Style: Pale Ale
Location: Utica, NY
Alcohol Content: 5.5%
Price Range: Low
Ranking: 20
The Pour: This particular pale ale, well.. isn't that pale. It poured smooth, effortless, with a nice nutty aroma. At first glance, and at first sniff, I would have to say that this would be a nice microbrewed brown ale or nut brown ale.
The Drink: Not that I am the expert or anything, and not that I am preferable to a pale ale, but this beer still does not remind me of a pale ale. The brew has more than just a nutty hint, as well as the forward progress of the hops on your tounge. Suddenly, a warm, burnt, dry sensation wafts over the back of your throat, and voila'! Is this really a pale ale? I would classify it more of an Americanized brown ale. Very typical of many other microbreweries around the US.
The Finish: The beer was very easy to drink, with a bit more carbonation than I prefer. A very solid microbrewed beer. If you like a brown ale, with a hint of nutmeg, and a little bit of woody/nuttiness, then this would be the beer for you. I suggest a nice game of pool with your beer. Enjoy!
Style: Lager
Location: Utica, NY
Alcohol Content: 5.1%
Price Range: Low
Ranking: 28
The Pour: The pour was nothing spectacular. Normal beer equals normal pour. The aroma is that of a significantly more powerful Budweiser.
The Drink: The brew itself is quite satisfying. Generally, the lager is light, hoppy, and has a generally smooth flavor. This particular lager fits that bill. However, I must note, if you are expecting some type of Americanized Domestic Lager, this isn't the case. This is a microbrew, and of course, has a microbrew taste. Much more powerful than the normal lager, yet smoother than expected. With this beer, expect the hoppy flavor, with a bit of an earth tone to it.
The Finish: This beer was definitely not a bad beer. However, in order for somethinng to reach into the 30 point range, there has to be some type of uniqueness that no other beer possesses. As well, to reach this range, the brew must show the qualities for each genre to its fullest extent. This beer was a very good microbrew lager. Enjoy!
Style: Pilsener
Location: Utica, NY
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Price Range: Low
Ranking: 30
The Pour: The pour was quite impressive! Much better than the pale ale or the lager. The head stuck around for quite a long time, and after popping the beer, the aroma was fairly reminiscient of the old and true Czech Pils and German Pils.
The Drink: The brew itself was pretty good! Somewhat watered down (which leads into a gentle cascade of tiny bubbles down your throat), this beer is hopped very well. This is much closer to the
real thing than some of the other beers from Saranac. One note: there is a hint of... yes... flowers in this beer. I am tasting something rose-like, or flowery. Call me crazy, but maybe someone's perfume fell in the batch?
The Finish: I am impressed. Compared to the other Saranac offerings, this beer is one of the best. I wouldn't say that it comes close to a Budvar, Pilsner Urquell, or Staropramen (not to mention the countless hundreds of other central European Pilsner brauerei), but it is quite impressive for an American Pils. Congrats Saranac! Enjoy!
Style: Black & Tan (Stout & Lager)
Location: Utica, NY
Alcohol Content: 5.1%
Price Range: Low
Ranking: 34
The Pour: The pour for this brew was outstanding. A beautiful frothy head which lingered long after the pour released an enticing aroma. You can smell the malt, a bit of a coffee undertone, and the hoppiness. I am excited!
The Drink: First of all, I am a dark beer fan. And this black and tan offers much more black than the tan. Very robust and full of flavor, be prepared for an initial offering of burnt hops/malt infusion, with the clarity and crispness of the lager finishing. This is a very good Black and Tan. Definitely hints of coffee, and a semi-sweet chocolate (if you really try to taste it). I am impressed.
The Finish: This beer was the best of the four Saranacs this week. Extremely complex, not overdone, and not under-prepared. The malt and hops concoction is one that you must try. Be prepared for a heavy hitting initial mouthfeel, with a light and crisp finish. Very interesting, but for Black and Tan fans, this should be a winner in anyone's book. Enjoy!