Lobsterback IPA
Possibly the nicest surprise of all the festival: an IPA that a hop-lover
like me could really sink his (or her) teeth into! The first sensory contact
that I made was the color. It is a dark amber, which is atypical for west-coast
IPAs, but not completely out of the norms for the style. The nose was both
hoppy and buttery at the same time... similar to Stone Brewing's
Arrogant Bastard Ale, but not as strongly scented.
As with most beer festival beers, it was served way too cold, so I had to
let it warm up before the hop flavor was released. The reward for my patience
paid off, and I was treated to a fantastic local IPA, filled with a
hoppy-bitterness that was reminiscent of Anderson Valley's award winning
Hop Ottin IPA. A beer definitely worth seeking out if you like
IPAs.
Technical Specs: OG = 13 degrees plato, IBUs = 60
Naughty Monkey Abbey Ale
Abbey style ales like similar to what Naughty Monkey is styled after tend
to be pale colored, ranging from a hazy yellow (Duvel) to a nice caramel
(Orval), so when Janet brought over her sample of the Naughty Monkey, I was
taken aback to see a singel/single Abbey ale that was so dark. Still, color
aesthetics not withstanding, the flavor is a dead ringer for a true Belgian
Lambic. The nose has that traditional candied sugar scent, and the flavor
tastes of wild yeast flavor that distracts you from the malt and sugar sweetness.
Not for a beginner, this beer packs a wallop, and the sugar content ensures a horrible hangover if you overindulge in it. but lovers of Belgian Lambic beers should give this beer a try. (Avery Glasser)