Musty dough aroma, persistent phenol hop coarsening, and garbled malted grains up-front. Insufficient clove, citrus, and mint hints get drowned out. Weak toasted barley finish as drab as aluminum hue. Plain, ordinary, but not common.
Monthly Archives: January 2009
(STAROPRAMEN) VELVET
Swanky East European-styled malt nose shouldn’t prohibit brewhounds of any stripe from consuming awesome lager-ale hybrid. Cascading eggshell head consumes velvety amber full body, maintaining silk-textured whipped cream froth from eclair entry to nutty bottom. Reminiscent of lighter, sweeter Guinness or premier black and tan, its deep-grained hop roast succinctly counters sugared vanilla malts and dark floral notion, picking up back-throated liquor sharpness. Canned version captures frothy mocha character well.
STAROPRAMEN PREMIUM LAGER
Musty wet-grained malting and pungent sourdough yeast inform dry-hopped citric dash and dirty earthiness. Setback straw, hay, and leather astringency back ends heartily assertive golden lager.
STAROPRAMEN PILSENER
Fizzy pop-like pilsner with pungent yeast, floral hops, and staid barley scouring crisp water flow. Not as fine as Czech staples Pilsner Urquel or Czechvar, but full-bodied nature beats Bud by a grain.
STAROPRAMEN GRANAT
Respectable moderate-bodied amber-yellowed Vienna lager hides dainty mocha malt whir beneath hop-embittered barley-cracked wheat husk. Watery flow softens richer-than-expected grain finish that gently lingers.
STAR LAGER
9.1-ounce bottle of light, simple African beer. Pronounced malted grain sweetness enhanced by brusque hop sharpness. Lean barley roast and shades of fruit found at watery finish.
STAR BREWING STARBRIGHT PINEAPPLE ALE
Buoyant pineapple ale with surprisingly turbid red hue retains spicy citric tartness embellished by sinewy yeast. Tertiary berry, melon and quince illusions immerse fruit cocktail essence. Neither overbearing in its peculiarity nor too drab, but in need of fully-formed original identity. Serve with lemon wedge prior to summer. Brewery defunct: 2003.
STAR BREWING RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE
Full-bodied fruit ale retains rich wheat base relegating explosive champagne-like fizz and faded bittersweet raspberry tartness. Not as distinct as better Star Brews. Brewery defunct: 2003.
STAR BREWING INDIA PALE ALE
Suspiciously packaged like Rogue ales with its etched lettering and crisp organic seasoning. Lively barleymalts and cocoa notes softened by crisp Northwest water for delicately nutty grain-induced finish. Brewery defunct: 2003.
STAR BREWING HOP GOLD ALE
Tamped down herbal hop resonation tenderly caresses sour lemon rind, orange peel, and apricot nose. Tea leaf tinge nearly escapes senses until soothing malted rye finish durably increases. Brewery defunct: 2003.
STAR BREWING DARK STAR NUT BROWN ALE
Sweet chocolate-wafted ale with thick mocha resonation, pleasant nut influence, and moderate hop bitterness coating softly textured hazelnut finish. While experienced brown ale drinkers will reach for stronger, more refined Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, lighter ale lovers may be more inclined to enjoy these. Brewery defunct: 2003.
STAR BREWING BLACK CHERRY STOUT
Dark chocolate-dominated black cherry-fermented stout with full-bodied chocolate bon-bon essence juxtaposing refreshingly hop-fizzed overripe fruiting. Ultimately, chocolate cluster lingers longer than cherry residue, finishing closer to Cordial Grand Marnier than Hennessey as a superb after dinner treat. Brewery defunct: 2003.