Otter Creek 'Otter Summer Ale

Our latest beer review is the 'Otter Summer Ale from the Otter Creek Brewing Company. The company describes the beer as a "'highly drinkable, light bodied wheat ale". They also mention that the beer is "Often served with a slice of fresh lemon". (Why?!! Why?!!? Why?!?! If you think the beer you are brewing needs more lemon in it, Why don't YOU ADD IT IN DURING THE BREWING PROCESS???) Anyway, onto the review.

Otter Creek Summer Ale poured a clear, yellow color with a two fingered width white head. The nose is light with hints of lemon. The body is light and smooth. The finish has an average amount of hops that leads to a more pronounced lingering bitterness because of the mild body. Overall, this is not a bad beer but really nothing special. There is nothing that stood out at all and the only feeling I could muster up is "nondescript" which is appropriate since the actual review of the beer is so uninspiring. I have a feeling that this is designed to be a mild, summer sessional which is ok for having a few at the beach, but nothing that really impresses me.

Samuel Adams Hefeweizen

Samuel Adams Hefeweizen poured a clear, golden color with a finger width white head. The aroma is pretty much all wheat with some light pale malt underneath.

The body is thin and smooth and while there is some light malt, it is dominated by tons of wheat. The finish has some light hops and a yeasty dryness that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I am very impressed with this beer. The hops lead to a really crisp, refreshing finish but that's all that this beer really offers. I really love the citrus and spicy notes that German and Belgian wheats offer and sadly the American brewers of Hefes seem to neglect those aspects when making their wheats and the Sam Adams version is an example. There is nothing to balance the overload of wheat in this beer leading to a bland, overly bready taste.

Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier

I recently did a video beer review with Chad from Chad'z Beer reviews on the Long Trail Blackberry Wheat beer. I was not very impressed with Long Trail's version but I figured I would give the style another chance when I saw the Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier.

The beer poured a hazy, golden orangish color with a finger width white head. Berries dominate the aroma. The body starts out with some thin wheat. The berries start to show through in the middle palate and stay through the finish, lingering on the palate for a while. There are some very light hops on the finish. The beer left a faint lacing on the glass.

Overall, this beer is fairly well made but this style is just not for me. I think spices and citrus are much better suited for wheat beers then berries. This seems like a beer replacement for fruity, sparkling wines, but it is just not impressive for me.

21st Amendment IPA

Another new beer on tap at Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY means another new blog post for The Foaming Head. The new beer is 21st Amendment's India Pale Ale. 21st has canned their beers since June of 2008, but the beers have only recently been available in New York.

21st's IPA poured a semi-hazy, golden color with a big frothy white head. The aroma consists mostly of dry, floral hops. The cascade is most apparent. The body has a creamy mouthfeel with some light, pale malt up front. The hops start to make their presence felt in the middle of the palate and lead to a very dry finish. The beer leaves lots of beautiful circular lacing.

Overall, this is a really nice IPA. The hops are not overwhelming so the hop heads that love American IPA's may not be impressed but I think this is a nice beer. There is plenty of flavor and the hops balance well with the pale malt. This is a real nice IPA for the Summer and I am sure I will be stopping in for a few more.

Harpoon IPA

Chef/Owner Marcus Guiliano invited me into Aroma Thyme Bistro, in Ellenville, NY to taste their newest beer on tap; Harpoon IPA. Harpoon's beer checks in at a relatively strong 5.9% and is brewed with American Cascade hops and three different malts.

The beer poured a golden yellow color with a inch high, frothy, white head. There was some floating sediment that made its way into the glass from the keg. The aroma is clean and hoppy, with the Cascade hops dominating.

There is some malt up front before the hops really start to show through. The body is pretty dry, yet a little thinner than most American IPA's with the hops showing through more on the aroma and finish than the body. The beer leaves a decent amount of lace on the glass.

Overall, I really like this beer. The lighter body makes this a perfect IPA for the summer. Harcore hopheads may look for a beer with a little more bite in the body, but I enjoy Harpoon's version as I can enjoy more than one without a glass of water nearby. This beer would pair very well with any of Chef Guilano's Thai dishes.

Yuengling Traditional Lager

Yuengling Traditional Lager is the flagship beer of America's Oldest Brewery.

The beer poured a clear, dark, amber color with a finger width off white head. The aroma is malty with some hints of fruit. The body is thin and short, yet smooth with a malty middle and a light sweetness up front. The finish is short; light and delicate with a crisp tanginess to it.

Overall, this is a pretty good lager and one of my favorite beers from a big brewery. The flavor is there, yet it is simple enough to enjoy while watching the game or just enjoying a beautiful day. The light sweetness is a nice touch and the finish stays out of its own way. It is light enough and the 4.4% ABV makes it a good candidate for a session beer. The inexpensive price tag only makes this beer more attractive when deciding what to drink on a lazy night.

Sam Adams Brown Ale

Sam Adams Brown Ale poured a dark brown, blackish color with a big, two fingered, off-white head. The aroma is very malty. The body is deep and complex, with a light sweetness and a deep malt flavor. It has a strong nut characteristic and the mouthfeel is very thick. The finish is short, yet nice with noticeable hops. This is a nice, solid offering from Sam Adams. There is ample depth and complexity to this beer and has a low enough ABV where it can be reasonably enjoyed as a sessional.