Beer and Food

Greetings,

The folks at the - ORLIO Organic beer company - as the call themselves, sent me the following two products to sample. In an effort to get a broader tasting experience I took the samples to a place where I know the bar (pun intended) would be set high.

The scene of the tasting was the Waterfront Alehouse at 155 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Attending were mixologist Peter "Z", owner Sam "B", court clerk John "L" and two folks of unknown credentials but of pleasant character and with a serious appreciation of beer. The following is a rough transcription of the event as recorded.

Orlio Common Ale

Appearance: Deep copper color with a touch of gold.

(Sam is talking, in the background, and uses the word "dusty.")

Aroma: There is a hop aroma, but it takes awhile to catch it.  It's blatant, but not easily recognize.  It's kind of a fresh dirt aroma.

Mouth Feel: The mouth feel is medium, not too full, not too much carbonation.

(Sam adds that there is a grassy slightly metallic taste to the finish.)

Flavor: I suggest that there is a touch of rock Candy.

(Sam comments that it would have to be a sour rock Candy.)

In the finish is definitely a metallic tang.

Finish: The finish has a sharp metallic tang to it.  Not quite leaning on the sour, showed very quick finish.  A very, very quick finish.

Orlio India Pale Ale

Appearance: This brew has a very bright copper color.

Aroma: The aroma on this is a lot cleaner and sweeter. A fresher hop aroma is not quite as grapefruit/citric as a Cascade, but it has definitely a fresh new-mowed grass type of aroma.  It's very friendly.

Mouth Feel: The mouth feel is full and pleasant with a little carbonation, it gives a slight spike of carbolic acid.

Flavor: this is not quite a traditional IPA.  It lacks the stronger undercurrent of sweet malt. It is, nevertheless, a well-balanced beer.  The combination of hops that they chose matches perfectly with the malt used in producing this brew.

Comments: It's not quite an IPA, the finish is very quick, and she's it leaves almost an astringent finish.  This is an incredibly dry finishing beer.  I'd like to try this with some cheese, that might be a very good pairing.

Controlled tasting notes: please note that this beer was served at about 40°F, possibly cooler.  I did notice some haze, but I'm going to put that down to chill-haze because of the low temperature.

Appearance: this brew is a bronze copper color with a slight haze to it topped by an attractive rocky, linen white, dense head of foam. 

Aroma: The aroma is mainly of fresh hop.  There's a slight undercurrent of roasted malt, more of a toasted effect.

Mouth Feel: this brew does not have a great deal of body.  But what it has is an attractive mouth feel.

Flavor: the list is here is on the hop flavor.  As it is so distinctive, I believe there is also a great deal of nice toasty malt, but it is hidden under a rather aggressive hop flavor.

Finish: even at this temperature, it finishes extremely dry. 

Comments: As noted above, I would be very interested to try this beer with a selection of cheeses or a well marbled beefsteak.

Cheers!

Peter LaFrance

( peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com )