Any Port in the Storm

No its not storming. No, I am not under duress. The title just worked with the name, so there it is.
Just a quickie tonight, don't wanna miss my secondary goal. I'd hate to let myself down again. Again. We're not keeping track though right? Good.

Review #44

Bell's Porter   ABV 5.6%
Bell's Brewery   Kalamazoo, Michigan  A 24 oz poured into a Redneck Tulip (<-- more="more" on="on" p="p" that...now="that...now">
A - Well, for starters, there are no 24 oz beers. I poured two. Sue me. Also, you'll notice in the picture a 'Redneck Tulip" is actually a Mason Jar. It holds a 24 ouncer, I'm a word guy, and I like to fancy it up.
Anyhow, this is a purple black pour. The kind of black where its full dark out, the sun is down, but there is some purplish residual light remaining. That color. A substantial, frothy, tan head quickly dissipates, but leaves big chunks of lace and tiny bubbles dancing

N - A coffee nose, with hints of bitter chocolate and lots of big roast malt notes. An underlying sweetness cuts these bitter aromas and gives a rounding effect to the beer

T - This is sweeter on the palate than the nose, but not by much. There is some chicory and old leather here to go along with the familiar notes that came from the initial smells. Faint hits of cocoa. This is all in line with a standard porter, but there are no big stand out notes. Like a really good song that has no high or powerful notes; it is good, it is solid, its not top or bottom of any list. A good regular drinker.

M - A bit thin really, but not in a bad way. Light carbonation and the slight wateriness help alleviate all the bitter and rich, intense notes.

O - This is a solid, all-around good beer. A fine example of a classic Porter, and I would gladly drink it regularly. Its not fancy or pretentious, it hues don't 'pop' in the glass, the nose and the taste don't overwhelm--yet you'd be completely satisfied anytime if this was handed to you; and I suggest if that happens, say 'thank you' and enjoy.

Cheers

Chris

A Barleywine Battle

We're going head to head tonight, two behemoths duking it out, looking for some Winter supremacy. These high gravity heroes are cockle warming wonders and I am pitting them against one another. A one-night only, main event to see who can win the hearts and minds of the masses...or at least my palate. Sorry I got carried away. It happens.

Review #42 & #43

Monster Ale 2011   ABV 10.8%
Brooklyn Brewery  Brooklyn, New York  12 oz into a Chimay goblet

Cereal Killer 2012   ABV 10%
Arcadia Ales  Battle Creek, Michigan   12 oz into a Chimay goblet
A - Both pour rich hues of brown, bordering on mahogany, with the Arcadia being just a tick darker. Brooklyn is ever so slightly more translucent at the crest and along the glass, and also has just a bit more of a head, though neither have much more than a film layer. Monster is retaining the  cream colored head more at the edges of the pour, and Cereal Killer is concentrating the distinctly larger, moderately yellow, bubbles towards the center. Looks alone, they're both gorgeous--a draw.

N - Monster has a rich grain, yeast and bread laden initial whiff, with dark dried fruits. There is some brown sugar and slightly burned caramel playing around the edges, but seem to be tamed by grassy, leafy hops and a leathery scent that rest towards the back end of the nose. Cereal Killer is rich. It is definitely a hot brew, with alcohol hitting up front, something likely that would ease with aging, but this being a 2012, it is powerful. Some soaked, dark fruit and toffee, and then it hits me. Raisin. Ugh. I don't like raisins much, and it took a minute, but its there. On that basis alone, Monster gets the edge.

T - This Brooklyn is a Monster. A molasses and malt monster. Very sweet, but not to the point of unpleasantness. Ripe fruit tastes mingle well with aged, dried fruit. A harmony of plum, fig, cherry, balanced with strong malt character and just enough hop presence to make it all blend well. The age has had an effect for sure; this is my second time trying this, last time was nine months ago, right after purchase, and it was diabetic sweet and almost astringent. The other two will wait until next Winter; and I am looking forward to it. The high ABV is there, but it isn't the lead role.
On the flip side...This Cereal Killer, it could very well kill me. Sugary sweet, with lots of heat. Not very much balance. Its got promise, there are all sorts of wonderful flavors at the edges, but over ripe fruit, corn sugar and alcohol just overpower and overtake it from the get go. With age, I think the malt will make a stronger appearance, and the alcohol will certainly ease. Its all a question of whether the fruit and sugar and hops round out and learn to play nice. There are a couple more...see you next year.
Obvious edge to Monster

M - Monster has a light to medium mouthfeel, with just a touch more creaminess to the texture and the lack of such a big alcohol punch. The Arcadia is actually quite pleasant with the carbonation cutting the over sweet flavor just a bit.
This has gotta be a draw. I mean, it would take some serious error to lose on mouthfeel.

O - I guess it really was unfair to compare the two. One year difference in bottling is huge in big beers like these. From 1/8/2011 for the Monster to 1/2/2012 for the Cereal Killer. These are both what they should be; massive, warming beers, with strong flavors and serious attitude. You can't take a barleywine lightly ,and as a novice homebrewer, I doubt its an easy style to perfect or even do well. Glad to have both of these tonight, and glad I have a couple more for next year.
I did notice after looking at some other reviews that the years are a huge factors apples to apples. Some people are really down on certain years of each, while other love them. A large majority of that is age, to be sure, but there are other factors. Too often, storage of beer is overlooked. Its one thing to store it right once you have it, but what did the distributor and store do before you owned it? My recommendation is to search Beer Advocate and Rate Beer for the places other people have favorable reviewed before making purchases. It doesn't always make a positive difference, but it certainly can't hurt.

Cheers,

Chris

Cold Night, Cellar Choklat

Gonna try and finish the year strong, hit 50. Please, nobody go back to January and see what the goal was. Suffice it to say, I didn't make it. That said, I'm gonna take one for the team, drink some quality beer, and bang on this here keyboard. Not quite a college all-nighter before the day of the test, but maybe its the adult version. Or not.

Review #41

Choklat   ABV 10%
Southern Tier Brewing Company   Lakewood, NY  Bomber poured into Imperial Pint

A - Pours a deep, opaque black with just about zero light transmission. A very faint line of ruby passes just at the border between the glass and the brew. A barely visible battle line between light and dark. Dark is dominating on this pour

N - Robust, almost heady aromas of creamy, milk chocolate. A dissipating cocoa smell that reminds me of a the initial pour of powdered hot chocolate into the glass; the whiff and gone. A slight hint of vanilla plays at the edges, just before and after the major hits of SO MUCH CHOCOLATE. There is an underlying roasted grain aspect that keeps it from being too sweet, just enough bitterness pushes back against the near cloying sweetness.

T - Oh my dear, sweet deliciousness. This is the creamiest beer I've EVER had. This is milk chocolate shake in beer form. I am NOT a chocolate fan, but the balance of this is amazing. The alcohol is there, but its not hot, doesn't introduce itself with a punch to the face. The roast grains give a coffee bite that makes sure to let the sweetness know there isn't just one player at the table here. It is so amazing I want to hold it, chew it, savor it. This is brilliant, no question.

M - This has a medium overall feel, the richness is chewy and luscious the ABV adds a slight stickiness to lips, but actually vapors on the breath, and almost ends watery; balancing the initial hit of a chocolate bomb.

O - First things first, without question, this is the best Milk Chocolate Stout I have EVER had. I've had some misses from Southern Tier, but this is a Grand Slam in the bottom of the 9th, in the World Series, with 2 outs. I wish I had a Delorean so that I could go back in time and buy a case or ten of these. I could drink one of these for every dessert Leasea enjoys.
I am now on a mission to do just that.
If you find one, BUY it. Buy as many as you can get, I'll buy some from you. Heck, I may drive to you, and we could have a fun tasting. So sorry this is my only one, but very glad I get to talk to the faceless crowd of internet peoplez.

Cheers
Chris

The Flower

Breaking out a vintage, special beer for this return. I have been way too slack, I apologize, lets just move on. This should be a good one, its a retired beer from a really well respected brewery, and its my first time having it so I am excited.

Without further adieu, I present

Review #40

Fleur 2010      ABV 7%      Bottled 9/17/2010
Goose Island Brewery  Chicago, Il  22 oz bomber poured into long-stem white wine glass

A - A cloudy amber pour with lively little bubbles racing up the sides of the glass to a moderate, bright white head. Lacing isn't significant, but leaves a hint of its travel towards the bottom.

 N - Granny Smith apples hit like a hammer, with a grassy and floral backbone. A strong yeast component runs throughout the entire experience. Beyond the apples, every other aroma pales and the whole thing becomes a bit unbalanced. Not awful, but not the strong suit here.

 T - Very in-line follow from the nose. Apple first and foremost, with layers of lemon, pear, white grape, and orange. The hop component is very floral and grassy, but mild and don't add much bitterness. A dry finish lends itself towards wine thoughts, with some tart notes and just a hint of spice; much less than typical from this style. Very pleasant and refreshing, keeps you going back for more, and the medium to nigh ABV is not even remotely noticeable.

 M - A medium mouthfeel, slightly watery, but balanced by high carbonation and complex flavors

 O - An impressive Belgian with many complex parts, blending well. Whether or not the 2 years aging helped or hurt this is any one's guess, but the overall mellow, balanced and refreshing aspects of this make me believe that it did. The nose being the only weak point, I'd certainly give this a 7/10, and I am glad I have one left to enjoy at a later date. Preferably I'll be sharing the next one with another craft beer aficionado, and we can compare notes...and check that aging theory of mine. Good job Goose Island.

Cheers,
Chris