Coney Island Freaktoberfest Big Ol’ Pumkin Ale With Espresso Beans

Hey, review number 1600. Another milestone hit. Very nice. This brew is another one that I picked up at Half Time (yes, I’m still getting through all of these). I was a bit reticent to pick it up given their beers haven’t been that impressive. But, I figured it was worth trying a pumpkin beer with coffee. Let’s see how it went.

ABV: 6.20%

Style: Pumpkin Ale

Trivia: According to the brewery website, “Freaktoberfest is a hauntingly complex, deep amber, pumpkin and espresso ale. Caramel aromas intermingle with hints of allspice and cinnamon. A roasted rich body is highlighted by Greenpoint’s own Cafe Grumpy’s specially selected espresso beans, and is finished with sweet pumpkin.”

Random: We’re watching a home show now that has them pouring concrete for the countertops. I’ve never seen that.

This brew poured with a two finger, white head that dissipated slowly and left no lacing on the glass.The body was a clear, dark orange color with heavy carbonation visible. The nose had notes of old espresso and cinnamon. I didn’t get much pumpkin. The taste was tart initially with pumpkin and lemon and then some cinnamon. I didn’t get any of the coffee that I was looking forward to based on the nose. A touch of cocoa was present along with very light cinnamon. At the very end of the sip, there was a hint of coffee grinds, but not enough for me. The body was on the lighter side with moderate carbonation. It had a long finish with the same odd tart note. For $2.19 a bottle, this wasn’t overly expensive, but given that it was a gimmicky seasonal beer, I wouldn’t buy it again.

Untappd Rating: 3.5/5.0

Coney Island Mermaid Pilsener

The other half and I headed to Manhattan and had to kill more time before dinner. We tried walking around the Village, but it was ridiculously hot. We stopped at a small bar that was mildly air-conditioned, and this was their featured bottle on sale. Let’s see how it was.

ABV: 5%

Style: German Pilsener

Trivia: According to the brewery website, “Mermaids, those mysterious aquatic lovelies, have popped up all over the world in legend since 1000 BC. No scientific evidence has ever surfaced to support their existence, but we’re not ones to argue with folklore. Mermaid Pilsner® is a light-bodied, crisp-drinking, nicely hopped lager. A heavy-handed addition of rye malt adds a mild spiciness, which is balanced by a light, fruity, floral hop aroma.”

Random: I really liked the label art on this bottle. It’s retro without being overdone.

This brew poured with a thin, pure white head that dissipated slowly and left no lacing on the glass. The body was a clear, straw yellow color with light carbonation. The nose was pretty light, which was not unexpected for the style. There was some malt that was a bit sweet, but not much else. I was hoping to get some rye on the nose, but I definitely didn’t. The taste was a bit bigger with the first flavor present being spicy rye. Then, some bready malt and at the end of the sip, a little grassy hoppiness. The body was light with moderate to heavy carbonation. It had a long spicy finish from the rye. Even though I’m normally not a huge fan of the style, I really liked this one and definitely would have this one again. If you see it, the beer is definitely worth a shot.

Untappd Rating: 3.5/5.0

He’Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale

I love lazy Mondays. So far, the most strenuous thing that I’ve done so far today is to take out the garbage and do some dishes. I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I figured since I’ll be on the couch for a bit, I may as well get through some of this back log. I picked this one up about a month ago. Let’s see how it fared.

ABV: 8%

Style: American Strong Ale

Trivia: According to the brewery website, “Celebrating its second decade of brewing, Shmaltz Brewing presents ORIGIN: Pomegranate Ale. A renewal of their original HE’BREW covenant, brewed once again after 10 years with the juice of over 10,000 luscious Pomegranates. ORIGIN is a complex, rich and balanced Imperial Amber Ale with a truly unique character. The only Pomegranate Strong Ale in the country, and the latest addition to HE’BREW Beer’s permanent year-round lineup!”

Random: I haven’t had a pomegranate beer in awhile.

This brew poured with a two finger white head that was very slow to dissipate. The body was a clear orange color with high carbonation visible. The nose was not what I was expecting. I got a lot of hops, spice and then booze with pomegranate. The taste really did not have a lot of fruit at all on it. It was quite hopped with heavy caramel malt and then honey and citrus right after. The body was medium to heavy with high carbonation. The finish was long and quite bitter. For a beer that was 8% ABV beer, the alcohol was really apparent and hot. Although this was an interesting use for a fruit adjunct, it just didn’t work for me. I wouldn’t rush back to have this one again.

Untappd Rating: 3.0/5.0

He’Brew Genesis Dry-Hopped Session Ale

The weekend is over for me. I was seriously enjoying catching up on sleep and all of that fun stuff. I was hoping to bang out a few more reviews over the weekend, but that little football game got in the way of that. Anyways, here is another brew that I sampled awhile back from I brewery I don’t tend to drink from a lot…although I’m not sure why.

ABV: 5.2%

Style: American Pale Ale

Trivia: This beer dry hops with three different hops.

Random: Not only have I gotten Kate into “The Walking Dead,” but now she’s watching the new season of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.” She just woke up out of a dead sleep and asked me if it was a new episode because she had to watch it.

This one poured with a half a finger of pure white head that dissipated instantly. It left no lacing on the pint glass. The body was a hazy chestnut color with lots of visible sediment throughout. I definitely wasn’t expecting that. Along for the ride was a lot of seltzer-like carbonation. The nose had some grass and caramel malt, but relatively mild overall. The taste was much better than the nose. I got lemon up front and grass followed with toffee and sweet malt. The bitterness on it was nice and not overwhelming. The body was thick and had lots of carbonation, maybe a touch too much. The finish was long with the sweet malt that was apparent in the taste. This was an alright beer, but it really didn’t do much for me. Try it, I guess…I mean if you want. I’m not going to push you.

Untappd Rating: 3.0/5.0

He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.

It’s almost the weekend. I can’t wait. I don’t really have any big plans except going apple picking on Sunday, but I am looking forward to going on vacation in a week. 5 days of relaxing and walking around Cape Cod with the girlfriend. I’m chomping at the bit to go. But, for the night, it’s all about this beer review. I’m usually not a huge fan of rye beers, but I already killed 3 of these and was incredibly impressed. This was actually the beer that my girlfriend picked out for me (she’s Jewish, so…kinda makes sense) and apparently she has good taste.

ABV: 10%

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA

Trivia: According to the brewery website, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Shmaltz Brewing Co. is proud to present Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. Brewed with an obscene amount of malts and hops. Shocking flavors – far beyond contemporary community standards. We cooked up the straight dope for the growing minyans of our nation’s Radical Beer junkies. Judges may not be able to define ‘Radical Beer,’ but you’ll damn well know it when you taste it. Bruce died, officially declared a pauper by the State of California, personally broken and financially bankrupt simply for challenging America’s moral hypocrisies with words. The memorial playbill read: ‘Yes, we killed him. Because he picked on the wrong god.’ -Directed by, the Courts, the Cops, the Church… and his own self-destructive super ego. Like Noah lying naked and loaded in his tent after the apocalyptic deluge: a witness, a patron saint, a father of what was to come. Sick, Dirty, Prophetic Lenny: a scapegoat, a martyr, a supreme inspiration.”

Random: I love Gray’s Anatomy…but seriously, where are Callie and Arizona…? That’s one of the major reasons that I watch.

This brew poured a dark mahogany color topped with a two finger white head that dissipated slowly and left significant lacing on the glass. The nose was incredibly fragrant with notes of pine, caramel malt and a hint of nuts and grain. The taste was definitely tinged with rye and some bitterness that followed up with the caramel nuttiness that was apparent in the nose. The brew itself was moderately thick and oily with low carbonation. The finish lingers forever with a bit of the rye that was apparent in the taste. This would be one of the few beers that I can say that the rye added to. The nuttiness from the rye increased the complexity of the brew and made it satisfying and interesting. The alcohol was only made apparent at the end, from the bit of warming. This is a solid brew and a great choice by the girlfriend. I would definitely have it again.

Untappd Rating: 4.0/5.0