Today, Beer! looks forward to spring with Magic Hat's spring seasonal, the Vinyl Lager:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Location: South Burlington, VT
Style: Lager
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
With spring just around the corner, it's a good time to kick into Magic Hat's spring seasonal - their Vinyl Lager. The Vinyl is golden amber in color and shows a good amount of fine carbonation rising in the glass. The head pours up a light golden-tan color and is on the shorter side. The nose is fairly light. Aromas of lager malt, wheat bread, and fruity hops are all here along with a faint whiff of cucumber.
On the palate the Vinyl starts with juicy notes that lead into an off-dry malt. There is a rich maltiness with some Eurolager notes in the background. Mineral and earth are also here as highlights. The bitter hops are on the mild side and take a few sips to build up. The Vinyl is medium-bodied, which suits this full-flavored lager well. The finish has lager malt highlighted by a fading hop bite and some steely minerality.
Magic Hat has a nice, full-flavored lager on their hands with the Vinyl. While this is pretty much a straightforward lager, flavor-wise this is a big step up over the typical Euro/Canadian fare. Vinyl hits the right balance between flavor and drinkability, and is a great addition to your spring rotation.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Heavy Seas Black Cannon
Keywords:
Beer,
Black IPA,
Clipper City,
IPA
Perfection. See what else Beer! has to say about the Heavy Seas Black Cannon:
Brewery: Clipper City Brewing Co.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Style: Black IPA
Brewery Website
Rating: A+
In my glass today is the Black Cannon from Heavy Seas. Black Cannon is a Black IPA and is billed as a dark version of their Loose Cannon IPA. The Black Cannon pours up opaque and reddish-black in color. The head is creamy and dark tan in color. The nose has a big citrus note of Cascade-style hops (actually from Simcoe here) and some faint toast aromas as well.
The main overall impression on the palate is roasted coffee fading in and out with citrusy hops. There is a piny note on the bitter hop side. The roasted malt contributes wheat toast, peat smoke, dark chocolate and caramel. Fruity hops yield flavors of apricot and grapefruit. The Black Cannon is medium-heavy bodied, which is perfect for a big IPA like this. There is a touch of warming alcohol as well. The finish has dark chocolate and espresso paired with lingering citrus.
To put it plainly, if there is one beer to choose as the standard for the ideal Black IPA, then the Black Cannon is your winner. The balance between hops and roast is spot-on. This beer is a perfect marriage between porter and double-IPA. A wide-mouthed glass is highly recommended as the hoppy aroma is intoxicating and entices with each sip. Get some in your glass ASAP; the Heavy Seas Black Cannon is absolute perfection.
Brewery: Clipper City Brewing Co.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Style: Black IPA
Brewery Website
Rating: A+
In my glass today is the Black Cannon from Heavy Seas. Black Cannon is a Black IPA and is billed as a dark version of their Loose Cannon IPA. The Black Cannon pours up opaque and reddish-black in color. The head is creamy and dark tan in color. The nose has a big citrus note of Cascade-style hops (actually from Simcoe here) and some faint toast aromas as well.
The main overall impression on the palate is roasted coffee fading in and out with citrusy hops. There is a piny note on the bitter hop side. The roasted malt contributes wheat toast, peat smoke, dark chocolate and caramel. Fruity hops yield flavors of apricot and grapefruit. The Black Cannon is medium-heavy bodied, which is perfect for a big IPA like this. There is a touch of warming alcohol as well. The finish has dark chocolate and espresso paired with lingering citrus.
To put it plainly, if there is one beer to choose as the standard for the ideal Black IPA, then the Black Cannon is your winner. The balance between hops and roast is spot-on. This beer is a perfect marriage between porter and double-IPA. A wide-mouthed glass is highly recommended as the hoppy aroma is intoxicating and entices with each sip. Get some in your glass ASAP; the Heavy Seas Black Cannon is absolute perfection.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Amedei "9" Cioccolato Fondente Extra 75% Dark Chocolate Bar
Keywords:
Amedei,
Dark Chocolate
The Dark Chocolate Blog takes on the acclaimed Amedei "9" chocolate bar. Does it live up to it's expectations? Read on:
Manufacturer: Amedei
Cocoa Content: 75%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A-
I'm usually the "delayed gratification" type, but when my most recent chocolate supply arrived I couldn't resist the allure of the Amedei "9", so I dove right in. The Amedei 9 dark chocolate is a blend made from the cacao of 9 different plantations developed by the Tessieri's. The 9 bar has deep purple and ruby highlights over a deep mahogany color. The nose is notably light with aromas of vanilla and almond.
On first taste, the palate travels from a light toasted note to bitter espresso. This is followed by building acidity that has light citrus notes of orange juice. There are notes of lightly toasted almonds, marshmallow and a barky wood note. Chewing the 9 brings forward a bit of a meaty note, raspberry preserves, toffee and almonds. The melt is smooth, but not overly thick, and leaves a slight cooling sensation. The finish has a distinctly almond nutty note that take the lead as the acidity fades.
The Amedei 9 is a wonderfully complex, balanced dark chocolate bar. The flavor unfolds in multiple waves and tells a nice story as it goes. My only quarrel is that there is a notable lack of intensity or boldness. Overall, that is a small price to pay as this allows the multiple flavor notes to sing in harmony. The Amedei 9 is frequently recognized as one of the most sought-after chocolates in the world, and lives up to its reputation in a big way.
Manufacturer: Amedei
Cocoa Content: 75%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A-
I'm usually the "delayed gratification" type, but when my most recent chocolate supply arrived I couldn't resist the allure of the Amedei "9", so I dove right in. The Amedei 9 dark chocolate is a blend made from the cacao of 9 different plantations developed by the Tessieri's. The 9 bar has deep purple and ruby highlights over a deep mahogany color. The nose is notably light with aromas of vanilla and almond.
On first taste, the palate travels from a light toasted note to bitter espresso. This is followed by building acidity that has light citrus notes of orange juice. There are notes of lightly toasted almonds, marshmallow and a barky wood note. Chewing the 9 brings forward a bit of a meaty note, raspberry preserves, toffee and almonds. The melt is smooth, but not overly thick, and leaves a slight cooling sensation. The finish has a distinctly almond nutty note that take the lead as the acidity fades.
The Amedei 9 is a wonderfully complex, balanced dark chocolate bar. The flavor unfolds in multiple waves and tells a nice story as it goes. My only quarrel is that there is a notable lack of intensity or boldness. Overall, that is a small price to pay as this allows the multiple flavor notes to sing in harmony. The Amedei 9 is frequently recognized as one of the most sought-after chocolates in the world, and lives up to its reputation in a big way.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Skull Splitter
Keywords:
Beer,
Orkney Brewery,
Scottish Ale
Beer! goes medieval today with the Skull Splitter ale:
Brewery: Orkney Brewery
Location: Orkney, Scotland
Style: Scottish Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is Skull Splitter, a Scotch Ale from the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Skull Splitter pours up a deep amber color with mahogany highlights. The head is foamy and a golden tan in color. On the nose there are aromas of fruity wine and a sweet bready malt, as well as a dry, spicy/woody note.
On the palate there is a dry fruitiness that evokes raisins and dates, but without bringing much sweetness to the party. The malt takes on a pretzel/pizza dough quality. Hops show up as hidden citrus and pine notes that take a few sips to find. Wininess and some oak are present on the palate as well. The Skull Splitter has a medium body that is quite smooth for such a big beer. There is a big, warming alcohol sensation that develops in the pit of your belly after a few sips. The finish, which is on the short side, has bitter hops that remain as the malt and fruit notes fade.
Skull Splitter is a very enjoyable ale. It is well balanced, and manages to be very dry without going too far and ending up over-dry. This is a big beer that drinks very easily. Be sure to sip this one, or you may end up waking up with a Skull Splitter of your own.
Brewery: Orkney Brewery
Location: Orkney, Scotland
Style: Scottish Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is Skull Splitter, a Scotch Ale from the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Skull Splitter pours up a deep amber color with mahogany highlights. The head is foamy and a golden tan in color. On the nose there are aromas of fruity wine and a sweet bready malt, as well as a dry, spicy/woody note.
On the palate there is a dry fruitiness that evokes raisins and dates, but without bringing much sweetness to the party. The malt takes on a pretzel/pizza dough quality. Hops show up as hidden citrus and pine notes that take a few sips to find. Wininess and some oak are present on the palate as well. The Skull Splitter has a medium body that is quite smooth for such a big beer. There is a big, warming alcohol sensation that develops in the pit of your belly after a few sips. The finish, which is on the short side, has bitter hops that remain as the malt and fruit notes fade.
Skull Splitter is a very enjoyable ale. It is well balanced, and manages to be very dry without going too far and ending up over-dry. This is a big beer that drinks very easily. Be sure to sip this one, or you may end up waking up with a Skull Splitter of your own.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Green Mountain Coffee Lake and Lodge K-Cup
Keywords:
Coffee,
Green Mountain Coffee
Manufacturer: Green Mountain Coffee
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+
Today we are tasting the Lake and Lodge Blend KCup from Green Mountain Coffee. While this is a dark roast, this is not an "extra bold" KCup (extra bold K-Cups contain added coffee for a fuller flavor), which is a bit of a departure from my usual tastes. The Lake & Lodge brews up a light mahogany in color with a touch of red. It comes off the brewer with a thin ring of white froth and a faint sheen of oil on top. The nose detects lightly roasted nuts and a touch of woodiness.
On the palate there is a woody note of oak and cedar with a bit of tannin. There is just a hint of the bite of unsweetened cocoa. Lightly roasted walnuts and almonds provide some nuttiness. There is also a light acidity that hints at bananas. The Lake and Lodge has just a touch of chewiness and drying tannins. Overall, the mouthfeel is fairly light for a dark roast. The finish has soft oak and nutty notes.
Being a fan of big dark roasted coffees, I had my concerns prior to tasting the Lake and Lodge Blend, seeing as it isn’t an “extra bold” K-Cup. It turns out my concerns were unfounded. While the Lake & Lodge blend is on the light-bodied side, the flavor doesn’t suffer at all. The flavors are light, subtle and refreshing. If you like light-bodied coffee, then this is the dark roast for you.
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+
Today we are tasting the Lake and Lodge Blend KCup from Green Mountain Coffee. While this is a dark roast, this is not an "extra bold" KCup (extra bold K-Cups contain added coffee for a fuller flavor), which is a bit of a departure from my usual tastes. The Lake & Lodge brews up a light mahogany in color with a touch of red. It comes off the brewer with a thin ring of white froth and a faint sheen of oil on top. The nose detects lightly roasted nuts and a touch of woodiness.
On the palate there is a woody note of oak and cedar with a bit of tannin. There is just a hint of the bite of unsweetened cocoa. Lightly roasted walnuts and almonds provide some nuttiness. There is also a light acidity that hints at bananas. The Lake and Lodge has just a touch of chewiness and drying tannins. Overall, the mouthfeel is fairly light for a dark roast. The finish has soft oak and nutty notes.
Being a fan of big dark roasted coffees, I had my concerns prior to tasting the Lake and Lodge Blend, seeing as it isn’t an “extra bold” K-Cup. It turns out my concerns were unfounded. While the Lake & Lodge blend is on the light-bodied side, the flavor doesn’t suffer at all. The flavors are light, subtle and refreshing. If you like light-bodied coffee, then this is the dark roast for you.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Pralus Cuba 75% Dark Chocolate
Keywords:
Cuba,
Dark Chocolate,
Pralus
Not only does Cuba produce fine cigars, it produces some damn good cacao beans as well. Check out The Dark Chocolate Blog's review of the Pralus Cuba:
Manufacturer: Pralus
Cocoa Content: 75%
Location: Cuba
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A
Up for review today is the Pralus Cuba. This is a 75% dark chocolate made from Trinitario cacao beans. The color of the bar is deep mahogany with some light red highlights. The nose has a deep roasted note that is classic Pralus, along with a bit of woodiness.
On the palate there is somewhat peppery spiciness. Wood notes of cedar and oak are here along with some leather. A distinct note of licorice pairs well with the spice and wood. There are roasted peanut notes and a kick of bitter espresso on the roast side. The chocolate character is rich and nutty. Chewing the Pralus Cuba opens up notes of earth, leather and roasted nuts. The bite itself is a bit waxy, leading to a soft, yielding chew. The melt is smooth, thick and creamy. The Pralus Cuba finishes with peanuts, black pepper and licorice with a bit of spiciness on the tongue.
I am a big fan of the Pralus Cuba. This is a bar that lends itself well to showcasing Pralus' classic deep-roasted style. The roast leaves a rich chocolate that is complimented by nuts and wood. Despite the heavy roast, the unique character of the beans shows through with a nice spicy licorice character. This is a great snacking dark chocolate and would pair well with a woody, dark roast coffee, or an oaked red wine that has some peppery notes. Highly recommended.
Manufacturer: Pralus
Cocoa Content: 75%
Location: Cuba
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A
Up for review today is the Pralus Cuba. This is a 75% dark chocolate made from Trinitario cacao beans. The color of the bar is deep mahogany with some light red highlights. The nose has a deep roasted note that is classic Pralus, along with a bit of woodiness.
On the palate there is somewhat peppery spiciness. Wood notes of cedar and oak are here along with some leather. A distinct note of licorice pairs well with the spice and wood. There are roasted peanut notes and a kick of bitter espresso on the roast side. The chocolate character is rich and nutty. Chewing the Pralus Cuba opens up notes of earth, leather and roasted nuts. The bite itself is a bit waxy, leading to a soft, yielding chew. The melt is smooth, thick and creamy. The Pralus Cuba finishes with peanuts, black pepper and licorice with a bit of spiciness on the tongue.
I am a big fan of the Pralus Cuba. This is a bar that lends itself well to showcasing Pralus' classic deep-roasted style. The roast leaves a rich chocolate that is complimented by nuts and wood. Despite the heavy roast, the unique character of the beans shows through with a nice spicy licorice character. This is a great snacking dark chocolate and would pair well with a woody, dark roast coffee, or an oaked red wine that has some peppery notes. Highly recommended.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Harpoon Belgian Style Pale Ale
Today Beer! reviews the Harpoon Belgian Style Pale Ale:
Brewery: Harpoon
Location: Boston, MA
Style: Pale Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is Harpoon's Belgian Style Pale Ale. The Belgian Pale Ale is golden in color with a hint of copper. It pours with a short, off-white head, and a considerable amount of fine carbonation. The nose has a Cascade-like citrus note along with sweet malt.
The Belgian Style Pale Ale leads with a fruity hop note up front followed by a piny hops kick. The hops fade into a sweet malt note of multigrain bread. There is a hint of witbier flavor here (most notably a banana-like sweetness), but it is just a highlight in the background. The body is light-to-medium with fizzy carbonation. The Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale finished with sweet malt over fading hops undertones.
Harpoon has crafted a refreshing, unique pale ale with their Belgian Style Pale Ale. This basically drinks like an amber with a touch of witbier. This is a nice option for pale ale fans looking for something just a bit different.
Brewery: Harpoon
Location: Boston, MA
Style: Pale Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+
In my glass today is Harpoon's Belgian Style Pale Ale. The Belgian Pale Ale is golden in color with a hint of copper. It pours with a short, off-white head, and a considerable amount of fine carbonation. The nose has a Cascade-like citrus note along with sweet malt.
The Belgian Style Pale Ale leads with a fruity hop note up front followed by a piny hops kick. The hops fade into a sweet malt note of multigrain bread. There is a hint of witbier flavor here (most notably a banana-like sweetness), but it is just a highlight in the background. The body is light-to-medium with fizzy carbonation. The Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale finished with sweet malt over fading hops undertones.
Harpoon has crafted a refreshing, unique pale ale with their Belgian Style Pale Ale. This basically drinks like an amber with a touch of witbier. This is a nice option for pale ale fans looking for something just a bit different.
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