Beer Review: Kosmyk Charlie Y2K Catastrophe Ale

Reviewing the Kosmyk Charlie Y2K Catastrophe Ale from Central Waters Brewing Company. Full and fair disclosure upfront -- as much as I loved King Henry, barleywines are one of my lesser favorite styles of beer (especially fresh).
Score: 80

December 2011 vintage bottle served in a Great Lakes snifter glass and enjoyed in the wee hours of 01/29/12.

Appearance: Pours one finger of tan/cream colored sea-foam head that settles into a ring around the glass and splotchy, thin coating atop the beer. The color of the brew is a brown yellow/orange color that looks like a very murky non-alcoholic apple cider that you'd buy at a Farmer's Market. The murkiness is best described as a bottle-conditioned "yeastiness," and this murkiness renders the beer opaque. When held up to light, Y2K has yellow highlights at the top, while the lower half has amber/mahogany highlights. Excellent lacing. Leaves behind a foamy residue on the side of the glass with solid cling. 4/5

Smell: Malty tiramissu, creamy vanilla cupcakes/cupcake frosting, and caramel. Has a yeasty twang that you usually get with bottle conditioned homebrews, and a very noticeable booziness to it that only accentuates in presence as the beer warms. 3.5/5

Taste: Wow. This is a boozy malt bomb that is very unbalanced in my opinion. Very malty caramel-forward with a moderate tropical fruit/grassy hoppiness and light yeasty flavor. The hoppiness seemed a little out of place and took a few minutes to "pin down." Lots of booziness here, but it is not a "hot" warming booziness until the beer approaches room temperature. This has a lot of flavor similarities to the He'Brew beer Lenny's RIPA, only this is substantially more drinkable and less "hot." I could imagine this beer gets better when barrel aged because the caramel malts would make a good compliment to the bourbon flavors that barrel aging tends to impart. As an unaged, fresh barleywine, however, this one is merely "run of the mill" and drinkable, but certainly neither worth seeking out or shelling out $4 a single bottle. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, light-medium carbonation. Malty-sweet, hoppy finish. Alcohol heat grows as the beer warms. 4/5

Overall: A malt bomb of a barleywine. Drinkable enough, but why drink this when there are plenty of better beers on the shelf? Maybe King Henry has left me jaded.

Recommendation: If you must drink a barleywine, this is certainly a decent one that is much more "balanced" and "ready to drink" fresh than most beers of the style are. Alas, if you are simply seeking a good beer to try, I would recommend trying something else (such as the recently released Peruvian Morning, also by Central Waters) instead.

Pairings: Pastrami sandwich on rye bread with Swiss cheese, drizzled with honey-Dijon mustard dressing.

Cost: $3.99 for a single bottle or $11.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Slainte Scottish Style Ale

Reviewing the Slainte Scottish Style Ale from Central Waters Brewing Company.
Score: 70

December 2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed in the wee hours of 01/28/12.

Appearance: Deep, dark mahogency color with brown highlights at the top and ruby highlights in the lower half of the beer. Pours three-quarters of a finger of creamy khaki colored head. Settles almost entirely. Average lacing with solid cling. 3.5/5

Smell: Creamy malts and tiramissu. Hint of caramel, hint of vanilla, and some bready malt. Touch of rye? 3.5/5

Taste: Bready malts, nondescript malts and a little spice. Hints of vanilla. Stainless steel sweetness towards the finish. 2.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied, light carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. 3/5

Overall: A below average Scottish Ale. Very disappointed given the mild hype behind this beer.

Recommendation: Skip this one. There are plenty of better beers in this style wherever you'll be able to find this one (e.g., Robert The Bruce)

Pairings: Caramel popcorn.

Cost: $8.99 for a six pack

Beer Review: Peruvian Morning

Reviewing the Peruvian Morning from Central Waters Brewing Company.
Score: 92

2012 vintage bottle (January 2012) served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/27/12.

Appearance: Pitch black color, opaque, with a thin later of brown highlights atop the glass and tiny ruby highlights at the bottom. Pours a half finger of creamy tan colored head that recedes into a thin ring around the glass. Average lacing with some decent cling. Lacing is a little oily. 4/5

Smell: Chocolately bourbon and light coffee. Brown sugar, campfire marshmallows, raisin creamy chocolate, tiramissu, vanilla extract, and roasted coffee. The bourbon flavors are kinda sweet and very smooth. A little shortbread cookie. Faint alcohol notes as the beer reaches room temperature. 4.5/5

Taste: Liquid tiramissu. Some super smooth, mellow bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, raisin/fig, and creamy chocolate. Quite drinkable. Not tasting any coffee. Light alcohol warming effect as the beer warms. Increasing "straight bourbon" flavors in the finish as the beer warms, throwing off some of the balance. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-minus bodied, no carbonation. A little thin and watery for the style. Smooth, slightly sweet finish. 3.5/5

Overall: An absolutely delicious barrel aged stout that is slightly undermined by an overly watery mouthfeel. More flavorful as it warms, but the beer tastes better and is more balanced when it is 50 degrees. Drink this one on the colder side of cellar temp.

Recommendation: Worth seeking out. This is a very balanced barrel aged beer (at least until it reaches room temperature).

Pairings: Dark chocolate fondue.

Cost: $11.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Alaskan Smoked Porter

Reviewing the Alaskan Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Company. This is my first beer from Alaskan Brewing Company, and Wisconsin, who they recently started distributing to, is the only state east of the Mississippi that gets their beer.
Score: 90

2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/27/12.

Appearance: Jet black color with thin caramel highlights at the top of the glass and faint ruby highlights at the bottom. Pours two fingers of soapy tan head that settles into a ring around the glass. Above average lacing with an above average cling factor. Lacing becomes more "oily" as it warms. 4/5

Smell: Prominently roasted chocolate, cocoa and smoke. Also detecting (stale?) roasted coffee, an aroma best described as a "used coffee filter smell," and roasted nondescript malts. Light notes of dried dark cherry and dried raisins are in the mix too. Milk chocolate comes out as it warms if you swirl before sniffing. 4/5

Taste: Smoked chocolate and light notes of dried dark fruit throughout. Hints of oak. Not tasting much coffee aside from a little lingering acidic coffee bitterness in the finish, though the amount of coffee in the finish slightly increases as the beer layers. Some roasted nondescript malts toward the finish as well, supplanting the chocolatiness. Finishes with a lightly smoked bitterness. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-minus carbonation. Finishes smoky, bitter and a little acidic. 4/5

Overall: Not overly smoked and mixed with the perfect amount of roasted chocolate, making for easy drinking. Smells slightly better than it tastes, but the flavors are pretty spot on for a porter. I am usually a fan of thicker bodied dark beers, but the mouthfeel is pretty interesting due to the smokey malt character of the beer.

Recommendation: Seek this one out. This beer is not nearly as smokey as most smoke-infused beers (particularly the "smoked beer" style), though more "sensitive palates" might still find the smokiness a wee bit overwhelming. This could make an interesting beer for casual beer drinkers, as the smokey mouthfeel would be an entirely interesting departure from the grainy water flavors of Miller Lite.

Pairings: BBQ Brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes.

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

Beer Review: Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Reviewing the Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout from Terrapin Beer Company out out of Georgia. After trying three new beers that turned out to be disappointments, I had to go with a new one that I knew I was going to enjoy.
Score: 93

2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/26/12. Thank you BeerAdvocate user mecherd for hooking me up with this brew!

Appearance: Pours a jet black color -- light does not cut through any part of this beer -- with a finger of foamy tan head that settles into a thin cap of head atop the beer. Excellent lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Heavy doses of coffee, roasted oats and fresh oatmeal. Smells a lot like the Founders Breakfast Stout. Dried dark fruit, milk chocolate, roasted malts and a little hops. 5/5

Taste: Bitter espresso, dried dark fruit, roasted chocolate and cocoa throughout. The chocolate sweetness really balances out the coffee/espresso bitterness. Lingering finish of coffee breath. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, minimal carbonation. Perhaps a little watery for the style. Very average stout mouthfeel and slightly creamy, finishes bitter but not dry. 3.5/5

Overall: An absolutely excellent oatmeal imperial stout. I wish I had easy access to this stuff. Not quite as good as Founders Breakfast Stout, but how many beers are?

Recommendation: Seek this beer out unless you absolutely can't stand coffee.

Pairings: A s'more would go great with this.

Cost: $10.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: AleSmith X

Reviewing the AleSmith X from AleSmith Brewing Company.
Score: 64

No date information on the bottle. Received as part of my n00b BIF box last week (I wanna say January 19). Enjoyed 01/26/12 out of a Surly Darkness snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours a pale, translucent straw yellow color with a finger of soapy white head that settles into a thin coating atop the glass. Solid lacing. 3/5

Smell: Sweet orange citrus, some malted barley, some creamy malt and a little lemon. Hints of pepper and yeast. Smells more like a pilsner than a pale ale. 3.5/5

Taste: Taste is a lot "grainier" than the aroma, tastes a little flat and watery. Lots of malted barley on the midpalate and in the finish. Light flavors of lemon-water in the mix too. Not getting a lot of citrus. Finish is very slightly bitter. No real flavor here. 2.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, light carbonation. Very watery mouthfeel with an ever slightly bitter finish. 1/5

Overall: Probably past its prime -- breweries REALLY need to date their bottles -- and flavorless.

Recommendation: Skip this one.

Pairings: Lemon-crusted chicken.

Cost: $5.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Short's Black Cherry Porter

Reviewing the Short's Black Cherry Porter from Short's Brewing Company.
Score: 70

Bottled on 10/31/11 bottle, served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/26/12.

Appearance: One finger of creamy dark tan colored head that settles into splotchy head in the center of the beer and a ring around the glass. Solid lacing followed by an oily film on the side of the glass. Black colored body with thin brown highlights at the top of the glass. 4/5

Smell: Roasted chocolate, creamy chocolate, black cherry and a little coffee. There is a light smokiness and a very very faint aromas of subtle blackberry. Aroma turns to sour fruit as it warms. 3/5

Taste: Taste is a lot "cherrier" and "blackberrier" than the aroma would have you believe -- both upfront and on the midpalate. Whereas the cherry aromas were complementary in the nose, they take the lead on the palate. A little tart and sweet, almost grape soda like, at first, but the cherry/berry flavors disappate towards the finish. Finish is straight charred chocolate and a hint of coffee. The front is very sweet and a little tart, but the finish is dry and a little bitter. 2.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, medium-plus carbonation. Finish is quite dry and a little bitter. 3/5

Overall: The aroma of this beer was quite inviting, but the flavor is too unbalanced. The berry/cherry/charred chocolate flavors meld well in the aroma, but they seem awkwardly juxtaposed and unbalanced on the palate.

Recommendation: An interested beer, perhaps worth having once, but this is not worth seeking out or buying a six pack of.

Pairings: The chocolate and cherry/berry flavors would make an interesting complement to a chocolate cake.

Cost: $10.99 for a six pack.

Interview with TJ Henry about Tulane's National Moot MLB Arbitration Competition

Check out my latest podcast (intended for The Hardball Times, with publication pending) -- an interview with TJ Henry of Tulane Law School's Sports Law Society. Every year, the Tulane Sports Law Society puts on a moot MLB arbitration competition wherein law students argue simulated sports salary cases. The competition is a really unique opportunity that allows law students to hone key advocacy skills in a topic area of particular appeal while networking with industry professionals. This is a must-hear podcast for law who are interested in competing in future years and/or who just want a better sense of what the competition is. This podcast featues some great chatter about baseball arbitration generally and the competition itself. I hope you enjoy. This episode clocks in at just under 43 minutes.

Interview with TJ Henry about Tulane's Moot MLB Arbitration Competition by Jeffrey Eric Gross

Beer Review: Bell's Black Note Stout

Reviewing the infamous Black Note Stout from Bell's Brewery Inc. Black Note Stout is a barrel aged blend of Bell's Expedition Stout and Double Cream Stout. A huge thank you to BeerAdvocate user FrankenBrew for tipping me off to this under-the-radar tapping.
Score: 97

Unknown vintage keg tap pour served in a 12+ oz pilsner glass and enjoyed on 01/25/12, courtesy of the Malt House in Madison -- one of the best bars in the Midwest.

Appearance: The lighting in the bar is not great, so bear with me. Body is a jet black color with thin caramel colored highlights at the absolute top of the glass. I arrived with a glass of this awaiting me (to ensure getting a pour), so I am unsure if it was served with any head (and if so, what the head looked like). A super thin tan ring of head coats the outside of the glass. No real lacing, but a slowly dripping, thick oily layer coats the side of the glass as you drink. 4.5/5

Smell: The aroma is incredibly complex. There is raisin/fig, other nondescript dark fruit and vanilla from my first pull. Then sticky brown sugar and molasses, followed by light amounts of licorice. Definitely getting notes of chocolate and caramel malt as well. At points, the beer smells like molasses-and-vanilla soaked raisins. The aroma is a perfect blend of stout and barrel aromas. 5/5

Taste: Equally as complexly flavored as the aroma, and incredibly balanced. First impression is an interesting blend of creamy (milk?) chocolate and vanilla. There is a slight roastiness in there, but it's very faint. The flavor of this brew falls somewhere between Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout. The midpalate is loaded with mellow, slightly sweet dark fruit, creamy malts, molasses/brown sugar and bourbon flavors without the alcohol bite. Light dark licorice flavors are in there somewhere towards the finish, but no licorice lingers in the finish at all. Absolutely no alcohol is detectable, save for a little warming effect as the beer warms, so I was a bit shocked to discover that this beer is 11.5% ABV. Finish lingers with an interesting mix of light chocolate, vanilla, molasses and dark fruit. Each sip leaves a seemingly different mix of those finishing flavors. Some pulls finish with more raisin-and-brown sugar like flavors, while others seem chocolatier, while others seem like a smooth vanilla-and-molasses mix. This is an absolutely astonishing medley of stout and barrel flavors. Everything you could want from either is present. This beer is dangerously drinkable. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Not overly heavy, but still thick and viscous. Medium bodied, minimal (if any) carbonation. Mouthfeel is creamy and sticky. Finish is decently (but not overly) sweet -- essentially raisin-and-vanilla like. 4.5/5

Overall: Hoo boy! This one absolutely lives up to the hype. I would have to have them side by side before I can say this definitively, but I think that I enjoyed this beer ever slightly more than Kentucky Breakfast Stout. I had the fortune of drinking five or six glasses of KBS on tap over the past few days, so the comparison is relatively fresh in my mind. Bell's Black Note Stout brings every flavor and aroma you could possibly want in either a stout or a barrel aged beer, and it blends them in an incredibly drinkable, palate-satisfying experience. A world class beer, no doubt. If only I had the time for another pint, I'd have knocked back several.

Recommendation: Seek this one out. Chicago will have a tapping of this sometime mid-February, so if you are the area, make room on your calendar.

Pairings: A medium-cooked New York Strip would go wonderfully with this beer.

Cost: $6 for a glass. I am not sure what a 750 ml bottle sells for, but I can assure you that $6 for a full pint of this brew is one of the best beer deals you will ever find in a bar.

Beer Review: Dreagnaught IPA

Reviewing the infamous Dreadnaught IPA from Three Floyds Brewing Company out of Munster, Indiana. This imperial IPA is highly sought after by beer geeks and is universally hailed as one of America's top beer by most beer connoisseurs. I am lucky enough, living in both Wisconsin and Illinois, to be within Three Floyds' distribution network, so Dreadnaught is an off the shelf gem that I have regular and convenient access too.
Score: 95

10 oz tap pour from a two week old keg at Brickhouse BBQ, served in a globe-like glass and enjoyed 01/24/12.

Appearance: Pours a clear orange color served with a thin layer of slightly off-white head that settles into a thin ring around the glass. Amazing lacing -- large sheets of frothy white head stick like crazy to all sides of the glass. 5/5

Smell. Sweet pine sap and sharp grapefruit and tropical hops mixed with light notes of sweet malt in the back. Astringent hoppiness. 4/5

Taste: Absolute hopbomb! Flavor is a sharp blast of tropical citrus hoppiness -- lots of astringent/zesty orange, pine, grapefruit, pineapple and mango -- followed by a lingering piney bitterness (that is much more mild compared to the upfront explosion of bitter flavor) for the finish. A light, sweet caramel backbone balances out the hoppiness a touch. The flavor experience of this beer reminds me of the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It shoots you out of the gate with citrus hoppiness, rocketing from 0-120 miles per hour in mere seconds, shoots you up some 400 feet, and then sends you plummeting back down to earth with some lingering adrenaline (here, the mild piney bitterness). The flavors, like the Top Thrill Dragster, are not very complex, but the whole experience is nonetheless incredibly delicious. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Near perfect imperial IPA mouthfeel. Medium bodied, medium-plus carbonation. Very oily, slight mouthwatering mouthfeel. Finish is bitter. 4.5/5

Overall: Enjoy this one fresh, and boy will you enjoy it.

Recommendation: Hops haters and casual beer drinkers should avoid this aggressive imperial IPA, but boy should hop heads seek this one out.

Pairings: The beef chili, with a little added hot sauce, at the Brickhouse BBQ.

Cost: $11.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle or $6.50 for a 10 oz pour.

Beer Review: Just Outstanding IPA

Reviewing the Just Outstanding IPA from Kern River Brewing Company.
Score: 92

No freshness date on the bottle or label. Received in a trade earlier this month with California-based BeerAdvocate user LieutenantSour.

Appearance: Pours a translucent reddish-orange color with two full fingers of foamy cream colored head that slowly settles into a thin layer atop the glass. Sticky, frothy lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Strong aromas of pine and floral, tropical citrus. Pineapple, mango, grapefruit and mango. Some "sticky," sap-and-pollen earthiness present too. Noticeable maltiness. 4.5/5

Taste: Flavor is more malty than the aroma. The beer has a slightly sweet, malty caramel backbone. A sharply bitter citrus flavor gradually grows from the midpalate to the finish. Lingering notes of sap, pine, pineapple and tangerine in the finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Mouthfeel is creamy and juicy. Finish is bitter and malty. 4/5

Overall: A simply solid single IPA. I may have sat on this one too long -- I waited 20 days between receipt and consumption -- but still enjoyed it thoroughly. Would love to try this fresh off tap.

Recommendation: Seek this one out unless you hate hops.

Pairings: Mexican food.

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

Beer Review: Hop Stoopid Ale

Reviewing the Hop Stoopid Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Score: 85

Bottle neck code "32121107." Received as part of a mid-December 2011 trade as part of an excellent mystery box from BeerAdvocat user Centennial. Served in a Great Lakes snifter glass and enjoyed on 01/23/12.

Appearance: Pours a translucent-ish straw-like orange color with a finger of white head that settles into a ring around the glass and spotty coating across the top of the glass. Some head sticks to the side of the glass as the beer settles. Consumption leaves an oily lacing. 4/5

Smell: Sweet caramel, molasses and earthy hops. Very sweet, sugary citrus aroma. Maybe orange pulp and candied grapefruit? Some pine resin/sap. 3.5/5

Taste: First pull is a bittersweet and malty orange citrus flavor. Tons of hops here. The hops in this beer are largely earthy and dank, giving off a fresh dirty/mulch-like bitterness. Some piney hops are in the mix too. Sweet caramel malt really comes out towards the back half of the beer. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Juicy, bitter, sweet and sticky mouthfeel/finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A sweeter imperial IPA done right. He'Brew should try this one, take notes and then reformulate their Lenny's R.I.P.A. formula.

Recommendation: Hops haters and dislikers of sweeter beers beware. This one is quite hop-forward and sweet. Not a great beer for the casual beer drinker, but beer geeks should enjoy this one.

Pairings: The sweetness of the beer would complement the spiciness of Thai or Indian food well.

Cost: $4.49 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Black Sun Stout

Reviewing the Black Sun Stout, an Irish Dry Stout from Three Floyds Brewing Company.
Score: 80

December 2011 vintage bottle served in an oversized brandy snifter and enjoyed on 01/22/12.

Appearance: Pours a dark black/brown color with a finger of tan head that settles into a thin film of head atop the glass. Pretty solid lacing. Totally opaque with light caramel/brown highlights atop the glass. 4/5

Smell: Sweet chocolate, roasted malts, and a little creamer. Loads of citrus hoppiness towards the back end of the aroma. Normally citrus would seem out of place, but Three Floyds is the champion of putting citrus and hops in every beer. 3.5/5

Taste: First impression is that this is a very milky/creamy citrus-loaded stout. I prominently detect grapefruit, pine, and orange hoppiness. Even for Three Floyds, I am surprised at how much citrus is in the flavor of this style of beer. Behind the citrus are nuances of smooth chocolate, light amounts of coffee and some roasted malts. The hops characteristics have an earthy quality to them. Tastes a lot like an over-hopped (over IPA blended) black and tan. Very un-stout like. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied and on the lower end of medium carbonation. Finish is slightly bitter, citrusy and a bit savory. Mouthfeel is very milky. 2.5/5

Overall: While Black Sun Stout is not a bad beer, it is not one that I can say I really enjoyed. Innovate beers do not have to fit the style, but this honestly just tastes like a super hopped Guinness. Maybe if it was billed as a black and tan my reception of the beer would be different.

Recommendation: This is a beer you can safely skip on your beer journey, but it's certainly drinkable and not bad.

Pairings: Sea salt bagel chips.

Cost: $9.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Backwoods Bastard (2011)

Reviewing the Backwoods Bastard from Founders Brewing Company.
Score: 93

10 oz tap pour served in a globe glass from a 2011 vintage keg at the Brickhouse BBQ on 01/22/12.

Appearance: Served with a thin tan ring of head around the glass. Body is an opaque dark chestnut brown color with yellow-brown highlights at the bottom and lower sides of the glass. When held up to light, huge amounts of reddish-yellow highlights cut through all but the core of the beer. You cannot see through this beer at all. Leaves an oily residue on the side of the glass. 4/5

Smell: Sweet brown sugar and dates prominently featured in the nose along with marshmallows and nondescript dark fruit. Burnt dark sugar, oak, bourbon, rum and malty caramel round out the aroma. 4/5

Taste: Tastes like someone dropped a shot of bourbon in my Dirty Bastard. This beer is very bourbon forward and more aggressive than some of the barrel aged beers that I have drank of late. First pull is primarily sweet bourbon and sticky brown sugar/molasses. There is also some mellow vanilla and dark fruit. Honestly, the dark fruit tastes like bourbon soaked figs and dates. Malty caramel on the midpalate and in the finish. Some alcohol warmth and much more boozy characteristics than the Kentucky Breakfast Stout. There is a spiced rum character to the flavor as well. Finish is bourbon soaked dates. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, minimal carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel, sweet finish. 4.5/5

Overall: A more aggressively flavored barrel aged beer. If you like Dirty Bastard and bourbon, this is a must try brew for you.

Recommendation: Those who do not like brown liquor or heavy bourbon flavors should avoid this brew. All else are encouraged to try.

Pairings: The epicly delicious and creamy mac and cheese from the Brickhouse BBQ.

Cost: $6.50 for a 10 oz pint pour or $15.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: The Abyss (2011, fresh)

Reviewing the The Abyss from Deschutes Brewery. This is universally hailed as one of the top imperial stouts made in America.
Score: 87

November 2011 vintage bottle -- best after 08/04/12 -- served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/22/12. I have three of these bottles so I'd figured I'd have one relatively fresh, one at the "best after" date, and one a year after that.

Appearance: Pours a completely opaque, pitch black color with two full fingers of foamy dark tan head that settles into a thin layer across the top of the glass. Amazing lacing -- as the head settles, it leaves a thick, sticky residue of foamy head on the side of the glass. 5/5

Smell: Creamy milk chocolate, roasted chocolate and coffee prominently featured. Roasted malts, light brown sugar, light cherry bark and some vanilla complement the coffee/chocolate aromas. There is a light anise (black licorice) aroma, mixed with hints of alcohol, in the background. If you swirl the beer, the creamy chocolate aromas exponentially increase. As it warms, more cherry notes come out in addition to a hint of dark berries towards the back end of the nose. 4/5

Taste: Creamy bittersweet chocolate and roasted coffee upfront. Some dark licorice and "dark cherry" on the midpalate. Very light notes of dark berries towards the finish. Finish is quite coffee heavy. Not getting a whole lot of barrel characteristics, though there are hints of oak and vanilla at points as the beer layers. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied, minimal carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Finish is bitter and slightly acidic. 4/5

Overall: A solid, but nothing special imperial stout when drank relatively fresh. The bottle implores you to wait nearly a year after picking it up before drinking it, so it will be interesting to see how this one improves with age. Certainly an interesting beer to seek out, but I'd recommend aging this one rather than drinking it fresh. Not because I know how it'll age, but rather based on reputation. As it drinks fresh, it is not worth going out of your way to seek out.

Recommendation: Age this one. It does not live up to its hype -- at least not when drank fresh.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $14.99

Beer Review: Foursome Quadrupel

Reviewing the Foursome Quadrupel from Revolution Brewing
Score: 84

4 or 5 oz tap pour served in a taster glass at the Revolution Brewing brewpub as part of a beer flight on New Years Day (01/01/12). The Foursome Quadrupel is the second beer pictured from the left. This is the third of three reviews I wrote earlier in the month and forgot to publish.

Appearance: Served with a thin layer of creamy tan head that settled into a ring around the glass. Body is a dark red/brown color Dark brown with ruby transparencies. No comment on the lacing -- that's hard to deduce from a taster glass. 3.5/5

Smell: Phenolic Belgian yeast, bready malts, caramel malts and spices. Hints of dark fruit. 3.5/5

Taste: Caramel malts and cloves, with an interesting "nuts and spices" mix on the midpalate. Lots of that signature "Belgian yeast" flavor you get in wheat beers. There's almost a rye-like spiciness. Light alcohol warmth. Finish is yeasty and a little spiced. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, medium carbonation. Finish is spiced. 3.5/5

Overall: I rarely drink quadrupels, but this one seemed solid enough. Was not particularly great, but not bad either. I am glad I only bought a taster, however, because this beer is certainly not worth $10 -- let alone $10 for a meager 10 oz pour.

Recommendation: You can skip this one, unless you really like Belgian beers. Even then, I'd only recommend buying a taster glass.

Pairings: Peanuts, almonds and cashews.

Cost: $5 for a taster glass, $10 for a 10 oz pour

Beer Review: St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout

Reviewing the St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout from McAuslan Brewing.
Score: 85

2011 vintage bottle (unknown date) served in a snifter glass and enjoyed 12/23/11. This is the second of three reviews I wrote a month ago and forgot to publish.

Appearance: Pours that dark brown/black used motor oil color that a lot of dark stouts share with a full finger of creamy mocha colored head that settles into a thin layer. Great lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Lots of desserty vanilla flavors here. Vanilla cupcakes, vanilla frosting and marshmallow come to mind. Beyond the vanilla, I get toasted oats, light coffee and light chocolate. 4/5

Taste: Campfire roasted marshmallows, roasted malts and nuts -- almond and walnuts? -- upfront. Then some vanilla dessert flavors and raw oats. Surprisingly crisp, without any real finish. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied and entirely too watery for a stout. Medium-light carbonation makes the watery mouthfeel feel even flatter. A thicker mouthfeel and a little more carbonation would do wonders for the flavors of this beer in my opinion. 2/5

Overall: A solid tasting beer that is absolutely ruined by being entirely too watery and crisp. Fix the mouthfeel, and this could potentially be a standout oatmeal stout.

Recommendation: Worth trying, but not worth going out of your way to acquire.

Pairings: Graham crackers.

Cost: UNKNOWN

Beer Review: Plead The Fifth (2011)

Reviewing the Plead The Fifth from Dark Horse Brewing Company.
Score: 90

2011 release vintage bottle (specific date is unknown) served in a snifter glass and enjoyed 12/23/11. This is the first of three reviews I wrote a month ago and forgot to publish.

Appearance: Motor oil colored body with dark brown highlights at the top of the glass. Pours a half finger or so of creamy chocolate brown colored head that settles into a thin lacing. Leaves an oily lacing behind on the side of the glass. 4/5

Smell: Roasted milk chocolate, dark fruit, light coffee and a hint of smokieness. 4/5

Taste: Roasted chocolate, raw dark chocolate and mellow coffee upfront. Subtle hints of wood. Finishes with bitter, dark and unsweetened chocolate. The intensity of the finish seemingly increases as the beer layers. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Dry, slightly bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: If my experience with a year-old bottle of Founders Imperial Stout is any indication, I am going to have to re-review this one fresh. Even with a year of age on it, Plead the Fifth is still a pretty solid and tasty Russian Imperial Stout.

Recommendation: A must seek out brew for all, but wait until the 2012 release to try this one. Casual beer drinkers should be able to enjoy this one thoroughly.

Pairings: Porterhouse steak.

Cost: $11.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Edmund Fitzgerald

Reviewing the Edmund Fitzgerald, a porter from Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Score: 87

Tap pour from an unknown vintage keg (told it's from 2011) at the Brickhouse BBQ, served in a pint glass and enjoyed on 01/21/12

Appearance: Deep, dark brown body. Opaque with plenty of brown/ruby transparencies when held up to light. Served with a thin layer of creamy tan colored head. Excellent lacing. 4/5

Smell: Roasted malts, vanilla, caramel and a hint of coffee. Some notes of chocolate too. 3.5/5

Taste: Taste essentially follows the nose. Noticeable roasted malts throughout. The backbone of this beer is largely a blend of roasted caramel and chocolate malts. Some light coffee and molasses in the middle with a light nuttiness. Finish is a blend of caramel malt and vanilla cream soda, and reminds me of Surly Bender. The finish grows increasingly "caramel sweet" as the beer layers. Increasingly hints of roasted nuts come out on the midpalate at the beer layers too. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-light carbonation. Sweetish caramel finish 3.5/5

Overall: A very solid porter. This is a very accessible brew that is usually my "go to" beer at non-craft bars in the Midwest.

Recommendation: A great craft beer starter point for casual beer drinkers and very solid porter.

Pairings: Duck legs.

Cost: $4 for a pint or $8.99 for a six pack.

Re-Review: Heady Topper

Re-reviewing the Heady Topper from The Alchemist. I know I promised never to drink this one outside of the can again, but I thought a snifter glassed might do Heady Topper some justice. And I was right.
Score (snifter): 97

Canned 01/12/12 and enjoyed 01/21/12 in a snifter glass. This is about as fresh as you can get this in the Midwest. Thank you AdamJackson for hooking me up with this brew this time around!

Appearance: Like my previous pour in a Duvel tulip, Heady Topper is a hazy orange-amber color with a finger of super foamy cream-colored head that sticks around for a bit, settling into a ring around the glass. Slightly below average lacing -- leaves behind an oily layer with no sticky head. 4/5

Smell: Less than 10 days old, this one has even bigger notes of citrus than my first can did. LOTS of intense, fresh tropical fruits -- oranges, grapefruits, pineapple, papaya and mangoes. Fresh grass clippings and dank resin. The nose is absolutely packed with bright, floral hops. I stand by my original sentiment: that this is like sniffing "a sunshine of citrus." Even after having Pliny The Elder, Blind Pig, White Rajah, Anit-Hero IPA and Zombie Dust, Heady Topper is still the best smelling heavily hopped beer that I have ever had. Short of Surly Darkness, this is the best smelling beer that I have had to date. I still "wish I could buy an air-freshener that smelled just like this!" 5/5

Taste: Zesty lemon rind and tropical fruit with a sharp malty backbone throughout. Huge waves of citrus. In my original review, I felt the taste was mellower and more subdued than the aroma. Having a sampled a fresher can (my original can was just under a month old), I can say that my original sentiment no longer stands. Heady Topper is sharply bitter, loaded with tropical citrus and malty. Oranges, lemons, mangos, pineapple, papaya, and rainbow sherbert throughout. You name your citrus, it's here. The sharp bitterness is more earthy and dank than piney. Finish is a lingering orange citrus hoppiness. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. The Citra hops really explode on the palate like a Citra hop bomb. Finish is dry and bitter with a little stickiness. 4.5/5

Overall: Though this beer is hard to find because it is only sold in a few places in Vermont, it is well worth the effort that it takes to get ahold of this brew. Heady Topper an absolute must try beer. While I have softened my original "you must drink this out of a can" stance, I still think it should be enjoyed in a vessel that minimizes the oxidation of volatiles present in the brew and maximizes the concentration of the aroma. In other words, serve this in a snifter and not a tulip glass. Even my friend who hates IPAs enjoyed this one.

Recommendation: This is an absolutely must-seek out imperial IPA. Drink it from the can or a snifter glass.

Food Pairings: Kuma's Corner hamburgers or spicy Mexican food.

Cost: $12 for a four pack.

Beer Review: KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) (2011)

Reviewing the infamous KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) from Founders Brewing Company. This beer was offered as part of a special bourbon themed beer tapping at the Brickhouse BBQ in Madison -- one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Due to a misunderstanding, a friend attending the event and GREAT customer service on the part of Brickhouse, I was able to enjoy a glass of KBS with my meal!
Score: 98

10 oz pour served in a globe glass from a 2011 vintage keg tapped at the Brickhouse BBQ on 01/21/12.

Appearance: The body is a completely opaque, jet black color -- almost looks like used motor oil. Served with no head save for a thin dark tan ring around the glass. Leaves an oily film of lacing along the side of the glass. 4.5/5

Smell: Dark chocolate, light vanilla, burnt sugar and smooth bourbon. Some tobacco and dark fruit. A very rich, slightly sweet aroma. 5/5

Taste: Dark, chewy chocolate and sweet raisins/fig upfront with a smooth bourbon and vanilla backbone throughout. There is no real alcohol bite to the bourbon. Some brown sugar and marshmallow on the midpalate. Increasing levels of bourbon marinated dark fruit flavors. Leathery tobacco. Lightly oaky/woody flavors mixed in there too. Finish is sweet bourbon soaked raisins and oaky chocolate. The raisin/bourbon flavors of the finish really linger. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Mouthfeel is silky smooth. Finish is a little sweet, but not nearly as "sweet" as Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout. 5/5

Overall: A ridiculously flavorful, balanced stout. Definitely a sipper, but this is not a beer you'd want to chug anyways. KBS is loaded with sweet robust stout flavors with all the deliciousness of bourbon without the alcohol bite. If not for Bourbon County Brand Stout, KBS would be my favorite barrel aged beer. This is a brew to seek out.

Recommendation: A must-seek out brew for everyone who can stomach any degree of bourbon flavors. I was not a fan of bourbon flavors in beer until recently, and even back in the day I enjoyed this beer.

Pairings: Duck legs or roasted duck.

Cost: $19.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Noel De Calabaza

Reviewing the Noel De Calabaza from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales.
Score: 84

09/29/11 vintage bottle (Batch #898) served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/19/12.

Appearance: Caramel colors bodied with yellow/orange highlights at the top of the glass. Dark, murky color, but not nearly as opaque as a stout. Excellent lacing. Finger of foamy cream-colored head at pour that settles into a paper thin layer atop the glass. 3.5/5

Smell: Tart cherries, light vanilla, oak and sour apple. Light spice and dark fruit. 3.5/5

Taste: Light woody oak upfront, followed by a "creamy" sour apples and cherry flavor. There is a lightly spiced maltiness too. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied, medium-high carbonation. Cream mouthfeel. Tart/sour finish. 3.5/5

Overall: So apparently this is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale, but it tasted more like a Kriek or similar sour like beer.

Recommendation: Worth trying once, but not worth the $15.99 price tag.

Pairings: Light chocolate cake.

Cost: $15.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Melange 3

Reviewing the Melange 3 from The Bruery. This is a blend of Black Tuesday, White Oak and Papier. This is only the second beer that I have ever tried from The Bruery, the other one being 100% Barrel Aged Cuir -- which was divine. The Bruery is probably best known for their highly sought after Russian Imperial Stout -- Black Tuesday. I should have a bottle of all three arriving in the mail soon!
Score: 97

Red waxed 2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/19/12.

Appearance: Pours a deep brown color with caramel highlights at the top of the glass. One finger of frothy off white/cream colored head that settles into a ring around the glass. Light lacing -- leaves behind some oily brown residue on the side of the glass that slowly drips back down -- but that is to be expected from a 15.5% ABV beer. 4/5

Smell: There's a ton going on in the aroma. From the first pull I get tiramissu, vanilla and brown sugar. There's definitely some molasses in there too. I cannot put my finger on exactly what type, but there's a distinct type of cake aroma here. I wish I could pin down which cake I'm thinking of. Further whiffs reveal raisin/dark fruit and some chocolate. There's a smooth leathery bourbon aroma in there too, but no real "alcohol" booziness in the nose, which is surprising because this one is a 15.5% ABV beer. 4.5/5

Taste: Wow. The flavor to this is divine. Upfront I get some vanilla flavored cake of sorts with alcohol warming, but no alcohol flavor/bite. There's some brown sugar and molasses here, as well as bourbon soaked raisins. Lots of sweet malty flavors present, but this beer is not overly sweet -- it is very smooth, balanced and complex. There are some other dark fruit flavors and some chocolate in the background as well. Lots of creamy vanilla. Lingering finish of bourbon and dark fruit. I cannot get over how smooth the bourbon flavors in this beer are. They are very mellow (rather than aggressive) and "palate soaking" at the same time. There is no "boozy sting" to the flavor at any point. I'm surprised so much alcohol can be so well hidden. 5/5

Mouthfeel: High-medium bodied, no carbonation. Mouthfeel is viscous, sticky and a little chewy. Finish is sweet. 4.5/5

Overall: An excellent blended beer -- probably the best blended beer that I have ever had.

Recommendation: Everyone needs to seek this one out.

Pairings: Digestif. Could go great with some buttery nuts like cashews or peanuts or almonds.

Cost: $35 for a 750 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Firestone XV Anniversary Ale

Reviewing the Firestone XV Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
Score: 93

2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/19/12.

Appearance: Root colored bodied with lots of ruby highlights throughout. Pours a half finger of off-white head that settles into a bubbly ring around the glass. Slightly above average lacing for a 12.5% ABV beer. 4/5

Smell: Sweet vanilla, brown sugar and light molasses. Lots of smooth bourbon flavors and a little butteriness in the nose as well. 4/5

Taste: Taste follows the nose. Smooth, slightly sweet bourbon. I would not call this one "bourbon-forward" only because there is no real alcohol bite or in-your-face here, unlike other barrel aged beers like Backwoods Bastard. Firestone XV is very balanced and pleasantly malty -- but not overly sweet. Marshmallow and brown sugar/molasses in the finish. Some peanut or cashew butteriness comes out in the beer as it layers. Not overly complex, but very very tasty. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, minimal carbonation. Sticky mouthfeel. Finishes slightly sweet. 4.5/5

Overall: An excellent blended beer. Totally smooth and balanced. This is one to drink fresh, and I cannot imagine it getting any better with age.

Recommendation: Seek this one out.

Pairings: Duck or lamb.

Cost: $22.99

Beer Review: Vortex II

Reviewing the Vortex II from Pisgah Brewing Company. This bottle is two years old.
Score: 61

01/09 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/19/12. You can see my roommate in the background!

Appearance: Mostly opaque dark brown, almost black, color with red/caramel highlights at the top of the glass when held up to light. Pours maybe one finger of bubbly/creamy dark tan head that settles into a decent lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Lots of tart berries fruit here, which is not right because this is a Russian Imperial Stout. This one has to be infected. Interestingly, however, the infection makes the aroma interesting for a sour ale. The front of the nose is a little pungently sour, but then it mellows out into a pleasantly tart berries and fruit aroma with some light chocolate in the background. 3.5/5

Taste: Taste confirms infection. This is now a sour ale, and not a very bad one either. Not puckeringly sour. Flavor is mostly sour berries mixed with light amounts of semi-sweet chocolate. Some tart fruit in there too. Finish is lingering sour berries. Gag reflex is triggered at some point as it approached room temperature. 2/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied, high-medium carbonation. Sour, but not puckering, finish. 3/5

Overall: An infected Russian Imperial Stout turned into a decent sour ale while cold, but I did not like this warm.

Recommendation: I cannot say whether the beer is normally worth trying, as this is my first experience with Vortex II, but an infected bottle is not worth seeking out.

Pairings: Chocolate cake (the infected berries and chocolate flavor would pair well).

Cost: Unknown.

Beer Review: Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale

Re-reviewing the Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company. Finally got a FRESH bottle!
Score: 92

Bottled 12/30/11 and served in a snifter glass. Enjoyed 01/19/12.

Appearance: Pours a transparent/translucent golden-orange with two fingers of white, soapy-foam head that really sticks around. Excellent lacing that sticks to the side of the glass like glue. A few minutes later, there is still a half finger of head. Excellent lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Zesty meyer lemons, grapefruit and honey. Floral hops and a little maltiness. Some sweet citrus too. Very fresh and intense if you take deep whiffs. 4.5/5

Taste: Dry, piney and bitter. Zesty oranges and tangerines with a light lemon bite. Lots of tropical fruit -- grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, lemon and pineapple. Some bittersweet hoppy maltiness on the mid-palate. Very dry, slightly bitter finish and lingering orange peel. Very fresh and hoppy. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, medium carbonation. Very dry, bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A very solid aroma that delivers more in the nose than on the tongue. A bit overhyped in my opinion. Still a very solid brew worth seeking out and trying.

Recommendation: A delicious imperial IPA than can be enjoyed and appreciated by casual beer drinkers and beer geeks alike. If you are on the fence, try a single bottle at Woodmans.

Pairings: Caramelized onions and steak.

Cost: $9.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher

Reviewing the B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout from Hoppin' Frog Brewery. BeerAdvocate lists this one as a Russian Imperial Stout. I've cross-tagged it below as an Imperial Stout, Russian Imperial Stout and Oatmeal Stout just to cover all my bases.
Score: 94

Unknown vintage bottle, purchased Thanksgiving weekend in 2011. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed 01/18/12.

Appearance: Pours a jet black, motor oil color. Completely opaque. Quarter finger of darker brown/khaki colored head that quickly settles into a ring around the glass. Pretty good lacing for a 9.4% ABV beer. 4.5/5

Smell: Lots of mellow, but sweet raisin/fig/dark fruit and milk chocolate upfront. A little earthy nuttiness too. Behind the raisins and milk chocolate is freshly cooked oatmeal and toasted oats. You can tell this is going to be a sweeter stout from the aroma. Tons of classic Russian Imperial Stout flavors here, but they are more mellowed out rather than in-your-face. 4.5/5

Taste: Sweet, roasted chocolate and raisin throughout, but not as sweet of a stout as anticipated from the aroma. Certainly nowhere near as sweet as the Baller Stout. Raw/bitter dark chocolate on the midpalate and in the finish. Some toasted oat on the midpalate too, though the oat characteristics are much more subdued than they were in the aroma. Finish is sweet dark fruit and bitter chocolate. As the beer layers, a little tobacco/leather comes out in the finish. The level of sweetness in the beer also gradually grows as the beer layers, with increasing amounts of raisins, but it never gets overly sweet. Absolute no alcohol presence in the taste. The finish really lingers on this beer and is quite superb. Some 30 seconds after my last sip I am still tasting residual raw chocolate and raisin. Yum! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, light-medium carbonation. Very viscous, chewy mouthfeel. Finish is sweet and sticky. Perfect mouthfeel for a Russian Imperial Stout. 5/5

Overall: After drinking this brew, there is no doubt in my mind that this is a Russian Imperial Stout. Some of the 4.5's in my review are "soft" 4.5's because they are really 4.3's and I do not do quarter step ratings. B.O.R.I.S. is one of the better beers that I have had in the style, though it is on the sweeter end for an imperial stout. I prefer the original version (this brew) to either D.O.R.I.S. or Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. If you have not yet had this beer, I highly recommend seeking it out.

Recommendation: A great starter Russian Imperial Stout for casual beer drinkers, and a must try brew for beer geeks.

Pairings: Creamy French vanilla ice cream (maybe even a sundae with nuts).

Cost: $9.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Baller Stout

Reviewing the Baller Stout, a collaboration between Three Floyds, Surly, Mikkeller and De Struise that blends Dark Lord, Darkness, Beer Geek Brunch and Black Albert. This is essentially a bottled one-off.
Score: 92

Fall 2011 vintage with yellow wax, served in an oversized brandy snifter and enjoyed 01/17/12.

Appearance: Jet black with a finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles into a clump of tan bubbly head on top of the beer and a ring around the glass. Completely opaque. Not a whole bunch of sticky lacing, but this one is 13.8% ABV so not much lacing should be expected. 4/5

Smell: Sweet chocolate, roasted malts and dark fruit. Lots of sweet raisin and creamy chocolate. Light coffee too. Absolutely no alcohol is present in the aroma. 4.5/5

Taste: Very complex, sweet flavors in this brew. Upfront I get a lot sweet raisin and dark fruit flavor, which may or may not come from the Darkness or Dark Lord. The dark fruit and raisin flavors linger throughout the beer, but new flavors increasingly come out with every sip. After the dark fruit, I get some milk chocolate and light coffee, followed by vanilla and marshmallow toward the finish. More bourbon-like flavors come out in the finish as the beer layers. Noticeable alcohol flavor in finish of the beer, but nothing overwhelming. Roasted maltiness in the middle and towards the finish as well. Also detecting some light berry fruitiness on the midpalate (from the Black Albert?). As the beer approaches room temperature, more alcohol comes through in the finish. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-high bodied with low carbonation. Velvety mouthfeel going down with a sweet, sticky finish. 4.5/5

Overall: Expensive, sweet and delicious. Baller Stout does not equal or exceed the sum of its parts, but it is certainly worth seeking out to try once.

Recommendation: A sweeter Russian Imperial Stout, so if you do not like sweeter imperial stouts be forewarned. Otherwise, I highly recommend seeking this one out before it becomes too rare to obtain as more and more people drink their allotment.

Pairings: Best enjoyed as a digestif following a delicious steak dinner.

Cost: $30 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Founders Dry Hopped Pale Ale

Reviewing the Dry Hopped Pale Ale from Founders Brewing Company.
Score: 79

Bottled 09/12/11, served in a pint glass, and enjoyed on 01/17/12.

Appearance: Pours a transparent/translucent honey yellow color with two fingers of white foamy head that quickly settles into a thin layer atop the beer. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Has a grains and apples aroma with a hint of pear. Smells almost like a cider/apple juice with pilsner qualities. Some malted barley and wheat in there too, with light floral qualities. 3/5

Taste: Has a wheaty pale ale flavor with a lighter-than-usual amount of hops, a little apple cider, and a malty citrus flavor. A lot more grainy than expected when I bought this, though some was expected based on the nose. Kinda sweet, malty grains on the midpalate. Has a briefly lingering finish that tastes like a better version of Budweiser. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium-light carbonation carbonation. Finishes malty and slightly bitter. 3/5

Overall: I know this bottle is four months old, so maybe the beer just was not fresh enough, but I was very underwhelmed by Founders here. This one is not bad, but it's not good. I suppose I might have to try this one fresh again sometime in the future, but for the time being there are now two Founders beers that I do not like -- this and Cerise.

Recommendation: A ho-hum Pale Ale that can be skipped by all. If you need an everyday, always available Pale Ale, just keep drinking good ol' Sierra Nevada.

Pairings: Chicken salad?

Cost: $9.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Jahva Imperial Stout

Reviewing the Javha Imperial Stout from Southern Tier Brewing Company.
Score: 82

Unknown vintage bottle purchased Fall 2011. Enjoyed 12/15/12 an served in an oversized brandy snifter glass.

Appearance: Pours an opaque dark brown/black brown color with dark caramel/red highlights at the top of the glass. One finger of creamy mocha/chocolate colored head at pour, settles into a layer of head that is so thin that it barely covers the top. Average lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Alcohol, bitter chocolate and coffee. Has a faint oxidized/sour aroma. 3/5

Taste: Espresso beans and bitter chocolate. Some earthy hoppiness too. This beer is very acrid with a sharp, lingering chocolaty bitterness. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Very acrid mouthfeel. Medium (maybe slightly lighter) bodied, medium carbonation. Bitter, but not dry, finish. 3/5

Overall: I remember Southern Tier being one of my favorite breweries before I started regularly drinking craft beer, but recent experiences seem to have soured past memories. Like the Unearthly and Oak Aged Unearthly, I distinctly remember Jahva being better when I had it several years ago. Nowadays, however, I am finding it to be a very bitter, one dimensional stout.

Recommendation: Worth trying once, but I wouldn't buy a bomber of this again.

Pairings: Smoked turkey croissant with Swiss cheese.

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

Beer Review: Anger

Reviewing the Anger from Greenbush Brewing Company out of Michigan. This is a relatively new brewery, and I believed they opened less than a year ago.
Score: 90

16 oz tap pour served in a pint glass at Kuma's Corner in Chicago. Kuma's has some of the best food in the city, and they always have interesting stuff on tap. Last time I stopped in to eat they had Surly Darkness on tap. It was too dark in the restaurant to snap a picture, and this is a draft only beer right now. Alas, no picture.

Appearance: Pours a black coffee color with a thin layer of tan head. Mostly opaque with brown highlights at the top of the glass. Pretty good lacing. 4/5

Smell: Floral citrusy hops, some roasted malts, and light chocolate/raisin. 4/5

Taste: Tastes like a pale ale bookended with light stout qualities. Light raisin and a hint of chocolate up front and in the finish. Earthy, piney hops bitterness and roasted maltiness on the midpalate. There's a little bit of citrus cutting thru the roasty maltiness too. Finish has some bitter hops flavor. More chocolate and dark fruit characteristics in the finish as it layers. A really solid brew. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Balanced and drinkable with a slight bitter hops and roasted chocolate linger. 4/5

Overall: A very solid, true-to-style black ale. I would certainly drink this one again.

Recommendation: Worth seeking out. The hops characteristics of this brew are more mellow than most pale ales, so it should have a broader appeal to casual beer drinkers -- at least in theory.

Pairings: Hamburgers (by default).

Cost: $7 or $8 for a pint.

Beer Review: Wasatch Polygamy Porter

Reviewing the Wasatch Polygamy Porter from the Utah Brewers Cooperative. This beer might have the funniest beer label slogan: "Why have just one!"
Score: 65

Bottled 09/04/11, served in a pint glass, and enjoyed on 01/13/12.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown/red soda color. On the more opaque side of translucent with plenty of ruby colored highlights throughout when held up to light. Poured maybe a finger of light mocha colored head that quickly settled into a thin lace of bubbly head across the top of the glass. Slightly below average lacing for a 4.0% ABV beer. 3/5

Smell: Cream soda and lots of sweet caramel malts are most apparent in the nose. Has a slight roasted chocolate malts and light vanilla aroma too. There is a definite sugariness or corn syrup "soda-like" aroma here, maybe some butterscotch. Some grainy corn too. There is also a little nuttiness and extremely faint coffee. The more I smell this, the more I come to the conclusion that the aroma is too sweet. 2/5

Taste: Tastes like it smells, but much more watered down (both in terms of taste and mouthfeel). Watery caramel malts, vanilla cream soda, and butterscotch. Nothing much else going on. Very diluted flavors. Leaves a faint caramel and even light nutty (almonds?) finish. 2/5

Mouthfeel: Incredibly light bodied with light carbonation. I did not think it was possible to brew a dark beer with a more watery consistency to Miller Lite, but here is your proof. Guinness is chewy and viscous by comparison. 1/5

Overall: When the label is the best part, and in fact the only good part, of a beer, something is wrong. This really weak porter that I would not drink ever again. It does not taste that bad, and it is certainly drinkable, but it has less alcohol content than Miller Lite and taste/smells too sugary for a porter.

Recommendation: Avoid this one.

Pairings: This one is more a palate refresher than a flavor compliment...but, uh...cookies?

Cost: $8.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Founders Imperial Stout (2012)

Reviewing a fresh Imperial Stout from Founders Brewing Company. I had a year old bottle a few weeks ago that I reviewed.
Score: 98

January 2012 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass in January 2012.

Appearance: Similar appearance to the year old version. 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, especially for a 10.5% ABV stout. 4.5/5

Smell: A lot more roasted coffee flavors than the year old version, with a very light anise flavor. Lots of roasted chocolate and milky coffee creamer . There's some leather in the nose too. Booziness is slightly more apparent than the year old version. Burnt malts too. The aroma is absolutely divine. 5/5

Taste: Tons of roasted coffee, leather and raw chocolate upfront. The coffee flavors is infinitely more apparent in the fresh bottle than it was in the year old bottle. Burnt chocolate and raw coffee beans too. Bitter coffee grounds on the mid-palate. Bitter, unsweetened chocolate and roasted malts and coffee in the finish. Not a lot of dark fruit here compared to the year old bottle, which seems a little odd. Definitely tastes "fresher," and still lingers well. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Still medium-plus bodied with more carbonation than the year old version. The coffee characteristics of the beer really add some perk to the beer. Foamy saliva-inducing mouthfeel and very thick (though not overly heavy). Finishes bitter and slightly acidic. 5/5

Overall: I enjoyed the year old version of this I had recently, but the fresh version is an absolute home run. This stuff tends to sell quick, and was released in IL and WI this week, so snatch up a four pack if you see it before it's gone for another year. Founders proves once again they are one of the best breweries in America.

Recommendation: A must try Russian Imperial Stout.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $15.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Hop Slam

Reviewing the infamous Hop Slam, an imperial IPA from Bells Brewery, Inc.
Score: 97

Bottled 12/29/11, served in a Duvel tulip glass, and enjoyed 01/12/12.

Appearance: Pours a hazy golden orange color that fades from a light honey color at the bottom to darker orange at the top when held up to light. Three full fingers of white, soapy head at pour gradually settles into a very thin layer of head. Superior lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Fresh, zesty lemons and grapefruit, fresh piney citrus hops, honey, and a little vanilla. Some earthy pine sap and freshly cut grass too. Slight floral aromas too. As it warms, the aromas get much more intense. 5/5

Taste: First sip is a sharply bitter honey-and-resiny-pine flavor. Really bitter. The flavor of this beer is like a roller coaster. It starts off low key, but quickly crescendo's into a bitter climax, and then mellow outs crisply, leaving a lightly bitter finish. Mostly an earthy pine hoppiness, with some light citrus and sweet honey. A little tropical fruitiness comes out as the beer layers. There is little, if any, maltiness to balance out the bitter characteristics of the beer. Total hop bomb here. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with light carbonation. Light carbonation accentuates the earthy bitterness of the beer. Oily mouthfeel. Incredibly drinkable for a 10% ABV IIPA. Finish is bitter, acidic and savory. 4.5/5

Overall: While not the best imperial IPA that I have tasted, this is one of the best hop bombs that I have ever had. Absolutely delicious. Consume this one fresh. Hops heads unite!

Recommendation: Bitter hops haters should absolutely avoid this brew, but all others will enjoy. Not the best beer for casual beer drinkers, but beer geeks need to get their hands on this one.

Pairings: Kuma's Corner's hamburgers.

Cost: $17.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Daly Double

Reviewing the Daly Double, a single IPA from Half Acre Brewing Company.
Score: 92

Bottle from the 01/06/12 release, served in a Half Acre tulip glass, and enjoyed 01/12/12.

Appearance: Pours a hazy, translucent dark reddish orange color that fades from a red amber color at the bottom to a yellow straw color at the top when held up to light. Two fingers of foamy cream colored head at pour gradually settles into a thin layer. Pretty awesome lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Has a very malty, earthy citrus smell. Barley malt, fresh grapefruit, zesty lemon, dandelions and dank dirt-and-plant aromas. Smells like an amped up Daisy Cutter. 4.5/5

Taste: Very bitter, earthy hops flavor upfront. Strongly bitter citrus on the mid-palate with a dry maltiness. Finishes with a bitter citrus hops flavor that really lingers. Tastes like Daisy Cutter would if it had mid-palate flavor. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-light carbonation. Lighter carbonation makes the earthier, bitter flavors sit on tongue rather than "pop." Finishes bitter, but not very dry. 4/5

Overall: This is an excellent single IPA that is in plenty supply at the brewery right now. Too bad it's not a year round beer because it would be a go to IPA for me for sure.

Recommendation: Bitter hops haters should avoid, but all others will enjoy. If you like Daisy Cutter, seek this one out.

Pairings: The organic, earthy hamburgers that they sell at the Old Fashioned.

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

Beer Review: Road Slush Stout

Reviewing the Road Slush Stout from New Glarus Brewing Company.
Score: 91

Bottled on 12/06/11 (bottled day is "340"), served in a snifter glass, and enjoyed 01/11/12. This one is thus a touch over a month old.

Appearance: Pours a deep, dark brown -- almost black -- color with one finger of creamy mocha colored head that settles into a thin later. Mostly opaque with dark caramel colored highlights at the top of the glass. Served a bit on the cold side, but there is a noticeable effervescence. Excellent lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: First impression is lots of creamy oatmeal and roasted coffee. Some toasted grains. Further whiffs reveal light chocolate/cocoa and caramel too. There is a distinctly familiar chocolate candy aroma here, and I think it's a Tootsie Roll. 4/5

Taste: There are a lot of roasted malt flavors present in this beer. I can detect roasted coffee, toasted oats, and roasted chocolate, with a little smokiness too. There is a little caramel malt and some light citrus on the mid-palate and towards the finish. Lingering finish is bitter with more of the roasted malt flavors. Detecting a lot more oats/oatmeal flavors in this one than I have in recent oatmeal stouts. Yum. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with light-medium carbonation. Getting a lot less carbonation than was expected from the appearance, but maybe that was just "excess" air trapped in the glass from the pour. I was expecting the body to be a little thin for some reason or another, but found it perfect. Finishes bitter, but not dry. 4/5

Overall: It took me a handful of misses, but I finally found a beer from New Glarus that comes in a six pack that I enjoy. Before this, I had only enjoyed a few of the beers in the Unplugged and Thumbprint series, but this beer is really, really tasty. I would certainly buy this one again.

Recommendation: A really, flavorful starter stout for casual beer drinkers. Beer geeks should seek this one out too.

Pairings: A smoked dark meat dish.

Cost: $2 for a single bottle or $9.99 for a six pack.