Coronado Brewing
170 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118
Coronado Brewing has been around for a few years now and I am starting to see more and more of their bottled beers carried locally. I haven't had the chance to visit the brewery yet, but based on what I have tasted recently, I definitely need to get down there soon.
This first review will be on their Mermaid's Red. This is actually the first beer they ever brewed, and is a great example of why they have been able to grow into the operation they are today.
Mermaid's Red Premium Ale (5.7% ABV)
Appearance:
Pours a cloudy amber out of the bottle. A 1.5cm head forms with with medium bubbles and leaves a light lacing.
Smell:
Roasty malts. Hint of choclate and burnt sugar/caramel. Slight hop aroma, more of a spice than citrus/resin.
Taste:
The roasted malts give a hint of coffee, chocolate and caramel. There is a little bit of spice that plays on the tongue and pops with the carbonation. The bitterness hits the back of the tongue and the top of the month.
Mouthfeel:
Medium body with a nice bit of warming from the spice, not an alcohol heat.
Overall:
This is a beautiful Red that really highlights the qualities of a "traditional" red beer. Roasted malts, spicy hops and a little bit of bitterness at the back of the mouth. The additional hints of chocolate and coffee are a pleasant bonus.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
1075 East 20th
Street
Chico, CA.
As I mentioned in a previous post, Sierra Nevada has been one of my favorite breweries for quite a while. My wife brought this home for me from a recent trip to the store...it is great when your wife supports your habit... ;)
I was very intrigued, I have just recently caught on to the Rye beer category and have had several different versions in the past few weeks. I know what you are thinking...where the hell is the review of those? I have been a bit lax on reviewing in the past couple of weeks, sometimes you just want to drink a beer and not worry about describing it...
Ruthless Rye IPA (6.6% ABV)
Appearance:
Pours exceptionally clear with a light amber/light caramel mix, think orangey brown. 1.5cm head on initial pour, good lacing, with medium sized bubbles. A 1cm head will reform with agitation.
Smell:
Citrus and resin with nice malt aroma to balance it out.
Taste:
Rye flavor up front, peppery with a bitter finish.
Mouthfeel:
Astringent with medium body and carbonation.
Overall:
This is a nice clean Spring/Summer beer. The other Ryes that I have had recently have been a bit more "rye" flavored, some like biting into a slice of rye bread. If your not a fan of rye bread, some of these would be a bit harsh. Sierra Nevada's version would be a good introduction to this beer flavor for the uninitiated or those who steer away from rye bread for their sandwiches....
