from the twisted minds of snm
Next up in the SA variety pack is this black lager. Pours opaque virtually black, medium light head. There is the roast aroma, but not of fresh brewed coffee. Its a bit mustier with a touch of shoyu. Mixed with some hop aroma. The medium bitterness lingers, carbonation lessens some of the medium heavy mouthfeel. Not bad, but I’d like more malt.
2 out 4 coffee monkeys.
Next SA variety pack is a lager pack. This is their take on a pils. Pours clear light amber, light head. Strong hop aroma, pine. Strong bitter and astringent. This is too much like an IPA for my taste without much else for me to enjoy, no matter how noble it is.
1 out 4 noble monkeys.
Given to me from sister’s mother in law when I visited this past Thankgiving, this simple lemon ice cream recipie that I used with our yuzu. It’s quite simple to remember, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 lemon. Mix the sugar into milk until sugar dissolves, easier to use fine sugar. Mix in the juice and zest of lemon, in my case I used 2 yuzu. I also had a vanilla bean that was getting old that I tossed in. In separate bowl, whip heavy cream until it holds peaks. The Braun immersion blender did a good job of that. Combine into the milk and mix, trying not to have lumps but keep the air still in the cream. Pour into container and put into freezer. After it freezes, enjoy! Just had my first bowl, pretty darn yummy! If I were to do this again, I would probably adjust down the sugar, it was a bit sweet.
This one’s been sitting in fridge for a while waiting to be sampled. Brewed for Japanese company, by Belgian brewery. Pours a medium dark reddish amber, slight haze, strong head. Fruit, citrus and spice aroma, but not overwhelming. You can tell there’s coriander, but it doesn’t smack you in the face with it, and there’s other things going on. Hops and bitter comes in, but very well balanced. Woohoo, the 8% ABV is kicking in on my empty stomach there! Medium mouth feel with some sweetness. I’m finding this a very intriguing ale, Belgian style flavorings, but not overwhelming. Perhaps its the buzz on this pau hana Friday, but I’m enjoying it.
Easy 3 out 4 Japanese Belgian monkeys.
In the variety pack, the Amber Bock pours a clear amber, light head. Malt with mild hop aroma. Clean finish, medium mouthfeel.
Not a big fan of this one. 2 out 4 amber monkeys.
Next in variety pack is this Oatmeal Stout. Pours black, light head. Roast malt aroma, well modulated hop. Even bitterness that fades. Astringent finish keeps it from feeling too heavy although the mouthfeel is medium thick.
Perfectly serviceable stout, but somewhat disappointing. At least it isn’t something like an India Stout Ale or something like that. Barely makes 3 out 4 oatmeal monkeys.
Next in the winter variety pack, Old Fezziwig Ale. Pours clear dark amber, medium head. Spice aroma, roast malt. Citrus notes hiding in there. Mild bitter that does not persist. Medium thick mouthfeel. Actually not as heavy as I thought it might be, but not a lite either.
Just barely 3 of 4 Fezziwiggy monkeys
In stores now Samuel Adams winter variey pack, and I am happy. Winter brews tend toward darker heartier styles. Here is probably the darkest in the pack, the chocolate bock. Pours very dark brown bordering on black, fairly light head. Cocoa is pretty prominent flavoring and aroma, surpsingly not strongly roast flavor. Medium mouthfeel, clean finish. Actually pretty easy drinking, but I expect more punch from a bock.
I’ll give it barely 3 out 4 chocolaty monkeys.
Next up in the space food selection is this from S&B. Actually I’d categorize this more as army food. Japanese style curry in retort packaging. Space food it would be freeze dried. To heat, immerse packet in boiling water until hot. I got this one to see what “extra hot” would be like.
Discovered at Marukai, this Waku Waku Farm Kanazawa Dark Ale. Pours dark brown, medium light head. Roast malt aroma, caramel tones. surprisingly not very bitter. This is actually a pretty mellow and clean beer. There also isn’t a whole lot of character.
Just barely 3 out 4 waku waku monkeys.