Jan 24, 2011
On the road in RI
Beer Church
Inspiring Sinners and Saints Alike
Harpoon UFO White
Light, crisp, refreshing UFO White follows in the tradition of spiced wheat beers that have been brewed in Belgium for well over 300 years. Brewed with orange peel and a unique blend of spices, UFO White is the perfect choice for a summer’s barbecue, a night out with friends or any time you¹re thirsting for something a little different. Like UFO Hefeweizen and UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, we leave UFO White UnFiltered for a more natural taste and appearance.
View from the pew Beer Church RI
Brothers Joe and John:
Light taste, citrus true to form, orange flavour in glass, light yellow colour.
Rating: John 4 Stars
Joe 3 Stars
Comment: Joe is not fond of these light summer beers, John is.
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Wolaver’s
Organic Oatmeal Stout
View from the pew
Brothers John and Joe
Dark small head on pour, thin body with large taste, smokey finish, rusty taste of malt caramel.
Rating: 3 ½ Stars
Comment: this beer will have to be revisited, it was tasted after eating dinner that had coriander chutney in it.
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Harpoon Ale
Belgian Pale Ale
Belgian Pales consume the Belgian brewing scene, and were initially brewed around World War II to compete with Pilsners. They are traditionally less bitter than regular Pale Ales. They have a color range from pale yellow straw to amber hues. Flavors can vary although most have a natural spice flavor coming from yeast and hops. A recent trend for this style has been a hoppier version, popular in the United States.
We first brewed a Belgian Pale Ale for a Belgian beer festival in Boston several years ago. We have been working on variations ever since. We are proud to unveil this beer to all our fans.
Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale is a fusion of Belgian and American brewing styles.
View from the pew at Beer Church Rhode Island:
Brothers Joe and John
Honey amber colour, large head, banana aroma. Banana in the taste, mixed with hops.
Rating: 3 Stars
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Einbecker
Mau-Ur-Bock
Produced every spring.
View from the pew
Brothers John and Joe
Sweet bubbling and spritzy in the mouth, warm creamy clean finish.
Rating: Joe 4 Stars
John 3 ½ Stars
Comment: A good beer when having only one.
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Rodenbach
Young Rodenbach is mixed with Rodenbach that has matured at least 2 years in oak casks. An art of master-tasters with the patience of a saint. The enormous amounts of old Rodenbach stored in the fresh infinity of cellars in oak casks, are followed up with great attention.
This naturally matured beer, full, tingling dark and rich of flavours will be mixed with the young Rodenbach. A solemn moment when the master-tasters and his staff declare the lively brunette, full of natural charm, ready for consumption.
View from the pew
This beer was a black cherry flavour that had turned into vinegar.
I do not know how old the beer was but of the two opened one was vinegar and the other was close behind it.
Brother Joe and John
Comment: John enjoyed the beer and drank it on its merits, cloudy with a fruit taste.
Joe took two sips, the 2nd to confirm the first and promptly tossed it down the drain.
Rating: Completely Overcast
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Wachusett
Quinnan Amber Ale
• Named after founding brewer, Peter Quinn
• Rolled out in 1998
• Available mid January to mid April
An easy drinking ale with low bitterness and a subtle malt profile.
Balanced finish, 5 grains, 3 hops
View from the pew
Brothers Joe and John
Dry caramel taste, not very exciting.
Rating: 2 ½ Stars
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Beer Church Jan 24 2011
Jan 24, 2011
Beer Church
Inspiring Sinners and Saints Alike
Samuel Smith
Organically Produced Lager Beer
Lightly kilned organic lager malt grown in the UK is the main ingredient, with a substantial addition of organic UK Vienna malt. Samuel Smith's has begun to source organic hops in England; some of the organic hops used in the recipe come from New Zealand. Certified organic by the USDA-accredited UK Soils Association.
A full-bodied lager with lots of malt and hop character. A touch hoppier than many lagers yet perfectly balanced.
View from the pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad: bitter warm caramel taste, coats the mouth malty on finish.
Rating : 3 Stars
Brother Steve: bright but malty, buttery taste and a honey in the finish.
Rating: 2 ½ Stars
Brother Joe: Yellow and Bananas, malt taste and a hop in the finish.
Rating: 3 Stars
Comment: A beer for after mowing the lawn, then move onto something different.
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St. Peter’s Cream Stout
View From the pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Cream almost a root beer, smoked malt and burnt chocolate flavors sneak up and make this quite enjoyable. A moldy coffee taste sinks in after a few tastes.
Rating:
Brother Steve: great with clam boil, buried chocolate
Rating:
Brother Brad: earthy aroma, chocolate
Rating: 4 Stars
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Sylvian Stout
Pretty Things
"Our winter seasonal beer, Babayaga is a 7% export-strength woodland stout. We smoked some malt with rosemary, and added a few other embellishments. This beer is inspired by Eastern European folklore, by woodland, streams, cold dark nights and woodsmoke.
This was brewed at Westport, MA by Dann and Martha with help from our friends Adam and Br. Brian.
View from the pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma dark musty, tray smoked aroma. Tastes of caramel and stinky sox, pleasant licorice aftertaste.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Good head, Tobacco, Licorish, Very Dark, not too bitter, Good to sip
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Filtered through an ashtray, caramel but quite a bite, hard coffee.
Rating: 3 ½Sstars
Beer Church
Inspiring Sinners and Saints Alike
Samuel Smith
Organically Produced Lager Beer
Lightly kilned organic lager malt grown in the UK is the main ingredient, with a substantial addition of organic UK Vienna malt. Samuel Smith's has begun to source organic hops in England; some of the organic hops used in the recipe come from New Zealand. Certified organic by the USDA-accredited UK Soils Association.
A full-bodied lager with lots of malt and hop character. A touch hoppier than many lagers yet perfectly balanced.
View from the pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad: bitter warm caramel taste, coats the mouth malty on finish.
Rating : 3 Stars
Brother Steve: bright but malty, buttery taste and a honey in the finish.
Rating: 2 ½ Stars
Brother Joe: Yellow and Bananas, malt taste and a hop in the finish.
Rating: 3 Stars
Comment: A beer for after mowing the lawn, then move onto something different.
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St. Peter’s Cream Stout
View From the pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Cream almost a root beer, smoked malt and burnt chocolate flavors sneak up and make this quite enjoyable. A moldy coffee taste sinks in after a few tastes.
Rating:
Brother Steve: great with clam boil, buried chocolate
Rating:
Brother Brad: earthy aroma, chocolate
Rating: 4 Stars
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Sylvian Stout
Pretty Things
"Our winter seasonal beer, Babayaga is a 7% export-strength woodland stout. We smoked some malt with rosemary, and added a few other embellishments. This beer is inspired by Eastern European folklore, by woodland, streams, cold dark nights and woodsmoke.
This was brewed at Westport, MA by Dann and Martha with help from our friends Adam and Br. Brian.
View from the pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma dark musty, tray smoked aroma. Tastes of caramel and stinky sox, pleasant licorice aftertaste.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Good head, Tobacco, Licorish, Very Dark, not too bitter, Good to sip
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Filtered through an ashtray, caramel but quite a bite, hard coffee.
Rating: 3 ½Sstars
Beer Church Jan 15 2011
Jan 15 2011
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
Milk Stout
The deliciously darkest beer we've ever made is one of the easiest drinkers we've ever brewed.
With sweet, malty flavor and a creamy full body, our Milk Stout is the perfect cold weather beer.
A.B.V. 5.8% | 28 IBUs
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad:
A fresh local stout. Malty with a choclate hint, creamy and not very heavy on the tongue. A clean finish with no offensive after taste. Not vmuch of a nose presence.
Rating: 4 stars
Comment: I like the freshness of the beer and weight of it does not discourageme from trying it again. I know I will try it again.
Brother Joe:
A malt aroma. Sweet chocolate and malt taste. Thin texture. And very warming n the finish. A quick tinge and taste of hop at the finish.
Rating: 4 stars
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Smoked Baltic Porter
Brewed with traditional German malts and hops, this dark lager gets its special twist from a hefty addition of Bamberg smoked malt. This smoldering, medium-bodied lager is sure to please. Smoked Baltic Porter is smooth, smoky and dark…mysterious enough yet? 6.2% ABV
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad:
Pleasant taste. Oysters? Not heavy. Taste evaporates off the tongue quickly, and cleanly
Rating: 3 Stars
Brother Joe:
Large foamy head. Malt essence. Taste of faint fish. Clean finish.
Clean finish. Not so heavy it would discourage a second.
Rating: 3 ½ Stars
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Big Bear Black Stout™
American Stout
ABV: 8.1% IBU: 55 Color: Black
Big Bear is a big, black, stout you can really sink your teeth into. The bold, roasty, caramel malt flavor is balanced by Centennial and Cascade hops.
22oz. | keg
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe:
Sweet malt aroma. Dark blackish colour. Texture medium weight for the stout style.
No noticeable chocolate taste, mostly malt and cane or molasses.
Rating: 3 Stars
Comment: Worthy of a repeat appearance at the altar. Would be nice to try after a light pilsner or farmhouse ale.
Brother Brad:
Very dark colour, Slightly bitter compared to the previous issued.
Rating:
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
Milk Stout
The deliciously darkest beer we've ever made is one of the easiest drinkers we've ever brewed.
With sweet, malty flavor and a creamy full body, our Milk Stout is the perfect cold weather beer.
A.B.V. 5.8% | 28 IBUs
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad:
A fresh local stout. Malty with a choclate hint, creamy and not very heavy on the tongue. A clean finish with no offensive after taste. Not vmuch of a nose presence.
Rating: 4 stars
Comment: I like the freshness of the beer and weight of it does not discourageme from trying it again. I know I will try it again.
Brother Joe:
A malt aroma. Sweet chocolate and malt taste. Thin texture. And very warming n the finish. A quick tinge and taste of hop at the finish.
Rating: 4 stars
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Smoked Baltic Porter
Brewed with traditional German malts and hops, this dark lager gets its special twist from a hefty addition of Bamberg smoked malt. This smoldering, medium-bodied lager is sure to please. Smoked Baltic Porter is smooth, smoky and dark…mysterious enough yet? 6.2% ABV
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Brad:
Pleasant taste. Oysters? Not heavy. Taste evaporates off the tongue quickly, and cleanly
Rating: 3 Stars
Brother Joe:
Large foamy head. Malt essence. Taste of faint fish. Clean finish.
Clean finish. Not so heavy it would discourage a second.
Rating: 3 ½ Stars
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Big Bear Black Stout™
American Stout
ABV: 8.1% IBU: 55 Color: Black
Big Bear is a big, black, stout you can really sink your teeth into. The bold, roasty, caramel malt flavor is balanced by Centennial and Cascade hops.
22oz. | keg
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe:
Sweet malt aroma. Dark blackish colour. Texture medium weight for the stout style.
No noticeable chocolate taste, mostly malt and cane or molasses.
Rating: 3 Stars
Comment: Worthy of a repeat appearance at the altar. Would be nice to try after a light pilsner or farmhouse ale.
Brother Brad:
Very dark colour, Slightly bitter compared to the previous issued.
Rating:
Beer Chruch Jan07 2011
Jan 07 2011
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
Allagash Hugh Malone Ale
Hugh Malone Ale’s base includes English two-row malt and pale crystal malts, establishing an understated sweetness. To give Hugh Malone its hop character we use generous portions of Simcoe hops at three points in the brewing process. To begin with, we use a technique referred to as first wort hopping, in which Simcoe is added to the sweet wort as it enters the kettle. When the wort comes to a boil in the kettle we add Warrior hops, adding another layer to the bitterness of the beer. Later in the brewing process we steep a large amount of Simcoe in the whirlpool to impart a distinct hop aroma. Finally, during secondary fermentation in our conditioning tanks, we dry hop the beer, which instills a hoppy aroma with notes of pine and grapefruit. This 8.5 % ABV ale has a malty palate and a pronounced bitterness. It has a pleasant dry, hoppy finish.
Hugh Malone is a tribute to responsible agricultural practices and informed consumption. Allagash Brewing Company is donating $1 from every bottle of Hugh Malone sold to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), the country’s oldest and largest state organic farmer coalition. MOFGA is a non-profit organization that educates farmers and gardeners about organic cultivation. They work to create resources for consumers interested in buying local and organic foods. With more than 5,500 members and 2,000 active volunteers MOFGA continues to inform consumers about the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound growing practices.
www.mofga.org
More on philanthropy.
Available in: 750 ml bottle/limited release
Original Gravity: 1080 by volume
Recommended Serving Temp: 40-50°F
Cellaring: Drink young
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Steve: Citrus, Bright, Fully flowered, Rounded bitterness
Rating: 4 Stars
Brother Brad: Hoppy, Flowers? , Dry certain finish
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Hop and flower or fruit buds
Pour: smooth even head dissipates soon
Taste: Citrus and hops
Finish: smooth warm, bitters but not overly harsh, rear taste slowly fades
Rating: 4 ½ Stars
Comments: One of my favorite IPA
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unearthly Imperial IPA
an uninhibited infusion of hops
At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with our most aggressive offering yet. Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.
9.5% abv • 15.6ºL • Imperial India Pale Ale • 22 oz / 1/2 keg / 1/6 keg
Views from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma: Yeasty bread, hops
Pour: swell head leaves suds along the rim
Taste: thick, warm bread or yeast, Alcohol, nutty
Finish: no late bad taste, quick finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Bright full taste, very rounded, flowery but not in a bad way. Not overly
Sweet.
Rating 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Aroma: Biscuits and Charcoal
Taste: Warm, coating and chocolate
Rating: 5 Stars
Comments: One of the most unanimous agreed upon beers at Church so far. I will have another. “. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.”
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Dieu du ciel!
Strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel. It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best only after it has aged for six months. The Rigor Mortis are complex beers designed and brewed with patience and care in the tradition of the great Belgian Abbey beers
View from the Pew at Beer church
Brother Brad: Mushroom malt
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Aroma: Good dank
Taste: Mushroom deep warming feeling, allover
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Must, earth
Pour: 2” inch head, fallen into rim
Taste: Mushrooms, Alcohol, Clean sweet fruit taste
Finish: smooth
Rating: 5 Stars
Comment: I foresee a trip to Montreal in the summer looming large.
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
Allagash Hugh Malone Ale
Hugh Malone Ale’s base includes English two-row malt and pale crystal malts, establishing an understated sweetness. To give Hugh Malone its hop character we use generous portions of Simcoe hops at three points in the brewing process. To begin with, we use a technique referred to as first wort hopping, in which Simcoe is added to the sweet wort as it enters the kettle. When the wort comes to a boil in the kettle we add Warrior hops, adding another layer to the bitterness of the beer. Later in the brewing process we steep a large amount of Simcoe in the whirlpool to impart a distinct hop aroma. Finally, during secondary fermentation in our conditioning tanks, we dry hop the beer, which instills a hoppy aroma with notes of pine and grapefruit. This 8.5 % ABV ale has a malty palate and a pronounced bitterness. It has a pleasant dry, hoppy finish.
Hugh Malone is a tribute to responsible agricultural practices and informed consumption. Allagash Brewing Company is donating $1 from every bottle of Hugh Malone sold to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), the country’s oldest and largest state organic farmer coalition. MOFGA is a non-profit organization that educates farmers and gardeners about organic cultivation. They work to create resources for consumers interested in buying local and organic foods. With more than 5,500 members and 2,000 active volunteers MOFGA continues to inform consumers about the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound growing practices.
www.mofga.org
More on philanthropy.
Available in: 750 ml bottle/limited release
Original Gravity: 1080 by volume
Recommended Serving Temp: 40-50°F
Cellaring: Drink young
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Steve: Citrus, Bright, Fully flowered, Rounded bitterness
Rating: 4 Stars
Brother Brad: Hoppy, Flowers? , Dry certain finish
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Hop and flower or fruit buds
Pour: smooth even head dissipates soon
Taste: Citrus and hops
Finish: smooth warm, bitters but not overly harsh, rear taste slowly fades
Rating: 4 ½ Stars
Comments: One of my favorite IPA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
unearthly Imperial IPA
an uninhibited infusion of hops
At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with our most aggressive offering yet. Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.
9.5% abv • 15.6ºL • Imperial India Pale Ale • 22 oz / 1/2 keg / 1/6 keg
Views from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma: Yeasty bread, hops
Pour: swell head leaves suds along the rim
Taste: thick, warm bread or yeast, Alcohol, nutty
Finish: no late bad taste, quick finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Bright full taste, very rounded, flowery but not in a bad way. Not overly
Sweet.
Rating 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Aroma: Biscuits and Charcoal
Taste: Warm, coating and chocolate
Rating: 5 Stars
Comments: One of the most unanimous agreed upon beers at Church so far. I will have another. “. To underestimate Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dieu du ciel!
Strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel. It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best only after it has aged for six months. The Rigor Mortis are complex beers designed and brewed with patience and care in the tradition of the great Belgian Abbey beers
View from the Pew at Beer church
Brother Brad: Mushroom malt
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Steve: Aroma: Good dank
Taste: Mushroom deep warming feeling, allover
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Must, earth
Pour: 2” inch head, fallen into rim
Taste: Mushrooms, Alcohol, Clean sweet fruit taste
Finish: smooth
Rating: 5 Stars
Comment: I foresee a trip to Montreal in the summer looming large.
Beer Church Notes Jan 01 2011
Jan 01 2011
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
The Ten Commandments
10 Commandments
A stronger version of our Lost and Found Abbey Ale brewed to a more contemplative alcohol content. Massive in every stretch of the brewing way possible this is the sort of beer that will remind a beer drinker who considers themselves a saint that even saints stray as sinners from time to time.
Not for the faint of heart, this beer weighs in at a heavenly 9% ABV and is available in 750 ml bottles and on draft at select locations.
ABV: 9%
View from the Pew at Beer Church:
Brother Steve: Taste: Full around the mouth taste, of mincemeat. Savory, with a slightly sharp after taste. Malt flavor and a warming honey finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Taste: Thick chocolate taste. A long lingering sweet malt finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe Aroma: A fruit and nut with a hint of alcohol in the air.
Taste: Thick presence on tongue, full taste of mincemeat or honey and raisin.
Mouth: Carbonation, lingering taste after swallowing.
Appearance: Dark chocolate with a dark full head leaving a slight lacey
pattern after settling down.
Rating: 5 Stars
I was a bit shocked when the beer foamed upon opening. A full ¼ to 1/3 of the beer was spewed onto the table. It may have been the handling from the West Coast to the East Coast that caused this or maybe something else I am not aware of.
High Tide
Fresh Hop IPA
High Tide
Each and every fall, we experience a coastal experience in San Diego known as the “Super High Tide.” This happens later in the Fall Season when the tidal swings reach a range of about 8 feet in difference between low and high tides. When this happens, there are days when the tide just gets too high and flattens out the surf. The lineups shut down and surfers are left to wait until the High Tide recedes.
While waiting for the tides to shift in your favor, might we suggest a High Tide IPA?
Brewed only once each year to coincide with the Hop Harvest in Yakima Washington, High Tide IPA is made with 180 lbs of Fresh Hops per batch that are plucked from the vines and sent straight to our brewery. We skip the whole drying and processing stage which means the hops are ultra fresh and full of flavors we can’t normally get. Like grapes, Hops are only harvested one time each year and as such, we make what we can when we get them.
The recipe is very simple and basic with an emphasis on the variety of hops we select each year. Lately, we have selected Centennial and Chinook hops for our High Tide IPA. We used Centennial at the end of the boil and Chinook for the Dry Hopping. Now that we have brewed High Tide, we will sit and wait for the ultra High Tides of Fall to arrive knowing full well that we have sufficient stocks of great beer to get us through the flattest of sessions. We hope you’ll stock up too.
Malts – Two Row
Kettle Hops – Amarillo Pellets
Whirlpool – Centennial Fresh Hops
Dry Hop – Chinook Fresh Hops
Yeast – White Labs- Port Brewing Proprietary Yeast Strains
Original Gravity – 1.062
Terminal Gravity – 1.012
ABV – 6.50%
Availability – Early Fall Release
Views from the Pews at Beer Church
Brother Brad: Aroma: Apricot
Taste: Very bitter, but mellowing upon 2nd and 3rd tastes
Finish: Hops just as the names implies.
No star rating
(It should be noted that Brother Brad has stated in the Confessional that he is not a fan of bitter hops. Although as he willingly admits, “There is not a beer that I would pass up.”)
Brother Steve: Aroma: Apricot/Peach
Taste: very hoppy
Finish: sour after taste, bitter yet smooth
Rating: 4 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Peach fruit
Mouth: bitter front and rear of mouth full hop up front taste
Finish: Dry and cutting hop taste. Beer grew less bitter and smoother on 2nd and 3rd taste.
Rating: 5 Stars, excellent hoppy IPA
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
Our Finest Regards
From Pretty Things to you this winter season: "Our Finest Regards". Two years into our project and we're grateful and amazed that so many people love and support great beer these days. The fact that we're still here is a credit to you all.
But for the question of primary importance: What is the beer?
Well, it's our Pretty Things barleywine. Inspired by malted barley, a tribute to the barleycorn. Yes, it's simple, but that's what barleywines are all about. Ever since brewing in England, Dann has dreamed of making a barley-focused beer using the malts of Yorkshire (and never hesitates to plug his favorite: Thomas Fawcett & Sons).
Give barley a chance and this mysterious little grain can do grand things!
To get the density of sugars needed for this sort of beer, we employed "double mashing". The brewhouse that we work on can only get to maybe 18 plato for a single running of wort: but we wanted 27 plato! So we combined two brews by running wort into the kettle and then using it to mash in the second batch. We don't take credit for this idea. We're certain it has been done many, many times before. But it wasn't until Will Meyers (the great Cantabridgian Cervecero) brought this method to our attention that we realized we could brew a barleywine of proper gravity... (he never told us that he hadn't actually performed this sort of brewing before!). Anyway, it works!!
We fermented with a blend of English and Belgian yeast strains that seemed to work quite well together fermenting down to 4 plato in short order (that's 13.5% abv if you're counting). Expect an aroma of juicy sultanas, malted milk balls, and alcohol deliciousness. It's got a medium body and is a little more spritsy than we're sure the Brits would like. Serve over 50 degrees fahrenheit in a stemmed glass.
Very suitable to drink this year or next, or even the winter after that!
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma: I was not able to detect any specific aroma.
Taste: Fruit, honey,
Mouth: Thin syrupy feel, alcohol feel an cheeks, warm presence
Finish: Full and quick ending, no lingering after taste.
Rating: 3 Stars
Brother Steve: Mouth: full flavor
Aroma: Caramel
Finish: slight sharp after taste
Rating: 4 ½ Stars
Comment: Less going on than with the 10 Commandments
Brother Brad: Aroma: Licorice
Taste: Molasses. Full mouth feel.
Rating: 5 Stars
The people in the pew think the Pretty Things will be quite different with aging.
Beer Church
Inspires Sinners and Saints Alike
The Ten Commandments
10 Commandments
A stronger version of our Lost and Found Abbey Ale brewed to a more contemplative alcohol content. Massive in every stretch of the brewing way possible this is the sort of beer that will remind a beer drinker who considers themselves a saint that even saints stray as sinners from time to time.
Not for the faint of heart, this beer weighs in at a heavenly 9% ABV and is available in 750 ml bottles and on draft at select locations.
ABV: 9%
View from the Pew at Beer Church:
Brother Steve: Taste: Full around the mouth taste, of mincemeat. Savory, with a slightly sharp after taste. Malt flavor and a warming honey finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Brad: Taste: Thick chocolate taste. A long lingering sweet malt finish.
Rating: 5 Stars
Brother Joe Aroma: A fruit and nut with a hint of alcohol in the air.
Taste: Thick presence on tongue, full taste of mincemeat or honey and raisin.
Mouth: Carbonation, lingering taste after swallowing.
Appearance: Dark chocolate with a dark full head leaving a slight lacey
pattern after settling down.
Rating: 5 Stars
I was a bit shocked when the beer foamed upon opening. A full ¼ to 1/3 of the beer was spewed onto the table. It may have been the handling from the West Coast to the East Coast that caused this or maybe something else I am not aware of.
High Tide
Fresh Hop IPA
High Tide
Each and every fall, we experience a coastal experience in San Diego known as the “Super High Tide.” This happens later in the Fall Season when the tidal swings reach a range of about 8 feet in difference between low and high tides. When this happens, there are days when the tide just gets too high and flattens out the surf. The lineups shut down and surfers are left to wait until the High Tide recedes.
While waiting for the tides to shift in your favor, might we suggest a High Tide IPA?
Brewed only once each year to coincide with the Hop Harvest in Yakima Washington, High Tide IPA is made with 180 lbs of Fresh Hops per batch that are plucked from the vines and sent straight to our brewery. We skip the whole drying and processing stage which means the hops are ultra fresh and full of flavors we can’t normally get. Like grapes, Hops are only harvested one time each year and as such, we make what we can when we get them.
The recipe is very simple and basic with an emphasis on the variety of hops we select each year. Lately, we have selected Centennial and Chinook hops for our High Tide IPA. We used Centennial at the end of the boil and Chinook for the Dry Hopping. Now that we have brewed High Tide, we will sit and wait for the ultra High Tides of Fall to arrive knowing full well that we have sufficient stocks of great beer to get us through the flattest of sessions. We hope you’ll stock up too.
Malts – Two Row
Kettle Hops – Amarillo Pellets
Whirlpool – Centennial Fresh Hops
Dry Hop – Chinook Fresh Hops
Yeast – White Labs- Port Brewing Proprietary Yeast Strains
Original Gravity – 1.062
Terminal Gravity – 1.012
ABV – 6.50%
Availability – Early Fall Release
Views from the Pews at Beer Church
Brother Brad: Aroma: Apricot
Taste: Very bitter, but mellowing upon 2nd and 3rd tastes
Finish: Hops just as the names implies.
No star rating
(It should be noted that Brother Brad has stated in the Confessional that he is not a fan of bitter hops. Although as he willingly admits, “There is not a beer that I would pass up.”)
Brother Steve: Aroma: Apricot/Peach
Taste: very hoppy
Finish: sour after taste, bitter yet smooth
Rating: 4 Stars
Brother Joe: Aroma: Peach fruit
Mouth: bitter front and rear of mouth full hop up front taste
Finish: Dry and cutting hop taste. Beer grew less bitter and smoother on 2nd and 3rd taste.
Rating: 5 Stars, excellent hoppy IPA
Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project
Our Finest Regards
From Pretty Things to you this winter season: "Our Finest Regards". Two years into our project and we're grateful and amazed that so many people love and support great beer these days. The fact that we're still here is a credit to you all.
But for the question of primary importance: What is the beer?
Well, it's our Pretty Things barleywine. Inspired by malted barley, a tribute to the barleycorn. Yes, it's simple, but that's what barleywines are all about. Ever since brewing in England, Dann has dreamed of making a barley-focused beer using the malts of Yorkshire (and never hesitates to plug his favorite: Thomas Fawcett & Sons).
Give barley a chance and this mysterious little grain can do grand things!
To get the density of sugars needed for this sort of beer, we employed "double mashing". The brewhouse that we work on can only get to maybe 18 plato for a single running of wort: but we wanted 27 plato! So we combined two brews by running wort into the kettle and then using it to mash in the second batch. We don't take credit for this idea. We're certain it has been done many, many times before. But it wasn't until Will Meyers (the great Cantabridgian Cervecero) brought this method to our attention that we realized we could brew a barleywine of proper gravity... (he never told us that he hadn't actually performed this sort of brewing before!). Anyway, it works!!
We fermented with a blend of English and Belgian yeast strains that seemed to work quite well together fermenting down to 4 plato in short order (that's 13.5% abv if you're counting). Expect an aroma of juicy sultanas, malted milk balls, and alcohol deliciousness. It's got a medium body and is a little more spritsy than we're sure the Brits would like. Serve over 50 degrees fahrenheit in a stemmed glass.
Very suitable to drink this year or next, or even the winter after that!
View from the Pew at Beer Church
Brother Joe: Aroma: I was not able to detect any specific aroma.
Taste: Fruit, honey,
Mouth: Thin syrupy feel, alcohol feel an cheeks, warm presence
Finish: Full and quick ending, no lingering after taste.
Rating: 3 Stars
Brother Steve: Mouth: full flavor
Aroma: Caramel
Finish: slight sharp after taste
Rating: 4 ½ Stars
Comment: Less going on than with the 10 Commandments
Brother Brad: Aroma: Licorice
Taste: Molasses. Full mouth feel.
Rating: 5 Stars
The people in the pew think the Pretty Things will be quite different with aging.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Huffen weezer
Today I had the opportunity to try a local brew. This brew comes from A Couple JW's, it is not their Watchtower Ale, it is their Huffen Weezer.
The aroma of the beer is malt with pear and spice, not exactly clove but some hint of spice.
The beer poured out a nice deep red honey colour and cloudy, just like a non filtered beer would.
Taste was a good balance of hops and malt. Not overpowering in either hop or malt. I tasted the beer at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and I believe if I had chilled it a few degrees down it would be a beer that would I recommended for after mowing the lawn with a push mower, i.e. a beer to quaff more than one.
The mouth feel of the beer was smooth. A bit lower carbonation than expected, but I did not give it the extra week in the bottle.
A great unfiltered low hop tasting beer. Hop freaks may pass it by, but those looking for a good early evening in the sun beer will be clamoring for it.
Main Street Brewery and the Coupl've JW's have a solid hit.
Cheers.
The aroma of the beer is malt with pear and spice, not exactly clove but some hint of spice.
The beer poured out a nice deep red honey colour and cloudy, just like a non filtered beer would.
Taste was a good balance of hops and malt. Not overpowering in either hop or malt. I tasted the beer at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and I believe if I had chilled it a few degrees down it would be a beer that would I recommended for after mowing the lawn with a push mower, i.e. a beer to quaff more than one.
The mouth feel of the beer was smooth. A bit lower carbonation than expected, but I did not give it the extra week in the bottle.
A great unfiltered low hop tasting beer. Hop freaks may pass it by, but those looking for a good early evening in the sun beer will be clamoring for it.
Main Street Brewery and the Coupl've JW's have a solid hit.
Cheers.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Conway Treasure
Have you ever been to Conway, New Hampshire? Well if you have, or you plan to be in the region you have to try Tuckerman's Pale Ale. The Ale was first released in 1998 and the brewery has since out-grown the original building and has established itself in a new location in Conway. Tours are on Saturday at 3:00 and a free tasting to follow. You have to get a glass one of the best in my collection! I visited my sister this weekend to celebrate my nieces birthday and stopped into a store for a six-pack of the Pale Ale. This golden color ale has a beautiful malty bouquet with a hint of hoppiness. The head pours creamy white and leaves beautiful lacing with every sip. The scent of hop delivers nicely wit each mouthful that is balanced perfectly with a fresh malty taste. The krausening bottling process really delivers that soft carbonation that dances softly on the tongue. This easy drinking pale ale is awesome with some Mexican or spicy Chinese food which really gets the hops to perform. The brewery also makes a Headwall Alt and 6288 Stout that are outstanding. The unfortunate thing is that I can not find it in Rhode Island anymore. So if anyone knows where to find it let me know. It really brings back found memories of Conway and the White Mountains.For more information about the brewery visit http://www.tuckermanbrewing.com/
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