Sour Ales Will be the Next IPA: Brouwerij Bavik Petrus Aged Pale

Trying going to somebody's house for a football game an bringing a pack of sour ales. Although, I would greatly appreciate it most would seem like they would be in an awkward situation, and would be regretting not picking up a pack of Lagunita IPAs. Anyways my ventures brought be back to Ol Beer Cafe once again to try something classic, something you will always find, and back to something that well is never really appreciated.

Appearance: This drink poured not very opaque at all. Unlike some of Russian River's sour ales this poured out almost transparent, but not like a lager or anything. This drink resonates a very crisp, clear, amber apple juice. Being a sour ale the head retention wasn't GREAT like you would generate pouring an porter or IPA, but it was there. The lacing was decently sticky, and left a rim of it around the glass as I was sipping.

Aroma: The beer generated this yeast sour, and funky profile. All you can say is you are about to drink something sour, tart, and sweet.

Taste: First sip was incredible nothing short of "I want to drink more." You get a combination of very tart cherry, mixed in with some sour apples. Everything comes together to resemble a cherry lambic mixed in with sparkling apple cider. Drinking you will notice some slight acidity. Very light bodied brew, and you will get some oak champagne notes in the midst of all this.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied, balanced carbonation, and slight acidity.

Overall: Not a complex beer as far as what touches the palette  but nonetheless it was consistent throughout from start to finish. A sour ale is something that can be overwhelming, and after having a few of Russian River's sour ales I would consider those overwhelming at time especially their sours that have been aged in some sort of wine barrels. Overall anybody who is new to beer will enjoy this, and it is something definitely good to have on your beer resume that isn't limited in anyway.

Brasserie Dieu du Ciel: Rosee Hibiscus

Today I saw a brewery that I always eye every time I lurk on the coolers at Ol Beer Cafe; Brewery Dieu du Ciel. What really catches me is their labels. Like other great things there is great beauty past the intended purposes they hold. Well they had a few beers, and I so happen to pick the one brewed with hibiscus flowers. Before I review this go an pick it up. Then go frolic in a field full of flowers while drinking, and don't forget to up your Claratin dose!

Appearance: Doesn't reviewing this get boring by now? Well it resonated this goldish brown amber color. Can you have all at once? The color can be similar to an oak, but not in the same context as whiskey. Lacing an head was boring, and basically a buzz kill.

Aroma: I am suffering allergies, so I'll skip this. I would never want to give biased results.

Taste: This is a very mellow, and light bodied beer. It isn't heavy in the mouth like some stouts, tripels, and/or IPAs can be. Taking the first sip you can really taste the hibiscus flowers, but it isn't overbearing or even funky. I know a lot of beers brewed with "something" sound cool, but produce funky flavors, but that isn't the case. After taking a few more sips some sweetness starts to appear along with tropical notes. I wouldn't say the tropical notes came from the hops, because this wasn't a hoppy beer (not even close to reminding me of an IPA). Within all the sweetness you get notes of the holiday type spices, and not the spicy. You will notice some nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon. After a few sips I noticed the finish was pretty sour for what it was worth (I was reminded of Russian River). If you know me well enough then you would know if I am reminded of Russian River then the beer is probably pretty good. What causes me to actually dislike beers is usually, because it has too much of something. In other words it isn't balanced or structured properly. I've had IPA's that don't feel like IPA's, stouts that remind me of water, and beers with an alcohol burn, and beers that remind me of vodka...This beer isn't one of them...

Mouthfeel: Swirling this in my mouth you get kind of that burning carbonation feel that coke gives off, but that adds the character. Mouth feel was pretty light bodied, and this would go perfect after a large meal.

Overall: Well structured, and well balanced. Stayed consistent throughout. Being an ale I would say this would be perfect for "not a fan of beer" person. Not to overwhelming for a person new to craft beers, but definitely a beer they could brag about from a brewery they probably can't even say. So if you are still in community college you can brag about having Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel brew, and hopefully someone know what you are talking about.

Thornbridge Halcyon Imperial IPA

Never had a beer from the U.K. so this would be the first, but it doesn't really matter where it is from so much nowadays anyway. Went to Ol for the first time in forever, and ended up getting this brew, which so happens to be in a very attractive bottle. Should have kept it!

Appearance: The appearance was pretty fogged out in my opinion, not as crystal clear as I expected first hand. Nothing about the appearance was displeasing. The beer had this nice little glowing golden amber look to it. The lacing was nice an sticky, and the head as well. The head didn't come off as the usual perfect top, but it lacked consistency as far as texture (I don't normally see that, so it was nice).

Aroma: I can't say much about this. It could have been my allergies at the time, but I could not smell much. I had a little wif of honey, but that was about it. In no way the aromas matched the taste profile.

Taste: Well I was kind of in for a shocker. My review on Stone's Enjoy By IPA is a review on the perfect IPA IMO, and this beer pretty much matched that flavor profile. Never ending tropical notes laced with honey an hops. This was obviously a less intense version (if you ever tried the Enjoy By Series you will take notice). The finish was sort of caramel like, and malty, nothing overbearing! Overall I felt it was a well structured beer. Extreme consistency in the taste from start to finish. No complaints!

Mouthfeel: Reminded me of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale except slightly less dense, and more refreshing in the mouth.

Overall: I loved the Stone Enjoy by IPA, and I love this one. This is how an IPA should be done. Looking forward to trying more beers from Thornbridge, because i definitely enjoyed this one. Price isn't bad either!

Stone Enjoy By...4/1/13

The first time I  bought a Stone Enjoy By beer  an acquaintance of mine took it, an never drank it before the date. This time around that didn't happen, and I was able to fully enjoy this. Before I even continue just get up an go get this beer, because hands down it is one the best IPAs I've had. Every IPA is an IPA, but IPAs vary across the board. I found out I like very smooth grassy IPA's that are crisp,  with subtle sweetness, fruit characteristics, and basically everything about this particular beer. Some IPAs like a Lagunitas IPA have a more bodied malts that show up, which isn't bad (it is just preference).


Appearance: glowing golden amber, lacy white head

Aroma: This brew was filled with grapefruit, tropical notes, citrus, honey was pretty prominent. The hops were sweetly sensational. The hops in this brew are pretty in your face!

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, and decently carbonated (which is nice in an IPA).

Taste: Perfect interlacing of malts, and hops. The hops showed up very well, which took over the maltiness in the most perfect manner (IMO I wish every IPA had this ratio of hops to malt). This beer has some beautiful tropical notes, grapefruit notes, citrus, and honey. Everything you get in the aroma you will taste on your palette.

Overall: Get it while you can! I can't say much more!