Saga India Pale Ale

Thanks to my brother Luke for getting me a bottle of this beer. He now works as a Sales Rep for Stern Beverage in western Illinois (Rock Island). Fortunately for me, he gets beer before it is released! Tasted Sunday evening after a fun weekend with friends who visited from the QC for the Hatter Day Festival.

Appearance: Golden copper color with a pristine clarity. Inside, the beer looks quite still. However, the head proved activity as the stature was well retained with a dense white foam and an entire lacing along the sides of the glass
Aroma: Pine based resin is the primary element of the scent, which is also very clean. A faint nose of yeast is present along side a brief graininess.
Taste: The flavor starts with a faint 2-row malt sweetness and quickly merges with a nice hop blast in the second half. Like I said earlier, this beer is very clean, as very little phenolic, estery flavors arise. The end is complimented with a perfumy tropical essence encapsulating the 'C' hop category of flavors. Notes of grapefruit and pineapple are present, but with a different orientation. Bitterness follows in a long aftertaste but with a wealth of character. Surly only for the hop savvy.
Mouthfeel: Very light and crisp with a refreshing bite from the bitterness in the finish and a spritzy carbonation that bites, but also foams up to a reasonable texture to be thoroughly appreciated. Dryness covers the mouth, thirsting for another sip.
Overall Impression: The best word for this beer is  - Clean - as it's light, easy to drink, very flavorful and not in the slightest overly sweet.  I could drink this often, very often. And if you see it on tap be sure it's your first...and maybe second pint. Great job Summit! This is up there with your Red Ale.

Pilsener Bohemian Style

Thanks to Rick, who was located next to us at the Brew Ha Ha beer festival for giving this to me. Tasted this following a day at the Taming of the Slough (where I ran a 9:47 two mile!) and the festival. I Reviewed this at Eco-house while making pizzas!

Appearance: Bright clarity with a abundant carbonation arising rapidly from the bottom of the glass. Head retention is strong and consistent of a dense white foam. As dissipation occurs, it leaves behind a dry lacing.
Aroma: Fresh and herbal with a pungence that encourages a very beer-esk (aka economasslager) scent. Hops present in the finish, though predominantly masked by the rich fore-smelling malt and yeast character.
Taste: Again, herbal with a very light pilsner malt grain base - saltine cracker like. A brief lemon note is present initially, but isn't dominant like most others. Honey. Some astringencies emerge, certainly as the beer warms. Other citrus notes there, along with an herbal undertone, which I found was more relevant to the malt. Finish is dry and grassy.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and soft texture with a bit of a crispness to round the beer out. Medium carbonation and some slickness. Ending is dry and even a bit resinous. Refreshing
Overall Impression: The astringency really pulls through in this beer, enough to make it present with every sip. I liked the uniqueness of it, but it got a little bothersome after a while. Otherwise it was clean and very fresh tasting.


80/100

Unchained Series: 07 Honeymoon Saison

Thanks to Caley Cheney for giving me this beer. I reviewed this in the tasting room after a 10 hour day at the brewery and a 7.5 mile run to complete 17.5 miles for the day!

Appearance: Glowing gold with a sudsy white head that pillows the surface of the beer. Lacing is textured and dry. Very still looking with no action occurring inside. Clarity would amount to an 8/10.
Aroma: Definitely a yeasty farmhouse smell about it. Peppercorn is a noticeable overtone. Notes of lemon as well as coriander permeate the nostrils. Surely a spicy ale with perhaps a bit of Brett at the front.
Taste: A beer that easily defines a fully attenuated ale. The dryness is impecable, but further enhances the peppery spicing and lemon zest dryness. Basically, there is little to no malt backbone, and all the flavor revolves around what the Yeast produced and the spicy adjuncts that may have been added. Interestingly I get very little honey in this beer, which may have been completely fermented out, only leaving the clovish byproduct in its wake. As it warms, even more of the peppercorn flavors emerge. The finish is excruciatingly dry and phenolic with a high tannic aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with a huge foamy texture that erupts in the mouth, expanding in a bubbly fluff. Not very much of a bite, just soft. Dry finish.
Overall Impression: I can definitely say it is equivalent to a normal Saison, with the dryness, limited malt and accentuated peppery spicing. However I was a little disappointed to find little to no honey apparent in either the the taste or smell. Big time bitter and dryness.


75/100

Silver Anniversary Ale

This was from the brewers dinner on Friday night before the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison last weekend. Had tried it and was hoping to snag a bottle, but luckily Pierse had and left it for me in the cooler. Tasted Saturday afternoon after hanging out at the Shire and Augie Acres.

Appearance: Orange amber with a dense, but spotted foam off white head. Lacing starts wet but quickly dries. Clarity is about an 8/10 with a subtle chill haze about it. Carbonation is non-existent as the beer sets rather still.
Aroma: Large pine whiff at the nose. Big and spiced with a tropical and citrus character that is quite bold above all other scents. Some fruitiness is prominent. Very fresh and enticing.
Taste: Spicy herbal hops and pine. The malt is simply masked by what lies in the second halt, though it does provide a sweet backbone by which all hop complexities work off of. The alpha acids contribute a huge finishing grapefruit like profile that even leaves a grapefruit bittering aftertaste that is nothing but prolonged. Some leafiness is left on the palate once it dries. As the beer warms, more grapefruit is amplified. Alcohol is tasted a bit in conjunction with the hops at the end.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a very smooth texture, carbonation lightly fizzes the tip of the tongue and then expands the texture and feel of the liquid as it passes the back of the throat. A bit tacky at the lips, but dry and resinous at the finish
Overall Impression: A strong version of an IPA but with a light tropical grapefruit zest that could easily mask the alcohol. Very potent aromatic bitterness, yet refreshing and crisp. Definitely one of Summit's best beers!


91/100

India Pale Ale

Tasted following attending banjo/guitar/vocal performance by Jaron Gaier at CoolBeanz in Rock Island. Apparently they now serve beer, and a few I have yet to try. Pint Glass served. Purchased this from the Rock Island Hy-vee within a Summit's Winter Craft Pack.

Appearance: A basic amber with a hint of copper. There is an underlying haze throughout this beers appearance profile, that somehow makes it all the more enticing. The head is cream in color with a glossy foam consistency. It soon fades into a speckled film across the surface of the beer with a clinging rise around the perimeter of the glass.

Aroma: Rich caramel and biscuit malt, reminiscent of pre-fermented wort. Orange citrus and a bit of a tropical fruit note undertakes the big malt nose. Light grapefruit and even some floral overtones permeate the nostrils. Some pine is also a partial contributor.

Taste: A very sweet and almost candied foretaste. There remains even a tart fruitiness as well. The malt bill is still carameled with a toastiness to parallel. I'd say the alcohol makes its initial appearance in the foretaste as well, but also later in the accompaniment of the hop bitterness. Hops revolve around grapefruit and pine, yet do not dominate over any other element of the beer. I also pick up on orange peel. Ironically quite tropical overall. The alcohol then slips in with the bitterness, but remains relatively masked. The caramel comes back out again in the very finish before the aftertaste. Finally, a bitter citrus pith aftertaste remains on the back of the palate for several minutes thereafter each taste. In all combination of these flavors, even a fruity chocolate appeal is exhibited, if all are thought as one.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation does two things, it first helps at the beginning of the midtaste to bring out a tart fruitiness to the beer. It also is of a light character, but enough to zip the tongue and further the crisp and refreshing hop bitterness at the end. Body is medium, with a bit tackiness on the lips. Extremely refreshing.
Overall Impression: I enjoyed this beer for its not too over the top bitterness that nicely balanced the malt. It's simplistic profile made it very drinkable and crisp, yet nothing heavy or burning on the palate. Mmm! Surely one of the best drinkable IPA's I've had, and fully worth a six pack.


91/100

Extra Pale Ale

Tasted following a dinner at the Olive Tree Cafe. I found it less than comparable to Pita Inn in Glenview, but I'm just happy there is a Mediterranean place in the QC that can fulfill my cravings. Purchased within the Summit Craft Pack from Rock Island Hy-vee. Reviewed the night before Jen heads home back to Plainfied...

Appearance: Relatively clear coppered color with a very strong head initially. Foamy and white, it soon dissipates into a bubbly film evenly layering the surface of the beer. Micro bubbled carbonation present as it rapidly rises to the surface.
Aroma: Toasted malt bill takes the initial impression. Some biscuit and basic pale malt profile. Quite floral and earthy. Notes of citrus and pear are dominant fruity characteristics. Bread and yeast come through at the very end.
Taste: Semi-sweet with a corn husk bitterness. Malt takes a background profile. The foretaste is lightly fruity, reminiscent of pears and honey, yet the attenuation makes for a very subtle integration of clove. The midtaste begins to expose the bitterness, which again maintains an element of grain husk, but also notes of floralness. Maybe some pine A bit of a viney flavor is noted in the back 9 of the taste. Aftertaste is high in fresh cut grass and plant tannins, tasted in the back of the throat. Nevertheless none of these flavors are very deterring.
Mouthfeel: Body is light, while the carbonation is quite high making the texture of this beer a bit aggressive with a pricking spike to all parts of the tongue. Yet the beer remains refreshing and crisp with a very drying finish.
Overall Impression: I like this beer for the fact that the malt bill is nothing to get over-excited about. The body is excruciatingly light, yet it boasts a big enough flavor to pass my flavor test. Complex? Not necessarily, but the simplistic taste and the appealing drinkability of this beer get my vote.


81/100

Winter Ale

Got a Winter Sampler pack of Summit from Hy-Vee and this was one of the beers included. Enjoyed Monday night before visiting Ribco for 1/2 off drafts.


Appearance: Plain chocolate brown color. Head forms a thin tan layer on the surface and mostly collects around the rim of the glass. Wet lacing does form after every sip but disappears after a minute or so. Relatively clear, no visible sediment floating.
Aroma: Mild aroma yet the unmistakable presence of roasted malts and chocolate primarily in the nose. Underlying sweet aroma, perhaps caramel and toffee, surfaces after the toasted nuttiness leaves complemented by a dark fruit such as figs, dates, and raisins.
Taste: Taste is also relatively mild, most of the flavor is thanks to the roasted barley. A bit of bittersweet dark chocolate and nuttiness add to the flavor profile. Licorice and doughiness additionally compliment the malted flavor. Slight presence of earthy, woody hops adds a bit of bitterness to the finish. Alcohol breath that warms the throat.
Mouthfeel: Leaves hardly any aftertaste. Velvet smooth and moderately full body that is broken up by prickly, active carbonation.
Overall Impression: Very drinkable winter ale. What I like about this winter ale is there is not a lot of spicing that overtakes the malt profile, which some winter seasonals have a tendency to do.



86/100

Horizon Red Ale

350th Post! Tasted following a 1.5 hour nap on Monday afternoon. I hadn't realized that I lacked most of all them in the blog, because I know for a fact i have them in my hard copy beer journal. Purchased from Rock Island
Hy-vee within the Winter Seasonal Craft Pack.

Appearance: Dark bronzed with  ruby red tint. Head is very dense and off white in color and finely foamed. It dissipates into an entirely consistent film, maintaining it's texture up the side of the glass. Transparency is optimal apart from the dark color inhibition.
Aroma: Richly malted with a very prominent caramel and toffee scent. Some roastiness and a dark underlying smell of maple and wood. Hops contribute a bit of spice, reminiscent of rye. Some floral notes also dedicate a distinctive aroma. Subtle notes of pine as well.
Taste: Start is quite dry, nevertheless the malt bill reminiscent of chocolate and caramel. Still, a toffee characteristic melds in, along with some toasted grains. The midtaste presents most of the malt sweetness. Towards the end, the appearance of rye and the dry characteristic of wood and even slight hints of vanilla expose themselves. Bittering orange zest/pith to parallel a brief nuttiness. The finishing hops make a very drying woody and floral spice to the beer that all but cleanses the palate. Similarly the pine exposes itself in the finish, along with a resined element. The more the beer warms, the more this pine flavor is exposed.
Mouthfeel: Soft and forgiving. Medium bodied and a smooth texture. The carbonation is medium, but softly incorporated to make the beer even more delicate and velvety across the tongue. Finish is very dry but crisp, nothing sticky.
Overall Impression: Reminds me a bit like an ESB. The hop profile fits a red, but the big malt bill and the rye element. Extremely flavorful and inviting. Huge complexity and great balance. This is worthy of a six pack.


90/100

Unchained Series: 03 India Style Rye Ale

One of the last six packs of this beer from Binny's. Tasted a couple times before rating this just to get something accurate down.

Appearance: Very dark brown looking with a rubied hue. Head was strong and frothful (now a word) at first, but after 5 minutes, it dissipated into a film with a thick lining around the glass. Lacing is speckled, but not watery. Hardly transparent from the darkened color

Aroma: fruity with a nice rye spicing, as well as an oakiness about it. There are brief hints of alcohol to complement, followed by an equally assisting hop profile. The combination creates a boldly aromatic beer with a caramel/toffee malt foundation

Taste: And it was just that. Aside from everything the aroma revealed, the taste incorporated a smokey element about it, especially upon the finish. Roasted malt is another prominent character that follows the caramel malt and assists the rye spices right on to the finishing aftertaste which is somewhat dry and tannin based. Other notable flavors are especially wood like and roasted along with touches of chocolate malt and subtle spicing. Coffee complements the unique bitterness upon the finish. Complexity is fantastic and forever layered in numbers of flavor.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a higher carbonation. This carbonation isn't aggressive by any means, nor does it spike the tongue. It is more so a nice microbubbled froth with something to say to the tip of the tongue and that's it. Tacky to the lips and mouthfeel is a little chewy
Overall Impression: I'm thoroughly impressed by these unchained series beers by summit. Yes, their beer is quite basic and perhaps even style defining, but these...Test the waters with new and ancient ingredients while capturing very unique and palatable flavors. This beer is fantastic for the rye lovers out there, and perhaps even the hop heads. Certainly spicy and bitter, but a nice full sweet backbone to back it up


89/100

Unchained Series 05: Pumpkin Porter

Tasted over winter break following a long day working at Binny's. I grabbed the last 6 pack on the shelf, and I'm sure glad I did.

Appearance: No head upon pour or after for that matter, though a ring persists along with a tanned wet lacing that leaves globs on the glass. Deep beautiful chocolate black, with hardly any transparency when held to the light, even around the edges.

Aroma: Dry with bittersweet dark chocolate and earthy squash notes. Some ginger and cinnamon add a bit of spicing to the finish. Other than that this beer has a nice subtle aroma to it of dark roasted and chocolate barley.
Taste: You don't really taste the sweetness of the adjuncts until the beer washes down. Much of the flavor resides at the back of the palate and in the aftertaste. Nevertheless this is not something to be worried about. This beer boasts a magnificent chocolate profile accompanied by a baked pumpkin and brown sugar sweetness. The spices as noted above help carry the beer on out into the aftertaste. I really enjoy the mingled combination of both dark roasted chocolate and the earthy and sweet flavors of pumpkin and its additional adjuncts. This is the best pumpkin beer I've had by far because the complexity and the not-too-over-spiced character that is all too common to most pumpkin attempts. Much is just left to the simple ingredients. By the finish, some roasted coffee flavors begin to emerge accompanied with some Golding characters.

Mouthfeel: Minimal carbonation, but enough to leave a tingle at the tip of the tongue. The beer is thicker bodied and tacky to the lips. The texture remains smooth and controlled for prolonged enjoyment.

Overall Impression: Certainly a dessert beer. Or whatever to the drinkers imagination. But I can still drink it pretty fast while enjoying it (devouring). I'm so glad I picked this beer up! The unique and simplified label was catchy. I know summit was doing some experimentation's and I had liked their pale and red ales so I decided to give it a shot. I picked this one up along with their rye, and I couldn't be happier. This beer relies on the balance between chocolate, pumpkin and minute spicing along with Golding hops to create a nice appreciable sweet beer. Spectacular job, Nate Siats!


92/100

India Style Rye Ale

Tasted after a whole day working at Binny's (my new job over break). I saw that it was the last on the shelf so I had to take it. Enjoyed with an assortment of nuts. Served

Appearance: Robust tan head with a sticky lacing on the side of the glass. A beautiful brown color with a touch of red. Clarity is optimal for being a dark beer.
Aroma: Spicy with a woody note to is with complementary caramel and malt flavors. I also smell oak and a subtle bourbon-ish tone under the spice.
Taste: Starts malty and sweet but with an immediate spicy/bitterness but with a touch of brown sugar and other candied sugar elements. The beer finishes quite clean with no overwhelming flavors. The rye is an incredible addition to this beers flavor. The woody and nutty flavors with the complementary rye spicing are great elements to the complexity. Mild whiskey makes this beer
Mouthfeel: Fuller bodied with a smooth carbonation profile that fills this beer. I do however find it primarily stays secluded to the tip of the tongue with a minimal tingle. The texture is very forgiving though drinkability is left to be slowly enjoyed.
Overall Impression: This beer is the pinnacle of rye flavor. If you really want to know the flavor of rye and what character it adds to beer. Most say that rye simply imparts a body or texture to beer, but it certainly adds a unique and flavorful element to beer. I love it!
Perhaps this could eventually get me into whiskey?
Not.
I'll stick to the beer.

89/100