Beer Review: Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier

Reviewing the Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier from Brauerei Heller-Trum out of Germany.
Score: 91

Enjoying a 10 oz tap pour at the Brickhouse BBQ during happy hour. Served in a god-knows-what-you-call-it beer glass on 03/29/12. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: The beer is a deep amber/mahogany color depending on how the light hits it. Surprisingly transparent given its dark color. Served with no head save for an off-white ring around the glass. Below average lacing, average retention. 4/5

Smell: Barley, bready malt, rye bread, caramel and a modest amount of campfire smoke. Pork chops and hickory wood. 4/5

Taste: Rye spice and black peppercorn upfront quickly turns into a heavy smoked wood and spicy hickory flavor that coats the palate. A lot more smoke in the flavor than in the aroma. Caramel, light bready malt and a non-descript "fatty meat" flavor on the midpalate. Like a campfire in your mouth, the smoked rye and hickory flavors really pop on the midpalate. Finishes with smoke and barley. Very interesting flavors. This beer is growing on me with every sip. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium carbonation. The smokiness is really prickly on the palate. Smoked and spicy finish. 4/5

Overall: A fantastic smoked beer. Kudos to Brickhouse for getting something so different from the mainstream on tap. I will certainly have another pour of this.

Pairings: A Reuben sandwich or a pastrami sandwich on rye bread with a light amount of hot sauce.

Cost: $4.50 for a 10 oz pour.

Beer Review: New Glarus Thumbprint Barley Wine (2012, fresh)

Reviewing the Thumbprint Barley Wine from New Glarus Brewing Company.
Score: 91

2012 vintage bottle with code "3611 09:30" printed on the bottle neck. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/29/12.

Appearance: Pours a transparent golden orange color with a finger of white seafoam head that settles into a ring around the glass and foggy cap over three-quarters the beer. Above average lacing, above average retention. 4/5

Smell: Piney hops, tropical citrus, pineapple, grapefruit, caramel and barley malt. Very light alcohol heat. A little lemon in the nose too. Hint of coriander. 4/5

Taste: Peach, apple and honey sweetness, pine, grass, hoppy grapefruit, orange and spicy caramel malt. The caramel malt sweetness is well contrasted by the piney hops and a modest bitter barley flavor. Rye spice and black pepper perkiness on the midpalate. Very DIPA-like in flavor, though more malty than a DIPA. Has a juicy and malty orange backbone. Finishes with a pineapple, grapefruit and hops flavor that has average linger. Just a hint of booziness and warmth on the palate -- nothing that screams 12% ABV, though. Very refreshing overall, quite balanced. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Juicy mouthfeel. Malty and bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A superior brew from New Glarus' Thumbprint/Unplugged series. I have really come to enjoy hoppy barleywines of late, and this is a really good example of the American barleywine style. Hopefully New Glarus will bring this brew back in the near future; this might be my favorite beer of theirs.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out and drink it fresh. The tropical citrus hoppiness really works well in this beer, and hops tend to fade over time. I will be aging a couple of bottles of this, however, so, assuming this blog is still being updated a few years down the road, I will report back to let my readers know how this one holds up over time. Hopefully I will not regret saving more of this beer for future consumption, it no longer being produced at the present time, but this beer is just too enjoyable fresh to let sit on the shelf.

Pairings: Chocolate chip pancakes.

Cost: $10.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: New Glarus Thumbprint Barley Wine (2012, fresh)

Reviewing the Thumbprint Barley Wine from New Glarus Brewing Company.
Score: 91

2012 vintage bottle with code "3611 09:30" printed on the bottle neck. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/29/12.

Appearance: Pours a transparent golden orange color with a finger of white seafoam head that settles into a ring around the glass and foggy cap over three-quarters the beer. Above average lacing, above average retention. 4/5

Smell: Piney hops, tropical citrus, pineapple, grapefruit, caramel and barley malt. Very light alcohol heat. A little lemon in the nose too. Hint of coriander. 4/5

Taste: Peach, apple and honey sweetness, pine, grass, hoppy grapefruit, orange and spicy caramel malt. The caramel malt sweetness is well contrasted by the piney hops and a modest bitter barley flavor. Rye spice and black pepper perkiness on the midpalate. Very DIPA-like in flavor, though more malty than a DIPA. Has a juicy and malty orange backbone. Finishes with a pineapple, grapefruit and hops flavor that has average linger. Just a hint of booziness and warmth on the palate -- nothing that screams 12% ABV, though. Very refreshing overall, quite balanced. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Juicy mouthfeel. Malty and bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A superior brew from New Glarus' Thumbprint/Unplugged series. I have really come to enjoy hoppy barleywines of late, and this is a really good example of the American barleywine style. Hopefully New Glarus will bring this brew back in the near future; this might be my favorite beer of theirs.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out and drink it fresh. The tropical citrus hoppiness really works well in this beer, and hops tend to fade over time. I will be aging a couple of bottles of this, however, so, assuming this blog is still being updated a few years down the road, I will report back to let my readers know how this one holds up over time. Hopefully I will not regret saving more of this beer for future consumption, it no longer being produced at the present time, but this beer is just too enjoyable fresh to let sit on the shelf.

Pairings: Chocolate chip pancakes.

Cost: $10.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Ipswich Oatmeal Stout

Reviewing the Ipswich Oatmeal Stout from Mercury Brewing Company out of Massachusetts.
Score: 94

Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/29/12. Thank you beer advocate user silentjay1 for sending me this beer as an extra!

Appearance: Pours a deep brown, almost pitch black color. Totally opaque -- no light cuts through this beer. Two-plus fingers of foamy khaki head at pour slowly settles into a thin creamy layer. Amazing lacing, undying retention. Shelves of frothy head cling to the side of the glass forever. 5/5

Smell: Toasted oats, coffee, roasted malt and chocolate malt. Raw chocolate, cocoa marshmallow, light hops and a hint of citrus. 4/5

Taste: Tons of roastiness throughout. Roasted oats, creamy oatmeal and unsweetened chocolate. There is a light mix of creamy vanilla and marshmallow in the finish, and a touch of hoppy citrus on the midpalate. There's is also a hint of roasted coffee flavor in the background of the finish. The flavors are a medley of bitterness, but the beer is not overly bitter. Very balanced and flavorful. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, modest (but the perfect amount of) carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: Like a chocolatier New Glarus Road Slush on steroids. Yummy! One of the better oatmeal stouts I have had. If you liked Wake-n-Bake, you will certainly enjoy this one.

Recommendation: Seek this one out. Even casual beer drinkers should enjoy this brew.

Pairings: Gruyere cheese or swiss-and-almond cheese spread.

Cost: $12.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: White Rajah

Reviewing the White Rajah from The Brew Kettle Production Works. I had this beer a couple of months ago for the first time, but that bottle was noticeably stale.
Score: 91

No freshness date on the bottle, which is never good for IPA's. When I talked to someone from The Brew Kettle Production Works about this a couple of months ago, they said that adding freshness codes to their bottles was on their list of things to do. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed 03/28/12.

Appearance: Pours a consistent, translucent orangeish honey color with a finger of frothy white head that settles into a thick ring around the glass and thin film of head across the top of the beer. Above average lacing, excellent retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Orange rind, sweet citrus, fresh grass, pine, pineapple, lemon and tangerine. Orange juice, peach, pineapple juice and light caramel malt in the background. 4/5

Taste: Substantially better than the stale bottle I had! Sweet and slightly spicy citrus, hoppy orange and bitter lemon upfront. Earthy hops, bitter orange, pine and a little apricot/pear/peach flavor throughout. Sweet caramel malt, orange juice and pineapple juice backbone. The hops flavors are a lot earthier and there is a lot less of the bright tropical fruit and fresh pine that usually define citra hopped beers (e.g., Heady Topper, Zombie Dust, Anti-Hero IPA, Flower Power, etc.). Very balanced and refreshing. Finishes with a bitter, hoppy orange rind flavor. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-plus carbonation. Oily, juicy mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A solid, tasty and refreshing IPA that does not live up to the hype. Flower Power was better. I did enjoy the beer, though. It just was not worth the hassle of hunting down when Zombie Dust is being distributed in my backyard.

Recommendation: Worth seeking out, but not worth going too far out of your way to acquire if you have not had Flower Power, Heady Topper or Zombie Dust yet. Hop haters be warned, this one is decently bitter. I find IPAs to be a poor starting point in the craft beer for casual beer drinkers, but if you want to try an IPA, this one is a very true-to-style tasting brew. If you do seek this beer out, make sure you get a fresh one.

Pairings: Cheese curds.

Cost: $10.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Bourbon County Brand Stout (10/12/07 alleged Pappy Van Winkle Version)

Reviewing the alleged Pappy Van Winkle aged version of the 2007 vintage Bourbon County Brand Stout from Goose Island Brewing Company. I can find no corroborating information that Pappy barrels were actually used on this second bottling.
Score: 99

Bottled on "10/12/07." Served in a pint glass and enjoyed on 03/23/12.

Appearance: Has the traditional Bourbon County Brand Stout appearance. That is: jet black with a thin mocha colored head at pour that quickly disappears with minimal lacing and average retention. 4/5

Smell: Rich and luscious vanilla mixed with dark and milk chocolate. Some molasses, dark fruit, brown sugar and mellow bourbon. 5/5

Taste: Rich chocolate with just a hint of booze that is only noticeable because I am doing this side by side with the 2008 and regular 2007 Bourbon County Stout (aged in 12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels). Molasses and dark fruit on the midpalate with a chewy, bourbon-soaked raisin flavor in the finish. There more of a vanilla twist on the tongue than the regular 2007 Bourbon County Stout, and vanilla flavor modestly grows as the beer layers. Very rich in flavor and delicately balanced. There is smooth bourbon flavor with only a minimal boozy bite. Like all the Bourbon County Stout vintages, the finish lingers like crazy, and when it is gone, you want more. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, virtually no carbonation. Thick and syrupy mouthfeel. Slightly sweet finish. 5/5

Overall:  Maybe this is merely the power of suggestion or merely the power of variable aging under variable conditions, but I felt this bottle was a little richer and molassier than the other 2007 Bourbon County Stout bottling I tried at the tasting. Either way, this is a phenominal beer.

Recommendation: The 2007 and 2008 vintages of the Bourbon County Stout are drinking perfectly right now. Go get one (assuming it's been aged properly).

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $5.99 for a 12 oz bottle or $19.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Goudenband (1999+2010)

Reviewing the Goudenband from Brouwerij Liefmans out of Belgium. Prior to the Bourbon County Stout vertical, we all sampled the 1999 and 2010 vintages of the Goudenband. I guess Liefmans' ownership changed hands somewhat recently and that the formula changed at some point. Whether or not the 1999 original formula was used for the 2010 batch, these two beers were like night and day. The scores below are for the 1999 vintage, though I noted the differences between that and the 2010 vintage in my review.
Score: 88

1999 and 2010 vintage bottles shared and served side by side in a "The Bruery" tulip and enjoyed on 03/23/12. The 1999 vintage bottle was a massive 1.5 liter bottle.

Appearance: Pours a caramel amber color that falls between transparent and translucent. My glass was not very hazy, but I had one of the first pours from the bottle. Minimal head at pour settles into a thick and bubbly tan colored ring around the glass. Minimal oily lacing, poor retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Starting with the 1999 vintage, I smell sharp red grape acidity and sweet caramel. This beer smells like a slightly funky blend of merlot and chardonnay. There's oak, a moderate amount of maple and a little bit of funky sweet vinaigrette salad dressing aroma in the nose too. A little heat. The aroma is powerful enough that I can smell it clearly while the glass is sitting down in front of me. By comparison, the 2010 vintage smells substantially grainier and is seemingly without any of the grape aroma. The 2010 vintage's aroma is "flatter" and also contained a moderate amount of black licorice. 4/5

Taste: Tart red grape sweetness, red wine tannins and caramel. A little bit of cherry. At first there is a pleasant and like sweet vinegar funkiness that gets strong and turns into a gym sock-like funkiness as the beer warms. The 2010 vintage tastes much funkier and has a pronounced bitter barley flavor. I give the taste a four out of five based on the slightly chilled temperature taste. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, high and lively carbonation. Dry, tart and crisp with a lingering sweet vinegar flavor. 3.5/5

Overall: This rare treat (the 1999) is probably lost on my palate because I am not a big fan of sour styles, but I enjoyed this beer nonetheless. I personally would not go seek this one out again, but given that I dislike sours and enjoyed this one, I would have to believe that fans of the style would love it.

Recommendation: If you like the style, seek this one out -- but do not drink it if it has two years or less of age and ideally seek out the original formula bottles.

Pairings: I feel like a stronger, funkier cheese would go well with this beer. Maybe blue cheese or Gorgonzola? And yes, I know Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese.

Cost: Since the 355 ml bottles tend to retail around $6.99, I would have to imagine that the 1.5 liter bottle cost between $20 and $30.

Beer Review: Great Dane Imperial IPA

Reviewing the Great Dane Imperial IPA from the Great Dane Pub And Brewing Company. This is my favorite beer that they make, and it's my go to brew whenever I am at their Hilldale location chomping down some of Madison's finest foods from an incredibly versatile menu.
Score: 88

Fresh 20 oz tap pour served in an imperial pint glass and enjoyed on 03/21/12. Review is from notes.

Appearance: Light copper color that falls closer to translucent on the transparent/translucent scale. Served with no head save for an off-white ring around the glass. Below average lacing, above average retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Pines, orange citrus, caramel malt, lemon, earth and spiced rye. Hint of floral hops. 3.5/5

Taste: Earthy hops up front, followed by sticky orange citrus and sharp lemon zest. There is a heavy caramel malt backbone to this brew. Heavy doese of bitter hops linger on the midpalate. Barley malt and biscuity malt flavor present too. This is a very hoppy malt bomb of an imperial IPA, but it's not overly extreme. Some warming effect on the palate, but I would not call this one boozy. To the contrary, it is incredibly drinkable, though a bit of a sipper, and the ABV really sneaks up on you if you are not careful. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Dry and bitter finish.

Overall: A super solid microbrew from one of my favorite places in Madison to eat. I will surely miss this beer when I move this summer. This one is only served at the Hilldale branch of the Dane, but it should be served at all of them!

Recommendation: If heavy doses of malts and hops are not your thing, you probably want to avoid this beer. IPA lovers, however, should absolutely order a glass while in town.

Pairings: The Great Dane's Pub Burger or their Nakoma Nachos.

Cost: $5.50 for a 20 oz pour or $4.50 for a 12 oz glass.

Beer Review: Goose Island Imperial IPA (2007)

Reviewing the now retired Goose Island Imperial IPA from Goose Island Brewing Company. This is the beer that got me first interested in craft beer many moons ago. It will always hold a special place in my liver.
Score: 81

2007 vintage bottle served in a "The Bruery" tulip and enjoyed on 03/23/12. This bottle is from the very last bottling Goose Island ever did of this beer.

Appearance: Pours a golden orange color that is slightly hazy. Not much information about the head at pour, since the 12 oz bottle was split between several of us. Seems to have decent lacing. 3.5/5

Smell: Honey, heavy barley malt, and stale hops. Lots of malt, to be frank. Surprisingly enough, there is still a light booziness in the nose. Moderate oxidation too. 3.5/5

Taste: Heavy doses of bitter barley malt and caramel. That's about it. At this point, the beer has turned into a straightforward English barleywine with some light acidic tartness on the back half. There is a lingering bitter barley malt finish. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 3.5/5

Overall: While this beer is a shell of its former self, it was pure nostalgia to get the rare chance to try the no longer produced beer that got me into the craft scene several years ago. Thank you so much DP34 for sharing this one with me!

Recommendation: You can skip this once-great beer at this point in its life cycle, but it's certainly not a drain pour of an Imperial IPA five years later.

Pairings: Provolone cheese.

Cost: I do not recall how much this beer cost back in the day, but I believe it was between $10 and $20 for a four pack. I think it also use to cost around $10 for a pint at the Clybourn brewpub.

Beer Review: Smoke From The Oak (Wine Barrel Imperial Version)

Reviewing the Smoke From The Oak (Wine Barrel Imperial Version) from Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. This is my first ever beer from Captain Lawrence, but I have heard good things about this brewery out of New York.
Score: 90

Unknown vintage bottle (forgot to check the label!) served in a "The Bruery" brand tulip and enjoyed on 03/23/12.

Appearance: Deep brown, mostly opaque save for a strip of brown highlight atop the glass when held up to a light. Between the glasses poured at the table, it seems like there is a combined 2-3 fingers of creamy milk chocolate covered head at pour that quickly settles into a bubbly ring around the glass. Minimal lacing, poor retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Huge notes of smoke, oak, and hickory wood. There's some funky white grape, white wine acidity, a little roasted chocolate and a light vinegar aroma too. 4/5

Taste: Like the nose, there is lots of smoke on the palate. I am glad I capped the evening off with this beer, because it's a lingering palate wrecker! Tart white grape, oak and roasted chocolate. There is a "fatty meat" flavor on the palate entwined with the smokiness that others described as "pork-like." I do not detect any booziness whatsoever despite the 12% ABV. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, high carbonation. Oily/smooth mouthfeel. Smokey and sweet finish. 4/5

Overall: This beer struck a real nice contrasting balance between the heavier smokey flavors and the lighter white wine/tart grape flavors that left an interesting effect on the palate that can only be described as a "prickley sweetness." I still do not like sours, and this one has Brett intentionally added to it, but I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. This one is a true smoke bomb. I would definitely be interested in trying the other variations of this beer at some point in the future.

Recommendation: Fans of smoke beers and wine wine should seek this beer out. Be warned, however -- this one is heavy on the smoke!

Pairings: Barbequed chicken.

Cost: $12 for a 750 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Kate The Great (2012, Fresh)

BEER REVIEW #200! Since beer review #100 was CBS, I had to pull out something epic to top it (especially since I took the MPRE in the morning).

Reviewing the infamous Kate The Great from Portsmouth Brewery out of New Hampshire. This is one of highest rated and most sought after beers in the world. I am absolutely ecstatic to have had the opportunity to try this beer.
Score: 100

2012 vintage bottle served in a Dogfish Head snifter and enjoyed on 03/17/12.

Appearance: Pours a deep brown coffee color with just under a half finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles into a ring around the glass and foggy layer atop the beer. Totally opaque save for a thin brown highlight strip at the top of the glass when held up to light. Above average frothy and oily lacing mix with absolutely superior retention. 5/5

Smell: Loads of rich and roasted chocolate and smooth, percolating coffee. A really nice aromatic mix of milk chocolate and chocolate. Toasted oats, prunes, figs, and roasted malts. A very light vanilla and licorice smell too. As the beer approaches room temperature, a very small amount of dark cherry comes out in the nose. Very inviting! 5/5

Taste: WOW! Move over Darkness, there is a new Russian Imperial Stout in town. The first thing I notice is the rich, complex and layered medley of chocolate flavors in this beer. There's creamy milk chocolate, fudge, bittersweet chocolate morsels, mocha and dark chocolate throughout. There's a modest amount of fig flavor and "dark chocolate raisinets" flavor on the midpalate in addition to some brown sugar. There is a light alcohol warming effect (but not flavor) on the midpalate too, but just the perfect amount to give some liveliness to the rich chocolateness of the beer. There's some toasted oat flavor and smooth coffee too. This beer honestly strikes the perfect balance between chocolate and coffee -- smooth, rich and flavorful, but not too bitter, sweet or acidic. There's another wave of rich mocha and dark chocolate flavor towards the finish, which seems to grow as the beer layers. Finishes with the perfect mocha and raw chocolate flavor that you'd expect and desire from a Russian Imperial Stout. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Rich, creamy and chewy mouthfeel. Finish is dry, chocolatey and bittersweet. 5/5

Overall: I never thought that I would ever consume a beer that I enjoyed more than Surly Darnkess, but here we are. Kate The Great is truly a perfect beer that lives up to the hype. Rich, complex and infinitely chocolatey. You could absolutely hate beer and love this brew. If only this one was more available and easy to find, it would be the only beer I would stock in my fridge for regular consumption. People covet this beer for a reason, and I would absolutely recommend paying well over the cost to acquire a bottle for a special occassion. World class indeed!

Recommendation: Seek this beer out. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

Pairings: Vanilla ice cream or steak.

Cost: $8 for an 11.2 oz bottle, but when you consider the cost of purchasing a lottery ticket to entitle you to a bottle and the probabilities of winning, each bottle actually costs $23.

Beer Review: Zoe

Reviewing the Zoe from Maine Beer Company.
Score: 94

Bottle date is 02/xx/12. The "xx" kind of looks like an "06," but is too poorly printed to tell for sure. Served in a Stella Artois chalice and enjoyed on 03/26/12.

Appearance: Pours a deep and translucent mahogany with three fingers of tan sea-foam head that turns soapy while it slowly settles, ultimately turning into a thin creamy layer. Amazing lacing, superior retention. 5/5

Smell: Citrus, grapefruit, lemon, toffee, nuttiness, honey graham cracker and a little caramel. Smells like a hoppy, nutty amber ale. 4/5

Taste: Bready malt, pecan, walnut and lemony/grapefruity hops. Light toffee and caramel on the midpalate. Finishes with that buttery walnut and pecan flavor and modest lemon. This is quite different from any red ale that I have ever had before. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. Buttery mouthfeel. Slightly malty, slightly bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A unique variation of the style, warmly received. I am usually not a fan of amber ales, but I really enjoyed this one. I would certainly buy and drink this again. Thank you Jason for hooking me up with this one!

Recommendation: Seek this one out, especially if you like amber ales. I could see this one being quite enjoyable for casual beer drinkers.

Pairings: Reuben sandwich or swiss-and-almond cheese spread.

Cost: $6.99 for a 16.9 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Hop Whoopin

Reviewing the Hop Whoopin from O'so Brewing Company.
Score: 75

Bottling code is "053121427." My gut says that means that this is from the end of February of this year. Served in a Stella Artois chalice and enjoyed on 03/26/12.

Appearance: Pours a murky, slightly cloudy orpiment color (that's ancient Egyptian for darker yellow). Not much head at pour -- a thin bubbly lacing at best with a foggy cap over the majority of the drink. Below average lacing, above average retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Resinous pine, honey, pineapple, light caramel, orange rind and tropic citrus. 4/5

Taste: Bitter, juicy orange, pineapple and earthy hops. There is a growing, heavy bitterness on the palate as the beer layers. Not much else. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Watery oily mouthfeel that washes away most of the flavor prematurely, save for the bitterness. Bitter finish. 3/5

Overall: Nothing special, but not undrinkable. Smells much better than it tastes. I would not buy this beer again.

Recommendation: Feel free to skip this one, especially if you hate bitterer beers.

Pairings: Swiss-and-almond cheese spread.

Cost: $3.49 for a 12 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Hoptimum

Reviewing the Hoptimum from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
Score: 90

2012 vintage bottle with bottling code "2048206:09." Served in a Stella Artois chalice and enjoyed on 03/26/12.

Appearance: Pours a golden orange color that falls between transparent and translucent. Almost three fingers of thick, cream colored seafoam head that settles into a thin layer. Amazing lacing, superior retention. 5/5

Smell: Resinous pine, heavy honey, and tropical citrus mixed with some earthy hops. Spiced caramel heat, orange, mango and pineapple. 4/5

Taste: Super hopped hop bomb! Huge doses of earthy hops, mulch, a little pine, pineapple, orange rind and juicy orange. Lot of heavy, bitter, spiced caramel on the midpalate and in the finish. Maybe a little sweet honey? The alcohol is pretty well hidden. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Bitter hoppiness sits heavy on the tongue. Oily mouthfeel. Dry and bitter finish. 3.5/5

Overall: Not the most balanced or flavorful DIPA, but this is a solid hop bomb. I enjoyed this one more than Southern Tier's Unearthly. I would absolutely buy/drink this again at some point in the future.

Recommendation: Hop haters and casual beer drinkers probably will not enjoy this one.

Pairings: Swiss-and-almond cheese spread.

Cost: $2.89 for a 12 oz bottle or $8.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout

Reviewing the infamous and retired Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout from Goose Island Beer Company.
Score: 100

Bottled on 11/05/10. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/24/12. After having a couple of ounces of this stuff the other night, I could not resist opening a bottle and enjoying a full glass.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color, totally opaque, with a thin layer of creamy mocha-colored head that quickly settles into a pencil-thin ring around the glass. Average, maybe slightly below average, lacing, but pretty solid lacing -- especially for an imposing imperial stout. 5/5

Smell: Rich, sweet vanilla upfront. Molasses/maple, raisin, smooth bourbon, cocoa and dark chocolate. Just a ton of sweet vanilla and molasses and brown sugar sweetness in the nose. Not too much sweetness though, and the aroma is not overpowering. Rather, this beer strikes the perfect balance and blend of barrel aged imperial stout aromas. Truly perfect. 5/5

Taste: Blissful synergy. Like the aroma, this beer is perfectly and delicately crafted in flavor. The first sip reveals waves of sweet vanilla with bourbony maple and molasses. The midpalate is drenched with bourbon soaked raisin, milk chocolate and dark chocolate flavors. The beer is on the sweeter side of bittersweet, but oh so perfectly so. Each rich sip layers, refreshing the palate with more and more vanilla and maple sweetness that absolutely lingers on the tongue. There is a robust, velvety bourbon flavor, without any of the alcohol bite or any booziness, towards the back half of the beer that lingers with the vanilla -- growing as the beer warms and layers. There is a bitter chocolate backbone that perfectly balances out the sweetness of the vanilla/maple/raisin/bourbon flavors. There's a hint of a smooth tobacco flavor in the mix too. More chocolate as this brew warms. The beer has a modicum of warming effect on the palate as it approaches room temperature, but it's not a booziness. Truly delectable. Each sip soaks the palate with plenty of long-lasting flavor. There's is nothing more I could possibly ask of this beer. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Thick, syrupy mouthfeel. Finishes on the sweeter side of bittersweet with lots of bourbon soaked raisin flavor. 5/5

Overall: The only thing that is wrong with this beer is that it is no longer made. I need more. I could live without every other stout if I could only have this beer at my whim.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out, and do it sooner than later. This beer will never be made again, and I just reduced the remain and limited supply by a bottle. If you are sitting on a bottle, on the other hand, crack it open now. It is drinking perfectly and can go nowhere but down from here. This one, at least right now, is drinking better than Bourbon County Coffee.

Pairings: The finest steak in all the land, served with caramelized onions.

Cost: $11.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle back when it was briefly on shelves in November 2010. It'll cost you much more than that now, but it is well worth the cost.

Bourbon County Stout Vertical

Last night, courtesy of some of Madison, Wisconsin's best BA's (including our gracious host Ben), we opened up one of the most epic verticals one could possibly participate in: every Goose Island Bourbon County Stout variant since 2007, including the alleged Pappy Van Winkle aged 2007 Bourbon County Stout (10/12/11 bottling). The full line up of Bourbon County Stout beers opened included:

• 1x Bourbon County Stout 2006 (unknown barrel)
• Bourbon County Stout 2007 (10/23/07 bottling)
• 2x Bourbon County Stout 2007 (12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels)
• 2x Bourbon County Stout 2008 (12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels)
• 2x Bourbon County Stout 2009 (12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels)
• 2x Bourbon County Stout 2010 (12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels)
• 2x Bourbon County Stout 2011 (12-16 year Heaven Hill barrels)
• 1x Bourbon County Rare (allegedly aged in 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle barrels)
• 1x Vanilla Bourbon County Stout
• 1x Bramble Rye Bourbon County Stout
• 1x Bourbon County Stout 2010 (Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso)
• 1x Bourbon County Coffee Stout 2011 (Intelligentsia Anjilanaka coffee)

Each person essentially got two-thirds of a taster's cup of beer from each variant to try. The infamous Bourbon County Rare was served in glass tasters cups, so as to receive as much respect as possible despite the small format tasting.

Side by side, here is the order, from most to least, of how much I enjoyed each variant:

1. Bourbon County Rare
2. Bourbon County Vanilla
3. Bourbon County Stout 2007 (10/12/07)
4. Bourbon County Stout 2008
5. Bourbon County Stout 2007 (Heaven Hills)
6. Bourbon County Coffee 2011
7. Bourbon County Coffee 2010
8. Bourbon County Stout 2011
9. Bourbon County Stout 2010
10. Bourbon County Stout 2009
11. Bramble Rye Bourbon County Stout
12. Bourbon County Stout 2006

In case you are curious how the different variant smelled and tasted (they all had an identical appearance with practically identical mouthfeels), I took notes.

Smell

• Coffee 2011 versus Coffee 2010: The 2010 coffee had no real coffee aroma by comparison to the 2011. The coffee aroma in the 2010 was very subtle and mellow, almost hidden in the background of what otherwise smelled like the traditional bourbon county aroma. The 2011 coffee, on the other hand, had a robust and smooth roasted coffee and fresh raw coffee bean aroma.
• Bourbon County Stout 2011-2009: Smell very similar, though the 2009, strangely enough, seemed to have a "hotter" aroma than the 2010 or 2011. Maple, caramel, vanilla, dark fruit and rich bourbon.
• Bourbon County Stout 2008/2007 (Heaven Hills): Similar to the 2009-2011 aroma, but with absolutely no booziness whatsoever. Smells like vanilla and chocolate covered Raisinettes.
• Bourbon County Stout 2006: A bit oxidized, light cardboard.
• Bourbon County Stout 2007 (10/12/11): No booziness. Similar to, but "richer" and "molassesier" in aroma than the other 2007 bottles.
• Bourbon County Rare: Rich and complex chocolate, bourbon without the bite, loads of raisins and molasses.
• Vanilla Bourbon County: Sweeter (in a good way) bourbon and raisin aroma than the other variants.

Taste

• Coffee 2011 versus Coffee 2010: The 2011 has a substantially more pronounced coffee flavor than I remember in my original review. The 2011 coffee has a flavorful roasted coffee backbone. The 2010 coffee, on the other hand, tastes like the Bourbon County 2010 with a coffee twist in the finish -- much more akin to the bottle I remember drinking about a month ago. Strangely enough, I went back to my original review of Bourbon County Coffee 2011 and looked at the picture. It was indeed the 2011 version I drank. Both versions still taste fantastic, though the 2011 coffee was much tastier to me than the 2010 version. People at our table who did not like coffee felt the opposite and preferred the 2010 coffee version. The coffee in both beers was a great example of flavor synergy.
• Bourbon County Stout 2011-2009: The 2011 tastes the same as when I first reviewed it, though the "booziness" may have mellowed out a little. Strangely, the 2010 seemed marginally more boozy than the 2011. The 2011 vintage has a higher alcohol content than any of the previous "regular versions" of Bourbon County Stout and it is (obviously) the freshest batch, so that seemed a bit strange. Even stranger, however, might be the fact that the 2009 vintage was the hottest of all the Bourbon County Stout variants/vintages that I tried (well, except for maybe Bramble).
• Bourbon County Stout 2008/2007 (Heaven Hills): The booze completely disappears in the 2007 and 2008 versions. The 2008 seemed a little more complex in chocolate flavor, while the 2007 version's chocolate flavors were largely just dark chocolate and cocoa. There's a touch of warmth on the palate with the 2007 vintage.
• Bourbon County Stout 2007: No booziness. Similar to, but again seemingly "richer" and "molassesier" than, the other 2007 bottles
• Bourbon County Stout 2006: Oxidized! Cardboard and Bourbon County Stout flavor, pretty "warm" (but not boozy per se) on the palate.
• Bourbon County Rare: Silky smooth, rich and robust in flavor. Perfectly and delicately crafted. Much more bourbon flavor than any of the other vintages/variants with no alcoholic bite or booziness on the palate whatsoever. Raisin, fig, and milk chocolate as well.
• Vanilla Bourbon County: Much more prominent sweet vanilla flavor mixed with dark chocolate. A little "warmer" (but not boozy) on the palate than the 2011 or 2010 Bourbon C0unty Stout (but less than the 2009), but not necessarily in a bad way. The bourbon flavors have a lot of synergy with the added vanilla.

Of course, the Bourbon County Stout vertical was just the main event. There was plenty of other great beers to go around as well -- including King Henry, Juliet (2009 and 2010), Lolita (2011), Big John, the long out of production Goose Island Imperial IPA (the beer that got me into craft beer), Smoke From The Oak, a 1.5 liter bottle of Liefman's Goudenband from 1999, Batch 4 Temptation, Zombie Dust and more. We had an Abacus chilling in the fridge to share as well, but forget about it over the course of the night. Thankfully, it was high enough in alcohol that it did not freeze or explode.

All in all, last night was a great evening of great beer shared with great people. I have a two bottle deep Bourbon County Stout vertical of my own that extends back to 2008 (though it is currently missing the 2010 Coffee) that I will have to open really soon. Thanks again Ben for hosting such a fantastic event.

Cheers!

Beer Review: Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter

Reviewing the Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter from The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery.
Score: 83

Enjoy by December 2012. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/20/12.

Appearance: Pours an opaque deep brown color with less than a finger of creamy tan head that quickly settles to a ring around the glass and foggy cap that covers half the beer. Superior lacing, superior retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Huge notes of banana bread with a hint of roasted chocolate malt. Hint of barley and a little yeasty funk. Not much else. 3/5

Taste: Roasted dark chocolate, milk chocolate, banana bread, banana and yeast. Some licorice and a moderate amount of Belgian-style fruit. There is a touch of dark fruit flavor and maybe a hint of oak. A little intensely flavored, especially as it warms. Tastes more like a Belgian-style beer with stout qualities than a porter. Lingering fruitiness and chocolatey banana flavor. Light booziness too. Definitely a sipper. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Near full bodied with high-medium carbonation. Creamy-ish mouthfeel. Sweet finish. 3.5/5

Overall: A solid, but uninspiring beer that is a little more intense than anticipated. Gets a bit unbalanced as the beer warms.

Recommendation: Worth trying, decently priced, but not worth seeking out.

Pairings: Banana bread.

Cost: $8.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Temptation (Batch 6)

Reviewing the Temptation (Batch 6) from Russian River Brewing Company.
Score: 91

Batch #6. Brewed on 05/10/09 and bottled on 08/08/11. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/20/12.

Appearance: Pours an incredibly hazy golden color with a half finger of bubbly white head that settles into a bubble ring around the glass. Above average lacing, poor retention. 4/5

Smell: Chardonnay, white wine, oak, fizzy light fruit, rose petal, light "Brett" and only a hint of sweaty sock funk and vinegar once it reaches room temperature. Very light hint of yeast. Surprisingly pleasant. 4.5/5

Taste: Sweet white wine/Chardonnay flavor and fruit. Moderate tartness that grows as the beer warms. Some light wheat, oak and a growing modicum of sweet vinegar. There is a light "funk" when it hits room temperature, but this beer is surprisingly balanced. No real pucker or cringe, which I am enjoying. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, high carbonation. Smooth, sugary and crisp. 4.5/5

Overall: At least at this point in my beer journey, I hate sour. Alas, I legitimately enjoyed this beer. I would certainly come back to this one again. Thank you slvrmon82 and n00b BIF for hooking me with a sour I did not hate.

Recommendation: This is a good beer for fans of white wines and a good "starter sour" for folks like myself that despise sours.

Pairings: Chicken Parmesan.

Cost: $12.99 for a 355 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Baume

Reviewing the Baume from Half Acre Brewing Company.
Score: 91

Bottle is from the 03/02/12 release. Served in a Founders tulip glass and enjoyed on 03/10/12. Review is from notes.

Appearance: Pours a pitch black color with a thin highlight strip of brown at the top of the glass. One finger of creamy milk chocolate colored head at pour settles into a lighter, khaki colored ring around the glass. Excellent lacing, superior retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Intense notes of chocolate malt, barley and rye. Milk chocolate, "dry" hops, and a light amount of toffee and caramel. 4/5

Taste: Creamy milk chocolate and rye spice throughout. Cocoa/raw chocolate, light mocha and hops on the midpalate. The beer has a "spiciness" to the flavor from the rye that grows on the palate as the beer layers and warms. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a nice amount (medium) carbonation that makes the spice flavors of the beer pop on the palate. Creamy mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A superior beer to Big Hugs. This is easily the best Half Acre stout that I have had to date.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out.

Pairings: Vanilla ice cream.

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

Beer Review: Flower Power

Reviewing the Flower Power from Ithaca Beer Company out of New York.
Score: 93

No bottling date. Served in a Stella Artois chalice and enjoyed on 03/17/12.

Appearance: Pours a translucent golden color with one finger of cream colored seafoam head that settles into a ring around the glass and paper thin oil layer capping most of the beer. Amazing lacing, superior retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Mangoes and peaches. Bright tangerine, grapefruit and pineapple too. Orange juice, rose petals, floral hops, piney hop oil and pine sap. 4.5/5

Taste: Sweet and hoppy citrus fruit flavor throughout. Tangerine, pine, and oranges up front. Orange juice/pineapple juice backbone. A little earthy hops towards the back half. Tons of complex hop flavor. Layering bitterness. Finishes with a bitter grapefruit and pine flavor. Not very "in your face," but extremely refreshing, flavorful. It's an east coast brew that is true to the west coast IPA style. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, medium-high carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 4/5

Overall: A superior single IPA. I would absolutely drink this with regularity if I lived in Ithaca's distribution network.

Recommendation: Seek this brew out fresh. Casual beer drinkers and hop haters might not enjoy this one, though.

Pairings: Hamburgers

Cost: $10.99 for a six pack.

Beer Review: Night Tripper

Reviewing the Night Tripper from New Holland Brewing Company. Thank you Adam Herstein for bringing this bottle back from the brewery after striking out at Founders on KBS release day. You rock. Also, happy birthday Adam!
Score: 92

2012 vintage bottle served in a Founders tulip and enjoyed on 03/10/12. Review is from notes.

Appearance: Pours a pitch black color with a super thin caramel highlight strip at the top of the beer when held up to light. Less than a finger of tan colored head at pour settles into a thin ring around the glass. Below average lacing, average retention. 4/5

Smell: Milk chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, raisin and fudge. Oak, molasses, plum and maple too. Roasted malts and a hint of earthy hops. 4/5

Taste: Very straight forward and delicious. Rich dark chocolate, fudge and creamy vanilla. Mellow bourbon and raisin throughout. There's a light booziness to the beer, but nothing detracting by any means. There's a growing molasses flavor on the midpalate. Some caramel too. Very balanced overall. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, light carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Dry and slightly sweet finish. 4/5

Overall: A little thinner than I expected for such a full flavored stout, but that's about the only negative thing I can say about this beer. This one is substantially better then I expected, and is tastier and more balanced than Dragon's Milk. I wish that this one saw distribution because I would certainly buy this beer again.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out if you have the chance.

Pairings: Vanilla cupcakes.

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

Twelve Fantasy Baseball Predictions For 2012

With time in short supply these days, I'm keeping it to the conclusions without time for the analysis. Hopefully I will get to explain my reasoning in the near future:

1. 2012 will be the year that Brandon Morrow finally puts it all together.
2. Second half AJ Burnett will be worth the $1 flier on draft day to stash on your DL.
3. Kenley Jansen will be worth over $5, even as a non-closing reliever, this year.
4. Ian Stewart and Bryan LaHair will be fantasy relevant in mixed leagues, but Denard Span will not.
5. Jason Heyward, Brennan Boesch, and Jayson Werth rebound in 2012.
6. Adam Dunn will hit 30 home runs this year, but he'll struggle to hit .230.
   
7. Juan Nicasio and Danny Duffy are this year's Michael Pineda and Brandon Beachy.
8. Ryan Dempster will turn in a very "2008-2010"-like season.
9. Chone Figgins will be more valuable in 2012 than he was in 2010.
10. Kendrys Morales will be a top 300 fantasy commodity in 2012.
    
11. Tyler Pastornicky will accumulate more HR+SB than Zack Cozart in 2012.
12. Justin Morneau will retire before Chipper Jones.
    

Beer Review: Daisy Cutter

Reviewing Daisy Cutter from Half Acre Brewing Company.
Score: 85

Unknown vintage can purchased at a Binny's in Chicago this past weekend. Ceremoniously served in a Half Acre tulip and enjoyed on 03/12/12.

Appearance: Pours a golden honey color that falls between translucent and transparent with a noticeable effervescent appearance. Four and a half fingers of super soapy white head at pours settles, like dish soap, into a healthy clump of foam in the center of the glass and bubbly ring around the glass with soapy residue along the sides of the glass. Save for the soapy residue left behind from the settled pour, however, this beer has minimal lacing, but above average retention. 4/5

Smell: Grapefruit citrus, pineapple, lemon zest, orange juice, grassy hops and dandelions. Fluffy, floral hops, a modest amount of pine and tropical fruit. A little pine sap and bready malt as it warms. 4.5/5

Taste: Bready malt, some juicy caramel, lemon grass, watered down grapefruit and orange juice, and tons of piney/grassy hops. No real midpalate flavor at all. Finishes with a slightly grainy hops flavor. Quite crisp and refreshing. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium-plus carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Modestly bitter finish. 3.5/5

Overall: Refreshing and sessionable, but overrated. A great beer to cool off on a hot summer day, but this one does not hold a candle to Sierra Nevada in terms of flavor.

Recommendation: Certainly check this brew out while in Chicago, but don't bother breaking your back to get a couple of cans.

Pairings: Greek salad.

Cost: $9.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: The Maharaja

Reviewing the Maharaja from Avery Brewing Company.
Score: 90

Bottle code is "12038B6." Per Avery's bottle decoder, that means this beer was bottled on 02/07/12. Served in a Founders' tulip and enjoyed on 03/10/12.

Appearance: Pours a mahogany color that falls closer to the transparent side between transparent and translucent. One finger of off-white creamy head at pour quickly settles into a thin, splotchy layer atop the glass. Average lacing, above average retention. 4/5

Smell: Sweet citrus, barley malt and caramel. Bready malt, lemon, grapefruit, orange juice, and a mix of grassy and earthy hops present in the nose as well. A light alcohol aroma and modest floral notes too. 4/5

Taste: Lemon citrus and a ton of malted barley upfront. Quite a bitter malt bomb with a modest amount of booziness. Tastes more like a hoppy barleywine than an imperial IPA -- almost like a citrusier Bigfoot or a boozier Behemoth. Lots of caramel malt and biscuity/bready malt on the midpalate, in addition to sweet lemon grass and earthy hops. There is some orange rind and a light amount of grapefruit juice flavor present too. Decently balanced overall for a malt bomb, but it is definitely a sipper. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Bitter and malty finish. 4/5

Overall: This beer succeeds as a hoppy barleywine, but it is a bit of a boozy malt bomb from an imperial IPA. While this brew was maltier than anticipated fresh, I enjoyed it thoroughly once the "it's kind of like Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA" reality set in. I would certainly drink this one again, but I am not sure it would be my first choice if I was seeking out an IPA for the evening.

Recommendation: A bit aggressively flavored for casual beer drinkers, but beer geeks should enjoy this one thoroughly -- especially fans of hoppy barleywines like Three Floyds Behemoth.

Pairings: Avery's website recommends that you "try The Maharaja with some Shrimp Cocktail and you'll find that the intense, 'grapefruity' hop aroma is a perfect compliment."

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

Beer Review: Ninja Vs. Unicorn

Reviewing the Ninja Vs. Unicorn from Pipeworks Brewing Company, a new brewery out of Chicago.
Score: 93

2012 vintage bottle served in a pint glass and enjoyed on 03/09/12. Thank you BeerAdvocate user RobbieMoy13 for sharing this bottle with me.

Appearance: Pours a transparent-ish golden honey color with two fingers of sea-foam head that ultimately settles into a thin layer atop the glass. Above average lacing, superior retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Sticky, resiny pine sap and fresh grapefruit dominate the first pull. There's tons of lemon zest, tangerine, and pineapple. Floral hops, freshly cut grass and candied citrus too. There is definitely an orange peel aroma as well, in addition to honey. Maybe a little bit of rose petal. This is a very pleasant smelling imperial IPA. 4.5/5

Taste: Fresh grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple juice, honey and orange juice. Lots of juicy citrus and lemon grass coat the midpalate. Some candied orange and a light amount of bready malt as well. The hops here are really light and grassy, maybe a little floral. Not a hop bomb by any means. This brew is smooth and refreshing. This is a really juicy IPA, not unlike the Double Daisy Cutter -- albeit it with more consistent flavor throughout. The bitterness level is pitch perfect for the style of IPA. 8.5% ABV is completely hidden. Finishes with a piney citrus flavor. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Oily, juicy mouthfeel. Finishes slightly malty, a bit dry and modestly bitter. 4/5

Overall: I had never heard of this brewery until Robbie brought over a bottle, but this new Chicago brewery is most certainly on my radar now. The label for this beer is absolutely one of the coolest that I have ever seen on a beer bottle. Beyond the artwork, however, is a really stellar juicy-style imperial IPA. Very flavorful, very refreshing. I would absolutely buy this one again if it was not so damn hard to find (apparently).

Recommendation: Seek this beer out. Even casual beer drinkers should enjoy this one.

Pairings: Kuma's Corner hamburgers.

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

Beer Review: Boogoop

Reviewing the Boogoop, a collaboration between Mikkeller and Three Floyds Brewing Company.
Score: 84

No bottling date, but the bottle release date was in early 2012. So this is either from the very end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/07/12. Review is from notes.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber color that is on the mor opaque side of translucent. Two and a half fingers of foamy khaki colored head at pour slowly recedes into a thin layer atop the glass. Above average head, above average lacing. 4/5

Smell: Resiny pine, sharp citrus, lemon zest and hops. There's a really pleasant lemon-scented Pine-sol aroma here. Light alcohol ester and a bit of "grain" smell too. There is also a "light and fluffy" wheatiness, but it's not wheat. Maybe what I am smelling is the buckwheat that this beer is made with? I can't be sure since I have never smelled or tasted buckwheat before. 3.5/5

Taste: Tastes like a wheat-infused barleywine. Bitter lemon and barley upfront, followed by a creamy "light wheat" flavor. It's not wheaty like a hefeweizen, so maybe this again is the buckwheat that I am experiencing. It's almost like mellow a "cream of wheat"-type flavor. Super malty flavor and a touch of caramel on the midpalate. A moderate amount of booziness is present too. There is a definite and consistent lemon and pine undertone, which I am just gonna call "lemon-scented Pine-sol backbone." The beer finishes and lingers with distinctly bitter grain flavor on the palate. That grainy bitterness grows as the beer layers. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, low carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Dry, bitter and malty finish. 3/5

Overall: The consensus at our tasting, is that this one was underwhelming and overrated. Solid flavors overall, but the finish to this beer was awkwardly bitter. That bitterness was a hard flavor to get out of my mouth after I finished my beer, and it was not a flavor I particularly cared to linger for so long.

Recommendation: Fans of traditional barleywines will probably like this beer and it's unique wheat twist, especially those who enjoyed the Kosmyk Charlie Y2K Catastrophe Ale. Everyone else can skip this one. I probably would never buy this one again -- especially at the price tag.

Pairings: Whole wheat pancakes with maple syrup.

Cost: $17.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Lolita

Reviewing the Lolita from Goose Island Brewing Company.
Score: 82

Bottled 11/12/11, served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/07/12. You can see my friend Kendra's head creepily photo-bombing this beer picture. This review is from notes from our tasting session that night.

Appearance: Dark ruby orange color that falls between translucent and opaque. Pours three quarters of a fingers of white bubble head that quickly settles into no head at all. Minimal lacing, below average retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Tart cherries and fruitiness. There's a white grape sweetness and a definitely aroma of oak. Some apple too and a little bit of what can only be described as "funk." Like a dirty gym socks smell. Wouldn't be a bad aroma if not for that stinky funk. 2.5/5

Taste: Tastes substantially better than it smells. Sweet, candied cherry. A little sugary apple, white grape and fruit. Hint of oak. Crisp, refreshing and drinkable. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, high carbonation. Juicy mouthfeel. Sweet, sugary and slightly dry finish. 4/5

Overall: The other beers in the Three Sisters series (Juliet and Madame Rose) were noticeably better -- primarily because they did not have a funky smell. I suppose if you like that "funky sour" smell, then more power to you. At least it tastes way better than it smells.

Recommendation: If you like funky smelling sours that are cherry-apple flavored, then seek this one out. Those who do not like sours/lambics/wild ales can probably skip this one, and I think it's the least appealing of the Three Sisters for casual beer drinkers.

Pairings: Dark chocolate cake.

Cost: $16.99 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Deliverance Ale

Reviewing the Deliverance Ale from The Lost Abbey. This beer is a blend of Brandy Barrel Angel's Share and Bourbon Barrel Serpent's Stout. The Lost Abby is a brewery with a lot of hype, and they are best known for their sours/guezes. This is the first beer I have ever drank of theirs, although I do have a Serpent's Stout in my cellar.
Score: 97

2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 02/26/12. This is a backlogged review from a beer tasting I hosted on Oscar night.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color with a thin layer of caramel/brown highlight atop the glass. One half finger of creamy mocha colored head at pour settles into thin layer, ultimately settling into a ring around the glass. Above average lacing, solid retention. 4/5

Smell: Bourbon, vanilla and dark fruit. There's noticeable alcohol too. Fig, burnt chocolate and brown sugar too. Plum, rich milk chocolate, almond, pecan and tobacco leaf reveal themselves as well upon further whiffs as the beer warms. 4.5/5

Taste: Complex, super flavorful and balanced! First impression is mellow bourbon, fig, rich and creamy vanilla and brown sugar. There's oak/hickory and a moderate brandy-like flavor on the midpalate and towards the finish. Maybe it is just a part of the creamy vanilla flavor, but there is also a distinct "butteriness" to the beer as well. I want to say it's the almond/pecan flavor from the aroma. Whatever it is, it is a very subtle flavor that adds a really interesting additional complexity to the beer. There is also a consistent prune, molasses, milk chocolate, and "Raisinets" flavor throughout. As the beer layers, I detect a hint of banana too. Finishes with plenty of vanilla, raisin and rich chocolate flavor. Very sweet and viscous. Near perfect barrel aged stout flavors here. There's some booziness present, but the rich, sweet flavors keep the alcohol from being a "hot" distraction. I could see this one turning into something even greater with a little age on it. This one is a bit of a sipper, but even if it was not, I would demand that this brew be sipped and savored. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, minimal carbonation. Super creamy mouthfeel. Finishes a bit sweet, but it is not overly sweet at all. 4.5/5

Overall: Really expensive, but really delicious. If I am shelling out more than $10 per 12 oz, this is exactly the experience I want to have. I would absolutely buy this beer again, even though it retails at $20 (after tax) for one drink's worth.

Recommendation: Seek this beer out and save it for a special occasion.

Pairings: Chocolate chip pancakes.

Cost: $17.99 for a 355 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Double Daisy Cutter

Reviewing the Double Daisy Cutter from Half Acre Brewing Company out of Chicago.
Score: 92

This beer, ceremoniously consumed in a Half Acre tulip, came from a growler I got filled just hours earlier on the day of Double Daisy Cutter's release (02/26/12). Short of drinking beer straight from the tap, it is impossible to get a beer any fresher than we got this one. I was in Chicago that weekend and just had to stop by the brewery to pick up an allotment's worth of this nectar. As you can tell from the picture, Double Daisy Cutter has one of the coolest labels of any beer. Half Acre always has great labels, actually (see my review of Big Hugs). This beer bills itself as an "imperial pale ale," but it is categorized by everyone else as an imperial IPA. This is a backlogged review from a beer tasting I hosted on Oscar night.

Appearance: Pours a translucent yellow/orange color that fades from a slightly reddish-orange to yellow from the bottom of the glass to the top when held up to light. Four full fingers of creamy colored/off-white soapy head at pour slowly settles into a thin layer atop the glass. Excellent lacing, superior retention. An absolutely gorgeous looking beer. 5/5

Smell: Fresh, pulpy grapefruit and orange. Bright lemon and fresh, super hoppy wort. Sticky pine sap and pineapple juice too. Loads of fresh, sticky tropical citrus here. There's also some of that signature "garden daisy" aroma that defines the regular Daisy Cutter. 4.5/5

Taste: Loads of pulpy, hoppy tangerine with a bite of lemon zest. Fresh pine, but no "sticky" or resinous sap. There's freshly squeezed orange juice, herbal hops and pineapple up front as well. There's a really "juicy citrus" backbone here, but most of the flavor seems "up front" and in the finish with a slight "gap" of flavor in between. The regular Daisy Cutter suffers from the same flaw (lack of midpalate flavor). The fresh citrus flavors upfront are delicious enough to make up for it, but this is a clearly noticeable "flaw" (it could be intentional) in the beer. The Galactic Double Daisy Cutter, by comparison, seemed to have a little something "extra" (what it was, I do not know) to bridge that "flavor gap." Still a really delicious beer, but that flavor gap gap leaves you wanting something a little more -- and that something keeps this beer at the level of very good instead of truly great. Finishes with a fresh, piney grapefruit flavor. Quite a drinkable, refreshing beer! 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, medium carbonation. Juicy, oily mouthfeel. Savory, bitter finish. A little more carbonation might have been nice to perk the hops a little more, but the beer was certainly appropriately carbonated for the "juicy" profile. 4/5

Overall: A beer on the precipe of greatness. If Half Acre could solve the flavor gap with this (and regular Daisy Cutter), this could be a world class beer. That is just me being a bit overly critical, however. Irrespective of my criticism, this is a truly delicious imperial pale ale (slash IIPA) that should be sought out fresh. Certainly worth the $12 bucks a bottle it'll cost you after tax.

Recommendation: Beer geeks, fans of Daisy Cutter and IPA lovers should seek this beer out. it's not a hop bomb, but it is a really balanced, citrusy beer that should have some mass appeal to it.

Pairings: Mexican food. Particularly a steak burrito.

Cost: $10 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: Exponential Hoppiness

Reviewing the Exponential Hoppiness from Alpine Beer Company out of California. Thank you BeerAdvocate user bpfrush for hooking me up with this highly hyped beer!
Score: 91

No bottling date, but this specific bottle is from the 01/27/12 release. Served in a Half Acre tulip and enjoyed on 02/26/12. This is a backlogged review from a beer tasting I hosted on Oscar night.

Appearance: Pours a largely translucent honey color with three fingers of foamy off-white head that settles into a foggy cap over three quarters of the top of the beer and a ring around the glass. Excellent lacing and retention. There is none of that signature "floating flakiness" in the beer that I have come to associate with Alpine IPAs. 4/5

Smell: Zesty grapefruit, mango, fresh pine and a touch of honey. Fresh tropical citrus and a light alcohol ester. Spice, oak and some herbal hops. There's a malty orange juice aroma too. 4/5

Taste: Pine, oak, earthy hops and fresh tangerine/mango. There's an "earthy" and oaky alcohol booziness on the midpalate. Malty orange juice backbone. Lots of barley malt and some smooth caramel throughout as well. Not very bitter. Juicy, "earthy" and "oaky" are the adjectives that primarily define this brew. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium-light carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Dry, malty finish. 4/5

Overall: A maltier-than-bitter IIPA that is overrated. Certainly a tasty imperial IPA offering that is worth trying, but is it a "world class" beer? Absolutely not. Of all the beers in the world, even among the IPA's that Alpine makes, Exponential Hoppiness is easily the silliest beer for a brewer to throw a temper tantrum over seeing a growler of it appear on eBay. Alpine Nelson was a much better beer in my opinion.

Recommendation: Beer geeks and IPA lovers should seek this beer out with tempered expectations. Casual beer drinkers can avoid this one.

Pairings: Oven-roasted lamb. Maybe something like this.

Cost: $10 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.

Beer Review: More Brown Than Black IPA

Reviewing the More Brown Than Black IPA, a collaboration between The Alchemist, Ninkasi, Stone Brewing Company.
Score: 89

2011 vintage bottle says "drink fresh - do not age." I picked this one up in late December 2011. Served in a Stella Artois Chalice and enjoyed on 02/26/12. This is a backlogged review from a beer tasting I hosted on Oscar night.

Appearance: Pours a deep brown soda, Coca Cola-like, color with layers of caramel highlights at the top and bottom of the glass. Despite the dark color, there is an unfiltered, sedimenty appearance. Two fingers of khaki colored sea foam head at pour. Average lacing, above average retention. 3.5/5.

Smell: Lemony Pine-Sol or lemony dish-soap dominate the nose. Fresh nondescript tropical citrus is in the aromatic mix too. A hint of creamy chocolate malt and a light amount of caramel. 4/5

Taste: Tastes like an IPA with a caramel twist. Lemon, grapefruit and caramel throughout. Hint of chocolate malt. Finishes with spiced hops and caramel. Pretty straightforward, but quite tasty. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, medium carbonation. Smooth and oily mouthfeel. Savory, slightly biter finish. 4/5

Overall: A super solid black IPA offering from some of the heavy hitters in the hops/IPA community. Nothing stand out or special, but certainly refreshing and enjoyable.

Recommendation: If you see a bottle on the shelf, I would recommend snatching up a bottle. Not worth breaking your back to get a bottle, but certainly worth seeking out. Probably a good "starter IPA" for casual beer drinkers that are not fans of aggressively hopped beers.

Pairings: Beef tacos.

Cost: $2.99 for a 12 oz bottle.

Beer Review: Hedgerow Bitter

Reviewing the Hedgerow Bitter from Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project out of Massachusetts. My girlfriend's uncle and aunt from the Northeast got me this one. Thanks guys!
Score: 73

No bottling date. This bottle was received in late December 2011. Served in a Half Acre tulip and enjoyed on 02/26/12. This is a backlogged review from a beer tasting I hosted on Oscar night.

Appearance: Pours a translucent yellow/orange color with an orange core that fades to yellow at the top and bottom of the glass when held up to light. One and a half to two fingers of foamy off-white head at pour quickly settles into a thin foggy cap and bubbly ring around the glass. Above average lacing, above average retention. 3.5/5

Smell: First pull is bitter Fiji apple and a "juicy citrus" smell. There's also creamy malt, a "breadiness" and a barley-like spice in the aroma as well. The aroma is very subdued and not very complex. 3.5/5

Taste: Malty Fiji apple, barley and subtle hops. Maybe some pear. There's some stale apple juice upfront too. Super bitter malt backbone. A light tart apple flavor towards the back half. Not much else going on. Aside from the bitterness, the flavors are pretty subdued. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied, medium-light carbonation. Water mouthfeel. Savory, malty and bitter finish. 3/5

Overall: Reminds me (in a negative way) of Founders Pale Ale. Too juicy/malty, not enough hops, and an odd mix of bitter and sour flavor. The subtle flavors and bitter malt flavors scream "English style" here. I was glad to get the chance to try Hedgerow Bitter, but I would not approach this beer again in the future.

Recommendation: You can safely skip this beer unless you love Founders Pale Ale and bitter beers. Casual beer drinkers probably will not enjoy this one.

Pairings: Rum.

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