Why can't every brewery be as good as Brooklyn? I don't mean they are the biggest, richest, most innovative or the nearest by or even the one run by people I have met and liked. I mean good. They are damn good. Solid in that plummy Colonel in the British Army circa 1890 thinks something is good kind of good. I don't think there is one I've reviewed that hasn't impressed me with its delicacy and control.
This one is no different. For a hefeweizen it is not visually impressive, just clear bright golden ale under pure white foam. Hardly the cloudy, sometimes gravy-esque grey brown of some of the greats. But as soon as you open it you can smell the clove and banana that the beer gives off. That's also there in the mouth along with a light but grainy texture that resolves to lemon, twig hops and fresh soft water. Good.
Momentary Lapse Update: swirl the bottle, the cloud forms. Last pour is visually challenged. The yeast adds creaminess.
Comments
Tedo - September 6, 2006 11:00 pm
Alan,
I'm incredibly jealous of you. I have tried for ages to get my hands on some Brooklyn Brewery Beer. I have heard the similar things from other people. They make really great solid somewhat traditional beer. Unfortunately they don't have a distributor down in my neck of the woods. Guess I'll have to live vicariously through people like you. Thanks, keep up the good work.
T
Justin - September 7, 2006 12:55 am
Agreed - Brooklyn is Great! I just drank one of their Oktoberfests this evening.
Alan - September 7, 2006 8:32 am
I just read the portion of Pete Brown's <i>Three Sheets To The Wind</i>, an excellent book I will soon review, about a dinner he had with Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn and I am convinced the man is one of the great beer minds who needs none of the PR of Dogfish Head or the high priestness of Michael Jackson. His brain is entirely in the glass. I should get a bumper sticker that says "I cross international borders for Brooklyn Beer".
Justin - September 7, 2006 2:02 pm
Hey Alan,
I live in the city and can get pretty much every Brooklyn Beer brewed. If you would like to email me to set up some way to send you some Brooklyn I would be more than happy to do it.
-Justin
Alan - September 7, 2006 3:39 pm
That is very kind but unfortunately the Canadian-US border gets in the way. My only recourse is to travel south myself and pay the fees, duties, taxes and lost mark-up at the border. For some I find this a hardship but for, say, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, never. That is a decidedly plummy colonial Colonel of a beer.
Justin - September 7, 2006 6:45 pm
Now you are talking. The Black Choco is one of the finest in the land.