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

Lazy Magnolia Indian Summer

Wow! Holy Monkeys in a Walnut Tree, this beer is good!
     This is my second time reviewing one of the products from the Lazy Magnolia Brewery and I love it. Sunshine and love pour out of this bottle while visions of Ole Miss girls in daisy dukes dance before your eyes. You can smell late September, early October in this brew, and its flavor rolls across your tongue like a ride on a Sunday afternoon down Highway 90 in your grandfathers convertible with the top down and your arm around your girl. (My grandfather never had a convertible. I am trying to describe a feeling here people.)

  You are just going to have to try this offering from the Kiln, Mississippi brewery. If the description in the previous paragraph did not stir your interest just a little, why are you reading this?

             Duh!!! Zech gives this one 5 outta 5 WooHoo!!! (Amen)

Lazy Magnolia does it again! The Indian Summer Spiced Ale hit it out of the park. Those people down in Kiln, MS must really love their job because they're doing it right. I have to say I'm not a fan of candied brews and at first look I thought this was going to be one. I was wrong. ( don't tell my wife I admitted that.) It does have a bit of sweetness but not overpowering so and the mixture of flavors... My kudo's to the brewmaster on that concoction. I give this my try it you'll like it review.              Matt gives it a 4 out of a possible 5

Covington BrewHouse Bayou Bock

 A bock beer is either a beer brewed near or in Einbeck, Germany or a beer brewed in the fall, aged through the winter, so as to be consumed the following spring. Which means that labeling your product a "Bock" tells nothing of the ingredients, flavor, abv, or brewing process.
    Having said that, I was somewhat dismissive of this beer when I first looked at the bottle, but since I am always ready to take one for the team, I drank it anyway.
    A beautiful, white fluffy head floats on a golden lake reminiscent of sunlight. Yep, it looks like Budweiser (a pox on their house) and tastes like what Budweiser would taste like if the brewers at that mega-conglomerate purveyor of colored water gave a set of flying squirrel balls about you, the consumer.
   I may have ranted there for a moment. Your forbearance, please. If you are reading this blog, there is a considerable liklihood that you don't care about Budweiser, and therefore I applaud you.
     This beer is wonderful. It is what you fantasize about while working outdoors in the heat of the summer. So I forgive the ostentatiousness of calling this brew a bock, which it may be.
   It stirred love in my heart for the individuals who poured their hearts into crafting this concotion that will definitly be on my summer drinking list. Give this one a try for sure.
                                               Zech says 4 out of 5 stars

Brewed in the same town as the name on the label, Covington has a good thing going here. I have found as a rule if they have written Bock on the label, I can come to expect a smooth full bodied beer, and this one is no differant. I was very pleased with the beer from top to bottom. If your looking for it on the shelf look for the dark red label with the new Orleans Saints logo on the side.( I know it's really not only their logo but is a french cross or something.) This beer had a touch of tart while drinking, would go well with something citrus. Overall I still give it good marks and recommend it if you see it on the shelf.     Matt gives 3 out of 5