Nothing like getting paid to drink good beer on a Tuesday afternoon. Ah, how I love my job.
Kevin was so kind as to pour Katie and me samples of both the Imperial Blonde and Koncord Kombat Ale. Katie is not much of a beer drinker, but I like to consider myself one. I'm not a beer aficionado or anything, but I do turn my nose up at Keystone Light or Natural “Natty” Ice. Yuck.
Here are my thoughts on both of the beers. However, I urge you to get out there and try them for yourself, too.
Imperial Blonde: I'm not really a fan of blonde ales and lighter, hoppy beers – I'm more of a dark beer type of gal. It must be because I'm a brunette.
Despite my minor distaste of blondes, I did enjoy the Imperial Blonde. First off, since Manchester Brewing's beers aren't very carbonated, I noticed it was very smooth, which isn't typically how I would describe a blonde ale.
It still had the crispness associated with blonde ales. I could see myself having one on a hot summer day and actually feeling refreshed after drinking it, as opposed to weighed down and incredibly sleepy.
Katie even took a sip and didn't immediately spit it back out, as she probably would with most beverages that aren't Diet Coke. It must because she's a blonde.
Koncord Kombat Ale: I liked this one better than the Imperial Blonde, but as aforementioned, I'm slightly biased.
This one was darker in color – Kevin describes it as a mahogany – which to me always means I'm going to like it better than anything in the golden/straw color palette. Darker doesn't always mean heavier; it was still fairly light in taste.
The thing I often like about beers in this color range is usually the sweetness factor. Koncord Kombat Ale is definitely sweet and smooth, but don't worry, men, you'll still feel manly after drinking it. If not, just look at the label and grunt and you'll immediately feel better about it.
Katie also did not spit this beer out. Later in the car, she admitted that it didn't “burn her throat” like most beers do. I think that's the nicest thing she has ever said about a beer, so Koncord Kombat Ale was essentially a home run for both Katie and me.
