Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Thank you Thomas Christian for bringing this beer back from spending the holiday's in Washington. Enjoyed during lunch with Jen as we feasted on a broccoli, mushroom and asparagus pizza with a crust composed of spelt and millet flour and California beer yeast and a sauce I created from blending kefir and Tahini sauce that inevitably made a smoked mushroom tasting cream sauce, mmm!

Appearance: An orange amber with minimal clarity. Strong cloud like head is sustained atop an aggressively bubbly liquid. The off white head dissipates into a thick foamed ring around the glass. Moderate spotted lacing throughout the drink.
Aroma: Fruity but more so in the direction of malted barley and biscuits. Hop character is present with a splash of tropical fruitiness. Sweetness is almost like honey and cane sugar.
Taste: Tropical fruits play this beer well as it integrates some toasted biscuit flavors but finishes with a orange juice or pineapple sweetness. The bitterness is reminiscent of pineapple rind and some orange zest. The complexity and development of this beer through the tasting is incredible. There may be some mango bitterness, but predominantly this pale ale takes the fruitier, and tropical side of the APA category. Finishes somewhat try, but more so refreshing.
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a mild carbonation that only helps the beer develop in flavor. There isn’t much of a spike to the tongue , but more so a progressive wash of texture blossoming. No cloying or tackiness.
Overall Impression: Quite a spectacular and refreshing beer with a boat load of complexity and a lot to say about basic APA standards. Most APA’s have a mild bitterness and a caramel, biscuit malt backbone to hold up a basic alpha acid flavor. This beer exhibits a whole new kind of flavor that can be achieved within the category. I’ll definitely make an effort to get this beer whenever I can. And if you can, please send me some!

91/100

Black Butte Porter

Tasted following my Microbiology Lab practical. Thanks to my mom for bringing this all the way back from her 45 hour train ride to and from Seattle. Pint poured.

Appearance: Extremely dark with a tan foamed head worth half a finger. Poured thick. When held to the light, minimal transparency reaveals itself with a dark reddish brown color

Aroma: Coffee smell with a smooth velvety chocolate aroma to back it up. Mild roasted barley and other adjuncts. I sense a bit of bozziness as well. With a complementary licorice profile at the nose.

Taste: And it was just that. I tasted licorice immediately making it the initial flavor to make a first impression. Following this up is coffee bitterness which becomes more pronounced as the palate adapts to the beer. It still exhibits licorice with undertones of tobacco and even some maple notes. Gradually, caramel and roasted malts emerge giving this beer a wealthy sweetness. The finish reveals perhaps what traditional porters would have. Somewhat of a soured taste (in this case from the dark malts) from stale brown ale mixed with fresh brewed dark beer. Though I'm certainly not saying this is the way THIS beer was made.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is fluid and drinkable with medium carbonation. The beer gives some tackiness as well. Body is on the heavier side.

Overall Impression: I'm gradually becoming fond of these flavors. The licorice/tobacco and coffee are growing on me. This ale is certainly a complex beer with a wide range of adjunct grain additions.

 

90/100