It’s a beautiful Friday evening, the weather is finally turning and it seems that Spring has sprung. I can think of no better way to spend this day but to taste all the new beers we’ve put on tap this week at the Downtown Leafe. Luckily I do not have to take this challenge alone. I have recruited one of my favorite regulars, William & Mary professor Chandos Brown, to join me in a miniature beer tasting. Here are our findings…
Hacker-Pschorr Weisse, a German Hefeweizen with an ABV of 5.5% is a great way for us to start. Wow! What a fantastic tasting brew. Coriander and cloves is the overwhelming flavors we taste. Chandos makes an observation that there is not much of a citrus taste, which you do typically find in many Hefeweizen beers. We both agree that the beer seems to pack a little more of a punch than its registered 5.5%. A perfect beer to enjoy on a sunny day. Overall we both give this brew two thumbs up!
Our next sample is from Cooperstown, New York, Ommegang Hennepin. Chandos is quick to point out a more yeasty taste than the Hacker-Pschorr. It pours a light golden color and has a nice citrus smell and flavor. Like other Saisons, it has an almost champagne fizziness on the tongue. I seem to be enjoying it more than Chandos, but I have to be fair in stating that this is not his preferred style of beer. I think it’s a great light summer beer, even with a higher ABV of 7.7%.
Thirsty Dog Labrador Lager is our next stop on the tasting train. Out of Akron, Ohio, this lager is extremely drinkable. There is a nice scent of spice, and initially on the tongue you can taste that spiciness, but it fades very quickly. Chandos comments, “If you are trying to get the essence of a true lager, this would be a great beer to try.” This would definitely be considered a session beer, one that you could sit and enjoy all evening long.
The Troegs Nugget Nectar gets an overwhelming “YUM-O” from both Chandos and myself. This is a delicious brew. Taken from the base ingredients of Troegs HopBack Amber, the Nugget Nectar has a beautiful malt beginning and finishes with a strong hop flavor. To the nose there is a strong caramel scent which leads to that beautiful malt flavor. This beer is a seasonal brew, so you better get here quickly to taste it for yourself because once these kegs are gone, you’ll have to wait until next year to try this fantastic beer!
Moving back across the pond, our next selection is Spaten Dunkel from Germany. There is a sweet aroma that I just can’t place, maybe a little coriander, or perhaps just the malt. The taste just screams malt. There is not much carbonation and it is light on the palate. A darker beer in color, a little sweet in taste. A drinkable beer for sure, but after tasting the Troegs Nugget Nectar, it pales in comparison.
Our final beer to try tonight is the Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA from Boulder, Colorado. This seasonal brew is produced from March through August. It packs quite a punch at 10.5%ABV. After taking my first sniff, I know this is going to be a big beer, and the first sip does not let me down. Extremely intense hop bitterness from start to finish, and it doesn’t end there. The hoppiness seems to linger, and linger, and linger…An amazing brew for all hop heads to enjoy.
This has been a great way to spend a lovely Friday evening. Hopefully you can make your way to the Downtown Green Leafe and try one of our new beers and see which one suits your fancy!
Friday Beer Tasting
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Wow,
I just moved into the area from Fort Lauderdale, and I'm thirsty and hungry just reading your menu. Sadly enough magic hat has been out of my life for three years because they do not distribute to FL. I'm looking forward to checking the New Town spot out when I'm settled into the area.
Cheers
