Long Trail Brewmaster Series Double IPA (Vermont) I dont normally like the hoppier styles of beer, and the one thing that bothers me about Long Trails regular ales is that theyre a bit strong with the hops. This one, however, works. It does because it finds that ideal point where the sweetness and aromatic excitement of the hops doesnt simply burn with bitterness, but instead layers the ale with complexity. Impressive. (4/09)
Ithaca Beer Company Brute Golden Sour Ale (New York) In the style of an authentic lambic, but dialed back from the dizzying flaws-as-attributes intensity of, say, Cantillon. Its certainly sour, and bretty, and rounded by barrel-conditioning, but its been gentled just enough to act as a fine transitional stage between commercial lambics and the angrier sort. Frankly, its outstanding, and Id never peg it as domestic. (4/09)
Otter Creek World Tour Japanese-style Otter San (Vermont) Brewed with sake yeast. This is vile. It may be authentically something or other, but it tastes of all the worst qualities of cheap sake and homebrew wheat, combined in one sickly package. Ugh. (4/09)
van Steenberge Monks Caf Flemish Sour Ale (Belgium) The sourness here is cherry-esque, and while its dominant it does not dominate. Fresh and appealing, yet with more than a little seriousness. (4/09)
van Steenberge Gulden Draak Ale (Belgium) Frothy, spicy, and while its heady by feel, it lacks just a slight bit of substance. This is a quibble, though; the ales quite fine. (4/09)
van Steenberge Bormem Double Abbey Ale (Belgium) This is a terrible beer. Just awful. (4/09)
van Steenberge Bormem Triple Abbey Ale (Belgium) The only virtue of this over the Dubbel of the same name is that theres more alcohol. Otherwise, its pretty much worthless. (4/09)
van Steenberge Augustijn Ale (Belgium) Good, straightforward Belgian-ness (octane, sweet spiced stonefruit, etc.), but lacking additional complexity. (4/09)
van Steenberge Piraat Abbey Ale (Belgium) There are some differences between this and the Augustijn, but theyre generally unimportant; the beers largely the same, though with an extra wallop of hoppiness that really doesnt add or detract much. (4/09)
Ithaca Beer Company Brute Golden Sour Ale (New York) In the style of an authentic lambic, but dialed back from the dizzying flaws-as-attributes intensity of, say, Cantillon. Its certainly sour, and bretty, and rounded by barrel-conditioning, but its been gentled just enough to act as a fine transitional stage between commercial lambics and the angrier sort. Frankly, its outstanding, and Id never peg it as domestic. (4/09)
Otter Creek World Tour Japanese-style Otter San (Vermont) Brewed with sake yeast. This is vile. It may be authentically something or other, but it tastes of all the worst qualities of cheap sake and homebrew wheat, combined in one sickly package. Ugh. (4/09)
van Steenberge Monks Caf Flemish Sour Ale (Belgium) The sourness here is cherry-esque, and while its dominant it does not dominate. Fresh and appealing, yet with more than a little seriousness. (4/09)
van Steenberge Gulden Draak Ale (Belgium) Frothy, spicy, and while its heady by feel, it lacks just a slight bit of substance. This is a quibble, though; the ales quite fine. (4/09)
van Steenberge Bormem Double Abbey Ale (Belgium) This is a terrible beer. Just awful. (4/09)
van Steenberge Bormem Triple Abbey Ale (Belgium) The only virtue of this over the Dubbel of the same name is that theres more alcohol. Otherwise, its pretty much worthless. (4/09)
van Steenberge Augustijn Ale (Belgium) Good, straightforward Belgian-ness (octane, sweet spiced stonefruit, etc.), but lacking additional complexity. (4/09)
van Steenberge Piraat Abbey Ale (Belgium) There are some differences between this and the Augustijn, but theyre generally unimportant; the beers largely the same, though with an extra wallop of hoppiness that really doesnt add or detract much. (4/09)