Lobsterback IPA
Possibly the nicest surprise of all the festival: an IPA that
a hop-lover like me could really sink his (or her) teeth into!
The first sensory contact that I made was the color. It is a dark
amber, which is atypical for west-coast IPAs, but not completely
out of the norms for the style. The nose was both hoppy and
buttery at the same time... similar to Stone Brewing's Arrogant
Bastard Ale, but not as strongly scented.
As with most beer festival beers, it was served way too cold,
so I had to let it warm up before the hop flavor was released.
The reward for my patience paid off, and I was treated to a fantastic
local IPA, filled with a hoppy-bitterness that was reminiscent
of Anderson Valley's award winning Hop Ottin IPA. A beer
definitely worth seeking out if you like IPAs.
Technical Specs: OG = 13 degrees plato, IBUs = 60
Naughty Monkey Abbey Ale
Abbey style ales like similar to what Naughty Monkey is styled
after tend to be pale colored, ranging from a hazy yellow (Duvel)
to a nice caramel (Orval), so when Janet brought over her sample
of the Naughty Monkey, I was taken aback to see a singel/single
Abbey ale that was so dark. Still, color aesthetics not withstanding,
the flavor is a dead ringer for a true Belgian Abbey-style ale.
The nose has that traditional candied sugar scent, and the flavor
tastes of wild yeast flavor that distracts you from the malt and
sugar sweetness.
Not for a beginner, this beer packs a wallop, and the sugar content ensures a horrible hangover if you overindulge in it. but lovers of Belgian beers should give this one a try. (Avery Glasser)