Great Lakes Brewing Co. – Eliot Ness

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Oct 152010
 

A tear comes to my eye as today is the last of three Great Lakes Brewing beer reviews. It was nice to look back on them, but that combined with seeing someone with one of their shirts on the other day only reminded me how we don’t get their beers down here. It may be time to call a few friends that do have access to them.

So for this Friday review . . .

Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland, OH)

Name: Eliot Ness

Style: Vienna Lager

ABV: 6.20%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pilsner glass. 12oz bottle via gift from Mr. Carlin.

Aroma: Full malty aroma that borders on sweet with some light toasted notes as well. Really nice, inviting aroma that is clean with a moderate overall intensity.

Appearance: Amber color with copper highlights. One finger, light amber color head that is solid with decent retention and leaves a good trail. Very clear with many visible rising bubbles.

Flavor: Quite malty up front with a bit of toasted flavor with some nice hoppy bitterness that comes through in the middle and some dryness at the finish. Really well balanced with good interplay of the different characteristics through to the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium (toward light) body with a fairly high level of carbonation. A slight bit of warmth with some very slight creaminess.

Overall Impressions: There is something addictive about it . . . maybe the balance of components. It is everything I like about a good lager, but amplified. The ABV is a bit high for the style (typically 4.5-5.5%), but it works very well overall.

Grade: A (A- at worst)

Unfortunately the photo is lost somewhere with the other Great Lakes reviews, so just check this out if you are interesting in knowing what to look for. Maybe one day I will get to have them again and will take some new photos.

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

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. – Classic Amber

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Mar 262010
 

Choosing from my beer reviews by date rather than any other factor makes the decision process much easier.  I know that I will get to them all eventually, but this way I am not allowing some of my favorites to cut to the front of the line.

Since I did not look ahead to which evaluation was coming up, it must be only a coincidence that today is another shout out of sorts to my Midwestern beer news correspondent Erin and even more specifically to Leinenkugel.  This is another one of those beers I would enjoy greatly after mowing the lawn (or similar activity), much like the Labatt Blues of the world.  What this one has going for it is a deeper flavor profile than the American Lagers.

Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. (Chippewa Falls, WI)

Name: Classic Amber

Style: Vienna Lager (?)

ABV: 4.9%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.  $6.99 per 6-pack

Aroma: Clean malty aroma overall with some very slight hop notes.

Appearance: Medium to light amber color.  One finger, off-white head that dissipates quickly with no trail.  Clear with many visible bubbles rising.

Flavor: Medium malt flavor up front with some hoppy bitterness toward finish.  Slightly dry at finish, though not lingering.

Mouthfeel: Medium to light body with moderate to high carbonation.  Slightly creamy on palate.

Overall Impressions: Easy drinking with good malt flavors compared to similar brews.  Definitely a good warm weather, outdoor activity type beer.

Grade: B(ish)

3775679694 06f9a9dd2e Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Classic Amber

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Classic Amber

 Posted by Lucas at 12:00 pm  Tagged with:

Shmaltz Brewing Co. – Human Blockhead Lager

 Beer Reviews  1 Response »
Jan 082010
 

As I continue to cross the oldest evaluations off the list I again come across another of my favorite breweries.  This is a good thing for me as a reminder that it has been a while since I have had a Shmaltz beer (though I have one waiting in the wine fridge).  This is another one from their Coney Island line of beers and does nothing to stop me from wanting to try the entire lineup.  As I have said before the labels and the names will get you to try the first one, but the product inside the bottle will keep you coming back.

Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co. (Saratoga Springs, NY – based in San Francisco, CA)

Name: Human Blockhead Lager

Style: Premium American Lager (?)

ABV: 10.0%

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

Aroma: Medium, slightly sweet malt with the slightest bit of hops.  Light nose overall (not at all overpowering).

Appearance: Deep amber color.  Two finger (plus) cream color head that dissipates very slowly with some trail (actually with heavy legs when drinking).  Very clear with rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Malty with some hop bitterness (not too much).  Well-balanced components/flavors with a slight dryness at finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and pretty high carbonation that gives a slight bite on finish.  Smooth and creamy, having some viscosity to it.  High warmth (and maybe body) for a lager.

Overall Impressions: Very enjoyable experience, especially not knowing what to expect going in.  I am not sure that I would pin it as a lager right away in a blind tasting, as many characteristics are not necessarily typical to style (color, ABV, body).  Would certainly buy and drink again.  A really good beer and an excellent price point (as usual).

Grade: A-

3774879771 d69814cede Shmaltz Brewing Co. Human Blockhead Lager

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Human Blockhead Lager

 Posted by Lucas at 6:00 pm  Tagged with: ,
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