Iconoclastic amber ale, that's what the bottle told me. And I'm not to proud to say that I did look up the word 'iconoclastic' in order to better undrstand this beer. I can only assume that the point the BrewDog guys were attempting to make is that this beer topples the status quo of amber ales. And I think it could be argued that they have succeded in doing so. Only, I don't think it'll spur major change in religious tradition.
Don't even know where to turn for the 5A.M. Saint reference.
This really is an incredible amber ale though. It's amber brown with a big fluffy white head with good lacing.
The nose offers hints of plum and floral hop. There are ever some subtle hints of earth. A honey sweetness rounds out the aromas just perfectly.
On the palate, sweet malt character meets nice hop character for a balance that I feel is the brewers Holy Grail. It's lighter bodied than it appears too, with a nice mouthwatering finish.
A really tremendous easy drinking beer. And in an era when high alcohol and intense characteristics are king among brewers like BrewDog, it's a really nice change of pace to pick up a beer like 5A.M. Saint.
5.5%ABV, 9 out of 10.
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 71, 3.12.11., Mikkeller - I Hardcore You
If you follow this blog closely, you'll know I've taken a real shine to Mikkeller. Now, Mikkeller has joined up with BrewDog for an Imperial IPA. So if you also know about my love for IPAs and my growing interest in BrewDog, then you and I will agree that I Hardcore You may just be my personal beer trifecta!
(Since I have yet to blog a beer from BrewDog, here is 107 words on them:
BrewDog is a Scottish brewery started by two 24 year old dudes in 2006. They make myriad beers mostly in classic styles, but with innovations and twists that are more often seen out here in the Pacific Coast brewing world, than in the more traditional European model. For instance, the first time I heard of BrewDog was in Portland on my bachelor party trip when my brothers and buddies and I tried their Paradox bourbon cask aged imperial stout. I remember it was awesome, intense and way over priced at the fancy restaurant we had dinner at. Don't remember much more. What? It was my bachelor party.)
I have to say though, that this one was a little disappointing. The problem is not that the beer is not good, it is good, but I've come to expect amazing from Mikkeller.
This beer is golden red and fairly clear. It's pretty thick and viscous. It has Big bold resiny hop aroma and flavor and strong bitterness. I called this one a 7 of 10. Here's why: it's quite unbalanced. The only balance to the big hop punch was the full body. But there is really not much maltyness or sweetness.
I still love Mikkeller but this, I thought, was not their best.
(Since I have yet to blog a beer from BrewDog, here is 107 words on them:
BrewDog is a Scottish brewery started by two 24 year old dudes in 2006. They make myriad beers mostly in classic styles, but with innovations and twists that are more often seen out here in the Pacific Coast brewing world, than in the more traditional European model. For instance, the first time I heard of BrewDog was in Portland on my bachelor party trip when my brothers and buddies and I tried their Paradox bourbon cask aged imperial stout. I remember it was awesome, intense and way over priced at the fancy restaurant we had dinner at. Don't remember much more. What? It was my bachelor party.)I have to say though, that this one was a little disappointing. The problem is not that the beer is not good, it is good, but I've come to expect amazing from Mikkeller.
This beer is golden red and fairly clear. It's pretty thick and viscous. It has Big bold resiny hop aroma and flavor and strong bitterness. I called this one a 7 of 10. Here's why: it's quite unbalanced. The only balance to the big hop punch was the full body. But there is really not much maltyness or sweetness.
I still love Mikkeller but this, I thought, was not their best.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Day 40, 2.9.11., Innis & Gunn - Scottish Oak Aged Ale
This was a Christmas gift from my wife's Uncle Walter and Aunt Zita. They travel to Canada quite a bit and picked this up in Vancouver. Innis & Gunn Scottish Oak Aged Ale is a limited release beer produced in Scotland in celebration of Canada Day, a holiday with a ridiculous sounding name. It's a partial rye mash beer that is aged in Canadian whiskey barrels.
The small (12oz-ish) bottle came in it's own little red box (which is probably for the best since they use clear glass). It's a dark red beer with a little bit of fluffy white head. On the nose, smoke and caramel lead and give way to hints of vanilla and a bit of dried stone fruits.
The body to me was fairly light, especially compared to other oak aged beer I've had. These beers tend to be stouts, and big barley wines.
It's a malty beer though, with the palate offering brown sugar maltyness and a definite oakyness. There are hints of the rye as well, sharper notes that could be mistaken for the malt bitterness that is also present. That malt bitterness finishes the palate, lingering after each sip.
This is an interesting little beer, with a lot going on and some true character. 7 out of 10.
The body to me was fairly light, especially compared to other oak aged beer I've had. These beers tend to be stouts, and big barley wines.
It's a malty beer though, with the palate offering brown sugar maltyness and a definite oakyness. There are hints of the rye as well, sharper notes that could be mistaken for the malt bitterness that is also present. That malt bitterness finishes the palate, lingering after each sip.
This is an interesting little beer, with a lot going on and some true character. 7 out of 10.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Day 18, 1.18.11, Skull Splitter
So, If you ever check how things are going on facebook, you may remember me being pretty, pretty excited about finding Skull Splitter at Whole Foods.
It's a Scotch Ale brewed in Scotland's Orkney Islands. Apparently, (according to the bottle) the name 'Skull Splitter' refers to the 7th Viking Earl of Orkney, Thorfinn Hausakluif. For what it's worth.
The beer, I would say, is pretty good. It's a dark brown ale with not much head to speak of. It's 8.5% ABV. On the nose, there are coffee beans and maple. It's medium bodied and pretty smooth drinking. There's a well integrated bit of malt bitterness, offset by a good amount of residual sugar. It's got plenty of brown sugar and maple in the same vein as Primátor, but sooooo much better in the balance department.
So it's a little too sweet and malt driven for my taste, but since it's so much better than Primátor, and because of the fact that it's called Skull Splitter and has a label that looks like this,
I'm calling it a 7 out of 10.
It's a Scotch Ale brewed in Scotland's Orkney Islands. Apparently, (according to the bottle) the name 'Skull Splitter' refers to the 7th Viking Earl of Orkney, Thorfinn Hausakluif. For what it's worth.The beer, I would say, is pretty good. It's a dark brown ale with not much head to speak of. It's 8.5% ABV. On the nose, there are coffee beans and maple. It's medium bodied and pretty smooth drinking. There's a well integrated bit of malt bitterness, offset by a good amount of residual sugar. It's got plenty of brown sugar and maple in the same vein as Primátor, but sooooo much better in the balance department.
So it's a little too sweet and malt driven for my taste, but since it's so much better than Primátor, and because of the fact that it's called Skull Splitter and has a label that looks like this,
I'm calling it a 7 out of 10.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)