too much beer....
Cate and Ed and Dan and I did a little impromptu beer taste test this weekend, and I thought it might be fun to share the results for future purchasing reference. We did a flight of 5 brown ales and then of 7 india pale ales. We chose domestically brewed, reasonably priced, and relatively widely available microbrews, and took a few suggestions from the folks at our favorite local beer store. In the first round we did the brown ales, and we knew what we were drinking. The india pale ales were second, and Dan and Cate devised some ridiculously complicated method so that we were drinking those blind. In both rounds we all agreed on the best beer, but there were definite differences of opinion after that...
BROWN ALES:
#1: Brooklyn Brown Ale
#2: Wachusett Nut Brown Ale
#3: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale
#4: Wolaver's Brown Ale
#5: Gritty's Best Brown Ale
Brooklyn is probably best known for its brown ale, so it wasn't too much of a surprise that it came out on top. The Dogfish Head brown ale veered toward a porter, which split the table: Dan and I both had it as our second choice, and Cate and Ed had it last. I was rooting for Gritty's, but compared to the others it tasted weak, almost watery. Sadly, Dan and I have had to start reconsidering our move to Portland.
INDIA PALE ALES:
#1: Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
#2: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
#3: Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA
#4: Wachusett India Pale Ale
#5: Mojo: India Pale Ale
#6: Wolaver's India Pale Ale
#7: Cooperstown Backyard India Pale Ale
We did this one blind, so were pretty surprised to see that Brooklyn came out on top again, unanimously. Dogfish Head, Flying Dog, and Wachusett were very close for second, third, and fourth place. Mojo was extremely hoppy compared to the rest - apparently a bit too hoppy for all of our tastes, although it seemed to grow on Cate and Ed as they kept sipping it. The Cooperstown IPA was almost unanimously everyone's last choice.
This was a lot of fun - I think as spring approaches, perhaps a summery wheat beer tasting should be up next? Maybe Dan's hefeweizen should enter the mix!
5 comments:
Nice IPA list..Yum Yum..You've got to try Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA. Much better than the 60.
Mike A
thanks mike! we hemmed and hawed about the dogfish head 90 and 120 minute IPAs at the store, so we'll have to work them into the next tasting =)
Dogfish head is one of my favorite beers. I've been dying to try the 120 IPA but for some weird reason the distributors in NH can't get it. I think it has more alcohol than NH law will allow. Maybe the next time we all meet on MV you can bring me a 4pack. HApPy MiKeY!!!
Sounds like a fun time....we may have to try that event over here in Camden to bide our time as we await the snowmelt!! But don't let your results keep you from living in Portland. We can work something out!!!!
Mike - I'm pretty sure we can arrange that :) Maybe we can even do a 60, 90, and 120 minute tasting!
Mom - we're still willing to give Gritty another chance. Plus there's always Shipyard, Sea Dog, Geary's, Allagash, and so many others! Maybe a Maine taste test is in order...
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