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Monday, July 25, 2011

Beer of the week: Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Beer score: 8.5
Web site: Brooklyn Brewery
ABV: 5.0
IBU: 24
Has a slightly dark, almost burnt blonde color to it in the glass, and a perfect quality beer scent. The Scottish Maris Otter malt brings a solid, almost cake-like sweetness, but it’s a soft sweetness, not overpowering but obviously there. The bitterness is strong at first taste, then fades away a little but returns on the way down. This is one of the most well-balanced beers I’ve ever tasted, with a perfect mix of hops and malt, and one of the better pale ales from the U.S. The name of this brew comes from the 1955 World Series when the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the Yankees.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Beer of the week: La Fin Du Monde

Beer score: 8.7
Web site: Unibroue
ABV: 9.0
IBU: 19
Normally I'm not a big fan of Canadian beers, but this fine beverage from Quebec brewer Unibroue can give most beers in Europe a run for their money. This is a Belgian-style ale that's been triple fermented. Pours with a cloudy gold color and has a strong wheat and fruity smell. I'd be surprised if there's not been a touch of citrus and honey added to this drink. In the drinking there's just a little too much carbonation for my liking, almost like you're drinking champagne, but it's not too bad. The flavor starts off fruity for the first sip or two, but then a strong bitter and alcohol flavors kicks in. If you are a fan of Belgian-style brews, you are more than likely going to enjoy this one. I can't quite classify La Fin Du Monde as a favorite, but it's darn close, and I'd never turn one down.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Beer of the week: Guilford Golden Ale

Beer score: 4.1
ABV: 3.8
IBU: unknown
I was really looking forward to this lighter American ale. It's from a regional brewery in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I always like trying something new. Plus, I was in the mood for a brew that wasn't real heavy, and I had hoped this beer would suffice. It didn't. Sorry, but the smell assaulted me right off the bat with a skunkiness reminiscent of something like Old Milwaukee. The flavor has sort of a light, bread-like quality, but that's it. Nothing special here, and the fizz was a bit too much, though not overpowering. Also, I found three different Web addresses for the brewing company, none of which was working, so I'm not sure if this company is still in business or not; apparently they are also a restaurant and pub. I've included a link above just in case the site was only down temporarily. Regardless of my all-around disappointment, this was just one brew, so I'll give this brewery another shot at some point.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Beer of the week: Hell's Belle

Beer score: 7.2
ABV: 7.0
IBU: 30
Has a nice, light floral quality to it with a very pleasant scent that wafts up from the glass. There’s just a touch of almost IPA-like bitterness on the tip of the tongue with this drink. Just a hint of spice and sweetness here. Very restrained in its fruitiness, but there are fruity undercurrents here. Light enough you could drink several in one sitting, but does have a complex flavor that keeps you guessing. Comes from the Big Ross Brewing Co. of Raleigh, North Carolina. The bottle calls this a "Belgian Style Ale," and that's right on the nose, almost like a white ale.