Taproom

Brewery Ommegang Belgian-Style Abbey Ale Cooperstown, New York
There's nothing like a big strong beer to go with the post ride endorphins and this one stands up to the task. Belgian (or Belgian-Style) ales are in a category all there own. They've got a unique taste, usually due to the yeast. Brewery Ommegang may be in New York, but they have the style down. They use authentic ingredients and it shows.

This a strong beer, but it's not heavy. Bomber sized package, bottle conditioned, topped off with a cork - this is the real deal. Pour this in a glass and watch the mahogany colored liquid create a big, tan rocky head. Gives off a slightly pungent aroma with hints of fruit (cherry?). Take a big swallow, this beer has a lot going on. Strong with a nice balance between the malt and hops. Earthy with a medium bitterness. I'm not sure what all of the other flavors are, but they blend together to make one fine beer. If you haven't tried a Belgian-Style Abbey, search this out and use it as a measuring stick for other Abbey ales.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Chico, California
This is a classic American-style Pale Ale. I can drink these all day long (or at least until I fall off the bar stool). Bottle conditioned goodness with a little yeast in the bottom, but it still pours a pure golden color. Has a nice white head that gives off a yeasty, floral nose when you first poor it. Nice and bitter with a floral hops flavor. The hops stands out, but there is just enough malt in the background to balance things out. Medium body, medium carbonation. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner, I love this beer. Pour me another.

Samuel Whitbread Pale Ale London, England/Cincinnati, Ohio
I had no intention of reviewing this beer - never had it before, but my wife, being the cool person that she is, surprised me one day with a six pack. It was here, I needed another beer to review, so here it is. First let's get this out of the way - the beer has apparently has a long history in England, but it's brewed under contract here in the US. Follow the recipe, use the right ingredients, as long as the beer is good, I don't care who is brewing it.