#180: Founders Brewing » Harvest Ale

Juicy, hop goodness...

The Brewery: Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI)
The Brew: Harvest Ale
Availability: Draft and bottles (Seasonal, Limited)
ABV: 7.6% | 70 IBUs
Rating: 9.2/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? I was on a bit of a Harvest Ale kick last year, but wasn't able to track down Founders when it was initially hit in the fall. Released only in October of each year, I thought I'd miss the boat, but this weekend proved otherwise and I'm sure glad for it!

The Beer? This Harvest pours our translucent golden straw with a quickly fading white head and minimal lacing. The nose is beautiful and full of rip, juicy orange aromas.

Down the hatch, Founders has nails it again with a smooth, long citrus flavor with just a touch of bitterness on the finish. Plentiful orange, tangerine, and sweet red grapefruit flavors are abound. There's a soft resin and pine that build on each other further through with soft esters in the finish. Toasted, bready malts say hello later on, but just enough to provide balance and support. This one really pulls you in and immerses you in hop glory. It's never floral, but there are soft oil and herb tucked within.

Overall, a wonderfully juicy take on the wet-hop, harvest style. Incredibly drinkable hop-nectar.

#168: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Amber Glass (American Amber Ale)

Malty harvest ale from Hopshire... 

The Brewery: Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville, NY)
The Brew:  Amber Glass ((Amber Ale)
Availability: Draft
ABV: 5.0% | IBUs: 35
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Ithaca Coffee Company (Triphammer)

The Story? After a long day of last minute holiday and paint shopping, my partner and I headed over to Ithaca Coffee Company for a pick-me-up. We planned on two rounds to rejuvenate with, so I eyed Triphammer's typically hefty offerings for a starter that would still allow me to accomplish our remaining errands. 

Earlier in the season, Hopshire issued two new offerings, 'Round Yon Virgil (spiced Brown Ale) and Amber Glass - an American style Amber brewed with whole, local Willamette and Cascade hops and New York barley malt and British amber. Granted, Amber Ale's aren't my favorite, but getting a disappointing brew from Hopshire seemed unlikely. 

The Beer? Bringing my beer to the table, I'm met with a firm malt nose that is roasted with a distinct coolness. 

Right off the bat, this is a very tasty beer. It's creaming, warming and quenching with just a hint of spice. Far more complex than most 5.0% Ambers I've run across. Notes of rosehips, pepper, orange zest, rosemary abound amidst smooth malts and toasty caramel finish. 

Overall, this is undoubtedly in the Top 5 Ambers I've ever enjoyed, if not one of the best singles. Kudos to Hopshire for taking an unassuming style to new heights. 

#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. 

Quicky!:New England's 668 The Neighbor of the Beast & Ommegang Scythe & Sickle

An evening off among fiends and home made food along with New England Brewing Co.'s 668 Neighbor Of The Beast and Ommegang's Scythe & Sickle. Two vastly different Belgian style American brews the former is strong, golden ale with some very unique elements. The latter, a variation on a harvest ale featuring rye, oats, wheat, and barley for a subtly complex, drinkable fall offereing.