One of my new favorites (why do my favs always have to be brewed in limited batches?) Brooklyn Brewmaster’s Reserve Dark Matter is like nothing I’ve ever tasted.

I happened upon Dark Matter on Thursday night, which was the first night of my 29th birthday celebration. I came into Goodbar expecting to start with Ommegang Abbey Ale on tap but alas, the keg was kicked. After glancing over the new additions to the draft board, I saw it: Brooklyn Brewmaster’s Reserve Dark Matter. With a name like that, I knew I had to have it.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into but one thing I do know is that I love dark beers, so this had to be at least drinkable. Drinkable is an understatement. I went back Friday night and Sunday afternoon for more of the delicious, bourbon barrel aged American Brown Ale that is Dark Matter.

Dark Matter poured a deep, dark brown with hints of ruby when I held it up to the light. Its head was thin and dissipated quickly, but this baby still had legs. Its aroma was heavier in alcohol than I would’ve expected for an ABV of 7.5% but, then again, it was aged for 4 months. The bourbon nose was nowhere near that of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout or Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, but definitely present (just a tad heavier than I would’ve thought, honestly). I also smelled hints of chocolate, wicked sweet malts and a hint of bourbon.

The mouthfeel of Dark Matter is like no other brown ale I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Saying that it’s "smooth" really doesn’t touch how silky it really is, from beginning to end. What a superb surprise! Medium heavy body is smooth like satin without being syrupy. And the taste? There’s a hint of bourbon but what really comes through is the chocolate and toffee, with a touch of vanilla. It’s a tad oaky too. Honestly, I was surprised in every way with this ale… not to say that I don’t dig Brooklyn’s offerings, but damn. I had no idea how tasty this would be.

Most definitely recommended… and I’ll be back at Goodbar for another pint before Good Beer Club on Wednesday.

TAGS [ BROOKLYN BREWERY | DARK MATTER | BREWMASTER'S RESERVE | BEER REVIEWS | AMERICAN BROWN ALE ]

This year Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, NY) started a new series of "specialty beers." The first beer is a Belgian-style Pale Ale and I had the opportunity to try it on draft at Tap & Mallet over the weekend. I was pretty intrigued, as I’d never had a BPA before and the gentleman next to me at the bar recommended it with great enthusiasm.

According to the brewery’s Marketing and Press Relations Director, Larry Bennet, "The idea is a full-flavored, full aroma, authentic Belgian Pale ale with a quaffable 5.7% ABV. It is part of a series of beers we’re trying out this year as ‘accessible draft’ candidates. Accessible draft meaning: satisfying to drink, moderate ABV, reasonably priced (in line with our other year-round beers), ultimately able to get and hold its own handle, apart from our other handles out there.

Like many breweries our size, we make a broad range of beers, but don’t really have one dedicated or focused ‘entry’ ‘accessible’ draft beer. We’re looking into whether or not we need to have one.

This is one of three we’re putting out there in next six months to see how the retailers and public respond. Depending on that, one could go into production full time, or could all go to the Specialty Beer route."

After just two pints, I’d definitely like to see it go into production full time.

It poured with a dense, snow-white head and I could smell sweet citrusy pineapple before I even had the glass to my mouth. I’m typically a big IPA fan and I wasn’t quite sure what kind of hop character to expect from a BPA. I was satisfyingly surprised. There were hops a plenty but this beer is so well balanced, it’s really hard for me to describe. My best attempt is to say that the hops have a pleasantly obvious presence without the typical "hops assault" that you become accustomed to drinking IPA. There are definite Belgian characteristics that shine through and the fruity citrus aroma is so light and playful, you can’t help but want more.

In a beer bar with tons of great choices, I opted to order a second pint and that alone says a lot. I looked it up on Beer Advocate to see if others agree and it has an A- rating so far, which says a lot more.

If you have the chance to try it, don’t pass it up. If you’ve already had it – I’d love to know what you think.

TAGS [ OMMEGANG | BELGIAN PALE ALE | BPA | BEER REVIEW ]

Now this. This is a Belgian Ale I’d like to have again, unlike the Belgian Dark I reviewed yesterday. Russian River Damnation, you did not disappoint.

This Belgian Strong Golden Ale weighs in at 7.75% ABV; not a super high alcohol content but what is there is well hidden. It poured a lovely golden, sunshine color with a finger of head that didn’t stick around for too long.

Damnation’s aroma was of citrus, a little bit of banana, a healthy helping of yeast and a dollop of honey. My mouth was watering after taking in such a nose.

Its carbonation is lightly bubbled and effervescent, but not in a way that would detract from the body; I feel the bubbles up front on the tip of my tongue, past the sides and then a slight smoothing out to a medium-heavy finish, without being syrupy or thick.

Damnation tastes of sweet, bready yeast and citrus. I recommend this for a warm day or evening as it’s very drinkable and the hint of citrus tends to make me think of summer.

I must thank John Siller for bringing it to me from California on his most recent trip this way… I hope he’s had a chance to enjoy the Nøgne Ø Barleywine I sent home with him, too!

Cheers!

TAGS [ RUSSIAN RIVER | DAMNATION | BELGIAN ALE | GOLDEN ALE | BEER REVIEW ]

I’ve been a fan of most things Dogfish Head. The Raison D’Etre, however, I could do without. Guess I can’t win all the time.

This brew is categorized as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with an alcohol content of 8%. It poured a lovely deep, ruby brown with a two-finger head that lasted just a bit. I’m sorry to say that its color is where my compliments begin and end. Its aroma was almost sickeningly sweet; raisins, brown sugar and cooked apples.

Just like the nose, this brew tasted very, very sweet. Lots of grapes and apple in here with an overabundance of dark sugars. Honestly, in my opinion, this is almost akin to flattish wine. Its carbonation doesn’t even attempt to save it from the over-sweet flavor; it’s rather light and I felt it only at the beginning of the sip. The body finishes to a smoother, more syrupy feel than I prefer for this style.

Not my favorite from DFH, but again, everyone’s tastes are different so, who knows? Maybe you’ll really dig it. What do you all think of the Raison D’Etre?

If you’re looking for a Belgian Strong Dark Ale I do recommend, however, pick up the Kerstmutske Christmas Nightcap. Sweet but with an effervescence that’s really quite delicious.

TAGS [ BEER REVIEWS | DOGFISH HEAD | RAISON D'ETRA | BELGIAN STRONG DARK ALE ]