Abita Strawberry Harvest

Abita has continued their strong offerings of malt pleasure. They continue to bring creativeness and great flavoring in their line of beers. Strawberry harvest is one of 3 of their Harvest collection and I must say is very refreshing. Has Matt's tastes changed since the beginning of this blog? Definitely. I have been selectively trying some of the fruity beers out there and this one is a keeper. I personally would drink this as a refreshing thirst quencher during summer months. Perfect for strapping on your float tube and spending a summers day meandering down the river.
Matt gives it a 3.5 out of 5

The Abita Springs unique flavor is present in the Strawberry Harvest. One of the things I find charming about this particular brewery is, that due to the craft nature of their process, there are little inconsistencies in their products. There are slight variations in flavor in one batch to the next. The spring water lends to a clean feel on the palate. All of Abita's offerings should be swirled a bit before the final pour, to really get the full effect. Definitely give this wheat beer for summer a try. Very refreshing.

Zech gives the Abita Strawberry Harvest a 3.5 out of 5  

Magic Hat Single Chair

This 5% abv "Golden Beer" By Magic Hat Brewers is dedicated to the Mad River Glen ski area. How can you not respect a beer dedicated to snow skiing, one of my favorite past times. That being said I will give this review no bias. (yeah right!) At first sip I notice a light, sweet start on the tip of my tongue, with a smooth finish. No bitter or dryness at all. I then took notice that the beer is unfiltered, which usually will indicate a little yeast bite, but not here it drinks like a filtered beer to me. As we have noticed with Magic Hat across the board another excellent beer. I would recommend this to beer drinkers who are trying to wean themselves from the light Lagers lining the shelves of most stores.
Matt gives the single chair a high speed quad 4 out of 5 points.

Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat Hefeweizen

Today is a good day! I'm enjoying an unfiltered wheat hefeweizen by Flying Dog brewery, and it is worth the purchase price! This Hefe is a solid pick for your tasting pleasure. It has such a smoothness that surprises you with that classic hefeweizen flavor, no bitterness. I am enjoying this while cooking up a mess of my Chicken gumbo and am looking forward to pairing the two. I think you would be amiss if you tried to add a lemon slice, or anything for that matter, to this brew, it stands alone just fine.
Matt gives this a 4 out of 5 and an ayeeee!

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

Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager

Zech and I recently celebrated a milestone in our beer blogging by enjoying some brews at one of our favorite beer watering holes, The Flying Saucer, Nashville. http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/nashville/ While there we tried various beers, Zech's view of, "if this is good and that is good than the two together make great", had him trying some really interesting concoctions of beer, which we would like to find some of for reviews... Should make interesting reading. I enjoyed a draft of Old Scratch, so afterwards at Frugal McDoogals beer store I purchased some for review. This malty amber is very smooth with a hint of coffee undertones. The head was definitely passing the 2 finger rule and left a nice lacing down the glass. I personally enjoyed this beer from cold to warm and everything in between. If your an Amber Lager fan as I am than this is absolutely worth a look.

Matt gives this 4 out of 5 scratches!


Monkeys in a walnut tree. Or something like that. This Flying Dog Old Scratch might be sharing a name with the Evil One, but evil it ain't. It be really good. If you ain't stoopid, drink this.

-the Zech gives the Old Scratch a well deserved 4 out of 5-

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-

Point Brewery Horizon Wheat

 

  Just gaze in loving awe at the smooth golden goodness that is the Point Brewery Horizon Wheat. This, my friends is Unfiltered Wheat Ale done right and as such I would recommend that your hard earned cash go towards this rather than Bud Light Golden Wheat.

  As you can see, this brew has a light and white fluffy head. There are readily recognizable but not overpowering citrus notes in the nose. There are no orange peels in this brew. Those scents come from the balances of malts, hops and American ale yeast. This is my second time reviewing a product from Stevens Point, Wisconsin and these folks definitely impress. As the beer warms the bitter notes become less pronounced and the malts start to to stand out even more.  It has a bitterness rating of 10 IBU's (International Bittering Units) which is just enough to let you know that you are drinking a grown-ups beer. Since this is the real thing, make sure you swirl the sediment in the bottle with the last couple of ounces and pour that into your glass. Here is what the folks at Point had to say about this brew and it was just so poetic I just had to copy it here for you.

  "Point Horizon Wheat is an alluring combination of spring wheat and specialty malts along with Yakima hops and American ale yeast.  This lively and light, perfectly balanced wheat beer pours cloudy and finishes with a white creamy head.  The glowing golden hue may help you visualize the start of a new day as early morning rays of sunshine bounce across the horizon of an American wheat field."

  It's just so beautiful...sniff...brings a tear to my eye.

  -Zech gives Point Brewery Horizon Wheat a 3.5 out of 5-

Stevens Point Brewery has impressed me further with this delightful product. Everything Zech said above I could parrot, fruity smell, fluffy white head, golden orangeish color, balanced flavors between malts hops and yeast, blah blah blah (not you Zech just the repetition I could do). What I really appreciated about this beer is what I've seen from this brewer with everything I have tried, really well done beer that gives you a cannot miss when forking over the dough to purchase a real beer on payday. I am also a comfort food guy, no doubt you have noticed this by the pairings of food and beer I recommend, and one of my favorites is a good hot wing. One beer that I tend to go with when partaking of the small chicken limbs is a wheat beer. This beer would absolutely go well with a spicy wing. So do not despair when your ready to try a Stevens Point Brewery Horizon Wheat you will not be wasting your dollars. 

-Matt gives it a 4 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

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


     

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    
   

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan

This product of Mississippi's only brewery is quite pleasing. As a true craft beer, produced with love, the pecan flavor becomes more prominent as the brew reaches room temperature. The finish is quite smooth though it can be just a tad  watery. This brew has certainly won a place near and dear to my heart. An interesting note is that I have consumed this immediately after a 90 min IPA,  and the hoppiness of the IPA emphasized the pecan flavor so much, I felt like I was drinking pecan pie! A truly delightful experience. Give it a try. 4 out of 5 stars. - Zech

Winner of the Bronze award for Specialty Beer Category at the '06 World Beer Cup. This Brown Ale is quite satisfying, I especially enjoy the initial flavors, the pecan and ale compliment each other with a good amount of   frothiness to mix the flavors on your palate. This beer would make an excellent beverage with a steak dinner. Not a sweet beer but with sweet foods the pecan stands out even more. I think anyone who enjoys an Ale would rank this one high on their list. I again agree with Zech 4 out of 5 stars. - Matt