Beer Review: Anti-Hero IPA

Reviewing the Anti-Hero IPA from Revolution Brewing Company. This is one of the brewpub's three year-round beers (in addition to the Eugene Porter and Organic Bottom Up Wit) that is getting the "canning and distribution" treatment as part of Revolution's expansion. I also had the opportunity to try the "Citra Ice Cream" while enjoying this beer. Yum!
Score: 93

Tap pour in a tulip glass. Forgot to snap a pic of the beer, but I did take a picture of the IPA as part of a five beer taster flight that I ordered (the Anti-Hero IPA, in case you can't read my handwriting, is pictured on the left. You can see my fifth beer taster, The Bandit, behind the four beers prominently pictured).

Appearance: Bright, clear honey-orange color with one finger of foamy cream-colored head that gradually settles into a thin layer. Above average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Fresh, zesty citrus, tropical fruit and pine. A pleasant freshly cut grass smell is in the aroma. Lots of bright orange, grapefruit and tangerine. Subtle caramel malt aroma too. 4.25/5

Taste: Bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors mixed with piney resin. Very fresh flavors. The signature flavor of Citra hops is definitely discernible. Loads of grapefruit, zesty orange, some lemon, and tangerine. Even get some pineapple. Pretty smooth and not very bitter for the amount of piney hops flavor in this brew. Yum. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied with high-medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Finishes dry and bitter. 4.5/5

Overall: This is probably my favorite single IPA brewed in Chicago (note: Galactic Double Daisy Cutter was better, but it is an imperial IPA). It is superior brew to Daisy Cutter, in my opinion, and I wish Anti-Hero would supplant Daisy Cutter as the most frequent on tap "local beer" around Chicago bars. Anti-Hero is an outstanding IPA that I can't wait to consistently enjoy outside of Logan Square, though I hear the formula is getting tweaked slightly to drop the ABV a touch.

Recommendation: I highly recommend this beer for all people who do not hate hops flavor. Beer geeks should seek this one out. It is not overly bitter, but people who can't stand any degree of hoppy bitterness should probably avoid this.

Pairings: Hamburgers.

Cost: $6 for a tulip.

Beer Review: The Bandit

Reviewing The Bandit from Revolution Brewing Company.
Score: 86

Tap pour served in a pint glass. Forgot to snap a picture of my pint, but I took a picture of the sample I had as part of a five beer flight before hand (pictured to the right).

Appearance: Deep brown color. Largely opaque with caramel colored highlights at the top and bottom of the body. Creamy tan head settles into a thin ring around the glass. Solid lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Peaty rye and hickory. Light chocolate. This one smells like a campfire. 3.5/5

Taste: Imagine turning a campfire aroma into a drinkable liquid. That is this beer. Tons of smokey hickory throughout with hints of smoked turkey and ham. A little dark fruit and some rye/toasted spice. Light roasted chocolate and smoked hickory finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Creamy mouthfeel. Medium bodied with low carbonation. Leaves a spiced smoke finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A very solid tasting smoked beer. Smoked beers are an interesting style that I have only had a few of. Some may not like it because it is very smoky, but I enjoy that peaty sensation. Be forewarned, this beer is a palate killer, so do not order it first. I do not think The Bandit was as good as the New Glarus Unplugged Smoked Rye ale, but I could easily order another one of these if it's still on tap next time I go to Revolution.

Recommendation: If you do not mind smoky flavors, then I highly encourage you to try this unique brew.

Pairings: Pulled pork or smoked turkey sandwich on rye bread.

Cost: $6 for a pint.

Beer Review: Hugene

Reviewing Hugene from Revolution Brewing Company. Today is the first day of this beer's release, and I am apparently the first person to review it on Beer Advocate.
Score: 88

Tap pour served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours an ink black-as-night color that is 100% opaque with a thin tan ring of head around the glass. Swirling creates a thin creamy layer of head. Lacing is pretty sticky, above average. 4/5

Smell: Muted roasted chocolate, raisin/fig and light caramel. 4/5

Taste: Lots of prune/fig flavors throughout. Increasing chocolate maltiness as the beer layers. Hints of caramel up front. There is a "warming" alcohol sensation, but no real alcohol flavor until this beer approaches room temperature. Finish is smooth chocolate and dark fruit. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with minimal carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel with a slightly sweet, kind of sticky finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A very solid imperial porter. More nuanced than "flavor forward," unlike most imperial-style dark beers. This brew is definitely worth trying, but at either $8 for a 10-12 oz snifter pour, it is not worth the price to sip this all night. I wonder if this one with get the bottling/canning treatment as a seasonal/once-a-year beer as a part of Revolution's expansion.

Recommendation: A very balanced and muted, but flavorful porter that should be enjoyed by beer geeks and casual beer drinkers alike.

Pairings: A chocolate cupcake.

Cost: $8 for a 10-12 oz snifter pour or $4 for a sampler glass.

Beer Review: Canadian Breakfast Stout

For BEER REVIEW #100*(!), which just so happened to fall on New Years Eve, I thought I'd bust out something special from the cellar...
*beer review number 100 is determined per my Beer Advocate running total. This is "only" posted review number 98 for SaBEERmetrics. There are two reviews that I have not posted here yet for beers that I reviewed before starting this blog.

Reviewing the infamous Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) from Founders Brewing Company.
Score: 97

2011 vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter glass.

Appearance: Jet black color, 100% opaque. No light cuts through this stuff. Pours two fingers of creamy tan/cocoa colored head that very slowly settles into a half finger. Amazing, sticky lacing. 5/5

Smell: Coffee and creamy chocolate. Some fig and maple with muted marshmallows/vanilla. Roasted chocolate aromas come out as the beer warms, and caramelized/burnt brown sugar smells become apparent as the amount of beer in the glass dwindles. 4.5/5

Taste: Very balanced and delicious. Smooth maple and mellow bourbon up front. Lots of creamy chocolate thereafter. Lots of smooth syrupy flavors without the syrupy stickiness/thickness. Lingering maple/chocolate flavor. Increasing amounts chocolate and raisins as it layers. Definitely getting dark fruit on the mid-palate. 10.6% ABV is completely hidden. The flavors are not super intense, but they are amazing. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Full-medium bodied with the perfect minimal level of carbonation. Viscous and velvety, like melted chocolate (only lighter on the palate). The flavor of this beer absolutely coats the palate. Finish is sweet. 5/5

Overall: While I would not call CBS my favorite beer, it is an absolutely fantastic, must-try brew. Truly "world class." There is a reason that this brew is universally recognized as one of the best beers in the world. I am very tempted to keep my second bottle for a future tasting, but the Rare variant of Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout beckons...

Recommendation: A must-try stout for beer geeks and casual beer drinkers alike. Highly recommend people try this one.

Pairings: This one is a dessert in and of itself, and should be enjoyed as such. Maybe you could pair it with waffles.

Cost: $7.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

St-Ambroise Stout Impériale Russe

Reviewing the St-Ambroise Stout Impériale Russe from McAuslan Brewing.
Score: 91

2011 vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter glass.

Appearance: Jet black and completely opaque. Pours three fingers of foamy chocolate-brown colored head that slowly recedes into a full finger of dense foamy heady. Amazing lacing. 5/5

Smell: Chocolate malts, coffee and hazelnut. Some toffee and dark fruit and maybe a hint of licorice. Light booziness in the aroma too. 4/5

Taste: Huge, consistent coffee-forward flavor throughout. Some dark fruit that gradually increases on the mid-palate as the beer layers. Light chocolate flavors weaved into the coffee. Lingering bitter coffee finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Acidic bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A lot more coffee flavors than expected in this Russian Imperial Stout. Very delicious, but very coffee-centric. I'd certainly try another bottle if I could easily get my hands on some.

Recommendation: If you do not like coffee and sharp bitterness, avoid this beer. Otherwise, enjoy!

Pairings: Chocolate cake? Maybe biscotti? How about a bagel with cream cheese!

Cost: $7.99 for a 12 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Double Jack

Reviewing the Double Jack Double IPA from the Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
Score: 90

Bottled on 11/14/11, served in a St. Bernardus Watou snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear, bright honey-orange color with lightly effervescently appearance. Half a finger of soapy white head from pour settles into a ring around the glass. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Bright lemon citrus and pine. Grapefruit and tangerine. Really piney hops. Some light (caramel?) malts too. 4/5

Taste: Lots of resiny pine up front. Loads of tangerine and grapefruit citrus on the mid-palate and in the finish. Very smooth hop bitterness. Finish is piney resin and lemon. Light malty bitterness in the finish too. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Dry and bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A very solid, tasty imperial IPA with a good piney flavor and plenty of hops without being too bitter-forward.

Recommendation: People who do not like "hops" flavors should avoid this beer, but all others are encouraged to try.

Pairings: Hamburgers.

Cost: $8.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Lindemans Framboise

Reviewing Lindemans Framboise from Brouwerij Lindemans.
Score: 86

2011 vintage bottle served in a champagne flute.

Appearance: Purple-red, almost red wine-like, colored body with two fingers of strawberry-pink colored bubbly head. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Sweet raspberry and sugar candy. 3.5/5

Taste: Candied raspberries. There is a light lingering sugary raspberry sweetness. Light tartness. Very one dimensional, but very refreshing. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied with high carbonation. Finish is mostly crisp, with a light lingering sugary-sweetness. 4/5

Overall: Not very complex, especially in comparison to the stouts that I usually drink, but quite refreshing. For a one dimensional beer, it does its one dimension (raspberry candy aroma/flavor) well. Most importantly, this beer paired great with Colleen's new year's eve chocolate cake (see food pairings, below)! I do not like most sours, gueze, lambics, etc., but I did enjoy this one. I would probably have this one again.

Recommendation: Beer geeks should try this staple framboise at some point. Casual beer drinkers and people who "do not like beer" will absolutely love this beer (which does not taste like beer -- the people I shared it with thought it was champagne).

Pairings: Colleen's mocha chocolate cake with semi-sweet ganache filling and chocolate mousse frosting.

Cost: $6.49 for a 12 oz bottle or $10.99 for a 750 ml bottle.