This is probably the first beer that has been recommended to me so far in 2011 and luckily it's from a trusted source. I'm always reluctant to try new beers that only come in 6 pack form (see last review) but it just so happens that the LCBO near my work had a few of the bottles for sale individually. I'm not sure what happened, maybe a bottle disappeared or shattered, and now that means I could buy 2 bottles for $4.60. I now wonder... where is that mysterious 6th bottle? This should be pitched as the beginning of a plot-line at the new Pixar board meeting - seeing as most CGI cartoons are probably enjoyed more by adults than kids anyways (like, did you see see "Up"? It's only aimed at kids because they don't understand what makes that beginning montage sadder than an orphan's funeral) I'm getting off topic, let's get back on it.
I've had some Brooklyn beers before, specifically the Black Chocolate Stout which I'm almost certain I reviewed not too long ago. It was pretty good and I think that this is an all around decent brewery. Their website is pretty helpful and looks nice. Now, about this beer, it is Pre-Prohibition style, which basically means the recipe dates back to the 1800s. Their flagship beer, with an amber colour, it has a deep core of maltiness with a bit of bitterness and hop action. There's a lot more to the explanation which isn't really that interesting to try and paraphrase for whoever is reading this. From what I gather though, this will be a fairly caramel-like sweet beer that has a bitter hoppy kick in the aftertaste. I hope it isn't THAT sweet though as I am craving something bitter. The website also recommends pairing it with basically meat.
This stuff pours out very nicely. It has a perfect yellow and orange glow to it. First sip. Very interesting. I need another. Well, it's definitely fizzy and it's definitely a lager. I wouldn't say it's necessary light, however it is damn smooth and pleasant. I am actually extremely pleased with how there is barely any sweetness to it considering how malty it supposedly is. I feel like I taste more of a hoppy bitterness than a maltiness, but I swear this is not a super hoppy IPA style drink. I am thoroughly impressed. Reminds me a bit of the Muskoka Premium Lager but with a lot more going on. More flavour, more aftertaste, essentially more of a bite to it.
Just took a bite of haddock and then a swig of this stuff and I've got two words for you: Fucken Right. That tasted awesome. Totally brought out the hoppy flavour. This is a great beer. Probably the best lager I've ever had.
90%: Best lager I've ever had. The malty core is really not that sweet and gives it a beautiful amber glow. The beer tastes like a great refreshing lager with hints of hops and a bitter finish that is as smooth as it interesting. Extremely delicious with food as well as it brings out the hops a bit more.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Barley Days Yuletide Cherry Porter
Okay, I'm back. I've been pulled out of hiding to write in this beer blog again. Maybe it's due to the fact that I know there are at least two people that read this that don't have the same last name as me. Maybe it's also due to the fact that although I had been on a pretty good healthy streak since Christmas's "devastation of decadence" I had recently learned from CP24 that drinking a beer a day is good for you! They mentioned that it lowers your chance of high blood pressure and type 2 Diabetes. That's pretty awesome, eh? They also mentioned that people who had a beer a day while also maintaining a healthy "Mediterranean" style diet (tons of fruit and veg, some fish) actually ended up losing weight. There's probably issues with what they are saying and maybe that doesn't mean I should sit back with some fish and chips and let the brews ride in but it's gotten me to write this blog again. It's not like I stopped drinking beer, just took more of a break on the weekdays.
This beer, the Barley Days Yuletide Cherry Porter, is only available in 6 pack. Which, lets face it, is kind of a bitch. I don't necessarily want to try something if I have to commit to a higher price tag and more bottles of the stuff if I end up not liking this. However, I knew I was having some relatives over and we could share it so that gave me the chance to try something that sounded interesting. I am a fan of porters and I did really enjoy the Trafalgar Brewery Cherry Ale when I had it a few times last summer (totally light, totally sweet, totally unique!) I've also tried Barley Days' Harvest Gold Pale Ale and Wind & Sail Dark Ale which were both pretty great and I would highly recommend. So, I figured, lets give'r.
According to the Barley Days website, this beer's mix of English hops and malts with cherries is supposed to give it "lush flavour". Sounds alright to me.
It pours really dark with a light brown head. The one problem that I kept running into with this beer is that it foams up really easily. Not sure why that is, I may be a retard, but I haven't really dealt with a beer like this before where majority of the bottles I open I have a wicked foam problem.
First sip is really fizzy, that slightly metallic/smoky porter flavour soothes in. I can barely taste the cherry. Even in my mouth it feels like it turns instantly into foam just by a simple swish of the tongue. I feel like if this beer was not as fizzy it would be a bit more pleasant. It still is very nice, but mainly because I love a good porter and this one is quite drinkable.
Now I'm just trying it with some brie on crackers. The beer does taste a bit better. I'd say at this point that the cherry is detectable but it's almost like you have to think about it and find it as opposed to having it subtly present itself within the porter's overt darkness.
70 % : Tasty and drinkable but nothing stands out about this porter even though it is a cherry porter. The cherry flavour is really hidden and the beer is way too fizzy and foamy.
This beer, the Barley Days Yuletide Cherry Porter, is only available in 6 pack. Which, lets face it, is kind of a bitch. I don't necessarily want to try something if I have to commit to a higher price tag and more bottles of the stuff if I end up not liking this. However, I knew I was having some relatives over and we could share it so that gave me the chance to try something that sounded interesting. I am a fan of porters and I did really enjoy the Trafalgar Brewery Cherry Ale when I had it a few times last summer (totally light, totally sweet, totally unique!) I've also tried Barley Days' Harvest Gold Pale Ale and Wind & Sail Dark Ale which were both pretty great and I would highly recommend. So, I figured, lets give'r.
According to the Barley Days website, this beer's mix of English hops and malts with cherries is supposed to give it "lush flavour". Sounds alright to me.
It pours really dark with a light brown head. The one problem that I kept running into with this beer is that it foams up really easily. Not sure why that is, I may be a retard, but I haven't really dealt with a beer like this before where majority of the bottles I open I have a wicked foam problem.
First sip is really fizzy, that slightly metallic/smoky porter flavour soothes in. I can barely taste the cherry. Even in my mouth it feels like it turns instantly into foam just by a simple swish of the tongue. I feel like if this beer was not as fizzy it would be a bit more pleasant. It still is very nice, but mainly because I love a good porter and this one is quite drinkable.
Now I'm just trying it with some brie on crackers. The beer does taste a bit better. I'd say at this point that the cherry is detectable but it's almost like you have to think about it and find it as opposed to having it subtly present itself within the porter's overt darkness.
70 % : Tasty and drinkable but nothing stands out about this porter even though it is a cherry porter. The cherry flavour is really hidden and the beer is way too fizzy and foamy.
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