Beer Review: Avery Brewing’s Mephistopheles
Posted by Edmond | Beer, Beer Review, General | Posted on February 5th, 2010
A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to revisit a beer I haven’t had in a couple of years. My good friend An over at Mekong suggested I revisit Avery’s Mephistopheles. 
This is really big beer. In fact I believe the style is listed as a Imperial Stout. So the name right there tells you that you are in for a big beer. Fortunately, this comes in a 12oz bottle so drinking the whole thing tends be a easier. So let me get into the review.
The pour gives me one fingers worth of head. It is a chocolate brown in color. Color wise it is solid black in color. Their is absolutely no light coming through this beer. The aroma has a heavy roasted malt coffee smell. I also can detect a nut like backbone to the aroma. Tasting the beer and the first thing that comes to mind is coffee. This is immediately followed up with a hot liquor bite. Also present is a heavy malt flavor mixed with a plum sweetness. The mouth feel is pretty much the liquor bite but I am also finding this to be drier than I would have expected. Over all, I really dug this beer. The ABV is high, like 16.83%, making this a sipper. Stout fans will enjoy this beer.
Recent trip to Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield, VA
Posted by Edmond | Beer, Beer Review, General | Posted on February 5th, 2010
This past week I had some business up in the Northern Virginia area. It required me to stay in the area for a couple of days. It took what opportunities I had to have some beer and dinner at Sweetwater Tavern in Merrifield. I really didn’t have any experience or information on this place. All I knew was they made their own beer and it was pretty good. Oh and the food wasn’t bad either.
For starters I ordered their Buffalo Tooth Old Ale. If I recall this was coming in at 7.8% ABV. This had a nice head about one finger high. The color is white and very bubbly. The beer itself had a slight chill haze and a lot of active carbonation. Taking a nice whiff of this beer and I get a citrus hop aroma with some raisin. The taste is very much like a wet hop taste. It has a heavy grapefruit flavor but a mild sweetness. There is some mild bitterness there as well but not as much as you would think. It finishes dry. Over all, I found myself really enjoying this beer. I would have had a second but I was driving and I didn’t want to over do it.
For dessert I decided to have their Flying Armadillo Porter. This only had about 1/2 finger worth of head. It is off white in color that dissipates quickly. Color wise the beer itself is a murky brown. There is some light coming through giving a reddish hue. Smelling the beer and I am find myself struggling to pick up something. I can get a slight roasted character and that’s about it. My initial taste is filled with coffee and baker’s chocolate bitterness. It very much has a very earthly flavor as well. The mouth feel is best described as light with a coffee flavor. Over all, I thought this was a little understated for a porter. I felt that this could have been maybe a little fuller in the body. It comes in at 5% abv.
If you are in the area and wondering about Sweetwater Tavern, I would recommend stopping by for the beer. For dinner I did have their Warm Goat Cheese & Spiced Pecan Salad. Man, was that good. I will definitely stop by again the next time I am in the area.
Beer Review: Ellwood Thompson Local Market Farmhouse Ale
Posted by Edmond | Beer, Beer Review, General | Posted on February 5th, 2010
Recently I made a trip out to Ellwood Thompson Local Market to pick up some Minor Dementia from Blue & Gray Brewing. However, I struck out in my hunt.
As I was leaving I quickly scanned the bombers section and something interesting caught my eye. What caught my eye was a a bottle of Ellwood Thompson very own Farmhouse Ale. I had no idea they had their own beer so I had to jump at the opportunity to give it a try.
For those of who don’t know a farmhouse ale is more closely aligned with Saison. Which interesting enough this last issue of All About Beer magazine had a great article about the style and how different brewers tend to take different interpretation of the style.
Pouring the beer and I get a nice big head. The color is white and dissipates quickly. The color is a orange yellow. It has some chill haze happening with some very active carbonation happening. The aroma is best described as a peppery, banana smell. If you want a more general description about it I would be described as fruity and spicey. I also pick up a subtle clove like smell as well. The taste is spicey. I would say more like a pepper corn bite with a wheaty flavor. I can pick up some banana as well. There is a slight vegetable hoppy character that is present. Overall, I found this to be a decent beer. If it were a hot summer day this would definitely hit the spot.
One last thing, remember when I said I was looking for Blue & Gray’s Minor Dementia? Well it turns out this beer is also produced by Blue & Gray. I don’t know much more about this beer but if you should happen to be in Ellwood Thompson Local Market give this a try.
Time for another round of snow and beer.
Posted by Edmond | Beer, Beer Dinner, Beer Tasting, Festival, General | Posted on February 5th, 2010
So I know a lot of you are pretty tired of the snow. Tomorrow looks to be another round of snow and sleet. This isn’t stopping many of our local shops from holding tastings and other events. I think Virginians have decided to not let snow stop them from moving on with life. So let’s get into this weeks events.
Capital Ale House Karneval
First up Capital Ale House Downtown is starting their 3th Annual Karneval Celebration. Yep, that means Lent is around the corner. So many events are slated with various concerts and celebrations planned. Check out the event calendar (located under pages) to see the weekly events.
SuperBowl Part at Mekong Restuarant
On Sunday, Mekong will have a some good beer and great food to help celebrate the big game. Be sure to follow the link for details on entering the food eating contest.
SuperBowl Bruch at Beer Run
So here is an interesting twist to the beer dinner motif. Instead of having a dinner and taking away from what should be a great game, Beer Run is having a Superbowl Brunch. Again I would suggest follow the link for details.
Clipper City (Heavy Seas) Beer Dinner
TJs @ The Jefferson has started up their beer dinner season with a great choice. Clipper City aka Heavy Seas will have a great dinner planned for Feb 11th. This looks to be a very tasty treat for any beer lover.
********************Beer Tastings**********************
Please call ahead to ensure they are still having their tasting.
Cork and Fork will have a beer tasting of beers from US, Belgium, France, England, and Scotland. The tasting starts at 17:00 until 19:00.
Corks and Kegs will have their weekly tasting from 17:30 until 19:30. On hand will be some tasty brews so be sure to follow the link for more information. Then on Feb 9th, 21st Amendment will make it’s debut in to Central Va. Corks and Kegs will have a several of their beers to try.
Once Upon a Vine South will have their weekly tasting on Friday from 17:00 until 20:00. On hand they will be tasting Stone. IPA, Pale Ale, Levitation, Smoked Porter, Russian Imperial Stout, and Arrogant Bastard.
As I stated before be sure to give the shops a call to verify they will have thier tastings. Tomorrow’s weather is kind of up in the air.
Cheers!