New year, new beers! We’re back and much the same as ever, beervolk! New Year’s Eve was an extravaganza of wonderful beers and I shall try to get to many of them in time. But I begin 2009 with a review of a good old brew from Yuengling. As I was on the east coast, finally my longing thirst for said brewery was slaked. Today we discuss their Lord Chesterfield Ale. Or rather I dogmatically drone; you read receptively.

You all know what we in the Hall think of Yuengling Lager. It is superb. Liquid pleasure. Their Lord Chesterfiled Ale is perhaps less distinct than the lager, but it is a very good beer. And what it lacks in unique notes, it makes up for by exemplifying the taste of a basic ale. It has the characteristics of a good German beer. The hops are there in the aroma and brace the malt flavor, ultimately defining the finish. The light golden body and thin white head contain more malt-hop interplay than you might expect from the beer’s appearance. The flavor is simple but satisfying and refreshing. This could be a dinner, hors d’ouvre or session beer. Or all three at once. Whatever your thing is, man.