Beer Review: Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale

Flying Fish Brewing Company Farmhouse Summer Ale

I can't believe this is my first Flying Fish review. I like to buy local and they are located in the memorable town of Cherry Hill. The main thing I think of when I think of Cherry Hill is that the mall there offers very cheap sushi. A big plus in my book. This is also a very unique offering. You will find a ton of summer ales this time of year. Few that also happen to use Belgian malt and are bottle conditioned (aka carbonated naturally in the bottle using the yeast). The farmhouse brew pours a surprisingly clear golden color with a very solid head. Doesn't last for a ridiculous amount of time but I wouldn't really expect/desire this in a summer offering. Aroma of yeast, wheat, and cloves. Inviting.

The flavor is loaded with natural yeast flavor. I get a lot of clovey goodness upfront followed with a wheaty lemon flavor and some sweet barley malt. Not much in the hop department besides a lingering earthy aftertaste but it really isn't needed. I don't really see the farmhouse connection since this is noticeably different from a traditional Belgian Saison (farmhouse) ale. It may not be traditional but the depth of flavor renders any style questions negligible.

This is delicious. A very much above average summer ale for a very reasonable price ($7.99 a six pack). I recommend this to anyone who wants an easy drinking summer beer but wants some exceptional depth (who wouldn't want this?). This could easily become a summer staple for me. Don't miss out!

Final Score: 91% (Easy Drinking and Complex. A Belgian Creation. In Jersey.)

Beer Review: Saranac Summer Brew

F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Summer Brew

I have never had a Radler (lager and lemonade) before and was a bit hesitant. I enjoy lemony flavors that can come out from certain strains of yeast but I don't know how I feel about mixing lemonade in. Seems too easy. Pours a VERY light yellow color with a minimal head.

Flavor is sweet. Loads of lemonade with a bit of malt and hop notes going on in the background. I really don't like when beer flavors are in the background. Especially when drinking a beer. There really isn't much to describe here, the malt flavor is paralyzed and the hops are in a coma. This is only for someone who doesn't like beer and is a huge fan of lemonade. But if that is the case why not just drink a lemonade?

I am glad they are still experimenting and trying to bring new flavors to America but this one can stay in Europe. This isn't horrible but it really doesn't taste like a beer. Drinkable only on the hottest of days and even then I would go for a pilsner over this. Lemonade and sweetness needs to be toned down a few notches. This might be good for the style but I really can't give a good score if there isn't anything positive to note.

Final Score: 55% (Very Lemony. Where is the Beer?)

Beer Review: Ottakringer Helles

Ottakringer Brewery Helles Lager

My friend from Austria recently brought two cans of this back. He said it is the equivalent to a Budweiser over there, being prevalent in almost every bar. The Vienna stunner pours a slightly hazy golden yellow color. Short lived but noticeable head without any lacing. Aroma is nonexistent.

The flavor is OK. Tastes very similar to a standard Euro lager (Heineken or Becks) with few differences. Clean malt flavor with a very brief hop punch. By brief I mean by the time you notice it, the flavor is gone. The malt flavor is a bit richer than a Euro lager but not a whole lot of difference. Bit of boiled vegetable taste going on. Fortunately not skunky.

Definitely a step up from the bland Budweiser but really nothing that you couldn't get in America in a better form. If you find yourself in Austria and want to try a domestic its worth a shot but don't expect to be wowed. I don't hate it but it doesn't get too much love. I am sure Austria has much better beer to offer.

Final Score: 61% (Light on Hops. Light in Malt. Light on Score.)

Beer Review: Long Trail Ale

Long Trail Brewing Company Long Trail Ale

The flagship brew from the very Eco-friendly Long Trail Brewing Co. I really admire their efforts to go green and still release a very affordable product ($7.99 a six pack). The ale pours a rich amber color with a long lasting head. Lacing is in the picture. The rich aroma is loaded with malt, malt, and more malt.

The flavor is extremely pleasing. The altbier style, when done correctly, delivers all the complexity of an ale with the balanced refreshing taste of a lager. This does indeed deliver. Loads of amber malt with a quick sharp hop bite followed by a clean creamy yeast finish. This really delivers on the amber malt, not as rich as the spectacular double bag but will still get you with loads of malty sweetness.

This is one of the best altbiers I have ever had. This is defintely the kind of beer you could buy a whole case (or keg) of and never once regret the decision. I would still pick the double bag over this but it is a close call and on warmer days this might win out. Everyone should try this at least once.

Final Score: 91% (Altbier Done Right. Great Job!)

Beer Review: Radeberger Pilsner

Radeberger Exportbierbrauerei Radeberger Pilsner Lager

Quite the name. I really don't want to type that again. I love a good pilnser and late spring is a great time to get them. This authentic German pilsner pours a light golden straw color with a very solid head. Not much in the lacing department. Aroma is very malty, no noticable hop aromas.

The flavor is solid. A surprisingly matly flavor hits you up front and is then countered with a moderate bitter hop flavor. Nothing too crazy but this is very well balanced and drinkable. The malt flavor is very deep and compelling. I don't know if its the water or some special mashing process but the flavor of the golden malt is just very pleasing. The hop bitterness really works well. This is how a pilsner should be.

This is a great pilsner. There are equally good American produced pilsners that are readily available but this is a very good alternative. While the style may not have originated in Germany, this is one of the best examples I have found. If you want a lighter session beer with a large amount of flavor this is one to seek out.

Final Score: 88% (Refreshing and Malty. Just Enough Hop Spice. Expertly Done.)

Beer Review: Saranac Rye Pilsener

F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Rye Pilsener Lager

The final new release of the Saranac 12 Beers of Summer. This is probably the release I was looking forward to the most as I love a good rye beer and always enjoy classic styles redone with a little bit of rye malt. I still am not certain of the official spelling of this style of beer (pilsener or pilsner? I certainly see both.) but I will continue on. Pours a golden/bronze color with a light head. Minimal malt aroma going on.

The flavor is very well done. I think this may be the standout of the new releases. The rye malt melds well with the very rich golden malt to create a unique combination that is very drinkable. Hoppiness is also here in full force. All the spicy hop goodness that you enjoy in a traditional pilsener is here.

Overall, this has fantastic drinkability and a great rye malt complexity that is hard to come by. This is the one new Saranac brew that I think has enough strength to stand on its own and get sold in six packs. This is a great addition to the mix pack and will be very thirst quenching on those particularly hot days.

Final Score: 86% (Deep and Thirst Quenching. What a Summer Release Should Be.)

Beer Review: Saranac Pale Pale Ale

F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Pale Pale Ale

Time for the most entertaining of brews. It’s hard to ignore the humor of the pale pale ale. A pale ale that is actually very pale? They must have hired some good writers in Utica. I like it. The pale pale (or pp, yes I am mature) pours as promised a pale golden color with a very sturdy head. Some slight lacing near the top of the head. Aroma of fresh straw and grass. Real farmy.

This beer is satisfying. I wasn’t sure what to expect but this really surprised me. There is plenty of hop flavor to go around. Certainly equal hop levels to what you might find in a standard pale ale. No cut corners here. The malt is also in force but with the golden pilsner flavor rather than the amber malt most pale ale drinkers may be expecting. This is very similar to a pilsner just with more hopping.

Overall, this is a great addition to the summer pack. I do slightly miss the toasted amber malt but this brew really delivers on its name. If you ever wanted a lighter malt to accompany your pale ale this will please. Very tasty and earthy but could use some more sweetness to counter the strong hoppy backbone. I like the concept of this brew but the malt levels really need to be upped.

Final Score: 81% (Light Color and Hoppy. Could Use More Malt.)

Beer Review: Saranac Amber Wheat

F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Amber Wheat

Another of the new releases contained in the 12 Beers of Summer pack. I suppose this may be the hefeweizen replacement. While I love that beer, I am always up for trying something new. The only question is whether amber will be too much for the summer. Pours a very cloudy/unfiltered amber color with a very robust head. A fair amount of lacing on the glass with a solid aroma of sweet amber malt.

Flavor is very good. Copious quantities of amber malt really allow a depth to this brew that many of the blonde/golden wheat beers seldom achieve. The unfiltered nature of the beer also allows a nice refreshing yeast quality that really goes down well on the hot days. This is similar to a standard summer ale, just with more yeast, and much more amber malt. Hops are not here in force.

In the end, it really comes down to two things. This is one of the most drinkable summer releases I have had so far. This is also very rich in amber malt to the point that it makes my mouth water as I write this. I don’t miss the hops at all right now. This brew combines the drinkability of a light blonde weizen with the rich malt body of an amber ale. You will enjoy this.

Final Score: 85% (Mouth Watering. Unfiltered. Need More Than Two.)

Beer Review: Saranac Helles

F.X. Matt Brewing Company Saranac Helles Lager

A new Saranac 12 Beers of Summer! Rejoice warm weather is here! With it comes 4 new Saranac releases. Exciting times we live in. The helles style is very appropriate for summer with its light hopping and golden malt goodness. Pours an EXTREMELY light golden color with a very solid head. Lots of lacing all over the glass. Aroma of sweet malt and maybe a little alcohol (seems odd).

The flavor is unfortunately underwhelming. Gotta love two consecutive double U words. The malt is very light and sweet as it should be but really offers no complexity. Same is true for the hopping. There is a slight bit of bitterness but really no standout flavors or aromas. There really isn't much to talk about. This reminds me of a rice beer.

This is one of my favorite styles of beer and I wanted to love this but it really doesn't deliver. I get a sweet malt flavor with very little else. Is it a good addition to the summer mix pack? Yes, it is drinkable and good on a hot day. Does this bring anything new to the table? No, this is uninteresting and about equal to an unskunked Becks or Heineken. I would not buy this in a six pack.

Final Score: 60% (No Character. Couldn't Pick It Out Of A Lineup.)

Beer Review: Magic Hat Wacko

Magic Hat Brewing Company Wacko Summer Seasonal Ale

This is a very unique offering. A summer ale brewed with beet juice. The result is as wacky as the name and the big pink head is very eye catching. If there was ever a beer that makes you feel completely unmanly this would be it. Don’t get me wrong. I like pink just as much as the next guy but this brew really pushes the boundaries of what beer can look like. My first pink beer. The aroma is not very robust with almost nothing detectable. Maybe some sweetness provided by the beet juice. Very hard to tell. No hops and no malt.

Fortunately, the flavor is not as bland as the aroma. There is a definite contribution from the beet juice. A very clean sweetness hits you up front before the malt and hops come in to play. The malt flavor is fairly clean with a little bit of cereal in the aftertaste. Tastes better initially then gets less enjoyable as it sits on your tongue. The hopping is adequate for balance but really provides minimal flavor.

Overall, this is a drinkable summer beer that offers a bit of a twist on light summer ale. I don’t even think you have to be a big beet fan to enjoy this. The impact on flavor is very small. Just don’t expect any big malt flavors or any hop presence. On exceptionally hot days I would strongly consider getting this again. Everyone should try this at least once for the novelty.

Final Score: 81% (Full of Character. Light on Flavor.)