This Week’s Highlights

Here are a few beers that have kept me company through this week’s whacky weather.

DUVEL – Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat
8.10%ABV
Serving: 330mL to tulip

A: Hazy (I swirled and poured the last quarter of liquid…I love my yeast!) straw hue with champagne-like bubbles that are helping to form a massive, active white head. The fluffy marshmallow head rocks. There’s a ton of retention and spider web lacing. I love it.
S: Definite Saaz hop type aroma. There’s a very clean, fresh cut grass hop on the nose. It’s so crisp and clean. At first I think to myself, “Wow, there’s no metallic at all!”, but 3 more minutes of warmth say otherwise. The metallic starts at the back, sort of in passing. Then I get a sweet honey malt to balance it out and sort of shoo it away. Then one or two more minutes and the aroma is huge on metallic. I’m interested in why this happens? I look forward to the flavors. 
T: Some great complexity here that I didn’t immediately recognized with the aroma. There’s some wheat and spice (clove, perhaps?) characteristics that really dominate on the first sip. Banana and unripe stone fruit. While there is heavy metallic on the nose, I don’t get much of it in the flavor. I’m impressed. It is very refreshing and smooth…easy to drink (and with an 8+%ABV, it’s bordering on dangerous!). Forget about decanting this ale. I swirled up that sediment and threw it in and got a ton of clove and yeast. So delicious. One other important note is that I can’t sense the alcohol here at all.
M: Medium body with low-medium carbonation. Very smooth.
D: Wow, give me another because I finished this one in less than 10 minutes. Refreshing like a pils, tasty yeast like a wheat, mouthfeel like a strong ale. This beer deserves the praise it gets.
Duvel – A+

WEIHENSTEPHANER HEFEWEISSBIER DUNKEL – Brauerei Weihenstephan
5.30%ABV
Serving: 500mL to weizen

A: Approximately three fingers off-white head top a hazed caramel, tan and fig-colored brew. There’s a great cap of retention and cascading lace that doesn’t take too long to disappear.
S: Aromas are huge on banana, which is this weizen lover’s dream. Really nice clove spice in there, and a bit of alcohol is present in the back. And I can smell the other dark spices that are common in wheats but I never have the names for…
T: A nice fruitiness greets the palate. Raisins and dark fruits revel on my tongue, leaving lots of bittersweet and barely sour residuals behind. The banana is there, but it comes in and out. Throughout this session, I am relying on a toasted malt backbone to hold all of the flavors together, and it does just that.
M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation, though the mouthfeel seems inconsistent. Some sips seem a bit more watery than others. This unfortunately affects the flavor just a bit. The creamy head gives an added layer to the feel of this beer, but it’s just not enough to fill in those gaps.
D: Despite the thin moments with the mouthfeel, I really enjoyed this beer and, at the price ($2.99), I would not hesitate to buy another.
Dunkel – A

HE’BREW BITTERSWEET LENNY’S R.I.P.A. – Shmaltz Brewing (He’Brew); San Francisco
10.00%ABV
Serving: 22oz bomber to tulip

A: Hazy dark amber and plum-colored brew with about a finger of creamy beige head. Great retention, and there is spotty lacing on my tulip.
S: Big sweet fruitiness up front; a bready malt presence is pretty prominent, too. Currants are major here, and there’s a nice little sweet and spicy balance. I’m hoping for some more hops in the flavor because they are not too bold on the nose, and I’d expect a little something more in a DIPA!
T: I am happy here…it is much more hoppy on the palate. I’ve got great bitter hops all over. They are woody and mildly citrusy. These hops are balanced gorgeously with the dark fruity esters found in the aroma. The best part of this beer is the great rye base. It’s grainy and slightly earthy. I sense caramel malt, but it’s merely an afterthought here. 
M: Creamy head, a heavier body, and balanced carbonation make for a wonderfully smooth mouthfeel.
D: I am a big fan of this brew. I’d like to try it fresh and on tap if ever possible!
R.I.P.A. – A
 
And finally, I enjoyed my first Oktoberfest of the season on the same day I enjoyed my first Ohio thunderstorm. I thought it was pretty fitting.

OKTOBERFEST – Great Lakes Brewing
6.50%ABV, 20IBUs
Serving: 12oz to pint

A: An aggressive pour yields a very small, bubbling ivory head. The beer is a relatively clear dark amber with lighter golden edges. There’s a small ring of retention, and not much lacing. A swirl of the pint glass will bring about a thin cap for about 10 seconds.
S: Roasted caramel malt sweetness. There’s an aroma reminiscent of cold steel, and freshly cut grass from the hops.
T/M: A heavy malt base here, but it’s really enjoyable. Roasted flavors are doing well to hold the beer together. A simple, but pleasant, crisp grassy hop bitterness. The body is light and the carbonation is on the higher end, making this a terribly refreshing beverage. Bitter residuals stick around and dry out my mouth.
D: Oktoberfest is really refreshing and drinkable, without compromising on flavor. I recommend this beer for those who are into Marzens and amber lagers!
Oktoberfest – B+

Dear Ohio, Please Inject This Beer Into My Veins

Hey from Ohio! I’m here for a year while my partner works her teaching magic at Oberlin College. If you’re in the area and you like beer and you’re reading my blog (because, really, who isn’t?!), please contact me so we can grab a beer!

I picked up my first Ohio-bought brews from Johnny’s Carryout the other day. I don’t necessarily want to go in there again, but I will because their selection is immense! Their freshness is a little sketchy, but a sharp eye will do the trick. I grabbed a 6er of Bell’s Two Hearted IPA and Great Lakes Glockenspiel Weizenbock (Great Lakes is the local brewery out of Cleveland…hopefully there will be a post soon about my trip to the taphouse!). Basically, I am addicted to Two Hearted. Here is why:

Two Hearted – Bell’s Brewery, Inc.; Kalamazoo, MI
7.10%ABV
Serve: 12oz to pint glass

A: Three fingers barely off-white head over a somewhat hazed golden. Fluffy retention and sticky lacing all over the glass.
S: Aromas are citrusy goodness. Mandarins and grapefruits, with caramel malt all the way in the back and barely discernible. I know I am going to love the taste of this beer.
T: Great citrus hops up front, and lingering in the back. There’s a dark fruitiness that is also pleasant. There is a faint bready malt, which only tones the hops down in a minor way. They’re really there to balance. Tons of florals. I just might die…this is exactly what I crave in an IPA!
M and D: Crisp carbonation and a smooth, medium body make this such a drinkable IPA, especially for this Ohio humidity that I am having to get used to. I can drink this stuff all day, and I just might go do that now…

Pairs well with: everything. and another bottle of itself. really, it’s amazing.

Two Hearted – A+

that's my new house in the background...

And here’s the other brew I’ve been enjoying. An actual Ohio beer!

GLOCKENSPIEL – Great Lakes Brewing
 8.00%ABV, 20IBUs
Serving: 120z to weizen

Four fingers of dark beige head here, though I felt like I had to force the pour to get the beer to grace the height of the glass (which will bring the scoring on appearance down a bit for me). Colors of the body include dark copper, plum and golden edges. Aromas are huge out of the pour, with clove and ripe banana as promised on the label. Tastes are similar, with an emphasis on the ripe banana. This is a tasty brew, though it’s a bit hot. With time and warmth, a tart fruitiness comes out, which is a nice addition. Mouthfeel includes a lighter body than I’d like, with mild carbonation. I like this beer, but it’s hard to love a weizenbock after you’ve had Aventinus and Vitus! I’d buy it again, but I look forward to trying more from Great Lakes. 
Glockenspiel – B+

On one last beer related note: My landlord left a 6er of Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter in the fridge waiting for our arrival. Very cool, and very delicious. And we killed the 6er very quickly. Yum.

Prost!

Thanks for making the summer cooler, Sam Adams!

A couple of wheats to cool off with this summer. Neither of these beers are characteristic of the styles they proclaim, but they are good for what they are. Thanks to Moni for sharing these bottles with me!

Samuel Adams Hefeweizen – Boston Beer Company/Samuel Adams; Boston, MA
5.40%ABV
Serve: 12oz to weizen

A: 4 fingers frothy white head fill the glass. The beer is hazy light orange and dark yellow. Neat retention and puffy lacing on the glass.
S: Pretty good clove and banana phenols on the nose. Sweet honey malt and a refreshing wheat are balanced out by some grassy hops. Definitely more like a wheat ale than a hefe. 
T: Citrus, particularly sweet orange and lemon. I get a decent sense of alcohol on the tongue, which I was a bit surprised by. There’s a slightly unpleasant bitter taste that I am not enjoying much. Grapefruit peeks through with time, as do some more easily discernible grassy hops. Though I get some good banana and clove on the nose, I can’t get them in the flavors at all.
M: Medium body and low carbonation.
D: Not to style really, but at least refreshing.
SA Hefe – B

SA Blackberry Witbier
5.50%ABV

A: I couldn’t pour this whole beer in the glass right away because the head just exploded out of the glass. Frothy white over a very hazy dark orange and yellow. Good retention and lacing.
S: Heavy blackberries and raspberries, can’t get much past these overwhelming fruits. They are pleasant, though.
T/M: Heavy carbonation, and drinks like a framboise. Tangy blackberries. There are some currants in the very back, but they are brief. Medium body. The flavors are really competitive on the palate, with grains, blackberries, and tartness all battling it out for dominance. 
D: This would be a good dessert beer. I sense very few witbier qualities in here, though.
SA Wit – B

Und Hopfen-Weisse…das good!

I don’t actually speak German, but you probably couldn’t tell from my very convincing subject line. Here’s an awesome collaborative effort between Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewing and Hans-Peter Drexler from Schneider (see Aventinus!). Thanks to Jason in CT for sharing this (and many other) incredible beer(s) with me.

BROOKLYNER SCHNEIDER HOPFEN-WEISSE
8.50%ABV
Serving: 750mL bottle to weizen glass

A: A massive, lively beige head over hazy dark golden. A small layer of retention with very little lacing.
S: Lots of ripe fruits explode out of the pour. There is pineapple, very ripe peach, and green (unripe) bananas. I enjoy the spice on the nose, but I can’t quite put a finger on the clove, so “dark spices” as a description will have to suffice.
T: I’m pretty blown away by the heat on this brew. While cool, the alcohol is overwhelming. This subsides with a bit of warmth. There are some really great grassy hops that leave a very strong bitter residual coat. Two other very notable flavors are the citrus and ripe fruit, with granny smith apples demanding attention. Kara notes a bit of minty leaf at the beginning of the sip.
M: Medium, syrupy body. Carbonation is low to medium and, like I mentioned, the residuals coat my entire mouth. I’m a big fan of the way this beer hangs out on my palate.
D and notes: I do mourn the lack of ripe banana and clove that I would expect in a weizen of this proportion, but I did enjoy the grassy hops a great deal. The alcohol is a little off-putting, so I’m glad it subsides with a bit of patience. Kara and I paired this brew with a spring green mix salad topped with peaches, feta and a honey/mustard/balsamic dressing. Round two of this big bottle went with store bought veggie burgers topped with a reduced fat aged cheddar and my terribly famous potatoes. I highly recommend a similar pairing with a delicious weizenbock like this one.
Hopfen-Weisse – A-

Refresh Me

This post is dedicated to some lighter brews I’ve enjoyed recently. They’re all fitting for a hot California summer day.

Summerfest Lager – Sierra Nevada
5.00%ABV, 32IBUs
A: 2 fingers white froth over champagne-like bubbly body that’s clear and straw-colored. Thin spots of head retention.
S: Grainy malts and big, bitter hop profile. Grassy aromas apparent in the hops as well.
T: Pretty mellow grassy hops and sweet honey malts. Very straightforward. Bitter hop residuals stick around. Spiciness really pulls through and there are some definite yeasty qualities. Candied sugar seems to come out a bit with warmth, which is an interesting characteristic. 
M: Smooth, but crisp and refreshing. Good carbonation and light-bodied.
D: Tastes exactly like it should, and refreshes in the same way. I’m not above whipping through a whole 6er of these on a single day.
Summerfest – B+

thanks to Melissa for this great lager

 Yellowtail Pale Ale – Ballast Point Brewing; San Diego, CA
4.60%ABV, 22-28IBUs 
A: A finger of white, frothy head over hazy, semi-unfiltered dark yellow to light golden. Thin layer of head hangs around.
S: Sweet malts with honey, and a small bite of that pils grassy hop characteristic.
T: Grainy at first. Sweet honey comes through with the grassy hops to balance. I get the slightest hint of hop bitterness, and it really adds something special to this beer. Small note of metallic.
M: Pretty crisp carbonation, and light-bodied like a lager. 
D: Very refreshing! And at 4.60%ABV, this is one beer that you can literally get lost in all day. Seemingly perfect for the style.
Yellowtail – B+

Widmer Hefeweizen
4.90%ABV, 30IBUs
Serving: 12oz to weizen
A: A super cloudy orange, yellow, and golden beer with a couple fingers of very bubbly white head, though the pour was somewhat forced. Unexpectedly good retention considering the pour, and decent lacing line the glass.
S: Faintest hints of clove and other spices expected, with just a tad of banana in the way back.
T/M: A pretty watery liquid in terms of body and flavor. Like in the aroma, there are just mild hints of clove, but not a lot. Low carbonation, but that might have been due to my forcing a head out of this beer at the pour. There is a small kick of hop bitterness. Citrus tang with a glimmer of hop in the spices that pull through with warmth.
D: Pretty easy to drink, and decent for a hot summer day. This is the beer that started it all for me. Though I’m glad I’ve moved on, I wanted to make sure I paid some tribute to the brew by paying very good attention to it in ways I couldn’t during high school/my first year in college. I imagine this beer was really full of flavor about ten years ago, before it reached such a massive market.
Widmer Hefe – B-

my neighbor dropped this one by not too long ago. very generous!

A Dozen

12 libations. I’ll just cut right to the chase.

Black Wheat – New Glarus Brewing Co.; New Glarus, WI
5.75%ABV
Serving: 12oz to weizen glass
A: Four huge fingers of a creamy and lively tan head over black and dark brown that gets a little lighter at the edges. Head retention is mountainous! Smatterings of lacing on the glass. Truly a beautiful sight.
S: Refreshing aromas of wheat, coffee, and chocolate (in a wheat beer?!). Prominent cloves and other dark spices pull through. 
T: Roasted coffee (?!), with a great wheat and clove backbone. Mostly sweet malts with no real hop bitterness to speak of; the only bitterness seems to come from a chocolate character. A smoky flavor pulls through as the beer warms, and it alternates with a similar but distinct smoked flavor (the former being like an open fire, and the latter as in that which is used to flavor food–that’s just how my brain works). 
M: Crisp and pretty light. Smooth with no residuals. 
D: Wow. This beer is incredible. Tons of character in the flavor. I look forward to trying more dunkels AND more from New Glarus! 
Black Wheat – A

Cheers to Natasha once again for this one! And no, I don't like to crop photos.

Nugget Nectar – Troegs Brewing Co.; Harrisburg, PA
7.50%ABV, 93(ish) IBUs
Serving: 12oz to nonic
Note: I reviewed this one keeping in mind that it isn’t at optimal “freshness”. 
A: Hazy amber and golden. One finger frothy white(ish) head. Bubbly retention and sticky lace. 
S: Piney and floral, reminiscent of SN Torpedo. Hint of spice tickles my nose momentarily. There’s a dirty earthiness about the hops, like the hand on the label picked that hop right off the vine and threw it into this bottle. Definite bready malts in there, too.
T: Mellow florals still, really balanced out by a straightforward malt backbone (more noticeable with age?). Hops are less piney/spicy on the tongue than they are in aroma. Moderate lingering bitterness. An even and smooth flavor.
M: Medium carbonation with not too dry a finish.
D: Ends deliciously. I can’t wait to try this one fresh. I’d get a 6er now, despite it’s un-fresh factor.
Nugget Nectar – A-

Thanks to Mike for this generous extra!

Summer Ale – Brooklyn Brewing Co.; Brooklyn, NY
5.00%ABV
Serving: 12oz to pint
A: About a finger of white foamy head that dissipates rapidly to a thin surface. Brew is golden colored.
S: Sweet malty but in a grainy, bready (bordering on yeasty) kind of way. Some fruit comes to the front, but only in passing. 
T: Grainy and bready malts dominate the sip. Some hop bitterness at the very back, but it doesn’t stick around long. As the brew warms even just a bit, a heavy buttery note pulls through, and the sip ends in a lemon twang.
M: Crisp carbonation with a light body that rarely bordered on watery. The finish is relatively dry.
D: Really refreshing. It seems like this beer is true to its style. I’m not a huge fan of the bready/buttery EPA character. But even as I swatted a fruit fly into my glass, I kept drinking. 
Summer Ale – B

Breakfast Stout – Founders Brewing Co.
8.30%ABV, 25IBUs
Serving: 12oz to snifter
A: A huge head explodes out of nowhere. Super creamy light brown foam isn’t going anywhere for a while. I can’t see many more hues beyond the black. There’s mountainous retention and beautiful lacing.
S: Sweet malt on the pour. Roasted coffee and dark (bitter) cacao. Dark fruit malts and berry esters are also in the game.
T/M: Everything I expected from the aromas. I’ve heard a lot about this beer being huge on coffee, but it definitely has a great balance that holds its own against other big RIS names. Dark chocolate alternates with sweet milk chocolate. Carbonation bordering on crisp brings out spicy characteristics in the beer. There’s something dark and interesting in the back of the aroma and flavor but I can’t quite name it. Medium-bodied (one of the thinner imperial stouts I’ve had), but still great complexities and subtleties. The oatmeal also really comes out with warmth. The last sip ends in bitter chocolate oatmeal. It really holds up ’til the very end!
D: This is easily one of the best beers I’ve ever had. Dangerously drinkable. I highly recommend it to ALL. 
Breakfast Stout – A+

biggest head on an imperial stout that i've seen. awesome!

Star Island Single – Smuttynose Brewing Co.; Portsmouth, NH
5.80%ABV
Serving: 12oz to tulip
A: A finger of white bubbly head over a hazy copper. A little retention.
S: Big citrus esters at the pour. Good malty, sugary sweetness and mellow, earthy hops as well. Very balanced aromas.
T: A surprisingly grainy brew, much like a lager but with more complex citrus and earthy hops. There’s only a light hop bitterness at the back of the sip. A touch of spice tickles my tongue. Biscuity notes come out, and there’s more bitterness with warmth that reminds of me of fruit that hasn’t quite yet had enough time to ripen. Balanced, and different from other Belgian styles I’ve had.
M: Higher carbonation with a pretty light body and a relatively dry finish. 
D: Definite Belgian ale characteristics. Though I’d have this interesting beer again, I don’t know that I’d have it more than once in a single sitting (it boasts itself as a “session ale brewed with spices”). 
Star Island – B

an awesome trade extra from Mike!

Smooth Hoperator – Stoudts Brewing Co.; Adamstown, PA
7.00%ABV, 50IBUs
Serving: 12oz to pils glass
A: Finger of beige frothy head over amber and dark copper. Good retention and some lacing.
S: Big bready and yeasty aromas right at the pour. Sweet malts in there, too. Esters of apple and dried figs come to mind.
T: Very similar to the aroma with those dark, dried fruit (fig and prune) esters coming to the fore. A very bready malt sense dominates. I’m not getting many hop characteristics. Is it just my bottle? 
M: Nearly medium-bodied with some astringency.
D: I’ve never had a doppelbock like this one. I’m almost wondering if it was the bottle that was off? Either way, toning down the dried fruit just a notch would definitely make me like this one a bit more. 
Smooth Hoperator – B

Wipeout IPA – Port Brewing Co./Pizza Port; San Marcos, CA
7.00%ABV
Serving: 22oz bomber to pint
A: Cloudy dark yellow to light golden hues with a small, white bubbly head. Good retention and smatterings of sticky lacing.
S: Aroma is big lemon citrus hops and bready malts to balance. Also pulling out some grapefruit and other ripe fruits.
T: A nicely balanced brew with hops coming out in the front (citrus, just like in the aroma) with a malty backbone that also comes to the fore. Bitter hops really come out with warmth. This is a very straightforward IPA.
M: Good carbonation and medium-bodied that’s smooth but not a ton of bitter residuals.
D: Straightforward and balanced. A pretty solid IPA.
Wipeout – B+

Dead Reckoning Porter – Troegs Brewing Co.
5.80%ANV, 53IBUs
Serving: 12oz to mug
A: Unfiltered dark caramel colored with a bit of bubbly tan head. There are “floaties” in the foam…could it be yeast? There’s a ring of retention in the glass with just a bit of lacing.
S: Bready malts, slight metallic. Not a ton discernible on the nose, to be honest.
T: Roasted barley with very subtle coffee and dark chocolate flavors (the subtlety is a nice break from most big porter flavors). A bit of bitter chocolate residue lingers. Not a ton of hops to balance out.
M: Medium body with a creamy and low to medium carbonation.
D: Very different from others in the style. I liked it a lot more as it warmed and really brought forth the subtleties. Tröegs has been a great brewery so far!
Dead Reckoning – B

Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema – Anderson Valley Brewing Co.
5.60%ABV
Serving: 12oz to pint
A: Relatively clear amber with over one finger of dark beige and creamy foam. Some retention, but not a ton of lacing.
S: Sweet malts with some honey and bread. Refreshing, spicy aromas on the nose.
T/M/D: Honey and spices offer contrasting but complementary malts and hops. A little watery at moments in the sip (light body). Drinks like a lager with medium carbonation and great drinkability. I’ve had this one twice now and there is definitely metallic note upon each sip. Caramel sweetness comes out with warmth. This beer is great for a summer day, but also worked surprisingly well as a dessert drink. I look forward to the rest of this 6er. Well done, AVBC! 
Cerveza Crema – B

Cappuccino Stout – Lagunitas
7.99%ABV
Serving: 22oz bomber to snifter
A: Tiny beige head dissipates quickly, retaining only as a small ring around the snifter. Beer is dark brown with ruby hues.
S: Big bready malt aromas. Not a ton of coffee on the nose, but there’s a slightly citric hop character that pulls through.
T: Toffee malts really come out in the sip. Bitter residuals and a big cappuccino sense (milky and sweet) is there too. Hops provide balance and bitter chocolate lingers.
M: Light-to-medium body. A bit thin for the style. Carbonation is medium.
D: Very easy to drink, especially with the lighter mouthfeel. Reminds me a lot more of a coffee porter than a stout. The alcohol isn’t noticeable at any part of the session (during OR afterwards). Another Lagunitas goody, though not my absolute favorite.
Cap Stout – B+

Shoal’s Pale Ale – Smuttynose
5.00%ABV
Serving: 12oz to pint
A: Hazy amber and orange with a finger of off-white, bubbly head. Some sticky lacing and good retention.
S: Citrus and hops, sweet bready malts to balance. A big, fruity bouquet to boot.
T: A good dose of bitter, slightly citric hops at the front. Woody, almost piney hops are trying really hard to dominate. Metallic notes.
M: Great carbonation, a creamy light-to-medium bodied mouthfeel. A decent amount of bitter residuals caking my palate.
D: Refreshing, and downright delicious. A wonderful session beer. I look forward to having more of the Shoals to help wind down after a long day. 
Shoal’s – B+

a great beer from a great trade!

Mirror Pond Pale Ale – Deschutes
5.00%ABV, 40IBUs
Serving: 12oz to pint
A: Two thick fingers of beige, creamy head over an amber ale. Beautiful retention and some sticky lacing.
S: Sweet malty goodness with a firm hop backbone. Grapefruit is discernible, and is a bit of orange zest. Some spices on the nose. Really powerful hop aromas.
T/M: A very balanced brew right off the bat. Citrus hops, a dark fruit and bready backbone to balance. Very smooth with medium carbonation. Residuals leave mild bitterness behind. Some notes of metallic, which I often find in APAs. Citrus comes out even more with warmth, and that’s a darn fine characteristic.
D: Balanced. Smooth. Refreshing. Definitely one of the best APAs and session brews available. Just another day for Deschutes!
Mirror Pond – A-

thanks to chris for reminding me how great Deschutes' flagship beer is!

 Ugh. I’m full. But pass me another!

Anderson Valley, +2

I was really craving a filling stout this week, and I knew exactly which brewery to turn to. Picked up a Hop Ottin’ IPA as well. I nearly forgot how solid these beers are! Try the AVBC year-round line, available at the co-op.

HOP OTTIN’ IPA   
 7.00%ABV
Serving: 12oz to pint
A: Thick two fingers of creamy, off-white head over a relatively clear amber and dark copper brew. Great retention and sticky lacing all over.
A: Good hoppy presence on the nose with some florals and pine standing out. Discernible malty backbone.
T: A hoppy kick to the mouth, rich in that pine I love so much. Sip mellows out to a balanced brew with a malty backbone offering support but not taking away from that perfumy hop bitterness.
M: Barely medium-bodied with good carbonation. Leaves an oily residue of bitters throughout. 
D: This is a solid IPA from one of my favorite breweries. Right up there with Torpedo (in the extra IPA sense).
Hop Ottin’ - A-

BARNEY FLATS OATMEAL STOUT
5.70%ABV
Serving: 12oz to nonic
A: This brew fills my nonic perfectly with two fingers of creamy/bubbly tan head. Black and dark brown hues at the edges. There is some sticky webbing, though not a whole lot. A good-sized ring of foam sticks around for the session.
S: Malty aromas with dark fruits at front, oatmeal and molasses to follow.
T: Coffee, and a bowl of oatmeal smothered in sweet maple syrup. Definite coffee malts lingering (not quite espresso, but something milder). A slight perfumy, hop note rounds out the beer, and the sip has a bittersweet finish.
M: Medium to full-bodied, creamy mouthfeel and carbonated perfectly.
D: Easy and filling. I want to drink this for breakfast…over and over. This brewery is excellent.
Barney Flats - A

This beer gets its own image. The head was essentially a huge dome of goodness.

Some other good beers from the week:

WEIHENSTEPHANER HEFEWEISSBIER
5.40%ABV
Serving: 12oz to weizen
A: Big four fingers of frothy white head that seems to grow out of the weizen glass. Brew is ever so slightly hazy golden.
S: Spices of mostly clove. Heavy wheat that already makes my mouth water. Citrus zest cuts through, but the spice is really dominating the nose.
T/M: Banana, spices (again, the cloves), and wheat flavors. Mouthfeel is light, and not as crisp as I want from a hefeweizen (despite my decent pour). Bitter hops are present to balance, and the sip ends dryly. 
D: Not my favorite Hefe in the world, but not bad either. I thought it was a little undercarbonated, but refreshing and spicy nonetheless.
WeiHef - B+

from the makers of Vitus (which I would choose over this one any day)

And finally, thanks to Elliott and Elise for their generosity in giving me a chance to try this next one:

THE REVEREND - Avery Brewing Co.; Boulder, CO
10.00%ABV
Serving: 22oz bomber to snifter
A: Beautiful amber color with a finger of off-white head that decreases in size to a layer, and then fades off into a ring around the glass.
S: Pungent ripe citrus. Apple cider and vanilla bean as well. There’s discernible yeast on the nose. The alcohol hides well for the most part.
T: Very sweet beginning of apples and pears. Ends in alcoholic bite and hoppy bitterness. Sugar sweetness and metallic grain.
M: Medium bodied with balanced carbonation, teetering on crisp. 
D: A definite sipper. I look forward to enjoying more from Avery.
The Rev - B

This Week’s Goodies

It has been a superb new beer week:

LONDON PORTER - Meantime Brewing Co. Limited; London, UK
6.50%ABV
Serving: 750mL to my new imperial nonic (thanks, El!)

A: 2 pretty solid fingers of dark beige head over a dark cocoa and semi-ruby brew. Head retains wonderfully.
S: Chocolate malts explode on the nose with a coffee backdrop. Toffee aromas pull through as well.
T: Chocolate and coffee malt sweetness provide the crux of the flavor. A slight hop bitterness to round out and balance. A smoky intensity pulls through, and a dark fruit is hiding beneath all the while.
M: Light body but not light on carbonation. This beer is crispy and refreshing, which is something I find quite endearing in a porter!
D: I can drink, and drink, and drink. This is a complex brew with plenty of beautiful subtleties. I look forward to trying the coffee version.
London - A
 
FOUNDERS IMPERIAL STOUT - Founders Brewing Co.; Grand Rapids, Michigan
10.00%ABV, 25IBUs
Serving: 12oz to my new large snifter (Thanks, El!)

A: Roughly a finger of dark tan head over a jet black brew. A bubbly head retains well and leaves mesmerizing vertical lacing on the glass.
S: Sweet malts of coffee and chocolate, smoky on the nose as well. There’s a sense of burnt or bitter. Dark fruits and a hearty oatmeal aroma pull through.
T: A well-balanced stout with sweet malts reflecting the aromas, the emphasis being on a very dark, bitter chocolate (maybe pure cacao?); sip ends in a slightly sour/citric tang at the back of the mouth.
M: Big, chewy, and full-bodied to boot. This keeps my mouth busy.
D: Another RIS sipper, but absolutely fantastic and superb drinkability. I’ll be trading in near future for more from Founders.
Founders Imperial Stout - A
I received this incredible stout as an extra in my first trade. Thanks, Kyle!

 BLANCHE DE CHAMBLY - Unibroue
5.00%ABV
Serving: 750mL to my new weizen glass (Thanks, El!)

A: One finger of white head over a pale golden, lightly-hazed beer. Almost zero retention on the head, which made it less aesthetically appealing.
S: Fresh wheat and citrus (orange zest, more specifically). Very light coriander spice under the citrus. 
T: Big citrus flavors and refreshing wheat. Spices try to pull through but must suffice as a subtlety. A hint of metallic, and a touch of hop to round out and balance. 
M: Crisp, but not in the lager sense. Relatively light-bodied and little to no residue.
D: Clear, refreshing and simple. Not the first witbier I’d turn to, but an incredible take on the this satiating style!
Blanche - B+

don't let the color fool you. this brew holds its own against H2O as a pleasurable thirst quencher!

 
BULLY! PORTER - Boulevard Brewing Co.; Kansas City, Missouri
5.20%ABV, 47 IBUs
Serving: 12oz to the buffalo stein (Thanks, K!)

A: Three fingers tan head forms quickly, nearly overflowing out of my stein. Dark brown with ruby and copper edges. Creamy head hangs around nicely and there’s a frothy lacing that becomes sticky with time. It takes a good 10 minutes before the remaining finger of head dies down, but not completely.
S: Sweet malts of chocolate and coffee. Metallic hints in there as well. Some fruitiness at the back of the aroma.
T: Bitter dark chocolate coffee kick with the strong bitterness really lingering. Slightly fruity and that citrus finish that I look forward to in my porter! As the beer warms, it takes on a big roasty flavor that lasts until the end.
M: Light-bodied. The only real downside to this beer was that it felt a bit watery at times.
D: So pleasant and easy to drink. I love a good porter during a long afternoon! Roasty and warm for the winter, yet crisp and refreshing for my hot afternoons. I look forward to having this again.
Bully! - A-

bottle conditioning makes for an explosion out of the glass

 

 

Sierra Nevada Brews, to go

It’s Picnic Day, and I’m having a swell time sitting on my porch (with some great beers, of course) watching the drunkards fall off their bikes and yell obscenities. It’s a perfect day for a blog post! Thank you, Sierra Nevada, for the following:

 

SN PALE BOCK
7.00%ABV
Serving: 12oz to pils
A: White finger of good looking head over a semitransparent light golden/orange brew. Head dissipates relatively quickly but at least lingers over the surface of the beer for the session.
S: Crisp lager freshness on the nose with malt sweetness delicately balanced out by hops. Honey and grains on the nose.
T/M: Crisp, light and perfectly carbonated mouthfeel brings out a balanced but seemingly basic malt and hop profile. Honey (as on the nose) with a semi-dry, bitter hop finish.
D: No overwhelming flavors or aromas…nondescript brews are necessary now and then! This is great for the style, and it’s a perfect beer to welcome the hot Cali sun. This beer is easily sessionable.
Pale Bock - B+

SN WHEAT BEER
4.40%ABV
Serving: 12oz to weizen
A: FOUR huge fingers of white, thick foam over a somewhat hazy dark orange to light copper color. There is a respectable amount of lacing and head retention.
S: Fresh wheat and spice under a crisp aroma of (vaguely) damp grains.
T: Not the hugest flavors, but those discernible include citrus and wheat. The flavors are not as spicy as the aromas would lead me to believe. The sip ends in a bitter fruit character. There is also a delicate perfume sense about the beer that I quite enjoyed.
M: Water at some moments, but mostly crisp and refreshing. 
D: I’m more than happy to finish the 6er of this brew and make room for the Kellerweis! But I do want to point out that this beer is great to pair with a salad.
Wheat - B

 

SN PORTER 
5.60%ABV, 40IBUs
Serving: 12oz to stein
A: Three fingers of a huge, bulbous head that almost spills out of my stein. The brew is a dark brown with ruby hues. The rocky head sticks around for a while and leaves some sticky lacing.
S: Chocolate, coffee beans, and oatmeal. These are absolutely inviting aromas for me.
T/M: Big sweet malts of semi-burnt chocolate and roasted coffee. Rounds out to a citrus/tangy finish. A great bitter residue sticks around from this nearly medium-bodied brew. Roasted flavors really pull through as the it warms in my glass.
D: This is exactly what a porter should be. Will it replace Black Butte as my go-to beer?
SN Porter - A+ 

look at the head on this beer! and no, I don't spend all my time on beeradvocate.com...

 

Beer Birthday Bonanza!

The last three days have constituted the birthday celebration of my dreams. I’ll break it down day by day, as beer was included in each and every one:

Friday (the actual birthday): 
- I received a package in the mail from a good soul in Missouri. Sanford included a bottle of Schlafly’s Bière De Garde, a bomber of O’Fallon’s Whiskey Barrel-Aged Smoked Porter, and two 12oz each of Bully! Porter. He will, of course, get a nice box in return. I want to give a shout-out to his restaurant in Columbia, MO: http://www.sycamorerestaurant.com
- Out to dinner with some friends. I had a Cháu Tiên (an interesting APA; currently brewed by Anderson Valley, though the story behind it is a bit unclear to me). Also split some bottles of North Coast Old Stock Ale. A bit of a phenolic aroma, but the taste was huge with vanilla and liquor, though I don’t think we came to a consensus as to precisely what it was. Definitely a sipper.
- My birthday gift from Kara. A certificate to Brew It Up! in Sacramento, where I take a group of fabulous people with me to brew up to six cases of our very own beer. Commence excitement…now. Who wants to come?

Saturday:
A surprise trip to Chico. I literally didn’t know where we were going until we got there (nice surprise, K!). After hiking with the pup for a couple of hours, we drove our thirsty selves to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. The building, its woodwork, the aromas and solar panel array, the food, the beer, the service–everything was perfect. Kara and I enjoyed a lentil burger and hand-cut fries smothered in SN Porter mustard, a Mediterranean Pizza with fresh, organic veggies, a brown saison for her, and a kellerweiss and bitter ale for moi. See reviews below. We also picked up 6ers of the Pale Bock, Porter, and Crystal Wheat. 

Sunday:
- Strawberry pie, beer and glassware from Elliott and Elise. A bottle of DFH 90 (te adoro, DFH), a bomber of Avery’s The Reverend (the first ever Quad in our fridge), an imperial nonic pint glass, a large snifter, and a weizen glass. Elliott (I know you’re reading this, because who doesn’t read my blog?), you are way too generous for feeding my beer (and strawberry pie) obsession. Thank you!! 
- Also cracked open some brews yesterday to celebrate the last day of my birthday weekend, two of which I’ll soon have new reviews for.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of our SN journey, as well as notes on the beers I had:

 

 

I'd like to back my truck up into this loading dock.

brand new solar array. thank you, sierra nevada, for caring about the earth. (chico fest to celebrate our environment on april 26th--anyone?)

yeah. that's right.

reviewing my kellerweis <3

kara's brown saison. it's all about the head on this one!

i hope to see this taproom and restaurant again very soon.

 

KELLERWEIS HEFEWEIZEN
approx. 5%ABV
Serving: on-tap 
A: Cloudy light golden and yellow with a small white head that retains pretty well. Great lacing on the glass.
S: Spices and wheat on the nose with a hint of citrus.
T: Wheat, fruit, and tons of refreshing spices. Very balanced, though the wheat definitely stands out.
M: Crisp, light, and smooth mouthfeel. 
D: This beer claims to be the perfect California beer. There is no doubt in my mind about this claim. I look forward to the addition of this beer into the regular 6er lineup come June!
Kellerweis - A 

BEST BITTER ALE
Approx. 5%ABV
Serving: on-tap
A: Clear golden and amber with a small white head that retains as a ring.
S: Nothing really overwhelming on the nose. It smelled like the rest of the brewery (a little yeasty and grainy). It had a mild cooked aroma, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
T/M: Crisp and light, dry finish of bitter hops. Some honey sweetness somewhat discernible amongst the drab malts and hops. I really wish there were something more to this beer, though maybe it’s meant to be very neutral!
D: This was okay. I wouldn’t necessarily choose this again because there are so many other solid SN brews to choose from.
Best Bitter - C+

i'm distracted by the immense lacing on kara's saison glass in the background

Alright, that’s enough of the birthday post. I’m exhausted.