Issaquah Brewhouse Sour Frog

Ah… this beer is so new that it isn’t even on the list yet!!  We knew it would be good tasting due to the American Craft Beer week events that Rogue had going on at the Issaquah Brewhouse. 

Brewery: Issaquah Brewhouse
City: Issaquah
State: WA
Phone: 425-557-1911
Website: www.rogue.com
Description: Rogue Ales celebrates American Craft Beer week with a special tapping of a new American Craft Beer each day. All taps plus our cask engine will be will be pouring American Craft Beers, and daily tasters of our American Amber Ale will be available. Stop by for lunch and enjoy a Hoppy Meal, that’s a beer of your choice for only $2.00 more with your meal.
Tours: Brewery tours will be done daily at 2:00pm and finished with tasters of Issaquah Brewery Ales

Wednesday’s beer just happened to be Issaquah Brewhouse Sour Frog.  While those around me pulled some of the best bitter-beer-faces ever, I tend to think the sour ale class of beer is quite good now that I have had some quality sour ale… the first being Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Ale.  To ensure I had a good frame of mind for this review, in fact, I picked a bottle out of the fridge that I had acquired at Malt & Vine the other day and I am enjoying it this very instant.

I will say that Sour Frog definitely had some of the similar characteristics of Monk’s Sour Ale.  They both have strong vinegar smells.  They both had similar heads.  They both had the sour ale taste and flavor.  Where they were different, though, was in the intensity.  The Monk’s Sour Ale is a darker beer, dark amber, in fact, where the Sour Frog is on the lighter side.  The Monk’s Sour Ale is also much stronger in flavor and leaves a fine sour aftertaste just on the back of your tongue, where the Sour Frog neglects the after taste to some degree.

Both are fine ales, but for my taste, I am more drawn toward the Monk’s Cafe Sour Ale.  It would be #1 on the list of sour ales so far with the Sour Frog coming in a moderate second.

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Shakespeare Stout

So, here we are in the Issaquah Brewhouse, with a decent beer menu in front of us and an hour or so to check out a few different brews. Decisions, decisions, decisions - with no particular reason in mind I plump for a pint of Shakespeare Stout, just to warm things up.

Wise choice, even if I do say so myself; this beer’s brilliant - a deep black glassful of goodness with a thick cream and chocolate head, it tastes fantastic. Hold it up to the light, and a warm brown halo blossoms around the edges… quite appropriate, for if you’ve never developed (or just plain forgotten) the simple pleasures of a drop of stout, this is a revelation. Deep, complex, aromatic… delicious.

Seriously, Shakespeare Stout is far far better than any Guinness I’ve had on draft since moving to the US - I actually don’t think I’ve found a good Guinness on this side of the Atlantic, and while I’ve had a few good stouts out of bottles, I’ve missed having it in a pub. Shakespeare’s is the winner I’ve been looking for - thanks, Rogue!

JBB6 Rating: For The Win

Issaquah Brewery

Today was a bit of a red-letter day. For the first time in probably six months, I broke with the traditional Samm-J and, accompanied by trouble, made my merry way over to the Issaquah Brewery, our reasonably local but sadly neglected Rogue micro-brew meeting house in dowtown Issaquah.

Things haven’t changed much since last time I was there - the furniture’s still rickety, the decor’s eclectic and interesting, the Kobe burgers are still great, and the beer selection is really not to be sniffed at.

We tried a few, including:

• Sour Frog
• Shakespeare Stout
• Bourbon Stout
• Hazlenut Brown Nectar
• Juniper Pale Ale

Given that it’s the Issaquah Brewery, I guess nobody should really be surprised that yes, they brew on-site, too. Here’s a quick peek round the door….

And finally, they have a darn fine looking selection of bottled ale - their own, some domestics, and an intriguingly expensive selection of imports - that I need to go investigate real soon now. Perhaps, tomorrow.

Mackeson Triple (XXX) Stout

What a long strange trip this beer has been on.  Popped this open last night after picking it up at Trader Joe’s the other day.  As I started down my normal path of finding the website, finding out about the beer, etc. I found that this one has changed hands several, several times.  Supposedly the recipe hasn’t changed, but who knows at this point.  Either way, it was a good mild stout.  A bit of a medium head, dark color.  Went well with the spaghetti we were having.  A medium body finished it off and this post, as well.

Probably the best site for this beer: Mackeson Triple (XXX) Stout

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Dieu du ciel! Péché Mortel (Mortal Sin) Imperial Stout

A good day for the beer, I must say.  Some good work done during the morning and into lunch hour put Mark and I in good spirits to have lunch on the way back to the other office.  A stop by Malt & Vine seemed like a great idea, so we picked up some gyros from Gyros 2 Go and we took it over to M&V.  Doug was working today and served us a couple of fine brews.  I picked Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout off the tap as my first and quickly determined that it needed to warm up a bit. :)  Some beer just needs it.  So, while I was waiting for that, Doug pointed me toward a hard-to-get bottle from good old Canada, Dieu du ciel! Péché Mortel (Mortal Sin) Imperial Stout.  As he told me, the folks at Dieu du ciel! know a thing or two about beer and this was no exception.

Compared to the Ommegang, this beer was like a good IPA to Coors… ok, maybe not that bad, but it sure has a kick.  You can smell the complexity in this beer from the minute you open the bottle and the coffee isn’t hidden.  It reaches out of the glass and slaps you across the face a couple of times and then retreats to assault your taste buds.  Dark, roasted coffee and malt say howdy to your mouth as you take a drink and even though the bottle was cold, this beer can handle it just fine.  I could see this beer replacing your Starbucks if you were thinking about switching… probably costs about the same and you would have a pleasant little buzz going, courtesy of the 9.5% ABV this baby has.  The bottle even tells you that you should “drink it in moderation.”  I wonder if there is a story behind that one!

Anyhow, I finally made it back to the Chocolate Indulgence, but it wasn’t holding much of a candle to “Mortal Sin”.  How could it with a sissy name like Chocolate Indulgence, though… really…

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Kennebunkport Apricot Wheat Beer

This is a sneaky beer… similar to my time working at the cheese factory, it appears as though The Sea Dog Brewing Company likes to slap different labels on the same product (Alberstons and the higher end cheese brands used the same cheese! no lie!).  Anyhow, once I found their website, I could see it was the same stuff… they also share a common brew pub in Federal Jack’s Restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine. 

So now that we know a bit about this low ABV (4.6%) wheat beer, lets find out how it tastes…

Kennebunkport Apricot Wheat Beer as the bottle I have is called, has a very apricot smell to it… I had the wife take a whiff and she actually thought it smelled good… which meant there wasn’t nearly enough beer in it, obviously. :)  The beer had a full apricot flavor to it, as well.  Not overpowering and not sweet, just a good, solid apricot taste that was very unassuming.  As I finished this beer off with my chicken and beef teriyaki, I realized that it really is pretty good stuff, but if you are looking for depth and complexity, you have come to the wrong beer.  This one is simple and is what it says. 

Would make for a good beer on a hot summer day, that is for sure.  Picked it up and Trader Joe’s and am thinking I will have to go back for more in the future. 

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

La Binchoise Reserve

Last beer of the night at Monk’s Cafe.  See here for original post.

La Binchoise Reserve - Bottle

Ah… I am sad to say that this was my last beer of the night at Monk’s.  By this time, I was reveling in the beerness that is Monk’s and I was probably a bit drunk, as well.  Good thing I took good notes…

This beer was on suggestion from Stasia… I left it up to her to tell me what to choose since she has probably tasted more beer than I in her 7 years.  So, she pulled this $9 bottle out and let me have at it.  I definitely had to let this one warm up… coming out of an ice-cold fridge would do me no good.  As it warmed and I continued to smell it… I probably looked a bit strange just sitting their, kind of tipsy, smelling my beer… Anyhow, as I smelled it, it opened up and I could smell the belgian yeast and what reminded me of scotch, whiskey, or bourbon… The taste was solid.  As I noted in my tasting notes, this was like having a good Belgian Style Amber… just like the label says.  Good head, as well.  9% ABV.

All in all, I noted that this was a great, solid belgain amber that needed to be tasted at the suggested 50 - 54° F. 

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Anderson Valley Brewing Company 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA

Wandering the aisles of my local supermarket in search of inspiration for Mother’s Day dinner, I was distracted for a happy half-hour by the extensive and extravegant selection of ales on offer. Hard to make a decision… so, throwing caution to the winds, I dropped a bunch of bottles into my cart. And what a fine decision that was - for after a particularly crappy Saturday, this was exactly the pick-me-up the doctor ordered.

Brewed by the Anderson Valley Brewing Company out of Boonville, CA (another spot I need to put on the map for my summer road-trip), this Imperial IPA pours a golden, glorious sunset-orange pint (and more) that calls out to be drunk in a happy, sunny sitting. With a fantastically bright, sharp and citrus aroma, it fills you with a hoppy bitter hope for the future and a sense of well-being that only the cheekiest pint can provide.

Good times in a big brown bottle. As the first glass slides down, my attention turns to the label which like the psychedelic record sleeves of my misbegotten youth rewards deep contemplation. Bears with antlers, anyone?

The second glass lasts a little longer than the first; a little warmer and seemingly more lively now it’s had a chance to breathe, the sweeter malts and depth come forward and make for a mellow finish to the bottle. Or maybe that’s just down to the fact it’s got some decent legs in the alcohol department.

 

Fruit, hoppy, big and bouncy - this is a fine and daring ale that’ll hit you round the head with a mouthful of hops and fruit. It left me wanting more than I know is good for me, and it’s really no wonder there’s a hop shortage at the moment, given what’s in here… amazing stuff.

About the only downside is the pretty hefty price - $5.99 at Whole Foods Market… gotta be cheaper elsewhere, though. So, if you see a bottle on the shelf, take it down, take it home, and make a new friend. Take two. Go out and do it now.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Bear Republic Racer X IPA

Sixth beer of the night at Monk’s Cafe.  See here for original post.

Bear Republic Racer X - On Tap

Last tap beer of the night.  Bear Republic Racer X out of California.  This one isn’t on their website, so not sure if it is special release, to be honest.  I think I recall that it is… let me know if you know, would you?

Anyhow, this was a good IPA.  Not too hoppy as I recall (and noted), but good none-the-less.  I do remember how soft it felt… the body was medium but the finish was nice and soft on the taste buds.  I had this really interesting aroma that I characterized as earthy on my tasting notes because I couldn’t quite put another word on it.  Big head with fruity taste.

A good beer that I would definitely have again.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale

Fifth beer of the night at Monk’s Cafe.  See here for original post.

Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale - Bottle

This beer wa probably one of the least memorable of the night.  Not that I was that far gone or anything, but it just wasn’t that remarkable.  Not a bad beer, but not great.  As noted, high ABV, definitely sweet, lite, and fruity, even after the Maharaja.  I will have to have this beer again if I come across it just to validate my thinking, but I just don’t think this one was one to write home about…

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road