It Must Be the Holidays If I'm Drinking Chocolate Beer
Written: Nov 17 '04 (Updated Nov 20 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: great chocolate flavor, wonderfully complex beer
Cons: Yet another only available in the Seasonal 12-pack
The Bottom Line: One of the best Saranac beers I've had, I only wish that I could get a whole 6-pack.
|
|
|
| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Chocolate Amber |
It's that time of year again, when the craft brewers start sending out their 'Seasonal' variety packs for the beer lovers like me, exciting us with new and rare treats that we'll think fondly on (mostly) later in the year. Last year, I did a piece, "The Twelve Beers of Christmas", which covered the Saranac Seasonal 12-pack. This year, I have once again found one to enjoy. While some of the beers are the same, they are offering some different varieties - Marzenbier, Roggen Bock, E.S.B., Mocha Stout and, of course, this beer - Saranac Chocolate Amber.
Rather than revisit the 12 beers - when 7 of them are the same - I'm only going to review the 5 new ones (hold your applause, please). So, without further ado...
[• about SARANAC •]
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as SIX different soft drinks (they added one this year).
[• about CHOCOLATE AMBER •]
The wind was blowing slowly outside, but the night had brought its chill, nonetheless. The warmth of the burgers we had just finished lingered in our bellies, but the frost of the air gave root to the idea of a fire. The newly stacked wood - aged oak cut in perfect pieces - lay against the garage, beckoning us to finish our quest. I gathered the wood, and placed it near the mantel, while the dog watched in anticipation of a new-found love. While my wife built the fire, I went on an equal quest - one for beer, and one beer in particular to match the meal and the weather - the Saranac Chocolate Amber.
the POUR » The pour into a pilsner was uneventful as the dark beer - in fact a Munich-style lager - caressed the sides of the glass. The head struggled to be released, tan and soft at the top of the glass. The color was a deep brown, not nearly black but darker than most lagers. A good sign for a beer whose chocolate character beckoned.
the NOSE » Malty accents come through straight away, and only a second sniff brings forth the roasted chocolately hints that lurk within. The sweetness is subtle, almost bittersweet.
the TASTE » Ah, the reward. Before it is snatched away by the wife, I got to enjoy the first full taste of this beer. It has a complex character, changing as it works across my tongue. Lots of chocolate and malt push forth, a chocolate shake in a beer - without the dairy texture, and a slight sting of alcohol as it runs toward the throat. There is the slight bitterness at the finish, and reminder of its myriad ingredients (which ironically, do NOT include chocolate). As I sip again, I realize that the body that I expected from the first look isn't there. I should have expected it but I was fooled by the porter-like appearance. This is a lighter beer but one full of character.
As I wrested the glass from my wife's repeated sips, I found myself really enjoying this treat. Despite the lack of real chocolate, the roasted malts of this beer sufficed to make me think I had them, and to enjoy the warmth of the fire and the cool, liquid treat I was drinking. The dog looked longingly toward it, knowing what he was missing but unable to be fulfilled. A feeling that I soon felt - the beer was gone, and save buying another 12-pack, I too had lost my chance to enjoy it.
[• beer SPECIFICS •]
• Awards: None
• ABV: 5.8% ABV
• IBU: unknown
• Shelf-Life: n/a
• Serving Temperature: 40-45 degrees F (chilledtemperature)
• Calories (per 12 oz.): unknown
• Carbs: unknown
[• final THOUGHTS •]
This was a delicious beer. In fact, with the exception of perhaps the Caramel Porter and Season's Best, this might be my favorite Saranac beer. Definitely worth trying to find, even if you have to indulge in the 12-pack.
[• final SARANAC BEER TALLY •]
including last year's batch:
GREAT (3) - Caramel Porter, Season's Best, Chocolate Amber
GOOD (6) - Black Forest, Black & Tan, Golden Pilsener, IPA, Pale Ale, Traditional Lager
FAIR (3) - Adirondack Amber, Single Malt, Stout
EHHH.... (1) - Belgian White
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
• related SARANAC REVIEWS •
2004 »
Chocolate Amber
2003 »
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac India Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.