Blueprint Brewing – Off Saison *

 My Brew Reviews  No Responses »
Sep 022011
 

So maybe I was a bit forgetful about the review status of the home brewed beer from Monday, but now I realize where I stand with those.  With that I have decided to revisit a few anyway using the newer grading system.  Without looking at the old reviews before doing these new ones I can find out if the beer has held up well, or if it might be on the downward slide.  Most of the time my beer does not stay around long enough for deterioration to be a concern, but this is a good opportunity to have a record for these.  Hopefully my palate is not biased to my own creations and can give an honest appraisal.

A long weekend awaits for some of us . . .

Brewery: Blueprint Brewing (Winter Park, FL)

Name: Off Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.03% (+/-)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in my still broken and without a stem Ommegang glass.  Pulled very slightly early to warm a bit.

Aroma: Lightly sweet and citrusy nose up front with a subtle underlying spice character.  A really nice overall aroma that is not overwhelming. – 10/12

Appearance: Golden orange and honey-like in color.  One finger off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly and leaving some trail on the glass.  Crystal clear with rising bubbles visible. – 2.5/3

Flavor: Nice, light malt character as a base with some good citrusy fruit notes and a bit of floral character in there as well.  A low level of spice underneath.  The hop bitterness is there and in good balance with the other components.  Nice dryness on the finish with some lingering fruitiness. – 13.5/20

Mouthfeel: Medium to light in body with a moderate level of carbonation that adds some crispness.  Light creaminess initially with a hint of tartness at the finish. – 3.5/5

Overall Impressions: Carbonation is good, but it definitely use some more.  Attenuation has been my struggle with this beer and I am left again wanting a drier finish.  I have to brew this recipe again because I really have a desire to nail down a good Saison.  Might be going downhill a bit, but age has also helped this one versus when it was younger.  Even with some flaws it is still one of my favorites from my home brewing adventures. – 7.5/10

Grade: B+ (37/50)

6103898908 dbe5475c03 Blueprint Brewing Off Saison *

Blueprint Brewing - Off Saison (again)

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

The Bruery – 7 Grain Saison

 B Notes  1 Response »
Jun 292011
 

Maybe it is the hot weather but more and more often lately I just want a beer that is flavorful without being overwhelming to my palate.  I want to be able have a a few and be able to taste other things afterward and if all of this can be combined into a beer that also keeps the alcohol level reasonable, that is the best case scenario.  It has been a long time since I have done so, but it is nice to have a beer in hand that I can (and want to) drink all day and have it leave me still standing at the end.  I have to put this beer in that category.

To mark the middle of this week . . .

Brewery: The Bruery (Placentia, CA)

Name: 7 Grain Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 5.00%

Location: Redlight Redlight

Tasting Notes:

  • One plus finger creamy white color head that is thick with fine bubbles.  Holds really well and leaves a nice trail along the glass.
  • Relatively mild aroma overall, but with a faint fruitiness and a bit of bready yeast.
  • Pale to medium straw color.  Pretty clear with rising bubbles visible, but does have just a bit of haze.
  • Bit of light citrus in the flavor that has a pithy quality and maybe an herbal note in there somewhere.  Really nice bitterness that finishes dry and crisp in combination with the carbonation.
  • Light to medium body with a fairly high level of carbonation.  Has a bit of creaminess in the body as it warms some.
  • Love the dryness of the finish and is a great lower ABV sessionable beer that I just enjoy a ton.  Wish I had it on draft at home.
5884031965 d443439a08 The Bruery 7 Grain Saison

The Bruery - 7 Grain Saison

 

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

The Wharf Rat Taster

 B Notes  No Responses »
May 252011
 

There is no reason to make a decision on having a first beer when a place makes it so easy to have three at the same time.  So when I pulled myself onto a barstool at The Wharf Rat and found out that I could do a sampler/taster for 6 bucks I had no need to settle on just one to start with.  The only (self-imposed) rule was that I order beers from breweries that I do not have access to here in Florida.  Being my first barstool of the day I still felt like typing a few notes into the phone (and I do mean just a few).  That ambition passed by about barstool 2 and a half.

Did I mention it was only 6 bucks for three pours of that size (see picture)?

For the first . . .

Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Co. (Harrisburg, PA)

Name: Sunshine Pils

Style: German Pilsner

ABV: 5.30%

Location: The Wharf Rat (Baltimore)

Tasting Notes:

  • Golden in color with a slight white head.  Mile, clean, crisp aroma with maybe a hint of floral quality.
  • Light, almost buttery malt flavor that quickly fades into a crisp hop bitterness.
  • Some lingering bitterness at the finish and a very refreshing first beer of the day.

And for the second . . .

Brewery: Yards Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA)

Name: Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 6.50%

Location: The Wharf Rat (Baltimore)

Tasting Notes:

  • Sort of yellowy medium amber in color with an off-white head.  Slightly yeasty floral aroma with an almost dry quality to it.
  • Lightly fruity and floral flavor up front with some bitterness after that and finishing with a crisp and dry character.
  • Smooth on the palate early and finishing quite crisp.
  • Not bad, but not all that good either.  Just OK.

And closing with . . .

Brewery: Oliver Breweries (Baltimore, MD)

Name: Best Bitter (cask)

Style: ESB (English Pale Ale)

ABV: 4.80%

Location: The Wharf Rat (Baltimore)

Tasting Notes:

  • Reddish amber color with a slight off-white head.  Biscuity and slightly sweet malty aroma with a bit of funky hop character to it.
  • Nice biscuity malt profile up front that fades quickly to a nice hoppy bitterness.  Smooth on the palate and finishes nicely dry.
  • Really nice flavorful and sessionable beer at 4.8% ABV.  Would want to have it no other way than via cask/hand pump.
5759112920 b0c35ee00c The Wharf Rat Taster

A very good deal to start the day with.

 

 Posted by Lucas at 4:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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