Beer: CoCoNut PorTeR
Brewed by: Maui Brewing Co.
Style: Porter
ABV: 5.7%
IBUs: 30
Can: (Yep, you read that right!) 12 Fluid Oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Beverages and More! (BevMo)
Price: $9.99 / 4-pack
There's no denying that our prejudice against beer that comes in cans prevented us from trying the Coconut Porter sooner, but as soon as we took a look at their reasoning, we couldn't argue against it. As it says right on their can, "Cans are lighter, chill quicker... eliminate light damage and reduce the risk of oxidation, keeping our beer fresher than in bottles!" And "Aluminum is the most recycled and most eco-friendly material." It struck a chord in both the environmentalist and the beer lover within us!
Personally, I don't think Mugsy was too excited about drinking Coconut flavored beer of any kind, but I couldn't wait to try it! After all, not only has the Coconut Porter won several awards; not only is it brewed with six varieties of malted barley, hops and hand-toasted coconut, but it's brewed with Aloha! How many beers can say that?!?!
In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, MouthFeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from
1 to 10.
CoCoNut PorTeR
APPEARANCE:
Mugsy: Extremely dark brown. Completely opaque and unable to be seen through, even when held to light. Light tan colored head that dissipates to practically nothing. No lacing left on glass whatsoever.
Jugsy: Very dark brown -- almost black. Thick and dark, even when held up to light. Tan, frothy head dissipates quickly down to nothing.
AROMA:
Mugsy: Strong smell of roasted malt is first to hit the nose. Very sweet. Lots of dark chocolate aroma mixed with toffee, as well. Slight hint of coffee is in there also.
Jugsy: Sweet chocolate, toffee and sugary coconut scents are right at the forefront. Spicy aromas are also present: vanilla, nutmeg and allspice blend in with a slightly funky yeast. Roasted malt/coffee marries nicely with toasted coconut for a candy-scented harmony throughout.
TASTE:
Mugsy: Strong taste of chocolate and roasted malt. The toasted coconut is prominent. Very nice balance between hops and malt here. While the malt is dominant, the hops are quite obviously present, unlike what is found in some porters.
Aftertaste is slightly of coffee and definitely of toffee and caramel. The sweetness and bitterness do a lovely little dance with each other.
Jugsy: Bitter roasted malts and hops are among the first flavors to hit your tongue, followed immediately by sweeter toffee and coconut taste. The coffee, spices and sweet coconut combine to deliver a complex flavor palate with the distinct
aftertaste of toasted coconut and coffee grounds.
MOUTHFEEL:
Mugsy: The coating left on the tongue, as if one has just eaten dark chocolate is the dominant factor here. Slight sting from the roasted malt and hops. Goes down nicely, if not just a tiny bit watery.
Jugsy: Creamy and bold with a fair amount of carbonation. Leaves a roasted malt and bitter hops coating on the tongue.
DRINKABILITY:
Mugsy: The aforementioned watery finish (really, very slight) actually makes this somewhat of a refreshing beer, if one can imagine saying that about a porter. At 5.7% ABV, I'd have no problem throwing back several of these before feeling like I'd had enough. However, the sweetness, which is not overbearing after only one, might become an issue after two or three. Also, the heavy tongue coating might become an annoyance after a while.
Jugsy: Very nice beer. Only the price-tag would keep this from being a session beer. It's rich in flavor, but not heavy feeling and I could certainly enjoy drinking this brew all evening.
OVERALL:
Mugsy: Nicely done! Overall, quite a nice balance between the sweet and the bitter, even if the sweet does take over a little. While some porters become more complex in flavor as they warm, this one most certainly does not. The flavors become far less distinct and the finish becomes even more watery. This is definitely meant to drunk cold. Still a nice job and I would be happy to drink again. Would go well with sweet chocolately desserts and would go extremely well with rich, hearty stews on one of those cold winter nights. Ahhhh, cold porter, warm stew and a hot wife! Tonight, I think I'll take all three!
Jugsy: I had to overcome the idea that quality beers only come in bottles. After looking at Maui Brewing Co.'s reasons for choosing cans (both environmental and to protect the flavor of beer) I was convinced that they really cared about what they were doing and became very curious about what the CocoNut PorTeR actually tasted like! The smell and taste of this porter is truly unique, rich and extremely pleasant. I became an instant fan the first time I tried it. (The colder, the better on this one!) It doesn't taste like it comes from a can, but it does taste like it costs $9.99 for a four-pack! You'll forget all about the price-tag once you taste its greatness!
SCORE:
Mugsy: 7.65
Jugsy: 8.95
Beer: Juxtaposition Black Pilsner
Brewed by: Stone Brewing Co.,
Escondido, CA / BrewDog Brewery, Fraserburgh, Scotland, UK, /
Cambridge Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA
Style: Pilsner (That's what they say, but even they know it's tenuous. We'd call it an Imperial Stout. You be the judge!)
ABV: 10%
IBUs: 100
Bottle: 12 fluid oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: BottleRock, Los Angeles, CA
Price: $6.99
As followers of our blog may know, we are big fans of Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA. So, what might a collaboration of Stone Brewing along with two other world class craft brewers be able to produce? Well, in this case a true beer anomaly: a black pilsner!
You read that correctly, a black pilsner!!! (If you're keeping track, the Juxtaposition is the first lager ever brewed by Stone!)
Stone, BrewDog and Cambridge collaborators decided to use lager yeast, and a longer, colder storage / fermentation time. So, naturally, one would think they were making a pilsner, which would mean the beer would be super crisp and hoppy, possibly a low
alcohol type of brew, right? Think again. You've never tasted anything like this before.
The folks at Stone, Brewdog and Cambridge set out to push the envelope and succeeded in pushing said envelope to its limit! This is definitely a unique hybrid beer and the three brewers certainly had a lot of fun making it. Three cheers!
In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.
Juxtaposition Black Pilsner
APPEARANCE:
Mugsy: Well, it's black. That's right. Just as the name would imply - black. As Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap put it so profoundly, "It's like, how much more black could this be?' And the answer is... None. None more black.'" You can't see through it at all, even when put up to the light. Slightly off-white colored head that dissipates somewhat quickly. Some lacing left on the glass.
Jugsy: The blackest beer I've ever seen! Completely opaque and seemingly impenetrable to light. Medium tan head dissipates, but thin head remains.
AROMA:
Mugsy: Malt comes to the nose first followed closely by woodsy hops. A tiny bit of funky yeast is present, as well. Little bits of chocolate and toffee are in there, too.
Jugsy: Coffee grounds and an immense fruity funk hit the nose immediately! Rotten Banana peels, pineapple, and dried apricots comprise the funky scent, followed by a touch of yeast. It smells a bit like sweet garbage. Possibly some piny hops mixed in with the roasted malts, but the funk is overwhelming.
TASTE:
Mugsy: Bold taste of semi-sweet chocolate hits the tongue, closely followed by slightly bitter roasted malt. Hops are really only an aftertaste here. There's another sweetness in there, as well, quite possibly from the yeast. Very complex.
Jugsy: Bitter hops and burnt malt taste right off the top, but there's also a sweetness I can't quite identify. The bitterness is actually heightened by a very sour (yeast?) flavor. Very complex palate - I can taste different components in every swig. The yeasty funk is in there, too, tying all the flavors together.
MOUTHFEEL:
Mugsy: This one is chewy and very creamy. The creaminess is almost like drinking chocolate milk. Going on that same path, the coating left on the tongue is quite similar to what one might have after eating cacao or a dark chocolate bar.
Jugsy: This is a creamy pilsner with a moderate amount of carbonation. Bitter, yeasty coating on tongue that lasts for a while.
DRINKABILITY:
Mugsy: I can already feel this one. At a whopping 10%, one could only throw back a few of these before getting into serious trouble. And let me tell you, I'm looking for trouble.
Jugsy: The beer is a little on the heavy side. At 10% ABV, I feel confident saying it isn't a session beer -- even for Mugsy! If you can tolerate the bold punch of flavors - or if your taste buds just like a challenge - this may be your beer.
OVERALL:
Mugsy: OK, I know this is considered to be a pilsner. It has lager yeast and is stored for a longer period of time, like a lager. But I mean, seriously. If I described a beer as black, smelling and tasting of chocolate and being extremely creamy, wouldn't you figure I was talking about a stout? Nonetheless, pilsner, stout, apples, oranges, who cares - this beer is fantastic. Extremely complex in flavor and aroma. I would drink this again within a beat of my black heart. I only wish the $6.99 price tag for a 12 fluid ounce bottle didn't leave a black hole in my wallet! Oh well. Guess I'll just have to savor this one. Hey! Looks like Jugsy drank the last of it. Black is black. I want my Juxtaposition back....
Jugsy: I'm having a love/hate relationship with the Juxtaposition. Now I see why they decided to call it that! So many opposing, clashing even, flavors, yet there is an undeniable harmony - a beauty to the madness. Stone, BrewDog and Cambridge set out to push the envelope and they definitely succeeded in doing so. On one hand, I feel like I've been tricked into drinking alcoholic garbage water, but on the other hand, I kind of like it! Definitely a unique brew. Try one for yourself and see!
SCORE:
Mugsy: 8.80
Jugsy: 6.75
Since yesterday was the official start of Lent, we thought it would be interesting to look into whether or not there were any patron saints for beer.... Buoyed by the the fact that there appears to be a patron saint for nearly everything under the sun, we began our search!
Mugsy and Jugsy are happy to report back that there are, in fact, several saints overseeing the harvesting, production and - naturally - consumption of beer!
Although there are many fine souls protecting our beloved beer, one in particular really stands out: Arnold of Soissons.
According to Beer Church, "He is said to have spent his life warning peasants about the health hazards of drinking water.... Beer, on the other hand, was quite safe. Arnold frequently pointed this out to his congregation. He is credited with having once said, 'From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world.' It goes without saying that the people loved and revered Arnold."
For more info on Patron Saints of Beer, you can visit here and here!
Beer: Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale
Brewed by: The Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA, USA
Style: American Double/Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.74%
IBUs: 72.51
Bottle: 1 pint 6 fluid oz.
Served in: Tulip glass
Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA
Price: $4.49
Mid-February means many things to many people. It could mean a few -- or several more -- weeks of Winter (depending on how much you believe in Puxatony Phil's weather forecasting skills); it could mean time to take advantage of President's Day sales; or it could mean, as is the case for Mugsy and Jugsy, time to celebrate the accuracy of Cupid's arrow! By that I mean, of course, Saint Valentine's Day! Given that Valentine's Day is a day for sweethearts, Jugsy and I thought it appropriate to review a beer known for its sweet taste. From Mugsy and Jugsy to all of you: Happy St. Valentine's Day!
In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouthfeel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.
Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale
APPEARANCE:
Mugsy: Golden yellow. Slightly murky, much like a wheat beer. Some carbonation visible. Thick, frothy head that dissipates to thin, yet still sudsy head. A bit of lacing left on glass.
Jugsy: Golden amber in color with a thinnish head. Clear enough to see carbonation when held to light. Some lacing left on glass.
AROMA:
Mugsy: Very fruity. First is sweet pineapple followed by citrus. Strong smell of hops, as well. Very slight scent of yeast.
Jugsy: Fruity yeast and a touch of hops at first sniff. Apricots, citrus and pineapple scents abound. In fact, the pineapple sweetness overpowers the other scents when beer is cold. Mild scent of sourdough. As the ale warms, hop aromas come to the foreground - flowery is a given, but I think some piny hops are present, too.
TASTE:
Mugsy: Wow. This is very sweet. Hops are in the forefront but fighting to share the spotlight is the pineapple and citrus. It's so sweet that it makes me entertain the idea that they added a simple syrup or maybe just a big spoonful of brown sugar! Aftertaste is of malt. As the beer warms, the hops and malt become even more present. This is quite unusual, as most ales release additional flavors as the temperature slightly rises.
Jugsy: Hops - beautiful, aromatic HOPS! Flowery hops and sweet orange flavors explode in the first sip. Bitter, yet extremely inviting. Fruity yeast comes together with soapy hops in a sinfully good combination.
MOUTHFEEL:
Mugsy: Creamy. Also, I get that coating on the tongue that one gets after eating something really sugary, like super sweet cake icing or, well, a big spoonful of sugar. Goes down very easily.
Jugsy: Creamy and slightly chewy - very smooth to drink. Carbonation mixes with the hops flavor for a tingly and bitter/flowery coating on the tongue.
DRINKABILITY:
Mugsy: I'd have no problem throwing back many of these back, let me tell you. The 8.74% ABV might come knocking at some point, but not too soon, I would hope. The extreme sweetness might become an issue at some point, however.
Jugsy: Extremely pleasant to drink. Although the ABV is high, the beer feels light and drinks light.
OVERALL:
Mugsy: Fine beer. Would absolutely drink again any time. Fairly well balanced, if you understand that they were going for a sweet beer, which I believe they were. If that's not the case, well, then balance my be an issue. The strong pineapple scent makes it quite original in character. The folks at Lagunitas care about what they do and it's obvious in presentations like this one. Because of the sweetness, I think this would pair nicely with foods that are both sweet and sour or sweet and savory, like Thai, Chinese or glazed entrees. Have a sweet Valentine's Day!
Jugsy: Everything an Imperial IPA should be! This ale is far more complex than I can describe. All the Lagunitas brews I've ever tried have been excellent, and the Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale was just what I needed to usher in Valentine's Day! This beer makes me feel loved! Uh oh... maybe that's the 8.74% ABV talking. Then again, I am sitting a little too close to Mugsy! Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart!
SCORE:
Mugsy: 8.70
Jugsy: 8.95
Beer: Harvest Wet Hop Ale, 13th Release
Brewed by: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA, USA
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.7%
IBUs: 60-65
Bottle: 24 fluid oz.
Served in: Pint glass
Place of purchase: Red Carpet Wine & Spirits, Glendale, CA
Price: $5.99
We're into the second month of 2010 and our review beers are piling up (seriously, we've got five that we haven't even touched.) Due to a yet another bout with this Winter's cold/flu season, we are now quite behind on the reviews.
That being said, Jugsy and I now feel GREAT (knock on wood) and are ready to officially, DRINK BEER - on your behalf, of course. After all, we're really doing this for you.
As we browsed our beer-laden shelves looking for the right beer to review, something intriguing caught our eye.... Wet Hop Ale! Being the hop-lovers we are, we had to know more! According to Sierra Nevada's website, their 2009 Harvest Wet Hop Ale uses "Cascade and Centennial hops ... [which] are harvested and shipped as “wet” un-dried hops — the same day they are picked — to our brewery in Chico where our brewers eagerly wait to get them into the brew kettle while their oils and resins are still at their peak." Hops, oils and resins -- Oh, my!!!
In every proper review, your trusted husband & wife team of Beeraucrats will examine the Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Mouth-Feel, Drinkability and Overall Rating of the Beer and arrive at a Total Score from 1 to 10.
Harvest Wet Hop Ale
APPEARANCE:
Mugsy: Deep amber color. Turns deep golden color when held to light. Thick, creamy looking head that dissipates very quickly. Still, what's left is fairly creamy looking, for what's there - which isn't much. Some carbonation visible. Leaves some lacing on
glass.
Jugsy: Golden and murky in color with a somewhat reddish hue. Initial thick head dissipates very quickly, leaving no lacing behind. Almost no visible carbonation.
AROMA:
Mugsy: Strong smell of flowery hops is first to hit the nose. Underneath it all, sweet malt can be detected. Also, the faintest smell of slightly funky yeast. The hops take the prize on this one, though.
Jugsy: Yeast and malt aromas seem to dominate when the ale is very cold. Hop scent is faint and more of a subtle background note. Swirling the beer releases the piny hop bouquet and makes me eager to taste this ale. There's a sweet, honey aroma to the yeast that is very inviting.
TASTE:
Mugsy: Hops, hops, hops. Very slight bit of sweetness comes through also. Hints of citrus become noticeable, especially as it begins to warm. Aftertaste is slightly of pine and certainly of hops.
Jugsy: Mmmm... The instant hoppy bitterness delivers just what a name like "wet hop ale" promises. Piny hops come through first, but as the ale warms, the floral hops taste emerges, as well. I can also taste a pineapple-y yeast flavor tying it all together.
MOUTH-FEEL:
Mugsy: Extremely smooth and creamy. The bitterness stings the tongue a fair bit. Overall feel is quite enjoyable, due mostly to the creaminess.
Jugsy: This ale is a tiny bit on the watery side, but very refreshing, nevertheless. What it lacks in carbonation, it more than makes up for in bitter hop bite and flavor. Leaves a bitter hops coating on the tongue.
DRINKABILITY:
Mugsy: Goes down very easily. This could fall into the realm of the session beers for me. The 6.7% ABV might creep up on me, of course, but luckily, not too quickly.
Jugsy: The Harvest is a very drinkable ale for any "hophead." While the bitterness may be off-putting for some, to others this ale will feel like a homecoming. At 6.7% ABV and a 24 fl. oz. bottle, you might want to limit yourself to just one... or two!
OVERALL:
Mugsy: Very nice beer. Not completely balanced, however, I don't believe that's what they were going for here. The brewers are certainly presenting this as a hop-lover's beer. To quote from the bottle, this is an ale that "hop fanatics like us dream of all
year." And on that note, I've tasted several other beers also catering to lovers of the hop that were nearly one-dimensional, with almost all the focus on making sure that hops dominated everything. Not here, however. While the hops are in the extreme forefront, there are several other notes that come through - citrus, pine, etc. And that super creamy feel as it goes down is fantastic. Would certainly drink again.
Jugsy: This is one of the lightest tasting beers of its caliber that I've had. I'm not positive that I can tell the difference between wet and dry hops, but my impression is that the wet hops deliver a deeper and smoother flavor. The 13th Release Harvest Wet Hop Ale is another fantastic brew from Sierra Nevada that I would happily drink anytime. I can picture this ale going well with a variety of foods; anything from a gourmet poultry dish to a guacamole and chips Super Bowl party! Hey... there's a thought!
SCORE:
Mugsy 7.90
Jugsy 7.25
Beer: CoCoNut PorTeR
