Left Hand Brewing Company – Sawtooth Ale

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Oct 222010
 

Even though I enjoyed it very much, I am almost certain that I have not had this beer again since doing the review for it months and months ago. I really should not be surprised by that since I have noticed that to be the case for many of the beer evaluations posted here. That clearly indicates the number of craft beer options that are out there and also shows me why I have such a difficult time when someone asks me what my favorite beer is. I should come up with a default answer soon.

For the review to lead into the weekend . . .

Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont, CO)

Name: Sawtooth Ale

Style: English Pale Ale (Extra Special/Strong Bitter)

ABV: 4.75% (what I had written down from bottle) and/or 5.30% (Left Hand website)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass. $1.99 for a 12oz bottle.

Aroma: Low, but full hop aroma with a fruity nose and a caramel-like maltiness as a background.

Appearance: Deep amber color with a slight copper hue. One finger, light beige color head that is frothy and dissipates quickly, leaving a good trail. Pretty clear overall with many visible rising bubbles.

Flavor: Medium (or lower) hop bitterness with a good amount of maltiness in back that has a slightly toasted and somewhat nutty character. Good balance with just enough hop flavor coming through. Hint of dryness at the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with a (seemingly) low level of carbonation. Very creamy on the palate without any harshness.

Overall Impressions: Surprising enjoyable in that I have not enjoyed ESBs as much in the past (though only have a small pool of beers as reference). Very drinkable as the lower level of carbonation actually works well with the flavors. Very likely near the top of the style for me of those I have had to date.

Grade: B+

4303923730 238e9d4ac1 Left Hand Brewing Company Sawtooth Ale

Left Hand Brewing Company - Sawtooth Ale

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Abita Brewing Company, LLC – Turbodog

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Aug 032010
 

At the time I evaluated this beer I did not realize it, but as I type it up now the memory of a link to our moving to Florida comes to mind.  I remember sitting in a bar downtown (which will remain nameless right now since they are on my bad list) with The Wife before actually moving to Orlando.  I was drinking this beer as we discussed our potential housing options.  It is strange what the mind holds on to.

Brown Ales are typically not one of my favorites not because I don’t like them, but because so many of them are middle of the road for me.  It is rare that one is great enough for me to specifically remember as one to go back to.  I guess we all have to have our go to beer styles.

So now for the review without photos for the week (I really thought I had this one too) . . .

Brewery: Abita Brewing Company, LLC (Abita Springs, LA)

Name: Turbodog

Style: English Brown Ale (Northern?)

ABV: 5.60%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $1.49 for a 12oz bottle.

Aroma: Nice roasted maltiness with some slight chocolate notes and the faintest hint of hops in back.

Appearance: Dark, dark brown with some slight garnet tones when held to light.  One finger, light brown head with good retention and a slight trail.  All but opaque, but clear with tiny rising bubbles when held to light.

Flavor: A chocolate-like roasted flavor with some slight sweetness.  Low levels of hop flavor and bitterness with some slight dryness at the finish (that hangs on a bit).

Mouthfeel: Medium (maybe towards full) body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Smooth and fairly creamy on the palate.

Overall Impressions: Really enjoyable, mild chocolately flavors that I certainly would like to have more than one of.  Maybe not outstanding, but quite good and very nice for the price.  I have always enjoyed Abita and this is one of, if not my favorite of their beers.

Grade: A- (ish)

Find where the shorter brown Abita bottles are and then look for the one with the black and silver label with the golden block lettering across the middle and you will have it in front of you.

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: , ,

The Brooklyn Brewery – Pennant Ale ‘55

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Jul 272010
 

There are two thoughts I have for this review that are only partially related to the actual beer featured in the post for today.  The first is that I think that I am very, very close to exhausting the stretch of reviews for which the photos were lost in space.  I could be wrong, but I hope not.

The second is that I was not thrilled with my notes when reading over this review before typing it up.  Though I am not even sure why I was not happy with it, but I think my methods need some tweaking and I should have my future intentions in writing later this week.  Let’s say Thursday for sure.

So for the review without photos for the week I bring you . . .

Brewery: The Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY and Utica, NY)

Name: Pennant Ale ‘55

Style: English Pale Ale (ESB)

ABV: 5.00%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $1.69 for a 12oz bottle.

Aroma: Some toasted, bready aroma with a slight fruit nose in back.

Appearance: Medium copper color.  Slight/low light tan color head without much retention and no real trail.  Quite clear with many, many visible rising bubbles.

Flavor: Mild, slightly nutty malt flavor with a medium to low hoppy bitterness.  Pretty dry at the finish (that lingers slightly).

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with moderate to high carbonation that does lend some sharpness.  Somewhat creamy on the palate.

Overall Impressions: Easy enough to drink, but not too much going on in the way of flavor.  Not bad, but tough to grade that high when compared to some of their other beers.

Grade: C+ (to B-)

You should be able to find where the Brooklyn Brewery beers are pretty easily.  Then look for the silver and blue striped label with a baseball in the center of it and you will have it in your hand.

 Posted by Lucas at 7:00 pm  Tagged with: , ,
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