Archive for the 'Cape Ann Brewing' category
Cape Ann Brewing Bavarian Wheat
We had a slight geographical error the last time we reviewed a Cape Ann Brewing beer. To redeem ourselves, in the eyes of our loyal sevenpack readership, I thought I would pick up a Cape Ann Brewing beer while I was in Cape Ann (Gloucester to be precise). Being early spring (at the time), I decided to go with their Bavarian Wheat.
The beer produced a very full two fingers of white head on top of its lightly hazed, orange-gold body. The head lasted for a good few minutes, allowing me to inhale all of the beer’s aromas. Wheat was definitely present, especially when the head was robust and full. A malt profile of fresh bread and biscuits and a yeast-coriander note, all begin to shine through as the head receded.
In the mouth the beer was smooth running along the tongue. Though wheat was present it was not as commandeering as I thought it would be. With this lack of wheat other flavors got to join the party. The yeast and coriander made their appearance, and so did the biscuit malt. This malt seemed lightly sweetened on the tongue. This sweetness mixes nicely with the beers banana flavor, which starts light but grows with time.
I found this beer enjoyable, even though it had wheat in it (I’m not the biggest wheat fan). I do believe this beer is about expectations however. If you pick-up this beer thinking it is a hefe (“Hey, it says Bavarian Wheat and wheat means hefe!”) you will be disappointed. If you are looking for something stylized like a hefe (the side of the label does read “bavarian-style wheat”), but with its own characteristics, you should be all set.
Cape Ann Fisherman’s IPA
I’m an idiot:
So here’s what happened. Apparently I momentarily lost my ability to read. I had to know how I could’ve made such a blatant error so I rummaged through the recycling and found the bottle. One of the areas on the label is written in some cursive-esque font and for some reason I my eyes and brain collaborated to determine it read “Worcester” when in fact it reads in plain english, “Gloucester”. An honest mistake but a really dumb one nonetheless. Thank you Dave for correcting me and yes, as Dave said, with the new found knowledge of this beer’s origin the first paragraph of my review is no longer applicable or even mildly humorous.
Dave’s Geography Update:
Being that Cape Ann Brewing is located in my home state, I have to make a slight change to Matt’s original post. The slight change is the brewery’s location. Cape Ann Brewing is located in Gloucester, which happens to be located on Cape Ann, not in Worcester. Gloucester is located on the coast and is a sea faring town, Gorton’s Seafood is located there, and the fishermen from “Perfect Storm” left from there, and Worcester is located in the middle of the state and is known for… being Worcester. Unfortunately this geographical change takes the wind out of the sails (yes, a nautical idiom) of the first couple of sentences to the review. Anyway, just wanted to clarify that geographical point… on with the review.
Original Post:
Fun facts about Worcester, it’s home to the Cape Ann Brewing Co. AND the birth control pill was invented there (at Clark University). So Worcester gives us a product that helps us make some bad decisions as well as a product that lessens the severity of said bad decisions. To the former I say thank you and to the latter I say thank you, ALOT! Anyway, this IPA is the last of this month’s BOMC selections but before I get to the review I must say to those of you from the sate of Mass, including but not limited to those in Worcester but more specifically directed to those from Boston, GO ‘CANES!!!!!
This beer looks like a typical IPA, a dusky copper with some fluffy white head to top it off. The nose is much sweeter than most IPAs I’ve had. It doesn’t boast the earthy, floral characteristics associated with this genre. It’s slightly hoppy but not near enough for a hophead like me. Again, the taste falls short of my idea of an IPA. A biscuity sweetness takes center stage while the hops sit idly by. The hop flavor does “perk up” at the back of the tongue, but by then I’ve lost interest. The taste seems kinda flat and unassuming. I think this beer wants to be liked, but it doesn’t want to try hard to get recognition. This is one of the few ho-hum beers we’ve gotten from the BOMC. It’s not a complete disappointment, but it’s lacking in the personality department, and in my mind IPAs should make the tastebuds stand up and take notice. The flavor doesn’t have to be mind blowing, but it needs to demand a little attention. This beer is falling just short of those qualifications. So, while it is certainly drinkable, there are other IPAs that I would reach for first.
Cape Ann Brewing Fisherman’s Ale
I was recently in Gloucester, MA, so I thought I would pick up another Cape Ann Brewing beer. Not to say I can not get the beer in my neck of the woods, but being so close to the brewery, I thought I would participate in the “buy local” movement.
I am not a big Kolsch drinker (I do not remember the last time I had one), so I am not really sure what I am in store for with this beer. Poured into a mug, the beer’s body is a rich gold color, with a slight haze, topped with a tight frothy head. Aromas of grain and cereal reach out to greet the nose, while there is a slight hint of lemon to usher you in further. The beer is light in the mouth and runs quite smooth. The grains are present, but there are also hints of floral hop, which are a welcome surprise, and a smooth buttery note. The beer finishes off with a clean and light bitterness profile. The initial swallows had very little after taste, but towards the end of the beer, the tastes began to linger a little bit, which I found quite enjoyable.
To sum up I found this beer refreshing and enjoyable. Two good qualities for any beer. Hats off to Cape Ann Brewing for another good showing.
Cape Ann Dry Hopped Amber
Another beer from Cape Ann Brewing passed through the tap lines of a local bar a few weeks back. Since I am working on expanding our Cape Ann Brewing reviews, I thought I would give the beer a shot.
The beer was on cask and the menu noted it was dry hopped with Sorachi Ace from Japan. I see an Amber listed on Cape Ann Brewing’s website (Fisherman’s Brew) but there is no mention of its hopping. I am unsure if this dry hopped Amber is a “special” beer or not. Once I get my hands on some Fisherman Brew in bottles, I will update this post as necessary.
In a pint glass the beer pours a clear amber with a nice white head. The aroma is very interesting and inviting. Hints of lemon citrus, earth and vegetables (sliced Bell Peppers) all play together quite nicely. In the mouth the beer is quite light on the tongue. A mixture of earth, orange, sugar sweetness, and bread go well together for tastes. A dry, slight bitterness finishes the beer off.
The beer would make a very good session beer with its subtle tastes and 4.5% abv. All around an enjoyable, and interesting beer from Cape Ann Brewing.
Cape Ann Pumpkin Porter
Pumpkin beers are a given this time of season. Most beer bars have at least one, if not more, on tap and local liquor store shelves seem to be overflowing with them. The ubiquitous pumpkin beer is the pumpkin ale, and we have reviewed quite a few of those here on sevenpack. I enjoy a good pumpkin ale like any other American beer drinker, but I also crave diversity. In this way Cape Ann Brewing’s Pumpkin Porter was like a lighthouse beacon shining over a vast sea of pumpkin ale tap handles.
This beer poured a rich black with a chunky, small tan head. My nose was greeted with the typical pumpkin beer spices – cinnamon, light ginger, and light clove. These aromas mingled with a very pleasant roasted chocolate character, which makes for a mouth water experience. In the mouth the porter side of this beer comes through with a roasted malt and chocolate character. This roasting is a little harsh in the middle of the mouth but smooths out for an enjoyable finish. This finish also lets the beer stand out with a pleasant cinnamon sweet character.
I enjoy this beer a lot (I believe it would go quite well with a Thanksgiving meal) and kind of wish it was available year round. Then again that would mean one less beer to look forward to come fall. Get it while you can.
NB: I had my Pumpkin Porter on tap, though I believe it is obtainable in bottle form.
