BLUEBERRY WHEAT ~ ELLICOTTVILLE BREWING CO.

I bought a 6 pack of this brew on a day trip to Buffalo. It is quite a novelty for me to walk into a drug store and walk out with beer. Sampled from a bottle the beer poured a clear straw colour with a thick dense white head. The head receded to a surface collar and left some very nice lacing. The nose was subtle but did contain a healthy dose of blueberries with a touch of crackers wheat and a mild malt. The beer has a clean bready malt, with crackery wheat, a touch of lemon citrus and mild hop bitterness, the sweet blueberry appears and lingers a little in the aftertaste. The blueberry tastes like a fresh sweet summer pick and is not artificial at all. The mix of the graininess and blueberries almost reminded me a blueberry pie. The body was medium-light, and the carbonation was lively. The finish was dry with lingering berry sweetness. This is a very approachable summer refresher, it is just enough fruitiness, while remaining clean.
4.8% from Ellicottville, New York   11 IBU

Ingredients: Canadian 2 row barley, white wheat, noble German hops, blueberry 

TOASTED LAGER ~ BLUE POINT BREWING COMPANY 

(owned by Anheuser Busch)

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ Toasted Lager is Blue Points flagship beer and most popular brew. The brew was made with six different malts (English Pale, Crystal, Munich, Carapils, Wheat and Belgian Caravienna) in a direct fire brew kettle, which gives the beer its toasted flavour. Sampled on draught, this Vienna style lager poured a slightly hazy coppery amber colour with generous beige head, which left minimal lacing. The nose is quite muted with notes of bready malts, caramel and a bit of hops. The taste too is also very mild, with biscuit malts and a touch of caramel. There is some hop presence to balance the sweetness of the malts with a dry finish. The body is medium,as lively and refreshing. Though this has won many awards in Beer Awards and Cups, his is a simple brew. It is refreshing and would pair with many foods, but lacks any kind of complexity.

5.5 % Patchogue, New York 28 IBU

HENNEPIN SAISON ~ BREWERY OMMEGANG  

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ My local bar managed to secure 21 American micro/craft beer taps – or pretty close too it. I was excited to taste some of the brews I have often seen reviewed. Ommegang is a an American Brewer of Belgian ales. This saison is brewed with: Grains of paradise, ginger, coriander and sweet orange peel. This showstopper was sampled on draught. The poured a beautiful rich golden yellow, with a slight haze and a small white head. The nose contained scents of hay and orchard fruits, Belgian yeasts, peppery spice and citrus (lemon and orange). The taste is has slight malt sweetness with notes of fruit (apple, pear and citrus), spice (pepper and clove), bread, hay and funk. The finish is crisp dry and has a slight floral bitterness. The carbonation was moderate and slightly prickly. The mouthfeel was medium-full bodied. This was a fabulous introduction Ommegang brews and American craft beers. Loved this, wish it was more accessible.

7.7% Cooperstown, New York     24 IBU

BROOKLYN LAGER~BROOKLYN

RED, WHITE & BREW ~ New York in the 1800’s was a hub of brewing. Vienna style lager was a favourite among the locals. This beer is brewed in the Vienna style but has been dry hopped (a more English technique) to increase its aromatic qualities. Sampled on draught, this Lager poured a clear coppery amber colour with a good head. It had good retention and left some frothy lacing. The nose contained citrus, grainy malts, orange and other citrus peel and some floral hops. I found this beer to be on the sweet side. The beer starts with sweet malts and honey with citrus brightness and finishes with a herbal/floral taste followed by a slight toasty bitterness. The beer has medium-light body and slightly higher than average carbonation. Though a little sweet for me, I found this beer to be easily drinkable, smooth and refreshing, but lacked complexity.

5.2 % from Utica, New York 33 IBU

Malts: American Two-row Malts
Hops: Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Vanguard and Cascade