Table of Contents |
| Editor's Note |
| Issue Intro |
| Feedback |
| Junk Drawer |
| Features |
| Centerfold |
| Listening Booth |
| Taproom |
| Events |
| Links/Resources |
| Merchandise |
| Contribute/Contact |
| Back Issues |
| Sponsered by the single speed specialists at: |
Taproom
Drinking beer is almost as fun as riding a single speed. Just make sure you pick the right malted beverage. Here are some suggestions. Have a beer you think we should try? Homebrew and want to send us a sample? Send communications to: riderx@singlespeedoutlaw.com
Weyerbacher Hops Infusion 6.2% ABV Easton, Pennsylvania
Making a statement on the bottle that says "4X the Hops" gets my attention, so I had to try this one. In my book, there is no such thing as too much hops. Put my nose up to the bottle and get a big whiff of fresh flowers. Pours out of the bottle with a nice clear, pale copper color topped off with a 1 inch white foamy head. As I go to take the first sip and my nose gets near the glass, I inhale the big, fragrant nose - this thing is bursting with aroma hops! The first taste confirms the nose, bitter! Clean with very little malt flavor, this beer is meant to showcase the hops. They use 7 different types of hops in this beer and claim to have 4X the dry hops of their IPA. With numbers like that, you might expect it to be too much, but they got this right. Just the right combination of bittering, flavor, and aroma hops, a good blend of different types to make a big hoppy beer that lives up to it's name.
River Horse Hop Hazard Pale Ale Lambertville, New Jersey
Yet another American-style Pale Ale, this one coming from River Horse brewing in New Jersey. Not that it's a bad thing. In fact, it's pretty damn good. Comes out of the bottle a beautiful clear, gold to amber color with a tight 1/2 inch head that is white with a hint of pale yellow color to it. Has a nice flowery hop aroma that hits your nose as you bring the glass to your lips. Well balanced hop to malt ratio that's bitter as it goes down and lingers on your tongue, just the way I like it. It has a smooth medium body and tastes good all around. Can't find any real flaws in this one, I'll definitely buy some more.
Portland Brewing Haystack Black Porter Portland, Oregon
Billed as a robust porter, this one fills the glass with a dark brown/black liquid topped with a big, fluffy, slightly rocky tan head. Hold it up to the light though and you see a nice mahogany color that's not as opaque as you first thought. No aroma hops that I could detect when I brought it to my nose, but I did come away with a slightly nutty, roasty smell. This porter feels smooth, almost creamy with a medium to slightly light body. It has a clean taste with a little roastiness, slightly bitter in the background and pretty malty. No one taste is overwhelming. I like my robust porters, well, a little more robust. Otherwise, a pretty good beer overall.
™