Hedonism Ale
So far in my craft beer experience I have not been a huge fan of very hoppy beers. There are people do refer to themselves as Hop-Heads; I AM NOT ONE! I like dark black malty smooth sweet thick beers. However, I have been attempting to broaden my palate and have recently been drinking more hoppy beers with the intention of acquiring the taste. This is a perfect beer for me right now. I am about to buy my second case. Its just sweet enough for my sweet tooth and it is hoppy, but not to such an extreme that I dont enjoy it. I have found that a little bit of sharp (or currently NY Extra Sharp) cheddar cheese goes very well beside this beer. Nibbling on some cheese is just what I need to make it through the second one and on to the third. What started me on craft beer was a MacTarnahan's mix pack given to me by another BA. I found the MacTarnahan's Amber Ale to be one of the most sessionable beers Id ever had. This is nothing like that. It is much more like a Tregs Hopback Amber Ale, which pushes the hoppy side of the amber style. Anyway, heres the breakdown: Appearance: This beer pours a nice amber color with hint of orange brown in the hue. It has a small 1-2 finger off white head that is made up of very tight small bubbles, frothy. Decent lacing. The frothy head lasts the entire duration of the beer. Smell: When I crack the bottle open I seem to get a hint of pumpkin before the grapefruit takes over. It is very hoppy but there is a definite sweet malt character underneath the hops. The sugar almost seems raw, the way it bleeds through into the nose. It is very reminiscent of sweet tart grapefruit juice. Taste: Definite bitter or tart. Like in the smell there is a definite grapefruit citrus character upfront; but as it sits on your tongue it smooths out and the sweet malt character comes out with a certain amount of candy and smoothness, which is completely washed away with the harsh tartness and strong aftertaste on the swallow. The sweetness shows off some caramel and toffee with the malts. It also seams to be very creamy, almost buttery? I really do enjoy this beer all the way up to the aftertaste. At that point I munch on the cheese and take another swig. The drastic swing between sweet and tart disqualifies this beer from the description of balanced but it is not quite enough to fall into the category of extreme. Mouthfeel: Smooth medium mouthfeel that is creamy and buttery up to the tingly swallow (and the bitter somewhat scratchy feel in the aftertaste). Drinkability: I found this to be a bit less drinkable than other ambers that Ive had. In the last week I have been able to drink three a night for several nights straight but after three it gets to be too much and I need to go to something lighter. Personally I need dinner or cheese to go with it and I would not consider this a very sessionable beer, even though I can enjoy two (and not much more) at a sitting. ---- --- EDIT I have had a few of these put away under the basement stairs now for over a month. I could just be the taste is growing on me, but the ones from the basement seem more smooth and mellow than those from the new case in the fridge. I am thinking that a little age on these does nothing but good. IMO. ---- --- EDIT - again. As I have grown to appreciate the hops in beers I have a greater respect for Hedonism but I still prefer this beer a little older. --- --- Hope this is helpful. Cheers!