Rock & Rye

Mort Subite Blanche Lambic is a an amazing beer produced in Asse-Kobegem, Belgium, by the Alken-Maes Breweries group.

Brewed according to the centuries-old recipe of spontaneously fermented Lambic from malt, wheat and hops, this is a fairly dry, fruit-packed, 5% ABV ale that is incredibly smooth. It pours a light hazy yellow/orange, and reminds me a lot of an extremely yeasty witbier. The aromas are of lemon, loads of peaches, all highlighted by that rich yeasty smell characteristic of Belgian ales. On the tongue, the tastes are of sweet malt, wheat and spices, all complemented by that rich apricot taste. No hop aromas are present due to the aged hops used in Lambic production, although the finish has a slight pleasing bitterness to it.

If you have never quaffed a lambic before, then this is an excellent example to seek out for your first one. Be sure to grab a pint wherever you see it, because this is not a beer that sticks around. Cheers!

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Chicago’s Goose Island, one of the countries premier breweries, is cranking out some fantastic brews, and the other day I picked up a 2011 vintage of their abbey ale, Pere Jacques. Brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast, Pere Jacques is an 8%abv, wonderfully fruity, malty ale, with complex flavors standing just a little higher than most.

It pours reddish amber, with a quickly receding head. The aromas are thick with sweet malts, plums, dried figs, and yeasty esters. On the tongue, the taste is dark, sweet and fruity, spice notes pairing nicely with plums, grapes, apple, toffee and honey. Hop bitterness is present to balance out the sweetness, but the aromas are kept muted in the background along with the alcohols. The finish is sweet with a mid level of carbonation for the style. I think this is a fantastic ale that would pair well with rich meats, or stand in for a glass of vintage port, post meal. Cheers!

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Ellensburg WA, is home to one of the up and coming craft breweries in the state, Iron Horse Brewery. They produce around 10 different brews, the most popular being their Irish Death.

Created by the brewery’s founder, Quilter’s Irish Death is what we call a dark, smooth, ale. Any attempt at classifying it just ends up sending beer geeks into a style guidelines diatribe. So forget style guidelines. Is your pursuit of micro beer about tasting copies of a style that fit guidelines anyways? (Neither is ours) We lovingly refer to it as beer candy. While tempting to session this beer, the name is a necessary reminder that despite the surprising approachability, this beer weighs in at a hefty 7.8% ABV.

Irish Death pours a dark murky brown, with a minimal off-white head. Reminds me a little of a cup of french press. The aromas are sweet, with light cocoa, roasted grain, and a slight herbal quality. The taste of this beer is unique and quite fantastic. Dark biscuit malts and molasses, with a nice roasted chocolate flavor. The hops are herbal and a little grassy, but are subdued and mostly in the background, with the bitterness coming in near the finish. This beer is not highly carbonated, but is just enough so to give it a silky smooth, creamy texture that is almost reminiscent of nitro.

While this is not a beer that really fits into a defined category, it is fantastic none the less, and is worth seeking out at least once. Cheers!

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Always on the lookout for some new brews to sample, I saw this beer from Lagunitas and had to give it a try. Lagunitas is one of the fastest growing craft breweries in the United States, and while the majority of their beers are strong, hoppy, and in your face, this beer is an tribute to the fine folks in Bavaria who built their most recent brewing system.

A double wheat beer brewed from 55% wheat malt, this beer clocks in at a healthy 9%abv, and 29ibu. It pours a bright, cloudy copper color with a nice creamy white head that dissipates rather quickly leaving some nice lacing. The aromas are fantastic with a rich bready malt nose paired with lots of yeasty banana and spice notes. On the tongue the taste is fantastic, with malty caramel notes, banana bread and cloves all coming through nicely with some slightly bitter earthy hops balancing out the sweetness. The mouthfeel is very full, but the high level of carbonation keeps everything very well balanced. The finish is long and fairly dry with just a hint of bitterness coming through. Even though this is a fairly potent beer, the alcohol is masked very well, making this one of the better wheat beers that I have tried in a while. If you are looking to try something new, and you are a wheat fan, this is one beer that won’t disappoint. Cheers!

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