Brooklyn Concoction

Once I saw Al’s of Hampden had tapped the Brooklyn Concoction, I had to make a trip there to give it a try. The beer pours an amber color with a bubbly white head. The aroma is malty and first but then a wave of other smells come at the nose. There is lemon, a slight funk, orange, and wheat. The taste is big on caramel early on with a hefty amount of spice. Also noticeable are orange peel, lemon grass, caramel, toffee, cloves, thyme, and pepper. There is a slightly fruity sour finish before an after taste settles in with sweet tea and honey. The alcohol content is 7.6% ABV. The Concoction contains lots of spices and is very complex. I would say that the spices work well together, rather than tasting like they were just thrown in there. I enjoyed the finish, with its sweet tea and honey characteristics the most, as they were difficult to pinpoint at first.

Selin's Grove Simon's Private Stock Porter

I ordered a glass of the Selin’s Grove Simon’s Private Stock Porter, which is a bourbon barrel aged porter, while at the brewpub. The beer pours a murky dark brown color with a frothy off-white colored head. The aroma is bourbon up front with toasted malts, chocolate, and oak falling in line like soldiers. The taste is dry and malty with a chocolate taste similar to a chocolate powder. There is a smooth and light bourbon finish, but it is very faint. The beer ends with a vanilla and oak after taste. The alcohol content is 6.8% ABV. While this beer is bourbon barrel aged, I wouldn’t say that the bourbon really makes its presence known. It adds a little vanilla and warmth to the beer, but the main focus here is still the beer and not the bourbon.

Selin's Grove Sour Red

While at Selin’s Grove, I ordered a glass of the Sour Red, a new beer and first attempt for the brewpub at a sour. The beer pours a red tinted brown color with a thin filmy off-white colored head. The aroma consists of vinegar, cherry, and yeast, typical for a Flemish red. The taste is slightly dry with hint of sour vinegar before lots of cherry flavor explodes in the mouth. There is a warming finish before the biggest part of the flavor profile comes out, the dry oak flavor. I would liken the oak finish to a red wine dryness, but it is wonderful. The alcohol content is not available online, but I would estimate it to be about 5.0% ABV. As a first attempt at a sour beer, this was a complete win for Selin’s Grove. I would liken its flavor to the F*Red from Iron Hill, which I also add it a major compliment. If you see this beer on tap at the brewpub, make sure to order a glass before it is gone.

Selin's Grove The Phoenix Kriek

I heard from a little birdie that after The Phoenix Kriek was kicked at Selin’s Gove Brewpub, another one mysteriously appeared, so I made the trip up to make sure I got to try some of this year’s batch. The beer pours a cranberry color with a thin white head. The aroma consists of cherry, cranberry, light vinegar, and sweet malts. The taste is sweet and smooth with a surprising maple syrup flavor on the front end. There are also cranberry, cherry, honey, and sweet malt flavors. The alcohol content is 6.5% ABV. This was a wonderful kriek and I completely loved the maple syrup and honey accents, as they were a surprise and added a nice sweet kick without being too sweet.