Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze

I am not the biggest fan of sours (sour things in general are not my bag) but when my friend Alex brings over a bottle of this stuff, you just don't refuse that sort of thing. So we chilled it to the proper temp (around 45F) and preceded to pour away.

The pour was clean. I had my share in a glass chalice while Alex poured his into a bulbed wine glass (good head and decent nose retention as well). The yeasts poured out in the end giving it a gorgeous burnt orange hue. The opacity was such that in my chalice it held a wide spectrum from clear gold to solid orange.

The first scents wafted up and I could tell this was going to unfold deliciously. I found apricots and tart red plums right away, with a bite like that of fresh ground nutmeg. As it warmed I started loosing that plum and gaining a more "early" golden delicious apple.

The tart aspect, while at first was a little affronting, grew on me and enhanced my appreciation for this finely crafted geuze.

Overall I would have to say that this is definitely one lambic ale that everyone needs to try at least once in their lifetime.

Produced: May 05, 2008

Deschutes Brewery - Once A Decade Ale

I was attracted to this ale on the basis of its Jubel-ale label. I tend to like winter ales because of their spicy nature, but I was a little apprehensive because of the type that this one was. Being a bock style made me a little more apprehensive, but I decided to take the plunge anyways.

I poured it into my favorite pint glass and the strong aroma hit me right away. Malty and deep, silky but powerful. There was a slight twinge that I felt when I put my nose to the glass, I suspect that was part of the 10% ABV though. The nose was dominated by the oak that the ale was aged in. Apart from that I could detect caramel, sweetened ginger, and smoky fall leaves.

The first few sips were a little to cold to judge, but as the ale cooled I sensed it bloom. The flavors of salted cashews, walnut oil, and strangely avocado came forward. The dominant notes were followed by caramel and warm ginger bread; lightly peppery and sweet. I must say it was, in the end though, a somewhat lackluster experience. I am not really all that surprised however, my love/hate relationship with bocks continues.

Short, sweet, and uncomplicated. Meh.

2.8 out of 5 pints

Later

Deschutes Brewery - Once A Decade Ale

Mendocino Brewing Co. - Blue Heron Pale Ale

For a while I avoided pale ales purely based on the fact that I was not a fan of hoppy beers. Since moving to California I have found it hard to avoid these styles, so I have begun to embrace that which I for so long avoided.

Blue Heron is a cloudy golden ale with a very crisp nose. The scent reminds me of a honeydew melon that is just not quite ripe yet. Slightly tangy with a healthy dose of sweet. Not very heady, but very pleasant.

First sip, I got hops. (I always get the hops first, call it a gift). Crisp and sweet, just a hint of lemon or tart oranges. As it warms I start to get less lemon and more sweet flowers. Not strong, just hinting at the end.

Blue Heron is a good sipping beer. Starts cool sweet and crisp and ends with a light hoppy finish.

4 out of 5 pints.

Anchor Brewing Co. - Anchor Bock Beer

I have a love/hate relationship with Bock style beers. I have really liked some, and despised others. So, this being one persons opinion, I decided to stay true to my taste buds.

The Anchor Bock Beer is robust to say the least. At first the nose hits you. Rich and slightly citrusy, you go in expecting a hearty fruit-filled experience. The question I thought with the first sip is, "Is it fruity, or could it be more nutty?" A clue... neither.

The hue of this beer is a deep brown chestnut with a rich clear shine. It's not 'dirty' colored unlike some bocks I have encountered. It produces a good head, but that dissipates about as quickly as my desire to continue to drink it. The best way I can describe the flavor profile is like this: oaky, smokey, pachoky! The hops and malts merge together in a some-what burnt manner, while all I can continue to think about when drinking it is "Mmmmmm, barbecue sauce!"

If hearty, chewy, and smokey are thing s you look for in your bock style ales, try this one. However, if you are going into this thinking "I would like to try a good Bock style ale.", then don't go for this little number.

1 out of 5 pints.

Linden Street Brewery - Common Lager

Linden Street Breweries Common Lager definitely lives up to its name. While there is nothing outstanding about it, there is nothing really wrong with it either. The nose is sweet and tangy, the hue is reddish gold and is very cloudy.

Clean with a good body. Light malts and present hops. Smooth caramel notes with a creamy mouth feel. A little yeasty as it warmed.

3.5 pints out of 5