thebeerbelly:

Ask yourself, why do you seek the Cup? Is it for the glory of the beer, or for yours?

Not-So-Pumpkin Ale!  Brewed on Thursday, 1 Nov 12, which is also the date the yeast was added.  The wort was apparently suuuuper cold when we added the yeast, and so it wasn’t activating for a day or two, there.  I just checked it this morning though, and the foaming head is MASSIVE.  

Also, the house is a chilly 70 degrees this morning.  Normally I’d be all “fuck that!” but suddenly… for the first time, I find myself way less opposed to cold weather because it means I won’t be fighting a losing battle, trying to keep the wort cooler than frickin’ 78 degrees.

Stay tuned for the recipe for the Not-So-Pumpkin Ale!  Will be posted in the next day or two.  (No pumpkins were harmed in the brewing of this beer).

I stole this pic form my friend JP. I actually did not get any pictures from Brewz Crewz, oh well.

This festival was super fun! I’ve never been to a big beer fest like this before and I definitely enjoyed myself. Everyone was really nice and pretty much everyone that noticed me taking notes asked about this blog. Hopefully some of them found it!

The fest was 3 hours long, and I managed to snag 36 samples and two full bottles of beer :)

Because of the time crunch and the fact that the friends I went with were on a beer tasting mission, my notes were a bit brief and probably got more confused and biased the drunker I got.

Anyway, here are the 36 beers I tried (in chronological order):

1. Orlando Brewing Organic Blonde Ale, ABV: 4.73% , Rating: 3/5
   Very light color, light scent, nice clean taste, nice head. Simple, sweet, nice balance, good carbonation. Could drink a lot.
2. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye, ABV: 6.60% , Rating: 2/5
   Hoppy! Citrusy hoppy taste. Dark tan, small head. Smells like pine. Not my style, but good for an IPA lover. The lady that worked the table was very enthusiastic and sweet.
3. Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils, ABV 5.30%, Rating: 3/5
   Smells sweet, tastes kinda sweet. Nice balance. Bubbly going down - nice and tingly. Very light yellow color with nice small white head.
4. Lagunitas Censored Rich Copper Ale, ABV 6.75%, Rating: 4/5
   Really big gorgeous head, light clear brown color. Smells amazing. Warm, sweet taste - very nice and interesting.
5. Full Sail Pale Ale, ABV 5.40%, Rating: 3/5
   Nice head, light tan color, clear. Smells sweet. Sweet taste, high carbonation. I like! Not my usual style, but I approve.
6. Ace Perry Cider, ABV 5.00%, Rating: 4.5/5
   Sweet smell, sweet taste, but not too sweet. Very good balance for a cider :) Pear taste, tastes like candy, but in a nice way. Champagne color, light green.
7. Napa Smith Lost Dog Amber/Red Ale, ABV: 7.20%, Rating: 4/5
   Great malt smell. Nice brown clear color, little head. Tastes great - cold, crisp, high carbonation, light, good balance. I love it and JP (IPA LOVER) loves it.
8. Napa Smith Organic IPA, ABV: 7.10%, Rating: 3.5/5
   I don’t like IPAs and this is good! Sweet, not too hoppy. Organic FTW.
9. OBP Toasted Coconut Porter, ABV: 5.35%, Rating: 4.5/5
   Smells awesomely like chocolate coconut. Taste surprising light, milky taste and feel. Pretty thick head, very dark, almost black color. So pretty! Awesome :)
10. Orange Blossom Pilsner 2, ABV: 11.0%, Rating: 4/5
    Light orange color, nice head. Smells amazing, like oranges and cream and honey. Nice crisp taste. Definitely taste honey. Sweet, but not overly. Medium carbonation. Goes down smooth, can’t taste alcohol. Nice orange after taste.
11. Flying Dogs’ Stray Dogs Amber Lager, ABV: 5.5%, Rating: 3.25/5
    Smells like spring water. Light taste, taste like spring water! Medium brown, small head. Light, crisp, cool / can’t place taste but nice goes well with chili. Could drink at a party.
12. Flying Dog Hefeweizen In Heat Wheat, ABV: 4.7%, Rating: 5/5
    Banana and cloves! Light cloudy yellow. Very little head. Smells like cloves, taste like awesome!  Would drink all the beers. Light, crisp, refreshing.
13. Brooklyn Brown Ale, ABV: 5.6%, Rating: 4/5
    Medium brown color, cloudy, small head. Nice smell, dark and malty. Medium body. Tastes lighter than it smells. Sweet finish. Goes down smooth, med/high carbonation. Good retention and lacing.
14. Brooklyn Lager, ABV: 5.2%, Rating: 3.75/5
    Smells hoppy. Tan, good, small head. Surprisingly sweet and light. Little/med carbonation. Goes down smooth. Can’t taste the hops I smell. Filling but feels light?
15. Boulder Beer Hazed & Infused Dry-hopped Ale, ABV: 4.85%, Rating: 3/5
    Very slight hop smell. Nice head - deep tan, slightly cloudy. Sweet and hoppy but good hoppy. Medium body, medium carbonation. Smooth, bubbly in throat. I approve.
    (Should be noted I’m kinda drunk by now)
16. Twisted Pines Billy’s Chilies, ABV: 5%, Rating: 3.5/5
    Smells like straight up chili - awesome! Light yellow, slightly cloud. Woah! Weird! Slight chili taste, but great chili aftertaste! So interesting. Not for every day, but would be a great party favor. :)
17. The Native’s The Eleven Brown Ale, ABV: 4.2%
    Deep brown, awesome thumb-sized head! Smells amazing - chocolate? coconut? deep, malty, crisp, nice! Good, light carbonation. Bubbly going down, malty aftertaste.
18. Native Lager, ABV: 5%, Rating: 3/5
    Smells hoppy. Light color with good head, slightly cloudy. Doesn’t taste hoppy, tastes really light and smooth. Pleasant. Would totally dig it if I weren’t such a porter lover. Little plain, but in a nice way.
19. Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale, ABV: 7%, Rating: 3/5
    Nice caramel color, good white head. Smells awesome - like caramel. Caramel taste, sweet but not too sweet. Pretty solid, not the best but good.
20. Coronado Orange Ave Wit, ABV: 5.2%, Rating: 3/5
    Bright yellow, cloudy, no head. Smells awesome - citrusy. Light, crisp, med/high carbonation. Kinda smooth. Solid beer.
21. Coronado Mermaid Red, ABV: 5.7%, Rating: 2.3/5
    Smells great, caramel color. No head. Kinda hoppy. Okay. Pine tree aftertaste.
22. Cigar City Brewing Jose Marti
    Mmm.
23. Abita 25 Vanilla Double Dog, ABV: 7%, Rating: 6/5
    Dark, cloudy brown; nice head. Smells am-zazing - deep caramel and malt, slight vanilla. OMIGOD. Vanilla goodness. I can’t even Best beer tonight. Phenomenal. Yes yes yes.
24. Terrapin Moo-Hoo, ABV: 6%, Rating: 7/5
    Deep rich brown with deep brown beautiful head. Smells like oatmeal cookies and chocolate. CHOCOLATE! What just happened in my mouth? This is amazing! Milky smooth. Gorgeous body. Perfect balance. Low carbonation. What even is this? Is this real life?
25. Dogfish Head Chicory, ABV: 5.2%
    Yes. Awesome. Not as good as previous, but awesome.
26. Breckenridge Agave Wheat, ABV: 4.2%
    Bright yellow, cloudy. Smooth, good. I love stouts, what is happening with my life?
27. Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout, ABV: 6.10%
    Omigod Yes.
28. Konda Longboard Ale Pale Wheat, ABV: 5%, Rating: 2/5
    Light yellow, no head. Smells yellow. Tastes okay. Unimpressive.
29. Victory Lager, ABV: 4.8%, Rating: 3/5
    Bright yellow, cloudy. Smells super familiar but I can’t place it. Fruit? Flowers? Light, faerie taste. Med carbonation, good balance.
30. Southern Tier Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale, ABV: 5.7%, Rating 2.5/5
31. Gordon Biersch Lager, ABV: 7.5%
    Medium brown, good head. NO smell. Tastes okay.
32. Highland Oatmeal Stout, ABV: 5.8%
    Dark black, opaque. Good head. Warm, cozy, oatmeal breakfast.
33. Holy Mackrel Mack in Black, ABV: 8%
    95% head, brown. Dark black. Smells hoppy and weird. Mocha? Kinda love it. Chocolate mocha alcohol yes. More.
34. Redbrick Brown Ale, ABV: 6%, Rating: 3/5
    Alt. Med brown. Okay head. Smells like chocolate coffee. Good. Like.
35. Laughing Skulls Amber Ale, ABV: 5/7%, Rating: 2.5/5
    Light tan with nice head. Smells like amber and light hop. Smooth. Okay. Party beer?
36. Highland Mocha Stout
    Yes.
    

Mary and I will sit down and actually review the beer ourselves (I have a review of our porter written that I need to type up), but I just wanted to share some comments we got from the home brewer’s club last night.

I went to a Tampa Bay BEERS meeting last night and after listening to a speech from Jeff from Boulder Brewing, everyone got up and went around trying everyone else’s homebrews.

I brought in two of the belgian wit, but was too nervous to walk around by myself so my gracious and personable friend DT walked around and introduced the beer for me. About twenty people tried the beer and all said it was good!

It got a hearty nod from the brewer at St. Somewhere and positive feedback and reviews from Jeff from Boulder :D

Some of the comments we got were:

• delicious
• good amount of spices
• very standard and representative wit
• good balance
• too much priming sugar
• thin mouth feel, but solid taste
• not a great sipping beer, but good for gulping
• good yeast
• no unusual or bad flavors
• tasted good warm, but would be better cold
• impressive for a beginner

One guy said he didn’t normally drink light beer but he liked it. And then later came by and asked for another sample!

That’s all I can remember for now. It was really exciting!

<3, c.

Brewing Company: Cigar City Brewing; Tampa, Florida
Name: Cubano Espresso
Style: American Brown Ale
ABV: 5.5%
Serving type: draught 
Price: $5

Aroma: Straight up smells like chocolate espresso.

Appearance: Nice head, slight retention. Dark, clear brown. Some light comes through the bottom.

Taste: Nice, sweet taste, good balance. Nice feeling on the lips, but not as foamy as I’d like. Not as thick or milky as I’d like either. Medium carbonation - goes down a little bubbly, but in a nice way.

Finish: Tingles in the throat. Beer-ish coffee aftertaste, slightly bitter. Filling. Feeling a buzz.

The smell alone is worth getting a glass.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommended.

Brewing Company: Cigar City Brewing; Tampa, Florida
Name: Peppermint Maduro Brown Ale
Style: Brown Ale
ABV: unknown (probably around 5.5%)
Serving type: draught - cask
Price: $4

Aroma: Smells like peppermint bark. Candy. Delicious.

Appearance: No head, small retention. Medium/dark brown, light shines through.

Taste: Tastes like warm peppermint bark. Light, refreshing, mild. Goes down easy. Okay balance. Smells better than it tastes.

Finish: Super sweet aftertaste of malt.

Pretty good but not awesome. Slightly underwhelming. I think I’d like it more if it were a stout.

Rating: 2.75/5

Meh.

Brewing Company: Sweetwater Brewing Company; Atlanta, Georgia
Name: Blue
Style: (blueberry) fruit beer / Belgian Wheat Ale
ABV: 4.6%
Serving type: 12oz bottle
Price: unknown

Aroma: Smells hint of blueberry. Cold crisp scent of wheat.

Appearance: Nice thumb-sized head, little retention and very little lacing. Clear, light wheat-tan color. Lots of bubbles!

Taste: Crisp taste of blueberries after taste of wheat. Very interesting going down throat, slightly tart. Very light taste. Light body, med-high carbonation. Bubbly and crisp - not exactly my style.

Finish: Strong blueberry finish. Can’t really feel or taste alcohol.

Not as good at the Sea Dog Blue Paw. It would probably taste better with some fresh blueberries in it. Would be a good summer afternoon beer, I may try it again come summer time. I wouldn’t buy a bottle to drink at home, but I’d take it to a party or have a pint at a bar.

Rating: 3/5

Recommended.

Brewing Company: Samuel Adams; Boston, Massachusetts 
Name: The Vixen
Style: Chocolate Chili Bock
ABV: 8.5%
Serving type: 22oz bottle
Price: $5.99

Aroma: Smells deep, dark, roasted, chocolatey.

Appearance: Nice head, small and tan. Decent retention, barely any lacing. Head reappears when swirled with light lacing. Black color, opaque.

Taste: Smooth, velvety. Distinct chocolate taste. Good, high carbonation. Medium body, goes down easy. Hints and undertones of cinnamon and chili.

Finish: Leaves bubbles on the lips and in the throat. Mild aftertaste. I can definitely feel the alcohol after just a few sips.

Rating: 4/5

Recommended. Very interesting. Worth it for the price.

Brewing Company: Tampa Bay Brewing Company; Tampa, Florida
Name: Black Velvet
Style: Bourbon cask aged vanilla stout
ABV: ~7.0%
Serving type: draught - cask
Price: $5
4.5 months old, tapped (and drank) on Feb 2. 

Aroma: Smell is faint, hints of smokiness. Vanilla and cocoa are prominent. Wonderful smell. Smells like than it tastes. 

Appearance: Gorgeous head, thumb-sized, light tan color, great retention. Beer is dark brown, almost black, very opaque - when it was just poured I could see the sediment falling to the bottom, so it was slightly cloudy. There was just a little light shining through the bottom. Very nice lace - doesn’t even drip, just sits beautifully on the glass. The head stays with the beer - went down a little, but stayed pinky-finger thick through the rest of the glass. Sediment at the bottom of glass at finish. :)

Taste: Very creamy - goes down really smooth. Sweet, but not super sweet. Has a dark, warm taste. Full body, light carbonation. Bubbles on side of glass, looks like cola. Feel holds true to the velvet name. The first sips tasted a little hoppy, but hoppiness dimishes with each sip. Feels like drinking milk. Very filling. Feeling tipsy half way through the glass. 
Seriously, I’m in love with this beer. I’ve said that before but this time I mean it.

Finish: Incredibly smooth finish. Wonderful aftertaste - can’t quite place it… chocolate? coffee? not exactly. Leaves a warm, happy feeling in my mouth. By the end, I’m full and drunk. Solid drunk, bro (I actually wrote that in my notes). 

Rating: 5/5

Highly Recommended.

May I also add that the bartender was sexy as hell. And he guess the ABV just by tasting it. No joke. 

<3, c.