Shannon Blackberry Crystal Wheat

Spring is here.  Summer's on the way.  And i guess that means that i'm going to start sampling more beer with fruit in it.  I've never been much of a traditionalist as far as beer goes, having actually brewed a loquat wheat ale myself using the fruit from the tree in my backyard, so i'm all for this.  Shannon Brewing, up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, seems to be all for it too, the seasonal offering for the upcoming hot days of summer being their Blackberry Crystal Wheat, a 6.2% ABV wheat beer brewed with...you guessed it...blackberries.  The beer pours pinkish gold, with a light purple tint to the frothy head and smells of wheat and fruit with some bread notes in the mix.  Dry and crisp, the brew has light notes of wheat, malt, banana, citrus, and yeast...with plenty of blackberry too.  All in all, it's a pretty easy drinking beer that pairs its sweet and bitter sides evenly.  Bring on the summer.

Visit the brewer.

Shannon Chocolate Stout

Another day, another beer from a new craft brewery i had never heard of before.  From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Shannon Brewing's Chocolate Stout might just become a holiday season staple around these parts from now on.  It's a tasty brew.  Pouring dark black with a light tan head, the beer smells predominantly of roasted malts, with some cocoa and coffee notes in the mix.  Tasting mildly sweet at first, with hints of chocolate, caramel, and a general roastiness, the beer finishes more on the dry end with some light hops added to keep things grounded.  I thoroughly enjoyed drinking this wonderful stout all afternoon watching college football, and at 5.7% ABV, it's an easy drinker.  Would love to have a nitro version of this some day.

Visit the brewer.