#201: Bell's Brewery » Cherry Stout

A unique, dart/tart experience...

The Brewery: Bell's Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Brew: Bell's Cherry Stout
Availability: Draft & Bottles (Seasonal)
ABV: 7.0%
Rating: 9.1/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Going back a few weeks, I finally remembered to go out and pick up a true tulip glass (thanks to Ithaca Beer Taproom folks for the fine swag) and, of course, picked up a few bottles from around town to try it out.

The Beer? Bell's Cherry Stout is crafted with 100% Montmorency cherries, grown in Michigan. It pours out with a thick, dark-mocha head, foamy with plenty of lace topping opaque, jet black body. The nose is dark, fruity, and tart. All is oftly inviting so far.

The flavor is really where this one stands out - it's truly wonderful. Instead of upping the sweetness, as with many fruit-augmented brews, Bell's knocks it out of the park with this dark, tart brew. It's roasted and juicy, bursting with mildly sour cherry flavors, threaded with mild molasses and soft chocolate and coffee notes. A thick, chewy and silky mouthfeel backs this big one up.

Overall, a standout in Bell's line and a recommended brew for anyone looking for unique flavor that isn't gimmicky what-so-ever. Cheers!

#200: Brooklyn Brewing » Brooklyn Black OPS (Imperial Stout)

The beer that doesn't exist...

The Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY)
The Brew:  Brooklyn Black OPS (Imperial Stout)
Availability:  Bottles, draft (limited)
ABV: 11.5%
Rating: 9.3/10
Location: Home
Found: Finger Lakes Beverage Center

The Story? 
I've been at this beer thing for a bit now and I have of course heard of Brooklyn Black OPS, but I've never even seen it until this year. It's a strong stout, aged for four months in bourbon barrels, bottled flat, and re-fermented with Champagne yeast. Thanks to the fine folks at FLBC, I got my hands on one.

A deep, dark bourbon nose starts the session off with wisps of licorice and alcohol, with a distinct coolness to it, like mint and herbs. Not as sweet as expected. The body is a blackened brown topped with a foamy mocha head.

The Beer? 
It's dry, herbal, and dark. There's star anise and faint vanilla flavors on the initial sip, which fade into bold coffee flavors on the finish. Notes of oak and dark chocolate are in there as well, supported by a light body and healthy carbonation for this big of a beer.

Overall, a unique brew which stands out among the packs of barrel aged stouts.

#199: Ithaca Beer Co. » Box of Belgians

Earlier this month, Ithaca Beer launched their second, limited 12-pack - Box of Belgians, packed with (mostly) hop-centric takes on the Belgian style.

Fleur de Belgique – IPA w/ Trappist yeast) ABV 7.5% | 9/10
Kicks off with a bright, fruity, citrus nose - like a citra hop party. The body is pale, hazy, light caramel color with a thin lace of white head. It's undoubtedly an IPA with big tropical and citrus flavors, with some esters in the second sip. Dry, semi-sweet with a champagne-like mouthfeel and hot hops in the finish. Great start.

Hopbloem (IPA w/ Belgian yeast) ABV 8% | 9.2/10
The hop nose has a bit more pine and earth than Fleur with a pale yellow body and lacy white head. The flavor is delicious and the finish is amazing - smooth and bitter with tons of complexity. Soft hops, spices along with hints of lime, clove, yeast, and esters make this a highly enjoyable beer. Big ups on this one.

Laissez Faire (Belgian-Style Tripel Ale) ABV 10% | 9/10
A clear, pale straw body pours out with minimal head. The nose is beautiful - tropical fruit, muscate grape, green apple, minterals; all akin to a Resling. Down the hatch, it's a pleasant brew. It's wet and smooth up front with a dry, spiced finish. Juicy fruit up front quickly snaps shut with sweet, prickly light cinnamon. Solid.

Obscurite (Belgian-Style Stout) ABV 10.1% | 8.8/10
Black body and leggy, mocha head set this stout up right. There's light spice to the mildly roasty nose. Dry, roasted and scorched flavors supported by a light body and lively carbonation. Robust flavor with a short finish.

Overall, a great box. Hopbloem and Laissez Faire easily took the cake for me personally. I'd grab any of these on draft if presented with the opportunity. Kudos to Ithaca Beer for stepping it up a notch over the last year. Looking forward to the next one...!

Coming Soon... (Florida Haul)

Quicky: Shmaltz Brewing He'Brew : Genesis Dry Hopped Session Ale

Lots of posts coming your way soon, but in the meantime, check out this delightfully hoppy session beer from Shmaltz He'Brew line. Delivers what it says it will. Easy down, firm hop bitterness with a mildly dry and wel carbonated mouthfeel. Dark caramel body. Cheers! 

#198: Ithaca Beer Co. » The Keymaster, The Sesh, & Golden Road (5-Barrel Series)

After a game-filled day at the Enchanted Badger, it was time for good food and more new releases from Ithaca Beer's 5-Barrel Series.

The Keymaster (Saison) 5.9% ABV | Rating: 9/10
An inviting, fruity Belgian nose starts things off - banana, yeast, citrus, and an inference of coriander. The flavor is malty, but relatively crisp and refreshing with a smooth spice and earthiness throughout. There's a slight wild tart and funk tucked in the back as well. Wonderfully complex with a subtle touch of fresh berries dancing around the other more prominent flavors.

The Sesh (IPA) 3.5% ABV | Rating: 9.2/10
Instant hit. High recommendation for limited or seasonal bottling here. Sesh starts off with a pungent nose of bright hops, but goes down nice and easy while being beautifully packed with hops. A whirlwind of tropical and citrus flavors and mild mineral notes, balanced and backed by crisp malts and fleeting notes of honey. I'd put this up against any of the day-IPAs trending at the moment.

Golden Road (Amber) 7.5% ABV | Rating: 8.5
Roasted and dry, with a light body. Full flavored with well-balanced toasty winter spices. Drinkable, warming, and refreshing, and that 7.5% is utterly well-hidden. A solid winter warmer and a nice addition to the limited series.

#197: Bell's Brewery » Hopslam Ale (Imperial IPA)

Hop legend hits Ithaca for the first time..

The Brewery: Bell's Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Brew: Hopslam Ale (Imperial IPA)
Availability: Draft & Bottles (Seasonal)
ABV: 10.0%%
Rating: 9.6/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? After jumping the gun on the release announcement (though the info was on good authority), Hopslam finally made it's way to Ithaca, NY for the first time. The lauded hop-forward, winter seasonal from Bell's is highly sought after, typically selling out in the week or two following release in most areas, occasionally tempting some to spark some controversy, attempting to by, say 400 bottles worth. Expedition Stout defied all expectations, would Bell's hoppy heavy-hitter do the same?

The Beer? Bubbly, transparent amber liquid pours out, forming a fizzy head with mild lacing. Strong tangerine and grapefruit aromas burst from the glass backed by bright, almost gin-like herbal notes, further complimented by soft wafts of vanilla and honey.

On first sip, it's immediately apparent this is an easy-down IPA, surprising, especially for what a big beer this is.

Bitter and biting flavors kick things off with a dry finish packed with potent grapefruit flavors and a mild hop heat. As with any big-hop Bell's, they haven't forgotten the malts. A sweet backbone, expertly balances the west-coast madness, while the whole package keeps the mouthfeel clean and delicious.

The flavor is quite pithy against the most juicy nose. Honey and biscuit appear on the front of each sip and then quickly vanish. It's a nice touch amidst the floral and beastly citrus flavors. There's even mild hibiscus & elderberry notes far in. The body get's a little chewy towards the end, reveling some of it's 10% girth, but never ceases to be bring and highly drinkable.

Overall, a recommended, well-balanced hop-head's dream that lives up to the hype, with some elegant flourishes, without getting uppity.