Son of a Brew!
By Tom Maicon at January 12, 2012 | 8:20 pm | Print
Local brewer Chris Terenzi held the position of brewmaster when Wrecking Bar Brewpub opened last summer. As inventive as he was, I thought his beers, with the exception of only one or two, seriously lacked depth and body just as all bad homebrew I’ve ever had the displeasure of tasting.
But Terenzi’s stint as brewmaster at the popular Inman Park brewpub came to an abrupt end early November after being arrested by Dekalb County police.
Owner and longtime homebrewer, Bob Sandage, immediately announced on a neighborhood message board that he would assume the position of brewmaster — and he has. In fact, his first two beers are now on tap.
Colin’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale is a full kilt kicking 8.5% abv, named after Sandage’s oldest son and is the first to pour. When he announced this beer’s release on the brewpub’s Facebook Page, he admitted this is his big leap from homebrewer to pro-brewer. And that transition is no easy task.
That being said, I am hoping this first attempt at pro-brew is nothing more than first-time jitters. The murky dark pour is somewhat thin and practically non-descript in flavor. I say practically because somewhere around mid point, a faint peaty, cloying sweetness manages to break through and stay with me until near finish, before the beer kindly shows an act of mercy by dissipating to shear nothingness again. Oy.
I prefer a chewier, more viscous Wee Heavy Scotch Ale.
On a better note, Sandage’s second beer, Nathan’s 13 Minute Amber, named after his second son, proved to be a far better effort and more along the lines of what I expect from a true pro-brewer.
A clever west coast Amber, this beer’s not nearly the hop assault the aroma suggests. And you better watch out, at 7.4% abv — a little high for this style — it’s an easy drinker.
With only 13% of the hops used in more than 13% of total boil time, this one leaves you with an intensely fresh floral hop flavor without the harsh bitterness. And the big caramel malt backbone really rounds things out. I must say, a very nice brew.
At the end of the day I came with the notion that Sandage is certainly clever and creative, but only time will tell if he has the deft brewing hand this brewpub so desperately needs after a shaky start under Chris Terenzi.
Colin’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
Stats:
Strength: 8.5% abv
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Serve In: Tulip, Snifter
Nathan’s 13 Minute Amber
Stats:
Strength: 7.4% abv
Style: American Amber Ale
Serve In: Pint Glass
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