Yearly archive for 2019

Augustiner Helles, Munich – Celebrated by many as one of the world’s best Lagers; Augustiner presents a bright golden color with a thick, cake-like head. The aroma is of malt and soft touch of noble hops. Extremely light sense of sulfur may be detected in the aroma but it should be noted that this is the result of fermentation (not of DMS) and adds to the makeup of the beer. The refreshing flavor is a perfectly balanced beer with a light taste of biscuit. Finishes with low malty sweetness and

Leffe Abbaye de Leffe S.A. – At one time this beer a mess; great one batch, questionable the next. However, it has made great strides. Pours bright, attractive golden\ light amber with a fluffy head and lively carbonation. Aroma is a complex blend of banana, soft cloves. Flavors of caramel, bubble gum, and a faint white pepper. Finishes candy-like, but not cloying with the spicy character of Belgian Yeast.© Gregg Smith ZOO BREW Friday August 13, 2019 Idaho Falls ZOO 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets on sale at MBBF.ORG

Jasny Dynks, Browar Szalpiw – is in the style of a Belgian witbier a hazy yellow\amber, although malt and wheat contribute to the taste, body and generous, long-lasting head, the emphasis is on the spices. As such, the aroma releases a blend of orange peel, bananas, honey and floral notes. Spices continue throughout drinking with coriander and citrus. Lightly sour, it finishes with a low bitterness.© Gregg Smith ZOO BREW September 13, 2019   5 p.m. to  9 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Zoo TICKETS ON SALE at   MBBF.ORG    Website 

LATVIA – Piebalgas Lux – Offers the brewery’s interpretation of Munich Dunkel; brown with flashes of garnet, it’s crowned with a thick beige head. Lux emits a sweet, nutty and clean nose; taste is of rather intense caramel and low molasses. Bittering presents little challenge to the malt. Mouthfeel is a bit slick and creamy with soft carbonation and finishes generally malty sweet.   © Gregg Smith ZOO BREW – September 13, 2019 at the Zoo, Idaho Falls, ID Tickets on sale via MBBF.org

FRANCE   Brasserie Castelain – from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. Castelain has rich golden tones which nearly illuminate this bright beer. A light cream colored foamy head rises majestically then laces its way down the beer as it’s consumed. Light floral notes accompany this beer’s light toastiness backed by caramel. It offers a subtle graininess, a hint of nutty character and a subdued breadiness. It finishes with low hops and a touch of barely domesticated yeast spiciness. © Gregg Smith ZOO BREW – September 13th     5 to 9

BELGIUM Hoegaarden White Ale, Belgium – Most noted for its cloudy soft yellow color with white, high reaching head. The aroma is somewhat sweet with floral, Orange and Coriander mixing in a sophisticated bouquet. Almost juicy, sweet and tart, it opens with Coriander which quickly introduces Orange and other citric flavors. Hops remain appropriately low for this style. Body is medium as is the carbonation. It finishes sweet, citric and refreshing. © Gregg Smith ZOO BREW –  Friday September 13th, 5 to 9 p.m. at the Idaho Falls, Zoo