Beer Review: Green Flash Double Stout

Reviewing the Green Flash Double Stout from Green Flash Brewing Company.
Score: 91

12 oz tap pour served in a St. Bernardus Watou chalice/goblet glass at the Lincoln Park beer geek bar The Local Option. The picture I took at the bar came out horribly, so I am using a stock photo from a liquor store's website.

Appearance: Pours a totally opaque jet black color with just under a finger of creamy tan/mocha head that settles into a thick ring around the glass and bubbly clump in the center. Average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Burnt/roasted chocolate, dark fruit and light coffee. A very pleasant smelling stout, but nothing unique or overly complex. 4/5

Taste: This is a very chocolate-forward beer. Tons of roasted/burnt chocolate flavors throughout. A nice blend of bitter dark and sweet milk chocolate coat the palate. Increasing amounts of raisin/fig/dark fruit sweetness on the mid-palate as the beer layers. A little alcohol is noticeable (8.8% ABV), but the booziness is not "hot" -- just detectable. Finish is lingering bitter, unsweetened dark chocolate, with an increasing amount of fig flavor as the beer layers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low carbonation. Finishes dry and bitter for most of the beer. Halfway through the glass, the finish stays dry, but becomes bittersweet. 4/5

Overall: A very solid imperial stout that I could easily see myself returning to again. While it's not innovative or standout in any regard, the Green Flash Double Stout is a delicious chocolate-forward stout. My only gripe is the detectable alcohol, though there was not enough booziness present to ruin the beer. There was enough, however, to warrant grading down the taste rating from 4.5 to 4.0 between first impression and last sip.

Recommendation: A solid chocolate-forward beer for malty stout lovers, and a good starter imperial stout for casual beer drinkers.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $7 for a 12 oz tap pour or $10.99 for a four pack of 12 oz bottles.

Beer Review: Gudeløs

Reviewing the Gudeløs from Bryggeriet Djævlebryg ApS (a brewery from Denmark).
Score: 94

9 oz tap pour served in a St. Benardus Watou snifter glass at the Lincoln Park beer geek bar The Local Option (located on the DePaul campus, more or less)

Appearance: Pours a 100% opaque, ink black color with two fingers of soapy mocha head that slowly settles into a thin layer. Amazing lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Roasted chocolate and dark fruit. Some roasted coffee, lots of roasted malts. Caramel and light vanilla too. Burnt sugar, milk chocolate and hints of marshmallow. The aroma is loaded with chocolate 4.5/5

Taste: Roasted unsweetened chocolate throughout. Just tons and tons of roasted chocolate here. Some dark fruit and light caramel on the mid-palate. Some chewy raisins and fig on the mid-palate and in the finish. Lingering unsweetened bitter chocolate finish. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with light-medium carbonation. Finish is extremely dry and bitter. This is very thick and viscous stout that coats the palate with chocolate flavors. 4.5/5

Overall: A top notch imperial stout. I recently traded for a couple of bottles of this European beer, and I can't wait to try this one again. I would not be surprised if I enjoyed this brew even more in a non-bar setting, where I can serve it at my preferred temperature without "environmental" aromatic distractions.

Recommendation: A must-try stout for both beer geeks and casual beer drinkers alike. All must revel in the chocolaty goodness.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake.

Cost: $9 for a 9 oz pour at the bar.

Beer Review: Furious

Reviewing the Furious from Surly Brewing Company. I will always remember this as one of the first IPAs that I ever had and enjoyed -- on tap in 2008 at Sheffield's Bar in Chicago. There's a funny story about that day, but that's for another time, and only for my friend Maks to reveal...Thanks to BeerAdvocate user Mid for hooking me up with the fresh can.
Score: 90

Canned on 12/06/11. Served in a Sam Adams perfect pint glass and enjoyed 12/28/11. I had an older vintage can earlier in the year. You can find that review, for comparison, below this one. The score above reflects the fresher can.

Appearance: Pours a dark copper color that falls somewhere between transparent and translucent, with a finger and a half of soapy khaki/tan colored head that slowly settles into a ring around the glass and clump of thin head in the middle. Pretty great lacing. 4/5

Smell (from the can): Deliciously pungent and fresh citrus aromas. This is much better and fresher smelling than the two month old can I had earlier in the year. Lots of zesty tropical fruit -- lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, and hints of pineapple and orange. Huge whiffs of pine. Some nondescript floral/herbal aromas too. Yum! 5/5

Taste: Lots of mellow, but fresh and zesty pine/citrus notes throughout. Malty grapefruit and lemons. A bitter piney hoppiness upfront quickly mellows into a more subtle bitter finish. Hint of caramel on the mid-palate and in the finish. Furious finishes with the same pine/citrus flavors it starts out with, though the bitterness is more subdued in the finish. The beer seems to get more malty as it layers. Though the taste was much better with the fresher can, this can was not nearly as hoppy as I remember Furious being when I last had it on tap many moons ago. Nonetheless, this is a very solid single IPA. Certainly superior to the oft hyped Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Lagunitas Sucks (though both are substantially more available in more places than Furious, which is only sold in cans in Minnesota). 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, light-medium carbonation. Finishes dry and bitter. As with the older can that I drank, the beer feels undercarbonated, which keeps the bitterness and zesty flavor of the beer from "popping" on the tongue (rather than falling flat). 3/5

Overall: Though the fresher can was certainly superior to the older can, I still recall this beer being better when I had it on tap in Minnesota and Chicago last year. Perhaps the tap's added carbonation is the missing ingredient to take the flavors from good to great. Certainly an IPA worth trying, but note that freshness is pretty important here. 20 days of freshness seemed to make a big difference in flavor and aroma in my opinion.

Recommendation: A really good starter IPA for casual beer drinkers, and a solid IPA for beer geeks. Absolutely worth seeking out, but get a fresh can. Try reviewing the aroma from the can before you pour it into your glass. The smells seemed more pronounced in the can. That may be psychological, or it may be from the increased oxidation of volatiles.

Pairings: Hamburgers.

Cost: $12 for a four pack of 16 oz cans.

________

OLD REVIEW from BeerAdvocate.

Served from a can, freshness date is 10/11/11, poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Enjoyed 11/17/11

Appearance: Pours a Amber-Copper color that is translucent, but on the darker color side. Pours a finger and a half of head, settle down to half a finger. 4/5

Smell: Very floral, grapefruity citrus hops aromas. 4.5/5

Taste: Tastes exactly as it smells, but more subdued. The bitterness is not overwhelming and rather than peaking, mellows out over the course of flavor to finish. Has a very piney/citrusy taste. Subdued bitterness may be due to beer's month-plus age. I recall the flavor being much more pronounced last time I had it (off tap). Flavor falls flat, sadly. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: More watery than expected. The carbonation seems a little off, which keeps the bitterness and flavor of the beer from "popping" (rather than falling flat). 3/5

Overall: Still one of my favorite IPAs in memory, though the third time was not the charm. I will have to try a fresher batch and re-review.

Beer Review: Courage Imperial Russian Stout

Reviewing the Courage Imperial Russian Stout from Wells & Young's Brewing Company. You probably best know this brewery for their flagship beer, Young's Double Chocolate Stout.
Score: 89

Unknown vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter glass. Has what I presume is a "best before" date on the neck: 19/09/24.

Appearance: Pours an opaque black coffee color with brown highlights atop the glass. Pours two and a half fingers of soapy tan colored head that slowly recedes into a thin layer. Excellent lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Huge aromas of roasted malts and dark fruits. Milk chocolate, prunes, some coffee, and alcohol. Some licorice, mocha and toffee aromas too. Smells a lot like Great Lakes Blackout Stout. 4/5

Taste: Taste follows the aroma. Dark fruits and roasted malts upfront -- figs and prunes are most prominent. Chocolate and alcohol on the mid-palate. Toffee and vanilla on the mid-palate too. Finish is chocolate, toffee and alcohol flavor. I think I detect hints of stainless steel flavor three-quarters of the way through the glass, though I may just be imagining things and confusing the boozy flavor. Honestly, this brew is a little boozy in the flavor (10.0% ABV), but pretty delicious nonetheless. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Thick, creamy mouthfeel. Near full bodied with moderate carbonation -- perhaps a touch too much carbonation. Finish is dry and bitter. If the beer was just a little less carbonated, it would have gotten a much higher mouthfeel rating. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid Russian Imperial Stout that could have been excellent if the booziness was throttled back. For what it is at $6.49, however, this one is a bit overpriced. This beer's best comparable is Blackout Stout, and Blackout Stout is better (and cheaper).

Recommendation: Not a good starter Russian Imperial Stout for casual beer drinkers. Beer geeks should probably enjoy this one, though the booziness is not very balanced.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake.

Cost: $6.49 for a 9.3 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Abrasive Ale

Reviewing the Abrasive Ale from Surly Brewing Company. Thank you BeerAdvocate user Mid for sending me this one!
Score: 100

16 oz can with a "canned on" date of 12/01/11 poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Enjoyed 12/28/11.

Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy, translucent copper-orange color with a full finger of creamy cream colored head that slowly settles into a thin layer and thick ring around the glass. Amazing lacing. An absolutely gorgeous IIPA. 5/5

Smell: This one is extremely fresh and citrusy! I could smell the beer as I was pouring it out of the can. Huge amounts of pine and zesty citrus. Lots of fresh grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, oranges and tropical fruit. A little caramel malt. Deep whiffs of the fresh, zesty citrus aromas really perk the smell receptors, just like Zombie Dust. Abrasive Ale's aroma rivals Heady Topper. 5/5

Taste: WOW. Huge of zesty grapefruit and pine flavors throughout. I wouldn't say this one has a "malty backbone," but a noticeable maltiness on the mid-palate counterbalances what would otherwise be an extreme citrus hop bomb of bitterness. That balance is nice, as it takes you to the edge of hoppiness and back before the finish. Huge notes of fresh lemon come out more and more as the beer layers. The citrus zestiness of the beer is like a bright sunshine of hops on the palate. A lingering lemony bitterness grows in the finish as the beer layers. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, high carbonation. The carbonation really highlights the zestiness on the palate, making the bright, fresh citrus flavors "pop" on the tongue. Finishes dry and sharply bitter. 5/5

Overall: This is amazing imperial IPA -- the best I have had to date. This one takes you to the edge of fresh citrus hoppiness and back. An absolute must try beer. This is one tailor-made for hops heads.

Recommendation: Beer geeks need to seek this beer out; it lives up to the hype. This is a must try beer. Casual beer drinkers who are not hops averse should probably enjoy this one too, though I have found IPAs, and especially imperial IPAs, to be a poor "gateway" into craft beer for casual beer drinkers.

Pairings: I paired this one with beef shwarma, Mediterranean rice and tahini, and I thought the spiciness and hoppiness paired really well.

Cost: $16 for a four pack of 16 oz cans.

Beer Review: Obsidian Stout

Reviewing the Obsidian Stout from Deschutes Brewery out of Oregon. They are best known for their flagship Russian Imperial Stout, the Abyss, which I recently acquired a bottle of. This is my first ever beer from this brewery, which and it comes with high regards.

Score: 94

2011 vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter.

Appearance: Pours a black coffee color with a solid finger of creamy mocha colored head that slowly settles into a thin layer. Almost completely opaque, with a tiny layer of brown highlights atop the glass. Noticeable carbonation with absolutely amazing lacing. This is a gorgeous stout. 5/5

Smell: Black coffee and creamer/milk hit up front. Then lots of burnt/roasted chocolate and raw dark chocolate aromas. Getting lots of roasted malt flavors too. Hint of vanilla. The nose is not very complex, but it is absolutely inviting. 4.5/5

Taste: Velvety black coffee and light vanilla upfront. Lots of roasted chocolate on the mid-palate and in the finish. Some smokiness. Finish is burnt coffee and burnt chocolate. Then a "delayed," lingering finish of bitter dark chocolate seems to come out of nowhere and dominate. Yum! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium-plus carbonation. Very creamy, silky mouthfeel. Finishes very dry and bitter. 4/5

Overall: One of the best non-imperial stouts I have sampled to date. This is one that lives up to its hype. Cannot wait to try the Abyss. A little less carbonation and a little more viscocity would have made this one near perfect. Given the current state of craft beer, Obsidian Stout is a sheer bargain at less than $10 per six pack. I need to get my hands of some more bottles of this.

Recommendation: This is a great craft brew that both beer geeks and casual beer drinkers can greatly enjoy. A truly magnificent stout.

Pairings: Steak or chocolate cake.

Cost: $8.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Hop Devil Ale

Reviewing the Hop Devil Ale from Victory Brewing Company.
Score: 87

2011 vintage bottle with March 18 2012 freshness date served in a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a transparent deep red/orange copper color with a finger of soapy cream colored head that settles into a thin lace across the surface of the beer. Excellent lacing. 4/5

Smell: Lots of funky citrus, grapefruit, and earthy hops dominate the nose, though the aroma is not pungent. 4/5

Taste: Lots of zesty grapefruit, spices, and citrus hops upfront. Some pine. Sharp caramel maltiness on the mid-palate. At first, the zestiness is crisp, though there is a lingering finish of earthy bitterness and dirt. As the beer layers, however, pine and zesty grapefruit gradually grow in the finish. The maltiness also grows in the finish too as the brew layers. Honestly, this beer gets a little too malty for my taste as its layers. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with high-medium carbonation. Oily on the tongue. Dry, lingering finish that is both bitter and malty. 4/5

Overall: A zestily hopped single IPA with a strong malt backbone. A very balanced brew.

Recommendation: Given its balanced hoppiness, this is a good starter IPA for casual beer drinkers. Beer geeks should enjoy this one too.

Pairings: Falafel or beef shawarma.

Cost: $9.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Stone IPA

Reviewing the original Single IPA from Stone Brewing Company.
Score: 93

2011 vintage bottle served in a Sam Adams glass. Forgot to snap a pic, so I am borrowing the one from the Stone website.

Appearance: Hazy golden-orange color. Pretty translucent. Pours one and a half fingers of foamy head that sticks around a while with some lacing on the side of the glass as well. 4/5

Smell: Very herbal, tart-citrus aroma. Lemony fresh with nondescript spices. 4.5/5

Taste: Very hoppy and citrusy. The carbonation makes the lemon/fruit-citrus bitterness quite zesty. Quite piney too. Lasting hop finish. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. 3.5/5

Overall: The golden standard of year-round single IPAs.

Recommendation: An absolute must try single IPA. If you have not yet had the pleasure, you must. Even casual beer drinkers should be able to appreciate the quality of this brew, though hop haters might need to avoid this one.

Pairings: Hamburgers.

Cost: $4.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle or $10.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Cadillac Mountain Stout

Reviewing the Cadillac Mountain Stout from Bar Harbor Brewing Company. This is one of many great beers from a mystery box sent from BeerAdvocate user Centennial. Thanks again!
Score: 91

2011 vintage bottle poured into a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours an opaque black coffee color with brown highlights at the top of the glass. One finger of super creamy mocha-tan head slowly settles into a thick ring around the glass. Above average lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Lots of strong, roasted coffee and earthy coffee grind aromas. Then some roasted milk chocolate at first. Some smokey charcoal too. 4/5

Taste: Strong black coffee upfront, and bitter burnt coffee towards the finish. Dry, bitter and unsweetened chocolate on the mid-palate and in the finish. A light charcoal flavor on the mid-palate too. Hints of prune as the beer layers. A bitter front and finish bookend a slightly sweet middle. Chocolate flavors increase as the beer warms. A little hoppy in the finish. Good linger. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Full-medium bodied, light-medium carbonation with a creamy/smooth mouthfeel. Finishes very dry and bitter. 4/5

Overall: A very solid non-imperial stout that is worth tracking down to try.

Recommendation: Highly recommend for beer geeks and casual beer drinkers who enjoy coffee flavors.

Pairings: Espresso-and-chocolate flavored cake.

Cost: $4.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle. No details on the cost of 12 oz bottles.

Beer Review: Matilda

Reviewing the Matilda from Goose Island Brewing Company.
Score: 86

2011 vintage bottle served in a pilsner/wine flute hybrid glass at a Tapas cooking class with my girlfriend.

Appearance: Pours a hazy, translucent sunset-orange color with yellow highlights around the glass. Pours close to three fingers of fluffy head that slowly settles into a solid finger and a half of yellow-white doughy head. Very bright and effervescent. Above average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Bananas, Belgian yeast and cloves. Doughy bread, light citrus and some floral perfume. Also detecting some spices that I cannot put my finger on. 3.5/5

Taste: Lots of Belgian yeast and cloves throughout. A little tart fruitiness and mild lemon on the mid-palate and in the finish. I get waves of hard cider flavor too. Increasing notes of unidentifiable "spices" come out as the beer layers. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with high-medium carbonation. A little less carbonated than expected based on the appearance. This beer also surprisingly coats the mouth with a lot of lingering yeast and light tart fruit flavors. I say this is a surprise because of the effervescent appearance. Quite refreshing and drinkable. 4/5

Overall: A pleasant Belgian style pale ale with a light sour twist -- very interesting. I would certainly try this refreshing brew again. Probably best enjoyed during the summer months.

Recommendations: A solid craft beer for casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike, though the former are more likely to enjoy it than the latter. This brew is a major step up in quality from 312, but it is just as approachable and drinkable. This is about as "sour" as I like my beers to be.

Pairings: Grilled lemon-crusted chicken would probably work well, though Matilda makes a good apéritif as well.

Cost: $7.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle or $11.99 for a four pack of 12 oz bottles.

Beer Review: Barrel Aged Old Rasputin XIV

Reviewing the Barrel Aged Old Rasputin XIV from North Coast Brewing Company. I am very excited to crack this one open. Barrel Aged Old Rasputin was the beer that got me into imperial stouts, and I have not had this brew since 2008 (the XI anniversary batch).
Score: 96

2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a completely opaque, ink black color with one-plus finger of creamy mocha/brown colored head that slowly settles in to a thin layer, leaving lots of residue on the side of the glass in the process. Excellent lacing. 5/5

Smell: Mellow bourbon, prunes and chocolate up front. Also detecting brown sugar, roasted marshmallow, and oats. Hints of nut, fig, and dark fruit. Some oatmeal. Hints of booziness. 4.5/5

Taste: Very balanced and nuanced with complex flavors. You can easily tell that this is an Old Rasputin brew, but with extra layers of complexity from aging in bourbon barrels. Mellow bourbon up front with lots of roasted malts. Toasted marshmallow, a little vanilla and unsweetened chocolate on the mid-palate. More chocolate comes through as the beer warms/layers on the mid-palate. Also detecting increasing amounts of prunes, figs and dried semi-sweet dark fruits. Prunes, raw chocolate and bourbon in the finish. A little nuttiness comes through in the finish as the beer layers. The bourbon characteristics of the beer also grow as the brew warms and layers. There is a touch of booziness the finish. Excellent linger. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Just shy of full bodied with minimal carbonation. This brew absolutely coats the palate with delicious flavors that really linger. Finishes slightly sweet. 5/5

Overall: This beer is just as delicious as I remember it being. A true top flight Russian Imperial Stout. At $25/bottle, the price tag on this brew is a bit high -- especially when you consider the regular Old Rasputin, at $7.99 a four pack, is one of the best year-round bargains in craft beer. Alas, this is one of those few costly brews that is well worth the high price.

Recommendation: A must try beer for casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike. This brew is revelatory.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake.

Cost: $24.99 for a 16.9 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Siberian Night

Reviewing the Siberian Night from Thirsty Dog Brewing Company.
Score: 88

2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep brown/black color with a thin layer of creamy tan colored head that settles into a lace across the top of the glass. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Creamy milk chocolate. Hits of hops. Raw coffee beans and dark chocolate. 4/5

Taste: Dark unsweetened chocolate and light hoppiness upfront. Mocha and semi-sweet chocolate morsels on the mid-palate. Finish is roasted coffee and raw chocolate. The linger is excellent. Not overly complex, but pretty tasty. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied with minimal carbonation. Creamy, porter-like mouthfeel. Finishes dry and bitter. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid tasting Russian Imperial Stout with too light a mouthfeel for the style and for the flavors it is packing. Worth trying, and probably worth trying again, but not necessarily worth going out of your way to acquire.

Recommendation: Casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike should enjoy this one.

Pairings: Fudge brownies.

Cost: $9.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Java Head Stout

Reviewing the Java Head Stout from Tröegs Brewing Company. This is the first beer that I have ever had from Tröegs. I am very excited.
Score: 87

2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a black coffee color, opaque with ruby highlights at the top and bottom of the glass. Full finger of creamy mocha head from the pour that gradually settles into a thin lace and thick creamy ring around the edge of the glass. Excellent lacing. An absolutely gorgeous looking stout. 4.5/5

Smell: Percolating coffee, semi-sweet chocolate morsels and espresso. Also detecting oatmeal and some dark grains. Hints of toffee. 4/5

Taste: Smooth, earthy black coffee and roasted oats. Citrus hoppiness and a little toffee. Cocoa on the mid-palate. Finishes with coffee and a citrus twist. The citrus hops character of the beer was completely unexpected and quite interesting. The beer is not overly bitter, despite the coffee and hops flavors. 7.5% ABV is completely hidden. 4/5

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel of this beer is a glaring weakness. An overly light body cost this beer an A- rating. Instead, it ends up being rated as a high B/low B+. Java Head Stout is medium-light bodied, which was surprising given the appearance. The mouthfeel is smooth and a little creamy with low carbonation. Finishes very dry and bitter. 3/5

Overall: A pretty solid coffee/oatmeal stout that could be something special if given a thicker mouthfeel and fuller bodied. Nonetheless, this is a really solid brew that is worth seeking out.

Recommendation: Safely recommendable for beer geeks and casual beer drinkers looking for a gateway into the craft scene.

Pairings: Biscotti.

Cost: $12.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Bell's Java Stout

Reviewing the Java Stout from Bell's Brewery.
Score: 90

2011 bottle served in snifter

Appearance: Darkest of browns, no light can cut through this beer. Small tan head on pour, that dissipates a minutes later. 4/5

Smell: Black coffee, espresso and milk chocolate. 4/5

Taste: Tastes like roasted black coffee with hints of creamy milk chocolate. Delicious coffee breath finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Creamy medium body with very low carbonation. Finishes bitter. 4/5

Overall: This is a delicious coffee-forward stout that is incredibly drinkable. I do not particularly like coffee, but enjoyed this brew.

Recommendation: Fans of coffee flavors will love this one, whether they are a casual beer drinker or a beer geek.

Pairings: Almond biscotti or oatmeal cookies.

Cost: $15.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

Reviewing the Bourbon Barrel Stout from Central Waters Brewing Company.
Score: 88

2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Body is an opaque dark caramel-black color with brown highlight around the perimeter. Pours a thin layer of tan head that settles into a lace atop the brew. Average lacing for a 9.5% ABV stout. 3.5/5

Smell: Vanilla extract and tiramisu. Vanilla cookies, maple syrup and bourbon. Faint hints of chocolate, a and a touch of booziness. 4/5

Taste: Bourbon-forward. Smooth vanilla upfront mixed with a little black coffee. Touch of red grape on the mid-palate and in the finish. Some maple throughout, and a lot of caramel towards the finish. Finish is sweet, malty caramel and bourbon with a solid linger. A little alcohol warmth, especially as it approaches room temperature, but not in an overwhelming sense. This one probably has the kind of profile that ages well. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with the perfect amount of light carbonation. Finishes sweet and a little sticky. 3.5/5

Overall: An absolutely delicious barrel aged imperial stout that does not require you to stalk a distribution truck to enjoy. I highly recommend this one.

Recommendation: Beer geeks should love this relatively easy to find barrel aged beer, while casual beer drinkers who enjoy bourbon should enjoy this one too. Casual beer drinkers who are not fans of drinking the brown liquors should probably avoid this one, however.

Pairings: Chocolate brownies with caramel fudge (and nuts!).

Cost: $12.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Candy Cane Bourbon Russian Imperial Stout

Reviewing the Candy Cane Bourbon Russian Imperial Stout from Goose Island Brewing Company.
Score: 95

Fresh tap pour at the Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub served in a 12 oz snifter glass. 9% ABV

Appearance: Thick, get black body. 100% opaque -- no light cuts through this one. Pours with no head other than a thin tan ring around the glass (see image to the right). Average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Light bourbon and molasses. Maybe a little maple. Some sweet figs. A little brown sugar and vanilla. Light booziness too. Not detecting lots of peppermint in the nose, but I'm enjoying what I smell. 4/5

Taste: Wow. This is very smooth and complex. Peppermint, dark unsweetened chocolate and bourbon without the alcohol bite hit up front. Some sweet tobacco too. Peppermint candy spice kick really "pops" on the mid-palate like a pop rocks candy (only much more subtle). Mellow bourbon, light marshmallow and fig finish. Increasing molasses sweetness on the mid-palate as the beer layers. This one rivals King Henry in terms of flavor. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and perfectly carbonated. Really viscous and palate-coating with robust flavor. Finishes sweet. 4.5/5

Overall: An absolute must try Russian Imperial Stout with a peppermint twist. This beer is part of Goose Island's toy drive special release series for the holidays and is only available at the Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub while supplies last. Well worth $9. I really wish they bottled this one (or at the very least, would let me take home a growler of it).

Recommendation: Beer geeks absolutely must seek this beer out before the tap runs dry. Casual beer drinkers should enjoy this one too.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake.

Cost: $9 for a 10 oz pour.

Beer Review: Bender

Reviewing the Bender from Surly Brewing Company. Thank you BeerAdvocate user FunHog for hooking me up with this one!
Score: 82

04/19/11 canned beer poured into a Goose Island Irish-style imperial pint glass. Enjoyed 11/23/11.

Appearance: Pours a dark chestnut/caramel brown color with a finger of super creamy khaki-tan colored head that sticks around a while. Opaque with yellow-brown highlights at the top and ruby highlights at the bottom of the glass. Excellent lacing. 4/5

Smell: Caramel and vanilla cream soda. Notes of coffee/espresso, earthy hops and a light nuttiness. Chocolate malts too. 4/5

Taste: Caramel and nuts. Some chocolate malt ball flavor, bready malts and butterscotch on the mid-palate. Light vanilla and hint of coffee. Hints of hoppiness at points. Crisp caramel and hazelnut finish. Gets sweeter as it layers and warms. Pleasant flavors, but no linger. I get hints of stainless steel sweetness at points. Maybe this one is better fresh. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. Finishes bittersweet. 3/5

Overall: A solid brown ale that is worth hunting down. This one is probably better fresh. Surly has much better offerings than Bender, however. It is probably worth noting that I am not a big fan of brown ales.

Recommendation: I can safely recommend this one to casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike, but if you are trying Surly beer for the first time, nab a Furious instead.

Pairings: I was drinking this one with an Oatmeal Raisin cookie, but a chocolate chip cookie with nuts in it could work well too.

Cost: $12 for a four pack of 16 oz cans.

Beer Review: 100% Bourbon Barrel Aged Cuir

Reviewing the 100% Bourbon Barrel Aged Cuir from The Bruery. A hearty thank you to BeerAdvocate user FrankenBrew for sharing this one with me!
Score: 97

2011 vintage bottle served in a CBS snifter glass.

Appearance: Cuir is a dark caramel, mostly opaque color with yellow-brown highlights at the top of the body. Pours a thin foggy layer of cream-colored head that quickly settles into a thin bubbly ring around the glass. Minimal lacing. 4/5

Smell: Oak, red grapes and maple. Bourbon and vanilla too. A little boozy. 4.5/5

Taste: Very complex and sweet, but not overly sweet. This is a very balanced brew. Brown sugar and red grape hit up front. Then lots of bourbon flavors without the alcohol bite coat the mid-palate. Yum! As the beer layers, dark fruits flavors gradually grow, with lots of fig and raisin on the mid-palate. Lots of raisin flavor! A little oaky too. The finish is bourbon without the alcohol bite, raisins and a twist of vanilla. This is absolutely one of the most delicious tasting beers that I have ever had and it is surprisingly smooth and balanced for a barrel aged beer -- especially one that is 14.5% ABV. The alcohol was apparent in the nose, but is hidden in the flavor. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, minimal carbonation. Thick and tasty. Finishes sweet. 4.5/5

Overall: An absolutely brilliant beer -- possibly the best Old Ale that I have ever had. Cuir is a bit pricey, but it is well worth the cost.

Recommendation: Even casual beer drinkers will be able to appreciate this brew. Beer geeks need to seek this limited-release brew out and wallow in its robust complexities.

Pairings: Chocolate and caramel brownies.

Cost: $35 for a 750 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A

Reviewing the Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. from Shmaltz Brewing Company (He'Brew).
Score: 60

2011 vintage bottle poured into a Sam Adams glass.

Appearance: Pours a transparentish mahogany color with a finger, maybe a finger and a half of khaki colored creamy head that settles into a thin layer of head. Slightly below average lacing. 3/5

Smell: Caramel and rye. A lot of a sweet, sugary caramel. Lots of malts. A little funk -- reminds me like the aroma from my first homebrew. Very dank, earthy hops. Aroma is too sweet. 2.5/5

Taste: Very unbalanced and boozy. Heavy doses of earthy, oversweetened caramel malts hit upfront. Huge malt backbone. A giant first sip made me cringe. Has the characteristics of an overly hot, too fresh barleywine. Most of the sweetness is on the front and mid-palate. Finish is quite earthy and bitter, with some rye and spice. Refused to finish this one, and even my Steel Reserve drinking friend had to chase it with with a 312. 1.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and thick -- entirely too much so for an IPA. Low end of medium with carbonation. Bitter, lasting finish. Too bad I did not enjoy the flavor that lingered. 2/5

Overall: The bottle claims this is a "Double IPA with Rye Malt," but it's really just a hot barleywine with earthy hops.

Recommendation: Avoid this one. Casual beer drinkers may find this one undrinkable. If you must drink this beer, perhaps you should age it for awhile first.

Pairings: Gouda cheese (or the sink drain).

Cost: $11.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Big Hugs

Reviewing the Big Hugs from Half Acre Brewing Company.
Score: 88

Fresh 2011 vintage bottle poured in a CBS snifter glass. Amazing artwork on the bottle. Click on the images to the right (labels from the different Big Hugs vintages) to enlarge.

Appearance: Pours a pitch black with a half finger of creamy tan head that settles into a thin ring around the glass. Pretty solid lacing. 4/5

Smell: Velvety black coffee. Raw cocoa beans, dark unsweetened chocolate and raw coffee beans. Light hops aroma. 4/5

Taste: Creamed coffee. Some hops on the mid-palate. Raw bitter coffee bean finish. Some raw, unsweetened chocolate on the mid-palate as the beer layers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Creamy and medium bodied. Light-plus carbonation, perhaps a touch too much carbonation. Finish is bitter and a little acidic. 3/5

Overall: A solid imperial stout from Half Acre. Certainly worth trying, but a little over-hyped if you ask me.

Recommendation: A very true to style, tasty, and inoffensive beer that I recommend to beer geeks and casual beer drinkers alike. Do not go too far out of your way to try this one, however.

Pairings: Chocolate cake.

Cost: $12 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle from the Half Acre Brewery Store.

Beer Review: 2009 Nemesis

Reviewing the 2009 Nemesis (side by side with the 2010 Nemesis) from Founders Brewing Company. Review is from notes, thank you BenC for bottlesharing this one!
Score: 83

2009 vintage bottle served in a tulip-snifter hybrid glass. Forgot to snap a pic, so I'm borrow the brilliantly framed one you see on the right.

Appearance: Pours a translucent orange-red color with minimal head and lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Maple syrup and bourbon. Brown sugar and red grapes. Some sweet booze. A little yeasty banana. Creamy vanilla. 4/5

Taste: Very sweet. Red grapes and brown sugar on the mid-palate. Lots of bourbon and maple syrup throughout. A little banana bread, vanilla and oak too. Finish is straight bourbon. The beer is still quite hot. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, light carbonation. Finishes very sweet. 3.5/5

Overall: A pretty solid barleywine. The maple aging makes it very unique and enhances the sweetness of the beer a lot. Still very hot, though. I'd be interested to see how this one tastes with a few more years of age on it.

Recommendation: Beer geeks should seek this one out, but age it for a couple more years before cracking it open. Casual beer drinkers will probably not enjoy this one. This one has a lot of potential if it mellows out.

Pairings: I was baffled by this one. I thought S'mores might work well. One website suggests: "Vanilla Ice Cream, Fresh Sliced Strawberries, Pretzel Crumbles, Honey & Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar drizzle."

Cost: $5.99 for a single 12 oz bottle or $22.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Founders Imperial Stout (2011)

Reviewing the Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Company. A hearty thank you to BeerAdvocate user davesway10 for hooking me up with this one in a trade!
Score: 92

January 2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass. This beer is a few weeks shy of one year old.

Appearance: Pitch black and opaque with slight ruby highlights at the top of the glass. Pours a half finger of dark chocolate colored, creamy head that settles into a ring around the glass and thin lace across the top of the beer. This is how I love my stouts to look. Pretty solid lacing on the side of the glass too. 4.5/5

Smell: Roasted chocolate and coffee grounds. Some black coffee and creamy milk chocolate too. A touch of booziness and hints of hoppiness. Burnt chocolate and coffee present as well. 4.5/5

Taste: Roasted chocolate and raw coffee bean flavors up front. Toasted malts. Bitter coffee grounds on the mid-palate. Bitter, unsweetened chocolate and dry, unsweetened dark fruits in the finish. Solid linger. Can't wait to see how the coffee flavors in this one taste when its fresh. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, minimal carbonation. A little more carbonation honestly might have helped make some of the flavors in the beer pop a little better, so let's see how a fresh bottles compares when it gets released in a few weeks. Mouthfeel is also creamy. Finishes bitter and slightly acidic. 4/5

Overall: This is my favorite style of beer (Russian Imperial Stout) and it comes from one of my favorite breweries. Founders Imperial Stout is a beer that lives up to its hype, and is not too hard to find when initially released. I highly recommend grabbing a four pack or two.

Recommendation: A pretty balanced raw chocolate-and-coffee flavored imperial stout that hides the alcohol well. This one can be safely recommended to beer geeks and casual beer drinkers alike.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $15.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Belgian Style Yeti

Reviewing the Belgian Style Yeti from Great Divide Brewing Company.
Score: 82

Appearance: Pours a totally opaque black color with a thin tan/mocha colored creamy head that settles into a thin ring around the glass. 4/5

Smell: Yeast and semi-sweet chocolate up front. A little clove. Some banana and light raw coffee beans. A little booziness. 4/5

Taste: Cloves and creamy chocolate. "Interesting" yeast twist. Some burnt wood, dry dark fruit. Finishes a little sweet, with plum and fig. Not very complex, and a little unbalanced with the yeast characteristics. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium, maybe medium-light, bodied and creamy with light carbonation. Finishes dry and slightly sweet. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid, interesting twist on the Russian Imperial Stout, but not for the better in my opinion. Of the various permutations of the Great Divide Yeti that I have had to date, this is easily the weakest.

Recommendation: Worth trying. Not too offensive or strong for casual beer drinkers. Beer geeks can find admirable qualities here.

Pairings: Grilled beef. Maybe a steak burrito.

Cost: $11.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Oude Gueze Boon

Reviewing the Oude Gueze Boon from Brouwerij Boon.
Score: 85

Appearance: Pours a translucent, hazy golden orange color with four-plus fingers of soapy head. Pretty solid lacing. 3/5

Smell: Sour fruit. Candied raspberries and a little candied cherry. Some lemon. Slightly skunky (it did come in a green bottle...). 3.5/5

Taste: Lemons. Raspberry warhead candy. A little sour cherry. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied, high carbonation. Crisp, slightly pungent, and sweet. A little puckering, but not nearly as much as some more intense sour-style beers. 3.75/5

Overall: A decent sour, but it's nothing special.

Recommendation: Why not just stick with the 3F Oude Gueze? Casual beer drinkers would enjoy this "non-beer" style. My girlfriend, who likes Cerise and ciders, would probably like this.

Pairings: An earthy, feta-walnut salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

Cost: $6.99 for a 12.7 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S.

Reviewing the Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. from Hoppin' Frog Brewery.
Score: 90

2011 bottle poured in an oversized snifter glass. Forgot to snap a picture, so the one to the right is not mine.

Appearance: Pours a pitch black, opaque color with a half finger of coffee-mocha colored head that settles into a ring around the glass. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Vanilla and red grape sweetness at first. Some bourbon. Vanilla shortbread cookies and unsweetened chocolate. Figs, cherries and dark fruit. Black coffee and raw chocolate. 4/5

Taste: Sweet chocolate upfront with a slight hoppy bitterness. Figs, raisins and dark fruit on the mid-palate. Then I get oats. A little tobacco and hints of marshmallow as the beer layers. Raisins and bourbon in the finish. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Not quite full bodied, but close to it. Oily and creamy, minimal carbonation. A little alcohol warming in the slightly sweet finish. 4/5

Overall: A very solid, enjoyable brew -- one certainly worth trying. Lots of robust stout flavors and pretty balanced for a 9.4% ABV beer. Very overpriced at $18 a bottle, however.

Recommendation: An excellent Russian Imperial-style Oatmeal Stout that beer geeks should seek out at some point in their beer journey. Might be a little bourbon-forward for casual beer drinkers, however.

Pairings: Heavy, dark chocolate cake or a thick, well-aged steak.

Cost: $17.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Reviewing the Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing Company. A hearty thank you to BeerAdvocate user funhog for hooking me up with this one.
Score: 88

Appearance: Pours a dark red-brown color with plenty of opaque-ish ruby highlights with three fingers of cream-colored head. Excellent lacing, and the head really stick around -- if not apparent by the photo (proprietary). 5/5

Smell: Piney, citrusy hops and oak/wood up front. Creamy chocolate. A little caramel and figs. Oranges/tangerines and malts. 4/5

Taste: Very sweet caramel and citrus. Hoppy with toasted maltiness. Very smooth. Bittersweet finish. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, oily and cream. Low carbonation complements the viscosity well. Dry, bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A very solid brew, but the original version (Arrogant Bastard Ale) is better in my opinion. Double Bastard is even better. This beer is absolutely worth trying, but a six pack seems a bit much on quantity for me. I guess I have some "extras" for future BA trades.

Recommendation: I can certainly recommend this one to both beer geeks and casual beer drinkers, as the flavors are pretty solid and not overwhelming, but the "oaking" does not seem to add enough additional character/flavor to justify the (steep) price jump. I would most recommend this beer as one to add to a mix-a-six.

Pairings: Hamburger.

Cost: $19.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Beer Geek Brunch Weasel

Reviewing the Beer Geek Brunch Weasel from Mikkeller.
Score: 93

Appearance: Jet black colored body, totally opaque. Pours a half finger of creamy mocha-colored head that settles into a thick, creamy ring around the glass with a cappuccino foam-like top. If you swirl (as pictured), it leaves a nice coating of mocha head. Brilliant, sticky, thick lacing. Absolutely gorgeous looking stout. 5/5

Smell: Intense blend of coffee and chocolate upfront, mixed with a little bright citrus. A little smoky and some booziness. Roasted leather. Has a little funk to it that isn't bad, but a little pungent. I can't put my finger on what that aroma is. Maybe it's the poop from the poop weasel coffee? Definitely detecting some hoppiness too. 4/5

Taste: Roasted, smooth black coffee. Absolutely void of the acrid/acidic bitterness I usually associate with coffee. Easily the smoothest coffee flavor I have ever had. Some bitter dark chocolate. Very creamy and silky. Some soy milk and a little bit of nut. Mellow figs and raisins on the mid-palate. Bittersweet on the mid-palate and finish. Very smooth, bitter, raw coffee bean and raw cocoa bean finish that is quite uniquely and really lingers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Incredibly silky, creamy and smooth. Full-medium bodied with the perfect (light) level of carbonation. Finish is savory and bitter. 5/5

Overall: An absolute must-try stout that does not overwhelm the palate and coats it with flavor. The coffee flavors of this beer are sui generis and divine. At $16+ dollars for a little over a pint's pour, this beer is pricey, but certainly worth buying.

Recommendation: I can universally recommend this beer to all -- even those who, like myself, are not fans of coffee.

Pairings: Steak or brownies.

Cost: $16.99 for a 16.9 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Parabola

Reviewing the Parabola from Firestone Walker Brewing Company. A hearty thank you to BA user 4DAloveofSTOUT for trading me this one.
Score: 97

2011 vintage bottle shared and served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Jet black, opaque with subtle ruby highlights at the top of the body. Pours a thin, bubbly, mocha-colored head that settles into a ring around the glass. Pretty good lacing for a 12.5% ABV beer. A very attractive looking Russian Imperial Stout. 4.5/5

Smell: Soft notes of vanilla and oak up front. There is lots of vanilla and oak, but it is not in-your-face-strong. Figs, raisins and cherries pretty apparent too. Creamy chocolate. Some really mellow bourbon notes and a little molasses. Touch of booziness. Very complex and balanced aroma. 4.5/5

Taste: Very smooth, nuanced, complex and balanced! No single flavor is in your face, but there are a lot of different, noticeable flavors here. Brown sugar and creamy, unsweetened chocolate hit first. Then lots of dark fruits. Tons of fig and raisin sweetness on the mid-palate. Vanilla and oak, a little dark rum towards the end. Some bourbon and molasses in the finish with a little alcohol warmth. As the beer layers, I am detecting hints of roasted nut. Plum comes out too, and more bourbon as it layers. More unsweetened chocolate in the finish as it layers. This one is absolutely delicious, and boy does it linger! 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, thick and oily. Quite viscous, a little chewy, with the perfect level of carbonation. Finish is slightly sweet. 4.5/5

Overall: An absolute flavor bomb that is incredibly balanced. The bourbon builds up as it layers, but neither it nor the dark-fruit sweetness of the beer ever overwhelm. Can't wait to see how age affects this brew.

Recommendation: An absolute must-try beer for all. Not too intense for casual beer drinkers, and loaded with enough complex flavors for even the most jaded beer geek. This is a brew that lives up to its hype. Bottom line: seek this one out.

Pairings: A well-aged steak. This is a special beer that should be paired with a classy meal. Probably would pair well with a fancy warm chocolate cake. Colleen, I'm looking at you.

Cost: $17.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Santa's Little Helper

Reviewing Santa's Little Helper from Port Brewing Company.
Score: 88

2011 vintage bottle poured in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark black color with two fingers of creamy mocha-colored head that slowly settles into a half finger. Excellent lacing. 5/5

Smell: Creamy unsweetened chocolate, some roasted/burnt chocolate and a little booziness. Some figs and dark fruits. Faint anise? Touch of toffee, hints of coffee. 3.5/5

Taste: Prominently burnt, bitter dark chocolate in the front and finish. Some black coffee bitterness. Dark cherries in the middle. Hints of roasted brown sugar and a touch of licorice too. You could have fooled me if you told me this brew was 10% ABV, though a little booziness comes out of the wood works as the beer approaches room temperature (though not enough to signal "hey, this is 10%!"). 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, minimal carbonation. Finishes dry and bitter. 4/5

Overall: A very solid Russian Imperial Stout. Nothing groundbreaking for the style, but a combination of appealing flavors, a well-masked high ABV, and relatively low-cost, this is a beer worth grabbing if you have the opportunity.

Recommendation: Recommend to casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike.

Pairings: Warm chocolate cake and/or a cup of coffee.

Cost: $8.49 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Double Bastard

Reviewing the Double Bastard from Stone Brewing Company.
Score: 92

2011 bomber bottle served in a Duvel tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark red-mahogany, translucent-opaque color with two and a half fingers of monstrous khaki-colored head that settles into a thin, frothy layer. Absolutely amazing lacing; this beer sticks to the side of the glass like glue. 4.5/5

Smell: Caramel, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Figs, raisins and creamy chocolate, some dark cherry. A little molasses. Smells like a complex stout with notes of booziness. 4.5/5

Taste: The complex flavors in this beer are extremely balanced. The front is loaded with piney hop bitterness and some light citrus, while the mid-palate is malty-sweet. Grapefruit upfront, a little apricot and peach too. Detecting caramel malts, figs and a hint of bitter dark chocolate on the mid-palate as the beer layers. Hard to discern specific flavors because of the sheer balance of the brew. Finish is acidic, bitter, and lingering. Finish is also a little spicy and a touch boozy. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium, maybe medium-light, bodied with very little carbonation. Creamy and dry. Finishes bitter and acidic. 4/5

Overall: An absolutely brilliant strong ale.

Recommendation: Despite the balance, the flavors of the beer are likely a little too intense for casual beer drinkers (who should heed the beer label's warning). Beer geeks, on the other hand, absolutely need to seek this complex brew out.

Pairings: Spicy mexican food or a sharp cheese.

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

Beer Review: Bourbon County Brand Stout (2011, fresh)

Reviewing a fresh 2011 vintage bottle of the infamous Bourbon County Brand Stout from Goose Island Brewing Company.
Score: 96

2011 vintage bottle poured in a 22 oz snifter glass served at room temperature.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color with a quarter finger of bubbly mocha head that quickly subsides into an extremely thin ring around the edge of the glass. This baby is completely opaque; absolutely no light gets through it. I even put a bright LED flashlight behind the glass and no light is peeking through. Leaves small, brief streaks of oily lacing along the side of the glass. Swirling brings back some of the sexy mocha-chocolate colored head. 4/5

Smell: Huge aromas of maple syrup, caramel and vanilla extract. Tons of raisins, figs and brown sugar. Lots of dark fruit and notes of cherry. Some booziness. Rich, roasted dark chocolate and sweet bourbon. Some faint roasted coffee. The aroma is very complex and robust. 4.5/5

Taste: The flavor is just as complex and robust as the aroma. Despite all the bold individual flavors, however, the brew is still very balanced overall. Heavy notes of bourbon and maple hit first. Then rich chocolate, figs and plums. A little cherry and caramel-malt sweetness on the mid-palate. The beer finishes with sweet molasses and vanilla, and the flavors really linger. As the beer layers, increasing amounts of caramel, raisins, and sweet, luscious dark chocolate gradually build on the mid-palate. There is also some counter-balancing roasted coffee bean bitterness too. There is definitely some warming alcohol presence in the beer, but it is not a fiery type of alcohol character. Just the beer gently hugging your insides on the way down. As the beer layers, more roasted coffee bitterness, brown sugar, cherries and raisins come out in the finish. And boy does the finish linger. This is liquid decadence. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, oily, viscous and chewy with minimal carbonation. The finish is sweet and sticky with a friendly warming sensation on the way down. 5/5

Overall: This is beer lives up to it's hype, although it's one the sweeter side of stouts. If you can find a bottle at retail prices, it's an absolute bargain. Although this beer used to be hot fresh, the 2011 vintage is drinking smooth out of the gate. This is one of the best beers to age.

Recommendation: This is an absolute must try beer. I remember disliking it when I first got in to craft beer about four years ago, so perhaps this is not one for the casual drinker, but I am presently finding this brew to be smooth enough, even fresh, that I think I can probably recommend it all around -- especially to fans of high-shelf brown liquors. Beer geeks absolutely need to seek this one out. The aromas and flavors of the Bourbon Country Brand Stout are extremely complex and robust, and the flavors really linger. This is an extreme example of how tons of different flavors in a single beer can be balanced and stick out at the same time. Cheers!

Pairings: This one is a full dessert in its own right, but if you must pair it with something, try a warm chocolate cake or a Beef Wellington.

Cost: $5.99 for a single 12 oz bottle or $21.99 for a four pack (if you are luck enough to find a store that will sell you four at the four pack price). Alternatively, if you are like me, you might have even paid $45+ for three of them because Chicago was otherwise sold out and you really, REALLY wanted to get your hands on some. Certainly worth buying at least one -- even if you have to pay the profiteering rate.

Beer Review: Oak Aged Yeti

Reviewing the Oak Aged Yeti from Great Divide Brewing Company.
Score: 95

Appearance: Pours an attractive dark black, completely opaque color with a finger of creamy mocha head that settles into a ring around the glass. Above average lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Figs, dark fruits and dark cherries upfront. Some syrupy molasses and brown sugar, with a touch of oak and vanilla. Creamy milk chocolate. Espresso and cocoa beans too. Some roasted coffee. 4.5/5

Taste: Dry oak and raw cocoa beans. Bitter dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans. Raisins, figs and dark fruit on the mid-palate. Brown sugar and molasses layers on the mid-palate too. A little warming alcohol in the end. Lingers long with a dry, dark cocoa flavor. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, syrupy and viscous. Minimal carbonation. A little chewy. Finish is dry and bitter. 4.5/5

Overall: Very complex, smooth and drinkable. An absolutely divine, underrated Russian Imperial Stout. It may not stand up to Barrel Aged Old Rasputin or Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S., but it is half the price of either and infinitely more available. Cheers!

Recommendation: A great starter Russian Imperial Stout for casual beer drinkers, and a Russian Imperial Stout beer geeks should seek out. I'll have to get another one next time I'm at Binny's.

Pairings: Warm dark chocolate cake or steak.

Cost: $11.49 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Cerise

Reviewing the Cerise from Founders Brewing Company.
Score: 75

2011 bottle served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a hazy reddish-orange, almost like a fancy iced tea of sorts with a tiny layer of fizzy head that totally disappears. Minimal lacing. 3/5

Smell: Malty, tart cherries. Ripe fruit, a little floral. 3/5

Taste: Cherries up front, then sour raspberry candy. Sweet, sugary and a little tart. Ripe fruit in the center. Very crisp, refreshing and straight forward. No alcohol presence. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, high carbonation. Finish is crisp and sugar-sweet. 3/5

Overall: Too sugary-sweet for my taste. Not a big fan of beers that taste like candy. I said I'd never find a Founders beer I did not enjoy, and I have tried to avoid this one for years, but it was inevitable that I would have to face it one of these days. Could be worse, I suppose.

Recommendation: A good beer for people who do not particularly care much for beer. Beer geeks can safely avoid. If you like tart candied fruit in your beer, I suggest seek out the the Madame Rose.

Pairings: Salad.

Cost: $3.19 for a single, $10.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Reviewing the Racer 5 India Pale Ale from Bear Republic Brewing Company.
Score: 84

2011 vintage bottle pouted in a Duvel glass.

Appearance: Pours a translucent amber color with two and half fingers of white foamy head that slowly settles into a thin foggy layer a few minutes later. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Fresh citrus and pine. Some tangerine, light apple juice. Some earthy resign. Some floral hops and faint sour notes if you swirl. 3.5/5

Taste: Instantly gives me cotton mouth. That was unexpected, but interesting...Getting apples up front with some orange peel. Surprisingly grassy. Touch of sweet grapefruit. Some sugary-maltiness and bitter hops. Malty and slightly skunky-sweet on the mid-palate before turning dry and bitter in the finish. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, moderate carbonation and a bit creamy for an IPA. Gave me cotton mouth, which was an unexpected twist that made the citrusy-hops bitterness linger well. Finishes very dry and bitter. 4/5

Overall: I do not see the hype behind this beer. Maybe it just was not fresh, as I got mine as part of a make your own mix-a-six at Riley's.

Recommendation: Worth a try, but does not stand out as a worthy sixer-buy. Not too hops-forward, so casual beer drinkers should enjoy. The mouthfeel is very unique.

Pairings: Caramel-toffee candies.

Cost: $2.29 for a single bottle, $4.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle, or $9.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Unplugged Imperial Weizen

Reviewing the Unplugged Imperial Weizen from New Glarus Brewing Company.
Score: 86

2011 bottle poured in a 312 glass (no, the picture is not mine).

Appearance: Pours a hazy, golden yellow-orange color with three fingers of soapy head that settled pretty quickly into a ring around the glass and bubbly clumping in the middle. Excellent lacing. Foam returns when you swirl. 4.5/5

Smell: Bananas, oranges and Belgium yeast. Some light spices, cinnamon, plum, wheat and grainy. Sugary apple juice. Lightly toasted bread, touches of orange peel. 4/5

Taste: Bananas, Belgium yeast, cloves, cinnamon and pepper hit upfront. Very sweet, sugary apples on the mid-palate. Quite juicy. Finish is Unibroue Ephemere-like, but mixed with bananas. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, slightly spritzy medium-high carbonated. Not crisp, because of the sugary linger, but very palate cleansing otherwise. Finishes dry, sweet and slightly sticky. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid Weizenbock, but nothing standout. Incredibly drinkable, and enjoyable, but a bit too sugary for my tastes. I'd absolutely try another. Oh wait, I have three! New Glarus Unpluggeds are definitely where it's at.

Recommendation: A brilliant craft beer for casual beer drinkers. Weizenbocks are what got me into craft beer. Beer geeks should also try this one, but by the single and not the four pack.

Pairings: Pumpkin pie.

Cost: $10.99 for a four pack (add a few extra dollars if you bought it at the gas station).