Well, summer is ending and it's been about a month since my last beer review. I've tried a decent amount of beers since my last post on the subject so I think that it's time that I share my reviews with my fellow Hivers. I hope you enjoy!
Guiness Extra Stout
Brewery: Harp Brewing Co
Style: Stout
ABV: 5%
Marketing:
Classic simple labeling.
Color:
Ink black with foamy tan colored head.
Nose:
Roasted malt with a light coffee aroma, some bread notes in the background.
Taste:
Mildly sour followed by a pronounced bitterness. Cocoa, roasted malt, coffee in the finish.
Texture:
Small sharp bubbles that hit the front and sides of the tongue.
Impression:
It's Guinness. You've tried it. If you like it you like it and if you don't you don't. I like it. I prefer this style - the Extra Stout, over the nitro Draught style of Guinness. Its less watery feeling on the palat, more of a classic beer with the familiar Guinness taste.
Helles Lager
Brewery: Wellington Brewing Co
Style: Pilsner
ABV: 4.5%
IBU: 20
Marketing:
Simple clip art style imagery and coloring. Subtle showcase of gold and silver awards. Additional information about the beer listed. I quite like the can.
Color:
Pale yellow straw.
Nose:
Grass, fresh hay.
Taste:
Crisp and dry with a long lasting bitter finish. Reminiscent of a German Pils.
Texture:
Sharp bubbles but nice. Some weightiness on the tongue
Impression:
A very simple but nice beer. Refreshing. Easy drinking. Great for summer.
Killarney Cream Ale
Brewery: Manitoulin Brewing Co
ABV: 5%
Marketing:
Lighthouse at dusk. Common cottage imagery for a Canadian beer. Soft pastel(??) coloring style. A beautiful can. I quite liked it.
Color:
Deep amber/copper color, with a foamy tan head. Light haziness.
Nose:
Malty sweet aroma, fruity plum, perfumy Hops. Bread in the background. Complex
Taste:
Pronounced bitterness, mild sweetness almost dry but not really.
Texture:
Sharp bubbles, weightiness on the palat.
Impression:
Reminiscent of a Belgium amber beer. I found it complex and very interesting. Would definitely buy again.
Helles Lager
Brewery: Silversmith Brewing Co.
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 22
Marketing:
Odd color scheme thats hard to tell in the poor lighting of my photo. Strange stained glass-like design common on all the company's beers.
Color:
Yellow Straw colored. Almost like apple juice. Thin white head of foam.
Nose:
Fruity aroma. Apple and maybe pineapple.
Taste:
Light in the taste department. Light sweetness at first with not a lot of bitterness.
Texture:
Smooth, light bubbles, watery mouthfeel.
Impression:
Very good actually. Easy drinking.
Naughty Neighbour's
Brewery. Nicklebrook Brewing Co.
Style: Pale Ale
ABV: 4.9%
Marketing:
American motor racer imagery. Bald eagle and stars. Interesting because it's a Canadian Brewing company so given the name it makes me think that they are poking fun of our neighbors to the South? Anyway, I wasn't a fan of the design or marketing. It uses the words "Crushable and Freedom" in its verbiage to describe the beer which makes me think "Redneck frat bro." But alas I figured I should look past the label on this one and give it a go despite having an aversion to it.
Color:
Straw yellow with a fluffy white foam that lasted a long time so probably had a head stabilizer additive. Opaque and somewhat hazy - possibly unfiltered(?).
Nose:
Strong citrus notes, grapefruit
Taste:
Mild Tanginess, fruity, grapfruite. Quick bitter finish.
Texture:
Smooth, light bubbles,
Impression:
Very good. Lots of flavor but not overpowering. Refreshing. Would buy again. Perhaps a reminder not to judge a beer by its label?
Barking Squirrel
Brewery: Hopcity Brewing Co.
Style: Amber Lager
ABV: 5%
IBU: 24
SRM: 18
Marketing:
Quirky humorous cartoon imagery.
Color:
Dark amber with a creamy white head that lasts.
Nose:
Bread, toasty aroma.
Taste:
Malty, mild sweetness, with a quick bitter finish. Subtle caramel and nuttiness.
Texture:
Nicely carbinated, soft bubbles, smooth texture.
Impression:
Good beer. Nicely balanced. Would buy again.
Schwarzbier: The Black Lager
Brewery: Silversmith Brewing Co
Style: Dark Lager
IBU: 28
ABV: 5.0%
Marketing:
Same as the company's other beer labels but in a different color. I liked the color scheme on this one and was excited to try the beer since I like dark beers.
Color:
Very dark brown, almost black. Opaque. Tan head.
Nose:
Roasted malt.
Taste:
Dry, bitter but not overpowering. Lingering finish. Some roasted flavors
Texture:
Nice carbonation. Light bubbles. Full bodied.
Impression:
Crisp and smooth drinking. Flavorful. Refreshing. A very pleasant beer. Would definitely buy again.