New Albanian Phoenix Kentucky Komon

Brewed by New Albanian Brewing Company
Style: Traditional Ale
New Albany, Indiana USA

On tap at Rich O’s Publick House during RBSG Road Trip 2007. Clear reddish brown with no head. Herbal sweet nose - juniper? I don’t know. Some licorice notes, a bit burnt. Strange (but tasty) flavor, hard to nail down. Herbal, sour cherry, grain... what IS this? Very odd, albeit tasty brew.

On tap at Rich O’s Publick House during RBSG Road Trip 2007. Clear ruby amber body with a small off-white head. Sweet grainy malt aroma with some light sour cherry. Sweet grainy chocolate malt and light nutty flavor with some light sour cherry. Very fizzy mouthfeel.

Draught at the brewpub. Nearly-opaque dark brown, short lacing, beige head. Slightly sour/funky nose. Thin, lightly bitter body with a bit of a crisp bite. A little bit on the warmfunk side, as if a better beer had been left out in the sun for a while, but with nice playfulness at the back of the mouth and into the throat. Medium-full body with a touch of spice in the aftertaste. This was presented to me as another of this brewer’s California Commons, though it is listed as a Traditional Ale here; in either case, it’s at least as good as an Anchor Steam, with slightly more character.

Draft sample at Keg Liqour Fest of Ale. Poured a hazy brown color with an average off-white head that diminished slowly with fair lacing. Good aroma of toasted malt and tart fruit. Medium body with smooth texture. Good fruity bittersweet flavor with a complex bittersweet finish of medium duration. Interesting complex brew.

Draft: Generous covering of dirty-white silk. Charming nose of glazed pinewood and sweet bready malt. Cleanly yeasty with a touch of corn and yogurt. Soft and slippery mouthfeel. Tight carbonation. Nicely understated tartness immediately underlines the ensuing barrage of sweet corn and dry, bread-accented malt. Suggestive black cherry flavor harmoniously gels with a mild black licorice tingle. Substantial woody dryness from the malt. Finishes with an easygoing blend of minerals and plums over a firm base of barky malt dryness and earthy hops. Superb session beer.