Monday Beer Review Of The Week: J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale

The other night I was over at my buddy’s place helping him put up some shelves and while we were working, he pulled out a couple of J.W. Lee’s Vintage 1990 Barely Wine beer. First off, this barley wine has such a unique flavor and smoothness that I have never tasted before. The barley/hops mixture of this brew gives a very nutty flavor to the final product. However, the most notable characteristic of the beer is its smoky quality; it has a very rich deep smoke flavor of hickory a flavor that is often in southern barbecue. This beer pours into a glass with a very dark color hinting at pungent flavors and smoky palette, while maintaining a short head after it has been poured this a beer that will not sit in your glass long. This would be an excellent beer to pair up with southern style ribs or brisket.

Rating:
• Drinkability - 4 out of 5
• Flavor - 5 out of 5
• Refreshness - 4 out of 5
• Overall – 13 out of 15

Monday Beer Review Of The Week: Leinenkugel’s Fireside Nut Brown Ale

Nut brown ales: somewhere between a pale ale, amber ale, and porter, this style of brew is nice and malty and perfect for chilly-to-cold weather. Leinenkugel’s Fireside Nut Brown Ale is no different: Distinguished hazelnut malty ale with tastes of chocolate and caramel, this is a great late fall ale.

Light brown in color, which is the first thing one will notice when Fireside is poured into a beer mug, this ale has lots of autumn flavors, especially hazelnut and chestnuts… “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire….” (Thanks Frank!) Highly recommended drinking for anyone who likes the maltiness of a porter and the clarity of an amber; unlike English Nut Brown Ales (Sammy Smith makes the ultimate!) this ale is lighter with more caramel flavors. Perfect for drinking while raking the leaves

Drinkability: 8 out of 10
Flavor: 7 out of 10
Refreshness: 7 out of 10!!!
Smell: 7 out of 10
Price: $6.99 for a 6-pack, right on par for this type of ale; 8 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10. Leine’s is great, but doesn’t hold a light to Sammy Smith, but what can one say to a twist-top 12-oz compared to an English pint? There really isn’t a comparison. This is a great American ale that doesn’t try to compete against the English, but rather to re-invent the Nut Brown Ale for the good ol’ US of A.