Beer Advent: Days 5-7

Day 5
Namaste - Dogfish Head
ABV - 4.8%
Hacksaw
It looks like at long last I've found a Dogfish Head that I'm not super happy with. Namaste was refreshing and bubbly but the spices were overpowering. I think I'd prefer a little less spice and a little more of the Belgiany fruitiness some White Ales put forward. Was it too much for you?

Down the Hall
I didn't mind the Namaste too much.  I think the spice kind of complimented the season a bit, invoking the feel of a warm fire rather than a summer cookout.  That said, the style itself is not my favorite, and this one didn't win me over.  I would say I appreciated this beer, and enjoyed it even though it won't make it on to my list of go-to's.
On a separate but related note, Namaste was one of the several Dogfish Head offerings that I'd been curious about, but unwilling to drop $10-$11 on a six-pack just to try out.  So from that perspective, it was instructional and an worthy addition to the pack.



Day 6
Indian Brown Ale - Dogfish Head
ABV - 7.2%

Hacksaw
Another Dogfish Head today - but this time my palette was pleased! The Indian Brown is quite an interesting mashup of styles. I noticed a lot more of a Scottish type maltiness with the bitterness kind of sneaking in the back door on this one. After I was halfway through drinking this one, I peeked at the bottle and noticed the ABV was over 7%.

In my head I kept comparing this to a Black IPA - but it's really quite different. And in no way is that depressing.

Down the Hall

Though the Indian Brown follows the Dogfish Head trend of interesting concoctions, I feel like it is also just a really sturdy, well-rounded brew.  Much like the Black IPA style, balance for this type of thing is key.  So the fact that nothing is too overstated is a testament to that balance. 

 I really enjoyed the full flavor profile with the roasted nuttiness of a brown ale, the sweet toffee and caramel notes of a Scottish ale, and the ample hop aroma and lingering bitterness of anything that aspires to put the country of India in its name.  Straight up delicious.  A friend of mine peeked at the card for tomorrow... Don't know the beer, but the BeerAdvocate rating is 100!

Day 7
Allagash White Ale
ABV - 5.1%

Hacksaw
Allagash White is exactly what the Namaste was not for me. I really enjoyed this one and my word picture for you on this beer is eating a big bowl of fruit with a spoon that has been sprinkled subtly with complementing spices. Gimme mo' Gimme mo'! Hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did! A whole week down and tomorrow brings a mystery in a can!

Down the Hall
It was a roller coaster of emotions for me when I discovered Day 7's brew.  First, I was excited walking over to the case just because I knew it scored 100.  Then, I saw Allagash on the cap and was even more excited.  Then, I saw it was the white and was a little disappointed.  Finally, I cracked it open and tasted it and ended somewhere in the "generally pleased" region.

As I mentioned with regard to the Namaste, the white ale is not my favorite.  But I would say the Allagash is definitely the best white I've had, and actually stands a fighting chance at me spending money on it at some point in the future.  I agree that the balance of spices was much more restrained on this one and it tasted far more natural and refreshing.  Not bad at all.

Week 1 Recap

Down the Hall
After week one, I'd say we've had a solid start.  One of the trends I've noticed is that the beers haven't necessarily been the types to knock your socks off with high ABV, crazy aging processes, or ridiculous IBUs, but they've been exemplary specimens of normal styles.  I have enjoyed the challenge of sorts to really dive in to the subtleties that edge each of these brews over their peers.

Hacksaw
A solid start for sure. I'm hoping for a few less white ales going forward. Seeing as this is my first beer advent I wasn't sure whether to expect crazy over the top or outstanding style specimens. Thus far we've had a little bit of both with only one beer I wasn't fond of. I wouldn't mind a little more blow your socks off, but when I imbibe an amazingly balanced or refreshing beer you won't see me complaining about it!