Cigar City Brewing – Cubano-Style Espresso Brown Ale *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Mar 112011
 

After really enjoying this one at a bar, I did not hesitate to grab a few bottle to drink (and review) at home when I had the chance.  I am not sure if I was simply not in the mood for a coffee beer, but I certainly had more fond memories of it than of what I found in my glass on the day of my review.  Quite a bummer but still a decent beer that will likely get another chance down the line.

So for the last full review for the week . . .

Brewery: Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, FL)

Name: Cubano-Style Espresso Brown Ale

Style: American Brown Ale (as a base anyway)

ABV: 5.50% (bottle)

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

Aroma: Nice coffee aroma that is fairly even without being overwhelming.  Some slight sweetness underneath that helps give and overall character similar to coffee with sugar. – 8/12

Appearance: Deep brown color with maybe a hint of red.  Slight light brown (tan) head that dissipates quickly leaving very little trail.  Dark , but clear with rising bubbles visible when held to light. – 2/3

Flavor: Mild roasted maltiness with a coffee flavor present from the middle through the finish that is not very intense and comes through a bit stale.  Some dryness and lingering coffee notes at the finish.  – 10/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body that is toward light and feels thinner as I drink more.  A moderate level of carbonation and pretty smooth on the palate. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: Had this previously and really enjoyed it so I am a little surprised and confused by how much less I like it this time.  I remember it having a much more enjoyable coffee profile and more full brown ale base.  Without much depth behind the coffee flavor it falls pretty flat overall.  The aroma is probably the most enjoyable component. – 5/10

Overall: Good – 28/50

5516105274 7d8a3e497f Cigar City Brewing Cubano Style Espresso Brown Ale *

Cigar City Brewing - Cubano-Style Espresso Brown Ale

5516105314 f7570bdfb7 Cigar City Brewing Cubano Style Espresso Brown Ale *

A little closer now

 

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

Southern Tier Brewing Co. – Mokah *

 Beer Reviews  1 Response »
Feb 222011
 

Sure this one falls into the “excellent” range when all of the points are tallied, but that word carries some serious weight if I was to describe a beer as such to my friends.  I am not sure that excellent would be the first word used to describe this one if asked how I liked it.  If I put some thought into it I am sure that I could come up with my own words to describe each of those point ranges that I would be more comfortable with.

This one is described to be at least inspired by wanting to combine the flavors of their Jahva and Choklat beers.  If that was indeed the goal, they should be happy with the results.

Continuing on with this STBC February ‘11 . . .

Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Co. (Lakewood, NY)

Name: Mokah

Style: Russian (or rather American) Imperial Stout

ABV: 11.20% (on website) or 11.00% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a snifter after being allowed to sit at room temperature for a short time.

Aroma: Sweet roasted aroma with some deep, strong notes of dark chocolate and dark fruit (raisins/currants).  Some warmth noticeable. – 9/12

Appearance: Appears black, though is dark brown when held to light.  Slight light brown color head that dissipates pretty quickly and leaves very little trail (though some legs).  Opaque though can be seen through when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: Slight molasses-like sweetness with strong notes of burnt grain.  Light chocolate up front that fades into a strong coffee flavor that stays through the finish.  A snap of bitterness in middle through to the finish where there is a lingering flavor of black coffee.  – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Full body with a fairly low level of carbonation.  Some astringency from loads of roasted/burnt grain character.  Warmth noticeable, but not overwhelming. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Really intensely flavored and a slow sipper for sure that is a little tough to take on if not prepared.  I think the carbonation level is pretty spot on to compliment the flavors.  The chocolate flavor comes through at the finish more as it warms.  I imagine that this would be nice after dinner or with dessert. – 7/10

Overall: Excellent – 38/50

5462129195 0302cb4aa8 Southern Tier Brewing Co. Mokah *

Southern Tier Brewing Co. - Mokah

5462729516 1ae0747fec Southern Tier Brewing Co. Mokah *

Coffee anyone?

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

Ithaca Beer Co. – Eleven

 Beer Reviews  2 Responses »
Jul 072010
 

It seems appropriate to both continue on and then end the series of Ithaca beer evaluations with a brew that is one of their anniversary beers and, as a result, is no longer available.  I bet Cousin Daniel had no idea how limited the beer was when he gifted it to me.  Maybe he would have kept it for himself?

This was the only one of the four that I consumed and reviewed in the comfort of my own home (months later) and there is a longer list of tasting notes to prove it.  Having a note of The Wife giving it a grade of B+ also proves that I was at home (until I take that show on the road).

And to finish the series . . .

Brewery: Ithaca Beer Co. (Ithaca, NY)

Name: Eleven

Style: Sweet Stout? (different on brewery site)

ABV: 7.5%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (52 degrees +/-) and served in (my Ithaca Beer Co.) pint glass.  Bottle marked with batch E!016.

Aroma: Fairly light overall aroma with light roasted malt notes and some prominent coffee character.  Smells similar to an iced coffee though not as full (diluted a bit).

Appearance: Very dark brown (black I suppose).  Very tall, frothy, light brown head consisting of large bubbles that has good retention and leaves a heavy trail.  Opaque, though a clear dark brown at the edges when held to light.

Flavor: Dominant roasted malt flavor with some bitterness that comes through toward the finish.  There is an even sweetness throughout (with some notes of coffee) that all but cancels out the bitterness.  Slightly lingering coffee sweetness at the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation (though very much toward low).  Very smooth with a light creamy character and some slight warmth in back.

Overall Impressions: Sweet (though not syrupy) and drinks like a dessert.  Just the right amount of coffee flavor and a good sweet character that mellows out the whole.  Good and very enjoyable, but short of great.  If the style is truly a sweet stout, the ABV is a bit high (typically 4-6%).

Grade: B+

4482255050 975222baa9 Ithaca Beer Co. Eleven

Ithaca Beer Co. - Eleven

4481606561 e6329d6440 Ithaca Beer Co. Eleven

Ithaca glasses big and small

4481606183 d7ee80b981 Ithaca Beer Co. Eleven

In case you were wondering what time it was.

 Posted by Lucas at 2:00 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

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