This is the final set of beers that I tasted at the 2009 Beer Advocate Extreme Beer Fest.
Overall I thought the fest was fun. Going with friends from lab was a different experience, more focused on drunkeness than times I've been with David and Win.
981. Cuvee de Castleton
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. The aroma is acidic and sour with a light graininess and citric hints. There's a nice sour backbone running throughout the beer with notes of citrus and grape fruitiness. The finish has a nice dry character.
982. Tröegs Mad Elf
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, dark amber. Topped by fizzy, soda-like carbonation. Sweet malts in the aroma: toffee and candi sugar. The taste is much like the aroma with a spicy alcohol in the finish.
983. Magic Hat Wild Ginger
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Ginger was added to this beer once during primary fermentation and once after fermentation was complete. It poured a dark copper. The aroma was dominated by ginger. There were mild caramel malts before the spiciness of the ginger took over.
984. Rosso e Marrone
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: ?
Style: Flanders Oud Bruin, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, reddish amber. The aroma is acidic and hints at the sourness to come. There's a nice tart acidity throughout over a backbone of fruity characters.
985. Plead the 5th
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
Alcohol: 12.00%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque, dark black. The aroma is roast with notes of coffee. Dark roasted malts give a chocolate and fruity sweetness upfront, and a coffee bitterness in the finish.
986. Behemoth Blonde Barleywine
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 12.50%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. There are notes of citrus and fruit as well as caramel malts in the aroma. Caramel and raw sugar malt notes upfront, followed by a leafy and citric hop flavors in the finish. Overall the malts come through as only lightly sweet.
987. Samuel Adams Imperial White
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden. Standard witbier aroma: coriander, orange peel, Belgian yeast. The flavor profile is much the same with a nice spiciness in the finish.
988. Scotty Karate Scottish Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.75%
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, dark amber-brown. The aroma is malty: caramel, molasses. Malty throughout the palate. Notes of caramel, toffee, hints of chocolate, and a lightly bitter finish.
989. Dry-Hopped 2008 Double Bastard Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: American Strong Ale
Double Bastard dry-hopped with Columbus and Amarillo hops. Pours a hazed copper. Sweet malts are evident in the aroma, as well as strong resiny hops. The flavors were similar. My notes were minimal because I was pretty drunk at that point.
Overall I thought the fest was fun. Going with friends from lab was a different experience, more focused on drunkeness than times I've been with David and Win.
981. Cuvee de Castleton
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 8.00%
Style: American Wild Ale
Pours a cloudy, straw golden. The aroma is acidic and sour with a light graininess and citric hints. There's a nice sour backbone running throughout the beer with notes of citrus and grape fruitiness. The finish has a nice dry character.
982. Tröegs Mad Elf
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, dark amber. Topped by fizzy, soda-like carbonation. Sweet malts in the aroma: toffee and candi sugar. The taste is much like the aroma with a spicy alcohol in the finish.
983. Magic Hat Wild Ginger
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Style: Herbed/Spiced Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Ginger was added to this beer once during primary fermentation and once after fermentation was complete. It poured a dark copper. The aroma was dominated by ginger. There were mild caramel malts before the spiciness of the ginger took over.
984. Rosso e Marrone
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
Alcohol: ?
Style: Flanders Oud Bruin, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a cloudy, reddish amber. The aroma is acidic and hints at the sourness to come. There's a nice tart acidity throughout over a backbone of fruity characters.
985. Plead the 5th
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
Alcohol: 12.00%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours an opaque, dark black. The aroma is roast with notes of coffee. Dark roasted malts give a chocolate and fruity sweetness upfront, and a coffee bitterness in the finish.
986. Behemoth Blonde Barleywine
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Three Floyds Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 12.50%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. There are notes of citrus and fruit as well as caramel malts in the aroma. Caramel and raw sugar malt notes upfront, followed by a leafy and citric hop flavors in the finish. Overall the malts come through as only lightly sweet.
987. Samuel Adams Imperial White
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy golden. Standard witbier aroma: coriander, orange peel, Belgian yeast. The flavor profile is much the same with a nice spiciness in the finish.
988. Scotty Karate Scottish Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dark Horse Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.75%
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy, dark amber-brown. The aroma is malty: caramel, molasses. Malty throughout the palate. Notes of caramel, toffee, hints of chocolate, and a lightly bitter finish.
989. Dry-Hopped 2008 Double Bastard Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: American Strong Ale
Double Bastard dry-hopped with Columbus and Amarillo hops. Pours a hazed copper. Sweet malts are evident in the aroma, as well as strong resiny hops. The flavors were similar. My notes were minimal because I was pretty drunk at that point.
Labels: American Barleywine, American Wild Ale, Beer Fests, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Flanders Oud Bruin, Herbed/Spiced Beer, Russian Imperial Stout, Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy, Witbier
Scott, a friend from Texas, was in town the weekend of November 8th, so we met at the CBC for dinner and drinks. There were two new beers on tap so I had one of each.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
915. The Audacity of Hops
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: ?
Serving: Tap
Style: Belgian IPA
Appearance: 4.5 | Smell: 4.5 | Taste: 5.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.5 | Drinkability: 4.5
Overall: 4.7
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about Belgian IPAs. I love the concept, and I've enjoyed most of the Belgian IPAs that I've tried. However, most of the examples that I've had seem to be more like a heavily hopped Belgian Strong Pale Ale/Tripel rather than an IPA with a Belgian flavor profile. The characteristic Belgian flavors still seem to dominate. The hops are evident, but aren't the focus, nothing about them really makes me think IPA.
The Audacity of Hops is what I've wanted in a Belgian IPA. Lots of hop flavor with the Belgian characteristics providing the balancing backbone of the beer. The hops seem like the focus rather than an afterthought. You may disagree, but this is what I think a Belgian IPA should be
The Audacity of Hops pours a deeply cloudy golden. Topped by a thick white head that thins to a film leaving sheets of lace. The aroma says IPA more than Belgian. The citric and resiny hop aromas are most evident, with a bit of underlying Belgian yeast fruitiness.
The malts start sweet with bready and caramel notes. The center is fruity, with notes of banana. The finish has a yeasty and peppery kick. The hops are noticeable throughout, but really become strong in the finish with nice resiny and herbal hop flavors that linger in the aftertaste along with a pleasing bitterness. Medium-bodied, with a bit of oiliness from the hops, and a good amount of carbonation without being overdone.
Hoppy, but balanced well. Crisp and drinkable. Like I said, this is what a Belgian IPA should be.
916. Spinal Pumpkin
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 4.0
Overall: 4.0
This is a "Pumpkin Barleywine" brewed with eleven varietals of heirloom pumpkins, as well as spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Beer Advocate lists this as a Pumpkin Ale, but I'm going to go with the base style.
Pours a hazy, amber brown with a thin, wispy head that fades to a few stray bubbles. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Strong aromas of pumpkin flesh with a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg to complement.
Sweet pumpkin upfront, caramel malts in the center, with a finish of cinnamon and nutmeg complemented by a mild bitterness. Full-bodied and smooth with a mild carbonation.
The alcohol is so well hidden. The beer is a tad sweet but a light, lingering bitterness goes a long way for balance.
Labels: American Barleywine, Belgian IPA, Cambridge Brewing Company
After the driving range we went to McSorley's, because Win was interested in seeing the oldest continuously operating bar in The City. We had a couple rounds and an order of cheese and crackers to tide us over since we had an early brunch.
After leaving McSorley's, we went to Burp Castle. We snacked on the free fries there, and played three person hearts on the porch. I narrowly edged Win out for the win 42-43, and David lagged with 69 points. We had a few rounds here, before heading to our next stop.
845. Lime & Ginger Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Fruit Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.3
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a dense, white head that sticks around quite awhile. The aroma is dominated by the spicing: mostly ginger with a subtle hint of lime.
Overall this beer is very neutral. There's a slight malty undercurrent that runs throughout, and a finish that has ginger spiciness, citrus and a hint of bitterness. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation and a light dryness in the finish.
Not overly spiced which was good, but not a lot of flavor otherwise.
846. Backburner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.85
Pours a clear, deep amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a patchy film leaving spotty lace. The aroma is malty and very fruity with notes of caramel and cherries. Swirling brings out hints of hops.
Malty: caramel and a bit of chocolate. Toasty with a bit of citrusy hops and a nice bitter finish. Full-bodied, moderate to low carbonation and smooth.
After leaving McSorley's, we went to Burp Castle. We snacked on the free fries there, and played three person hearts on the porch. I narrowly edged Win out for the win 42-43, and David lagged with 69 points. We had a few rounds here, before heading to our next stop.
845. Lime & Ginger Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.
Alcohol: 5.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: Fruit Beer, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 4.0 | Smell: 3.0 | Taste: 3.0 | Mouthfeel: 3.5 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.3
Pours a clear golden. Topped by a dense, white head that sticks around quite awhile. The aroma is dominated by the spicing: mostly ginger with a subtle hint of lime.
Overall this beer is very neutral. There's a slight malty undercurrent that runs throughout, and a finish that has ginger spiciness, citrus and a hint of bitterness. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation and a light dryness in the finish.
Not overly spiced which was good, but not a lot of flavor otherwise.
846. Backburner
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance: 3.5 | Smell: 4.0 | Taste: 4.0 | Mouthfeel: 4.0 | Drinkability: 3.5
Overall: 3.85
Pours a clear, deep amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a patchy film leaving spotty lace. The aroma is malty and very fruity with notes of caramel and cherries. Swirling brings out hints of hops.
Malty: caramel and a bit of chocolate. Toasty with a bit of citrusy hops and a nice bitter finish. Full-bodied, moderate to low carbonation and smooth.
Labels: American Barleywine, Fruit/Vegetable Beer
Win had mentioned that one of his coworkers was also a bartender at a new beer bar/brewpub in Waco called The Dancing Bear Pub. This was exciting because Cricket's, Waco's other beer bar, focuses more on imports than on craft beer (though there are some good craft options). Waco is already "Chain Restaurant Hell" so it's nice to see something -anything- open that isn't a chain. That's not to say there aren't good non-chain restaurants in Waco , there are (Bangkok Royal has some of the best Thai food I've had anywhere), but the most popular restaurants seem to be chains, and the citizenry only seems to be clamoring for more chains. Enough bitching about Waco though.
The Dancing Bear opened recently, and as a consequence doesn't yet have the permits from the TABC for brewing. According to the menu there will be 5 beers: Dancing Bear Pale, an American Pale Ale; Black Bear Stout, an Irish Dry Stout; 12th Street Wheat, an American Pale Wheat Ale; Barron Estates IPA; and 76 Magnum IPA, a Double IPA. I was a little disappointed the brewery wasn't up and running yet, because I don't know when I'll be back to Waco. Unless something comes up between now and then it won't be until next Christmas.
The Dancing Bear is near the intersection of 12th St. and Speight Avenue near the Baylor campus. The outside isn't much, it's half of a small building with two retail spaces. The other half is a restaurant called "Food for Thought." I've never been, but you can order their food at the bar.
The inside is much nicer. There was a long bench along the left side of the bar with tables and chairs next to it. There were booths along the right side of the bar and taller tables and chairs on the right side at the rear. The walls were half wood-paneled with greenish-beige paint on the top half. The bar was lit by hanging lights, that were somewhat dim, but could have been dimmer. The walls were a little bare. They had some stuff up, but it definitely looked a bit sparse. There was an L-shaped bar with shelving against the wall displaying a variety of bottles. It was raining, but there was a large fenced in patio with tables and a space for a band (live jazz on Thursdays) out back.
The inside is nicer. The night I went it wasn't crowded, a few people at the bar and a few at a table. I think Win said that the other times he's been it's been busier, but this was the first day it was open after Christmas. Maybe it's sampling error, but it seemed to attract the Waco hipster crowd.
Click for a larger image:
There were about 18 taps and about 50 or 60 bottles available, with a lot of good, craft breweries represented like Real Ale, Great Divide, Avery, Left Hand, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, Victory, New Belgium, Chimay, Unibroue, Allagash, Bear Republic, Ommegang, Dogfish Head, Rogue and Stone.
I didn't have much interaction with the bartenders, but on previous trips Win was given samples to help him decide on what to order, so the service seems pretty good.
750. Sisyphus
I like to try Texas beers that I haven't had before when I'm back home so I started out the evening with a pint of Real Ale Sisyphus, a barleywine.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazed amber-copper with a beige head that thins to a film leaving patches of lace.
Smell (3.5): Light overall, dark fruit, a nice caramel maltiness, and hints of alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Sweet caramel malts, vague notes of dark fruit. The finish has a bit of citrus character, with notes of earth and a moderate bitterness. The alcohol is well hidden.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, moderate carbonation, creamy.
Drinkability (3.5): Sweet, and a little strong. Could have used a little more hops.
Overall (3.65): I really liked the maltiness in this beer, but I thought it could have used a bit more hop bitterness.
751. Mothership Wit
New Belgium doesn't distribute to Massachusetts, so I always try to have any new offerings that I see.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): This beer might seem a bit pale for some, but this is exactly how I think a witbier hould look. Pours a pale, hazy straw-golden. The head thins to a film leaving wispy lace.
Smell (4.0): Banana, clove, coriander. A bit of grain as well.
Taste (3.5): Upfront graininess. Light sweet fruitiness, banana, clove, coriander, citrus, and powdery yeast.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodies and powdery.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, but very drinkable.
Overall (3.9): I thought this was a good witbier. It could have used a bit more boldness in the flavor department, but it was still quite tasty.
294. Shade Grown Coffee Porter
Another great beer that I only get in when I'm in Texas.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.30%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours black with amber tints at the edges. The beige head thins to a film leaving no lace.
Smell (4.0): The nose is predominantly coffee, with some chocolate.
Taste (4.5): Sweet chocolate and dark fruit flavors. The finish is a nice roasted, coffee bitterness with a bit of lingering fruitiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderately high carbonation. Some graininess.
Drinkability (4.5): Very tasty.
Overall (4.35): One of my favorite coffee porters, it has a nice coffee flavors without beating you over the head with it.
The Dancing Bear opened recently, and as a consequence doesn't yet have the permits from the TABC for brewing. According to the menu there will be 5 beers: Dancing Bear Pale, an American Pale Ale; Black Bear Stout, an Irish Dry Stout; 12th Street Wheat, an American Pale Wheat Ale; Barron Estates IPA; and 76 Magnum IPA, a Double IPA. I was a little disappointed the brewery wasn't up and running yet, because I don't know when I'll be back to Waco. Unless something comes up between now and then it won't be until next Christmas.
The Dancing Bear is near the intersection of 12th St. and Speight Avenue near the Baylor campus. The outside isn't much, it's half of a small building with two retail spaces. The other half is a restaurant called "Food for Thought." I've never been, but you can order their food at the bar.
The inside is much nicer. There was a long bench along the left side of the bar with tables and chairs next to it. There were booths along the right side of the bar and taller tables and chairs on the right side at the rear. The walls were half wood-paneled with greenish-beige paint on the top half. The bar was lit by hanging lights, that were somewhat dim, but could have been dimmer. The walls were a little bare. They had some stuff up, but it definitely looked a bit sparse. There was an L-shaped bar with shelving against the wall displaying a variety of bottles. It was raining, but there was a large fenced in patio with tables and a space for a band (live jazz on Thursdays) out back.
The inside is nicer. The night I went it wasn't crowded, a few people at the bar and a few at a table. I think Win said that the other times he's been it's been busier, but this was the first day it was open after Christmas. Maybe it's sampling error, but it seemed to attract the Waco hipster crowd.
Click for a larger image:
There were about 18 taps and about 50 or 60 bottles available, with a lot of good, craft breweries represented like Real Ale, Great Divide, Avery, Left Hand, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, Victory, New Belgium, Chimay, Unibroue, Allagash, Bear Republic, Ommegang, Dogfish Head, Rogue and Stone.
I didn't have much interaction with the bartenders, but on previous trips Win was given samples to help him decide on what to order, so the service seems pretty good.
750. Sisyphus
I like to try Texas beers that I haven't had before when I'm back home so I started out the evening with a pint of Real Ale Sisyphus, a barleywine.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 11.20%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.0): Pours a hazed amber-copper with a beige head that thins to a film leaving patches of lace.
Smell (3.5): Light overall, dark fruit, a nice caramel maltiness, and hints of alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Sweet caramel malts, vague notes of dark fruit. The finish has a bit of citrus character, with notes of earth and a moderate bitterness. The alcohol is well hidden.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Full-bodied, moderate carbonation, creamy.
Drinkability (3.5): Sweet, and a little strong. Could have used a little more hops.
Overall (3.65): I really liked the maltiness in this beer, but I thought it could have used a bit more hop bitterness.
751. Mothership Wit
New Belgium doesn't distribute to Massachusetts, so I always try to have any new offerings that I see.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Alcohol: 4.80%
Serving: Tap
Style: Witbier, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): This beer might seem a bit pale for some, but this is exactly how I think a witbier hould look. Pours a pale, hazy straw-golden. The head thins to a film leaving wispy lace.
Smell (4.0): Banana, clove, coriander. A bit of grain as well.
Taste (3.5): Upfront graininess. Light sweet fruitiness, banana, clove, coriander, citrus, and powdery yeast.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Light-bodies and powdery.
Drinkability (4.5): Flavorful, but very drinkable.
Overall (3.9): I thought this was a good witbier. It could have used a bit more boldness in the flavor department, but it was still quite tasty.
294. Shade Grown Coffee Porter
Another great beer that I only get in when I'm in Texas.
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Real Ale Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.30%
Serving: Tap
Style: American Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (4.5): Pours black with amber tints at the edges. The beige head thins to a film leaving no lace.
Smell (4.0): The nose is predominantly coffee, with some chocolate.
Taste (4.5): Sweet chocolate and dark fruit flavors. The finish is a nice roasted, coffee bitterness with a bit of lingering fruitiness.
Mouthfeel (4.0): Medium-bodied, moderately high carbonation. Some graininess.
Drinkability (4.5): Very tasty.
Overall (4.35): One of my favorite coffee porters, it has a nice coffee flavors without beating you over the head with it.
Labels: American Barleywine, American Porter, New Belgium Brewing, Real Ale Brewing Company, Witbier
There's not much to say in this post. These are my tasting notes for the middle 10 beers that I had at the Extreme Beer Fest. My handwriting remains legible for all 10 of these beers, but does start to deteriorate a little towards the last few. There are no beers that I have marked down as standouts from these 10, though it was nice to finally get to try a Berlinerweiss.
621. Allagash Bacchus Tripel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.20%
Style: Tripel, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden. The aroma is sour apples, vinous and a little buttery. There are tart apple flavors, as well as some wine like qualities. An interesting tripel. I'd like to have it again and take proper notes.
622. Iron Hill Hopzilla
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Alcohol: ?
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. The aroma has some berry fruitiness, malts and citric hops. The flavor is toasty malts, citric fruitiness and a hoppy bitterness in the finish.
623. The Tap Erebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: Eisbock, BJCP Style Guide
The style I'm not sure of here, it's listed as an Eisbock on ratebeer, but the Tap's website only describes it as a "very strong lager," which may or may not be an Eisbock. It xertainly didn't look like an Eisbock. Pours a clear golden. There's a strange, savory aroma, with a bit of a medicinal tinge. Upfront there's a mix of sour and sweet apple flavors, and a mild bitterness in the finish.
624. The Tap Berlinerweiss
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 2.80%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
This was my first Berlinerweiss, I drank this without the available syrups. It pours a hazy, pale, straw color. The aroma is grainy with a definite lactic, bacterial edge. The beer was lightly grainy, with a pronounced lactic sourness.
625. Captain Swain's "Big Woody" Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black. The aroma is very light, some fruitiness and roasted malts. The flavor is fruity and sweet with a strong roasted bitterness in the finish.
626. Weekapaug Gruit Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Style: Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
I've never been to the CBC when they have this on tap, so I decided to give it a shot. This was a tall pour, maybe a sample and a half. It pours a hazy brown. Notes for this one were tough since I haven't had any other Gruits. The aroma, like the flavor, was predominantly herbal/floral.
627. Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.50%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear amber/copper. The aroma is fruity with some floral, citric and resiny hops. The flavor is fruity and peppery with a citric hop bitterness in the finish.
628. Dogfish Head Festina Peche
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 4.50%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
According to the fest program: "A Neo-Berliner Weiss brewed with fresh peaches. The beer is comprised of half wheat malt and half Pilsner malt, with an addition of lactic acid." This one pours a pale, hazy, straw color with a thick white head. I didn't catch peaches specifically, but I did notice fruitiness in both the aroma and flavors, which were predomiantly lactic acid sourness.
629. Samuel Adams Baltic Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Baltic Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a fizzy brown head. The aroma is mostly fruity with some roasty chocolate notes. The flavor is much the same with more prominent chocolate flavors and a light roasted bitterness.
630. Avery Samael's (2006)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Avery Breweing Company
Alcohol: 14.50%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a copper orange. The aroma is fruity and malty, with a light citric hop hint. The beer is very sweet and fruity with a bit of pepper and vanilla.
I have one more Extreme Beer Fest post to get done, hopefully I'll get that done in the next few days and get caught up with the blog.
621. Allagash Bacchus Tripel
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company
Alcohol: 9.20%
Style: Tripel, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a lightly hazy golden. The aroma is sour apples, vinous and a little buttery. There are tart apple flavors, as well as some wine like qualities. An interesting tripel. I'd like to have it again and take proper notes.
622. Iron Hill Hopzilla
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Alcohol: ?
Style: American IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper. The aroma has some berry fruitiness, malts and citric hops. The flavor is toasty malts, citric fruitiness and a hoppy bitterness in the finish.
623. The Tap Erebus
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: Eisbock, BJCP Style Guide
The style I'm not sure of here, it's listed as an Eisbock on ratebeer, but the Tap's website only describes it as a "very strong lager," which may or may not be an Eisbock. It xertainly didn't look like an Eisbock. Pours a clear golden. There's a strange, savory aroma, with a bit of a medicinal tinge. Upfront there's a mix of sour and sweet apple flavors, and a mild bitterness in the finish.
624. The Tap Berlinerweiss
Beer Stats:
Brewery: The Tap / Haverhill Brewery, Inc
Alcohol: 2.80%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
This was my first Berlinerweiss, I drank this without the available syrups. It pours a hazy, pale, straw color. The aroma is grainy with a definite lactic, bacterial edge. The beer was lightly grainy, with a pronounced lactic sourness.
625. Captain Swain's "Big Woody" Stout
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cisco Brewers Inc.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black. The aroma is very light, some fruitiness and roasted malts. The flavor is fruity and sweet with a strong roasted bitterness in the finish.
626. Weekapaug Gruit Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Cambridge Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.00%
Style: Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
I've never been to the CBC when they have this on tap, so I decided to give it a shot. This was a tall pour, maybe a sample and a half. It pours a hazy brown. Notes for this one were tough since I haven't had any other Gruits. The aroma, like the flavor, was predominantly herbal/floral.
627. Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company
Alcohol: 7.50%
Style: American Amber/Red Ale, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear amber/copper. The aroma is fruity with some floral, citric and resiny hops. The flavor is fruity and peppery with a citric hop bitterness in the finish.
628. Dogfish Head Festina Peche
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Alcohol: 4.50%
Style: Berliner Weissbier, BJCP Style Guide
According to the fest program: "A Neo-Berliner Weiss brewed with fresh peaches. The beer is comprised of half wheat malt and half Pilsner malt, with an addition of lactic acid." This one pours a pale, hazy, straw color with a thick white head. I didn't catch peaches specifically, but I did notice fruitiness in both the aroma and flavors, which were predomiantly lactic acid sourness.
629. Samuel Adams Baltic Porter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Boston Beer Company
Alcohol: ?
Style: Baltic Porter, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a fizzy brown head. The aroma is mostly fruity with some roasty chocolate notes. The flavor is much the same with more prominent chocolate flavors and a light roasted bitterness.
630. Avery Samael's (2006)
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Avery Breweing Company
Alcohol: 14.50%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a copper orange. The aroma is fruity and malty, with a light citric hop hint. The beer is very sweet and fruity with a bit of pepper and vanilla.
I have one more Extreme Beer Fest post to get done, hopefully I'll get that done in the next few days and get caught up with the blog.
Labels: American Barleywine, American IPA, Baltic Porter, Beer Fests, Berliner Weissbier, EisAmerican Amber/Red Alebock, Russian Imperial Stout, Scottish Gruit, Tripel
Last Saturday I went to the Beer Advocate Extreme Beer Fest. I also went last year. The format was similar to the Belgian Beer Fest, unlimited 2 oz. pours, rather than 10 tickets for 4 oz pours. I went alone this time, so I was pretty efficient at having new stuff. I ended up having 30 new beers, plus a few others that I'd had previously. Needless to say I was pretty drunk by the end of the fest, and was hungover the next day. Word to the wise, being hungover on a brunch date the morning after a beer fest isn't fun.
The notes are shorter and really only concern appearance, smell and taste. The descriptions are also more general because it's harder to get a full picture of the beer with small samples. I'm splitting this into three posts, because I've been too busy to blog regularly.
611. Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
Alcohol: 13.50%
Style: Eisbock, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy brown red. The aroma is woody, raspberry and vinous. The taste is a bit like sherry with sharp alcohol and a light raspberry sweetness.
612. Sixpoint Gemini
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 10.60%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
The aroma was mostly citric hops, with a bit of malt. However the taste was overly sweet and not hoppy enough. I was disappointed with this one, though a larger sample might help.
613. Stone Old Guardian Barleywine (2007)
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 11.26%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper, with a wonderfully fruity aroma, with hints of bananas and berries. The flavor is more malty fruitiness with a mild hop bitterness that strengthens in the aftertaste. This is surprisingly drinkable.
614. Goose Island Special Ed
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: Rauchbier, BJCP Style Guide
According to the fest guide: "Imperial "Smoke-ED" Brown Goose, brewed with 60 percent Weyerman beechwood-smoked malt, and aged in Heaven Hill barrels for four months."
My Notes: Hazy brown. Bourbon, wood, vanilla and a hint of smoke in the aroma. The flavor is much the same, but with a stronger smokiness.
615. Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pils
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 8.80%%
Style: American Double Pilsner
Pours a hazy, straw color. The aroma is fruity with notes of apples, berry and pepper. The taste is the same, but the spiciness dominates, with a lingering hop bitterness in the finish as well.
616. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: American Double Stout
It's hard to get your hands on this beer in Boston, so I jumped at the chance to sample it. It pours a dark black. The aroma is strong coffee and a bit of woodiness. This actually smelled like a cup of coffee on the first sniff. The flavors are very nice, sweet chocolate, vanilla, coffee and some woodiness.
617. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 11.00%
Style: American Double Stout
Pours a dark black, with a brown head. The aroma is bourbon and dark fruit. There are roasted malt flavors, coffee, dark fruit and a light tartness in the finish. The mouthfeel is creamy and full-bodied.
618. Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper. The smell is wonderfully hoppy and fruity. There are fruity and malty sweet flavors upfront followed by a strong citric hop bitterness in the finish. Very nice.
619. Iron Hill Framboise
Brewery: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Alcohol: 4.80%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
This was recommended to me by someone standing near the Iron Hill booth, with the warning that it was "sour." Since I love sour beer I tried it. Pours a cloudy orange-pink. The smell is spot on fruit-lambic, with raspberries, funk and acidity. The flavors are sweet raspberries, sourness through the center, and a medicinal/funky finish. This is a great attempt at the style.
620. Imperial Death March Stout
Brewery: Milly's Tavern
Alcohol: 8.80%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a dark brown head. Light fruit, phenols and coffee in the aroma. Dark fruit sweetness, chocolate and a roasted coffee bitterness.
I'm almost a month late in getting this posted. I'm going to try to work on part two tonight, and hopefully I'll get caught up on blogging soon, though there isn't much to blog about.
The notes are shorter and really only concern appearance, smell and taste. The descriptions are also more general because it's harder to get a full picture of the beer with small samples. I'm splitting this into three posts, because I've been too busy to blog regularly.
611. Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
Alcohol: 13.50%
Style: Eisbock, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy brown red. The aroma is woody, raspberry and vinous. The taste is a bit like sherry with sharp alcohol and a light raspberry sweetness.
612. Sixpoint Gemini
Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales
Alcohol: 10.60%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
The aroma was mostly citric hops, with a bit of malt. However the taste was overly sweet and not hoppy enough. I was disappointed with this one, though a larger sample might help.
613. Stone Old Guardian Barleywine (2007)
Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 11.26%
Style: American Barleywine, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a clear copper, with a wonderfully fruity aroma, with hints of bananas and berries. The flavor is more malty fruitiness with a mild hop bitterness that strengthens in the aftertaste. This is surprisingly drinkable.
614. Goose Island Special Ed
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 10.50%
Style: Rauchbier, BJCP Style Guide
According to the fest guide: "Imperial "Smoke-ED" Brown Goose, brewed with 60 percent Weyerman beechwood-smoked malt, and aged in Heaven Hill barrels for four months."
My Notes: Hazy brown. Bourbon, wood, vanilla and a hint of smoke in the aroma. The flavor is much the same, but with a stronger smokiness.
615. Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pils
Brewery: Rogue Ales Brewery
Alcohol: 8.80%%
Style: American Double Pilsner
Pours a hazy, straw color. The aroma is fruity with notes of apples, berry and pepper. The taste is the same, but the spiciness dominates, with a lingering hop bitterness in the finish as well.
616. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
Brewery: Founder's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 10.00%
Style: American Double Stout
It's hard to get your hands on this beer in Boston, so I jumped at the chance to sample it. It pours a dark black. The aroma is strong coffee and a bit of woodiness. This actually smelled like a cup of coffee on the first sniff. The flavors are very nice, sweet chocolate, vanilla, coffee and some woodiness.
617. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Brewery: Goose Island
Alcohol: 11.00%
Style: American Double Stout
Pours a dark black, with a brown head. The aroma is bourbon and dark fruit. There are roasted malt flavors, coffee, dark fruit and a light tartness in the finish. The mouthfeel is creamy and full-bodied.
618. Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA
Brewery: Weyerbacher Brewing Co.
Alcohol: 9.00%
Style: American Double IPA, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a hazy copper. The smell is wonderfully hoppy and fruity. There are fruity and malty sweet flavors upfront followed by a strong citric hop bitterness in the finish. Very nice.
619. Iron Hill Framboise
Brewery: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Alcohol: 4.80%
Style: Fruit Lambic, BJCP Style Guide
This was recommended to me by someone standing near the Iron Hill booth, with the warning that it was "sour." Since I love sour beer I tried it. Pours a cloudy orange-pink. The smell is spot on fruit-lambic, with raspberries, funk and acidity. The flavors are sweet raspberries, sourness through the center, and a medicinal/funky finish. This is a great attempt at the style.
620. Imperial Death March Stout
Brewery: Milly's Tavern
Alcohol: 8.80%
Style: Russian Imperial Stout, BJCP Style Guide
Pours a dark black with a dark brown head. Light fruit, phenols and coffee in the aroma. Dark fruit sweetness, chocolate and a roasted coffee bitterness.
I'm almost a month late in getting this posted. I'm going to try to work on part two tonight, and hopefully I'll get caught up on blogging soon, though there isn't much to blog about.
Labels: American Barleywine, American Double IPA, American Double Pilsner, American Double Stout, Beer Fests, Eisbock, Rauchbier
