Yazoo Brewing Pale Ale

  Yazoo's Pale Ale is a subtle and artistic take on the IPA. Thanks to the new Amarillo hop there is a delicate and slightly sweet citrus note to the nose. I could also pick up hints of malt which I found quite pleasant. Because the hops are so well balanced, the acidic oil content is low enough that you don't feel like you just swallowed a week cough syrup. There is the clean, crisp and dry hop finish without being harsh. The head doesn't linger too long and is not overly bitter. I am not generally a fan of IPA's, but this is a refreshing brew that I will definitely drink again.
 -Zech gives Yazoo Pale Ale 3.5 out of 5-

This is a clean your palate between dark beer offering. Very crisp and clean. I purchased this in a Yazoo 12 sampler and enjoyed it after a  Dos Perros. The clean flavor of this Pale Ale is definetly mild in comparison to the other Pale Ales you may be used to. I think that this is a good summer beer and would recommend this to those who are not ready for too much hop. On the other hand if you like the really hoppy brews you may be suprised at Yazoo's version. This would make a good outdoor barbeque beer.
-Matt Gives it a 3 of 5

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

Abita was a large contributor at the Beer fest, and I thoroughly enjoyed they're offerings there. They have done an excellent job with their pecan harvest. Made from Louisiana picked pecans, the initial aroma is earthy with a nutty overtone (surprise, surprise). The head goes away quickly, but you almost want it out of the way so you can get to the beer. You definitely taste the pecans but with alot of malty goodness soaking around it, almost a coffee like malt. Not alot of hoppy bitterness or bite, but undoubtedly there is a smidgeon of hop flavor that hangs on the tip of your tongue reminding you its an Ale.This to me should be tried by any newbie craft beer drinker who would like the Ale experience without the bite but with plenty of flavor.                                     Matt gives The Abita 4 out 5


 Matt is so right on this one. Give this stuff to your friends who are just starting to try new beers and they will like it. When I first saw that Abita had a pecan ale, I thought that they were just trying to compete with Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan, but I was wrong. This brew stands on its own, and though it is possible that the Southern Pecan inspired this idea, they went a whole different direction. This brew almost has some similarities to a Scottish Brown ale with its malty smoothness and low bitterness. It is not nearly as sweet as say, Innis & Gunn, but it also is not so bitter as to alienate the new comer. In the Jackson, TN area you can get this at the gas station with the Church's Fried chicken in it at the corner of Whitehall & North Parkway. Enjoy.
 -Zech gives Abita Pecan Harvest 4 out of 5-

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

This Stout is touted in England and no doubt has a good following here as well. The light brown head is very aromatic but dissipates quickly. This beer will give you a hop aroma with a hint of cocoa to the nose. The start of your first swallow gives you a nutty sweet beginning with a smooth yet bittersweet finish. This dark reddish beer warms nicely as the flavors will stand on their own. This is not too thick for a stout lingering just long enough, like a relative that you haven't seen for awhile but only stays a long weekend, keeps you happy instead of an overstayed guest on your palate, leaving you wanting more. They call this the celebrated oatmeal stout, and it should be. Coming from the oldest brewery in Tadcaster, England has given them time to perfect their abilities to craft an outstanding stout. This one was one of my favorites from the Top of The Hops festival.          Matt gives this 4.5 out of 5

     
    If you read this blog, you probably like dark beer, so, check your wallet and as soon as you are done reading this review, go get yourself a bottle of Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout. The weight of this brew is medium. It isn't too light, but it won't leave your tastebuds wore out and your stomach bloated. The oatmeal gives a certain smoothness to this ale that reminds me of a dessert. The nose is much sweeter than the actual flavor, which is so balanced that it is sure to please individuals on both sides of the sweet/bitter line.
   This is a good brew for those consumers looking for something dark and rich, but don't want a Guinness clone. I highly recommend it, and not to step on Matt's turf, it is wonderful with a medium rare porterhouse if you drink it with dinner yet it also pairs nicely with virtually any chocolate if you have it with dessert. So what are you waiting for? Go get some of this stuff.
   Zach gives Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout a 4.5 out of 5


     

Yazoo Brewing Company, Nashville TN

   Well, what a day it has been! Matt & I, accompanied by a guest reviewer, Warren, rode over to Nashville in search of some Tennessee brewed craft beer and wow! We were not disappointed.
    We would like to give a huge Thank You to all the folks at Yazoo Brewing company and particularly to Neil for being a gracious host and taking time out of his busy schedule to show us around and let us try the brews.
    If you are ever in Nashville, TN make sure you stop by Frugal MacDoogal's and pick up a six pack or two of Yazoo's love in a bottle. The Yazoo taproom opens @ 4 pm during the week and 2 pm on Saturdays and tours are available on Saturdays as well. You can find these great folks at 910 Division Street and here is their website  www.yazoobrew.com.  Definitely check them out.
  We got to sample Hop Project #37 which was brewed with Sorachi Ace hops. This brew had a subtle bite of hops, (a love nip really) and then settles on your tongue smooth as gold. This being a Hop Project brew, it may end up being a once in a lifetime experience, and I will miss not having more of it in my life.
   Next we tried the Onward Stout and the the Rye Porter, both of which are surprising in their subtle blends of sweetness and bitter. The rich chocolate tones of the stout soothed me while the Rye Porter was deliciously light.
  The Pale Ale cleanses your palate very nicely so that the flavors of what you have been drinking will not interfere with what you will be drinking.
   I must say that the absolute stand-out star for me was the Yazoo Hefweizen. Through the magic of chemistry and years of experience brewing, a light, crisp ale smelling of bananas and citrus has been created. There are no bananas or citrus in this brew. The mind boggling, heart thumping flavor is achieved through delicate balances of the hops. A very loud BRAVO!  to Yazoo for this beer that made a great day even better. Enjoy the pictures below, but even better, get yourself to Nashville and give these folks a visit. And remember to do your part to support craft brewers.
  Zach gives Yazoo Brewing Company a 5 out of 5.

I too enjoyed the brewery immensely. Neil made us feel like we were v.i.p.'s and gave us a real feel for what the craft breweries are going thru against the giant conglomerates of the beer world. We are determined even more to make others appreciate the love, heart and soul that goes into the beers like Yazoo puts in their bottles. I also enjoyed the samples we tried and was amazed by the goodness of each and every one. I would like to do an in depth review of these for your reading pleasures but until then I can say The Dos Perros impressed me, Again. and the Sly Rye Porter was truly another stand out. Please give thought to giving these guys your patronage the next time you purchase a REAL beer! Matt says 5 of 5

Legbiter and St Patrick's Best by Strangford Lough

   

Well, just let me get started on these offerings from the Strangford Lough Brewing Company based out of 

Killyleagh, County Down, on the shores of the Strangford Lough. The ingredients for the brews sold here in the U.S.A. are grown in Ireland then shipped to the states to be brewed.
  First of all, I have never had anything that can compare to these two brews. They are completely unique concoctions and, as Matt said while we were drinking them, they can only be compared to each other.

 As I pour the Legbiter into my frosted pint glass that is courtesy of Samuel Adams, this brew dances in the glass in a way reminiscent of Guinness. Its color is a rich caramel brown and it has a thick light tan head that lingers long in the glass. I know i am stealing some of Matt's thunder with this next comment, but the nose is slightly sweet and as Matt helped me realize, if you close your eyes and sniff long and slow, there is a hint of cola. In a good way. Though the nose is sweet, the taste is a delicate balance of such that I am truly at a loss to describe.  If you have read some of my earlier post, you well know that at times I could almost be called verbose in my descriptions, but this Legbiter (named after King Magnus of Norway's sword) leaves me pleasantly befuddled. The brew is smooth and rolls across the palate. There is the slightest bite which makes to this ale, though there is no hops present in the flavor. The mouthfeel is pleasant and gentle and after you swallow it, my palate felt clean. Each swallow was such an enigmatic, yet joyful experience. The flavor sings and dances on your taste buds, light as dandelion seeds on a summer breeze and then disappears completely once you swallow it. The flavor intensifies and becomes more complex as the ale nears room temperature. This is truly an ale to be savored and passed on to the next generation. May the Strangford Lough Brewers have a long and storied career.
     Zech gives the Legbiter Ale     4.5 out of 5 stars

I have to say this is a tremendously smooth, enjoyable beer. Its easy to drink and will bring joy to any beer drinker. At first smell I thought ( as Zech said) Cola, but as I drank I realized this is NOT Cola, It did though have a smooth, sweet taste and after racking my brain for the flavor I could compare to, I came up with sassafras. Yes you may think Matt has said he doesn't like sweet beers and even my esteemed reviewer friend raised an eyebrow when I said... Ready... "I like it!". But in my defense so as to not sound wishy washy this beer smells sweeter than it tastes, and the rest of the flavors of this Ale make it a delight. I also found the name very cool. How can you not like a beer named after a sword? I also felt the need to pair this Ale with a nice Porterhouse and a baked sweet potato with lots of butter and Cinnamon, and look forward to doing so. Overall this is a must try.        Matt gives Legbiter 4 out of 5



 Now for my thoughts on the St. Patrick's Best Ale. It pours in an energetic froth that quickly clears, leaving a medium bodied light tan head. This ale has a reddish tint as light shines through it. Its characteristics are somewhat similar to Legbiter, but there is an added hint of caramelized malted grain. It is more bitter on the initial flavor than Legbiter, but still no hint of hops. It is full bodied and rich though not so thick as to be unpleasant. It has a smooth and sweet aftertaste. As I said in my review of Legbiter, this ale can only be compared to its cousin. It is not the same as the Legbiter, but simply has similar qualities to the flavor. If you try this one first, you may very well prefer it. I think that the SLBC (Strangford Lough Brewing Company) has captured flavors with these ales that are so unique that they will rock your knowledge of beer to its very core. I did try this brew after the Legbiter, and I feel that that action prejudiced me. I did prefer the Legbiter, but I feel that is only because I tried it first. Definitely give this a go if you run across it, and if you happen to be in or near Gulfport, Mississippi, USA you can find both of these on tap at Rooney's Irish Pub, 1316 27th Avenue.
    Zech gives St Patrick's Best 3.5 out of 5 stars

St Patrick's Best Ale. A similar product, Yes. If you were to drink these on separate occasions you may even confuse the two, but the malted barley is more distinct in this Ale. I felt the bite of this one and the head was lighter and didn't seem to linger near as long, but also I think Zech was right when he said whichever of the two you tried first may be the one you favor. I truly favor this beer. I actually agree with Strangford Lough Brewing when they call this their Best Ale. It is though not like any Ale Ive ever tried which made me ask, What the Ale?
Matt Rates this a 4.5 out of 5    
   

We're Back!

We made it back from the Beerfest and have some great brews for you to try. Me and Zech want to give you a review on each and everyone, but we are going to have to pace ourselves. I wanted to post some pics of the Beerfest to give you an idea of the mountainous task ahead of us. Good reviews take time to do properly, but I think we're up to the challenge. I'll give you a few of my faves to get your juices flowing: Turbodog by Abita Brewing, Laughing Skull by Atlanta Brewing, Jefferson Stout by Lazy Magnolia, Dead Guy Ale by Rogue Ales, Oatmeal Stout by Samuel Smith Brewery, Legbiter by Strangford Lough  Brewing, Dos Perros Ale by Yazoo Brewing. Thats just my standouts I have a list much longer of beers that are amazing. So stay tuned!