#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.

#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.

#204: Vintage » Dogfish Head 120 (2007), Dogfish Head Midas Touch (2007), Stone Old Guardian (2008), Ithaca Beer Old Habit (2013)

This weekend ended up being inadvertently full of delicious, aged beer. From Fingerlakes Beverage Center taping Stone Brewing's 2008 Old Guardian, to two of our close friends sharing two bottles from their 2007 visit to Dogfish Head, and one of two bottles of Ithaca's Old Habit released last May.

Dogfish Head » Midas Touch - 2007 (Hybrid) | ABV: 9.0% | IBU: 12 |
Now a year-round offering, this classic Ancient Series offering is brewed with barley, white Muscat grapes, honey and saffron. After 8 years, it mellowed considerably. A calm, wine-like nose followed by flavors heading into the honey-liquor spectrum. Smooth, distinct honey sweetness coupled with notes of apple juice and fruit cocktail. I'm definitely going to age one of these myself... wonderful for a cold night in.

Dogfish Head » 120 Minute IPA - 2007 (Imperial IPA) | ABV: 15-20% | IBU: 120 |
Next up from the share box is DFH's top tier from their lauded, 'Minute' IPA series (denoting the length of the boil time of the wort in which the hops are continuously added). Normally an IPA is the last thing you're going to cellar, but with a monstrous ABV and IBU ranking, this one needs some time.

This 2007 120 pours up murky, with a huge super-boozed nose. The hops have lost most of their bitterness, but the strong hop heat remains. This is a strong ale in all sense of the word. Beautifully chewy, there's firm notes of raisin, burnt caramel, with a sweet spice to it, in the direction of cinnamon candy. Wow!

Stone Brewing » Old Guardian - 2007 (Barleywine) | ABV:  11.26% |
On Friday, I went in for a session beer and came out with the opposite. Fingerlakes Beverage Center has a handful of Barelywines aging, so I'm always intrigued as to what they'll pull out next.

This '08 is smooth at first. It's still decently carbonated for being 6 years old. The flavors build on eachother wonderfully, with a soft, rising heat without being as boozy as expected. Strong, bright citrus and tropical flavors blending with candi sugars with a big nose full of raisin auromas, which surprisingly don't make their way into the flavor spectrum. I could see this aging even longer.

Ithaca Beer Co. » Old Habit - 2013 (Rye Beer) | ABV: 9.0%
The youngest of the batch, Old Habit is brewed with four different rye malts and fresh centennial and crystal hops, then partly fermented in Rye Whiskey barrels.

It's by far the most pungent of the group, with sharp flavors, mildly reminding me of an Indian spice soda I once procured. Thick, chewy mouthfeel and a dark, ruby brown; this brew is packed with whiskey, oak, vanilla, and acrid fruits and nuts. A solid sipper, I'm looking forward to where the last bottle of this goes in the next few years.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#086: Dogfish Head » Punkin Ale

Dogfish's celebrated seasonal returns...

(for the love of beer and 80s children's cartoons)

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Punkin Ale
Availability: 12 oz. bottles (4-Pack) & draft
ABV:  7.0% | IBUs: 28
Rating: 9/10
Location: Home

The Story? As this being the year I promised to pay more attention to pumpkin beers, I picked up a four-pack of Dogfish Punkin Ale as soon as Fingerlakes Beverage started stocking bottles. After our stop down at Felicia's, my partner, her sister, and I headed back to the house, picking up some additional Punkin to make sure we had enough in that was cold.

My partner has an affinity for rimming glasses of pumpkin beer with brown sugar. Tonight we were out of brown sugar, so she improvised with sugar and pumpkin spice. Three fun pints later, we're off.

The Beer? Punkin's nose is robust with notes of nutmeg and brown sugar, but not overly pungent or astringent. This brew is quite refreshing for a spiced beer. An incredibly smooth brown ale backs this brew, with brown sugar, all spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg notes peaking through, but never enough to detract from the refreshing nature of this beer. It's quite wet up front that just barely dries out on the finish.

Overall, the well-balanced blend of brown sugar in this one really makes Punkin for me. Not overly pumpkin flavored nor finishing with overbearing clove notes. A solid brew as the temperature cools.

#070: Dogfish Head » Aprihop (IPA)

A few drops of summer left this fall...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)
The Brew: Aprihop (IPA)
Availability: 12 oz. bottles & draft
ABV:  7.0% | IBUs: 50
Rating: 8/10
Location: Silky Jones

The Story? Birthday's are best with a bit to wet your whistle. This time around, my partner and I hopped on a bar crawl for a friend of ours who we don't see often because, well, bartenders don't really do the Friday/Saturday weekend out thing. First stop for us was Silky Jones, which I realized I hadn't been in over a year. I forget what a solid beer (and scotch) selection they have. Looking over their beer offerings, well-scrawled in chalk, I also realized I once again had forgotten to give Dogfish Head's Aprihop a try. Summer's over (well over in Upstate NY), but why not keep it going for one more night?

The Beer? Floral nose with lots of apricot up front, plus some mild citrus. Transparent copper body with a cap of which, fluffy head. Open the hatch and Aprihop goes down amazingly smooth. This is likely the most drinkable Dogfish Head I've had.

At the bar and on Dogfish's website this one is described as "massively hopped", which coming from DFH, is a bit misleading if you're expecting a fruity 90 Minute or something to that effect. Instead, we're met with a creamy, easy on the palate brew with a firm hop backbone, but a very low bitter intensity. The apricot really mellows out the hops and puts some juice behind them. A unique, but accessible spin on the ever expanding world of IPAs.

#029: Dogfish Head - Festina Pêche (Berliner Weisse)

Dogfish Head continue to innovate with their take on this classic German style...

The Brewery: Dogfish Head (Milton, DE)

The Brew: Festina Pêche (neo-Berliner Weisse)

Availability: 12 oz. bottles (4-Pack) & draft

ABV:  4.52% | IBUs: 08

Rating: 9.5/10

Location: Home

The Story? I've been on a bit of a peach beer kick since that Peach Porch Lounger I grabbed our last night in Baltimore. Sam Adam's Porch Rocker subdued a bit of the cravings, but I've still been hankering for a true peach quencher. With Dogfish Head's Festina Pêche back in season, I have my fix. 

The history of the Berliner Weisse harken back as early as the 16th century and was the most popular drink in Germany by the 1800s. Sadly, only 2 breweries in Berlin still produce its unique, namesake brew. Luckily, a mirade of American breweries have been taking their spin on it. 

The Beer? Very effervescent head that quickly fades. Minerally on the nose, with hints of the peach to come with some clean, tart notes. Pours a beautiful straw color. 

A truly sublime summer beer. Wonderful, refreshing mouthfeel with bubbly carbonation tickling the tongue. A bit of funk and plenty of smooth peaches on the finish of the first gulp.  Exactly what I've been looking for.

The peach is perfectly present and not sugary sweet. Instead, it's expertly blended to the Berliner Weisse's traditional acidic tartness. Delicate hops, quenching wetness, and the smooth pucker of lemon & green apple dance with sweet peach, fully interwoven into all aspects of this beer No need to add syrups to this BW, Dogfish Head flawlessly executed the balance. 

Overall, a dangerously drinkable, refreshing take on a classic, but at just 4.5% you'll probably be OK putting back a few. A new summer favorite hands down.

#018: An Evening at Bandwagon (Compass, Too Kind, Sixty-One, 400LB Monkey, Rye of the Tiger, High Step)

We found out a good friend was still in town a few days after his band Del Paxton performed at Ithaca Festival, which prompted the notion that a catch-up hangout was needed, along with some quality beer. To Bandwagon..!

Figuring we'd be chatting for a while, I started things off with their aptly named "First Class" flight which boasted 2013 releases including Too Kind from Three Heads Brewing, Compass from Southern Tier,  Great Lakes' Rye of the Tiger, Dogfish Head Sixtey-One, plus Left Hand Brewing's staple 400LB Monkey.

Southern Tier - Compass: Bottle Conditioned Sparkling Ale w/ Rose Hips | 9% ABV
A wish-list beer. Deliciously delicate. Rose hips are very subtle. Dry, floral citrus ale with a touch of bitter.

I'm absolutely giving this one another try. It's brand new release for Southern Tier's bomber sized-bottles, which always peak my interest and usually my pallet as well. This one isn't as urgent, pull-you-in as I was expecting, thought I'm sure this one will climb in my ranks soon. I love that Southern Tier is getting into the bottle condition side of things. LIVE is fantastic. Curious to see what this will progress after it has a little time to mature.

Three Heads Brewing - Too Kind: Double IPA | 8.5% ABV | 87 IBU
3HB's first release of 2013. Based of the consistent experiences I've had with The Kind, the fact that this is a good beer is no surprise.

Nice floral flavor with hints of spice and a bitter, dry finish. Earthy with some rind-fruit tastes. If you've never had a 3HB, show some Rochester love and give 'em a try.
(Update: Turns very fruity drinking again after tasting the Rye and Sixty-One below!)

Left Hand Brewing - 400LB Monkey: English Style India Pale Ale | 6.8%
The "English" in this IPA should be emphasized. Far sweeter than expected, but pleasant and refreshing. A bit metallic and earthy - no American uber-hopping here. Wet up front with a butter-esq, dry finish. Almost a note of cheese on the nose.

Great Lakes Brewing - Rye of the Tiger: Rye IPA | 7.5% ABV | 92 IBU
My second time on dating this one. First on tap. My favorite brew from Great Lakes at the moment and it's their 25th anniversary beer.

Hoppy, bitter, and nicely spiced. Rye is very prominent. A bold, dry, bitter offering that is tops for the price.


Dogfish Head - Sixty-One (61): American IPA brewed w/ Syrah Grape Must | 6.5% ABV
Beautiful, ruby color. Big fluffy, lacy head. Fruity and hoppy and very drinkable with a pleasant mouthfeel. A very juicy IPA that is a wonderful blend of bitter and sweet. Faint hints of the Syrah's dry pepper and there in the background, but the whole thing is smoother than I was expecting, based on Dogfish's hop pallets and the Syrah. Another one off the wishlist.

Bandwagon Beer - High Step: Weizenbock | 9% ABV
While debating whether to finish the night with a after-flight pint, I was made aware that Bandwagon's Weizenbock is their brewer's favorite and won "2012 Best Craft Beer in NYS" from TAP New York Craft Beer & Fine Food Festival. Thank you for making my decision very easy.

Total opaque goodness. A big, boozy, matly beer. Looks like unfiltered apple cider and is simply amazing. Subtle inits of banana with very little carbonation. Hell of a beer to end on and one I'll be heading back for seconds for sure. Have a look...

Way to close out the night with the best beer of the batch, Bandwagon!