- Craft beer reviews
- Place reviews
- Homebrewing
- Food and Beer pairing (any chefs?)
- Distribution
- Industry news
- Interviews with brewers
Smitty
Community Blog?
As you can see, I am making changes to the blog. My goal is for the site to be a primary reference for the Nashville beer scene. I am thinking along the lines of an "Ale Street News" concept, but with a primary focus on Nashville. In order to do that, I would need the help of other beer enthusiasts in the area. Would anyone be interested in being a guest or staff blogger for site? I can easily set up permissions and log-ins. Entries can be on any of the following:
Smitty
Smitty
New Belgium Hoptober- Beer Review
Yes folks, I just posted a review not too long ago. What gives? I wanted to post my thoughts on New Belgium Hoptober before it's off the shelves until next year. This seems to be getting scarce. I should have reviewed and posted earlier. Oh well.
New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale -
New Belgium Brewing Inc.- Fort Collins, CO
Description: Five hops and four malts make Hoptober Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium-bodied ale with creamy mouth feel. Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette and Glacier hops form a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale. ABV: 6% 40 IBU Available in 6-packs and on draught ABV- 6%
Smitty's Review: Sampled at about 45 degrees. Pours golden with a white head and webby lacing. Nice aroma of lemon and floral hops. Refreshing mouth feel, with a body that is the lighter side of medium. The malt profile is a nice melding of pale Belgian wheat malts, rye, and biscuit countered by a bold but not overdone citrus and herbal hoppiness. Bitter finish with grassy and grapefruit rind notes. This is a great session beer with lots of depth. A fairly hoppy beer, which seems to be out of character for this brewery (not that there is anything wrong with that). I like the fusion of American rye pale ale with the Belgian golden ale traits. This exceeded my expectations, so much that I tried to buy another six. I came home empty handed after looking at two local Krogers! Is Nashville slowly developing a taste for hoppy beers? Hmmmmm.......
Rating*: 9 out of 10
Recommended Food Pairing: White cheeses (Montery /Pepper Jack, Chihauhua), Grilled Shellfish, Chicken, Tilapia
Value: Average to Good ($8-9 per six)
Beer Audience: Craft beer drinkers (as long as they can tolerate a moderate level of hop bitterness)
Where To Buy: Craft beer stores and grocery stores that carry the New Belgium line.
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale -
New Belgium Brewing Inc.- Fort Collins, CO
Description: Five hops and four malts make Hoptober Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium-bodied ale with creamy mouth feel. Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette and Glacier hops form a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale. ABV: 6% 40 IBU Available in 6-packs and on draught ABV- 6%
Smitty's Review: Sampled at about 45 degrees. Pours golden with a white head and webby lacing. Nice aroma of lemon and floral hops. Refreshing mouth feel, with a body that is the lighter side of medium. The malt profile is a nice melding of pale Belgian wheat malts, rye, and biscuit countered by a bold but not overdone citrus and herbal hoppiness. Bitter finish with grassy and grapefruit rind notes. This is a great session beer with lots of depth. A fairly hoppy beer, which seems to be out of character for this brewery (not that there is anything wrong with that). I like the fusion of American rye pale ale with the Belgian golden ale traits. This exceeded my expectations, so much that I tried to buy another six. I came home empty handed after looking at two local Krogers! Is Nashville slowly developing a taste for hoppy beers? Hmmmmm.......
Rating*: 9 out of 10
Recommended Food Pairing: White cheeses (Montery /Pepper Jack, Chihauhua), Grilled Shellfish, Chicken, Tilapia
Value: Average to Good ($8-9 per six)
Beer Audience: Craft beer drinkers (as long as they can tolerate a moderate level of hop bitterness)
Where To Buy: Craft beer stores and grocery stores that carry the New Belgium line.
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
Blog Updates
I have been on a mission to find a blog template that I like. So far I have not been able to find one. However, I was getting sick of the old scheme, so I have changed the header and made some changes to the fonts/color scheme. I have also added some new "gadgets" so that readers have more reasons to frequent the blog. There is now a photostream, which will feature my beer related photos. I also have the ability to upload photos from my Iphone.
At the recommendation of The Beer Snob, I set up a Twitter account. This way I can send news feeds or "tweets" about what I am drinking, new beers on the shelves, or beer events.
Cheers
Smitty
At the recommendation of The Beer Snob, I set up a Twitter account. This way I can send news feeds or "tweets" about what I am drinking, new beers on the shelves, or beer events.
Cheers
Smitty
Boulevard Seeyoulator Doppelbock- Beer Review
Yeah yeah I know. It has been awhile since I reviewed a beer. Starting up a new business has been sucking up all my free time. The good news is that I have not stopped shopping for beer. This time the victim will be Boulevard Seeyoulater Dopplebock, which is from their smokestack series.
Boulevard Seeyoulater Doppelbock -
Boulevard Brewing Co - Kansas City, MO
Description: A Doppelbock aged on cedar, it will be released along with Bob’s ‘47 Oktoberfest near the end of August. Medium amber in color, Seeyoulator offers a heady, estery banana aroma. A luscious maltiness predominates, with balancing notes from Hallertau hops. Cedar aging lends just a hint of spice to the finish. ABV- 8.5%
Smitty's Review: Sampled at 45 degrees in my new (and favorite) Samuel Adams beer glass. The pour is a nice copper amber with a dissipating beige head and spotty lacing. The nose is very inviting, with notes of berries, vanilla, and caramel malts. Medium bodied with a smooth mouth feel. Flavor of caramel and Munich malts that are quickly overpowered by the cedar characteristics of sawdust, pepper, herbs, and tobacco. The malts and cedar also give this beer some bourbon nuances, especially with the amount of residual sweetness. The finish is semi-dry and spicy, with more cedar that lingers on the palate. I think this is the first wood-aged Doppelbock that I have tried. This was enjoyable, but I doubt that I would make a repeat purchase at this price point. Ayinger Celebrator is still my Dopplebock of choice in Nashville.
Rating*: 8.0 out of 10
Recommended Food Pairing: White cheeses (Gouda, Havarti, Guyere), Venison, German Cuisine, grilled pork. The cedar aging would also pair well with some mild to medium cigars.
Value: A tad on the pricey side ($11.99 per 750ml)
Beer Audience: Beer aficionados, fans of German-style beers
Where To Buy: Midtown Wine and Spirits, Graces Plaza Wine & Spirits, Red Dog, Cool Springs Wine and Spirits, most liquors stores with a craft beer section.
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
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