Lord Chesterfield Ale

Tasted following a run with Brandon through the Neighborhoods of Rock Island. I purchased this beer in Pennsylvania during our trip out to New York. It was just something I hadn't seen before and it it was worth a try.

Appearance: Pale straw in color, while the actual pour looked almost lacking in color as the lightest of American Lite Lagers. Head was decent initially but rapidly diffused into a soapy film. Carbonation arises in single file along the inside of the glass. Clarity isn't maximal, but still an 8-9/10.
Aroma: SKUNKY! whoa, if you need a definition, here is your beer. As I attempt to draw out other scents I cannot decide whether it is corn sugar under the rich smell. Alternatively there is also some diacetyl. Storage was not too favorable on this beer.
Taste: Light malted foretaste of pils/corn along side with perhaps some cereal grains. Finish is quite bitter with neutral leafy tasting hops. Immediately after a couple sips a very grassy alpha acid bitterness sets in over drying the mouth and leaving little for any other flavors to emerge. Stale hops perhaps, though that may be a product of the skunking that arose full force in the aroma
Mouthfeel: Carbonation is certainly on the higher end of the spectrum, biting the tongue and even the back roof of the mouth. However, once this settles (pretty quickly) the texture of the beer is quite smooth. Light body.
Overall Impression: Interesting. I must say, I've never tasted a beer with the extent of skunkiness that this one maintained. Nevertheless it fit the beer I suppose. Heineken at best. Malt was not the show case here, it was the body, the carbonation and refreshing taste, though that grew tiring.


66/100

Dark Brewed Porter

Bought on our way back from NY in Pennsylvania. It took us forever to find a place that sold liquor because PA doesn't allow grocery stores or gas stations to sell liquor, only specialty liquor shops which we couldn't find our entire car ride into NY. Finally had some luck on our return trip.
Jen: Tasted following a painful calf massage, those Vibrams can really make your legs sore if you push too hard, too fast. Poured into a funky shaped tulip glass my mom bought for me.

Appearance: Poured relatively clear (hardly any sediment), but is deep chocolate brown so visibility is at a minimum. Virtually no head withstanding, but does produce a a thin beige film and a bit of wet lacing when swirling to unveil aromas.
Aroma: Dark toasted malts, airing on the side of sweet. Possibly chocolate complemented by dark fruits. First time I've really understood the concept of a "stale" aroma which is apparent at the finish. Faint hint of sour-tartness too.
Taste: Light and bittersweet. Upfront, it packs a substantial amount of roasted malts followed by the presence of cocoa and dark fruit. Possible hints of a nutty or woody flavor? Slight undertone of earthy hops to add bitterness, but nothing to overwhelm, just to add a defining balance and crispness to the beer. Finishes with a subtle stale dark bread flavor that leaves a slight sour aftertaste. Not overpowering. As the beer wars, more of a toasted chocolate flavor emerges at the foretaste while the crisp hop finish and bittersweet aftertaste becomes prolonged.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a decent amount of carbonation that leads to a creamy and smooth finish. Finish is a bit gummy in texture, but doesn't work in sacrifice of the refreshing taste/feel
Overall Impression: Lighter and charged with a semi tart, but not standout-ish flavor representing old style porters of London which were mixed with 1/2 stale brown ale and fresh dark beer. Very refreshing, enough to drink three after a long run. Jen: It's been a while since I've had a full pint of a porter. On a kick from IPAs, I like the change up. A perfect style to base a porter off of, from my understanding. Definitely worth the scavenger hunt for some kind of Yuengling six-pack, thanks Timothy!

Jen: 88/100
Tim: 86/100

Black & Tan

Thanks to Justin Brooks for donating this beer to the blog, as he's been a good provider when it comes to Yuengling's beer. Tasted Wednesday afternoon following a stressful trip to the DMV (which eventually went successful, thanks to my landlord Kevin). Can poured, pint glass served.

Appearance: Clouded brown in the glass. Initially maintaining a strong beige/off white head, but dissipation was quick to reduce it to a fine film across the top. Presents a rubied hue when held to the light, and generally looks relatively still.
Aroma: Rich caramel and toffee, with a bit of an under attenuated element to it. I can also draw out vanilla and sweet liqueur like maltiness. Very subtle, but easy to pick out.
Taste: Caramel malt backbone, with again a very worty/pre-fermented flavor about it. This resides throughout the whole taste with a paralleled toffee and subtle toastiness. The finish is a bit roasted, but not overbearing. I feel this beer is a bit lackluster, but still could potentially combat a Guinesss/Bass Black and tan, or other "perceptively-categorized" dark beer. As the beer warms, it gets a bit more nutty. Aftertaste is biscuity and toasted.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a carbonated bite that happens more towards the end of the taste. Smooth nonetheless, while finishing dry
Overall Impression: This beer is all about the malt. One can pick out the whole spectrum with this beer, which I think would be great for a tasting where you could teach people what flavors are what, and what to look for. Overall it is very drinkable and palatable, though I would have liked to see a bit more of a definite character about it.


82/100

Premium Beer

Tasted Tuesday night following an 8 mile run and to come back to a veggie Harris pizza waiting for me. Thanks to Justin Brooks for leaving these beers for me at Great River, much appreciation for thinking of me and the beer blog!

Appearance: Golden yellow with a pristine and brilliant glow. Entirely clear, with an ever prominent rapidly rising carbonation about it. The head was initially very soapy and white, but no sooner did it completely dissipate into a centralized foamed film accumulation in the center of the glass.

Aroma: Pungent and yeasty - but more so from a lagered beer perspective. Corn and a very floral (flowery) undertone. Minor notes of honey. Basic malt at the nose, and a minuscule hop presence, which may otherwise be completely neutral.
Taste: Foretaste is sweetened with a non-eventful honey-esk flavor, along with a bready two row and pils malt sweetness. Corn appears consistent, along with perhaps other (rice?) sweetening/attenuating sugar adjuncts. The end of the beer is floral and spicy in hopping. Some lemongrass is presence, which is more obviously a product from the hops. Aftertaste is again bready and neutrally sweet, yet spiced with the ever re-occurring lager yeast flavor.
Mouthfeel: Bubbly and crisp. Mouthfeel is light and the body is swift and zesty yet a little heavier than one would expect. The beer bites the tip of the tongue and fades from there-on-out into something creamy and even coating the tongue. The finish is crisp and dry and extremely refreshing.
Overall Impression: I like this beer because it maintains a very balanced character between faint hops and a subtle malt. The finish and the perfect crisp texture make this beer an ideal for summer occasions


83/100

Traditional Lager

Tasted Wednesday evening after a long day at the brewery. Reviewed following a time spent weeding the garden with Pail (one of our new chicks) that we received from the Mad farmers. Likewise, this very beer I received from them as well. Thanks to Ian and Hannah. No worries, it wasn't at all skunky in the flavor!

Appearance: Gold in color with a minimal white foam filmed head. Quite clear with a micro bubbled fizz rapidly rising to the surface. Very appealing to the eye.

Aroma: A little skunky along with a bit of a cidery smell. Some caramel, along with a bit of a lagered yeastiness. A lot more mellow than others I've encountered. Not a whole lot going on in the aroma, and it's difficult to pin-point specific elements.
Taste: Semi-sweet with a bit of a Belgian-sugar flavor. Very buttery. Sweetness soon transfers into a slight bitterness, but nothing like any of the traditional "Ice-house" Econo-beers. Lots of a CO2/alcohol character, similar to the one I get when I open a fermenter for the first time and it sears the nose and burns the eyes, yet you still want to keep going back for more. Mild diacetyl. Some pear. Overall, it is quite a simple flavor, yet still enticing. Aftertaste dissipates quickly.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation is so fine that it almost melds too well with the beer. Ultimately it induces an extremely smooth and soft mouthfeel. Body nevertheless is light with a crisp, drying finish.
Overall Impression: I was actually pretty impressed with this beer. The label is plain, so some snobby beer drinkers overlook it. However the lager still boasts a very palatable flavor for being so simple.


85/100