Brooklyn - Local 2

To our dear readers, fellow beer lovers and brewers, I have some wonderful news to share.  Tonight marks The World of BeerCraft's 200th review!!!  I cant believe that we are already at 200.  It feels like just a few short months ago that we started this blog and wrote our first review.  Looking back at it today we have certainly come a long way in just seven months of daily beer reviewing.  Our readership has exponentially increased throughout this time as well.  If it weren't for you readers and fellow craft beer enthusiasts it may have spelled an end to The World... of BeerCraft as we know it.  We have nothing but appreciation and admiration for others who share the same passion as Dunz and I do and we hope to continue to share our experiences with you for another 200 reviews!  Cheers!

I'm going to stick with the Belgian theme so far this week and review Brooklyn Brewery's Local 2.  A while back I reviewed their Local 1 and found it to be a great domestic example of a Belgian Golden Strong.  I have high hopes for Local 2.  Brooklyn Brewing just recently started distributing in MN a few months ago and they have already amassed a large following in a market notorious for its adoration of locally brewed beer.  Its an impressive feat for a brewery that advertises its origin on the center of every bottle it sells.

Local 2 is a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.  Essentially the opposite side of the spectrum from Local 1.  The bottle is the exact same style as its lighter colored brother with a green label and a big '2' smack dab in the middle.  The bottom of the front label lets us know that this ale is brewed with honey and citrus peal, 100% bottle refermented and a robust 9.0% ABV.  On the back label you will find serving suggestions directly from the brewmaster.  Belgian dark sugar, raw wildflower honey and Brooklyn's special Belgian yeast are highlighted within the brewmasters notes to help you create a welcoming mental picture even before you unwrap the cage and pop the cork.

The aforementioned cork pops off with ease and a cool white mist billows from the bottles opening.  Pouring this into my pilsner glass I immediately notice this ales frothy tan head and clear deep brown body.  Brooklyn has really nailed down this brews presentation.  The head lingers all the way through to a finish and actually adds a creaminess to each sip.  Lots of dark candied fruits with hints of caramel and a faint citrus create a complex aroma similar to other Belgian Darks I've had in the past.  My first sip is heavily carbonated.  You will want to let this one breathe a bit before diving in.  Once the excess carbonation is released you are treated to a full bouquet of Belgian love.  Sweet candied plums, raisins and figs blend together with a mild Belgian spice and subdued floral flavor.  The once strong carbonation is now a soothing accent to an overall smooth and complex experience.

Overall - I realized after I finished my tasting notes that I never mentioned the alcohol.  That's because it was nowhere to be found!  Brooklyn's Local 2 certainly lives up to expectations.  Its an easy drinking, complex, flavorful, smooth experience that is hard to replicate.  If you have the opportunity, grab a bottle of Local 1 and 2.  Brooklyn Brewing has made it easy to enjoy two well made examples of Belgian style brew right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Ommegang - Three Philosophers

Tonight I have the pleasure of reviewing one of the best beers crafted in America according to the Homerbrewers Association and the readers of their publication, Zymurgy.  Brewery Ommegang's Three Philosophers ranked tied for 29th alongside four other competitors.  The top beer on the list, three years running, is Russian River's Pliny the Elder.  They don't distribute out here so if you can get this brew out where you live Dunz and I would happily do a brew trade in order to experience what so many others are raving about.  There are a lot of other brews on that list that we have already reviewed.  Check out the list and compare our thoughts to see if their ranking on the list is warranted!

If you look close enough you can see my
cat in the background, playing a kitty version
of Wheres Waldo.

Brewery Ommegang has one of the bigger presences within the States when it comes to authentic European and Belgian brews.  We reviewed their Rare Vos and Abbey Ale and thought both were great.  The Abbey Ale post has a good background of the breweries origins and how they got to where they are today.

Three Philosophers is an authentic Belgian quad blended with a cherry Kriek with an additional 2% cherries added to accentuate the flavor.  Very unique, I doubt there is another beer on the market like it within the U.S.  The bottle reminds us to pour the beer slowly so as to not disturb the yeast on the bottom but vigorous enough to create a "luxurious head and release the sumptuous bouquet".  Ommegang does a great job at getting you in the mindset to enjoy their beer.  They don't want you to just drink the beer, they want you to have a great overall experience.

Ommegang's Belgian blend is a deep mahogany color with a sandy tan head.  With a robust 9.4% ABV the head recedes rather quickly and forms a thin tan lacing around the circumference of my glass.  The first smell is of dark candied fruit and Belgian spice.  Hints of alcohol come through with some black licorice tip-toeing throughout.  The flavor is where the Kriek's role comes in.  Smooth and creamy, dark candied black cherries blend together with an intense malty spice that you only find in well crafted Belgian brews.  Some alcohol warmth plays nicely with a subtle carbonation to accentuate the flavors all the way through to the finish.

Overall - If you enjoy Belgian brews you cannot pass up Ommegang's Three Philosophers.  Originally, I had thought the Kriek would play a larger role here but the quad that its blended with does a nice job taking center stage and allowing the cherry Kriek to play a supporting role.  It adds an additional layer of complexity that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Ommegang - Rare Vos

Tonights beer comes recommended to me by one of the helpful gents over at The Four Firkins.  I had originally went to their store to see if they carried Ommegangs Belgian IPA.  Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me but knownst to my Firkins associate, their BIPA was only available in a special variety pack.  I was further informed that they carried another Belgian style ale brewed by Ommegang which exhibits some similar qualities as the BIPA I was originally in search for.  My last experience with Ommegangs Abbey Ale was a great one which left me looking for more from this East coast brewery.  I anticipates tonights brew will leave me with the same feeling.

Categorized as a Belgian Amber, the first quality I notice after pouring is the aroma; spicy fruit with hints of citrus and clove are easily discernible.   A bit of malt battles its way through the spicy front lines and softens the overall character.  Sipping the hazy orange/amber brew brings similar flavors to my palate as it did my nose.  A more pronounced black pepper and citrus take on a leading role with caramelized dark fruit and hop bitterness filling in as the supporting cast.  The finish is a bit cloying towards the end of the pint.  However, the alcohol warmth and moderate carbonation make the cloying sweetness an afterthought.

Overall - This was certainly enjoyable.  I think this is one that would pair well with a variety of foods.  Cheese and fish come to mind initially.  Im not sure this is one I would drink on a regular basis though.  Not because its bad, far from it actually.  More so because its flavor profile is so bold and pronounced that my palate would be overwhelmed after just a few.  Ill be buying this one again next time the wife go out of our way to cook a nice dinner.  I encourage everyone else to give this 2008 GABF Gold Medal winner a try!

Ommegang - Abbey Ale

Tonights review is from a brewery out of Cooperstown, New York.  Sound familiar?  If you are a baseball fan you may already be aware that this town is home to the baseball Hall of Fame and known as the birthplace of baseball.  Luckily for us, the town is also home to one of the most prominent American breweries focused on crafting the best Belgian brews this side of the pond.

Brewery Ommegang was established back in 1997 at the location of a former hop farm.  The brewery itself was built from the ground up as a traditional farmhouse structure.  They wanted to ensure everything they did while producing their beer was authentic and traditionally Belgian.  Today they boast a year-round line up of five award winning beers along with a handful of seasonal and specialty brews that can be enjoyed throughout the year. The first beer they released, and what I would imagine is their flagship beer, is the beer I'm drinking tonight, Abbey Ale.

A dubbel style Belgian, Abbey Ale comes in a 750ml corked champaign bottle.  The label already has me excited describing this bottles contents as a "rich, fruity, and aromatic, burgundian brew".  There are also pouring instructions on one side and a brief history lesson on the other.  Ommegang wants to ensure you have the best experience possible when you open one of their hand crafted beers.

This dubbel is a slightly cloudy, deep caramel amber.  The foam is a similar caramelized brown.  My first thought when this filled my glass was "beautiful".  A little cheesy, I know, but if you take the time to enjoy the entire process of drinking a craft beer you may think the same with this one.  A complex bouquet of aromas are immediately present as I dip my nose past the rim of the glass.  Toasted caramel, spice, dark fruits, plum, licorice... very pleasant.  The flavors are more of the same with some brown sugar, alcohol warmth and cinnamon added into the already complex, yet enjoyable flavor profile.  The carbonation is higher than average to help dry out the bold, malty body of this 8.5% ABV brew.

Overall - This is great.  If you have been reading my posts for a while you will know I'm a big fan of Belgian brews, and this Abbey Ale satiates my craving.  Brewery Ommegang makes it cost effective for me to enjoy an authentic version of Belgian style beers year round.  Luckily they distribute most of their line up out to MN.  Ill certainly be looking up their other products during my next trip to the beer shop!

Brooklyn - Lager

Tonights brew is of another from Brooklyn Brewery.  After having a very enjoyable experience with their Local 1 I was excited to get back on the Brooklyn bandwagon and give their flagship lager a go.  Brooklyn's website, which is quite nice I must say, gives me some solid information about the roots of this brew.  Aside from learning that this is their original beer the brewery was based on, I also found they use a Vienna style base for their lager. These tend to be very malt forward and silky smooth.  However, reading further into their description I find they dry hop with a mixture of European and American hops; Hallertauer and Cascade as an example.  Brooklyn also accentuates the bitterness as well.  The good news is that they aren't fooling themselves which what this beer actually is - an American Amber Lager.

My glass fills with a brilliantly clear amber color, who would have thunk?  An egg shell white foam lingers around after settling into my pint.  A sweet malt supported by subtle floral and citrus notes create a very inviting aroma.  I had to take a few sips before I was able to figure out how to describe this lager.  The best I can do is a slightly sweet, slightly bitter, smooth finisher. Some bready notes mix in with a subdued citrus flavor put forth by the hops.  Medium carbonation smooths out the finish.  Alcohol is hiding in here somewhere but I cant find it.

Overall - I don't think I've tasted a lager quite like this before.  I definitely like it.  I wouldn't mind going back to the fridge for another.  Although, I was hoping to experience a little more of the Vienna lager characteristics of the bready, toasty malt and I ended up getting more hop bitterness than I wanted.  Now that I know what to expect I think the other five left in my six pack will be more enjoyable than the first.  Certainly worth a try and something I can see myself purchasing again.

Brooklyn - Local 1

Tonights review is of a brew from yet another new brewery distributing to the Midwest.  However, this brewery is from the East!  New York to be precise.  Brooklyn Brewery has a long history behind their name.  In fact, you can read all about it in their book, Beer School: Bottling Success at the Brooklyn Brewery.  In short, the brewery was incepted in 1987 by a news correspondent and a banker.  Two years later, they were distributing their first brew, Brooklyn Lager.  Today, their lager is one of the top selling beers in New York and one of the top 40 breweries in the country.  I'm excited to be tasting their beer for the first time.  Of the brief research I've done so far, Brooklyn Brewery is a very reputable maker of fine craft beer.

The brew I was able to get my hands on is their Local 1.  I wasn't sure what to expect as the bottle only hints at the fact this is a Belgian inspired beer.  But hey, I'm a fan of Belgians (the beers, not the people, although Ive never met a Belgian person so Ill reserve judgement until then.  I'm sure they are nice and smell pretty) so I didn't feel like I was going out on a limb purchasing this fine looking bottle.  Digging around on the breweries website tells me this is a Belgian inspired Golden Strong Ale.

After letting the intense amount of foam settle I was able to discern the clear signs of a golden strong.  Pale straw in color, frothy white foam and an intense sweet malt and floral yeast.  From the looks, this is already a great example.  The flavor doesn't fall short either.  Sweet malt and fruity, almost tropical flavors from the yeast are abundant.  Hints of pineapple and mango mix in with a grainy, malty body.  An alcohol warmth comes through towards the end.  The finish is smooth and dry.

Overall A/6.0 - This is a great example of what a Belgian Golden Strong can be.  Brooklyn brewery went to great lengths to craft this treat.  Bottle conditioned with an extra spritz of yeast, thick bottle and sturdy cork are all signs of attention to detail.  The beer itself is great.  Brooklyn also releases a Local 2 which is a Belgian Strong Dark.  I'll be picking up another bottle of Local 1, along with Local 2 next time I'm out on the beer prowl.