Category Archives: 2 – Maybe (likely wouldn’t buy, might drink)

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), American Double IPA, Beer Reviews, Deschutes Brewery, USA

Deschutes Sagefight Imperial IPA

Wednesday, 30 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 8%
Style: American Double IPA
Other Notes: 75 IBUs. Malts – Pale, Crystal and Munich. Hops – Millennium, Bravo, Amarillo and Centennial. Other – Sage and Juniper Berries

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Citrusy hops go head to head with resinous sage and juniper berries in a flavour battle royale.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.03
My ratebeer.com rating: 2.9

Intro: A 355ml bottle with a best before date of 20th January 2017, poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a clear copper amber colour with a two finger foamy off white head that had good retention and left nice lacing.
Aroma: Strong herbal sage, pine, orange zest and blueberries with a touch of juniper berry.
Taste: Bitter, medicinal, sage and pine upfront with a juniper, wood and herbal finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: I like cooking with sage and juniper berries, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me in the few beers I’ve had including this one.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), Beer Reviews, Belgium, Brouwerij van Hoegaarden, Fruit Beer

Hoegaarden Rosée

Tuesday, 15 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Brouwerij van Hoegaarden
Country: Belgium
ABV: 3%
Style: Fruit Beer

Brewer Description: (from website) The story of the jam jars gave us an idea. Hoegaarden Rosée. It might be pink but it is very much a wheat beer. It also features the soft taste and subtle colour of raspberries. And while it doesn’t feature a higher alcohol percentage, it does mean you can enjoy it even more in the sun.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 2.73
My ratebeer.com rating: 2.5

Intro: A 250ml bottle with a best before date of 4th May 2017, poured into a Moonzen teku glass.
Appearance: It poured a cloudy reddish pinkish orange colour with a two finger off white head that dissipated quickly and left some lacing.
Aroma: Sweet candy raspberry and strawberry with perhaps a touch of grape juice.
Taste: Sweet candied raspberries followed by apple juice. The finish is somewhat watered down such that any taste becomes really weak.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: I’m actually fine with the artificial candy berry flavours, but that taste on the finish of being watered down is what disappoints me most.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), American Pale Wheat Ale, Beer Reviews, Goose Island Beer Co., USA

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale

Wednesday, 9 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 4.2%
Style: American Pale Wheat Ale
Other Notes: 18 IBUs, unfiltered

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Hazy straw color, light lemon aroma.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 2.8
My ratebeer.com rating: 2.7

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with a best before date of 26th July 2017, poured into a Spiegelau American wheat beer glass.
Appearance: It poured a hazy golden straw yellow colour with a one finger white head that dissipated quite quickly and left pretty much no lacing.
Aroma: Sweet malt, grainy, cereal and a touch of lemon.
Taste: Bready, light sweet apple, corn, grain and lemon.
Mouthfeel: Crisp, light bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: I understand when people say that it’s a refreshing summer beer, but even so, there’s nothing interesting in its aroma or taste. Unfortunately, this one is not for me.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), Austria, Beer Reviews, Belgian Quadrupel, Stift Engelszell

Stift Engelszell Gregorius Trappistenbier

Friday, 4 November 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Stift Engelszell
Country: Austria
ABV: 9.7% (1st batch)
Style: Belgian Quadrupel
Other Notes: Honey added

Brewer Description: (from website) Gregorius present itself in a deep dark chestnut color. Notes of chestnut, cashew and honey with sour plum and herbal qualities around the nose. Flavors of chestnut, honeycomb, licorice, mocha, cocoa, raisin, sour cherry, and eucalyptus all contribute to the deep and rich palate. The vinous character of the French-Alsacian wine yeast creates stunning sweet – sour notes on the palate. A touch of vanilla appears late with perhaps a bit of oregano, begging for more exploration. Finish is long, slightly tart and dry.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.44
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.2

Intro: A 330ml bottle with a best before date of 4th December 2016, poured into a Chimay goblet glass.
Appearance: It poured a cloudy dark brown colour with a one finger tanned head that dissipated quickly but settled to a thin creamy layer with sparse lacing.
Aroma: Roasty chocolate, caramel followed by strong dark fruit, plum, prunes, raisin, figs and fruit cake.
Taste: Sweet dark fruit plum, prunes, raisin and fig. Syrupy toffee, caramel and molasses. Also a hint of banana, mocha and alcohol. Lightly sour here and there.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, full bodied with moderate carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: It’s ok, but mainly too sweet and boozy for my liking.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), Beer Reviews, Epic Brewing Company, Farmhouse Saison, USA

Epic Utah Sage Saison

Thursday, 20 October 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Epic Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 7.6%
Style: Belgian Saison
Other Notes: Malts – Pilsner Malt, Maris Otter, 2-Row Brewers Malt, Rye Malt, Wheat Malt and Barley Flakes. Hops – Centennial, Citra and Calypso. Others – Fresh Sage, Thyme and Rosemary

Brewer Description: (from website) Three out of the four ingredients in Simon and Garfunkel’s third album make this Belgian-style farmhouse ale a perfect golden beverage with festive herbal notes.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.57
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.3

Intro: A 22 fl. oz. bottle, Release #26, brewed on 11th March 2015 and packaged on 6th April 2015. Poured into a d’Achouffe tulip glass.
Appearance: It poured a bright but hazy golden orange colour with a just under two finger white head that dissipates slowly and leaves lots of nice lacing.
Aroma: Sweet orange citrus with touches of tropical apricot, lemon, orange marmalade and a herbal character (although I’m not sure if its sage, maybe thyme).
Taste: Orange honey sweetness, sage, pepper spice, almond biscuit and a bouquet of herbs.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with high carbonation and a dry finish.
Overall: It’s quite different to any other beer let alone Saison that I’ve tried. It’s perhaps a touch to sweet for me, but the biscuity, almondy, herbally finish is interesting.

words of another dreamy traveller