Day 135 - Old Speckled Hen

The problem with trying to bbq chicken and write the blog at the same time is that bbq sauce gets on the fingers, and since I didn't plug my mouse in, the the pointer area is a bit sticky now...

So, another canned import and admittedly, the ole expectations were not running high tonight. With the bar set low, this one easily clears it. The pour into the "color" glass was 95% foam, so it took a few minutes to see the golden color of this while it was latte. This is indeed a classic English Ale though. Tiny creammy bubbles are the foamy residue left on the lips whilst tasting mostly malt. Still, it stay under the "too sweet" radar. It doesn't wow you so much as make you feel wrapped in a fleece blanket.

Specs:

Full Name: Old Speckled Hen
Brewed by: Moreland Brewing
From: Suffolk England
ABV: 5.2% (prominently displayed....)

So the interesting fact here is that it was originally brewed to commemorate the 50th anniverary of the MG factory, though the brewery has been in existance since 1711. If you want the smoothness of a stout, without the heaviness, this is a good choice. I'd like to find it on tap, as it probably is even better that way.

Well, the chicken is done, so is the beer, and so is the blog. Wow, can I multi-task or what... ;>)

Day 134 - Shipyard IPA

Another day spent painting (once I had the right colors, mom has like 20 shades of green in the house and the nearest paint store is 1/2 hour away...), but as I needed some groceries as well, I picked this one up as I felt like an IPA and it was there.

The color is a burnished yellow, and the label is cheery, but the taste is just average, as it lacks that true citrusy hops hit that I enjoy. Don't get me wrong though, an average palie is still way better than most other beers, and this one would do well in a mass consumption role, when you want something a bit dry.

Specs:

Full Name: Shipyard IPA
Brewed By: Shipyard Brewing Co
From: Portland ME
ABV: 5.8%

Late in the afternoon I took a break and went kayaking since it was low tide. The water was flat and glassy, making it possible to see the urchins and starfish on the bottom. Now I'm sitting here listening to a seal pounding the water with a fin every few minutes, probably trying to get my attention to see if I'll share one of my beers... ;>)

Day 133 - Wild Raspberry Ale

You know, one of these days I'll learn to keep away from fruited beers. Alas, tonight is not the night. I must admit, the first sip is the worst, and after that it is almost tolerable. I'm thinking that underneath the sweetness (which isn't overpowering luckily), there is porbably a good beer. Hum, maybe this should be classed as a dessert beer, as it might go well with a sweet dessert. I'll leave that to someone else to try....

Specs:

Full Name: Wild Raspberry Ale
Brewed by: Great Divide Brewing Co
From: Denver CO
ABV: 5.6%


So, was reading the label looking for the ABV, and what do they say the beer should be drunk with - fruit desserts. Maybe I can get a job writing beer labels...

My favs remain unchanged: Singha, Lion Lager and Hazed n Infused

Day 132 - McHenry

Sometimes, it's all about the beer, and sometimes, it's all about the sunset. Tonight was a great night for sunsets, and the beer obligingly was mellow and did not distract.

Both were bright yellow and smooth, though the beer was a bit dry without the hops flavor. It was very easy to drink, and thus would do well as a cooler beer (hum, a new bobism, for a beer not known for great flavor, but can be consumed in quantities while doing outdoor activities).

Specs:

Full Name: McHenry Old Baltimore Style Beer

Brewed by: Clipper City

From: Baltimore MD

ABV: 4.5% (thus the quantities...)

Have a good friday!

Day 131 - Cant Dog

Night 2 and Growler 2 from this brewery, and the palie. Yeah baby....

The warm golden color of this beer flows from the eyes to the stomach after a few ozs. The hops were definitely not spared, and the malt is full. The cool thing is, it is full of flavor without being too heavy.

Specs:

Full Name: Cant Dog Imperial IPA
Brewed by: Marshall Wharf Brewing Co
From: Belfast ME
ABV: 10% (they only will sell you 2 at the brewery, but the growleris 64 oz.. ;>) )


You know, there is a growing part of me that is thinking that it just might be worth the cold winters to move up near this place. I only sampled half what they offered, and they all were good. At the least, I have n ow had the epiphany that I must retire near a good micro-brewery.

On that thought, and a now empty growler, I'll call it a night.

Day 130 - Deep Purple Rauchbier

This was a 64oz "growler" of a very delicious ale picked up in Belfast the other day, drunk with a dinner of lobster, boiled red potatoes with garlic and salad, with bread pudding for dessert... oh baby...

The interesting thing about this beer is that it uses barley smoked over peat, which really defines this brew. A deep golden brown in color, and a peatiness reminisent of a fine single malt scotch. Very unusual, and it works very well. Not too sweet, not too dry. The picture that comes to mind is of a pub with a big fire in a fireplace.

Specs:

Full Name: Deep Purple Rauchbier
Brewed By: Marshall Wharf Brewing Co
From: Belfast ME
ABV: 6%

This brew pub would be well worth the visit if you are in the area. They have an excellent selection of brews, and all very tasty. It would be hard to keep a stock of this on hand given it is a local beer, but it might be worth it just for the sheer uniqueness. They actually have an even stronger peat flavored beer, but this one is a tad mellower and thus probably more acceptable by the masses.

Given we also cracked the IPA first, I will write about it tomorrow.... tough job...;>)

Day 129 - Thunder Hole Ale

So tonight's beer was donated to the cause by yet another good friend of my parents, who had dad and I over for an awesome dinner with a few of her friends. I'm definitely not losing weight this trip...

This one is a rather interesting local brew (and in Maine, local is within 100 miles...), and I'm having to write from memory since I had it over dinner. A brown ale, very heavy on the roasted malt, almost smokey in taste. The good news was, it wasn't overly sweet as some of these beers can be, and was very easy to drink. It isn't a palie, but actually provides a good balance to one, and went well with the hot chocolate cake with fudge inside that we had for dessert.... yummo

Specs:

Full Name: Thunder Hole Ale
Brewed by: Bar Harbor Brewinf Co
From: Bar Harbor ME (pronounced "Bah Hahba")
ABV: 4.8%

It doesn't crack my top 3, but I wouldn't mind having a few of these in my fridge as an alternative, especially since the 22 oz bottle means fewer trips to get the next. Thanks Tina!