Taste: 6 Finish: 6 Visual: 3 Aroma: 4
Total: 18
It is very cloudy and has a dark brown and red hue. The head is small. There is a ripe fruit and honey aroma to it. On the first sip I notice it is way too carbonated in my mouth. But under the foam is deeply ripened plums and cherries. It also as a bit of an earthy quality to it. It finishes a bit sweet and has an unexpected exhale of chocolate.
A pretty good brew except for the over-carbonation. It definitely masks some of the flavors.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Chimay Triple (White) Ale: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 24
Chimay is born from monks. It's still brewed at the abbey and then bottled world wide. Given they've been doing this for over 150 years, I expect a top notch ale.
It pours with a large but brittle head. The color is a cloudy golden touching on amber. It has a bready aroma with a touch of citrus.
There is a strong upfront flavor. I don't detect any malt sweetness. It's really that bitter yet oh so good hops up front, in the middle, and at the end. It's not overpowering. There is more bread and yeast. It also has a touch of coriander. In the finish is a hit of alcohol. Overall it is very crisp and refreshing. The finish is clean leaving a bit of hops and spice on the tongue.
A very good and drinkable brew.
Total: 24
Chimay is born from monks. It's still brewed at the abbey and then bottled world wide. Given they've been doing this for over 150 years, I expect a top notch ale.
It pours with a large but brittle head. The color is a cloudy golden touching on amber. It has a bready aroma with a touch of citrus.
There is a strong upfront flavor. I don't detect any malt sweetness. It's really that bitter yet oh so good hops up front, in the middle, and at the end. It's not overpowering. There is more bread and yeast. It also has a touch of coriander. In the finish is a hit of alcohol. Overall it is very crisp and refreshing. The finish is clean leaving a bit of hops and spice on the tongue.
A very good and drinkable brew.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Goose Island - Pere Jacques: 24
Taste: 8 Finish: 8 Visual: 4 Aroma: 4
Total: 24
A limited brewing beer by Goose Island. It pours with a minimal head. The color is a cloudy red/brown. It has a light but very nice sweet aroma. The initial sip has a great moderate taste of malt and caramel and brown sugar. Slightly roasted hops kick at the middle of the tongue. The sweet and the mildly bitter hops meld back together in the finish. There is a nice caramel left on the tongue. Under the flavor is the numbing sensation of the high alcohol content (9%) which makes even more smooth and silky.
Total: 24
A limited brewing beer by Goose Island. It pours with a minimal head. The color is a cloudy red/brown. It has a light but very nice sweet aroma. The initial sip has a great moderate taste of malt and caramel and brown sugar. Slightly roasted hops kick at the middle of the tongue. The sweet and the mildly bitter hops meld back together in the finish. There is a nice caramel left on the tongue. Under the flavor is the numbing sensation of the high alcohol content (9%) which makes even more smooth and silky.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dogfish Head - Chicory Stout: 21
Taste: 7 Finish: 7 Visual: 5 Aroma: 2
Total: 21
It's a beautiful stout with a pitch black color and a dark cream head. But I get very little aroma from it at all. The taste at first is very sweet with malt and cream. A nice roasted coffee flavor hits the mid tongue. It's not overpowering. That coffee flavor continues all the way through to the finish. But the flavors are a bit muted. It certainly is not a bold stout. It's very drinkable and would be good if you're looking to enjoy several stouts in a row.
Total: 21
It's a beautiful stout with a pitch black color and a dark cream head. But I get very little aroma from it at all. The taste at first is very sweet with malt and cream. A nice roasted coffee flavor hits the mid tongue. It's not overpowering. That coffee flavor continues all the way through to the finish. But the flavors are a bit muted. It certainly is not a bold stout. It's very drinkable and would be good if you're looking to enjoy several stouts in a row.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Founder's Breakfast Stout: 28
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 5
Total: 28
A beer of legend. An oatmeal stout brewed with chocolate and coffee, it is one of the best rated beers. It is brewed very infrequently and the distribution has been very limited. Luckily, they started shipping to New Jersey this year.
It pours with a thin head but also black as oil. It has a great aroma of coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt.
It starts sweet on the tongue from the malt. There is a bit of creaminess to it like a chocolate malted milk. In the middle of the tongue the bitter chocolate starts to peak. At the back the coffee really kicks in. Under it all is a bit of the oatmeal's earthiness. The finish is a bit dry but very smooth. The entire combination is very complex but it's not overpowering. I half expected to get hit in the face with coffee but instead it blends perfectly and is well balanced.
Truly one of the great stouts and a must try for all.
Total: 28
A beer of legend. An oatmeal stout brewed with chocolate and coffee, it is one of the best rated beers. It is brewed very infrequently and the distribution has been very limited. Luckily, they started shipping to New Jersey this year.
It pours with a thin head but also black as oil. It has a great aroma of coffee, chocolate, and roasted malt.
It starts sweet on the tongue from the malt. There is a bit of creaminess to it like a chocolate malted milk. In the middle of the tongue the bitter chocolate starts to peak. At the back the coffee really kicks in. Under it all is a bit of the oatmeal's earthiness. The finish is a bit dry but very smooth. The entire combination is very complex but it's not overpowering. I half expected to get hit in the face with coffee but instead it blends perfectly and is well balanced.
Truly one of the great stouts and a must try for all.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Fuller's 1845: 27
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 3
Total: 27
This is Fuller's bottle conditioned ale. It is a terrific deep amber color with a full creamy head. It has a very faint hop aroma.
It has a very nice sweetness upfront to it. In the mid a great caramelized malt hits the tongue. At the back of the tongue is a moderate hops. Left on the tongue is a bit of roasted malt and caramel. It has a slight smokiness and wood flavor to it as well. Also a bit of crusty bread.
A fantastic ale. Also, it's very potent at 6.2% alcohol. Lots of flavor yet very drinkable. For a straight forward English pint, this is near perfection.
Total: 27
This is Fuller's bottle conditioned ale. It is a terrific deep amber color with a full creamy head. It has a very faint hop aroma.
It has a very nice sweetness upfront to it. In the mid a great caramelized malt hits the tongue. At the back of the tongue is a moderate hops. Left on the tongue is a bit of roasted malt and caramel. It has a slight smokiness and wood flavor to it as well. Also a bit of crusty bread.
A fantastic ale. Also, it's very potent at 6.2% alcohol. Lots of flavor yet very drinkable. For a straight forward English pint, this is near perfection.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Stone Double Bastard: 29
Taste: 10 Finish: 10 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 29
2008 version:
The brew is a murky red and brown with a decent head. It has a nice hop aroma. It starts with a mild malt sweetness. It slips over the tongue with a buttery undertone. It's also a bit oily. I attribute this to the high alcohol content which when done right can slightly numb the tongue without overpowering it. There is some caramelized malt towards the middle. The hops start to pick up towards the back. It also has a bit of a piny/woodsy flavor. But above all, it is extremely smooth. I'm a bit surprised. This is typically a beer that you would store for a year or two and let it age in the bottle. So I expected it to be slightly "bright" on the palate.
Easily one of the best beers I've had. Given the Arrogant Bastard is a very in-your-face brew, I was please to see this one so well balanced with great flavors. If it had a slightly better aroma it would be perfect.
Total: 29
2008 version:
The brew is a murky red and brown with a decent head. It has a nice hop aroma. It starts with a mild malt sweetness. It slips over the tongue with a buttery undertone. It's also a bit oily. I attribute this to the high alcohol content which when done right can slightly numb the tongue without overpowering it. There is some caramelized malt towards the middle. The hops start to pick up towards the back. It also has a bit of a piny/woodsy flavor. But above all, it is extremely smooth. I'm a bit surprised. This is typically a beer that you would store for a year or two and let it age in the bottle. So I expected it to be slightly "bright" on the palate.
Easily one of the best beers I've had. Given the Arrogant Bastard is a very in-your-face brew, I was please to see this one so well balanced with great flavors. If it had a slightly better aroma it would be perfect.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Victory Storm King Stout: 27
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 5 Aroma: 4
Total: 27
Victory does it again with their Storm King Stout. It is completely black with a brown chocolaty head. It has a nice but mild chocolate and malt aroma. There is not much sweetness in this stout. This is more of a bitter stout. Lots of bitter chocolate pour over the tongue. There is a bit of sweet malt under it but it's muted. The finish is very dry and slightly bitter. I tried to take a big swig of it but I couldn't. This is a sipping stout. And at 9.1% alcohol, that's a good thing.
I could probably have two bottles of this before my pallet was exhausted. It's a very bold flavor. But also near perfection.
Total: 27
Victory does it again with their Storm King Stout. It is completely black with a brown chocolaty head. It has a nice but mild chocolate and malt aroma. There is not much sweetness in this stout. This is more of a bitter stout. Lots of bitter chocolate pour over the tongue. There is a bit of sweet malt under it but it's muted. The finish is very dry and slightly bitter. I tried to take a big swig of it but I couldn't. This is a sipping stout. And at 9.1% alcohol, that's a good thing.
I could probably have two bottles of this before my pallet was exhausted. It's a very bold flavor. But also near perfection.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Great Divide - Denver Pale Ale: 24
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 3 Aroma: 3
Total: 24
Great Divide is definitely one of the best breweries in the country with Yeti & Titan. Unfortunately, Denver starts with a relatively flat pour with a mild amber color. It also has a very mild malt aroma to it with a hint of grapefruit.
Pretty good. It starts with some mild malt sweetness. At the mid tongue to the back some hops kick in. A little grapefruit. But mostly a "copper" flavor. A bit of bitterness sits on the tongue. Really, a near perfect pale ale in taste. Having just drank several Bass' last night, this is definitely a step up in flavor and retains a smooth finish. A great bar beer or one for watching the game while downing wings and chili.
Total: 24
Great Divide is definitely one of the best breweries in the country with Yeti & Titan. Unfortunately, Denver starts with a relatively flat pour with a mild amber color. It also has a very mild malt aroma to it with a hint of grapefruit.
Pretty good. It starts with some mild malt sweetness. At the mid tongue to the back some hops kick in. A little grapefruit. But mostly a "copper" flavor. A bit of bitterness sits on the tongue. Really, a near perfect pale ale in taste. Having just drank several Bass' last night, this is definitely a step up in flavor and retains a smooth finish. A great bar beer or one for watching the game while downing wings and chili.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Dogfish Head - Worldwide Stout: 27
Taste: 9 Finish: 9 Visual: 4 Aroma: 5
Total: 27
At $10 per 12 ounce bottle, I'm anxious to try this. The color is pure black with no light through it. It has a small head that dissipates quickly. The aroma is huge. Big bold roasted coffee like putting your nose into a fresh bag of coffee beans. Under it is a bit of vanilla.
A second after my first sip I get hit with sweet but really strong coffee. French roast or stronger. There's a good bit of bitterness towards the back of the tongue. And it also turns a bit acidic and then the warm alcohol kicks is. I didn't realize this was 18%. So, this is definitely a sipper over an hour. The coffee, with a hint of dark chocolate sticks to the tongue for a while after each sip. Again, some mild vanilla undertones.
A very potent and bold brew. Definitely worth breaking out over a special occasion. Would be great to split a bottle over dessert.
Total: 27
At $10 per 12 ounce bottle, I'm anxious to try this. The color is pure black with no light through it. It has a small head that dissipates quickly. The aroma is huge. Big bold roasted coffee like putting your nose into a fresh bag of coffee beans. Under it is a bit of vanilla.
A second after my first sip I get hit with sweet but really strong coffee. French roast or stronger. There's a good bit of bitterness towards the back of the tongue. And it also turns a bit acidic and then the warm alcohol kicks is. I didn't realize this was 18%. So, this is definitely a sipper over an hour. The coffee, with a hint of dark chocolate sticks to the tongue for a while after each sip. Again, some mild vanilla undertones.
A very potent and bold brew. Definitely worth breaking out over a special occasion. Would be great to split a bottle over dessert.
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