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Saranac Seasonals 2008 - Belgian Ale (17:36)

Saranac calls this a "Belgian Ale," and perhaps they don't use the term Lambec because it's a trademark or similar, or because they care about the correct usage. I would call it a "Lambec-style" brew for sure, perhaps and "Abbey Ale," it has most of the characteristics in the Lambec from Europe (real Lambec) and Lambec-style from Ommegang. Hopefully that lets most people identify the style.

I poured this pretty cold, about 45°F, which I hope is a proper temperature, into a cool clear, hand washed 500ml mug. Pretty cool stuff, nice red color, nice firm head, nice bubbles, and an outstanding complex aroma with fruit, cloves, and malt playing in my nose. The taste? Great, of course. My nose didn't oversell this brew, it's big, and rich, and complex, and the aftertaste is some fruit and hop combination which lingers just long enough. Hold it on your tongue for a moment and let the warming push the aromas into your nose. Swallow and the aftertaste lays on your tongue just enough.

Do I sound like a commercial? Maybe, but this is the same type of drinking sensation I get from imported brews at a much higher price. If you like Abbey Ales as a style, if you treat yourself to a Lambec from time to time, then this is a find for you.

Goes with: Saranac recommends shellfish and Moules-Frites, I can say nice things about crab cakes. I think this would be nice with a soft cheese on a cracker, perhaps one of the stone ground thins. Another area in which comments are welcome.

Note: seasonal, limited release, get it now! And if you try it on my review, please drop a line and let me know what you think!

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Saranac seasonal 2008 - Vanilla Stout (13:46)

Saranac has a seasonal beer, and at this time a bunch of Brewer's Choice brews, which supposedly are things the brewers liked and wanted to market in limited quantity. This Vanilla Stout is one of the brewer's choice releases.

The first sample was poured a little cold for a stout, about 40°F, and in spite of that had way too much head. I always pour for the blog in one of a set of hand-washed mugs, which hold 12oz of beer (common US size) with a head of up to an inch. After pouring I had a mug of half stout and half head, and some stout still in the bottle. I'll repeat now that the holiday is over, and take a picture one way or the other.

Besides being over generous, the head had many bubbles of varying sizes, from tiny up to about 1/8 inch (4mm). Not a "smooth, creamy head" that I occasionally read about in beer magazines. The color was essentially black, no light showed through with a 60w light behind the mug. The aroma had a hint of vanilla, but I have a cold and asked my wife to verify that. She found some light malty aroma hiding behind the vanilla, so you get two opinions.

Not waiting for the head to fade (it did, to a nice lace) I took a sip out of the bottle. Okay stout taste, not too smoky, and just a hint of vanilla. While it doesn't bring out the "what is THAT?" reaction, people who expect a traditional stout flavor will notice, but only purists will be offended.

It's been a very busy holiday, and I'm just getting over seven weeks of assorted colds and pneumonia, so no pictures until the re-tasting.

NOTE: this is a limited availability brew, if it sounds interesting get to your local "good beer" outlet.

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