Moby Dick at Year's End

Well, Happy New Year's Eve all. Tomorrow starts a new year, and all that that entails. It has been a good year from a beer perspective with the craft beer industry gobbling up more and more market share. It still seems like a drop in the bucket, but I bet the big boys hear that thumping.
I want to thank you all for reading this, it has been a good thing for me to write again, and to see a hobby blossom into something just a little bit bigger. What that is yet, I am not sure, but time will tell. Until then, micro reviews of craft brews.

Review #50

Narwhal Imperial Stout  ABV: 10.2%
Sierra Nevada  Chico, CA  12 oz bottle poured into short snifter

A - Pours a deep ruby black with some gorgeous light transmission when held up. The small, tan head is full of spotty bubbles, large and small. It dies quickly, but the lacing is very strong.

N - A hard licorice, currant undertone beneath the familiar coffee and roast malt notes. A touch of smokiness, and a hint of vanilla round out this pleasant aroma

T - A very mild taste with similar flavors to the nose. There is a raisin flavor that wasn't here before, and some chocolate with a bit of old leather. Not a huge fan of raisins (I don't like them at all) but it works here. It coats the palate and lingers, the woody notes of the dark malts coming forward from roasting. Wisps of hops dance at the edges, but never fully emerge as a player. Some alcohol heat; the slight burn, but not bad, more in the nose as you drink it. Very mild, and easy drinking for a big stout.

M - Very rich in flavor, but medium bodied overall, considering the style as a whole.

Special treat - The last couple of ounces, warmed from the hour in the snifter, got split evenly over a scoop of peppermint ice cream. The minty candy pieces danced like lighting bugs in the dark brew and the cream blended well with the vanilla notes from the oak, bringing them forward. A real treat, if you're into trying beer floats.

O - As mentioned, a very easy, mild stout, especially when the 10.2% ABV is there. This isn't a big, presentation 22 ounce stout, but it is one you could buy a couple 4 packs of and enjoy all winter long. Its like that favorite blanket, or often worn sweatshirt that you just know you 'll come back to again and again. And that is probably one of the best things I can say for this, from one of my favorite breweries. Sierra Nevada constantly produces beers--whether year round, or special releases--that you know you can return to again and again and constantly be welcomed; and that, my friends, is a special thing.

Happy New Year

Chris

Across the Bow!

Review #20
Torpedo Extra IPA ABV 7.2%
Sierra Nevada Chico, CA 12 oz poured into tulip

 A: Bright copper colored pour with a fluffy, generous head; about 2 fingers worth. Great lacing, with tremendous head retention

 N: Expected citrus and pine IPA aromas, but with plenty of depth to spare. Levels of floral hops layered with bready caramel. Grapefruit the most prevalent of the citrus, with hints of lemon

 T: Bitter hops with a lovely malt balance, the slight toast on the malts keeping the powerful piney and citrus hope beast at bay. A long deliciously bitter finish, excites the palate with the tang of orange zest and snippets of lemongrass. The whole cone hops are definite champs here.

 M: Crisp and refreshing with enough carbonation to balance the hop oils and not be to sudsy.

 O: A tremendous, steroid-infused IPA. A beginning hop-head dream, with every note played perfect in the IPA symphony. Completely textbook, and yet never boring. A real go-to for me, and has been for years. Sierra Nevada really is a great example of what a craft beer company can be long-term. Mature, develop, branch out...don't lose your roots.

Cheers,
Chris

Its My Party & I'll Rye if I Want To

I am lazy. I am sorry. Meant to write this weekend, but between a dead hamster, a new cat, Leasea mandolin-ing her thumb, and a Kels ER visit, I sorta ran outta time. My bad. Forgive me?
So, a quick preface, I have not been a big fan of this style of beer before, so I went in a bit wary. I love this brewery and had heard nothing but great things though, so I gave her a run. Boy was I glad I did. Dangit, I just gave away the ending!

Review #14
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA  ABV: 6.6%
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA  12 oz. brown bottle poured into Sam Adams 'Perfect Pint'

A - This poured a deep, rich amber color with some amazing clarity. The head is a good 2 inches that retains well throughout. The lacing is quality, pure and simple. It looked like a 'measuring' wall behind a door in an old house, marking each sip for posterity

S - The pepper and grapefruit flavors smack you in the face with a strong yeast aroma fast on its heels. You can almost taste the rye bread in this, I wanted a Reuben instantly; I settled for drinking some Thousand Island. No, I actually didn't.

T - There is a powerful bitterness at play here which I could see putting some off, but its right up my alley. The slightly roasted malts and the caramel add plenty of balance for me. The rye really stands tall, and now I'm dang near kicking myself for bad planning and having no sandwich pairing. Plenty of citrus at work as well, adding that much more depth to the overall character. The alcohol doesn't come into play while chilled, but pushes to the forefront as it nears room temp.

M - Lively carbonation, keeps this feeling fresh throughout and the sugary residue clings to the lips and tongue, retaining the bitterness

O - Well, I gave it away up top, huh? I really like this. To be more clear though, IPAs are my favorite style hands down, I've just not truly appreciated a rye beer this much in the past. Well done, SN for making a lovely, balanced beer that changed my attitude. That said, if I could find bad note...I want more than 12 oz. Sorry, just can't do it. This was a cracker!

Cheers,
Chris