Coney Island Mermaid and Southampton Altbier

Beer Reviews No Responses »
Aug 112010

It will take some extra effort on my part to be able to post “B Notes” on any sort of regular basis, but I will do my best to make it a common occurrence.  My intent is to not let them sit around for too long as many of my reviews from home tend to do.  In trying to do that, I am going with another two for one today.

Before moving on I will try to describe Altbiers (see below) for any of you that are not familiar with the style and have not had the opportunity to try one during your beer sampling efforts.  Think of it as a bit of a hybrid between an ale and a lager.  In general terms top fermenting ale yeast is used, but it is then fermented and aged at cooler temperatures much like a lager would be.  The result is a beer with a more subdued ale flavor and with the clean drinking character of a nice lager.  In short, be sure to go find one and try it.

Now on to the first of two for today . . .

Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Company (San Francisco, CA & Saratoga Springs, NY)

Name: Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner

Style: German Pilsner

ABV: 5.00%

Location: Redlight Redlight – Teege at the bar

Tasting Notes:

  • Don’t usually drink pilsners when out, but I am a fan of Shmaltz
  • Orangish honey color (darker than many/most pilsners) with a frothy white head.
  • Lightly sweet in aroma and flavor.
  • Nice bitterness with some dryness at the finish.
  • Sweetness and bitterness balances nicely on the palate.
  • Crisply carbonated
  • Bitterness dominates (in a good way) . . . leads me to think German Pils (turns out I was correct)
4866069954 11062dcb4c Coney Island Mermaid and Southampton Altbier

Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner

And now the second . . .

Brewery: Southampton Publick House (Southampton, NY)

Name: Altbier

Style: Düsseldorf Altbier

ABV: 5.30%

Location: Redlight Redlight – Teege at the bar

Tasting Notes:

  • Deep amber to copper color with a nice cream color head.
  • Lightly earthy, malty aroma (and flavor).
  • Slightly toasted, bready, nutty maltiness in flavor.
  • Crisp carbonation with some light dryness at the finish.
  • Quite drinkable . . . agreed on by others at table.
4865452919 31e2c563e4 Coney Island Mermaid and Southampton Altbier

Southampton Altbier

Cheers!

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

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Jewbelation Twelve

Beer Reviews No Responses »
Apr 202010

There are thoughts in my head to interrupt the “I lost the photos” beer review series now and then just to mix things up a bit.  I am thinking of doing some reviews out of order as a way to throw in some old ones with those that are a bit more current (and that have photos).  This idea comes up as I post this review for a 12th anniversary brew when I have recently evaluated the 13th anniversary beer from the same brewery.  After realizing that I feel that I should make some effort to stay a bit more current.  I will see what happens in the coming weeks and months.

Now then . . .

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

Name: Jewbelation Twelve (12th Anniversary Ale)

Style: American Brown Ale

ABV: 12.0%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge (52 degrees +/-) and served in a pint glass.  Brewed with 12 malts and 12 hops.

Aroma: Sweet, rich maltiness with some dark fruit notes (fig-like?).  A slight hop nose in background with some very, very slight alcohol.

Appearance: Deep, dark brown color.  Slight, deep brown (suede-like) head with decent retention (slow dissipation) and legs.  Opaque, though some visibility through edges.

Flavor: Big malty, slightly toasty flavor with some hop bitterness toward finish.  Some warmth from middle on and strong flavor(s) at finish that fades quickly with some lingering.  Good balance overall with the malt up front with hoppiness following.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a moderate amount of carbonation.  Smooth and creamy on palate with some very slight astringency near finish.

Overall Impressions: Tons of flavor that seems to be a bit different with every sip.  Very enjoyable and warming as the alcohol is well balanced into the overall flavor.  Very high alcohol for style ( typically 4.3-6.2%).

Grade: A

Posted by Lucas at 12:30 pm Tagged with: ,

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.

Beer Reviews No Responses »
Apr 132010

Today I will again continue with what I am referring to as the “I lost the photos” beer review series.  I suppose the next step is for me to figure out how many beers I will have in this run of evaluations before getting back to those for which I have pictures.

Some of the missing pictures don’t bother me that much, but not having those from the beers that I really enjoyed does bum me out a bit.  On days like today I would like to be able to display the image prominently as additional endorsement for a really good beer.  Maybe even more so in this case since Shmaltz labels are always visually interesting.

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

Name: Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.

Style: Imperial IPA

ABV: 10.0%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the wine fridge and served in an oversized wine glass/snifter.  Bottle indicates that it is (more specifically) “A Rye Based Double I.P.A.”

Aroma: A prominent, but not overwhelming hop nose with some dark fruit-like malty sweetness underneath.  Also some alcohol warmth present.

Appearance: Deep amber to copper color.  Very slight, light brown color head that quickly dissipates to none.  Excellent clarity with visible bubbles.

Flavor: Solid hop bitterness (though not sharp) on a good malty background that has a slight roasty flavor.  The hop flavors are prominent at the finish and slightly lingering.  Good balance overall with the malt profile supporting the hoppiness and some warmth.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium to low carbonation.  Very smooth (even with the alcohol warmth) and somewhat dry on the palate at the finish.

Overall Impressions: The oversized wine glass/snifter is key to the drinking experience as it opens up the aroma and adds to the flavor (though it may kill the head a bit).  Very nice complexity of flavors and aromas making for a good slow-drinking beer.  Shmaltz strikes again!

Grade: A (or better)

Posted by Lucas at 12:30 pm Tagged with: ,

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Rejewvenator

Beer Reviews No Responses »
Apr 022010

After having a discussion of spring seasonals with a friend yesterday, it is at least somewhat a coincidence that I have a beer with fruit review lined up for today.  He was suggesting that I tend to not be a fan of the spring beers since many of them incorporate fruit and are generally beer styles that I do not gravitate to.  That may be at least somewhat true, but there are also some very good beers with fruit out there that I do enjoy quite a lot, including this one.

I have a good level of comfort with Shmaltz, knowing that the level of quality will be there so I do not hesitate to give their brews a try (fruit in them or not).

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

Name: Rejewvenator (Year of the Fig)

Style: (American) Strong Ale / Fruit Beer (?)

ABV: 7.8%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in an oversized wine glass/snifter.  $4.99 for 1pt. 6oz.

Aroma: Very sweet with notes of dark fruit (fig I guess in this case) and slight alcohol.

Appearance: Brown color with strong red/copper highlights.  Slight, light brown head that quickly dissipates with no trail.  Hazy and able to see light through.  Rising bubbles visible along glass.

Flavor: Full malt flavor with some nuttiness and prominent dark fruit (fig) flavor.  Sweetness that carries through to finish.  No noticeable hop flavor(s).  Fruit component is well balanced in, without being overpowering.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low carbonation (somewhat flat).  Smooth with some warmth.

Overall Impressions: Ale with fig concentrate – Limited Release (2008).  Interesting, though in a good way.  Very enjoyable with a flavor that closely matches the aroma(s).  Shmaltz delivers really good quality for price again.

Grade: B+ (maybe towards A-)

3775676334 87b3e74a2d Shmaltz Brewing Co. Rejewvenator

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Rejewvenator (Year of the Fig)

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-

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Human Blockhead Lager

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Human Blockhead Lager

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

Shmaltz Brewing Co. - Freaktoberfest

Beer Reviews 2 Responses »
Aug 042009

I will admit that the first beer from Shmaltz Brewing Co. that I purchased was because the label caught my eye.  The second, third, and every one since was because behind the really cool labels are some really good beers.  They got me hooked and it all started with a crazy smiling face.  I am sure their marketing department loves to hear that!

Since you will be seeing more Shmaltz reviews along the way, I should explain that they have two lines (for lack of a better word at this moment) of beer . . . HE’BREW Beer and Coney Island Craft Lagers.

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

Name: (Coney Island) Freaktoberfest

Style: European Amber Lager / Oktoberfest . . . I think

ABV: 6.66%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pilsner glass.  1 pint 6 oz for $4.99

Aroma: Moderate malt aroma with no real hop nose to speak of.  Very clean, as I would expect from a lager.

Appearance: Red, I am talking red velvet cake red.  I have never seen any beer close to that color (and haven’t since).  It does have a hint of copper color when held to light.  Has a two-finger, light red/pinkish head that dissipates slowly and leaves a pretty heavy trail.  Quite clear with visible rising bubbles.

Flavor: Smooth malty flavor prominent . . . more complex malt flavor than expected.  Slight sweetness with some hop flavor near the finish.  Finishes slightly dry with a touch of hop bitterness.  The balance leans to the malty side.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and medium level of carbonation.  It is smooth and creamy (for a lager especially) and has no lingering aftertaste.

Overall Impressions: Wow it is red!  An easy drinking, enjoyable beer and good value (another good thing about Shmaltz brews).  Higher in alcohol than typical in the style category.  Looking back, it’s not the best Shmaltz beer that I have tried, but still nice.

Grade: B (in that range)

Coney Island Freaktoberfest

Coney Island Freaktoberfest

Posted by Lucas at 9:58 pm Tagged with: ,
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