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Tag Archives: beer

RR: Maui Brewing Company

Newly reopened following an extensive remodel. It’s a lot more industrial and more noisy now, but a lot more brewpub-like. Good beer just as I remembered, particularly the IPA. And, for the record, there is no better start to a meal than a wedge of beer-battered, deep-fried Brie with guava jelly. Sadly, they underseasoned the [...]

TN: Allagash “Curieux” Oak-Aged Tripel

Mixed feelings on this beer. The oak is VERY apparent on the nose, and the combination of the vanilla oak plus the fruity, highly alcoholic (11%ABV) beer style brings to mind things like creamsicles and whiskey, items not generally associated in my mind, and I enjoy the juxtaposition. But in the end, it seems to [...]

TN: Traquair House Ale Clone (Batch #002)

Now that this is carbonated properly, it’s a delicious drink. Don’t need a pint of it at a time, but it’s very drinkable. Malty and rich without being sweet.

TN: Traquair House Ale Clone (Batch #002)

This has been in bottles for just over two weeks now, and is almost ready to drink. Smells malty/caramelly – go figger. Tastes that way, too, with very little bitterness and lots of body and alcohol. This would be better packaged in smaller bottles – or shared. Too heavy for me to drink a full [...]

Recipe: Traquair House Ale Clone (Batch #002)

Traquair Hosue Ale Clone (Strong Scotch Ale) (Original recipe from BYO) ———————————————– 3# Briess Gold DME 5.6# Coopers Gold LME 2# Pale Ale Malt 4oz Roasted Barley East Kent Goldings hops (pelleted, 4.7% AA): 1.4oz 60 minutes 1.0oz 30 minutes White Labs WLP028 – Edinburgh Ale OG: 1.075 SG at racking: 1.024 SG at bottling: [...]

TN: Maredsous 10° Tripel

Pours a light orange amber with big fluffy white head. Slightly stinky bananas and rubber nose, not entirely pleasant. This tastes heavy and thick in the mouth, with waves of sweet fruity malt and mild bitterness and obvious alcohol. Somewhat off-balance, particularly in the alcohol and sweet directions. And I can’t get around the high [...]

Recipe: First Try Ale

Here’s the recipe for the first batch of beer I tried brewing. Thanks to Phil at Fermentation Frenzy for throwing together the ingredients for me. First Try Ale (American Pale Ale – but hoppier) ——————————- 6.25# Briess Gold DME 1# 80L Crystal malt 6oz Victory malt Columbus hops (whole, 14.6% AA): 1oz 60min .5oz 15min [...]

TN: Homebrewed First Try Ale

Not carbonated enough yet – impatient me opened a bottle only 6 days after bottling. Pours an orange/amber with a little haze. Huge sweet citrus/floral hop nose. Lots of floral hop flavor up front, followed by some malty sweetness. A little heavy-feeling at this uncarbonated stage. Long yeasty aftertaste. Good stuff, but I’m going to [...]

TN: Trader Joe’s 2006 Vintage Ale

This ale is brewed by Unibroue in Quebec. It’s dark in color, with a crisp, sweet herbal rootbeer-like flavor. Brewer’s licorice? Wintergreen? Clove? Sassafras? Anise? Lots of coriander? Pleasant enough, but I preferred the more caramel/sweet taste of last year’s Vintage Ale. 9% ABV. $5. A steal, but not my favorite beer.

TN: Samuel Adams James Madison Dark Wheat Ale

Dark brown color, pale thin head. Malty toasty notes up front, lots of wheat and rye flavor. Slightly sour, lightish flavor. Long wheaty aftertaste. It’s cold, wet, and drinkable, but not something one would buy more than once.