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Showing posts with label Flying Fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flying Fish. Show all posts

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Flying Fish Exit 4 (Citizen Review)

What: Flying Fish Exit 4 @ 9.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
WhenJuly 17, 2010
What-Have-You: "HEAVY, but good."

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: .50
Style Points: 1.0
Personal Preference: .50

Total Score 3.0 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Bob T.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Iron Hill Brewery and Flying Fish

We at The Ferment Nation first heard of this event from our buddies at BeerTapTV.com.
 BeerTapTV breakin' the news to Ferment Nation

Now I suppose we should check it out for ourselves, since it's in our own backyard.


First off, any event is made extra special by the folks who share the beer with you.  Special how-do-ya-dos go out to Sherry (the Ithaca chick) and Tom, whom I see at every geeky beer event in South Jersey/Philadelphia area.  It was a pleasure to meet Steve as well.


My associates Mike and Kelly were there with their friend Anthony (who is looking forward to being a contributor to the Ferment Nation Citizen Reviews, by the way), as was my "industry" insider friend Chris.  A good time was had by all, of course, but mainly because the beer was so good!  Let's go over some of the selections:


Luca Brasi: 
Serious coffee flavor. Perhaps the boldest coffee brew out there that won't make you squish up your face. Bitter but in a coffee kind of way. Mixed it up with Flying Fish Exit 13 to create something wonderful... Makes me regret missing the official 
"Jersey's Finest" collaboration (which includes vanilla beans).

Iron Hill India Black Ale:
Twist on the ipa: floral hops accompanied by a different kind of bitterness... Toasted malt and some coffee notes wrap this IBA up nicely. Dan Weitz from Boulder Beer (beer geek and fellow English major) would approve of this description, noting that there's no such thing as black india PALE ale...


Overall, I really enjoyed the selections from Iron Hill, and the pairings with Flying Fish (mainly the Exit 13 Chocolate Stout and the Grand Cru) that tag-teamed with Iron Hill this time around.  Notable to try from Iron Hill as well is the Orange Truffle brew, which is kinda like an orange truffle candy from Toblerone or the dead bottom of an orange Tootsie Pop (description courtesy of Tom).  Not "fruity" but certainly has an orange tinge to it.  It's a real beer, like a serious porter with a fruity twist.


Thanks to the guys from the Barley Legal Brewclub, who get together every month at Iron Hill.  Their recipes won a contest at Iron Hill and have been presented as the Luca Brasi and the Half-Caff.  Shoutouts go to Tom, Devin, and  Vince.  Check out their website:
http://barleylegal.ning.com/ 

Email El Presidente

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Flying Fish Exit 13 Chocolate Stout

FLYING FISH BREWING COMPANY ANNOUNCES EXIT 13 CHOCOLATE STOUT

CHERRY HILL, NJ (click links for images) – New Jersey’s largest craft brewery, Flying Fish Brewing Company (1940 Olney Avenue, 856-489-0061), is proud to debut their new Exit 13 Chocolate Stout, the latest entry in their “Exit Series” of big-bottle beers honoring their home state of New Jersey.

“We’re calling this an “import/export stout, combining a fuller-bodied, traditional export stout and adding Belgian chocolate that’s imported through the port of Newark located at Exit 13,” says owner Gene Muller.

On Tuesday, December 7 at 7 p.m., head brewer Casey Hughes will introduce Exit 13 to the public with a special launch party at Pub On Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.) (1501 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-755-5125). This will be the only opportunity to try the beer on draft until later in December when the final Exit 13 batch is available.

Created by Hughes, Exit 13 Chocolate Stout is named for the exit that provides access to Newark International Airport and the Port of Newark. Brewed with a mix of imported and domestic malts, as well as dark wheat, the stout gets floral, fruity and citrus notes from Irish ale yeast and Pacific Northwest hops. In total, Hughes and his team added 580 lbs. of Belcolade Dark Chocolate, then aged the beer with 200 lbs. of cocoa nibs and 12 lbs. of vanilla beans. Hughes recommends it as a dessert beer, and also describes it as perfect for sharing with friends as a winter warmer.

Flying Fish’s Exit Series beers are a playful tribute to the various exits of the New Jersey Turnpike, and began with Exit 4 American Tripel, a Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner that Men’s Journal magazine named “Best Belgian-Style Beer in America” in 2009. The Exit Series will continue with three or four beers a year to eventually encompass all turnpike exits; other entries have included: Exit 1 Bayshore Oyster Stout, an export-style stout brewed with oysters that The Atlantic called “a real crowd-pleaser”; Exit 6 Wallonian Rye, a saffron-colored Belgian-style ale brewed with Sorachi Ace hops and local rye in collaboration with Nodding Head and Stewart’s for Philly Beer Week 2010; Exit 11 Hoppy American Wheat, a fresh, citrus-y summer beer with aromas of tangerines and apricots, voted “Best Local Beer” by Philadelphia Weekly; and Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA, brewed with local wild rice in partnership with environmental efforts to revitalize the Meadowlands.

Flying Fish was the world’s first ‘virtual’ microbrewery, establishing an Internet presence as early as 1995. That presence helped to generate press interest and woo investors to the fledgling brewery, which would not open for business until late 1996. Today, Muller and his team oversee four full-time styles, as well as a variety of seasonal beers. Their brews have been featured at the Great British Beer Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival and Canada’s Biere de Mondial Festival. They have won medals at the Great American Beer Festival, Real Ale Festival and the World Beer Championships, and are the only New Jersey brewery featured in Best American Beers. Flying Fish was also named “Local Hero: Beverage Artisan of 2009” by Edible Jersey magazine. For more information about Exit 13 or any of Flying Fish’s beers, please visit them online at http://www.flyingfish.com/ and http://www.exitseries.com/, or call (856) 489-0061.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Flying Fish Exit 4 (Citizen Review)

What: Flying Fish Exit 4 @ 9.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You: (Special interjection from the VP) "Wow, I love Exit 4.  When this first came out in the bomber bottles, it blew me away.  On draught, and now in bottles, it is awesome.  I had it on draft at The Good Dog in Philly, and bottles always seem to be making their way into my fridge.  At 9.5% abv, you have to watch yourself, but in my opinion, Exit 4 is the best thing Flying Fish has made to date."

Representation: .70
Accessibility: .70
Style Points: .90
Personal Preference: .90


Total Score 3.2 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Todd F.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Cork Brews & Blues Fest (Philly Beer Week 2010)

Philly Beer Week 2010 - Cork Restaurant in Westmont, NJ decided to wrap up their celebration of Philly Beer Week 2010 with a Brews and Blues Festival in their parking lot on Sunday, June 13. The setup looked great until it started to pour rain on the party-goers. Not to have our spirits dampened, however, the band moved inside and played several sets while the patrons went inside and out to take advantage of the festival-sponsored beers. We had Magic Hat, Palm, Ommegang, Sam Adams, Flying Fish, River Horse, and Boon (sorry if I forgot a few). All the selections were basically meant to go down easy in a hot, bbq atmosphere and wash down roast pig, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken tacos. Excellent food and beverage with an awesome band to boot.

Magic Hat Odd Notion. Titled 'ginger ale', this brew is more ale than ginger by quite a bit. Pretty tasty with a lil zip. Magic Hat produces quality session brews on a consistent basis, and always up to date on the seasons. Their seasonal beers are always timely and pretty good. The accessibility of Odd Notion is its best quality, while there is a little bit of style going on as well. Drinkable and pass-around-able but not overwhelming.



Here are some of the beers I tried:

River Horse Lager. RH makes good stuff so its no wonder their lager is well-crafted. Im just not a big lager guy so it doesnt bowl me over. Worth passing the word along to any lager drinker, since the balance is pretty even between hoppy and malty. Really drinkable, especially at a barbecue or tailgater.

Flying Fish Exit 4 is a miracle. Sweet and smooth yet hoppy and smart .This beer has a nice blend of Belgian sweetness with American hoppiness Oh boy. Smoother than Green Flash 'Le Freak' and more accessible as well. Watch out though, because it's a little high in alcohol, but you really can't taste the booze.

Flying Fish Exit 6. Gorgeous color. Mildly hoppy, mildly dry, mildly funky. Exit 6 Wallonian Rye has a light to medium body with a very pale finish. There is just a hint of a malty aftertaste, I think. Complex but not busy, Exit 6 is supremely drinkable. This embodies Flying Fish's philosophy of session beers with no flaws. A little risk-taking can be good, though, as we saw when Exit 4 propelled this series into the public eye. The family of Flying Fish beers definitely offer something for everyone.

Thanks again to Kevin, Janet, Felix, and everyone at Cork for making the event a big success. Shout out to Cindy who made a special guest appearance. Everyone wanted to have a great time with everyone else, and I'd say that mission was accomplished. That wraps up Philly Beer Week 2010 for El Presidente and the Ferment Nation. Stay tuned for more reviews and events coming your way soon. By the way, feel free to email us your Philly Beer Week stories and pictures if you'd like to make it into the blogosphere. Thanks Again!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Flying Fish Exit 11 (Presidential Brief)

Ferment Nation Presidential BriefWhat: Flying Fish Exit 11
Where: PJ's Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 15, 2009, 10:02PM
What-have-you: Flying fish exit 11 is da bom-diggity. Wheaty and smooth yet a bit tart to quench the thirst. Lotsa hops but not to be confused with an IPA. Freakin' awesome!

From the Flying Fish website: "Exit 11 is an American-style wheat beer brewed with English ale yeast and three Pacific Northwest hops, Columbus, Palisade and Amarillo. It is brewed with 50% Belgian pale malt and 50% white wheat, and is an ideal summer thirst quencher, with its bouquet of tangerines and apricots." (http://www.exitseries.com/exits/exit11.php)

Read a review of Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale
Read a review of Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Flying Fish Espresso Porter: Revisited

Flying Fish Espresso Porter (Draft):

Four score and seven beers ago, I was pretty tough on every brew up for review. The Toastmaster General advised me that under those strict Draconian guidelines just about no beer at all would ever be able to receive a 4.0 rating. Then the landed aristocracy keeps the commoners from advancing their station in life, class wars become inevitable and then we've got a revolution on our hands. Jesus, I don't need that. So I've lightened up a little with the ratings and most of them turn out pretty fair.

Anyhow, I recently visited PJ Whelihan's in Haddon Twp, NJ and tried the Flying Fish Espresso Porter on tap. Wow! My previous review of this beer may have been a little stingy, so I'm revising it. Keep in mind that the first review was of the bottled version; That being said:

I realize that not everyone will be able to handle this flavorful essprosion so the accessibility points went down just a bit. But all the other scores went up. It's really, really, really good.

Flying Fish Espresso Porter:

Representation: .90
Accessibility: .95
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .95

Total Score: 3.8 Flags

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

FF Farmhouse

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer
Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale:

When working clearing brush on the presidential ranch, I work up quite a thirst. One sure-fire way to quench that thirst is with a Farmhouse Ale like this one from Flying Fish. The citrusy twang complements the light body and pretty dry finish. In the pantheon of summer ales, Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale is the lightest I've encountered so far. Overall, the FF is the only summer I've tried so far without a wheat base. This takes the body to a lighter place and keeps the sunlight shining brightly through a golden hue (no haze at all).

This beer is a bit complicated in that it varies a bit from bottle to glass to draft. Too cold from a bottle, it's a little mealy and not quited as thirst-quenching. Poured into a glass is much better (I dig the tulip glass, but a pint is just fine), and draft seems to be the best.

This is one of FF's seasonal offerings I really look forward to. It is, in a word... refreshing. Really drinkable at 4.6% abv, this beer would be awesome on a deck or at an outdoor venue. Snobbier drinkers (like myself) may seek out an unfiltered wheat, but anyone can enjoy this golden beer. Slap that $3.00 bottle of slop out of your friend's hand and make him fork over the itty bitty extra cash for something decent. Have a good summer.

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale:

Representation: .85
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.55 Flags

Friday, January 25, 2008

Espress Yourself! Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter

Flying Fish is a microbrewery not far from the capital city of FermentNation. Hot off the press is the Imperial Espresso Porter. Ah, porter. That lovely style lounging halfway between ale and stout. Usually known for high drinkability scores because of their smoothness and stable body, porters are just as likely to be experimented upon; coffee and chocolate are good choices because of their smooth bitterness which complements the style itself. (Side note: Stone makes a smoked porter that will knock your socks off.)

Check out the bottle: Flying Fish's Imperial Espresso Porter has a cigar ring on the neck with a 10-year logo reminding us that microbrews are here to stay. Decorated with coffee beans, the label invites us to feel the jolt of this lovely beer. Dark as espresso, this smooth porter definitely showcases the coffee flavor without hijacking the porter feel. Sometimes a coffee stout will go bonkers on the java flavor, giving too much away for a true beer lover but this porter seems to hold true. With a lovely balance and medium body, it earns high drinkability points. Smooth mouthfeel and malty sweetness don't hurt the cause either. Can't wait to try this one on tap.

Tactfully jazzy and extremely drinkable. After killing the first one quite quickly I immediately opened a second. If you try pulling that stunt, I recommend you not have anywhere to go: The Imperial Espresso Porter weighs in at 8% abv. I had bought one to try (since I had never seen it before) and one to share with friends. What friends? They can buy their own. And they should.

Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter:

Representation: .9
Accessability: 1.0
Style Points: .8
Personal Preference: .8

Total Score: 3.5 flags