Looking Back – Ithaca Brute and Allagash

 Looking Back  No Responses »
Oct 142011
 

Not only was I a little vague on the number of beers I would look back to this week when announcing my plans on Monday because I knew that I would cheat a bit on Wednesday, but also because I wanted to do the same today.

Ithaca Brute was another beer that I don’t think my palate was prepared to evaluate at the time.  I remember it for that and because it was given to me by Cousin Daniel while I was in town for Seattle Jeff’s wedding.  I also remember it because I shared the bottle with some family while up in Maine having a wonderful week of vacation.  Recreating all of those things around the beer would be tough, but just getting another bottle sometime would be great.

If I cannot get another bottle to enjoy in Maine again someday I will settle for another visit to Allagash the next time we are up there.  That was also an awesome day with family.  Click on the photos below to see my thought on the beer and the brewery at the time . . .

3975652936 22537ec8b8 Looking Back Ithaca Brute and Allagash

3967417448 c0b3a9875a Looking Back Ithaca Brute and Allagash

 Posted by Lucas at 10:00 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Allagash Brewing – Dubbel Reserve *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Aug 192011
 

It seems that this was the week where I finally decided to drink the beer that has been in the wine fridge for a while and this was the last of them.  The likelihood is that I will just replace these with some other bottles anyway, but it was time for those last few to go.  I probably held onto this one longer than I would have just because I know I cannot get it here in Florida anymore (though I do have another bottle in waiting).  Any of my family or friends who bring me some Allagash beer when they come to visit will certainly be let into the house even if they arrive without notice.

Another good one to close the week . . .

Brewery: Allagash Brewing (Portland, ME)

Name: Dubbel Reserve

Style: Belgian Dubbel

ABV: 7.00% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (54 degrees +/-) before serving in a stemmed goblet/chalice. Bottle from Batch #89.

Aroma: A full, rich, malty aroma that seems to have a hint of chocolate.  Subtle, but complex with a light spiciness and some notes of dark fruit (raisins).  Very well balanced and quite a nice overall aroma. – 10.5/12

Appearance: Deep amber in color with a bit of copper and red tones to it.  One finger cream color head with excellent retention and leaving a solid trail along the glass.  Super clear with rising bubbles visible. – 2.5/3

Flavor: Lots of malty flavor with a brown sugary, dark caramel characteristic to it.  Very light spiciness with notes of dried fruit and a light roasty flavor toward the finish that is somewhat chocolately.  Certainly the balance is to the malty side.  Finishes very nicely dry with a slight lingering sweetness. – 17/20

Mouthfeel: Medium(ish) in body with a moderate to high level of carbonation that is quite fine and adds some sharpness.  Nicely creamy on the palate. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: A really nice overall flavor that does not linger much and I like that in this one.  The head actually dissipated pretty quickly just after I wrote excellent retention.  This bottle has some age on it now and was likely more robust initially, but like how the flavors have mellowed together.  Best consumed at cellar temperatures as the cold would cover up way too much here.  Not necessarily my favorite Allagash, but it does make me miss them.  Could have easily been talked into an A, but maybe that was sentimental since I can no longer get it. – 8.5/10

Overall: A- (42.5/50)

6056674459 f94f827fde Allagash Brewing Dubbel Reserve *

Allagash Brewing - Dubbel Reserve

 Posted by Lucas at 11:00 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Joining Forces

 Beer News  No Responses »
Mar 102011
 

The more links that I include in one of my beer news posts, the less I like to waste time (mine and yours) with an unnecessarily long lead-in to that post.  So guess what?

Moving onto the good stuff . . .

  • It seems like I have been reading about this for at least the last year or so.  As much as I like to hear about the progress they are making, just do it already.  Nice name for the act by the way.
  • Though I have never put much thought into what I drink on St. Patrick’s Day, I do associate Guinness with it because of the marketing in the US.  This article clears things up for me a bit.  How sad is it that Guinness is losing ground in Ireland to the fizzy yellow stuff?
  • If you are going to make a commitment for Lent, I would suggest taking the path that this gentleman is.
  • Pretty much everything Mr. Hindy says here makes a very good case for drinking craft beer, Brooklyn brews or otherwise.
  • If you are going to be paying attention to the Beer Madness 2011 that the Washington Post will be doing, it is a good idea to understand how it all will work.  If I lived in the area I would have certainly thrown my hat in the ring to be on the panel for the beery fun.
  • I sometimes roll my eyes at the hype that builds around certain special beer releases, but I am glad that brewers continue to push the envelope and be increasingly creative with what they brew.  It is part of what makes craft beer in the US so great.
  • Even if this beer does not sound appealing to you , I would say that it would at the very least would come across as interesting.  If anyone will be making the trip don’t be afraid to grab me a bottle!
  • From a collaboration to a new joint venture.  I really like reading about two breweries like this joining forces without bringing one of the mega breweries and distributors into the fold.  I hope that it works out really well for them both.
Joining Forces

Love me some good canned beer (via http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news)

Cheers!

 Posted by Lucas at 8:00 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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