Bass Imported Pale Ale: for those who don’t care for something better.

I know a lot of people who call Bass Ale their favorite beer.  Nothing wrong with that, we all have an opinion.  I just think that those people don’t care to look further that the liquor section at their Osco.  Bass Pale Ale is amber-orange, well carbonated and has a thin lacey head.  The bouquet [...]

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Samuel Adams, trying to redeem himself

If you’ve read my posts for any length of time, you know I’ve been disappointed with Sam Adams products regularly in the last few years.  My next 2 posts show that they are still making some acceptable brews.  First, their Pale Ale is crystal clear gold with vibrant carbonation, and it floats a fluffy, long-lasting [...]

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What the heck is a kolsch beer?

I’m glad you asked.  Kolsch beer (hang an umlaut over the o) is a beer style brewed in Cologne, Germany, and is reproduced here as well.  It is a straw yellow, clear ale, top-fermented and cold-conditioned, and it has a prominent hoppy character, although not overpowering.  It is similar in appearance to a pilsner, but [...]

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What does Red Seal and the Sir Douglas Quintet have in common?

The anwer is Mendocino.  Ruedrich’s Red Seal Ale is brewed in Mendocino County, CA, by North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg.  It is a bit cloudy and light amber, and it produces a good lacey head.  There is a strong hops and yeast presence in the nose, and it’s invigorating.  It is smooth and velvety [...]

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Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale

Clear and brown with hints of garnet, the brew is vigorously carbonated and retains a good, lacey head.  The bouquet is a bit tart and ends a bit sweet.  The texture is smooth full and rich with an initial note of coffee followed by a buttery sweetness.  Hoppy dryness is noticeable on the tongue and [...]

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Beer in Quebec – Pt. 1

I just spent a few days in Quebec, and enjoyed some new beers.  The best was Brasse-Camarade by microbrasserie La Barberie.  It was a cloudy red ale with a good tan head and vigorous carbonation.  A good bite of alcohol in the nose, followed by a floral tang and then a hearty dose of yeast.  [...]

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Tryin’ the Rampant Lion

Arcadia Ales’ Amber Ale is a good unfiltered ale.  Very effervescent, orange with a big fluffy head.  I poured about 1″ and got 7″ of foam.  It retains a good 2″ head after all said and done.  It has a nice, sharp, citrusy bouquet, as well as a clean, not overpowering floral note, like freshly [...]

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