Selin's Grove Brewing Co. Scottish Style Ale (Presidential Brief)

What: Selin's Grove Brewing Co. Scottish Style Ale 4.5% abv
Where: Selin's Grove Brewing Co. (Selinsgrove, PA)
When: November 7, 2009
What-have-you: "Lighter than a Scotch ale.  Light to medium body.  Slightly malty."

Ithaca Ground Break (Citizen Review)

What: Ithaca Ground Break
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010

Representation .6

Accessibility .7

Style Points .8

Personal Preference .7

Total Score 2.8 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Todd F.

Read what El Presidente had to say about Ithaca Ground Break in his coverage of a Philly Beer Week 2010 event in South Jersey [CLICK HERE].

River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern

River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern Imperial Pumpkin Ale:

There are lots of lovely things going on in this Imperial Pumpkin from River Horse. The "Brewer's Reserve " line has been impressing me since the Double Wit a few years back and continues straight through the Hop-a-Lotamus (which I recommend to just about everyone, by the way). Hipp-O-Lantern has plenty of body and a boozy pumpkin essence, yet somehow remains dry at the finish.

I haven't gone completely bonkers with pumpkin brews yet this season so it is with renewed vigor that El Presidente takes on the task of organizing the citizenry's autumnal beverage selection. If you've been following Ferment Nation over the past two years, you will realize the depth of coverage we try to provide: The Ultimate Pumpkin Showdown is worth a look (and a listen, by the way... check out our podcast). And last year, Charlie's Pumpkin Patch at The Institute was fairly epic as well. And so it begins again...

First things first: Pour Hipp-O-Lantern into a nice glass. Perhaps a thistle, tulip, or even a wine glass. This will keep you from chugging this gentle giant from River Horse. Don't lose all the subtle spice notes by greedily pouring it down your gullet. And take a moment to check out the aroma. Fairly mild, but a treat nonetheless.

Flavor: The warm nutmeggy-clovish-allspice-rific essence combined with the fairly potent alcohol content (an imperial 9% if I'm not mistaken) give Hipp-O-Lantern an after-dinner cordial feel without invoking dessert. The spices are first when you take a sip, but the pumpkin is not far behind. This reminds me of Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin Ale, though Hipp-O-Lantern is slightly sweeter with less alchohol bite.

Finally: The beer kicks in and you remember that you are drinking an ale without apologies. Hops and malt make their presence known. The finish is a little dry, which reminds me of Dogfish Head's Punk. Overall, Hipp-O-Lantern is a fine Imperial Pumpkin Ale with a groovy vibe. Oh yes, it is completely appropriate to bring to an Oktoberfest, Halloween party, or even Thanksgiving dinner. Seasonal but not gimicky, River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern delivers a warm pumpkin punch wrapped in a velvet glove.

River Horse Hipp-O-Lantern Imperial Pumpkin Ale:

Representation: .975

Accessibility: .90

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .94

Total Score: 3.765 Flags

Affligem Abbey Ale (Citizen Review)

What: Affligem Abbey Ale
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Affligem Abbey: A little bitter but expected in an abbey ale. Smooth pleasant ale."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .8

Style Points: .8

Personal Preference: .8

Total Score 3.4 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Cheryl S. 

Octoberfest Haddon Pub Fest

They're at it again... from the website www.haddonpubfest.com:

On September 18th, Cork, treno, Taproom & Grill, P.J Whelihan’s, Pour House, Brewer’s Towne Tavern and Tom Fischer’s Tavern will spotlight a particular craft beer and host its brewer or distributor from noon to 6:00 PM with drink specials, tastings and conversation. A free trolley service will run continuously between all of the pubs plus a stop at the Westmont Patco station. Pub Fest T-shirts are on sale now at the eight participating establishments for $10. Wear one on September 18th for special deals, door prizes and other perks.

We at the Ferment Nation had the opportunity to experience the first Haddon Pub Fest during Philly Beer Week 2010 and it was a resounding success! The Presidential motorcade started at PJ's, moved to Treno, and finished up at the Pour House. This time we plan on utilizing the trolley to it's fullest extent so we can take advantage of Cork, Brewer's, Fischer's, and the Tap Room as well. Check out some pics of our adventures from the original Haddon Pub Fest and don't forget to email us your own pictures, stories, and reviews of beer!

Boaks Belgian Wheat (Citizen Review)

What: Boaks Belgian Wheat
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Doggone it, that is a Belgian Wheat! A little less bodied than I'd like, but refreshing. Reminds me of: A Belgian Wheat Beer, yep."

Representation 1

Accessibility .75

Style Points 1

Personal Preference .5

Total Score 3.25


Reviewed by: Citizen Jack W.

Spring House Seven Gates Pale Ale

Spring House Brewery Seven Gates Pale Ale:

Earlier this summer I had the chance to visit the Lancaster, PA area and sample some interesting craft brews. Spring House Brewing Company was recommended to us by Pam and Dallas at the BandB. The brewmaster Matt was hanging out in the tasting room providing anxious samplers with some tasty tidbits. The brewery is pretty much located in the main room of a barn converted to to a brewmaster's work. The loft upstairs served as a nifty tasting room where the choice selections were freshly tapped and served with a smile. And why not? Some tasty beers were on display.

The Atomic Ray Gun Imperial Red was quite tasty and deserves a review of its own, but I was really impressed with the Seven Gates Pale Ale; I was so impressed that I bought a case of it right off the brewery floor and took the bottles home to enjoy over the course of the hot, nasty summer in the Delaware Valley. I was enchanted by Seven Gates' drinkability and smoothness. Just a little hoppy bite and really nice dry finish made my tastebuds jump up and ask for more.

Gotta be honest with you, dear citizens, the super-fresh draught selection right from the brewery kicks a lot of butt.... the bottled version, while good, is a little less spectacular. On tap, Seven Gates is comparable to some of the more widely known and respected pale ales on the market today. So clean in its finish and balanced in flavor... Man, that's impressive! An awesome session beer. Now when it comes out of the bottle, there is something lost in translation. There is still a little hoppy bite but the finish is not as clean. there is a little bit of a funk present in this beer that I don't remember being there the first time I tried it. Representation and Accessibility scores drop here, like the blue book value of a car as soon as it leaves the lot.

I still like the pale ale from Spring House... don't get me wrong! In fact, I had it with ham and potato salad for dinner tonight, and it seemed to complement the salty fare quite nicely. So maybe I would recommend this brew as a companion to salty food. Yes, I would certainly recommend that. So at a barbecue, go crazy with the Spring House Seven Gates as long as you are pounding down potato chips and so forth. But when the eating stops but the heat stays on you, cool off with something a little smoother. The good news: The Lancaster area may find Spring House beers a bit easier to get a hold of on tap if the brewery opens up a brew pub or similar establishment that is a little more accessible to the general public. I'm not spreading rumors or anything... I'm just sayin'...

Overall, my experience with Spring House Seven Gates Pale Ale has been a really good one. If you see it on tap, grab it quick! If you see it in cases of bottles, invest in a sixer first to test the waters.

Spring House Brewery Seven Gates Pale Ale:

Representation: .85

Accessibility: .875

Style: .80

Personal Preference: .80

Total Score: 3.325 Flags

Lancaster Strawberry Wheat (Citizen Review)

What: Lancaster Strawberry Wheat
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "The strawberry comes through, but where's the wheat?
Reminds me of: Ever seen the Kids in the Hall Girl Drink Drunk sketch?"

Representation .5

Accessibility .5

Style Points .5

Personal Preference .5

Total Score 2.0 Flags

Lancaster Strawberry Wheat

Reviewed by Citizen Jack W.

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter:

The first time I had this beer it was during Philly Beer Week and me and El Presidente were taking in some Great Lakes brews at Treno pizza and wine bar. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoy it now. The first couple of sniffs out of the bottle, do I sense a coffee smell?  There is some roastedness and toastedness here. This is interesting, too, because I just reviewed Fuller's London Porter, and I drank another Troegs Java Head Stout, so I have some good comparisons here. Not nearly as tasty as the London Porter, but I think it has more going for it that Java Head, keeping in mind that Java Head is a coffee beer and this is not. It's also Shark Week, and I am watching an interesting shark attack show. Hopefully, I am not too distracted to accurately describe my tasting. Pouring the beer into a glass, there is a little too much head. Why so bubbly? Sometimes I think porters and stouts are too flat coming out of a bottle, so maybe I shouldn't complain.

The head has a pleasant smell, and this porter is smooth and easy drinking, so accessibility scores will be high. I've stopped to eat two chicken wings (yours truly grilled them) and the beer still has a head with some nice lacing on the glass. So there is definitely something to this brew. Typically, I don't talk about beers in the same terms of food in terms of presentation, but being able to see a creamy tan head in the glass and lacing on the sides of the glass improve my opinion of this beer. Presentation does count as far as I am concerned. No real strong flavors to report on, but there is some definite lingering roastedness on my palate. I think it is smoother drinking than Java Head, which makes sense because Java Head is 7.5% abv and Edmund Fitzgerald is 5.8% abv, which I think is a plus. This is already a better choice for a session beer.

I have also had Great Lakes Commander Perry IPA, and this leads me to believe that Great Lakes is a pretty darn good brewery. It could have something to do with it being Shark Week, or the fact that I am eating some good home cooking and drinking beer on a Saturday, but I really like this. No exceptional flavors, but smooth, drinkable, and nice. I am also singing the Edmund Fitzgerald song by Gordon Lightfoot, too, so maybe my perspective is biased.

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter:

Representation: .85
Accessibility: .90
Style: .75
Personal preference: .9

Total: 3.4 Flags

Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (Citizen Review)

What: Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Smooth, malt flavor.  Rather generic porter, like my description."


Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .75
Personal Preference: .75


Total: 3.5 Flags

Reviewed by Citizen Carol

Smuttynose Gravitation Belgian Quad (Presidential Brief)

What: Smuttynose Gravitation Belgian Quad 12% abv
Where: The Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: August, 2010
What-have-you: "Smuttynose 'Gravitation' Quadruple Ale. At The Pour House. Biiiiiig beeeeeer.  Not the typical quad; creamier and oakier and vanilla-ier flavors prevail.  YUM."

Smuttynose Gravitation Belgian Quad

Victory Helios (Citizen Review)

What: Victory Helios 7.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Saisons are a favorite of mine for BBQ and summer meals in general.  Combined with the hoppy goodness of Victory, this one shouldn't be missed."

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: 1.0


Total: 4.0 Flags

Reviewed by: Citizen Jason

Oskar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale

Oskar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale:

This is a beast of a Scotch Ale with more than a mouthful of toasty malt smoothness. Old Chub is dense and big-bodied with a tremendously silky mouthfeel. This, of course, provided that the Chub is poured into a glass. Honestly, out of the can, the 8% malt milkshake is a little funky, so pouring is enthusiastically advised.

Once in the glass, the aroma doesn't pack much of a punch but put it to your lips and take a swig. Black and toasty without bitterness, this creamy Scotch Ale will completely satisfy your malt craving. Almost too smooth, at 8% one must be careful not to overindulge. I, would rate this beer pert near perfect but for that one Accessibility factor. Tough call because it isn't boozy in the slightest, but how many of these can one really drink?

Gotta be honest, it's smoother than another of my faves, Founders Dirty Bastard. Old Chub is less boozy and smoother with a richer body and color (Old Chub is black while Dirty Bastard is a deep reddish-brownish-blackish). Overall, it rocks as a Scotch Ale and as a beverage in general.

Oskar Blues is a serious contender for El Presidente's National Favorite Brewery Bestest Beer Maker of Beeraholic Beverages in the Whole Wide World Award.

Oskar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .90

Style: .97

Personal Preference: .99

Total: 3.86 Flags

Russian River Consecration (Presidential Brief)

What: Russian River Consecration
Where: Location Unknown
When: Date Unknown, 2010
What-have-you: "Russian River 'Consecration.' Too tart at first sip, but the complexity begins to unfold. Currants, oak, red wine... Give it time, and it gives back."

Magic Hat Wacko (Citizen Review)

What: Magic Hat Wacko 4.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Light, citrusy, and refreshing."

Representation: .75
Accessibility: .75
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .75

Total: 3.25 Flags

Visit Magic Hat's website for more info

Reviewed by Citizen Bob T.