Our first week is Autumn/Harvest beers. With the cooler temperatures and the leaves beginning to change, it seems like a good place to start.
Our first beer for the week is Heavy Seas Hop Haarvest Ale from their Mutiny Fleet purchased from Vintage Estate Wine & Beer. Shawn really likes the dead pirate American Gothic image on the label, as well as the quote: "Sailors tell stories...Pyrates make legends!" This beer is designed to showcase flavors from locally grown Maryland "wet" hops. It is porter in style and 5% ABV.
Overall average rating: 5.2/10
The appearance is a dark caramelly amber, with a well-carbonated light beige head (similar to soda) that is quick to fade. The primary aroma is malt that builds to a citrusy hop smell. As for taste, it seems thin for a porter style. The hops hit the sides and back of the tongue, and while the hop flavor is not overwhelming, it is definitely there.
Shawn- I am a little disappointed because it seems too thin for a porter, and I don't think hops should overpower malt in a porter style, 4.5/10.
Angela- I am not a fan of hoppy beers, but I do enjoy the light hoppy flavor of this. I expected it to be somewhat thicker based on the color and style, but it is something I would drink again, 6/10.
Chris- It's something I could drink toward the end of summer because it is a lighter beer. I would classify this more as a dark IPA than porter-like in terms of flavor, 5/10.
"Practice makes perfect, but nobody ever complains about practice with beer." -Randy Mosher, Tasting Beer
365 days of craft beer. Mmm, sounds amazing, which is why we decided to put our love of good beer out there for others to enjoy. Why are we doing this? The three of us really enjoy kicking back and drinking a good beer, and we want to sample as many as we can. The craft beer industry is growing and there are more new beers being produced every day. From experimental flavors to delicious seasonals, we are aiming to leave no beer un-drunk :)
Our goal is to try new beers, as well as enjoying a few of our favorites, in order to become more knowledgeable about this industry. Each week will focus on one of four areas: seasonal, a particular style, beers from a specific country, and beers from one brewery. Each day will introduce you to a new beer, with an overall analysis of the appearance, aroma, and taste, as well as our own individiual opinions on the beer. We are rating the aroma and taste of each beer on a scale of 1-5, with individual ratings and an overall average out of 10. We will try to visit (at least) one brewery a month to blog about the unique beers of that location. We also hope to travel to beer festivals and events throughout our journey.
So, raise your glasses and wish us well as we set out on a very exciting journey!
Our tenth Christmas ale is Anchor Brewing's Merry Christmas and Happy New Year purchased at Havana House.
This beer is sold only from early November until mid January, and it is the 37th "Our Special Ale" from this brewery. The recipe differs every year, but "the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life." The tree on the label is a pinus longaeva, and since ancient times, "trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew." It is 5.5% ABV.
Overall average rating: 7.3/10
This beer is a translucent light reddish brown with a light mocha head. The aroma is a deep, rich molasses and dark cherry. The taste is primarily a sweet cinnamon flavor - it reminds me of cinnamon sugar and Chris of cinnamon with molasses. Surprisingly, we didn't smell cinnamon at all. There is also a cherry wood flavor.
Shawn- This is a really neat beer. The smell is completely different from the taste; they are not indicative of each other, and I love both. I wish it was more cohesive, but it's great that it's so opposite and delicious, 7.5/10.
Angela- This has a really, really unique flavor, and I think it's one of the most interesting beers I've had, 7.25/10.
Chris- Regarding the cinnamon flavor, "where the hell did that come from?!" This is so different from anything I've ever had. I would give it a higher score if it were more consistent between aroma and taste, but I appluad the effort, 7.25/10.
