Last month
Our first shipment arrived last Friday and it was a pleasant surprise. Real Microbrews! No lagers at all! But how were these brews?
Casco Bay Brewing Company – Pale Ale
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Maine’s first and only bottled year-round American Style Pale Ale. By style, American Style Pales tend to have a slightly lighter body, a more assertive hop flavor and a crisper finish (the best example of an American Pale Ale is the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale). |
My review:
For a microbrew, I wasn’t impressed. The taste of the brew starts out as a pretty standard issue American Pale Ale, but in spite of their claim that the finish is crisp, I found it to be more disappointing – even a bit skunky! Still, it’s drinkable, and I enjoyed one of these with dinner the other night.
Casco Bay Brewing Company – Riptide Red Ale
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Our flagship, this Irish-Style Red Ale proudly won a gold medal at the 2000 World Beer Cup. A combination of 5 different malts and 3 hop varietals, carefully blended, results in a perfect balance. Full-flavored and medium-bodied, the Riptide Red provides surprising complexity for such an easy-drinking brew. The Riptide Red has an original gravity of 1.056 and a 5.4% ABV. |
My review:
They did much better with this Red Ale. It is on the mellow side for a red ale, not very malty at all and the hops weren’t overly apparent and I wasn’t overly impressed with the finish. But it was a nice drinking beer, I’d drink it again if the opportunity presented itself.
Ithaca Beer Company – Nut Brown
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The rich mahogany hue of the Nut Brown is the first thing you will notice. You’ll find subtle hints of both chocolate and coffee. We delicately blend chocolate and caramel malts with four others to make this flavorful, easy drinking beer. The malt character will appeal to those looking for a moderately dark ale, but the smoothness is what will surprise all. |
My review:
I don’t like nut brown ales! It’s hard for me to judge something I don’t like in the first place, but based on other nut browns I’ve had in the past, this wasn’t a bad one. Michael said he enjoyed it.
Ithaca Beer Company – Apricot Wheat
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Our easy drinking wheat beer is light in color and body … perfect for those looking for a lighter taste. The combination of wheat and barley give our Apricot Wheat a different malt character than any of our other ales. The hint of apricot gives this beer a fruity finish, making it a fun beer to drink. |
My review:
This was the gem of the whole thing. It was no “hint of apricot” – this was, by far, the fruitiest wheat I have ever had, and since I like fruit more than wheat, a winner in my book! It’s like apricot with just enough wheat to remind you that it’s classified as a wheat. It’s also very light, I must grab a growler of this the next time we’re in upstate NY.
I’m impressed with this Amazing Clubs thing. So much that if their quality in brew choices remains good, we’re going to seriously consider renewing our membership after the three months, and possible signing up for more of their clubs (mmm chocolate of the month club).