'76 Tavern Ale 7-21-16

'76 Tavern Ale

So a little background on this one first. It is from the '76 House in Tappan NY. It says that it is the Oldest tavern in America, but I have done some research and a few others claim this as well. What is so special about this tavern? It is the home where Major John André was held in 1780 before he was hanged for being a spy. If you watch AMC's Turn- Washington's Spies, this is what this season has been about. Also in Tappan where Washington's temporary headquarters and the monument to André at the site of his execution are located. 

To finish with the history, André asks to be shot like a soldier not hanged like a spy. Washington presides over the court case and André is found guilty and ordered to be hanged. Unlike Nathan Hale who did not utter the final words "I regret that I have but one life to live for my country." (which was all colonial propaganda), André did say " I pray you bear me witness that I met my fate like a brave man." After André is hanged his body is buried at that spot. Later he is exhumed and placed in Westminster Abbey in London where he rests today. 

Now onto the review:

Look- Amber brown with no real head to speak of. 

Feel- not overly carbonated. less carbonation than seltzer, but no where near flat.

Smell- no distinguishable scent at all. 

Taste- It's ale, it wasnt bad at all. I like Scottish and English ales, and this one does not compare to some of the better ones I have had, but for an American Ale. It has a strong Malt and Syrup taste to it- pretty sweet tasting. 

Opinion- Having an ale in the oldest Tavern in NY and possibly America was enough to bump this a point higher which I did, but this was not a bad beer in and of itself. It was tasty, smooth and easy to drink. 7/10  

Here are a couple pics for your enjoyment, or mine..

This was the plate on our table. 

                  Dining room number 1.

                                                                                                                       Outside the Tavern

Beers Around the World

Poker Night Beers Around the World Winter/Spring Edition

Here is another edition of the results from Beers around the world. It's been a while and I have another Beers around the world edition to post after I catch up on this thing. There is one beer here I reviewed already and I must say it is a VASTLY different review. I can not really explain why though.. 

Here goes... shotgun style reviews...from left to right ...(Red indicates a last place finish, Green indicates a first place finish)

1. Iron Maiden Trooper (from a can...)
Look cloudy yellowish
Feel very carbonated
Smell kind of slinky
Taste very much like sparkling water

Opinion- not very good... After burp wasn't too bad and actually in my opinion was better than the beer itself... 3/10 * this is vastly different from the last review of the beer. I can attribute this to a couple things, but am not 100% sure that it the reason for the differences.. 1. I had it ice cold from a bottle the first time. 2. I also had it with bacon cheeseburger pizza. 3. And I believe this to be the biggest difference, this is from a can. I tend to prefer bottled beer to everything, including draught to be honest. 

2. Ayinger
Look caramel brown 
Feel- very little carbonation and head
Smell- no distinguishable smell on the first whiff
Taste- light, kind or malty

Opinion- it's very light... Not too overpowering..kind of malty... It's not half bad or half good 5/10

3. Tiger
Look light yellow
Feel slight carbonation
Smell slightly citrusy 
Taste- tastes like.... Budweiser ich 

Opinion- this was bad...very bad 2/10  *side note, this is supposedly one of the best beers in Asia.. ugh.. 

4. Hatachino Nest Beer- Japan 
Look- orange brown small head
Feel slight carbonation
Smell- hoppy, 
Taste- hoppy with a tangy bitterness to it

Opinion- I like it... It's bitter and tangy and just has a very solid taste to it... After burp is smooth. All around this is solid 7/10

5. Paulaner Dopplebach
Look- brownish
Feel not much carbonation
Smell- has an oaky scent to it
Taste- hints of whiskey or bourbon I think

Opinion- it's not too bad... It is definitely a sipping beer but tasty... 6/10

6. Einstok toasted porter 
Look- black
Feel- quite fizzy 
Smell- smells like coffee beans
Taste- definite cocoa bean taste to it.

Opinion - it's pretty good... I like the cocoa bean taste to be honest. I'd give it a 7/10 not a bad beer at all... *Side Note I liked this beer to the point that I bought it for my 4th of July BBQ this year. It is quite enjoyable and I highly recommend this one to others... 

7. Sam Adams Nitro IPA 
Look golden with a 1/4 in foamy head
Feel- very carbonated
Smell- very potent...it smells like taint 
Taste- it's oh so bad I can't begin to describe the taste

Opinion - I can't pinpoint the taste... It's so horribly bad, the only redeeming quality of the beer is the name Sam Adams, yet that also is a negative because how in the world can Sam Adams make something this bad.. ... 1/10

8. Mirphy's Irish  stout 
Look- dark brown but not black
Feel-  not a lot of carbonation
Smell- smokey- like a good fall/spring night firepit
Taste- smokey 

Opinion - I like this one... It's like a smokey coffee taste... It's smooth, tasty and easy to drink...6/10

9. Samuel smiths organic chocolate stout 
Look dark brown , no head
Feel- carbonated mildly
Smell- chocolate 
Taste- overpowering chocolate taste

Opinion -- I like this one. It's a strong chocolate scent followed by the strong dark chocolate taste, and since I like dark chocolate, It's a solid 8/10.. While not something I'd go out of my way to find, it was the best beer of the night. 

10. Day of the dead amber ale 
Look- caramel brown 
Feel- carbonated 
Smell- strong beer scent 
Taste- it's also not very good... No distinguishable tastes

Opinion - it's not very good... but hey it is better than Sam Adams Nitro ... oh that was so bad... I do not recommend at all (unless the choice is between this and the Nitro, then definitely drink this)  3/10

Iron Beast Pale Ale

Iron Beast Pale Ale

Look- Golden yellow with a quarter inch white foam head.

Feel- Believe it or not, it was not overly carbonated at all. 

Smell- HOPPY! it was an extremely strong Ale scent. 

Taste- Quite strong, you could taste the hoppiness with a citrus blend of sorts.

Opinion- I am neither here nor there on this one. It is ok. It is very strong tasting. I'll give it a mediocre 5/10 HOWEVER, having the beer while sitting on a steam train set in the 1800's puts the ambiance factor into play here. For that the beer and ambiance get an 8/10.