Not as rich and robust as brewers’ better stuff, yet efficient in its straightforward approach. Mild citric hop bitterness and subtle toasted grain persistence appealingly simplistic. Doughy yeast median decorates carbolic fizz, but the difference between Sam Smith’s ‘organic’ lager and its ‘pure brewed’ lager seems inconsequential.
Category Archives: Beers A-Z
SAPPORO DRAFT LAGER
Light, straw-hued, ceramic cold-filtered pilsner with sharp hopped carbonation, malted grain embellishment, and lemony lick lacks consistency and dense texture of Sapporo Reserve.
SARANAC HEFEWEIZEN
Smooth unfiltered German-style wheat ale softens up-front banana dominance with sweet yeast influence, spicy clove insistence, and teasing herbal resonance. Durable overripe banana finish embittered nicely by frisky lemon peeled hop stead. 2011 version upped the banana sweetness and deepened the cardamom-coriander-clove spicing.
SARANAC SEASON’S BEST ADIRONDACK WINTER NUT BROWN LAGER
Dizzying copper-hued, tan eggshell-headed, floral-hopped seasonal can’t decide whether to envelop its squalid honeyed malt cusp with ester-y cherry quip or to mediate its candied caramel slurp with tepid almond-chestnut roast. An off-dry harsh metallic astringency lowers its earthy grain potential.
(SAXER) THREE FINGER JACK ROASTED RED
Delicately rustic barley roast insistence and mellow wheat-toasted malt flow integrate satisfying spice nut finish that’s closer to a soft-toned brown ale in comparison. Brewery defunct: 2005.
SCHOUNE BLANCHE DE QUEBEC
Good thin-textured, medium-bodied Belgian-styled witbier with milky white sediment. Inviting lemon-soured grapefruit tartness and acidic orange rind bitterness reach dry oak midst. Arid tangy-fruited finish fades fast. Perfect for light aperitif.
SEA DOG OLD GOLLYWOBBLER BROWN ALE
Way too unassuming and non-specific to compete with genuine brown ales. Pleasant hop toasting ensues before giving way to wobbly nutty caramel urge and watered down dirty grain finish.
SHENANDOAH STONY MAN STOUT
Sturdily creamy deep maroon full body gathers irresistible sour mocha resonance to complement ice coffee swatch. Port notes encounter macadamia-walnut-cola nut bittering before burnt caramel finish reinforces brown chocolate sweetness. Brewery defunct: 2010.
(SHIPYARD) CHAMBERLAIN PALE ALE
Soapy suds honoring Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain fails to maintain honeyed citric splurge and toasted barleymalt follow-up. Bland hopping and blase’ mocha murk sink thin metallic medium body.
(SHMALTZ) CONEY ISLAND SWORD SWALLOWER STEEL HOP LAGER
Viscous saffron-hued ‘American All-Malt Lager’ pleats raw-honeyed barley-toasted wheat cracker frontage into cardboard-y butterscotch-marzipan-hazelnut sweetness. Alcohol-burned juniper-swayed pepper-spiced hop bittering allows grapefruit rind souring to overtake dry orange, apricot, and apple skin nuances thereafter.
SIERRA NEVADA CELEBRATION ALE 2001
Bitter-spiced hop opening and musty dark fruit punctuation lead to moderate lacquered malt pungency. Berries entangle clove, overwhelming creamy sweetness inducing otherwise bitter finish. ’05 version placed savory apple-grapefruit ripeness above peppery hop bed and eternal alcohol bittering.
SILETZ PADDLE ME INDIA PALE ALE
Amber golden hue resembles setting sun as a burst of lemony orange bitterness drives back tangy peach-y keen sweetness. Roasted barley foundation falters before herbal-currant trifle brings assurance.