Autumn Maple by The Bruery

Autumn Maple by The Bruery

The Autumn Maple, by the Bruery, just might be the perfect beer to have with your Thanksgiving dinner.

The Autumn Maple is an unfiltered, bottle-conditioned, Belgian-style brown ale brewed with yams, molasses, maple syrup, and spices. The orange and brown label has maple leafs in the background, only fitting for a fall seasonal.

This mahogany colored ale pours with a large, light tan colored head. There are aromas of brown sugar and spices. Never having a beer brewed with yams, I certainly had some doubts on how this seasonal would taste.

Fortunately, this beer’s flavoring blew me away. There is not one flavor that overpowers the next. There is a perfect balance of brown sugar, syrup, and cinnamon with a subtle touch of yam. When thinking of ingredients to brew with beer, yams aren’t the first thing to come to mind. Good thing the folks at the Bruery like to think outside the box.

This maple flavored brew is medium bodied with mild carbonation. For having 10% ABV, it is surprisingly drinkable. The alcohol that is present provides a nice warming affect, perfect for a cold autumn night.

This seasonal by The Bruery is a deliciously unique brew. The label states, “We don’t need pumpkins in our beer!” I guess they’re right. When you got yams, who gives a damn about pumpkins?

Brewery website: http://www.thebruery.com/

Read Full Post »

Kerstmutske Christmas Nightcap by Brouwerij Slaapmutske

Kerstmutske Christmas Nightcap by Brouwerij Slaapmutske

The Nightcap’s label has a picture of a smiling, sleeping moon who looks very content.

This 7.4% ABV Belgian seasonal comes in a corked, 750 ml bottle.

The Nightcap is a mahogany color with hues of purple. It pours with a light beige colored head that leaves behind beautiful lacing.

It has aromas of dark fruits (berries and plums) and caramel with spicy (possibly nutmeg and cinnamon) undertones. The aromas of this beer are very strong and inviting.

The flavors are not as robust as the aromas, which I found a tad disappointing. The berry, plum, caramel and spice flavors are all well balanced but a little on the light side. If the flavors were more pronounced, this beer would be an absolute marvel.

The drinkability and the mouthfeel more than make up for the light flavors. This creamy, medium bodied brew, is a joy to drink. When trying to think of a way to describe the drinkability, smooth jazz comes to mind.

Overall, I am pleased with the Kerstmutske Christmas Nightcap. Like the moon on the label, I too am smiling after finishing this seasonal Belgian brew.

Brewery website: http://www.slaapmutske.be/

Read Full Post »

Feast of Fools Variety Pack from Magic Hat

Feast of Fools Variety Pack from Magic Hat

The Feast of Fools variety 12-pack comes with three bottles each of four different ales, the #9, Lucky Kat, Winter Odd Notion 09, and the Howl (click each beer for my full review).

The variety of beers in this sampler pack is impressive. The Howl and the #9 are about as far apart on the flavor spectrum as you can get. The Howl is a black-as-night winter seasonal with pungent coffee, chocolate, and smoke flavors. The #9, on the other hand, has an incredibly strong apricot flavor.

At $14 for the 12-pack, I think the Feast of Fools is a good deal for anyone who is a fan of Magic Hat. If you aren’t a fan of the #9 or Lucky Kat, I would recommend picking up a 6-pack of Howl this holiday season. In my opinion, it is by far the best of the bunch.

Read Full Post »

Magic Hat's #9

Magic Hat's #9

The Magic Hat #9, according to the brewer, is not quite a pale ale. I will agree with them. From the psychedelic swirling orange label, to the super strong apricot flavor, this is not your typical pale ale.

The first time I had a #9 I thought it was the greatest beer ever. I was in college, and to be honest, it was probably the best beer I had up to that point. I was like most college students, I preferred quantity over quality. You can’t really play (or afford to play) beer pong with an artisan beer like a St. Bernardus Abt 12.

The #9 is a light, translucent amber color that pours with a thick, fluffy white head. After the head dissipates, it leaves behind pretty nice lacing.

The #9 smells so sweet and fruity that it reminds me of apricot flavored gummy bears. Like the smell, the #9 tastes extremely sweet with flavors of apricot and peach. These flavors, especially the strength of them, will not be for everyone. If you do enjoy these characteristics, you may find this beer very enjoyable.

The #9 is different, and sometimes different is good. My flavor preferences have definitely changed since the first time I tried this interesting ale. I would no longer claim that it is the greatest beer of all time. The thing that I like about Magic Hat is that they try to be different. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

If you enjoy strong fruit (and more specifically, apricot) flavors and aromas in your alcoholic beverages, you need to try this not so pale ale.

Brewery website: http://www.magichat.net/

Read Full Post »

Magic Hat’s #9

Magic Hat's #9

The Magic Hat #9, according to the brewer, is not quite a pale ale. I will agree with them. From the psychedelic swirling orange label, to the super strong apricot flavor, this is not your typical pale ale.

The first time I had a #9 I thought it was the greatest beer ever. I was in college, and to be honest, it was probably the best beer I had up to that point. I was like most college students, I preferred quantity over quality. You can’t really play (or afford to play) beer pong with an artisan beer like a St. Bernardus Abt 12.

The #9 is a light, translucent amber color that pours with a thick, fluffy white head. After the head dissipates, it leaves behind pretty nice lacing.

The #9 smells so sweet and fruity that it reminds me of apricot flavored gummy bears. Like the smell, the #9 tastes extremely sweet with flavors of apricot and peach. These flavors, especially the strength of them, will not be for everyone. If you do enjoy these characteristics, you may find this beer very enjoyable.

The #9 is different, and sometimes different is good. My flavor preferences have definitely changed since the first time I tried this interesting ale. I would no longer claim that it is the greatest beer of all time. The thing that I like about Magic Hat is that they try to be different. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

If you enjoy strong fruit (and more specifically, apricot) flavors and aromas in your alcoholic beverages, you need to try this not so pale ale.

Brewery website: http://www.magichat.net/

Read Full Post »

Lucky Kat by Magic Hat

Lucky Kat by Magic Hat

Lucky Kat’s label has a picture of a huge pink cat that looks “up to no good.” I immediately thought of the cat from Alice and Wonderland. I was curious to find out whether this brew was a tamed house cat, or a bad street kitty. I was certainly hoping for the latter.

The Lucky Kat is a 5.8% ABV Pale Ale. It is amber in color and pours with a large, light tan head. The head quickly dissipates but leaves behind some nice lacing.

It has a hoppy aroma with undertones of citrusy fruits and sour apples. The taste is pretty straight forward, a little hoppy with tart and bitter fruit flavors.

This isn’t a very complex IPA, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In my opinion, this is more of a session beer. It is very easy to drink and goes down smooth.

The Lucky Kat isn’t quite the evil street cat that I was hoping for, but a pretty good beer none the less.

Brewery website: http://www.magichat.net/

Read Full Post »

The Odd Notion Winter by Magic Hat

The Odd Notion Winter by Magic Hat

According to the label, “Magic Hat’s Odd Notions are a series of exceptional (and mostly odd), limited quantity, specialty craft releases.” I was intrigued by this bold statement and was looking forward to finding out which adjective best described this brew, odd or exceptional.

The label has a picture of a candy-cane colored tower with falling snow and a sleigh in the background. A pretty odd label, if you ask me.

The Odd Notion Winter is brown in color with orange hues around the edges of the glass. It pours with a massive tan head and has strong apricot, orange, and floral aromas.

The Odd Notion has a sour citrus flavor with hints of honey and bready malts that help balance the flavoring. At only 4.5% ABV, this is a very drinkable beer that won’t end your evening after having a couple.

I was expecting a much different beer when I first held the bottle in my hand, which isn’t a bad thing. When I hear winter seasonal, I picture a darker, thicker beer, like Magic Hat’s Howl.

I think the adjective odd does an accurate job of describing this winter seasonal. There was certainly something different about this brew, but then again, maybe that’s what Magic Hat intended.

Brewery website: http://www.magichat.net/

Read Full Post »

Howl Winter Seasonal by Magic Hat

Howl Winter Seasonal by Magic Hat

The Howl page on Magic Hat’s website is so damn cool it demands a look. Here is Magic Hat’s description of their dark black ale.

“Born of dark, cold and snow in the MARROW of the North East’s longest night, HOWL comes in on WAILING winds with winter-weary eyes, burning holes in sunless shadows. In it’s darkened depths our inner voids are warmed. HOWL will remain until your bones are thawed, your spirit is freed… and until there is no longer a NEED…”

That certainly got me excited to sample this black ale.

The Howl pours as black as a demon’s soul with a large, caramel colored head. I opened the bottle and set it about two feet away and all of a sudden I was smacked in the face by strong coffee, chocolate, and smoke aromas.

Like the smell, there are chocolate and coffee flavors with hints of roasted malt and smoke. The howl has a pretty low ABV at 4.6%. I was shocked that the ABV was this low after drinking half the beer. There is not a strong alcohol presence, but for as flavorful and dark as the beer is, I just assumed that it was at least 7%.

Being 4.6% definitely makes this a drinkable dark ale. If you are looking for a flavorful, dark seasonal brew to have before hitting the town, this is not a bad option. You will have a HOWL of a good time.

Brewery website: http://www.magichat.net/

Read Full Post »

Witkap Pater Dubbel by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

Witkap Pater Dubbel by Brouwerij Slaghmuylder

The Witkapa Pater Dubbel comes in a tall, slender, 11.2 fl.oz. bottle. The label has a picture of a white hooded monk holding a large beer stein on a light cream colored background. It is unfiltered and bottle conditioned with 7% ABV.

The Dubbel is dark brown in color with purple hues and a thin light tan head. The sediment in the bottle pours out an extremely dark brown color, similar to coffee.

You can smell aromas of fruit, spices, and brown sugar. The taste is slightly sour (sour apples) and fruity (raisins and dark fruits) at first, but after a few sips, I also noticed caramel and brown sugar.

The combination of flavors along with a nice finish, make this well balanced Dubbel a very enjoyable drink. The Witkapa Pater Dubbel is good example of what a Belgian Dubbel can be.

Brewery website: http://www.witkap.be/witkap/Home.html

Read Full Post »

Hazelnut Brown Nectar by Rogue

Hazelnut Brown Nectar by Rogue

The Hazelnut Brown Nectar comes in a tall 22 oz bottle with a picture of a proud gentleman holding an overflowing beer mug.

As a sucker for a good brown ale, I was eager to try Rogue’s twist on a traditional brew. Rogue has an ingenious way of interpreting classic recipes, by adding new flavors that harmonize with the original.

According to the label, 14 (the website says 13?) different ingredients make up this damn good dark brown ale.  The Hazelnut Brown Nectar is dark brown in color and pours out with a thin, light brown head that leaves behind some nice lacing.

It has caramel, honey, and nutty aromas. The Hazelnut Brown Ale has a lot of the characteristics and flavors that I really enjoy in a beer. Like with most dark beers, the nutty, caramel, and honey flavors become more pronounced as the beer warms.

I am really glad I decided to try the Hazelnut Brown Nectar. Rogue has done it again. A great twist on the traditional brown ale. A twist that only enhances this beers character.

Brewery website: http://www.rogue.com/

Read Full Post »