Great Divide Brewing Co. – Hades *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Apr 262011
 

It must be one of those weeks.  After not realizing I purchased some very close to the “best by” date vegetables until it was almost too late I have a beer that I think may have also slipped by the peak consumption date.  Still I really enjoyed everything about the beer, save for the carbonation that would have put it up another handful of points in the grading system.  Certainly one I will get back to again.

On with the review for today . . .

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, CO)

Name: Hades

Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale

ABV: 7.80% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled early to warm very slightly then served in a goblet/chalice.

Aroma: Lightly sweet and crisp aroma with low notes of spice.  Overall quite subtle, but quite nice. – 9/12

Appearance: Pale golden yellow in color.  Slight white color head that is thin and dissipates quickly leaving very little trail.  Very clear with a few rising bubbles visible (clear enough to see through in the photo and see what glass I used) – 2/3

Flavor: Nice, light malty base noticed immediately under some slight sweetness that fades into a very pleasant spice character.  Some bitterness in the middle (not at all overwhelming versus the flavor).  Finishes slightly dry with some lingering spice notes. – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Medium to light in body with a fairly low level of carbonation (which is a bummer).  Still has nice crispness despite carbonation. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: The level of carbonation makes me wonder if the beer was on the shelf at the store for a while before I bought it (can’t read date on bottle).  The carbonation was the main missing component and the beer was hurt overall by that (appearance included with little head retention).  Very nice flavor profile and aroma though.  Will definitely give it another shot at some point in search of a better carbonated bottle. – 7/10

Overall: Very Good – 36/50

5657677031 c9249bba7e Great Divide Brewing Co. Hades *

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Hades

5658249874 465482a234 Great Divide Brewing Co. Hades *

The close up

 Posted by Lucas at 1:00 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. – Lectio Divina

 B Notes  No Responses »
Apr 042011
 

This might just be the longest explanation of a beer style that I have ever included in any sort of beer review on this site.  Before looking it up just today I had always referred to this beer as a Belgian Amber of sorts.  Then after I look around it seems that there are different opinions as to what it actually is.  In the end I probably should defer to what the brewery lists on their website or at least recognize that there is really no need to wedge Belgian-style beers into specific categories to begin with.

Now for a B Note to start the week off . . .

Brewery: Saint Somewhere Brewing Company (Tarpon Springs, FL)

Name: Lectio Divina

Style: Saison (Described on some sites as a cross between a Saison and Belgian Dubbel, but listed as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale on the brewery website.)

ABV: 8.00% (brewery website)

Location: Redlight Redlight – Dom and Teege behind the bar.

Tasting Notes:

  • One finger or so of an off-white color head and deep amber in color with some reddish orange tones (as best I can tell with the low lighting level).
  • Lightly sweet and spicy nose with notes of tartness and fruit.
  • Crisp and slightly tart up front with spice notes and some faint bitterness after that.  A bit of sugary fruity sweetness also then finishes nicely dry on the palate.
  • Seems to have the perfect level of carbonation.  Pretty high level with fine bubbles (maybe a bit higher being on draft versus what would typically be out of a bottle).
  • Love how the beer both starts and finishes . . . really nice beer overall.
5588644487 37cbbce4dd Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. Lectio Divina

Saint Somewhere Brewing Co. - Lectio Divina

 

 Posted by Lucas at 8:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Melton Brewing – Strong Ale

 B Notes  No Responses »
Mar 092011
 

Since I enjoyed the first one so much just the other day and in an effort to clean out the fridge a bit more, another brew from my friend found its way into a glass for a B Note.  There is no doubt that I really enjoy drinking home brewed beer, whether my own creation or from others.  Mr. Melton’s brews have been in my fridge for quite a while (and maybe even a bit too long) and each one provides me with a bit of a learning experience as I drink them.  Of course they also make me want to brew a batch each time I open one.

Now for another unique B Note to mark the middle of the week . . .

Brewery: Melton Brewing (Florida)

Name: Strong Ale

Style: Strong Ale (maybe more specifically an Old Ale)

ABV: ??

Location: Home – Living Room (one of my favorite bars)

Tasting Notes:

  • Two finger (plus) light brown color head that has great retention and leaves a nice trail along the glass.
  • Dark, dark brown in color and opaque even when held to light.
  • Relatively mild overall aroma with a light spicy sweetness and notes of dark fruit (raisins, etc.).  Quite pleasant really.
  • Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation.  Smooth and lightly creamy on the palate even through the finish.
  • The flavor had much of the same character as the aroma.  Nice malty sweetness with some underlying earthy spiciness.
  • The body of the beer is marvelous and the flavor is full without being overwhelmingly strong.  I could sit with quite a few of these.
5508026888 2ee91dc5b0 Melton Brewing Strong Ale

Melton Brewing - Strong Ale (under yellow light)

 

 Posted by Lucas at 8:00 pm  Tagged with:
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