Beer Fanatic

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

2008-12-29T20:38:16Z

I just realized a couple days ago, when I mentioned this blog to an acquantance who is only just beginning to explore craft beer, that it has been a number of months since I last posted.

I'm abashed to realize that so much time has gone by.

That being said, this blog is meant to be sporadic: new reviews depend on my trying new beers, and having the spare time to indite my thoughts about them.

Fortunately, the collusion of holiday vacation time, and holiday gift money has permitted me to purchase and sample a variety of new beers, so my posts may pick up for a bit.

Today, we are looking at (and tasting!) "Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout",

Key Observations:

Color -- given that name, its pretty much as you would expect: very dark brown/black
Head -- relatively modest, but rich. Not as foamy as a typical lager, but a not insignificant head
Flavor --
- Foretaste -- by which, I mean the intial taste, on the lips and front of the tongue. Smooth, but not particularly distinguished
- Midtaste -- pleasant, rich mouthfeel .... but the best is yet to come:
- Swallow / Aftertaste -- its only when it reaches the back of the mouth that the flavor really asserts itself. Initial notes of carmel, smooth and sweet, follow with a somewhat hoppy aftertaste

Assessment: overall, I'd give it a mild recommendation: It has a nice color, smooth mouth feel, and the carmelly-then-hoppy flavor on the swallow is enjoyable. That being said, at two distinct flavors, this falls just below my criteria for a really great beer: no fewer than three distinct flavors. If you are a fan of complex flavors, as I am, choose this against most typical American beers -- but if you have a chance to buy some of the other beers I've recommend, like Okacim and Baltika, which cost almost half of what this beer costs, I'd get two of those, for nearly the same buckage.

Twofer: Baltika 6 and Okocim

2008-08-12T04:54:41Z

Went to Bevmo today, and found some foreign beers for pretty good prices. They are good, but they are strong! I think I'll only be having these two tonight. Potential spoiler: tasty, but high alcohol content. I have a decent tolerance, but I'm *buzzed* off of two beers!

Baltika 6 -- This is a Russian Imperial Stout, from Russia -- bottled in St. Petersburg!

Head: *Very* thick ... I know how to pour a beer, but when I poured this one, the stein ended up being almost *half* head. I had to wait a few minutes for the head to settle to pour the rest of the beer.
Texture: Smooth, full, satisfying mouth-feel
Taste: Rich, Carmally. Maybe just a *hint* of chocolate

This doesn't have a particularly *complex* taste -- I experienced no significant foretaste nor after-taste -- but the flavor was very rich and satisfying.
Prevalence of malt over hops ... bitterness relatively slight in comparison to maltiness.

Assessment: recommended! Not an ideal beer, perhaps (an ideal beer has no fewer than three distinct flavors, by my standards!) but I quite enjoyed it, and would have it again.

Okocim Porter

From Poland! Found it at Bevmo for only *2* bucks! Tawk about a *deal*!

Head: very full, but not quite so full as the Baltika 6 -- a healthy head, but only filled a fourth of the stein on the original pour
Mouth-feel: Satisfying ... but not quite as rich and satisfying as the Baltika
Taste: A little more complex than the Baltika ... strong notes of coffee
Finish: Decidedly bitter. If you like your beer on the bitter/hoppy side, this might very well be for you. For myself -- I prefer a more malty taste.
Assessment: I quite enjoyed it ... very rich and satisfying. That being said, a bit hoppier than I prefer. Everything else being equal, I would have preferred to start the evening with the Okocim, in order to savor its complexity ... but would have finished it with the Baltika. Overall, though: recommended.

Why a Blog Devoted to Critiques of Beer?

2008-06-08T19:29:04Z

This all started because of my refrigerator.

Specifically: the *side* of my refrigerator.

Whenever I find a new beer that was particularly good, my wife would peel the label off, and affix it to the side of the fridge, so we could remember it, the next time we went to the liquor store.

One problem: I'm always game for trying new beers.

As a result, before long, the side of the fridge was plastered with beer labels.

Worse: I would forget what it was that I found satisfying about which beer: a beer that is refreshing on a hot summer day may feel rather superficial on a cold winter's night; a beer full of character, perfect for that cold night or with a juicy steak may not be a good complement for hot weather or for a dinner salad.

So, I started this blog.

Admittedly, this is primarily for my sake: now, I have some place I can turn, to look up the beers I've enjoyed, and be reminded of what it was that I enjoyed about them.

However, that being said, a number of people on my friend's list on my main blog may also enjoy a beer, now and again, and if so, I hope you will find these entries informative and helpful.

Also, if you have tried any of these beers and agree (or disagree) with any of my assessments, always feel free to comment on the appropriate review.

And, finally, does anyone have any recommendations? Any good beers out there which I haven't reviewed, which I should be on the lookout for?

Reaper Ale Mortality Stout

2008-06-08T19:18:35Z

Head: Very, *very* large ... when I poured it, the head initially filled two thirds of the glass. That being said, it may have been agitated, so that may not be typical

Color: Inky black.

Taste:

This is the interesting part.

The foretaste -- the first taste that presents itself to your tongue -- is distinctly fruity. I was reminded of cherries and pears. I've never experience that in a stout before, but it was pleasantly fulsome.
Mid-taste -- after that first taste, it becomes more typically "stouty", to coin a word: notes of chocolate and caramel.
Aftertaste -- none that I noticed.
Overall -- very malty, rounded, smooth

Observation: The best beers, the one's I hold in highest esteem, have great complexity, with up to three or more tastes succeeding each other.

This beer isn't as complex as that.

Still, the two distinct tastes which I experience where very nice.

Caveat: High alcohol content -- 7 % -- so don't drink this on an empty stomach, or just before having to drive somewhere

Recommended.

Check out Reaper Ale's Kewl website!

ShShocktop Belgian White

2008-06-06T05:53:25Z

A Surprising treat.

Small Head.

Mellow sweet tast, with notes of orange.

It doesn't have a very complex flavor, but the flavor it has it *quite* tasty, if you are the mood for a light flavored beer, especially on a hot day.

The most surprising part?

It's from Anhauser Busch.

That's right ... the guys that make *Michelob* ....

... have finally managed to make a *really* good beer.

Recommended!

Tastes Like .... Beer!

2008-04-11T22:50:48Z

Well, the good news is that my first batch of home brew is done with the requisite aging of a month.

Further good news is that it actually tastes like .... *beer*!

Lager, at that, and I'm not sure that the local, hard water, is apt for making lager ... but not bad.

That being said ...

... one bit of bad news ...

... according to the hydrometer, it only has something like 1.5% alcohol.

Something musta got jacked in the secondard fermentation.

I'm going to contact the brewery ... see if they have any ideas.

"Wee Beast" Scottish Ale

2008-03-27T03:46:08Z

Its been awhile since I posted, I know: I've been fighting off the flew and --- alas! --- I was sternly instructed that drinking beer was not conducive towards that task!

Feeling better, now, and so, my take on the Shelton Brother's Wee Beast Scottish Ale!

Head: little or none
Color: Amber/Golden
Taste:

Foretaste: rich texture
Midtaste: smooth
Aftertaste: *here* is when it get pleasantly complicated! Notes of caramel, maybe a little apple (?). Most sweet and mellow, with only the hit of hops on the swallow

Assessment: Recommended, particularly paired with a nice rich dessert, such as a creme brulee, or anything else creamy

Caveat: I coulda *sworn* that I've had glasses of this beer before that had more foam and greater carbonation. Did this one go flat, during the two weeks I've kept it in the fridge, whilst recovering from the flu?

Customer Service! The Idea .... !?

2008-03-14T00:32:12Z

The last entry was, pretty much, a copy of a message which I sent to the people at the Cooper's Home Brewery company -- the ones who make the kit I'm working with.

I have now heard from two people in the corporation, giving me suggestions and advice, not only about my current batch -- but also future batches to make -- emailing me from all the way down in Australia!

Good, old-fashioned, customer service -- I'm pleasantly surprised! They act as if they really *care* that their customers are satisfied!

So: if you are considering taking up home-brewing, you should consider getting a kit from Cooper's -- not only do they conveniently provide all the supplies you need, but also, they are singularly helpful with any problems that may arise.

As for this particular batch: it seems I was panicing needlessly -- the fermenting slows down after the first couple days, but that doesn't mean its stopped. The way to find out if your wort is continuing to ferment is by using a device called a hydrometer, which comes with the kit, and measures the specific gravity of the wort.

I have now bottled my first batch (30 bottles!), and now, only need to wait for optimal potability: One person at Coopers says you can drink it after a week -- another person recommends waiting an entire *month*, for optimal flavor.

Talk about testing my powers for deferring gratification!

However, in the next week or so, I'm thinking of getting the supplies for making either a Porter or a Scottish Ale ... I'd like to get this process going at a steady cycle -- starting a new batch in the vat, as soon as I've bottled the old batch.

And, as I do so, I'm thinking in terms of trying varioius variations on the sugar component, and/or other flavors: honey, molasses, chocolate -- even coffee -- can be used to give additional nuances to the flavor of beer.

I have too experimental and improvisational a temperment *not* to try some of these variants, and, when I do, I'll let you know how they come out!

Next Time: back to reviewing new beer! I'm trying to cultivate the habit of taking notes, when I try a new beer -- so I reckon I should be able to write up a new review every week or so!

Beer Brewing Question

2008-03-08T22:23:04Z

I've just started home-brewing, with a Coopers Kit.

Here's the question:

It looks like the yeast has died.

The water lock was bubbling away quite healthfully -- but then, we had a sudden patch of cold.

My house does not have central heating, nor a thermostat.

Suffice to say, that the beer stopped bubbling a couple days ago -- and when I checked the thermometer, I just realized that the temperature is *just* a little colder than the yeast's range.

Should I scrap this batch ... or is there a way to salvage it?

Belhaven Scottish Ale

2008-03-08T22:17:10Z

I will admit a prejudice here: I prefer my beer malty, instead of hoppy.

Thats part of the reason why this one is now on my short list of beers to get regularly:

Belhaven Scottish Ale

Appearance: amber/brown color. Medium head, which goes down fairly quickly

Nose: Nutty. Reminiscent of Hazelnuts. Slight hoppiness

Flavor:

Full, satisfying mouthfeel.
Smooth finish.
Slightly sweet.
Predominance of malt over hops.
The hops are just even to give a slight, bitter, contrast to the full maltiness.

There are other beers that place higher on my list, for having more complex flavor profiles. Still, it you want a beer that has a satisfying rounded flavor, you can't go wrong with this one.

Verdict: Recommended

See Also:

Belhaven Brewery's website.

Other Opinions: 1 2
Curiously enough, this last one is written by someone who practices my former profession, back in my home city, so I can entirely relate to the context he describes: 3

Final thought: If you are looking primarily for refreshment on a hot day, or an easily gulped quick buzz .... this is not the brew for you! But, in colder weather, when you have the time to appreciate and enjoy -- go for it!

Meantime Coffee Porter

2008-03-07T05:53:24Z

Now, this is more the kind!

Relatively modest head, which goes down quickly, dark color ....

but ...

the taste!

Initial, full, rich mouth -feel.

Then the coffee flavor becomes expressed!

Pleasing and smooth.

Pleasantly aromatic after-taste, with strong overtones of chocolate, maybe a hint of caramel on the swallow.

Subsequent tastes reveal complex mid- and after-taste.

Flavorful, *and* satisfying!

Verdict: Recommended!

That being said, does anyone else know of any coffee-flavored stouts or porters, you would recommend?

Stone Smoked Porter

2008-03-07T05:17:28Z

For my Inaugural post on this blog, I am reviewing Stone Smoked Porter

Yes, its smoky.

Yes, its porter.

But, other than that ...

What have you done for me lately?

Pleasant, full, mouth feel.

Pleasant initial taste.

Smooth after taste.

Tastes rich, as I would expect of Porter.

Taste smoky, as I would expect of smoked porter.

But, what does it offer, other than that?

Nada.

No suprising counter tastes, after tastes, or other significant complexities.

It tastes like a standard porter, which has had smoke blown through it.

Not bad, mind you ... but not outstanding, either.

Verdict: If its this, or most standard American beers -- go for this. At least it has *some* flavor.

That being said: nothing particularly outstanding or memorable.

A good fall-back -- but not something to go out of your way for.

Anyone have a different opinion of this brew -- or, better yet, a better smoked porter to recommend?