Beer Report for 11/09/12

It's time again for brew reviews -- this selection includes some regional crafts from the Midwestern United States, the West Coast, and an oddly unique beer from Scotland!

FINCH'S THREADLESS IPA (Chicago, IL, USA) - 3.0 

This Chicago brew (found in limited quantities here in Southern Indiana) comes in a nice pint can, and pours a cloudy amber with a solid sudsy head and thin lace.

Nose says floral with pine and citrus notes. Not bad.

Taste is sharply hoppy, no surprise, with pine and grapefruit tones, and a substantial malt profile. Threadless is a solid, if unremarkable IPA that remains drinkable and session-worthy, but it's not one I'd revisit anytime soon.

URBAN CHESTNUT - WINGED NUT ALE (St. Louis, MO, USA) - 4.0

A curious ale here out of St. Louis, picked up for under $3/pint at the peerless Wine & Cheese Place, which is a superlative mecca for craft beer (and wine and cheese, if that's your thing).

This tawny amber, semi-opaque ale brewed with chestnuts pours with a thick head of fine, off-white suds. Lace is lovely and delicate.

Aroma is uniquely roasty and nutty. Kinda sweet, even, but very appealing and enticing.

Flavor profile is pleasing to the palate and well-nuanced. I get a hint of malty and lightly toasty nuts (chestnut?) and a wisp of light citrus hops at the finish. I drank this one almost room temperature, and it was a delicious and worthwhile experience. Very good!

LOST COAST - TANGERINE WHEAT (Eureka, CA, USA) - 1.0

This fruit-infused wheat beer from California's Lost Coast Brewing pours a hazy amber, with sediment visible, although the bottle was dated over a year ago, so that's taken into consideration. Limited suds, no lace.

Nose proves to be soapy. I get dish soap, to be exact. Would make for a fetching hand-wash, but not beer.

Tastes similar to the aroma, like slightly carbonated soap, with a hint of wheat and citrus at the finish. Definitely not impressive.

WILLIAMS BROS - KELPIE SEAWEED ALE (Alloa, Scotland) - 4.0

This unique and inventive Scottish ale (found in Bloomington, Indiana's excellent Sahara Mart) pours black, with ruby highlights. Light carbonation and almost no lace.

Nose is chocolate and roast. I also get some booziness, although this one is only 4.4%. Odd.

Taste is sweet and roasty, like a good session-worthy porter, and with a light body. There's a slight brininess in there, but it's quite subtle, as the chocolate maltiness and dark roasty qualities come to the fore. A solid and enjoyable ale.