Old Hickory Brewery: Brown Mountain Light

So, it ain't Monday and I skipped last week, it's sad that my job prevents me from keeping a regular blog post schedule. Of course that's another story, anyone hiring in the beer industry?



I enjoyed this brew on tap at my favorite local pub Union Jacks. Brown Mnt. came out of the tap with a solid, foamy head. The barkeep stopped the pour to let the head settle down before she filled the glass. There are definitely some vanilla and buttery flavors in here. The color is a light gold, it is at least as light as an Anheusere Bush product and lighter and more transparent than Corona. Without a Budweiser for comparison, this is the lightest beer I have ever seen. I keep starring at the pint glass and determine that the appearance of this brew reminds of of a cider.

Just when I think that the vanilla may be a sensory mirage from the restaurant next door, I taste vanilla again in my next sip. Brown Mnt. Light is a great example of what a craft brewery can do with the American Pilsner style and remains reminiscent of the beers for Milwaukee and St. Louis. It remains refreshing to the last sip and ends with a bit more buttery taste.

I have to give Brown Mnt. a 4 out of 5 pints because it's just so darn light.

Finally, T-shirt Thursday & Deep Thoughts!

Two more Tees in an attempt to begin to ol' shirt count again. These are the only two comic book related shirts in my collection. I read Marvel comics nearly exclusively as an adolescent. Lately, I've been catching up on the backlog of DC comics which I never read in my youth but I'm not gonna run out and buy a DC related shirt. (It's not the best photo ever...)



32 shirts presented and 333 more to count.

More Deep Thoughts;

"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let 'em go, because, man, they're gone." -- Jack Handey

I assume he is speaking of metal keys rather than figurative keys (ideas.) I never realized that J. H. used so many contractions?

Sierra Nevada Summerfest

This week I have to take a break from writing about our regional craft beers. I had intended to feature Highland Brewing Co's Cold Mnt. Winter Ale but I often enjoy a beer and fail to take notes while drinking it. Cold Mnt. Ale is a very complex plot of a beer and I wouldn't want to write about it based on my memory alone so I'll have some Sierra Nevada Summerfest and write while I drink.

I'm certain that the beverages of the Sierra Nevada Brewery need no introduction. I actually heard a fizzy release of gases when I opened this bottle of Summerfest. It pours with a tiny bit of white head which quickly vanishes. The beer in the bottle had a distinct pilsner aroma which I don't detect from the beer in the glass. On the tongue I detect more body than is found from mass market Am. Style Pilsners and more hops as well. I even detect a hint of wheat beer flavoring which doesn't surprise me.

Craft breweries have a talent for making very mellow light beers reminiscent of the Canadian Lager style. I can only describe these taste impressions as "fresh." That taste of freshness is the reason that Sierra Nevada Summerfest is another seasonal beer I'd like to have available all year.

This one is very difficult to grade, I don't wanna give all the beers an A+. But, I've been reviewing some of my favorite drinks; 5 out of 5 Summerfest pints!