FireStation5 Fire Boat Amber

FireStation5 Fire Boat Amber was the second new brew of the night last night and in true FireStation5 fashion was rather dissapointing.  It wasn’t as bad as their hefe, but definitely wasn’t something that I have a taste for.  My neighbor loves the stuff, though, so I don’t want to put it down too much.  I just can’t get a taste for it.

Maybe it is the fact that we were drinking Drop Top (which is a fine, fine amber ale)… not sure.  All I know is that this one didn’t really tickle my fancy.  Taste lacked depth and the aftertaste was bad-bitter.  It left me feeling like they tried to go big with a tasty amber brew but didn’t quite know how to finish it off and so it just dies on you.  At least I was able to finish the bottle.

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

FireStation5 Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen

I’m back… a long drive and some slightly difficult kids later and we arived back in WA today at about 2:00 pm.  We had a pretty good stay at the Best Western in La Grande, OR.  Nice rooms, nice pool, good breakfast, right off the highway… highly recommended.

So, we have been unpacking for a while and I am ready for a cold one… I look in the fridge and there it is… the second beer from FireStation5 that I purchased before the trip.  FireStation5 Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen stares me in the eye and gives me that “drink me” look, so I open it up and pour it into a standard pint glass.

First things first… this doesn’t look like hefeweizen.  It just doesn’t have the right color, no head even with a straight-to-the-bottom pour, and it sure doesn’t look unfiltered… much to my dismay, of course.  Well, I know you can’t judge a book by its cover, but I think you can judge a beer by its pour and color… really.  This beer was much more bitter than it should have been, it wasn’t fruity in the least, and it didn’t hold a good aftertaste at all. 

First beer from Firestation was the Firestation Blonde and it didn’t rate well… hoping the full line isn’t of the same caliber… will keep trying and let you know.

JBB6 Rating: Just Not Right

FireStation5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale

Likely the last beer post for about 1.5 weeks as we take the brood to Utah and Idaho to visit some family.  If I get the chance, I will get some local flavors up here, but not sure if they have the internet in either of those states yet, so we will see.

FireStation5 Golden Brigade Blonde Ale comes from another brewery that doesn’t know what the internets are used for.  Ah well, here is the goods…  Label: “You’re assured of great taste!” and “Blonde is light in color and body with a rich flavor.”  Looks like they are out of Ukiah, CA.

The beer pours nice and light, looking like it is going to be an ale, but the flavor comes through pretty true.  Not much of a head, although I tried.  The taste is light but has some kick.  The kick almost verges on the realms of bitter, though, which pulls this one back from being anything but Middle of the Road.  An average beer (sorry Dave!)

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road