Beer Reviews – October 2012
Beer Reviews
Our livers have survived the City Weekly Beer Festival, we’ve avoided a DUI at the Snowbird Oktoberfest and we’ve slowly made the budgetary adjustments to put up with the DABC fuckwits’ newly implemented taxation on high point (will this shit ever end?). With all those things making your beer-damaged bladder quiver, what better month do we have to incite fear than the present? The beers we have are sure to cause a fright––there is a bock back from the dead, and some foreign invaders from Ogden are claiming to make high point beers. Consider this an investigative report on extraterrestrial libations.
Argo ESB
Brewery: Roosters Brewing Co
ABV: 5.8%
Serving: 500 ml Bottle
Description: Copper in color, this bitter pours out of the bottle light in carbonation with a small white head. The aroma is sweet, with notes of caramel, grains and a soft toast. The flavor has a fruity, bitter profile with a crisp malt character, and finishes with a mellow hop kick.
Overview: Stemming from the low-point Argo ESB, a taproom regular, the brewhouse deemed this brew worthy of opening on their high point series line. The Argo is a well put-together American ESB. It still has that mellow hop tone that a good ESB ought to have, and a decent amount more on the follow-through. When this was written, there was still no word of this making its way into the liquor stores. They are currently being sold out of the Roosters locations, however.
Two Steps Bock
Brewery: Utah Brewers Cooperative
ABV: 6.5%
Serving: 22 oz Bottle
Description: This Heller Bock pours clear gold in color with a nice fluffy white head. The nose has clean, honey-toasted malt notes and some soft fruit. The taste is similar to the aroma: it’s very clean with a delicate malt character and a crisp, honey-sweet finish.
Overview: Rising “bock” from the dead, this was the last of the “chubby” series of beers to come from the co-op. Thanks to our DABC and government officials, “one step forward, two steps ‘bock,’” is pretty much the explanation of the shitshow that we’ve come to know as our local liquor legislation. Despite the constant reminder of these pains, I am glad to see this one back. It’s a clean lager, with a crisp malt character, which is what makes this guy one of my new favorite high point sessioners.
Niner Bock
Brewery: Roosters Brewing Co
ABV: 9.0%
Serving: 500 ml Bottle
Description: This burly lager is a clear brown color with a small white head. The nose is caramel heavy with a mellow, nutty, chocolate malt character. The palate is light and grainy, with some earthy hops to finish it off lager crisp.
Overview: Way to go big off the get-go with your new bottling line, guys! This burly lager is on its way to something awesome. Its bold, hoppy/malt character makes this a filling drink with a lot of character. Granted, the crew at Roosters is still new to the high point game, but they couldn’t be starting off better. Way to go guys, and we can’t wait to see what else you come up with.