Category: food

Beer of the Week 34 Éphémeré

Unibroue's Éphémère Apple

From the label:

Ale brewed with apple juice, coriander, curacao peels and with natural flavor added. Éphémeré is a seasonal ale brewed with apples. It offers a fragrant green apple bouquet and a remarkably well-balanced mouthfeel. Truly, a refreshing summer delight in every sip.

From my notes:

Cloudy, straw colored, thin head that quickly dissipates. Green apples and yeast on the nose. Very clear, crisp taste (dry). Flavor delivers on the smell of granny smith apples with some spice as well. Fruity finish.

I think this is a beer that wants to be a cider

Éphémeré is another great spring or summer beer. Cool and crisp with a tart apple taste. This goes great with lighter fare: salads, fish, sushi, chicken; also would go great with fresh berries. This would also taste great after being out in the heat or just sitting on your porch watching the sun set. I get the feeling that Unibroue wanted to make a cider but couldn’t commit and so they created a beer that came as close to cider as you can.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 33 Weissbier Dunkel

Franizskaner's Weissbier Dunkel

From their website:

Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel wins supporters with its refreshing yet aromatic and full-bodied flavour. This dark, cloudy specialty is a special treat for weiss beer connoisseurs and bock beer aficionados

From my notes:

cloudy, nearly opaque, coppery brown color. Fluffy, tan head w/ good retention, some banana and clove in the smell, big yeasty bread scent. Tastes of nuts, some, banana, and stone fruit. Smooth, so smooth very light carbonation, tiny hints of sour.

Cloudy, dark, and mysterious!

Dunkel’s are a relatively low alcohol, hearty beer and they can be enjoyed with other hearty foods: barbecue, sausages, roasted meats. Don’t be afraid of adding a little spice to the meal either it works well with dunkels.

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 32 Red Chair NWPA

Descutes Brewery's Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale

From the label:

Witness the subtle, aromatic seduction of the debut Northwest Pale Ale. Another slap at brewing convention. Another kick in the pants. Enjoy. Not up for a full-on hop assault? Red Charin NWPA is a smoother ride. Seven select European and domestic malts take a surprisingly plush, satin turn on the way to citrusy hop kick. Edges out, layers in.

From my notes:

clear coppery amber color, thin tan head; quickly dissipates. Smells of citrus, fresh cut grapefruit that is the hops, some grain/grass smell behind it which is the malt. Tastes a lot like it smells, citrus is accompanied by some pine taste, smooth in the mouth. Citrus kick at the finish, still not bitter. Damn, this is good!

You see why they call it red chair? Look at that color!

Red Chair is the beer that turned me around on Pale Ales. Before I had this beer I thought hoppy beers were all awful, turns out it’s just most brewers of hoppy beers are awful. This beer looks,smells, tastes, and feels great. Pair this up with heavier foods, red meats, Shepard’s or pot pies, this beer pairs great with a burger!

Rating (out of five):

Beer of the Week 31 Blue Star Wheat Beer

North Coast brewing Company's Blue Star Wheat Beer

From the label:

Choice American barley and wheat malts are combined with a blend of noble hops to create this lighthearted, refreshing beer. Blue Star is unfiltered, the yeast adding a complex note to the flavor profile. Water, malt, hops, yeast & that’s all.

From my notes:

Beautiful, cloudy, straw color. Thick, fine bubbled, bone colored head, lasts a moderate amount of time, minimal lacing. High carbonation. Smells of citrus (oranges), and potpourri spices. Tastes of wheat with the hint of citrus, spice, and yeast. Delicate. Clean and crisp finish.

As I said beautiful star coloring and a nice thick head

Blue Star is a prefect beer for Spring and Summer. Clear, crisp and refreshing Blue Star would be a great choice for outdoor and indoor grilling, a afternoon at the beach or an evening spent around the campfire, great for session drinking as well. Almost as good as their Scrimshaw, one of my favorite beers.

Rating (out of five):

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