Deschutes - Zarabanda

Deschutes Brewery

Zarabanda - A Saison done in collaboration with Chef José Andrés

The color of this brew is a nice bright orange.  It is a little foggy, but that is due to the style of beer.  The head poured a bright white, with tightly packed bubbles, and came and went quickly.  The fizzing of the beer almost sounded like a soda being poured into a glass, crisp, and refreshing.

The aroma of this beer is fairly subtle.  The scents do not come off strong, but they are balance well and pleasant.  I got a citrus and mild hint of spice, but it was masked by a blanket of yeast/breadiness.  The here was also a slight hint of sugary sweetness in the smell.  

On the palate refreshing, almost champagne like carbonation leads the way to a citrus-sweet brew that has a nice spice that warms the back of the throat after you swallow.  The bottle claims that the beer has lemon verbena, pink peppercorn, sumac, and dried lime.  You will definitely notice the citrus. And the peppercorn as you drink.  I am not sure what sumac tastes like so I can't tell you about that.  

Overall this is a very enjoyable beer, especially on a warm day.  It goes down easy, it's refreshing, has a nice amount of flavor and is not heavy.  The color is enjoyable, and the smell, while it is mild, does have some nice notes to it.  Overall I give this beer a 3.75 out of 5.  It's available year round, so go get some. 

Block House Brewing - Double Chocolate Bock

Block House Brewing (Affiliate of Pittsburgh Brewing Co.)

Double Choclate Bock 

The color of this beer is deep translucent brown.  The light tan head is fizzy and comes and goes very quickly.  It's very deep in color for a bock, but I am guessing that is due to the chocolate aspect.

Speaking of chocolate, wow, you can really smell it.  It's almost like opening up a candy bar.  There is also a milky sweetness, mix in with a subtle maltiness.  If you are a lover of all things chocolate, this beer's smell is for you.  It is so good, I kind of want a chocolate bar right now!  

The prickly, but light carbonation leads way to a beer that is like drinking a cold hot chocolate, but in a good way.  Upfront there is a milky sweetness that then leads you to the main body of the beer CHOCOLATE!  There is a slight dryness on the backend that helps balance out the sweet, chocolate goodness of this beer. It's smooth, refreshing, dessert in a glass.  Mix this with vanilla ice cream and you have the makings of an amazing beer float.  

All and all, I love this beer.  If you look online, you will see some pretty nasty things written about it.  Let me make it simple for you... if you want to taste a beer that has chocolate for miles, you want something different that is straight forward, and not complex, this is the beer for you.  I found it delicious, and I wish I had more than one!  I give it a 4.25 out of 5!!!