Beer Ambassador . . . a day in the life of

Endings & Beginnings

2011-12-20T22:30:00.000-05:00

I finally got off my lazy busy butt and got my OWN REAL HOMEPAGE!
Any and all new beer writings and beer reviews will be found here:

BEERAMBASSADOR.ME

See you there! ^_^

Samuel Adams Dunkelweizen ~ Boston Beer Company

2011-11-23T10:25:00.001-05:00

Appearance: cloudy pumpernickel under an off-white tannish head which fades into a puddle bordered by a slightly thicker collar. Swirls average.

Nose: chewy, rich, and sweet – borderline too sweet. Raisins and moist dense raisin breads of the whole wheat and pumpernickel dark bread variety. Hint of brown sugar and maple. Fresh moist meaty dried prunes. Sliced over-ripe bananas in the back.

Palate: chewy and surprisingly delicate given the dense richness of the nose. Moist raisins bread ala ripe bananas ala brown sugar melts in the mouth with a pleasant weight and density. Bananas are a constant presence, weaving in and out of the other individual flavors – brown sugar, caramelized maple, pumpernickel.

Final Thoughts: thankfully the taste wasn’t as rich as the nose implied. A decent Samuel Adams beer that doesn’t suck but doesn’t wow at the same time – a gateway approachable Dunkelweizen true to the style, albeit a bit on the simplistic side.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Ovila Saison ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

2011-11-23T10:13:00.001-05:00

Appearance: orange under an exuberant white head which lingers as a solid layer broken up by random bubbles while trying to crawl up the sides of my glass. Swirls puffy and pretty.

Nose: banana phenolics lead right into fresh dough being kneaded before baking. Clove and green banana peel. White pepper wafts through the air. Lemon pith then lemon zest. Mandarin oranges ripe for the eating. Husky dry straw in the back.

Palate: full bodied and of the harvest – a cornucopia of the fields. Banana, clove, and white pepper dominate the middle. A chewy profile of doughy yeasty breads on the rise but not yet baked. Mandarin orange breads. Husks, saddles, leather, and barnyard dust and funk in the back – cleanses and parches and inspires a thirst for more. Green banana skins also creep into the finish. A mélange of spices – cumin, dry ginger root, more white pepper. Full lightly frothy medium mouthfeel.

Final Thoughts: delicious! First the Dubbel and now the Saison, I am equally pleased and impressed with both abbey style beers from Sierra Nevada Brewing. I am sure the monks of the Ovila Abbey are pleased.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Crispin Original ~ Crispin Cider Company

2011-11-23T10:03:00.001-05:00

Appearance: slight chill haze. A bubbly ring along the top while a few errant bubbles race to the surface.

Nose: freshly pressed apples – pulpy, slightly chilled, with their juices running down the sides of my mouth. Essence of equally freshly crushed sauvignon blanc grapes. Angel food cake sweetness – light and airy. Mild hint of tartness – granny smith apples, hold the skin. Faint pineapple and kiwi in the middle.

Palate: full and chewy –like suckling on pureed apple flesh- with bubbles tickling the side of my mouth and back of throat. Zips along with brisk sauvignon blanc grapes and fresh apple pulp. Essence of pears. A short finish with a quick nip of tartness.

Final Thoughts: not too shabby. I enjoyed my glass without any ice as to not dilute the natural flavors of Crispin’s Original Cider. I would have enjoyed a bit more of the diversity promised in the nose but overall a refreshing quaffer.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Smashed Blueberry ~ Shipyard

2011-11-22T09:45:00.001-05:00

Appearance: pours the color of liquid blueberry. Smashed blueberry skins, stems included. Swirls with a collar.

Nose: blueberry smoothie and blueberry muffins. Like grabbing a handful of fresh blueberries then squeezing them, the juices and pulpy remains squishing through your fingers. Hershey’s chocolate in the back – melted atop blueberries. Generic rustic quality in the back.

Palate: thin and watery in the middle. Blueberry water and grape water in the middle. Hard burnt acrid chalky finish. Tannic and leathery in a very bad stale way. Painfully bitter blueberry and grape skins. Raw boozy finish.

Final Thoughts: wow. Not good at all. I couldn’t finish my glass much less the bottle – both went down the drain.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Weizenbock ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

2011-11-22T09:42:00.001-05:00

Appearance: a lovely orange, lighter along the edges, and topped with a generous off-white head – fading into a thick collar with spotty lace. Swirls bubbly but fades fast.

Nose: yeasty and doughy. Bananas and fuzzy orange fruits – nectarines and peaches. Aloe and cactus, white flower petals and stems. Tropical. Guava.

Palate: sweet up front then transitions into a summery tropical paradise. A bit mild. Banana peel, cactus, aloe – all in the back. Peach breads. Almonds. Dried apricots. Spicy yeasty dough. Grows a bit cloying. Spicy heat in the breath then dry straw and hay. Guava, aloe, and cactus.

Final Thoughts: it was alright and maybe it was just my mood but overall, rather underwhelming. Good but not worth seeking out again.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Juniper Black Ale ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

2011-11-22T09:25:00.001-05:00

Appearance: pours black and burnt browns, finally settling black. Huge head – bubbly, airy, and fades in huge chunks, patches, and lace.

Nose: burnt charcoal, black smoldering ash. Juniper is a subtle pervasion and excellent compliment. Brittle bakers chocolate. Black earth. Burnt pine and hops in the back.

Palate: medium mouthfeel and weight with chocolate, ash, bakers chocolate, and twigs coming in last. Burnt pine and juniper. Long burnt parched finish. Still smoldering black earth. Leather? Starts to grow some tobacco notes – like smoking a fine dry spicy earthy cigar.

Final Thoughts: an excellent marriage of burnt delights and juniper earthiness. Delicious and out of the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp twelve-pack, this was my favorite beer and would make an excellent addition to their regular line-up.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

BEERflections ~ 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest

2011-11-14T11:12:00.001-05:00

Everyone loves a good beer fest, especially yours beerly, Kristyn Lier - Beer Ambassador Extraordinaire. The beauty of good beer diversity is just that, diversity, which is best enjoyed with the freedom to brew and savor as such. There is nothing else in the world as life-affirming as beer. With each sip bringing an awareness of the senses, a place of humble enjoyment grounds while curiosity swells amidst a thirst for discovery which can only be quenched by further BEERventures, both local and beyond. In the words of the great beer hunter Michael Jackson: “For every beer, a place, and for every place, a beer.”

…and in the words of the affably opinionated men of BeerWorks Charitable Foundation:

“In 2008, six individuals organized the First "Treasure Coast Beer Fest" in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce, Florida. Because of the success of that festival, Beerworks Charitable Foundation Inc. was established. Our mission is to educate people about the many styles of beer the world has to offer, and at the same time raise money for local charities.”

…and so I would like to propose and I don’t think Michael Jackson would mind, ‘For every beer, a community, and for every community, a beer.’

I’ve been involved albeit more in the background with BeerWorks for TCBF2 and TCBF3 but this time around an opportunity arose for me to be directly and intimately involved, an opportunity which I gladly accepted. In all ways possible, this year’s Treasure Coast Beer Fest was the best one yet which may sound like the usual statement of the obvious, but it really was the best one yet. If I may (and I’m going to) share a moment of selfish gushing – craft beer and the craft beer community have brought more joy, goodness, peace, hope, fun, creativity, inspiration, curiosity, and best of all, Love to my life.

Beer isn't just malted barley, water, hops, and yeast. Beer is love.

Hundreds upon hundreds of fest-goers shared this love in celebratory quaffness on October 22nd 2011 between 1pm and 5pm at the Downtown Fort Pierce City Hall Parking Garage during the best beer drinking weather one could ask for. Truly glorious. A morning chill in the mid 60s while the afternoon crested in the mid 70s definitely made a positively drinkable difference. Previous year’s had taken place in the suffocating month of September when humidity still has its death hold on all of Florida and her citizens. A seasonal climate Florida does not have unless you count slightly hot, hotter, hottest, and slightly cool as its four seasons. This year October found the Treasure Coast squarely in the slightly cool category with nary an inkling of slightly hot. With a brilliantly unfettered azure sky above, a perfect breeze, and beer eagerly awaiting their moment of tasting cup glory, the day was ripe for success.

How successful?

For the first time ever the Treasure Coast Beer Fest sold out! That’s right – sold out! Each year our cap has been 1000 patrons and this year we reached that peak and planted a flag called success on its tip. At no exact moment were there 1000 people total in the garage but from the first beer fest-goer to the last, the line of men and women of all ages and professions eager to sample some of the over 200 different beers being poured never ebbed nor waned. An easy half hour before the gates were open, a thirsty line stretched out from the parking garage entrance all the way back around inside and out, and at one point all the way out to US1. Thankfully, mom and dad did teach us not to play in traffic, beer fest or no beer fest.

But I digress…

Right into the thrilling premonition that this year’s fest was going to be epic and for once my instincts were right. From the charities (Learn to Read of St. Lucie County, Treasure Coast Hospice, and Treasure Coast Food Bank) to the volunteers to the men (and women) of BeerWorks Charitable Foundation to the breweries and distributors and vendors and sponsors that all came together in beertiful harmony – our 4th Annual was a celebratory success of craft beer diversity and of beautiful human beings.

Speaking of beautiful human beings, let me give a proud shout-out to the charities mentioned above for their fair share of selfless promotion and support; our success is a team effort and a proud one at that. In particular, I’d like to thank everyone (breweries, distributors, volunteers) for bringing generous donations of non-perishable goods to help the hungry men, women, children, and families who rely on Treasure Coast Food Bank to enjoy the simple pleasures of a meal. And once those gates opened and wave after wave of equally generous TCBF4 fest-goers brought their own non-perishable donations. As soon as one bin full of donations was carried to their truck located just outside the Downtown Fort Pierce City Hall Parking Garage, another was already filled and ready to be taken out, emptied, and brought back to be filled again and again in this beautiful circle of giving. For those kind souls who brought donations, for each item a raffle ticket was given and later during the fest many a lucky raffle ticket were redeemed for a gift basket full of tasty beers, coasters, bottle openers, and other fantastic beery shwag. One should always give just for the sake of giving because someone else out there needs help…but a little something-something in return doesn’t hurt either. And it’s thanks to JJTaylor for generously providing the beery shwag and A Picky Gourmet for providing the beer buckets that made a difference in many a beerthusiast’s day.

Also wonderfully represented was Learn to Read of St. Lucie County, advocates of adult literacy, and Treasure Coast Hospice, advocates of human stewardship. Let us never forget that reading is anything but simple for those who struggle with adult literacy. There is not a moment of any given day where reading isn’t integral to social and economic success and acceptance both at home and at work. Founded in 1981, Learn to Read of St. Lucie County provides a safe haven where adults can embrace the joy of reading and cast off the shame of illiteracy in a warm respectable environment. And let us also never forget that death isn’t about dying but about living our later days and years in comfortable dignity. Sometimes one can do this alone and sometimes one needs help which is where Treasure Coast Hospice steps in to offer support, guidance, answers to questions both easy and difficult, and most importantly, humanity. Thank you for all you do for the community.

I know I’ve said it before and I don’t mind saying it again: BeerWorks Charitable Foundation and the wonderful world of craft beer is all about community. We know that first and foremost the heart of craft beer beats proudest in the ladies and gentlemen who run our markets, heal our sick, comfort our wounded, clothe the poor, feed the hungry, and so much more. I still think that Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head says it best with “Think global, drink local.” and local is the heart of Treasure Coast Beer Fest. It is why every year we choose local charities and why every year our educational mission to share the flavorfully diverse world of craft beer continually meets with joyous success. This success in turn cultivates further curiosity and passion to explore, learn, taste, and share. As mankind’s oldest beverage, beer has played second fiddle to the marketing genius of the wine and spirits conglomerates for far too long. Beer is equal to wine and spirits if not their better. Am I biased? Yup. But I’ve got lots of factual stuff I won’t go into here to back me up; goo-bin-hoo it for yourself. Suffice to say, since time immemorial man, woman, worker, slave, king and queen, aristocrat, politician, merchant, farmer, poet, philosopher, writer so-on-and-so-forth drank beer glorious beer and they didn’t want anything else. Beer is a milestone of humanity reclaiming its proud place in the life and times of you and me.

Don’t believe me?

How about now? Yes? Good.

With a list of far too many amazing breweries for me to list, TCBF4 topped out at just over 200 beers which sounds like a lot but as with all things tasteful, it’s not about quantity but quality and diversity and for both veteran fest-goers and newbies, the mad dash to taste as much as possible before the hour knelled was never an issue. Responsibility and fun walked cup in hand with drunkenness nowhere to be found. At the very least, nowhere I could see and nowhere that my fellow BeerWorks peeps and the fine uniformed men of the Fort Pierce police department could see either. We take pride in the fact that our Treasure Coast Beer Fest is a tasting fest and not a drunk fest. If anything, it was the most civilly organized and genuinely pleasant fest yet with merriment echoing throughout the air from set-up to tear-down. Equally echoing through the merry air was the Funky Buddha Lounge out of Boca Raton as every hour on the hour they tapped a keg of special TCBF4 brew with flavors the likes of No Crusts PB & J, Apple Cinnamon Bierbaum, Pina Colada Wheat, and more. While all of their beers pleased the ever discriminatory tastebuds of yours beerly, none really grabbed them by the bud and yelled wow! Innovative and quirky, they are more special occasion than any day quaffness. But where Funky Buddha excelled was at playing the crowd and thus the demand as evidenced by the massive hourly swarm to their table, a strategy other breweries might do well to note.

But let’s be fair here. One beer geek’s “hurrah” is another’s “it's alright” and Funky Buddha wasn’t the only local Florida brewery that brought their game. Of particularly personal interest and pleasure was the so brand-spankin' new they aren’t even open yet brewery which goes by the name Due South out of Boynton Beach. Pouring four beers (Red Hoptober, Southbound Brown, Caramel Cream Ale, and Honey Wheat) all of which I thoroughly enjoyed, my two favorites were the Caramel Cream Ale because I’m a sucker for a good cream ale and the Honey Wheat because I’m a sucker for anything sour. Proudly wearing a tart lactic acidity much like sourdough bread, the soft chewy mouthfeel (thank you wheat) and gentle honey essence (thank you bees) brought to mind another sour love of mine – Berlinerweisse. I hope the Honey Wheat changes not a bit (except for more sour) so that come next summer I can quaff many a glass.

Continuing my tour down Florida craft beer lane (gotta support my local) was the newly old addition of Tequesta Brewing Company. I say newly old because Matt was at TCBF3 as the proud brewmaster of Corner Café & Brewery; this year he is the proud brewmaster and owner of Tequesta Brewing Company which sits right next door to his alma matter, Corner Café. I’ve been to both and to both I shall return – good beer, good food, good people, good times. Pouring such solid standards as Gnarly Barley and Der Chancellor, Matt also brought along a few surprises the likes of Hopscotch, a Scotch Ale, and Vantober, Matt’s tastetastic twist on the classic Octoberfest. Amazingly, my biggest surprise of all didn’t involve Matt’s beers in all their yumminess but instead involved his mom and dad who are awesome. Glad to meetcha!!!

Along with Funky Buddha and Tequesta Brewing, another big draw is always Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa (not Ybor), Florida. I must say though it pains me so that while CCB brought many really good beers they didn’t really bring anything of tastebud-blowing line-forming epicness. Guava Grove, Big Sound Scotch Ale, Jai Alai IPA, and Maduro are all excellent beers readily available right here, right now…and therein lay the rub. There was nothing uber exclusive to draw endless mobs of beer geeks and beer newbs to the table to have their tastebuds blown in proper line-forming fashion. Not having the CCB Tap Van there as in beer fests past didn’t hurt but it sure as heck didn’t help either. Nothing draws attention like a big van painted in Cigar City Brewery colors with a deliciously long line of taps sticking out the side, calling one’s name to Taste! Taste! Taste! Of course, I say all this with much love for my fine peeps at CCB. I have nothing but absolute respect for their fabulous beery creations. The brewery is beautiful, tasting room inviting, staff friendly, and beers amazing. Know this: if you haven’t had a Cigar City beer yet, than your life is incomplete and such a sordid error must be corrected immediately or your life is forfeit.

Hm… Am I growing jaded in my beer tasting years? Cynical? Boorish? *gasp* Snobbish?
I hope not. I think this calls for a glass of humble…and a beer.

Florida is no longer the beer desert that it once was and continuing the Florida beer pimpage was Holy Mackerel (a truly life-changing beer) and the Florida Beer Company which suffers much cynicism but has offered me some truly tasty beers over the years: Swamp Ape, Beachside Porter, and Key West Southernmost Wheat. Beyond the professional are the amateurs (and don’t we all start as amateurs?), top of which was the Treasure Coast Brewmasters. Every year I wait until almost the end of the fest and every year I miss out on too many of their fantastic homebrews. This year I vowed would not be the same and while I didn’t taste all, I tasted many and they were delicious! Located next to the Treasure Coast Brewmasters were the brand-new upstarts Pirate Pig whose enthusiasm and merchandising skills I admire. The beers (Landlubber Ale, Cochon Brune, and Sergeant Swijn) need work. I’m not saying this to be mean or unfair but to be honest because without honest criticism one cannot improve, impress, and succeed. As Pirate Pigs stands right now, I was not impressed but I look forward to being impressed in the future. To think that Vero Beach could very well soon have its own brewery blows my mind considering the very real desert I moved back to not that long ago. Progress. I can almost taste it…

Speaking of tasting, did anybody else get a taste of the original oak cask and rum cask Innis & Gunn? Holy flavorphoria!! I’d first been teased with the prospect of Innis & Gunn during last year’s Beer Fest but it somehow managed to elude my eager lips. Thanks to the recent merging of Florida Micro Bev and Brown Distributing, Innis & Gunn was once more in my sights and finally in my hands. Success! Easily one of my favorite beers of the fest, partly for “white whale” reasons and largely because they really were that good: the Oak Aged Cask was classic vanillin caramel oak goodness while the Rum Cask Oak Aged version was pure island delights – coconut, molasses, and candied apple goodness. Yum! On the flipside, I am still amazed that Innis & Gunn (of Belhaven (Greene King)) still insists on using clear glass bottles. According to certain sources, Belhaven feels that there are so little hops (only 18 IBUs) that any potential for skunked fusels would dissipate upon the opening and pouring of said bottle. Okay…I kind of buy that but mostly don’t. Clear bottles don’t protect beer. Period. Fewer hops and thus lower IBUs may mean less chance of immediate skunkability but the beer will skunk, both eventually and sooner. This of course means I’ll just have to drink my Innis & Gunn sooner than later, a hard job but I’m willing to do it.

It doesn’t take much to make for a happy Kristyn: Love, beer obviously, and friends. Speaking of friends, there were plenty. It seemed at every flash of the camera, turn of the head, skittering of the feet, there was a friendly face with open arms ready for me to jump into. Long-lost Great Spirits beer tasting peeps, French Quarter beer dinner peeps, Town Crier Pub beer dinner peeps, Hurricane and Vine & Barley peeps...an endless sea of friendship reunited. We’ve laughed, cried, argued, and celebrated together through the years and we are still celebrating, proof shared in every tasting cup brimming with beery bliss. In the world of Beer Fests, we may be a suckling babe with still much to learn, grow, and contribute, but it’s a journey through the ages I look forward to. I can honestly say myself (and others) are helping our community by drinking craft beer. It’s true. Craft and community go hand-in-hand; this relationship of familial selflessness is one of the main reasons I love craft beer as much as I do. It’s as much about the brewers who brew and the community they embody both local and beyond as it is the beer - Inseparable.

Joining our community on the Treasure Coast was the indomitable Sweetwater Brewery whose Blue is still inmynotsohumbleopinion the best blueberry beer readily available on the market. Don’t believe me? Make a trip to Atlanta, Georgia and visit their beerdacious brewpub to experience for yourself the true Blue. But why Atlanta, Georgia? Because to the best of my knowledge Sweetwater is still unavailable in Florida, the tippy top northern edge notwithstanding. Considering their deserved white whale status, it didn’t take long for fest-goers to elbow their way to the Sweetwater table to savor along with Blue such classics as their IPA, 420 Extra Pale Ale, Sch’Wheat, and Motor Boat. Yum, yum, yum, and super yum. I would like to say a big thank you to Sweetwater for finding the time in their hectic schedule to visit our humble Treasure Coast Beer Fest and another big thank you to JJTaylor Distributing for their always impeccable stewardship. You’re not just partners in craft beer prosperity, you are family. From our inaugural fest to our fourth, your stalwart support and smart dedication to the brewers and their beer continues to push the bar of success higher and higher. The Treasure Coast wouldn’t be as crafttastic as it is now without your unwavering dedication, and for that I thank you.

Speaking of distributors, since Republic National was absent this year, we had a newcomer ready and raring to take its place: Brown Distributing. If you live south of the JJTaylor Distribution Border, than Brown Distributing is your person of interest in the craft beer world. From the warehouse to your glass and everywhere in-between, Brown has been carefully supplanting macro mediocrity with craft beer superiority. Through their acquisition of FL Micro Bev and addition of an exciting new contract with Shelton Brothers, purveyors of international artisanal bliss the likes of Mikkeller, Nogne-O, Haandbryggeriet and more, craft is where it’s at and where it’s staying. But do I really need to tell you that? The craft beer explorer who has tasted the beerpiphany and thirsts for more? Of course not, and so it pleases me to auspiciously announce our intentions for many more beerpiphanies courtesy of the BeerWorks Charitable Foundation.

You heard me – the 5th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest will happen and considering Christmas is right around the corner, Fall of 2012 will be here before we know it. In the meantime, I fully plan on hunting, tasting, and savoring all the beers I can get my hands on between now and then. The hunt is never over. The discovery is never old. The diversity is never dull. The excitement is never ending.

To beer, to community, to memories – Slainte!
Now to have another beer, but what shall it be…

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Ghidorah (Beer Camp Double IPA) ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

2011-11-11T12:12:00.001-05:00

Appearance: orange with honey hues. Pithy head is fluffy, clumpy, and patchy. Rests with a gentle haze. Swirls blotchy with sticky lace and a patchy blanket.

Nose: grapefruit, lovely grapefruit – white mostly with some yellow. zest, skin, and lemon. Grapefruit pulp and juice – freshly squeezed. Pine and spearmint in the back. Key lime is a subtle suggestion. Seviche finish of fresh citrus juices amidst sea breeze essence.

Palate: grapefruit, key lime, and lemon hits hard and fast, leading into pine needles and hop resins. Pith and rind – take above fruits and rind away. Deliciously simple.

Final Thoughts: not overly complex but the flavors were bright, rambunctious, and eager to please.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Nuthin In Common (Beer Camp California Common) ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

2011-11-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Appearance: golden coppers under a large pithy blotchy head which fades splotchy and broken. Swirls clumpy and bubbly.

Nose: biscuit, crackers, saltines, dried straw. Lemon pith and green grass in the back. Table crackers. Dried stems and flower petals. Sunshine and dried grass.

Palate: smooth, creamy, and bready up front. Breads lead into saltine and water crackers. Lemon peel and pith along the sides. Bread sticks to the middle with just a hint of honey. Bitterness is subtle, bittersweet. Dry finish in the back of straw and crackers.

Final Thoughts: nice. A fine contender for the original Steam Beer ala California Common.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Westvleteren Extra 8 ~ Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus

2011-11-11T11:57:00.001-05:00

Appearance: murky browns under a soft bready khaki head. Swirls creamy.

Nose: essence of age – old wood, old leather. Fig and date cake (think ala Fig Newton). Brown sugar pumpernickel underneath – dense. Wet wood. Twigs, dried brush.

Palate: rich and datey, cakey, and figgy. Sweetness than spice – chewy dark fruits than brown wintry spices. Chewy pumpernickel and whole grain breads. Leather and old earth. Nutmeg. Decidedly rich and humble at the same time.

Final Thoughts: Westvleteren is truly the white whale of the beer geek world; though I think it’s disservice to limit this fine Trappestry and their beer strictly to the beer geek world. It’s a fine beverage, possible one of the finest in the world. I believe that of all the Westy beers and if you’re truly ever lucky enough to find a bottle or glass in your hand, pour slowly and savor.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Plain Porter ~ Porterhouse

2011-11-10T12:46:00.004-05:00

Appearance: solid black – not oily but charcoal and burnt. Khaki head is thin with scattered patches of bubbles. Smidges of lace inch their way up sides of my glass. Swirls with lace and thick sides.

Nose: burnt toast – dry, crisp, and wholly black. Dark fruits in the back. Dry unadulterated cacao dust. Burnt raisins. Dark fruit stones and dry almonds. Twigs, dirt, and black earth. Charcoal ash.

Palate: a touch smoky. Dark fruits in the finish. Burnt and ashen dry woods. Sweetness of dark fruits and black strap along the sides. Pits and stones in the breath. Smoke and treacle weave in and out. Plums, grapes, and Washington apple skins.

Final Thoughts: wowsers. Serious flavor packed into a seriously quaffable traditional dry stout. Guinness? Pft! I’ll have my Porterhouse Plain Porter and drink it too.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Bruocsella 1900 Grand Cru ~ Cantillon

2011-11-10T12:31:00.001-05:00

Appearance: dried straw and hay with slight orange hues. No visible carbonation except for a minuscule bubbly collar. Swirls with nothing.

Nose: barn, funk, dust, leather, old furniture. Musty. Grape pomace. Hay stacks and burlap sakes, sawdust and oak planks. Green grape skins.

Palate: little to no carbonation – smooth, silky, and a little thin but in a good way. Sawdust, leather shammy, oak, musk, and pomace. Tartness in the middle – grape skins of the Pinot Grigio and oaked Chardonnay variety. Apple and pear skins. Essence of the farm and barnhouse. Old leather with just a hint of varnish. Soured apples, apple vinegar.

Final Thoughts: I love love love Cantillon. Seriously. Sour makes me happy and Cantillon makes me orgasmically ecstatic. Seriously. Sublime sophisticated humble earthen history is at the heart of lambics.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Goldbrau ~ Stiegl

2011-11-10T12:17:00.000-05:00

Appearance: clear straw under a white head which fades into a soft blanket bordered by bubbles. Slow stream of bubbles. Swirls with random lace.

Nose: lemon, key lime, and husked grains. French bread and French rolls. Sunflowers and sunshine over golden fields of grain. Biscuits and tangelo skins. Grape nuts, cereal grains. Lemon and key lime in the middle.

Palate: yum. Lemon, grains, and French bread crusts mingle together. Sweet crunchy cereal grains and grape nuts. Crisp. Lemon and key lime skin. Sunflower petals.

Final Thoughts: delicious. No more than what it intends to be – a quaffable sessionable lager.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Aphrodite ~ Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)

2011-11-09T12:14:00.006-05:00

Appearance: plums and cherries freshly pulped with skins intact. Head fades fast. Small circle of tiny bubbles in the middle.

Nose: mild. Pears, mandarin, cherry, and cranberry skins. Red grapes. More mandarin skins.

Palate: rose water, cranberries and tart cherries grab back of tongue and throat. Plums along the sides. Fresh skinless mandarin slices in the finish – juicy sweet – and also in the middle. Raspberry and cranberry juice soaked angel food cake, fresh with no added sugars or preservatives. Pears are hard to find – not singular but part of the initial sweetness at the front of each quaff.

Final Thoughts: I love all that Ommegang brews but the nose left me a bit worried as there wasn’t much to it. Thankfully her palate came through which considering smell is so much of taste, not quite sure how they did it but they did. Thanks Ommegang. Always a pleasure.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Orange Blossom ~ B. Nektar Meadery

2011-11-09T11:56:00.003-05:00

Appearance: clear and pale – like a pinot blanc or sauvignon blanc. Small blanket of bubbles coat the bottom of glass.

Nose: delicate orange blossoms, honeysuckle blossoms – portrays a union of white blossoms from tree branches to a white blanket of blossoms atop a field of green grass. Hint of pulped apples. Heaviest in the middle where honey, still subtle, is most prominent.

Palate: sweet, smooth, and silky, the silky mouthfeel carries the orange blossom petals from front to back. Lingers longest atop middle of the tongue. Apple pulp in the breath – fresh without the bitterness of apple skin. Gentle mouth-coating. Slow glow of warmth in chest.

Final Thoughts: a clean mead highlighting its proud namesake, the Orange Blossom. A bit unassuming which I found was part of its beauty.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Estaminet Premium Pils ~ Brouwerij Palm

2011-11-09T11:35:00.000-05:00

Appearance: clear straw under a lovely white head with lace crawling up the sides. Slow stream of bubbles hold up a solid white blanket.

Nose: bread crusts, saltines, white crackers. Lemon and morning green grass in the back and along the edges. Grassy and straw. Hint of key lime.

Palate: yummy. Chewy in the middle with medium-light weight and a crisp finish. Grassy, key lime, and lemon pith underneath. White bread crusts. Soft bready sweetness in the middle – sweet Hawaiian rolls.

Final Thoughts: a nice clean crisp pilsner. I personally find extra special pleasure in enjoying a good pilsner of which Estaminet fit right in. A solid session which is no surprise considering it’s brewed by the same geniuses behind Palm.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Imperial Extra Double Stout 2003 ~ Harveys

2011-11-08T12:21:00.003-05:00

Appearance: pours like liquid obsidian – clear, clean, and zero carbonation. No head, no bubbles, nothing – still.

Nose: Bretty – tart and dark. Plum and grape skins with sensual silky designs. Oily, viscous. Black cacao in the back, dried and burnt. Black leather shoe polish. Prehistoric. Dew dropped earth – rainforest floor after a long shower. Old port.

Palate: a thin pale shadow of its nose. Acrid, burnt. Like chewing on black earth. Chalky in the back. Grapes and plums in the middle – tannic, leather, and tart. Flat. Liquid charcoal and tar. Starts to grow papery and dry. Black leather shoe polish – oily.

Final Thoughts: the nose offered hope and promise while the palate offered disappointment and dismay. The 2003 Imperial Extra Double Stout from Harveys was definitely not at a good stage in her life.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Imperial Extra Double Stout 2011 ~ Harveys

2011-11-08T11:51:00.003-05:00

Appearance: pours black with little to no carbonation – slow pour with no visible sediment. Espresso crema collar, no head. Swirls with espresso crema spots.

Nose: chocolate covered raisins and prunes. Tart little nip in the back. Smoke esters, charcoal. Black licorice root. Smoldering pile of brush – old twigs, leaves, wood. Leathered – gentleman’s club, polished and black with time. Peat and tar.

Palate: wow – soft and velveteen mouthfeel. Tart and leathery – dry, leathered burnt charcoal finish. Cigar and tobacco leaf, smoldering and smoky. Long leathery finish. Black licorice root and candy – raw untamed anise burnt charred and brittle. Nutty date and prune stones. Bakers chocolate. Silky milky mouthfeel – hint of lactobacillus. Leather in the middle. Sour milky tart pitted dark fruits. Iced espresso. Mexican espresso.

Final Thoughts: wowsers! Cellaring beers is a bit of a crapshoot; no matter how prepared and knowledgeable one is there is always a chance that the beer will be long past its prime with no intentions of ever returning. Thankfully, the 2001 Imperial (Extra Double) Stout from Harveys was a winner hands-down as my empty glass eventually proved.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

La Dragonne ~ BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)

2011-11-08T11:29:00.001-05:00

Appearance: murky browns with no head. Looks flat and swirls with no head – nothing.

Nose: ginger, cinnamon, and raisins. Gingerbread cookies. Singular but good. Winter spiced. Tickle of heat in the back. Dried brownie crust. Hot burnt gingerbread cookies in the back.

Palate: sweet and silky mouthfeel. Brown sugars, ginger, cinnamon. Melted apples with brown sugar. Stewed spiced peaches and apples.

Final Thoughts: the brewery recommends that one savors La Dragonne warmed like a grog and after having savored the whole package at cellar temperature, I must agree. I’m always on the lookout for a good glogg and now that I’ve found one, I need another bottle.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Pechish Woods ~ Cisco Brewers

2011-11-05T12:46:00.004-04:00

Appearance: light fog of white breads under a splatter of delicate white bubbles.

Nose: peaches and cream. Peachsicles. Cinnamon sticks. Pie crust with crunchy golden baked sugar granules. Indigo. Lemon bars crunchy and caramelized in delicate sugar sprinkles. Lavender.

Palate: creamy and soft with a lingering delicate tart smoothness. Lemon bars, peach sours – Sour Patch kids come to mind. Lemon ice and peach ice. Essence of standing on the shore, a gentle salty breeze caressing the senses. Peach skins linger atop the tongue long after each swallow – tart and dry and thirst-inducing. Hint of cinnamon powder right in the very front.

Final Thoughts: wow. If Glade made a plug-in air freshener that smelled like this beer, twould not be an empty outlet left in the house. Wow. Cisco Brewers from what Mark tells me is this itsy bitsy family run farmy brewery in the middle of nowhere in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Suffice to say during our next family vacation in Mass Cisco Brewers will be at the top of our BEERtrekking list.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Alchemy Olde Ale ~ homebrew by Gerry Solorzano

2011-11-05T12:34:00.004-04:00

Appearance: cloudy mango and cantaloupe under a pithy patch of bubbles.

Nose: dry, Bretty, brittle, and sour in the back. Plum, grape, peach, and apricot skins. Sauvignon and pinot grigio grapes. Brushed leather, horse and barn dust. Musty.

Palate: spice in the middle with a touch of sweetness – mango, cantaloupe, apricot, and peach blend. Dry in the back and along the sides – Brett, dust, musk. Green grape skins – Sauvignon Blanc and pinot grigio, un-oaked. Hint of cedar chips in the back. Slightly tart kiwi. Middle is enjoyable tannic and tart and tingly. Dry leathery finish.

Final Thoughts: for a “mistake” of a homebrew, Alchemy Olde Ale ended up being one of my favorite beers of the night. Props to Gerry – you always bring something tasty and interesting to our Brewpostle Gatherings. It’s a pleasure to share in them.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Draeckenier ~ De Proefbrouwerij

2011-11-05T12:25:00.002-04:00

Appearance: cloudy oranges with peach hues. White collar. Swirls white and bubbly.

Nose: white wonderbread crusts and fuzzy peach skins. Green grass blades. Generic white flower petals. Cracked pepper in the back.

Palate: interesting with a medium body/ dryness of citric and fruit skins in the back – lemon, pink grapefruit, peach. Grows mild and a bit watery as it opens up. Wet saddles. Lemon drops in the breath. Key lime underneath.

Final Thoughts: meh. It was alright and I’d surely drink it again if someone offered but De Proefbrouwerij has brewed many a better beer I’d rather drink if given the choice.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Biere Darbyste ~ Brasserie de Blaugies

2011-11-02T12:54:00.001-04:00

Appearance: cloudy orange with a light airy bubbly head. Swirls bubbly and airy.

Nose: airy, light, and very faint. Digging deep, I discover generic soured fermentation and Brett. Grapes are fleshy then bitter, dry, and tannic with skins, stems, and seeds.

Palate: light and equally mild. Grape flesh in the middle with a disappointingly fast finish. Lightly dry. Thin fig notes.

Final Thoughts: the sour and Brett was a nice touch but overall a mild, thin, and underwhelming beer. I would have liked to both smell and taste more fig and funk.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Stateside Saison ~ Stillwater Artisanal Ales

2011-11-02T12:41:00.000-04:00

Appearance: cloudy straw with white bubbles around the edges with broken patches in the middle.

Nose: sour lemons, dried grass, hay, and farmyard funk. Lemon peel and pith. Brushed leather – shammy. White pepper and grains of paradise.

Palate: smooth and medium bodied. Sweet with a dry and bitter finish. Hay and straw in the finish – bitter lemon. Key lime, bitter peel. White pepper. Kumquat.

Final Thoughts: a solid saison. Clean crisp and straightforward profile to make any Belgian saison aficionado content.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Lost Abbey Judgment Day ~ Port Brewing/Lost Abbey

2011-11-02T12:25:00.006-04:00

Appearance: dark murky browns – pitch. Active bubbly khaki head fades sticky and thick along the sides with a thin bubbly layer lingering in the middle. Solid.

Nose: raisins, dates, and red wine soaked oak. Boozed and spiced. Black root, black strap molasses. Licorice puree – unadulterated and black. Plum skins and fruit stones – rustic.

Palate: rustic, primitive, and musk. Fermented raisins. Black root. Browned apple cores. Leather and dirt and oldness in the finish along with chocolate dust – like fairy dust: there and not there. Black bread. Maraschino liquor. A gentle warmth lingers in the back of my throat. Soft, smooth, and bubbly and bright given the richness of flavors. Dryness in the middle of almonds and fruit stones, cacao nibs. Burnt root, burnt leather.

Final Thoughts: intensely complex and of the ages. Fantastic. Medieval. Fantastic. Mystical and mythical.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Artisanal Reserve Lansdowne ~ Crispin Cider Company

2011-11-01T20:17:00.005-04:00

Appearance: murky and kinda dirty garnet and amber. No head after pour which is fizzy. Faint ruby glints along bottom edges of glass.

Nose: unique – not quite sure whether in a good way or bad. Sour turned apples, funk, and Brett. Molasses is heavy and almost suffocating – cooked and burnt. Malt vinegar, red wine vinegar. Acrid. Apples and fresh molasses along the edges. Leather and gamey meat. Buttery?

Palate: tastes a bit better than it smells. Molasses and malt vinegar hit hard and relentlessly in the back. Weird and quixotic – bold flavor front to back. Quick finish. Smooth buttery mouthfeel is a bit disconcerting. Oiled buttered leather. Cold day old apple pie where the crust is wet and soggy from soaking in all the apple, cinnamon, and butter. Cooked bananas. Vinegar in the breath. Touch of spritz in the middle. Gamey leading into the finish.

Final Thoughts: quite intriguing and after a long period of quaffing and contemplating, I decided not really in a good way. Even now I find myself thinking back and wondering if another try might leave a different and potentially better impression on my person…but I’m not willing to find out. There are other better Crispin ciders out there.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Pandoras Bock ~ Breckenridge Brewery

2011-11-01T20:04:00.002-04:00

Appearance: woodsy browns. Khaki head quickly fades into a collar. Swirls spotty then disappears totally, leaving only a thick collar in its wake.

Nose: dark fruits with stones in the back – almonds. Raisins and prunes – not to heavy or dense. Plums along the side – sweet with a touch of dryness thanks to the skins and stones. Moist breakfast breads. Hint of phenolics – banana bread with moist raisins – homemade. Clean caramelization – silky toffee and molasses.

Palate: medium weight and much drier than the nose implied. Melba crunch with some pumpernickel mixed in. Long dry finish – tannic and tart with plum skins and stones. A touch on the thin side. Faint bakers chocolate in the back. Banana raisin bread phenolics in the breath. Parching.

Final Thoughts: alright but not really anything to write home about. On the plus side, it features the clean cut personality which I know Breckenridge by. I’d gladly quaff again if offered but probably wouldn’t by if better options were offered.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Lost Abbey Lost & Found ~ Port Brewing/Lost Abbey

2011-11-01T19:44:00.006-04:00

Appearance: garnet and ruby under a bready khaki head which fades blotchy and clumpy while sticking to the sides of my glass. Swirls creamy.

Nose: raisins, figs, and prunes – meaty and rich. Nutmeg, allspice, and raisins mingle in the back. Wisps of leather. Tartness of unripe plums, bitter tannins of plum skins. Bourbon barrels – wood and spice. Musky, bretty, leathery, and horsey weaves it all together.

Palate: chewy, rich, and warm in the back. Raisins, figs, and dates both fresh and dried. Leather weaves in and out. The richness continues without being heavy, sweet without being cloying. Raisins and prunes mingle with leather. Tartness lurks along the edges with wood, port, and plum skins. Wintery spices – cumin, ginger, nutmeg, allspice. Heat and spice grabs back of throat with each quaff – bourbon. Warm breath.

Final Thoughts: yummy!!! Love me some Lost Abbey beers. They may be hard to find but well worth the hunt for the success is in the glass.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Yo Momma's Strawberry Pizzaz ~ B. Nektar Meadery

2011-10-30T13:05:00.001-04:00

Appearance: rose tinged gold – unripe strawberries. Bubbles cling to the bottom and sides of glass but no visible carbonation. Broken collar of tiny bubbles.

Nose: slicing into fresh strawberries with a honey jar lurking in the background. Light and delicate. Straightforward and uncomplicated. More sliced strawberries, now with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Palate: faint strawberry with a honey finish. Jammy. Strawberry ice and honey. No seeds for bitterness. Strawberry lingers longest. Honey in the breath with a hint of warmth.

Final Thoughts: not one of my more favorite meads from B. Nektar but it was still good. A little thin on the palate all-around.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

McSorleys Irish Pale Ale ~ Pabst Brewing Company

2011-10-30T12:53:00.001-04:00

Appearance: copper and garnet. Off-white head is thin but solid with a smidge of lace. Swirls with no lace.

Nose: general doughy breads, more whole wheat than white. Chewy. Raisins. Fig newton cookies without the fig – cakey. Rather nondescript and bland.

Palate: chewy sweet breads – whole wheat. Faint apple flesh in the middle – washington. Faint plum and grape flesh.

Final Thoughts: very bland and average. Beer incognito. Lost and never to be found. Boring.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Lips of Faith Vrienden ~ New Belgium

2011-10-30T12:44:00.002-04:00

Appearance: clear deep coppers and ambers under an off-white head with some lace working its way up the sides. Swirls thick along the edges with a creamy smooth middle.

Nose: peach, apricot, honeydew. Freshly sliced pineapple. Honeyed grain husks, grapenuts, dried flower petals. Green vegetables – endive. Raw coconut shavings. Kiwi.

Palate: sweet, spiced, fruity, dry. Hibiscus in the middle, petals candied and ready for the eating. Endive in the back and along the middle. Kiwi hits last and lingers atop the tongue, slightly unripe with tart tingles. Green and bitter tropical fruit skins. Pineapple. Spiced and cooked peach and apricot skins. Essence of earthen rustic old houses and barns.

Final Thoughts: quite tasty. The Lips of Faith series from New Belgium rarely disappoints but there are a few who have come close. Vrienden was exactly what she promised – a fruity spicy slightly earthy funky Belgian-inspired ale brewed with hibiscus. Yum!

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

O'Malley's Festive Ale ~ Weston Brewing Company

2011-10-29T12:36:00.001-04:00

Appearance: clear, deep, and ruddy with mahogany and plum. Tan head with a solid collar which fades soft with a few scattered bubbles. Swirls thick and rich.

Nose: chocolate covered raisins and prunes. Chocolate truffle powder and brownie mix. Toasted walnuts and chestnuts. Surprisingly more dense than dry. Crackling rustic logs in a fireplace. Dry cacao nibs.

Palate: rich and cake mouthfeel – like biting into a moist chocolate cake. Dry finish of espresso beans and cacao nibs. Chocolate covered espresso beans in the breath – more milk chocolate than dark chocolate. Burnt nuts. Starts to grow a touch ashy. Sweetness along sides than tart plum skins. Crackling firewood.

Final Thoughts: a solid fall/winter quaffer. The Festive Ale was different and not what I was expecting.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

O'Malley's Irish Cream Ale ~ Weston Brewing Company

2011-10-29T12:18:00.001-04:00

Appearance: clear golds and oranges under a pithy head. Head fades with a bubbly collar and a few spots of lace. Swirls average.

Nose: whole grain crust and sweet golden grains. Dry citric skin in the back, orange especially. Hint of grains of paradise. Overall sweet and husky.

Palate: nice. Whole grains honeyed and crunchy – cereal grains, bread crusts. Lingering hint of artificial sweetness. Toasted along the edges with a light sweet honeyed glaze. Hawaiian rolls in the middle, dry in the finish.

Final Thoughts: alright for a cream ale but nothing special at the same time. I’d drink it again if something gave it to me but I wouldn’t buy it again.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Inversion IPA ~ Deschutes Brewery

2011-10-29T11:58:00.001-04:00

Appearance: slightly opaque with coppers and garnets. A pithy head rests atop with massive lace crawling up sides of glass. Head fades into a bubbly creamy puddle. Swirls puffy and bubbly but with no more lace.

Nose: pink grapefruit and tangelo oranges. Crunchy caramelized honeyed grains. Grapenuts and citrus fruits. Damp dew atop juicy ripe white grapefruit. Hint of pine needs and generic green woodland shrubbery. Dry bitterness of tangelo skins.

Palate: pink grapefruit and juicy tangelo flesh with the dry bitterness of their skins flirting along the edges. Dry oily resinous finish. Real ginger, raw and untamed turns into lightly caramelized ginger slivers. Kiwi and cantaloupe. Sweet and tart in the middle. Pine needles are a ghostly whisper. Honeydew in the breath.

Final Thoughts: quite lovely. Deschutes never disappoints. Now if only I could find Deschutes in Florida…

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Schlafly Pale Ale ~ Saint Louis Brewery

2011-10-28T17:18:00.000-04:00

Appearance: deep and clear copper-amber depths. Beautiful head of puffy fluffy lace-inducing goodness – off-white and bready. Swirls creamy.

Nose: breadly sweet. Peach and apricot breads and pastries with delicate sweetness of candied fruits. Ginger snaps and ginger candies. Dense whole wheat bread. Dried apples and plump juicy golden raisins.

Palate: apple pastries with cinnamon and apple skins in the back. Dry finish in the middle lingers and induces more thirst. Golden raisins, dried apricots. Sweet with a tropical tart nip at the back of each swallow. Pineapple? Dried candied ginger slivers. Nutmeg in the breath.

Final Thoughts: a very nice pale ale which is a style that is and can be very overdone in the sense that everyone brews a pale ale and to find one that stands out as something to be remembered is rare and elusive. The Pale Ale from Schlafly was one such stand-out I’d gladly happily drink over and over and over.

(an original written by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Schlafly Hefeweizen ~ Saint Louis Brewery

2011-10-28T16:59:00.001-04:00

Appearance: cloudy orange and banana under a solid layer of white. Wisps of lace crawl up the sides of the glass. Swirls thick, heady, and chewy.

Nose: yeasty doughy slices of bread. Banana peel. Generic tropical skins. Cracked grains. Overall rather mild.

Palate: creamy bready softness enhances the overall mild character of this beer – like biting into the middle of a fresh loaf of bread. Banana lemon cream. Grows a bit bitter with lemon skin and bread crusts.

Final Thoughts: it was alright but rather mild and unimpressive for a hefeweizen. I like my hefeweizens like the germans like them – big, bold, chewy banana clove awesomeness. This was like a thin watered down German wannabe.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Schlafly No. 15 ~ Saint Louis Brewery

2011-10-28T16:46:00.004-04:00

Appearance: tangerine orange under a tight head which fastly fades into nothing. Swirls with a few meager bubbles.

Nose: tangerine, apricots, and peaches. Not overly sweet with a faint nip of tart kiwi. Spice in the back. Leather and fruit skins in the back. Orange honey flambé.

Palate: sweet, tart, then orange oiled leather. Cinnamon and nutmeg. Chew breads in the back laden with apricot and tangelo chunks. Kiwi in the middle and along the edges. Candied ginger. Flambéed peaches and apricots, skin included. Underlying bitterness of orange peel.

Final Thoughts: not at all what I was expecting in many very delicious ways. I’m not sure I would classify it as a “dunkelweizen” but for now, I’ll pass on style semantics and keep the beer.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Samuel Adams Octoberfest Event @ HurricaneVB TODAY

2011-10-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

**Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach, FL is proud to present the Samuel Adams Octoberfest Event. We think we know Samuel Adams...but do we really? More than just their classic BOSTON LAGER and OKTOBERFEST, Samuel Adams continues to push brewing boundaries while encouraging others to do so with their HARVEST PUMPKIN ALE, IMPERIAL WHITE ALE, AND OAKED ALE. See you here!!!**

Blue Paddle ~ New Belgium Brewing Company

2011-10-25T11:23:00.004-04:00

Appearance: golden grains under a solid white head of foam and bubbles. Fades creamy in the middle and bubbly along the edges. Swirls with lovely lace.

Nose: artisanal whole grain bread. Sun-baked grain. Dried lemon and lime skin. Sourdough bread creeps in – creamy in the middle, crunchy along the sides. Whisper of banana in the back. Husks and hay.

Palate: smooth chewy decadent breads up front and in the middle – slightly sweet. Dry finish of husks, straw, and fields of grains. Pineapple essence. Dryness of banana peel and skins.

Final Thoughts: definitely more complex in the nose than in the palate but a solid summer quaffer nonetheless. A biergarten pilsner.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Regal Double Pilsner ~ Breckenridge

2011-10-25T11:01:00.003-04:00

Appearance: copper and gold under a voluminous white head which lines the inside of my glass with lacey fingers. A slow stream of bubbles keeps the head afloat in blotchy beauty. Swirls thick and full.

Nose: bread crusts, saltines, green grass, key lime. Brisk – dry then zesty, zesty then dry. Lemon zest. Tropical zip in the back – papaya and star fruit. Floral and herbal esters weave in and out. Dandelion and white flower petals.

Palate: sweetness along the edge leads into crisp, dry, bitterness. Papaya and banana skin. Greenness of flowers, stems and all. Key lime and sweet mown grass. Smooth mouthfeel and gently mouth-coating with subtle sweet grains. Pineapple, coconut, and star fruit. Tickle of spice in the back – grains of paradise.

Final Thoughts: delicious! I was worried the bottle was going to be a dud seeing as months had passed from when I bought the bottle to when I actually drank it. Thankfully the beer deities were friendly and the beer delightful. Another winner from Breckenridge.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red ~ Boston Beer Company

2011-10-25T10:50:00.000-04:00

Appearance: clear garnet and reddish black grapes under a full smooth head of tan foam. Slight trace of lace crawling up sides as head fades. Swirls thick and lacey.

Nose: rhubarb, plum, grape. Cinnamon apple sauce. Burgundy soaked leather and old oak staves. More leather in the middle. Nutty underneath with flesh covered plum stones. Strawberries with blueberry essence – freshly pureed with skins and seeds providing bitter dry tannins.

Palate: rhubarb, strawberry, and blueberry. Leather and fruit stones mingle. Berry and grape skins lead to leather leads to red wine soaked barrels. Slightly tart black cherries. Chocolate essence in the breath – unsweetened.

Final Thoughts: not over the top or overly complex but straight to the point. I’ve tasted two out of the three Barrel Room series and so far the Stony Brook is tops.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

BeerWorks Charitable Foundation Presents ~ 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest

2011-10-21T09:06:00.000-04:00

***TOMORROW! TOMORROW! I'LL BE DRINKING BEER TOMORROW! IT'S ONLY A DAY AWAY!!!***

**For further inquiries/questions, visit our official FaceBook Event page! Check out the OFFICIAL poster below for your closest TICKET LOCATION for TCBF4.**

The Great Pumpkin Invasion @ Hurricane VB TODAY

2011-10-19T09:20:00.000-04:00

**Come one! Come all! Drink of some TASTETASTIC pumpkin beers at Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach on Wednesday, October 19th 2011! Along with CIGAR CITY GOOD GOURD, BROOKLYN POST ROAD PUMPKIN, DOGFISH PUNKIN ALE, we will be pouring SOUTHERN TIER PUMKING and brand new to the Treasure Coast, BLUE POINT PUMPKIN ALE. Come taste them while we have them!!!**

Traquair 2020

2011-10-16T14:06:00.006-04:00

Appearance: clear garnet, amber, and cherry woods – dense and polished. Small tannish head fades to a small but solid collar bordering a paper thin tan film. Swirls thick and lacey.

Nose: prunes and fudge, raisins, dried plums and apricots. Fudge weaves in and out of all while dark fruits dominate. Apple skins. Tree bark shavings along the edge with faint whispers of dried leaves.

Palate: prunes and raisins with cinnamon in the back. European chocolates mingle with rich moist black earth. Wisps of smoke in the back – burning bark and wood. Starts to grow tannic along sides – red wine soaked leather and oak. Chocolate truffles with cinnamon and chocolate powder. Spiced and flambéed plums, prunes, grapes, apples, and apricots.

Final Thoughts: lovely and sophisticated. Traquair House never disappoints both in traditional castle brewing and modern inspiration.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Tramp Stamp ~ Clown Shoes Beer

2011-10-16T13:50:00.001-04:00

Appearance: massive huge bubbly head is held aloft by an equally massive stream of bubbles. Head is pithy mousse while the brew below was brilliant burnt coppers and blood oranges.

Nose: orange zest, white grapefruit, lemon and lemon zest. Pine needles. Freshly mown grass. Honeyed oats and grains. Dried flower petals. Sunflowers, ferns, and fir.

Palate: clean then sticky and mouth-coating. Sweet than bitter. Green grass dominates the middle. Grapefruit flesh and skin and pine weave together seamlessly. Spice and throughout. Dried flowers, dried cut grass. Long bitter citrus peel finish – dryness of pith and zest of orange, grapefruit, and lemon.

Final Thoughts: another delicious beer from Clown Shoes Beer and, contrary to some hoity-toity people, I like their label artwork, Tramp Stamp included. Yum!

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Field Mouse's Farewell ~ Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

2011-10-16T13:35:00.003-04:00

Appearance: blood oranges and mandarin. No real head other than a thin white bubbly layer which disappears fast, leaving only a collar. Swirls with a thicker bubbly collar but no head.

Nose: peaches and mandarins freshly peeled with a nice addition of zest with rye seeds providing spice. Dryness of rye husks and bitterness of orange skin in the back leads into straw and green grass blades. Essence of the summer. Lemon zest.

Palate: crisp and sweet than long bitter finish of citrus skins, rye seed husks, straw. Zest tingles atop my tongue. Juiciness of mandarin and blood oranges than a subtle dry zesty finish. Saddle leather and dry brittle bales of hay. Rye weaves in and out, over and under, working with and not against all the other flavors. Damp freshly cut grass – sweet.

Final Thoughts: ingenuity and creativity personify Pretty Things and it shows in their unique flavorful beers. Field Mouse’s Farewell did indeed bring to mind a journey through fields of amber, gold, spice, and season’s change.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Pepe Nero ~ Goose Island

2011-10-15T15:38:00.004-04:00

Appearance: beautiful cherry and mahogany woods, old, polished, and deep. Voluminous tan head resembles freshly frothed cappuccino. Head is dense mousse which caves in slowly like a reverse donut – thick. Lace sticks full circle.

Nose: dry, earthy, twiggy, and rich with dense dark fruits – plums and grapes. Acorns and almonds. Grape seeds bitter and tannic. Haystacks and stable dust with a faint and pervasive essence of saddles and blankets. Old leather.

Palate: plums and raisins. Earth, twigs, and fall leaves in the finish – crispy and crunchy. Soft frothy smooth mouthfeel. Raisins and figs lead into cakey fig newtons in the back. Oiled leather and saddles. Dry nutty stones also in the back. Dry tannic thirst-inducing quaff to quaff. Dried leaves and twigs. Spice in the breath.

Final Thoughts: loved this beer! No. I really did. I love rye and saisons and Goose Island beers in general so twas no surprise the Pepe Nero was a divine treat. My only regret was that I had but one bottle to enjoy.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Ruddy Amber Wheat ~ Weston Brewing Company

2011-10-15T15:19:00.000-04:00

Appearance: ruddy ambers and garnets, slightly dirty and muddled under a pithy head. A broken collar bordering a broken film lingers, even after a few average swirls.

Nose: stewed peaches, apricots, and apple cores. Fig cake in the back. Whole wheat loaves, dense and thick, almost cakey – fig newtons come to mind.

Palate: chewy soft mouth of wheat. Dry in the finish with apple skins and stems. Meager plum and grape skins, dried apricots, and ending with an unpleasant hard salty mineral quality.

Final Thoughts: not really that good. The finish was especially unpleasant and I ended up not finishing the glass.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie ~ Cigar City Brewing

2011-10-15T15:05:00.001-04:00

Appearance: deep mahogany and polished wood which shines clear when held up to the light. Khaki head leaves a thin but solid film.

Nose: cinnamon sprinkles. Fresh baked oatmeal raisin cookies. Brown sugar chunks. Nutmeg sugar granules. Chocolate truffle powder.

Palate: just like biting into a fresh oatmeal raisin cookie with cinnamon sprinkles, only difference is the cookie is cool, not warm. Chocolate truffle powder in the finish. Faint plum essence weaves in and out with plump raisins. Iced coffee with cinnamon sugar oatmeal raisin infusion.

Final Thoughts: delicious. I have found this beer to be an intriguing tasting experiment; much like pumpkin beers, people either love the intrigue of a beer that tastes exactly like a liquid cookie, and others would rather have their cookie and beer separate.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Tequesta Brewing Company Invasion @ HurricaneVB and HurricaneFP

2011-10-14T10:25:00.000-04:00

**Looking for something to do before and after the 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest? Look no further than HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS of Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. With only one keg each of RYE DOUBLE BOCK, WET HOP INDIA BROWN ALE, and BOHEMIAN PILSNER, they won't last long!**

Minaret ESB ~ Cigar City Brewing

2011-10-12T10:40:00.001-04:00

Appearance: touch of chill haze gives a glow to aged copper and peach skin hues. Off-white head fades fast, leaving a bubbly collar and broken foam in its wake.

Nose: apricots, apple sauce, apple turnover cake. Flambéed peaches and honey. Nutmeg first followed by cinnamon sticks. Apple skins and whole grain bread crust.

Palate: clean and to the point. Sweet and mildly chewy up front with peaches and apple flesh followed by the skins for a lingering touch of refreshing bitterness. Nutmeg and cinnamon in the breath. Sun-dried golden raisins in the middle. Dryness of straw and hay underneath, adding to the overall bitter profile. Apple seeds. Very subtle caramel and honeycomb sweetness flits along the edges.

Final Thoughts: another sessionable quaffable flavorful addition to my tasting repertoire from the inspirational genius that is Cigar City Brewing. While bold and beautiful is a steady mantra, so too is subtle and sophisticated. Bravo! England would be proud.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

El Lector Dark Mild Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

2011-10-12T10:23:00.000-04:00

Appearance: deep dark plums and grapes. Smooth and creamy khaki head with pomace inclinations. Fades with pockets of bubbles while lace marks the sides of my glass.

Nose: roasted coffee beans. Iced coffee. Brittle dry cacao crumbles and powder. Fall leaves and twigs signify the changing of seasons. Raisins and dried prunes. Rye seeds and rye bread crust.

Palate: chocolate powdered truffles of the dark cacao variety. Whispers of cinnamon. Pumpernickel sticks and pumpernickel crust – dry, crunchy, and toasty. Treacle. Raisins. Dried coffee along edges and in the finish. Plum and grape skins carry the essence of the fruit along with dry tannic notes.

Final Thoughts: a fantastic dark mild that would feel right at home in merry ol’ England. Low abv, lots of flavor, and immense quaffability. Belly up, buy a round, and chat it up with your mates long into the night.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Florida Cracker White Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

2011-10-12T10:08:00.002-04:00

Appearance: cloudy straw and bread crust hues under an attractive white head of fluff which fades into a solid layer with some scattered lace. Swirls nice.

Nose: mandarin, mango, and cantaloupe atop saltines and white table crackers. Citric pith and zest along the edges. Banana peel – dry on the outside, meaty on the inside. Star fruit. Grains of paradise for a hint of spice.

Palate: creamy mouthfeel with sweet breads in the middle. Grains of paradise in the middle through to the finish. Lemon peel along the sides with some sun-kissed hay. Bananas and star fruit in the middle. Saltines and white crackers last longest in the finish, parching and inducing thirst at the same time. Cantaloupe and mango.

Final Thoughts: yum! A Florida native I am but Florida Cracker I am not. Home state technicalities aside, this was a fine interpretation of this classic and at one point almost extinct Belgian beer style.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Xenu Honey Cream Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

2011-10-11T16:16:00.005-04:00

Appearance: hazy straws – chill haze? White head is bready and smooth with a full collar and ambitious lace. Steady stream of bubbles keeps the head puffy and fluffy.

Nose: gentle sweetness. Angel food cake, white cake. Bread crusts to temper the sweetness without overwhelming. Gentle lemon esters. Dew-dropped cut green grass in the back.

Palate: creamy mouthfeel. Lemon zest and green grass lingers in the back from first quaff to last for some refreshing thirst-enticement. Dryness of bread crusts underneath with sweetness of angel food cake and white cake in the middle. Driest along the edges and tippy-top of my tongue. Honey.

Final Thoughts: yum! Not corny or grainy or adjunct at all but a true honey cream ale. The style itself may not be for everybody, but this particular offering from Cigar City was inspirational.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

American Darling ~ Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

2011-10-11T15:54:00.003-04:00

Appearance: clear gold and straw under a puffy white head which fades to a solid layer resembling a slice of bread. Small batches of lace try to crawl their way up the side after a puffy swirl.

Nose: golden sun-baked grains, grape nuts, and husks. Dried grass and straw in the back dry next to baled hay. Lemon peel and white grapefruit in the middle for zip and zest. Green apple musk.

Palate: toasted grape nuts. Saltines and whole grain crackers. Lemon and grass in the back with lemon rind lingering the longest atop the top back of my tongue. Green banana peel. Husky. Honey joins the freshly toasted grains, husks, and crackers. Lemon along the sides.

Final Thoughts: exactly what it strove to be – the quintessential lawnmower ale. Brisk. Refreshing. Why yes, I think I’ll have another.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Grand Cru Belgian Dark Ale ~ Great Divide

2011-10-11T15:19:00.001-04:00

Appearance: clear deep mahogany with richness belying an older time of sophistication and powdered wigs (minus the powder). Smooth velveteen head of tan leathers. Full circle collar with a puddly puff in the middle. Swirls smooth and creamy.

Nose: dark breads and dark fruits. Singed twigs and sticks. Dates, prunes, and raisins ohmy. Black bread. Tar lurks in the back. Fruitcake. Licorice root and brewers licorice. Dried ginger root and cumin in the back for a final kick of spice.

Palate: meaty, chewy, and rich. Chocolate mingles with dark fruits and dark breads – inseparable. Richly decadent. Tart tannins along the edges – plum skins, black cherry skins, and rhubarb. Brewers licorice and black root mingle with char and smoke which weaves in and out of black earthiness. Dry nutty stones.

Final Thoughts: delicious! I don’t get my hands on Great Divide beers very often which is just sacrilegious because I can therefore I have been willfully negligent. But! It is a hard job I am more than capable of to rectify this wrong.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Easy Street Wheat ~ Odell Brewing Company

2011-10-08T15:51:00.000-04:00

Appearance: hazy with gently faded breads along with hints of raw grains and orange. Little to no head with nothing but a meager collar with some encouraging swirls.

Nose: bread crusts and baguettes – dry, crunchy. Generic citric pith with leanings toward lemon. Green banana peel barely peeks out of the back. Dry coconut shavings.

Palate: creamy and smooth mouthfeel with fresh breads – like biting into the middle of a loaf of white, no crust. Lemon juices along the edge with some grains for company. Pith and bread crusts underneath.

Final Thoughts: I expect a bit better than this from Odell; an average wheat beer from a better than average brewery. Okay for a tasting but I wouldn’t buy it again.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Backwoods Cyser ~ B. Nektar Meadery

2011-10-08T15:43:00.000-04:00

Appearance: clear light straw with yellow at its deepest depths. Some miniscule bubbles – hints of residual fermentation? Swirls with sticky spots.

Nose: apple flesh with a tickle of caramel. Mulled cider with whole cinnamon sticks. Raw white oak. Whispers of entwined spice and heat – nutmeg, allspice. Flambéed apple slices. Cooked honey.

Palate: sweet. Mouth-coating along the sides with pure honey fresh from the comb. Sweetest in the middle. Dry finish with cinnamon sticks and white oak. Cooked apple finishes last – sweet, spiced, flambéed, and married with oak. Vanilla caramel oak esters – warm yet cool at the same time.

Final Thoughts: quite a delight I must say. It was intriguing the additional character the oak added to the mead in a harmony as if they were meant to be. Separated by time, maybe?

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

James Page Iron Range Amber Lager ~ Stevens Point Brewery

2011-10-08T15:34:00.000-04:00

Appearance: ruby and garnet under an off-white head both thick and smooth with lace along the sides. Fades with a thin film lingering in the middle. Swirls bubbly.

Nose: apple mush – flesh than skin and starting to turn brown from sitting out in the open air. Moss and hay bales in back. Nondescript dry crunchy breads in the back. A tad musty and dusty.

Palate: apples – sweet flesh than bitterness of the skins. Cinnamon sticks, twigs, and dried old bread underneath. Dried apple skins in the back. Hint of staleness along the edges.

Final Thoughts: a marginal amber lager in a market of mostly marginal amber lagers. While quite possibly on its way south, the beer itself was still okay. Nothing to write home about and nothing to remember though certainly not a drain pour.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

BEERflections ~ Beer Tasting @ ABC Fine Wine & Spirits VB

2011-10-07T14:54:00.001-04:00

I love a good beer tasting and judging by the thirsty turnout at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits on SR60 the evening of September 14th, 2011, I’m not the only one. There’s something “je ne sais quoi” about beer tastings that unites humanity around a common cause: really good beer. No crap need apply. Here in our burgeoning sunny beertopia, variety rules and flavor inspires before, during, and long after the fact. Like a contagious cure, good taste and good beer will spread until all children can laugh and play, adults will merriment make, and peace unites.

But I’m getting ahead of myself here…or am I? It’s a proven fact that the good beverage beer has brought people together for as long as people have been walking around on their own two feet. Fast forward a few hundred thousand years and those two feet, mine specifically speaking, made their merry way through a packed parking lot to the humble entrance of ABC where inside a grand showing of table after table of beer, brewery reps, long-lost Great Spirits Beer Tasting peeps, and friends new and old awaited. A few minutes late, it didn’t take me long to pay the meager toll of $10, receive my wristband of beer indoctrination, and get right to tasting…and taking pictures, lots of them! With my camera back from repairs because hot flames and plastic don’t mix (not to mention I’m a dunce who doesn’t understand the concept of “zoom”), no photo opportunities were lost, even some including yours beerly in front of the lens versus my ever stoic position behind. From reps to peeps to coworkers to randoms, no one was safe from the lights and camera amidst the action. I’ve long lamented the loss of my Saturday beer tastings since Great Spirits closed their doors; seeing so many of my Saturday peeps at ABC that sunny Wednesday afternoon melted filled my heart with an ache both wrenching and soothing that only a multitude of social schmoozing and beer sampling could cure and sample I did. I even got to tastefully muse over a homebrew, Ruby Red IPA, generously shared amongst myself and a few other lucky individuals by a local home brewing beer enthusiast. It’s opportunistic gems such as this which I truly relish about beer, the people, and the proud community it represents. Overall, there were 23 tables pouring beer and 2 tables offering food, one of which was my very own Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach, home to 28 taps, 25 of which are craft with a large focus on American artisanal breweries. Long before other imitators came huffing and puffing along, Hurricanes was embracing beer flavor diversity and educating their patrons as to the supremely enjoyable benefits of damn good beer. Manned by General Manager, Howard Steinberg along with our head cook Scott and fellow beero, Al, our mouthwatering smoked fish dip and other tasty nibblies were hungrily consumed by a swarm of beer tasters. Amidst the feeding frenzy, email addresses for our inaugural beermail list were gathered while our Beer Book garnered endless ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’. Come one, come all, come and drink and eat and be merry at my Hurricanes where I happily patroned long before I came to happily work there.

But who cares about work! Work shmork I say! A beer tasting is about beer in all its playful tasteful seriousness for which there was plenty to be had. My count may be off by one or three but from bottle to tasting glass to all the senses, almost 100 beers tested the sober mettle of many. Yours beerly had already tasted a decent majority of the beers present, but there were still a few close encounters of the virgin variety along with some old favorites long absent and happily reunited. Pouring some of those experiences new and old were friends dear: Rich Nowak of Brooklyn Brewery, Bethany Bryant of Stone Brewing, Andrew Bradley of Sierra Nevada, and a new old friend in the tangible form of Mina Rouas of Anchor Brewing. You rock Mina! New to the Treasure Coast and Anchor Brewing but not new to the beer scene, I hope we will get to chat some more during the fast and upcoming 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest on Saturday, October 22nd.

Boom! TCBF4 pimpage victory!
And now back to the ABC Beer Tasting expose.

Flitting and floating around the store, I ran into and proceeded to glomp and giggle with my passel of peeps which included Rob and the gang, Bob and Pam, John and Patty, Darrel and Suz, Danny and the gang, Alex, Alysha and Steph, and a few others whose names currently are in hiding from me. Bloody buggers these names remember be but know even in names lost, it was wonderful to see you all again.

As for standout beers that inspired and pleased, the Lost Dog from Napa Smith was an intriguing and deliciously quaffable amber ale given its relatively high ABV; unique. And while not a ‘licensed’ brew, once more I want to thankfully reiterate the impressive homebrew that was the Ruby Red IPA. Being a citrus industry veteran/descendant, I love my grapefruit a lot and can be rather particular when it comes to this particular rotund fruit. Earnest honest opinion on the brew from nose to quaff to finish was appreciatively received and I look forward to seeing where they their next batch shall take me, Ruby Red and beyond.

Moving beyond the homebrew, I was reminded of how much I love Brooklyn’s Local 2 and Post Road Pumpkin (tis the season!) along with the Cubano Espresso (mm… espresso) from Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa. A craft beer mecca of flavorphoric bliss, if you haven’t made the trek to Cigar City yet, then do so now; book a room because you’ll need it, fill the gas tank, pile into the car, and prepare to settle into their just-right tasting room and forget the hours as they pass by unhurried. Another refreshing beer trip down tasting lane had German Hefeweizens at heart - the Kellerweisse from Sierra Nevada. A traditional German Hefeweizen in all possible clovey yeasty bananaganza ways, the Kellerweisse also embodies the communal harmony of a German biergarten. I often joke how the Kellerweisse would make a killing were it ever offered on draft and, let’s just say, those sepia-colored biergarten days may not be all that far away. We shall see…

Schmoozing about, 8pm came faster than I had anticipated as the tables slowly started to clean up, pack up, and call it a night themselves. In the presence of fun, friends, and burgundian indulgence, time was absolutely not of the essence. Taking one last look around the mingling merry faces, I gathered my complimentary tasting glass, bid a multitude of fond farewells, and loaded my bag of swag into the minivan for home and Love. Heart full of warm fuzzies and lost times regained, it was clear to me once more that life with beer is good. I could count the ways, but instead I will leave with a Cheer and a promise of more good times to come. Always.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Clementine ~ Clown Shoes Beer

2011-10-05T10:45:00.001-04:00

Appearance: clear lemon under a vibrant, huge, fluffy white head of mousse. Sticks to all available surfaces on my glass. Swirls sticky, blotchy, puffy, and enticing.

Nose: lemon zest, Curacao orange rind with a smidge of oily zest. Chamomile and lavender. Orange blossom. Grains of paradise. Key lime. Basil and thyme – subtle but there.

Palate: yum! Medium-light body reveals basil, thyme, and straw in the back of each swallow for refreshing parchment leading right into each thirst-quenching quaff. Lemon and key lime essence underneath – bright and fresh. Curacao in the finish. Grains of paradise are a faint drizzle while not standing out in any one spot. Lavender in the breath.

Final Thoughts: an amazing tapestry of aromas and flavors that worked together without losing any sense of their original identity. A tasty American interpretation of the classic Belgian saison.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Patch Porter ~ Amherst Brewing

2011-10-05T10:19:00.001-04:00

Appearance: clean and clear with blacks bordered by garnet and cherry woods. Tan collar but no real head to speak of.

Nose: roasted and toasty all around. Dark Ghirardelli cocoa powder. Roasted marshmallows with a nice char, just the way I like them. Vanilla bean. Rich black earth.

Palate: wet woods old and deep, ash, and scorched earth. Bark and twigs in the middle, burnt of course. Unsweetened pure black cacao Ghirardelli chocolate tingles and grabs sides of cheeks. Acrid burnt black root. Raisins and prunes for a touch of meaty goodness.

Final Thoughts: a solid quaffer of a porter perfect for slaking a hard working man or woman’s thirst. The last of my Amherst flight of four, I declined on any growlers to go but did get my lucky hands on a t-shirt.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Massatucky Brown ~ Amherst Brewing

2011-10-05T10:07:00.004-04:00

Appearance: pumpernickel bread with no haze and mahogany hints along the edge.

Nose: chocolate front and center – chocolate cake, bars, and malted milk chocolate. Godiva hot chocolate. Chocolate wafers. Chocolate covered walnuts for some dry crunch.

Palate: chocolate shines but never overwhelms – good balance. Hint of burnt dark fruits, grapes and plums specifically, in the back with stones and seeds included. Chocolate and walnuts mingle. Something indiscernible in the back.

Final Thoughts: never could lay my tastebuds on that final flavor at the back of each quaff. Overall though quite the tasty sessionable brown ale. I’d drink it again.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Cascade IPA ~ Amherst Brewing Company

2011-09-30T21:13:00.000-04:00

Appearance: hazy orange under a creamy off-white head, solid and smooth.

Nose: cascade hops galore – pine trees and forests. Orange peel and grapefruit peel.

Palate: cascade hops exude pine trees, pine needles, and general forestry in the back. Freshly cut green grass. Grapefruit peel. Pine needles. Dried rosemary. Bready in the middle with chewy grapefruit pulp mixed in.

Final Thoughts: quite a tasty representation of the Cascade hop without slapping you in the face. A solid quaffer.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Muddy Brook Maibock ~ Amherst Brewing Company

2011-09-30T21:03:00.002-04:00

Appearance: clear golden grains and steady carbonation. White collar bordering an almost full film.

Nose: peach, mango, cantaloupe, and honey rolls. Melba and bread crusts for some dry crunch. Applesauce.

Palate: sweet without being cloying. Fresh apples, mango, and cantaloupe. Honey rolls and honeycomb.

Final Thoughts: refreshingly un-complex but thankfully not simple. Just enough bread, sweetness, and tropics to feel Spring is right around the corner.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Honey Pilsner ~ Amherst Brewing Company

2011-09-30T20:51:00.000-04:00

Appearance: steady stream of bubbles under a white head. Cloudy hazy golden grains.

Nose: gentle honey notes amidst soft breads and grains. White crackers underneath.

Palate: bready and sweet. Honey in the front, crisp in the finish. Freshly made honey rolls straight from the oven. Kiss of green grass in the back along with key lime.

Final Thoughts: a bit less than what I was expecting and yet, at the same time, more than what I expected. As an initial introduction to Amherst Brewing, I was pleasantly pleased.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Black Cat Stout ~ Northampton Brewery

2011-09-28T10:47:00.000-04:00

Appearance: dark and smoky, burnt. Khaki head stays along with a solid thick collar of equally khaki foam.

Nose: roasted and burnt black root. Raisins and prunes meet the flame for a touch of smoke and a touch of char. Burnt brittle woods. Chocolate graham crackers and Oreo cookies, hold the cream.

Palate: equally toasted, roasted, and burnt without being acrid. Lovely burnt bitterness of charred woods and chocolate. Dates and raisins are meaty, dense, and slightly charred. Medium to medium-light weight.

Final Thoughts: a fully quaffable Irish-style stout the likes of which any Irishman would be happy to quaff. Crazy as it sounds…or maybe not so crazy…Black Cat Stout would make an excellent summer brew.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Highway 78 Scotch Ale ~ Stone/Green Flash/Pizza Port Carlsbad

2011-09-28T10:40:00.000-04:00

Appearance: deep cherry, mahogany, and garnet. Tan head lingers as a thin collar with a smooth bubbly center. Swirls with more bubbles along the edge and a creamy puff in the middle.

Nose: raisins, plums, brown sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Ruby port and cinnabuns. Grapes of the black and purple variety. Hint of musk in the back. Apple pulp, hold the skins.

Palate: plums and grapes first. Sweetness up front followed by pits, seeds, and stems – pomace if you please. Apple skins and core with the sweetness of the apple flesh filling the middle. Nutmeg in the back and breath for a gentle and lightly dry finish. Medium weight. Ruby port skirts the edges and adds a level of sophistication.

Final Thoughts: yum! A well-executed collaboration between three vaunted greats in the craft brewing world. Truly great minds really do create truly great beers as Highway 78 Scotch Ale was savory proof.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Old Numbskull ~ AleSmith

2011-09-28T10:28:00.000-04:00

Appearance: deep brilliantly clear mahogany and cherry woods under a khaki tannish head. A slow stream of bubbles keeps the head intact while releasing a tantalizing nose. Swirls with a thin yet full layer of lace.

Nose: hoppy, dry, rustic, chocolate, plums. Plum and grape skins. Fall leaves, dry wood and sticks. Whole hop cones with an evergreen essence. Red apple skins. Luxurious and silky.

Palate: lovely marriage of chocolate and plums followed by sticks, twigs, and whole dried hop cones. Plums and grapes start sweet with their juicy innards and end with the thirst-inducing bitter tannic tang of their skins. Twigs and fall leaves mingle with an air of seasons. Black cherries and chocolate bark. Clean mouthfeel, medium-bodied, and silky. Rustic finish with pits and stems. Lovely.

Final Thoughts: AleSmith belongs in Florida…okay, I want AleSmith in Florida but that’s kind of the same thing. The sunshine state aside, no matter where you are, if you stumble across some AleSmith beers, buy and/or drink as much as you can because they really are that good. A phenomenal Barleywine I’d gladly drink over and over again.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Fleur ~ Goose Island

2011-09-24T12:37:00.000-04:00

Appearance: plum, pink grapefruit, rose, tangerine, and blood orange together in brilliantly clear harmony. Slow steady stream of carbonation traces the sides of glass. Pithy pinkish head is fluffy in the middle and bubbly along the sides.

Nose: wow. Juiciness abounds with blood oranges, pink grapefruit, and white grapefruit atop angel food cake. Key lime zest. Plantains. Rosewater and rose petals. Hint of freshly picked mint leaves. Dew drops. Generic white flower petals.

Palate: soft, bready, frothy, and smooth. Rosewater and rose petals, white flower petals. Pink and white grapefruit – sweet up front with angel food cake underneath then the acidity of rind and zest tingles back of tastebuds. Fresh ripe rhubarb and strawberries side by side. Mint is subtle, weaving in and out like a gentle spring breeze. Key lime equally subtle underneath and flirting with the outer edges of tastesations. Lovely.

Final Thoughts: wow. Loved loved loved this beer. Goose Island never disappoints, impresses quite frequently, and dazzled with the Fleur. This particular bottle was a 2010 batch; I’m not sure how much variance there would be between years but since the brewers find it important to note, so too do I.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Saint Botolph's Town ~ Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project

2011-09-24T12:09:00.000-04:00

Appearance: myriad shades of brown under a tan head of fluff and mousse. Lingers with some minute bubbles and lots of cream.

Nose: roasty and nutty with black root skirting along the edges. Chocolate powder and roasted coffee beans. Earth, twigs, and sticks. Toasted almonds.

Palate: toasted and roasted as nose promised. Chocolate bark along the edges with roasted coffee beans rounding out the edges and finish. Chocolate covered roasted almonds. Rustic and earthen – of olden times. Chocolate lasts longest, like fudgy bark and brittle bits.

Final Thoughts: not really all that complex but a pleasant quaffer nonetheless. Brings to mind old Belgian abbeys and cloisters, halls silent with monkish contemplation, while beer brews somewhere nearby.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Clifford ~ Northampton Brewery

2011-09-24T11:31:00.002-04:00

Appearance: clear oranges under a solid off-white head. Hint of lace as she swirls nicely.

Nose: hops, hops, and more hops – blood and mandarin oranges, citrus – bright and rindy. Vibrant green grass blades. Pink grapefruit.

Palate: orange and grapefruit are fleshy and fresh with a nice long finish of skin, rind, and pith, leaving mouth parched and wanting for more. Green grass. Grapefruit of all varieties dominate. Leaves lots of lace in its wake.

Final Thoughts: second only to the Eclipse from Northampton was Clifford. Unfortunately I was only able to savor this hoppy delight as a taster since the next time we stopped in for grub and beers, Clifford had left the building thanks to other equally thirsty patrons.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Eclipse ~ Northampton Brewery

2011-09-23T10:40:00.003-04:00

Appearance: polished mahogany and garnet. Off-white head remains full and puffy while swirling with some more fluff and puff.

Nose: black strap molasses. Peat and burning wood. Black cherries, plums, and grapes of the red and black variety. Fir trees and brush, ferns. Key lime zest. Pumpernickel crunchies and apple crisps/chips.

Palate: clean, crisp, and of medium weight. Plum and grape sweetness lingers longest while the lips and sides of mouth are dry with plum and grape skins, fir trees, and bark. Burnt molasses and toffee. Generic green forestry and dark leathery peaty tannins come last and linger longest. Rye spice. Mandarins and blood oranges in the middle, skins included of course. Roots.

Final Thoughts: yummy! Of my flight of four, Eclipse was the easy winner and I was lucky enough to grab one more glass during vacation before this limited offering was gone.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Scuba's Marzen ~ Northampton Brewery

2011-09-23T10:20:00.006-04:00

Appearance: clean clear coppers – polished and pretty. Bready copper-hued head leaves a bubbly collar with a broken puddle in the middle.

Nose: crunchy caramelized apples and melba toast. Mandarin orange peel and candied orange wedges. Hint of herbal hops in the back.

Palate: clean. Apples, lemon, and melba crunch. Caramel is there but faint. Lemon and hop bitterness lingers atop tongue. Dry then sweet along the edges. A bit more caramelization with some melba for crunch and good measure.

Final Thoughts: beer number two in a flight of four, an average Märzen but nothing really to write home about.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Weizenheimer ~ Northampton Brewery

2011-09-23T10:02:00.000-04:00

Appearance: cloudy haze of liquefied white breads, crusts included for some color. Bubbly feeble head.

Nose: doughy bready with bananas and a ghost of lemon. Predominantly chewy breads with another ghostly presence of crust for some crunch.

Palate: unusual and not particularly pleasant spritzy mouthfeel with lemon bubblies. Bakery fresh breads with watery lemon essence. Banana phenolics disappear as fast as they appear.

Final Thoughts: the nose didn’t leave me with much hope for the palate which was about what I expected. Far too thin, watery, and the seltzeresque mouthfeel wasn’t pleasant at all. Wheat beers should be creamy, smooth, and soft on the mouth. My least favorite of the beers I drank during my many visits to Northampton Brewery.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

XX Bitter ~ Brouwerij De Ranke

2011-09-21T10:38:00.001-04:00

Appearance: golden straws and hay under a delicate white head. Lacey foam encircles while a meandering stream of bubbles make their way to the top. Swirls with lacey bubbles.

Nose: lemon, key lime, white grapefruit – all rindy and zesty. Lemongrass. Freshly cut dew-dropped grass. White water crackers. Sun-kissed grains and straw.

Palate: clean and sophisticated. Lemon and white grapefruit. Water crackers and white crackers; saltines without the salt. Green grass, pine needles, lavender – take all, add dew-drops, and sweet sunshine. Lemon ice. Key lime. Freshly cut golden bales of hay. Lemon and white grapefruit rind adds zest and tingle to the sides of my tongue with each quaff. Dry quenching finish.

Final Thoughts: my first bottle of XX Bitter was at The Publican in Chicago a couple years back while I was taking a class at Siebel. Loved It! I didn’t see it again until a chance keg popped up at Vine & Barley, and then again most recently in Northampton during our beercation. Three times lovely, three times tasty, and I have no doubt another three times (or more) tasty. Delicious.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Espresso Nut Brown Stout ~ Stone Brewing

2011-09-21T10:26:00.002-04:00

Appearance: murky blacks browns khakis, ohmy. Tannish head settles into a soft blanket of temptation. Swirls with lace.

Nose: chocolate bark, fudge, chocolate chip cookies dipped in melted chocolate, chocolate covered almonds. Madagascar vanilla beans, raw and unadulterated. Decadent. Cold French press coffee. Black chocolate covered graham crackers.

Palate: bracing bitterness of iced coffee and cold press espresso. Hint of dark fruits along the edges and underneath with tannic skin bitterness – unripe plums and dates. Very dry roasted nuts and espresso beans mingle together amidst a sea of dry brittle dark chocolate delights. Seamless marriage of very strong flavors. Brittle chunks of fudge.

Final Thoughts: thank you Stone for this beer, thank you Sierra Grille for the beer and the dessert (Stone espresso stout brownie with ancho stout gelato and spicy stout caramel), and thank you Laura’s family for mentioning this exclusive once in a vacation-time event. T'was meant to be.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Hoppy Feet 1.5 Double Black IPA ~ Clown Shoes Beer

2011-09-21T10:17:00.006-04:00

Appearance: dark black pitch with burnt brown edges. Khaki tan head. Steady stream of bubbles lingers as mousse with bubble spots.

Nose: hoppy and roasty at the same time. Burnt twigs, cold spent coffee ground, and chocolate brittle in the back. Ash. Freshly ground un-adultered cacao beans.

Palate: bracingly burnt and bitter with ash and cacao beans. Brittle burnt hops in the middle. Burnt chocolate and more ash along the sides with burnt acridity tingling the cheeks. A bit of chocolate fondue in the breath. Black root and black licorice, burnt of course.

Final Thoughts: wowsers. Burnt, black, bitter, double, and delicious. Clown Shoes Beer should brew this beer more often and not just as a 1 Year Anniversary celebration beer.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Lost Sailor IPA ~ Berkshire Brewing

2011-09-16T17:54:00.001-04:00

Appearance: nice golden orange under a white head, solid and firm. Steady vibrant stream of bubbles.

Nose: crackers and melba, saltines and wafers. Grassy, orange and lemon skin – bright zest and brisk. A bit mild. Apple crisps.

Palate: mild around the edges, crisp and dry in the middle with apple, lemon, and orange skins. Green grass. Long lasting bitterness in the middle – classic, classy, and thirst inducing. Honey bread crisp sweetness along the sides. Opens up and blends together just right as warms up.

Final Thoughts: initially I wasn’t quite sure because I had to dig a bit for the nose and the flavors took a while to unravel, but unravel they did. If I were a Lost Sailor, I would gladly drink barrels of this IPA.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Reserve Robust Porter ~ Firestone Walker

2011-09-16T17:39:00.000-04:00

Appearance: clean dark browns with black designs under a small tan head of dense foam. Collar is bubby while thick swirls leave their mark along the glass.

Nose: roasted and toasted, cold coffee, prunes and dates and figs. Black cake. Chocolate graham crackers. Vanilla bean root.

Palate: creamy and chocolaty, chocolate covered caramel. Roasted finish much like a dry bar of rich cacao. Dense dark fruits – prunes, figs, and dates. Dense chocolate cake. Creamy mouthfeel never ends. Fudge, espresso, and a hint of smoke. Surprisingly not a very long finish, with most centered atop the middle of my tongue. Earth and burnt vanilla bean.

Final Thoughts: wow. Loved it…and I am not surprised. Porters are so often lost in the shadow of stouts and I find that sad. Of course, I too am guilty or porter neglect, a guilt I must strive to rectify.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Lost Continent Double IPA ~ Grand Teton Brewing Co.

2011-09-16T17:25:00.001-04:00

Appearance: pours liquid orange and mandarin. The head is white, bready, and nominal. Broken collar surrounds a broken thin collar. Swirls with spots but not much else.

Nose: freshly cut and squeezed mandarin, tangerine, and grapefruit tantalize. Pine and mint along the edges. Juicy. Dew drops decorate pine tree and citrus fruit. Hints of cantaloupe fresh from the fridge, sliced, and ready for the munching.

Palate: orange, mandarin, and cantaloupe. Fresh and exuberant with juicy sweetness followed by gentle bitterness of the skin. White grapefruit and juice. Pine is last, lingering along with mint tingling the back of my tongue after each swallow. A whisper of lavender flirts with the mint.

Final Thoughts: it was a beautiful Imperial IPA. Juicy. Yummy. I want to hold it in my hand and squeeze its succulent juicy innards into my mouth. Lipsmackingdelicious.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

BEERflections ~ Harpoon End of Summer Splash @ Hurricane VB

2011-09-16T13:42:00.000-04:00

Florida enjoys seasons that range from tolerably warm to hot enough to plastic-melting people-broiling hot. While others are frolicking amidst the leaves of Fall, September in Florida has yet to dial it down from people-broiling (I’ll take mine medium-rare please) to just plain hot. With tropical storms looming on the horizon every hour on the hour, Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach launched their Harpoon End of Summer Splash beervent with nonchalant flair. After all, there is no better way to slake one’s thirst than with a cool glass (note I said ‘cool’ and not ‘cold’) of tasty brew. Even better, how about seven tasty craft beers (UFO Hefeweizen bowed out) with each one a style all their own.

Of the seven draft beers pouring the night of Wednesday, September 7th 20011, four of them were brand-spanking new to the state of Florida. Previously only available in bottle (if at all), now one could savor these four delectables on draft which is 99.9999999999% always better than the bottle. The new draft selections included:

Belgian Pale Ale, Leviathan Imperial Rye, UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen, UFO White

Of the seven lucky offerings, yours beerly had never tasted the Belgian Pale Ale and Leviathan Imperial Rye. I had high hopes for both and while each were good in their own right, the Belgian Pale Ale dominated, a surprising turn of events not just to myself, but also to my fellow beerholic ryeholic friend, Rob. We both expected to melt into a puddle of beervana goo upon tasting Leviathan’s Imperial Rye depths…and we didn’t. Rich dark breads and fruits with a pervasive sprinkling of spice were the central focus while that dry spicy fruity husky gloriousness that is rye played second fiddle. All well and good, but it was certainly not a boisterous celebration of Rye. The Belgian Pale Ale on the other hand was a flavortastic repeat offender as one glass after another proved! Crisp, crunchy, spicy, fruity, and playful with sweet tropical and orchard fruit designs dipped in whisky steeped oak barrels while vines of piney hops linger overhead. Divine. As of yesterday there was still a smidge of Belgian Pale Ale left on draft, but not for long if I have anything to drink about it.

As for the rest of Harpoon’s offerings, the Summer Beer was a nicely dry grassy example of the Kolsch style and a friendly contrast to the doughier tropically sweet example on tap from Matt down south at Tequesta Brewing Company. Both are good examples (American interpretation and Designation Controlee taken into consideration) of the minimalistic range in the Kolsch style which calls Cologne, Germany home. Although the Summer Beer weren’t served in the traditional Stange, Paula enjoyed her glass nonetheless. A proper first choice (with a little help from the Beer Ambassador of the Free World), her next glass was the clean and crisp IPA from Harpoon. While savoring some of the Northeast’s more delicate beers, I lament the fact that I am drinking them more likely than not far too long after their brewing and bottling and distribution than I should. A haven of brewpubs, the Northeastern cluster of states values fresh sessionable beer (with some big bad brews thrown into the mix for good measure), all of which are best enjoyed as fresh as possible and as close as possible to the original source. Don’t believe me? Find your closest brewpub, belly up to the bar, grab a glass brimming with freshly brewed beer, look, smell, taste, and contemplate.

Freshness digression aside, one beer geek ambassador extraordinaire a beervent does not make, and so I put a call out to my peeps and peepettes to converge on Hurricane VB the night of September 7th, 2011 and converge they did!

It can be hard to make it in Vero Beach both as a new restaurateur and even as a long-term established veteran. My Hurricanes has had a few bumps along the way, but each time picked itself up, wiped off the dust, and became all that much better for it. While we may not attract Bobby Flay or Mario Batali, Guy Fieri DDD and Anthony Bourdain (insert guiltless hero worship “HERE”) would feel more than welcome within our cozy confines. Why? Because Hurricane VB defies the normal craptacular expectations one has from a franchise/chain not just once or twice but every single time. Long before others tried to lay claim to the original craft beer destination, Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach was already there, taps gleaming, flavorful beers flowing in diversity beautiful, while an eclectic menu of wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and so much more travelled from kitchen to plate to hungry patrons.

Delicious!

And that’s not just me blowing smoke up your ass. Long before my employment at Hurricane VB I shared many beers, many stories, and many memories hunched over the patron side of the bar. While my denizens of peeps haven’t crossed from the patron side to the employee side of the bar, they too know where to go in Vero Beach where everyone knows your name, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse, but you go anyway because that’s what friends do. In-between supping my beers, snuggling with my Lady, snarfing my Southwester Burger, medium-rare, I mingled and socialized to my heart’s content.

With such amazing friends and my Love who have enriched my life over the years and will continue to do so, Prost!

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Odyssey ~ Allagash Brewing Company

2011-09-15T10:51:00.002-04:00

Appearance: pours with the appearance of dark old European woods rich in lore. Khaki tannish head. Bottle conditioned so a steady stream of bubbles greets the eyes. Swirls foamy with a khaki collar.

Nose: interesting and intriguing. Chocolate and plum, Hershey’s chocolate and ruby port. Smell of the seasons changing to Fall. Grape and plum pomace – stems, skins, and pits. Faint oak planks underneath, almost as an afterthought. Fresh black cherries resting in their own juices with no additives or preservatives. Touch of leather in the back along with more pomace – makes me imagine what the old leather Madera sacks of yore may have smelled like after years of use.

Palate: wow! Subtle and soft, sophisticated and aristocratic. Chocolate and leather, pomace, black cherries both in essence and fresh juice. The pomace lingers in the back of each swallow along with old wine soaked oak. More cherries and chocolate with the addition of red and black grapes. Bakers chocolate teases the top back middle of my tongue. More oak comes out to play as she warms up with campfire and fireplace designs.

Final Thoughts: wow and wow! Allagash Brewing never disappoints and the Odyssey was indeed an odyssey of all the senses. If one is so lucky as to stumble across a bottle or three, embrace greed and buy them all.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Nyx Apprentice Series ~ White Birch Brewing

2011-09-15T10:47:00.002-04:00

Appearance: pours black and thick, forming an espresso crema head also thick and delicious. Slow stream of bubbles trace the sides of my clean glass. Lace sticks and crawls and tempts.

Nose: dry and roasted with coffee beans, freshly drawn espresso, and burnt caramel. Black earth and twigs. Singed whole hop cones in the back. Chocolate bark and bakers chocolate.

Palate: clean and lovely. Burnt sweetness up front, dry earthen singed hops in the back, smooth and frothy along the sides. Bakers chocolate and espresso crema mingle. Tobacco leaf. Old tired brush and shrubs. Chocolate in the middle. Driest along the edges with delectable burnt acridity.

Final Thoughts: holy moly. Of the bottle beers my Love and I bought during our Massachusetts trip, this beer was by far in the top three. I’d heard pleasant rumblings about White Birch online so I was hoping for good but instead I got great. Bottle Specs: bottled April 2011 from batch 1 of a bottle count totaling 1065.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Imperial Red IPA ~ Blue Hills Brewery

2011-09-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

Appearance: slight haze of oranges and reds and coppers. Off white head leaves lovely lace bordering a puddle of foam in the middle. Swirls foamy and blotchy.

Nose: intriguing. Cinnamon swirls, crunchy caramelized brown sugars. Melba toast. Flower petals, tree pulp. Washington apples. Rye bread sticks.

Palate: bushels of fresh Washington apples. Lemon and white grapefruit citrus pith. Floral notes of generic white flowers and dandelions. Straw, hay, and coconut husk in the back. Dry in the middle. Apple along the sides dipped in melted caramelized brown sugar – surprisingly no sticky lips. Essence of Fall – changing of the leaves, crispness in the air, twigs, orchards.

Final Thoughts: not at all what I was expecting in lots of tastefully good ways. More of a red ale than an IPA to me but nonetheless, I’d both buy and drink again. After all, there is no crap on tap in Massachusetts.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Beer Tasting TODAY @ ABC Fine Wines & Spirits SR60 VB

2011-09-14T09:31:00.000-04:00

**Sporting the best retail selection of craft and artisanal beers in Vero Beach, Florida, our very own ABC on SR60 West right next to Olive Garden is hosting their first (hopefully of many) beer tastings. What's a beer tasting without yours beerly? Why, not a beer tasting at all so of course, I will be there...and so will you.**

Brooklyn Brewmaster Reserve "The CONCOCTION" Premiere @ Hurricane VB

2011-09-11T15:03:00.000-04:00

I am PROUD to announce the long-awaited premiere of the Brooklyn Brewmaster Reserve KEG-ONLY series at Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach, FL with the latest and greatest: The CONCOCTION.

Double Jack IPA ~ Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

2011-09-11T14:44:00.004-04:00

Appearance: beautiful brilliant golden oranges under a voluminous pithy head, tight and in no hurry to disappear. Mousse-like with random bubbly pockets. Lace surrounds.

Nose: orangey hoppy juicy freshly squeezed goodness. Mango, kiwi, and guava squeezed for my pleasure. Husky in the back. Hop cones in the back. Kiwi grows as initial chill dissipates.

Palate: hits the spot! Mango, kiwi, and guava. Lemon rind in the finish along with inner ripe yellow banana skins. Tropical flesh into tropical skins for lingering juicy husky bitterness with a rawness to it. Honeycomb with more comb than honey. Tangerines freshly picked and juiced.

Final Thoughts: clean and delicious. Firestone Walker inspires and teases because I can’t get any here in Florida. One of the tasting highlights of our Massachusetts vacation. Juicy hoppy goodness.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti ~ Great Divide

2011-09-11T14:31:00.005-04:00

Appearance: black and thick under an espresso crema head tight and mousy. A sticky spider web circles while a dark velveteen puddle sits in the middle. Swirls dark and tantalizing.

Nose: roast and roasted chocolate, fudge and burnt fudge. Whole chocolate bars – dark, delicious, decadent, and European. Ooey gooey brownies. Burnt oak, wood, and trees lurk in the distance. Tobacco and cigar leaf – like holding a fresh hand-rolled cigar under the nose.

Palate: wow. Chocolate, bakers, cigar leaf, ash, burnt wood, shavings, dirt and earth, dark fruit stones. Dry chocolates along the sides and in the finish. Top of tongue is parched. Tar and char. Tannic, almost metallic finish in the back. Peat and smoke, oily, salty.

Final Thoughts: wow and wow. I’ve had quite a few of the various Yeti renditions from Great Divide with the Chocolate being the nearest and dearest so far. Great Divide always impresses. Grab a cigar, snuggle with your loved one, light the fireplace, and savor slowly and surely.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Urthel Hop-It ~ Brouwerij De Leyerth

2011-09-11T14:11:00.001-04:00

Appearance: brilliant golden straw hues under a billow brilliant bready white head which fades with lace that persistently crawls up the sides of my glass. Head settles into a solid blanket. Swirls airy and lacey.

Nose: yeasty, doughy, spicy, hoppy, and orangey. Orange pith and skin, lemon rind. Melon sweetness – cantaloupe. Banana peel. Cut grass damp with dew drops. Raw ginger roots.

Palate: spicy. Fruit skins. White pepper. Green banana peel, lemon peel, mandarin peel, ginger root. Sage and rosemary; dried herbs and dried grass. Burlap sacks full of dry cut hay. Coconut husks raw in front and toasted in the back. Lovely. Spicy hops than herbal hops – dried.

Final Thoughts: I loved it. I’ve heard many good things about the Urthel beers and while Hop-It is just my second, happy tasting times lay head. Yum!

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Harpoon End of Summer Splash @ Hurricane VB TODAY!

2011-09-07T09:05:00.000-04:00

**Yours beerly will be there of course! New to the sunny state of FL are the Belgian Pale Ale, Leviathan Imperial Rye, UFO White, and UFO Raspberry. The other 4 Harpoon beers are oldies but goodies. See you September 7th at Hurricane Grill & Wings of Vero Beach!!!**

Monstre Rouge ~ De Proefbrouwerij

2011-09-06T20:19:00.004-04:00

Appearance: deep murky mahogany with some plum designs. Bubbly khaki head, tight and splotchy. Broken patches of lace remains nice and puffy.

Nose: rhubarb and hop cones dried together. Overall rather mild; have to hunt for the aromas. Dry forest twigs. Powdered chocolate in the back. Plum and grape esters. Old dry leathery tannins. Opens up a smidge as warms up but not much. Black root and black strap molasses.

Palate: burnt roots. Toasty. Lingers with dry European truffles with chocolate powder in the back. Chocolate raisins. Sour? What sour? Nutty prune and plum pits in the middle. Raisin and date bread. Twigs, dirt, and cut fire logs. Black earth. Ashen burnt hops. Slowly grows an intriguing earthy complexity.

Final Thoughts: alright but not what I was expecting. Thin, weak, and definitely not anywhere near sour. Rather boring. If it wasn’t going to go sour, it should have focused more on the earthiness.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Ale ~ Bells

2011-09-06T20:03:00.000-04:00

Appearance: slight haze of mandarins and blood oranges with ruby-garnet glints. Pithy head fades into a ringlet bordering a half-moon film. Swirls with trailing blotches.

Nose: peaches, apricots, mandarin, and apricots stewed in cinnamon and allspice. Tickle of heat in the back. Rich. Tropical skin bitterness and tannins of green bananas, mango, and guava. Hint of earthiness – barnyard, dust, and old houses. Orchard esters – fallen leaves after the harvest.

Palate: clean profile allows all the flavors to shine. Dry along the sides, spiced and stewed and woodsy underneath and in the finish. Stewed orange peels. Twigs, barnyard dust, and dirt. Green banana and guava skins. Soft bready mouthfeel – bread dipped into barrel aged apples, oranges, plums, and golden raisins. Allspice and nutmeg. Complex. Parching and thirst-inducing at the same time. Long bitter tannic finish.

Final Thoughts: loved it. I wasn’t expecting an imperial IPA was pleasantly pleased with the result. Of course, Bells brewed it so it has to be.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Third Coast Beer ~ Bells

2011-09-01T19:43:00.000-04:00

Appearance: clear straw with a bright white tight fizzy bubbly head. Swirls with lace and more bubbles along its edge.

Nose: grains and dry finely ground cornmeal. Lemon peel and pith in the back, mostly pith. Wonder bread crusts. Distinctly fresh albeit generic in its white breadness. French rolls.

Palate: bracing bitterness in the back of each swallow from first to last. Soft bready mouthfeel – digging into the soft innards of freshly baked French bread, hold the crust please. Acidic bitterness and wax – lemon peel meets grater. Cut green grass blades.

Final Thoughts: meh. Better than most lawn-mowing macro swill, but still nothing to really write home about, especially when there are finally some GOOD pilsners and lagers available. BUT! For what Third Coast Beer is meant to be (read above) it is quite good.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Dad's Little Helper Black IPA ~ Rogue

2011-09-01T19:32:00.000-04:00

Appearance: burnt espresso and smoldering woods. Gorgeous head – tan – with a full circle collar crawling up the sides of the glass. Swirls creamy, like whipped coffee ice cream.

Nose: roasted oats, burnt twigs, and burnt hops. Clean profile. Dry finish of instant coffee. Dark fruit pits, dry roasted almonds. Ash. Dry brittle chocolates.

Palate: light around the sides while grabbing middle of tongue and never letting go. Burnt ash and twigs, burnt dark fruit stones. Pure black cacao crumbles. Dried roasted hop cones. Hint of smoke in the back. Parching. Bitter ashen finish.

Final Thoughts: for a Rogue beer, pretty darn good. Not my favorite Black IPA but definitely up there with some of the better examples. I’d gladly drink this beer any day.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Tsjeeses ~ De Struise Brouwers

2011-09-01T19:20:00.000-04:00

Appearance: hazy orange under a pithy head. Swirls with blotchy lace, thicker along the edges.

Nose: stewed spiced orange fruits: mandarin, peaches, and apricots, skins and all. Pink grapefruit. Mango and melons. Dried straw/grass/hay. Hint of sour funk and leather in the back. Lots of skin and pith – citric, melon, and tropical.

Palate: yum. Chewy funked spiced boozed fruit and citric deliciousness. Nutmeg and cumin and powdered ginger. Papaya, guava, and plantains. Mangos and red plums. Dry earthy hay/straw/grass and burlap sacks underneath.

Final Thoughts: with no visible indications of how old the bottle was when I bought it, there was some concern than it would be compromised in some way. Thankfully that was not the case (as far as I can tell) and in result, I enjoyed a tasty Christmas brew in early spring.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Irish Ale ~ Boulevard Brewing

2011-08-28T10:57:00.000-04:00

Appearance: clear garnets and ambers under an off-white head – solid collar and decent blanket. Swirls creamy, no lace.

Nose: candied sugars, maraschino cherries. Taffy toffee crunch bars. Pineapple. Figs and dates. Raw brown sugar granules, natural sugar, and cinnamon sticks.

Palate: chocolate and cinnamon sticks in the back. Dry finis with melba toast, pumpernickel sticks, apple skins, and tobacco. Hard hit of sweet maraschino cherries in the middle. Cooked brown sugar, cane sugar, and toffee crunchies. Dried leaves, twigs, and sticks. Figs and dates along the sides. Apple skins. Never too sweet or cloying, crisp and clean.

Final Thoughts: very tasty and intriguing and I liked it. Far more complexity than I was expecting, though the chocolate was an unexpected addition. A solid offering from Boulevard Brewing.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Oatmeal Stout ~ Schlafly

2011-08-28T10:43:00.000-04:00

Appearance: dark burnt woods with garnet glints along the bottom. Khaki head spreads out from the middle like a spider web with a tight collar. Swirls thick but no lace.

Nose: roasted oats, dry brittle chocolates, burnt toast ends. Twigs and ash. Dark fruit stones in the back, almonds. Mulled oats tossed in bakers chocolate powder. Old earth undertones.

Palate: smooth creamy mouthfeel. Soft oats rolled in chocolate powder. Chocolate sits amidst rich earth littered with dry twigs and fallen leaves. Raisins and grapes in the middle. Tannic and fruit stone bitterness along the edges. Very soft mouthfeel. Dry chocolate finish parches the throat.

Final Thoughts: loved it. It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted a Schlafly beer and yes, they are still good. So many beers, so little time…but I am going to darn well try.

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

McSorley's Irish Black Lager ~ Pabst Brewing Company

2011-08-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

Appearance: pours liquid smoke and melted obsidian under a tight khaki head. Lingers with a collar and thin puddle. Swirls a touch thicker along the edges.

Nose: muddy, meaty, smoky and of the earth. Tar. Bay leaves. Dried chocolates way in the back and underneath. Pumpernickel and black breads.

Palate: pumpernickel and chocolate cake with more pumpernickel than chocolate. Clean and subtle, more subtle than nose implied. Earthy underneath and along the sides. Bay leaves mingle. Dry chocolate, smoke, and ash in the finish. Definitely improves as it warms up. Schwarzebier-esque. Faint meaty fruits in the middle – raisins, figs.

Final Thoughts: I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I liked what I tasted. Even more appropriately was while supping this Black Lager, I was watching a Three Sheets New Year’s special and one of the stops for Zane was…

(an original written work by Kristyn Lier. plagiarism is not tolerated)

Beer Ambassador . . . a day in the life of

Endings & Beginnings

Samuel Adams Dunkelweizen ~ Boston Beer Company

Ovila Saison ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Crispin Original ~ Crispin Cider Company

Smashed Blueberry ~ Shipyard

Weizenbock ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Juniper Black Ale ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

BEERflections ~ 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest

Ghidorah (Beer Camp Double IPA) ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Nuthin In Common (Beer Camp California Common) ~ Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Westvleteren Extra 8 ~ Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus

Plain Porter ~ Porterhouse

Bruocsella 1900 Grand Cru ~ Cantillon

Goldbrau ~ Stiegl

Aphrodite ~ Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)

Orange Blossom ~ B. Nektar Meadery

Estaminet Premium Pils ~ Brouwerij Palm

Imperial Extra Double Stout 2003 ~ Harveys

Imperial Extra Double Stout 2011 ~ Harveys

La Dragonne ~ BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes)

Pechish Woods ~ Cisco Brewers

Alchemy Olde Ale ~ homebrew by Gerry Solorzano

Draeckenier ~ De Proefbrouwerij

Biere Darbyste ~ Brasserie de Blaugies

Stateside Saison ~ Stillwater Artisanal Ales

Lost Abbey Judgment Day ~ Port Brewing/Lost Abbey

Artisanal Reserve Lansdowne ~ Crispin Cider Company

Pandoras Bock ~ Breckenridge Brewery

Lost Abbey Lost & Found ~ Port Brewing/Lost Abbey

Yo Momma's Strawberry Pizzaz ~ B. Nektar Meadery

McSorleys Irish Pale Ale ~ Pabst Brewing Company

Lips of Faith Vrienden ~ New Belgium

O'Malley's Festive Ale ~ Weston Brewing Company

O'Malley's Irish Cream Ale ~ Weston Brewing Company

Inversion IPA ~ Deschutes Brewery

Schlafly Pale Ale ~ Saint Louis Brewery

Schlafly Hefeweizen ~ Saint Louis Brewery

Schlafly No. 15 ~ Saint Louis Brewery

Samuel Adams Octoberfest Event @ HurricaneVB **TODAY**

Blue Paddle ~ New Belgium Brewing Company

Regal Double Pilsner ~ Breckenridge

Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red ~ Boston Beer Company

BeerWorks Charitable Foundation Presents ~ 4th Annual Treasure Coast Beer Fest

The Great Pumpkin Invasion @ Hurricane VB **TODAY**

Traquair 2020

Tramp Stamp ~ Clown Shoes Beer

Field Mouse's Farewell ~ Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

Pepe Nero ~ Goose Island

Ruddy Amber Wheat ~ Weston Brewing Company

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie ~ Cigar City Brewing

Tequesta Brewing Company Invasion @ HurricaneVB and HurricaneFP

Minaret ESB ~ Cigar City Brewing

El Lector Dark Mild Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

Florida Cracker White Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

Xenu Honey Cream Ale ~ Cigar City Brewing

American Darling ~ Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

Grand Cru Belgian Dark Ale ~ Great Divide

Easy Street Wheat ~ Odell Brewing Company

Backwoods Cyser ~ B. Nektar Meadery

James Page Iron Range Amber Lager ~ Stevens Point Brewery

BEERflections ~ Beer Tasting @ ABC Fine Wine & Spirits VB

Clementine ~ Clown Shoes Beer

Patch Porter ~ Amherst Brewing

Massatucky Brown ~ Amherst Brewing

Cascade IPA ~ Amherst Brewing Company

Muddy Brook Maibock ~ Amherst Brewing Company

Honey Pilsner ~ Amherst Brewing Company

Black Cat Stout ~ Northampton Brewery

Highway 78 Scotch Ale ~ Stone/Green Flash/Pizza Port Carlsbad

Old Numbskull ~ AleSmith

Fleur ~ Goose Island

Saint Botolph's Town ~ Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project

Clifford ~ Northampton Brewery

Eclipse ~ Northampton Brewery

Scuba's Marzen ~ Northampton Brewery

Weizenheimer ~ Northampton Brewery

XX Bitter ~ Brouwerij De Ranke

Espresso Nut Brown Stout ~ Stone Brewing

Hoppy Feet 1.5 Double Black IPA ~ Clown Shoes Beer

Samuel Adams Octoberfest Event @ HurricaneVB TODAY

The Great Pumpkin Invasion @ Hurricane VB TODAY

Nyx Apprentice Series ~ White Birch Brewing

Harpoon End of Summer Splash @ Hurricane VB TODAY!