Reissdorf Kolsch

Reissdorf Kolsch   4.8% ABV         Kolsch

Brauerei Heinrich Reissdorf Cologne, Germany

REISSDORF KÖLSCH is the beer speciality from Cologne with a tradition starting 1894. A Kölsch with a pleasant, full-bodied, and uniquely light and sweet taste in premium quality, that is brewed for the adepts who prefer something special.

A:  Pours a brilliant golden hue with a bright white head.

S:  Light bready grains, herbal hops, with delicate citrus notes.

T:  Thick soft malts, minty or piney hops, dry and crisp. 

M:  Light to medium body, crisp, clean, refreshing finish.

D:  SESSION BEER.  This is a great hot weather beer that you can enjoy all day and then enjoy it with dinner. 

Food Pairings:  The lightness of the flavor profile lends itself to lighter dishes, while you can still utilize the carbonation and crispness to cut through fat.  Great food beer as well as a session.

Dogfish Head Indian Brown

Dogfish Head Indian Brown  7.2%ABV   

Dogfish Head Brewing Co, Milton, Delaware

This is the original hybrid. A cross between a Scotch Ale, an India Pale Ale and an American Brown, Indian Brown Ale is well-hopped and malty at the same time.

A:  Pours a dark brown, nearly black color with a robust tan head that leaves thick lacing.

S: Aromas of bittersweet chocolate, coffee and brown sugar with a hint of nuts.  This beer has a complex bouquet of aromas that finish with earthy and herbal hops.

T:  Rich malts up front followed by mild piney, earthy hops in the end.  Coffee and bitter chocolate.

M:  Medium- Light bodied with a rich and creamy texture and lively carbonation that feels soft rather than prickly.

Lost Abbey Avant Garde

Lost Abbey Avant Garde   7%ABV

Bier de Garde (Farmhouse)

A:  Pours a cloudy golden hue with a lofty, creamy, white head.

S:  Big doughy, bready and caramel malts dominate, accented with fruity yeasty elements (esters) of citrus & tropical fruits, and spicy yeast elements (phenols) of white pepper & grains of paradise.  Noble hops show as a dry hay, grassy, and herbal with just a hint of bitterness to balance the malt dominant aroma.

T:  Dry yeasty and fruity elements contrast in this beer with a

M:  Grainy, bready malts, are contrasted by hay/ grassy hops, and light citrus and tropical fruit elements.

D:  Very drinkable but altogether a fantastic food beer. 

Pairings:    Pair with Charcuterie, cheese, salads, poultry, fish, pork, and most importantly, pairs great with herbs, spices and vegetables.   

Upslope Belgian Wit

Upslope Belgian Wit  4.2%abv

Upslpope Brewing Co.  Boulder, CO

Belgian wit wit wheaty, grassy, and citrusy characteristics that makes this easy drinking and supremely pairable with light salads, fish and poultry.

A:  Pours a hazy golden straw color with a lofty white head the recedes slightly leaving a thick lacing.

S:  Light wheat malt, slight minerality, almost salty.  Herbal and grassy hops play a small background balancing act.

T:  Light Belgian Wheat beer, with delicate wheat malts, light Belgian clove and white pepper and a touch of brine.

M:  Very light and refreshing with big creamy carbonation.

D:  Very drinkable.

Stone Levitation Ale American Amber

Stone Levitation Ale American Amber ABV: 4.40%

A - Amber-brown in color with a toffee colored head.

S - Has a nice caramel malt aroma with some piney and grapefruity hop aromas.

T - Slight malt flavor that is immediately over powered by an intense hop spicyness.

M - Light bodied with a fair amount of carbonation.

O - A pretty good amber ale, but I think it is a little too hopped for the style.

Liefmans Goudenband

Liefmans Goudenband

Belgium Flemish Sour Brown aged in oak

Brouwerij Liefmans, Belgium

A:  Pours a cloudy brown color with one finger of almond colored head.

S:  Notable tartness up front followed by rich roasted and toasted malts, hints of chocolate, vanilla, oak, and cherries.  Minimal hops at best, the yeast, tartness and malt are the focus of this Flemish Sour Brown Ale.

T:  Pleasant tartness from beginning to end with a woody, vanilla tail.  Cherries and berry elements play nicely with rich malts with hints of nutty and dried fruit characteristics.

M:  Light to medium body with notable carbonation and a slightly dry, tart finish.

O:  Great introductory sour with lots of complexity.  This beer is both malty and tart and would easily pair with duck dishes, foie gras, as well as dishes you might consider accompanying with a berry sauce. 

Goose Island Sophie

Goose Island Sophie   6.5%ABV     

Belgium Farmhouse Ale (fermented with wild yeast and aged partially(20%) in white wine barrels with orange peels)

Goose Island Brewing Co. (Anheiser Busch) Chicago, Illinois                                   

A:  Pours a hazy straw color with a lofty almond head that settles to a moderate cap with nice lacing. 

S:  Smells of Belgian yeast, bright citrus, white pepper, and a light funk with hints of white wine barrels. 

T:  Tastes of light malts, Belgian yeast, bright citrus tartness and a mild wild yeast funk.

M:  Med-light in body with bright carbonation and a prickly texture.  Finish is tart and refreshingly dry. 

O:  Great beer for sparkling wine drinkers.  This beer is both great by itself but stunning with food.  Think- cheese plates, loves fresh and lightly cooked vegetables, awesome with summer salads, chicken, fish, and dishes accompanied by citrus, earthy elements.