Sundown Dark Beer

Thanks to Jen and Sheri Hendrick for donating this beer! It was tasted after a couple hours in the lab and prior to practice.

Appearance: The pour was quite light, but in the glass it looks the same color as the bottle though with a rubied tint. Relatively clear aside for the color inhibition. Huge 2" soapy off white head settles atop the beer. Micro bubble carbonation present.

Aroma: A rich caramel and toasted malt dominates the nose. Roasted nuts along with an underlying brown sugar and honey effervescence permeate under the prominent malt aroma. Some mild graininess along with a splash of fruit.

Taste: Just as the aroma predicted this beer continues to exhibit an overwhelming toasted and caramel malt bill. In combination however, these flavors produce a rich chocolaty flavor.There are dashes of wood. Some licorice present as well as some aspect of vanilla. Interestingly the finish is slightly boozy with a neutral complementary bitterness to taste. Roasted figs and raisins are present along with a bit of tannin undertones. Finally there is a subtle touch of metallic flavor in the very finish.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and very well carbonated. Medium body is held by a fine carbonation. Somewhat sticky to the lips, and it leaves a little bit of cloying to the back of the throat.
Overall Impression: The malt in this one was just too much. Very unbalanced. If they just downsized the malt bill and added a little hops to the flavor, this beer would stand well. Perhaps its just meant to be a sweeter gateway beer for the beginner.

6 pack:  $6.99

76/100

Prairie Lager

First beer to grace the pages of my current beer log. I tried it for the first time back in March and a second time 2 weeks ago when I bought the Berghoff sample 12 pack.

Appearance: Poured into a Goose Island pint glass, served extra

cold. Smooth, clear, yellow color with highly visible bubbles on the side of the glass.
Aroma: Not much need to acknowledge the aroma, it is neat and crisp like any other lager.

Taste: First sip is noticed above all by the bite of carbonation followed by a delicate bouquet of fruit-like complexity induced by the crispy lagered finish. Surprisingly there is less of a lager malt/hop bitterness than most lagers. Yet it finishes the palate very clean with only a slight hint of citrus.
Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and crisp with a fair amount of carbonation
Overall Impression: Above all, I think I taste some notes of peach or apricot in this one, therefore making it a highly refreshing lager beer for the summer.

T1 (3/14/10): 88/100
T2 (8/29/10): 85/100

Rock River Red Ale

A simple tasting following practice and a huge bowl of Sauteed squash from Westley Acres, IL. while reading my Microbiology readings for the night.

Appearance: Bottle to Pint glass. A simple amber color with a orange tint followed by a neat pour and no head retention. Bubbles show themselves immediately on the side of the glass

Aroma: Smell is sweet and fruity with a little nuttiness in its final notes yet very hard to take out.

Taste: Starts immediately tart  with an interesting yeasty character. I taste strong Apple/Diacetyl tones that prematurely erupt into a strange tannin based aftertaste. The apple flavor dominates this beer too much and doesn't leave any room to reveal any other flavors. Tastes more of a carbonated soda/fruit juice than a red ale or even a beer.

Mouthfeel: High carbonation, yet fluid.

Overall impression: Not sure if I like this one, or where they wanted to go with this. Definitely not what I would expect from a red ale, let alone Berghoff's misguided batch of what they call "beer," Instead this would make for a better cider than anything.

65/100