19
May
Beer Profile: Long Trail Summer Ale
Published in Beer
Image courtesy Bangor Daily News
Profiled by Maria Devan
Cheers you all.. My camera broke and my phone only has 2 mp. That is a real let down for me. Anyway, I am getting a new one but not today. New Beer Sunday is coming so I thought I would TELL you about Long Trail Summer Ale. In the old bjcp it says something about the kolsch style beer.
“To the untrained taster easily mistaken for a light lager, a somewhat subtle Pilsner, or perhaps a blonde ale.”
With the idea of the authenticity of the kolsch and the appellation designation in mind, calling your beer a blonde or simply an ale and presenting a kolsch might be entirely well done. I believe this is a great example of this bjcp statement. Pretty clear and softly golden with a white head that lasts well. The nose is fresh breaddy and has a graceful hop floral accented by a light fruity twang. It resembles the kolsch. Is that fruity ester a little too strong? It is slightly “wine like” anyway. Hops are a bit more than modest and the malt is creamy and round but not as breaddy as the pilsner. I would say the bubble gives that malt a bit of extra dryness. The hops are restrained in the finish and show no herbal. Just a clean medium bitterness. What is missing is the slight pucker in the kolsch. That would distinguish this beer and it is very subtle. Finishes bitter with hop pepper and crackery malt. A touch too much bite in the bubbles.
Fragrant and mild this is a lovely summer beer.
4
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
____________________Beer HERE
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Profiled by Maria Devan who lives high on a hill over looking Ithaca, NY. Look! If you live in Ithaca there she is with her field glasses spying on you! Are you drinking a beer worthy of attention. Beware, she’s Ithaca’s beer police. Can’t you hear the siren on he bike as she rolls down the hill? We kid. She’s been writing for us for many years now. We’re lucky to have her.
17
May
Brew Biz: Werts and All
Published in Beer
Considering the InBev buyout and all the noise created, doesn’t this label seem a tad mega brew ironic? Courtesy Carolina Brew Review.
The Topic: How Much Wicked in Wicked Weed?
Ken Carman is a BJCP judge; homebrewer since 1979, club member at Escambia Bay, Salt City, Clarksville Carboys and Music City Homebrewers, who has been writing on beer-related topics and interviewing professional brewers all over the east coast, for over 15 years.
Written by Ken Carman
Millie and I stopped by Wicked
NOT an InBev, or Wicked Weed, product… yet?
A lot of the craft community is also going nuts, but not in a good way, about Weed being bought by InBev. You would think they had traded their soul to Satan, and I don’t disregard the possibility that in the future that may prove to be the case. But maybe not as of right now.
I’m here to provide a little perspective, some of it more positive than naysayers would ever consider, some worse than those who shrug this off would admit too.
There’s already been an internet war of sorts where brewers/employees published a rant about how things would just get better and InBev would not interfere and only help them. This was countered by a former employee saying he quit because things had already headed into cost cutting/care less about the staff-land. (Possibly in preparation for mega purchasing them?) To be clear he said he was still proud to have worked there, it wasn’t sour grapes, but just that he need things they were cutting; like health benefits. He also felt the employee friendly atmosphere was disappearing due, in part, to bean counter counting.
continue reading "Brew Biz: Werts and All"
14
May
North Coast’s Tart Cherry Berliner Weisse
Published in BeerProfiled by Ken Carman
Of the many breweries who have entertained my palate over the years; one of the very, very few that have failed to bore me, or even make me go, “Eh,” is North Coast, whose Old Rasputin makes me drool.
Tart is no disappointment; far from it.
The nose is tart cherry with faint malt in the background, at best. Almost sea breeze, minus salt.
Small bubble slight off white head is greeted by a slight haze and a bright, beautiful orange-ish yellow. Magnificent in the glass. The head doesn’t last.
Flavor is cherry tart mixed with background malt. Sweet, yet tart, fruity, yet clean. This is very slightly sour, at best.
Leaves the palate quickly, just leaving the tart and cherry. Low, yet firm, carbonation. A deceptively easy quaff with light body and fruit cling to the roof of the mouth. Almost lawnmower-ish, yet not.
If you don’t try you’re missing a great rendition of a tart cherry Berliner.
4.5
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
___________________________________________Beer HERE
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Yes, to the left is Ken Carman. Obviously Ken is a mere cartoon character who reviews beer. A magical nymph turns the beer into something a cartoon character can drink.
8
May
A Beer Judge’s Diary: Jackalope’s Let’s Get WEIRD
Published in Beer
Jackalope Brewing’s Let’s Get WEIRD, 2017
By Ken Carman
Our Judges
Bailey Spaulding
Steve Wright
Katherine Schermerhorn
Millie Carman
Grant Ferris
Stephanie Moore
Phillip Biggerstaff
Noah Denney
Miranda Chandler
Amanda Crisp
Ken Carman (and Judge Coordinator)
Just a few of our judges
continue reading "A Beer Judge’s Diary: Jackalope’s Let’s Get WEIRD"
29
Apr
Profiled by Ken Carman
Thick, very white, head that hold well with tiny bubbles and some pillow. Very hazy, urine yellow. The haze may be wheat, tho I really didn’t get any, or the cold pressed-like coffee. But it is supposed to be clear.
A lager-like aroma, no coffee aroma, pilsner-like malt. No hops sensed.
Some cold pressed coffee, which I think may have been the lager sense? Just a guess. The beer behind that is very light. This is more coffee than Kolsch and not much of that either. Slightest bitter. A little minerally.
Mouthfeel had moderate carbonation that fades fast with a hint of carbonic to it. The body is actually moderately light.
I’d love to try this as just a Kolsch. I am guessing it’s a tad like a lawnmower Kolsch. The Kolsch could use more but that would put it out of balance with the light coffee sense that dominates just a hint. Too cold and you don’t get it. Once it warms the coffee gently pops out.
46/83 Rate Beer/Not enough reviews on BA but so far heading towards about 3.3 out of 5
Not all that interesting, but good enough for a…
3.9
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
____________________Beer HERE
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Ken Carman is a beer dog who slops up various styles as a beer judge, homebrewer and craft beer lover since the 70s all over the U.S.,especially the east coast. I mean the only way he could have done more would be an injection needle, and what’s the fun in that? That’s what he has morphed into the picture that you see to the left. Here at PGA we have to keep him on a tight leash. Very tight. We’re worried he may like it too much.
25
Apr
A Beer Judge’s Diary: 2015 Guidelines v. 2008
Published in Beer
Music City Brewers club president Justin, and I, have been having fun arguing as of late. The latest topic was the 2015 v. 2008 BJCP Guidelines.
Let’s start with an apology…
By Ken Carman
However, as a beer judge I’ve only done a little comparing: 2015 v. 2008 Guidelines. Most of that was between competitions, where one would use 15, the other 08.
There’s no need when assessing entries during competition.
There’s no need when studying to learn the craft of judging.
There’s no need when attempting to raise your score on a BJCP test: toss 2008 away. 2015 is the standard now.
After our discussion I went home and started comparing.
continue reading "A Beer Judge’s Diary: 2015 Guidelines v. 2008"
16
Apr
Beer Profile: Roc’s Lagerithm Lager
Published in BeerProfiled by Maria Devan
Happy Easter!
I was reading our threads bright and early this New Beer Sunday! Cheers to BA 
=)
In the old guidelines amber was used for the oktoberfest and the Vienna lager. I think I am not the only one who is comparing the new and old guidelines. The idea is that darker malt changes things.
@marquis from the thread –
https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun…s-a-hoppy-amber-red-…/
“That’s what comes of having too many styles by far and as a consequence trying to divide the beer spectrum into neat compartments which are wholly contrived.A modest variation in the speciality malts and the hopping rate doesn’t create a new style. Why not have just a handful of loose categories and judge them in strength bands?”
Let’s make it at least a Two Beer Sunday. Happy New Caramel Changes Everything Sunday
The new guidelines allow for some caramel where the old do not. That is a “significant” style change. The new guidelines say that “significant” caramel is inappropriate so that implies that some is ok. The old guidelines say no caramel no roasted scents or flavors. Basically I think the idea is that the color of the beer is where things can change.
The pour is hazy not clear. Off white head that is perfect and uniform . Lasts well. It is neither soapy nor creamy. Never fades completely to a thin layer on top. Slightly toasty. The brewer says ” unique hop.” It is . It is cool and melon like. Delectable and even a bit fruity but not so prominent that I would say it over shadows the malt. No freshness date, 5.9%.
First taste is caramel. Enough so that it is the first thing you taste. Enough hoppy mouthfeel to know they are there. Warms a bit. Earthy, breaddy and complexity from the malt. Carbonation is perfect. Soft generous bubbles. Not to sweet in the finish & the hops offer a generous bitterness. Not quite to style but enjoyable. Balanced but a bit bigger if you know what I mean. I am talking about how the caramel affects the mouthfeel and the finish. I wonder what the hop is? IMO they should put it in an IPA or a saison too. It’s enticing but not too exotic. It smells like new grass and a succulent coolness.
The caramel makes the mouthfeel heavier. Caramel can be so light as to smell yellow and bright or pale in color. This caramel smells a bit toastier and nutty. It also can be a bit sweet and get sweeter the more prominent it is. It keeps the mouthfeel from finishing dry but the hop bitter dries it enough so that it drinks well. I have even seen Vienna lagers that finished sweeter than this and were much paler like El Sully. Negra Modelo is no longer the model in the new style guidelines because it is too dark. The brewers notes for this beer were spot on and frankly I would have six more of these. 14 on the srm and finishes just sweet. I find the moniker amber to be a catch all word but I think this beer just crosses a line. It does fit the new style guidelines but not the old.
3.9
(Style questions)
3.9
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
____________________Beer HERE
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16
Apr
Since it’s Easter time, what style better to review than one who color is black as death, but revived by brewers a number of years back! If I were a commercial brewer perhaps a seasonal “Dead Easter Bunny,” or better, “Resurrected Rabbit?”
Profiled by Ken Carman
This is such an anomaly for Ommegang. The color right: black as hell, almost no light shines through, thick, high viscosity/FG, brownish head. On the nose: heavy roast, some hops in the background. So far close to a perfect score, except a hint of…
Really? This is a classic beginning brewer mistake. I knew it when it first hit the palate: too much roasted barley. Too much roasted barley creates a harshness, an astringency that, here, is annoying. Yeah, it can be worse, but the balance here is off and the roasted barley is annoying, even as we polished off the bottle and the abv starts to hit.
Everything is right: mouthfeel is full and pleasing, except the same problem, the malt complexity and intensity is everything a RIS should be. Ommegang, if fault is found, usually plays it too safe.What happened here? Did someone slip and pour in the whole bag, or too many bags?
87/84 @ BA
97/64 @ Rate Beer
3.6
Welcome to the PGA beer rating system: one beer “Don’t bother.” Two: Eh, if someone gives it to you, drink. Three: very good, go ahead and seek it out, but be aware there is at least one problem. Four: seek it out. Five: pretty much “perfecto.”
____________________Beer HERE
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