Blatant Brewery- Blatant IPA

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Beer, Beer Review, Blatant Brewery, Craft Beer, Massachusetts, New England

Time again for another work beer.  It is perhaps somewhat telling that three people in the office, completely independent of each other, remarked at how closely the beer cans resembled our Polar seltzer.

Beer Name: Blatant IPA

Brewery: Blatant Brewery (Bondsville, MA)

Style: IP

ABV: 6.5%

Description: Probably not a great sign that it was really hard to find out anything at all about either the beer or the brewery.  Their Twitter feed seems dormant and the website I can find listed for them is no longer in existence.  Nestled in between some pretty big boasts, the Untappd description for this beer tell us that it’s brewed in the West Coast style and “(f)ull of hops and a subtle cereal grain backbone.”

Appearance: Started out with a mostly see-through straw yellow body underneath a persistent white head of foam.  At the very end of the pour a bit of sediment from the can made the body cloudy to the point it could almost not be seen through.

Smell: Sticky sweet yet somewhat reserved, hints of caramel malt and resinous pine bitterness.

Taste: A very brief moment of sweetness upfront quickly followed by a huge spike of lemon and grapefruit bitterness.  Grassy hops slowly emerged from this initial rush and mixed with light, crackery malts and peppery yeast for a finish that lingered for a bit after finishing the sip.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with just a touch above moderate carbonation.

Hype: None, I don’t think I had heard of or noticed this brewery until I found these cans in the refrigerator at work.

Overall: This was a miss.  Beyond the astringently harsh bitterness, this beer just tasted a bit messy.  The peppery yeast finish seemed out-of-place and I was caught off-guard by the malt profile that did not match what I had expected from the smell.  Given the abundance of good to outstanding IPAs available in my area, even when limiting myself to only locally brewed options, I can safely say I will not be revisiting this beer.  Unfortunately there was no date on the can to let me know if this was “old” or not so I can only judge by what I got out of the can.  Not a great first impression.

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Idle Hands Craft Ales – Brunhilda

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Beer, Beer Review, Craft Beer, Idle Hands Craft Ales, Malden, Massachusetts, New England

My second (and final) brew from my recent trip to Idle Hands.  I’ve been enjoying some more traditional German styles lately, something which inspired me to select this over one or two other beers that had also caught my eye.

Beer Name: Brunilda

Brewery: Idle Hands Craft Ales (Malden, MA)

Style: Munich Dunkel Lager

ABV: 5.5%

Description: Brewed as a beer of many flavors, the official notes from the brewery list bread, nuts, chocolate, and fruit among the tastes to be encountered.  Served on draft, my 0.5 Liter stein came at a cost $7.50.

Appearance: Dark brown body topped off by a foamy light tan head.

Smell: Subtle blend of sweet and ever so slightly roasted malts.

Taste: It started out similar to the smell with a subtle, bready mix of sweet and roasted malt.  Dark chocolate and nuts came through more towards the middle and end of the beer, especially as it sat for a few moments and I got further down into the glass.  As advertised, some fruit did eventually come at as well.  By the time I finished the pour, the initial malt combo was joined by a blend of bittersweet chocolate and a hint of dark fruit on the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.

Hype: As stated above, I had my reasons for wanting to try this, but I can’t say that there was any particular hype surrounding this release.

Overall: I liked this a lot and thought it was very flavorful and super easy to drink.  An excellent drinking beer to chill out with and leisurely enjoy.  I loved that it was served in a large stein, something about that format really enhanced the experience for me.  I don’t think a sample would do this one justice, especially given how much the flavors developed over time.  My advice if you want to try this out: Go big and then take the time to enjoy it!

Idle Hands Craft Ales – Kill Your Idles: Pluot

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Beer, Beer Review, Brewery Visit, Craft Beer, Idle Hands Craft Ales, Malden, Massachusetts, New England

I somehow ended up with a bit of free time last weekend and took advantage of it by making a quick stop at Idle Hands, my friendly neighborhood brewery.  Of all the offerings available that day this was probably the one I was the most excited about going in.

Beer Name: Kill Your Idles: Pluot

Brewery: Idle Hands Craft Ales (Malden, MA)

Style: Fruited Sour

ABV: 5.0%

Description: Per the brewers, the Kill Your Idles series is a line of fruited sours brewed with lactose for balance.  This particular installment featured pluots, everyone’s favorite plum/apricot hybrid.  Available on tap, my 13 oz. pour came in a snifter glass and cost $7.00.

Appearance: Pinkish/amber body with a foamy off-white head.

Smell: Sweet mix of tart fruits and berries.

Taste: Slightly sweet plum and apricot notes began right at the start and continued on throughout the rest of the beer.  Along the way it picked up a mildly sour, tart funkiness to accompany the initial sweetness which give the beer an added layer of flavor.  The finish was primarily tart fruits with just a hint of lactose and wild yeast.

Mouthfeel: Light and bubbly upfront with thicker, syrupy ending.

Hype: I really enjoyed the Red Berry installment of this series a few months back so ordering this was an easy choice.  The brewery staff again seemed pretty happy about this one, and I certainly can understand why.

Overall: I liked this a lot.  Great light, fruity flavors made this very refreshing on a warm spring day.  Definitely going to keep an eye on this series and try to make it to the brewery for the next installment.  I haven’t had enough of this lineup yet to say for sure, but it seems like these brews might end up rivaling Night Shift’s family of weisse beers in the category of locally brewed sours.

Distelhäuser Brauerei – Kellerbier

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Beer, Beer Review, Distelhäuser Brauerei, Germany, Kellerbier

I picked up this beer on the power of suggestion alone.  I had been having a hard time deciding what to buy and then I saw it – the last of its kind, just sitting out on the staff recommendation table with a friendly $3 price tag.

Beer Name: Kellerbier

Brewery: Distelhäuser Brauerei (Tauber Franconia, Germany)

Style: Kellerbier

ABV: 5.1%

Description: A classic style, this “cellar beer” is unfiltered and naturally cloudy.  In true German fashion the only ingredients are water, malts, hops, and yeast.  For us non-German speakers, Google translate does a pretty good job with the company website if you want to find out more.

Appearance: It had cloudy, golden/straw yellow body through which I could just barely make out my fingers on the other side of the glass.  Up top a thick, bubbly head of foam formed with the pour.

Smell: Very subtle mix of sweet light malts and lager yeast.

Taste: Featured a bit more prominently the sweet malts and lager yeast noted from the smell.  The standout flavors from there were banana esters, bready and sweet malts, and light (green) peppery/yeast finish that lingered a bit after each sip.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a moderate-plus amount of carbonation.

Hype: Curiosity.  For all I knew this could have been an under the radar gem, old stock the store wanted to unload, or anything in between.  Since I have a bit of confidence in the store and had a good experience with my last random German beer, I figured this was worth the gamble, especially at the price.

Overall: If you had asked me to imagine a typical light-ish German brew made for beer hall consumption, I would have probably thought up something pretty close to this.  Here was another beer that made me want to be outside on a warm day, perhaps while hoisting it in a hefty stein at a festival of some sort.  On the whole I definitely enjoyed this, though if I could change one thing that would be to dial back the finishing yeastiness just a little bit.  That aside, I found this to be a refreshingly tasty, no-nonsense brew that hit the spot.

Lawson’s Finest Liquids – Super Session #2

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Beer, Beer Review, Connecticut, Craft Beer, Lawson's Finest Liquids, New England, Vermont

I had been eager to get my hands on some Lawson’s since they started showing up at local bottle shops earlier in the year.  Even though it tends to move quickly, I’ve had a few opportunities to pick some up over the last couple of months that I was just never quite able to take advantage of  The funny thing then about this six-pack is that I almost walked right by it without noticing.

 

Beer Name: Super Session #2

Brewery: Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Warren, VT / Stratford, CT)

Style: Session IPA

ABV: 4.8%

Description: Per the description on the can, this version of the session IPA was brewed with “copious” amounts of amarillo hops and features a “full” malt flavor.  The Vermont-based brewers made this batch at the Two Roads Brewing Company’s facility in Connecticut and canned it on 04/06/2017 (I prepared this when they were about a month old).  The six-pack of 12 oz. cans cost me $13 at my go-to spot downtown, which I was pretty happy with considering I was expecting these to carry more of a premium price tag.

Appearance: Poured a nice golden-yellow with bubbly white foam up top and visible carbonation running up the glass.  The body was cloudy but still able to be seen through.

Smell: Sweet, zesty citrus with pine in background.

Taste: Piney with citrus sweetness upfront.  From there it turned to dry, crackery malts, bitter grapefruit, and lemon zest.  Very clean and crisp with a nice balance between hops and malts.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a sticky, dry feeling to it.  Moderate carbonation.

Hype: Definitely elevated.  While this may not be particularly limited release, Lawson’s is still one of those popular Vermont breweries people tend to get excited about.

Overall: An excellent session beer that lived up to its reputation.  Drinking this made we want to be outside on a warm spring/summer day, which is probably about as high an indication of success as you can get for the style.  I’ll definitely be picking this up again when I see it, especially as we’re getting into the warmer months.

Book Review: The Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson (Book Four of the Mistborn Series)

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Book, Book Review, Brandon Sanderson, Fantasy, Mistborn, Reading, Steampunk

As I mentioned at the end of my review for The Hero of Ages a few weeks ago, there is still plenty more Mistborn ahead of me.  Published in 2011, this novel marks the beginning of a new four book cycle set in the same universe.  Having loved the other books so much, I was eager to jump into this new set.  On a side note, my editor (and loving wife) is taking a pass on these reviews since she plans on reading this series in the near future.  Writing doesn’t really come easily to me, something that motivated me to start this blog, but I am determined to push these through on my own.  Please bear with me if my reviews are a bit disorganized the next few weeks.

The Alloy of Law is set roughly 300 years after the conclusion of the original trilogy.  In that time, our old friends have passed on into history and legend while technology on Scadrial has advanced to be roughly equivalent to the United States in the late 1800s.  Most of the action takes place in the city of Elendel, a fertile metropolis created by Harmony as a gift to humanity following Ruin’s defeat.  The main character Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian is a descendant of Breeze Ladrian and Allrianne Cett and is what is known as a Twinborn – meaning he has the ability to access one metal each in both Allomancy and Feruchemy.  Uncomfortable with life among the nobility, Wax many years prior to this story left the city behind to serve as a lawman out in the Roughs, the term given to a scattering of loosely organized settlements prone to violence and lawlessness.  After his lover and partner Lessie is killed in action, a shaken Wax returns home to Elendel to assume his role as family heir and put his adventuring days behind him.  However, when his former associate Wayne shows up asking about an ambitious gang of thieves operating in the area, Wax finds that old habits die hard and the two begin a preliminary investigation into the band’s increasingly audacious and inexplicable heists.  Things come to a breaking point when Wax’s arranged fiance Steris is kidnapped during a robbery, prompting him and Wayne to take on the case in earnest.  Teaming up with them is Marasi, Steris’ sister and an aspiring detective who spent her university years fascinated by tales of her newfound partners.  While in pursuit of the kidnappers, it soon becomes apparent that they may be on the trail of a much more menacing conspiracy as larger forces appear to be taking an interest in their actions.

Despite some initial hesitation in picking up this book, I am happy to say that round two of the Mistborn series is off to a strong start.  I had been skeptical about how the universe would play out in a more modern society, but these concerns were quickly erased as I got into the story.  It was interesting to see both the legacy of the original characters and how the author evolved and updated the magic system.  I also liked how well he blended the fantasy elements of the original series here with a detective story, a western, and even a little bit of steampunk.  These aspects combined to move the story forward at a fast pace that made it very hard to put down the book.  The shadowy Set organization is shaping up to be an interesting adversary and I am curious to see how this part of the story develops.  I was also intrigued by the prominence given to the worship of Trell, the main deity in a warrior religion Sazed presented to Vin in one of the earlier novels.  What had previously seemed rather inconsequential, now looks likely to have some major significance going forward.  As for the characters, they were all strong, and I particularly liked the rapport that developed between Wax, Wayne, and Marasi.  The comedic relief offered by Wayne’s antics were a nice touch that really gave this book its own distinct feeling compared to the others and Wax’s tendency of storing his metals in vials of whiskey was a nice touch as well.  My wife I’m sure, would be a fan of the budding love-triangle.  I don’t have anything to offer by way of criticism this time around, I’m just eager for the next book!

Flying Dreams Brewing Company – Double Bock

Tags

Beer, Beer Review, Flying Dreams Brewing Company, Massachusetts, New England, Worcester

On the way home from a day trip last weekend, the family made a much needed dinner stop in Worcester, MA.  Immediately adjacent to the Clark University campus (incidentally where my wife and I met) is Peppercorn’s, a seemingly unassuming restaurant that just so happens to be attached to a small brewing facility.  The space had been occupied by Wormtown Brewing Company during our last visit, but this time around it was home to relative newcomer Flying Dreams Brewing Company (est. 11/2015).

Beer Name: Double Bock

Brewery: Flying Dreams Brewing Company (Worcester, MA)

Style: Dopplebock

ABV: 9.0%

Description: Part of the brewery’s Flight of the Lager series, they brewed this rich and hearty to satisfy everyone’s inner Germanic monk.  You can read a bit more about both beer and brewery here.

Appearance: Deep, dark brown body with reddish highlights.  No head provided aside from a bit of off-white/tannish lacing on the edges.

Smell: Faint malty sweetness.

Taste: Sweetness upfront in the form of dark fruit, a touch of caramel, and rich, dark malts.  Slight hints of yeast and toasted malt on the finish before a nice, sweet heat took over at the very end.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, medium-plus body with low carbonation.

Hype: I felt a bit nostalgic to be back in that part of Worcester again, especially with our little man, but otherwise I was not sure what to expect having never heard of the brewery until we arrived at the restaurant.  As always, I was at least happy for the chance to try out something new.

Overall: I liked this, but I thought it could be improved slightly if the various flavors blended together just a little bit more.  Not a bad first impression though, I wouldn’t mind trying out more from this brewery if given the chance.

My lingering thoughts here are about the restaurant itself, which had a pretty solid taplist beyond the stuff brewed by its neighbors.  Even though this was back in the early 2000s, I can’t help but wonder what the beer situation was like while I was attending university next door.  I know I didn’t have the mindset or the money to have appreciated it at the time, I can’t help but be curious.

Book Review: The Stars Are Legion, by Kameron Hurley

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Book, Book Review, Kameron Hurley, Reading, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction

 

I had heard a lot of great things about this book and the author in the buildup to its February 2017 release date.  As a stand-alone novel, something of a rarity for me to find these days, I was able to squeeze it in for a bit of variety amongst the two series I am currently juggling.

Since a large part of the book’s plot involves keeping both the characters and the reader in the dark, I am going to be purposefully brief here.  The novel takes place within a cluster of living worldships, called the Legion, populated entirely by women.  These worlds, once majestic, self-contained host organisms are now diseased and dying shells of their former glory, prompting desperate battles over resources and scavenger rights.  The story unfolds through the perspective of two characters inhabiting one of the more powerful worlds.  We meet the first of these characters, Zan, as she wakes up in a hospital room.  She is the sole survivor of an attack on another worldship and has lost all memory of her past; an event made even more troubling with the revelation that this is not her first time in this situation.  Among those attending her is Jayd, the other main character, who tells Zan she is her sister.  It is apparent, however, that this may not be true in the literal sense as Zan can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong with her surroundings and that she has a past with Jayd far deeper than what she is being told.  What follows is her struggle to make sense of her surroundings and cope with her loss of identify.

This was an intense and occasionally uncomfortable read.  For most of the book the backgrounds and motivations of the characters are an enigma.  We have one side Zan, who is haunted by things she cannot remember and on the other Jayd, who is so traumatized and guilt-ridden by the past that she can barely recount it to herself, nevermind to Zan or the reader.  Between Zan’s struggle to reconcile her current self with a past she may despise and Jayd’s numb determination to see through her plan at all costs, both characters struggle mightily for reasons that are hinted at but largely unknown for most of the story.  This not knowing makes watching the two characters make a continuous series of brutal decisions and discoveries that much more difficult and imparts a sense of foreboding over the entire novel.  Compounding this feeling was the eerie and bizarrely alien world these they inhabit.  There are constant reminders that their home is itself a creature that lives, bleeds, and makes use (through thankfully unspecified means) of its entirely female population to birth replacements parts and organs.  A lot of the other background objects were organic as well, which I found just a bit creepy – in particular the tables made from human skin and a shuttle that purrs with contentment and stares at Zan with huge eyes while she repairs its broken fuel tube.

Despite all its strangeness and the occasional brutally graphic scene, I really enjoyed this book.  In fact, it is probably one of the best new novels I have read since I started this blog.  There was a part early on (at the recyclers) where I did almost put the book down, but decided I liked everything else enough to keep on going.  I am certainly happy I did as I was rewarded with an excellent story that for all its distressing, strange, and depressing moments managed to have a stubborn sense of determination and guarded optimism as well.  The slow reveal of what was going on played out nicely, though I think it was Zan’s journey through the ship in middle of the story that stole the show for me.  It was really interesting to travel among the less privileged people living in the lower levels, a trip that often reminded me of Dante’s Inferno.  This book definitely got me interested in reading more from this author, so don’t be surprised if you see more of her works turn up here sooner or later.

Central Waters Brewing Company – Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale (2016)

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Beer, Beer Review, Central Waters Brewing Company, Craft Beer, Craft Beer Cellar, Wisconsin

This beer was actually the last bottle standing from the haul my wife got me for Christmas.  I kept meaning to drink it, but a steady flow of stouts and new IPAs kept jumping ahead of it in line.  With those finished off, it was finally time for this beer to get its chance.

Beer Name: Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale

Brewery: Central Waters Brewing Company (Amherst, WI)

Style: Scotch Ale

ABV: 11.0%

Description: Another entry in Central Waters’ Brewer’s Reserve Series, they have this listed as a rich, malty brew made to showcase their barreling process.  Not sure how frequently this is released, but my bottle was a holdover from the 2016 batch.

Appearance: Dark caramel brown body.  There was a thin tan head that formed with the pour and quickly faded away.

Smell: Slightly sweet with a rush of bourbon on the end.

Taste: Sweet and malty upfront with dark fruits and maybe a bit of caramel.  Big bourbon finish with smooth oak notes and slightly sweet kick of bourbon that lingers after the sip.  Smooth, malty, sweet bourbon goodness.

Mouthfeel: Medium thickness with a minimal touch of carbonation around the edges.  Creamy and smooth.

Hype: There were a lot of personal expectations going into this one.  I really enjoyed my last beer from this brewery and scotch ales are a style that always intrigues me.  This beer had the added pressure of being a recommended purchase as well.

Overall: Wow!  This may very well be the scotch ale I’ve been searching for.  It was pretty much spot on for what I wanted from the style: smooth malts, nice sweetness, and no smoke or roast.  The bourbon barrel influence was a pretty big plus as well.  Excellent beer, I’ll be back for more of this whenever I find it next.

On a side note, the beer store that gave my wife the recommendations did an outstanding job last holiday season.   I found four out of the five beers she picked up to be in the range of very good to excellent, so I wanted to give a hearty cheers to the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA.  We used to live a few blocks away from this store and I recall being particularly excited when it opened up a few years ago.  Although we’ve since moved out of the area, service like this is why we go back when we’re in the neighborhood.