Mermaid's Red

- Contributed by Ms Duck

Let me start with a happy hump day!  I actually took a short run today so I get to have a beer.  I have to admit, a beer really does hit the spot after a run.  You don’t have to pop it open right after a run but sometime in the evening is lovely.  Actually I might recommend a shower and then having the beer.  That’s better for everyone around you and you don’t want to be smelling yourself when you are trying to enjoy the gentle aromas from your brew.  Maybe I should just move on to the beer...Coronado Brewing’s Mermaid’s Red.

Out of the bottle the color is a gorgeous deep amber.  Maybe you could even call it a reddish bronze.  There was a minimal head and lacing.  The nose has a lovely subtle aroma that is a bit malty.  The description on the side of the bottle had me intrigued as I took my first sip.  Its mention of hops made me a little nervous being that I’m not a hop lover.  But from the first sip I was a happy camper. You get a hit of malt and spice in the middle of the tongue.  Although there is a noticeable taste of hops it didn’t overpower all the other flavors.  I think this might be one of those beers that will keep the Hop Mammas (shout out to the Hop Mamma - Aimee) happy along with the Stout Sisters.  It also has a nice level of spice that appeals to my fall brew appetite but is light enough to work in the spring.

I recommend this tasty brew from Coronado Brewing out of Coronado, California.  It was a pleasant finisher of my Wednesday...is finisher really a word?  It was a pleasant way to end my Wednesday...that sounds better.  Cheers until we meet again!

Happy Camper IPA

Tonight I am having a beer that we picked up this year at our 12 beers of Xmas party. Thanks Sara for bringing back some New Mexico beer and an IPA at that. After fall and Christmas are over there is always a beer drought, no more spicy, dark rich beers. We end up with 'spring' beers light and fluffy. Don't get me wrong some of them are good, but as far as beer seasons go it is a bit lacking. For the spring my go to beer style are big hoppy IPAs. Happy camper has a big citrus, crisp piney thick aroma. Happy is thicker than many IPAs. There is a strong malt backbone, similar to some double or imperial IPAs. As the beer warms the hops become more pronounced which is good I am just warning any of you that might not have grown into you hop head.

For those of you that don't know the ducks personally, we used to live in Rio Rancho New Mexico right out of Albuquerque. Since I was reviewing a NM beer I had to find a glass that was appropriate, probably the first beer fest I ever went to. Notice the glass.

I wish I had a 6 pack....or maybe a keg, next time somebody comes to arizona from New Mexico bring me a keg please.please.

http://www.santafebrewing.com/

Fall Flavors

Blue Moon Pumpkin

It can be hard to get into the Fall feeling living in the Valley of the Sun, but the best way I know is to crack open one of the long awaited fall beers. Today Mr Duck made a run to BevMo to see what he could find. Although he was looking for Abita's fall seasonal (not in yet) he came home with Blue Moon's pumpkin ale.

I couldn't help but retire to the front yard(I don't have a porch) with a book. As I listen to my children along with all the neighbor kids playing outside, I reminisce in the memories of my childhood falls. Falls as in the season not mishaps landing on the ground.

As I sip my beer I savor the subtle hints of fall, pumpkins, spice, and a mellow blend of malt and hops that don't overwhelm your senses. The flavors remind me of cool, crisp October days of my youth. That first chill in the air as you sense that change is coming. The hint of pumpkin that brings flashes of gold, orange, browns and yellows to your minds eye. You recall those days of wearing sweatshirts, getting ready for a Saturday afternoon football game, rolling in a pile of leaves, picking a Halloween costume or sitting with friends around a bonfire. It may still be in the 90's where I sit, but I must admit that Fall is still my favorite time of the year. At least this time around I can enjoy a tasty beer. Cheers!

Ms Duck

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