Session Black

Beer:Session Black Premium Lager
Brewery: Full Sail Brewing Co, Hood River, Oregon
ABV: 5.4%
Style: European Dark Lager
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 11 oz

Impression:I like this lager for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which being pleasant refreshment. But quaff-ability aside, I am thrilled that Session Black single handedly provides an excellent educational opportunity as well as supplying craft newbies a first-rate transition beer. Let me explain. First, this lager really accentuates the difference between “dark” and “heavy” beers and how the two can be mutually exclusive. These two concepts are so frequently misunderstood as interchangeable descriptions in the general public’s mind. Session Black offers a great education opportunity to experience how darker beer ≠ heavy. Second, Session Black, much like the original Session, offers an extremely approachable beer for those who principally drink mass produced light American lagers, but are interested in expanding into other suds. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not saying Session Black is only for rookies. Yes, the dark lager has such a mellow texture and mild well balanced flavors that anyone can enjoy it, and yet there is enough complexity and depth to entice the seasoned connoisseur.

Ok for the actual review. Though dubbed Session Black, the color leans more towards a deep brown. The hopping must be very mild as I don’t detect much. This lager passes gently over the palate with a touch of toasty caramel malt. A hint of well placed sweetness fades into a nice clean finish truly making this a session beer. Definitely try this one and bring it to your next summer gathering. Now I just have figure out which Session to keep on hand. Hey Full Sail how about offering a half/half 12 pack?(6-Session, 6-Session Black)

Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout

Beer: Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout
Brewery: St. James's Gate Brewery
ABV: 5%
Style: Irish Dry Stout
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 12 oz

Impression:I went into Guinness’s 250 Anniversary Stout without expectations. OK well perhaps that is a bit of an untruth, I expected this beer to be bigger and better than Guinness Stout in every way. I mean you have had eons to perfect this follow up recipe. So given this expectation I was obviously biased going into the tasting. All that aside, I still think it is safe to say that Guinness 250 Anniversary was somewhat underwhelming. It certainly lacks the distinct creamy silkiness of the original. It is also notably more carbonated and the head bubbles up in a much looser weave, which doesn’t provide that enjoyable frothy Guinness mustache. Overall this beer has a much lighter body and mouth feel as well. But, enough comparison as I think it is prudent to evaluate this beer on its own merit. The aroma entices the senses with mild roasted caramel and a hint of malt. While breaking across the palate I experienced a supple toastiness, but the finish yields a sustained metallic dullness. The off finish doesn’t make for a deal breaker, but being honest Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout won’t make it into my top 10 list. On balance a grade of ‘B’ seems reasonably appropriate. I will sum it up this way: I am glad I tried it, but I won’t buy it again.

Sah'tea

Beer: Sah'Tea
Brewery:Dogfish Head, Milton, Delware
ABV:9%
Style: Sahti
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 750ml

Impression:After experiencing Sah’tea I must admit that I am somewhat at a loss for a concise and encompassing description of the brew. The unparalleled nature of this creation has obfuscated me and challenged my comprehension of what IS beer. Fittingly the single most apt summation of “banana bread like unique beer” comes from the Doghfish Head founder Sam Calagione which can be heard explaining Sah’tea in a short video here. Basically Sah’tea was derived as a play on Sahti (a traditional Finish beer utilizing juniper berries in lieu of hops) by borrowing the traditional Finish brewing process and infusing it with Chai Tea to create something uniquely Dogfish Head and hence Sahti + Chai Tea = Sah’tea. As for an actual review, the cloudy orange amber presence in the glass doesn’t fully prepare one for the spiced tea like notes and zesty mid-palate experience. This is only compounded by the finish which accentuates Chai like overtones while light bready fruitiness accompanied by cinnamon and nutmeg begin to discreetly express themselves. This experience evokes a feeling I associate with festive winter beverages like spiced cider, probably making it more appropriate for a holiday season than summer refreshment. I really enjoyed this warm and slippery brew as it dared my senses to pigeonhole it. On a downside, head retention was ghastly and I was unable to perceive as much of the caramel profile that I had hoped would result from the hot rock boiling process. And while not inherently bad I was unable to detect any alcohol content at all, further complicating my ability to recognize this as beer. With all that in mind I would recommend this beer to two types of people: 1) adventurous beer drinkers that recognize the renaissance of craft brewing that is occurring in America and are willing to test the waters of brewers on the fringe 2) People who don’t really like beer, but would enjoy a bubbly spiced drink. In conclusion I will risk sounding trite and assert that words cannot adequately describe Sah’tea and drinking one is the best way to experience it.

London Pride

Beer: Fuller's London Pride
Brewery: Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London
ABV: 4.7%
Style: English Pale Ale
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 16.9 oz

Impression: When I imagine the beginnings of modern beer as we know it Fuller’s London Pride Pale Ale comes to mind. I don’t know exactly when the recipe for this particular brew was concocted, and certainly there are older beers out there, but I feel London Pride captures the essence of the early British style pale ales that birthed the modern beer. I am enamored with this beer for its lovely simplicity and yet elegant depth. The deep honey color and brilliant clarity give the ale a regal appearance in a pint glass. The body and mouth feel are perfectly balanced to satiate my senses and yet are graceful enough to court my desire for another sip. In part I attribute this to wonderful malts from a skilled maltster whomever you are. The aroma hints of mild malty sweetness which is made good on after the creamy smooth suds wash down your gullet. To get a better appreciation for the differences between American and UK pale ales try London Pride side by side with Mirror Pond for fun. Afterward I think you will posses a deeper understand of London Pride's delicate elegance.

Blog Update: Twitter

I assure you I won’t publish many posts of this nature as I am much more interested in fine brews than technical updates. However, I am excited announce that Humble Beer has a twitter up and running. You can view it in the right-hand column of this page under the heading “More Humble Updates Via Twitter.” (Thanks to the undeniable talents of Sean Cornwall.) I started this twitter as a way to supplement Humble Beer for the readers who have been requesting more content, and because it takes a fair amount of time to craft a blog post. Now you can stay up on recommendations and follow my liquid conquests in real time which will help keep you stocked up on choice refreshment.

Best
-Shaun