BrewChief.com : Peer Review for Beer Review

Review of Brooklyn Summer Ale (Blonde Ale) from Brooklyn Brewery : By Chops

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:49:41 GMT

Ah summer, a time of beaches, bikinis and of course, beer. Sandals and coolers emerge from storage as people start planning their summery escapades. Unfortunately, a common companion to these outings is bland and flavorless beer. Many people have come to expect a certain bargain basement dullness in their warmer weather brews. But thanks to the craft beer moment, that notion is slowly changing. Light and refreshing doesn't have to equate to tasteless and boring.

Garrett Oliver is the Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster and one of the world's foremost experts on beer. His brewing acumen spans the style spectrum, but he also knows that the drinking public craves their light and refreshing brews. He just requires Brooklyn versions to have body and flavor (shocking, I know). It's why we all look forward to the seasonal release of the Brooklyn Summer Ale.

In the glass, this beer has a clear pale golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has very nice retention. On the nose, I found a tangy and zesty aroma filled with light grains, crisp herbal hops, and a tropical fruit tartness. This inviting intro foreshadowed the flavor quite well. I was greeted by a light tangy citrus with buttery biscuits and an herbal flare. The hops have great presence and add a delightful freshness to the overall character. The mouthfeel is light, balanced, and easy drinking. The beer finishes somewhat dry and exits with a pleasant bittersweet aftertaste.

Overall, this year's Brooklyn Summer Ale is a delicious brew that is perfectly fit for the warmer months. It has a lot of great flavor yet retains a high level of accessibility. Consequently, I can easily recommend this brew to all levels of beer fans. Novices will be blown away by this beer's flavor punch and will bid adieu to tasteless swill. For seasoned drinkers, the Brooklyn Summer Ale is already a seasonal staple. It's by far one of the best summer beers on the market, so be sure to grab some while they are around. And as an added bonus, they are also available in 12-pack cans. So start filling those coolers my friends, it's going to be a long hot summer.

Review of Triangle Best Bitter (Standard/Ordinary Bitter) from Triangle Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:38:06 GMT

English Bitters are perhaps one of the most misunderstood beers on the market. Designations like ''Extra Special Bitter'' and ''Extra Strong Bitter'' have given these beers a bad reputation. English Pale Ales as a style are actually very mild by today's standards. Some defining characteristics include high levels of drinkability and a malty sweetness with low-to-moderate bitterness. See the conundrum here? The style name would have you think that these beers are hop bombs, but they are actually the opposite. They are meant to be easy drinking and refreshing brews. It's confusing, I know. We've all been there. Luckily there are beers like the Triangle Best Bitter to straighten out our taste buds.

As an interesting side note, I first tried this brew at the Triangle Brewing Company's 2013 Imperial Amber release party. After several strong hopped-up imperial amber ales, I decided to mellow out my experience with an Extra Strong Bitter. I know, it seems so counter intuitive to say. But hey, now you know the truth, and knowing is half the battle. (queue GI Joe theme)

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy golden brown coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I found a sweet malty aroma complete with toasted bread, light caramel, and an earthy hop presence. The flavor ended up closely matching the aroma. I was greeted with a toasty crusty malt flavor with plenty of earthy hops and malty caramel sweetness. This beer is a smooth easy drinker and makes for a perfect session beer. It finishes clean and exits with a light malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, the Triangle Best Bitter is a solid representation of the style. I greatly enjoyed the experience and would happily drink this beer all day long. Consequently, I can recommend this brew to all levels of beer fans. Novices can especially benefit from this beer's easy drinking nature and rich malty flavors. Seasoned drinkers will appreciate this brew as a delightful session ale fit for any occasion.

I have been a fan of the Triangle Brewing Company for quite some time now and their tasty beers never disappoint. If you have the means, I highly recommend checking out their facility in Durham, NC. Maybe even catch a brewery tour. Owners Andy and Rick are always good fun and they love to chat with fans. Triangle is a reliable regional staple and their signature cans are always present in my refrigerator. Looks like I may need to add a growler of Triangle Best Bitter to the mix.

Review of Total Eclipse Stout (Bourbon Barrel Aged) (Wood-Aged Beer) from Foothills Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:46:21 GMT

I've been on a barrel-aged beer kick lately. ''Barrel aging is the current hot trend in American craft beer'' according to Garrett Oliver, Brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery and one of world's foremost experts on beer. Back in the day (before Prohibition) barrel aging was a common way to store beer. Fast forward to today where we have stainless steel tanks and near perfect sanitation practices, and the barrel seemed to disappear in a hurry. Nowadays, thanks to the American craft beer movement, barrel aging has made a victorious comeback. Beers stored in barrels, be them new or previously used, take on the characteristics of the wood and previous occupants. It's a fascinating study in flavor manipulation, which is why beer geeks like myself often get hooked on the style. Up next in my barrel-aged adventures is a selection from my favorite regional brewery: the Bourbon Barrel Aged Total Eclipse Stout from the Foothills Brewing Company.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration that looks thick and menacing. It comes with a creamy tan head that dissipates normally. Barrel-aged beers often seep carbonation and can come across as flat, so it was nice to see some head retention. On the nose, I found a rich dark chocolate aroma and a savory black coffee roast. Complimenting the mix were notes of oak and vanilla, all of which is blanketed by a sweet bourbon. It was a delightful intro for what I could only assume was an equally delightful flavor.

The aroma nicely foreshadowed the flavor. The dominant notes were dark chocolates and a black coffee roast. Playing second fiddle were notes of vanilla, earthy oak, and molasses. An unexpected surprise came in the form of the hop profile, which was strong and assertive (a Foothills signature). The bourbon blanketing made the hop profile almost undetectable on the nose, so the hops ended up being an ambush of bitterness. Despite their aggression, the hops did not distract from the big bourbon flavor, which beautifully complimented the dark chocolates. The entire mix was well balanced and creamy smooth. The alcohol nip was somewhat delayed and only appeared as a finishing burn. The beer finishes clean and leaves a lovely aftertaste of malt roast and sweet bourbon.

Overall, the Foothills Bourbon Barrel Aged Total Eclipse Stout is a delicious brew with big savory flavors. I found it to be one of the more accessible barrel-aged beers at 7% ABV, so I can recommend this brew to most beer fans. I only caution novices, which is a common refrain for this particular beer style. I highly advise honing your imperial palate before venturing into barrel-aged territory because these beers can throw your brain for a loop. But once you are ready and willing, these beers can be some of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Foothills knows this, which is why they offer several barrel-aged versions of their bigger beers. And I'm here to tell you, they never disappoint.

Review of Beer Geek Brunch Weasel (Cognac Edition) (Imperial Stout) from Mikkeller : By Chops

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:59:12 GMT

Few brews reach legendary status in the craft beer world. They are the brews that every beer geek knows about and only a handful have experienced. Beer names like Pliny The Elder and Sink the Bismarck adorn this exclusive list and they are treated like the Loch Ness Monsters of the beer world. Another mythical beast that stirs this conversation is simply known as the Weasel. Its official name is the Beer Geek Brunch Weasel Imperial Oatmeal Stout, crafted by none other than Mikkeller. What makes this beer so deliciously intriguing? Well, it's the eyebrow raising use of civet coffee (also known as Kopi Luwak).

The story goes like this: Asian palm civets, small weasel-like critters, love coffee berries. But, they are very picky eaters and only consume the ripest and tastiest berries. Their digestive enzymes then partially break down the coffee bean inside, which the civet eventually defecates. Farmers in the region collect these half-digested beans and make coffee out of them. Apparently, it is some of the most delicious (and expensive) coffee on the planet.

So yes, the Weasel is an imperial oatmeal stout brewed with the world's most expensive coffee, which is made from the droppings of Asian weasels. For those of you still with me, I can easily go on record as saying this is one of the most delicious beers I have ever tasted. It has remained on my top 10 list for several years now and I seriously doubt it will ever be dethroned. Yes, it's that damn good. I reviewed this beer a long time ago and I was also fortunate enough to try the Islay Scotch Edition at the world famous Mikkeller Bar in Copenhagen, Denmark. Below are links to those previous reviews:

Beer Geek Brunch Weasel
http://www.brewchief.com/review.cfm?id=398

Beer Geek Brunch Weasel (Islay Edition)
http://www.brewchief.com/review.cfm?id=680

I recently to get my hands on the Cognac Edition, which is basically the Weasel aged in cognac barrels. This beer is as delectable as I remembered. I won't waste time rehashing details from previous reviews. I just wanted to give this brew two enthusiastic thumbs up and highlight what the cognac adds to the experience.

The appearance is basically the same with a motor oil blackness and thin coppery head. In this version, the cognac resides as an hefty under layer to the strong civet coffee aroma. The resulting flavor swing is pretty intense. It starts off as that familiar rich roasted goodness with notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. The flavor train then steadily transitions into a strong sweet cognac burn with a lingering dry punch. Even with a balanced blending, the experience is a lot like drinking two entirely separate beverages. A sip of the Weasel followed by a sip of cognac. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Overall, it should come as no surprise that the Cognac Edition of Mikkeller's Beer Geek Brunch Weasel is as exquisite brew. If you ever find yourself staring at a bottle of the Mikkeller Weasel, of any edition, don't let that opportunity slip through your fingers. These beers are very hard to come by and well worth the experience. I could only find a few tiny 8.5 ounce bottles of the cognac version, but that's all you really need to get the full effect. The Weasel is a conquest beer, a mountain topper, a finish line for honed palates. It's the kind of beer you take one sip of, throw your arms up in the air, and start belting out ''We Are the Champions''.

Review of Long Hammer IPA (American IPA) from Redhook Brewery : By Chops

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:35:49 GMT

At the beginning of the craft beer movement, IPAs were relatively simple and straight forward brews. At a baseline, they were nothing more than extra bitter pale ales. Fast forward to today where even the simplest IPAs can punish palates and strip tooth enamel. As a result, the style has suffered a bit as seemingly every brewery feels compelled to throw their hat into the ring of unhinged bitterness. Relentless competition has created a beer style that is barely recognizable from its origins. This is why I find it mildly depressing when I come across beers like Redhook's Long Hammer IPA. By today's lofty standards, this is not a great beer.

In the glass, Long Hammer has a simple pale golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that quickly dissipates. On the nose, I found little more than a general piney aroma with notes of light grain. It has a relatively thin presence when compared to its baseline competition. There's very little oomph to this beer. Nothing is offensive mind you, but it just comes across as more of a moderately aggressive pale ale.

Ugh, that first taste was not very pleasant. My initial impression was that of a soapy metallic flavor which had me questioning the brewery's sanitation practices. Might be a bad batch, so I can only give it the benefit of the doubt. The hop profile has a piney sting with no body to back it up. The mouthfeel is very thin and unassertive. The only other flavors I could find were a mild fruity citrus and a faint grassy note. To be perfectly honest, this beer drinks like an IPA lager hybrid. There's just not much to grab onto and the aspects you do are underwhelming. The beer finishes dry and exits with a mildly bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Redhook's Long Hammer IPA is an okay brew. It has a few good qualities, but not enough to make up for the bad ones. This is a brew I can only recommend as a maintenance beer or as a fallback when options are limited. With so many better options on the shelves, I just don't see Long Hammer as a viable IPA. Definitely choose it over Big Beer swill, but that's about as far as I would take it. I wouldn't turn more down if offered, but I won't be seeking them out. Redhook is well known as a decent baseline brewery and their beers are generally reliable as such. But in this case, Long Hammer misses the nail head.

Review of Peacemaker (American Pale Ale) from LoneRider Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:19:04 GMT

In the lands of better beer, the pale ale is perhaps the most widely recognized baseline brew. Almost every brewery you come across will have their own version of the APA (American Pale Ale) which is often their most popular beer. This is simply because the pale ale as a style is extremely easy to grasp for novice beer drinkers. A well balanced combination of sweet malts and a notable hop profile is pretty much all you need. Consequently, these tasty brews are fantastic options for beer drinkers who want good flavor without being slapped in the face by bitterness or strength. In my local beer scene here in the Triangle area of North Carolina, a popular option is the Peacemaker Pale Ale from the LoneRider Brewing Company.

In the glass, this beer has a coppery golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found an earthy malty aroma with crisp piney hops. The aroma is nicely balanced and resides on the milder end of the spectrum, so it takes some effort to grasp. Pale ales aren't generally known for their aromatic potency, so this wasn't a detriment by any means. It just took a little more digging than usual.

The flavor closely mirrored the aroma, so the foreshadowing was right on the money. The beer has a nice base of sweet earthy malt with notes of caramel. Resting on top is a piney hop profile along with some grassy notes. The flavors are balanced, clearly defined, and easy to understand. There is very little aggression, allowing beer fans to enjoy the session at their own pace. Peacemaker has a light, crisp mouthfeel and drinks very easily. The beer finishes somewhat dry and leaves behind a mild bitter aftertaste.

Overall, LoneRider's Peacemaker Pale Ale is a solid representation of the style. It has good flavor and good presence. I can easily recommend it to most beer fans, but especially to novices. Peacemaker's high accessibility makes it a great bridge into better beer. Seasoned drinkers can appreciate this beer as a good session option. Hops heads will probably find this beer to be somewhat lacking in flavor punch, and that's okay. This beer isn't meant for them. Every beer style needs reliable greeters, and Peacemaker certainly extends a welcoming hand.

Review of Spring IPA (American IPA) from Abita Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:03:26 GMT

As the seasons change, so do the options on the beer store shelves. Most people would be surprised to know that there are many more options from a seasonal beer perspective than from a year-round one. Most breweries only craft a handful of core staple beers that they are recognized for. They then use the seasonal market to spread their brewing wings and get creative. After all, there's little long term commitment to a seasonal beer. If a brewer strikes gold, they create high demand and anticipation, plus an opportunity to expand their core line. If they float a dud, no harm no foul (so long as the beer is at least decent). It's simply back to the drawing board for next season. For beer fans, this creates an ever changing landscape of tasty new brews, which is always exciting. Up next in my seasonal exploration is the Abita Spring IPA.

In the glass, this beer has a cloudy golden orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really nice retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a big piney citrus aroma along with a sweet malty bread base. That was pretty much it. Luckily the spring and summer months are known for their simpler and refreshing brew choices, so no alarm bells were sounded. This was just a crisp and simple IPA meant to fill beach coolers and adorn porch tables.

Wow, this beer is surprisingly easy drinking for its respectable 6.25% strength. It's very smooth and highly accessible. The hop profile is quite mild, allowing for a lengthy enjoyment without being accosted by bitterness. The taste leans more towards a fruity citrus rather than a piney bitter and rests upon a light honey bread base. The resulting flavor profile is unassuming and lacks the punch of a good IPA. But to be fair, that really isn't the point of this beer. This is a lighter springtime seasonal and should be treated as such. The beer finishes clean and exits with a mild bitter aftertaste.

Overall, the Abita Spring IPA is an easy drinking brew with good flavor. It's high level of accessibility makes it an ideal choice for novices and general craft beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will find this beer to be a refreshing session option for those warm spring days. Hops heads will most likely be disappointed with the lack of flavor punch. Although, I would imagine that lighter seasonal IPAs would probably float under their radars anyway. Abita's Spring IPA is great for what it is and I recommend using it as such. Pick some up on your way to a pool party or for a weekend of porch lounging. It'll be a worthy companion that will eventually have you wondering where all of it went.

Review of S'Muttonator (Doppelbock) from Smuttynose Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:37:57 GMT

In some ways, being a craft beer enthusiast is a lot like being a scientist. Based on research and data, you formulate conclusions about your topic of study. You compare notes with peers and then apply that knowledge until better knowledge presents itself. And much like with science, to be a true beer connoisseur, you have to admit when you're wrong. Today, I have been proven wrong. For years I have been confidently trumpeting the following statement: even the most mediocre of German beers are far better products than their American counterparts. I firmly believed that I would never find a stellar bock made in the states. It might be the Bavarian water, the regional yeast, whatever it is that makes German beers so unique and impossible to duplicate. Then I came across the Smuttynose S'Muttonator. This is an American made doppelbock deserving of world-class status. Just saying those words brings great joy to me because like a scientist, being proven wrong is a welcome and enlightening experience.

In the glass, this beer has a thick muddy brown coloration. It comes with a frothy tan head that has good retention, even despite the hefty 9.5% ABV. On the nose, I found a big malty caramel aroma that I can only describe as thick and earthy. I also found plenty of dark fruits, namely plums and raisins. There is also a strong nip of alcohol presence, but not enough to be a distraction. This beer is large, in charge, and beautifully announces itself as a big meaty doppelbock.

One sip was all it took. I set the glass down and shook my head in disbelief. This... is a fantastic doppelbock. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with a rich full body. The alcohol nip adds a tingly character and is enough to remind the drinker that this beastly brew is to be respected. That signature caramel malt sets up shop as the primary flavor and is subsequently complimented by an array of savory goodness. I found dark fruits, some mild chocolate, a touch of mocha, toasted brown bread, and a dash of spices. The hop profile is bold yet submissive and only asserts itself near the finish. The beer finishes clean and exits with a malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Smuttynose has nailed every aspect of a great doppelbock. S'Muttonator left me speechless and I couldn't help but giggle as I was jotting down my tasting notes. My white whale search was officially over. I had already discovered many great American bocks, but never one that could go toe-to-toe with the powerhouses of German brewing. S'Muttonator is now one of a handful of beers that I use to evangelize American craft beer. This, my beer loving friends, is what American brewers are capable of. Like it or not, the balance of power is shifting.

Needless to say, I can recommend the Smuttynose S'Muttonator to any and all beer fans. Actually scratch that, I can only recommend this beer to novices and casual craft beer fans. Drink it and experience the wonders of American craft beer. But for seasoned drinkers, this goes beyond recommendation. I flat demand that you seek out and experience the Smuttynose S'Muttonator. You need to see for yourself that world-class brewing is no longer bound by region.

Review of Devils Tramping Ground (Belgian Tripel) from Aviator Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:33:48 GMT

Despite its amazing successes, the American craft beer movement still has plenty of naysayers. It's often looked at as awkward or nontraditional. But to anyone who still doubts the impact of American craft beer, I need only say something like this: I just ordered a tasty Belgian-style Tripel from a small local brewery out of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Is it a world-class Belgian ale worthy of Abbey monks? Of course not, and that would be a silly expectation to have. But even the thought of getting your hands on a locally brewed Belgian beer even a few decades ago would have been a laughable notion. Today's beer market is wildly different and we should always be thankful for the emergence of American craft beer. After all, it gives us easy access to tasty delights like the Devils Tramping Ground from the Aviator Brewing Company.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy golden coloration. It comes with a thick frothy, almost creamy white head that has really nice retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a grassy herbal aroma along with those signature sweet Belgian yeasts. There wasn't a whole lot of aromatic punch and the beer came across as somewhat muted for the style. But, all the necessary core notes were present and nothing seemed misplaced, so I had no hesitation diving in for that first sip.

The first flavor to hit my taste buds was that familiar and savory Belgian bread. This is the dominate flavor note and actually made the beer seem lopsided at times. It's not offensive, just heavy on the yeasty flavor. The beer also has a fruity vibe, namely banana. Couple it with a light, smooth, easy drinking mouthfeel and you get the impression of a witbier-like hybrid. Other flavor notes include a peppery spice, honey, clove, a touch of butterscotch, and a slight nip of alcohol. The beer finishes clean and exits with a spicy bready aftertaste.

Overall, Aviator's Devils Tramping Ground is a tasty brew with a warm personality. While not a stellar example of the Belgian Tripel style, it's still quite nice as an American version. It drinks easy, has a good array of flavors, and has a high level of accessibility. As a result, I can recommend this brew to most beer fans. Belgian purists may scoff at this interpretation, but most seasoned drinkers will enjoy this beer as a tasty session version. Novices can utilize this beer as a flavorful introduction into the style without being accosted by dense complexity.

Having only been around since 2008, the Aviator Brewing Company is still a relative newcomer to my local beer scene. But as a card carrying member of the American craft beer movement, I cannot help but offer my praise and support. 5 short years out of the gate and they are already crafting beers like Devils Tramping Ground. An impressive feat to say the least, which has me looking forward to what the next 5 years brings us. Cheers!

Review of Single Hop Imperial IPA - Citra (Imperial IPA) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:06:42 GMT

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times. If you truly want to understand what hops bring to the beer table, then explore a single hop series of beers. The concept is simple: a brewery will craft a beer (usually an Imperial IPA) using only one type of hops. The best single hop beers are crafted by breweries that are known for creating flavorful yet balanced palate punishers. Yes, how quickly the list of contenders dwindles. One brewery that always makes that particular cut is Flying Dog out of Frederick, Maryland. Brewmaster Matt Brophy and his merry band of hop heads are very well known for their aggressively delicious brews. At this point I have explored many of their single hop series, all of them deletable. Up next is the Citra version.

As a little informational side note: the Citra hop variety was developed by the Hop Breeding Company and released in 2007. They are well known for adding complex citrus and tropical fruit characters to beer.

In the glass, this beer has a bright golden orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a big orange citrus aroma and what I can only describe as a tropical fruit salad (notably mango and papaya). Rounding out the mix was a touch of grass and a light spiciness. It's not every day that you come across an Imperial IPA that smells refreshing, and this one certainly does. I couldn't wait to dive in for that first sip.

Best to prepare yourself because this hop profile comes out swinging, but not in an aggressive way. There are so many flavor notes swirling around that it's somewhat disorienting to think of this beer as a single hop IPA. The entire mix is a zesty bitter mishmash of tropical fruits and sweet malty goodness. You might want to re-read that last sentence again because it felt weird to even write. But, that's exactly what my brain was telling me. The tropical fruit salad is all over the place. I found mango, papaya, pineapple, orange, and even some starfruit. The sweet malt has an almost bready character with notes of caramel and a general spiciness. Despite the smorgasbord of flavors swirling around, the beer retains a nice balanced and a smooth mouthfeel. This is one of the very few Imperial IPAs that you can take your time with and chew on for a bit. The Citra hops pack a lot of flavor, but they are nowhere near as aggressive as many of their cousins. The 10% alcohol bite is very well hidden, so drinker beware. The beer finishes dry with a long lasting bitter citrus aftertaste.

Overall, Flying Dog's Citra Single Hop Imperial IPA is a delicious brew with a big bold flavor punch. The Citra hops have left quite an impression and this beer is by far my favorite of the series (thus far). As a result, Citra hops have been given scan priority on my beer radar. I can't wait to see what else I can find with a focus on this variety. I should note that even though this beer is very flavorful with a tropical focus, we're still talking about an Flying Dog Imperial IPA. Novices beware, this beer packs a wallop. Once again, I have to tip my drinking hat to Flying Dog for yet another delicious creation. I adore your series of Single Hop Imperial IPAs and look forward to the next bitter-tastic adventure.

Review of Copperhook (American Amber Ale) from Redhook Brewery : By Chops

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:38:46 GMT

An important part of being a craft beer fan is opening yourself up to the entire quality spectrum. It's all too easy to get caught up in the quest for the mountain top. Beer fans will often turn a blind eye to otherwise tasty beers because they feel they have progressed on to greener pastures. This is the wrong way to look at better beer and that tunnel vision mentality can eventually lead to snobbery. And we can all agree that no one likes a beer snob. There's really only one step you have to take to become a card-carrying craft beer fan, and that's to drink craft beer.

Case in point, I recently sat down with the Redhook Brewery's Copperhook Amber Ale. This beer will never blow anyone's mind and it would be unfair to both the brewery and its fan base to expect otherwise. ''Mmm, that's not bad,'' is a perfectly acceptable response to trying a new beer. Copperhook isn't a Belgian Quad or a Barrel Aged Stout. It's a baseline American Amber Ale. There is absolutely no reason to compare this beer to the crème de la crème of the brewing world. At the moment I opened this beer, I was hanging out with friends and playing board games. The last thing I want to do at that moment is pick apart a world-class Belgian.

In the glass, this beer has the standard amber coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has decent retention. On the nose, I found a faint toasted malty aroma with a touch of herbs and little else. The taste was par for the amber course, lightly toasted malt with notes of caramel and a balanced hop bitterness. The beer is clean, decently smooth, and easy to drink. It finishes a little dry and exits with a malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Redhook's Copperhook is a no-frills amber ale. There's not a whole lot of character to latch onto and the resulting experience is quite forgettable. On the other hand, there is nothing offensive about this beer. Consequently, I can recommend this brew to any and all beer fans, but for different reasons. Seasoned drinkers can use Copperhook as an unassuming session beer option. Novices can use Copperhook as a decent bridge into better beer, although it's doubtful to be enlightening. I simply recommend that everyone enjoy this brew for what it is: a good response to ''gimme a beer''.

Review of Luciérnaga (The Firefly) (Belgian Pale Ale) from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales : By Chops

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:17:43 GMT

Sometimes you just have to try a new beer for silly reasons. To be perfectly honest, this very philosophy is what got me into craft beer in the first place. I came across Rogue's Dead Guy Ale on a beer menu and had to try it based solely on its amusing name. I had no idea what it was, could have been a Russian Imperial Stout, a Belgian Quad, or some other monster brew that I would have been woefully unprepared for. Luckily everything turned out okay and to this day Dead Guy Ale is one of my favorite beers.

I had yet another one of these experiences recently when I came across the Luciernaga by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, also known as The Firefly. So why did I pick up this beer without a second guess (as if the Jolly Pumpkin name wasn't enough)? Well, I make no effort to hide the fact that I'm a giant geek. And part of that geekdom is an utter devotion to the Whedonverse. Yes, this beer was purchased solely because Firefly is one of my all time favorite television shows. Browncoats unite! Luckily for all of us, Jolly Pumpkin is a highly respected brewery that crafts some seriously delicious brews, else I might have been faced with an awkward dilemma.

Per Jolly Pumpkin, this beer is ''an artisan pale ale brewed in the Grand Cru tradition. Enjoy its golden effervescence and gentle hop aroma. Coriander and Grains of Paradise round out the spicy palate, melting o so softly into a silken finish of hoppiness and bliss.''

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy golden orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really nice retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a candied spicy aroma full of sour apples, earthy grass, and a hearty woody character. I also found notes of caramel and general citrus. Wow is this an enticing aroma. Jolly Pumpkin is very well known for their Belgian inspired complexities and this beer is no different. I was salivating like a Pavlovian dog going into that first sip.

A fantastic introduction foreshadowed an equally fantastic flavor. There are so many interesting flavors swirling around and it takes several sips to get your bearings. The primary flavor note is tart apple. From there, the beer spiders into several directions, including Belgian breads, caramel, grassy citrus, oak, an array of spices, and even a toasted nuttiness. At first glance, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the complexity, just a mishmash of complimentary flavors churning inside a creamy smooth mouthfeel. But after a few minutes of study and reflection, everything falls into a wonderful harmony, creating a beautifully balanced experience. The beer finishes very clean and exits with a pleasant tart fruity aftertaste.

Overall, the Luciernaga by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is a deletable brew with a vibrant personality. You can think of this beer as a Belgian Pale Ale with a sour fruity character. I greatly enjoyed the experience and can recommend it to most beer fans. Even though Luciernaga has a somewhat mild 6.5% ABV, I would still advise novices to proceed with caution. The Firefly is not your typical Belgian and has the power to throw you for a strangely soured loop. But as long as you are cognizant of the character, I say join us in the lands of better beer. The Browncoats welcome you.

Review of Carolina Spring Bock (Maibock/Helles Bock) from Carolina Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:59:28 GMT

Yes, my beer loving compatriots, spring is upon us. For many beer fans, that means an exodus of those beastly winter brews and a resurgence of light, crisp, and refreshing brews. For this beer fan, spring time means one thing: maibocks. As a big fan of the bock style of beer, I get all giddy when those delectable lighter versions hit the shelves. Maibocks, or ''May bocks'', are scaled down versions of their rich malty cousins, yet retain the style's signature flavor punch. I also love to support my local breweries, as any good beer fan should, so adding the Carolina Brewing Company's Spring Bock to my shopping basket was a no-brainer.

In the glass, this beer has a honey brown coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has decent retention. On the nose, I was greeted with an earthy grassy aroma complete with notes of caramel and brown bread. Yup, that's a maibock. A solid intro for what I can only assume is a solid brew. When these beers are done right, there's really not much to say about them. Just a toasty grassy lager with hints of caramel. In other words, mmm mmm good.

This beer's core flavor is very malty, almost to a detriment. It gives the feel of a thick Belgian Dubbel, but without the actual oomph. Consequently, I found this beer to be a bit off-balanced, but still tasty nonetheless. All of those delicious core notes are there: brown bread, candied malt, sweet caramel, etc. I also found a toasted nutty character as well as a big veggie note that I can only describe as yams. The mouthfeel itself is quite smooth and has a mild hop profile, so this is a beer you can chew on for a while. The beer finishes malty sweet and a hint of hop bitterness.

Overall, the Carolina Brewing Company's Spring Bock is a tasty brew with lots of character. I found it to be a somewhat lopsided for the style, but that doesn't mean it's a bad beer. Quite the contrary, this is a savory and rewarding brew. Those seeking a great maibock may be thrown for a loop, but will quickly reorient for a tasty new experience. Regardless, I can easily recommend this brew to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will enjoy the experience despite the head scratching. Novices can especially benefit from this beer as a savory alternative to those spring time piss waters. Spring Bock is a flavorful easy drinking brew and I highly recommend using it as such. So ditch those fizzy yellow pansy brews and grab some CBC Spring Bocks.

Review of Ticket To Rye (American IPA) from Magic Hat Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:10:44 GMT

Oh Magic Hat, you fantastically strange brewery. Whenever I need to mix things up a bit, I can always rely on Magic Hat for a healthy dose of WTF. Don't get me wrong though, I don't mean this in a bad way because they do craft good beer at a baseline. But on the flip side, their brews are never mind blowing. Mind bending, yes. But never mind blowing. This of course is the great appeal of Magic Hat. They make brews for individualists, people who seek out the weird and wacky. Every brew is an adventure, whether you want it to be or not. Such was the case when I came across their Ticket to Rye IPA.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy dark amber coloration. It comes with a creamy light tan head that has good retention. At this point, the coaster has crested the summit. On the nose, I was assaulted by a potent musky aroma that I can only describe as sweaty socks (queue the head scratching). I did find a little bit of citrus lurking about, but not enough to pull attention away from sweaty socks. Needless to say, this was not a first sip I was looking forward to.

Oddly enough, the base flavor was pretty straight forward. Just some earthy rye malt and mild hop citrus. Unfortunately this combo comes across as lopsided with the rye spiciness overpowering the weaker hop profile. Coupled with an unpleasant aroma, it creates a peculiar sensory experience. The rye does have a toasted bread crust flavoring, but it feels grimy and dirty. At best, this beer tastes like a gritty rye amber. Any resemblance to an IPA is completely lost on my palate. This beer is unbalanced and feels thrown together. To be perfectly honest, it's almost unclassifiable. Kind of an amber, kind of a rye ale, kind of a pale ale, etc.

Overall, Magic Hat's Ticket to Rye IPA is a confusing beer with no sense of direction. It has potential at best, and is flat offensive at worst. To be fair, I'm sure there are beer fans out there who would find Ticket to Rye to be tasty and enjoyable. But, I suspect that most seasoned drinkers would find themselves befuddled. Consequently, I struggle to recommend it to any specific camp. I would imagine die hard fans of the brewery will enjoy it, and that's about as far as my insight will allow me to go. This was my first and last Ticket to Rye. I'll be in the arcade if you need me.

Review of 420 Extra Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) from SweetWater Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:12:58 GMT

Every now and then a beer will leave you speechless, but not because it's a world-class wonder or because it's on par with rancid toilet water, but rather because it possesses a unique trait that smacks you in the face. In the case of SweetWater's 420 Extra Pale Ale, it's drinkability at an almost absurd level. Usually this is a detriment, i.e. a beer that drinks like water. But in the case of 420, the brewers over at SweetWater have somehow managed to retain the full flavor of good beer while smoothing out every single jagged edge. It's pretty damn remarkable and puts 420 into contention as one of the best bridge beers on the planet.

In the glass, this beer has the pure golden coloration of a solid pale ale. It comes with a frothy white head that has great retention. On the nose, I was greeted with mixture of pale ale and lager notes. I found the pale malty biscuits and grassy notes of a lager along with the muted piney hops and faint citrus of a pale ale. It was a bit skewed for the style and ventured into hybrid territory, but no aspect was offensive. I simply nodded in approval and went in for that first sip.

And there it was: buttery smooth awesomeness. This beer has not an aggressive bone in its body, allowing any level of beer fan to pick out its array of savory flavor notes. I found biscuits, lemongrass, some faint citrus, and a touch of herbs. I should take a moment to note that everything is restrained, so anyone looking for a flavor punch might be disappointed. But on the flip side, quality is most certainly there, which is the take home point. The beer finishes crisp, somewhat dry, and exits with a sweet bready aftertaste.

Overall, SweetWater's 420 Extra Pale Ale is a remarkable brew that manages to redefine the concept of session beer. You could easy drink your way through an entire case without so much as flinching. This beer does carry a respectable 5.4% ABV, so I would imagine it has caused a lot of trouble in its lifetime. 420 has great flavor and great presence for something so highly accessible. As a result, I can recommend it to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will appreciate 420 as a tasty and reliable refrigerator staple. Novices can especially benefit from this brew as a pillow-laden bridge into craft beer. It is one of the few beers out there that you can drop in front of a piss water drinker and use to call out their blatant stubbornness.

420 drinker: ''Here, try this.''
Bud drinker: (sips) ''Meh, I'll stick with Bud.''
420 drinker: ''Why?''
Bud drinker: ''Because... um...''
420 drinker: ''Because you're a stubborn prick.''

Review of Rye of the Tiger (American IPA) from Great Lakes Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:53:01 GMT

It's the Rye of the Tiger. It's the thrill of the malt. Rising up to the challenge of a rye ale.

Yes, that just happened. I hope you enjoyed that glorious jaunt back through 80's pop culture. I also hope you enjoy that virulent tune now stuck in your head for the rest of the week. What is that you ask? You want to see some wicked air guitar? Well my friend, pump your fists and drink in the awesome... dun... dun dun dun... dun dun dun... dun dun duuuuuun...

Okay, with that out of my system, we can move onto the Rye of the Tiger IPA. This is yet another delectable creation from the always reliable Great Lakes Brewing Company. You see, it's easy to book a one way trip to humor town because I already know this beer is going to be fantastic. It has ''Great Lakes'' stamped on the bottle, which is pretty much all I need to know. These brewers are simply incapable of making a bad beer. Hell, ''good'' is a four letter word in their nectar factory. Delicious is a baseline.

In the glass, this beer has a clear honey golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I found a fruity citrus aroma resting on top of a spicy rye base malt. The notes are restrained, complimentary, and do not assert themselves haphazardly. As a result, you are greeted with a rich and inviting bouquet that has your mouth watering on the first whiff.

The mouthfeel is perhaps my favorite aspect of this beer. It has a light-to-medium body that is moderately aggressive. Combined with a sharp hop profile, it creates what I like to call a ''desirable sipper''. Unlike obligate sippers, you take your time with this beer because you want to, not because you have to. The hops are very flavorful with an earthy citrus punch that carries well through the finish, so you only need a small sip to get the full experience. This beer has a pure IPA taste, a freshness, with a beautiful balance of hop sting and spiciness. The rye malt is prominent and savory, but not demanding of your attention.

Overall, it should come as no surprise that Great Lakes has crafted yet another exquisite brew. As of this review, Rye of the Tiger has become my go-to example of a perfect rye-based IPA. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers, especially hop heads, will fall in love with this beer the second lips touch glass. Novices should proceed with caution, which is a general disclaimer for any IPA on the aggressive side of the spectrum. This beer has a well hidden strength at 7.5% ABV, so pace accordingly. And if you have managed to hone your taste for IPAs, then Rye of the Tiger is a wonderful next step. Just be careful when entering the world of Great Lakes. Chances are you will never want to leave.

In closing, you know what needs to be done. Slip on that mothballed Members Only jacket, squeeze into those tight acid wash jeans, mousse up a ridiculous hair style, and crank the volume...

Review of Saint Saltan (Wheat or Rye Beer) from Magic Hat Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:58:33 GMT

Few beer drinkers are familiar with the Gose style of beer. Gose is a German-style wheat beer made with at least 50% malted wheat, coriander seeds, and salt. Yeah, let that strange combination sink in for a moment. I would assume this is the primary reason why we rarely see the style on the market. Most beer drinkers have a hard enough time dealing with various spices, let alone salt. It's just not an ingredient that sounds appealing on paper. Now place this style into the hands of Magic Hat, a brewery well known for its carefree attitude and whimsical approach to brewing. I have to be honest. I went into the Saint Saltan Gose fully expecting to be flummoxed.

It should be noted that due to the addition of salt, Gose beer does not meet the strict Reinheitsgebot rules for brewing. As a result, Gose is generally looked at as a regional specialty rather than a legitimate beer style. Gose originated in Goslar, Germany back in the 18th century and became the beer of choice in Leipzig, Germany. Gose largely disappeared in the early 19th century, but has since seen a resurgence through the current craft beer movement.

In the glass, Saint Saltan has a clear golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found little more than some grass and tart lemon citrus, which also translate into the primary flavors. Other lesser flavors include light bread and a faint herbal quality. I couldn't find much influence from the salt addition at all. To my palate, this beer tasted like a standard lager or a weak pale ale with some witbier qualities. The mouthfeel is crisp, clean, light bodied and easy to drink. The hop profile is very mild and is only noticeable on the exit. The beer finishes somewhat dry and leaves behind a mild bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Magic Hat's Saint Saltan Gose is a good baseline wheat beer. I expected to be disturbed, but found myself underwhelmed. I would certainly fill a beach cooler with these brews because they are crisp, light and refreshing. But as a representative of the unique Gose beer style, I found Saint Saltan to be lacking in character. Based on my own research, I would imagine that this is a mediocre example of the Gose style, but I just don't have enough experience to form a solid opinion. As a result, I cannot recommend it to any specific camp, nor would I steer anyone away from it. Saint Saltan is far from sovereign, but satisfying it most certainly is. Just enjoy it as an easy drinking wheat beer that nicely compliments a warm spring day.

Review of Pistil (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) from Magic Hat Brewing Co. : By Chops

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:34:25 GMT

Magic Hat has a peculiar reputation in the world of craft beer. You know that guy who is always thinking up new ideas, most of which are either bizarre or worrisome? Yeah, Magic Hat is the brewery equivalent of that guy. Now don't get me wrong, they embody a very important role in the world of better beer. They are the adventurous chefs that believe anything is possible. They take the risks that most breweries wouldn't and sometimes they pay off. For me, most of the time I'm left scratching my head and mumbling ''mkay''. Such was the case when I tried Pistil, a summer seasonal made with dandelion petals.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy sunny yellow coloration. If comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found wheat bread, grassy notes, faint herbs, and a touch of citrus. Going into that first sip, I was expecting nothing more than a baseline wheat beer. Based on intro alone, I couldn't really find anything special that sets it apart. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, I just expect a certain weirdness factor with Magic Hat.

Oh, there it is. This beer actually tastes weedy, which was fascinating and off-putting all at the same time. I was really struck by how much the dandelion petals influenced the taste (which I assume is what I taste). Just think of a wheat beer with a super grassy lager feel, and you have Pistil. The hops are crisp and compliment the mixture well. All of the other aroma traits translate into base flavors: wheat malt, grass, herbs and citrus. The beer finishes crisp, clean, and exits lightly bitter with a tangy citrus aftertaste.

Overall, Magic Hat's Pistil summer seasonal is an unusual brew. I cannot recommend it to any specific style camp because I have no idea who would find it appealing. It will probably confuse seasoned drinkers as a lopsided wheat-lager hybrid. Novices will probably be the most impressed, so long as they love grassy lagers. I enjoyed the beer and would happily drink more, but it's not something I would seek out. It's a good option for summer coolers, especially coming out of a variety pack. Course, that's always the best way to sample Magic Hat brews in my opinion. Bust open that sampler and hand me some crazy!

Review of Spaten Premium Lager (Munich Helles) from Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu : By Chops

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:39:32 GMT

The lager is perhaps the most abused and bastardized beer style on the planet. Large corporate breweries have stripped so much character out of the style that most beer drinkers have no earthly idea what lagers are supposed to taste like. Every beer producing country brews a domestic lager of some sort, which is usually the most popular beer due to its high accessibility. These beers also translate into primary exports and big beer companies just love to flog that cash cow like they caught it breaking into their house. In other words, the world is full of crappy flavorless lagers that are essentially the same beers in different packaging. That is, unless it comes from Germany. So going into the Spaten Premium Lager, I already know that it resides on the lower end of the German beer spectrum. But that's more than enough clout to destroy its competitors.

In the glass, the Spaten Premium Lager has a golden straw coloration that resembles apple juice. It came with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found grainy pale malts along with grassy notes and a touch of lemony citrus. The aroma was very clean and somewhat buttery, which foreshadowed a decent body. It didn't smell soapy, metallic, or watered down. In other words, those Germans know what the hell they are doing, even when crafting no-thinker drinkers.

I found that the flavor closely mirrored the aroma: grainy malts, earthy grass and lemon citrus. I also found a biscuit-like bready note that acted as a base layer. The hop profile was quite mild, but appropriately complimented the flavor, creating a well-balanced brew. The hops were more noticeable on the exit, which finished clean and left a lightly bitter aftertaste. The mouthfeel was thicker for the style and came across as moderately buttery. The beer feels and drinks a lot like apple juice. It's unoffensive and easy to grasp.

Overall, the Spaten Premium Lager is a tasty brew and a worthy representative of the style. I can easily recommend it to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will enjoy it as a reliable session and/or maintenance beer while novices will enjoy it as a big step up from their usual garbage beer. I wouldn't call this a great beer, but it's certainly one of the best of the big worldwide domestics. This isn't exactly a revelation considering the beer's origin, but it can't even touch the Deutschland masters. Course, Spaten isn't that kind of brewery and I imagine they are perfectly content offering the world a simpler taste of German brewing. As an American, I feel very fortunate to even have access to the bigger German brews, even if they are less regarded in their homeland. But compared to vile swill like Budweiser, the Spaten Premium Lager is a champion.

Review of Shift (Premium Lager) from New Belgium Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:27:23 GMT

I have a tumultuous relationship with New Belgium. They are currently the third largest craft brewery in the country behind Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer. Their Fat Tire amber ale is one of the most popular craft beers in the nation. As a pillar of the craft beer movement, they are playing a very important role and deserve respect. But, I just haven't been able to get behind most of their beers. I'm not a big fan of Fat Tire, at least the current post-scaled version. I keep trying their beers hoping for a revelation, but am always left in a gray area of disappointment. Granted, I have yet to venture into their big beers like the Lips of Faith series, so maybe that's where I will find some reprieve. But at the moment I am stuck with their underwhelming core line of brews which includes beers like the Shift Pale Lager.

In the glass, this beer has a clear straw yellow coloration that is similar to apple juice. It comes with a fluffy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found an odd mixture of pale malt, grass and soap. This is actually a commonality with the brewery that I keep hoping to avoid. Their base beers smell and taste like soap to my palate. Maybe there is something off about their brewing process or maybe some common ingredient they use triggers my tongue's ''dude, that's soap'' response. But alas, here it is again. Sigh.

Shift's mouthfeel is lightly bodied and decently smooth to start. The beer exits with a dry bitterness, which I found to be quite interesting for the style. The beer does have a slight metallic twinge that is more common with crap lagers, but at least it's faint enough to not be a distraction. The primary flavors were grass, biscuits, a touch of herbs, and a faint fruitiness. The hop presence was surprisingly bold for the style, which wasn't a bad thing. I found it to be this beer's most redeeming feature.

Overall, I found the Shift Pale Lager to be yet another underwhelming New Belgium offering. I hate being so down on the brewery all the time because I really do want to like them. I can't use company size as an explanation because Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer consistently deliver delicious products. So once again, I'm at a loss. Although to be fair, Shift is miles ahead of any mass produced swill you will ever come across, so definitely choose it over BMC. But in better company, it's just not competitive. The can is nice, but I would never choose this beer over an Oskar Blues. Shift isn't bad. Shift isn't great. It's basically the best beer at a service station.

Review of Paradox Macallan (Wood-Aged Beer) from Brewdog Ltd. : By Chops

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:38:25 GMT

Few breweries on the planet are as divisive as Brewdog out of Scotland. These guys truly believe that they are brewing up revolution with every beer and their legion of loyal fans would agree. After all, this is the brewery that brings you beers like the Sink the Bismarck Imperial IPA, clocking in at a brain-melting 41% ABV. Other beer fans regard them as the unhinged lunatics of the beer world, which I imagine Brewdog would take as a compliment. Regardless, Brewdog is anything but predictable and every new beer experience is a bewildering trip through oblivion. Up next in my own Brewdog adventures is the Paradox Macallan, an Imperial Stout aged in 1987 Macallan Sherry Casks.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration that is near black. I found no head to speak of, even with an aggressive pour (not uncommon for cask ales). On the nose, I found a strong black coffee aroma with sweet sherry, tart cherries, and a decent nip of alcohol. Based on aroma alone, it smells a great deal like a cherry stout. Although, the sherry is a very specific distinction that creates a lovely bouquet. It's warm and inviting, so I wasted no time diving in for that first sip.

This is perhaps the first Brewdog beer I have ever come across that I can describe as amazingly smooth and easy drinking. It's a very rare aspect for the style as a whole, let alone something from Brewdog. The beer drinks like an iced coffee without any grittiness. The sherry flavors and malt roast are nicely balanced, creating a rich and rewarding drinking experience. Imagine a smooth and creamy cherry stout and you have this beer properly pegged. I also found notes of vanilla, caramel and dark chocolate. There is very little hop presence, which in this case is a good thing. The beer exits clean and leaves behind a sour roasted aftertaste.

Overall, Brewdog's Paradox Macallan is a fascinating brew with lots of great flavor. Due to its smooth mouthfeel and high accessibility, this is perhaps the only cask aged ale that I can recommend to any and all beer fans. Yes, you heard me right, even novices can get in on some big bold Brewdog action. Fans of big beers and cask ales will certainly appreciate this brew as a dessert-like version. I do love me some sherry, so this beer was quite a treat. Brewdog managed to capture the essence of the Macallan sherry cask without overpowering the beer. The result is a full flavored monster brew with a warm and fuzzy personality. This beast may look menacing, but I promise he won't bite.

Review of Outblack (Stillwater / De Struise) (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Stillwater Artisanal Ales : By Chops

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:13:55 GMT

Sometimes a beer will come along that seems to speak to you personally. It could have a name that conjures a cherished memory. It could utilize a special ingredient that you adore. I recently had one such experience when I came across the Outblack Belgian Strong Ale, a collaboration brew between Stillwater Artisanal Ales and De Struise Brouwers out of Belgium. This beer's label features the full spectrum of moon phases, which is where the personal touch comes in. I have an obsession with astronomy and astrophysics, so to see this on a beer label was damn near kismet in my eyes. I simply had to have it even before I knew what it was. I was delighted to find Stillwater on the label, a very talented gypsy brewer out of Baltimore. On the flip side, this was my first experience with De Struise Brouwers, so my fingers were crossed.

To properly prepare for this unique nectar, it helps to get a back story. Per Stillwater: ''This Belgian Strong Ale was married to a still young but powerful style, the Black IPA. You'll discover a smooth chocolate like strong ale together with the high & bitter hop schedule of an IPA, and you get a great result.'' Wow, a Belgian Black IPA hybrid. Let that crazy concoction sink in for a moment. This brew could zigzag in any direction. Might be a fantastic creation. Might be an OMG WTF moment. Let's roll the dice and get started.

In the glass, this beer is stark black and comes with plenty of yeasty sediment. Resting on top is a creamy tan head that has really good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a complex array of style traits. In no particular order, I found mint leaves, a coffee-like roast, tangy citrus, Belgian bread, rye, spices, caramel, and various dark fruits. There is also a big alcohol presence where the burn neutralizes any hop bitterness. This is one of those rare aromas that is confusing and disorienting, yet it remains enticing and inviting. I couldn't wait to dive in for that first sip to see how all those notes match up.

Wow, this beer tastes exactly as advertised. I'll be damned if this isn't a Belgian Black IPA. Much to my surprise, the individual style traits blend very well. Although, the specific styles do carry weight on the flavor train. There is a heavy Belgian influence to start with a smooth and savory mouthfeel. The Black IPA kicks in hard on the finish, resulting in a bitter roasted aftertaste that lingers for a very long time. The middle ground is where everything blends. The result is a sticky mouthfeel with lots of dark fruity sweetness, doughy Belgian breads, caramel and spice notes. The alcohol nip is very well hidden, so drinker beware. The beer is amazingly balanced despite the smorgasbord of flavor swings, which I found to be quite remarkable.

Overall, the Outblack Belgian Strong Ale is a complex delight. Stillwater Artisanal Ales and De Struise Brouwers have managed to create a delicious hybrid unlike anything I have ever tasted before. I hesitate to recommend it to any specific camp because it has a very unique appeal. If you like big Belgian beers and have an adventurous palate, then you will most certainly adore this brew. If you are like me and also share an appreciation for astronomy, then this beer is a no-brainer. I can just picture myself in an open field with a telescope staring at a clear night sky with a snifter of Outblack in my hand and Dark Side of the Moon playing in the background. For this beer fan, life doesn't get much better than that.

Review of Hue Beer (Standard Lager) from Hue Brewery LTD : By Chops

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:41:27 GMT

Every beer-producing country in the world has their recognized mass-produced domestic brews. Here in the United States, it's BMC (Budweiser, Miller, Coors). Ireland has Guinness. Japan has Asahi. The Netherlands has Heineken. Germany has Becks. Denmark has Carlsberg. The list goes on and on. I recently had a craving for pho and ended up at a local Vietnamese restaurant. Of course I needed a cold beer to wash down my broth laden noodles. I am always up for a new adventure when it comes to ordering beer, so I asked the waiter to surprise me with a popular Vietnamese brew. A few minutes later I was present with a Hue Beer.

As we all know, popular rarely equates to quality. In fact, the inverse relationship is most often true. I never go into a mass-produced domestic expecting anything special. My goal is to educate myself on what a region considers standard beer. With the exception of Ireland, the overwhelming majority of industrialized domestic beer tastes like rancid toilet water. I still consider Budweiser to be the undisputed champion of World's Most Terrible Beer, a title I seriously doubt it will ever part with. So going into the Hue Beer, the only real expectation I have is that it's better than Budweiser.

Before we begin, it helps to note that the Hue Beer brand is partly owned by Carlsberg, Denmark's massive domestic beer company. I was unaware of this tidbit going into the beer, which would have been an interesting insight.

In the glass, this beer has a golden yellow coloration that resembles apple juice. It comes with a sudsy white head that dissipates very quickly. On the nose, I found the pale malts and grassy notes of a standard lager. This beer has a thicker body than expected. It's still thin mind you, just not watery. It drinks pretty smooth and is generally unoffensive. The flavors are also standard for a base lager and pretty much fall in line with the aroma. The hop profile is faint and almost nonexistent. I found no soapy or metallic flavors, i.e. the telltale signs of a terrible mass-produced beer. The beer finishes crisp and clean, leaving little aftertaste.

That being said, here's the ''aha'' moment that struck me later: Hue Beer tasted exactly like a Carlsberg lager. I remember thinking this while I was drinking it and I found out later that Carlsberg was a 50% stake holder in the company. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to international corporate brewing. Same beer, different packaging.

Overall, Hue Beer is an unoffensive forgettable beer. It has little taste and a dull personality. But, the take home point here is that it wasn't terrible. I could drink several in a single sitting and not be turned off. However, I would immediately forget about the beer the second I walked away from it. Compared to other domestics, it has the exact same appeal as Carlsberg: good in a pinch, never a forethought. So, feel free to use it as such.

Review of Brooklyn Silver Anniversary Lager (Doppelbock) from Brooklyn Brewery : By Chops

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:52:58 GMT

Every successful business enjoys milestones. They are the moments of validation that make all the hard work worthwhile. The Brooklyn Brewery recently celebrated one of their big milestones: 25 years in business, which is a hell of a long time in American brewing terms. To celebrate, they decided to release the Brooklyn Silver Anniversary Lager, a rich and savory doppelbock. As a big fan of both the brewery and the beer style, you might say that I was positively giddy to try it. 25 years in business and brewmaster Garrett Oliver, one of the world's foremost experts in beer, decides to commemorate the milestone with my favorite beer style. These are the moments I yearn for as a beer fan.

Brooklyn describes this beer as such:

The Brooklyn Brewery is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We are fortunate to be a part of the incredible cultural renaissance Brooklyn has enjoyed during the last quarter century. Four great Brooklyn artists whom we met along the way—Fred Tomaselli, Roxy Paine, Joe Amhrein and Elizabeth Crawford—have created special labels for our Silver Anniversary Lager beer. We are saluting our beginnings with a special doppelbock version of the Brooklyn Lager we introduced in 1988. This beer is re-fermented in the bottle and will taste great today or years from now. The original was inspired by the beers of 19th Century New York and Vienna.

In the glass, this beer has a clear amber coloration with an orange tinting. It comes with a frothy white head that has great retention. On the nose, I found an earthy malty aroma with notes of grass and spices. The beer also has a noticeable alcohol presence, but not enough to be distracting. Based on intro alone, I was expecting a clean and flavorful doppelbock with a zesty personality.

That first sip was simply delightful. Right away I was greeted with all of the special traits that make doppelbocks so rewarding: rich malty base with caramel sweetness and savory toasted bread. I also found some toffee and dark fruits, also common with the style. The hop profile takes on a floral character and acts more as a muted compliment along with the spice notes. The mouthfeel is very smooth with a solid medium body. This beer is very easy to drink and has a well hidden strength, so novices beware. It is beautifully balanced and all the flavors play very well together. The beer exits crisp and clean with a tangy aftertaste of hop bitterness and spices.

Overall, the Brooklyn Silver Anniversary Lager is a delicious brew with subtle complexity. I was very impressed both as a fan of the brewery and as a fan of bocks. Based solely on brewery and brewmaster reputation, this beer was a slam dunk long before cork left bottle. Needless to say, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will appreciate yet another delicious creation from the master. Novices can enjoy a flavorful culmination that showcases what American craft beer is all about. And as we all know, when Garrett Oliver celebrates, we all win. Here's to another 25 years of Brooklyn greatness!

Review of Centennial IPA (American IPA) from Founders Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:39:50 GMT

Thanks to the craft beer movement, we now have access to so many different varieties of beer and our palates are expanding every day. But, there is one particular style that is getting flogged like a rented mule. Of course I a talking about the India Pale Ale (IPA). This is the beer style that prompted the brewing world to say, ''let's see just how far we can push our luck.'' The result is a glut of palate punishing brews, many of which are flat undrinkable. Unfortunately, this has created a wildly skewed expectation where truly great examples of the style can easily get lost in the chaos. That is, unless you have the rock solid reputation of the Founders Brewing Company. I recently sat down with their Centennial IPA, a dry-hopped unfiltered version. This is one of the very, very few IPAs on the market that not only dominates the game, but also rises above it as a stellar example of the style.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a big burst of grapefruit citrus resting on top of a sweet caramel malt. That's it. That's all you need to make a great IPA. The aroma is very big, very bold, very enticing, and very direct. There are no oddball additives or weird misdirections, just a straight up bittersweet citrus and a solid malt base. Bam!

Here's one trait of a great IPA that I think more people should pay attention to: the mouthfeel should grab your attention before the hops. This is not set in stone mind you, but if the first word to reach your brain is ''smooth'' after taking the first sip of a bold IPA, then you're really on to something special. This beer is very smooth for the style with a nice medium body and perfect balance. The hops themselves are appropriately aggressive and very flavorful, so you don't have to deal with a dry throat punch. This brew actually has the citrus flavor of fresh squeezed orange juice with a zesty spiciness. I also found some tropical fruit notes swirling around, namely mango. The beer finishes clean with a savory bitter citrus aftertaste.

Overall, the Founders Centennial IPA is a perfect beer. There are only a handful of beers on the market that can be utilized as bench markers, i.e. if you don't like the beer, then you don't like the style. This is one such beer. If you don't like the Centennial IPA, then you can confidently say that you don't like IPAs. Fans of good beer have come to expect high quality from the Founders Brewing Company and they consistently deliver on that expectation. They are very well known for their big bold brews, yet they have the self awareness to apply restraint where needed. That's a rare quality to find in a brewery these days. Sure, I could opt for the 12% Devil Dancer Triple IPA and get my crazy on. But if a beer like that is to garner appeal, it has to come from a solid foundation. Centennial IPA is that foundation, and it's as solid as you can get.

Review of Iron Throne (Belgian Blond Ale) from Ommegang Brewery : By Chops

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:00:39 GMT

Beer geeks at their cores are simply that: geeks. We often share many geeky interests like gadgets and gaming. This beer geek's many non-beer interests include things like astrophysics and online gaming. Every once in a while our interests will collide to form what is commonly known as a ''nerdgasm''. I recently had one when I came across the Iron Throne Belgian Blonde Ale from Brewery Ommegang. This beer married two of my most favorite things in the world: great beer and Game of Thrones.

For anyone needing clarification, Game of Thrones is an HBO series based on author George R. R. Martin's series of epic fantasy novels: A Song of Ice and Fire. Every geek reading this is intimately familiar with the books and/or show. For anyone who is not, I say only this: Game of Thrones is quite possibly the greatest television series ever filmed (and yes, that's including The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, and anything by Joss Whedon).

''Brewery Ommegang and HBO are partnering on a series of beers in support of the critically-acclaimed drama Game of Thrones. Launching in tandem with the season three debut, Iron Throne is the inaugural beer in the series.'' I squeed like a school girl when I first read that blurb. Needless to say, I had my bottle of Iron Throne chilled and ready to accompany my geekfest viewing party for the Season 3 debut this past Sunday. And no worries, I made sure to curb my giddy anticipation when taking notes for this review. But who am I kidding, I would have loved this beer even if it tasted like flat skunky Budweiser. But with ''Ommegang'' stamped on the bottle, that was an impossibility.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy sunny orange coloration. It comes with a big fluffy white head that has really nice retention. On the nose, I found those signature sweet Belgian yeasts along with lemongrass, pale malts, faint herbs and a dusting of spices. It's a solid introduction for what I can only assume is an equally solid brew. Queue the opening credits! (da da dadada da dadada da...)

One sip and the stage was set. Much to my taste buds' delight, the flavor closely matched the aroma. Belgian bread, lemongrass, grainy pale malts, herbs and spices. I also found some orange rind that compliments the mix quite well. The mouthfeel is light yet sticky and quite pleasant. There is a resinous quality that adds a pine-like character to the beer and goes perfectly with its crisp tingly hop profile. The beer finishes crisp and clean with a spicy citrusy aftertaste. The beer also has a delightful warming effect that imparts a buttery smoothness, so definitely take your time with the experience. Game (of Thrones), set, match.

Overall, Brewery Ommegang's Iron Throne Belgian Blonde Ale is a delicious brew that is worthy of Westeros. I greatly enjoyed my nerdgasm and can recommend this brew to all levels of beer fan. Seasoned drinkers will be very pleased with yet another delectable Ommegang creation. Novices can enjoy this brew as a fantastic introduction to the lighter side of big Belgians. Iron Throne has great flavor and high accessibility, so definitely utilize it as such.

As a huge fan of both brewery and show, I couldn't be happier with the experience. I cannot wait for my next round of Iron Throne, which I imagine will occur this Sunday with episode 2. Must stock up for the season. After all... beer geeks are coming.

Review of A Saison Darkly (Saison) from Stillwater Artisanal Ales : By Chops

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:07:39 GMT

The concept of gypsy brewing is generally foreign to most beer drinkers. At a high level, gypsy brewing can be defined as a brewery without a brewery. It is typically associated with talented individual brewers who prefer to utilize established breweries all around the world, usually for one-off creations. Many beer fans enjoy gypsy nectar and don't even know it. Perhaps the most recognized name in gypsy brewing is Mikkeller out of Denmark. Here in the states, we also house a well known name in gypsy brewing. His name is Brian Strumke, better known as Stillwater Artisan Ales. Anyone familiar with the Stillwater name knows that Brian is quite fond of a particular beer style: the Belgian saison. He has been turning a lot of heads with artful interpretations of this complex style. So it is always a treat whenever I get to sample a new Stillwater creation, the next of which is A Saison Darkly.

Dark saisons are rare in the beer world, so it really helps to get your bearings beforehand. Stillwater describes this beer as such:

Brewed at Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus in Deinze-Gottem, Belgium with Dr. Canarus. This black saison carries qualities similar to a stout with light roast and burnt sugar flavors, spiced with Rose Hips, Hibiscus, & Schisandra berries.

In the glass, this beer had a thick blackened coloration and came with a great deal of yeasty sediment. Resting on top was a fluffy tan head that had very nice retention. On the nose, I found a sweet candied malty aroma with dark fruits, herbs, a nip of alcohol, a slight smokiness, and that signature bready Belgian yeast. At this point I couldn't help but smile because I found myself brain locked with Stillwater. I just nodded and mumbled, ''well played sir.'' Saisons are generally fruity and spicy with lighter profiles, so crafting a dark version takes a delicate touch. In other words, Brian knows exactly what he's doing.

Even with the complex introduction, I was woefully unprepared for that first sip. Wow is this beer gratifying. Imagine if a quad and a saison had a baby and taught it to be polite and restrained. There is a lot going on here, but it's all soft and accessible. The array of flavors include mocha-like chocolate, roasted malt, dark fruits like plums and raisins, molasses, black pepper, savory brown bread, herbs, spices, berries, and a campfire smokiness. The alcohol presence is very well hidden and only appears on the finish as a light spicy burn. This beer is a fascinating mix of sweet, sour and savory. The mouthfeel consists of a medium body that is quite smooth to start. The middle ground is a tad gritty with a crisp hop sting. The beer finishes a little sticky and exits with a malty sweet aftertaste that is complimented by a spicy nip of alcohol.

Overall, A Saison Darkly by Stillwater Artisan Ales is a delightful brew with savory complexity. I greatly enjoyed this beer and wish there was an established ''dark saison'' style that I could score it perfectly under. Needless to say, I can recommend this brew to any and all beer fans. I'm sure many Belgian purists will scoff at the interpretation, but I imagine most seasoned drinkers will be quite impressed. Novices can even get in on the action since this beer offers big flavor in an approachable package. I tip my drinking hat to Stillwater for a fine creation and I look forward to the next unique experience.

Review of The Preacher (Saison) from LoneRider Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:07:20 GMT

In America, it is all too common to get bombarded by the ''bigger is better'' mentality. In some ways it can be entertaining, in other ways tacky, and often times it's flat unnecessary. The same mentality can be applied to the beer world. Americanized versions of particular beer styles have done extremely well (see IPAs and stouts). American breweries have quickly learned how to appease the expanding hoards of ''bigger is better'' beer drinkers. But as always, there are some artisan lines that should never be crossed. Belgian saisons are the intricate delicate flowers of the beer world. They are very difficult to make right, and the breweries that do usually have lengthy histories and world-class reputations. This is why I was somewhat off-put by The Preacher, a Belgian-style saison by the LoneRider Brewing Company described as having ''an American twist''.

In the glass, this beer has a thick and muddy deep orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. I was questioning this beer from the second it was placed in front of me. I would say that it looked like some other style, but it really didn't. Based on appearance alone, it really is its own thing. I could only shrug my shoulders and dive in for a whiff. On the nose, I found a potent candied orange citrus aroma with a sharp hop bite. Hiding underneath were some muted breads and a faint fruitiness. At this point my eyebrows scrunched together and my brain kicked into overdrive. Belgian IPA? No. French Pale Ale? No. Imperial Table Beer? No, maybe, hell, who knows. Shut up brain, there's beer to drink.

Strangely enough, that candied orange citrus translated into a primary flavor note. I also found those muted breads and faint fruits from the aroma along with a noticeable alcohol burn. The hop profile was perhaps the most vexing aspect. This is an aggressively bitter saison, and just saying those words makes my head hurt. I know it's very American to bitter-up everything, but this is just beyond unnecessary. The resulting hop profile is way too distracting and it's really all I could think about during the session. I guess you could call this an imperial saison, but that's an oxymoron akin to jumbo shrimp. The mouthfeel is mid-bodied and decently smooth to start, but quickly transformed into a tart bitter finish that lingered for a very long time. This was the first saison I had ever come across that was an obligate sipper and difficult to get through.

Overall, I found The Preacher to be an unnecessarily amplified saison. I can understand what LoneRider was trying to accomplish with this beer, and to be fair, they did exactly what they set out to do. I just question the wisdom of doing it. Whenever anyone orders a saison, they assume certain levels of ease and accessibility which this beer simply does not have. But don't get me wrong, Preacher isn't a bad beer by any means. It's just not a good saison. I can't recommend it to any specific camp because I honestly don't know who would find it appealing. It's a complete dice roll for any drinker at any level. But at the same time, the worst you will get is a tasty beer, so drink up and enjoy.

Review of Mad Doc (Weizenbock) from LoneRider Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:14:05 GMT

Ah, the weizenbock. Definitely one of the strangest styles in the beer world. In a basic sense, it's a German wheat beer brewed to doppelbock strength. Confused? You should be. Okay, let's just cut through the haze and call it a dark imperial hefeweizen. Not that it helps your disorientation in any way, but it's shorter and easier to remember. Needless to say, these beers have always been head scratching brain benders for anyone without proper preparation. They think ''ooo, a wheat beer'' and are left to deal with blindsided taste buds who are now trying to flee the tongue like it just hit an iceberg.

Anyone familiar with the weizenbock style knows the name Aventinus. Brewed by Schneider Weisse out of Germany, it is the gold standard for the style. It's not only the best weizenbock on the planet, but it's also one of the best overall beers in the world. Therefore, every weizenbock that crosses my path gets compared to Aventinus. So, you might say that the odds were stacked against the Mad Doc weizenbock long before beer hit glass, a beer brewed by LoneRider out of Raleigh, NC.

In the glass, this beer has a deep muddy brown coloration with a reddish tint. It comes with a frothy tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a sweet candied malty aroma that is quite clean and unassuming. Aside from some faint dark fruit notes, there wasn't much else to latch onto. These beers typically smell rich, thick and complex. So, I didn't really know what to expect going into that first sip.

The mouthfeel is what immediately caught my attention. It's decently smooth to start, but quickly races to a dry bitter finish. It's a pretty harsh swing that took some time to get used to. The alcohol burn is also a bit distracting, which carries through the finish and lingers. I found the hops to be way too aggressive for the style. These beers should be rich and fruity, not aggressively bitter. The fruit notes here have been reduced to secondary traits. I only found some nondescript dark fruits and a faint banana. Rounding out the mix is a dark bready malt and some spicy characters. The beer does mellow a bit as it warms, so definitely take your time with it.

Overall, LoneRider's Mad Doc weizenbock is a respectable attempt at a complicated style. I wouldn't call it a great version, but it's certainly tasty and satisfying. It's just too unbalanced with some noticeably distracting traits. But, the core essence is there and I give them props for capturing it. To be perfectly honest, I would have been shocked to find a great local version of a weizenbock. German brewers have been mastering this style of beer for over 100 years, and they have over 1,000 years of brewing tradition to draw upon. So, yeah. Points for effort, but we must continue bowing to the masters.

Review of Cottonwood Low Down Brown (American Brown Ale) from Foothills Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:42:47 GMT

Ever since the Foothills Brewing Company acquired the Carolina Beer Company in the not too distant past, it has been interesting watching the Cottonwood line of brews morph into new products. Foothills is perhaps the highest regarded brewery in the region, and it's easy to see why when you try beers like the Seeing Double IPA or the highly coveted Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout. So for fans of either brewery (and the region in general), an application of the Foothills master touch is far from a bad thing. Cottonwood brews have seen a noticeable improvement and beer fans have taken notice. Some have made wonderful transitions and some have struggled to redefine themselves. Once such brew is the Cottonwood Low Down Brown.

In the glass, this beer has a muddy brown coloration with a slight amber tint. It comes with a frothy white head that has nice retention. On the nose, I found an earthy roasted malt aroma with a faint hop profile. That was pretty much it, which I found to be quite lackluster for a Foothills brew. I had to double check the bottle to make sure that signature ''F'' was present. Yup, present and accounted for. I just hoped the flavor made up for the lukewarm intro.

Right away I could tell that there was something off about this beer. I found the mouthfeel to be really strange. It's pretty thin for the style and has harsh swings. It's decently smooth to start, then chalks up a bit in the middle, only to finish very bitter. It was confusing and I couldn't help but think that Foothills was trying to insert their aggressive signature into something that struggled against it. The result is an unbalanced brown ale where the hop profile is somewhat distracting. The flavor itself is mostly an overly bitter malt roast with a lingering aftertaste.

Overall, the Cottonwood Low Down Brown from Foothills is a good beer that struggles with self awareness. Its only real problem is that it fails to meet our lofty expectations of Foothills. Low Down Brown is still just as good if not slightly better than most brown ales on the craft market. So really, this beer comes down to personal preference. I found it to be disappointing because I'm a huge fan of Foothills. Others might find it to be a great session beer and a worthy addition to the social cooler. I can happily recommend it to any and all beer fans, novices included. It does pack a hoppy bite, so beginners beware. Otherwise, just enjoy it for what it is: yet another tasty brown from the North Carolina beer scene.

Review of Bohemia (Bohemian Pilsener) from Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma / Heineken : By Chops

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:47:10 GMT

There are many unspoken truths in the world of better beer. While many regions in the world get consistent praise for their amazing brewing acumen (see Germany and Belgium), there are other regions that just never measure up no matter how hard they try. Enter Mexico. Quick! Name a world-class Mexican import... (Jeopardy theme)... I rest my case. Whenever I find myself staring at a Mexican beer of any kind, I can do nothing but sigh and hope that it doesn't completely suck. I am only ever looking for a notch or two above total failure. Perhaps this is why I was pleasantly surprised by the Bohemia pilsner from Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (better known as the producer of Dos Equis). Now don't get ahead of me, this is not a good beer. It's just, well, not near as terrible as I expected.

In the glass, Bohemia has the standard light straw coloration of a typical mass produced watery beer. It comes with a fizzy white head that dissipates almost instantly. I found little to no aroma, just a faint pale malt and that was about it. The mouthfeel was very light and somewhat crisp. There really wasn't much flavor other than a pale malt, a faint grassy note, and a weak hop bitterness. It does have that lingering nasty metallic aftertaste of a mass produced piss water. But, that was the only aspect that I found offensive. The beer as a whole is just bland and forgettable. I guess you could use it as a mindless maintenance beer.

Overall, the Bohemia pilsner from Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma is just, well... meh. To be perfectly honest, I was shocked that I didn't hate it. I was completely underwhelmed and I would never seek it out, but I would drink more if offered. It's certainly better than most of the other mass produced Mexican drain fodders, so it has that going for it. Bohemia is a beer you can fall back on if you find yourself in a beach setting surrounded by Bud Light and Corona. But I repeat, use it as a fallback, not as a baseline. There are simply too many higher quality pilsners on the market that deserve your hard earned money much more than this one.

Review of Russian Roulette (Black IPA / American Black Ale) from Evil Twin Brewing : By Chops

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:00:50 GMT

Sometimes a beer name can perfectly capture the mood. Many brewers go to great lengths to find perfect names for their beers, be it according to ingredients, geography, history, or general feeling they get from a session. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Some names beautifully capture the vibe, while others leave the drinker rolling their eyes in disappointment. In the case of Evil Twin's Russian Roulette Black IPA, the name was so perfect that it actually made me laugh while I drank it. Sip after sip I pictured my taste buds spinning their tiny revolvers of confusion. Black IPAs (also known as American Black Ales) are very well known for their sensory disconnections. And in the hands of Evil Twin brewmaster Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, I know there will always be an additional twist.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration that is near black. I found very little edging, just a few slivers of dark caramel color. It comes with a thick creamy tan head that lasts for very, very long time. On the nose, I found an interesting aromatic mix of coffee roast laced with chocolate and piney citrus laced with grapefruit. Both were prominent, but neither were dominant. As a result, the beer smelled more like a blend of a strong IPA and a savory stout. This is when my taste buds started sending mixed signals to my brain. I started to hear those tiny revolvers spinning.

Here's where it gets interesting: the flavor actually matched the aroma quite well. IPA on one side, stout on the other. I fully expected that the notes would have fused into a Black IPA, but they remained stubbornly repellent. The stout side has an earthy malty base with notes of dark chocolate and vanilla. The IPA side has a sweet caramel base with an aggressive piney citrus. When they do overlap, I found secondary notes of burnt sugars and dark fruits. The mouthfeel is mid-bodied with lots of bitter sting and a touch of chalkiness. After a relatively smooth start to the flavor train, the malt struggles to get noticed and plays second fiddle to the aggressive piney hops. The beer finishes dry and bitter, leaving an aftertaste of victorious hops atop a faint slain malt roast.

Overall, Evil Twin's Russian Roulette Black IPA is a wacky brew with flip-flopping flavors. Black IPAs as a style aren't exactly known for their tightrope skills, so it should come as no surprise that this brew is somewhat unbalanced. Oddly enough, this is actually part of their appeal, i.e. reliable brain benders that force you to think. It's also why I found the name to be so amusing. It really is like playing Russian Roulette with your taste buds. Each sip is more stressful than the last and you never know which one will go boom. With that in mind, I can recommend this brew to any beer drinker with a sense of adventure. Better yet, I recommend it to anyone who feels the need to strike some unwarranted fear into their taste buds for no good reason.

Review of La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) from Stone Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:24:05 GMT

Collaboration brews are a strange breed of beverage. They are very exciting on paper, i.e. big names in brewing getting together to create something original. The whole process begs for some 80's style montage music. But, these beers can assume a lot of risk, especially if the project has been announced without a finished product in hand. There's an obvious dice roll that goes hand in hand with collective efforts. What works well as a stand alone signature might not mesh very well with another stand alone signature. This is why I am always nervous going into collaboration brews. I can recall several that turned out to be really bad ideas. Luckily for all of us, La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado wasn't one of them.

This brew pitted together the Stone Brewing Company (Steve Wagner and Mitch Steele), The Bruery (Patrick Rue and Tyler King), and the Elysian Brewing Company (Dick Cantwell). This trifecta of bold brewers, who are all very well known for their big imperials, makes the concept behind La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado quite intriguing. Their goal was to make a mild maltier pumpkin beer. Yes, you read that correctly. Go ahead, read this entire paragraph again because it begs repeating.

More specifically, this is ''an amber ale brewed with pumpkins grown on Stone Farms, yams, rye, toasted fenugreek, birch bark, and lemon verbena.'' Intriguing would be an understatement, this beer is downright fascinating.

In the glass, this beer has a clear coppery brown coloration with some ruby red hues. It comes with a rocky tan head that has really good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with an intense woody earthy aroma, which I can only assume is coming from the birch bark. There is also a smokey meatiness to the smell that I found difficult to describe. Rounding out the mix was a charred caramel note that added a nice complimentary sweetness. I can honestly say that I have never smelled a beer like this before. I had no idea what to expect from that first sip.

Strangely enough, I was greeted with an equally intense woody earthy taste. I did not expect this flavor to mirror the aroma at all, so that threw me for a loop. This ended up being a common theme throughout the experience because this beer has a lot of curious contradictions. For instance, the flavor dictates that it should be thick and meaty, but it has a much thinner mouthfeel. It reminded me of coffee without the roasted feel. There is an overarching charred character that it always present from start to finish. As far as specific flavor notes go, I found burnt toast, earthy pumpkin, dark caramel, a touch of maple, a dirty roast, and some savory veggie notes. The spice characters that I did find were very mild and nondescript. It's almost like a toned down malty brown ale version of a pumpkin ale. The beer finishes a bit sticky and leaves a long lasting charred woody aftertaste.

Overall, La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado is as equally tasty as it is odd. I enjoyed the experience and can recommend it to anyone seeking something new and interesting. That is assuming of course that you can find any. This was a one-time release back in 2011. I guess the best way I can describe this beer is that it needs to be treated like the unorthodox interpretation it is. Anyone going into this beer looking for a good standard pumpkin ale will be disappointed. You will find no cloves, nutmeg, or cinnamon. What you will find is a very interesting concoction that challenges your notions of what pumpkin ales can be.

Review of Kiwi Imperial Pils (Imperial Pilsner) from Evil Twin Brewing : By Chops

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:44:39 GMT

As awesome as it may seem, owning your own brewery has its shares of pros and cons. The pros are obvious. The cons, on the other hand, can be a little less obvious. One major con is the limited access to core ingredients. There's a reason why a German version of a particular beer style is going to taste much different than an American version of that same style, even using the exact same ingredients. Core factors come into play, like local water or wild yeast strains. It's a hurdle that no brewery with concrete under its feet can get over. But, then there are brewers like Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø, owner of Evil Twin Brewing. His solution is simple: don't own a brewery. He and his brother Mikkel (of Mikkeller) have perfected the art of gypsy brewing, a methodology that allows them to brew what they want, when they want, where they want. It's why I have access to products like the Kiwi Imperial Pils, a beer brewed using Motueka hops from New Zealand in Spain by a Dane who lives in New York.

In the glass, this beer has a rich and hazy sunny orange coloration. It comes with a big fluffy white head that has great retention. On the nose, I found an array of tropical fruits and citrus, which apparently the Motueka hops are known for. Pineapple, grapefruit, mango, it's all there. I also found some nondescript spices and big bursts of black pepper. This beer has a mouth watering intro and I wasted no time diving in for that first sip.

In typical Evil Twin fashion, my taste buds were greeted with a wallop of flavor. The aroma actually translated quite well into a flavor profile. Those sharp piney hops come out swinging and are quickly followed by shots of black pepper. The tropical fruits and warm citrus wrap everything up in a savory bow. Amazingly, all flavors play very well together to form this intense yet beautifully balanced experience. The mouthfeel consists of a solid medium body that starts off thick and smooth. It steadily transitions into a dry bitter finish and exits with a bittersweet aftertaste of hops and citrus.

Overall, Evil Twin's Kiwi Imperial Pils is a delicious brew with a big flavor punch. It is definitely one of my favorites of the style and it even comes with that signature Bjergsø family punch that I have come to expect. As a result, I can easily recommend it to any beer fan with an adventurous palate. Novices should proceed with caution because those big bold flavors do mask some well hidden strength. I also greatly enjoyed getting to experience New Zealand's Motueka hops, a relative newcomer to the market. Kiwi has wet my whistle for them and I will definitely keep an eye out for more. Or, I can just stock up on more Kiwi Imperial Pils. To the beer store!

Review of Pacific Pear Cider (Common Perry) from Fox Barrel Cider Co. : By Chops

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:59:54 GMT

You can never be truly knowledgeable or great at something if you don't venture outside of your comfort zone. You know those people who have never left the country they live in, yet have strong opinions about other countries? No matter how well they may articulate that opinion, it will always be invalidated on the basis of inexperience. I am reminded of a wonderful Mark Twain quote: ''Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.''

This concept can also be applied to the world of craft beer. If you only drink lagers, then your opinions on IPAs are mostly irrelevant. Sadly, most people use this as a weak excuse to hide inside their familiar boxes of comfort. But for the adventurous among us, we recognize this as boring and unsatisfactory. Expanding your horizons will always involve an awkward first step. As a beer reviewer, this is precisely why I make it a point to try wines, sakes, spirits, and ciders. I do not pretend to be an expert in any of these fields, but I can never be a true beer connoisseur without these experiences. So today, I have decided to sample and review the Fox Barrel Pacific Pear Cider... as a beer fan.

In the glass, this perry (pear cider) has a crystal clear light straw coloration that is similar to apple juice. I found no head at all, even with an aggressive pour. This may or may not mean anything, but alas, I cannot speak intelligently on the topic. On the nose, I was greeted with a big bouquet of fresh sweet pear. It was delightful to be honest, smelled just like a glass of fresh pear juice. Fox Barrel describes this perry as ''naturally fermented using 100% pear juice, not from pear juice concentrate or pear-flavored hard apple cider''. So, I would imagine that this perry is much more ''peary'' than a standard perry.

That first sip was delightful, just a big burst of sweet pear goodness. It's actually a tangy flavor with an unexpected kick, almost like there is a citrus element swirling around. This is a very smooth and easy drinking perry, pleasant from start to finish and leaves a tangy sweet aftertaste. I was struck by how pure this perry tasted. It really is like you're drinking a glass of fresh and filtered pear juice with a shot of clean liquor. It did not taste fermented at all to my palate.

Overall, Fox Barrel's Pacific Pear Cider is a delightfully refreshing perry. I have tried enough perry at this point to be impressed by this version, but I still have yet to be blown away by one. At the moment, this is my go-to perry for recommendation. Short of someone who doesn't drink at all, I struggle to find anyone I couldn't recommend this to. It's very clean, very tasty, and very easy to drink. So the next time you find yourself scanning a beer menu and you stumble across the Pacific Pear Cider, take it from this beer geek and expand your horizons. You'll be glad you did.

Review of Last Chance IPA (American IPA) from Weyerbacher : By Chops

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:30:22 GMT

I have begun to take notice of an interesting trend circulating through the craft beer movement. There is no common name for them that I know of, so I will just refer to them as ''awareness beers''. These are the beers that are tied to a specific cause, usually involving some sort of environmental activism. Purchasing these beers means that you are contributing to the effort, as portions of proceeds go directly to that cause. They are great concepts and I applaud brewers when they choose to help in the best way they can: by brewing. The latest awareness brew to cross my path was Weyerbacher's Last Chance IPA. They explain their mission as so:

The name ''Last Chance'' is a nod to something held very close to the hearts of many of the employees at Weyerbacher Brewing Company: Animal Rescue. Weyerbacher donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every drop of Last Chance IPA to small, regional animal rescue operations. These shelters offer dogs, cats and other pets their last chance to find a new home. Have a glass, make a difference! Cheers!

As a fellow critter friend, I raise my glass in appreciation.

In the glass, this beer has a hazy yet sunny orange coloration similar to a standard hefeweizen. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I found a lovely grapefruit citrus with notes of pine. There is also plenty of tropical flare swirling around, mostly in the form of pineapple.

At this point I should note that Weyerbacher describes this beer as ''a west coast-style full-flavored hop assault delightfully lacking in balance''. This is an important tidbit to know going into that first sip. This beer may look and smell like a soft and cuddly critter, but be warned: your taste buds are going to uncover a coiled cobra with a bad attitude.

That first sip makes one thing abundantly clear: this beer is powerfully assertive. Big hops, big sting, no balance, just unhinged aggression. It's a very big disconnect between aroma and flavor, so like I mentioned before, it helps to be prepared for it. That being said, this beer actually has a lot of great flavor, but you have to work for it. The piney hops dominate and everything else is a distant second, but it's still fun to hunt for traits. I found some tangy tropical fruity notes, namely mango and pineapple. Grapefruit is also present as well as some grainy malt and floral notes. The beer has a light-to-medium body with a mouthfeel that is obviously harsh and unapologetic. This beer is so dry and aggressive that it feels more like an imperial version, definitely an obligate sipper. The resulting finish is very dry, very bitter, and lingers for a very long time.

Overall, Weyerbacher's Last Chance IPA is great for what it is: an unhinged West Coast IPA. That's great news for hop heads, but scary for novices. I would typically steer beginners away from beers like this. But, since beer trumpets a great cause, I'm going to recommend it to all levels of beer fans. Novices can think of it as an experiment in aggression. But be warned: this beer is going to reek havoc on your taste buds and mercilessly beat them into submission. It's the taste bud equivalent of a rabid badger attack. But, proceeds go to help that badger, so suck it up and get to work!

Review of Bear Hug (American Stout) from BridgePort Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:23:56 GMT

Founded in 1984, BridgePort is Oregon's oldest craft brewery. Those are some really big shoes to fill and they come with a ton of responsibility, especially considering that Portland held the title of Beer City USA for many years. Much of Portland's status as a craft beer destination can be attributed to BridgePort. They were one of the first breweries to actually take action against the onslaught of bland and flavorless beer. As a result, they have solidified themselves as a respected elder of American craft beer. I recently came across their Bear Hug Cherry Chocolate Stout. As a beer geek, I could not help but succumb to its powerful allure. After all, it marries two of our most cherished things: reputation and clever names.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration with no edging. It comes with a frothy copper-tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a sweet and savory combination of roasted malt, cherry sour, warm chocolate, and a nip of alcohol. It's strange to say, but it's not every day that you come across a beer that presents itself as advertised. Bear Hug is most certainly a cherry chocolate stout. It's a conclusion I could have reached blindfolded and I found that oddly comforting. You would think that this would be the norm, but alas, we now live in a world of unhinged brewing. Glad to see BridgePort is keeping us grounded.

For such a rich combination of bold flavors, this beer is surprisingly easy to grasp. It's very smooth and easy to drink with a solid medium body. It tastes very clean, no grittiness or chalkiness. The flavors are simple and direct: clean roast, savory cocoa, and tart cherries. The hop profile is mild and complimentary. The hops do assert themselves a bit on the finish, creating a tart bitter roasted aftertaste. Everything is nicely balanced and non-aggressive, creating a delightful session stout.

Overall, BridgePort's Bear Hug Cherry Chocolate Stout is a savory brew with forthright flavor. It tastes and feels exactly as advertised: cherries, chocolates, and malt roast (oh my). As a result, I can recommend Bear Hug to all levels of beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will appreciate this beer as a flavorful session stout. Novices will appreciate this beer as a soothing intro into bigger and bolder stouts. As an East Coast resident, I have limited exposure to BridgePort brews, so the ones I do find need to be treasured. I greatly enjoyed my warm and hearty Bear Hug and look forward to hunting down more BridgePort delights.

Review of Rogue Irish Lager (Premium Lager) from Rogue Ales / Oregon Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:26:31 GMT

Alas, St. Patrick's Day has come and gone. As a beer geek, I cannot help but look back fondly on the experience. Delicious Irish Reds and Dry Stouts dominated tap lines, but perhaps my favorite experience came in the form of a lager: the Rogue Irish Lager to be exact (also known as the Kells Irish Lager). Back in 1998, Rogue Brewmaster John Maier decided to craft an Irish style lager that would be perfect for floating Guinness. After four batches of experimentation, he ended up with this beauty. While this beer was brewed to be a Guinness floater, I found the black top to be unnecessarily. Rogue Irish Lager is a stand alone treat.

I should take a moment to note that I regard all Irish beer styles as kings of the session circuit. If you fully intend to plant yourself on a bar stool with no clearly defined exit strategy, then any beer donning ''Irish'' on the label will do nicely. Some of my fondest memories of session beers involve hanging out at Irish pubs in New Orleans while watching marathons of EPL (English Premier League) games. Glory glory Man United!

In the glass, this beer has a sunny yellow coloration that is a shade or two deeper than straw. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I found a clean biscuit-like quality from the pale malts along with some herbs, light citrus, and crisp apples. The flavor profile closely mirrored the aroma. The pale malt sets up shop as a grainy bready base for the herbs, citrus, and apples to rest upon. The mouthfeel is clean, crisp, and nicely balanced. The hop profile adds a nice bitter punch to the mix and plays very well with the other notes without being a distraction. The beer finishes dry and leaves behind an airy bittersweet aftertaste.

Overall, the Rogue Irish Lager is a delicious session brew. I could easily drink pint after pint of this nectar all day long and never grow tired of it. As a smooth easy drinker, this brew is highly accessible for all levels of beer fans. It has great flavor and a weightlessness that keeps you happy and smiling. I cannot speak intelligently on how well it floats Guinness because I was too busy enjoying it as a stand alone beer. I find it only appropriate that the bottle dons the Kells Irish Pub logo and a famous yet nameless Irish flutist. I spent a few minutes looking for his name before realizing one very important point: it doesn't matter, just drink up and enjoy the music.

Review of Conway's Irish Ale (Irish Red Ale) from Great Lakes Brewing Co. : By Chops

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:02:15 GMT

At this point you can definitely say that I am a big fan of the Great Lakes Brewing Company. Their beers are consistently amazing and I fully expect to be wowed with every new experience. What I also really enjoy about the brewery is the thought they put into naming their beers. With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, I couldn't help but order Conway's Irish Ale when I saw it. I love the Irish Red Ale style and I love the Great Lakes Brewery, so it was already a match made in heaven. But I also learned that this beer was brewed in tribute to a man named Patrick Conway. I'll let Great Lakes elaborate:

We pay homage to Patrick Conway, grandfather of co-owners Patrick and Daniel, and a Cleveland policeman who directed traffic near the Brewery for nearly 25 years. And to all of the hometown heroes who make our city great, we toast with this sweet, roasty brew that pairs best with a well-deserved hot meal after a hard day’s work.

In the glass, this beer has a warm amber coloration with that signature reddish tint. It comes with a frothy white head that has really good retention. On the nose, I found a toasted malty aroma with hints of sweet caramel. One thing I really love about Irish Red Ales is their simplicity. These beers are meant to be nothing more than malty easy drinkers, so don't be discouraged if you can only find a few adjectives to describe one. Great Lakes understands this concept, which is why ''red'' and ''toasted'' are really the only things I need to say about this intro. Thumbs up, let's do this.

As expected, the flavor closely matched the aroma. I was greeted with a toasted malty flavor with notes of brown bread and caramel. The hop profile is mild, savory, and beautifully balanced with the malt. The result is an endlessly enjoyable brew that is smooth and easy drinking. The beer has a solid medium body, which gives you something to chew on. It finishes very clean with an aftertaste of toasted bread and airy hop bitterness.

I should note that I greatly enjoy bigger bodies with Irish Red Ales because I believe their base character demands it. Most of them, especially the ones out of the motherland, are going to be thinner and less flavorful. This isn't a bad thing mind you, it's just a stylistic expectation. These beers can be looked at as the original session brews. Easy to drink, easy to grasp, easy to plow through pint after pint. I personally prefer meatier versions like Conway's, but it can be atypical for the style.

Overall, Conway's Irish Ale from Great Lakes is a delicious brew with a solid presence. The best way I can describe this beer is that it's an Irish Red Ale for beer geeks. This is not a beer that you down pint after pint of at a loud pub and sing Irish drinking songs while spilling half of it on the floor. It's a beer you toast with close friends and say ''Happy St. Patty's Day'' in a quiet speaking voice. It's a beer that makes an impression, not something you mindlessly dump into your stomach. This of course is the Great Lakes way, and I truly admire them because of it. Needless to say, I can recommend this brew to any and all beer fans, but especially to those who want to savor the experience. I have already picked up my six pack for St. Patty's Day weekend. And while my partying days are long behind me, I look forward to raising several quiet glasses to Patrick Conway.

Review of Lucky SOB (Irish Red Ale) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:07:03 GMT

It's that time of year again when everybody gathers to celebrate Irish culture. Of course I am talking about St. Patrick's Day. For many people, this means drinking until your liver starts waving the white flag of surrender. But for fans of better beer, this means something much more specific. It's the time of year where we get to indulge in that most glorious of malty delights: the Irish Red. I have been a big fan of the style for as long as I can remember (I still love a good ''Smittix'' from time to time). But during this time of year, I'm always on the hunt for something a little more special. I found it in Flying Dog's Lucky SOB, an Irish Red Ale brewed with real four-leaf clovers. It's not every day that you can literally drink in the Luck of the Irish.

In the glass, this beer has a deep amber coloration with a rich red tint, the signature appearance of a great Irish Red. It comes with a frothy light tan head that has really nice retention. On the nose, I was greeted with that classic toasted malty aroma. It's both sweet and savory with a slight herbal flare and a touch of hop bitterness. I have no idea if the clovers are adding anything to the mix. I don't know if they used a significant amount or if they just dropped a handful in during the brewing process for good luck. So the herbal notes may or may not be attributed to the clovers. Not that it matters, just speculating.

That first sip was very rewarding. The flavor closely matched the aroma, so I was greeted with a toasted malt complete with herbal zest, hop sting, and a touch of caramel. The hop profile was restrained and nicely balanced with the malt. This is somewhat atypical for Flying Dog, a brewery well known for aggressive beers. Strong bitterness would have killed this beer, so it's obvious that they took great care in crafting it. This beer had a solid medium body that was clean, smooth and easy drinking. The herbal flare, regardless of the clover influence, added a wonderful personality to the brew. The beer finished clean with a malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Flying Dog's Lucky SOB is a great Irish Red and is the perfect companion to St. Patrick's Day. I can easily drink this beer all day long and never grow tired of it. It has great flavor that is easy to grasp and equally easy to drink. Consequently, I can recommend Lucky SOB to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will love it as a festive session brew. Novices will love it as a flavorful upgrade from their standard mass-produced Irish options. In closing, I can think of no better send off than to raise a glass and repeat the Irish limerick that the Flying Dog brewers recited when adding the four-leaf clovers:

Here's to a long life and a merry one,
A quick death and an easy one,
A pretty girl and an honest one,
A cold beer and another one!

Review of Vertical Epic 12.12.12 (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Stone Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:36:14 GMT

This beer review is all about the numbers. 3, 12 and 500 to be exact. 3 is the number of 12's it takes to stamp a bottle of Stone's last Vertical Epic brew: the 12.12.12. 500 is the number of BrewChief reviews I have written to get to this very point. 3/12 is the date this review was posted. Heh, what a mishmash of numerical gibberish. Confused yet? Let's just be more direct: for my 500th BrewChief review, I shall tackle the final Vertical Epic.

Stone Brewing Company's Vertical Epic series is a legend of the American craft beer scene. Back in 2001, Stone co-founder Greg Koch had an idea. Every year the brewery would release a new Belgian-inspired ale on the current year's triplicate date. 1.1.1, 2.2.2, etc. Each beer would be uniquely crafted with the expectation of aging them to the final release. Then on that glorious 12.12.12 date, all 12 beers would be opened and enjoyed together. And here we are, celebrating the final beer of the series. It's a really cool story and you can read more about it here:

http://blog.stonebrew.com/index.php/121212verticalepicale/

I have also reached a personal milestone in writing my 500th review for BrewChief. As that number approached, I started to scan my beer cabinet and scour the beer store shelves for a commemorative nectar. It seemed almost kismet when I unearthed my sole bottle of the final Vertical Epic. Yes, the time had come.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration with no edging. It comes with a thick creamy copper head that sticks around for a very long time. Seriously, I could have done my taxes in the time it takes this head to dissipate. On the nose, I found a lot of warming spices resting on top of a savory dark roast. The best way I can describe it is to imagine a strong imperial stout combined with a rich imperial pumpkin ale. Yeah, this aroma had a lot going on. I found dark chocolates, cinnamon, a campfire smokiness, nutmeg, dark fruits, and a nip of alcohol burn. At this point I had to abandon any Belgian expectation because I found little to latch onto. Going into that first sip, I refocused my brain onto what I was smelling: a Stone'd Imperial Spiced Stout.

Okay, here's the deal. I could say that this beer is complex, but that nowhere near captures the experience. It is unapologetic and multifarious. The mishmash of styles is almost too much to bare. But in typical Stone fashion, it's also completely engrossing and a lot of damn fun. There is no way I can write a coherent review of what I tasted, so let's just blurt them out and see what happens...

The beer starts off smooth with a savory mocha-like roast. The middle ground transitions into a rich spicy dark chocolate, then exits dry and somewhat chalky with a lingering bitter roasted aftertaste. The warming spices act like ghost notes. Cinnamon, nutmeg and clove just randomly appear and disappear throughout the flavor train. Toasted bread and dark fruit notes like plum and fig struggle for attention, but are certainly present and noticeable. An orange citrus note follows the same pattern. The hop profile is restrained and wants to be combative. The hops finally assert themselves on the finish which heightens the lengthy aftertaste. This beer is certainly off-balanced, but it feels more intentional than accidental. As the beer warms, it gains a cocoa-like smoothness that goes a long way in softening the bite.

Overall, Stone's Vertical Epic 12.12.12 is a delicious hodgepodge of wild and savory flavors. I found it to be a worthy send off to the series and Stone should be proud of this epic accomplishment. I sincerely wish I could have been part of the collective sampling on 12.12.12. I can only imagine the palate overload of tasting all of these fine beers together. I can easily recommend this brew (as well as any in the series) to any beer fan with an adventurous palate. It should go without saying that these beastly brews are too intense for novices. Stone's Vertical Epic series was made specifically for committed fans of better beer. And for the worthy among them, they were justly rewarded. While I am sad to see the series come to an end, I look forward to Stone's next epic adventure.

Review of Devil’s Britches IPA (American IPA) from Highland Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:38:31 GMT

Every once in a while a beer will come along that throws you for a loop. Now I'm not talking about those bottles of WTF that have you scratching your head in disbelief. I'm talking about those beers where even halfway through the experience you're still thinking ''this is a good beer, but I have no idea why.'' Such was the case when I came across the Devil's Britches IPA, a seasonal from the Highland Brewing Company out of Asheville, NC. Highland is a regional staple around these parts. Their brews are tasty and trusted, so I had no worries going into the experience. Little did I know that I would be staring at my smartphone for several brain-locked minutes just pondering coherent notes.

Before we begin, it helps to get Highland's take on this beer:

''Lordy, that's as red as the devil's britches,'' exclaimed a local rancher, awed by the vibrant canopy ablaze on what is known today as Devil's Britches trail. Highland Brewing Company commemorates the history of the Great Smoky Mountains and Devil's Britches trail with a rich, red IPA. Ashburne Mild malt produces a toasted and biscuity flavor, and Extra Special malt renders an alluring red hue. Apollo hops provide aggressive bitterness (70 IBU), while dry-hopping with Calypso hops yields complex fruity and floral aromas with hints of pear and apple. This devilishly delicious ale is Highland's twist on the great American IPA.

Cute story, interesting concept. What we basically have here is a red-IPA hybrid. I read a shortened similar description on the bottle, which had me quite intrigued. I do enjoy my Irish Reds and amber ales, so the concept of a hopped up hybrid sounded scrumptious. Hopefully the concept translated well into a finished product.

In the glass, Devil's Britches has a rich amber red coloration that you would typically associate with a good Irish Red. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a sweet malty aroma coupled with an earthy hop profile. This combo created candied notes and bubblegum vibes, which were pleasant yet strange. I could tell from the get go that this beer struggled to define itself. Not uncommon for hybrids, just hoping that the flavor isn't too disjointed.

The mouthfeel immediately caught my attention on the first sip. It drank a lot like a malty pale ale to start with a light-to-mid body and tingly smoothness. Then out of nowhere, poof! It disappears into a dry airy bitter finish. I spent the first part of the beer mesmerized by this transition. ''Mmm, malty, somewhat sweet, savory hops... um... where did it go?'' The hops themselves are quite assertive, but lack any real muscle. I can only describe the result as a ''needling'' presence. There's not much of a backbone to this beer, just more of a wispy IPA with a candied malty twinge. The hybrid concept is obvious and the beer is certainly tasty, but forming a meaningful opinion on it was quite challenging.

Overall, Highland's Devil's Britches IPA is a tasty beer with an interesting concept. It's hard to recommend it to any specific camp because I honestly don't know who would like it. Hop heads may love it or hate it. Red heads may love it or hate it. Hell, any beer fan may love it or hate it. This of course is the inherent risk of trying something new and I definitely give props to Highland for venturing outside of the brewing box. Devil's Britches is no golden ticket because it seems to be more of a devil without pants. But, I'll certainly hand over a few shiny shillings for more of this tasty brew. No pants, no problem.

Review of Stoudts American Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) from Stoudts Brewing Co. : By Chops

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:10:35 GMT

Let it be known, I think I may have finally found the picture perfect bridge into better beer. So many Americans drink those wretched toilet waters and defend them with the most asinine justifications. One of the more common refrains is that ''I only drink American products''. This is always an amusing conversation to have because often times the drinker doesn't even realize that many of their favorite brands, including the self-described King of Beers, aren't American products. So in an effort to meet that refrain with a higher quality brews, I have been searching for the quintessential American craft beer. A beer I can slam down in front of some piss water drinker and scream ''Merica!'' I now believe that search is over. I give you the Stoudt's American Pale Ale, a delicious brew that even dawns Old Glory on the bottle.

In the glass, this beer has a clear golden honey coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a clean pale malt, a touch of lemongrass, and some sweet citrus. This beer's aroma was soft and timid, providing an easy launching pad for beginners. All of the core notes of a good pale ale are present and simple to grasp. So going into that first sip (and knowing Stoudt's stellar reputation), I expected nothing short of a rock solid session pale ale.

Yup, they nailed it. The flavor mirrors the aroma: clean pale malt, lemongrass, savory citrus. The hop profile is mild and provides the right amount of kick. The mouthfeel is light-to-medium with a crisp dry finish. The end result is an easy drinking pale ale with plenty of great flavoring. We have said it many times here at BrewChief and it begs repeating: when pale ales are done right, there's not much to say about them. Case in point, I could just say ''this is a damn good beer'' and be done with it.

Overall, Stoudt's American Pale Ale is, you guessed it, a damn good beer. It's a solid, straight up, no-frills representation of the style and we really couldn't ask for more. It has great flavor and presence without being aggressive. I could drink this beer all day long and never grow tired of it. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans, but especially to novices. Seasoned drinkers can utilize this beer as a reliable session staple. Novices, on the other hand, will not be able to deny this beer's flavorful appeal. It's damn tasty, simple to grasp, made in America, and has an American flag on the bottle. I struggle to find a more powerful crap beer converter. Hell, I can't even look at this beer without wanting to watch Team America: World Police.

Review of Guido (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Smisje Brouwerij : By Chops

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:53:35 GMT

When novices begin their journeys through the lands of better beer, a common misconception is that this simply involves drinking better beer. While this is true, it is also only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Great beers, strange beers, punishing beers, untamed beers, mind-bending beers, they are all part of the journey. What you are also going to do is educate yourself and become a pseudo-detective. You will learn about the beers you like and discover interesting tidbits in the process.

Take the Guido by the Smisje Brewery in Belgium. I found this beer on a recent trip to my favorite local beer store. It had a hand-glued label which struggled to stay on. It also donned the words ''Regenboog Ale brewed with honey and raisins''. Curiosity got the best of me and it found a place in my basket. Before opening this brew, I was compelled to learn more about it. What I found was pretty damn interesting. Get this, Smisje is a tiny Belgian brewery started by a beekeeper, which of course accounts for the signature use of honey in many Smisje beers. Johan Brandt, also a printer and homebrewer, decided to combine two of his loves, the result of which is now in my hands.

In the glass, Guido has an earthy brown coloration with ruby red hues and a lot of fine sediment. It comes with a fizzy light tan head that is almost soda-like. Seriously, imagine a glass of soda and that hissing sound of quick dissolution. That's what we have here, which was really odd. It was a race with the devil just to get a picture before the head vanished. On the nose, I found a potent dark fruity aroma laced with alcohol burn. Resting underneath were notes of honey and toasted bread. This is certainly a strange introduction for any brew, let alone a Belgian. So, I honestly had no idea what to expect going in for that first sip.

Wow, just... wow. This beer has a very rich and complex flavor that slaps you across the cheek. My initial impression was that of an amplified Orval (but don't get excited just yet). While unbelievably complex, it's also painfully disjointed. Don't get me wrong though, this is a really good beer, scrumptious even. But, it's a lot of work to dissect. For example, the dominate flavor note is cigar. Yes, you read that right. It tastes like cigar tobacco. From there I found an array of other traits, namely caramel, herbs, toasted bread crust, a touch of chocolate, honey, burnt sugar, dark fruits like raisins, and coffee. I could have easily found more if I had another bottle. It's quite the flavor adventure. The mouthfeel is equally vexing with a thick meaty body that drinks smoothly and easily. The finish is quite sticky and leaves behind a malty sweet aftertaste. Another important aspect to highlight is the warming effect, which is somewhat unpleasant. As the beer warms, there is a significant increase in the boozy burn, so best to enjoy this beer slightly chilled.

Overall, the Smisje Guido is a savory and strangely fascinating brew. This review was difficult to write because Guido challenged my ability to give meaning to disorder. But, I did find the disorder to be inherently meaningful, which resulted in serious bouts of writer's block. After much contemplation, the best way I have found to describe this beer is through a single world: elder. This beer tastes earthy and wise with a healthy dose of kookiness. Consequently, I can only recommend Guido to experienced drinkers with honed palates. Otherwise, this beer will probably taste like a flailing bottle of madness crafted by a demented brewer with pet bees. Guido is quite an adventure, so be sure to grab your bullwhip and fedora hat before cracking one open.

Review of Redhook ESB (Extra Special/Strong Bitter) from Redhook Brewery : By Chops

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:19:28 GMT

Good beer has the power of impression. For me, this is one of the more enjoyable aspects of the craft beer movement. What I mean by this is that there are so many unique flavors on the market now and good beers can act like little memory banks. It wasn't too long ago that I called Seattle, WA home. I worked in Woodinville, WA and my office was right down the street from the Redhook Brewery. This meant that I spent a hell of a lot of time at Redhook and became intimately familiar with their onsite restaurant and tasting room (a really cool place if you have the means to visit). This was well before the days of BrewChief and I was quietly honing my taste for craft beer at the time. Fast forward to today and I find myself staring at a Redhook ESB in Durham, NC. All it took was a single sip for me to smile and think, ''I remember you, my friend''.

At this point I should pause to note that ESBs as a style (Extra Special/Strong Bitter) aren't actually supposed to be bitter. It's an unfortunate naming conundrum because they can turn away ill-informed consumers. But fret not because these beers are malty smooth easy drinkers. I highly advise anyone unfamiliar with the style to give them a try. Your new favorite style might be right under your nose and you don't even know it. Redhook's ESB is the beer that actually first taught me about the style. I have been gleefully exploring it ever since.

In the glass, this beer has the classic copper-amber color of a good ESB. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a candied malty aroma and a hint of spice. There was also a touch of fruitiness, but I couldn't identify anything specific. It's a solid and standard intro for the style.

The mouthfeel was just as expected: a malty smooth easy drinker. This is what hooked me way back in the day. ESBs are generally great session options and should be used as such. The flavor profile closely matched the aroma: candied malt, notes of caramel, nondescript fruity character, and a dash of spiciness. The hop profile takes the form of a mild citrus and doesn't assert itself much at all. It crisps up an otherwise dry finish and that's about the only time you notice it.

Overall, the Redhook ESB is a solid representation of the style. It won't knock your socks off, but these beers rarely do. Complexity is not something generally associated with ESBs, so it's best to go into these beers with neutral expectations. Like their amber cousins, they are meant to be malty straight shooters. That being said, I can recommend this brew to any level of beer fan, but especially to novices. Seasoned drinkers will nod in evenhanded approval and enjoy the mental break. On the flip side, novices can really benefit from this brew as a worthy benchmark and sturdy bridge into better beer. Redhook's ESB has a special place in my heart. It reminds me of a great time in my life and I'm thankful for the role it played. Cheers!

Review of Redeemer (Imperial IPA) from Olde Hickory Brewery : By Chops

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:40:21 GMT

The Olde Hickory Brewery out of Hickory, NC is well known in the region for their small batches of delectable nectar. They have managed to make a name for themselves based on quality alone and refuse to scale production if it compromises product integrity. That's a rare trait to find these days, which makes their beers highly coveted products. Alas, therein lies the rub: high quality beer, limited supply. So when local beer fans venture out to their favorite beer stores, it's always a treat to discover a stack of Olde Hickory boxes. On a recent trip to my own local haunt, I stumbled upon the Redeemer Imperial IPA. I'm not a religious man, but I'm pretty sure the almighty beer gods had a hand in making this beauty.

In the glass, this beer has an amber orange coloration that is thick and hazy. I also found plenty of yeasty floaters swirling around, which gives it an even heftier appearance. It comes with a frothy light tan head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I was greeted with a big earthy woody citrus aroma. It's quite strong, very tangy, and is wrapped in a thin blanket of herbs and spices. It was about this time that choirs of beer angels began to sing, so I raised my glass to the heavens and went in for that first sip.

Wow, talk about a face punch of IPA awesomeness. First of all, the flavor closely matches the aroma, so no unexpected surprises. Earthy woody citrus with herbs and spices, check. From there the beer blossoms into something entirely new. The malty sweetness does a great job in balancing out the hops, which results in a tropical fruity feel rather than a potent grapefruit. I found notes of orange, mango and pineapple. One important aspect to note is the mouthfeel, which is buttery smooth for the style. Granted, there is still an inherent aggression that is to be expected from an Imperial IPA, but Redeemer is smooth as silk comparatively. The body itself is mid-level and exits quite dry, leaving a lingering airy bitter aftertaste.

I have to devote a separate paragraph to Redeemer's warming effect, which is quite remarkable. This is one of the very few beers I have ever come across that has a cumulative finish. What I mean by that is that the hops just keep piling up on each other, creating a more intense experience as you go along. Coupled with a burning aggression rather than a biting bitterness, the result is a warming sensation similar to eating peppers. The heat doesn't go away between peppers, it just gets more concentrated. It's a very cool trait and was by far my favorite aspect of this beer.

Overall, Olde Hickory's Redeemer Imperial IPA is a delicious brew with a vivacious personality. It's one of the few Imperial IPAs on the market that you would treat like a strong Belgian. Take your time, savory the complexity, enjoy the experience as a whole. That being said, this is a beer I would recommend more to seasoned drinkers with honed imperial palates. Hop heads will certainly adore this beer, but I wouldn't describe it as a hop head delight. Redeemer is a beer for those who can appreciate well crafted intricacy. In this instance, it just so happens to be in the form of an Imperial IPA. So if you are lucky enough to find the Redeemer, drop to your knees and give thanks to Olde Hickory, for they are kind and merciful.

Review of Happy Ending (Imperial Stout) from SweetWater Brewing Co. : By Chops

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:26:12 GMT

These days it can be quite difficult for a brewery to set itself apart. Crafting great beer used to be the only requirement, but now there are a lot of breweries out there crafting a lot of great beer, so there has to be a distinction. Some breweries choose to make it in a complicated manner, like attempting a hybrid style or using strange ingredients. But if these strategies don't work, they can backfire with a vengeance and destroy reputations in the process. Other breweries prefer a simpler approach like eye-catching artwork or a funny beer name. Such was the case when I came across the SweetWater Happy Ending Imperial Stout, a seasonal brew released around the end of December. Seriously, the year is at an end and you see a beer called Happy Ending. How could you not buy some? And along with a good laugh, you're also getting a damn fine beer.

In the glass, Happy Ending (snicker) pours stark black with no edging. It comes with a creamy copper head that lasts for a long time. On the nose, I was greeted with a savory black coffee roast and a burnt sugary counterweight. There is also a strong alcohol burn that is consistent with a 9% ABV. Based on the introduction, I was expecting a strong, assertive, and intensely flavorful brew.

This beer comes out swinging with a very aggressive roast character, almost like hopped up espresso. The black coffee notes are complimented by dark chocolates and they team up to form a hefty foundation. The hops are powerful, direct, and compete viciously with the malt roast for attention. Unfortunately it makes the beer seem a bit unbalanced, but big aggressive stouts rarely are, so it's par for the course. The alcohol burn is also large and prominent with a very big warming effect. Consequently, the mouthfeel is pretty unhinged and all over the place. The beer starts off relatively smooth, then transitions into harshly gritty, and finally exits dry and bitter. The bitter roasted aftertaste lingers for a very long time.

Overall, the SweetWater Happy Ending Imperial Stout is a powerful brew with a wild personality. It's an untamed party stout that is perfectly fit for a New Year's celebration. What I like the most about this stout is that nothing is hidden. It lays everything on the table and hits you head on. I respect that in a beer, which is why I can recommend this wacky brew to any beer fan with an adventurous palate. One thing is for sure though, Happy Ending is way too erratic for novices. It'll flail around in your mouth like a drunken sorority skank on ecstasy. So give it a wide berth and plan your approach accordingly. But on the flip side, this brew is a dynamite companion for those already in hardcore party mode, so drink up and enjoy.

Review of Singleton (American Strong Ale) from Top of the Hill Brewery : By Chops

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:07:31 GMT

To fully appreciate craft beer culture, you have to understand what complexity brings to the table. Vibrant beer styles like Belgians and Barleywines are very well known for their smorgasbord of flavors. Once beer fans hone their palates for these beastly brews, it's not uncommon for other beers to seem bland by comparison. This is a very important crossroads for beer enthusiasts because they need to make one very important distinction: bland and simple are not the same thing. A beer can be simple and great. But, a beer cannot be bland and great.

The Top of the Hill brewpub out of Chapel Hill, NC knows this distinction very well. This is why they crafted the Singleton Ale, a 9.2% American Strong Ale brewed with only Liberty hops and pale English malt. One hop, one malt. Liberty hops are known for their spicy sweetness, so the thought of a big single-hop ASA was quite enticing. I was fortunate to sample this beer with co-head brewers Aaron Caracci and Chris Atkins, who were kind enough to give me the back story on this beer. Their mission was simple: show the craft beer world that simple is the new complex.

In the glass, Singleton has a clear honey amber coloration. It comes with a thin frothy white head that dissipates quickly, which isn't uncommon for stronger ales. On the nose, I found a light citrusy aroma resting on top of a sweet caramel. Rounding out the aroma was a hint of fruit, a dusting of a nondescript spices, and a faint alcohol burn. It was a very clean and welcoming intro for such a big beer, so I wasted no time diving right in.

One word popped into mind on that first sip: dangerous. This beer is a smooth easy drinker to start and exits with only a mildly bitter aftertaste. It drinks as easy as a base amber and is much tastier, so I repeat: very, very dangerous. The malty caramel note takes the form of a syrupy sweetness that sets up shop as a solid foundation. Much of the aroma translated into the flavor, so I found some sweet citrus, tropical fruitiness, cinnamon-like spiciness, and a twinge of alcohol warmth. The flavors are nicely balanced and play very well together. The beer finishes clean with a pleasant aftertaste of malty sweet and lightly bitter that lingers for a while.

Overall, Top of the Hill's Singleton American Strong Ale is a delicious brew with a well hidden bite. It's one of the very few American Strong Ales that I can recommend to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will greatly enjoy this simplified and direct approach to big and bold brews. Novices, on the other hand, must be warned for a third and final time: this is a very dangerous beer. Proceed with caution and take your time with the experience. This beer will ambush and punish any carefree attitudes. At this point I can definitely say that Singleton is my current favorite Top of the Hill beer. They set out to prove and point and prove it they did.

Review of Trappistes Rochefort 10 (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Rochefort Brasserie : By Chops

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:10:46 GMT

When products are shrouded in mystery, it can make them even more enticing. This is the story of the Rochefort Brewery (Brasserie de Rochefort), located inside the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Belgium. The brewery is not open to the public and only a handful of monks reside on the premises. The monks are famously secretive about their brewing process, so obtaining information about the brewery has become very much like hunting beer Illuminati. Course, the only thing they are surely guilty of is making some fantastic Abbey ales. I recently had the pleasure of sampling their Trappistes Rochefort 10, an unbelievable Belgian Quad.

In the glass, this beer has a dark muddy brown coloration with deep red hues. It also comes with plenty of sediment and yeasty floaters. Resting on top is a thick frothy and creamy tan head. It has great retention, so plan on staring at it for a few minutes while it slowly dissipates. This gives you plenty of time to admire the aroma, which is rich and complex. I found a lovely candied malt, some brown sugar, dark fruits like plums and raisins, some herbal notes, a touch of liquorice, and that signature brown bread. You can't help but hear the soothing sounds of Gregorian monk chants with every whiff.

One sip is all it takes to slip into the fluffy clouds of beer heaven. This beer has a syrupy thick mouthfeel that is smooth as silk and infinitely drinkable. There is a noticeable alcohol burn, but it acts more like a spicy quality than a boozy character. Most of the aroma translates into the taste as well. I found savory plums, caramel, spices, brown sugar, a touch of chocolate, a peppery vibe, and a hint of smokiness. The beer finishes malty smooth with a sweet sugary aftertaste and a slight tingle of spicy alcohol.

Overall, the Trappistes Rochefort 10 is a fantastic Belgian Quad. I cannot say enough great things about this beer and it should go without saying that I recommend it to all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers and Belgian beer geeks will not be able to deny this beer's amazing qualities. Even novices can get in on the action because this beer is very accessible for such a massive brew. Be warned through, that 11.3% ABV is extremely well hidden, so all drinkers should proceed with caution. This is a special occasion beer, one you open when you have time to relax and savor every drop. I did just that and I can't wait to do it again, only next time I might have Barry White playing in the background.

Review of Batch 69 (American IPA) from Frankenmuth Brewery : By Chops

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:33:39 GMT

The Frankenmuth Brewery has been operating in Michigan since 1862. In American brewing terms, that's older than dirt. These guys have been brewing up tasty nectar for a lot longer than most, so sampling a new Frankenmuth brew is always a welcome experience. We have been steadily drinking our way through their product line since discovering the brewery a few years back (their Munich Dunkel is especially delicious and we highly advise giving it a try). Up next in my Frankenmuth exploration is their Batch 69 IPA.

I should take a moment to note that this beer made me little nervous, but not because I didn't trust the brewery. When it comes to the American IPA, I have grown a bit weary of the style's ''over the top'' mentality. It seems almost commonplace at this point for breweries to craft some sort of undrinkable IPA in order to wow the big-bold-bitter craving public. Frankenmuth has a rich German influence and they make solid reliable beer. My fingers were crossed that this restraint was also featured in their IPA.

In the glass, Batch 69 has a hazy golden orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has nice retention. On the nose, I was surprised to find an interesting mishmash of style traits. There is the tangy citrus of an IPA, an herbal bready quality similar to a saison, and some lemony grassy notes similar to a lager. I spent a lot of time on this aroma because it was equally pleasurable and intriguing. Everything worked great together and nothing was out of balance, but my brain really struggled to grasp the equation. Not a bad thing mind you, just a fun aroma to dissect.

Right away I was greeted with a tangy and playful hop profile. It's assertive, but not overpowering, and carries nicely through the finish. The flavoring consists of a warm orange citrus with a piney bite and faint notes of honey. The herbs and lemongrass from the aroma also make appearances, but only as small compliments. They flavor profile is actually fairly straight forward and easy to grasp. It has a light-to-mid range body and a dry airy mouthfeel. Coupled with the piney bitterness, the resulting dry bitter finish tends to linger for a while (not that you mind).

Overall, Frankenmuth's Batch 69 IPA is a solid brew with a tangy personality. It is one of the very few IPAs I have come across where the German influence is noticeable. Whether or not that's appealing depends on the drinker, but I personally found it to be a breath of fresh air. I think they did a very good job in clearly defining character traits without allowing the hop profile to run rampant. As a result, I can easily recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. It's a flavorful bridge beer into the style and serves as a great session IPA for seasoned drinkers. Once again, I tip my drinking hat to Frankenmuth for another solid creation. Cheers!

Review of Lewis Black Imperial Stout (Imperial Stout) from Top of the Hill Brewery : By Chops

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:11:58 GMT

There are some beers you just have to order. Now I'm not talking about when you come across your favorite style, or make nice on a friend's recommendation, or even find a draft special of your favorite local brew. Sometimes you come across a beer that you have to order with no actual analysis. I had one such moment the other day when I was hanging out at the Top of the Hill brewpub in Chapel Hill, NC. I was scanning their beer menu when a brew jumped right off the page at me: the Lewis Black Imperial Stout. I couldn't help but chuckle as my favorite Lewis Black bits started popping into my head. I'm a really big fan of Lewis and his hysterical comedy, so this was a total no-brainer. A few moments later I received my nectar. And much to my surprised delight, they were serving it on nitro. Day, thy just peaked.

In the glass, this beer has a jet black coloration. Resting on top is that glorious creamy light tan head, compliments of the nitrogen. The presentation was fantastic, I received it in a stumpy snifter which allowed me to perfectly watch the separation. Seriously, check out that picture and try not to drool. It looks like the beer equivalent of an Oreo cookie. On the nose, I found general notes of roasted malt, coffee and dark chocolate, none of which were prominent. The aroma was somewhat muted, which is not uncommon for nitro brews (hard to muscle through that thick creamy top layer). The core notes were present, which is all I needed to find. Nothing left to do but dive in for that first taste.

It's not every day that you find an imperial stout that is a creamy smooth easy drinker. Course, we can thank the nitro for a lot of that. But, the roasted malty character is quite accessible, no chalkiness or grittiness. The result is a session worthy big stout, which I'm sure has snuck up on many unsuspecting UNC students. The body is a tad thin for the style, but you don't really mind. The overall taste is a sweet mishmash of roasted malt and dark chocolates. The mix is complimented by notes of vanilla, caramel and liquorice. The beer exits cleanly with a mildly bitter roasted aftertaste.

Overall, the Lewis Black Imperial Stout is a savory brew with a welcoming personality. It is very easy to grasp and equally easy to drink, which is why I can recommend it to any and all beer fans. Seasoned beer geeks will find it to be a rewarding session brew (you heard that right, a session imperial). I'm sure many novices have been wowed by this beer, provided that they exercised some self control in discovering it. It nicely showcases the best flavors of big stouts without the typical aggression of big stouts. As a result, this beer is quite dangerous, so beginners beware.

In closing, I can think of no better send off than by sharing a classic Lewis Black bit, who by the way maintains a residence in Chapel Hill, NC. Maybe one day I will see him at the Top of the Hill brewpub enjoying a frost glass of... himself. Cheers and enjoy!

Review of Founders Porter (Robust Porter) from Founders Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:56:49 GMT

Ask any beer geek to name the top five breweries in America. I guarantee that Founders would almost certainly make the list. This brewery is very well known for their high quality behemoths. Once a brewery ventures into the magical world of imperials, quality can suffer due to lack of know how or experience. Many breweries make the mistake of thinking that they can craft a great imperial version of a base brew they already make very well. It's an unfortunate blind spot that can ruin a brewery's reputation. Founders understood this, which is why they took great care in crafting their big beers. Today, they are some of the best in the country (one word: KBS).

At this point you're probably wondering why I'm going on about big bold beers when I'm about to review the Founders Porter. Well, it really helps to have the appropriate perspective. It's easy to forget that a company excels in other areas and Founders makes some fantastic baseline beers. I'm not going into this beer expecting the Breakfast Stout. I'm expecting a damn good porter. With the proper perspective, these beers are just as rewarding as their eccentric cousins.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration with only a sliver of caramel brown edging. It comes with a frothy coppery-tan head that dissipates quickly, even with an aggressive pour. On the nose, I was greeted with a strong coffee roast aroma complete with hints of cocoa and a touch of smokiness. It's a solid intro for the robust porter style, so I wasted little time diving in for that first taste.

It doesn't take long to realize that you are dealing with one fantastic porter. The strong coffee roast comes out swinging and sets up shop as the primary trait. From there, notes of dark chocolate and a campfire woody smokiness make their presences known. The hop profile is restrained to start and balances beautifully with the roast. Although, it does makes a strong appearance on the finish. The mouthfeel is very smooth and easy drinking, even with a slightly chalky roast. The beer finishes a tad dry and exits with a savory mishmash of bitter roasted smokey goodness.

Overall, the Founders Porter is a fantastic brew with strong meaty flavors. This beer oozes with that the robust porter is all about: bold roast and big flavor. Founders even took it up a notch and managed to make this beer accessible to a wider audience. It's one of the few robust porters that I can recommend to any and all beer fans. That smokey gritty goodness is balanced and welcoming, so by all means utilize this tasty brew as a sturdy bridge into the style. Course, this beer will probably ruin you for the style because it is both bridge builder and destination. By all means give other porters a chance, but I doubt you'll dethrone Founders as your favorite.

Review of New World Porter (Robust Porter) from Avery Brewing Co. : By Chops

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:03:23 GMT

You can learn about about a brewery based on their focus. A brewery that mercilessly distributes its products is generally focused on the bottom line. A brewery that produces reliably fantastic beer is generally focused on the quality of its products. The Avery Brewing Company out of Boulder, Colorado is neither. They care so little about impressing consumers that they brew whatever, however, and whenever they want. They brew beers that they like and any resulting fan base is a mere byproduct. They have made quite the name for themselves by not caring if they make a name for themselves. Oh, and they make some really tasty beer. Guess I should mention that. I came across one recently when I ordered their New World Porter, a dry-hopped robust version. Yup, you read that right.

In the glass, this beer has a deep mahogany coloration with plenty of pleasant red tinting. It comes with a creamy tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a coffee-like roasted malt aroma with notes of sweet chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and a noticeable hop tingle. The dry-hopping definitely takes a while to get used to, so go into this beer with an open mind. You initially want to cringe, but it steadily wins you over.

The hop profile is by far the most interesting aspect of this beer. It has the piney bitter presence of a good IPA, but acts like a ghost character. It pops up randomly and never stays around long enough to firmly grasp. I spent a lot of the experience just chasing the hops. The base porter is quite solid with plenty of chocolate and caramel to compliment the coffee roast. The mouthfeel is surprisingly light and crisp. To be honest, this beer drinks like a porter-pale ale hybrid. It starts off as a porter and exits as a pale ale. I found this to be a really interesting personality trait, but I could see how it would turn some drinkers off.

Overall, Avery's New World Porter is a tasty brew with a quirky personality. The concept of a a dry-hopped robust porter may seem strange on paper, but I was surprised to see it work as well as it did. As a baseline porter, this is a solid yet hoppy version. But as a fun hybrid, New World Porter is uniquely delicious. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to anyone with an adventurous palate. It's accessible enough for novices to attempt and complex enough to intrigue seasoned drinkers. My only advice would be to go into this beer with zero expectations. It's a wacky concoction and that may or may not be a good thing. Just jump in with both feet and join the hunt for ghost hops.

Review of Bitter American (American Pale Ale) from 21st Amendment Brewing Co. : By Chops

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:59:16 GMT

The 21st Amendment Brewing Company out of San Francisco, CA has made a name for themselves in many ways. Perhaps their most recognizable trait is the utilization of those familiar aluminum cylinders. They are one of the few can-based trailblazers that are showing the world that great beer can in fact come in cans. Tasty brews like the Back in Black IPA and Brew Free Or Die IPA are easily recognized on beer shelves and have become mainstays in many a beer fridge. On a recent trip to my favorite local pub, I noticed that the rotating tap had a new handle: the 21st Amendment Bitter American Session Ale, described as a ''long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere''. Damn right, I'll drink to that.

In the glass, this beer has a hazy golden coloration. It comes with a thick and creamy white head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I found a pleasant mixture of floral hops and tropical fruits. It's a pretty simple introduction, so I expected little surprise going into that first sip. Bitter American drinks a lot like a hybrid between a witbier and a hoppy pale ale. There is a savory citrus flavor that is quite warming and I couldn't attach it to any one style. I also found plenty of herbal notes and orange rind swirling around. The hops themselves are crisp yet muted, allowing for a lengthy session. The beer drinks very smooth and has a wispy dry finish.

Overall, the 21st Amendment Bitter American is a great representation of what session ales bring to the table. I could easily drink this beer all day long and never grow tired of it, which is exactly the point. It has great flavor that is easy to grasp without being aggressive or distracting. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this beer is that it tastes stronger than it is. I was surprised to discover a mere 4.4% ABV. That's good news for all levels of beer fan. Seasoned drinkers can indulge without fearing a sneak attack of drunkenness. Novices can especially benefit from this beer because it showcases that weak doesn't necessarily equate to bland. I love the fact that Bitter American's ABV is a full percentage point below most garbage beer. It goes a long ways in highlight the glaring problem with Big Beer: they're doing it wrong.

Review of Cottonwood Frostbite (Black IPA / American Black Ale) from Foothills Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:03:46 GMT

Brewery takeovers can be both positive and negative. In the craft beer world, takeovers are often considered to be negative because they are usually due to a Big Beer company gobbling up a smaller brand with a strong following. They then gut whatever personality had secured that following and scale a sub par replacement brew to maximize name recognition profits. I'm sure at this point we can all name several beers that have experienced this kiss of death.

But, there are instances when a takeover is a positive thing. Maybe a strong regional brewery acquires a lesser known brewery in order to expand production and market reach. This is what happened when the Foothills Brewery out of Winston-Salem, NC acquired Carolina Beer and Beverage. Their tasty Cottonwood line of beers didn't go away. They just acquired the Foothills touch, and I doubt any beer fan in the area would argue against that wisdom. Foothills recently hosted a Sexual Chocolate release party at my favorite local beer store. On tap for the event was the Cottonwood Frostbite American Black Ale.

In the glass, this beer has a dark brown coloration with reddish hues that translate into a rich mahogany. It comes with a frothy tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a strong piney hop profile and little else. I did uncover a twinge of grapefruit and a coffee-like roast resting underneath, but it took some digging to notice. At face value, this beer is just a straight up IPA.

In typical Foothills fashion, this beer has great flavor and a savory hop sting. My only real issue with this beer is that the malt roast is easily lost. A very faint coffee roast does make the occasional appearance, but you have to be looking for it. None of this is detrimental mind you, Frostbite is a tasty Black IPA. But for the style, I expect the roasted malt character to be a bit more prominent. The beer has a lighter body that you would typically associate with baseline IPAs. It finishes clean and exits with a lingering piney bitter aftertaste.

Overall, the Cottonwood Frostbite American Black Ale is a solid brew with a savory bite. The tangy Foothills influence is easy to find and brewery fans are properly rewarded. Although, this skews the style a bit. I greatly enjoyed the experience, but I wouldn't call this brew a stellar example of an American Black Ale. Regardless, I can easily recommend this brew to most beer fans. Novices should proceed with caution because that 9% ABV is very well hidden. Fans of the brewery will certainly enjoy Frostbite, especially if partial to the Hoppyum IPA and Seeing Double IPA. These brews have gained a darker cousin, so grab a pint and join the party.

Review of St.Terese's Pale Ale (American Pale Ale) from Highland Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:04:41 GMT

In today's craft beer world, it is generally understood that when pale ales are done right, there's not much to say about them. They are straight forward brews that are easy to understand with flavor profiles that are rarely complex. Unfortunately for brewers, this can be misconstrued as boring, especially considering the glut of fantastical brews that fill beer store shelves these days. But when I think of a great session beer, I will almost always think of a pale ale. When I just want a tasty beer to accompany me on the couch as I watch a ball game, I will almost always think of a pale ale. You see where I'm going with this. Pale ales are arguably the most reliable beers on the market. They are common refrigerator staples that you can grab without thinking too hard about your choice. Once such brew for me is St. Terese's Pale Ale from the Highland Brewing Company.

In the glass, this beer has a light golden orange coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has pretty good retention. On the nose, I found a crisp grapefruit citrus with notes of pine and tropical fruits. The flavor almost perfectly matches the aroma, so there is little surprise going into that first sip. The faint tropical fruit notes flesh out a bit and take the form of pineapple and mango. The hops retain a piney character, but remain nicely balanced with the sweeter notes. The mouthfeel is pretty standard, light-to-mid body with a bitter tingle. The beer finishes clean, a tad dry, and exits with a mildly bitter aftertaste.

Overall, St. Terese's Pale Ale is a solid and satisfying pale ale. It won't knock your socks off, but it's not really meant to. This is a great session beer that is perfectly fit for coolers and porches. The Highland Brewing Company is a North Carolina staple and is frequently found on beer menus throughout the state. It's easy to see why they became so well recognized. They appeal to a wide range of beer drinkers. They are not afraid to craft solid no-frills brews to appease a general audience, nor are they afraid to don their experimental hats and craft some spicy imperials, all of which are tasty and gratifying. This is of course why we love them and keep coming back for more. St. Terese's Pale Ale makes frequent appearances in my beer fridge and I doubt that will change anytime soon. You guys keep brewing them, and I promise we will keep drinking them. Cheers!

Review of Hopslam (Imperial IPA) from Bell's Brewery, Inc. : By Chops

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:11:57 GMT

Ask any beer geek what their favorite seasonal nectar is and they are bound to have an instant response. For this beer fan, it's the Bell's Hopslam Imperial IPA. Seasonal brews are those special concoctions that only appear on the market once a year at a specific time, often as small specialty batches. This can be quite the double edged sword because if a fantastic seasonal beer sparks some serious demand, then the limited supply disappears quickly. This is the story of Hopslam, a highly coveted seasonal delight released in winter by Bell's Brewery. Dedicated beer fans line up on release day and the beer is gone the second it hits the shelves. Hopslam is brewed up in Michigan. I live in Durham, NC and even I have to subscribe to mailing lists and Twitter feeds to be sure I score a six pack (which is usually the purchase limit). This year spelled victory and here I sit with a 2013 version of what I affectionately refer to as ''the precious''. Let's see how it stacks up against its predecessors.

In the glass, Hopslam has a rich and thick golden honey coloration. It comes with a tall pillow-like white head that has great retention. On the nose, I was greeted with that signature sweet candied citrus aroma with a touch of honey and a floral essence. It's a big and bold aroma that is strong yet beautifully balanced. At this point my grin reached ear to ear and my eyes rolled back into my head. My inner monologue promptly switched over to a Gollum voice. ''We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious.''

One sip is all it takes to fully understand the appeal of Hopslam. This beer has perhaps the most amazing mouthfeel of any Imperial IPA you will ever get your hands on. It's silky smooth, moderately thick, solidly mid-level, and drinks as easily as a pale ale at half the strength. It's a shame that the grading scale only goes to 10 because this beer deserves an 11. Consequently, this is the only Imperial IPA that you can actually regard as a session beer. Yes, you head that right, a 10% session beer. Granted, that should be a very long and very slow session, but a session nonetheless. In short, Hopslam drinks like a dream and is very, very dangerous.

Flavor wise, this beer closely matches its enticing aroma. The overall profile is a delicious combination of candied citrus, peppers, herbs, and a honey infused caramel. The hop bitterness is intensely flavorful, yet remains non-aggressive and perfectly balanced with the sweetness. The beer finishes with a dry bitterness and sweet citrus stickiness, which I found to be a really cool counter flavoring. The aftertaste pleasantly lingers and gently tapers off. The warming effect imparts higher levels of spiciness, so definitely take your time to enjoy the experience.

Overall, the 2013 version of Bell's Hopslam is still as amazing as ever. It should go without saying that I recommend this brew to any and all beer fans (assuming of course that you can find it). As a highly coveted seasonal brew, I need not cite reasons why seasoned drinkers will adore Hopslam. They know. Novices, on the other hand, can greatly benefit from this magical beer experience. Hopslam is one of the very few brews out there that every beer fan can agree on across the board. Beginners, intermediates, enthusiasts, and professionals alike can pour a glass, take one sip, and trumpet together ''this beer is incredible!'' I personally have taken a different approach to my Hopslam experiences. After each glass, I humbly bow and mutter in a gravelly Gollum voice that ''we swears to serve the master of the precious.''

Review of Harry Magill's Spiced Stout (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) from Bell's Brewery, Inc. : By Chops

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:18:25 GMT

My favorite local beer store recently hosted a Bell's Brewery tap takeover. Yeah, let that awesomeness sink in for a few moments. Anyway, I managed to get three beers under my belt before throwing in the towel. It doesn't sound like much, but considering the tap selection, it was more than enough. My first beer was the 6.1% Sweet Potato Stout. I followed that delicious brew up with the 14.9% Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 American Strong Ale. Needless to say, I had maybe one more beer in me before my taste buds stopped working altogether. That honor went to the 8% Harry Magill's Spiced Stout.

In the glass, this beer has a jet black coloration with no edging. It comes with a creamy tan head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I found a light chocolatey roast with notes of ginger and dark fruits. This aroma is quite the brain teaser because a rich complexity is obviously present, but everything is soft and muted, forcing you to really dig for information. But, I lacked any reasonable patience at that point, so I dove right in for that first sip.

Wow is this beer a silky smooth easy drinker. Lots of great flavor, a crisp hop presence, none of which is aggressive. Much like with the aroma, all notes are soft and cordial. Needless to say, this is one delightfully balanced brew. I should also take a moment to note that this is one seriously dangerous beer. That 8% ABV is extremely well hidden, so definitely proceed with caution because this little bugger will sneak up on you in a hurry. As far as flavors go, I found an interesting mishmash of malt and spices. The malt takes on the form of a light cocoa with a faint coffee vibe. The various spice notes include ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Additional notes include burnt sugar, maple syrup, and tart cherries. The beer finishes smooth and leaves behind a lightly spicy roasted aftertaste.

Overall, Harry Magill's Spiced Stout is a delightful brew with lots of great flavors. It drinks very easy and is very approachable, which is why I can easily recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will be very pleased by the subtle complexity and might even consider this beer a stronger session option. Novices will especially benefit from this beer because it showcases how accessible stronger beers can be. In the better beer world, hefty doesn't necessarily equate to harsh or aggressive. Bell's knows this very well and have crafted a worthy representative. I couldn't have picked a better brew to cap off my tap takeover experience. So once again, hats off to Bell's Brewery and their amazingly talented brewers.

Review of Littlen Horny Session Ale (American Pale Ale) from Bull City Burger and Brewery : By Chops

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:33:16 GMT

So what beer do you drink when you are waiting on beer? Bull City Burger and Brewery seems to know the answer to this question, and they call it the Litten Horny Session Ale. This is wee 3.7% baby brew that they craft using the same grain supply for their Youngen Horny Barley Wine. Same grain, same brewing day, same BCBB passion, different beers. So while their beastly Youngen Horny Barley Wine is maturing, they drink its baby brother to heighten anticipation. There's only one problem: Litten Horny is pretty damn tasty too and can steal a bit of thunder from its beefy sibling.

In the glass, this beer has a light golden color that borders on a darker straw. It comes with a frothy white head that dissipates quickly. The aroma is pretty thin, just some pale malty goodness and a faint citrus. This is just a teensy-weensy session ale, so don't expect to get blown away by complexity. By definition, this is a beer you drink without having to think too hard about it.

Not surprisingly, the flavor is very straight forward and easy to grasp. It tastes like a malty blonde ale with a nice hop presence. The hops themselves have little sting and act more like aroma therapy. It's actually pretty nice, kind of the beer equivalent of a light tongue massage. The beer has good basic flavor without being forgettable. The mouthfeel is obviously on the light side, but not so much as to sacrifice any character. The beer finishes crisp and clean, and exits with a pleasant fruity orange aftertaste.

Overall, Bull City Burger and Brewery's Litten Horny Session Ale is a delightful brew with great flavor and a care free attitude. This is a beer I can easily enjoy all day long and never grow tired of. What really strikes me is that even at 3.7%, this beer has so much more of a flavor punch than all those 5% mass produced piss waters. This is the beer I want to hand novices in order to showcase that small lighter beers don't have to be bland and flavorless. Needless to say, I can easily recommend this beer to any and all beer fans, but especially to beginners. Litten Horny is a fantastic educational tool and it should be used as such.

So to all you craft beer loving Durhamites with crap drinking friends, I implore you to partake in the following exchange:

You: ''This is the Litten Horny Session Ale.''
Friend: ''Wow, that's amazing. So much more flavorful than (insert crap beer they still drink from college).''
You: ''I know, right? And it's actually much weaker than the stuff you drink.''
Friend: ''No way!''
You: ''Way! This is why I drink good beer. Even the weak ones have great flavor.''
Friend: ''That is really good to know.''
You: ''Ready to try something else?''
Friend: ''Sure, bring it on.''
You: ''Alrighty then, this one is called the Youngen Horny Barley Wine...''

Review of Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 Ale (American Strong Ale) from Bell's Brewery, Inc. : By Chops

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:46:14 GMT

Memorable moments. Every craft beer journey is full of them. Your first beer festival, meeting a world renowned beer expert, hanging with one of your favorite brewers, sampling a rare specialty brew, the list goes on and on. One of the more entertaining moments is the ''holy crap on a stick I was not expecting that'' reaction. My most recent of these happened at a Bell's Brewery tap takeover at Sam's Quik Shop in Durham, NC (our local craft beer wonderland). The menu included several rare and exciting beers, one of which was the Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 American Strong Ale, a 14.9% behemoth that you have to build up courage to order. Discovering this beer wasn't the fantastical moment. It was the magical first sip.

In the glass, this beer black as night and menacing as hell. There is almost no head, just a coppery sliver that quickly dissipates. Everyone knows what that means: strength, and lots of it. On the nose, I found a big sweet bourbon alcohol aroma and little else. It's quite the nasal assault, so best to prepare yourself for it. Although, it's more of a blast than a burn, which I was really surprised by. These beers are often nose hair scorchers, so I was caught off guard by such a thick and meaty aroma. I had no idea what to expect going in for that first sip. You know, aside from bourbon.

And then it happened. My eyes grew wide and choirs of beer angels started to sing. This heavenly brew drinks like a dream. So many flavors, all of them huge, all of them balanced, none of them aggressive, a truly unreal experience. In no particular order, I found sweet bourbon, brown sugar, plums, tart cherries, milky chocolate, caramel, vanilla, an array of spices, maple, oak, licorice, and that was just from the first few sips. And here's the kicker: this beer is silky smooth. Now don't get me wrong, the alcohol presence is noticeable, but tastes half as strong as it actually is. Not surprisingly, the hop profile really struggles for attention, but it still does a good job in restraining the alcohol bite. The beer finishes sticky with a long lasting aftertaste of sweet brown liquor. I should also note that this beer is an obligate sipper. While it's smooth enough to drink at a normal pace, your brain simply won't allow you to. It's a good thing too because the spice notes amplify as the beer warms, which I found to be a really cool effect.

What was especially entertaining was watching everyone else order this beast and take their first sips. Time and time again I would watch thirsty beer fans take one whiff and immediately jerk their heads back into a newly found anxiety. But then they take that first nervous sip and everyone has the same reaction: an instant wide-eyed amazement that screams, ''holy crap you have to try this!''

Overall, Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 American Strong Ale is a fantastic beer. I cannot say enough great things about this glorious nectar. This is one of the very, very, very few massive barrel aged beers that I can recommend to all levels of beer fan. But, novices be warned: respect this beer and go into it with a clear mind. It's going to kick your ass. But, the amazing array of flavors it offers you as a reward are well worth the beating. Plus, it's a rare opportunity to experience a finish line brew from the starting gate. But for seasoned drinkers, my advice is simple: prioritize this beer. Put it on your radar, add it to your ''must try'' list, ask your local beer store about it. I assure you that the hunt is beyond worth it.

Review of Hoppy Bunny (Black IPA / American Black Ale) from Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery : By Chops

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:03:14 GMT

The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery out of Farmville, NC has made quite an impact on the regional craft beer scene since opening their doors in 2004. They are perhaps best known for their delicious Milk Stout, a regional staple and reliable option on most local beer menus. For the most part, their product line stays on the darker end of the spectrum. So whenever any local beer fan craves a healthy dose of dark malty goodness, a Duck-Rabbit brew will almost certainly fit the bill (pun intended). I have been steadily drinking through and greatly enjoying their tasty brews. Up next in my journey is the Hoppy Bunny American Black Ale.

In the glass, this beer is stark black with only a sliver of caramel edging. It comes with a big thick creamy tan head that has very long retention. On the nose, I was greeted with a piney citrus aroma and a nip of alcohol burn. That's pretty much it, this beer has a very specific introduction that is easy to grasp. Going into that first sip, I expected little more than a solid IPA with a tasty base roast.

I should take a moment to note that American Black Ales (also known as Black IPAs) have a notable sensory disconnection between their stout-like appearance and hoppy IPA aroma. Hoppy Bunny is a great example because it looks like a solid stout, but smells like a solid IPA. Don't let the appearance fool you into thinking the beer is somehow misbrewed. When all is said and done, you should be able to close your eyes and enjoy a good malty IPA.

Right away I was greeted with an aggressive hop profile. It is piney and stingy to start off, but mellows out on the finish. The sweet citrus is somewhat overshadowed by the roasted malty base flavor, but neither combat the hops. I found hints of sweet chocolate and pumpernickel bread swirling around in the mix, which added a very nice character. The mouthfeel is in a light-to-medium range with a tingly bitterness. The beer finishes dry with a long lasting airy bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Duck-Rabbit's Hoppy Bunny American Black Ale is a tasty brew with lots of good flavor and is a solid representation of the style. It also fills the role of a good session beer, even at a respectable 7.3% ABV. The nip of alcohol helps reign in any mindless drinking, so I especially recommend this beer to novices. Hoppy Bunny is a great bridge beer into the style because it forces your to pay attention. The aggression is present but not overbearing. The flavors are bold but not unbalanced. In short, Hoppy Bunny is a great learning tool and should be used as such.

Review of Sweet Potato Stout (Sweet Stout) from Bell's Brewery, Inc. : By Chops

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:54:55 GMT

There are certain events in a beer geek's life that just need to happen. You don't fight them, question them, or let them slip away to scheduling conflicts. They are calendar anvils that need to be met. Maybe there is a highly coveted seasonal brew being released. Maybe a world renowned beer expert is swinging into town for a lecture. Or maybe, your local beer store is hosting a Bell's Brewery tap takeover. This was the notice I recently received from Sam's Quik Shop in Durham, NC, my local craft beer wonderland. This was also the moment when my dentist appointment got rescheduled. Priorities people, priorities. Up first on this most glorious of menus was the Bell's Sweet Potato Stout.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration that is almost black. It has a slight muddy brown edging that gives it a thick appearance. It comes with a creamy tan head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I found a pleasant malt roast and plenty of sweet potato. It's actually a very straight forward beer. Based on aroma alone, this is most certainly a sweet potato stout. Bell's isn't beating around the bush with this beer, so I wasted little time before diving right in.

The savory roasted malt provides solid foundation without being aggressive or chalky. The sweet potato flavor acts more as a malt compliment than primary trait, allowing other notes like caramel and dark fruits to emerge. There is also a note of milk chocolate that adds a delightful sweetness to the mix. This beer is a smooth easy drinker that you can enjoy all day long. Every aspect of this beer is warm and welcoming, down to the pleasantly sweet roasted aftertaste.

Overall, the Bell's Sweet Potato Stout is a fantastic session beer. It is very straight forward and easily digestible. Consequently, I recommend this brew to novices above anyone else. It perfectly showcases how unique flavors can greatly enhance a good beer. Seasoned drinkers will love this brew as an endlessly enjoyable session beer. This is one of those beers you come across that seems highly deliberate. I am confident that the talented brewers over at Bell's thought to themselves that the essence of a sweet potato would compliment a stout quite well. They planned it, flawlessly executed it, and reaped the rewards of being right. So once again I have to tip my drinking hat to the Bell's brewers. You never cease to amaze me with your delectable arsenal of fine brews.

Review of Fillmore Fusion Ale (American Pale Ale) from Lagunitas Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:00:54 GMT

The Lagunitas Brewing Company out of Petaluma, CA is nothing if not adventurous. They have a ''why the hell not'' attitude and a remarkable skill for brewing that produces delectable delights with names like Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. Sampling new Lagunitas brews is always an amusing experience because not only are their beers reliably delicious, but there is often a good story behind them. Their latest creation goes by the name Fillmore Fusion Ale, brewed to honor the 100th Anniversary of the historic building that houses San Francisco's iconic Fillmore Theater. Lagunitas thought it would be good fun to let the theater's staff select the ingredients to be used in the beer. They smelled hops, tasted malts, and discussed styles. The resulting 5% nectar is described by Lagunitas as a ''light, sessionable, IPA-ish'' brew. Oddly enough, I find this to be a perfect description. Review over, the end. Kidding of course, let's break this bugger down.

In the glass, this beer has a clear golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has nice retention. On the nose, I found a big piney aroma with notes of grapefruit citrus and lemongrass. There are plenty of floral and tropical notes, but I couldn't hone in on any specific traits. The hops are quite dominant on the aroma and tend to mask any complexity. No worries though, I'm confident I will zero in on a few tropical flavors.

That first sip was unmistakably Lagunitas, even with a mishmash of random ingredients. I can only describe it as ''tropically crisp West Coast'', and fans of the brewery will know exactly what I'm talking about. It didn't take long to identify the source of the tropical aromas hiding under the hop profile: pineapple and mango. I also found grapefruit, lemongrass, orange rind, plus a dusting of herbs and spices. The base malt adds a caramel sweetness that acts as a thin foundation. The beer drinks really smooth and all the flavors balance nicely with a restrained yet savory hop profile. The beer exits crisp and clean with a lightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall, the Lagunitas Fillmore Fusion Ale is a delightful session beer that I could drink all day long. It is endlessly enjoyable with lots of great flavor. I can easily recommend this beer to all levels of beer fans, but especially to novices. Fillmore manages to harness all of the wonderful traits that make pale ales delicious without becoming an overly zealous concoction. It has the zest of a great IPA but minus the aggression. It's a remarkably approachable session ale and should be used as such. Fillmore isn't a beer you buy a single of for a special occasion. It's a beer you buy a case of to share with friends at fun social gatherings. My only gripe with this beer is that it doesn't come in six packs... yet. (hint hint Lagunitas)

Review of Palate Wrecker (Imperial IPA) from Green Flash Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:38:02 GMT

There is an unfortunate trend that is currently plaguing the world of craft beer. Many breweries are obsessed with creating the biggest, baddest, boldest, and bitterest Imperial IPAs that their setups will allow. Why we are experiencing this phenomenon can be attributed to many factors. First, the whole ''craft beer'' movement is uniquely American. Great beer has been brewing all over the world long before American breweries took root. And we all know what happens when we give anything to the land of ''bigger is better''. Couple this mentality with several breweries that have managed to excite palates with big bold IPAs of high quality (Stone for example), and you have a the makings of a competitive environment. It gives us beers with names like ''Palate Wrecker'' by the Green Flash Brewing Company. Now don't get me wrong, I like Green Flash. I like Imperial IPAs. But at this point I have to question whether or not this beer needs to exist. I mean c'mon, the beer is practically telling drinkers that it's going to be an unpleasant experience.

In the glass, this beer has a clear honey coloration with some amber hues. It comes with a rocky white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a potent and aggressive pine resin aroma resting on top of a malty caramel sweetness. It's an vicious battle for attention that never calms down, so best to make peace with it. I also found some candied citrus and a dash of herbs swirling around. The aroma was actually more complex than I was expecting, so I had higher hopes going in for that first sip.

Not surprisingly, the piney hops come out swinging for the fences. This beer is extremely aggressive with a potent bitterness that far overpowers any alcohol burn. In other words, I hope you like hops. There isn't much else to find, just some hints of the caramel base malt and that's about it. Despite the hop assault, this beer has an interesting mouthfeel train. It briefly starts out malty smooth and the hops don't reach full force until the middle ground. But once ramped up, they power through the finish, creating a harsh, dry, lengthy bitter aftertaste. Oddly enough though, it's quite clean for such a big IPA. This beer is basically an amplified and relentless imperial version of a West Coast IPA.

Overall, the Green Flash Palate Wrecker is great for what it is. My only real gripe would be that West Coast IPAs are aggressive at a baseline. I don't really see the wisdom in brewing an amplified version other than to cater to a small crowd of masochistic hop heads, which of course is the only group I can even recommend this beer to. Novices be warned: this beer will actually wreck your palate and turn you off of better beer forever. So I ask the question again: why does this beer need to exist? I enjoyed the experience because it was new and interesting, but I cannot imagine drinking this angry beast on a regular basis. But hey, we live in America. We like things unnecessarily big and bold. Green Flash is a great brewery and I can't fault them in the least for throwing a hat into the ring of palate punishment. Cheers! (cough cough hack)

Review of St. Bernardus Abt 12 (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from St. Bernardus Brouwerij : By Chops

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:05:49 GMT

''Look for the smiley monk.'' This is often my advice to any craft beer newbie who yearns to explore the wonderful world of Belgian beers. The reason, of course, is that you simply cannot go wrong with a St. Bernardus brew. Every single beer in their delectable arsenal is of world class quality and is highly respected in the brewing community. It's one of those rare occasions where you can utilize lofty generalized statements: if you don't like St. Bernardus, you don't like Belgian beer. The reason is that these beers rarely venture out to stylistic edges. They are perfected examples of what is widely regarded as the most difficult beer styles to brew. They are truly exceptional. I recently had the pleasure of sampling the St. Bernardus Abt 12, a 10% Belgian Quad and the strongest beer in their product line.

In the glass, this beer has a muddy dark brown coloration. There is a lot of sediment and yeasty floaters swirling around, so let this beer settle for a few minutes before diving in. No worries though, because it gives your brain plenty to do in the meantime. It comes with rocky tan head that has great retention. On the nose, I detected a sweet malty caramel aroma along with those signature Belgian yeasts. They compliment each other perfectly and combine to form a solid dark brown sweet bready base. Swirling around on top are candied dark fruits, a dusting of spices (namely clove), notes of brown sugar, and a slight alcohol twinge. Mmm, I couldn't ask for a better introduction. Nothing left to do but smile, close my eyes, and take that first sip.

There is a reason why big Belgian beers are often called ''liquid bread'' and the St. Bernardus Abt 12 embodies this phenomenon. This beer has a very thick mouthfeel and is buttery smooth. It coats your tongue in syrupy goodness and doesn't let go. The resulting finish is sweet and sticky with a long lasting bready malty aftertaste. The flavor profile closely mirrors the aroma, so there are really no surprises (again, stylistically sound). The malty caramel and dark brown breads are large and in charge. Complementing the mix are dark savory fruits like plum, earthy toasted nuts, and a touch of spice. Be warned though, this beer has a very well hidden strength. The alcohol presence is noticeable, but has no aggressive tendencies, resulting in a surprisingly easy drinking brew. In other words, take your time and enjoy the experience.

Overall, the St. Bernardus Abt 12 is an exquisite Belgian Quad. I cannot say enough great things about it. On top of being a perfect example of the style, it's also easily accessible and endlessly enjoyable. Needless to say, I can recommend this brew to any and all beer fans. I will, however, caution novices when trying this beer. While St. Bernardus Abt 12 is more approachable than most in the category, it's still a Belgian behemoth. Know what you're getting yourself into and respect the experience. Treat this beer right, and I guarantee that smiling monk will return the favor.

Review of Encore (American IPA) from Magic Hat Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:34:05 GMT

The Magic Hat Brewing Company is very well known for their whimsical approach to brewing. They are one of the very few breweries out there that can appeal to beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers alike. This can be a double edged sword because they can usher in new craft beer fans just as easily as alienate the ones that are already there. It's not uncommon for a novice drinker's ''oooo, neat'' to be a seasoned drinker's ''WTF''. So going into any new Magic Hat brew, I have to completely clear my mind and expect the unexpected. This served me well going into their Encore Ale, a ''genre-blending mix of an American wheat beer and a traditional India Pale Ale''. I know, I know, stay with me here.

For the record, blending a wheat beer and an IPA is kind of like blending... hell, I don't know... avocados and hot fudge sundaes. It just doesn't make any damn sense. You can't help but scrunch your eyebrows together, throw your hands up in the air and vehemently ask ''why does this exist?!'' At least, that's what I did when I came across this brew. Anyway, moving on.

In the glass, this beer has an amber-orange coloration. It comes with a creamy tan head that has a really long retention. Encore definitely has an enticing look, I'll give it that. On the nose, I found a candied orange aroma. You know those bags of candy orange slices that you find in gas stations? Yeah, smells just like that. The hops also amplify the citrusy sweetness. So going into that first sip, I expected little more than a glass of liquified orange gummy bears.

Warning: the aroma-flavor disconnection takes a while to get used to. Orange gummy bears? Nope, dry bitter piney hops. Candy orange slices? Nope, more dry bitter piney hops. I really struggled to find a connection between the wheat and IPA, and the dry piney hops dominate everything. There is a little caramel sweetness acting as a thin base. I also found faint notes of herbs and mint. The beer finishes light and leaves a piney bitter aftertaste. To be perfectly honest, Encore tastes like a weak and unbalanced West Coast IPA. The whole wheat-IPA hybrid is completely lost on my palate.

Overall, Magic Hat's Encore Ale is a quirky unbalanced brew. I can award some points for creativity, but I just can't get behind it as a style. Although, I'm sure that there are many novices out there who would love a tame session-worthy IPA, which this beer certainly is. And to be fair, Encore is a tasty brew and I'm by no means discouraging people from trying it. But, standard Magic Hat advice applies: you may or may not like it, go into it with no expectations.

Review of Urkontinent (Belgian Dubbel) from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery : By Chops

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:39:40 GMT

To say that Dogfish Head is a unique brewery at this point is somewhat of a redundant statement. You can practically use their name as an adjective to describe anything off-centered. ''Dude, that's so Dogfish Head.'' Fans of the brewery know exactly what I'm talking about, which is of course why they are fans of the brewery. Every beer is an adventure and president/founder Sam Calagione is the brewer equivalent of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. ''Oooo, she's a grumpy wort!'' I can go on and on about what Dogfish Head brings to the craft brew table, but I think it's just easier to let them describe their Urkontinent Ale:

''Urkontinent is a social collaboration of worldwide proportions. The seed was planted when Dogfish Head asked beer-loving tech types around the globe to suggest ingredients for a new off-centered ale. A small team from the brewery (and a few of our beer-loving tech friends) then narrowed the list to five: wattleseed from Australia, toasted amaranth from South America, rooibos tea from Africa, myrica gale from Europe and honey from the United States. The name Urkontinent, a German word for the theory that all of the continents were once connected, is a shoutout to the worldly recipe and ideas that make up this beer. The careful combination of ingredients gives this Belgian dubbel complex coffee and chocolate-covered cherry notes.''

See what I mean? Now imagine going into this beer with the blind acceptance of any old boring brew. Your brain would grind to a halt and you would speak only in grunts.

In the glass, this beer has a muddy dark brown coloration with a ruby red edging. I would like to describe it as a mahogany, but it's not quite there. It comes with a creamy tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I detected a rich earthy roasted aroma that was very complex. Granted, I wasn't even familiar with half the ingredient list before going into this beer, so I'm left to describe it from a generic perspective. I found notes of chocolate, dark breads, toasted nuts, sweet vanilla, tart cherries, and a savory coffee roast. Oh yeah, did I mention this is a Belgian dubbel? Mental disconnection, thy name is me. That's not a criticism mind you, just an acknowledgement of the Dogfish Head way.

It should come as no surprise that the flavor was equally complex. Savory earthy malt, dark fruits, toasted bread crust, nuts galore, a dusting of spices, hints of caramel, and a cola-like sweetness infused with cherry and vanilla. Seriously, what is my brain supposed to do with this information? I pretty much reverted back to caveman reviewing at that point. ''Beer good!'' Nothing specific stands out as a primary trait, this brew is just a mishmash of delicious complexity. The mouthfeel takes on a chalky roasted feel similar to a coffee stout. I also found a twinge of alcohol burn. To be perfectly honest, this beer doesn't drink at all like a Belgian dubbel. It leans more towards a Foreign Extra Stout or a Winter Warmer.

Overall, Dogfish Head's Urkontinent Ale is an oddly delicious brew. It will more than satisfy any imperial fan with a pension for the strange. Its array of unique flavors a lot of fun to study. I honestly cannot recommend this beer to any specific camp. It really is a coin toss on whether you will like it or not. I personally really enjoyed the experience and will happily partake in more. My only real advice would be go into this beer with zero expectations. It seems that the ''Belgian'' designation was more of a ''close enough'' decision because this brew lacks classification outside of ''Frankenbrew''. So for the adventurous among you, pick up a Urkontinent Ale and start speaking in your best Australian accent. This is a brew that would make Steve Irwin proud.

Review of KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) (Imperial Stout) from Founders Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:43:21 GMT

Hype can be a very potent weapon in the craft beer world. All it takes is for a handful of beer aficionados to single out a particular nectar as something truly special. Just like that, a beer craze is born. Of course, there is one very big drawback to this process: beer crazes rarely live up to the hype. Great they certainly can be, but I've learned to curb any naive excitement. As we all know, the worst letdowns are the ones you went into with an overabundance of expectation. That being said, sometimes a beer can come along that not only meets those expectations, but far exceeds them. The Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) is one such beer.

KBS is a seasonal release for April and is extremely difficult to get your hands on. Small batches + worthy beer craze = long lines on release day. I was lucky enough this past season (2012) to score a 4-pack at the annual KBS lottery at my local beer store. Yes, KBS is so popular that acquiring some requires a randomized ticketing system. The pack has been aging in my beer cabinet ever since. But recently my curiosity got the better of me and I opened my first bottle of this glorious nectar.

Per Founders: ''What we've got here is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year to make sure wonderful bourbon undertones come through in the finish. Makes your taste buds squeal with delight.''

What a woefully lackadaisical description. There should be some sort of reference to knees buckling and the word ''orgasmic'' should be used at least three times.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration and pours like used motor oil. It comes with a thin coppery head that dissipates quickly, even with an aggressive pour. At this point I had to huff and shake my head because I knew I was about to do battle with a behemoth. KBS is dark as night, menacing as hell, and flat out demands your respect. On the nose, I found a rich sweet bourbon aroma, but without a significant alcohol burn. It's more of a gentle warming than nostril assault. Resting underneath are layers of black coffee roast and savory dark chocolates. The aromatic bouquet is beautifully balanced and very enticing, which was a lovely surprise for the style. I spent a several minutes just taking deep whiffs and allowing my eyes to roll back into my head.

Much to my surprise, it was the mouthfeel that first caught my attention. It's very strange (in a good way) and takes a while to get used to. It is silky smooth and almost creamy to start. Then out of nowhere the middle ground morphs into a harsh and bitter coffee roast. The beer switches gears again for the finish and exits like a dry shot of bourbon. It's a wild wide, so best to prepare yourself for it.

The sweet bourbon is central to the flavor profile and is focused without being overpowering. It allows the rich black coffee roasts and dark chocolates to peddle influence without distraction. Again, the take home word here is ''balance''. KBS is unbelievably balanced for such a huge barrel aged stout. It's amazing drinkable at a hefty 11.2% ABV and somehow retains a high level of approachability. This of course is a big reason why it gained so much notoriety. I should also note that KBS gains a syrupy quality as it warms, so take your time with it and enjoy a lengthy sipping session.

Overall, the Founders KBS is an exquisite brew and a champion of the barrel aged beer style. It's a beer you feel privileged to acquire and doubly privileged to sample. Needless to say, I recommend KBS to any fan of better beer. Although, and it pains me to say it, but I have to steer novices away from this beer. Drinking KBS without a proper appreciation is a waste of KBS. If you are lucky enough to acquire KBS as a novice, then I highly advise storing it somewhere dark and forgettable. Start honing your palate. Explore the vast gamut of beer styles. Build an appreciation of imperial ales and barrel aged beers. Then on that inevitable day when you find yourself becoming bored (early onset of drinker's fatigue), come back to that bottle of KBS. A single sip will permanently reignite your sense of craft beer wonder.

Review of Regulator Doppelbock (Doppelbock) from Bull City Burger and Brewery : By Chops

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:36:29 GMT

Germans. The undisputed kings of great beer. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: even the most mediocre of German beers are better products than most of what the American craft scene has to offer. Disagree? Stop reading this review right now and go to your local beer store. Pick up anything you see labelled Ayinger, Weltenburg, Weihenstephaner, Andechs, or Schneider Weisse. Hell, I'll even accept Franziskaner, Paulaner, or Spaten. Drink them. Go ahead, I'll wait (hums Jeopardy theme). Properly imbibed? Good, now stand there and let that overwhelming feeling of depression wash over you. Do you know what that is? That's your brain becoming inconsolable because you don't live in Germany.

This is why I always cringe going into American versions of bocks, my favorite beer style. At this point I fully expect to be disappointed. Now I find myself staring at a full glass of the Regulator Doppelbock by Bull City Burger and Brewery. We have made it no secret here at BrewChief that we adore BCBB and regard it as one of the true hidden gems of the American craft beer scene. Within the walls of BCBB, I fully expect to be impressed. So, I now sit at a crossroads of expectations. Will BCBB do justice to Germany's thousand years of brewing tradition, or will I experience yet another stateside letdown? Time to take a deep breath and find out.

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy ruby brown coloration. It comes with a frothy tan head that has great retention. To be honest, this is a beautiful beer. I took some time to hold it up to a light source, which made those bright red undertones pop. On the nose, I detected a candied malt aroma with plenty of sweet caramel. I also found a nondescript spicy note, some toasted bread, a whiff of chocolate, and a nip of alcohol. So far so good, that's certainly a solid introduction for a doppelbock.

Wow is this beer is a silky smooth easy drinker. It took several sips to start picking out flavors because I was so impressed with the mouthfeel. BCBB nailed this aspect, so mad props to the brewmasters. From there I started to identify flavors: toasted malts, savory caramel, a dusting of spices, and a brown alcohol sweetness. The flavor profile mirrors the aroma quite well, so there were no real surprises to speak of. The hops are quite mild and only really noticeable on the exit. The beer finishes clean with a mild malty bitter aftertaste that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Overall, Bull City Burger and Brewery's Regulator Doppelbock is a delightful brew with lots of great flavor. I can easily recommend it to any level of beer fan. Seasoned drinkers will enjoy it as a great session doppelbock and novices can utilize it as a flavorful bridge beer into the style. German purists will probably regard the Regulator as a worthy attempt, but falling a bit short of true competitor. As one of those Bavarian fanboys, I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. I went in with low style expectations and high brewery expectations and they met at the higher end of the results scale. So once again I must tip my drinking hat to Bull City Burger and Brewery. You always seem to emerge victorious, even when the odds stacked against you.

Review of Heart of Darkness (American Stout) from Magic Hat Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:58:06 GMT

The Magic Hat Brewing Company out of South Burlington, Vermont is often a hit or miss brewery for beer fans. They are unafraid of venturing into uncharted territories, be it creating hybrid styles or brewing with tropical fruits. So going into any Magic Hat brew, you at least know that expectations are neutral. You may or may not like it, but props will always be given for creativity. This is probably why the Heart of Darkness stout caught me completely off guard. There were no oddball additives or wacky brewing processes. It's just a damn good beer.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration that is almost black. It comes with a frothy tan head that has decent retention. On the nose, I found a sweet milk chocolate aroma. It's pretty dominant and I wasn't able to find much else. The roasted malt is there, but it acts as a faint under layer. None of this is bad mind you, I was just surprised to find such a straight forward aroma.

The roasted malt flavor comes out to play on the first sip. That sweet milk chocolate aroma dissipates into a well balanced flavor profile. A savory cocoa flavor and mild hop profile provide a lovely counterweight to the roast. It doesn't take long to realize that you're dealing with a solid no-frills stout. The mouthfeel has a slight grittiness to it, but the beer remains decently smooth and easy drinking with a mid-level body. It finishes a bit chalky, but leaves behind a tasty bitter roast aftertaste that lingers for a while.

Overall, Magic Hat's Heart of Darkness is a solid brew with great flavor. I can easily recommend it to all levels of beer fans. Seasoned beer drinkers will appreciate this brew as a delicious and reliable session stout. Novices especially can really benefit from this brew. It has a very approachable 5.7% ABV as well as an easily digestible flavor profile. Consequently, novices can sink their teeth into the style and see what those ''dark beers'' are all about. Magic Hat has created a solid and reliable tool for constructing bridges to better beer. I imagine Heart of Darkness has ushered in many new craft beer fans and I hope it continues this mission for years to come.

Review of Storm (Imperial IPA) from Brewdog Ltd. : By Chops

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:31:59 GMT

Breweries these days come in many shapes and sizes. Some are behemoths that are only concerned with the bottom line. Some are regional staples that provide an array of reliable brews. Some are diamonds in the rough that gain notoriety through perfecting their passion. Still there are others that do whatever the hell they want to and couldn't give two flying shits what anyone thinks about them. This is Brewdog out of Scotland. They make great beers, weird beers, head scratching beers, crazy beers, whatever tickles their fancy at any given time. Hell, they even produce the Sink the Bismarck Imperial IPA, a 41% ABV bottle of WTF and current title holder of the world's strongest beer. That's the environment you drink from going into any Brewdog beer. It's one of the few breweries on the planet that can flat guarantee an interesting experience. Such was the case when I busted open Storm, their Islay Whiskey Cask Aged IPA.

In the glass, this beer has a cloudy orange juice coloration. It came with absolutely no head, even with an aggressive pour. At this point I was a little nervous because I didn't know how to interpret the appearance. If this was anything other than a cask aged beer, I would have said it's either flat or has a massive ABV. On the nose, I found a big potent whiskey aroma resting on a base of oak. Yup, that's pretty much it. I couldn't even detect the base beer, which had me doubly nervous. Seriously, if I had closed my eyes and smelled this beer blind, I would have sent it back as the wrong order. ''I said the whiskey cask ale, not straight whiskey.'' But anyway, I had to reorient and remind myself that this was a Brewdog beer. Let's dive right in and have us an adventure.

Thankfully I could actually taste the base beer, but it had absolutely no resemblance to an IPA. In fact, I could only identify it as ''beer''. The whiskey is once again large and in charge. Dusting the mix is a nondescript spiciness and a touch of bitterness, but that's pretty much it. To be fair, the beer is decently smooth and easy to drink, so long as you don't mind the flavor of whiskey. There's really not much else to say about it. Storm is just a whiskey laden mystery beer. It finished sticky with a lingering aftertaste of citrus and, you guessed it, whiskey.

Overall, Brewdog's Storm Islay Whiskey Cask Aged IPA is a really strange brew. It's okay for what it is, but I just can't recommend it. Beer fans looking for a great whiskey cask ale would do much better elsewhere. Storm is an interesting beer and worth a try if you happen across it, but I wouldn't seek it out. You may or may not like it, and that's about the only real insight I can provide. Brewdog is well known for pushing craft beer boundaries in both intriguing and questionable ways, so I can't fault them in the least for releasing this brew. But for me, Storm is definitely one for the miss column.

Review of Single Hop Imperial IPA - Centennial (Imperial IPA) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:50:53 GMT

Ah yes, the single hop Imperial IPA, one of the best educational tools in all of craft beer. If you ever want to study what different hop varieties bring to the table, then line up a bunch of single hop IPAs and get to work. Many breweries have caught the single hop buzz and have started producing their versions. But, many fall short because they strive to obtain balance by default. These beers are not meant to be balanced. They're meant to be hop assaults, bitter bombs, all out attacks on the senses. How else are you going to know what a Centennial hop adds to a beer if it doesn't jump out of said beer and slap you in the face? Flying Dog understands this, which is why I always get excited when they release their versions. Today I get to try the 2012 release of their Centennial Single Hop Imperial IPA. I really enjoyed last year's version, so let's see how it stacks up.

In the glass, this beer has a lightly hazy honey golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a sweet candied citrus with an under layer of piney hops. To be honest, the aroma reminds me of those gummy orange slice candies. I was quite surprised (and pleased) by this because I immediately knew I was in for a new experience. Did Flying Dog tweak the recipe? Maybe heavier on the malt side? Some lengthy dry hopping? Hmm, questions and more questions. Let's dive right in and seek some answers.

Mouthfeel. That's hands down the biggest difference. Last year I was greeted with a tangy smooth nectar. This year I have a syrupy sticky version that coats your mouth in a thick layer of hoppy goodness. The beer has a solid medium body that you can really sink your teeth into. But in an amazing swing, the beer finishes dry with an airy piney bitterness that seems to linger forever. What? Very cool, very weird, and endless fascinating.

On the flavor side, I found a big dose of sweet orange-like citrus, which is pretty typical for the Centennial hop variety. The hop bite is restrained by the body, creating a surprisingly balanced flavor profile. There is a slight alcohol burn that resides as an under layer and never gets in the way (warning: that's a very well hidden 10% ABV). Resting in between is a malty caramel sweetness that adds a faint maple syrup like quality.

Overall, the 2012 version of Flying Dog's Centennial Single Hop Imperial IPA is a delicious brew with a syrupy bite. I greatly enjoyed this experience and I'm confident that any hop head or imperial fan will as well. It should go without saying that this beer is too big for novices, so best to hone that beginner palate with Flying Dog's reliable core line (Snake Dog IPA is especially tasty). It was a lot of fun getting to contrast and compare different versions of this imperial beast and I will look forward to this craft beer adventure every year. After all, that's one of the primary draws of the craft beer movement: an ever changing landscape. I tip my drinking hat to Flying Dog for another delicious educational tool. Cheers!

Review of Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout (Dry Stout) from Brooklyn Brewery : By Chops

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:46:04 GMT

Most beer fans are intimately familiar with the Dry Irish Stout style and many don't even know it. Guinness has beyond popularized the style, but few beer drinkers can actually name another example. Known for their creamy smoothness and easy drinking nature, these beers are the pinnacle of session stouts. At this point I would usually launch into a brief history lesson or an informed observation, but the Brooklyn Brewery was kind enough to do that for me when discussing their version:

The Irish Stout beer style was once produced by dozens of breweries in Ireland. These days it is only produced by three major breweries in Ireland, none of them Irish-owned, though several small breweries and brewpubs make stout as well. People are often surprised to hear that Irish stouts are among the lightest beers on draft, both in alcohol and in calories. These beers were originally designed as ''session pints'', a term denoting beers that one can stick with for a long evening. These days, the major producers of Irish Stout dissolve nitrogen into the beer to produce the trademark head, a practice that started in 1960.

Brooklyn Irish Stout is brewed the old-fashioned way, without the nitrogen addition. A large portion of the grain is roasted like coffee beans, developing the typical color and flavor of this beer. Aside from British pale malts, the beer includes caramel malts, black patent malt, unmalted black barley and a proportion of flaked raw barley, which helps the beer develop a beautiful, thick natural head. The famous East Kent Golding hop lends to the earthy aroma. The beer is neither filtered, nor fined and has a light, brisk carbonation. The blend of grains gives the beer an espresso-like bite, followed by coffee and chocolate flavors. At 4.7% ABV, this is among the lightest beers we make, and one of our favorites. Be sure to serve it with ''two fingers'' of foam, and enjoy the flavor of Brooklyn Irish Stout. Slainte!

How could anyone resist such a delectable introduction? I know I can't, so let's get started...

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration that is near black, but retains a caramel edging. It comes with a creamy tan head that likes to stick around for a while. This is where you will notice the difference between Brooklyn's traditional version and the nitro'd Guinness version. Using nitrogen in a beer looks cool and smooths the mouthfeel, but it can also mask smells and flavor. The head on Brooklyn's version has a pillow-like quality with a moderate density, allowing for a much more intense aromatic experience. I was able to find a rich mocha-like roasted aroma enveloped in a sweet milk chocolate. The smell is very clean and nicely balanced. Going into that first sip, I was expecting an easy drinking session stout with lots of rich flavor.

Yup, pretty much nailed it. Right away you can tell that this beer is nicely balanced with no one flavor dominating the mix. It drinks very easy with a standard thinner mouthfeel. Although, this version did have a surprisingly level of grittiness and chalkiness that I was not expecting, almost like it resides in a middle ground between a Dry Irish Stout and an American Stout. Not a bad thing mind you, just a tad aggressive for the style. I found it the roasted malt flavor to be delightfully savory without being overpowering. It consisted mostly of cocoa and espresso roast. The hop profile is crisp and reigned in, adding just the right amount of bitterness. The beer exits dry with a clean roasted aftertaste and a moderate touch of bitterness.

Overall, Brooklyn's Dry Irish Stout is a delightful session brew with great flavor. It should go without saying that I much prefer this version over larger commercial versions like Guinness. In sticking with tradition, Brooklyn has managed to craft a delectable rival capable of taking back the Dry Irish Stout style. I can easily recommend this brew to any and all beer fans, but especially to novices. Seasoned drinkers will fall in love with this beer's endless session quality. Novices will be dumbstruck by this beer's rich flavors and amazing accessibility. So the next time you find yourself reaching for that pack of Guinness, opt for the Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout instead. Discover for yourself what this style is really about. You can thank us later.

Review of St. EADman Belgian Dark Ale (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:44:42 GMT

When it comes to big bold Belgian beers, stateside breweries rarely enter the conversation. These beers conjure images of monks, monasteries, snifters and goblets. Belgian Strong Ales are often considered the true beasts of the brewing world. They are rich in flavor, massive in body, menacingly powerful, and inherently respected. So when a brewery known for palate punishing creations enters the Belgian realm, beer fans tend to take notice. This is high stakes brewing, and expectations don't get much higher than a Flying Dog Belgian Quad. Yes, you read that right. Flying Dog cracked their hopped up knuckles and decided to tackle the biggest and baddest of Belgian beers. The resulting concoction is called the St. EADman Belgian Dark Ale.

As a little back story, this beer is dedicated to Ralph Steadman, the famous British cartoonist best known for his work with Hunter S. Thompson. Per Flying Dog: ''Ralph Steadman is a prolific artist who has produced thousands of groundbreaking and influential works during the last 45 years. He has been creating original art for Flying Dog’s labels since 1996.''

In the glass, this beer has a deep and hazy reddish orange coloration. It comes with a frothy light tan head that dissipates quickly. We all know that this usually means: strength, and lots of it. St. EADman clocks in at a respectable 10% ABV, not a beer to be trifled with. On the nose, I found a sweet dark fruit aroma, namely in the form of plums and raisins. The alcohol burn is also present, but resides more as an under layer. There is also a peppery character that adds a nice zesty quality to the mix. I really enjoyed this intro, but Flying Dog likes to hit you from all directions, so I went into that first sip with under caution.

This beer's mouthfeel is what immediately grabbed my attention. It has a big bold body that is syrupy thick and quite sticky. It's not every day that the first note out of the Flying Dog gate isn't the hop profile, but it arrives soon enough. Belgians aren't really known for their hop presence, but it just wouldn't be a Flying Dog version if there wasn't one. I found that the hops added a nice spicy quality to the signature bready notes of a good Belgian. The hops are allowed to assert themselves on the finish, creating a long lasting bitter fruity aftertaste. The dark fruit notes themselves have a candied vibe and take the forms of plums, pears, and tart cherries.

Overall, Flying Dog's St. EADman Belgian Dark Ale is a delicious brew with a zany personality. It freely plays with style boundaries, which we have come to expect from Flying Dog. Consequently, I can't say that St. EADman is a fantastic Belgian, but it's certainly a delicious creation that deserves to be recognized. Belgian purists may scoff at this nectar, but fans of wacky imperials will certainly embrace it. I personally really enjoyed the experience. It makes me wish that there were more aggressive Belgians on the market. Who knows, maybe Flying Dog can take up that mantle and run with it. You have a green light from this beer geek.

In closing, I offer a toast to the great Ralph Steadman! May your labels stay funky and fresh. Cheers!

Review of Blackout Stout (Imperial Stout) from Great Lakes Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:07:26 GMT

The Great Lakes Brewing Company out of Cleveland, OH caught my undivided attention last year with their amazing line of perfect beers. I started my journey with the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter and have since sampled my way through their Burning River Pale Ale, Dortmunder Gold Lager, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, and their seasonal Nosferatu Imperial Red (my personal favorite). To say that Great Lakes is a reliable brewery at this point would be a gross understatement. They fall firmly into the ''can do no wrong'' category. On a recent trip to my favorite local pub, a fresh new tap caught my eye: the Great Lakes Blackout Stout, their seasonal Russian Imperial. I believe my wide eyes and slack jaw prompted the bartender to pour me a pint. The conversation went something like this:

Bartender: ''Great Lakes I take it?''
Me: *nods and claps*
Bartender: ''Have you tried it yet?''
Me: ''Hell no, but it's fantastic!''

In the glass, this beer has a stark black appearance with only a slight ruby red edging (and that was using bright sunlight). It comes with a thick creamy tan head that likes to stick around for a really long time. On the nose, I was greeted with a milky sweet roasted aroma that was very clean and welcoming. I also found a lot of faint notes resting underneath that foreshadow a array of flavors: dark chocolates, dark fruits, molasses, and espresso beans to name a few. It's a really interesting aroma to study and you can't help but devote plenty of sniff time like some sort of eager tracking hound. Going into that first sip, I knew there was a lot more to the equation, so I had the expectation of a pleasant surprise.

It didn't take long at all to discover another piece of the puzzle: a very well hidden bite. I was not expecting a hop assault on the first sip, but that's exactly what I got. This is not a bad thing mind you and it goes a long way in quelling any pungent sweetness. Consequently, Blackout ends up being a very well balanced beer. Many of the aroma notes appear as solid flavor traits, namely dark chocolates, rich strong espresso, molasses, a touch of smokiness, and dark fruit flavors like blackberries. The beer has a mid-level mouthfeel and a moderate alcohol warming, which softens the profile a bit and allows for a lengthy session. But, this isn't to say that the beer is warm and cuddly because that signature gritty harshness of an aggressive Russian Imperial Stout is still present. I'm merely comparing it to others within the style. The beer finishes with a lengthy semi-sweet roasted aftertaste that seems to linger forever. The warming effect also comes into play here, which smooths out the mouthfeel and allows some sweeter chocolate notes to emerge.

Overall, the Great Lakes Blackout is a fantastic Russian Imperial Stout. I can easily recommend this brew to any beer geek with an imperial palate. Fans of darker brews will definitely appreciate this delightful nectar. Although, I will warn novices that this beer might be too big for you. I would explore the Great Lakes core line before tacking Blackout (the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter in particular would make a great stepping stone). On the other hand, Blackout has a such high level of accessibility for the style and I would not begrudge anyone for wanting an exciting new experience. It's a subdued aggression that won't offend any curious beer fan, so by all means give it a go. Once again I must tip my drinking hat to Great Lakes. Another new brew, another fantastic experience.

Review of Funky (e) Star (Belgian Blond Ale) from Mikkeller : By Chops

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:39:42 GMT

2012 has officially come and gone. Looking back on my many beer-related adventures, one in particular stands out for me. This past summer I was very fortunate to visit the Baltic region of Northern Europe, which included many fantastic experiences: bocks in Berlin, sahti in Helsinki, the list goes on and on. The highlight of the trip by far was getting a chance to visit the world famous Mikkeller Bar in Copenhagen, Denmark. I have been writing about that visit ever since and I'm sure many readers have grown weary of my tales. But, I just can't contain my excitement as a beer geek and it was a natural end-of-year reflection. So to wrap up 2012 in style, I had to bust open and toast a Mikkeller brew on New Year's Eve. After a careful scanning of my beer cabinet, the honor went to the Funky (e) Star Belgian Wild Ale. The label alone spoke ''party in a bottle'' to me. And as a side note: I have no earthly idea what the name means. No matter though, Mikkeller is on the bottle and that's all I needed to see.

In the glass, this beer has a deep and hazy honey amber coloration with a reddish tinting. It comes with a rocky light tan head that sticks around for a very long time. On the nose, I found a funky mishmash of sweet and sour notes. There's a lot of complexity to this aroma which took quite a while to get used to. The primary notes you can identify off the bat are piney hops and a sour fruity punch, namely in the form of apples. Resting underneath are some caramel notes, sourdough bread, and toasted grains. It's a strange yet intriguing concoction. I honestly had no idea what to expect from that first sip.

The first note to come out swinging is a potent pine resin. If you ever want to know what someone means by a pine resin quality in beer, this is your educational beer. From there the flavor profile spirals around a complex array of notes, namely caramel malt with a sourdough twang. The fruity flavors are all over the place. I found apples, apricots, pineapple, oranges, and other tropical varieties. The piney hops are flavorful and complimentary without being a distraction. To be perfectly honest, this beer is surprisingly balanced despite the wild flavors. It drinks really easy and has a nicely quelled alcohol burn. It has a solid medium body, finishes light and crisp, and exits with a non-aggressive combination of hoppy bitterness and fruity tartness.

Overall, Mikkeller's Funky (e) Star Belgian Wild Ale is a delicious brew with a vibrant personality. Stylistically, I'm at a loss for words. I would trip over my tongue trying to seriously dissect any Belgian Wild Ale, let alone a Mikkeller version. What I can say is that this beer certainly is a party in a bottle. I can easily recommend this beer to hop heads, Belgian fans, sour ale drinkers, and pretty much any fan group in between. Mikkeller diehards in particular will adore Funky (e) Star as yet another palate challenging creation. I enjoyed this experience so much in fact that I went ahead and scored another bottle. After all, it's never too early to start planning your next New Year's celebration. Cheers to another year of better beer!

Review of Bourbon Barrel Stout (American Stout) from Bluegrass Brewing Co. : By Chops

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:31:53 GMT

Barrel aged beers can be somewhat tricky to review because there are just so many ways the base beer can be affected. Certain styles lend themselves better to certain barrel types. Stouts are especially great candidates for barrel aging because they go into the process with a heftiness that is difficult to overpower. The resulting brews will have absorbed the flavors of the wood and previous liquor, creating a unique hybrid concoction. They are really interesting beers to study and few are alike. I would say the big challenge with these beers is that there is a fine line between uniquely satisfying and overtly boozy. Therefore, every new experience is a total dice roll. Up next in my barrel aged adventures is the Bluegrass Bourbon Barrel Stout.

In the glass, this beer has a stark black coloration with a slight ruby red edging. It comes with a creamy coppery tan head that has pretty good retention. On the nose, I detected a rich mocha-like milk chocolate with an under layer of sweet bourbon alcohol. Usually these roles are reversed, so I didn't know what to expect from that first sip. My initial expectations were that of a sweet chocolatey brew with a nip of bourbon.

Wow, not even remotely close. This is where barrel aged beers can throw you for a loop because it's not uncommon for the flavor to completely divert from the aroma. Case in point, this beer drinks more like a sour-stout hybrid than a barrel aged beer. It drinks quite smooth with a mild roasted flavor that takes a back seat to a big sour punch of tart cherries. The sweet bourbon alcohol character is almost nonexistent on the tongue. The tart fruity flavor closely resembles what you would find with a fruit lambic or a Flanders red ale. What? I can honestly say that I was caught completely off guard. Don't get me wrong though, this is definitely a tasty brew, but it's quite a sensory challenge. It took me a while to get used to the disconnection between aroma, flavor and style. The beer finishes clean with a tart fruity aftertaste.

Overall, the Bluegrass Bourbon Barrel Stout is a tasty brew that drinks more like a hybrid of styles. It falls a bit short as a barrel aged ale, but that shouldn't discourage anyone from trying it. It has a unique flavor and session quality that seasoned beer drinkers can appreciate. It's also mild enough for novices to try, but I recommend going into it with no expectations. It's a dice roll that you may or may not like. I enjoyed the experience and certainly wouldn't turn any more down. But, I wouldn't seek it out as a great example of the style. Just take it at face value and enjoy it for what it is: a good brew with good flavor.

Review of Lump Of Coal (Foreign Extra Stout) from Ridgeway Brewing Co. : By Brew's Your Daddy

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:00:08 GMT

I had barely wiped the sleep from my eyes as I started my stumble through the house. The chill of the floor was a bit eye opening, and the anticipation of seeing what the chubby old home intruder had left was enough to make my stumble gain some serious speed. Though I can't swear to always being nice for the past year, I can with some sense of certainty claim that I have been plenty more that than naughty. So I was without question totally ready to start my Christmas morning off as I always do, which meant that my stocking was the first thing that had to be inspected. I grabbed it and plopped down on the couch, and with it sitting securely in my lap, clapped my hands together and stated ''Alright Santa, I've been a good boy this year. What did ya bring me for my plesant behavior?'' I then ran my hand in my stocking and got a big smile on my face as a familiar feeling filled my hand. A cold, slightly tapered cylindrical shape greeted my fingers, and I immediately started to remove it. It wasn't until I had completely rescued it from its hiding place that I realized what the red clad fat bastard had done to me. As I rolled the bottle to where the label was facing me, I saw that the big man had decided to kill two birds with one stone. There staring me right in the face was the Lump Of Coal Dark Holiday Stout from Ridgeway Brewing Co. Seems the obese one actually does have a sense of humor to back up his ''Ho! ho! ho!'' laugh.

Still not sure if this was pure trickery, an eggnog induced mistake, or a true holiday reward, I decided that it was perfectly acceptable to go ahead and crack it open at such an early hour. Hell, it's the holidays so some rules can understandably be bent a bit, right? I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle opener to tear into the metal capped gift. As soon as the top was popped and I began to pour it, I noticed two things that were a bit ''off'', but not completely out of the realm of acceptable. To begin with, the color looked a bit lighter than I am used to seeing. At first take, it seemed to be a cola brown, but when help up to a light source it came across as some type of hybrid dark amber brown looking concoction. The second thing I noticed was that it had a very thin look to it. Almost watery in a way. Again, both still aspects were still acceptable, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit concerned. A very bubbly, soda like head formed from a standard pour, and about a half a fingers worth remained after about a minute of standing time. At this point, I kind of tilted my head to the side and said ''Ok plump man. We are off to at least an interesting start''.

When I leaned in for a smell, I noticed a sweet, smoky peat moss aroma coming from the glass. As far as stouts go, I would definitely say things were starting to take a turn for the better considering how somewhat confused the appearance left me. With a bit of digging, some thin layers of chocolate, roasted malts, and candied nuts made themselves known. Then as things started to warm, there was a bit of a ''cola'' aroma that seemed to be tied to most everything, and once it was detected it was hard to ignore or get away from. I would call it more interesting than anything else, but I would highly recommend you make peace with it once you find it. Trust me, it isn't going anywhere.

Being unable to resist my early morning treat any longer, I decided to put my face directly in it. The first thing that I noticed was its rather thin mouthfeel. It totally matched what my eyes had predicted earlier, and again the term ''cola'' popped into my head. Now granted it was a smoky, chocolaty, candy like cola feel that I was getting, but nonetheless it wasn't exactly what came to mind when I read a label that said ''Lump Of Coal''. I was thinking something a bit thicker. More menacing. Something dark. Something strong. Something that really just stood up and said ''You know you've been an ass all year. Coal is actually too good for you, but we had to give you something''. I understand that it is only a name, but I also know that we have had discussions on here in the past about what's in a name and things of that nature. To me, the name doesn't quite fit, but at this point, that is really splitting hairs. Some hints of general hops nip at your tongue in the background, but never to the point that they get distracting, and peppered toffee and roasted cocoa occasionally push through in faint moments to help keep things interesting.

When I finally made peace on earth and goodwill towards my beer, I ended up settling on the following conclusion: Lump Of Coal isn't a bad beer. Lump Of Coal just really isn't a great stout of any sort. It really comes across as more of a porter for all, rather than a chunk of solid darkness for the deviant. Maybe that's what Ridgeway Brewing Company was actually going for when they made it, but calling it a stout really does it a bit of an injustice. And maybe that's what the crimson clad, bearded dude was going for when he left it for me. He wanted me to get my hopes up just a bit, then bring me back down to earth with some harsh reality, but in the end not punish me too much. I mean I can see where it might make a good holiday beer for those wanting something different or looking to expand their craft brew resume, but true stout enthusiasts would be just a bit let down by it overall. Again, it's not a bad beer, just not a fantastic stout. Santa gave it a good effort, but in the end his stocking stuffer fell just a bit short. Granted, I did end up with a brew in hand way earlier than what is normally acceptable, but at the same time I was using the other hand to make my own list and will be checking it twice next year. Santa might not have such good treats left out for him on his return visit. Consider yourself warned fat man. If you decide to unlawfully creep into my crib again next year, you had better have something a little more on the nice side of things to leave for me or there will be consequences.

Review of Santa's Private Reserve (American Amber Ale) from Rogue Ales / Oregon Brewing Co. : By Brew's Your Daddy

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 02:04:43 GMT

Do you hear what I hear kiddos? That tick tock of the holiday clock is getting louder and louder. In a few short hours the fat man in red will be performing his numerous acts of breaking and entering around the globe, while all of us sit back and gleefully take it. Now as if this isn't a strange enough story just based on those facts alone, how about we add an even more odd twist to what would otherwise count as some sort of made for TV horror story at any other time of the year. Not only do we allow a stranger to sneak into our homes and plunder about at will, we also like to leave treats out for the jolly home invader as some sort of reward for doing so. The traditional yummies are milk and cookies, but lets face the facts. That kind of children's book sweetness doesn't fly well here in the land of BrewChief. If that fat bastard wants to wiggle his way down our tiny chimney and leave us gifts after we have had a year full of absolute naughtiness, the least we can do is leave him some sort of delicious brew. And since this is the time of year for giving, what better gift could we leave Santa than the gift that Rogue Ales gives is all in his honor, Santa's Private Reserve Ale.

When poured, Santa's Private Reserve takes on an aged penny copper coloration, and there is a slight bit of haze to it when held up to a light source. There are no visible floaties to attribute this to, so think of it more as a sign of some good body weight. A medium but rocky tan head forms and sits on top for a good while before settling down to about a quarter of a fingers worth of covering that floats on top of the brew, and it provides spotty lacing for the entire session. When you get your nose in close, you instantly realize one of the reasons why this one is allowed to carry the bearded fellows name. It is very hoppy, with pine dominating the nose almost entirely. Get it now? Pine? Christmas trees? Santa puts presents under the tree? Beer that smells kind of like Christmas trees? Look dammit, this makes total sense. Trust me. Now if you give it a minute or two of warming time, a few more subtle notes of grapefruit, spruce, caramel, toasted malts, and fresh biscuits start to come through as well, and they actually end up contributing very nicely to what ends up being a very lively bouquet.

Going in for the first taste, there is really no need to prepare yourself for anything other than what the nose so adequately prepared you for. Pine resin is there from beginning to end in almost every sip. It is there more so in flavor as opposed to bite, but still carries enough kick to keep your tongue on its toes. This should be no surprise to any fan of Rogue Ales. Toasted malts try to cut their way though about every other sip, but their success rate is less than perfect. A caramel grapefruit taste starts to come through about halfway through the session, and it provides a bit of a candied feel that really helps cut the overall pine blanket that covers the beer. Notes of pepper, pineapple, lemon zest, and rye come through on occasion, but none have an appearance rate that warrants dedicated search time. Just enjoy them if and when they come through. Considering that the body is a bit north of medium, there are times when a sense of syrup comes to mind, but the above average amount of carbonation does quite well in cleaning things up and allowing for a surprisingly clean finish.

In true Rogue fashion, Santa's Private Reserve Ale is a real hoppy treat. It is full of delicious flavor that will make any hophead appreciate it as a great session brew. More seasoned drinkers will appreciate it for the same reason, but those still new to the game or still honing their brew chewing chompers might want to approach it with a bit of caution. Santa's Private Reserve isn't a beginners brew, but with a bit of patience it would absolutely make for a nice introduction to the more advanced levels of craft brew. And as far as Santa himself goes, feel free to leave some out for him as well. I totally see one of two outcomes occurring if you do. Either he will hate and leave them, which will just mean one more delicious present under the tree for you in the morning, or he will love them and want to finish them all. If that happens, he will most likely be tipsy enough to leave an extra box or two under the tree for that awesome person who was kind enough to break away from the standard holiday tradition. Either way, more presents for everyone! And to all a good night! And merry Christmas to us all! And all those other Christmas things people tend to say to each other this time of year! Happy holidays from all of us here at BrewChief.com!

Review of Deep Water Dopplebock (Doppelbock) from Thomas Creek Brewery : By Chops

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:29:20 GMT

The Thomas Creek Brewery out of Greenville, SC first caught our attention at the 2011 World Beer Festival in Durham, NC. We were quite impressed by their delicious arsenal of brews and even crowned their Banana Split Chocolate Stout as the 3rd best beer of the entire festival. Since then we have been sampling our way through their product line, which includes the Up The Creek Extreme IPA, a 12.5% imperial beast. That delectable brew hooked me as an official fan, which obligated me to snatch up anything new I found. On a recent trip to the beer store, I came across their Deep Water Doppelbock.

I should pause for a second to note that this exact moment is a double edged sword for me. Bocks are my favorite beer style and I adore my doppelbocks. Therefore, coming across my favorite style from a brewery I really like should be a slam dunk, right? Well, not exactly. When you fall in love with a particular beer style, your natural instinct is to find the top of the mountain. I have beyond crested that summit with world-class beers like the Ayinger Celebrator, Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock, Weihenstephaner Korbinian, etc. These are the creme de la creme of German breweries, some of which have been brewing for close to 1,000 years. That is what breweries like Thomas Creek are up against. So going into these beers, I have to redefine my expectations. I'm looking for a solid American version, not a world class wonder.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration with a faint ruby red edging. It comes with a creamy tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I found a rich roasted malty aroma with a coffee-like character that resembled an iced latte. It had a slight dark chocolatey vibe with notes of brown sugar and molasses. Right away I could tell that this beer is a bit off for a doppelbock. The roast is a bit too heavy and it tends to overpower the sweetness. It's by no means unpleasant, just peculiar for the style.

The first sip was a tad confusing because this beer doesn't drink like a doppelbock. I found it to be more of a savory hybrid of styles. It has the chalky roast of a good stout, the sweet alcohol of a good barleywine, and a thinner mouthfeel much like you would find with a good porter. At this point I had to just throw my doppelbock expectations out the window and just enjoy it for what it was: a solid tasty beer. It has a good mix of flavors that play very well together. I found notes of mocha-like coffee, some dark chocolates, faint caramel, burnt bread, and toasted nuts. No flavor is dominant and the mixture is nicely balanced. The beer finishes a bit gritty with a dry roasted aftertaste.

Overall, Thomas Creek's Deep Water Doppelbock is a tasty brew, but is an oddball for the style. I am by no means discounting this beer's appeal because it's a solid brew and I will certainly enjoy more. I can recommend it to most beer fans as a solid darker brew. Seasoned drinkers may find it disappointing for the style, but not as a good session brew. Novices can enjoy its easy drinking nature as a departure from the bland and boring. Deep Water Doppelbock had the odds stacked against it before the cap even came off the bottle. It's an unfortunate truth that even the best of American bocks simply cannot compete with their German counterparts. Even so, I tip my drinking hat to Thomas Creek for giving it the good college try and for coming out the other end with something to be proud of.

Review of Dirty Bastard (Scottish Light 60/-) from Founders Brewing Co. : By WayneS

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 05:29:21 GMT

Pours a dark, murky brown like a very dark honey with a fleeting, yellowish head rising up a half-finger on a good day and rather quickly dissipating to a thin lace then fragmenting into mere wisps, but beneath this there's noteworthy substance: notes of caramel rise up with chocolate and coffee that inhabit the taste, too, along with a hit of butter to boot and a touch of toffee--yum; the mouthfeel being medium and impressively smooth from start to finish. A satisfying and highly recommended Scotch ale from the land of a heckuva lot of Dutch-Americans: Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Review of Dominion Ale (Standard/Ordinary Bitter) from Old Dominion Brewing Co. : By Chops

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:50:49 GMT

My exploration of the Old Dominion Brewing Company continues with the Dominion Ale, an English style pale ale. These beers, often called English bitters, are frequent victims of an ongoing misunderstanding. The term ''bitter'' in the modern craft beer world has been completely redefined. Palate punishing imperial IPAs are currently setting the insanely high bitterness bar. By comparison, English bitters are actually sweet and malty. As a result, many beer fans are left scratching their heads when sampling English bitters (doubly so with ESBs, or Extra Special/Strong Bitters). Luckily all it takes to quell any confusion is a little better beer education. Balance and drinkability are keys to the style, of which the Dominion Ale has both.

In the glass, this beer has a clear coppery golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has nice retention. On the nose, I detected a sweet malty aroma comprised of toasted grain, notes of caramel and a rich fruity character. The hop profile also makes its presence known with an well-balanced earthy grassy sting. English pale ale intros don't get much better than that, so I knew my taste buds were in for a real treat.

Balance is what immediately popped into my head on that first sip. This beer is buttery smooth with a nice body, and nothing jockeys for attention. The sweet caramel malt teams up with the toasted grains to beautifully soften an earthy hop profile. Swirling around the mixture are savory fruits, biscuit notes, a mild spicy character, and a few drops of honey. They all play off of each other in harmonious fashion, creating a delightful flavor experience. The beer finishes clean, somewhat dry, and exits with a candied malty aftertaste.

Overall, the Dominion Ale is a delicious brew with lots of savory character. I found it to be a wonderful example of the English pale ale style. Its impeccable balance and high accessibility make it a winner for all levels of beer fans. I would imagine that this beer graces many seasoned drinker refrigerators as a go-to session brew. Dominion Ale is especially powerful for novice palates, showing that easy drinking brews do not have to be bland and boring. Once again I have to tip my drinking hat to Old Dominion. You have shown me great skill in crafting the entire beer spectrum. I guess it should come as no surprise that the Dominion Ale only strengthens that assertion.

Review of Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier (Weizen/Weissbier) from Weihenstephan : By Chops

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 07:28:12 GMT

Experience matters. It's why the best sushi is found in Japan. It's why the best vodka is found in Russia. It's why the best wine is found in France. And of course, it's why the best beer is found in Germany. The Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan was established in 1040 and is recognized as the oldest brewery in the world. To put that in perspective, this brewery was making beer 452 years before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic. They were brewing beer 736 years before the United States declared independence. And just to hammer the point home, America's oldest brewery (Yuengling) wasn't established until 1829. Take a few moments to let that amazing longevity sink in. So here I sit with a freshly poured Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier. It's humbling knowing that almost a millennium of brewing tradition went into crafting this beer.

In the glass, this beer has a bright and hazy banana yellow coloration with a slight orange tint. It comes with a frothy white head that slowly transforms into a rocky head with amazing retention. Seriously, I could make a grocery run and balance my checkbook in the time it would take for this head to dissipate. On the nose, I detected a warm banana bread aroma with plenty of lemon rind. Rounding out the mix is a dusting of spices and herbs that provide a nice zesty punch. It's an intoxicating aroma that is really difficult to get away from. I couldn't help my close my eyes and imagine myself in a Bavarian beer garden. After a few minutes of aromatic daydreaming, I finally went in for that first sip.

Heaven. Pure beer bliss. That signature banana bread flavor immediately sets up as a solid foundation. Resting on top is a tangy lemony citrus and a complex array of tropical fruity sweetness. The hop profile is quite mild, allowing the spicy and herbal notes to swirl around freely. The mouthfeel is buttery smooth with a solid mid-level body. To say this beer is easy drinking would be a gross understatement. Weihenstephan has somehow managed to pack a rich and savory complexity into the accessibility of a vanilla milkshake. It's pretty damn remarkable to be perfectly honest. I could enjoy pint after pint after pint and never lose my beer geek giddiness. The beer finishes clean and exits with a zesty citrus aftertaste.

Overall, the Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier is an extraordinary brew. Not only is it one of the best wheat beers I have ever tasted, but it is also one of the best overall brews I have ever experienced. Needless to say, I can recommend this brew to any and all beer fans. Check that, this is a brew I flat out demand that every beer fan experience. Seasoned drinkers will bow to the greatness that is Weihenstephan and erect shrines of empty pint bottles. Beginners will be blown away by this beer's concentrated awesomeness, relegating all Blue Moons to the gallows (sink drain). This is one of those rare beers that is a game changer on all levels. Beer geeks will feel the crisp cool breeze atop the better beer summit. Novices will be violently thrust into the better beer community. Be not afraid, just pour yourself a glass and let the magic happen.

Review of K-9 Cruiser (Winter Specialty Spiced Beer) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:53:05 GMT

Ah winter, that most glorious of seasons when craft brewers bestow upon us their bounty of bold strong brews. Winter Warmers in particular are always interesting experiences. There is rarely any rhyme of reason to them, just a free for all of malty spicy goodness. You can think of them as bloated cousins of pumpkin ales. They are often rich, flavorful, and dangerously delicious. And in the hands of a brewery like Flying Dog, they can also gain plenty of oomph. So when I got my hands on Flying Dog's K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale, I knew my taste buds were in for a bumpy ride.

In the glass, this beer has a deep and clear coppery brown coloration. It comes with a frothy light tan head that dissipates quickly, even with an aggressive pour. On the nose, I detected a candied malty aroma with a distinct bubblegum vibe. I also found several hints of warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. That signature Flying Dog hop profile is also present, but acts more like a compliment to the spices.

The flavor ended up closely mirroring the aroma. In addition to the candied malt and spices, I found notes of caramel and a warm alcohol burn. Neither were prominent, but both were easily detectable. The hop profile asserts itself more in taste than aroma and tends to compete with the spices for attention. The mouthfeel is quite thick and smooth to start, but quickly dries up on the middle ground and finishes a bit chalky, leaving a dry bitter aftertaste. I found K-9 to be somewhat unbalanced with some really strange transitions, but it was quite tasty nonetheless.

Overall, Flying Dog's K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale is a tasty brew with an eccentric personality. Due to its erratic nature, I can recommend it more to seasoned drinkers who can handle the swings. K-9 might be a bit confusing to novice palates, so I advise sticking with Flying Dog's core line. This is by no means discounting the beer because it's a lot of fun to study and I greatly enjoyed the experience. I just don't want anyone to confuse a capricious disposition with aversion. Flying Dog loves to shake things up, so be sure to go into this beer with an open mind.

Review of Peanut Butter Porter (Brown Porter) from Bull City Burger and Brewery : By Chops

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:24:43 GMT

Back in August of this year, BrewChief was asked to judge the Bull City Burger and Brewery's annual Home Brew Competition. The winner gets to see their creation scaled up and served at the brewery. It was a tight contest full of unique and tasty brews. Victory went to Ryan Weir's Peanut Butter Porter, brewed with real natural peanut butter. It stood out as a delicious yet balanced brew worthy of the BCBB beer menu. On a recently trip to BCBB, the scaled up version of Peanut Butter Porter had been officially tapped and I couldn't help but order a pint.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration with a ruby red hue. It comes with a creamy tan head that has a nice long retention. On the nose, a smokey roasted malt aroma reigns supreme and gives off a campfire sweetness vibe. The peanut butter aspect is somewhat muted on the aroma and resides more as an under layer. Going into that first taste, I had the expectation of a nutty sweet rauchbier-like porter.

This beer's flavor profile ended up being surprisingly complex. That charred campfire vibe from the aroma translates into a primary flavor note. It carries through the entire flavor train and exits with a long lasting charred nutty aftertaste. The peanut butter (a powdered version in this case used to scale) contributes a mid-level nutty sweetness that acts more like a balancing agent than a primary flavor. It's certainly a noticeable trait, but serves a more complimentary role. The hop profile is also noticeable yet balanced, adding a slight tangy vibe to the roasted malt base.The mouthfeel can be a bit dry and chalky, giving it a somewhat assertive personality. But, the beer still drinks easy and is very accessible.

Overall, Bull City Burger and Brewery's scaled up version of Ryan Weir's Peanut Butter Porter is a flavorful brew with a fun personality. I can easily recommend it to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will find it to be a amusing session porter while novices will find it to be a uniquely tasty treat. We greatly enjoyed our part in the competition and are happy to see Ryan's creation grace the BCBB beer menu. Cheers to the victor! This year's Home Brew Competition is in the books and the winning brew is on the taps (get some while it lasts). Home brewing has exploded in recent years and it's nice to see companies like BCBB encouraging this creativity. After all, even the most successful brewers started with a pot in the kitchen.

Review of Pumpkinfest (Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer) from Terrapin Beer : By Chops

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 00:54:32 GMT

So here I am in December reviewing a fall seasonal brew. After all, fall is by far my favorite beer season. It's chock full of pumpkin beers, spiced beers, and of course Oktoberfest beers. So naturally, an Oktoberfest-pumpkin ale hybrid would be a fantastic farewell to the season, right? I thought so too, which is why I saved a Terrapin Pumpkinfest to officially cap off the season. Psh, who am I kidding. I'm in total denial that the season is over. I might as well have been stroking this beer while whispering ''my precious'' over and over. I'm one beer away from assuming the fetal position at the base of my beer cabinet. Sigh, let's get this over with.

In the glass, this beer has a deep woody amber coloration. It comes with a frothy light tan head that dissipates fairly quickly, even with an aggressive pour. On the nose, you are greeted with a strong spice bouquet, namely nutmeg and cinnamon. It's pretty pungent and takes a few moments to get used to. From there you can pick out the sweet pumpkin-infused base malt. I wasn't able to find many oktoberfest qualities on the aroma, which isn't surprising considering the aggressive spice punch.

The spice blend comes out swinging on the first sip. Big notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove immediately latch onto your taste buds. Much like with the aroma, they foreshadow a sweet pumpkin base malt, which sets up shop as a solid foundation. Again, the oktoberfest qualities are quite muted, but I was able to find some faint toasted bread crust and caramel. But to a standard palate, it's more or less a spiced veggie brew (and a tasty one at that). It has a solid medium body that is quite smooth and easy drinking. The hop profile is very mild, allowing the spices to reign supreme. The beer exits clean with a malty spicy aftertaste.

Overall, the Terrapin Pumpkinfest is a tasty brew with a big spicy punch. The concept of a Oktoberfest-pumpkin ale hybrid is quite compelling, but I think the lager-like qualities tend to get lost in the equation. The pumpkin spice is quite dominant, but I would by no means call it a detriment. This beer is quite flavorful and I can easily recommend it to all levels of beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will enjoy this beer as a fantastic seasonal session brew. Novices will be mesmerized by the sweet and spicy flavorings. Beer fans can always rely on Terrapin for unique quality experiences, and Pumpkinfest is no different. It's a beer I plan on coming back to every fall. The only dilemma is, how long can I make them last.

Review of Hop Mountain (American Pale Ale) from Old Dominion Brewing Co. : By Chops

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:31:11 GMT

It all started when my co-founder accidentally stumbled upon the Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout while out of town on business. That one event spawned a near obsession with the Old Dominion brand. We have since been drinking our way through their product line, ending every session with a stern self-slap for not knowing about this brewery sooner. At this point I have sampled and reviewed their bookend brews: Oak Barrel Stout and Dominion Lager. Both were delicious and endlessly satisfying. At this point I'm a bit nervous because I take that curse/blessing of high expectation into the Hop Mountain Pale Ale. Let's see how it measures up.

In the glass, this beer has a hazy dark copper-brown coloration. It comes with a frothy off-white head that has good retention. On the nose, I found an earthy malty aroma with a muted hop sting. The mix is complimented by notes of caramel, toasted bread crust, and a mild orange citrus. Here's where things got interesting for my mental state. Looking at the beer and taking in the aromas led me to a single word: Mikkeller. This beer looks and smells like a Mikkeller IPA, only with the muted hop profile of a standard pale ale. I found this somewhat derailing because I did not expect to find that particular signature from a stateside brew. It was a pretty cool moment, especially being a big fan of both brewers, so I wasted no time diving right in for the first taste.

Right away your taste buds can latch onto a strong yet restrained hop profile. This beer has a very nice balance of malt and hops without either being overpowering. The malts take on a toasted bread crust flavor with an infusion of caramel. The hops are warm, earthy, and add an herbal citrus quality. The beer has a solid medium body and drinks surprisingly smooth. There is a dryness to the mouthfeel that is more pronounced on the finish. The beer exits with a malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Old Dominion's Hop Mountain is a solid pale ale with an earthy personality. To my palate, this beer drinks a lot like a hybrid between a pale ale and an English bitter. You can easily identify signature characters of both and I think they play very well together. Hop Mountain is a pale ale that I can recommend to any and all beer fans. It has enough flavor punch to keep seasoned drinkers happy, yet retains an accessibility that appeals to novice palates. This is a pale ale that can serve many roles, be it complimenting fine dining or filling tailgating coolers. My expectations were high going into this beer and it did not disappoint. I tip my drinking hat to Old Dominion for a fine creation and look forward to the next experience.

Review of Wake 'N' Bake (Oatmeal Stout) from Terrapin Beer : By Chops

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:01:52 GMT

When beer fans think of the Georgia craft beer scene, Terrapin out of Athens will almost certainly top the list. These guys are crafting some seriously delicious brews. They have been making a big splash in the Southeastern beer scene since releasing their first beer in 2002. Their arsenal has grown in epic fashion, which includes the Monster Beer Tour and Terrapin Side Projects. One member of their Monster Beer Tour goes by the name of Wake ‘N' Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout.

Per Terrapin: Black as night, this coffee stout is thick, rich and full of real coffee flavor. Brewed with a special blend of beans from all over the world developed and roasted specifically for Terrapin by our friends at Jittery Joe’s Coffee right here in Athens, Ga. This unique blend of coffee produces a robust and flavorful beer that will leave you asking why not beer for breakfast!

Drooling yet? Yeah, you should be. Since its release, Wake ‘N' Bake has rocketed up the list of ''must have'' seasonal offerings for regional beer fans. My co-founder actually lives just up the road from Terrapin and starts getting nervous twitches when the winter season approaches. It's an exciting time for both of us. He enjoys first dibs and I get to leech off his good fortune (like a good friend should). But anyway, let's get to the beer.

In the glass, this beer is stark black with absolutely no edging. It pours like a bottle of used motor oil, like any solid imperial stout should. It comes with a dark copper head that is actually quite menacing. It has a rather quick dissolution, even with an aggressive pour. Not surprisingly, the aroma is a mix of strong coffee roast and savory dark chocolates. The alcohol burn is also prominent, but nowhere near powerful enough to be a distraction. That's pretty much it: dark as night, harsh coffee, rich chocolate. Course, that's all you really care about going into a beer like this. Anything more would be... uncivilized.

Much to my taste buds' delight, the flavor profile closely mirrors the aroma. The only caveat is that the primary coffee and chocolate flavors battle tooth and nail for your attention. But, this is okay because the flavor punches are nicely balanced. Strange, I know, but it works. Just imagine two strong personalities, but with equal gusto. The beer drinks quite smooth despite the strong flavorings. The finish is somewhat dry, creating a chalky bitter aftertaste that reminds me of baker's chocolate.

I have to devote an entire paragraph to the warming effect because it is by far the most amazing aspect of this beer. As the beer nears room temp, the alcohol burn significantly decreases along with the roasted harshness. The resulting gain is that of rich cocoa and a chocolatey creaminess. Seriously, the rich dark chocolate actually transitions into a creamy milk chocolate vibe. I was amazed by this. The coffee roast still stands strong as a primary flavor, but the creamy transition goes a very long way in softening the edges.

Overall, Terrapin's Wake ‘N' Bake Coffee Oatmeal Stout is a delicious brew with a big bold flavorful punch. It is a fantastic addition to Terrapin's Monster Beer Tour and I hope it never loses its spot. Course, with a near maniacal following, I doubt that will ever be the case. Needless to say, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will find Wake ‘N' Bake to be roasted chocolatey ecstasy in a glass. My only advice to novices would be to drink this beer at room temp. Wake ‘N' Bake cold is still a great beer, but it can amplify an array of edgy qualities that might be too harsh for beginner palates. Definitely grab some of this delectable nectar while you can because it will not last for long. Just burst into your local beer store like a tweaked out crack addict. They'll know exactly what you want.

Review of Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale (American IPA) from Lagunitas Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:16:57 GMT

In the highly competitive world of craft beer, it pays to keep your sense of humor. The Lagunitas Brewing Company in particular has tickled our funny bones many times, from their Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale to their Censored Amber Ale (both named for hilarious stories involving other consumable recreational activities). They make it painfully obvious that they don't take themselves too seriously. They are brewers who love what they do, and the fact that they do it exceptionally well is beside the point.

Last year brought us yet another amusing story. Every year Lagunitas releases a highly coveted seasonal beer: the Brown Shugga' American Strong Ale. But unfortunately, the brewery was over capacity and was unable to produce it. Faced with a disappointed public, most companies would construct some sort of lame excuse to diffuse any negative feedback. Not Lagunitas. They owned up to every ounce and promptly released the Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale as a heartfelt apology. ''We screwed up. We suck. Please accept our apology beer.'' Seriously, who can hate on a brewery with a sense of humor like that? So, I decided to hold onto a Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale from last year so I could send it off in style when Brown Shugga' triumphantly returned.

In the glass, this beer has a lightly hazy rich honey coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that has really nice retention. On the nose, a warmly sweet malty aroma fills the area around the glass. This beer has a lot of different notes playing off of each other. On one side, you have a sharp piney citrus with a hint of spice. On the other side, you have a warm sugary honey-like note along with some ripe mango. They are nicely balanced to create a zesty and welcoming introduction.

Knowing Lagunitas' pension for rich and powerful Imperial IPAs, I was expecting an explosion of hops to start. Not so here, this beer drinks quite smooth for the style. The hop profile is appropriately quelled, allowing an array of savory flavors to emerge. Along with the honey-like sweetness, I found some herb infused bread, notes of caramel, and tropical fruits like mango and pineapple. The overall IPA flavor is certainly large and in charge, but it resides more as a solid base than a point of aggression. It's an excellent character trait that I feel really defines this beer. The alcohol burn is pretty mild and only appears as a background note. The beer finishes clean with a piney bitter aftertaste that is lengthy, tangy and quite pleasant.

Overall, the Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale is a delightful brew with a fun personality. I can easily recommend it to most beer fans. Hop heads and Lagunitas faithfuls will certainly love this brew, but it still might be too big for novices. I would imagine most of the interest in this beer has come from the Brown Shugga' fan base, so there should be no worries there. Strangely enough, I was very sad to see this beer disappear from my cabinet. As a stand alone beer, it's definitely a winner and I hope Lagunitas continues to make it in some fashion. Maybe they can rename it the Lagunitas Apology Accepted Ale and add it to the core line up.

Review of Rodenbach Vintage (Flanders Red Ale) from Rodenbach Brouwerij : By Chops

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:05:08 GMT

For the most part, beers can fill a multitude of roles. You can pair a good pale ale will a nice meal just as easily as you can pull one out of a cooler for tailgating. Beer in general is a chameleon beverage and you really can't go wrong with how and where you drink it. But, there are certain beers that need an appropriate time and environment. Sour ales in particular can be really difficult to schedule. They compliment specific meals quite well, such as spicy seafood, and they don't exactly lend themselves to lengthy sessions. So going into the 2009 Rodenbach Vintage Grand Cru, I knew that I had to find the perfect time. That special moment presented itself recently as a post-Thanksgiving dessert beer. Nothing like a belly full of turkey, a relaxed disposition, and some close friends to peak the desire for a special brew. The time had come to open my 2009 Rodenbach Vintage.

I should note that I have already reviewed the Rodenbach Grand Cru base beer, which serves as a nice reference going into this review. I had found it at my favorite French restaurant and paired it with some braised skate (stingray) and seafood bouillabaisse. To this day it is one of my favorite beer pairing experiences.

http://www.brewchief.com/review.cfm?id=314

In the glass, this beer has a murky cherry brown coloration. It comes with a frothy tan head that has really good retention. On the nose, one aspect became abundantly clear: concentration. Aging has definitely given this beer a potency that I was not expecting. A big oaky base sets up shop as a solid foundation. Churning on top is an intense mishmash of vinegar and tart cherries. This beer has quite a nasal punch, so it helps to be properly prepared. I spent a lot of time on the aroma before diving in for the first sip. I would imagine the one-two punch of intense aroma and intense flavor would have sent shivers down my spine. So, I made it a point to take my time and savor the experience.

Good thing I waited because the flavor was powerfully complex. This beer latches onto your tongue with a vise grip. Right away you can notice a very sticky mouthfeel that coats your entire mouth like a shot of cough syrup. No need to worry though because the beer drinks quite smooth. The tartness has been softened by the aging process allowing some sweeter notes to appear, namely brown sugar and a hint of vanilla. The core notes of oak, balsamic vinegar and tart cherries are present in full force, but they have gained an impeccable balance through aging. The beer exits with a very strong tart aftertaste that is lengthy and sticky. It's almost like sucking on a piece of sour candy.

Overall, the 2009 Rodenbach Vintage Grand Cru is a phenomenal sour ale. To date, this is the best sour ale I have ever tasted. This makes me sad because I know I will never have another opportunity to experience this beer (at least not for an exorbitant price). But, I know there will be more Rodenbach Vintage years and I will be stocking them for special occasions. This is one of the very few beers that I flat out demand that every seasoned beer fan experience. If you see it, get it. The Rodenbach Grand Cru is amazing enough as it is, but a vintage version carries it to another level. I wish I could recommend this beer to novices, but it's just too complex and potent to appreciate yet. I highly advise acquiring and honing a taste for the style before tackling this world-class wonder. But this doesn't mean that novices shouldn't pick up a bottle. By all means, go ahead and start the aging process early. By the time your sour palate is ready, this beer treat will be prime for an uncorking.

Review of Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock (Doppelbock) from Weltenburg Klosterbrauerei : By Chops

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:16:53 GMT

When beer enthusiasts start to accumulate their bottles of nectar, chances are that they are going to stash away some hidden gems without even knowing it. Trips to the beer store will often result in peripheral purchases just because an interesting bottle caught your eye. Such was the case when I purchased my bottle of Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock. I adore my doppelbocks and this was one I hadn't seen before. I was on a different mission at the time, but I commandeered a bottle anyway. It sat in my beer cabinet for well over a year before I came across an article a few days ago. Out of curiosity, I was researching the oldest breweries in the world since I had just enjoyed a tasty brew from Weihenstephaner. They are officially recognized as the world's oldest brewery, established in 1040 out of Freising, Germany. I learned that the second oldest by only 10 years is the Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg, established in 1050 out of Kelheim, Germany. The monastery itself dates back to around 620, so many claim that Weltenburg rightfully deserves the title of world's oldest brewery. The name seemed vaguely familiar to me, so I took some time to scan their beer list. And there it was: the Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock. I had been sitting on a world-class doppelbock crafted by the second oldest brewery in the world and I didn't even know it. Needless to say, this beer went straight into the refrigerator as I salivated like a Pavlovian dog.

In the glass, this beer has a dark coffee brown coloration. When I held it up to a light source, I was really surprised to find a crystal clear profile with a rich ruby red hue. It's a beautiful beer and I took my time to admire it. It comes with a thick and creamy tan head that likes to stick around for a very long time. On the nose, that signature sweet caramel aroma reigns supreme. It is followed by a savory candied malt and some mild coffee-like roasted qualities. I also found hints of toasted nuts and brown sugar. I couldn't ask for a better doppelbock introduction, so I grinned ear to ear and went in for that first sip.

The mouthfeel is was immediately caught my attention, which is amazingly smooth and creamy. This beer is very accessible and easy drinking despite its solid medium-thick body, making it a fantastic session doppel. The flavor profile is delightfully complex, starting with a dark bready base infused with rich sweet caramel. From there I found some toasted bread crust, an earthy nuttiness, notes of toffee, a touch of dark chocolate, plus an array of mild fruit notes like prunes and raisins. The hop profile plays a warming role without being assertive, which gave the beer a mild spicy vibe. This was a really cool and unexpected aspect of the beer, which became one of my favorite traits. The beer is beautifully balanced, which isn't surprising considering the brewery's near millennium of practice. The beer exits soft and smooth with a sweet malty aftertaste consisting of caramel and chocolate.

Overall, the Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock is a superb doppelbock. I cannot say enough wonderful things about it, so it should go without saying that I recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned beer drinkers will bow to Asam-Bock's greatness while novices will be blown away by its complex yet approachable flavors. As a huge fan of German beers and especially the doppelbock, I feel almost ashamed that I had such an amazing beer under my nose and didn't even know it. Lesson learned: always research any new beer you buy. You never know when you will uncover a hidden treasure.

Review of Dominion Lager (Dortmunder Export) from Old Dominion Brewing Co. : By Chops

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:06:55 GMT

The Old Dominion Brewing Company has made quite an impression on BrewChief since my co-founder's chance run in with their amazing Oak Barrel Stout earlier this year. Since that day we have been gleefully drinking our way through their product line and have been thoroughly impressed by each experience. I also started my adventure with the Oak Barrel Stout based on a very enthusiastic recommendation. The beer immediately caught my undivided attention. From there I had to choose my next sampling and it made sense to jump to the other side of the spectrum. Sitting on the opposite end was the Dominion Lager.

In the glass, this beer has a bright coppery orange coloration with a slight yellowish tint. It comes with a frothy white head that has very nice retention. On the nose, I found a bready aroma that reminded me of biscuits. I also found some grainy notes, a touch of caramel, some lemony citrus and an herbal hop quality. Dortmunder Export Lagers are known to be nicely balanced as well as smoother and stronger than their lager brethren. Going into that first sip, I expected nothing less.

The mouthfeel asserts itself right away, which was buttery smooth, almost creamy and slightly sticky. This was the highlight of the experience for me because lagers in general rarely carry weight or punch. Old Dominion's version carries both, which was a very pleasant surprise. The flavor notes closely mirror the aroma. I found some light caramel malt, various grains, a savory biscuit quality, a touch of honey, some herbal hop bitterness and a dash of lemony citrus. Everything plays together harmoniously to form a delightful flavor profile. The beer finishes crisp and clean with a zesty bready aftertaste.

Overall, the Dominion Lager is a delightful brew with lots of great flavor. This is an incredibly accessible lager that I can easily see as a regular session beer. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans, but especially to novices. This beer goes a long ways in showcasing just how complex and rewarding lagers can be when they are done right. At this point I have experienced what I view as the bookends of the Old Dominion product line. I have greatly enjoyed each tasty brew, so now I look forward to a free exploration between the poles. Based on our collective experiences to date, I can confidently say that Old Dominion beers are reliably delicious. Grab some when you can and thank us on your return trips.

Review of Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrüb (Weizen/Weissbier) from Paulaner Brauerei : By Chops

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:12:11 GMT

If I had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world based solely on beer preference, it would be in Germany. I have yet to meet a German beer that I have not loved, liked, or at the very least respected. My favorite beer styles are German. My favorite breweries are German. I just cannot get enough of what Deutschland and its magical Bavarian region has to offer. A great Bavarian representative is the Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, which is easily found in the United States. This beer offers one very important take-home point: Paulaner is one of Germany's largest breweries, and even at high levels of production, they still manage to produce fantastic beers (hint hint to all you macros out there).

In the glass, this beer has a semi-hazy earthy orange coloration. It comes with a big white head, both rocky and creamy, that likes to stick around for quite a while. You should be careful with an aggressive pour because you're liable to lose half the beer on the table. On the nose, I detected that signature sweet banana aroma with hints of lemony citrus, doughy bread, a touch of herbs, and a slight candied malt. We're off to a great start, so nothing left to do but dive right in for that first taste.

The mouthfeel immediately caught my attention on the first sip, which is very clean and buttery smooth. Talk about an easy drinking brew, I could honestly toss back pint after pint all day long and never grow tired of it. The sweet banana flavor sets up shop as the primary trait and is complimented by other tangy fruity notes. I also found a lager-like earthy grassy note that I wasn't expecting, but managed to compliment the mix quite well. It has a savory bready quality that acts like a soft base, but never really asserts itself. The hop profile is very mild and takes on an herbal quality. The beer finishes clean and smooth with a warm citrus aftertaste.

Overall, the Paulaner Hefe-Weizen is a delightful beer that goes a long way in showcasing what the German beer scene has to offer. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this beer is that hefeweizens are meant to be enjoyed fresh. This beer was canned, shipped, stocked and sold at my local beer store in the United States. And even under those suboptimal conditions, the Paulaner Hefe-Weizen easily towered over its stateside competitors. I can only imagine enjoying a fresh pint of this brew in Munich beer garden. Needless to say, I can easily recommend this brew to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will appreciate the stylistic integrity while novices will be mesmerized by its clean smooth flavorings. But whatever you do, don't insult this beer by garnishing it with a fruit wedge. Only bad hefeweizens need to play dress up.

Review of Dominion Baltic Porter (Baltic Porter) from Old Dominion Brewing Co. : By Brew's Your Daddy

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 02:16:47 GMT

So, Thanksgiving is upon us. And while I know that many of you will indulge in a couple of tasty pumpkin brews during your holiday feast at some point, I also know that none of you have to deal with my family while doing so. Now don't get me wrong. I love my family, and would probably even drink a Bud Light if it meant saving one of them, but they are crazy. No, seriously. At least once a year for the past several years, when there is a family reunion, the cops end up involved. There are numerous stories, most of which could bring you to tears with laughter, but the lesson learned from all of them is that a little liquid lubrication to aide in the madness management is never a bad idea. And to be real honest, while there is never a bad time to enjoy some type of yummy pumpkin beer, today really calls for something with a bit more of a punch in both the flavor and ABV departments. So while standing in front of my collection at 10am this morning, one beer in particular seemed to call out to me. Never one to ignore the call of the speaking brew, I reached out and grabbed the Dominion Baltic Porter from Old Dominion Brewing Company.

When I poured it into my glass, I noticed its very dark brown, almost black coloration. A pumpkin beer it was not! A bubbly tan head formed when the pour was finished, but quickly dissipated down to nothing more than a thinly dusted cap resting lightly on top. Right from the start, the most noticeable aroma was a burnt cocoa powder smell. Considering the fact that the Dominion Baltic Porter is a seasonal winter beer, this smell is not out of the ordinary at all. To be quite honest, it was going down the perfect road for what I was looking for. Upon a bit more digging there were some more lighter layers of dark chocolate and toffee, and dancing between them were some nice pops of caramel, licorice, and alcohol.

Now I never like to read a brewery's description of their beer before I give it an unbiased session simply due to the fact that I want to let my eyes and nose and tongue have their own go at it first. Such was the case here, but after a few minutes of warming time I was forced to see what Old Dominion had to say about things because I was detecting a bit of Rye floating around in the glass as well. Sure enough, they had picked up on it as well, so high five to my seemingly well honed senses for being on point. Being quite pleased with my detective skills, I decided it was time to see what my tongue had to say about things.

The first taste was dominated by the slightly burnt, and what most might refer to as roasted, cocoa powder flavor. It was rather enjoyable, and was complimented nicely by a bit of grittiness in the mouthfeel department. It was almost as if you were actually drinking some halfway dissolved cocoa powder that had retained a bit of its texture. On its way out it welcomed a more chocolate forward layer that had some bitter sweet qualities and managed to bring up mental images of a chocolate malt. The lighter notes of toffee and caramel that were detected in the nose were not as prevalent in the flavor department, but they still managed to make some random appearances throughout the session. With a body that comes across as medium to thin, and a carbonation level landing just a bit above medium, what you end up having is a highly sessionable and flavorful brew in your glass.

I have sang the praises of several of the Old Dominion Brewing Company offerings before, so it might come as a bit of overkill for me to do the same with their Dominion Baltic Porter. So that being said, get ready for some overkill my friends because once again Old Dominion has delivered a winner. Dominion Baltic Porter is full of delicious flavor, has a high level of drinkability, and would satisfy any drinker looking for something to sink their teeth into without having said teeth knocked down their throat. Take it from someone who was in desperate need of just that to start what can only be described as a day full of head splitting family time. This one started the day off just right, and now all I can say is bring on that bird!

Review of Monk's Elixir (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) from Mikkeller : By Chops

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:02:53 GMT

Alas, we have officially reached the last beer review from my journey to the world famous Mikkeller Bar in Copenhagen, Denmark. At the risk of repeating myself, every beer geek owes it to themselves to travel for their passion. If you are lucky enough to possess the means to visit beer pilgrimage places like the Mikkeller Bar, then make it a point to do so. Your status as an enthusiast demands it. Beer geeks with limited means can also get in on the action. Today's world is littered with craft breweries that relish the opportunity to showcase their nectar. Start local and branch out when you can. Enjoying an awesome craft beer can be a wonderful experience, but enjoying it at its birthplace is always a more enriching experience. Granted, Mikkeller's Monk's Elixir Belgian Quad was not brewed at the Mikkeller Bar (none of them are). But in the magical gypsy brewing world of Mikkeller, a tap at the Copenhagen bar is as close to home base as you will ever get.

In the glass, this beer has a dark mahogany brown coloration with a ruby red hue. It comes with a creamy white head that dissipates normally. I was also able to find some yeasty floaters swirling around. On the nose, I detected a thick malty bready aroma resting on top of a biting alcohol burn. The aroma also has a tart sourness along with hints of dark fruits. As with most Mikkeller brews, this one has an inherent aggression. Belgian Quads always have a potent strength, but adding Mikkeller to the equation ups the ante.

Strangely enough, it was the mouthfeel that initially caught my attention on that first sip. It's very thick and smooth like a good Belgian Quad should be, but it also has quite a kick. It's a one-two punch of alcohol and hops that really capture your taste buds' attention. But, it's not so aggressive as to be distracting. There is a syrupy quality that tends to soften the mouthfeel and the flavor profile. The alcohol burn adds a Scotch like taste that comes across as woody. There is a rich sweetness that really defines this beer's flavor. I found lots of dark fruit like cherries and plums, along with savory malt and brown sugar. The signature bready Belgian yeasts play a lesser role in this beer than usual, but I didn't see this as a detriment. This beer is already very sweet with a thick malty character. Kicking up the Belgian signature would almost be too much to handle. The beer finishes with a tart aftertaste that is also slightly bitter.

Overall, Mikkeller Monk's Elixir Belgian Quad is a rich brew with a complex personality. Big Belgians are well known to be complex delights and this beer is no different. It's easy to detect the Mikkeller punch, but it is restrained enough to be accessible for the style. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any seasoned beer fan or any fan of fine Belgian beers. It should go without saying that this beer is way too big for novices. Quads by themselves are already too big for the most part, but couple it with the Mikkeller name and you have a giant flashing warning sign for beginner palates.

And so ends my fantastic experience at the Mikkeller Bar. I greatly enjoyed my visit and cannot wait to return. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading these reviews and that I somehow managed to inspire your beer travels. Seeing the world is an exciting adventure, but doing it with a great beer in hand is even better.

Review of Secret Stash Harvest Ale (Saison) from Flying Dog Brewing Co. : By Chops

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:02:07 GMT

One of the most appealing aspects of craft beer is an ever changing landscape. Nowhere is this concept more visualized than with seasonal beers. Recipes will be tweaked based on the lessons learned of previous seasons. Ingredients will change based on the quality of harvest. These are all differences that you can actually taste in a seasonal beer. Case in point: Flying Dog's Secret Stash Harvest Ale. I recently got my hands on this year's version, which I immediately noticed was slightly different than last year's version. An important take home point here is that change is never a bad thing in the world of craft beer. Beer is a living breathing thing. The concept of blindfolded consistency is only something that the Big Beer companies ascribe to. Real beer doesn't work that way.

For reference, here is my review of the Secret Stash Harvest Ale from last year:
http://www.brewchief.com/review.cfm?id=371

In the glass, this year's version has a deep golden straw coloration that resembles apple juice. It comes with a frothy white head that dissipates fairly quickly. On the nose, I detected a savory grassy aroma with an earthy malt resting underneath. It has a slight lemony tang as well as some herbal notes which complete a very refreshing smell. One very noticeable different from last year's version is the appearance. This year's version is much lighter and more in tune with the saison style.

I found that the flavor closely matched the aroma. It has a grassy taste with earthy malt base as well as plenty of lemon zest. The hop profile is very well balanced and takes on an herbal quality (without losing that signature Flying Dog sting). I did find some additional flavor notes, namely a lovely honey bread quality. The mouthfeel is light and crisp, making it an easy drinking brew. The beer finishes airy and bitter with a long dry aftertaste. I would say that the most noticeable difference in this version was a reigned in aggression. This beer is quite accessible with lots of balanced flavor.

Overall, Flying Dog's Secret Stash Harvest Ale is a savory brew with a refreshing earthy quality. This is the kind of beer that you want in your hand while enjoying a freshly cut lawn or a crisp fall breeze. It's a beer that connects you to the earth and reminds you of our rich agricultural heritage. Consequently, I can recommend this beer to any and all beer fans. Seasoned drinkers will love this brew as a flavorful seasonal session that is perfectly fit for the cool fall months. Novices can utilize it as a great intro into harvest time brews. These beers are defined by their freshness and rejuvenation, so be sure to tap your Secret Stash after a hard day's work.

Review of Miller 64 (Lite American Lager) from MillerCoors Brewing Co. : By Chops

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:57:57 GMT

Okay, let's be fair. You can't really write a serious beer review on something that isn't beer. Miller 64 isn't beer and I doubt even the dumbest of consumers are gullible enough to think that it is. This nonsense beverage is to beer what a rice cake is to actual cake. It's just another horrible adjunct lager made with cheap non-beer ingredients and manufactured chemical additives.

I could try to dissect Miller 64's stylistic traits, but it really doesn't have any. The aroma is too meager to detect. The appearance is so light that it does nothing more than reflect its surroundings (see my pic). The flavor is little more than corn water. The mouthfeel can only be described as fizzy water at best. So by real beer standards, Miller 64 is less than shit. Sub shit. Shit upon shit. Truth be told, Miller 64 is so beyond not a beer that I wouldn't even have a problem with it if they just called it what it was: low alcohol corn water.

So, this is less a serious review and more a poking fun at the ongoing embarrassment that is Big Beer. And of course, I have to reference my previous review of Budweiser to adequately capture the mood:

http://www.brewchief.com/review.cfm?id=176

Now that the stage is set, I thought an appropriate ''review'' of Miller 64 would be to rewrite that Irish drinking jingle commercial that no doubt every TV watcher has been accosted by. I will also make a few amusing observations before we begin. One, no self-respecting Irishman would be caught dead with a Miller 64 in hand. Two, one of the lyrics refers to ''cut out the filler''. Not to point out the obvious, but that ''filler'' is what makes beer... well, beer.

So let's begin with the original lyrics to the Miller 64 jingle:

We run a mile before breakfast
Sure, I had a salad for lunch
But a Miller 64 at dinner
Oh yes 'cause I've worked on my punch
'Cause we live a life of balance
And no one can say that we're wrong
So here's to good Miller who cut out the filler and made a beer worthy of song
To Miller 64
To Miller 64
To love, sweat and beers and well-deserved cheers
To Miller 64

And now we conclude with the BrewChief'd version, i.e. reality:

We may or may not eat breakfast
We have shit to do before lunch
But a Miller 64 at dinner?
Fuck that, I deserve better punch
'Cause we live a life of challenge
And we mend it when something goes wrong
So fuck that crap Miller who cut out the filler, it's not a beer worthy of song
Fuck Miller 64
Fuck Miller 64
We drink better beer deserving of cheers
Fuck Miller 64

Review of Thunderstruck Coffee Porter (Robust Porter) from Highland Brewing Co. : By Brew's Your Daddy

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 06:11:07 GMT

I am almost positive it was a record. I could be wrong, but I defy anyone to top it. In and out in less than 2 minutes. That was how long it took me to get out of my car, walk into the beer store, select a never before sampled beer, pay for it, and be back in my car. It all happened so quickly, I actually had to check the seat next to me as I drove off to make sure I hadn't just sat in the parking lot and imagined the entire event. When I did, pretty as you please, there sat a six pack of Highland Brewing Company's seasonal Thunderstruck Coffee Porter.

Now see, while most would view my purchase as rushed, it actually turned out to be the culmination of the perfect beer storm. The isle that leads from the door to the beer section of the store is unobstructed from one end to the other. When you go in, you have a clear view of one glass cooler door. I had in my mind that I was to only purchase one six pack or large bomber sized bottle. As the steps brought me closer to the cooler, the first thing that caught my eye was the familiar look of the Highland Brewing Company packaging. I couldn't think of a single time where one of their beers had treated me bad, so I let my eyes do some grazing. All of their year round offerings were present, like their Kashmir IPA and Black Mocha Stout, but then there was one out of the ordinary package that grabbed my eye. It only took a brief moment of examination to have me sold. Just reading the name ''Thunderstruck Coffee Porter'' was literally enough to do it. I had only come to a complete stop in front of the cooler for maybe 5 seconds before my mind had already been made up by those 3 awesome words.

From there it was straight back to the front of the store where the guy at the register said ''Well that didn't take long at all'', and to which I replied ''Sometimes there is no need to browsing my friend.'' He got a good laugh out of it, and then followed up with ''Let me know how that one turns out.'' This was a statement that will be better addressed at a later time, but just the fact that someone working at a beverage store has yet to try the beverages they are selling really irks me. It's like having a person selling cars who has never actually driven one of the said cars they are trying to sell. In any event, I snatched my receipt from his hands, and was once again back in my car headed home.

I raced home, breaking at least 3 traffic laws that I was able to count in the process, eager to rip into my precious cargo like a child diving for the largest package under the Christmas tree. There was no time for hesitation. It was in the door, kick it closed with the back foot, throw the keys on the counter top and reach for a goblet time. As soon as it hit the counter, my left hand was digging through the drawer for a bottle opener as my right was snatching a bottle of this tantalizing nectar from its handy dandy carrying case. In one smooth motion I was able to bring opener to cap, and the result was that Pavlovian response we all have experienced at one point or another. A huge grin hit my face as my mouth began to water.

Before I was even able to start the pour, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans started to fill the room. My already huge grin grew even bigger. As I tipped the bottle, a very dark brown, almost black liquid began to flow freely into my goblet. Once the pour was complete, about a fingers worth of a somewhat bubbly tan head settled on top, and it managed to stick around for about half of the session before it seemed to disappear into the darkness that still remained in the glass. After allowing myself a few more moments of visual enjoyment, I decided to get a little closer and see what else could be found. Upon doing so I was able to pick up on some distinct pockets of cocoa powder and earthy roasted malts, while lighter notes of vanilla and white pepper made themselves known after just a moment of warming time. There were a few instances where a dark fruit aspect came through, but even with some deliberate examination, I was unable to really narrow it down to one specific culprit.

It was at this point that I could no longer resist the urge to taste what my eyes and nose had already been able to enjoy. As I raised the glass to my lips, I again could not ignore the glorious smell of coffee that was pushing its way towards me. My taste buds were giddy with anticipation of what was to come, and as soon as the first sip hit my tongue, they were all nicely rewarded. A cold, medium roasted coffee flavor coated my tongue and I was instantly in beer heaven. Though it wasn't quite as bold as the nose suggested, it was far from weak, and it carried just the right amount of bitter bite. There was an earthy undertone to it, and it worked well with the slight hops flavor that lay just beneath the surface. A solid layer of bittersweet chocolate came through next, and along with it the same random dark fruit notes that were detected in the nose earlier. It took me a good three or four sips before I would even allow myself to start digging for any more subtle flavors, but once I did I was able to pick up on some really nice toffee and vanilla notes, and on occasion there was even some burnt molasses to be found.

I guess in all honesty if I had any complaint about Thunderstruck, it would only be based on a sheer personal preference, and that would be in the mouthfeel area. Now don't get me wrong. It fell well with in the range of acceptable as far as the style goes, but I really could have went for a couple of more notches higher in the weight and grit departments. Even in my porters I like there to be a hefty body and chew factor, but as I said earlier, this is solely a personal preference. If anything, the more dialed down interpretation in this area only lends to a more sessionable brew drinking experience overall.

Now this is the point were I would usually go into telling you which camps of drinkers should or shouldn't give the Highland Brewing Company Thunderstruck Coffee Porter a try. It would most likely give you the pros and cons of why it would work for some and not for others. Sometimes it is helpful, and other times it just adds to the confusion. This time however, I get the chance to do it a little differently. I can actually get away with saying that if you like coffee you should try it. If you like good beer you should try it. And if you like good coffee beer, you should absolutely without question try it. It really doesn't get any easier than that. My only other word of advise would be that if you decide you want to take it for a spin, don't dally in doing so. It is a seasonal offering, so it's only around for a short time. So consider yourself warned, and don't come running to me complaining if you miss out. I will have no choice but to pull out one from my private stash and drink it in front of you as I laugh uncontrollably.

*And seriously, did you think I would let this beer review end without taking full advantage of the beers name itself?*

Review of Orval (Belgian Pale Ale) from Brasserie d’Orval : By Chops

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:22:00 GMT

''What do all beer geeks drink?'' I have heard time and time again that the answer to this question is Orval. Apparently this is the one beer that every enthusiast across the globe swears by. It's the one beer that consistently surprises its drinkers and can never be tamed. To put it in South Park terms, drinking Orval is the equivalent of ''chasing the dragon''. You never quite grasp it, no matter how hard you try. So going into this beer for the very first time, the stage was set for an epic showdown. Would the beer live up to the lofty expectations? It was time to chase that dragon.

As a little back story, the Orval Brewery (better known as Brasserie d'Orval), is a Belgian Trappist brewery located within the Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval in the Gaume region of Belgium. They produce two beers: Orval and Petite Orval. Their rich history dates all the way back to the 1600s. Needless to say, they've had plenty of time to perfect their art form. The brewery is closed to the public for the most part, but they do open their doors for two days a year for an annual open house.

In the glass, this beer has a hazy deep golden orange coloration. When held up to a light source, you can also see a syrupy swirling effect that resembles suspended smoke. It was very interesting and I spent a good few minutes mesmerized by it. It comes with a rocky off-white head that has great retention. When going in for that first whiff, it doesn't take long to figure out this beer's appeal: a surreal complexity. There really is no way to describe this beer in a linear fashion. It's easier to just rattle off what you find. According to my nose: grassy, herbal, earthy, spicy, floral, caramel, citrus, tartness, fruity, and what I can only describe as a balloon plastic. This is the kind of beer that you smell, shake your head in confusion, walk away from, come back to after a minute, and repeat. I could not solidify any rhyme or reason to what I was about to drink.

The flavor complexity immediately smacks you across the face, which amazingly overshadows an equally bewildering mouthfeel. Much like with the aroma, don't even bother trying to construct a coherent flavor train. There isn't one. Just pick out everything you can with the quantity of liquid you have available. In this attempt, I found a tart lemony citrus, cloves, sourdough bread, lemongrass, hints of caramel sweetness, lighter fruits like apples, pears, raisins, and grape must. I could have easily built on that list if I had another bottle. With almost no effort, you can discover something new on every sip.

Orval has a lighter body for the style, but it perfectly matches what the flavors demand. The core feel is an extra dryness that beyond defines the vibe. It's incredibly unique for a beer and it took a few sips to get comfortable with. The internal mouthfeel has a huge transition swing. It starts off rich, smooth and sweet. But, the middle ground transforms into a mishmash of flavor and body, which eventually exits very crisp, very dry, and airy bitter. The finish itself lasts for an amazingly long time. I was tasting this beer long after I finished it. Every sip was a head scratching experience that left me wondering how in the hell they crafted this magical beverage.

Overall, Orval is an extraordinary beer. No amount of words will adequately describe this beer's complexity. I could easily write ten more reviews and they would all be different. At this point I can completely see why Orval is regarded as the beer geek's brew. It's a brand new experience in every bottle. I can completely see a gaggle of beer nerds sitting around a table with their Orval brews just throwing out random adjectives. Needless to say, I can recommend this beer to any seasoned drinker. Check that, I flat demand that every seasoned drinker try this beer. It's just too unique of an experience not to have. The beer is accessible enough for novices, but it demands a sophisticated palate to fully appreciate. Best to hone your taste for Belgian brews before tackling this magician. With that, I must depart for the beer store, for there are more dragons to chase.

Review of Big Bertha Brown Ale (American Brown Ale) from Top of the Hill Brewery : By Chops

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:39:02 GMT

Earning the status of full fledged beer geek requires much more than just drinking good beer. First and foremost, you have to be an active part of your brewing community. You have to interact with fellow beer fans and get to know your local brewing establishments. Beer geeks know where to hunt for great beer and also know where to go for the best local beer. Beer geeks greatly enjoy visiting breweries and love nothing more than to learn more about the beers they drink. Do it long enough and you will eventually get to know the brewers themselves. On a recent revisit to the Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery in Chapel Hill, NC, I got to share a cold pint with Aaron Caracci, one of their co-head brewers. He was enjoying their popular Old Well White Ale and recommended that I try the Big Bertha Brown Ale.

In the glass, this beer has a deep dark brown coloration with a slight ruby hue. It comes with a creamy light tan head that has good retention. On the nose, I detected a rich roasted malt aroma along with some toasted bread, caramel sweetness, and a touch of maple syrup. The mouthfeel was creamy smooth with a solid mid-body that was very easy drinking. The flavor closely matched the aroma, lots of roasted malty sweetness with a brown bready vibe. I also found hints of brown sugar along with some savory toffee, a toasted nuttiness, and an earthy hop profile. The beer finished decently smooth with a malty bitter aftertaste.

Overall, Top of the Hill's Big Bertha Brown Ale is a very nice brew with a rich personality. I appreciate Aaron's recommendation and can do the same for all levels of beer fans. Big Bertha is a great session brown ale for seasoned drinkers and is easily accessible for novices. Insight can be a powerful tool when it comes to enjoying any product. How often do you get the chance to enjoy a great meal with the chef that created it? This is why it is so important for true beer fans to frequent their local scenes. Become a regular at your local craft pub. You never know who you are going to meet and how it's going to affect your experience.