Saranac Brown Ale

Dark ales are not always good buys for me. Half the time they're too bitter to be enjoyable, or they're bitter and heavy in alcohol at once that after having just one, I'm feeling like I'm done wanting to drink anything but a gallon of water to flush it out of me. I've had a few good dark ales to keep trying them and really give things a chance in hopes they'll be good, or even turn into one of my favorites. Saranac does it well, I would have to say do they it better than Smuttynose with this one. There is some bitterness to it, but really not a lot and although this has a bit more alcohol than the other brews, it's not an obvious difference.

I'm realizing August is sliding its way to a close and I'm feeling like summers are shorter and shorter as years go by. I used to measure parts of the year not by season but by things that should be done before a certain time but everything seems cyclical it is hard to keep track of where time really goes. There's only a few more months left in the year and there are a few little personal milestones and markers to pass, but other than that, I'm really just looking for those Fall brews to hit the shelves.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

For years, I've drank these at random and never thought too much about it and after trying many types of brews, I've come to realize this is a really good beer. Sierra Nevada really gets it right with this pale ale, the weight, flavor and alcohol content is very balanced. This is really an anytime type of beer and pairs well with most foods. This leaves a sweet aftertaste without a lot of bitter or grit, it's probably one of best common beers I can think of.

I'm not too worried that my favorites will be replaced by better brews as I keep trying more of them. But sometimes, it's a nice surprise to try a beer again after many years and think differently of it.

Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

Being a huge fan of Brooklyn for its lager and pilsner, I'm always ready to try whatever they have. I can only think of Chocolate Stout being the bad brew, one I could not even stomach so much. Brooklyn dark brews are known for its bitter bite towards the end, but in a refreshing and enjoyable way. I don't know them for IPA styled brews and I had no idea what to expect of it. This one pours out in typical pale ale color, not too thick and certainly not too thin and smelled pretty hoppy. Brooklyn's attempt at this style of beer is mild, a lightweight easy to drink brew which may lack flavor to some folks. There is the bitter bite, since this isn't a pungent brew by any means and won't leave the drinker with cottonmouth, it is very forgettable in taste.

Blue Point Toasted Lager

I've tried a few Blue Point beers and I've liked all of them. I didn't think this would be any different, I'm a fan of lagers in general as long as they aren't too carbonated. Blue Point does it right with this lager, it's not water thin and has the toasted grain smell and punch to it. I'm not too big on that toasted bite of an aftertaste, but it is definitely different than some of the more common lagers.