Samuel Smith Organic Lager
Samuel Smith’s Tadcaster brewery prides itself on its history and archaic style of business. The brewery still employs the 200-year-old Yorkshire Square method of brewing, refuses advertising in nearly any medium and performs local deliveries via horse and carriage. It would seem that resistance to change can be a very good thing.
A 550ml old-style bottle Samuel Smith Organic Lager (certified by the Organic Farmers of California), sells at Beer Depot for $3.99. Lots of tiny bubbles bring this beer to life as it releases aromas of malt and a slight hint of citrus. This easy-drinking beer offers a light sweet taste followed by faint hop bitterness. With flavors of grains and hay, this well-balanced beer comes off like a sophisticated macro-brew, making other Euro pale lagers (Heineken & Stella Artois) look ill-bred by comparison.
A great beer to cool yourself with while grilling and crafted without unpronounceable chemicals and pesticides, just think: ’It’s good for me.’
Hoegaarden Witbier
Those who live in Hoegaarden, Belgium, have a curious tradition’the first Hoegaarden beer of the day must be finished in 3 gulps. While one may drink as much as he or she chooses on the first two drinks, the third gulp must complete the pint.
Hoegaarden’s Witbier (5% ABV) stands as an alternative to the ’berpopular Blue Moon but not a beer you will find yourself pounding back in 3 drinks. Murky pale yellow with about 2 inches of lumpy white head breathes sour fruit aromas followed by subtle notes of banana, pear and a very faint metallic scent. The beer itself shows hints of peach, orange and lemon zest followed by a mild sweetness and a pleasant lingering bitterness. After a few gulps, tangy coriander (cilantro) notes emerge, helping to give this soft beer a little more complexity and character.
Overall, this Witbier comes off fairly tasty and complex, but a little too watery’my tastes prefer something with a more assertive attitude.
With a higher price tag ($8.49/6pack at Beer Depot) than Blue Moon, this one is good if you’re looking for a change.
Trois Pistoles
After falling in love with Unibroue’s delicious La Fin du Monde I thought it time to expand my horizons and take a little trip on the darker side of heavy Belgian ales, so I grabbed a 12 oz. bottle of Trois Pistoles (9% ABV), for $2.99 from CNG Wine & Spirits.
Deep cola in color with a 3-inch caramel-colored marshmallow of head, the strong aromas instantly begin to appeal to my nose from about 2 feet away from the glass begging me to come a little closer. As I approach the glass, I first notice yeast, grapes and citrus.
About halfway through the brew I pick up on notes of coffee, cocoa and a faint coriander.
This is one tasty brew, so good (my grandfather might say), it makes you wanna slap your pappy. Sweet malts with a faint herbal spice lead into long lasting juicy dark fruits. Hints of grapes, oatmeal, chocolate, dark cherry, grainy hops and just the slightest dash of licorice present themselves for my palate’s pleasure while I sip. Tingly carbonation and a full-bodied creaminess all add to the remarkable experience making my mouth water for more’wait, that’s just the juiciness.
I’m reminded more of a fine wine than a dark ale, it’s one of the best beers I’ve tried.
