Archive for category Beer Tasting
Brew Updates – Bradinator’s Mistake and The Great Yeast Experiment bottled, plus some tasting notes
Posted by bradinator in Beer, Beer Tasting, Hobbies, Home Brewing on March 8th, 2010
So I spent the better part of my day yesterday cleaning, bottling and cleaning all over again. The entire process, not including my breaks took nearly 4 hours to finish but hopefully it will be worth it.
Bottling the Mistake Ale required the use of cheese cloth to catch some undissolved clumps of DME. This worked well and the final product is already showing incredible clarity. The final gravity reading was 1.011 which is higher then the last time I took a reading. This leads me to believe I didn’t take it correctly. The ABV is around 3.5% and each pint is only 150 calories! That is as much as a can of beer would normally have. The sample taste left a lot of be desired; I know I was trying to get a light beer, but I found it somewhat watery and bland. Hopefully next week when I sample a cold one the final product will be better.
The Yeast Experiment was a pain to bottle. To try to keep the results as consistent as possible I moved each gallon fermentor, one at a time into the bottling bucket and then into bottles. After finishing each bottling session I would clean everything with hot water and start the entire process over again.
The final gravities are as follows for each yeast.
S-04 – 1.016 (ABV 3.2%)
S-05 – 1.014 (ABV 3.5%)
S-23 – 1.020 (ABV 2.7%)
S-33 – 1.020 (ABV 2.7%)
To be honest I am not impressed with any of their fermentation’s. I was expect these “premium” yeasts to reach at least 1.010 (around 4% ABV) at a minimum, especially considering that I used 11.5g vs. the 5g I normally do. I was very disappointed in the results of the S-33 “Robust” ale yeast. High attenuation my ass! It fermented out at the same final gravity as the lager yeast, which probably struggled due to the warm fermenting conditions (lager yeasts prefer colder environments for better fermentation). That aside the sample tastes I took from the beers were not as disappointing; For a flat, warm beer they all tasted quite good. I cannot wait until I can try one!
http://www.bradinator.com/an-experiment-in-brewology-beer-yeast/
Beer Review – Innis and Gunn Blonde
Posted by bradinator in Beer, Beer Tasting on March 6th, 2010
Name: Innis and Gunn Blonda
Origin: Scotland
Style: Ale (Oak Aged Ale – 5% ABV)
Appearance: It is a gorgeous, crystal clear, dark golden coloured ale. Minimal head is produced though a soft, filmy ring does stay for the entire duration of the drink.
Taste: The aroma is strong and quite bready. Some caramel notes in the odour as well. This is a very flavourful beer, with a strong grain-like base. Sweet, caramel notes with a hint of vanilla and something almost hickory wood-like flavours, most likely from the oak aging. The beer is not very bitter and finishes with notes of crackers and hickory.
Mouth Feel: This is ale is quite creamy, though at the same time quite carbonated and sharp on the tongue. It’s not very filling and has a very pleasant, linger wood-like aftertaste.
Final Thoughts (4.0 out of 5): This is a great tasting beer. Full of flavour and character I feel that this version of the Innis and Gunn oak-aged ale is even better then the original.
Beer Review – Pike Stout Extra Stout
Posted by bradinator in Beer, Beer Tasting on February 27th, 2010
Name: Pike Stout Extra Stout
Origin: USA, Washingotn
Style: Stout (6.6% ABV)
Appearance: Black. This beer is a black that would make Guiness blush just a little. Nice foamy, tan head. Dissapates quickly.
Taste: Immediately I can note some hickory-like flavours in this beer. Some sweet, honey flavours are also quite noticeable. Like most stouts there are the standard bitter coffee-ish flavours, but they are overwhelmed by other stronger flavours, such as the hickory.
Mouth Feel: Soft, foamy and rather filling. The hickory notes linger long after each drink
Final Thoughts (3.5 out of 5): I like hickory, though in my beer I am at a crossroads. I they add character and enjoyment to this beer, but I found they lingered far too long. All-in-all a very solid drinking stout, though I have to admit it left me more parched then quenched.
Beer Review – Dominus Vobiscum Blanche
Posted by bradinator in Beer, Beer Tasting on February 21st, 2010
Name: Dominus Vobiscum Blanche
Origin: Canada, Quebec
Style: Wheat Ale (Spiced Wheat Ale – 5% ABV)
Appearance: This is a cloudy, very pale, light yellow. It is intensly fizzy and very heady. This beer produces a large foamy head that has incredible retention.
Taste: The is very little in the aroma area worth mentioning. As for taste this beer is quite nice, mild, with notes of grapefruit, some sour tastes as well. There is some spiciness to this beer as well, maybe nutmeg or cinnamon.
Mouth Feel: Very sharp and fizzy which is not surprising considering it’s appearance.
Final Thoughts (3.5 out of 5): If you like wheat ales then this is a beer you will enjoy. Personally I found this beer enjoyable, with a nice balance of fruit and spices.
Beer Review – Hek
Posted by bradinator in Beer, Beer Tasting on February 7th, 2010
Name: Hek Original Lager
Origin: Canada
Style: Lager (5%)
Appearance: It pours a pale, clear yellow colour. It produces a medium, fizzy head that dissipates almost instantly.
Taste: Smells of grasses and something metallic. As for taste, or lack thereof, there is not much to comment on. Some mild flavours of grasses, maybe something citrusy and that’s about it. The rest of this beer is watery and flavourless.
Mouth Feel: The lager thin and highly carbonated, but crisp and refreshing. There is basically no aftertaste whatsoever.
Final Thoughts (2.0 out of 5): A bland beer overall, lacking flavour and character. For $10.00 a 12-pack (thanks Dad!) your getting what you paid for. Still its a hell-of-alot better then Budweiser Lime.
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