#296: Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Frisky Imp (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) & Boggled (Cranberry Saison)

Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Frisky Imp (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) ABV: 9.5% | IBUs: 55
Twas the eve before Xmas Eve and my partner, her sister and I decided to take a break from holiday stressers and head up the hill to Hopshire for one of their latest creations - an Imperial Stout brewed with all NYS hops and aged in local McKenzie Rye Whiskey barrels from Finger Lakes Distilling, aptly named Frisky Imp.

Upon arrival, Diane immediately served the three of us up tastings of the aphotic brew, emitting cozy whiskey aromas with a brief note of sweet candy. Onto the palate, it's instantly satisfying. The body is silky with a drying finish. Smooth whiskey flavors and heat are held in balance with lively carbonation. As big as this brew is at 9.5%, it's a touch juicy and jammy with notes of cherry, threaded with soft coffee and smooth spice that gradually achieving a dry, earthy finish.

Frisky Imp is surprisingly refreshing and drinkable, an Imperial Stout that's easy on the palate, never becoming too sticky or sharp.


Hopshire Farm & Brewery » Boggled (Cranberry Saison) | ABV: 8.0% | IBUs: 9
Following Frisky Imp, Diane served us up a round of Boggled, a Belgian-style Saison, packed with fresh Cranberries and a dash of orange peel.

Boggled kicks off with a pleasant, sweet & tart nose with a touch of yeast. It's a smooth marriage of tangy cranberry and sweet orange with a hint of vanilla. It's a zesty, fruity brew with a dry, earthy finish that's delightfully light on its feet for 8% and though it's a fruit beer, it doesn't venture into juicy or syrupy territory. Clocking in an just 9 IBUs, Boggled is a solid seasonal for those who avoid bitter in their beer.

#294: Founders Brewing Co. » Big Lushious (Imperial Stout)

Founders Brewing Co. » Big Lushious (Imperial Stout) | ABV: 7.8%
Founders brings us Big Lushious for the winter edition of their Backstage Series - a stout brewed with chocolate & raspberries. On the eve of my almost-three-week break from my day job, I was anticipating the freedom of the following afternoon. Big Lushious seemed like a great beer to indulge with, while still retaining coherence in the morning.

This rich brew starts off with a decadent nose of succulent, chocolate covered raspberries and a hint of spice exuding from the dark, bubbly brown body and deep tan head.

Onto the palate, Big Lushious is silky and quite sweet. Big tart raspberry flavors rush through with a hint of cola, concluding with a wet finish. Further through, this beer becomes a sumptuous blend of port and raspberry truffles with subtle threads of cherry cola, red velvet cake, and chocolate syrup.

Big Lushious is a desert beer through and through and a lovely edition to sociable, warming ports & ice wines.

#278: Port Brewing » Old Viscosity (Imperial Stout)

Port Brewing » Old Viscosity (Imperial Stout) | ABV: 10% | Rating: 8.8

I picked up this bottle of Old Viscosity online in 2013 or late 2012, after a highly colorful review of how thick and intense of a dark beer it is.

Old Visc pours up jet black as expected, crowed with a voluminous mocha head. The nose is unexpectedly milky for an oak-aged brew, full of oak notes as well with a touch of vanilla and cocoa.

Onto the palate, it's a bit more straight forward than the initial verbose description, though still a solid beer nevertheless. It's silky up front, easing into a deep, dark bitterness. The carbonation is far livelier than expected from a barrel aged brew. Roasted malts, mild coffee, and soft cocoa notes are present as well. Further through, distinct molasses and chocolate ice cream notes appear.

Overall, not as chewy as I'd expected, but still a weighty brew that is packed with dark bitterness.

#274: Left Hand Brewing » Wake Up Dead Nitro (Imperial Stout)

Left Hand Brewing » Wake Up Dead Nitro (Imperial Stout) 
ABV: 10.2% | IBU's: 45 | Rating: 9/10

As far as trends go, the current Nitro movement is an incredibly welcomed one, especially those gaining mass release in cans & bottles. Left Hand rocked the world with their Nitro Milk Stout in 2011 and last year they took it one step further with Sawtooth and the incredible Wake Up Dead Imperial Stout.

This skull nitro pours up jet black with a swirling nose of vanilla, cocoa, bourbon and amaretto. Boozy, roasted malt flavors follow with a full, silky mouthfeel. Big notes of chocolate and dried fruits, all sweet and sticking with an unabashed alcohol finish, but incredibly smooth.

A wonderful 12 oz for big, dark beer lovers.

#242: Westbrook Brewing Co. » Mexican Cake (Imperial Stout)

Westbrook Brewing Co. » Mexican Cake (Imperial Stout)
ABV: 10.5% | IBUs: 50 | Rating: 9.7/10

This is my first go-around with Westbrook's lauded anniversary ale, Mexican Cake. A beast of a brew, this American Imperial Stout is packed with cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and fresh habanero peppers, and unlike many big stouts, it's recommended to drink fresh. A bit of a bumpy start to the week rebooted with great beer, A/C, and cartoons? Sign me up.

As with many well-hyped beers stuffed with a plethora of additives, I approached this one with a touch of skepticism, but also a great deal of excitement. While I haven't been wowed by every Westbrook, the ones that do, really knock it out of the park for me. Mexican Cake delivered on the latter.

This double stout pours up jet black with a thick, reddish, dark-mocha head. Smooth, sweet cinnamon & cocoa nib aromas rise up from the glass backed by mild notes of roasted coffee and vanilla.

The first sip is transcendental. This isn't even beer, it's a thick, beautiful desert cocktail. A smooth and silky mouthfeel, supported by lively carbonation makes for a pleasant, sippable canvas for a plethora of flavors.

The chocolate / pepper combo here is crucial and one of the most well-balanced habanero beers, or any hot-pepper beer, I've had yet. Big flavors smooth, cake-like chocolate and an ever-building pepper fire is rolled off with sweet vanilla and lovely hints of sweet, spicy cinnamon.

Overall, Mexican Cake is elegant for the over-the-top recipe, storming in unabashed, but never overbearing. Highly recommended and damn fantastic.

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

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

..

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.

#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.

#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.

#097: De Struise Brouwers » Black Damnation I: Black Berry Albert (Stout)

Imperial Stout aged in whiskey barrels with fresh blackberries...

The Brewery: De Struise Brouwers (Belgium)
The Brew:  Black Damnation I: Black Berry Albert (Imperial Stout)
Availability: Bottles, draft (limited - brewed once)
ABV: 13.0%
Rating: 9.9/10
Location: The Avenue Pub (New Orleans, LA)

The Story? From first glans at the beer menu, I knew I would close out my last evening in NOLA with this beer. Noting the 13% and the brief description mentioning "Proof that too much of a good thing is sometimes a very good thing."  Challenge accepted.

The Beer? The draft pour is long and enticing. Thick, jet black gold emerges from the tap with a generous amount of mocha colored head into a 6 oz. serving. For once I'm thankful for the modest size as at 13%, I would like to wake up in my hotel room.

The taste pure bliss. Rich, sweet, and dark with a bitter finish. I can't even think of the popper verbage to put down at first. I'm impressed with the amount of head for a brew this intense and high ABV.

There's a thick, heavy mouthfeel that is rich and complex. Deep chocolate notes, mild dark fruit, coffee bean flavors are quick present with the berry addition indirectly adds very subtle fruitiness and deepens the complexity alongside a growing amount of heat from the whiskey aging.

Black Damnation is remarkably well balanced. Unlike some Whiskey barrel aging, this imperial stout never burns. Only sweet, magnificent, stunningly sweet stout on the start which evolves into dark, beautiful bitterness on the finish.

Highly recommended if you ever find it. I wish there was a tick more berry flavor, but with everything else, I really can't complain.

#092: Stone Brewing Co. » BELGO Anise Imperial Russian Stout (2011)

Vintage Stone IRS with anise? YES.

The Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)
The Brew:  BELGO Anise Imperial Russian Stout (2011)
Availability:  Draft, 22 oz bottles (limited, brewed once)
ABV: 10.5%
Rating: 9.6/10
Location: The Avenue Pub

The Story?  When I perused The Avenue Pub's draft list online a week or so before heading south, they had the 2013 and prior two years of Stone's lauded Imperial Russian Stout's series on draft. I figured with three on tap, my chances were moderate that by the time I got down there, there'd be at least one left. To my surprise, the most vintage or the bunch was still hanging around.

Any of Stone's Imperial Russian series usually strike my fancy - aging well and full of robust splendor at any age. But this - fermented with a Belgian yeast strain, with star anise, and oak chips - is some next level business. I missed this release when it came out, so for the second and final brew of the evening, this was an easy order.

The Beer? I'm almost too excited to not rush drinking this one. Focus. I see a bit of nice, lacy head with some staying power, which made it's way with me up to the balcony atop jet black vintage ale. The nose is peculiar as expected and enticing. Coco, black liquorice, and slightly soured.

Into my mouth and - WOW! This is probably my favorite of the IRS series and one of the more unique offerings from Stone that I've had yet. The mouthfeel is big and creamy, though suprisingly drinkable thanks to the Belgian yeast and carbonation.

The taste is a sublime, robust amalgamation of deep chocolate, liquorice, mint, oak, and even a nod to the bourbon stouts, though it is not bourbon aged. The ABV slides itself gracefully through the door, but without really caring what it knocks over in the way through.

The star anise provides a cooling, medicinal nature too this dark, viscous monster and with age it's found a bit of funk notes deeper in the tasting.

I can easily call this a beautifully unique dark star of a brew, but there's no doubt this is going to be a polarizing beer. Anise is one of those flavors that some palates will just hate and while there's nothing wrong with that, Stone has expertly executed the addition of a somewhat volatile ingredient for the palate in the most mutually-beneficial way for the herb and the beer.

Quickies!: Stone Imperial Stout, Ommegang Gnomegang, Lindemans Framboise

Quick pics and words from the weekend...

Stone Russian Imperial Stout: Superbly full of flavor. Sweet, dark, and creamy.  A robust, dark malt-lovers dream. Looking forward to doing a full review of this one down the line. On tap at Ithaca Coffee Co.

Gnomegang from Ommegang: this translucent gold beauty is finely carbonated and full of spice. A quality, fruity-yeasty Belgian-style from CNY. High marks. 

In my opinion, Lindemans' lambics are a must-try for anyone who enjoys a good alcoholic beverage. Sure, there are other pricier, funkier, more complex or extreme lambics out there, but for a no-second-thoughts drink that's this sweet & sour tasty, I'm always pleased with what they do. Their Pêche is probably my favorite, followed by the Cassis. This Framboise was an easy choice for something a bit different down at Felicia's Atomic Lounge.

#052: Ithaca Beer Co. Multihead (Wild Hop Pale Ale) and Hoodoo Voodoo (Imperial Stout - cask & draft)

More unique creations from Ithaca Beer's 5-Barrel and Cask series...

The Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company (Ithaca, NY)
The Brew: Multihead (Wild Hop Pale Ale)
Availability: Draft Only (5-Barrel Series)
ABV: 5.9%
Rating: 8/10
Location: Ithaca Beer Taproom

The Story? Humulus Lupulus Neomexicanus is a newly discovered, wild hop from New Mexico, which is the star of Ithaca Beer's Multihead - one of their latest in their on-going 5-barrel series.  The beer gets its name from this hop's unusual tendency to develop two hop cones per varietal, unlike the usual one-per for all other varieties. I'm impressed by Ithaca Beer's level of adventure on this one as the hop is still so new it isn't yet widely available through usual mass distribution channels. The brewers had to keep ordering until they had enough to brew and experiment with. That's dedication!

The Beer? Light in color and mouthfeel as you'd expect from a primarily single-hopped pale ale. Right off the bat I can tell this isn't going to be your typical pale. Most notably, it's sweet. Mild fruits immediately come to mind like white peach and white nectarine. There's a touch of Magnum hops up front to provide some bitter counterpoint to the sweetness, but otherwise this new dual-hop is front and center.

The sweetness isn't sugary or thick, in fact it's quite refreshing, but on the dryer side. It's subtlety sweet with fresh and noteworthy hop spice and pine flavors from the use of whole cones, plus a filtered wheat presence. A very unique beer that I wouldn't have pegged it as a pale ale at first. Recommended for those with a broad pallet looking for a fresh flavor in the session realm. I have high hopes that Ithaca Beer will use this as a drawing board for future releases with this uniquely wild hop.

The Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company (Ithaca, NY)
The Brew: Hoodoo Voodoo Cask (Imperial Stout, Aged on Oak)
Availability: Cask Only (very limited)
ABV: 11%
Rating: 9.1/10
Location: Ithaca Beer Taproom

The Story? Wednesday is Cask Night and this beer is the reason I pushed to finish up rehearsal and bombed down to the taproom. Sometimes the casks kick before 8PM, but to my elation, there was still plenty of this go around.

Hoodoo Voodoo is Ithaca Beer's new Imperial Stout, another recent addition to their limited 5-Barrel series. Ithaca Beer doesn't have any dark beers in their year-round offerings and only a few seasonally, so I always jump at the chance to taste one - their 14th Anniversary Dark Ale and Gorges Smoked Porter are world-class. This cask version has been aged on oak and wields a higher ABV.

The Beer? It starts off with a strong, dark, woody nose that is quite earthy. Going into my mouth, I already agree cask is the perfect delivery for this brew. A bit boozy up front, notable roasted marshmallow flavors, with a mildly dry finish. A distinct roasted coffee flavor hangs out even after the initial finish dies out. The cask temperature and carbonation mellows the bite of the ABV, instead allowing it to be the support for the rest of the dark, roasted, warming flavors. This would be absolutely superb on a winters day. Woody, earthy, dry, booze, roasted goodness.

I decided to aerate this one in my mouth like you would a wine, which immediately pulled the booze and some dark red fruits to the forefront giving it subtle Cab Sauv-esq notes. Very tasty and another hit for IB's limited series.

The Brewery: Ithaca Beer Company (Ithaca, NY)
The Brew: Hoodoo Voodoo (Imperial Stout)
Availability: Draft Only (5-Barrel Series)
ABV: 9.8%
Rating: 9.0/10
Location: Ithaca Beer Taproom

The Story? It took me three questions to indeed verify that I wasn't crazy and that they had on not only a cask version of Hoodoo Voodoo, but a regular draft version as well. No oak age on this one and a slightly lower ABV, bust still no joke at 9.8%. Three ultra limited beers in one night... I'm in heaven.

The Beer? Cappuccino colored head a top deep, dark brown brew. Medium body.

The taste is much different than the cask version. A prominent nuttiness dominates the flavor with a semi-sweet, English-style feel. Pleasant mouthfeel, reminiscent of a Guiness (in that way only though). Not as earthy and lacking the marshmallow aspects of the cask version, but instead has more malt & chocolate characteristics. Still has some wine-esq qualities on the finish as they booze builds further through the glass.

A great example on how a beer differs based on finish and delivery. An easy choice to try again.

___

Overall a great night of beer. Ithaca Beer Co. has really caught their stride with these one-offs and experiments. I'm eagerly await the next batch...

#046: Brooklyn Brewery - Black Chocolate Stout (Imperial Stout)

For a bit of winter this summer...

The Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY)
The Brew: Black Chocolate Stout (Imperial Stout)
Availability: 12 oz 4-packs & draft (seasonal)
ABV: 10.0%
Rating: 9.3/10
Location: Home

The Story? There's always that beer. The one you haven't tried from a brewery you've literally tried everything that they bottle. You'll get to it and it'll be great, no doubt. Most of your friends who care about beer have had it. It's no secret or rarity - even if its a seasonal, you still see it around

Enter Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout. I've known about this dark passenger since before I would touch anything that wasn't an IPA or at least a strong Pale Ale. Their Monster (RIP) is one of my favorite barelywines, their Sorachi Ace was delectable, their Local 1 was part of one of my favorite cold camping adventures, and their year-round offerings have frequented our fridge and parties.

While picking up singles for the Pumpkin Ale series, a few beers that keep calling to me made their way into the basket - including this shadowed one. Technically available Oct-March, at 10%, sipping on this in August is going to be a real treat.

The Beer? The pour releases a beautiful obsidian liquid with a rich, deep, mocha colored head. Thick and resilient, the head itself tastes of bitter, burnt cocoa. Lots of chocolate and espresso on the nose.

Pleasant mouthfeel to start - refreshing, dark, and bit oily with a long dry finish. Not nearly as sweet as the chocolate on the noise may imply. A pleasing equilibrium of chocolate sweetness and roasted malt. The 51 IBUs are very apparent and quite welcomed. That stated bitterness really rises about halfway through the glass, especially in the finish, but begins to take center stage.

Two-thirds of the way through and we're into a dark, earthy monolith of a beer. It's ABV fully unleashed, into an oily, sipper of a brew. An excellent transition.

Overall, a sneaky, relatively drinkable and complex stout masking a sinister sipper. A wonderful departure for a cool, summer evening.

#009: Victory Brewing Company (Flights & Visit)

Last weekend my partner and I finally crossed one of our long-time favorite breweries off out "must visit" list - Victory Brewing Co. in Downington, PA. 

Strong, hoppy beer was the first thing that pulled me into a beer lover and I've consumed far more of Victory's Hop Devil than I could really keep track of. Storm King was my gateway into stouts. I'm missing time from several gatherings thanks to one too many delicious Golden Monkeys. While I've worked through just about every beer which they bottle, the only non-bottle brew I've tried is their wonderful Ranch Double IPA. 

All that changed as Victory had well over a dozen draft-only selections, including several one-offs for the recent Craft Brewers Conference. Lets jump in...