Abita SOS- Abita Brewing Company- Covington, LA
This is a special release Pilsener that donates 75 cents per bottle to the Gulf Oil Spill relief effort. What also makes it interesting is that it is a Weizen Pils, which is a Pilsener made with wheat. Pours a straw golden with a slight haze, sudsy white head, and spotty lacing. Lighter side of medium bodied with average carbonation. Nice aroma of pilsner malts, lemon, dough, and herbal European hops. Flavor of pilsner and pale wheat malts, biscuit, and lemon grass countered by a nice spicy bitterness. Semi-dry hoppy finish with a hint of white pepper. A well-crafted beer, and probably one of the best offerings ever released by Abita. A repeat buy for me (and I don't say that very often). Enjoy this with grilled meats, Thai cuisine, BBQ, and cajun food.Smitty's Rating*: 9 out of 10
New Belgium Belgo IPA- New Belgium Brewing Company- Fort Collins, CO
This is a Belgian style IPA from their Lips of Faith Series, which is an American IPA that uses a Belgian yeast strain. Pours orange amber with an ivory head. Nice perfume-like aroma of Belgian yeast esters, apricots, and potpourri. Medium bodied with fine carbonation. Flavor of caramel, honey, and a hint of bubblegum with some earthy grapefruit rind bitterness. I think the balance of residual sugars is perfect. Yeasty finish with grassy hops and soap, with a very very slight amount of alcohol. This is a solid example of the style. Enjoy this with beef, pork, chicken, or white fish. Smitty's Rating*: 8.75 out of 10
Moylans Nor Cal Pale Ale- Moylans Brewery & Restaurant- Novato,CA
Moylans is a great West Coast brewery that is new to Nashville. Everything they produce is excellent. Pours a nice medium orange amber with somewhat creamy ivory head and webby lacing. Aroma of citrusy hops. Medium bodied with average carbonation. Flavor of pale toffee malt with an assertive citrus rind and herbal bitterness. Long dry and grassy bitter finish with clinging hop resin. This one is for the hop heads and guaranteed to sand blast the palate. Perhaps a hair over attenuated for my tastes. This would pair well with pizza, wings, and Thai Cuisine.
Smitty's Rating*: 8.75 out of 10
* rating system based on aroma (1 pt), appearance (1pt), palate (2 pts) flavor (3pts), comparison to other commercial examples of the style (3pts)
You can find these beers at any fine Wine and Spirits store with a craft beer selection. Now it's time to start packing for the Great American Beer Festival (I have to gloat). Until next time- cheers!
Smitty
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