Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales E.S. Bam Hoppy Farmhouse Ale (say that 5 times fast)

E.S. Bam Hoppy Farmhouse Ale 4.7% ABV 750 ml.

This fantastic seasonal beer, brewed by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, is a real treat. Just look at that gorgeous color! And the head was so light and creamy, I was tempted to take a spoon to it. Nice and soapy with impressive staying power. I couldn't help but think of my lovely mother-in-law, Beverly, when I tasted this beer. She lives on 5 acres and has 2 horses. She could pour herself a pint of this baby, head down to the barn to muck out the stalls and fill the feed buckets and head back to the house to enjoy a few sips before the head disappeared! I think I might bring her a bottle and see if I'm right, blah ha ha!

Even though this is a hoppy ale, it is relatively mild and can be enjoyed by hop-haters and hop-whores alike. The flavor offers earthy hops, citrus notes, and some wild yeast funkiness. I really enjoyed this beer, it is a fantastic drinking ale, very easy (Gab Buzz Factor of 5) and agreeable to most palates. The price point is a little high for a 750ml bottle - around $11 at my local beer store, but well worth it, in my opinion.

Cheers!
~G~

Vanilla Porter...Anyone?

Breckenridge Brewery

Vanilla Porter

4.7% ABV

Since I have been living in a pumpkin patch for the past few weeks I decided to go for a good ole' standby...the porter. I love a good porter that rolls over my taste buds with caramel malts and hints of chocolate. The Breckenridge Vanilla Porter just so happens to be all that and more! 

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub's  original location is in the historic mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado.  Since 1990 this pub is the only brewery in the town and the company has opened 3 additional locations in Colorado.  Breckenridge has 6 year-round and 4 seasonal brews to offer, all of which are the work of one ski bum who loves to drink good beer after a day on the slopes. 

  The Vanilla Porter has to be one of the best that I have had so far.  The color was just a shade lighter than black and had a very faint cream colored head when poured.  The first taste was bliss.  The Vanilla Porter had a huge array of flavors hitting your pallet with very little carbonation.  I first tasted a caramel maltiness and roasted chocolate. The vanilla was sweet which made it a perfect finish.  The Vanilla Porter is surprisingly light in the ABV department.  Not that this is a bad thing, but with such a robust flavor and rich color I really expected to be knocked out of my Uggs!  Instead, I had a well crafted porter that warmed me up on a chilly evening that left a cheesy grin on my face.  I would have to say this my friends...this is a winner.

Cheers!
~K~