Hot Blonde Jalapeño Ale
Barley Brown's Brewpub

Draft at PreFunk. Medium golden, small soapy head. Jalapenos prominent in the aroma and taste without adding too much heat to the overall brew. Lots of pepper flavor, small amount of lingering heat.

a simple blonde ale here done with fresh jalapeno peppers, and its quite good, not a style that usually does much for me, but this is primo as they go, especially with some spicy grilled chicken wings. the base blonde is pretty basic and minimal, clean on the fermentation, light on the hops, and with just a little sweetness to the pale malt profile, mellow but well refined. in such a light beer, a bit of pepper goes a long way, and they did a nice job keeping it under control here, i could easily envision a version of this where the peppers are just way too heavy handed, especially fresh ones that can run hot, but here its an essence, natural as can be, super fresh and real, but the spice isnt out of control at all, its perfect, at least for my tastes, which is a little warmth on the tongue and in the throat, but quick to dissipate, new again on each sip. the pepper is so natural and fresh, obviously jalapeno, and there the whole time. a little malt sweetness balances the heat, and this is one of those rare occasions where i dont mind a little residual sugar in a lighter style like this. good carbonation helps wash it close to clean on each drink. a well made beer, barley browns continues to impress me no matter what the beer or style is, great brewery! this is a food beer for sure.

 

on-tap @ The Growler Run

Pours a golden yellow with a thick, foamy white head.

Definite spicy jalapeno profile in the aroma and taste, but it doesn't continue to burn the mouth after the beer is swallowed. Complimented by citrusy hop notes.

Medium body, foamy carbonation.

A very well done chile beer, plenty of spice without destroying your pallet for the evening.

 

 

 

 

Growler consumed at EOU commencement party honoring two of my best students. Congrats Kevin and Doug.

Deep gold clear body, multiple streams of effervescence, fairly hard pour resulted in full finger of pure white head, medium effervescence and above average lacing. What a nose, to paraphrase my buddy John Michaelsen Good Grief! Frickin' huge bouquet of ripe Jalapenos, some citrus hops for balance, light clean malt aromas subsumed by the peppers, one of the most unique smelling beers I've had. The peppers aren't as assertive on the tastebuds as they are in the nose, though they come full force once the beer as fully warmed, a bit of sweetish malt and citrusy hops provide suitable balance. Mouthfeel is just on light side of medium, good effervescence and tingly lips. Not the most drinkable of beers, all but the Chile Beerheads would have a hard time finishing a pint of this. IMHO the standard for Chile Beers. Exceptional.

appearance - straw yellow, low retention, low lacing

smell - fresh peppers dominate

taste - tastes exactly like a well-brewed blonde ale with fresh peppers and a bit of jalapeno burn

mouthfeel - light/medium, well carbonated, snappy finish

drinkability - this one was hard for me to get through, i paired it with guacamole and chips after i had spent some time with it

Once again, the fantastic lady behind the bar was nice enough to give me a short pour of this brew... I don't always like chile beers but I had to try this one.

Crystal clear lite golden brew.... thin head... I would assume chile oils don't do alot to help with retention ;-)

Nose is pure and simple jalapeno.. it more than hints of the palate blast that is about to come.

Flavor begins with some pale maltiness and a nice bite of heat.. with more sips... the heat grows... but at some point after a few minutes, the heat sorta levels off and reveals "real" jalapeno flavor... tough to describe, it's sorta like a one of those novelty "lite heat" jalapenos... the heat is more than represented, but the chile flavor really does shine... the pale malts do well to keep things in check.

Overall... this was about as much as my Scottish heritage could handle in one sitting... Instead, I could see myself ordering tasters of this every couple of "regular" beers while making an evening of college football and appetizers.

I think the brewers accomplished exactly what they were setting out to.