Southern Tier Iniquity Black Ale

Oh, how the darker beers always call my name.  Hailing from Lakewood, New York, Southern Tier Brewing Company offers up a veritable smorgasbord of different brews.  As they've only recently begun circulating their way into Austin, the only one i've managed to try thus far is their Iniquity Black Ale, a dark and foamy potion of sheer delight if i may be so dramatic.  This 9% ABV ale is smooth, malty, and sweet as you would expect from a darker ale, but the hops give off much more of a citrus flavor than bitterness.  At first, it's kind of an odd mix, as it's so unexpected, but ultimately, it really works well.  The beer would be the perfect companion for a steak dinner, and thus, is awesome.

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El Hefeweizen

And my summer beer binge continues...i know it's April, but it gets hot here early.  I've been doing this beer blog for over a year now, and looking back, i don't think i've ever posted about a Hefeweizen before, and that's a damn shame.  They're great for hot weather, sweet and refreshing, and Katy, Texas' No Label Brewing has the best named one i've ever come across...El Hefeweizen.  Aside from its fantastic name, the beer tastes good too.  Overtones of citrus and banana mix well with the malts and the ever slight sour flavor from the yeast.  And like last week's Summer Shandy, this is a great starting beer for people who don't usually drink it.  Sitting on a covered patio, you'll knock a slew of these things out easy.  Who would have thought something good would come out of Katy?

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Summer Shandy

In between a couple of bouts of much needed rain, the weather in Austin lately has been absolutely beautiful. I wish it would last forever.  Unfortunately, that's not to be, but at least we can enjoy a glass of Summer Shandy from Wisconsin's Leinenkugel Brewing.  This wheat beer brewed with lemonade tastes pretty much exactly like you would expect it to...damn delicious.  Essentially the Arnold Palmer of beers, the Summer Shandy goes heavy on the citrus and fruit and light on the hops, but it's remarkably refreshing.  I know i've mentioned several beers that would be perfect for a backyard BBQ, or for a break from a day's worth of yard work, but the Shandy's got 'em beat.  The perfect beer for people who don't think they like beer, even my mom likes it.  I could literally drink this all day long.  Hello summer beer, i have found thee.

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Infamous Hijack

 Breweries are sprouting up all over central Texas like weeds...wonderful, wonderful weeds.  It's really amazing how craft beer making is taking off the way it is.  It makes me supremely happy to have so many different local brews to try, and a little jealous that i don't have a brewery of my very own.  The latest Austin has to offer comes from Infamous Brewing Co., opening just last month.  I was fortunate enough to try their delicious Hijack cream ale, an odd beer, seeing as the taste and feel are far more in line with a lager than an ale.  This golden, creamy beer goes easy on the bitterness, and is probably one of the smoothest beers i could imagine drinking.  It's a springtime/summer beer to be sure, the perfect companion following a day of yard work, or for an afternoon at the ballpark.  Bottles are on the way and should be in stores soon (in Texas anyway), and it's available in draft form at various bars and brewpubs around Austin.

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Monk's Indiscretion

Monk's Indiscretion is the second beer i am recommending from Washington state's Sound Brewery.  A Belgian strong ale, this stuff is delicious.  The aroma is sound (no pun intended) mix of light florals, fruit, citrus, and hints of pepper.  It has an earthy feel to it.  The taste is the same, featuring bits of orange peel, banana, grass, and spice...but not too much spice.  The beer is remarkably smooth, considering the 10% ABV, and it's tasty enough that i'm sure i would enjoy drinking this brew all day long.  I was very sad when i finished the bottle.  This beer alone is worth a trip to the Pacific Northwest.

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Thor's Equinox

First and foremost, the fact that there is a beer called Thor's Equinox from a company called Odin Brewery, it would be damn near impossible for me not to enjoy the hell out of their product.  And it's a great one at that.  A dark Belgian-style ale with a 9% ABV to get you where you need to be.  An elixir of the gods to be more exact.  The beer has an aroma of dark fruit and hops, and a taste to match, though there is an almost oak-like hint in the mix, along with malts and plenty of bitterness to go around.  For a Belgian, this brew is not quite as sweet as you might expect.  In some ways there is almost a stout-like feel in the bitter hops.  But it's damn tasty.  And it's called Thor's Equinox.  And that's awesome.  Unfortunately, this Washington brewer's wears are not available here in Texas, so much appreciation goes to my good friend John for smuggling it down here.

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Port City Brewing Tartan Ale

Lately there has been a trend among my out-of-town friends to bring me beer when they pass through Austin.  This needs to continue.  One of the latest comes from Alexandria, Virginia's Port City Brewing Company.  Tartan Ale, their seasonal springtime effort, is a scotch ale, and a very tasty one to boot.  The beer pours a dark amber with a minimal head and light carbonation.  As for the aroma, it's pretty malty with hints of fruit that translate well to the flavor of the brew, a combination of said malts and accented fruit with a sweet caramel or almost a dark chocolate feel.  It's lovely and very easy to drink.  Thank you Tammy.

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