cheap (9607) reviewed Pipe Organ Pale Ale from Church Brew Works 18 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
New rating: This was a big surprize, I found this recent bottle sample very refreshing...lemony, fizzy and fun, very refreshing, one of the better english pale ales I’ve had, quite yummy overall, I wonder what they did to the recipe? Old rating - years ago: On tap at the Works. This is one of their more famous brews. Very little aroma and slightly darker that a ubiquitous pale yellow american lager beer. Small witish head. This beer comes on with an odd and interesting earthly flavoe that is absent from other English Pale Ales I’ve had. This rather intense earthly note is also absent from the cask conditioned version of this brew. Little carbonation. Taste is pale ale-ish but not overwhelming in the hop arena. Not as strong as pale ale. Finish is medium low bitterness that hangs for a while. Probably one of the more bitter brews that I have sampled from the Works. Much better than Saranac Pale Ale and almost on par with Brooklyn Ale. Great Divide Ridgeline is much more fizzy that this.
Earlier Rating: 6/3/2007 Total Score: 1.9
Cask Condidtioned Rating: Served on tap from cask pump at the Brew Works along side the regular Pipe Organ Pale Ale. The barmaid was pretty excited about me getting to try this, must have been rare for them to have a cask conditioned brew. This is just slightly darker than the regular Pipe Organ Pale Ale. This brew is served warm. Very weak floral aroma. No carbonation. Mildly hoppy and not quite as hoppy offensive as I expected for a pale ale. Typical slightly bitter finish on the back of the throat but it is generally well mannered. Finish is medium length and fades after a while. Not bad, glad I had a chance to try this special beer. If you are a fan of the regular Pipe Organ Pale, you better go check this limited release out before it is gone.
cheap (9607) reviewed Mad Brewer Maibock from Church Brew Works 18 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5
On tap at the Works. Smell is a little beery typical, but not bready yeasty...just plain beery if that makes any sense. Color is a little lighter than reddish orange but certainly darker than a pale yellow american lager. Very little carbonation. A little bitterness like most hellers. The flavor is not out of place for a maibock. Has a slight bitterness on the back of the throat. Finish is non-offensive and happy. Good overall maibock, would not hesitate to purchase again. Better than Erie Fleece Maibock. Not as good as Victory St. Boisterous Hellerbock.
cheap (9607) reviewed Heavenly Hefe Weizen from Church Brew Works 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 7.5
On tap at the Works. Slightly hazy pale yellow with a small white head. Very little aroma but what you do get is slightly wheaty and perhaps a bit sour. Taste is like a typical wheat beer but not as disciplined as a wit. Has a background hint of bitterness that I don’t think should be present in a hefe. Medium carbonation and this brew is not overpowered with spice. When it comes to wheat, the simpler, the better. Pretty clean brew. Finish is friendly and well behaved. Not bad and would not hesitate to try it again. Not as good as Michelob Bavarian Style Wheat but on par with Erie Brewing German Wheat and Summit Hefe Weizen. IMHO much better than Penn Weizen.
cheap (9607) reviewed Messiah Rye from Church Brew Works 18 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6
Slightly fruity aroma. Darker than a ubiquitous pale yellow american lager. A little more orangish brown. Has a smallish thin off white head. Good fruity initial flavor and this is much less offensive than other specialty grain brews I’ve had from Founders. This is very friendly and gentlemanlike, easy to enjoy. Interesting earthly background flavors. Happy and fun, not bad. Medium low carbonation. Has a nut brown flavor to it that makes it rather unique. The finish is short without any ill tempered bitter charactaristics.
cheap (9607) reviewed Coconut Stout from Church Brew Works 18 years ago
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 9
On tap at the Brew Works. A light stoutish aromathat attracts me to this brew. Black an opaque, can’t see any color tinge in this stuff. Does not seem to be as viscous as other sweet stouts. Has a thin tannish head. Taste is smooth and well behaved, tho I can’t taste any coconuts in there. Very little detectable carbonation. Earthly and roasty hints, farely mild and well mannered. I can enjoy this brew. Very little bitterness on the finish leaves me feeling happy. Very easy to enjoy and like. Could be my very first stout session brew, it is so smooth. Finally a good dark beer that is not overpowering. One of the better dark beers I have sampled. Would not hesitate to purchase again. Definattely the best CHurch Brew I have tasted by a long shot.
cheap (9607) reviewed Celestial Gold from Church Brew Works 19 years ago
Appearance - 2 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 4 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 3.5
Not impressed or honored with the fact that CBW has converted an alter to a brewing stand. Also, I am surprised that this is considered a pale lager. It is more like a german pilsner. 12 oz brown bottle. Pours like a slightly darker, but not much darker, pale yellow american beer. Aroma is clean and crisp. It possesses a hoppy aroma absent from most pale lagers. There is no head but the aroma is nice. Hoppy flavor, but no overwhelming like a pale ale or IPA. The hop flavor is pleasantly there but it is not backed by the severe bitterness that lingers. Nice carbonation that tingles the back of your tongue as it rolls down your throat. As you drink it there is a building hoppy accent in your mouth. Nice hoppy aroma in the smell continues. Finish leaves you with a medium bitter personality that lingers for a while. Would never think this is a typical pale yellow american lager....too much personality. Must be in the wrong category.
cheap (9607) reviewed Pious Monk Dunkel from Church Brew Works 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6
If pious means sacred or majestic, then this ain’t pious. However, a dark lager with a sweet aroma. Pretty brown but not dark brown in my steelers mug. OK flavor with a little syrup feel to it. Has a bitter finish but is not lasting.
Dogbrick (24322) reviewed Burly Friar Barley Wine from Church Brew Works 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
Cask sample at the brewpub. The beer pours a very dark amber color with a minimal beige head that is gone quickly. Very little lacing is evident. Huge caramel and malt aroma. Rich and smooth sipping beer with an emphasis on sweet malt, caramel and brown sugar flavors. There is a bit of bitterness in there that keeps it from becoming cloying. The finish is sweet brown sugar and maple, and even a bit of a sorgum aftertaste. Pretty interesting from start to finish.
Dogbrick (24322) reviewed English Old Ale from Church Brew Works 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Sample at the brewpub. Rich amber color with a thin beige head and sheets of lacing. Aroma of earthy malts and a pinch of hops. Medium body with a sweet flavor profile of malt and caramel, as well as a good amount of hops to balance. The finish is dry and hoppy. Alcohol shows up a little on the back end too. All in all this is decent.
Dogbrick (24322) reviewed Belgian Wit from Church Brew Works 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
Sample at the brewpub. Semi-cloudy yellow-gold color with a thin white head and spotty lacing. Aroma of citrus and hops. Light-bodied and crisp, with a hoppy and oaky flavor, as well as a bit of spice. The finish is zesty hops and citrus. Overall this is a nice refreshing summer brew.