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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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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Fremont Mischief Distillery is another of Seattle’s newest craft distilleries. At this distillery they are producing four products; John Jacob Rye Whiskey, Fremont Mischief Rye Whiskey, Fremont Mischief Gin, and Fremont Mischief Wheat Vodka. Today we will be taking a look at the Fremont Mischief Whiskey.

This whiskey is an 8 year old, 90 proof, rye whiskey. So how can a distillery licensed for only a year already have a product that claims to be aged eight years? As it turns out, both the John Jacob and Fremont Mischief are distilled following the same family recipe, the former being produced in Seattle from Washington grown grain, the latter being distilled in Canada. Both are bottled at their respective proofs at the Seattle location with artesian water from Mt Rainier. So let’s see how this rye whiskey stands up to the competition.

Upon opening the short squat bottle you are greeted with fantastic caramel and vanilla notes, but not much else. A little bit of peppery spice and alcohol aromas, but those are very muted. On the tongue the whiskey definitely picks it up a notch with lots of spicy notes, more caramel, and some oaky notes. Other than that, this whiskey seems a little thin in flavor, and the finish is long and dry, but a little alcoholic with some slightly bitter undertones. Perhaps not the best whiskey to be sipping neat. What this spirit really seems suited for is cocktails, although it is still not quite bold enough to be a go to whiskey in my Manhattans. Overall I think that the eight years in a barrel is more negative than positive as most of the kick seems to have been stripped from this whiskey. While this particular whiskey was not really my cup of tea, I do look forward to trying some of Fremont Mischief’s other products. Cheers!

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The Washington craft distilling scene has really exploded in the last couple of years with there currently being over 30 licensed distilleries in the state. Sound Spirits is just one of the many in the Seattle area, and they are currently producing a vodka and a gin.

Ebb+Flow Gin clocks in at 47% abv and fits firmly in the category of new school American gins. It has a very good nose to it, with a great balance between the botanicals. The gin is distilled from the same grains as their vodka, and some soft vanilla and malty notes hidden beneath the botanicals. On the tongue however, some of that great balance seems to disappear, with citrus tones becoming very predominant. The traditional flavors are there as well, but pushed slightly to the background. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the spirit still remains clean and clear, with the alcohol flavors expertly pushed to the back.

As a base for cocktails, this gin is an excellent choice. The citrus plays well with a variety of flavors, and the lack of an in your face juniper punch will let this gin appeal to a range of people that may not be a fan of the more traditional london dry styles. All in all, if you are looking to support some great craft distillers, this is one spirit that you won’t be disappointed with. Cheers!

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