12 oz. into pint glass.
A: Pours a cloudy, dark amber - very pretty - with minimal head (too cold into pint glass?). Great lacing on glass.
S: Yeast before hops. Orange peel.
T: Hop bitter up front - very orangey. Astringent, bitter - reminds me of cleanliness. My last batch of IPA was cooked at too high a temperature and it tastes a lot like this.
M: Too astringent. Bittering hops too big, not balanced with flavoring.
D: Just okay. But not horrible.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Bell's Hopslam
Hopslam release party last night at Sheffield's in Chicago. The beer was way to cold, had to warm it in hands for almost 5 minutes before it started to open up. The first sip, while cold, was very tight and very carbonated. I think I will have to buy this in the bottle and try again. I remember it being so much better. still good though.
A: Opaque golden amber with a bright white head. Head has moderate staying power and lacing.
S: Orange, lavender and grapefruit. Not a ton of hops on the nose. Weird, I know, but the truth.
T: American hop forward. After warming, grapefruit, orange peel, honey.
M: Great when warmed.
D: Good - will try again and may change this review. This is still a well made beer, just not entirely what I remember and definitely not what I was expecting.
A: Opaque golden amber with a bright white head. Head has moderate staying power and lacing.
S: Orange, lavender and grapefruit. Not a ton of hops on the nose. Weird, I know, but the truth.
T: American hop forward. After warming, grapefruit, orange peel, honey.
M: Great when warmed.
D: Good - will try again and may change this review. This is still a well made beer, just not entirely what I remember and definitely not what I was expecting.
Bell's - Special Firkin of Expedition Stout
Was at Sheffield's in Chicago for the Hopslam release party and they tapped a firkin of Expedition Stout prior to the Hopslam.
A: Dark brown, casading down the glass - it looked almost like Guiness (bad lighting). Great toasty brown head with tremendous staying power and fantastic lacing. Looked like a glass of chocolate!
S: Malt, sugar - Brown sugar, very big coffee.
T: Bourbon - Heavy Coffee - Brown Sugar. A little maple syrup with a very peaty taste. Also a backing of carmelized brown sugar.
M: Wow!!! All I can say.
D: Only one. I could not have had another. Too much to handle, but what an experience!
A: Dark brown, casading down the glass - it looked almost like Guiness (bad lighting). Great toasty brown head with tremendous staying power and fantastic lacing. Looked like a glass of chocolate!
S: Malt, sugar - Brown sugar, very big coffee.
T: Bourbon - Heavy Coffee - Brown Sugar. A little maple syrup with a very peaty taste. Also a backing of carmelized brown sugar.
M: Wow!!! All I can say.
D: Only one. I could not have had another. Too much to handle, but what an experience!
Half Acre - Big Hugs
Bought a bomber at the Half Acre facility on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago - what a great looking place. The loading door was open and it smelled divine. Looked cool too - I will be booking a tour soon.
A: Pours jet black, cola with a toasty brown head - marvelous looking beer in the glass. The head has okay staying power and there is great lacing on the glass.
S: HEAVY malt and coffee grounds with a sweet, slightly nutty smell.
T: Bitter at first, sweet, too sweet and fruity. Some coffee, but I have to be honest - way too thin and sweet fruit for a big beer like this. I really think it missed the mark.
M: Just okay - thin body with residual coffee and hop bitterness creating a decent mouth feel.
D: Eh. I would like to try it again to be certain of this review, but not at $10.99 per bomber. I drink a lot of stouts and this one missed the mark for me.
A: Pours jet black, cola with a toasty brown head - marvelous looking beer in the glass. The head has okay staying power and there is great lacing on the glass.
S: HEAVY malt and coffee grounds with a sweet, slightly nutty smell.
T: Bitter at first, sweet, too sweet and fruity. Some coffee, but I have to be honest - way too thin and sweet fruit for a big beer like this. I really think it missed the mark.
M: Just okay - thin body with residual coffee and hop bitterness creating a decent mouth feel.
D: Eh. I would like to try it again to be certain of this review, but not at $10.99 per bomber. I drink a lot of stouts and this one missed the mark for me.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Last night
I split a bomber of Black Sun with Dana (now a follower of this site!) and had a few Big Sky IPAs. Black Sun was outstanding. I am glad I followed up by reading Three Floyd's site description as I thought it was supposed to be a RIS. It is listed as a medium bodied stout carrying coffee and piney hops. I was VERY pleased with this. Fantastic smell, great taste with outstanding drinkability.
The Big Sky had a very unique, pleasant smell - a little different than the Ska/Victory IPAs I have been drinking of late. The taste left something lacking. Technically, this is a brilliant IPA with a lot of character and a great balance of Hop/Malt, I just don't love it.
No review for either of these (maybe a Big Sky as I have one left) as I was at a function and thought pen to paper would seem a little odd.
There will be a review for Half Acre Big Hugs later, though - and it won't be a good one.
The Big Sky had a very unique, pleasant smell - a little different than the Ska/Victory IPAs I have been drinking of late. The taste left something lacking. Technically, this is a brilliant IPA with a lot of character and a great balance of Hop/Malt, I just don't love it.
No review for either of these (maybe a Big Sky as I have one left) as I was at a function and thought pen to paper would seem a little odd.
There will be a review for Half Acre Big Hugs later, though - and it won't be a good one.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Victory - Yakima Twilight
A: Pours a dark amber with a light tan, very substantial head.
S: Hop upfront (of course) but almost fruity with grapefruit on the nose and something else, apples? Sugary, malty smell but well balanced with the fruit and hop.
T: Again, hops. Goes without saying. Very upfront, but something different, unique - probably the focus on the Yakima Valley hops. Either way, comes with a bitter dry finish that leaves you wanting your next sip.
M: Brilliant and smooth - with a great bitter, dry finish.
D: Great and mellow for such a hop bomb. I read a review here that mentioned the malts balancing out the hops in a brilliant way and I agree. A smooth, mellow double. Enjoying another right when I finish typing this ...
S: Hop upfront (of course) but almost fruity with grapefruit on the nose and something else, apples? Sugary, malty smell but well balanced with the fruit and hop.
T: Again, hops. Goes without saying. Very upfront, but something different, unique - probably the focus on the Yakima Valley hops. Either way, comes with a bitter dry finish that leaves you wanting your next sip.
M: Brilliant and smooth - with a great bitter, dry finish.
D: Great and mellow for such a hop bomb. I read a review here that mentioned the malts balancing out the hops in a brilliant way and I agree. A smooth, mellow double. Enjoying another right when I finish typing this ...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Last thought of the day...
Two things:
1) I won't generally make a habit of waiting a week and rating the beers I drink all at once. The holidays and a friend's tragedy necessitated the postponement. Either way, great beer all the way around.
2) I think I know why I gave Hercules such a low rating (B). First of all, it isn't the right kind of bold for my palate. It is very good, don't get me wrong, but it is missing something - I can't put my finger on it quite yet. Secondly, Stout/Porter is new to me. Not new as in I have never consumed them. No. My introduction into craft beer was via Lagunitas IPA. Up until six months ago, I would have billed myself as a Hop Enthusiast. But now, things have changed. I still love hops, but I can appreciate Belgians, RIS, Amber Ale, etc., without first comparing them to a monster IPA. To put it simply, my taste is growing.
So there, the reason I am initially harsher to IPAs lies in my proclivity for them, not my disdain. I have tried more of them. The others, there turn is coming.
1) I won't generally make a habit of waiting a week and rating the beers I drink all at once. The holidays and a friend's tragedy necessitated the postponement. Either way, great beer all the way around.
2) I think I know why I gave Hercules such a low rating (B). First of all, it isn't the right kind of bold for my palate. It is very good, don't get me wrong, but it is missing something - I can't put my finger on it quite yet. Secondly, Stout/Porter is new to me. Not new as in I have never consumed them. No. My introduction into craft beer was via Lagunitas IPA. Up until six months ago, I would have billed myself as a Hop Enthusiast. But now, things have changed. I still love hops, but I can appreciate Belgians, RIS, Amber Ale, etc., without first comparing them to a monster IPA. To put it simply, my taste is growing.
So there, the reason I am initially harsher to IPAs lies in my proclivity for them, not my disdain. I have tried more of them. The others, there turn is coming.
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
12 oz into tulip.
A: Pours black - looks a bit like cola. Great head with good staying power.
S: Sweet and nutty, malt and chocolate. I am getting excited about this one.
T: Same as the smell, spot on. The name says it all - this tasted like Black Chocolate. Oh yeah, also coffee. This is fantastic brew and is deserving of any and all accolades.
M: Eh, a little to be desired, but not bad. I'll just say the moth feel is true to style.
D: If you like stout and you don't like this beer, you don't like stout. This stuff is amazing.
I am sure to have a review soon where I don't love the beer, I promise.
A: Pours black - looks a bit like cola. Great head with good staying power.
S: Sweet and nutty, malt and chocolate. I am getting excited about this one.
T: Same as the smell, spot on. The name says it all - this tasted like Black Chocolate. Oh yeah, also coffee. This is fantastic brew and is deserving of any and all accolades.
M: Eh, a little to be desired, but not bad. I'll just say the moth feel is true to style.
D: If you like stout and you don't like this beer, you don't like stout. This stuff is amazing.
I am sure to have a review soon where I don't love the beer, I promise.
Left Hand - Fade to Black
12 oz to Tulip
A: Small, toasty brown head with limited staying power. Pours ink black.
S: Toasty Malt at first. Warm spices second. Dark fruits as it settles into the nose.
T: Smokey and Bitter malt. Peat. Coffee hits a few seconds after first stip. Coffee Liqueur is there as well. Finally, I think it combines to a chocolate covered espresso bean. This is fantastic.
M: Surprisingly, the mouthfeel is lacking a bit. The coffee stays around which is neat but this is the only weak point of this for me.
D: I was a bit surprised at first, what with the smoke/peat. But after one, I couldn't wait to have another. This is great stuff.
A: Small, toasty brown head with limited staying power. Pours ink black.
S: Toasty Malt at first. Warm spices second. Dark fruits as it settles into the nose.
T: Smokey and Bitter malt. Peat. Coffee hits a few seconds after first stip. Coffee Liqueur is there as well. Finally, I think it combines to a chocolate covered espresso bean. This is fantastic.
M: Surprisingly, the mouthfeel is lacking a bit. The coffee stays around which is neat but this is the only weak point of this for me.
D: I was a bit surprised at first, what with the smoke/peat. But after one, I couldn't wait to have another. This is great stuff.
Great Divide - Hercules Double IPA
22 oz. into tulip-like glass.
A: Very clear - a light amber color. Thick head with staying power, even with the 2-pour.
S: Grain and Grass (as my brother-in-law says, "these beers taste like weeds"). Obvious Citrus and Apricot, with significant alcohol on the nose.
T: Bitter (in a good way) from start to finish. Vanilla (weird, I know). Bitter orange and grapefruit as you would expect, but the grapefruit almost takes a backseat to the apricot/vanilla, almost. This is, as you like to say, a Hop Bomb, but not in the traditional sense. The vanilla/apricot seems to curb the intensity a bit, but it is still there. The hoppininess seems to mask the alcohol as well, which may be where this comes from.
M: A nice and easy pucker... Sorry, but it is bitter on the cheeks and tongue for quite awhile after the first sip and that, to me, is fabulous.
D: This is a very drinkable beer - not quite what I was expecting with a name like Hercules tied to it, but what do I know. I think the masked alcohol could be dangerous, so buy the 4-pack and not the bomber.
Grade: B+
A: Very clear - a light amber color. Thick head with staying power, even with the 2-pour.
S: Grain and Grass (as my brother-in-law says, "these beers taste like weeds"). Obvious Citrus and Apricot, with significant alcohol on the nose.
T: Bitter (in a good way) from start to finish. Vanilla (weird, I know). Bitter orange and grapefruit as you would expect, but the grapefruit almost takes a backseat to the apricot/vanilla, almost. This is, as you like to say, a Hop Bomb, but not in the traditional sense. The vanilla/apricot seems to curb the intensity a bit, but it is still there. The hoppininess seems to mask the alcohol as well, which may be where this comes from.
M: A nice and easy pucker... Sorry, but it is bitter on the cheeks and tongue for quite awhile after the first sip and that, to me, is fabulous.
D: This is a very drinkable beer - not quite what I was expecting with a name like Hercules tied to it, but what do I know. I think the masked alcohol could be dangerous, so buy the 4-pack and not the bomber.
Grade: B+
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