Saturday, December 31, 2011

Weihenstephaner/Samuel Adams Infinium



Fruity, yeasty, and dry.  Excellent beer, but expensive. Perfect beer to end my 2011 beer quest.

Weihenstephaner/Samuel Adams Infinium - Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan - Freising, Germany


Mikkeller Red/White Christmas


I was expecting a Christmas Ale, but this is more like an IPA.  Pretty hoppy with fruit undertones. 

Mikkeller Red/White Christmas - Mikkeller - Copenhagen, Denmark


Spanish Peaks Chug’s Private Stash Big Bite IPA




Not a bad IPA. Moderately hoppy with a solid malt backbone.

Spanish Peaks Chug’s Private Stash Big Bite IPA - Spanish Peaks Brewing Company - Brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing (Mendocino Brewing Co.)



Dogfish Head Ta Henket



I really enjoyed this one and will definitely buy it again. Very different flavors, nice and light and very enjoyable.

Dogfish Head Ta Henket - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, DE


Bell's Amber Ale



A pretty solid Amber Ale. Nice and malty with a slight hop bitterness to balance.

Bell's Amber Ale - Bell's Brewery - Kalamazoo, MI


Friday, December 30, 2011

Victory Headwaters Pale Ale

A very nice & hoppy pale ale with a dry bitter finish. Well balanced with caramel malts.

Victory Headwaters Pale Ale - Victory Brewing Company - Downington, PE

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/victory-headwaters-pale-ale/139106/

Thursday, December 29, 2011

North Coast Scrimshaw

An OK pilsner. Has a little bit of a weird sweet ginger flavor to it, but it is perfectly drinkable.

North Coast Scrimshaw - North Coast Brewing Company - Fort Bragg, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/north-coast-scrimshaw/676/

Avery White Rascal

Coriander, sweet orange peel, clove, Banana, and wheat. Everything you would expect in a WIT. Not bad at all.

Avery White Rascal - Avery Brewing company - Boulder, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/avery-white-rascal/22967/

RedBrick Hoplanta

Not nearly as hoppy as I was expecting. Flavor is more sweet that bitter hop. Honey and grapefruit. Decent, but not great.

RedBrick Hoplanta - Red Brick - Atlanta, GA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/red-brick-hoplanta/159519/

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

I was always told not to eat the yellow snow, but this is delicious. Excellent IPA.

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA - Rogue Brews - Newport, OR

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rogue-yellow-snow-ipa/34254/

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Shipyard XXXX IPA


This is a reall nice non-hophead IPA. Nose is floral hops and sweet malt. Flavor is similar with floral and sweet grapefruit hops. Not overly bitter like you get in a lot of DIPA's. I really enjoyed it.

Shipyard XXXX IPA - Shipyard Brewing Company - Portland, ME

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/shipyard-xxxx-ipa-pugsleys-signature-series/103518/

BrewDog Paradox Smokehead (Batch 015)

Interesting brew. Aroma is smoke and licorice. Flavor is smoke, licorice, and a touch of chocolate and coffee. Decent brew, but for $10 for a 11.2oz bottle I was expecting to want slap my momma after I drank it.

BrewDog Paradox Smokehead (Batch 015) - Brew Dog - Fraserburgh, Aberdeenahire, Scotland

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brewdog-paradox-islay-batch-015/93595/

MOA Blanc

Aroma is all wheat and grain. Flavor is lightly sweet with touch of bitterness. Just an average beer.

MOA Blanc - MOA Brewing Company - Bienheim, New Zealand

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/moa-blanc/63569/

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Bell's Best Brown Ale

Just a good sold brown ale. A little toasty, a little malty, and a little hoppy. Very nice.

Bell's Best Brown Ale - Bell's Brewery - Kalamazoo, MI

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bells-best-brown-ale/3215/

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan

Flavor is like liquid brown sugar roasted pecans. Nice, but not overwhelming. Interesting beer.

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan - Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company - Kiln, MS

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lazy-magnolia-southern-pecan/44781/

Port Brewing Hot Rocks Lager

Lots of caramel malts flavor with dark fruit and a nice bitter hop kick in the finish. Good beer. Not sure if it is 90+ rating good like it gets on most sites, but it is a solid brew.

Port Brewing Hot Rocks Lager - Port Brewing/Lost Abby - San Marcos, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/port-brewing-hot-rocks-lager/100664/

Monday, December 26, 2011

Allagash Hugh Malone

Nose is Belgian yeast, fruit&piney hops. Flavor is fruity and very bitter. Lots of Belgian yeast.

Allagash Hugh Malone - Allagash Brewing Company - Portland, ME

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/allagash-hugh-malone/72645/

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Ale

Flavor is citrus, grapefruit and lemon, with a grassy/earthy quality a well. Very nice beer.

Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Ale - Rogue Ales - Newport, OR

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/chatoe-rogue-single-malt-ale/120836/

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Excellent beer. Full of malty caramel and toffee goodness. Will definitely drink again.

Rogue Dead Guy Ale - Rogue Ale - Newport, OR

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rogue-dead-guy-ale/589/

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Napa Smith Lost Dog

It was O.K., I drank it, that is all.

Napa Smith Lost Dog - Napa Smith Brewery - Napa, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/napa-smith-lost-dog/100276/

Shiner Holiday Cheer

Can definitely taste the peaches and pecans. Not a bad little beer, but probably won't win any awards.

Shiner Holiday Cheer - Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner, TX

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/shiner-holiday-cheer/94839/

Duyck Jenlain Biere de Noel

Malty sweet with Christmas spice. Has a weird metallic flavor to it as well. Almost like someone left a couple of pennies to soak in the bottle.

Duyck Jenlain Biere de Noel - Duyck - Jenlain, France

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/duyck-jenlain-biere-de-noel/4907/

Friday, December 23, 2011

Rogue Double Mocha Porter

Pretty solid, but I have to admit that I expected more mocha from a double mocha beer. Still a really nice porter with excellent coffee and chocolate flavors.

Rogue Double Mocha Porter - Rogue Ales - Newport, OR

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rogue-double-mocha-porter/118058/

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ass Kisser Double IPA

I ain't no ass kisser, but this is a decent DIPA. Big malt backbone with a nice pop of sticky, piney hops. A little but if vanilla and orange in there as well.

Ass Kisser Double IPA - Ass Kisser Ales - Fort Worth, TX

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ass-kisser-double-ipa/125223/

Weihenstephaner Korbinian

Nose is dark malt and sweet dark fruit. Flavor is rich sweet malt, caramel, molasses & mild hops. Excellent beer.

Weihenstephaner Korbinian - Bayerische Staasbrauerei Weihenstephan - Freising, Germany

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/weihenstephaner-korbinian/7823/

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Rocky Mountain IPA

Nose is very malty and nutty, something I am not use to in an IPA. Flavor is floral with caramel and candy Malts with just a bit of piney hops. Decent enough, but not a hop head's IPA.

Rocky Mountain IPA - Rocky Mountain Brewery - Colorado Springs, CO

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rocky-mountain-ipa/90443/

Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin Christmas

A delicious Christmas IPA. Aroma is fruit and piney hops. Flavor is piney hops, pineapple, cherry, yeast, with a nice bitter finish.

Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin' Christmas - Mikkeller - Copenhagen, Denmark

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/mikkeller-happy-lovin-christmas/155165/

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Abita Purple Haze

Not a bad beer. Flavors are wheat and raspberry.

Abita Purple Haze - Abita Brewing - Covington, La

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/abita-purple-haze/8/

Bourganel Biere au Nougat

This is one odd beer. Definitely tastes like nougat & caramel. I'm not quite sure those flavored works in a beer.

Bourganel Biere au Nougat - Brasserie Bourganel - Vais-Les-Bains, France

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bourganel-biere-au-nougat/61689/

Monday, December 19, 2011

Acme California IPA

A fairly mild piney IPA. Not bad, but nothing special about it.

Acme California IPA - North Coast Brewing Company - Fort Bragg, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/acme-california-ipa/5366/

Stone Double Bastard Ale

Harsh man! Like a extremely hoppy barley wine. It is a good beer, but I don't think it is a 100 rating good like it gets on most sites. Sweet and malty up front with a long lingering hop bitterness.

Stone Double Bastard Ale - Stone Brewing Company - Escondido, Ca

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stone-double-bastard-ale/11243/

Sunday, December 18, 2011

De Ranke Pere Noel

Well balanced brew. Spicy, hoppy, and dry. Flavors are pepper, yeast, bread, orange, bitter hops.

De Ranke Pere Noel - Brouwerij De Ranke - Dottignies, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/de-ranke-pere-noel/10310/

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp

Both nice and dirty :-). First thing I tasted was sweet orange peel followed by a nice amount of citrus hop goodness. This is a really nice BIPA.

Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp - Clown Shoes Beer - Ipswich, Mass

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/clown-shoes-tramp-stamp/138548/

Friday, December 16, 2011

Konings Hoeven Dubbel

Pretty nice Dubbel. Dark fruit, brown sugar, caramel. Would definitely drink again.

Konings Horven Dubbel - De Koningshoeven - Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/koningshoeven-dubbel-trappist-ale/47231/

Sebago Slick Nick Winter Ale

Very rich and malty. Bread, cereal, & caramel flavors with a hint of hop bitterness.

Sebago Slick Nick Winter Ale - Sebago Brewing Company - Gorham, ME

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sebago-slick-nick-winter-ale/18245/

Fantome Saison

Man this is good. Bursting with Saison sour, yeasty, fruity goodness. I knew I should have bought more than one bottle.

Fantome Saison - Brasaerie Fantome - Soy-Erezee, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fantome-saison/7661/

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Diamond Bear Pale Ale

Pretty smooth little Pale Ale. Interesting sweet creamy fruit flavor to it with a little hoppy goodness in the back.

Diamond Bear Pale Ale - Diamond Bear Brewing Company - Little Rick, AR

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/diamond-bear-pale-ale/17395/

Black Boss Porter

This is one big glass of chocolatey goodness. You could pour it in a glass of milk and have chocolate milk. Hints of molasses and licorice. Very good.

Black Boss Porter - Browar Witnica - Witnica, Poland

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/black-boss-porter-94/21693/

Wychwood Hobgoblin Dark English Ale

Nice and malty with hits of cocoa, fig, raisin, and a little hop bitterness in the finish. Not bad t'all.

Wychwood Hobgoblin Dark English Ale - Wychwood - Witney, England

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/wychwood-hobgoblin-pasteurised/5107/

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

EKU Pils

Pretty typical German pilsner, light and easy on the palate. Flavors are sweet malt, straw, a little hops. Pleasant to drink.

EKU Pils - Kulmbacher Brauerei - Kulmbach, Germany

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/eku-pilsner/4625/

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

This is a nice smooth and silky stout. Flavors are chocolate, oatmeal, dark fruit. Really easy to drink.

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout - Samuel Smith - Tadcaster, England

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/samuel-smiths-oatmeal-stout/87/

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2011

This is a really nice beer brewed for Trader Joe's by Unibroue. Full of spicy, malty goodness with ginger and Clove flavors that pop out. Definitely worth the $5 I think it cost for a 750ml.

Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2011 - Unibroue - Chambly, Canada

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/trader-joes-vintage-ale-2011/158766/

Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet

Pretty good. Almost like a hoppy porter. I really tasted the chocolate malt in the first few sips, but then the pine & grapefruit hop flavors took over. The complement the nutty/roasted flavor nicely.

Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet - Clown Shoes Beer - Ipswich, MASS

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/clown-shoes-hoppy-feet-black-ipa/118178/

Monday, December 12, 2011

Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic

Nose is bread, yeast, pepper, and a touch of cinnamon. Flavor is sweet bready malt, pepper, & cinnamon. The chiles come through a bit in the finish. Just O.K.

Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic - Stone Brewing Company - Escondido, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stone-111111-vertical-epic-ale/158413/

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Highland Kashmir IPA

Pretty basic IPA, but nothing really stands out about it Nice citrus and pine hop flavors, but the body seems a little light to me.

Highland Kashmir IPA - Highland Brewing Company - Asheville, NC

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/highland-kashmir-ipa/7536/

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock

Delicious beer. Full and rich with a ton of flavor. Caramel and chocolate malt, raisin, date, licorice, and a bit of alcohol.

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock - Brauerei Ayinger - Aying, Germany

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ayinger-celebrator-doppelbock/1090/

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Martens Premium Pilsner

Definitely not one of the better beers coming out of Belgium. Mainly just sweet grains and malt, but there is a kind of artificial sweetner taste that comes out and kind of ruins the beer.

Martens Premium Pilsner - Martens - Bocholt, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/martens-premium-pils/58567/

Telegraph Winter Ale

Pretty nice. Nose is christmas spice (nutmeg& cinnamon). Flavor is cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, chocolate, toffee, and chillies. Really warms you up.

Telegraph Winter Ale - Telegraph Brewing Company - Santa Barbara, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/telegraph-winter-ale/67885/

Friday, December 9, 2011

Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

Pretty damn tasty beer. I had 5 or 4 of them last night at the Crabapple Tavern. Nice balance between the hops and chocolate & smoked malts.

Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Chico, CA

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sierra-nevada-tumbler-autumn-brown-ale/126915/

Fantome Magic Ghost

Yes it is green. I am hoping that it is only green because it is brewed with green tea. Nose is Belgian yeast funkiness and green tea. Flavor is tart and sour from the Belgian yeast and you can definitely taste the green tea. This is actually a really nice beer. Very refreshing.

Fantome Magic Ghost - Brasserie Fantome - Soy-Erezee, Belgium

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fantome-magic-ghost/141185/