Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tranquair
Jacobite (Ale flavored with Coriander)
8%


First aroma I get is a nice rich and caramel smell of the malt, very little hoppiness. The hop aroma I do pick up is a bit of earthiness and spice. The spice could be coming from the coriander. This beer feels like a scotch ale to me. Pours with a nice standing head with an ivory color to it and medium sized bubbles. Head stays around the rim in a bit of a lace as you drink it.

The malt comes to the fore front again in the flavor, is a rich dark fruit type of flavor. The lingering taste is almost of a herbal quality, maybe from the hops, or from the coriander. The is a little warmth from the alcohol in the middle but it is not overpowering, even for a beer that is rated at 8%. Bitterness is well balanced, so that the beer is not sweet nor is it to bitter from the hops.

Mouthfeel is medium to light heavy, with a medium amount of carbonation. Feels a little slick at the end but that could have been the from the alcohol in the middle.

Very tasty beer, like I said I think this feels like a scotch ale, but not as cloying in sweetness. I should sit down and do a better study of coriander flavors and aromas to properly judge the levels of it in this beer. I like it you guys should give it a try if you can find it.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Innis & Gunn
Triple Matured Oak Aged Beer
7.2%


Interesting deep red and copper color, with a slightly tanned head.

The nose is oaky with a hint of sweetness, which is all about that I can nab from the aroma.

Body is nice with a a moderate amount of carbonation on the tongue. The flavors I am getting are like a raisin taste, with a slight amount of alcohol along with the sweetness. There isn't much bitterness through the beer, but there is a little bit of bitterness at the very end. I am noticing a slight amount of oiliness feel in the beer, but it is alright.

This is another great beer from I&G very tasty, but not as complex as some of their other oak aged beers. I was hoping for some of the vanilla flavors that I have gotten from some of their other beers but alas it was not there, but I will live.