Posted in New Releases, Yuengling

Lord Chesterfield hits Atlanta!

Lord Chesterfield Ale has been brewed by Yuengling (Pottsville, PA) since they opened in 1829. That makes Lord Chesterfield one of America’s oldest beers brewed by America’s oldest brewery. For the first time, it is being offering this American pale ale in Georgia.

Lord Chesterfield is brewed with a unique two-state European brewing style that enhances bitterness. The process utilizes kettle hopping (during the boil) and dry hopping (after fermentation.)

Per Yuengling –

“Lord Chesterfield brewed with select hops, its distinct robust flavor is derived from a delicate combination of sweet maltiness and lingering herbal bitterness. Lord Chesterfield Ale’s bright gold color is complemented by a lightly laced foam head and fragrant zesty aroma.”

Taste Expectations – Strong malt backbone with noticeable hops in the finish. It’s got a light bitter, dry, crisp finish. Little earthy, little bready.

Availability – Year round – Green bottles, cans, draft.

5.4% ABV

by Reid Ramsay May 13, 2010

Posted in Heavy Seas, New Releases

New In Bottle – Heavy Seas Pale Ale

A couple of weeks ago, the first of the rebranded Clipper City series finally made it out of Baltimore, MD. That was the Marzen, offered year round. The next rebrand is here – the very popular Pale Ale. Prior to this release, both the Pale Ale and the Marzen pretty much local beers only. Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale, that is both hoppy and malty. Ingredients –

Hops – Fuggle, Golding, Cascade

Malts – Uncertain, but caramel flavors play a big role.

In this Pale Ale, you will note piney floral hops, with some citrus, with some bitter citrus in the finish. Malt are in no way an afterthought with this ale. Pale Ale is clean, balanced and very drinkable, and since the ABV is fairly low, very session able. (5% or less.)

Availability – 12oz/ 6pks year round. Draft offerings also. Estimated retail around $9.00

4.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay March 8, 2010

Posted in Now Tapping

Now Tapping: Gluten Free @ 5 Seasons West

This is the first time I have seen a gluten free offering by a brewpub. At least in Atlanta anyway. Crawford Moran at 5 Seasons West has teamed up with their highly talented Chef Dave to create gluten free Mondays.

The inability to process gluten is a medical condition called Celiac disease. If you suffer from Celiac disease – drinking beer which is made with wheat and barley, will cause an array of issues including abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Celiacs have a damaged lower intestine that can’t process proteins found in rye, barley, and wheat. Beer draws sugars from these grains in order to ferment them into alcohol. The solution to this is substitute these grains with celiac friendly sorghum to draw sugars for fermentation.

This substitution is exactly what Crawford Moran did. Instead of barley, he used sorghum for fermentable sugars. He also used buckwheat and roasted buckwheat for extra flavor. The yeast is gluten free American Ale yeast. Cascade hops were used for their strong aromatics, and some bitterness. The yet unnamed beer is a pale ale, with emphasis on the hops which makes rather unique in the world of gluten free beers. The current commerical options in the gluten free realm tend to be more malt forward ales and lagers. This would the be first pale ale I’ve come across.

In addition this beer, Chef Dave at 5 Seasons West will be offering various entrees and small plates that a free of glutens to compliment this new offering on Mondays.

Hops – Cascade

Malts – Gluten Free Sorghum, Buckwheat

Yeast – Gluten Free Ale Yeast

5% ABV

Tapping today, 3/1 @ 5 Seasons West!

1000 West Marietta Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30318-0524
(404) 875-3232

by Reid Ramsay March 1, 2010

Posted in New Beers, Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

by Reid Ramsay February 28, 2010

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