Author: Professor Good Ales

Profiled by Ken Carman for PGA

If you remember my last A Beer Judge’s Diary where there was some mix up at the judge’s table, let me start by saying whatever happened I doubt this was what I judged v. the 312 clone the Wheat was supposed to be. While what I judged was a pale this seems to have little caramel malt in it.

What I judged that day a definite caramel malt sense to the body. That’s not this beer.

Clarity is a little hazy, but I believe that to be chill haze: it was in the freezer because I couldn’t wait.

This seems to be pure pale ale with hints in the aroma of grapefruit/citrus like-like hops.

The carbonation is low in the mouthfeel, but firm. There’s also a firm bitter, and slight, grapefruit cling.

As it warms I can tell there’s another hop in there, just a hint of earthy and perhaps a touch of spice so slight I can’t decide what it is. The hops, as it warms, skews towards the bitter.

Like the wheat version is somewhat of a simplistic quaff, lacking in sophistication. But if you’re looking for a simple pale ale this wouldn’t be a bad choice by any means, especially if looking for a break between more complex quaffs, or going what some call “lawnmower.”

Yes, if this were a profile I would give it a 4. In a way I hate to because there are far better pales for my palate’s preferences than this, but just “my palate” isn’t the point behind a decent review, or any judge’s assessment, is it?

If you’re looking for less in a pale, this just might be it. But if you’re looking for a 312 Pale clone, what I judged that day wouldn’t be it either. The malt bill was different, though pleasing.

4, simply because there may be those looking for this somewhat simplistic rendition of the style.

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.”

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Ken Carman was born of a deity named Bill many moons ago when his wife Winnie was fermenting well at the time. He is a beer judge, beer writer and reviewer of brew-based business, beer commentator and BEER GOD. Do not challenge the one who ate too many hops one year, hence the green pigment you see to the left!

Profiled by Ken Carman for PGA

This was like a few spices in Bud. If it had been a cheap beer I might have rated it a tad higher, though not much, but here’s the problem…

I bought this is at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge, MA when I was on tour last year. I have a taster at my annual Beaver River Beer Tasting who LOVES fruit beers, and my wife expressed an interest too. When I got up to the register they wanted about $60 for it: their computer had the magnum price for this tiny little bottle. But they were charging 26 for this itsy bitsy bottle. So, for my wife and Donna the beer taster I bought 2 of them.

I have had InBev/AB attempts at craft more interesting than this.

There is some chamomile in the nose, a bit floral and coriander may be part of that. But in the mouthfeel and taste it combines into just bitter.

A bit light yellow hazy with a pillow head that fades slowly. high side of low body that’s pale malt, or perhaps pilsner: not enough to tell. Spice focused. A hint buttery. A possible slight diacetyl problem?

Good, creamy head. Lightest yellow, like what comes out after drinking a lot of diet lemon-lime soda. Slightly hazy.

As it warm the spices reassert but does not save the quaff. It’s boring and the heavier spices in the almost NA amount of malt body turn just brittle bitter, and not in a nice hop, or gruit way. Annoying. Except for the spices almost no body to it.

BA gives it an 87. Did I get bad, or old, bottles? 95 at Rate Beer? Oi! I did notice RB had a lot of mediocre’ ratings, which always makes me suspicious (“Hack the ratings?” cough.) But BA’s ratings almost all seem good.

This is biased on a Saison. I suspect they went with the milder, safer, Saison yeast since the more funk-like (But not “funky” as in a sour) Saison yeasts would be noticeable. The spices are all that stood out and, until it warmed, that ain’t saying much.

I’m giving it a 3 out of 5 just in case Yankee held on to this stock way too damn long. At those prices: not surprised. They usually are quite reasonable. My wife, who is also a BJCP judge, agreed. Hmmm… something wasn’t right, and a fellow brewer at the tasting who brings his wares every year: winner of the Spirit of Homebrew Award at The Old Forge Old Ale Competition just shrugged when we tasted last Labor Day. The previous bottle was basically the same Snoresville quaff with an annoying spice combination once it warmed.

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.”

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Ken Carman was born of a deity named Bill many moons ago when his wife Winnie was fermenting well at the time. He is a beer judge, beer writer and reviewer of brew-based business, beer commentator and BEER GOD. Do not challenge the one who ate too many hops one year, hence the green pigment you see to the left!

Written by Franz Hofer for A Tempest in a Tankard

Anyone who lives in or has been to Central Europe at this time of year has likely warmed him- or herself with a mug of spicy mulled wine (Glühwein). I remember well my first encounter with this aromatic winter elixir. The gray sky hung low over Saarbrücken, and an icy drizzle coated the paving stones leading to the Sankt Johanner Markt in the center of town. But something was different about this day. Aromas of baking spice and roasted nuts mingled with grilled bratwurst and pine boughs. I rounded the corner and was greeted by a cheerful panorama that seemed to defy the dark afternoon: my first Christkindlmarkt. The square had transformed itself into a collection of open-air stalls decked out for the season, many selling Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers and other handmade wooden toys, some selling Lebkuchen and candied almonds, and others selling beer and Glühwein to wash down the Fleischkäse, sausages, and other delectables. It is a winter scene that plays itself out all over Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Alsace and the South Tyrol.

Want to read more? Please click…

HERE

Written by Ken Carman for The Professor

  At Music City Brew Off I judged the Wheat/Rye category. A brewer contacted me back, claiming his entry was listed as a perfect clone of “Urban Wheat 312,” all of which, of course, did not end up in the description of the beer. To be honest I don’t remember being told whether it was wheat or rye, though my fellow judge believes he was told, so when I judged the beer, being perfectly clear and no wheat protein sense I thought it was rye. But there was no sense of rye either, which I commented on.
 What I sensed was a nice APA that fit neither rye or wheat.
  It bugged me a tad at first, and I answered the brewer’s questions as best I could. After solid judging for 2 weeks: every other day then 2 days in a row, I was surprised I remembered as much as I did. So, after we discussed the entry between me, the organizer, the other judge and the brewer, we settled the issue. Continue reading “A Beer Judge’s Diary, Re: Urban Wheat 312 by Goose Island”

Profiled by Maria Devan for PGA

Ithaca beer’s 17 is like a breath of fresh air. It has a fruity scent that is tempered by sweet wheat. It’s got a lovely floral to the nose and a bit of delightful pepper. That yeast is delicate and dry. There’s funk but it too is delicate. taste and it’s like it is as light as air and and clear as water. The flavors are cool. Yellow golden flavor like it’s color. The beer is hazy and beautiful topped with a white crown. Light fragrant wood is on the nose. The taste is surprisingly herbal. It’s pungent with bitter herbal. It’s also peppery. The bitter is a tad sharp. Light honey scents start to come forward as it warms. It’s tart but not bone dry in the finish. That touch of honey finishes this beer and a peppery little edge.

The Brett in this adds a musty quality as if to the wood. An old attic closet. It’s light and feather like to the nose. This beer has so many gentle things going on and then there’s this tremendous fruit. You can imagine that a bee would like the scent. It’s a looker in the glass and the bitterness keeps you up from swooning. It ‘s like small flowers on tall stems. With sap and bitterness in them. The wheat is dry and sweet perfection. Soft and rolling. The carbonation is perfect. Perfect lightness form bubbles.

This beer is not timid though. It has sharpness and straight line edges to it. Wheat is crisp and well defined. It’s a wafting sweetness to it.

Congratulations Ithaca on a lovely beer.

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.”

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Maria Devan lives in Ithaca, NY and is frequent reviewer of beer and a beer lover deluxe.