Samuel Adams – Tasman Red *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 022011
 

Just as I think I am passing the third and moving onto the fourth and last in the Small Batch Series I read about a few more that are to be released in the relative near future.  They have been pretty solid to this point, so I am actually looking forward to giving the new ones a try.

As a side note, I can tell when I have hurried through a review because I have a hard time interpreting the notes when I look at the sheet.  That is not so much a result of the legibility, but more so that the sentences/phrases don’t make a lot of sense when read aloud.  I did my best to interpret this time.

On with the third . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: Tasman Red

Style: A sort of Amber Ale / IPA hybrid (therefore a Specialty Beer in my book)

ABV: 6.75% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in a pint glass.  Batch No. 1

Aroma: Nice subtle hoppy aroma with notes of grapefruity citrus and a slightly spicy earthiness.  Some deep caramel maltiness underneath.  Nicely balanced overall. – 8.5/12

Appearance: Really deep amber color with ruby tones.  Three finger or so tan color head that is thick and frothy, has great retention, and leaves really nice lacing on the glass.  Clear with slowly rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: Slightly roasted malts with a touch of dark caramel.  A very nice hop bitterness with good notes of pine.  Fairly well balanced overall.  Nice finish with a bit of dryness, but with nice lingering bitterness and some of the medium roasted malt character. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Decent smoothness with some creaminess on the palate. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Pretty nice beer overall as it is enjoyable to drink with enough bitterness to keep me wanting more.  Drinks a lot like a pale ale or amber ale (as I suppose it should).  Really drinkable to the point that I could see this one in a six-pack rather than a bomber.  Probably would have guessed a pale ale or amber ale if tasting blind.  Note: I have recently learned that this one will soon be available on draft. – 7/10

Overall: B+ (37/50)

6400023167 48d9fdc060 Samuel Adams Tasman Red *

Samuel Adams - Tasman Red

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

Looking Back – Dunedin Red Head Red

 Looking Back  No Responses »
Oct 072011
 

In closing the week of looking back on some of the not so fond memories of my beer reviews over the last few years is one that I probably remember above all others.  Though the notes on this beer were pretty basic since I was really just cutting my teeth on the whole beer evaluation thing, I was very happy with myself for knowing that this beer was off.  It was off enough to give it (I think) the only D grade that I have ever given.

The only reason I know that for sure is the response I got from Travis, who was working at Dunedin at the time.  That is another reason I remember it as I think it was the first bit of brewery feedback that I ever received.  I have since had the beer multiple times and in the best possible scenario as fresh at the brewery, but I have never gone back to do another review.

I probably should do that very soon, but until that time you can click on the photo to see what my reaction was to the old bottle at the time . . .

3774908055 0e9e34f5f4 Looking Back Dunedin Red Head Red

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

Oregon Brewing Co. – DH St. Rogue Red Ale *

 Beer Reviews  1 Response »
Apr 222011
 

So I went with Oregon Brewing Company as the brewery name for this one since that is what was listed on the bottle.  Now I could have gone with Rogue Brewery or Rogue Ales instead, but I went with what was in front of me at the time.  Not that any of this matters, but I wanting to explain my decision making process on that point.

This beer was consumed and reviewed side by side with the HopFish IPA and I do not know if maybe my grading is getting a little harder of if I just happened to pair two beers that I was pretty indifferent about.  Does not matter really.

Now for the second and final full review of the week . . .

Brewery: Oregon Brewing Co. (Newport, OR)

Name: Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale

Style: American Amber Ale

ABV: 5.10%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Sweet, sugary aroma on top of a bit of dark fruit character and maybe some slight earthiness/woodiness in there.  Really surprised me overall as it was not what I expected going in. – 8/12

Appearance: Deep amber in color with nice reddish tones.  Slight faint tan color head that dissipates pretty quickly leaving a very light trail along glass.  Hazy though clear enough to see some rising bubbles. – 2/3

Flavor: Some sweetness and faint spice up front that fades into some even bitterness from middle to finish.  A bit of floral hop character floating in there as well (maybe some pine there too).  the components are pretty well balanced and it finishes crisp with some lingering bitterness. – 13/20

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body (has a thinness to it) with a pretty low level of carbonation.  Smooth, but it does seem a  bit watery at first. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: Lighter mouthfeel than the aroma and appearance might suggest.  I did not like all that much at first, but the bitterness and overall flavor composition grew on me with some more sips.  There is something enjoyable about it, but not sure exactly what.  I would not turn down another, but I am not exactly craving one either. – 6/10

Overall: Very Good – 32/50

5630788417 b156564a3b Oregon Brewing Co. DH St. Rogue Red Ale *

Oregon Brewing Co. - DH St. Rogue Red Ale

5631370392 2ee086e785 Oregon Brewing Co. DH St. Rogue Red Ale *

Closer to the halo

 

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