#227: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Sympathy (Belgian Strong), Hamlet of Varna (Session IPA), Zingabeer (Belgian Pale w/ Ginger)

This past Saturday afternoon was particularly perfect weather-wise. A great day for a mid-paced flyer postering stroll around The Commons downtown, then palling up to Hopshire Farm & Brewery, having heard about their new Belgian Strong Golden Ale.

As usual, the place was hopping. We ran into several friends at the brewery, one of which had just finished up a run. His routines is a run to Hopshire to meet up with his sister for a glass. I have to say, if beer was at the finish line, I might run more.

Sympathy (Belgian Strong Golden Ale) ABV: 7.9% | IBUs: 25 | Rating: 9/10
This Belgian-style Golden kicks off with a fantastic aroma of banana, mild golden raisin, and smooth yeasts emitting from a hazy, golden body.

Down the hatch, intriguing flavors burst across the palate. An excellent use of Saaz hops for striking subtleties of herbal and spice notes, expertly balanced against always stunning Trappist yeasts.

Firm, pleasant booze notes and heat and strong esters charge out of the gate, followed by soft malt sweetness, mild mineralness, and event faint notes of pineapple; all wrapped up with a mild dry finish and plentiful Belgian spice.

Overall, a wonderful showcase of fruit flavor, Belgian yeast, and bold flavor.

Hamlet of Varna (Session IPA) ABV: 5.0% | IBUs: 45 | Rating: 8.7/10
In the surge of session IPAs over the last year, many have fallen short in the flavor spectrum, appearing as a merely mild, afterthought of a Pale Ale and a dull shadow of a true IPA.

But not here. Hopshire's Hamlet of Varna (a play on their Near Varna IPA) packs in west-coast Mosaic and Cascade hops and only light grains, Vienna & Pilsner malts for a burst of grassy hop and smooth grapefruit aromas, followed up by lively carbonation; deep, bitter hop flavors including dry pith, sharp grass and grapefruit notes, with a touch of minerals in the finish.

Overall a standout session IPA, which doesn't hold back on hop strength, instead holding the malt, and therefore gravity, in check, resulting in a drinkable, full-flavored brew.

Zingabeer (Belgian Pale Ale w/ Ginger) ABV: 8.0% | IBUs: 18 | Rating: 9.1/10
Again we're met with Vienna and Pilsner malts, but this time around it's a healthy dose of Belgian malts and Abbey yeast, alongside freshly grated local ginger from Good Life Farm which take center stage. Sign me up.

Mild, spicey aromas with wisps of malt introduce Hopshire's Zingabeer which breathe up from it's transparent, deep amber body.

This brew is particularly tasty, to put it simply. A perfect balance of the aforementioned showcased ingredients along with a touch of coriander.

Expertly balanced spicy ginger, smooth caramel, and crisp malts grace the palate. The 8% ABV is completely hidden behind beautiful Abbey yeast notes, and there's even a sweet, savory notes of cashew in there. All of that wrapped up with a dry finish and mouthfeel, that also presents a mild creaminess halfway through.

A dangerously drinkable, highly enjoyable, upper ABV summer brew.

#215: Bacchus Brewing » Cyclhops (Single Hop-Ale)

Our first stop to a local staple...

The Brewery: Bacchus (Dryden, NY)

The Brew: Cyclhops (Single Hop-Ale)

Availability: Draft only (limited)

ABV: ? 

Rating: 8.7/10

Location: Bacchus Brewing

My partner and I found ourselves with an extra hour to kill after running some Saturday errands and figured we could make it out to Dryden before Bacchus closed up for the day. We're both well versed in Bacchus' offerings from the taps downtown, but getting it from the source is always just the best.

In addition to their familiar year-round beers coming of fresh and delicious, we were pleasantly surprised by a new brew, their single malt, single hop Cyclhops with Vienna malt and  Galaxy hops.

Served up, it's a hazy yellow pour with a touch of white head. The nose is dank, earthy, and wonderfully hoppy. Deep, full flavors of pine flow down the hatch, offer a refreshing, but nicely bitter experience with a mild dryness on the finish and a heavy mouthcoat. Not too much citrus, but plenty of rind and pine. Even with just a taste, there's a long finish on this one.  Easy cake-taker for our growler fill of the day! 

#189: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » 'Round Yon Virgil (Holiday), St. Bernard's (Belgian Dubble), Hop Onyx (Cascadian), Abbey Normal (Abbey Ale)

After a successful show with Kayo Dot and wishing the band off well on a blustery Saturday morning, I hopped online and saw that  Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville, NY) had just released a Belgian Dubble, aptly named "St. Bernard". Mel & I decided it had been far too long since we'd been to tastings at the brewery itself and slated a visit for that afternoon.

After highly enjoying their Amber Glass offering late last year, I felt Hopshire were really starting to next-level and hit their stride. Upon arrival, this through was immediately confirmed. Their Beehive Honey Blonde Ale (initially reviewed at the Hopshire opening) has matured to a smooth, deliciously rich beer without the initial mineral aspects that were notable the first time around. Granted, Hopshire rotates through what local honey they use, but this latest batch is noteworthy regardless. On the note of the benefits of local-sourced ingredients, it turns out, the secret to Amber Glass incredible flavor, was the fresh hops that arrived the day they were brewing.

In addition to great beer, we were graced with good news as well. Hopshire will be bottling in 2014 and a portion of their just-released St. Bernard is heading to Port barrels for at least six (6) months. I'm hotly anticipating that release for the second half of the year. But, enough chatter, let's dig in.
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'Round Yon Virgil (Holiday Ale) | ABV: 6.2% |  IBUs: 25 | Rating: 8.5/10
The nose is full of all-spice and clove - full holiday aromas are abound in this dark, reddish-brown ale. Prickly carbonation coupled by smooth flavors of clove, mild ginger, and a sweet brown sugar finish. Well-balanced, especially for a holiday ale. Sweet, with a pleasantly dry finish.

St. Bernard's (Belgian Dubbel) | ABV: 8.2% |  IBUs: 30 | Rating: 9.2/10
This Belgian-style is transparent caramel with a fading ivory head to the eyes and sweet and malty to the nose with a stong hop-citrus presence. Bursting flavors of tangerine follow with a hint of grape and a wonderfully dry finish. Soft carbonation balances the brew perfectly.

I have to say, this one is incredibly juicy, far more than expected. Further in there's even a touch of earthy complexity in the background. A wonderful beer. Check it out where you can.

Hop Onyx (Cascadian Ale) | ABV: 8.0% |  IBUs: 20 | Rating: 9.0/10
This is some deep madness right here. The head is a dark khaki atop an almost opaque brown beauty of a beer. The nose is mild and a little unassuming, fairly transparent with some faint hop notes. The taste counters, yielding bold, dark, and bitter flavors of mild espresso and big citrus. If a beer can be bright and dark at the same time, this is it. A hint of molasses sneaks in further through and there's a nice mouthcoat that builds on the sides of the tongue.

The interplay between the slight grapefruit/citrus tartness and roasted coffee notes is quite interesting and enjoyable; I'm not sure I've ever had something quite like it, especially one where it worked well. A solid Cascadian Ale.  I used to be hot on Black IPAs and the like, but in recent times they've failed to keep my interest. Hello renewed interest.

Abbey Normal (Abbey Ale) | ABV: 8.0% |  IBUs: 20 | Rating: 9.5/10
A thick, creamy head adorns this dark, deep amber-red surprise beer. The nose is full of inviting yeast aromas with a touch of dark fruit. Down the hatch, it's incredible. For a beer to stand out this far after seven tastings preceding it is an impressive feat in itself, but it doesn't stop there.

This Abbey is expertly brewed with peppercorn, anise, and orange peel. If Randy hadn't repeatedly stated that no fruit was used in the brew process, I would have figured they'd forgotten to put it on the label. Silky, rich flavors of plums, raisin, fig, candied syrup, and caramel burst across the palate in a sticky, sweet (but not too sweet) jubilation of brewing dedication.

Highly recommended and I will be picking up a bottle immediately upon it's release.

#126: Bacchus Brewing » Harvest Ale (Fresh Hop Ale)

More fresh-hop goodness...

The Brewery: Bacchus (Dryden, NY)

The Brew: Harvest Ale (Fresh Hop Ale)

Availability: draft only (limited)

ABV: 5.5% // IBUs: 40-50 est.

Rating: 8.5/10

Location: Bandwagon Brew Pub

The Story? It's impossible to keep up on every beer, but there always a few I make a more concerted effort for. I'd been speaking with Bacchus Brewing's head brewer a week or so back, regarding how I'd missed out on their first fresh-hop ale. Richie informed me that there were still a couple kegs kicking around town and to keep my eyes pealed.

After a moving evening of seeing Elvis Costello perform solo, my partner and I ventured out for pint to wade in the wake of our recent experience. To my delight, there was "Bacchus Harvest Ale" staring back at me from the menu. Order up.

The Beer? This fresh-hopped ale starts off with an orange-amber body and cloud-like, fluffy white head with plenty of staying power and a bit of lace. The nose is somewhat transparent, with mild hops and a touch of fresh honey.

The body is quite smooth and drinkable, especially considering 30 lbs of hops went into this baby. A full, robust mouth of bitterness, smooths out into a malty finish. Bursts of pine and roasted malt, find their way to a smooth sweet finish. There's a lot going on in this one, with touches of citrus and hop heat, to the excellent finish brushed with white bread and a nod of pomegranate. The mouthfeel is mostly clean throughout with a slight moutcoat by the end of the glass.

Another solid brew from another local brewery that is high on my to-visit list. 

#115: Bacchus Brewing » IPA

A big, local IPA to cap off a great night...

The Brewery: Bacchus (Dryden, NY)

The Brew: IPA

Availability: draft only

ABV: 6.5% // IBUs: 65

Rating: 8.5/10

Location: Felicia's Atomic Lounge

The Story? After taking two carloads of friends through Inuat Hauntings production, I met up with my partner and her sister at Felicia's for a couple rounds to close out the enjoyably cooling evening.

#1 on the list for the night was Bell's Two-Hearted on tap, however I was pleasantly pleased to see they'd just tapped a keg of Bacchus' IPA. I shared my thoughts on Bacchus' new Flora's Fate Pale, but hadn't had a chance to do so with their IPA. Additionally, this brewery is only 20 mins from where I work, so a stop in will be warranted in the near future.

The Beer? This one is dank, bitter, and prominently floral right out of the gate. There's a touch of grapefruit and other citrus notes threaded through this IPA, but floral flavors and dark bitterness is the star of this show.

The firm bitterness retains throughout, but smooths a bit to let some malt characteristics and allows you to take note of the admirably full mouthfeel supported by mid-level carbonation. A solid suggestion to any IPA fan in the region.