Kloster Bräu Schwarzer ABT

Posted on by Evan

Over the holidays, one of my German exchange students and his wife visited. He brought a few beers, Kloster Bräu Schwarzer ABT. This 3.9% ABV beer is a Schwarzbier, brewed in Nueller, Brandenburg, Germany. It has been a while since I have had and reviewed a Schwarzbier. This beer pours black, forming a two-finger beige head with brown edges. The aroma is light, smoky, malty, and coffee. The flavor starts with a smoky flavor, then transitions into a malted flavor with a bit of sweet coffee notes. This beer reminds me of a cola. Overall, this beer has a light-bodied feel. The finish is malty with a light smoky aftertaste. This beer was a fabulous beer that I give an A+. This beer has the right combination of flavors that, when all together, make a great beer. It’s delicious, and I recommend it. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Schulzens Brauerei Altmark Gold

Posted on by Evan

One of my first exchange students from Germany came to visit with his wife. He brought Schulenzs Brauerei Altmark Gold. This beer is a 4.9% ABV Pilsner. This brewery has a restaurant, a hotel, and a brewery in Tangermünde, Germany. This Pilsner pours a cloudy yellow with a one-finger white head. The aroma is Pilsner malt, tart/sweet notes, and a grassy aroma. The flavor has light sweetness with grassy flavors. There is a bit of tartness, but it is so faint it’s not there. This beer has a medium-bodied feel in the mouth. Then it finishes with a light Pilsner malt flavor. The aftertaste has a semi-sweetness to it, but not much else. Altmark Gold is a B+ beer. It is good, but the overall flavor is not as good as some Bavarian-style pilsners. I still think this is a good beer. If you can get one, drink it. It’s delicious! Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale

Posted on by Evan

Brewed in Tadcaster, England, Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale is a 6% beer. This ale is brewed around Christmas with whole-dried Fuggle & Golding hops. There is malted barley, water, yeast, and seaweed Finings. This ale is the same each year, except for the artwork on the label. That is the only yearly change. This ale pours a deep golden color with a creamy two-finger white head. The aroma has a light sweetness and is malted. The flavor is lightly sweet, smooth, and somewhat spiced. It has a bit of malt flavor. This beer has a light-bodied mouthfeel. Then it comes to a nice, semi-sweet, and smooth finish. This has a nice and light aftertaste with a faint bread note. It doesn’t stick around too long. This beer is good, but it isn’t exceptional; it’s a B+ beer. It’s a good drinking beer, meaning it is easy to drink and you could have three or four. I would recommend it. Just remember, there are slightly beer versions of this beer out there. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Straffe Hendrik Xmas Blend Barrel Age Quadruple Blend

Posted on by Evan

I have been to Brewer De Haan Man in Bruges, Belgium. They produce Straffe Hendrik, and this particular beer is the Xmas Blend Barrel-Aged Quadruple, which is 11% ABV. This beer is only available at Christmas time in 750ml bottles. This quad is bottled fermented and aged in American or French oak, either a whiskey, rum, or Bordeaux, and Calvados. They also use young quadruple ale as well as barrel-aged beer. This quad pours brown with a one-finger cream beige head. That head sticks to the top of the beer like a creamy film. The aroma is of vanilla, sweetness, and it’s boozy. The flavor is sweet, vanilla, booze, and light nutty flavors. This has a full-bodied mouthfeel. Then this beer finishes with a rich vanilla and boozy flavor. The aftertaste is light, with sweet vanilla notes that do linger for a while. This Xmas Blend is a delicious beer that gets an A+. It is 11% ABV, but that is not really reflected in the flavor. I would highly recommend this to you. It has a good, strong flavor without being too overpowering. This would be a great addition to any holiday party. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Royal Bliss Brewing Co. X Down for Doughnuts Down for Doughnuts Pastry Stout

Posted on by Evan

Down for Doughnuts is a 7.1% ABV pastry stout from Royal Bliss Brewing in collaboration with local family-run Down for Doughnuts in Mooresville, North Carolina. According to Royal Bliss, this stout is everything you love about doughnuts without being overly heavy. This stout pours black with a one-finger, thick beige head. The aroma is roasted, nutty, rich, and sweet. The beer’s flavor is nutty, roasted, rich, and velvety sweet. This beer has a full-bodied mouthfeel. Then this stout finishes with a sweet and roasted flavor. This beer has a lingering sweet aftertaste. It is good and has the essence of a doughnut. Down for Doughnuts Pastry Stout is an A, and yes, you should try it. It is worth it. It is not heavy at all, and the flavor is not overpowering. It is just right and delicious. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Perennial Artisan Ales Southside Blonde

Posted on by Evan

This dry-hopped Belgian-style Blonde Ale from Perennial Artisan Ale is 5% ABV and the first beer since returning from Africa. This beer is from St. Louis, Missouri. I don’t think I’ve had a Perennial beer before. This beer may be the first. This beer pours yellow with a two-finger white head that fades into wispy lacing. The aroma is floral, dry, clean, and a little lemony. The flavor is also floral, a little lemony, dry, and clean. This beer has a medium body mouthfeel. This ale finishes with a lemony, clean, and dry flavor. The aftertaste is dry, with not much lemon flavor. That lemon has faded and is nearly gone. Southside Blonde doesn’t scream Belgian-style by way of taste. But it is not too bad, and that gives it a B-. I would say you should try it. It is overall light flavored and good, but doesn’t make me think of other, better Belgian beers. Please stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember to enjoy responsibly! Cheers!