Category: food

Beer of the Week 49: Mission Brewery Blonde Ale

Mission Brewery’s Blonde Ale

From the bottle:

With the color of a pilsner and the character of an ale, our blonde is a welcome and refreshing respite. Endowed with an authentic kolsch yeast strain for a peck of fruitiness that compliments the blend of noble hops. Lager-like with its delicate dryness, it really is redolent of ales from Koln, Germany

From my notes:

Large bubbled, bone white head. Quickly dissipates. Clear, carbonated blonde yellow color. Malts and fruit on the nose. Malt sweetness and a little Pilsner snap in there finishes dry, with a straw-like, slightly bitter finish with subtle notes of fruit and spice.

An American Blonde Ale, Mission’s is easy on the palate though it seems to lack some of the complexities of a Pilsner

My first local beer here in San Diego! I know Stone Brewing Company is located in San Diego, one of their taste shops is just a few blocks away from me. But, if you’ve been reading these beer reviews for any length of time you know that I’m not a fan of their brew. Or their juvenile, machismo fueled marketing. Anyway, Mission Brewery is only five years old and I saw their bottles in the local liquor and grocery stores so I thought I’d take them out for a spin. Nothing amazing here this blonde ale is perfectly serviceable and would be great for simple grilling, including fish.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 48: Baba Black Lager

Uinta Brewing Company’s Baba Black Lager

From their website:

Robust and smooth, this full-flavored lager is exceptionably drinkable and pitch black in color.

From my notes:

Dark, nearly opaque black a dark cherry color at the base of the glass and near the top where the light hits it. A fine bubbled, quickly dissipating chocolate milk colored head, no lacing. Hits the nose with milky chocolate and light roast coffee beans. Taste reinforces the smell backed up with some nice malt roasts. Not thick like a stout or porter. Medium carbonation.

Did you know Baba Black lager is a Schwarzbier ?

Schwarzbeirs aren’t terribly common in the United States. I’ve only ever seen Baba Black Lager and Sam Adam’s Black Lager in stores before though you’ll have better luck at a pub, beer shop, or brewery. Unlike porters and stouts Schwarzbeirs tend to the light side of the spectrum as well as not being as heavily bitter and roasted as porters and stouts. This is because they do not rely on malts for their flavor profile. Schwarzbeirs, and Baba in particular, are good winter beers when you are looking for lighter fare. Sometimes you want to drink a thick, heavy, dark beer as your meals and sometimes you don’t!

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 47: Golden Monkey

Victory Brewing Company’s Golden Monkey

From the bottle:

A magical, mystical Monkey hose golden soul glows with the wisdom of ages. This warming, flavored ale is rich in the spirited tradition of Belgian-inspired brewing. Our Golden Monkey is both playfully delightful and profoundly satisfying. Exotic spices form the East round out this global journey to joy. get on board. This Monkey’s bound for glory.

From my notes:

bright white heard with large bubbles, yeast and spices on the nose with maybe some malt. Clear, golden yellow color. no lacing. Spices, bread, and maybe some fruit on the tongue with some toasty maltness and a dry, medium bitter finish.

A lovely Tripel

Tripels have a lot of alcohol in them, Golden Monkey’s ABV is 9.5%, but due to the brewing process the alcohol is well hidden. Consider yourself warned! Tripels are beers for sipping not for chugging or drinking three or four at a time. They’re also known for having more complex flavor profiles than most beers and hoppier than their light body would suggest. Pairs well with turkey and game birds, crab and lobsters, and medium spicy foods.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 46: Le Merle

North Coast Brewing Company’s Le Merle

From the bottle:

Le Merle is an elegant ale, pale in color, inspired by the rich brewing traditions of the Flanders region. Abundant hops and a Belgian yeast strain contribute the exotic aromas of tropical fruit.

From my notes:

Clear, straw color with a thing, fine, bright, white head. Medium carbonation. Floral, tropical fruit and yeast on the nose, mild hop taste immediately on the tongue that settles into bread, pepper, and lemon. Clean, dry finish.

 Saisons were traditionally brewed by the drinker over the winter and then opened and drank through the spring and summer. When you drink a a good saison you should be able to smell fruit and yeast on the nose and have that reflected in the taste backed up with spice, tart, and some mild to medium bitterness. They are usually dry. Saisons are versatile for pairing with foods. They go well with spicy foods, and do great with BBQ, pair with bold flavorful food that matches the complexity of a Saison has more delicate food’s flavor may be overwhelmed by the beer.

Rating (out of five):


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