A Brief but Necessary Hiatus

Unfortunately, it seems I have recently caught an allergy.  Yes, caught -- apparently I was bit by a tick, and now I am unable to eat anything from a mammal without getting an allergic reaction (it's called the alpha-gal allergy, supposedly transmitted by the Lone Star tick, if you're curious about it).  The only problem is the reaction doesn't set in until about 4 hours after I eat, which means I need to watch what I eat and when I consume alcohol, in case I need to take Benedryl so I can, ya know, breathe.  Once I sort out what foods are safe to eat and what will cause issues, I will feel more comfortable enjoying a beer again, since I should be able to predict whether or not medication will be necessary, and at that point I will return to my passion/hobby.

Until then, avoid tick bites like the plague, and cheers!!

Long Trail Double Bag

It's been a crazy couple weeks, so I haven't had as many opportunities to sit down and sip a beer lately.  Last night, though, I did take some time out to relax, and I wound up grabbing another Long Trail beer from my stash -- this time, the Double Bag:

Vittles:
Specialty Beer
7.2% abv
39 IBUs

Score:
Appearance: 8/10
Aroma: 22/25
Taste: 38/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Style: 5/5
Drinkability: 9/10
Overall: 90/100

Impression:
I was a little disappointed with the weak head that poured and fell quickly, though it left a nice pattern of sticky lacing on the glass.  The aroma was initially metallic, and I noticed that same odor crop up a couple more times as the beer warmed.  Beyond the metallic character, there's a nice malty one with some sweet and fruity undertones.  Toffee and caramel are very much at the forefront on the tongue, followed by an earthy malty flavor and a subtle hop presence.  Every now and then, there seems to be just a smidge of diacetyl, but it doesn't last long and it isn't obtrusive.  There's also a slight alcoholic warmth, which I expected, considering the abv.  The full-bodied mouthfeel makes this the perfect beer to enjoy on a chilly evening, and the beer feels creamy, hearty, and warming.  Very little carbonation is present, so there's no sting.  Overall, I'd definitely get this one again.  I've been fairly impressed with all of the Long Trail varieties I've tried so far.  I'll have to look for other seasonal samplers of theirs come the warmer months.

Cheers!

Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale

I still have a couple fall seasonal/pumpkin beers in my keezer, and 'tis the season for them.  I pulled out a Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale last night.  It's been a while since I tried anything from Smuttynose, but I remember liking what I've had of theirs well enough.

Vittles:
Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
5.84% abv
35 IBUs

Score:
Appearance: 9/10
Aroma: 23/25
Taste: 37/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Style: 5/5
Drinkability: 8/10
Overall: 90/100

Impression:
I could smell the nutmeg and cloves as I poured the beer, and I love those aromas.  I had to get my schnoz in a little closer to smell the pumpkin and cinnamon, but it smells like a solid, well-balanced pumpkin ale.  The flavors are a bit stronger and more robust than I expected based on the aroma, so that was a pleasant surprise.  The medium body rounds out the beer quite nicely.  I like how the bitterness of the hops is well-matched to the sweetness and earthiness of the other ingredients.  This is one of the better pumpkin beers I've had so far this season.  Hopefully I can snag a case of this stuff cheap at the end of the fall season.

Cheers!