Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub – Hop Strike *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Oct 282011
 

The desire is simply not with me this morning to get into the whole discussion and or explanation of the whole Black IPA thing.  I think that knowing that the “PA” stands for Pale Ale we all can understand that adding “Black” in front does not make much sense.  So call it American Black Ale or Cascadian Dark Ale or (my current personal favorite) India Black Ale or whatever you want.  As long as we are all referring to the same type of beer.

Staying in Colorado to close the week . . .

Brewery: Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub (Idaho Springs, CO)

Name: Hop Strike Black IPA

Style: Specialty Beer (if only for the rye)

ABV: 6.50% (on bottle)

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

Aroma: A mild, piney hop aroma on top of a soft roasted malt character.  Fairly subtle, but pretty nice overall. – 8.5/12

Appearance: Deep, deep brown (black) in color.  One finger light brown head that holds well and leaves nice lacing on glass.  Appears opaque but can see through edges and spot some rising bubbles when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: Somewhat floral and piney hop character (fairly mild) floating on top of a relatively subtle roasted malt base.  Pretty well balanced between the two sides.  The bitterness comes through more from middle to finish.  Finishes with some dryness then onto some lingering hop flavor and bitterness. – 13/20

Mouthfeel: Medium(ish) body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Smooth and somewhat creamy on the palate with a slight hit of astringency. – 3.5/5

Overall Impressions: Pretty good though I enjoyed it more at first then I did as I continued to drink it.  Seems to be a well balanced beer even as the bitterness starts to come through more.  I think a bit more enjoyable when not so cold.  Not my favorite of the style/genre but would certainly drink again some time. – 6.5/10

Overall: B (34.5/50)

6279624909 e717bfb81d Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub Hop Strike *

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub - Hop Strike Black IPA

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

Laughing Dog Brewing – Dogzilla *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Sep 272011
 

Without stopping to think about it much at all I would say that I can count on one hand the number of beers that I have tried from Idaho.  I did drive through Idaho once with Mr. and Mrs. Seattle Jeff, but I am pretty sure we were very tired during that time and I am certain that we didn’t pick up any beer from Idaho while there.

As a side note I am thinking that without this point system that I use there is no way this beer ends up with as high a grade as it did.  Granted it is not terrible, but I think that a beer really does have to be pretty much undrinkable to get than than a C in this system.

A cool label only helps so much . . .

Brewery: Laughing Dog Brewing (Ponderay, ID)

Name: Dogzilla

Style: Specialty Beer (American Black Ale or whatever you prefer to call a Black IPA)

ABV: 6.90% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled slightly early to warm some before being served in a pint glass.

Aroma: A bit of unexpected sweetness in an aroma that is pretty mild overall.  A low roasted malt profile combined with the hop aroma gives it a bit of floral character. – 7/12

Appearance: Dark brown though a deep amber color when held to light.  Two plus finger light tan head that is frothy, holds really well, and leaves nice lacing on the glass.  Appears pretty much opaque though is clear with rising bubbles visible when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: The roasted malt flavor is pretty weak underneath the hop flavors that take on a strange fruity characteristic on top of that malt profile.  There is some bitterness from middle to finish.  Overall the flavor is fairly mild.  It finishes slightly dry with a bit of lingering fruitiness on the palate. – 10/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Really creamy on the palate with a real sharpness and some astringency to the finish. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: There is a really unpleasant sharpness to it though it does get a little better as the beer warms some.  The bitterness is kind of nice and has a pithy-like quality to it.  I am surprised at how little I like this beer and The Wife agrees with that as she wouldn’t’ drink more than a sip.  – 5/10

Overall: C+ (28/50)

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Laughing Dog Brewing - Dogzilla

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

An Expensive Gadget

 Beer News  No Responses »
Aug 112011
 

Not that it still doesn’t take more time than most other posts I do, but it gives me a great start to get weekly input from The Wife and Seattle Jeff.  It all makes for some enjoyable reading with my morning coffee each week.

Not believing it is Thursday already . . .

beer 1959147a An Expensive Gadget

via http://www.telegraph.co.uk

 Posted by Lucas at 10:30 am  Tagged with: , , , , ,
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