#192: Evil Twin Brewing » Imperial Doughnut Break (Porter)

"...we topped it off with insane amounts of doughnuts."

The Brewery: Evil Twin Brewing (Denmark)
The Brew: Imperial Doughnut Break (Imperial Porter)
Availability: Draft and 22 oz. bottles
ABV: 11.5%
Rating: 8.8/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? As soon as I heard about Imperial Doughnut Break, I knew I had to find it. While doughnut beers haven't always been homeruns (Rogue... I'm looking at you), I trust putting just about anything Evil Twin in my mouth. So, it's been on my mind, but slipped for just a second...

Last week I was into Fingerlakes Beverage, looking for some light, Belgian brews to compliment some insanely delicious mead from Texas that a friend was bringing over for movie night. I was about to cash out when I hear "Have you tried this one?".  Just in, not even a sticker price on it.  "Imperial Doughnut Break, you're coming home with me", I thought to myself.

The Beer? IDB starts off with fading, dark milk-chocolate head over a deep, dark, silky brown body. There's strong, roasted coffee notes on the nose with that distinct, earthy-wet porter aroma. Notes of milk, chocolate, vanilla extract, and just a hint of spice are tucked into the corners as well.

The first sip is a sharply bitter, with a coffee finish and a touch of heat. Quickly, the flavors sweeten, building to what you could compare to coffee-flavored cannoli cream. Not quite as sweet and sticky as I was expecting, but still quite good. The mouthfeel is silky and oily, full-bodied, but much more drinkable that most Imperials. Further through, it continues to sweeten, giving off warming, ice cream notes.

Overall, a strong, bitter & sweet cold weather beer. Recommended for Porter and dark beer lovers, but the less adventurous may want to go in halvsies considering the sticker price.

Ithaca Beer's Box of Belgians hits Feb 13th

As follow up to their popular Box of Hops, Ithaca Beer has announced their next variety pack - Box of Belgians. Limited to only 10,000 packs, the Box will hit select markets in mid-February, but will hit the Taproom on Thursday February 13th with special tastings and events around Ithaca Chili Fest. More information here. Now for a quick preview:

Hopbloem (India Pale Ale with Belgian yeast) ABV 8%

Fleur de Belgique (West Coast India Pale Ale with Trappist yeast) ABV 7.5%

Obscurite (Belgian-Style Stout) ABV 10.1%

Laissez Faire (Belgian-Style Tripel Ale w Abbey Yeast & New Zealand hops) ABV 10%

See you in February!

Jack's Abbey at The Westy tonight 1/31

#191: Rooster Fish : Summer Sky (Hefeweizen)

I stopped into The Westy for a quick pint of Bigfoot (and in hopes for Jack's Abbey Mass Rising, but that'll tap tomorrow). 

So, it was a pleasant surprise to find a Rooster Fish tasting session in full bloom with their Summer Sky Hefe. 

Smooth, wheat & banana nose kicks it off with just a touch of sweetness. Hazy straw body with creamy, lacy head. 

Aptly named, it's a highly drinkable Hefe; mid-low level carbonation with notes of citrus and lots of banana up front followed by a toasty, mildly earthy finish. 

Overall, an enjoyable, drinkable Hefeweizen with plenty of fruit flavor and staying to tradition with the style. Glad to have this brewery back on my radar!

Rating: 8/10

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (Barelywine Ale)

It's a balmy 23 degrees in Ithaca tonight & The Westy have Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot on tap. On the bitter side of the barelywine word backed by plenty of toast malts with a touch of grapefruit and mineral notes in there. A slow warmer that hides it's 10% well at the start, slowly peaking through. 

Bell's Hopslam lands in Upstate NY today! (Tues 1/28/14)

That's right, Bell's renowned blend of Pacific Northwest hops hits Upstate NY for the first time ever. For those in Ithaca, Ale House is hosting an event on Wednesday to kick things off and Fingerlakes Beverage Center confirmed they have bottles. Review soon...

Coming soon...

...to a blog near you. Evil Twin's Imperial Doughnut Break! 11.5% and brewed with a massive amount of doughnuts. 

#190: Ithaca Beer Co. » Cranbretty (Sour), Blauser (Porter), Belgian Gold (Golden Ale), Zuul (Imperial Stout), Gozer The Gozerian (Gose)

Ithaca Beer Co. continue to impress, having kicked the doors off with their entirely unique Excelsior! Anniversary Sixteen and a slew of new 5-barrel offerings.

After such a great time at Hopshire, Mel and I figured we'd keep the beer tasting day going and head back down the hill for some great beer, superb hospitality, and a fry flight. Mmm... fries. We also confirmed their next variety 12-pack, Box of Belgians is in the works...

Cranbretty (Sour/Wild) | ABV: 4.9% | Rating: 8.9/10
Aptly named, this brew is fermented with Brettanomyces and cranberries. Initially, I heard some hate on this beer, but I'm all about it and even ordered a half pint after the tasting.

If you see "Cranberries" and think you're ordering a fruit beer, there's the door. Cranbretty kicks off with a sternly tart and mineral nose and a nod of cranberry aroma. Appearance-wise it's a pale, straw yellow with a faint haze and a ring of white head.

Now for the good stuff - this brew is hyper-astringent and for sour fans only. Light body and soft carbonation support bold, puckering flavors of fresh cranberries, green apple, and slightly metalic notes. The finish is arid, but still refreshing like a nice club soda or tonic. A clean, tart, no-nonsense beer.

Blauser (Porter) | ABV: 7.5% | Rating: 8.6/10
Some porters leave me wanting a lot more, but not this bad-boy. Inviting, heavily roasted aromas reel you into this burly porter. Bitter coffee and slight burnt flavors keep pace the whole way through supported by a strong, mid-high carbonation level and a deftly long, earthy coffee finish. A solid, non-blasé Porter.

Highly recommended for porter fans.

Belgian Gold (Golden Ale) | ABV: 10% | Rating: 9.1/10
Ever since White Gold, anything Belgian-style coming out of IB gets my attention and Belgian Gold did not disappoint. It's completely transparent, light-gold color set's the stage for wonderfully smooth and sweet flavors of apricot and butterscotch candy. Soft carbonation effervesces the flavors perfectly, resolving in a smooth, slightly ginger-spice finish. Beautifully warming, sweet Belgian nectar in a glass.

Zuul (Imperial Stout) | ABV: 8.7% | Rating: 9/10
In collaboration with Gimme! Coffee, Zuul is brewed with Java Blawan coffee, cacao and cayenne pepper - keep you moving through the winter months indeed!

Deep coffee and baking chocolate aromas leap from the glass, augmented by pleasant spice heat. Onto the palate, it's straight up chili pepper, right out of the gate. Hot and spicy goodness backed by smooth, deep, dark espresso flavors. Medium bodied and well balanced, but that spice really makes it sizzle. A great, unique warming winter alternative. The spice mellows nicely with food and doesn't wreck your palate either. Well done.

Gozer The Gozerian (Gose) | ABV: 4.2% | Rating: 8.5/10
I'm usually game for any Gose, but incorporate Kaffir lime leaves, mangoes, Goji berries, and Pink Himalayan salt and I'm going to break down your door.

Clear, straw appearance with a slim bit of white head and smooth, salty nose. A deep earthiness hits my palate first, followed by soft notes of lime and mango. Pleasantly tart with a light must and wet hay in the finish breath. No sweetness in this Gose. Further through, soft floral notes, especially rose, appear in the background. Overall, a solid Gose, not quite as rich as I usually like, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.

#189: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » 'Round Yon Virgil (Holiday), St. Bernard's (Belgian Dubble), Hop Onyx (Cascadian), Abbey Normal (Abbey Ale)

After a successful show with Kayo Dot and wishing the band off well on a blustery Saturday morning, I hopped online and saw that  Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville, NY) had just released a Belgian Dubble, aptly named "St. Bernard". Mel & I decided it had been far too long since we'd been to tastings at the brewery itself and slated a visit for that afternoon.

After highly enjoying their Amber Glass offering late last year, I felt Hopshire were really starting to next-level and hit their stride. Upon arrival, this through was immediately confirmed. Their Beehive Honey Blonde Ale (initially reviewed at the Hopshire opening) has matured to a smooth, deliciously rich beer without the initial mineral aspects that were notable the first time around. Granted, Hopshire rotates through what local honey they use, but this latest batch is noteworthy regardless. On the note of the benefits of local-sourced ingredients, it turns out, the secret to Amber Glass incredible flavor, was the fresh hops that arrived the day they were brewing.

In addition to great beer, we were graced with good news as well. Hopshire will be bottling in 2014 and a portion of their just-released St. Bernard is heading to Port barrels for at least six (6) months. I'm hotly anticipating that release for the second half of the year. But, enough chatter, let's dig in.
___________________________________________________________________

'Round Yon Virgil (Holiday Ale) | ABV: 6.2% |  IBUs: 25 | Rating: 8.5/10
The nose is full of all-spice and clove - full holiday aromas are abound in this dark, reddish-brown ale. Prickly carbonation coupled by smooth flavors of clove, mild ginger, and a sweet brown sugar finish. Well-balanced, especially for a holiday ale. Sweet, with a pleasantly dry finish.

St. Bernard's (Belgian Dubbel) | ABV: 8.2% |  IBUs: 30 | Rating: 9.2/10
This Belgian-style is transparent caramel with a fading ivory head to the eyes and sweet and malty to the nose with a stong hop-citrus presence. Bursting flavors of tangerine follow with a hint of grape and a wonderfully dry finish. Soft carbonation balances the brew perfectly.

I have to say, this one is incredibly juicy, far more than expected. Further in there's even a touch of earthy complexity in the background. A wonderful beer. Check it out where you can.

Hop Onyx (Cascadian Ale) | ABV: 8.0% |  IBUs: 20 | Rating: 9.0/10
This is some deep madness right here. The head is a dark khaki atop an almost opaque brown beauty of a beer. The nose is mild and a little unassuming, fairly transparent with some faint hop notes. The taste counters, yielding bold, dark, and bitter flavors of mild espresso and big citrus. If a beer can be bright and dark at the same time, this is it. A hint of molasses sneaks in further through and there's a nice mouthcoat that builds on the sides of the tongue.

The interplay between the slight grapefruit/citrus tartness and roasted coffee notes is quite interesting and enjoyable; I'm not sure I've ever had something quite like it, especially one where it worked well. A solid Cascadian Ale.  I used to be hot on Black IPAs and the like, but in recent times they've failed to keep my interest. Hello renewed interest.

Abbey Normal (Abbey Ale) | ABV: 8.0% |  IBUs: 20 | Rating: 9.5/10
A thick, creamy head adorns this dark, deep amber-red surprise beer. The nose is full of inviting yeast aromas with a touch of dark fruit. Down the hatch, it's incredible. For a beer to stand out this far after seven tastings preceding it is an impressive feat in itself, but it doesn't stop there.

This Abbey is expertly brewed with peppercorn, anise, and orange peel. If Randy hadn't repeatedly stated that no fruit was used in the brew process, I would have figured they'd forgotten to put it on the label. Silky, rich flavors of plums, raisin, fig, candied syrup, and caramel burst across the palate in a sticky, sweet (but not too sweet) jubilation of brewing dedication.

Highly recommended and I will be picking up a bottle immediately upon it's release.

#188: Bell's Brewery » Bell's Special Double Cream Stout

The darkside is creamy...

The Brewery: Bell's Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Brew: Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Availability: Draft & Bottles (Seasonal)
ABV: 6.1%
Rating: 8.6/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? I've been doing my best to keep up on Bell's seasonal offerings as they roate through, this first year distributing to NYS. This, their Special Double Cream Stout is a dairy-free and brewed with ten different specialty. I was in a dark malty mood and this sounded like it would just hit the spot.

The Beer? A thick, fluffy, lacy head foams up from Special Double's bubbly, jet-black body. Deep, roasted coffee notes dominate the nose with aromas of chocolate and milk.

Lively carbonation and a mouthfeel that gets silkier and chewier with each sip follows, with flavors of soft cocoa and espresso. Further through, there's distinct brownie flavors, slight burnt characteristics, mild alcohol heat and spice, and even inferred cinnamon on the finish.

Overall, Bell's Speacial Double is creamy, but drinkable, with adequate depth that fills out nicely into a warming winter seasonal.

#187: Dogfish Head Brewery » Hellhound On My Ale (Double IPA)

Good reason to be bitter...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Hellhound On My Ale (Double IPA)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  9.0% | IBUs: 53
Rating: 9.1/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Last year, I finally got around to burning through Supernatural on Netflix. The Hellhound episode and Robert Johnson intro reminded me it had been some time since I'd had Dogfish's Lemon-infused Double IPA, or much of their rarity series of late, and prompted this recent Dogfish run of reviews.

Originally brewed for Robert Johnson's 100th birthday, aptly using 100% Centennial hops at a rate of 100 kilos per 100 barrel brew-length. Catching on? Good. To top it off, dried lemon peel and flesh are added as a nod to Johnson's mentor, Blind Lemon Jefferson.

The Beer? The beast emerges with a hazy orange-copper body, crowned with a tuft of lacy ivory head. The subsequent pungently hoppy nose is even more brutal than expected with notes of blood orange, lemon, toffee, dates, and hop resin.

Not for the faint of heart, Hellhound On My Ale is an incredibly potent, sipper of an ale. Dark and murky, with a thick, date-filled malt thickness that puckers into a lemony finish. Hellishly hoppy, deep notes of apple, blood orange, and pine are found throughout and continue to build in the finish.

Overall, a flavor-packed, hell-spawn of a beer.

#186: Dogfish Head Brewery » Noble Rot (Saison)

White fusion goodness...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Noble Rot (Saison)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  9.0% | IBUs: 18
Rating: 8.7/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Continuing in our series of Dodfish Occasional Rarities, Noble Rot which starts with Viognier grape must (unfermented juice), infected with botrytis, a benevolent fungus. Second comes Pinot Gris must, followed by pils and wheat malt, and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. The result is one of the most equal meshing of beer and wine that has graced this palate yet.

The Beer? Noble Rot's appearance directly reflects the process, pale yellow/straw appearance akin to a deep white wine or Pilsner, with a touch of fizzy, white head which diminishes quickly into a ring. Bright, mineral aromas are immediately present, supported by soft citrus and lemon notes. Overall, the nose is very white-wine like, with a touch of hops.

Onto the palate, tart, white grape start and finish the flavor spectrum, with mild spice, lemon zest, and pear in the middle. The yeasts and malts take a back seat to vinous domination - light bodied, slightly acidic, and dry. Towards the end, some plisner hop bitterness peaks through.

Overall, more well suited for a wine lover than a beer lover, but it does truly walk the line between the two. Recommended as a gateway beer from white wine or cider or a refreshing, light bodied variation.

#185: Dogfish Head Brewery » Red & White (Witbier)

Beer, wine, and barrels...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Red & White (Witbier)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  10.0% | IBUs: 35
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? After rehearsal, gearing up to open for Kayo Dot on Friday, it was time to relax with some games and beer. I've picked up a handful of Dogfish Head brews earlier in the month (Black & Blue, Piercing Pils) and next up is their Red & White hybrid - a witbier brewed with the usual coriander and orange peel, but also with Pinot Noir juice; a fraction aged in Pino barrels and the other on oak stages. Sign me up.

The Beer? Red & White pours out with a fluffy crown of white head, with some serious staying power, a top a hazy copper body. It's already fragrant across the game table just from the pour. Aromas of Oak, citrus, and hops pull me further.

This one is super smooth with just enough oak for rich depth and complexity, while still retaining an inviting drinkability. These's a distinct sweetness - like a gentle, soft barleywine. It's just boozy enough, but light on it's feet.

The coriander and orange provide an excellent compliment to the firm malt backbone, packed with delightful rum-raisin flavors. The whole experience is rounded over with the smooth depth of the Pinot, providing subtle, dark fruit notes.

Overall, a solid offering I'll easily return to.

#184: Dogfish Head Brewery » Kvasir (Grog / Fruit Beer)

Scandinavian inspired ancient hybrid ale...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Kvasir (Grog / Fruit Beer)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (limited)
ABV:  10.0% | IBUs: 13
Rating: 9.1/10
Location: Ithaca Ale House

The Story? After the riveting and moving performance from Neutral Milk Hotel's first tour date in 15 years and catching the final set of the Ithaca Underground harsh-noise show that was being run in my absence, it was time for my partner and I to grab a few pints with our friends from Holly, NY who had made the trek down for the night.

On paper, I'd be hard pressed to think there'd be something that would catch my draft-list eye than Ithaca's new Anniversary Sixteen and Brooklyn's Black Chocolate, but a shot at Dogfish Head's latest Ancient Ale, Kvasir on draft was an easy choice.

This this unique concoction takes inspiration from a 3,500‐year‐old Danish drinking vessel. Wheat, lingonberries, cranberries, myrica gale, yarrow, honey and birch syrup combine for an undoubtedly unique experience.

The Beer? Kvasir serves up in a 10 oz. glass, dressed in hazy orange body and ivory head, which quickly fades to a ring of lace. The nose is spiced with a faint hint of hop citrus and dominated by exotic fruit and herb notes.

The taste is delicious - dry, tart, and sweet. I'm so glad I picked this up. Hints of apple, soft wood and nut notes, and incredible spice and fruit flavors. Berries, cherries, slight pepper, and other, more exotic flavors that I've never run across in a beer or wine. Kvasir's 10% begins to show, but Dogfish Head does a great job masking it in this smooth grog.

Recommended for anyone looking for something easy and unique. Complex, new, and drinkable? Absolutely. Big thanks to the Ale House for having this one on tap.

#183: Brooklyn Brewing » Fire & Ice (Smoked Porter)

Smokey warmth for cold, dark nights...

The Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY)
The Brew:  Fire & Ice (Smoked Porter)
Availability:  Bottles, draft (limited)
ABV: 7.2%
Rating: 8.7/10
Location: Felicia's Atomic Lounge

The Story: A week or so back, I was in Felicia's and overheard talk of Brooklyn's Fire & Ice heading to their tap lines later in the month. I'd never heard of the brew and immediately hit the search engine. As it turns out, Fire & Ice is the latest in Brooklyn's Brewmaster Reserve series. My interest was peaked to say the least as their Cuvée La Boîte melted my mind up in Rochester and The Companion was one of the non-Vermont highlights from Vermont.

After wrapping up a show in Syracuse, I bombed back to Ithaca with my friend Bimini to meet up with my partner Mel as Fire & Ice had just hit the line earlier that evening.

The Beer: A pint glass full of deep, dark, jet-black liquid is lade in front of me with a thick, bubbly mocha head - which surprisingly faded relatively quickly with minimal lacing.

Prickly carbonation hits my tongue with a creamy, silky mouthfeel behind the bubbles. Deep roasted flavors of smoke, soft coffee, and caramel grace my palate. It's smooth, warming, cooling, and calming with significant bitterness of the smoke and dark malts. Firm chocolate notes enter early and stay throughout the glass with support from nutty flavors and faint dark fruits.

Overall, a must-try for any dark brew lover, but not quite as mind-melting as some of their other offerings. That said, it's absolutely worth checking out. I'll be going back for round two soon and may have some additional notes to share...

#182: New England Brewing Co. » 668 Neighbor Of The Beast (Belgian-style Ale)

Love thy Satanic Neighbor...

The Brewery: New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
The Brew:  668 Neighbor Of The Beast (Belgian-style Ale)
Availability: Cans, Draft
ABV: 8.5%
Rating: 9.0/10
Location: The Westy

The Story: New England Brewing offered up several of my favorites from 2013, including Ghandi Bot and their Galaxy Pale Ale. 668 has been on my radar since doing this quickie post last year, but on a stop down to The Westy, this was my first chance to try it out on tap and give it a full once-over.

The Brew: Served up, this Belgian-style ale is a hazy and golden with a slim cap of fluffy white head. Immediately on first sip there's a big mouthful, bursting with a plethora of spices. 668 starts out dry, almost velvety, blooming with coriander and all spice. Shortly thereafter, Neighbor smoothly breaks into a more silky mouthfeel, fully of sweet malts, eventually settling into a creamy, wet and drinkable brew. Bready yeasts, toasted malts, soft citrus, mild grass and hop notes complement each other as it mellows.

Overall, a wonderful Belgian-style with significant phases rewarding an attentive session throughout the glass. Recommended.

#180: Founders Brewing » Harvest Ale

Juicy, hop goodness...

The Brewery: Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI)
The Brew: Harvest Ale
Availability: Draft and bottles (Seasonal, Limited)
ABV: 7.6% | 70 IBUs
Rating: 9.2/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? I was on a bit of a Harvest Ale kick last year, but wasn't able to track down Founders when it was initially hit in the fall. Released only in October of each year, I thought I'd miss the boat, but this weekend proved otherwise and I'm sure glad for it!

The Beer? This Harvest pours our translucent golden straw with a quickly fading white head and minimal lacing. The nose is beautiful and full of rip, juicy orange aromas.

Down the hatch, Founders has nails it again with a smooth, long citrus flavor with just a touch of bitterness on the finish. Plentiful orange, tangerine, and sweet red grapefruit flavors are abound. There's a soft resin and pine that build on each other further through with soft esters in the finish. Toasted, bready malts say hello later on, but just enough to provide balance and support. This one really pulls you in and immerses you in hop glory. It's never floral, but there are soft oil and herb tucked within.

Overall, a wonderfully juicy take on the wet-hop, harvest style. Incredibly drinkable hop-nectar.

#181: Dogfish Head Brewery » Piercing Pils (Czech Style Pilsner)

The Pear Pils makes it's way to bottles...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Piercing Pils (Czech Style Pilsner)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (Seasonal)
ABV:  6.0% | IBUs: 35
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Back in October, Dogfish Head announced that Piercing Pils would be graduating from the limited draft line, becoming their new winter seasonal. As always, an interesting choice from the masters of Delaware, issuing a light-bodied style in the dead of winter. Chicory Stout was bumped back to the limited, draft-only line to make room.

Piercing Pils is another in the long line of Dogfish Head hybrids, brewed with pear juice, white pear tea, and Saaz hops. I'm a fan of high-quality Pilsners, a style that in the craft world takes somewhat of a back seat amongst many flavor-intense offerings, so I was exciting to hear Piercing was getting wide release.

The Beer? Piercing Pils pours out a golden, straw color with plenty of effervescence. It's a shade darker than most Pilsners and topped with a finger of fluffy, staying head. The nose is inviting, full of grassy hops, classic pilsner aromas, and just a touch of crisp tartness.

Now, to drink... and oh, the pear is just the perfect complimentor. The fruit juice softens that usual pilsner bitter bite just enough, along with a swift flip of sweetness on the finish. There's a mild, juicy tartness on the front of each sip that quickly fades into toasty malts. Flavors of bready yeasts and just a hint of sourdough creep in further through. The 6.0% ABV is a nice touch to give this Pils some weight.

Overall, highly drinkable, but not a slammer. Dogfish Head wins again with a unique, well-crafted, easy go-to alternative to heavy winter beers.

#179: Westbrook Brewing Co. » White Thai (Witbier)

Belgian-styling meets Southeast inspiration...

The Brewery: Westbrook Brewing Co. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
The Brew: White Thai (Witbier)
Availability: Cans & Draft (Year-Round)
ABV:  5%
Rating: 8/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? 2013 was a good year for several, fan-favorite craft breweries to make their way into to the NYS marketplace. Bell's I've talked the most about, but towards the end of the year, Westbrook Brewing out of South Carolina made their way in as well. Their first offerings to Upstate NY are their IPA and White Thai witbier. 

The cans are eye-catching - bright, simple, yet artisan in design. This Witbier skips the usual orange/coriander road, instead taking inspiration from the Southeast, and utilizes fresh lemongrass, ginger root, and a dash of Sorachi Ace hops. I was honestly very excited what results lay in store. 

The Beer? White Thai presents itself with a hazy, golden-straw colored body under a half finger of pure-white head. A lovely, delicate nose of dry yeast and nod of citrus zest follows. 

The flavor is pleasant. A quick spice of ginger jumps out of the first sip, but quickly smooths out. The Belgian Wit inspiration is apparent, but subtle. Notes of straw, mild lemon, and soft ginger all linger just beyond the foreground. Carbonation levels are typical and mouth feel and coat are somewhat mediocre. 

Overall, a light, tasty brew, but I would have loved a stronger presence of the lemongrass and ginger for a more adventurous offering. 

#178: Dogfish Head Brewery » Black & Blue (Belgian Fruit Beer)

An inspired fruit beer from Dogfish Head...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Black & Blue (Belgian Fruit Beer)
Availability: Bottles & Draft (Limited)
ABV:  10.0% | IBUs: 25
Rating: 8.2/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Black & Blue is the first of four Dogfish Head Occasional Rarities that I'll be covering over the next week or so. Typically, fruit beers are not the first thing I grab for. Artificial flavoring or poor backbone choice (uninspired wheat beers, etc) are usually the big culpruit, but I never swear off a whole style.

Enter Dogfish Head, who as usual, like to do things their own way. B&B is Belgian-style golden ale fermented with black raspberries and blueberries - real berries; nothing fake here. It also, boasts a 10% ABV, which is one of the highest I've seen on a fruit beer. All signs point to enjoyable on my radar, so far...

The Beer? Black & Blue immediately releases fragrant aromas of sweet and sour berries while pouring. A finger of white head with a pinkish hue tops the hazy deep amber body. Strong blueberry notes dominate the nose on further breaths in.

The use of real fruit really pays off in this one. Rustic, juicy flavors are abound - smooth and refreshing, while tart, but not at all wild or funky. The Belgian Golden style is a good palate choice to allow the sweet blueberries and soft tartness of the blackberries to shine through, without getting overly sweet. There's a slight earthy aftertaste preceded by a slight dryness on the finish.

Overall, a solid beer, nothing terribly groundbreaking, but a must try for any fruit beer lover and recommended for any of your friends into the lighter side of wines and looking for a gateway into craft beer.

#177: Bell's Brewery » Expedition Stout 2013 (Russian Imperial Stout)

One of the best...

The Brewery: Bell's Brewing (Kalamazoo, MI)
The Brew: Expedition Stout (Russian Imperial Stout)
Availability: Draft & Bottles (Limited)
ABV: 10.5%
Rating: 9.8/10
Location: Home
Found: Chicago

The Story? Back in the fall of 2012, thanks to my cousin Alex, I had my first taste of Bell's. He had a bottle of Bell's monstrous Expedition Stout from traveling earlier in the year. Fast forward to March of 2013 and picked up a six-pack while in Chicago. This Russian Imperial Stout is meant to be aged and so, I cracked into two of them to share upon the return home, but the rest went to the cellar.

10 months later, I had to see how things were progressing.

The Beer? Thick, lacy, hot-coco colored head tops Expedition's deep, dark, opaque brown body. Alluring aromas of sweet chocolate, dark fruit, and even soft hop citrus follow.

Huge, creamy chocolate flavors swirl around - sweet and wet at first, but quickly drying into baking coco, booze, and espresso. The mouthfeel is straight silk and far lighter than it should be for a beer with this much girth.

Expedition is completely exquisite with notes of vanilla, toffee, and bourbon rising in the second sip. A firm, bitter finish starts early and continues to build on itself. Earthy notes fill in further through. This roasted, slow sipper demands to be savored and not just because of the sheer 10.5% ABV, which instead is well masked by the rich, luxurious flavors. Towards the end, faint nods of licorice, anise and other herbs, and black tea finish off this deep darkness of a beer.

Overall, one of the best beers Bell's produces on a yearly basis and one of, if not the best 12 oz Imperial Stout. Highly recommended.

#176: Left Hand Brewing » Twin Sisters (DIPA)

Left Hand's subtle double...

The Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmount, CO)
The Brew: Twin Sisters (DIPA)
Availability: Draft & Bottles (22oz.)
ABV: 9.6% | IBU: 77
Rating: 8/10
Location: Felicia's Atomic Lounge

The Story? I popped down to Felicia's over the weekend to meet up with the Artistic Director of the Ithaca International Fantastic Film Festival to discuss next fall's event. When I arrived, my partner was getting off of work early and relayed Left Hand's Twin Sisters had just been tapped two days prior.

The Beer? Served up in a half-pint glass because of the high ABV, Twin Sisters has a transparent brass body capped with a tuft of fluffy, white head.

For a Double IPA, this one treads softly and unassumingly. Smooth citrus flavors backed by well-balanced blend of sturdy hops and malt are preceded by a mostly transparent, but fresh nose. Cracked wheat; mild, ripe tropical fruit sweetness, and a touch of rind appear further in. The over 9% ABV is completely hidden. The whole thing has a bit of an old-school vibe to it; quality over flash.

Overall, not the most memorable of beers, but worth a go for anyone seeking balance over monstrous flavor. An interesting DIPA offering in the midst of the heavy hop wars.

#175: Founders Brewing Co. » Devil Dancer 2012 & 2013 (Triple IPA)

The Brewery: Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI)
The Brew: Devil Dancer (Triple IPA)
Availability: Draft and bottles (Limited)
ABV: 12% | 112 IBUs

The Story? At the end of 2012, I'd realized I'd dragged my heals on picking up one of Founders boldest releases, Devil Dancer. But, low and behold, one lonely bottle remained at Ithaca Coffee Company. The neck label had somehow slipped off and adhered itself right over the barcode, which made the transaction a bit interesting. Arriving home, I felt there was something special about this bottle and decided to cellar it until the following year. Normally, I wouldn't age an IPA, but with such a high ABV and hop content, I figured it was worth a shot.

Flash forward to this past holiday season and my good friends at The Westy have a bottle of 2013 waiting for me. Time for a comparison to see how things change.

2012 | Rating: 9.4/10
The Beer: This Devil wastes no time kicking the gate down with a huge, pungent nose full of sweet raisin and fruitcake... and booze, of course. A ring of ivory head caps the deep, murky copper body.

Massive mouthfeel, dense body with plentiful flavors of dates and hot hops. Even with over a year of aging, firm hop bitterness is still present throughout. Awesomely boozy, silky, and sticky, heading into barleywine territory, but drier and more burly. All that wrapped up with a nice dry finish. Wonderful.

2013 | 9/10
The Beer: This year's Devil is similarly represented, but the ring of head is white and the body more of a murky light brown, neither having darkened with age yet. The nose is similar, but with more of the dry hop shining through and not nearly as pungent and boozy. Sweet raisin aromas are still quite present.

Flavor-wise, 2013 bursts out much brighter with a pine and resin finish. There's still distinct raisin notes and high malt and booze presence, but with more bitter and bright and less spice and depth.

Overall, fresh or aged, Devil Dancer is in the top of Founder's 12 oz. offerings, but in this bloggers opinion the aromas, spice, and sweeping complexity is worth the wait.

#174: Ithaca Beer Co. » Excelsior! Anniversary Sixteen (Belgian Dark Ale)

Dark and mysterious for #16...

The Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company (Ithaca, NY)
The Brew:  Excelsior! Anniversary Sixteen (Belgian Dark Ale)
Availability: Bottles, Draft (Limited)
ABV: 8.7%
Rating: 8.9/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? Ithaca Beer's Excelsior! series has really stuck a chord with me over the years. Their White Gold continues to be one of my favorite local releases and the Anniversary offerings have been deliciously consistent and drinkably unique.

Anniversary Sixteen hit shelves in early December (with a much-improved, more eye-catching label over previous Excelsior! releases) and I was quick to snatch up a bottle. The brew is a dark, Belgian inspired farmhouse ale brewed with local wildflower honey and a slew of quality malts and hops, including one of my '13 obsessions, Galaxy. Let's jump in.

The Beer? Sixteen pours out a deep, hazy cola color crowned with a fluffy, ivory head. A lightly roasted nose follows - dark, wet, and damp with slight sweet and fruit notes.

On first sip, I'm immediately aware of what IBC meant by "mysterious and complex". The flavor is captivating and a touch peculiar, starting off creamy, but finishing quite bright with a full, sticky mouthfeel and long mouth coat.

I initially pull vegetal flavors with tight, herbal notes and feel. There's a slight astringency, though not like a wild or sour ale. Additionally, there's a dark bitterness, that is more akin to high-end black tea or coffee.

Sixteen opens up further through, letting hints of citrus and dark fruit shine through along with honeycomb notes and a breath of sweet honey itself.

Overall Ithaca Beer delivers again with an adventurous and unique beer. A must-try for anyone seeking a complex brew that isn't easy to pin down to a specific style or flavor category. Again, kudos to the branding team for the new look.

#173: Southern Tier Brewing Co. » 2XMAS (Spiced Beer)

Some holiday items are welcome to hang around past Xmas...

The Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Co. (Lakewood, NY)
The Brew: 2XMAS (Spiced Beer)
Availability: 6-pack, draft (Seasonal)
ABV: 8.0%
Rating: 8.5/10
Location: Home

The Story? Considering we're in the single digits this week, here in Upstate NY anything warming is welcomed, Xmas-themed or otherwise. This regional late fall/winter staple is on my radar every year and I was more than obliged to discuss it when a bottle was sent my way.

The Beer? 2XMAS starts strong out of the gate with a big, wet nose of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It's appearance is surprisingly transparent (a wonderful red-amber hue) for a spice-packed brew with minimal, fizzy, cream color head that quickly dissipates with no lace.

The taste is full of smooth spice. Malty, but not too sweet. Flavors of clove, all spice, and cola are all present throughout, coupled by soft hops in the finish, which ends with soft spice and hop heat. There's a pleasant mouthcoat that is never overbearing or tiresome - not quite velvety, but it slowly lingers.

Overall, a solid, expertly well-balanced holiday offering from one of the most consistent breweries in Western NY.

#172: Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. » Jefferson Stout (Cream Stout)

Sweet southern session...

The Brewery: Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. (Kiln, MS)
The Brew: Jefferson Stout (Cream Stout)
Availability: Bottles, Mix 12-Pack, Draft
ABV: 4.65% | IBU: 22
Rating: 8.0
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

The Story? While I was in New Orleans in the fall, Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. caught my eye with their Southern Pecan Nut Brown and Jefferson Stout, brewed with sweet potatoes and lactose. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to give either a taste, but in late December, 12 and 6-packs of Lazy Magnolia began appearing in Ithaca for the first time. We picked up a box and went to town.

The Beer? Jefferson pours out jet black with a slim cap of off-white head. The nose is relatively transparent with some chocolate notes. The taste is unique, smooth, but bitter on the initial sip. A blooming bittersweet earthiness follows with notes of chocolate, coffee, milk, and just a touch of honey. This Sweet Potato Stout is light bodied, easily drinkable, and never gets too sweet. A bit different, but not revolutionary - nor is that what Lazy Magnolia is aiming for with this Southern Stout.

Thumbs up for equal parts creativity and accessibility.