Saranac Brewery Single Malt Ale

Last night I had a Single Malt Ale from the Saranac Brewery. Now you may be wondering what is a single malt? Well in this case its just a name. Saranac is using it to refer to that it is as unique as a single malt whiskey and it is definitely a very unique beer at least for me it was. Out of the fridge the temperature came in at 47.5 degrees with an average head at 1 27/32" in a pint glass. The head appearance was a rocky off white that quickly dissipated and left some excellent head lacing. I could see no visible carbonation in this normal clarity beer that had an amber color. The aroma was that of dough with a taste that I can only compare with close to sherry. The flavor started out light and grew in intensity rather quickly and the finish lingered nicely. The beer left a watery feel in my mouth and hit my tongue in the middle. After finish the glass had some good lacing left on it and as I sat back and pondered my review I realized that I really enjoyed this beer. It was something different in flavor that I seemed to connect with and if the opportunity arises I will definitely have another. Now sadly this beer was from Saranac's spring offering and now they have moved onto summer so if you want one you'll have to hope that they bring it back next spring. Thanks for reading and as always drink responsibly.

Information from Saranac website

Single Malt

Brewers Notes:

We use 100% Scottish Maris Otter Malt. Traditionally used in the distilling industry. The combination of the Scottish Malt and slow aging process produces a unique brew as distinctive as single malt whiskey with a flavor than any other beer.

Beer Style: English Style Brown Ale 
Malt Selections: Custom Malted Maris Otter 
Hop Selections: English Fuggles 
Color: Amber 
Mouthfeel / Body: Medium 
Food Companions: Venison, Green Salad 
Alcohol By Volume: 5.5% 
Original Gravity: 13.0 
Availability: Seasonal 

5/21/12 Negra Modelo

Over the weekend while attending a wedding in Bloomsburg I tried a new beer. It happened to be Negra Modelo. I had never heard of this beer so I figured I had to try it. The first thing I noticed was the interesting bottle. It had a foil wrapped cap which I thought was pretty interesting. The bottle really didn't give you much of any information other than it was a Mexican beer. I didn't have it out of a glass and I didn't have my review form on me so this won't be my normal detailed review. I also forgot to take pictures so shame on me for that one. This happened to be the best Mexican beer I have ever had. It had a really good flavor that both me and my wife liked. It was super easy to drink and I ended up having another. What did surprise me was that basically no one at the wedding was drinking this awesome beer. I am guessing because like me they hadn't heard of the beer and therefore were afraid of it. This is why I continually preach trying new things. I could have stuck with the Yuengling they had but then I would have never know or had the pleasure of sampling this great beer. So my recommendation is always to try new thing you never know where you might find something you really love. Thanks for reading and as always drink responsibly.

No company website but Beer Advocate has a picture and some good information

Nutritional Information from myfitnesspal.com

Beer - Negra Modelo

1. Servings:  1 bottle

Calories	169	Sodium	0 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	14 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	0 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

5/18/12 Saranac Black Forest

Last night while having some Domino's pineapple pizza I was looking for a beer in the fridge that I thought would go nicely with it. As I pondered over the different beers staring back at me I glanced at a beer hiding in the corner and realized that this must be the one. My beer of choice for the night, Saranac Black Forest. It had a temperature of 49 degrees with a large 2 1/2" head and a creamy medium brown appearance. The head lacing was excellent with a head that dissipated slowly and medium carbonation. The clarity was dark with a brown color and a taste and aroma of caramel. The flavor was light with an average finish length and a dry mouth feel. The tongue hit was towards the back with good body lacing. Overall it had a really great taste and extremely easy to enjoy every bit of it. So far out of the beers from this variety pack this and the Irish Red have been really good and make the What Ales you variety pack an excellent spring choice. Thanks for reading and as always drink responsibly.

Black Forest

Availability: 6 Packs, Draught, Trail Mix

Brewers Notes:

Deep in the heart of the Adirondacks, there is a place where enve light is scared to enter, the Black Forest!  It inspired us to brew this Bavarian-style black beer with caramel sweetness, medium body and our trademark rich creamy head.  Look for the delicate brownish-red color.  Don't be afraid of the dark!

Beer Style: Bavarian black beer
Malt Selections: Two-row & caramel malt
Hop Selections: Mt hood, hallertauer
Color: Dark Brown / Black
Mouthfeel / Body: Medium
Food Companions: Ole' Mexican foods, grilled chicken dishes
Alcohol By Volume: 5.3%
Original Gravity: 13

Nutritional information from myfitnesspal.com

Saranac - Black Forest Beer

1. Servings:  12 oz. 1 oz.

Calories	173	Sodium	0 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	0 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	0 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

5/16/2012 Troegs Java Head Stout

Last night after getting the kids to bed I decided to dip into my stash of beers and work on making a dent on reviewing the beers that are in the fridge. I ended up going with Troegs Java Head Stout that I got on my trip to the brewery some time ago. The temperature was 46.6 degrees with an average head around 2" with a rocky medium brown appearance. The head lacing was excellent with a somewhat quick dissipation and no visible carbonation. The clarity was dark and the color blacker than the darkest night. I mean I could see absolutely nothing threw this beer. The taste and aroma were a strong coffee with a moderate and long finish length. The mouth feel was dry and the tongue hit was towards the back with excellent body lacing. Java Head Stout had a much stronger coffee flavor compared to what I remember of what Sam Adams Black and Brew had and I would say it nudged it out as far as my opinion on it goes. Thanks for reading and as always drink responsibly.

Nutritional information from myfitnesspal.com

Troegs - Java Head

1. Servings:  1 beer

Calories	230	Sodium	0 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	0 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	0 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Information from Troegs website

JavaHead Stout

Alcohol by Volume: 7.5%

Hop Bitterness (IBUs): 60

Color (SRM): Black

Availability: Year Round

Malts: Pilsner, Crystal, Chocolate, Roast

JuJu: Oats, Blend of Coffee Beans

Hops: Cluster, Chinook, Cascade

Yeast: Unfiltered Ale

JavaHead Stout contains a blend of locally roasted espresso and Kenyan coffee beans by St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown, PA.

JavaHead's recipe is based off of our original oatmeal stout. After the boil, the hot wort passes through our hopback vessel on it's way to fermentation. Packed full of whole leaf hops and a bed of ground coffee beans, the hopback vessel is similar to using a huge French press, intensifying the coffee nose and releasing subtle hints of coffee flavor. The result is a lush oatmeal mouthfeel balanced with cocoa, roast and subtle coffee flavors.

Click HERE to watch short video showing the roasting and brewing process of JavaHead Stout.

FOOD COMPLIMENTS

Cheese (earthy; Camembert, Fontina) General (Chocolate, Dessert) Meat (Shellfish, Smoked Meat)

Serving Suggestions:Temp:  50-55°F  Glassware:  Pint or Mug

5/14/12 Sam Adams Irish Red

It has been a really crazy past couple of days that have seemed to fl;y by and the time I have for drinking and writing seem less and less but I will still try and do at least one new post a week if not more. Hopefully this week I will find more time to drink. The other night I decided to try another beer that I received from a colleague at work Sam Adams Irish Red. The temperature was 40.5 degrees with a huge 4" head and a frothy light brown appearance. The head lacing was excellent and it dissipated slowly with little carbonation. The clarity was sparkling with a red body color. It had a floral aroma with a burnt taste. The flavor was moderate with a long finish length and a dry mouth feel. The tongue hit was towards the middle with excellent body lacing. Overall I thought it was a pretty good beer and a good representation of the Irish Red. It was a more bold flavor than the last Irish Red I had from Saranac but I would say it was at least as good if not a little better. This is because I thought it was a little different than the other Irish Reds I have had before. Thanks for reading and as always drink responsibly.

Information from Samuel Adams website

Flavor: Malty, toasty, and slightly sweet, balanced by earthy and citrusy notes from the hops

Color: Deep red, 30 SRM

Original Gravity: 14.2° Plato

Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 5.8%ABV – 4.5% ABW

Calories/12 oz.: 190
IBUs: 25

Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and Caramel 60

Hop Varieties: East Kent Goldings, English Fuggles, and Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops

Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams ale yeast

Availability: Year round

First Brewed: 2007

Nutritional Information from myfitnesspal.com

Sam Adams - Irish Red

1. Servings:  1 Bottle 1 container (6 bottles ea.)

Calories	190	Sodium	7 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	160 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	11 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	1 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	1 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.