Three Beer Extravaganza

I have really gone overboard so far this week, because I am bringing you a three beer review extravaganza, today. I had an amazing dinner at a friend's house the other night, and we sampled three very fine beers, indeed.

The first selection was from the Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, NY. This brewery is known for brewing authentic Belgian-style beer, but have been known to come out with something off the grid every so often. This beer is a self-proclaimed "funkhouse ale," which I believe refers to the funky Brettonomyces yeast used. Most brewers see this type of yeast as a contaminate because of its sharp sour and citrus flavor. True to form, Ommegang pays homage to this authentic brewing technique that was adopted from Trappist and Belgian brewers.
The pour is has a cloudy, mahogany hue and has a mild head. The taste is a "funky" sourness that permeates the otherwise dry, cloudy flavors. There are sharp citrus notes and a earthy, almost dusty, flavor as well. There is a certain "je ne sais quois" to this beer that seperates it from the rest of the Belgian-style wanna-bes. -8/10-

Next on the agenda, we have the Dogfish Head Brewery's Red and White Belgian-Style Wit Beer (Milton, DE). With a mission statement like "off-center beer for off-center people," you know that Dogfish Head is out to accomplish something different than other breweries. They are constantly experimenting with not only different hops, malts, barleys, and yeasts, but also expanding the very definition of what beer is. This one is a great example.
The Red and White consists of a good solid Belgian-style wit beer, fermented with Pinot Noir juice, then part of the batch was aged in oak casks.
It resulted in an amazingly complex beer. The color was a deceivingly light honey-blonde. The first thing that hits you is the citrus of the Belgian-ale. As the flavor mellows a little bit, you start to pick up the deeper notes like the tartness of the wine, the coriander, and the dry, oak finish.
For some reason, I was always a little hesitant to pick this one up because I didn't like the idea of using Pinot Noir in a beer. It sounded to fruity to be honest. I am glad my friend brought one along though, because it really wet my whistle for whatever else this brewery has to offer. I will definitely be trying the Dogfish Head Black and Blue before too long. -8.5/10-

My first review ever was from this relatively unknown brewer from Witnica, Poland by the name of Boss Brewers. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with this one. The Porter was so amazing that I was on the edge of my seat waiting for another variety to become available. The color resembled that of a light, pale ale and was very carbonated. The taste didn't deliver like it did the last time, registering in my brain as a American-style pilsner. It was light, dry, and had the slightest hints of malt and hop. It lacked body, flavor, and depth. On another note, it was very refreshing, and I will consider it next time I am on the golf course, on a hot day, or next time I am racking for beer pong. Oh, burn. -6.5/10-

But wait, there were two other amazing beers that we tasted that night. There is another one from the Ommegang Brewery and a Dogfish Head selection that has a place in my pantheon of great beers. I'll be back with those soon. Until then, stay thirsty my friends.