Certainly one of the more fun beers to order around these parts is anything from the Hooker Brewery. Nothing beats approaching the bar maid or bartender, and when they ask what they can get you, respond with a straight face and dead pan delivery, "I'll have a Hooker". And the bartender has to be thinking, "if only I had a nickel for every time some smart ass came up with that line".

Okay so as a middle-aged man you have to still be carrying around remnants of an adolescent mindset to get pleasure out of that. Guilty as charged.

Today we are looking at one of the standard brews from the Hooker brewery, its Blonde Ale.

As you can see this is a lighter ale. That is a portent of things to come.

The aroma of this ale is very subtle, in that there wasn't much of one.

The first taste sensations are also subtle. There is a slight tart sensation you notice first. Then you notice a prickly malt sensation and a slight hoppiness.

It is very smooth. But it also disappears very quickly. 

I have to believe this Blonde Ale is meant for drinking on a hot summer day. It is easy to drink and goes down easy. It just does not leave a lasting impression. 

I give Hooker Blonde Ale 5 mugs out of 10. Pleasant enough to drink, just nothing special.

And I have enjoyed many of the brews from Hooker Brewery so be sure to check them out. And even if it's a variety pack that includes the Blonde Ale, you'll still find it a pleasurable experience.

By the way for those in Connecticut, the Thomas Hooker Brewery (yes it is named after a person, not a profession) is located in Bloomfield CT and they do have hours for tastings and tours. Check it out on the link above. And if you don't want to look it up, Thomas Hooker was the founder of Hartford, CT.

Here is one of the selections I made at the local supermarket that now has a section for making your own six pack.

Earlier I had written about Star Island Single from Smuttynose Brewing in New Hampshire. Today's brew is from closer to home, Thomas Hooker brewery in Bloomfield, CT. Taking a tour of the brewery is on my to-do list. I've been told the samples are great and worth the trip. 

The beer in my self-selected six pack is an offering from Hooker called Chocolate Truffle Stout. And who could pass up something with three really good things in the title? As you can see from the bottom label the chocolate comes from another iconic Connecticut mainstay, Munson's Chocolates. They have been a supplier of many a holiday chocolate treat for our family, whether it be Christmas, Valentine's Day or Easter. 

The first thing you notice about this beer of course is the inky darkness of the brew. The second thing is the cocoa aroma that hits your nose as you bring the glass towards you. Then you take that first taste.

Your first impression is of roasted coffee and cocoa notes. There is a slight bitterness as well to offset any sweetness. The flavor overall is balanced but it struck me as being on the light side. Maybe it was the color and that imposing dark-colored head, but I expected more heft in this stout. There is a slightly bitter cocoa aftertaste after you swallow, and then poof, the flavor is gone. 

Now the great aromas and flavor are easily recovered with the next swig, but as a wine-taster might put it, the flavor does not "fill the mouth". 

Overall the Chocolate Truffle Stout has good balance, definitely not too heavy, nor too sweet, nor too bitter, but a good blend of all the flavors and influences. Just wish the flavor would hang around a little while longer. 

I give Hooker's Chocolate Truffle Stout 7 mugs out of 10.   

Website for the Hooker brewery is here. 

They have brewery tours every Saturday from 12-5 PM, and open houses the 1st and 3rd Fridays for each month.