Beerattitude

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Innis & Gunn Rum Cask

The Innis & Gunn story begins here.....

.... and now on to their Rum Cask

The first thing you'll note about the beer is its packaging. Defying popular opinion that the brown bottle is the best shade of bottle for beer, Innis & Gunn has chosen what most of us have come to know as the worst bottle color, clear. And why you may ask? It's because Innis & Gunn feel that their beers color is an integral part of the packaging. Rum Cask pours a deep mahogany / red with a bone color head. This beer is aromatic with notes of sweet dried fruit, rum and spice. A low carbonation level allows the malty smooth mouth feel to transition all the wonderful flavors this rum cask ale has absorbed. So tasty in fact that you'll forget you're drinking a beer, rather more akin to a fine mellowed spirit. You know this beer was aged in rum casks. I thoroughly enjoyed Innis & Gunn's Rum Cask and hope that each of you'll give it a Cheers!

For more information on the Innis & Gunn's fine line of barrel aged beers visit: Innis & Gunn

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Widmer Bros. Brewing Nelson Imperial IPA

Today's selection showcases a very unique hop from New Zealand, the Nelson Sauvin. This hop's beauty comes from its ability to impart the flavors of a fine white wine without the traditional bitterness of a high end super hop. The Nelson Sauvin birth certificate reads as such, courtesy of New Zealand Hops Limited.

Breeding:

A triploid variety bred from New Zealand variety “Smoothcone” and a selected New Zealand male. Developed at New Zealand HortResearch and released in 2000. The essential oil profile displays “fresh crushed gooseberries” a descriptor often used for the grape variety Sauvignon Blanc, giving rise to this variety’s name.

Selection:

Described during selection as “breathtaking” Nelson Sauvin has the unique ability to impart a distinctive cool climate white wine “fruitiness”. The complexity of the oils profile has seen selectors stretched looking for descriptors to document this unique new world variety.

Brewer’s notes:

A hop that requires judicious application in the brew house, this truly unique dual-purpose variety can be used to produce big punchy Ales as well as subtle yet bitter Lagers. The fruitiness may be a little overpowering for the un-initiated, however those with a penchant for bold hop character will find several applications for this true brewer's hop.
“Quintessentially New Zealand”

Grower comments:

Maturity		Mid to late season
Yield		Moderate
Growth Habit		Late shooting, vigorous spring growth, clavate frame
Cone Structure		Compact cone, ovate shape
Disease Resistance		New Zealand is hop disease free
Storage Stability		Good

With that out of the way let's get on to the tasting notes. Nelson Imperial IPA pours a rich golden orange color, with the usual off-white head. The beer's orange radiance transfers into the 2 to 3 finger light fluffy head which takes on a light orange hue. It's aroma is sweet and full of citrus. I did detect solid grapefruit notes but without the bitterness. As the head began to dissipate, warm musty aromatics emerged. Nelson's flavor is a blend of smooth malt and big hop punch. What I found most appealing was the non-lingering bitterness on my palate. There was a slight hint of spiciness, but again not lingering. Widmer Brother's offering is brewed with 2-Row Pale, Carapils, Caramel 10-L and Alchemy, Nelson Sauvin, Cascade, Willamette hops. At 8.6% A.B.V. and 70 I.B.U.'s "Commodore" Nelson is quite sessionable. But don't let that fool ya, it still carries the "Imperial" moniker. As you can tell I really liked this beer. It's available year round so ask for it by name, Widmer Brothers Nelson Imperial IPA. Cheers!

For more info visit: Nelson Imperial IPA

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Full Sail Brewing Series LTD #4

Full Sail Brewing releases a series of limited edition beers under the moniker of "Seasonal Brews". They're branded as "LTD" then given a recipe number. I was fortunate to find #4 in the series which peaked my interest because it's a Single Hop, Single Malt Lager. Normally this combination is reserved for Ales. But because the series is dedicated to the vision of the brewer, the rule book's tossed in the proverbial "drink". # 4 Is a brilliantly executed blend of Willamette hop and Pale malt. The beer pours a rich golden color with a fluffy white head. It's has a green appley aroma with an ever so slight grassy influence. The flavor was quite unique in that none of the elements are overpowering. There's a mild hop flavor with hints of spice and bitterness. The malt character has some sweetness, but is not overwhelming. The mouth feel is dry and very evident in the beers finish. There's no long lingering bitterness. For a 7% ABV American Pale Lager Full Sail's LTD #4 is very drinkable at a modest 45 IBU's. I hesitate to add it to my "sessionable" list, but I would have no problem drinking quite a few of these all year round. I can also see it being a very versatile beer, paring well with B.B.Q, Poultry and maybe a Grilled Fish dish. Released Jan- March I would say if you can still stumble upon it give it a try. Cheers!

For more info visit: Full Sail Brewing

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Lagunitas Updates on Chicago via Twitter

Twitter appears to be the best place to find all the Lagunitas scoops on their Chicago expansion. Their latest posts read like this....

" ‏ @lagunitasT: Winging east now for a wk of meetings in Chi. Makin new friends from the highest office n the state all the way to Douglas Park! High times."

" ‏ @lagunitasT: Gonna try to open the taproom ASAP so y'all can watch the brewery be built in slo-mo all around you while enjoying a tasty adult beverage..."