Harpoon Brewery – Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA *

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Dec 202011
 

It is rare that I go to a bottle shop in search of anything specific.  I think that has only happened when I hear of a brewery pulling out of the state and want to grab a few bottles before they disappear.  That is why today I am highlighting Session 37 of the 100 Barrel Series after reviewing Session 38 almost a month ago.  I thought this one was long gone and just happened to see some bottles of it last week.  I knew the beer could not be as fresh as it was when I first tasted it, but it was still worth the try.

Not quite as good as I remember though . . .

Brewery: Harpoon Brewery (Boston, MA & Windsor, VT)

Name: Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA

Style: American IPA (or probably a Specialty Beer)

ABV: 6.90% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in a pint glass.  Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Session 37

Aroma: Mild sweetness with a slightly earthy spiciness and a bit of a floral character.  Subtle overall and pretty light on the hops (at least lighter than expected). – 8/12

Appearance: Golden honey color.  Two finger cream color head that is creamy, has really good retention, and leaves great lacing on the glass.  A slight haze, but pretty clear with rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: A solid underlying biscuity malt base on top of a prominent bitterness that hits pretty hard initially, then stays on the palate evenly throughout.  Some piney notes and some faint spiciness (maybe a hop/rye combo).  Finishes nicely dry with some lingering bitterness that holds for a while. – 14/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Pretty smooth overall and very slightly creamy on the palate though also with a bit of astringency. – 3.5/5

Overall Impressions: After enjoying so much on draft some months ago I had to grab a bottle even if it was likely to not be as fresh.  Certainly balanced to the hoppy bitterness and it is kind of addictive in that way.  Some fruitiness comes out in the aroma as it warms and the bitterness also starts to soften some.  Still a good drinking beer (as I think the style is a great one) – 7/10

Overall: B (35.5/50)

6539256499 f76601eaeb Harpoon Brewery Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA *

Harpoon Brewery - Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA

 Posted by Lucas at 11:30 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Left Hand Brewing Company – Warrior IPA *

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Dec 162011
 

Maybe I should have looked into the story of this beer a little more before drinking it, but I like to not have too much info floating around in my head so as not to go in with any sort of bias.  Now today I can go ahead and read (via the Left Hand website) that Warrior IPA is “Brewed only once a year using fresh whole flower Colorado grown hops flown in from Rising Sun Farms in Paonia by Schwall and Spears Hop Freight Service. A strong malt foundation complements the bright floral hoppiness, allowing for a well-balanced, drinkable IPA.”  Whatever the story, I know that it is quite tasty.

The official Christmas countdown is on . . .

Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont, CO)

Name: Warrior IPA

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.60% (on bottle)

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

Aroma: Some sweet caramel notes in the aroma with a light floral character and some low spiciness.  Nice though somewhat unexpected as the malt profile is more prominent than that of the hops. – 9.5/12

Appearance: Medium coppery amber color.  One finger cream color head that is creamy and frothy, has nice retention, and leaves solid lacing/trail along the glass.  Very slight haze, but clear with rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: Solid base of caramelly malt that is almost a bit nutty with a very nice bitterness that come through in the middle.  A mild spicy hop character with a bit of a fruity/floral component as well (though very subtle).  Nice dryness to the finish with some of the hop character lingering. – 16/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Pretty smooth and slightly creamy on the palate with some crispness and maybe a touch of astringency. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: The hop flavors are not as up front as I expected them to be though as a wet hopped beer maybe I got to it a bit late and the freshness had faded a bit.  Really nicely balanced and enjoyable to drink and the bitterness is great through the finish.  Maybe what I really enjoyed is that it was slightly different than expected.  A solid beer. – 8/10

Overall: A- (40.5/50)

6466353999 70cefd45cd Left Hand Brewing Company Warrior IPA *

Left Hand Brewing Company - Warrior IPA

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

Rogue Ales – Yellow Snow IPA *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 132011
 

It is somewhat surprising to me that with all of the beers from Rogues that I have available to me down here that I have actually reviewed very few of them.  It has been a while since I have done an entire month of reviews from one brewery, but I think I could pretty easily bring enough Rogue beers into the house to do so.  Then again maybe I should just start drinking through some of the stuff that is “cellaring” here in the house.

Some yellow snow that is OK to eat . . .

Brewery: Rogue Ales (Newport, OR)

Name: Yellow Snow IPA

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.20% (internet)

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

Aroma: Full, fruity hop character is prominent on top of a bready malt base.  Not too big despite full hoppiness (not way out of balance). – 8/12

Appearance: Medium orangey amber color.  One plus finger slightly off-white head that is frothy with very good retention and leaves really nice lacing on the glass.  Slight haze though pretty much clear with rising bubbles visible. – 3/3

Flavor: Big, piney, slightly citrusy hop character dominates.  A kind of biscuity maltiness underneath that does not come out much but is there enough to hold up the hoppiness.  Hop dominant, but there is also pretty good balance.  Smooth finish with some lingering piney bitterness. – 14.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Nice creaminess on the palate and drinks pretty smoothly overall. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: Initially quite hop dominant, but balances out pretty well after a few sips.  Really nice bitterness with nice hop flavor that lingers very nicely after the finish.  A bit palate destroying from the hop profile so I do not know how much I want at once, bet certainly a solid beer that I would drink again. – 7.5/10

Overall: B+ (37/50)

6466354087 685e5fc830 Rogue Ales Yellow Snow IPA *

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