#317: Ithaca Beer Co. » Beersebub (Helles), Imperial Saison, SaScotch (Nitro Scotch Ale)

BBB is back after a week off, starting up a prosperous new day job. A surprise birthday party for a friend I haven't seen in far too long was a good spark to get back in the review game at Ithaca Beer, where the were offering up four new 5 BBL offerings ('Nother Day session IPA not reviewed).

Beersebub (Helles sytle) | ABV: 5.5%
A great start to the meal after waiting to order until seated. An easy drinking, dry, bittersweet brew with a brief, clean finish. Nice session weight to start things off.

Imperial Saison | ABV: 8.7%
This one peaked my interest as soon as I walked in - Grains of Paradise, ginger, & orange peal in a weighty Saison? Yes, please. It's smoothly spiced, backed by soft carbonation, and faint threads of earthiness. Wonderfully blooming white fruit esters follow with well-balanced notes of ginger, rind, and pith peak through. There's a mildly sharp creaminess to it too.

SaScotch (Nitro Scotch Ale) | ABV: 8.3%
Here's another highly enjoyable, limited brew from IB's new Manhattan Project. An excellent choice for Nitro, this scotch ale is deftly smooth with soft, nutty undertones threaded with mild butterscotch, caramel, and a faint hint of rye.

#317: Great Divide Brewing Co. » Barrel Aged Hibernation Ale 2014 (Old Ale)

Great Divide Brewing Co. » Barrel Aged Hibernation Ale 2014 (Old Ale) | ABV: 10.5%

This barrel-aged version of Great Divide's Hibernation Old Ale kicks off with a plethora of chocolate and cocoa aromas, backed with a touch of raisin and rye.

It's curiously juicy on the palate. Wet, dark fruit tartness permeate deep flavors of chocolate and raspberries. This barrel-aged brew is far lighter on it's feet than expected for 10.5% and is quite drinkable, even a touch quenching. Not a stupendous beer, but highly enjoyable, especially for the price.

#314: Bell's Beer » Hopslam 2015 (DIPA)

(the westy: good for beer; bad for photo lighting)

Bell's Beer » Hopslam 2015 (DIPA) | ABV: 10% | IBUs: 70

Bell's venerable Double India Pale Ale, Hopslam, gleefully permeated far further into Ithaca's beer depths this winter, hitting taps at several locations around town. I grabbed two sixers from Fingerlakes Beverage as last year (Bell's inaugural year distributing to NYS), but needed to experience this lauded brew fresh of the tap.

Hopslam serves up with a deep, translucent amber body, topped with two fingers of fluffy, bright white head. As with bottle pours, it's deeply aromatic, packed with a plethora of citrus rind from Simcoe dry-hopping.

Onto the palate, it's silky hop-heaven. Hot spice of rye and white pepper are deftly balanced with a touch of honey dipped sweetness, making this brew remarkably drinkable. Rich toffee and tropical fruit flavors swirl between citrus rind and pith notes, making this full-bodied brew a growing flavor experience.

Hands down one of my favorite beers, Hopslam was fantastic as always, this draft version boasting a bit sharper bitterness than bottles, making for a slower sipping tasting.

#305: Bandwagon Beer » Tuesday Night Circus (Triple IPA)

Tuesday Night Circus (Triple IPA) | ABV: 13% 
Starting the "What's on Tap?" weekly news posts has gotten a bit dangerous, now that I generally know what's on at all my favorite spots. As soon as I got wind of this hop monster, I knew I'd kick myself if I missed out.

As expected, it's a hop bomb in the nose. Piney and resinous, packed with aromatic notes of passion fruit and blood orange.

It's unexpectedly smooth up front, which deviously turns bitingly bitter with an unabashed booze heat. A hot and earthy brew with strong notes of citrus rind, rye whiskey, and soft caramel.

Timid tasters shouldn't leave just yet, though. Tuesday Night Circus has plenty of bite out of the gate, but it hits it's stride several sips in, becoming deviously drinkable. But, that could just be the 13% talking.

#304: The Bruery » Atomic Kangarue (Wild Ale)

The Bruery » Collaboration Series: Atomic Kangarue (American Wild Ale) 
ABV: 9.5% | IBUs: 32
This Smog City Brewing collaboration is a Belgian-style golden ale at it's core,  brewed with Semillon and Viognier grapes plus three types of hops, fermented with Brettanomyces Trois as well as The Bruery's house yeast strain, then blended with a sour blonde ale and finally dry-hopped with Amarillo hops. That's a lengthy list to label and in less deft hands than The Bruery, this could be a trainwreck. Instead, it's a blissful and exotic trip for the palate.

A lightly spiced nose starts things off, followed by mildly tart aromas of white grape and a hint of kumquat.

Onto the palate, it's lively carbonated and quite unique. Definitive star fruit flavor is backed by underripe mango and young white peach finish, with a touch of booze heat in the finish. Further through, the Viognier grapes peak through to my delight, as they're one of my favorite varieties for wine. A slow, lingering, tart finish of white wine and white stone fruits elegantly teases until the next sip.

Atomic Kangarue an exotic and extremely palatable brew. It's never over bearing, despite a paragraph of ingredients. The incredible minds at The Bruery have done it once again.

#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.

#293: Bell's Brewing » Venus: The Bringer of Peace (Blonde Ale)

Bell's Brewing » Venus (Blonde Ale w/ Honey, Apricot, Cardamom, & Vanilla) | ABV: 7.5%
Bell's second offering in their Planetary Series, Venus has been garnering some polarizing reviews. Somewhere in there there's a joke about what what humanity through the planet was like until we actually landed there, but it's a bit too early for that.

Curiously brewed with apricot, honey, over 60 lbs of hand cut vanilla beans and cardamom, it's a complex, adventurous, and atypical brew. At it's core, Peace Bringer is a Blonde Ale, but that's about as far as the thread of that style goes.

Unabashedly aromatic, Venus emits a big, sweet, nectar and juicy nose. Notes of elderberry, vanilla, stone fruit, and oranges swirl through the olfactory system.

Onto the palate, it's dry and puckering and far beyond just a beer at this point. Venus is dense and mildly astringent - tart, but not sour. Wielding a myriad of fruit (apricot nectar, blood orange, tangerine), herbal and spice flavors (the cardamom and vanilla gracefully dancing), this is a mouthful of a beer with a stacking mouthcoat.

Straight up, this is a fruit beer. A big bold fruit beer, akin to a younger sibling of Founders' Rübæus and Mango Magnifico. Not quite as refined as those brews, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.

A goddamn great beer aimed for those with a curious and adventurous palate. If you're looking for a strong ale or dimmur blonde, better look elsewhere, but for those looking to sip the fringe of craft brewing, grab this while you can.

#291: Sierra Nevada /Boulevard Brewing Co. » Terra Incognita (Strong Ale)

Sierra Nevada /Boulevard Brewing Co. » Terra Incognita (Strong Ale) | ABV: 9.8%
Beginning life as a hoppy, imperial brown ale, it's a blend of 55% wine-barrel aged, 32% bourbon barrel aged, and 13% fresh ale. Initially collaboratively brewed for a Brewers Association food event, Sierra Nevada has kept it a yearly tradition to release this big brew.

The nose is subtler than anticipated, with expected wine and bourbon notes, but soft, paired with aromas of cocoa and an herbal coolness to it. It pours up a deep, dark, opaque brown with thick head.

On to the palate, it's wonderfully smooth and offers a touch of sweetness. Red wine tannin peak through flavors of butterscotch and vanilla, finishing dry with a mild, mouthcoat. There's a soft bitterness of the bourbon & wine, quietly vying for attention and a boozy heat in the breath and chest of the finish. Far in, there's a dry tartness that develops with wonderful notes of black current.

A great brew that offers unique complexity due to the combination of beer style and blended aging.

#284: Ithaca Beer Co. » Sour Pi (Sour Ale)

(apologies for the blurry pic... t'was a busy night!)

Sour Pi (Sour Ale) ABV: 3.8%
Stopping in for soup & brew at Ithaca Beer's Taproom on the even of Big Day In (a day fest run by the not-for-profit I head up), I'm caught up enough to relax for a moment before jumping onto the next errand. I'd heard about Sour Pi, Ithaca's most astringent brew yet, clocking in at an apt 3.14 (get it?) pH. It's a kettle sour, fueled by Lactobacillus.

My 13oz glass is filled with a golden, glowing brew crowned with fluffy, fizzy, fading white head. Introducing itself with an intriguingly astringent note, wonderfully tart flavors follow, while retaining a surprisingly wet mouthfeel and a pleasant, crisp bite on the finish. Notes of lemon, mineral water all refreshing and damn tasty. I skipped the syrup, opting for the full acidic experience.

I'd initially planned on just the one brew, but realizing it'd been a mouth & a half since I'd visited, the always friendly and wonderful staff served up another 8 brews... (see next post!)

#276: Crooked Stave » St. Bretta (Winter)

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project » St. Bretta Citrus Wildbeer (Winter)
ABV: 6.8% | Rating: 9.5/10

After a successful week of recording, wrapping up the initial legwork of booking for Big Day In and a four evening fest around the Ithaca International Film Fest, I was in the mood for something special. Shortly after grabbing  and uncapping this winter edition of St. Bretta from the beer fridge, it was immediately apparent I'd made the proper selection.

This 100% Brettanomyces wild bursts out of the gate with a fruity, funky nose. Ripe, fresh berries slam with orange, must, and that unmistakable Brett aroma. There's even a hint of green apple.

After several enticing whiffs, my palate is struck by incredible, piercing flavors of tart grape and kumquat. This winter edition is incredibly sparking and bright for a dark beer.

Robust sour cherry and big green apple notes rise further through along with shy notes of lemom and a lively, dry finish. A hands-down, goddamn great beer and a must find for another round.

#275: Avery Brewing » Twenty One (Imperial India-Style Brown Ale)

Avery Brewing » Anniversary Ale: Twenty One (Imperial India-Style Brown Ale)
ABV: 8.7% | Rating: 8.5/10

To celebrate Avery's last year at their Arapahoe Ave brewery (new brewery opening Jan 2015), these Boulder mainstays crafted an Imperial Brown, packed with Columbus, Chinook, Amarillo, then dry hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe, Chinook.

Served up in a tulip glass, Twenty One starts off with soft nose of gentle hops and rye bread. It's deep brown, barely translucent body looks inviting and warming on a cooling early fall evening.

The initial flavor is a bit understated. Rich flavors of thick, homemade breads calmly join with mild chocolate notes, all sewn with subtle sweetness.

Lively carbonation help Twenty One from getting too heavy and while the ample list of hops and 'India-Style' might imply a hop-forward beer, it conversely brings to mind more of an amped-up British style brew with mild threads of tropical fruit lending to the aforementioned subtle sweetness.

Overall, I was hoping for a bit more 'wow' factor, but Twenty One is an enjoyable, unique and robust brew that is full of rich character without needing to be overzealous.

#273: Bandwagon Brew Pub » Sour Tripel

Bandwagon Brew Pub » Sour Tripel | ABV: ~8% | Rating: 9/10

Early last week, I found my way to REP Studio in Ithaca to record for my upcoming solo split cassette. The studio just so happens to be located above Bandwagon Brew Pub, so after a successful session, I took my engineer, and friend, down for a celebratory draft brew.

To my elation, BWB had yet another short run sour on, this time a Tripel which was brewed as a one-off for Belgium Comes to Cooperstown.

Unfortunately, the usual accompanying picture absolutely did not come out this time around, but this Sour Tripel was a glowing translucent amber with a finger of lacy, fading lacy head.

My palate gleefully enjoyed incredible fruity flavors, firmly threaded with must and Brett dryness in the finish. Throughout the glass, this tripel was incredibly juicy and drinkable with mild spice notes peaking through later on.

Another impressive brew showcasing Bandwagons resurgence thanks to head brewer, Stephen Bareford.

#270: Bell's Brewing » The Oracle (DIPA)

Bell's Brewing » The Oracle (Double IPA) 
ABV: 10% | Rating: 9.3

I'd hate to try and fathom, much less try and count the number of IPAs or even Double IPA's being brewed at the moment. It's fairly astounding to see one style take off and soak in such far-stretching hype. At the epicenter though, is a plethora of amazing beer - which is why we're all hear anyway, right? Sometimes I complain or get beer-political about IPAs hype-dominance, but then I find another gem and shut rite up.

If anyone knows what they're doing with hop-forward beers... Bell's is on that list. Two Hearted, Hopslam, the aforementioned Mars, and now their seasonal summer DIPA, The Oracle makes it's way to the blog. Having Mars and The Oracle back-to-back, just shows how diverse the spectrum is on this particular brew style.

This time around, dry aromas of pine and biscuit kick things off followed up by complimentary, delightfully arid hop flavors. Resinous pine, chocked full of citrus rind and pith notes with a sprinkle of earthy threads sewn in.

An unapologetic, sipper of a hop-heads only beer that is highly enjoyable.

#269: Bell's Brewing » Mars (DIPA)

Bell's Brewing » Mars - The Bringer Of War (Double IPA)
ABV: 10.% | Rating: 9.4

The first in Bell's series of seven beers, inspired by Gustav Holst's 'The Planets' has arrived. Evolved from a trial brew called Larry’s Latest Double IPA, Mars is a big, bold, must-have brew.

Big, orange, juicy and dank citrus hop aromas plume from the glass followed up by a huge hop experience on the palate. Just when I think I may have tired of big IPAs, here comes Mars.

Robust, silky flavors packed with blood orange, pineapple, and mango all stacked up atop sweet, firm malts. Boozy esters rise further through to keep this bold and expertly delivered brew. The whole experience caps off with a sneakily growing dryness in the finish.

Overall a wonderful hop-forward dream that isn't brutally bitter.

#264: Bandwagon Brewery » Sour Blonde

Bandwagon Brewery » Sour Blonde (Aged - Wine Barrels, 4 Months)
ABV: 6.0% | Rating: 9.0

It's been... a while since I've posted about Bandwagon. Over the last year or so, I've personally found many of their draft offerings - their own and others - inconsistent, young, or even occasionally disappointing. I hate to hate on local, so I keep my blog mouth shut from time time to time. Their beers that are on, are really dead on, so I always keep a hopeful, open palate.

It was time for some post-birthday shenanigans with some very close friends who recently turned 21 and were up for exploring a bit of what downtown Ithaca had to offer for beer.

I snagged a flight of top notch brews from Cortland, Dogfish, Troegs, and the only flight that included this sour as I will always try a sour, from any brewer. I was glad I did this time around especially...

This fantastic sour kicks off with an earthy funk of Brett and backed up with firm, supportive malts. The funk really gets in there, in the nose, taste and exhale.

Notes of white peach, sour white grapes, and wet hay make for a killer tartness amongst heavy easters and a chalky dry finish. Way in the back there's even notes of sour dark cherries and red wine notes.

Once again, when Bandwagon is on, they are really on. A sour worth seeking out.

#255: Ithaca Beer Co » Hopfenstopfen (Dry-hopped German-style) & Intensify Forward Firepower (Rye IPA)

Early in the week I stopped into the Ithaca Beer taproom to drop off posters for an upcoming show and got delightfully delayed in my errands by two tasty new brews. Oh, and they have a taco truck out back now. Tacos & beer and wide open spaces. This place keeps getting better. No taco pic, sry.

Hopfenstopfen (Dry-hopped, German-style) ABV: 4.8% | Rating: 8.9
I think some of my favorite Ithaca Beer brews are their hybrid-styles. This deep, transparent golden straw-colored beer (tasting glass) is brewed only with German hops - and I believe abiding by German purity 4-ingredient law, but then bastardized by dry-hopping with an extensive amount of American hops.

The result is that crisp, bitter, deeply refreshing that is remarkably German, amped with an aroma and boldness that is deeply American-style - but also not overly hopped. A good use of Euro hop character and exactly the beer to finish off a long day and start an enjoyable, but productive evening.


Intensify Forward Firepower (Rye IPA) | ABV: 7.9% | Rating: 8.6
Running counterpoint to Hopfenstopfen, Intensify Forward Firepower (yay! more Star Wars references) is a big, bold, booze of a beer. Dry, scorched rye flavors kick things off with a coarse and chalky mouthfeel that hangs around. Thick and mildy hazy, this Rye packs a punch with distinct earthy, herbal notes and firey booze heat. Another solid, strong 5-Barrel from IBeer.

#253: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp » There And Back (New Glarus collaboration)

(Last week yielded some nice scores to say the least including a 2014 box of Beer Camp...)

It's Beer Camp time. 2013 was a little bit of a let down, with only three varieties, all of which were hop-centric. Mind you, they were tasty, but two were the same offering as 2012 - which also had an impressive Pislner and Oatmeal Stout.

On to 2014, we have a true collaboration box of 10 unique bottles and 2 cans that flaunts a who's who of U.S. craft breweries. While 2013 boxes lingered long into the summer & fall, best of luck to everyone seeking a pack and don't sleep on it.

Sierra Nevada / New Glarus Brewing » There And Back (English Bitter)
ABV: 5.6% | IBUs: 40 | Rating: 8.7/10

My partner & I first crossed paths with New Glarus at a bleary eyed dinner, crossing Wisconsin on our way to a wedding in Minnesota. We were both pleasantly surprised by their tasty, English-leaning brew style. While their sours have not graced these lips yet, I'll jump at any chance to taste what they're up to.

There And Back seemed like a solid place to start in such boisterous box. The English Bitter-style brew pours out with a rising, fluffy white head, that boasts plenty of lace, atop an amber body.

Aromatic notes of malts, herbs and fruit kick off a highly fragrant offering. There's a touch of soft peach and other white fruits tucked in there that are just lovely.

Down the hatch, it's a delightfully agreeable beer. Bright and toasted bitterness shines throughout, briskly hopped with alfalfa-like notes.

Wonderfully complex balance and quite drinkable, it's a true collaboration, balancing Sierra Nevada's bitter-enthusiasm and New Glarus' restraint and precision. It likely won't be the stand out beer of the box, but for the style it's notable.

#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.

#221: Brewery Ommegang » Adoration Ale (Belgian Strong Ale)

Winter cherishing...

The Brewery: Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, NY)
The Brew:  Adoration Ale (Belgian Strong Ale)
Availability:  Bottles, draft (Seasonal, Limited)
ABV: 10.0%
Rating: 9.2/10
Location: Home
Found: Fingerlakes Beverage Center

Looks like this one got a write-up this winter, but never made it to the blog. I was on a single-bottle kick early in the winter, wanting to pack as much various flavors into our limited space as possible (now no longer an issue with the a dedicated beer fridge!).

While Ommegang has become a pinnacle of Upstate New York brewing, I can be a bit hot / cold with their releases. I either love them or am underwhelmed. I recalled enjoying Adoration from a case a group of friends picked up for me a few years back, but hadn't seen the limited ale in a while, so I snagged a bottle to see if my palate still concurred.

Adoration starts off with a malty, spiced nose with hints of juicy orange. A deep amber body topped with fizzy, off-white head adds to the dignified setting.

The taste is beautiful and elegant - not too carbonated, perfectly malty, backed by a wonderful blend of spices. Smooth orange and tangerine flavors are augmented amidst a plethora of spices - mace, coriander, grains of paridice. It's sweet, a little sticky, and fairly wet. I'd love to see how this one ages.

Overall, a fantastic winter alternative to the tired all-spiced ales, that is beautifully boozy and smooth.

#217: Anderson Valley Brewing Co. » Gatlin Damnosus (Sour Barrel-Aged Barleywine)

An unforgiving brew of devilish tartness and bourbon decadence...

(I should wake up more before determining that pictures are in focus)

The Brewery: Anderson Valley Brewing Company (Boonville, CA)
The Brew: Gatlin Damnosus (Sour, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Barleywine)
Availability: Draft Only (Limited)
ABV: 8.8%%
Rating: 9.4/10
Location: Owl House (Rochester)

Over the weekend, I played in Hiroshima Vacation at Bug Jar as part of our final run shows. Rochester usually means Tap & Mallet or Owl House, and since this time brunch was in order after a lovely night over, the latter was up.

We arrived with a half hour before they could serve, so I was happy to have some extra time to peruse their always impressive draft line. However, this time around, an 8.8% sour, Bourbon-barrel aged barleywine was a no-brainer, even for first thing in the morning.

This beer was every bit as insane as I was hoping. Served up in an 8 oz. glass, Gatlin Damnosus is a hazy, grayish dark brown with a thick, creamy off-white head. Notes of sour grapes, sweet booze, and oak emanate from the glass.

Unabashed, irreverent flavors burst across my palate inducing a spine-tingling double-take. This is complexity and atradition at it's best. Exotic blends of sour cherry, ripe pear, toffee, butterscotch - all rich and decadent with woody, earthy undertones and a mild dryness. Further through there's apple skin, vanilla, and an ever-more pronounced rich bourbon flavors. It's honestly like 4 beers in one ally vying for attention.

Overall, for the adventurous enthusiast only.  An mildly astringent, booze fueled experience that I'd love to see in bottle form.