a beach or sitting in the sun or on a boat type of beer, I gave it a 2.5 after almost dropping it down to a 2. Continuing with our afternoon of agreement, Bill also gave it a 2.5. Red Stripe being very light and crisp will definitely go well with spicier dishes as well as fish and shellfish offerings, including those that are fried.
Knowing that the Brooklyn Lager (number 13) was the most dominant flavor of the three, that was the last of the trio for the afternoon. It pours clear and amber (with slight hints of copper) in color. The aroma has a lot rich, sweet, caramel-like malty notes as well as a good amount of floral hoppiness. Being an amber lager this one certainly has more toasted maltiness and depth of flavor than the previous two. The bitterness of the hops from the middle through the finish balances out the sweetness of the malts pretty well. The finish does come with a bit of lingering dryness and bitterness.
Brooklyn Lager
This was definitely the most “sit at a bar” type beer of the three for me. I gave it a 3.5 (Bill a 3), as I enjoyed it as much as the Warsteiner, but for completely different reasons. Each of the three beers for the afternoon were priced at $4, so it was a good trio to compare with each other. To me this beer is made for red meat dishes (including burgers) and has the hop character to work well with cheesy meals like quesadillas.
As my closing note to this post, I would like to pass along a thank you to Rich for a couple things. The first thing is for being really friendly and making it fun to sit at the bar and chat about beer. Also, for giving the options of glass, chilled glass, or straight up bottle. It was very nice to have the choice from beer to beer. Many thanks to you sir!
I guess that means it is time to head home!
For those keeping track, that is now 14 down and 85 to go!
Stay tuned . . .
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