#240: Anchorage Brewing Co » Bitter Monk (Belgian-style DIPA)

Anchorage Brewing Co » Bitter Monk (Belgian-style DIPA)
ABV: 9% | IBUs: 100 | Rating: 9.5/10

I absolutely love Anchorage Brewing. Their brews consistently make my favorite beer. I picked up several while in VT (no NY distro...) and have been letting that wild yeast do it's thing. This DIPA in particular is at least 8 months since purchase.

Bitter Monk kicks off with a big, fragrant nose of lychee, Brettanomyces, pineapple, and orange. It's mostly transparent straw-colored body is crowed with a fading, lacy bright white head.

The taste is tart and packed with a puckering funk. Fantastic combinations of flavors at every turn with an arid finish. Champagne and chardonnay (the latter really shines later in the bottle) notes bloom above sweet threads of lychee and white grape. There's a firm hop bitterness in there too that builds with spicy esters that rise in the chest.

A standout, oak-aged, wild DIPA worth seeking out. Recommended.

#239 New Belgium » Lips Of Faith: Pluot

New Belgium » Lips Of Faith: Pluot (Tripel) | ABV: 10.0% | Rating: 9/10
This high ABV fruit beer is fermented with Brettanomyces and New Belgian's house Belgian ale yeast. The result is yeasty aromas, threaded with champagne, lemon, and pluot notes and mild spice. The transparent, golden body is wears a rapidly fading, effervescent white head.

I'm a sucker for anything from the Lips of Faith series and in my opinion, this is a damn good fruit beer. Spicy booze heat stacks up with wonderful note of plum & apricot. It's quite dry, with a robust mouthfeel, fully of wine-like qualities on the finish and in the body. There's a touch of white grape notes and brilliant Belgian yeast flavors throughout.

We pushed this one to the edge of the Enjoy-By date, but still scores well as a hefty fruit Tripel to toss into a tulip.

#238: Allagash Brewing Co » Interlude 2013 (Saison)

Allagash Brewing Co » Interlude 2013 (Saison) | ABV: 9.5% | Rating: 9.2/10
Riding high from the Cantillon, I decided to make another selection from Pig + Fish's reserve menu. For a moment, I mixed up which Allagash I'd pictured in my mine, and thinking for a moment I'd just bought a bottle of beer I have in the fridge back home. Close, turns out I have the 2012. Crisis averted (insert smirk).

This saison is fermented with Belgian farmhouse yeast and a house-Brettanomyces, partially aged in red wine barrels.

Interlude hits the tongue with bright, juicy apricot notes, finishing off with an aridly dry finish. Distinct mild red wine mouthcoat with elegant flavors of pear, crusty bread, and plum.

Overall, Interlude walks softly, offering up complex wine and Am-Belgian hybrid qualities that ever never overbearing and remain tastefully drinkable.

#237: Brasserie Cantillon » Cantillon Gueuze 100% Lambic

After finding the Dogfish Head restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, DE was closed, we received recommendation to hit up Pig + Fish. While a delicious Bouillabaisse and mushroom bruschetta immediate jumped out from the food menu, I initially found their beer menu lackluster, still reeling in my frustration about DFH. My partner, thankfully pointed out the back of the beer list which featured their reserve bottles. One bottle of the Cantillon, please!

Brasserie Cantillon » Cantillon Gueuze 100% Lambic | ABV: 5.0% | Rating: 9.9/10
This 100% lambic Gueze is a hazy, filtered, deep golden color with a wet must nose and a hint of sour tartness.

The taste is divine - literally one of the best beers I've ever enjoyed. The tartness is perfect, blooming into soft vinegar notes and tangy fruits. Earthy, herbal spice notes creep in, threaded between sour apple, green grapes, and a touch of sour cherry, all wrapped in a solid wheat backbone.

The finish is absurdly enjoyable with an everlasting exhale of esters and fine funk. Distinct notes of lemon and pith rise further though and a slight spice heat.

Overall, a top-notch, well balanced sour that keeps getting funkier and funkier until the last drop. World class and worth seeking out! 

#236: Bottle Share: Dogfish Aprihop, Freigeist Pimock, Pinkus Münster Alt, Tripel Karmeliet, Valeir Divers

Friends, good beer, and a bit of Adventure Time and a Michael Jackson, wtf $30M music video - wait what? Let's focus on the beer...

Dogfish Head » Aprihop (Fruit Beer) ABV: 7.0% | Rating: 9/10
Great place to start. It's delightfully light, hoppy with a touch of apricots throughout, finished with a pleasant, lingering bitterness. Nice mid-level ABV for a fruit beer too.

Braustelle » Freigeist Pimock (Hefeweizen) ABV: 5.3% | Rating: 8.5/10
This Weizen serves up with a lacy white head over a deep, caramel color body - akin to apple cider. Pimock goes down incredibly smooth with noses of apple, wheat, and yeast with a mild Euro pilsner bitterness and faint lemon notes. Not particularly malty or hoppy, just damn tasty take on an old-school style.

Brauerei Pinkus Mueller » Organic Münster Alt (Altbier) ABV: 5.1 | Rating: 9.1/10
Floral flavors kick this one off, followed by a mineral notes and mild yeast. Tiny, prickly carbonation and transparent body keep this one quite clean tasting along with herbal hoppiness and mild malt sweetness. A solid, classic brew for a hot day that wraps up with a touch of lemon in a mildly dry finish. Recommended for those looking for a break from the bombast of American craft style without sacrificing quality and complexity.

Brouwerij Bosteels » Tripel Karmeliet (Tripel) ABV: 8.4% | Rating: 9.5/10
A wonderfully inviting, peppery-banana nose plumes out into delightfully robust flavors of white pepper, spicy esters, and tasty fruit notes of mango and other tropical varieties. A sturdy, 3-grain body of barley, wheat, oat keeps this one strong the whole way through. Incredibly well-balanced, elegant and generous on the impact.

Brouwerij Contreras » Valeir Divers (Belgian Strong) ABV: 8.5% | Rating: 8.9/10
Introducing itself with a fragrant Belgian notes with hints of pear, Valier bursts onto our palates with lively carbonation. A beautiful bouquet of yeasts and cardamon showcase the first stip, sealed in a wonderfully dry finish. Lasting fruity, spicy notes linger long after the final sip - a great finisher.

#235: Evil Twin Brewing » Bozo Beer (Imperial Stout)

Evil Twin Brewing » Bozo Beer (Imperial Stout) | ABV: 17.2% | Rating: 9.4/10

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After a bit of an odd night on a far-too busy week, my partner and I decided to stay up a bit too late with great beer - in that way that you feel refreshed the next day, even though you got less sleep than you were supposed to. There's no messing around on a night like that, so we decided to bring out the big guns.

I'd somehow forgotten about Bozo's ludicrous 17.2% since picking it up several months back. I've had plenty of Stouts/Imperial Stouts brewed with coffee, but nothing like this.

Bozo starts up with a soft, roasted, stout nose with foreshadowing hints of chili, molasses and wood. Spilling over onto my palate, it's absolutely exclaim-worthy and delicious. Decadently smooth up front, silky & oily notes of chocolate and cocoa cascade with a rising flame of chili pepper heat.

More flavors keep peaking through - a mild nuttiness, faint cinnamon, robust roasted coffee, cane sugar and vanilla extract... even green pepper spice on the finish.

Despite all of this, Bozo is still surprisingly refreshing on a hot evening and masks the high ABV in stupendous way - in a blind test I'd put this at an 8.0%, tops. Damn good beer and absolutely recommended, especially those looking for a new, flooring experience.

#234: Dogfish Head: Analog-A-GoGo 2014

My partner and I decided on a few days notice that we should finally hop down to Delaware and visit the Dogfish Head Brewery and Restaurant. Low and behold, we arrive and it's their annual Analogue-A-GoGo event with craft cask brew and vinyl; commemorated with a swank, 7" beer checklist. 

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Under the tent, we sipped on 7 event-only cask brews and while perusing records (I happily picked up Om's 'God Is Good' and Swans lauded 'The Seer' 3xLP).

Namastina ABV: 4.7%
As the name implies, this is a blend of their Belgian-style Witbier Namaste and their Festina Peche neo-Berliner-Weisse. Notes of fresh citrus, mild tartness, and low carbonation makes for a nice summer cask. Soft Belgian spice notes smooth out the sour pucker.

Sophia ABV: 4.8%
This Witbier is brewed with tellychery, Long Indian, pink peppercorns and coriander and kicks off with a light, earthy nose with faint hints of citrus and spice. The flavor is smooth, mildly dry, with a chalky mouthfeel. Pleasant, smooth light pepper and citrus notes work well for cask, though not as stand-out as anticipated.

Loren ABV: 4.8%
Now we're talking. Loren is Sophia, dry-hopped with Zythos and conditioned with fresh organic strawberries. Awesome, sharp hop citrus notes (though not overly bitter) leap out, backed by refreshing semi-sweet strawberry notes and thin thread of pepper spice. Refreshing and delicious.

Premavera ABV: 5.0%
Topping even the tasty Loren, Premavera is another Wit, this time with blood orange, lavender, and NY-grown buckwheat. Fantastic, savory, soft, citrus wheat flavors dance across the palate. Great choice for cask and damn good.

Wild Sage Bravo ABV: 5.0%
As one of the more intriguing concoctions, this American Wheat Beer is brewed with all Bravo hops and White Sage and Wild Mint Tea from Juniper Ridge - which is around the corner from DFH HQ. It's a wonderful beer-tea hybrid that's mild, sweet, and suprisingly not dry for all the tea influence. Delicate juniper notes throughout with a soft, cool mint finish.

Pennsylvania Tuxedo ABV: 4.7%
"I like this the best - not wait this one!" In collaboration with the iconic Woolrich clothing company, this oddly yet appropriately monikered beer is a rye pale ale brewed with fresh spruce tips. It's malty and spicy with a slight herbal characteristics. Beautiful hop presence and balance supported by rustic, spice rye and just the right amount of spruce. Solid.

Coo-Coo for Cocoa Shells ABV: 12%
DFH's Palo Santo Marron with cocoa and coffee? Sign me up. Burnt, dry coffee nose followed by amazingly smooth dark chocolate flavors that finishes up semisweet with nice booze heat. Great way to finish off the cask-only brews under the tent.

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We missed the cut for the 1PM tour (and our last chance to do it and stay on time), but there was plenty more to do. After a short walk, on what turned out to be an incredibly pleasant, sunny day; we take a quick tour of DFH's new expansion center and bottle line and two more cask brews.

75 Minute IPA ABV: 7.5%
It's been a minute since I've had the 75 - a blend of DFH 60 Minute and 90 Minute, dry-hopped with whole-leaf Cascades and cask-conditioned with maple syrup. On cask it's sweeter than the 60/90 + dry-hop may imply with a wonderful hop bouquet on the nose and tongue that dries up nicely in the finish.

Super-Fly ABV: 5.0%
Another easy winner of the day, Super-Fly is DFH's English-style pale Firefly, souped-up with whole-leaf Citra hops making for an incredibly fragrant nose of grassy, herbal, and cintrus hops. A flavor packed brew, touting pungent ripe pineapple and mango with a perfect, silky-smooth cask mouthfeel. Superb American/English pale hybrid and one of the best cask-fit brews of the day.

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Back inside the brewery proper, it was time for some high-gravity goodness.

Positive Contact ABV: 9.0%
Into the brewery itself, we're on to the final three of the day. PC is Fuji cider, slow-roasted farro, with cayenne and fresh cilantro. I swear I've had this before, but have never been this struck by it - a mildly funky ripe-apple nose lures you in followed by a refreshing, soft apple tartness and a mild but notable spice heat. Great change of pace.

Bitches Brew ABV: 9.0%
It's been a long time since I've had this hefty imperial stout / honey beer hybrid with gesho root. As expected it kicks off with a big chocolate nose and gigantic chocolate flavors and wraps up super dry. Pungent coffee and sharp spice and spicy booze notes are present throughout. I have to remember to grab this one more often.

Hellhound ABV: 10.0%
As previously blogged, this is a damn good beer. Wonderful hop nose followed up by the perfect dance of pungent hop and dense sweet malt balance. Like blending your favorite DIPA and Old Ales with a touch of lemon. Perfect.

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After about an hour's drive to Rohoboth Beech, we took in some waves and sun. Hoofing it back, I could not be more excited to finally have some of my favorite DFH brews on draft and continue to soak in more draft-only creations until suddenly...

Sadness. We had to leave town in 2-3 hours and after speaking to one of the chefs (and getting a solid consolation brewpub recommendation), there was no way we were getting in. Another time.

Overall, the trip was a success, full of new, unexpected brews. Pennsylvania Tux and Premavera were my top favorites of the session-strength brews and all those over 9.0% were just great. See you again soon, Delaware.

#233: Bell's Brewing » Consecrator (Doppelbock)

Bell's Brewing » Consecrator (Doppelbock) | ABV: 8.0% | Rating: 9.2/10
With a busy week of shows, mixing, writing, and possible travels ahead, I've been catching up on some recent activity. Activity always goes better with a a bit of lubrication, don't you think?

I've been eyeing Bell's Consecrator for a bit now, having never been disappointing with any of their higher-end sixers. However, doppelbocks have to be pretty tasty to drop $18 for a pack. Initially, we picked this up for a bottle share. In hindsight, I recommend having this early / middle and not later as I'd expected.


Starts up with a deep, translucent and unhazed ruby body with a ring of staying head. Beautiful, sweet lager malt nose of brown bread and toast shines through with distinct notes of ripe grapes.

Understated and exquisite flavors and prickly carbonation roll over the tongue, pushing soft sparks of caramel sugars, bright esters, and hazy dark fruits. Malts are the star here, in this wonderfully subtle brew, riding the balance of soft, dark bitterness and roasted flavor, hovering on a light and fluffy mouthfeel.

Note to pour the entire bottle into the glass as there's flavor-packed goodness that settles. Further through some dry cocoa notes appear with a mild, building, soft chalky mouthfeel.

As one of the most German-inspired American brewed Doppelbock I've run across of late, it's all about classic elegance with this brew - no kitchen-sink, Americanized gimmickry here. The pricepoint will target this one to the dark lager fans and those with particularly discerning palates - highly recommended for both. Overall, a wonderful find. Looking forward to see what this does in a couple months.

#232: Bottle Share: Victory Mad King's Weiss, Sam Adams Longshot Gratzer, Founders Rübæus, Elysian Oddland #2, Dogfish Burton Baton, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

First in a series of summer '14 bottle shares!

Victory Brewing Co. » Mad King's Weiss (Hefeweizen) | ABV: 6.2% | Rating: 8.6/10
I was delighted to see one of my favorite draft-only offerings from Victory had made it's way to bomber status. It's not as rich as I recall, but still packed with Golden Belgian-style spiced goodness, wonderful wheat and yeast notes and at around $5 a pop, it's a steal.

Samuel Adams » Longshot Grätzer | ABV: 4.4% | Rating: 8/10
An excellent brew for summer. Soft smoke notes and a touch of tartness backed by smooth, drinkable wheat and soft bitterness. Not as complex and sour as some more traditional Gratzers, but brew worth trying for sure. It's rare you'll see a Sam Adams on this blog, so take that for what it's worth. A great value for a still rare old style.

Founders » Rübæus | ABV: 5.7% | IBUs: 15% | Rating: 9.1/10
My second round of Rübæus this summer, Founders once again shows they do fruit beer like no other. Packed with juicy, tart, and semi-sweet raspberry notes, it's massively drinkable, but still an ale. The raspberry never dips into tart, Lambic territory and remains fresh. A delightful warm weather alternative brew.

Elysian Brewing » Oddland Spiced Pear Ale | ABV: 6.5% | Rating: 8.8/10
Brewed once as the second installment of Elysian's Oddland series, this brew is an ale brewed with pear, cumin, and cardamon. We were all expecting something in the fruity, juicy spiced-peary realm, but instead got an adventurous, spice-packed, hardy ale with considerable more hops that expected. The cascade and saaz hops pack a firm punch of hops, providing a solid backbone to ride the savory, spicy, and herbal exotic dance of cumin & cardamon. This one won't be for everyone, for sure, but this was the unexpected standout of the night.

Dogfish Head » Burton Baton | ABV: 10% | IBUs: 70 | Rating: 9.3/10
As a hybrid of English Old Ale and American Imperial IPA, this is easily and predictably my favorite of the night. Silky sweet Old Ale malt notes notes elegantly dance with dense, but softened hop flavors. Citrus, vanilla, and oak notes are perfectly balanced. Tasteful bourbon notes are threaded throughout, but the ABV is well-mellowed making for a dangerously drinkable whopper of a brew.

Sierra Nevada » Hoptimum 2014 | ABV: 10.4% | Rating: 8.5/10
There was a lot of discussion before popping open this one. 100 IBUs will do that. The majority of us are hop lovers and IPA fans, but were seemingly in agreement that there's definitely a "too far" when it comes to the hop-arms race of recent years.

Cracking into this year's batch, Hoptimum screams out with biting, bitter grass notes, sharp pine, and astringent citrus rind. There's almost an herbal quality to the brew, being so hop-forward. While the Magnum, Chinook, and Simcoe hops are relentless, the 10.4% provides some relief. I'd honestly love to see this brew barrel aged and show a bit more dynamic character. Overall, a hop-head must try and the last word in bitter, massive Imperial IPAs.

#231: Shmaltz Brewing Co. » He'Brew Funky Jewbelation '14 (Strong Ale)

Shmaltz Brewing Company » He'Brew Funky Jewbelation 2014 (Strong Ale)
ABV: 9.4% | Rating: 9/10

This year's Funky Jewbelation blends up...

Jewbelation Fifteen (Aged 18 months)
Messiah (Age 3 months)
Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA (Aged 12 months)
Reunion (Aged 6 months)
Origin (Aged 6 months)
Rejewvenator (Aged 6 months)
Death of a Contract Brewer (Aged 4 months)

...aged 35% in bourbon barrels and 65% inf rye whiskey barrels.

Presented as a dark, murky brown with an ever-staying ring of off-white head; a huge, boozy nose kicks this year's Jewbelation off with a bang, touched with cherry and dates. The flavors follow suit and are surprisingly and deliciously sour.

Big, bold, sour dark-cherry bliss right here. It's chewy, intense, but expertly well-balanced. The best quick comparison I could give on this is an American Strong Ale and Oud Bruin hybrid.  It finishes up dry, with plentiful dark fruits including cherry and pomegranate, with a touch of champagne and a healthy hint of rye and bourbon.

Overall, it's considerably more fruity and sour than 2013 and less of a booze-heavy sipper. A tasty, strong/sour hybrid.

#230: Jack's Abby Brewing » Barrel-Aged Framinghammer (Baltic Porter)

Jack's Abby Brewing » Barrel-Aged Framinghammer (Baltic Porter)
ABV: 10% | IBUs: 55 | Rating: 9.2/10

After a busy day of the day-job and an evening of recording, it was time for a movie night in with my partner. At the moment, we were seemingly on the tail end of this summer congestion, so it was also time to break into a few items from the 'save me' fridge, including this gem from the Massachusetts lager crew, Jack's Abby.

This Bourbon-Barrel aged version of Framinghammer pours up jet black with a silky mocha head. Lush aromas of chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla and bourbon calm and entice.

It's incredibly silky, with a plethora of creamy dark chocolate notes wrapped in soft bourbon flavors. Satisfyingly smooth esters follow with notes of oat, faint brown sugar, and vanilla with a lingering sting of booze and soft hop bitterness.

Overall, a wonderful take on the Baltic Porter tradition - silky, chocolaty, and easily drinkable with a well-hidden ABV.

#229: Ithaca Beer Co. » Hazed In Captivity (Wild IPA)

Ithaca Beer Co. » Hazed In Captivity (Wild IPA) | ABV: 6.3% | Rating: 9/10

After a solid anniversary meal at the new Istanbul Turkish restaurant, my partner and I headed straight down to the Ithaca Beer Taproom. I'd heard about their just-released 100% Brettanomyces IPA, dry-hopped with Galaxy & Nelson Sauvin and knew there was no way I could miss this latest, draft-only 5-Barrel series brew.

Bright white head sits atop its pale, hazy straw body, pluming bright, sweet citrus and pine hop aromas. Onto the lips, bright Brett notes prevail - firm barnyard flavors are up front and in the finish with plenty of earthy notes threaded the whole way through along with a touch of hay. It's fumey, funky, and closes with a bone dry finish.

A dynamic, flavorful hop-forward summer brew for Brett lovers. Drinkable, a touch fruity, wild, yet tastefully contained.