Rappell, Beer, in that order.

So Zech tells me a couple years back that he enjoys lead climbing and rappelling. I'm thinking to myself that would be great fun, but having no equipment and too many irons in the fire already, I figure its a dream never to be realized. While in Utah we do a little rope work up to a cave in the side of the cliffs surrounding the little glacier lake we packed up to for a couple days, this really gets me thinking. For Zech its all in a days work as a master rope tech and firefighter.
Flash forward a year. We go camping to Fall Creek Falls State Park in TN, Zech brings his gear and we do some rappelling and climbing. Drink some good beers around the campfire. One of these was Porkslap Pale Ale.

 This Pale Ale is brought to you by Butternuts Beer and Ale and is a refreshing A.P.A.. Since we were camping I drank it straight from the red cup. It had a distinct Pale Ale flavor with a bite of something else. After checking Butternuts website I found that this was fresh ginger.I truly enjoyed this paired with the Brats on a stick over the fire. Matts rating? 3.5 out of 5.

Spring another year forward we find ourselves back at Fall Creek Falls. this time taking on a 135' rappell. check out my view from halfway down the rope.

 It was a blast! After that a good refreshing beer was in order and so I went for...

It was just that. A refreshing Wheat Ale with a nice soft infusion of blueberry. I am still not a sweets fan so this beer was a pleasant taste of beer and blueberry without pushing itself to wine cooler status. I would not drink this everyday but my preference still leans toward a dark hoppy beer, with that being said, this would define what a blueberry wheat should taste like. Thanks Sea Dog you've made a believer. Matt rates it a 3 out of 5.

Victory Hop Devil Ale

Smell the Hop! Taste the Hop! Be the Hop! This is actually not named correctly. Sorry Victory Brewing, but I'm not seeing anything so devilish, it's more like an Angelic concoction of Hop goodness. This well done Ale has a nice blend of dry and sweet. This probably would have to be a beer to work up to if your not used to the strong hopped beers.
Matt likes this allot 4.5 out of 5

Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale

This  refreshing, unassuming Ale sporting a light dissipating head, drew my attention. The Nose was clean, nothing jumping into my nostrils for a whiff, smelled almost like a light beer. As I began to partake though, I began noticing a light citrus undertow that pulled me back for more. I almost noticed light whispers of hop flavor, but without any bittering. This beer is great for warm weather, I would probably choose this with a summer crab boil. Cover the picnic table with newspapers set the boiling pot dead center and start cracking because a cold Tire Bite will go along with the party.
Matt gives this a howling 4 out of 5.

What the Fahrvergnügen? Is Matt starting to like fruity beers? Come to the dark side Matt. We have cookies.
Anyway, I digress. It is not really a fruity beer, there are simply some hints of citrus that I attribute to masterful use of hops and yeast. There is a well balanced malts and hops essence to the nose, the mouth feel is clean and medium bodied. A thoroughly enjoyable brew that delivers golden rays of sunshine directly to your tastebuds while little refreshment ninjas surf into your mouth on gentle waves of hoppy malted barley goodness.
-the Zech also delivers 4 out of 5 to this ale-

Laughing Skull Amber Ale

This Craft brewed product from the makers of red brick beers out of Atlanta Brewing, delights me in such a favorable way. My initial taste of this brought me slight hints of hop with a smooth malt finish. Both are subtle and this Ale gives you the feeling of quality start to finish. The bottle says its a return of an old favorite from Atlanta and though I never had the pleasure of trying it before, I'm glad they did bring it back so that I could enjoy this delightful Amber.
Matt gives this a 4 out of 5

Schlafly Raspberry Hefeweizen Ale

So... You say Matt is not a lover of the fruity sweet beers he's gonna give this a downer review. I really thought, and was prepared to whine about, a ruined Hefeweizen. As usual you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. The front of the bottle shows all these sweet raspberries as if they laced it with fruitiness. I will say, It has a raspberry flavor in it, but it is a well balanced addition to the Classic hefeweizen flavors and , dare I say it...is quite good. an unfiltered bitterness comes across but the addition of the raspberry adds a little balance. A bit of fruitiness comes out in the nose and the magnificent fluffy white head emanates raspberry, but not overly so. I recommend you pull this one out with a fresh apple pie with extra whipped cream and enjoy a beer with your dessert.
Matt gives it a 3.5 out of 5

If you have tried other beers brewed with raspberries, you will already know that they are often used to balance a bitter brew and lend a smoothness to an ale. This is definitely the case with Schlafly's raspberry hefeweizen. A well crafted hefeweizen made smoother by a subtle addition of raspberry. This ale is unfiltered and should be swirled in your bottle before the last is poured in the glass. As it warms, you can smell the berries even stronger, and their scent mixes well with the phenolic tones coming off this beer. This brew has a crisp mouthfeel with just a hint of slickness. A very enjoyable brew.
-Zech gives this offering from Schlafly a 3.5 out of 5 as well-

Morland Brewing Old Speckled Hen

This English Import comes with a little history, it was named after the delivery car used at the MG car factory, brewing this Ale the first time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that car maker. That delivery car was called the "ol speckled un". You can see why that wasn't the last time they made this amber ale since it is a good product. It poured with a nice tight head and left a good lacing on the glass as I consumed it. The nose on it initially gave me a whiff of metallic, which I have to admit worried me. My first drinks while the beer was still cold left a dry flavor at the back of my throat, undoubtedly the hops, but as it warms it smooths and sweetens. I found this ale much better, warmer but not warm, if that makes sense. This Ale was reminiscent of the Strangford Lough products we reviewed before, but I have to admit I liked them more. I would say that this is worth an amber ale lovers try.
Matt gives The Speckled Un 3 out of 5

The initial metallic taste is a little off-putting at first, and it is present in the nose as well. However, as this brew warms the metallic flavor bends towards a mild hoppy bitterness, but is still present. Though I can detect a smooth amber ale that is quite pleasant, the metallic bitterness is indicative of a poor brewing process and evidence that either the brewers didn't taste this batch or didn't care. Iron or mild steel in contact with the beer; freshly-scrubbed stainless steel that has not been allowed to oxidize (passivation); improper filtering material; high iron content in water; poorly processed grain, all can contribute to this undesirable flavor. You simply don't release a product meant to evoke fond memories without a rigid set of quality control procedures. I am highly disappointed and though the amber ale does give evidence of a well balanced recipe, I cannot get past the lack of concern evidenced in this beer.
-The Zach gives this "Old Speckled Hen" 1 boot in the rear out of 5 and a "Bleh!"-

Chimay Belgian Ale

 

 As you faithful readers know, part of this blog's purpose is to help you avoid potentially costly mistakes in your beer choices that could lighten your wallet and foul your mood.  This Chimay Belgian ale is one of those mistakes. I really enjoy belgian barley wines and high abv ales, so when I saw this offering at one of my favorite Jackson, TN restaurants, Picasso's, I thought "Oh, that will be nice." Wow. I could not have been more wrong. Imagine vodka mixed with water and stir in some wheat germ for flavor and Voila! Chimay ale. 

  And then you get to pay $9.00 US for a 12 ounce bottle. Doesn't that sound fun? Well, I didn't think so and I would warn you off this pretentious brew.

 -Zech gives Chimay Belgian Ale a disappointed 1 out of 5-

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

Magic Hat #9 not quite Pale Ale

This offering from the Magic Hat brewery is another example of creativeness that I have come to enjoy about this Company. The beer pours in with a light amber color and leaves you a small white head That lingers through out the tour. The initial nose is earthy but as you will notice that will change over to a fruity mix, aahhhh nice! You will certainly find a sharpness on your tongue initially with a smooth finish. This concoction has strong peach overtones and all I can say is wow. Ales are so vast, each one having its own Chemistry. This #9 defines good chemistry, it will refresh and surprise you and leave you wanting to go for another round. Kudos to Magic Hat, I would recommend this to anyone.    - Matt gives the #9 Ale 4 out of a possible 5

 As beer reviewers, Matt and I try quite a few different beers, some of which don't end up on the blog as sometimes we feel that a brewers effort is not worth your trouble to read about. Then, at the absolute opposite end of the spectrum comes something like this. Magic Hat's No.9 is pure art. This "not quite pale ale" will thrill and surprise even the most jaded palate. As Matt mentioned, there is a subtle bite and then (as angels sing) the aroma of apple blossoms, gentle on a spring breeze, wafts cross your nostrils. There is the slightest hint of apple blossom honey thrown in the mix balanced as perfectly as a lone dandelion seed landing on your fingertip with delicate bittering hops. I am genuinely in awe of this ale and the genius behind it. As I drank it, it quite literally stirred my emotions, filling me with a tranquil and restful feeling. I do not joke about this. If you have stared in admiration and felt drawn into the artwork of Martin Johnson Heade, then your soul is already primed to appreciate this brew. I am humbled by the triumphant combination of clean mouthfeel, frothy head, and subtle flavors that have made No.9 such a joy to review. I promise you, pour this in your favorite nucleated glass, let it sit a minute as you close your eyes and picture sunrise over a storm tossed Atlantic, a sakura fubuki, or even your mother baking pie with the apples you picked that afternoon. Now swirl this amber gift in your glass as you lift it to your nose. Roll the liquid back and forth in your mouth before swallowing. Your worries are gone, the long day complete.
-Zech gives No.9 by Magic Hat a 5 out 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-

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dark

They claim fame to being the worlds oldest brewery. This German brewed beer makes you stop take another look and try again! Wow what a group of flavors come from this dark heffeweissen. The dark fluffy head definitely passes the 2 finger rule, and sticks there with you throughout the journey. The flavors begin with a sweetness I can only describe to you as fresh picked sweet corn right out of the husk, no doubt the wheat standing out. Then the finish stays around on the back of your tongue and in your throat. As with most real beers the flavors are more distinct as it warms. I wouldn't recommend this to a newbie beer drinker trying to expand their horizons. One pint will do you.  You could enjoy a bowl of white beans and cornbread, drink this beer and your life would be completed.  Matt gives this 3.5 out of 5

  I have a new love and thy name is Dunkel Hefeweissbier. The aroma and flavor is so intoxicating, so rich and so unlike anything else that these dark, top fermented, unfiltered wheat beers invented in Germany can only be compared to each other. The clove flavor rolls across your palate very pleasantly. If you feel a slight tingle in your lips or the roof of your mouth when drinking this brew, that only means you have become sensitized to aromatic hydrocarbons. (hydrocarbons with a benzene ring attached) Eugenol or in the case of a weissbier, 4-vinyl guaiacol, the chemical responsible for the clove-like smell, is a phenylpropanoid containing hydroxybenzene (these properties of this organic compound relate it to aromatic hydrocarbons) and is one of several phenols produced by the yeast.
   But Fear Not Intrepid Readers! The levels of phenols are so low that you would have to consume hundreds of cases of this beer over a lifetime to increase your risk of brain cancer.
  Now that the science crap is out of the way, let me say that I love this beer. (Did I already say that?) I highly recommend it to our adventurous readers. The Germans enjoy this brew with kielbasa and even more so with weisswurst, otherwise known as white sausage, which demonstrates Matt's genius at food pairing because both of those are ridiculously good with white beans.
  Zach gives Weihenstephaner  Hefeweissbier Dunkel a 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