Elysian: Perseus Porter

I have a secret love affair with porters. This one is a little sweeter than I usually like and lacked the heavy black malt flavors that I am particulary fond of. It has won an award in 1999 and 2003 in the GABF and is overall a well balanced porter. It has a malty smell, light tan head, dark body, with just a tint of black malty goodness. Overall a decent beer but nothing really stood out to me. Take that as good, bad, or nuetral. Whatever you do, pour slowly, I had a few yeasty chucks floating around in my glass (and I do a careful pour).

Gouden Carolus: Grand Cru of the Emperor 2007

This poured nice and heavy. Dark brown clear body with a slight off white head. Initial sip I was overwhelmed by a scent of brandy or red wine. My tongue was then thick with the taste of raisens or prunes. You could chaulk this up as an off imperial stout. The heavy sweetness was laced by the higher abv of 10%. It was listed as a Belgian Ale but had nothing really standoutish other than what I mentioned. Try it out sometime.

Dogfish Head: World Wide Stout

I decided to recap this one after owning this bottle for almost a year now. It lacks some flavor, is overly sweet, and highly alcoholic. 20% in fact. There is almost a mahogony undertone to it. It goes down smooth though but sits too heavy to be truely drinkable. Not super great.



See our additional review on this beer here: http://brewmunkey.blogspot.com/2008/01/dogfish-head-world-wide-stout.html

Hair of the Dog: Fred

It has been 4 days past the one year date of my first Fred. Odd isn't it?

http://brewmunkey.blogspot.com/search/label/Hair%20of%20the%20Dog

I consider myself a little more matured in my beer drinking since then (being my last Fred post isn't that informative other than WEEEEEE!). This is a real heavy beer, I would say an Imperial American Pale Ale. The key points this beer makes are heavy palet, thick pour, medium golden body, and watching the bubbles float through the beer is entertaining. This is one of the few heavy yet clear beers that slow the bubbles down to almost a slow motion. The first sniff gives the impression that you have a serious IPA on your hands. That first sip sent shivers down my spine and I knew I was in for a treat. 10%abv is a serious beer and they pull it off well. The lingering taste after you swallow is that of the alcohol and sweetness. Definetely not the beer you drink a few of but you should have this one with a good steak and potato dinner for sure.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head has yet to dissappoint me. This isn't as crazy as the 90 or 120 Minute IPA's but this is a great staple beer. It pours a golden yellow color almost lagerish in appearance and head. Tiny bubbles are super present with this one and it has the light mouthfeel to accompany it. I wouldn't say it was my favorite IPA but it's super drinkable. Champagne IPA?

Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot Ale, 2009 release

Bigfoot Ale. Hoppy Barlywine style Ale.

I like how they went back to the original label graphic.

I got a weird look from the cashier for buying 3 six packs and a doughnut. Trying to explain that it only comes out once a year didn’t help me. Oh well, I have beer!

Ok, I think this is more of an Imperial IPA than the dogfish head 90 Minute IPA. Bigfoot seems to have more hop presence. But to be fair I really like both and I think they’re in the same “class” of beer.
Thick hoppy, good head, smells… like hoppy sugar cane. Just the right amount of carbonation, smooth finish, ah good beer! And there’s 5 more!

Bigfoot Ale, 199? release

Bigfoot Ale 199?

Had this at the Archer Ale House. I like barlywine! The extended aging didn't subdue the hops as much as I expected, this beer could still be mistaken for an Imperial IPA.

Belzebub

Belzebub Extra Forte

Yuck.

It's an alcoholic salt lick. Starts really sweet and carbonated but then you get attacked by the alcohol. I think this beer has the worst alcohol aftertaste ever. And its a thin beer. And the uber carbonation made my tounge feel like it was being put to sleep, that sharp needly feeling like when you sit on your foot too long. Overpowering and bland, I'm not getting any more of this stuff.

Lagunitas Sonoma Farmhouse Hop Stoopid Ale

Hop Stoopid

The name got me... Turns out it was worth buying. Starts with a good hop smell, it had a really appealing smell. Good bittersweet hop bite up front that faded and smoothed to a sweet finish. Good body too, very imperial IPAish. Almost a lemony fruity taste that keeps poping up. I'd like to know what hops they used. No weird resiny taste like some IPA's have, overall I liked the beer a lot.

North Coast - Old Stock Ale

Old Stock Ale, It's out again!

I've liked all the North Coast Beers I've tried so far, and this is no exception. This is a big beer, packing 12.5%. It's kind of a barlywine and old ale hybrid, and a bit on the sweet side. Good beery candy kind of smell, smooth and full feel, sweet finish, no weird aftertastes. Excellent change of pace from some of the other beers I've been drinking. I'm going to grab a few more while they're still around.

Oskar Blues: Old Chub Scottish Ale

I cracked the CAN open and was pleasantly greeted by the sweet aroma of almost an Imperial Stout. This beer is crazy and I'd recommend it and any Oskar Blues beer you have the chance to grab. Here in the PNW all we get are the Old Chub and Dales Pale Ale so that's all I've had. It has a huge mouth presence and pours super dark and dense. I've had this a few times before as I get my fill when I can, you should too.

Brew Munkey - Mocha Cherry Stout, 1yr old

This was hiding in the back of the fridge. I had issued a DRINK NOW order about 6 months after I brewed the beer because it was starting to taste just a little off.

At one year old: Way overcarbonated, still smells ok. Bitter! Ick! My mouth feels like i just licked a piece of chalk. Second sip just because I don't like throwing out beer -Did I mention bitter?! Like dark chocholate grapefruit bitter. Wow, did not age well... Note to self...

Lagunitas - Brown Shugga

Lagunitas - Brown Shugga

Mmmmm I like winter seasonals. Very thick beer, excellent balance between way too sweet and way to hoppy. Not something I'd drink a lot of but a great beer. Kind of reminds me of a candied apple with the sweet and bitter balance thing.