Beer Review: Hop Chocolate

Reviewing the Hop Chocolate from the Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company from notes taken on November 18, 2011. Sorry, no picture was taken while sampling this brew.
Score: 76

20 oz tap pour served in an imperial pint glass.

Appearance: Average looking porter. Dark black body with a thin creamy head when it was handed to me. Slightly below average lacing. Could not detect any transparencies, but the bar was pretty dim. 3/5

Smell: A tempting, creamy milk chocolate candy bar aroma. The Great Dane was quite crowded when I had this beer (it was a Friday night), so the environment precluded detecting further nuance. At the same time, however, I tried sticking my nose real deep in the glass halfway through the pint. Alas, I was not able to detect much else. 3.5/5

Taste: At first, I got creamy milk chocolate upfront. Interesting hoppy bite on the mid-palate, but it does not linger or accentuate itself very strongly. As the beer layered, the chocolate flavors leaned more towards bittersweet chocolate. No real finish to the beer -- at least nothing that lingered. 3/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body and medium carbonation. A little watery and overcarbonated for a porter. 2.5/5

Overall: Not to pick on the Great Dane twice in one day -- their food is absolutely superb, and some of their beers, particularly their Imperial IPA and Old Glory American Pale Ale, are excellent microbrew offerings. Alas, this one really didn't do it for me.

Recommendation: The Great Dane has much better beers for you to try than this offering, though I suppose it is not a bad brew to buy in a pitcher for your table on a night out! It was superior to Guinness, but that is not saying too much. The best I can say is that this was a very average beer, and a slightly-below average porter.

Pairings: Uhh...whatever you pair Guinness with. So I guess you should use this to make a fancier Irish Car Bomb.

Cost: $3.50 for a 12 oz pour or $5.00 for a 20 oz pint.

Beer Review: Great Dane IPA

Reviewing the Great Dane IPA from the Downtown location of the Great Dane Pub And Brewing Company.
Score: 70

Appearance: Pours a transparent-ish copper penny color with one finger of creamy cream colored head. Excellent lacing. The transparency of the beer is a bit strange, but different is never per se bad. 4/5

Smell: Fresh lemons and piney citrus aroma. Not overly complex, but very inviting. 4/5

Taste: Lemon-citrus upfront. Lots of piney hop resin bitterness on the mid-palate. A little earthy. A heavy metallic finish, however, absolutely kills the flavor of this beer and leaves you cringing -- ruining an otherwise decent IPA (probably would have scored an 87 if not for the finish). 1.5/5

Mouthfeel: Oily mouthfeel, medium-light bodied. High carbonation, bitter finish. The carbonation overwhelms the palate by overemphasizing the metallic finish. 2.5/5

Overall: A pretty solid IPA that was absolutely ruined by a horrible metallic finish. Perhaps it was just a bad tap line or bad batch. Most of the Great Dane's beer is pretty good (I love their Imperial IPA). All I know is that I will never order this beer again.

Recommendation: Avoid this beer. I frankly couldn't (and didn't) finish it. The relatively high rating (70) solely reflect the other appealing characteristics of the beer.

Pairings: Great Dane Pub Burger (eating food masked some of the metallic finish)

Cost: $3.50 for a 12 oz pour, $5 for a 20 oz pint.

Beer Review: Cellar Reserve Old Stock Ale (Aged In Bourbon Barrels)

Reviewing the Old Stock Cellar Reserve (Aged In Bourbon Barrels) from North Coast Brewing Company.
Score: 94

2009 bottle served in a brandy snifter glass at room temperature.

Appearance: Pours a translucent maple syrup color with one finger of fizzy head that quickly disappears. A nice vapor mist comes out of the bottle when you pop the cork, releasing delicious aromas. No lacing. 4/5

Smell: Bourbon and vanilla up front. Some red grape and brown sugar sweetness. Lots of caramel. A little creamy milk chocolate and lots of vanilla extract (akin to what I smelled in the Scotty Karate) when swirled. Some dark fruits and cherries. Light booziness. 4.5/5

Taste: Very balanced and complex. Robust flavors, but no particular flavor-element really sticks out. Molasses and brown sugar sweetness hit first. Lots of caramel sweetness too. Then some vanilla extract and oak. Some grapes, figs and dates as well. Strong bourbon flavors on the mid-palate. A little alcohol burn. Finishes with bourbon-caramel sweetness and a warming alcohol sensation. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, a little syrupy and oily. Almost no carbonation after you pour it. Finishes sweet and sticky. 4/5

Overall: Surprisingly smooth and drinkable for a 13.2% ABV beer. Definitely a sipper, though.

Recommendation: This beer might be a little too strong and bourbon-forward for casual beer drinkers, but beer lovers will revel in the complexities this one has to offer. Definitely overpriced, however.

Pairings: Steak.

Cost: $24.99 for a 500 ml bottle.

Beer Review: Scotty Karate

Reviewing the Scotty Karate from Dark Horse Brewing Company.
Score: 94

2011 vintage bottle served in an over-sized wine goblet.

Appearance: Pours a deep copper reddish brown. Opaque with blood-red highlights at the bottom. Slightly-below average lacing. Pours one finger of head, which settles into a foggy layer on top of the beer -- not unlike a Scottish marsh! 4/5

Smell: Caramel maltiness upfront. Red grape sweetness. Strong and delightful vanilla extract aromas -- almost dessert-like, though I cannot put my finger on the specific dessert (maybe cookies?). Some figs and raisins. Dark fruit. A little banana bread and smokiness. Definitely smelling some tiramisu too. 4.5/5

Taste: Vanilla extract and caramel sweetness. Brown sugar. Very malty, and creamy. Dark fruits, figs and raisin sweetness on the mid-palate. A little spicy grain. No hoppy bitterness, and absolutely no alcohol presence -- which is surprising given the 9.75% ABV! 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, minimal carbonation. Very smooth, a little creamy. Dry, slightly sweet finish. 4/5

Overall: One of the better Scotch Ales I have had the pleasure to drink; this one is totally on par with Founders Dirty Bastard. The high ABV is completely hidden, which makes this a dangerously drinkable beer!

Recommendation: This is a great, complexly flavored beer that seasoned beer lovers will enjoy. A great starting point for casual beer drinkers looking to try craft beers.

Pairings: Freshly made chocolate chip cookies.

Cost: $7.99 for a four pack.

Beer Review: Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter

Reviewing the Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter from Three Floyds Brewing Company.
Score: 91

2011 bottle served in a over-sized wine goblet.

Appearance: Pours a deep, opaque brown with one finger of tan bubbly head that settles into a creamy-looking tan ring that sticks to the outer rim of the glass. Above average lacing. 4.5/5

Smell: Piney, resiny hop bitterness hits up front. Some spices. Espresso beans and unsweetened chocolate. 4/5

Taste: Like the aroma, a piney hop resin flavor hits heavy first. Some light sweet-citrus on the mid-palate, very IPA-like in the front of the flavor. Roasted coffee beans then take over. Bittersweet chocolate and faint smokiness on the mid-palate. As the beer layers, Christmas spices gradually come through. Finish is bitter coffee. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, oily mouthfeel. Minimal carbonation. Finish is bitter and slightly acidic. 3.5/5

Overall: With its IPA/APA qualities, Alpha Klaus is one of the more unique porters that I have ever had the pleasure to try. Three Floyds' signature hoppiness adds an extra layer of complexity to a delicious brew.

Recommendation: This is a must-try porter for all beer drinkers. I brought a bottle of this to a party the other night, and it was a universal hit.

Pairings: Apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream.

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

Beer Review: Telegraph White Ale

Reviewing the Telegraph White Ale from Telegraph Brewing Company.
Score: 77

2011 vintage bomber bottle shared, poured in a wine goblet.

Aroma: Pours a hazy golden yellow with a finger and a half of bubbly head that settles into a very thin layer. 2.5/5

Smell: White grape sweetness, a little tannic-acid and pinot grigio white wine. Apples and some banana-wheat yeastiness -- reminds me a lot of Ephemere from Unibroue. 3.5/5

Taste: Spiced banana bread upfront. A little tart white wine grape on the mid-palate. Sweet-and-sour. Crisp, acidic grape sweetness finish 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, high-medium carbonation. Very fizzy mouthfeel. Finish is sweet/sour. 3/5

Overall: A very non-offensive beer that is nothing special.

Recommendation: Casual beer drinkers may enjoy the fizzy flavors, while more experienced beer drinkers can find more complex brews within the style.

Pairings: Salad.

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

Beer Review: Left Hand Milk Stout

Reviewing the Left Hand Milk Stout from Left Hand Brewing Company.
Score: 71

2011 vintage bottle poured in a wine goblet.

Appearance: Pours a dark black color. Opaque with some ruby highlights. Finger of foamy head that completely disappears. Below average lacing. 2.5/5

Smell: Creamy milk chocolate and roasted cocoa beans. Carrots (thought that may be an environmental aroma). Some booziness. 3/5

Taste: Very creamy. Diluted unsweetened chocolate. A little acidic. Guinness-like. Some faint coffee bean finish. 2.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied, medium carbonation. Very watery. Finishes dry and a little bitter. 2/5

Overall: A step up from Guinness, but not a good beer. Too watery and too little flavor.

Recommendation: Casual beer drinkers will enjoy, but seasoned beer lovers can skip this brew.

Pairings: Whatever Guinness pairs with.

Cost: $2.50 for a single 12 oz beer, or $10.99 for a six pack.