Bitches Brew

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, beer. Houstonist likes beer as much as we like cocktails (we give you the destructions weekly to build your own, after all). And for our next public service, two of your very own Houstonist ladies will be doing a weekly brew review that may accidentally bust out into a wine or spirits review at some point, just saying. Beer does bloat, you know.

So, a few of us -- who just need the flimsiest of excuses to go down a beverage during happy hour -- met up last week and quaffed some halves at The Stag's Head. We are fond of the fried crap baskets with a side of goop – it's good stuff. Perhaps we'll give you some food scoop another time. But for now, allow us to present the inaugural edition of Bitches Brew.

Mary Jane: We opened the evening with a half draft of Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale. At first glance, it was seriously lacking in the head department (as in no foaminess, pervs), in fact, the foam should sorta drag down the glass on a pale ale, giving you ring around the pint glass for each gulp sip you take. This did nothing of the sort, bummer. While this had a smooth, almost nutty crispness and a good hoppy flavor, there was an indescribable fruity tone. Smooth, yet fruity – but not a discernible or specific fruit – if Clay Aiken were a pale ale he would be a Kona Fire Rock Pale. Light, hoppy, smooth – no bitter aftertaste, but, unmistakably soft and fruity, not that there's anything wrong with it…and, unlike listening to a Clay song, I would drink this one again.

Katharine: I was disappointed in the lack of a creamy head on this pale ale, but willing to overlook that character flaw because it smelled so damn good. Very glad that I didn't hold its lack of head against it, because it was remarkably smooth despite that fact. There was only the slightest hint of malty aftertaste, but it was strong armed out of the way by the primary aftertaste of fresh hoppy goodness. Very unusual for a pale ale in that its slight, indescribable fruitiness verged on tasting like a Hefeweizen. The soft amber color of this pale ale is incredibly inviting and although absent one creamy head, this is a beer that I could have easily sipped all night long.

Mary Jane: Next up, Full Sail Pale Ale, a half again (I'm no dumbass -- I gotta drive to the hizzy) with a nice head, it was lingering and substantial and made an almost textbook ring in our mug. This was a touch more amber in color and full, rich and smooth. Although the hops were detectable, this was not really hoppy and had a warmth on the follow and no sharp aftertaste, as some ales are want to have. There were no detectable fruit tones here, just a mellow, relaxing warmth. This is truly the George Clooney of pale ales – pure smooth sophistication, handsome for a pale ale and snuggly warm, I have my first "beer crush" and this is a "do-many-times" over.

Katharine: The Full Sail Pale Ale was truly my favorite of the night (...you didn't think we only had two beers, did you? we're professionals over here). The medium-bodied head on this pale ale had some serious staying action, leaving thick, creamy rings in the pint glass for each sip I took. It felt just as good in my mouth as it looked in the glass: rich and velvety, with a warm and only slightly malty aftertaste. Like the Kona Fire, this pale ale also had a delicately fruity undertone to it, but it wasn't nearly as pronounced. Instead, this was a musky, hearty and subtly sweet beer that is worth cozying up to night after night.

Stay tuned next week for the next edition of Bitches Brew, where we'll review a Spaten Franziskaner and a Kronenberg 1664. Until then!

---

Photo courtesy of Flickr user groovehouse.