Review: Barrelhouse Microbrewery Festival 2004

Our "staff" enjoyed a return to the festival this year after a 2 year absence. The session we attended wasn't as crowded as previous years, so we were able to chat with some of the other attendees and share opinions on the various selections.

Toby's New Zealand Dark - Brewed locally at Watson Brothers this Dark Lager has a great smell and taste. Surprisingly not as full bodied as you might expect. Slightly watery finish.

Hebrew Jewbelation - "The world's first Chanukah Beer" Nice rich taste, good finish.

Hebrew Messiah - Did not like this one at all... Sweet and malty, not a good blend of flavors. Possibly a bad bottle???

Spanish Peaks Black Dog Ale - Sweet, but not overbearing. Smooth finish. A good session beer.

Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout - Outstanding Stout, Great flavor and finish. Hints of coffee and stuff in there.

Dogfish Head Chicory Stout - Tasted fairly average, expected something different with the Chicory addition.

Dogfish Midas Touch - We decided this tasted like bad communion wine. Sorry about the religious imagery, that's all we could come up with.

Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre - Mahogany Ale, dark and heavy. Complex taste,
Two Brother French Country Ale - One of the favorites of this year. Loved the taste, great body, great finish.

Mackeson Stout - Always a favorite, It is sweet and heavy, so it is an acquired taste.

Bar Harbor Coal Porter - Nice chocolate flavor, but too much of a bitter coffee finish.

Shipyard Old Thumper - Distinct malt flavor, good finish not too bitter.

Buzzards Bay Golden Ale -

Summit Porter - Another great Porter, the stuff from Summit is usually top notch.

Summit Winter Ale - Again nothing bad to say about Summit, nice flavor, good finish, very solid ale.

Bert Grants Scottish Ale - Good Stuff ! I really like the smell and taste of this one, Sweet and malty, smooth finish.

Pyramid Snowcap - Another favorite, Seemed like it was a hit with a number of people we spoke with.

Unibroue Don de Dieu - This one got pitched so quickly I can't even begin to say why it was so bad.

Unibroue La Fin DuMonde - Also a bad experience,

Adams SSB -

Tilburg Dutch Brown Ale - somewhat disappointed, I am a big fan of the Brown Ales and expected a richer taste.

Goose Island Demolition - Big Winner. The Favorite of the Festival as far as we were concerned. The new special reserves from Goose Island have been great.

Ommegan Three Philosophers -

Review: HC Berger Brewing Co. Chocolate Stout

This is a repeat from the 2000 Microbrew Festival reviews but I found the 2nd time it was kinda flat and the flavor was not as good. I am thinking this is a beer to get out of a tap not a bottle.

Review: Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Very rich and smooth. Surprisingly not as chocolaty as some of the other chocolate stouts but a really good beer

Review: Sun King Brewing Wee Mac Scottish Ale

Very Chocolate and Toffee to start with, ends up with a surprisingly thin finish.

Review: Saint Arnold Brown Ale

Starts off with a toasted malt flavor, more of an organic taste. It is a little weak on the overall flavor. An average tasting brown ale.

Review: Avery Brewing Co. Ellie's Brown Ale

Great Brown Ale. Really enjoyed the balanced flavor and drinkability.

Review: Portland Brewing Honey Beer

I have rarely met a Honey Beer I didn't like. Nice sweet taste the honey is not over the top, and has a very smooth finish. The Portland Brewing stuff has all been great!

Review: Flying Dog Road Dog Scottish Porter

Very interesting blend of flavors. I really like the hint of chocolate in mix. If you want to read about a triumph of free speech check out the article on the controversy over the original "Good Beer, No Shit" slogan on the label.

Review: Great Divide St. Brigid's Porter

Smooth and full bodied, maybe a bit too much "coffee" flavor.

Review: Black Sheep Riggwelter Ale

Good Traditional Ale but Somewhat unassuming. Amber / Brown Ale with some fruity hints. Toasted Malt aftertaste hangs in there for a while. Just OK. Nothing to make it stand out. I have heard this described as a English Pale Ale and that seems to fit the bill.

Review: Bergoff Honey Wheat.

Nice flavor more wheat than honey but that's not a bad thing. A bit more body than a Dundee's Honey Brown.

Review: Bells Best Brown Ale

It’s no Newcastle, but this is still a nice solid brown ale, good taste, smooth hops finish, it actually has a Sam Adams sort of taste.

Review: Berghoff Sundown Brown

Not my first choice in a Brown Ale. Not as full and hearty as most brown ales. Maybe a OK ale, just not a Brown Ale.