Victory Helios Ale Review #73

Victory Helios Ale
Style: Saison
ABV: 7.5%
Part Of The Victory Brand Of Brews
22oz Pounder  Bottle Poured Into A Chimay Goblet

Victory Brewing Co.
Located At 420 Acorn Lane Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335.
Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski
1996

The radiant energy of the sun gives life to all that we enjoy. Flowing field of barley for malting, surging vines of ripening hops and even pure, clean water owe their vitality to the sun. Just as we do. So in crafting this unique, hazy orange-hued ale, we poured in nature’s great gifts of German malts and European hops to feed the dynamic yeast that we imported from Belgium. Here in the quiet tanks of Victory our yeast brought vitality to this Belgian style farmhouse ale. That energy has created impressions that range from lemon peel to black pepper, though such spices are not added. Great with a wide array of foods, count on the bright soul of Helios Ale to bring life to all of your meals!

Appearance:
Sun Bursts Golden Color
Mountainous Cap Of Stark White Meringue Adorns The Top
Pour Slowly! Overactive Head
Superior Head Retention
Semi-Transparent Clarity Caused By The Yeast Sediments Floating Around
Silty Lacing Applied To The Glass
Boisterous Carbonation- Gives The Tongue A Pop In The Buds

Aroma:
Sage
Sherbet
Noble Hops
Green Grapes
Dry Brett
Little Barnyard
Wheat
Honey Suckle
Brie Rind
Flower Pollen
Earthy Manure
Band-Aid

Mouth Feel:
A True Cheese Cracker Beer
Enervation To All Parts Of The Mouth
Astoundingly Refreshing
Despite The Complexity And Higher Alcohol Retains Balance
Sweet/Spicy Balance
Orval Trappists Little Brother
Very Clean And Juicy Texture
Medium Bodied- But Built Solidly
Sessionable
Medium Drinkability- The Spice Overwhelms After Awhile
Nice Drinkable Package
Finish Is Tart, Like Eating The White Part Of A Orange
Lingering Off Flavor Aftertaste, Like Mustiness Or Stale Fruit
Flavor Profile Is A Bit Thin

The taste has a brett character is remarkably lustrous yet equally restrained, generating a refined medley of tropical fruit which dovetails with the delicate lemony acids and fresh-peach notion. Complexly phenolic to boot, with plentiful eccentricities such as sherbet and medical tape. Astoundingly quenching despite the boundless complexity and higher alcohol. Dry, vivid pils malt mingles with a deeper candied-pecan sweetness to supply perfectly sufficient structure as it dusts the tongue with a pinch of piecrust and crackers. Fairly starchy, as well, which beautifully enhances the texture and fullness. Clean as a whistle, throughout, yet equally succulent with polished esters and hops. Closes with a drying white sage and eucalyptus expression swirled with luscious esters, flowery hops, and lingering brett.  "VICTORY IS MINE"

2 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer









 

Coors Outscores Bud-For Super Bowl Parties (Marco Heads)

Our experts conducted blind taste tests of eight top-selling regular and light beers , plus offerings from Trader Joe’s and Walgreens (yes, beer from a drugstore). And the winner is: Coors regular , by, let’s say, a field goal. It has balanced flavors with some citrus notes, and no off-tastes. It’s a Consumer Reports Best Buy, at $6.45 for a six-pack. Three runners-up are also CR Best Buys: Name Tag (Trader Joe’s), Big Flats (Walgreens), and Miller High Life .
All of the tested beers are lagers, which usually have a mix of floral, fruity, yeasty, malted-grain, and boiled-hop (pungent) flavors. Most are pale yellow and light-bodied, and don’t stay foamy for long. Other face-offs:

Light beer will save you about 20 to 50 calories per can (due to lower carbs and slightly less alcohol), but no tested light scored high enough to be very good. Best of the bunch is Miller Lite . Worst is Corona Light, a bitter brew with traces of tinny and sulfury off-notes.
Corona Light costs far more than higher-rated Miller Lite; and Corona Extra costs about twice as much as three better beers.
Trader Joe’s and Walgreens stood up to the competition, doing about as well as Miller High Life and besting Corona Extra and Bud .
We tasted beer from cans, which may seem less refined than bottles, but they keep light, beer’s nemesis, from getting inside. Light can react with beer within weeks or even days to create compounds similar to those a skunk uses to defend itself.
None of these beers has enough complexity and balance to be excellent, but Coors comes fairly close. Just Drink A Yuengling

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout Review #72

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Style: Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 5.7%
Part Of The Main Line Of There Beer Rotation
12oz Bottle Poured Into A Guinness Tulip Glass


Anderson Valley Brewery
A Regional  Brewery
Boonville, California
Trey White
1987


With its deep, dark brown-black color, thick, full-bodied, velvety-smooth mouth feel, mocha character, and, strong yet subtle hop bite, Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout is one of the thickest, richest, and most complex stouts on the market today.

Appearance:
Opaque Black Brown Color
Black Tint Window Clarity
Lacy Latte Quality Head
Abrupt Ending Head Retention
Fuzzy Carbonation
Spotty And Ropey Lacing
A Abundant Of Sediment Settles To The Bottom 

Aroma:
The Aroma Is Dainty More Than A Robust Nose
Plum Pudding
Pomes
Custard
Oats
Walnut
Peat
Lavender-Lollipop Grape Smell Arises

Mouth Feel:
Excellent Drinkability
I Could Sink Pint After Pint And Still Come Back For More
Smooth And Nourishing
Pleasant ABV
Just Hints Of Oatmeal Flavor
A Nice Ash Aftertaste
Bitter/Sweet Balance
Delicate Balance- Seems To Sway Back And Forth Between Bitter Roast And Chocolate
Lingering And Mild Hop Bitterness Finish With A Cocoa Taste
Finish Is Slightly Messy But Just Slightly
Medium Bodied- Could Have A little Denser
Not A Thirst Quencher But Refreshing
Texture Is Not As Silky Or As Sweet Stouts Can Be
A Smidge Disappointed At The Lack Of Richness

Mouthfeel Is A Coffee Candy Retro Taste Resembling A Caramelized Dimension

The smooth mildly roasted coffee flavor continues in the taste with an accompanying dash of vanilla-like cream. Traces of bittersweet chocolate comes out in the middle. The hops are presence through out the taste, sort of an oily flowery citrus. Finishes mildly bitter, a citrus twang that meshes with the roasted malts. Creamy smooth medium bodied feel, this stout goes down quite easily. A tasty and balanced oatmeal stout, well worth trying.  I do enjoy the quiet confidence this stout has. This stout is not legendary but is a gold medal winner that can be a gentleman. Let This beer warm up between 32-58 degrees Fahrenheit and you can have two for breakfast.


4 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer









 

The Cannibal Ale Review #71

The Cannibal Ale
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV:  7.2%
Part Of The Bottle Reserve Collection
750ml Bottle Poured Into A Iron Hill Brewery Pint Glass

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Maple Shade, New Jersey
The Restaurant Chain Is Named After The Hill In Delaware On Which The Battle Of Chooch's Bridge Took Place
2008 First One Opened


For those of you who don’t know, this beer has a story behind it. I’m a bike nut and I’ve always wanted to name a beer after the Cannibal, partly because I think it’s a cool name for a beer and partly because he’s one of my heroes. The Cannibal by the way is Eddy Merckx, a Belgian who raced in the 60s and 70s and whom many consider the greatest cyclist in history. He’s kind of the the Pele or Babe Ruth of cycling. He was called the Cannibal because he was said to devour his opponents. Basically if you were in a race and Eddy Merckx showed up you were now racing for second place. So we made this strong Belgian beer in tribute to a strong Belgian rider. We also brewed it in celebration of the Tour De France and the bike club Iron Hill founded. This beer always goes on tap on the first day of the Tour and stays on tap through the Champs de L’elysee. We also save a keg that we break out every year at our thank you party for the organizers of the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium. So this beer is pretty steeped in cycling culture.

Appearance:
14 Karat Gold Color
A Veil Of Foam Tops This Blond
Head Diminished To A Respectable Cap And Lasted Throughout
Relaxed Carbonation
Soapy Window Wash Lacing
Brilliantly Clear Clarity

Aroma:
Melon-Citrus Aroma
Honey Dew
Cantaloupe
Plantain
Lemon
Lime
Slight Curacao
Nectarine
Tangerine
Authentic Biscuit
Caramel Nose

Mouth Feel:
Quaint Refreshing Nature
Metallic Tang Feel
Medium Bodied
Wickedly Dry Fruity Finish
Lemon And Lime Belgian Sour Aftertaste
Tangy/Sweet/Sour Balance
"Duvel Beer Clone"
Citric Burn Beer
Sessionable- The Price Will Kill You, Instead Of The ABV
Slight Drinkability- I Felt The Brew Had To Much Tangy And Cloying Sweet Flavors Overpowering This Beer
Smooth And Chewy
Semi-Velvety Texture
Formidable Alcohol Bite

The taste is pretty dry, in fact definitely dry and it has a fizzy, carbonic texture that certainly helps this perception. A soft, cracker like grain character is found in the middle and is joined by a suggesting of pale malt character that is not quite sweetness, but sort of there. The beer has a fairly light body, especially for its strength, but doesn’t seem to quite achieve the light bodied character of Duvel; this is still quite quaffable though. There is a touch of fruitiness to the flavor, but nothing like the levels that were noticeable in the nose. There is a touch of dusty grain character in the finish, that might be the only real sign of age at this point, though there is perhaps a touch of a boost to the malt complexity found in this beer, both of these are slight though and this beer is certainly holding up quite well.
 


3 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer

5 Unique Craft Beer Spots for Super Bowl Visitors

Indianapolis, Indiana. Typically you think of The Indianapolis 500, Jim Nabors, and corn. Unless you’ve visited Indianapolis, you might not know it’s a convention town, second only to Las Vegas. Home to some of the most amazing start ups and social media savvy people, Indianapolis has created the first Super Bowl Social Media Command Center. Follow the #super46 hashtag on twitter for all the latest news by the most connected people in the city before and during the game. Hosting Super Bowl 46 is huge for the city. While there is so much to do (zip lining anyone?) and see (LMFAO, Bret Michaels and the oddest assortment of bands I’ve totally  forgotten about En Vogue, Morris Day and the Time, and Indy native comedian Mike Epps), if you’re reading Girls Pint Out and headed into Indy for a visit, let me give you an insiders look at some things to hit up while you’re in town. Most visitors guides I’ve seen have pointed guests to St. Elmo’s, the Indianapolis institution with searing hot shrimp cocktail sauce and great celebrity watching. While St. Elmo’s does serve some craft beer including local GABF Gold Medal winning juggernaut Sun King Brewing, they miss the mark with frosted pint glasses. Super annoying. Slippery Noodle Inn, just down Meridian Street also gets huge nods and we understand that. It’s a hub for jazz and blues with historic appeal. But you’re not going for the beer.

Here’s a Girls Pint Out list of places craft beer fans must visit while in town. This is not a comprehensive list of all the breweries and bars in town. I know you know you’ll go to Sun King, Flat 12 and if you’re smart Bier Brewery. I’m highlighting some things that might be easy to over look with so much to do and see. These local spots offer something different and unique to the typical sports bars and hyped up venues around Super Bowl Village. Act like a local and drink like a local.

1. Black Market
922 Massachusettes Avenue
Open Tues-Sat
21+ only
317.822.6757
http://www.blackmarketindy.net/
Black Market serves some of the most innovative food we’ve seen in a while. On top of the cool, you need to know where you’re going to know where you’re going vibe, the beers stand up the food. Black Market does an excellent job of creating a tap and bottle list that will make any craft beer drinker happy a restaurant cares as much about the libations as they do their cuisine.

2. Mac Nivens
339 Massachusetts Avenue
Open Daily
21+ only
317.632.SCOT
http://www.macnivens.com/index.php

Mac Nivens is the Scottish-American pub locals go to setting their cravings for Scotch Eggs. No one does them better. The vegetarian French Onion Soup is also a hit. Pair both of these with any one of craft beers on Mac Nivens extensive craft beer menu. They typically feature local brewery’s selections you can’t find anywhere else, not even brewery tasting rooms. Mac Nivens also has alcohol infused desserts – totally worth the splurge.

3. Tomlinson Tap Room
222 East Market Street – second level of City Market
Open Mon-Thurs 2-9pm
Open Fri-Sat Noon-9pm
21+ only
317.423.2337
http://www.indycm.com/tomlinsontaproom/

This is a true hidden gem in Indianapolis’ growing craft beer community. The Tomlinson Tap Room is a joint venture between Indianapolis City Market and the Brewers of Indiana Guild. You’ll find 16 taps of Indiana craft beer including Bloomington Brewing Company, Bee Creek Brewery, Three Floyds, Mad Anthony, New Albanian Brewing Company, Crown Brewing Company, Peoples Brewing Company and more. The list is always changing and bartenders Kristin and Ben will be able to explain every single one of them to you. Flights are available which I highly recommend to experience as much Indiana liquid culture as possible.

4. The Mousetrap
5565 North Keystone Avenue
Open Daily
21+ Only
317.255.3189
http://www.themousetrapbar.com/

The Mousetrap has daily features such as Acoustic Bluegrass Open Jam on Tuesdays and Triva Nights but the night to go is Thursday nights for their IndyMojo presents Altered Thurzdaze. Each Thursday night you can hear some of the best local DJs spin Dubstep and Electronic music while you enjoy $3 craft beer pints including Three Floyds, Sierra Nevada, Bells and New Belgium. While some of the craft beers are standards there are also great specialties like Hopslam and Gumballhead, and the opportunity to listen to some of Indy’s local DJs is totally worth it.

5. Tavern On South
423 W. South Street
Open Mon-Sat
317.602.3115
http://tavernonsouth.com/

Warm and inviting while under the shadow of Lucas Oil Stadium, Tavern on South boasts a huge craft beer menu with a focus on Midwestern offerings. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I ate there by their updated American classics and fresh herb tossed french fries. Sit at the granite bar and try to guess everything in the giant urns that are filled with liquor infusions for cocktails. The tenderloin sliders are a take on the quintessential Indiana sandwich and pair perfectly with a pint of beer.

The craft beer scene in Indianapolis is growing by leaps and bounds and if you have a chance to visit during the Super Bowl please try to visit locally owned establishments and try out Indiana craft beers. Use the #IndianaBeer hashtag to show everyone you know what you’re talking about! We’re extremely proud of all the Indiana breweries that have contributed to make Indianapolis a craft beer destination to visit.

 

Left Hand Fade To Black Pepper Porter Vol. 3 Review #70

Left Hand Fade To Black Pepper Porter Vol. 3
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
ABV: 7.2%
12oz Bottle Poured Into A New Belgium Brewery Tulip Glass

Left Hand Brewery
Longmont, Colorado
Dick Doore
Eric Wallace
1993

Imagine Robert DeNiro sitting in your darkened parlour near the fire in his Louis Cyphre persona smoking a Tuscan cigar. This may be the beer with which to save (or lose) your soul. Dried fruit flavors entwined with smoky pepper and licorice embossed on roasty malt sweetness open on your tongue as the slow warmth of chilies creep up on your tongue and throat, finishing in an herbal smoke ring flourish.  

Appearance:
Sarsaparilla Colored Body
A Skimp Of A Ringed Head-Essentially Headless
Retention Recedes Leaving Scant Sheet To Skim The Surface
Forgivable Cause The Pepper Oils Cause The Head To Dissipate
Sparse Lacing Left Behind
Lacking Carbonation

Aroma:
Chili Peppers
Chocolate
Campfire Smoke
Whisper Of Licorice
Tobacco
Cedar
Light Vanilla
French Roast
Healthy Black Soil
Espresso
Slight Italian Herbs
Burnt Roasted Malts
Meaty Charcoal Nose

Mouth Feel:
Low Drinkability- The Pepper Oil Makes This A Tough One To Keep Drinking
Texture Has Quality But Could Be Pumped Up A Bit
Long Earthy Chili Heat On The Back Of The Throat In The Finish
Sweet/Spicy Balance
Balanced Infusion A Pretty One Dimensional Consistency
Medium Bodied
Tiresome Brew That Consists Of Overpowering Black Pepper In And Out That Tingles The Lips
Not Sessionable- A Real Chore To Finish Not Enjoyable To Drink One Let Alone Another
"Acid Reflux" Beer
Southern BBQ Quality Mouth Feel
The Aftertaste Leaves Your Mouth Dry Like A Dirty Ashtray
The Alcohol And Weird Licorice Notes Clash Giving You Unclean Flavors On Your Palate

Taste: Sweet, malty beginnings of chocolate bar, caramel, sweetened coffee, and toast. Very slight smokey character preceding a smooth albeit spicy chile quality with, thankfully, no more heat that needed. The hops, at best, add a light spicy hint to aid the peppers, but, for the most part, stay out of the way of the ’guest’ flavoring agent. Faint dark fruitiness. Malty, drying, lightly chile-accented finish.
 
1 1/2 Out Of 6
Don't Want A Sixer































 

Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve Review #69

Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
ABV: 9%
Part Of The Four Variety Chimay Collection
11.2oz Bottle From A Holiday Pack Poured Into A Chimay Chalice

Chimay Brewery ("Bières de Chimay")
Trappist Brewery
Southern Hainaut, Belgium
Scourmont Abbey Monastery
1863


Bottle conditioned - 150 cl, 75 cl, and 33 cl bottles. Named Grande Réserve in 75 cl bottles, and Magnum Grande Réserve in 150 cl bottles.
Chimay Blue is principally distinguished by its character of a strong beer. This is a beer whose fragrance of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavour, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma , while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurised. 

Appearance:
Scrumptious Appearance
Dark Root Beer  Brown Color
Hazy Clarity Due To Sediment Swirling About
Typical Cottony Belgian Foam Head
Rapid Decaying Head Retention
Streaks Of Lacing Mark The Beers Passage
Tickling Carbonation

Aroma:
Captivating Quality Aroma
Dates
Flowery Tones
Marshmallow
Pastilles
Nutmeg
Figs
Raisins
Brown Sugar
Cherries
Black Berries
Cocoa

Mouth Feel:
Sweet/Touch Of Bitterness
Classic Balanced Beer
Full Bodied
Slightly Sessionable- If The 9% ABV Doesn't Get You, The Heavy Feel On The Stomach With The Many Sweet Flavors
Luxuriant Texture That Is Clean And Wanting
Pleasant Hop Aftertaste That Gives You Childhood Memories Of Piping Hot Bread And Raisins
Intense Palate That Sure Packs A Punch, With It's Warming Transient Hot Alcohol Tang
Alcohol Is A Bit Hot, But Not Intruding On The Taste Buds
A Perfect Sipper Not To Be Chugged Like A College Frat Guy 
It Had A Nice Mouth Feel Of Dry Spanish Cedar And A Pinch Of Nutmeg
Fortified Finish That Is Flowery And Roasted With Some Spicy Hop Touches

     Molasses and spice mingle with nutmeg while my taste buds take in the fruit-felt bounty of raisins, prunes, black cherries (fresh and canned), and grapes before ending in licorice. There is a pervasive candied sugar sweetness which isn’t overpowering thanks in part to her effervescent body. Her palate centers all immediate pleasures on the top of my tongue, though as we further our tempestuous relationship, the back of my tongue and throat dries with spice and wood. For a brief moment, I have flashes of tropical paradise in the form of candied pineapple, and then she is gone. As my Blue warms, her flavors continue to melt into, with, and around each other in practiced Belgian Trappist artistry.  This Blue is no better way to obliterate the stagnant memories of a otherwise unfulfilled day. This is the granddaddy of Belgian strong ales, that is better than Westmalle,but not as good as Rocherfort 10. This is a good introductory to strong ales and is a great beer to cellar

5 Out Of 6
Want A Sixer