Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale

Special thanks to Jeremy Hoffman and Adam Slaker for bringing this brew back as part of a taster 6-pack from Maine.  Tasted after finishing Sunday chores and to pass the time while Tim was out for his Sunday long run.

Appearance:  Poured with a 1 inch thick, frothy, off-white head that settled down to retain a 1/4 inch thick appearance.  Very hazy, vibrant amber color with a ruby-red tint; bottom of the glass is flaked with yeast particles that have settled out.

Aroma:  Very light aroma of a malted wheat backbone accentuated by slight smell of sweet blueberries.  Aerating the brew allows for more of the blueberry aroma to permeate.  Hint of sourness, possibly due to lactobacillus.

Taste:  Carbonation is so strong on the first pour, it actually inhibits the flavors from coming through and on first sips, nearly burning/spiking the tongue. At this point one could only pick out metallic and soapy flavors.  Tim solved this problem by decanting the beer into another glass which aerated the brew and lessened the stinging carbonation.  This brought out the flavors of mildly sweet blueberries, followed by a slight sourness caused by lactic acid, probably due to a build-up in lactobacillus from sitting in our fridge a bit too long.  Finishes with a slightly bitter, earthy hop aftertaste, complemented by the blueberries

Mouthfeel:  Upon first pour, the carbonation actually stings the tongue. Far overwhelming for enjoyment. Once lessened, the carbonation is moderate, making it a medium bodied, crisp ale.

Overall Impression:  In all fairness, this beer would be better if consumed closer to the bottled date unless you are a fan of sour ales.  Not a beer that stores well.

Coal Porter

Tasted with Jen on a quiet Saturday evening while steaming vegetables and Milton Dairy's Quark Cheese. Thanks to Adam Slaker and Jeremy Hoffman for retrieving this from Maine at the beginning of the summer!

Appearance: Rich dark chocolate hue, cloudy due to being unfiltered.  Off white foamy head that leaves semi-wet lacing that still clings to the side of the glass.  Carbonation is only visible near the surface of the liquid; looks to be slow rising.
Aroma: The nose is comprised mainly of rich, roasted chocolate malt, yet borders on the edge of slightly burnt grains.  The malt bill is complemented by a hint of bittered cocoa. Relatively simplistic.
Taste: The malt bill is neutrally sweet as if there was an un-fermentable boiled into the beer initially, such as lactose. Just as the smell portrayed, the midtaste of this beer boasted a large roasted sweetness, assimilated with a mild burnt graininess. If one lets the beer sit on the palate for a longer time than usual, the finishing burnt bitterness doesn't take effect until the beer exits down the esophagus. Some grain and woodsy tannins contribute to a drying finish.
Mouthfeel: Lighter carbonation, but certainly present and very fine. Th feel is velvety and soft with a medium to light body. Finish is very dry and almost crisp.
Overall Impression: This porter falls along those that maintain a richer more up-front roasted and burnt characteristics. It lacked the normal stale/subtle sourness that many traditional porters are known for having. Nevertheless it still was more on the drinkable side of the stout/dark beer category.

Maine Logger Lager

Thanks to Adam Slaker and Jeremy Hoffman for bringing me back this beer (along with 5 others in an assorted six pack) from Maine. I got around to trying this one Monday evening after a brief 10 miles with the team. The last of it was enjoyed with an entirely organic split pea soup I concocted earlier this afternoon.

Appearance: Pale yellow, but with a deeper color than any typical American lager... More Golden than anything. Head is nice and substantial with a white color at first, but dissipates soon after, leaving a bubble soap-like texture as remnants.

Aroma: There are some esters present among the usual lager scent which follows as a clean pungence and notable yeast characteristics. Nevertheless, it remains relatively clean.

Taste: Certainly on the sweeter side, even with a nice tartness to the finish. Starts relatively basic, but after the first couple sips, one can draw a bit of an unusual flavor behind the jaw... reminiscent of apricots and undertones of hop resins. Certainly on the fruitier side which is paralleled by a faint hop bitterness, that nonetheless cleanses the palate and leaves it quenched of thirst. As it warms, the esters permeate through and likewise encourage a note of honey in the sweetness. The finish is fruity, but one can still draw a subtle citrus flavor from the hops. Near the end of the glass, the mouth begins to notice a grassiness lingering in the aftertaste, that all but lasts for quite a while.
Mouthfeel: Interestingly I thought the back taste was accompanied with somewhat of a chalkiness. Medium bodied, and certainly on a heavier side than most lagers. The carbonation provides a spike on the tongue halfway through, while the end is left dry and for the most part, clean.
Overall Impression: Certainly on the complex side of most lager, and I give credit to that. I don't really think, however, that esters are a desired characteristic of lagers, but as long as it tastes good, I'm all for it. Fruity, but bitteringly crisp.