Yearly archive for 2019

  Mahou Negra – Brewed by Mahou S.A. This beer makes no attempt at imitating light Euro-lagers. It dives into the glass a deep dark brown. Lively carbonation releases a half-inch think head that quickly settles into a thin layer on top of this rich tasting beer. Coffee-like roasted malt along with molasses dominates the aroma and also opens up the flavor of the beer, then produces a creamy and nutty, almost Almond character and some bitterness at the finish. © Gregg Smith ZOO BREW – September 13, 2019  at

  A.Le Coq Porter, Finnish Olvi säätiö – Owns a dark reddish-brown appearance in a likeness to Baltic Porter. It’s topped by a beige foamy head which lasts an acceptable amount of time through the drinking. With the addition of dark malts, it has a profile that includes biscuit, a suggestion of licorice hints of dark fruits such as plum and an almost berry like character. It is sweet and just short of cloying. © Gregg Smith Zoo Brew – 5 p.m. September 13, 2019 @ Idaho Falls Zoo

A multiple time medal winner at the North American Beer Awards and the GABF; it pours dark black while raising a khaki foam which fashions lacy trails down the glass. Aroma is of coffee-like roasted malts, a bit of caramel and a kiss of cocoa. Flavor offers roasty coffee, a bit of piney hops, chocolate and molasses. Full bodied, it finishes semi-dry with a touch of roastiness. Find the multiple Boise Brewing tap takeovers during Idaho Beer Week, check the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith

Mutton Buster Brown Ale, Payette Brewing; Boise, Idaho –Rather than trying to bulk up into a distorted image of the style Mutton Buster thankfully remains true to the Brown Ale style. It begins with the medium brown color with a hint of orange and a frothy, cream colored head. Aroma is of roasty, chocolate and caramel malts with lead you directly into the beer. It’s semi sweet with a bit of both nutty and bready flavors. Body is medium-low as per the style and a little bitterness in the finish.

USA Light gold with a touch of copper and a light off-white head. Aroma is Northwest hops along with notes berries and tropical fruit. Flavor is of citric hops, a suggestion of bread and, of course, prickly pear, although hoppy it also exhibits some malty sweetness. Body is that of a light medium texture expected from an American Pale Ale and finishes with somewhat spicy, dry bitterness. Find the Lewis and Clark tap takeover during Idaho Beer Week, check the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith Mountain Brewers Beer

Breakside Brewing; Portland, OR – Bright attractive copper colored with a white head lasting through the initial portion of the beer. Aroma is of grapefruit and pine from floral hops. An orange citrus with a bit of tropical fruitiness opens the flavor and is soon joined by biscuity malt and just enough bitterness. Body is medium as is the carbonation; it finishes somewhat dry with a light, softly lingering bitterness. Find the Breakside tap takeover in the events section of MBBF.org © Gregg Smith

Švyturys Švyturio – A pale lager of somewhat deep straw color, it sports a white head which last through a moderate duration.  Aroma notes present a touch of hay, a light grassiness and some floral hops. A slightly malty beer it has favors hops with a suggestion of corn. Its light-medium body fades to a low bitterness at the finish. © Gregg Smith Mountain Brewers Beer Fest – First Saturday in June, Idaho Falls, ID