#213: Sierra Nevada » Barrel Aged Bigfoot (Barleywine)

Bigfoot from Whiskey barrels...

The Brewery: Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA)
The Brew: Barrel Aged Bigfoot 2013 (Barleywine)
Availability: Draft and bottles (Limited)
ABV: 12.2%
Rating: 9.5/10
Location: The Westy

While I've enjoyed Barrel Aged Bigfoot from the bottle, this is the first time I've caught it on draft (rumor has it, Westy has an aged version hanging out as well...)

Bigfoot servies up with a fluffy, off-white head and opaque, cloudy brown body. The nose is full of sweet caramel, sugar, and golden raisin.

The flavor is smooth, but sharp and pure beer bliss. Beautiful oak notes, compliment soft boozy esters with a nice heat in the finish. There's a touch of raisin and plum on the front, drying out to some notes of lemon and grapefruit rind.

Overall, a wonderfully intense, yet highly drinkable, smooth brew that is a prime example of the true art of beer crafting.

#212: The Bronx Brewery » Belgian Pale Ale

Delicious, citrusy Belgian-style hybrid...

The Brewery: The Bronx Brewery (Bronx, NY)
The Brew: Belgian Pale Ale
Availability: Draft Only (Seasonal)
ABV: 6.7% | IBUs: 36
Rating: 9/10
Location: Felicia's Atomic Lounge

I stopped into Felicia's last week, meeting up for a few post-work drinks to celebrate my partner's sister's birthday. I figured since I'd keep it simple with a tallboy of something tasty, but when I saw that Bronx draft handle staring back at me, I immediately ordered up a pint.

Bronx Belgian serves up a hazy, pale yellow, topped with a fluffy, staying white head. The nose is invitingly bright and full of citrus. There's not much yeast in the nose and if I didn't know better, I'd likely just expect just a pale ale coming towards my palate.

Down the hatch, this is one damn tasty brew. Smooth, buttery, yeasty flavors that finish up slightly dry with firm esters. Lively carbonation is present, but isn't took prickly. There's a slight tartness and mineral notes in there as well alongside soft citrus flavors. Yum.

Overall, an excellent example of how to properly execute a Belgian-American hybrid.

#211: Florida Trip Pt. 2 » OBP Galaxy, Terrapin / BFM Barley Ryne, Terrapin Monk's Revenge, Great Divide Sour Puss, CCB Humidor, Terrapin Hopsecutioner

After a primarily awkward magic/comedy show and sub-par dinner, my friend Ryan and I decided it was prime time to bolt our of the tourist-trap regions of Orlando, and find ourselves in the midst of fine brews down at Gnarly Barley.

OBP » Galaxy IPA | ABV: 6.5% | 8/10
First up, is a Galaxy hop IPA from Orlando's Orange Blossom Pilsner. Intensely bright flavors of orange and grapefruit start things off with plenty of pith and rind. Light bodied and aridly dry. Good start!

Terrapin /  BFM » Jérôme & Spike's Collab. Ale: 2011 Barley Ryne | ABV: 10% | 9/10
Next is a collaboration between Georgia's Terrapin and the lauded Swiss brewmasters at BFM. This version of their Jérôme & Spike Collaboration Ale is an Barely Wine aged on American oak and bourbon.

As expected for an oaked Barelywine, it's an opaque, murky brown. Strong notes of oak and dark raisin flavors quickly set the palate on a delicious journey. Smooth, mid-level of carbonation keeps it lively and drinkable. It's backed by mild whiskey notes, dates and other dark fruits and finishing up with a slight tang and distinct orange sweetness. A wonderful, worthwhile collaboration.

Terrapin » Monk's Revenge (Imperial BIPA, Wine Barrel Aged) | ABV: 9.8% | 9.3/10
Another inviting glass of murky brown brew, Monk's Revenge isn't as dank as the BFM collab, but is an incredible blend of styles, marrying a Belgian Tripel and an American Double IPA, into this Imperial Belgian-style IPA - this version is even aged in wine barrels.

Wonderful deep oak and bright mineral, wine-like notes start things off followed by a smooth tartness and big, boozy esters. Flavors of raisin, raspberry, cherry are abound. An incredible beer packed with dynamic sour notes and even some inferred whiskey flavors. Wow!

Great Divide » Sour Puss (Flanders) | ABV: 7% | 8.5/10
Sour Puss is a Belgian-style Flanders Red ale from Colorado's Great Divide and looks to be a one-off.

It's a nice, juicy departure from the intense experience of the first three beers in the flight. Pleasant notes of sour cherry and raspberry that are wet with a mild tartness, finishing up with a mildly astringent finish. A solid American Flanders offering.

Cigar City » Smoked English Style Imperial Stout (Humidor Series) | ABV: 11% | 9/10
After the initial flight, there were still too many must-try beers to call it a night just yet. While I had a chance to pick up a variety of Cigar City cans and a couple bottles, this was the only CCB that I was able to snag on draft while in Orlando.

CCB's Smoked Imperial Stout goes down bone dry packed with dark bitterness. This intense and super tasty. Big flavors of smoke with a mild spiciness and event a split second of big, sweet maltiness in the middle. Superbly crafted, but not sure I could put back a whole pint of this. A sipper for sure.

Terrapin » Hopsecutioner (IPA w/ Randall) | ABV: 7% | 9.1/10
If getting my lips around Terrapin's six-hop Hopsecutioner wasn't enough, Gnarly Barley packs Columbus hops into one of Dogfish Head's Randall units.

It serves up a pale yellow with lots of white, fluffy head. The taste? Unlike anything else, dank and sweet, without being particularly bitter with earthy, woody depth to it and finishes up tastfully dry. To be totally honest, this brew tastes and reeks like weed. Gnarly you made weed-beer and I tip my hat to you. Hop Mecca right here.

#210: Florida Tip Pt. 1 » Terripin Rye, Sweetwater Happy Ending, Orlando Brewing Pale Ale

OK, this post is well overdue. Back in mid-February, just before the massive snow storms in the Northeast (which caused me to have to head home early), I had the opportunity to travel to Florida for work. As always, time for regional beer was made...

Terrapin Beer Company » Terrapin Rye Pale Ale | ABV: 5.3% | 8/10
After landing and getting to the hotel, it was beer time while waiting for the rest of our crew to arrive and figure out where we wanted to go for dinner.

This rye pours up a hazy caramel with minimal head. Smooth, light body with soft rye notes, coupled with mild citrus and lemon and a touch of esters on the finish. A bit weak for how I enjoy my ryes, but enjoyable nevertheless.

Sweetwater Brewing » Happy Ending Imperial Stout | ABV: 9.0% | IBU: 53 | 9/10
On the way back from a mostly enjoyable meal, I realized I was in 70º+ weather with access to an ourdoor pool, in Florida and no bathing suit. We caught a convenience store on the way back and I picked up a suit that I'm still quite content with. Being me, I figured the cold case was worth a look and amidst the American Adjunct Lagers whats a label touting a "dry-hopped Imperial stout" weighing in at 9% - I figured this monstrosity could got either way, but couldn't be passed up.

Out of the bottle, a thick, mocha head, with plenty of lacing, bubbles up from the jet black nectar below. A superbly citrus nose starts things off.

The flavor is semi-sweet. Bright orange flavors dominate with a solid malt depth of sugar and caramel notes. Fresh, citrusy, hop  bitterness and goodness couple far better than expected with dark malts and lively carbonation. Reminds me more of a quality Black IPA than traditional stout characteristics.

There's a mid-level hop spice and booze heat in there as well, with the stout roasted notes peaking through further in. Overall, a worthwhile venture and unique meld of styles.

Orlando Brewing Partners » Pale Ale | ABV: 6.25% | 8.5/10
I'd say OBP is the brewery I've head the most about, second to Cigar City. Their Pale pours out clear amber with a tuft of fluffy white head with a pleasant, soft hoppy nose.

The flavor is incredibly smooth and quite silky for a pale. Caramel malt notes and soft citrus strike a wonderful balance. A solid pale ale for sure.

#209: Owl House » 3 Heads Amalgamation, Spoetzl Shiner FM 966, Ace Perry Cider, B. Nektar Black Fang, Scaldis Peche Mel

Before meeting up with family for my Father's birthday, I got to sneak in bunch and drinks with one of my best friends up in Rochester at one of my favorite restaurants and beer spots - Owl House. Amazing food and drinks for those who haven't been.

Three Heads Bewing » Amalgamation (Brown Ale) ABV: 6.5% | 9/10
It takes a lot for me to get excited about a brown, as previously stated. Double browns will usually do it, but those are relatively rare. Make it a Brown from Rochester's 3HB, and I'm listening. They've been concocting tasty brews for several years now, and Amalgamation is no exception.

It's a roasted, full-bodied, BIG brown ale that can hang with any other modern style. Mild hop notes merge with a huge, complex malt palate. Nutty, with notes of caramel, toffee, and overall residing on the bitter side. Surprisingly tasty.

Ace Perry (Cider) ABV: 4% | 9.4/10
To be honest, I grabbed this because my other choice had just kicked and it was the only thing on the beer menu I hadn't already had (besides those listed here). Total fluke choice.

The result? Amazing. No seriously. A pear cider that I absolutely love. Smooth and sweet, but not at all sugary. Silky tropical notes with sweet pear. I have to find this. It won't be for everyone, but to me it's fucking amazing.

B. Nektar Meadery » Black Fang (Mead) ABV: 6% | 9.1/10
Crafted with honey, blackberry, clove and orange zest; B. Nektar delivers again with a sweet, mild, velvety, and tart mead that is simply delicious.

Scaldis Peche Mel (Fruit Beer) ABV: 8.5% | 8.7/10
Sweet and delicate with juicy peach notes backed by subtle, smooth Belgian beer that offers just the slightest dryness on the finish.

Spoetzl Brewery » Shiner FM 966 (Farmhouse Ale) ABV: 5.7% | 8.5/10
A highly citrus farmhouse. With a light mouthfeel and highly delicate flavor spectrum, this one is a bit too subtle for my palate. Good, but a bit underwhelming.

#208: Jack's Abby Brewing / Evil Twin » Jack's Evil Brew (Schwarzbier)

Black

The Brewery: Jack's Abby (Farmington, MA) / Evil Twin (Denmark)
The Brew: Jack's Evil Brew (Schwarzbier)
Availability: Bottles/Draft (Limited - Brewed Once)
ABV: 5.20%
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

If you've been following the blog at all, you'll know Jack's Abby is one of my latest go-to breweries for smashing innovation and tradition, without loosing general drinkability and enjoyment. Partner that up with one of my favorite European and nomatic brewers (Evil Twin) and I'm going to buy your beer immediately. I'm also a sucker for a good schwarzbier.

As per it's type, Jack's Evil Brew serves up jet black, with a thick finger of ivory head. A surprisingly herbal nose of cut grass starts things off, augmented with sweet, woody, earthy and nutty notes. Intriguing...

As hoped, it's packed with flavor - nutty, roasted notes meld with mild cocoa for a malt-forward experience and a prickly, dry finish. Subtle, but present earthiness, a touch of hops, caramel, chocolate, and even herbal, tea-like notes all peak though.

Overall, an awesome brew if not just a touch peculiar.

#207: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Fiddler's Grain (Irish Red) & The Barley Stone (Stout)

Hopshire Farm & Brewery got their hands on some Irish yeast this new year and whipped up two new, session gravity brews - Fiddler's Grain, an Irish Red Ale brewed with malted barley and hops from New York and England and their The Barley Stone dry stout, packed with 40 lbs of unmalted, roasted barley.

Fiddler's Grain (Irish Red) ABV: 4.3% | IBU: 20
Toasted, semisweet aromas peak out in the nose, with soft notes of earth, chocolate, and caramel. Fiddler's is easy drinking with robust flavors. Rustic and malty with a long, roasted finish.

The Barley Stone (Dry Stout) ABV: 4.5% | IBU: 32
Packed with semi-dry flavors and smooth, chocolaty characteristics throughout.