For those of you who missed yesterday’s post (and because I enjoy reusing material when I can), I will say again that since the whole four consecutive days of beer evaluations thing worked pretty well last week, I am giving it another try with some of my home brews. Posting these reviews is somewhat overdue since they were brewed so long ago, but I still have quite a few bottles of these and am still enjoying them. It seems to me that at least a few of the brews have benefited from the additional time spent in the bottle.
Again I should mention that the Blueprint Brewing marketing department (consisting of only The Wife and myself) selected the names for these four beers.
This next beer is the brother of the 4AM that was reviewed yesterday. It was my first attempt at infusing some fruit into a beer (unless you count the pumpkin ale) and it turned out OK. However it seems that I like this beer a lot less that everyone I have given samples to, including The Wife, who gave a grade in the B range. Maybe I am harder on my own creations?
Brewery: Blueprint Brewing (Winter Park, FL)
Name: Rated PG
Style: American IPA / Fruit Beer
ABV: 5.25% (+/-)
Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.
Aroma: Pretty yeasty nose combined with light fruit notes, similar to fruit juice that has been left to harden or ferment a bit. Faint underlying hop aromas.
Appearance: Medium brown with some yellow tones (interesting color). Two finger (plus) cream color head that is dense and frothy with good retention and good trail. Fairly clear with some haze and many rising bubbles visible.
Flavor: Fairly good malty base that is somewhat toasty/biscuity. The grapey fruit character comes through in the middle (with a cider-like quality) with some hop bitterness coming through towards the end. Those characteristics combine at the finish with a slight dryness that makes for a bit of an unpleasant flavor and some harshness.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with moderate to high carbonation that leaves some bite. Smooth with very slight warmth at finish.
Overall Impressions: Drinkable and alcoholic, so no failing grade for this one! Decent first shot at using fruit in this way, but probably not the best fruits (pineapple and grape) to use with this style. Slightly better as it warms a bit, but the finish hurts my overall opinion of the beer. Though it started as an American IPA, I might consider it an American Pale Ale.
Grade: C-
Blueprint Brewing - Rated PG
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