Tag Archives: Belgium

Isaac Newton’s

January 25, 2015Beer Bar, Beer Tastings@isaacnewtons, Belgium, Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PAgeekybeergal

Isaac Newton’s
18 S State St. Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IsaacNewtonsBarandRestaurant
Twitter @isaacnewtons

It’s been at least 8 years since this Gal last visited Isaac Newton’s so figured it was time to check them out again. Isaac’s was one of the first places I know of that offered craft beers and an extensive selection of Belgium Ales long before the craft beer explosion took place. Happy report the tap and bottle lists are still impressive and very reasonably priced.

Isaac’s has always has a large food menu, as well, that offers something for everyone – vegetarians and meatatrians a like. Although, I have to say I’ve never been overly impressed with the food. Portions tend to be on the smaller size and range from OK to tasty. On this particular visit I decided to go for the Kale Caesar Salad. I love me some kale! However, it was underwhelming as it came out in a take-out box. Ummm, what?! Over all it was tasty but obviously loss points on presentation and it was a bit pricey for the quantity.

When visiting Isaac’s I’ve always preferred sitting at the bar or in the bar area which offers a cozy rustic feel to it and a nice sun porch off to the one end. On this particular visit it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The list of taps, also, celebrated the holiday season with several winter/holiday beer offerings including one of my favorites Delirium Noel.

Big Lushious – Founders Brewing Company 7.8%
Very good dessert beer that would compliment brie cheese nicely. Lots of dark chocolate and hints of tart raspberries. Glad I tried it but just not in the mood for a full pint on this visit.

Delirium Noel – Brouwerij Huyghe 10%
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to me! Full of the holiday spices one associates with the season without being overwhelming. Candied fruit with Belgium yeast and roasted malts add up to a mellow/smooth full body beer.

Velvet Merlin – Firestone Walker Brewing Company 5.5%
Oh so good – smooth with full body flavor and medium body texture. Chock full of chicory, cocoa and hints of hops.

Taste of Chouffe N’ice – Brasserie d’Achouffe 10%
Wish I could have had a full glass but needed to drive so kept it smart. Love this beer – liquid gingerbread cookie without being overly sweet.

With so many beers to choose from it nice that the bartenders are so accommodating with taste samples if you’re unsure about committing to a pint of something. I’ve always have found the bartenders at Isaac’s to provide excellent service and are very knowledgable about the beer they serve.

I’m very happy to have finally returned to Isaac’s Newtons and don’t plan on letting so much time lapse between visits again.

Timmerman’s Pumpkin Lambicus Review

November 30, 2013Beer Reviews, Beer TastingsBelgium, Lamic, Pumpkin, Thanksgiving, Timmerman'sgeekybeergal

Timmerman’s Pumpkin Lambicus
Brouwerij Timmermans-John Martin N.V. Belgium (4.0%)

I purchased this lambic back in September knowing I would save it to enjoy with a slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day.

This lambic surprised me in that it wasn’t like other lambics I was use to. Most have a very strong flavor. I felt the pumpkin flavor of this lambic to be subtle and the overall presence in the mouth to be very light. At first I had it on it’s own and noticed a slight citrusy quality to it along with honey and just a touch of pumpkin pie and spices. It was when I enjoyed it with a slice of pumpkin pie that it came alive. The combination of the pie with the lambic really brought out the pumpkin flavors and spices in the lambic. I enjoyed it much more with the pie than by it’s self.

It pours a pale orange pumpkin color with a bit of a strong head yet the lambic itself is not heavily carbonated. Overall a very pleasant beer for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Cape May Brewing

September 23, 2013Beer Tastings, Brewery ReviewsAmber, Beer, Belgium, Cape May Brewing, Flavor, Pale ale, Pint glass, Wheat beergeekybeergal

Cape May Brewing, Cape May, NJ 9/20/13
http://capemaybrewery.com/

Cape May Brewing is located in a small industrial park and could easily be missed but is worth searching out. This was my second visit to the brewery. The first was shortly after they opened and were experiencing some growing pains. Upon arrival it was clear they had worked out the kinks. The tasting room is very inviting and beckons one to kick back, relax and enjoy. The tasting room is comfortable with large picnic tables to sit at or you can pull up a stool at the tasting bar. They had a nice crowd for a Friday afternoon at 2:30pm and several people were filling growlers for take home.

A taster round includes 4 4oz pours, a tour and a souvenir pint glass. You can taste an additional 4 4oz pours for only $5 more. There were 8 beers to choose from this time around compared to just 3 on tap the first time I visited. There was also a house brewed root beer for the nondrinkers. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable as well.

First up….
Dunkelweizen (a dark wheat – 4.7%) – Lots of caramilization going on that compliments the roasted malts perfectly. It’s a very clean, smooth and refreshing beer. They nailed the style.

Alt Bier (amber – 5.0%) – Fizzy was the first word that popped into my head after the initial sip. It seemed to calm down some by the third or fourth sip. Beautiful amber color with a slight greenish head which made me think I would be tasting some hops but really didn’t; it did however have a slight flowery taste to it. It didn’t knock my socks off but still a very drinkable beer.

Devils Reach (Belgium strong ale 8.0%) – Oh this is a lovely sipping beer. It’s creamy with light citrus flavors accented with hints of coriander and banana. Very smooth and goes down easily. Love this beer. Even my non beer drinker companions enjoyed trying this beer and were pleasantly surprised by the cornucopia of flavors it had going on.

Honey Porter (made with local honey 5.1%) – This is a very nice porter with a rich dark body and light creamy head. The honey was a nice compliment to the roasted/charred malts, coffee and nutty chocolate flavors of this beer but was not overwhelming with honey sweetness. If I didn’t know this beer was made with honey I would have sat there racking my brain as to what the accent flavor was.

A very nice afternoon at Cape May Brewing and I look forward to trying future offerings from them. They were out of the Hitching Post Bourbon Stout and I most certainly need to try that.