Modern Times Black House

Modern Times Black House

Relevant Links:
Beer Page (Modern Times Website)
Black House | Modern Times Beer (BeerAdvocate.com)
Modern Times Black House (RateBeer.com)

20160430:
After drinking the Laguna Beach Session Ale I decided to have this Modern Times Black House. I liked the coffee taste. Furthermore, this beer had nice flavors which lingered. Although I tried to detect other flavors, I could not, as the beer mostly tasted like coffee. 20160501 12:10AM PT

Website Information:

Black House

ALC. BY VOL.: 5.8%
IBU: 40
FINAL GRAVITY: 1.022

HOP VARIETALS: CO2 EXTRACT
MALT VARIETALS: TWO ROW • KILN COFFEE MALT • OATS • PALE CHOCOLATE MALT • BLACK MALT • ROASTED BARLEY • BISCUIT • CRYSTAL 60
COFFEE VARIETALS: 75% ETHIOPIAN • 25% SUMATRAN

Black House is an oatmeal coffee stout bursting with coffee aroma and flavor. Modern Times is one of the only breweries in the world to roast our own coffee, which allows us to be exceptionally picky about which coffees we use and how we roast them. The result is an abundantly flavorful beer that's incredibly complex and aromatic, with loads of roast character and a chocolate-covered espresso bean finish. Black House is also available on Nitro. So creamy.

Laguna Beach Second Reef Session Ale

Laguna Beach Second Reef Session Ale

Relevant Links:
Beer Page (Laguna Beach Beer Company Website)
Second Reef Session Ale | Laguna Beach Beer Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Laguna Beach Second Reef Session Ale (RateBeer.com)

20160430:
This Laguna Beach Second Reef had an orange-yellow color and tasted like a pale ale. It was drinkable and reasonably good. 10:10PM PT

Yeah, it was reasonable, and average. Well, possibly above average. 11:17PM PT

After finishing this beer I had a Modern Times Black House, an oatmeal coffee stout.

Website Information:

Second Reef Session Ale

ABV: 5.4%
IBUs: 15

“Session” is a term used to define an easy to drink beer, usually with a lower ABV and commonly used to describe a beer that is lighter than the style’s norm. Our Second Reef Session Ale is an easy drinkin’ ale indeed. A Session Ale for sure. For those who prefer the crisp taste of a lager without the hoppiness or bitterness of IPAs and Pale Ales, you will love the Second Reef Session Ale. We start with a base of American 2 Row grain and add to it a blend of 3 types of wheat giving you a easy to drink beer that has more body and flavor than your typical lager.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Deschutes The Abyss

Deschutes The Abyss

Relevant Links:
The Abyss (Deschutes Website)
The Abyss | Descutes Brewery (BeerAdvocate.com)
Deschutes The Abyss (RateBeer.com)

20160428: [20160513 Edit]
After trying two samples, I went ahead and got The Abyss (I don't remember if it was one of the two samples or not).

Towards the end of the beer I said the following: "This beer finished strong. And while there were times I could taste the beer's sweetness, it was mostly strong." 10:21PM PT

Later I noted that, like the previous beer (Victory at Sea), this beer kept a nice buzz going. 11:33PM PT

Although there weren't many notes, I vaguely recall enjoying the beer's flavors and would definitely drink it again.

Website Information:
The Abyss

Malt: Pale, Black, Chocolate, Black Barley, Roasted Barley, Wheat
Hops: Millennium, Nugget, Styrian, German Northern Brewer
Other: Blackstrap Molasses, Brewer’s Licorice, Vanilla Beans, Cherry Bark
Barrel Aging: (50%) 12 Months in Bourbon, Oregon Oak, Pinot Noir
Alc.: 12.2%
IBU.: 86
Cal.: 633/22oz

A deep, dark Imperial Stout, The Abyss has almost immeasurable depth and complexity. Hints of molasses, licorice and other alluring flavors make it something not just to quaff, but contemplate.

As for the great “drink it now or let it age” debate, we stand clearly on the fence. Distinct and delicious on release, the flavors meld and fuse into an entirely different pleasure after a year or more in the cellar.

Released 12/17/15.
(Typically released every November: 2006-present)

Ballast Point Victory at Sea

Ballast Point Victory at Sea

Relevant Links:
Limited Beers Page (Ballast Point Website)
Ballast Point Victory at Sea (RateBeer.com)
Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter | Ballast Point Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)

20160428:
While I recall enjoying the beer, I failed to take comprehensive notes. In particular, I forgot to note the beer's smell.

In any case, I did remark that the beer tasted a bit like chocolate milk.

Then, towards the end of the meal, I mentioned that the beer was flavorful, but unfortunately did not pair well with the pork ribs (The Smoking Ribs).

Later, on the way to grab a drink at Eureka, I realized that this single beer had me just a bit tipsy. In other words, it must have had a pretty high alcoholic content, without having tasted high in alcohol.

Actually my friend teased me, he asked how many drinks I already had (I told him just one) and then he said he could smell it (the alcohol).

Website Information:

VICTORY AT SEA
IMPERIAL PORTER WITH COFFEE AND VANILLA

A big porter crafted to weather any storm.

Our Victory at Sea Imperial Porter is a bold, smooth brew with just the right amount of sweetness. We infused this robust porter with vanilla and San Diego’s own Caffe Calabria coffee beans. The subtle roasted notes and minimal acidity of the cold brewed coffee, balances perfectly with the sweet caramel undertones of the malt, creating a winning combination for your palate.

AVAILABILITY
Limited in: 12oz. Bottles, 22oz. Bottles, & Draft
ALC. BY VOL.: 10%
BITTERNESS: 60 IBUs
FOOD PAIRINGS: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken Mole, German Chocolate Cake

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

20160423:
After drinking a bottle of Drake's IPA, I went on to have a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale. Unfortunately, I only noted the following: "This beer has a bright taste, but I'm pretty far in and it's hard to concentrate on tastes." 10:48PM PT

[20160511 Edit]

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20170411:
Today, while at a Korean buffet dinner, I had a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale.*

In any case, it had a lovely floral smell, and it also smelled of hops.

There was an average amount of carbonation, the beer had a moderate taste, and there was a slightly citrus flavor. 9:55PM PT

*At the time, I didn't realize I had already tried it. This has become a common occurrence of late: not remembering that I had already tried a specific brand of beer.

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Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

Relevant Links:
Big Wave Golden Ale (Kona Brewing Company Website)
Big Wave Golden Ale | Kona Brewing Co. (BeerAdvocate.com)
Kona Big Wave Golden Ale (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Big Wave Golden Ale

Light, Balanced & Easy Going
Our brewers wanted to make a beer that went down easy after a day out on the water. Big Wave Golden Ale is just the ticket. Big Wave is a lighter bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavor – a smooth, easy drinking refreshing ale. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer and our special blend of hops provides bright quenching finish.

SUGGESTED FOOD PAIRINGS:
Big Wave is an excellent choice after a day of snorkeling, surfing or just hanging out. Its lighter body and bright hop aroma and taste makes it a natural to enjoy with seafood, poultry, salads and light pasta dishes.

BREW SPECIFICATION:
BITTERNESS: 21 IBU
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 4.4%
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 10.3° P
MALTS: PALE (PREMIUM 2-ROW), CARAMEL
HOPS: GALAXY, CITRA

AWARDS:
2016 SILVER MEDAL: BLONDE ALE CATEGORY, Best of Craft Beer Awards
2016 SILVER MEDAL: BLONDE/GOLDEN ALE CATEGORY, International Craft Awards Competition
2016 GOLD MEDAL: LIGHT ALE CATEGORY, North American Beer Awards
2015 GOLD MEDAL: LIGHT/GOLDEN ALE CATEGORY, Great International Beer Competition
2014 GOLD MEDAL, LIGHT ALE CATEGORY, North American Brewers Association
2013 GOLD MEDAL, SESSION ALE, 2013 US Open Beer Championships
2013 FIRST PLACE MEDAL, Great International Beer and Cider Competition
2013 GOLD MEDAL, SMALLPACK ALE CLASS 1 CATEGORY, International Brewing Awards
2011 BRONZE MEDAL: BLONDE/GOLDEN ALE CATEGORY, North American Beer Awards
2007 BEST OF THE NORTHWEST/PACIFIC: GOLDEN ALE CATEGORY, United States Beer Tasting Championships
2001 BEST OF THE NORTHWEST/PACIFIC: GOLDEN ALE CATEGORY, United States Beer Tasting Championships

Drake's IPA

Drake's IPA

Relevant Links:
Drake's IPA | Drake's Brewing Co. (BeerAdvocate.com)
Drakes IPA (RateBeer.com)

20160423: [20160510 Edit]
After having between 1 and 2 cans of Bud from Slap Cup and Beer Ball, I began working on a Drake's IPA. Unfortunately, all I noted about the beer was a single word: bitterness.

Website Information:
DRAKE’S IPA – INDIA PALE ALE

Drake’s original West Coast style India Pale is copper colored from additions of high quality Munich and crystal malts, which balance the stern bitterness and aggressive dank and citrusy hop flavors. Aromas of pine needles and grapefruit waft from the glass from the large dry hop additions of classic Yakima Valley hops Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial. The finish is clean and dry with a lingering hop bite. Drink Fresh. Available Year Round.

THE DRAKE’S IPA STORY:

In 1991, Drake’s put its first IPA into the tanks for the ever-growing number of craft beer fans yearning for hops. Originally more of an English-American hybrid IPA, over time Drake’s brewers kept the high quality specialty malts but moved toward a more West Coast approach. They ultimately created the balanced, dry IPA brimming with piney and citrus aromas from classic Yakima Valley “C” hops (think Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Columbus) that continues to win over hop fans with every pint.

FACTS

Malt: American 2-Row Barley, Weyermann Munich 1, Patagonia Crystal 55
Hops: Bittering – Warrior; Whirlpool – Centennial & Chinook
Dry-hop: Cascade, Centennial, & Chinook
Yeast: White Labs 001
Original Gravity: 15.4 degrees Plato
Alc/Vol: 7%
IBUs: 65

AWARDS

Peoples Choice Award at Bistro IPA Fest 2004
Gold 2004 Bistro IPA Festival
Bronze 2004 World Beer Cup
Gold 2003 California State Fair
Silver 2003 Bistro IPA Festival
Gold 2002 Great American Beer Festival
Bronze 2000 Bistro IPA Festival

Ballast Point Longfin Lager

Ballast Point Longfin Lager

Relevant Links:
Longfin (Ballast Point Website)
Longfin Lager | Ballast Point Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Ballast Point Longfin Lager (RateBeer.com)

20160422:
Since there was a reasonable selection of beers available here at Blue Barn Gourmet, I decided to try one of the many offerings. Looking to make a quick decision, I choose the Ballast Point Longfin. Unfortunately, lagers are among my least favored type of beer.*

In any case, it smelled a bit like apple cider and that's about all I noticed as all my attention suddenly turned to the delicious tuna sandwich that arrived.

Upon finishing the beer I noted it ended alright and that I was under the impression it had more of a taste than a Budweiser. However, I don't usually drink lagers and remained skeptical of my observation.

*Technically it is a Helles, a specific type of Lager.

Website Information:

LONGFIN LAGER

A classic German-style beer, brewed in San Diego.
Our Longfin Lager has become one of the go-to beers with the team at the brewery. A solidly balanced Helles that finishes clean with a hint of hops, it would easily fit in at any German beer garden. But we think it’s perfect for enjoying on the beach, the boat or anywhere else you can put an ice chest full of beer.

AVAILABILITY: Year-round in 12oz. Bottles, 12oz. Cans, & Draft
ALC. BY VOL.: 4.5%
BITTERNESS: 18 IBUs
FOOD PAIRINGS: Tempura Fried Avocado; Pizza with Red Sauce; Soft Pretzel

2014 Domaine de Pouy Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

20160420:
For whatever reason, I decided not to have any of the beers on the menu and instead order a glass of wine to accompany my meal at Aquitaine.

When I asked the waiter about the wine he said it was like a mix between a sauvignon blanc and a chardonnay. Elaborating, he said it had the dryness of the white and the body of the chardonnay (or possibly the other way around).* He also noted the mineral content and (perhaps jokingly) noted that the mineral content would help one drink more.

In any case, when the wine arrived, the server poured the wine from a cup into my cup. My best guess was that this helped aerate the wine - though I never knew that white wines needed aerating.**

The wine had a sweet smell and, in general, other smells which I found typical of a white wine. It was also easy on the tongue with a sour punch. Actually, the end of every sip seemed to have a grape flavor.

Later, with the spiciness of the deviled eggs in my mouth, the wine didn't quite pack the same punch at the end of every sip. Overall, the end was a bit more subtle. 7:57PM PT

After getting through half of the wine and half of the meal, I no longer sensed the punch at the end of every sip. In other words, I could only taste the first half: the spice portion. 8:06PM PT

*Apparently the dryness depends on many factors outside of the variety alone.
**One article said that most reds but only some whites benefit from aerating.

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2014 Domaine de Pouy Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne

Relevant Links:
2014 Domaine de Pouy Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne (CellarTracker.com)

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Label Description:

Domaine De Pouy

A "beat the heat" white that makes me long for the beach. A blend of 60% Ugni Blanc (called Trebbiano in Italy) and 40% Colombard. Super clean and refreshing. Lots of steely crispness with a zesty lemon/lime/grapefruity freshness. Brisk and penetrating fruit flavors of tart granny smith apple, lemon/lime/citrus notes, and a stony, pellegrino-like minerality.

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Website Description:

Domaine de Pouy
Ugni Blanc-Colombard

ESTATE: Domaine de Pouy
WINE COLOR: White
GRAPES: 60% Ugni Blanc 40% Colombard
APPELLATION: IGP Côtes de Gascogne
REGION: Southwest
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: France

--SUMMARY
Domaine de Pouy is located in the foothills of Pyrénées, near the appellations of Madiran and Jurançon, about two hours southwest of Bordeaux. The cold fermentation of Ugni Blanc from the Bas-Armagnac region captures vibrant aromatics and guards freshness. The wine has a penetrating floral green apple fragrance, and is loaded with refreshingly crisp and flavorful fruit.

--VITICULTURAL INFORMATION
TYPE OF SOIL: Clay-limestone soils and boulbene topsoil with ochre-colored sand known as sables fauves.
LOCATION: Gascony

--VINIFICATION INFORMATION
VINIFICATION: To prevent oxidation, grapes are taken directly from the vines to the vats in isothermal tanks protected by a layer of inert gas. Grapes are then poured into one of eight 50-ton pneumatic temperature controlled presses, followed by skin contact maceration at 15°C / 59°F for 8 to 12 hours before being gently pressed. Stainless steel fermented. The must is then transferred to underground cold storage vats and kept at 5°C / 41°F for three to five days. Dry ice and refrigerated vats are used to slow fermentation and storage at –4°C year round ensures freshness. Bottled to order.

--GREEN INFORMATION
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: Use of organic manure and a reduction in the use of sulfites. The estate also features a water treatment facility. Additionally, the Domaine uses partially de-mineralized water with a lowered pH level to dilute active ingredients. The results are enlightening; pesticide treatments have been cut by 40%. Furthermore, all glass bottles, aluminum caps, paper labels and cardboard packaging are 100% recyclable. Wines are suitable for vegetarians.

--MISCELLANEOUS
FOOD PAIRING: Fish or seafood dishes.
TASTING NOTES: This is smooth and fresh, its yellow apple flavors edged with grape skin spice.

Mikkeller Mexas Ranger

Mikkeller Mexas Ranger

Relevant Links:
Mexas Ranger (Mikkeller Website)
Mexas Ranger | Mikkeller ApS (BeerAdvocate.com)
Mikkeller Mexas Ranger (RateBeer.com)

20160417: [20160430]
After the Jolly Pumpkin Biere de Mars, here at Mikkeller Bar in San Francisco, I decided to have the Mikkeller Mexas Ranger. It had a thick head and a pitch black color.

Upon smelling the beer, I got the usual stout notes out of it and maybe detected a bit of the chili. I don't know, however, if I would have detected the chili from a blind taste test, but it certainly smelled different from a typical beer. Furthemore, it smelled more like the chili stouts I've had than the standard stouts I've had.

Next I rinsed my pallet with water (served upon request, automatically comes with no ice) and proceeded to taste the beer. Despite all the mentioned ingredients, the beer mostly tasted like a chili stout. There were some other tastes, but I had trouble choosing words to describe them. Aside from malty, I settled with noting it had a strange taste and that overall I did not like it.

While not terrible, the taste does fall below average. Perhaps this beer took too many chances with all the various flavors it incorporated. 6:01PM PT

Website Description:
Mexas Ranger

Ale brewed with spices, almond milk, cocoa, chili, black beans & avocado leaves.

– Spicy Porter
– Brewed at D’Proef in Belgium
– 330 ml
– ABV: 6,6%

Menu Description:
Mexas Ranger Stout w/ Almond Milk, Coca, Chili, Black Beans & Avocado Leaves | 9. | 6.6% | 25cl

Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars

20160417:
After looking through the list of beers available at Mikkeller Bar, I decided to have the Jolly Pumpkin Biere de Mars.

The beer had a cloudy orange color. It also had a sour smell and reminded me of a winter or pumpkin* beer which is full of spices such as nutmeg.

At one point I thought I might have had this beer before, but I was unable to find any record of it. Perhaps I merely recognized the brewery name: Jolly Pumpkin. In any case, the beer tasted great. 5:23PM PT

Without knowing how a biere de mars is suppose to smell or taste, I pinpointed those of this beer as those of a sour-tasting pumpkin* ale. 5:29PM PT

Overall, the beer's taste matched its (sour) smell. While it initially reminded me of lambic, it later reminded me of certain pumpkin* ales.

After this beer I had the Mikkeller Mexas Ranger.

*Perhaps the brewery name led me to believe there was a pumpkin flavor when there was none.

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Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars

Relevant Links:
Bière de Mars | Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (BeerAdvocate.com)
Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars (RateBeer.com)

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Internet Description:

Jolly Pumpkin Bière de Mars

A sustaining beer that is brewed to comfort in the gusty ides of March and welcome in a wealth of warmer weather.

ABV: 7.0%

Sierra Nevada / Firestone Walker Torpedo Pilsner

Sierra Nevada / Firestone Walker Torpedo Pilsner

Relevant Links:
Sierra Nevada / Firestone Walker Beer Camp Torpedo Pilsner (RateBeer.com)
Torpedo Pilsner: Hoppy Pilsner (Beer Camp Across America) | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (BeerAdvocate.com)

20160417:
Part of Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp 2014 Variety Pack, this beer is over a year old.*

Opening the bottle and pouring it into a glass, I noted it had a yellow color.

From the glass, it tasted slightly hoppy. From the bottle, it had a reasonable amount of carbonation.

In the morning, about half remained but all the carbonation was gone and it simply tasted disgusting - imagine flat soda but worse. As a rough analogy, flat soda is to sugar and water (gross) as flat beer is to bitters and water (gross). 9:07AM PT

*There are several others in the pack which I've yet to drink. Originally intending to finish them soon after buying them, I instead focused on my health and had reduced my intake of beer (except for beer I attempted to minimize my intake of sugar and carbohydrates).

Website Information:
TORPEDO PILSNER: HOPPY PILSNER

Brewed in collaboration with Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Torpedo Pilsner is a hopforward take on the crisp classic lager. We and the folks at Firestone Walker share a passion for New Zealand hop varietals, so we loaded our legendary Hop Torpedo with southern hemisphere hops for a fruity, floral twist on the pilsner style.

Just down the road from us in California’s Central Coast wine country, this rock star brewery has earned “Midsize Brewery of the Year” at the World Beer Cup four times. Like us, Firestone is passionate about hops. Their skill with the ingredient shines in their Pale Series and elsewhere in a long beer lineup driven by a premier brewing team.

ABV: 5.2
Beginning Gravity: 12.0
Ending Gravitry: 1.8
Bitterness Units: 45
Yeast: Lager
Bitter Hops: Southern Cross, Pacifica
FInishing Hops: Motueka, Southern Cross
Malts: Pilsner, Acidulated

Torpedo Pilsner ditches the traditional German “noble” hops and heads south of the equator for inspiration. With a traditional golden malt body, this “kiwi” pils features intense fruity and floral New Zealandgrown Motueka and Southern Cross hops, making this an alternate and delicious take on the classic pilsner.

Lagunitas Aunt Sally

Lagunitas Aunt Sally

Relevant Links:
Aunt Sally (Lagunitas Website)
Aunt Sally | Lagunitas Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Lagunitas Aunt Sally (RateBeer.com)

20160415: [20160425 Edit]
After finishing my meal at Hops & Hominy, I wanted another beer and chose the Lagunitas Aunty Sally.

I was surprised when the beer arrived and I gave it a whiff, because I remembered ordering a sour, but I was definitely picking up on some grassy notes. As it turns out, plainly written in the beer's description, that the beer was a "dry hopped sour ale."

The beer continued to be surprising as I wasn't able to smell the sourness, but mostly tasted the sour notes with grassy flavors coming in second. With that being said, it's possible the sourness packs more of a punch due to the contrast between the grassy and sour flavors.

In an attempt to be descriptive, the sourness starts off easy, but then winds up and gives a little kick! Wow!

I don't remember having had a beer like this one before.

About halfway through, the sourness begins to ease down a bit.

Compared to the Dogfish Head Romantic Chemistry, the Aunt Sally has less carbonation, but more interesting and possibly more enjoyable.

Towards the end, the sourness and bitterness began blending together: there was no separation to the sensation.

Finally, the last sip still tasted sour, but lacked a kick and barely had a hoppy presence.

Overall, this beer would have to be in the running for one of the best beers I've ever had. 8:21PM PT

Website Information:
Aunt Sally

A Unique Dry-Hopped Sweet Tart Sour Mash Ale

We soured the wort on the Hot Side with Lactobacillus for a few days and then brewed up this smooth and hoppy sour. It tastes like a big bowl of fruity candy or some chewable flavored vitamins, but what's the difference? It's sweet, tart, and sassy, just like the tasty cherry pie that your favorite aunt makes. For all the Aunt Sally's out there, You know who you are...

ABV 5.7
O.G. 1.058
IBU 33
Availability unLimited Release
Introduced 3/2016
Sold As 12oz. 6PK and On Tap

You remember it like it was yesterday. The beer flowed like music. The music was all that mattered. What mattered most was that nothing else mattered at all and the world outside fell away as a dream disappears upon waking, ephemeral and vaporous. You cradled her in your hand, lips trembling, her citrus suchness a swarm of expectation in your mind, her carbonate beauty as satisfying as it was overwhelming. You were new to this dance but she was not. Taking her in completely she seized your senses and you were consumed by the luminous passion, her residual sweetness, and the tart earthiness of her grin... This brew is dedicated to the real Aunt Sally. You know who you are. And you know why.

Dogfish Head Romantic Chemistry

Dogfish Head Romantic Chemistry

Relevant Links:
Romantic Chemistry (Dogfish Head Website)
Romantic Chemistry | Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (BeerAdvocate.com)
Dogfish Head Romantic Chemistry (RateBeer.com)

20160415: [20160424 Edit]
My primary interest with coming to Hops & Homily was for the beer. Unfortunately, I had already tried the porters and stouts on draft (The Czar and Black Butte Porter), so I decided to try the Dogfish Head Romantic Chemistry.

The beer had a dark red or orange color and a sweet, hoppy smell. There's a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste, but not on the sip.* Furthermore, it had a grassy taste, but softer and/or more subtle than the average IPA. Overall, it did not taste harsh and tasted good. 7:33PM PT

I later noted it had a good amount of carbonation, but not excessive. It's possible the carbonation helped keep the beer from tasting too strong, because the beer's strength towards the final sips was more apparent (the least amount of carbonation).

Although not extremely hoppy, the beer tasted great, and would possibly be a good entry-level IPA for those not yet acclimated to hoppier beers.** 7:56PM PT

Then again, the next beer I had - a Lagunitas Aunt Sally - would be a smaller, possibly better stepping stone towards hoppier beers.

*While writing this post, I suddenly thought this might be due to the tongue sensing various tastes in different regions, but then I remembered that such a notion was false. It makes one wonder what else we learned as children that is actually wrong.
**To my point, it's even classified as a fruit beer on RateBeer.com.

Out of focus, but an idea of the final lacing.

Website Description:
Romantic Chemistry

Our brand new IPA brewed with mango, apricots, & ginger!

ABV: 7.2
IBU: 40
Availability: Seasonal
Original Release Date: 02/2016

Dogfish Head has been brewing off-centered ales for off-centered people since 1995, with inspiration from every facet of life - the spice cabinet, music, even art.

What you have here is a serious India Pale Ale shacking up and hunkering down with mango and apricots. At the same time! Romantic Chemistry is brewed with an intermingling of mangos, apricots and ginger, and then dry-hopped with three varieties of hops to deliver a tropical fruit aroma and a hop-forward finish.

It’s fruity, it’s hoppy, it’s tasty!

With artwork from our 2016 seasonal artist, Drew Millward, Romantic Chemistry features vibrant, abstract illustrations of each key ingredient.

Harmonic Kölsch

20160413:
After finishing my meal at Show Dogs, I decided to get a half pint of beer. Of the options I could discern, I decided to just go with the leftmost beer - the one by Harmonic Brewing.

Harmonic Kolsch

Whatever a Kolsch entails, the beer was a transparent, light yellow and had a wheat and/or pale ale smell. Taking some extra sniffs, I instead discerned a lemon or, more generally, citrus scent.

In any case, it had a strong taste with a light amount of carbonation and left little to no lacing.

Although the beer was enjoyable as I drank it, when I was done it left a slightly bitter aftertaste. 7:39PM PT

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Harmonic Kölsch

Harmonic Kolsch

Relevant Links:
Harmonic Kolsch (RateBeer.com)
Harmonic Kölsch - Harmonic Brewing (Untappd.com)

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Website Information:
HARMONIC KÖLSCH / 5.5% ABV
Soft grain – subtle & clean