Whitney
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Posts by Whitney
New Planet: Tread Lightly Ale
Sep 22nd
Can’t have gluten? No problem! New Planet, brewed at Fort Collins Brewery but based out of Boulder, is made just for you! After some research I found that New Planet makes three gluten-free brews. Their 3R Raspberry Ale is won a bronze metal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival. I will keep an eye out for it and write about it soon.
This week though, I tried their Tread Lightly Ale. It is VERY light and I’m sure all you Bud drinkers out there would actually like this brew. It is only made from sorghum, corn extract, orange peel, hops, and yeast. I’m a fan of heavier flavors so I tried this with an open mind.
Upon pouring I noticed a very light head, if any at all. Color is very light and very bubbly. The orange peel dominates smell with some hops at the end. As far as taste: much like the smell, orange once again dominates and an almost apple sweetness arises. Soon after a bitterness takes over but continues to be well-balanced. I didn’t really get a lot of hops but then again, then is very drinkable.
Over all this is good as far as gluten-free goes, given that, I tend to like heavier flavors. Personally, I do not plan on having New Planet again but, if you’re on the hunt for a decent gluten-free beer Tread Lightly might be for you!
Hopping Around Brown Ale
Sep 1st
The Brewing process.
Since recently brewing our second batch I now have a lot more appreciation for beer. Huge thanks to Dave and Lloyd as it is all our project. The process is complex and you must exercise patience if you want a good quality brew. Basic items you need are a carboy, a heavy-duty pot, 5-gallon bottling bucket, and metal everything. Using plastic or wood cook wear will absorb whatever you’re cooking and change the flavor of the brew.
Red Barn Ale
Aug 25th
This week we took a trip to San Marcos, California, to the Lost Abbey Brewery. Upon popping the cork of one of their brews, you instantly smell notes of tart and strong hops. You must pour this beer very slowly or the head will overflow. The head is light and fluffy, and lingers until the last drop. The color is light golden, like that of straw.
Smells are very strong in this beer; very malty with loads of spice, citrus, and maybe some lemongrass. It is slightly sweet as it rolls over the tongue, which turns bitter as you let the sip linger; you will notice that it stays in the nose. As the beer warms, earthy tones arise with a bit more zest. The smell of hay also becomes apparent as the beer warms further, which reminds me of home.
Overall, this is a very good beer. If you are new to beer, I do not suggest that you just jump into this brew. It is very smooth, despite the boldness of smell and favor. Very well balanced and perfect for summer. I am looking forward to trying more brews from the Lost Abbey Brewery.
Kick
Aug 18th
“A Treat That Does the Trick”
Halloween has come early! Fall has always been my favorite time of year and this beer is a wonderful reminder of leaves changing color and that crisp smell in the air. You’ll find Kick as part of New Belgium’s Lips of Faith series, their more experimental brews. Not mass-produced like Fat Tire but brewed in small batches, often only once or seasonally. Most of they time you will only be able to find these brews in bomber bottles.
At 75% cranberry juice and pumpkin ale and 25% cask ale Kick is surprisingly sour, a note you can smell instantly after opening the bottle. Appearance is orange with a slight reddish hue. The initial sip delivers a strong bite that gives everyone a little jolt. I first caught flavors of the cranberry tartness along with hints of nutmeg, sour apples, but very little pumpkin. As the beer warmed the pumpkin started to surface. There were also hints of woodiness from the barrels that lingers. I was pleasantly surprised at the drinkability of this beer. You would never realize Kick is 8.5% ABV until the sweet buzz kicks in at the end of the bottle!
Evensong
Aug 11th
Recently Dave I took a trip to Ireland and England. Upon arriving in Durham, England I immediately started looking for a map so I could navigate around the city. Instead I found a pamphlet for a local brewery somewhere near town. Unfortunately I was there for a friends wedding and knew that I probably wouldn’t get a chance to visit the brewery. On our last day in Durham we were visiting Durham Cathedral. If you ever get a chance to go, I strongly advise it. It truly is a sight to behold. We decided to eat in a little café located inside the cathedral where I spotted two beers from the brewery. I had two options; Cloister pale ale and Evensong, a red. Given that I am a HUGE fan of reds the choice was easy.
