Brooklyn Brewery - Black Chocolate Stout

The Brooklyn Brewery brews 2 winter seasonal's and we start with their Black Chocolate Stout.

A Russian Imperial Stout, poured a very dark black/brown with a nice head on top. This was a very full bodied beer and the smell and taste of dark chocolate and coffee beans is almost overwhelming. The alcohol is at the forefront, giving you a nice warm feeling on what should be a very cold winter day. There was a super strong bitterness in the beer from the dark chocolate and coffee flavors. I feel like it is almost too much though as that is the thing I most remember.

If you are into dark chocolate and coffee then this beer will be for you. It is a beer that is probably only for cold winter days/nights though. I can't imagine having this on a hot summer night. I know that a lot of folks really enjoy this brew and have it as one of the top winter seasonals. I don't think I would vote it to my top 3 but I was glad I gave it a try, and will probably come back to it again.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$$
Score: 3 / 5

Saranac Pumpkin Ale

Coming from the Adirondack's, this is probably my favorite of the Pumpkin Ales.

Saranac Pumpkin Ale, pours a nice brown/orange color with a slight off white head. Pumpkin spice is apparent in the smell and the taste, but isn't overwhelming. I think the thing that sets this apart from the other pumpkin ales is the addition of vanilla. It really helps to smooth out the pumpkin pie spice and give you the feeling that you are enjoying a nice piece of pie.

I would love to give this another try before the season is over. Maybe for dessert when we are carving pumpkins for Halloween!

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Southern Tier Harvest Ale

Harvest Ale

Southern Tier's Fall Seasonal Ale.

Thad picked this up for a party this weekend since we both hadn't tried it yet. I wasn't all that impressed but I won't complain all that much since I was able to try it for free.

Nice yellow/orange color with an earthy smell. It wasn't a very pleasing fall ale to taste though. The beer is a little on the earthy and citrusy side, which I normally like, but for some reason just wasn't doing it for me this past weekend. I would like to give it another try, but for a fall seasonal not high on my list.

I have liked the other Southern Tier brews that I have tried, so I will most likely try this one again. Compared to the Lefthand I had this weekend, it didn't land on it's feet.

Who: Thad
Where: Cleveland
Price: Free
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Brooklyn Pennant Ale '55

Last Friday, Bill and I sat on the deck listening to the Reds lose to the Brewers and kicked back with a few beers. I went for the Brooklyn first, since I really enjoyed a few of their other brews.

American style Pale Ale that pours a typical amber/orange color. You could really smell the malt over the hops in this beer. A very sweet carmel flavor with a slight citrus bitterness at the end. It was a pretty smooth drink because the hops were very weak.

I would recommend the East India Pale Ale or the Brown Ale from Brooklyn over this brew. It's not necessarily a bad beer, just not what I enjoy so much. Especially copmared to the Stone IPA and the Hazed and Infuzed we ended up drinking alongside this one.

I wouldn't refuse one next time around, but you probably won't see me buying a 6 pack for myself anytime soon.

Who: Bill
Where: the deck
Price: $$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!