Tag: review

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2nd Visit – Santa Monica Brew Works

Santa Monica Brew Works is expanding.  Considering the big footprint they have already in a pricey beach community real estate market, that must bode well.

Alas, I was a little chuffed by their flight rules, which could be better.  Choose two of four Barrel-aged and you get upped to the higher ($18) price from the standard ($12). Plus the excluded their new release beer hazy DIPA.  I would think that on a late afternoon on a Saturday, a few days after release, they could safely pour a few 5oz tasters. Especially in light of the fact that they are charging $10 for a 16oz pour. They should really just do individual pour prices.

The space, though loud, is usually filled with people enjoying football on the TV or discussions while having their beers. I paid my extra price to try a couple special barrel-aged beers and here are my bullet point reviews.

Leitrim Dry Irish Stout – classically done.  Good minerality and coffee taste.

Burnt Out Bartender – has initial malt hop hit.  A little watery though.  Also a little hop harsh at the back. Alcohol burn too. Bold flavors fade quickly though. Citrus peeks out at the end.

Catalina Cruise Imperial PCH – pretty much just bourbon.  PCH flavor is buried.  As it warms the big flavors tone down here too.

Gravity Coaster Barrel-aged Barleywine – pretty high on the spirits side. Wood notes. 

Overall, the prices and the beer you get for that money are still not matching up. I think I will stick with PCH when on tap.

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Featured Review – Saison Extra from Brouwerij West

So with a recent tasting of Saison Dupont still on my mind, I picked up a local version from Brouwerij West, Saison Extra to compare and contrast.

This is farmhouse for sure. Filled with hints. Tiny touch of Brett character here.  Tiny bit of Hefeweizen character over here.  Surprisingly this is a really wet beer. Mineral notes fill the end notes. The Saison pours a slightly hazy yellow color.

Compared to the Dupont, this is more restrained in many respects and touches on some of the strong suits of the Belgian beer but that wetness makes it it’s own creation.

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Featured Review – Saison Dupont

I have not had Saison Dupont for some time (past time) and thought that since November was coming in hot here in LA, it would make an excellent choice for our light fall and to compare the gold standard to other Saisons that I could find.

Easily pulled the 2018 emblazoned cork from this 12.7oz bottle.  Initial taste is heavily tilted towards the barnyard funk and leathery notes. A tiny bit of crisp unsweetened pear comes through lightly. A silken mouthfeel to this vintage. A bit of wheat bread in the malt.  I will have to take a look for the 2019 Avec and for any single-hops to compare.

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Featured Review – Union Jack from the FW Hoppy Lion Variety Pack

On to the 4th and final of the beers in this variety pack from Firestone Walker.

Union Jack pours a golden orange sunset color. Lovely fluffy white head (probably due to my vigorous pour). Citrus aromas pop initially.  This is a very standard West-Coast IPA. Pine notes star. A generous alcohol kick on the back end. Hops stick to the palate. 

Of the four in the pack, I would pick the Union Jack. Both Easy and Grenadier were both on the watery side and the 13th Luponic Distortion wasn’t one of my faves of the series.

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Featured Review – Luponic Distortion 13 from the FW Hoppy Lion Variety Pack

Pina Colada. Key Lime. Nectarine. Those are the three descriptors for the 13th version of Luponic Distortion from Firestone Walker. For me, I do get lime peel on the nose, so that is one down. This is a sharp IPA. Almost more of a margarita like flavor profile to me, so add a 1/2 point. Sparkly carbonation.  Little bit of pineapple in the back and as it warms a touch of stone fruit so add a 1/4 point. All told 1.75 out of 3.  I would rate this lower on the scale of 13 but still an interesting set of flavors.

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Review – Thirty Years Strong from Three Weavers

The CCBA goodie bag had a canned treat tucked inside. A 30 Years Strong IPA. Once the Summit was finished, I decided to crack this open while looking over my photos and prom material from the 3-Day event.

Bit of a missed opportunity with the label. Doesn’t say 30 years or CCBA to me. Just a generic cityscape. I imagine what Brouwerij West or Highland Park could have done.

The muddy haze of lemonade ice tea is evident.  The beer has a bright citric acid aroma.  Getting orange and lemon mix. Tiny touch of creamy character. Hop bitterness is there but tilted more to silky as it sticks on the top of the mouth. There is a rough alcoholic burst at the beginning as well. 

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Review – Ficks Blackberry Hard Seltzer

I now have officially had a “hard” seltzer. Just one flavor from a more artisanal producer but none-the-less, I have an idea of what this category is like. The Ficks Blackberry Seltzer was sent to me by the company after I e-mailed that I would be honestly reviewing it. Sometimes, I say that and the offered product never shows up so kudos to Ficks for believing in their drink.

Obviously, this has to be reviewed under different rules and parameters. I like my regular seltzer to have a good strong bubbly-ness to it and to not have a fake fruit flavor. I will take a lightly flavored but truer taste over a strong artificial note.

The blackberry flavor with Ficks does not have that candy note to it. This tastes like blackberry, not in the sour way that some of that fruit can be but more in the red wine area. It is not a super bubble filled seltzer. More lightly sparkling. One out of two parameters met.

Now this does basically taste like a wine cooler to me. A light wine cooler. It is better than quite a few regular seltzers that I have had but it doesn’t reach my go-to Trader Joe’s flavors like clementine and grapefruit. I can have those without the alcohol and not think about it. The Ficks Blackberry clocks in at 5%. It would be easy to quickly enjoy a couple cans.

And that is what this comes down to. Would Ficks be fun at a party? Yes, indeed. Will it replace my normal seltzer, no, because what I get at TJ’s can be utilized in way more situations. I can have one at work, or in the car on a hot L.A. day. Maybe the other flavors would blow me away, maybe another brand would as well but until that time, “hard” seltzer is just fine. If you can find one made well, like the Ficks brand seems to be, then go for it but I would take beer, spirits and wine in a fantasy draft before seltzer.

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Review – Oyster Stout from Henhouse Brewing

It is not often you see an Oyster Stout on shelves let alone one in summer, so I had to review it. Here is my reaction to the Oyster Stout from Henhouse Brewing.

Pours jet black. Nice espresso head that dissipates to around the rim. Burnt roast is kind of coffee like but also a hint of chocolate. Beer is actually a little thin. for a stout. A little briny, and the salt is pretty strong. A very seaworthy beer.

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Featured Review – Pineapple Saison from Angel City

After skillfully handling the sugar from strawberries, Angel City took on another challenge with another sugary fruit in pineapple. How does this Saison fare…

When a fruit is in the beer name, it is either way to over the top and cloying or it is not there at all.  In between is rarely seen.  The Angel City Pineapple Saison which could be a sugary tiki bomb is the rare beer that emphasizes the style first and foremost and then brings the fruit in as a guitar solo or special effect in an action movie.  This has those swirling Belgian yeast esters and slight toast malt notes with the addition of just the right amount of pineapple.