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

Samuel Adams Cream Stout

This beer pours so dark that you have to hold the glass to a light to see through it. The Khaki colored head lingers like a tan cloud hanging over a moonless dark night in spring. Jim Koch's signature on the neck indicates pride in this product, and well they should have it, it is quality. The chocolate and caramel flavors are distinct especially at the finish, even the roasted barley stands out. So smooth is this brew that you could consume one quickly, but do not be overcome by the urge, because the flavors will layer on your tongue as it warms. The carbonation seems to disappear quickly but it still delights your palate as you drink, even without it. Pair this with a smoked brisket and some roasted vegetables and your day will get better almost immediately. Was a little sweet for me so Matt gives this 4 out of a possible 5.


  Dang Matt, I thought waxing poetic about the brews was my job and here you have gone and completely upstaged me. Bravo my friend, Bravo. Where was  I going with that? Oh yeah something about beer...
  Matt really nailed this one in my estimation. There is the suggestion of charcoal in the nose (this is a good thing) along with chocolate. There is a subtle initial bite of bitterness, and then the sweet slides in on you. The sweet is not overly done and is necessary, as this is truthfully a milk stout. I would recommend this ale to those who have already taken their first steps into the wider world of beers, but are still testing the waters.
   Overall this is an excellent brew and I tip my hat to Jim Koch. One thing I particularly appreciate is that the hop balance is so refined that while you can enjoy the distinctive flavor of  Humulus lupulus (I am showing off...impressed yet? Betcha didn't know hops are in the Cannabaceae family {marijuana}) the alpha acid level is kept low enough that I didn't feel the enamel being stripped from my teeth, as I often do with many IPA's. Since the bottle doesn't say anything beyond "hand-selected English Hops" I wonder whether the Fuggle or East Kent Goldings hops were used, as these tend to have a more balanced acid profile.  (picture Zach looking bemused)
  So, in short with all that rambling useless data I just dropped on you, I am saying this beer is not too sweet nor is it too bitter. Buy a six-pack and share it with those you love.
         Zach gives this a 4 out of 5

Point Brewery Amber Classic

  There is a distinct smell of white oak to the nose of this beautiful amber ale from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Though I don't recall them being featured at the beer fest in Biloxi, this beer is a standout in my mind from that weekend. There we were, minding our own business (which involves the purchasing, consuming and reviewing of beer and beer related products) in Rouses Grocery and Matt spies a Point Brewery Sampler pack. Which he purchased (God Bless him.) So here I am now reviewing this delightful brew.
      It is crisp and refreshing, white a light tan head that doesn't linger. It is very smooth and though it is not sweet, there is no hint of bitter. It reminds me almost of a quality American Lager. This would be an excellent brew to introduce someone to a wider range of experiences in the beer universe. The high level of carbonation gives a pleasant bite and the aftertaste is nearly identical to initial flavor. The mouthfeel is only slightly oily, just enough to coat your palate and allow the flavor to linger. Though aside from the oak aroma, it is not particularly outstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this delicious craft beer.
                            Zech gives the Amber Classic  3.5 out of 5

This reddish brown offering from Stevens Point Brewery is a definite keeper, brewing beer since 1857 has helped them to perfect their craft. This would absolutely fall in the craft beer category but with that kind of history maybe its just beer done right. Theres nothing fancy done here, no fruit peels or onion skins or whatever else we are throwing in these days, just old fashion smooth dark beer that falls in the category of WooHoo! This is a nice smooth beer with a hint of sweet up front and a hint of bitter behind, which gives you the feel indicative of a quality product. Here I go again, offering you a pairing with food I like, but what can I say, I like beer and I like to eat. Anyway, what this would go well with is a Grilled Chicken salad with a quality oil and vinegar dressing.                              Matt gives this a respectible 3.5 almost 4 out 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!

Top of the hops BeerFest in Biloxi!!!

Hey Faithful Readers!
Matt, myself and our wives are headed this weekend for the Top of the Hops Beerfest in Biloxi, MS sponsored by none other than the beloved Lazy Magnolia Brewery. We will hopefully come back with lots of reviews to entertain, warn away, and maybe even encourage you to try something new. This Blessed event takes place February 19 2011 so look for new reviews coming in the following weeks.

Zech