As we continue down the line of Redhook beers we run into this surprise beer, Copper Hook. I say surprise because I really had no idea what to expect in this beer. I don’t know what a “copper ale” was other than an idea of the color. Based on that, I had not tried it up until today. I have to be honest, it surprised me. It was crisp, clean, light, tasty and had a perfect subtle balance of character. This is definitely going on my list of go to beers if I just don’t know what to get. Newcastle used to be that beer for me, now I think I’ll do a little Redhook Copper Hook for a while.

Review of Redhook Copper Hook

Packaging

There isn’t much to say about Redhook’s marketing and product packaging. It is always solid and consistent and this one is no different. They don’t tell you much. It has a name, a little design, where it was brewed and how much alcohol content. I wish there was more, but there isn’t.

Appearance

A burnt straw look with a bit of haze to it. A nice fuffy off white head that laces down the side as it goes.

Smell

A subtle balance of hops and malt. I get a little bit of spice and biscuit as well. The real highlight here is that not one thing over powers the other. I guess you could say it is very mediocre or very well balanced. The hop aroma that I get is definitely a little floral.

Taste

Redhook Copper Hook is very balanced. Nothing jumps out and nothing kicks me in the face. Its dry and crisp, which I personally really like. It kind of tastes like a very mild pale ale with a hint of spice/earth to it.

Mouthfeel

Medium bodied and smooth. Not much more to say about it than that.

Drinkability

In my opinion, its high. I could really see myself making a night out of this. I’ve never drank a beer that is so high in alcohol but so subtle in flavor. For as smooth as it is I would think I’d taste the alcohol, but I don’t get that at all. This is also a beer I may introduce to friends that are testing the craft beer waters. Its really easy to drink and not over powering, so in my book, that is the perfect combo for an all nighter and an introductory beer.

What do you think? Have you had Copper Hook by Redhook? I’d love to hear your opinion.

As we continue on the journey of Redhook beers we are introduced to an IPA that tastes like no other IPA that I have yet to try. Is that good or bad? Good for me, bad for all of the hop heads. I’ve been in search of an IPA that has a more dry taste. I’m not a big fan of all the big IPA’s that have a lot of residual maltiness. I feel the maltiness, mixed with a load of hops just doesn’t work for me. When I talked with Kim Brusco in the Redhook Interview I did with him, he mentioned that their beers are often attenuated to the fullest. For those who don’t know, attenuation is basically a measurement of converted sugars to alcohol, the more attenuation, the more dry the beer. Anyway, Redhook Long Hammer is what I’ve been searching for.

Review of Redhook Long Hammer

Packaging

Not going to say much here other than I like the color combination. Redhook, like always, does a great job keeping their brand consistent and looking appealing. I wonder where the name “Long Hammer” came from. Oh, I can’t forget to mention, this brew has 6.5% ABV. You wouldn’t guess it though.

Appearance

A deep straw color with a slight haze. This is a lot lighter than the IPA’s I’m accustomed to seeing which are usually more amber or copper. A nice fluffy, thick head that sticks to the sides on the way down.

Smell

Very subtle hop and malt character, at least, to what I would expect out of an IPA. Usually these flavors are big and bold, but they are somewhat subdued in this beer. I get a little citrus and bisquit in this brew, but it is definitely not knocking my socks off hoppy smelling.

Taste

Pretty darn smooth. The best way I can think to describe it is to say something a long the lines of, this beer is like a “light” IPA. It’s smooth, crisp and goes down easy. It is dry like I predicted and has more of a hop bitter taste than the hop citrus/floral taste I’ve come to expect with IPA’s. The malt is minimal and overall the beer is lacking any big flavors, which can be a nice change on a hot summer day.

Mouthfeel

Pretty run of the mill medium bodied. The one thing I appreciate the most is that it doesn’t stick to my teeth. In the past an IPA with big malt and hop character seems to stick to my teeth, kind of like holding a mouth full of soda until you can’t stand it anymore.

Drinkability

I’d say its pretty high. They go down quick and smooth. Be careful though, at 6.5% ABV this could surely kick you in the butt without you even knowing it. So I suppose its good and bad that its so easy to drink. On one hand you want more because your tastes aren’t satisfied and on the other the ABV will sneak up on you and beat you down!

Overall

Solid choice. If you know someone who wants to try drinking IPA’s this would be a great starter IPA to possibly move onto something bigger. Redhook puts out a solid beer of good quality every time. You won’t go telling all your friends how awesome it is, but you will definitely be happy with the solid choice for the price.

Have you tried Long Hammer? What do you think? I think this is Doug MacNair’s favorite.

Today we finally start off the Redhook Brew Reviews! We’ve got a few of them to do and I figured what better time than during the middle of July to drink a Redhook Rope Swing Summer Pilsner. This is actually the first pilsner that Redhook as ever produced and I believe it is brewed in a traditional Czech Style using 100% Czech Saaz hops. Rope Swing by Redhook isn’t a very complex beer, but it sure does go down easy and refresh on those hot, sunny summer days.

Review of Redhook Rope Swing

Packaging

Redhook has always been a great marketing entity and one of the reasons this is true is because they are always consistent with their look. You can look from one bottle of Redhook to another and pretty much know that your looking at a Redhook beer. It is no different with the Rope Swing. None of their packaging is drop dead amazing, but it is consistently solid in color, shape, imagery and design. I think the Rope Swing name is clever with the little summer past time swing on the front of the bottle. However, there is no other information on the bottle other than the name and where it was brewed.

Appearance

Bright straw colored with a nice, foamy white head. There is minimal lacing as it goes down the side of the glass.

Smell

Very discrete malt/hop mix. It isn’t over powering at all. I get just a hint of spice from the Saaz hops. It’s brewed to be easy going and the smell assures me that it succeeds in that category.

Taste

Very refreshing. The bitterness from the hops balances out a smooth, light malt flavor. I can definitely tell this is a pilsner as I can taste that distinct lager yeast in there. I get a touch of an earthy trait and that spice I smelt. It is not big on flavor, but has a very good quenching quality.

Mouthfeel

Very light with a bit of carbonation that dances on the tongue.

Drinkability

Easy. There isn’t much else to say. This beer could be dangerous at 5.3% ABV and it being able to go down that easy. If its cold, it is even more refreshing, but as it warms it still holds a good taste to a point where it just turns into a warm beer and you gotta pour it or shoot it.

Overall

If you want to try something a little lighter for the hot summer days at the BBQ’s and such, this is definitely a good option. I think its a solid, refreshing craft beer that has more flavor than your light lagers, but could definitely peak a light lager drinkers interest if presented correctly.

Let me know if you try it! I’d love to hear what you think of Redhook’s Rope Swing.

I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest soccer fan. Hockey is my sport, but I always enjoy watching Olympic and World Cup Soccer. There is something about your country being on a world stage that is extremely exciting to watch, and I must thank the 2010 World Cup for one of the most memorable and exciting sporting moments I’ve ever witnessed. Here in the states it was 10:30ish in the morning as the US vs Algeria game was coming to an end. I skipped work for the day and was drinking beers at one of the only bars in the city that opens before 11. There was about 20 of us odd fellows that only come together when the US is playing soccer. It was a must win game for the US if they were to move onto the round of 16 and time was ticking away. Chance after chance put us all on an emotional roller coaster that would not end.

Stoppage time started and everyone was beginning to pack up and go home. Algeria came down, put a ball on the goalie and all hope was fading away. Until the ball sprang out, down the left side of the field and within 10 seconds a shot was put on goal. Algeria’s goal struggle with it and Donovan made him pay by scoring the game winning goal. I have never hugged so many men in my life. It was truly an amazing game to watch and will go down in history as one of the best sporting moments I’ve witnessed in my life. Low and behold, we would not win any more games. Better luck next time.

World Cup of Beer Sweepstakes

Today I just finished watching Germany vs Spain and I realized it was time to finally do my World Cup of Beer Sweepstakes entry. I wandered around, store after store, questioning, asking, pleading with people to help me find a beer brewed and bottled in Australia. Ninety percent of the time I was lead to Fosters, which I don’t think is even brewed in Australia. I finally came across someone who was able to direct me to something that would fit the bill. He lead me down the aisle of craft beer where 6 packs of New Belgium, Redhook and Boulevard were screaming, “Pick me, Pick me!” My guide maneuvered me through the jungle of import beers to the very end of the row, the absolute furthest place from the front door. “Here we are,” he said as he bent down to his knees. As if he was unearthing treasure, he moved a 6 pack of the wrong product out of the way to reveal one last six pack of beer. He pulled it forward and said, “Tasmania…that’s in Australia…”

Needless to say, I struggled to find a beer here in the U.S. and not only the U.S. but the middle of the U.S., Fargo, ND. I thought I would luck out as it just so happened I had a friend, who had a sister that was living in Australia for 6 months coming back at the end of June. I tried desperately to get her to bring me back something, anything, but there just wasn’t room and I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone traveling. If you don’t know, getting back into the U.S., even as a citizen, is a bitch.

Fargo’s Only Australian Beer

So, disappointingly I picked up the James Boag’s Premium Lager. The presentation of the beer is about as big of a let down as the actual performance of Australia in the 2010 World Cup. The beer looked as though the Tasmanian Devil blew past it and left it discombobulated and filthy. (Sorry, had to get that in there.) You could tell this stuff doesn’t move much on the shelves of the stores here in Fargo. Mine had dust on it, and not just dust, but dust bunnies. Little fluffy balls of god knows what. On top of that, I think I saw a spider web in the finger holes that act as a handle. In fact, one of the caps had some kind of sticky, oily residue on it that I could not explain. But it was still within its “freshness” date and its brewed in Tasmania, so I went for it!

Review of James Boag’s Premium Lager

Packaging

Comes in a green bottle with a painting on the front. The painting, I can only assume is of the Esk River in Tasmania where they get the water to brew this lager. There is a story on the back of the bottle that reads -

In 1853 James Boag commenced his brewing tradition on the banks of the Esk River in Launceston, Tasmania. Today, we are dedicated to carry on this tradition of excellence which he established. We use Tasmania’s finest ingredients combined with extended lagering to create a crisp, pale lager rich in flavour, which delivers an especially smooth finish.

Appearance

Pours a light straw color with a decent fluffly white head on the top. You can see a lot of carbonation as well as it sits there and I take a picture of it. I noticed a bit of really good lacing down the side of the glass as I drank it.

Smell

Malty smell that I can only associate with other premium beers like Sapporo from Japan and a Mickey’s here in the states. Like most “Premium” types of beer this one has little hop character or tasty grain smell.

Taste

It has a bit of a sweet taste to it. It is pretty easy to drink. When it is super cold it is refreshing, crisp and doesn’t taste half bad. As it warms it isn’t very good at all. There is little hop character, if any, and the flavor is pretty simple.

Mouthfeel

Crisp and light bodied this beer goes down easy.

Drinkability

I’d say its high. If you keep this cold and are thirsty on a hot summers day, probably much like it is in Australia, this would surely quench that thirst. I don’t think I’d make a night out of it.

So even though Australia bounced out of the World Cup in the first round and I wasn’t able to really find a beer fitting of the Australian people, I’d have to say it has been fun learning more about Australia and beer. I hope someday to actually get my hands on some of their more flavorful beers. This beer cost me $14 for a six pack and was not at all worth the money. However, I’m excited that I was able to actually participate in this contest with an actual brewed and bottle Australian beer.

After a disappointing US loss in the 2010 World Cup I did what all good soccer fans do. Drink! I was meandering through the beer aisle at a store across the river, where I get Surly for my wife, and just so happened to notice a selection of beer that is not available at my regular store. One name stood out, Deschutes. I’ve had the Mirror Pond before and loved it so I decided to give their “Summer Ale” a go. In doing research on the net the Deschutes Twilight won as a “Bitter” but is categorized by some as an “American Pale Ale”.  The BJCP guidelines confuse me at this point, but I won’t get into that. I personally believe this leans more towards the American Pale Ale based on the hop selection and citrus.

Enough beer lessons, let’s drink this puppy up!

Review of Deschutes Twilight

Packaging

Having a graphic arts background can sometimes make it difficult to please me when it comes to labels. However, I don’t think it is that hard to impress me either. Deschutes Twilight Ale packaging is just that, pleasing. The imagery on the front is relaxing as you gaze into the bend in the river between the forest and the rock as the “twilight” appears above and around the rest of the label. Very relaxing. The bottle doesn’t have much more information other than the 5% ABV, a “heady dose” of Amarillo hops and that it is a seasonal ale.

Appearance

A pale gold, I almost want to say light orange with a very fluffy head adorning the glass.

Smell

Very citrusy, which I imagine is from the Amarillo’s, though I have never worked with them. I get a little zest as well, seems like orange zest to me with a slight caramel sniff.

Taste

Yummy. This beer won some medals as in the Bitter category, which is much like a Pale Ale, but without the citrus. It is sweet, malty and has a nice hop after taste. I still get some citrus zest in my mouthfuls. The first drink I had I thought it was mixed with a shot of orange juice.

Mouthfeel

It has a little bit of a zip on the tongue along with some nice, carbonation that excites as it goes down. It is lighter than I would have expected it giving it a really smooth finish.

Drinkability

Up there! It is a tasty brew from Deschutes, especially for the summer. I would say this could pair with pretty much anything you are grilling this summer and fall. It could definitely refresh on a hot day and not leave you thirsty with a dry finish. Deschutes does it again!

Brewing Note

The Amarillo hop adds a nice, light citrus character to this beer. I am reminded of oranges.

Have you tried it? If not, I highly recommend it for your 4th of July weekend! Be safe!

The Czech Pilsner is not a style of beer that I have tried all that many of. I think my knowledge of this style goes as far as a Pilsner Urquell that I drank a few years ago. It is always nice to open the doors wider with a new selection for a style. Today, Shiner 101 Czech-Style Pilsner from Spoetzl Brewing in Shiner, TX is going to teach me a thing or two about the Czech Pilsner style. Established in 1909, Spoetzl is another one of the oldest, still operating breweries in America, so I better sit down and really listen to what this beer is trying to tell me. But that is just it, this beer isn’t saying much, but what it was brewed to speak only one message. “Simple.”

Review of Shiner 101 Czech-Style Pilsner

Packaging

Shiner 101 Czech-Style Pilsner has nice looking packaging. It has an old world like flare to it. The colors are simple black and white with a pop of red. I like the “seal” that says “Every drop of Shiners brewed in Shiner.” It gives me a feeling of approval. The bottle is riddled with little sayings about the simple recipe, ingredients and the 101 years that Spoetzl Brewing has been around. You’ll have to pick up a bottle or watch the video to hear what they say as there is just to much to write.

Appearance

A light golden straw color with a light fluffy head just hanging out on the top. My head didn’t stick around long or lace to the sides over time.

Smell

Spoetzl takes great pride in the tradition of using barley, water, hops and yeast to make beer and that is exactly what I smell in this beer. I get malt and hop aroma with a pinch of hay like smell. I also get that sweet/spice that is quickly becoming something I am associating with all lager beers.

Taste

Very clean and crisp flavor. It isn’t complicated at all. Malty sweet with a hop bitterness that hangs out on the tongue long after you have swallowed the mouthful.

Mouthfeel

Light bodied, smooth and goes down easy. It has a quenching quality to it that would be very good with some spicy nachos! A light army of carbonation bubbles dances on my tongue with each sip.

Drinkability

Shiner 101 Czech-Style Pilsner is very good. This beer is a perfect summer beer that would be refreshing out on the lake or in the heat of the day. It is a sipping beer that taste excellent as it warms up slightly, but is also very tasty crisp cold as you gulp it if the situation calls for it.

Brewing Thoughts

I have not had a lot of Czech Pilsners in my life, or I haven’t known they were Czech Pilsners, so if I take one thing away from this beer to apply to future recipes it is that things do not have to be complex to be good. You don’t have to put this and that into a recipe to make it special or tasty. Simple can please, refresh and should not be overlooked.

Have you tried Shiner 101 Czech-Style Pilsner? What did you think?