Follow me:

    Railbender Ale

    August 9, 2010
    / Beer Review /
    Leave a comment

    Name – Railbender Ale
    Country – United States
    Type – Scotch Ale

    Appearance – Poured a very clear red color with a big bubbly white head.  The foam was gone pretty quick with really no lacing.

    Smell – The aroma is pretty weak.  I am getting some malts here but not a whole lot else.

    Taste – Sweet caramel malts with a little bit of a grain taste in there as well.  Some notes of cherry as well.

    I was excited when I picked this one up in Fort Pierce but have to say I’m disappointed after trying it.  It falls flat for a traditional Scotch ale.  Everything seems only barely there in smell and taste.  I guess if you are wanting to try your first Scotch ale this may be a good one for starters because it is pretty much toned down by all accounts from some of the really good ones I have had in the style.  Sorry Erie, this one just wasn’t for me.  Here’s to hoping I can get a bottle of Drake’s Crude from Erie because that is great beer by them.

    Overall Grade – C

    Share
    Leave a comment

    Essence of Skank

    August 5, 2010
    / Beer Review /
    6 Comments

    Name – Essence of Skank
    Country – United States
    Type – Cider

    Appearance – Pours a purplish red color.  There was a small pink head but it was gone very quickly.

    Smell – Cherries hit the nose first, probably blackcurrant as that is what is said was used but I’ve never had blackcurrant before.  Slight yeasty funk and you can smell the booze as well.

    Taste – More cherry like taste that mixes with the funk from the nose and the alcohol.  It has a bit of a dry, crisp finish to it like a cider really should.

    This monster of a cider is a home brew by my friends Vanessa and Brent.  I say it is a monster because it comes in around 7% ABV and this was after they cut it down from where it was at.  It definitely takes ciders to a new level.  It has the nice fruit flavor and the dryness that you expect but then a nice kick in the rear with the alcohol.  I know they didn’t intend for it to be so high but good job making something different guys.  Be sure to also check out Vanessa’s blog Potables + Edibles for awesome articles on food and drink (beer included).

    Overall Grade – B

    Share
    Leave a comment

    Brabant

    August 4, 2010
    / Beer Review /
    1 Comment

    Name – Brabant
    Country – United States
    Type – American Wild Ale

    Appearance – Poured a very deep brown almost black color with a nice sized tan head.  I honestly wasn’t expecting this color for the beer.

    Smell – Bringing the funk with a yeasty and vinegary nose.

    Taste – And the taste is pretty funky as you would expect the brett is forward along with the taste of vinegar, wood and zinfandel.  You get a good amount of dark fruit tastes as well to it with cherry and grapes coming out a lot.

    The label on the bottle says this was bottled in February 2009 so it’s been in the bottle for over a year already.  I was thrown off by the color.  I don’t exactly know why but I was expecting something lighter in color.  You definitely get the taste of the zinfandel barrels it is aged in and that is a unique taste that I haven’t seen a lot in beer.  It was slightly vinegary but it didn’t go over board and blended well enough with the other flavors.  I enjoyed this and hope to get to try other future Avery barrel series brews.

    Overall Grade – B+

    Share
    Leave a comment