Beer Review: Zero Gravity Conehead IPA

Beer:  Conehead IPA
Brewer: Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
Source: Draft
Rating: *** (7.3 of 10)
Comments:

The Burlington, Vermont-brewed IPA is a nice bit of craft beer goodness.  The beer is golden and hazy with not much of a head when poured.  The aroma is grainy with hints of citrus.  As one would expect from an IPA, the hop flavor is strong, but not overpowering, and a fresh maltiness washes it away in the aftertaste.  The mouthfeel is medium, and the beer leaves light lacing behind on the glass.  All and all, this is a very easy beer to drink.

This is a palatable IPA for people who don’t like IPAs.

Beer Review: Bronx Brewery Now Youse Can’t Leave Double IPA

Beer: Now Youse Can’t Leave Double IPA
Brewer: Bronx Brewery
Source: Can
Rating: *** (7.8 of 10)
Comments:

Happy New Year!  Beer reviews are back for a limited run!  Here’s a treat from my mother on our recent visit to her place in the Bronx.  Set aside that “Youse” is Brooklynese, this is a good small-batch beer.  The beer pours a cloudy orange, is effervescent, and has a solid head.  The aroma is fragrant and floral with apricot scent.  The taste is fruity and creamy with a heavy mouthfeel, and not unpleasantly bitter.

 

Bronx Brewery No Resolutions IPA

Beer: No Resolutions IPA
Brewer: Bronx Brewery
Source: Can
Rating: *** (7.5 of 10)
Comments:

Another treat from the Bronx, pours out a deep amber with big bubbles, with a thick but swiftly dissipating head.  The aroma is earthy and fruity, and while typical to the IPA style the flavor is bitter but doesn’t assault you with bitterness.  The balance means that the last flavor is malty rather than an a hoppy aftertaste.

 

Beer Review: Harpoon Dunkin’ Coffee Porter

Flashback!  It’s a special beer review for you, you, you!!!

Beer: Harpoon Dunkin’ Coffee Porter
Brewer: Harpoon Brewery
Source: 12 oz. bottle
Rating: ****(7.4 of 10)

Comments: .

The most Boston liquid every created brings together the beer brewin’ of Harpoon with the coffee brewin’ of Dunkin’ Donuts.  For all the novelty, it is a typical coffee porter.  A fine coffee flavor is up front follow by a sweeter chocolate/vanilla.  A slightly-bitter aftertaste is the only downside.  If you like the flavors of coffee and porter, you’ll like this beer.  Crack open a bottle while watching the Sox in the postseason!

From the Same Brewery:

• Harpoon Octoberfest
• Harpoon Ale
• Harpoon Munich Dark
• Harpoon Brown Session Ale
• Harpoon Belgian Pale Ale
• Harpoon Chocolate Stout
• Harpoon Weizenbock
• Harpoon IPA
• Harpoon UFO Pumpkin
• Harpoon Kettle Cup Thunder Foam
• Harpoon Cambridge Uncommon
• Harpoon Camp Wannamango
• Harpoon EHOP Collaboration
• Harpoon Saison Various
• Harpoon White IPA
• Harpoon The Long Thaw
• Harpoon Grateful Harvest Ale
• Harpoon Winter Warmer
• Harpoon Flannel Friday
• Harpoon Pilot Coconut Porter
• Harpoon Polskie Mastne

Podcasts of the Week Ending July 7

Podcast of the Week returns!  Here are five podcasts from the past week that I think are worth listening to.

The Memory Palace :: The Taking of Tom Sawyer Island

That time when the counterculture Yippies attempted a hostile takeover of the land.  Disneyland to be specific.  Except only about 200 of them showed and half of them were there for a goof. What a long strange monorail trip it’s been.

Smithsonian Sidedoor :: red, white, and brew

Home brewing is a big thing these days, among a stereotypical group of white men, but has a long history in the United States among women, enslaved people, and immigrants.

WBUR The Artery :: Stacks Of Books, But Short On Cash: New England’s Public Libraries Face Funding Troubles

Libraries are used to tightening the belt financially, but in these days of Federal and state cuts they are facing unprecedented struggles.

DecodeDC :: DC History 101, Swamps and Scandals Then and Now

The history of Washington, DC, built on an actual swamp, and how the development of the city reflects the views of the ruling parties over time.

ESPN 30 for 30 – Yankees Suck

Here’s a new podcast based on ESPN’s successful television sports documentaries.  This episode covers the history of the notorious Red Sox fan chant and how a bunch of hardcore punks made a profitable business out of selling t-shirts emblazoned “Yankees Suck!”  Brings back good memories of late 90s Red Sox games.

 

Beer Review: Almanac Pilsner

Beer: Craft Pilsner
Brewer: Almanac Beer Co. 
Source: Can
Rating: **** (8.5 of 10)
Comments: Almanac pours out golden, yet cloudy with a lot of effervescence and a thick head.  The aroma is of fresh cut grains and citrus with a flavor of mild hops balanced with a hint of sweet cream.  There’s minimal lacing and a light mouthfeel.  Overall this is great stuff.

Beer Review: Allagash Sixteen Counties Ale

Beer: Sixteen Counties Ale
Brewer: Allagash Brewing Company
Source: Draft
Rating: **** (8.8 of 10)
Comments:

A golden/orange beer offering yeasty and grassy aromas.  The flavor is a complex balance of fruits, spices, yeast, and grains.  A smooth and robust beer.  I love it.

 

From the same brewery:

• 8.0 – Allagash Saison Ale
• 6.1 – Allagash White Ale

 

Beer Review: Peak Organic IPA Evergreen

Beer: Evergreen IPA
Brewer: Peak Organic Brewing Company
Source: Can
Rating: *** (7.7 of 10)
Comments: A cloudy golden/orange in color, this beer offers an appropriately piney aroma.  The flavor is grassy with hints of spice and a hop aftertaste.  It’s basically a liquid Christmas tree, and a like it.

From the same brewery:

• 7.5 – Peak Organic Fresh Cut (bottle)
• 7.1 – Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale
• 7.0 – Peak Organic Pomegranate Wheat Ale
• 6.8 – Peak Organic Citrus Saison
• 6.7 – Peak Organic Super Fresh
• 6.5 – Peak Organic Pomegranate Wheat Ale
• 6.0 – Peak Organic Fresh Cut (Can)

 

Beer Review: Riverwalk Gnomad

Beer: Gnomad Farmhouse Ale
Brewer: Riverwalk Brewing Co.
Source: Bottle
Rating: **** (8.4 of 10)
Comments: Beer pours out golden with much effervesence and a thick head.  The scent is caramel with a warm, yeasty malt flavor.  The head is persistent while drinking and offers a light mouthfeel.  A nice example of the style.

Beer Review: Baxter Pamola

Beer: Pamola Session Ale
Brewer: Baxter Brewing Co.
Source: Can
Rating: *** (7.7 of 10)
Comments: A straw colored beer with a thin head, this beer offers the scent of fresh mown hay.  The flavor is sweet with a touch of spice.  It’s a nice balance of subtle flavors in basic ale, good to pair with spicy food.

From the same brewery:

• 7.4 – Baxter Window Seat