Actual Brewing Saison Du Poincare (8/10)

Here's a pro tip for reading beer reviews on this blog. If the picture shows much less than a full glass, the odds are very good that I enjoyed the beer so much that I almost finished it before realizing I had a photo to accompany the review...

I sampled Actual Brewing's Saison du Poincare late in 2015 at their taproom near the Greater Columbus International Airport.  Sadly, it looks like this beer may no longer be available... so consider this review a recording for posterity as to how good it was.  (I'm basing this on the fact that it's not listed on their web site.)

Actual describes this as "a dark saison, brewed with everything we had left in the 'cabinet' at the end of the brewing season."  I think they're being a bit modest with that description.

Saison du Poincare pours a hazy amber with white head that lingers and leaves no lacing.

The aroma has the typical Saison funk to it with some fruity notes.  I get a bit of tartness as well.

The flavor starts with a mix of sweet malt, citrus, and Saison funk.  Hops bitterness is well balanced, which is what I look for in a Saison.

I'm giving it an 8 out of 10.  Untappd gives it a 3.63 out of 5.  Beer Advocate had no reviews until I added mine.  RateBeer doesn't even have the beer listed.

Barley's Peach Infused Point of Origin (8/10)

Every year, Barley's Ale House near the convention center prepares a batch of their Origins Game Fair inspired Belgian golden ale Point of Origin. 

Brewmaster Angelo Signorino does a great job with the beer, which sells well to the thirsty gamers in town for the convention. Today he did something a little different, tapping a cask of the beer infused with peaches.

This version of Point of Origin pours a slightly orange gold with creamy white head.

The aroma is a mix of peach, orange, combined with Belgian fruity and spicy notes.

The flavor begins with a nice slightly sweet malty note with Belgian fruit and spice elements. These give way to a mix of peach and orange rind, with a touch of hops bitterness. The orange rind and hops bitterness lingers in the finish.  As a cask conditioned ale, it's a bit smoother than the standard Point of Origin, while no less tasty.

The only place you'll find this is at the Barley's Ale House location on High Street across from the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Price is $6.99 per pint, while it lasts.

I hope Angelo considers putting this one into regular rotation in his brewing schedule.  Really nice. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10, possibly a 9 if a second pint is in my future...

Actual Brewing Photon Light Lager (8/10)

Actual Brewing from here in Columbus is one of my favorite local breweries.  I like their approach to brewing, which is a combination of science and fun. They brew some good beers.

On a visit to their taproom in late 2015, I had the chance to try their Photon Light Lager, pictured at left.

Actual describes Photon by saying "This dazzling light lager has a dual nature:  a wave of golden flavor entangled with a quantum of noble hops. A challenge to brew, but a cinch to drink, this beer moves at precisely the speed of itself."

Photon pours a bright pale gold with a white head that lasts briefly. It leaves behind virtually no lacing.

The aroma is a balanced blend of hops and roasted malt.

The flavor is a clean balance of malt, hops, and a mild roasted malt.  Photon is very drinkable and a good example of the style.  The balance between malt and hops is excellent, with neither overpowering the other.  I detected no off flavors in it, either.  A really nice example of the style.

As you can see from the photo, I enjoyed it rather a lot before realizing I hadn't taken a photo yet to accompany this review.  I'm rating it a solid 8 out of 10.  I like the combination of noble hops and roasted malt, and the fact that it's easy to drink.  When I compare it to the "big names" that advertise during major sporting events on television, this is a much, much better beer.  It's the kind of brew I can imagine offering to friends and family who don't care for craft beer and having them love it.

RateBeer doesn't have enough ratings yet to give this an official number, but the existing ratings show in the 11 to 13 out of 20 range, or approximately 6 out of 10.  Beer Advocate had no ratings for the beer until I added mine.

Actual's products are available in their taproom near the airport and at a number of other locations around town.  If you like light beers, I would definitely recommend this one over any of the big-name macro brews.

Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager (6/10)

Abita Brewing of Louisiana makes Strawberry Harvest Lager.  They describe it as "a lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops" with "Real Louisiana strawberry juice" added after filtration.

Strawberry Harvest pours a clear yellow with thin white head that doesn't last long. 

The aroma is very definitely strawberry with a hint of beer behind it. 

The flavor is a mix of strawberry, lager, and mild bitterness. The finish is kind of a mix of hops and green strawberries.

Rate Beer gives Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager a 25 overall.  Beer Advocate is kinder, giving it an 80.  I am somewhere in the middle, rating it a 6 out of 10.  I give it a 6 out of 10.

This beer is available at a number of Columbus retailers.

ABV: 4.2%
IBU: 13