Leinenkugel's Classic Amber

My venture into the ever expanding realm of beer styles, tastes and aromas has been rewarding. I've enjoyed many good beers and have not found one that I simply can't finish. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I sat down to crack open a book and a beer. The care that is taken when brewing at Leinenkugel's Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin is quite obvious. Their Classic Amber is complex and refreshing. The beer does not fit into the traditional Amber beer style as outlined by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The color is a very clear light amber. The aroma begins with a strong banana note and finishes with a citrus kick. The taste is quite the opposite. It jump starts the palate with strong citrus flavors that finish nicely with banana notes and, to a lesser degree, hop notes. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth. The Classic Amber would go great with light summary lunch foods.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Aroma: banana, citrus

Appearance: light amber

Flavor: citrus, banana, some hops

Mouthfeel: medium-bodied and smooth

Overall Impression: well crafted beer; I can't wait to try more from this brewery

ABV: 4.9%

Squatters Hop Rising

Tonight, my wife and I spent a beautiful evening outside reading. The weather was perfect as I cracked open Squatters Hop Rising. Typically, I absolutely love hoppy beers. I do not love this beer. Don't get me wrong, it is a quality beer. The brewers put a lot of thought into the beer. The only aroma notes I can pick out are hops. It has a very bitter and hoppy flavor with a sweet finish. I can't say I will ever buy this beer again, but it is a hop lovers dream.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Aroma: HOP!!!

Appearence: deep amber

Flavor: hoppy and bitter with a sweet finish

Mouthfeel: medium

Overall Impression: well crafted beer, but not for me

ABV: 9%

Red Tail Ale

It has been a crazy week. Between my last week of school and a hectic work schedule gearing up for a convention, I haven’t had any time to rest. I did get some good news today. I’ll be coaching high school football again this fall.

I’m not really sure if it was for celebration or as a means to relax, but I cracked open a very refreshing beer tonight. Mendocino Brewing Company brews a nice American Amber Ale called Red Tail Ale. I have to admit, it isn’t what I expected. It is a beautiful coppery-brown color with decent head retention. A strong citrusy aroma is complemented with caramel notes. Initially, the beer has a strong hop flavor that dissipates further along in the beer. It is very sweet, but not offensively so. The other flavor notes I pick up are indicative of the aroma.

 I see myself enjoying this beer on hot summer days. In fact, I may go buy a 24-pack of this beer to help me cool off after two-a-days in mid-August.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Aroma: citrus and caramel notes; some hop aroma detected

Appearance: copper brown

Flavor: a strong initial hop flavor calmed down with citrus and caramel notes

Mouthfeel: medium

Overall Impression: light in flavor, but complex and refreshing; for this beer, less is more

ABV: 6.1%

Full Sail IPA

Twelve ounces of a Full Sail IPA sent me into a daydream of my grandma’s house, sitting on the front porch on a cool, breezy night. Medium-gold in color, the IPA has a floral and hoppy aroma that excited the senses and perked my excitement. A slight initial sweetness, and even less noticeable floral flavor, is well balanced with a hoppy finish that leaves a hint of grassy flavor on the tongue. The medium-light mouth feel gives the IPA character.

               

Aroma: prominent hop aroma with floral notes

Appearance: medium-gold

Flavor: an initial sweetness, followed by floral and piney notes, finishing with strong hop and grassy notes

Mouthfeel: medium-light

Overall Impression: delicious and refreshing, a great example of a drinkable American IPA

ABV: 6.00%

The Beginning

Let me first say that I am not a certified beer judge. I am a beer enthusiast. I love the taste of a refreshing fermented malt beverage. The way beer brings people together is truly amazing. Each sip takes me back to a special moment in my life. From nights out with good friends playing pool and drinking Squatters’ Chasing Tail, to sipping a Shiner Bock with my dad on his porch after a long day of yard work, beer has been a part of many great memories. I hope to catalog those memories and my experiences with the beer itself.