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

Roaaar!

Well, the temperature has turned cooler, the wind has picked up, the days are getting shorter. This means many things, one of which is that I get to break out the dark, rich beers that exemplify winter to all of us beer lovers. They keep well, so, the ones you don't get to one winter, will be there waiting for the dust off come the next winter. A lovely thought.

Review #39

Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer   ABV  8.5%  
Rahr & Sons      Ft Worth, TX      Bomber poured into Imperial Pint

A - A two finger head atop a rich, dark brown. The head lingers for quite some time, leaving thick lacing down the sides. The head retains in a thin line around a dark cherry edge.

S - Sweet, bourbon aroma hits first with underlying vanilla and oak notes. There is a nutty malt richness among the other notes, but doesn't play a forward role. The predominant aroma is sugar, followed by bourbon, followed by more sugar.

T - A real follow of the nose, but a bit more balanced. Until the finish. The finish hits hoppy, and then lingers with an oaky bourbon. Strange. Not bad, just. Different. Lots of sweetness; caramel, brown sugar, and chocolate. Hints of fruit, with a touch of smoke. A lot going on, in good harmony. Until that finish. Its just weird. It seems out of place; a square peg in a round hole. Hmm, I'll come back to it.

M - Full bodied and rich, with light carbonation. Leaves sticky lips, but fairly easy drinking

O - I really liked 91% of this beer. I know, an arbitrary number, but really, its better than spouting off a number you expected. Right? Anyhow, it was very pleasant, if somewhat rich and sweet for my palate, until that off balance finish. I wish I had a second bottle, because I am desperately curious to see if that was the intent, or just a one-off. I can't imagine a random hop splash in this style followed by oak and bourbon intentionally. Maybe I'm wrong. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Chris

Sweet 16

On a recent work trip to Texas, my wife once again indulged my habit, called from a Beer Advocate A-rated store, and walked me through the beer aisles by phone. So lucky I am. She continues to help me grow my cellar, and increase my blog fodder. Super lucky guy, feel free to be jealous.

Beer Review #38
16th Anniversary IPA  ABV 10%  brown bomber poured into Imperial Pint glass
Stone Brewing Company  Escondido, CA

A - Pours a liquid rust color with thick, foamy head and long lingering lace, trailing all the way down the glass. Thick and sticky lines on the glass are a great invitation to stick my nose right in.

S - Vibrant and bright citrus are at the forefront of the very West Coast IPA aroma. Suits this guy just fine. A hint of nuttiness plays at the edges. The aroma is beautiful and strong, but not overpowering. Plenty of hop notes, but nothing burning off my nose hairs. Can't wait to taste!

T - The grapefruit, the lemon, the pine, oh MY! Resinous and full, well rounded flavor with depth and character to spare. There is a sugary hint--almost a candied pineapple--that cuts the bitterness off just in time, before it becomes palate wrecking. There is a hearty malt backbone, with a brown sugar and rye bite that bolsters and upholds this flavor bomb. The beginning finish is soft and floral before it amps back up and the bitter returns in a long, dry memory. Alcohol is not really a player here. 10%, really?!?

M - A full, perfectly carbonated mouthfeel, medium to full body. Easy drinking

O - I mean, come on. Its Stone. Greg knows what he's doing, history shows that. Hes a craft beer rockstar legend, and one of my personal beer heroes. The chance to meet him this summer (Rogers, AR Mellow Mushroom) did not disappoint, a down to earth guy, with time to spare and beer to share. This is one of my favorite beers in recent memory, it hits all the notes I look for, and aligns perfectly with my taste buds. I'm gonna try and get as many as I can before its gone forever, because, if I can drink this regularly, I will. Outstanding IPA from one of my top tier breweries. My only complaint? I have to travel for Stone. Boo. Wish we had this here in Arkansas. Thanks again, Stone!

Cheers,
Chris

I see a Yeti

Okay, after a vacation and getting the kids back to school, I return. This is a brew I picked up in St Louis last year on one of Kelsie's Children's Center Hospital visits. I picked it up mid 2011, so I've been waiting awhile on this one. This brewery is another reason I have GOT to get to Colorado in the very near future.

Review #37
Belgian Style Yeti Imperial Stout  ABV: 9.5%    22 oz bottle poured into Chimay bulb
Great Divide   Denver, CO    bottled Jul 27, 2011

A - A milk chocolate pour, with a consistent creamy, latte colored head. Great retention and the lacing trails all the way down the glass. Beautiful picture of an imperial stout.

S - A chocolate dominant aroma with hints of dark and candied fruits. Very rich and bold, with a lightly hopped smell at the very back. Slightly metallic smell comes and goes among the other notes, and there is a definite alcohol presence.

T - Big chocolate here, but there is more at play on the palate. Certainly not one dimensional with the fruity notes  popping in and out--cherry, figs, and even some apple on the tart side. There is a solid Belgian yeastiness here too, with lots of roast malts, especially on the long finish. The alcohol is fairly tame compared to the aroma, but is more evident as the beer warms and grows. There is a light licorice hit on the warmer end that wasn't there previously.

M - A medium, lightly carbonated mouth feel, but creamy and luscious

O - This is a BIG beer, it is dessert rich, and it is smooth and satisfying. The light carbonation keeps the beer feeling light despite its power and ABV. The layers of flavor are interesting and have a great depth that keeps you coming back for another sip. Its a one hour plus beer for sure, but feels like it could be sneaky if you tried for two and picked up a head of steam. All in all, a wonderful beer by a great stalwart in the industry. Another reason Great Divide is among my top tier breweries and is near the top of the list of breweries to visit. Well done!

Cheers,
Chris

Ommegang, are you Seducing me?

I've had this sitting around for a while, so I decided to use this as a pre-cursor to a stronger, darker beer later in the evening. I've been a fan of Ommegang since I went to Cooperstown for the Ryne Sandberg HoF Induction. They aren't all hits, but they are rarely full on misses. I'd say on average, they are better than average with some greats thrown in.

Review #36
Seduction  ABV 6.8%
Brewery Ommegang  Cooperstown, NY  750 ml corked & caged bottle poured into pint

A - This is a deep, rich pour with serious head. A good two inches retains for a good two minutes, but unfortunately gives way to spotty, weak lacing. A little disappointing really, with such a strong start to the pour.

S - Very tart nose here, with the Belgian yeast funkiness blending with under-ripe cherries. A cocoa and roast malt back end, not very boozy smelling, and the aroma doesn't linger for long, disappearing into a memory.

T - Much sweeter on the front than I got from the nose. Dark fruits, with fig and currant at work start the action on the palate, then give way to all that crisp, tart flavor from the smells. The finish is as expected, dry and full of chocolate and malt. The taste lingers for quite a bit, surprisingly, with that tartness clinging in the throat, almost gives you ideas that you are drinking a sour.

M - Very light, with a creamy feeling, despite the carbonation, again a dry finish.

O - This is above average for me and falls right in line with where I tend to rank Ommegang. High B marks from me; on certain days I might like it more, on others, less. It has a nice balance, interesting notes, and more complexity than I expected, but the pour and the nose are a bit below par, in my little humble opinion. I would certainly drink this again, but, I also probably would not rush out to find it.

Cheers
Chris

Feeling Froggy?

When my wife brought this beer back from one of her East Coast work trips, I have to admit, I wondered about it. A goofy label, a brewery I had never heard of, and a style that is tough to just drink on a whim. I shelved it. It sat in my dark cabinet, getting pushed back further and further, for over a year. Then I decided to give it a shot in an attempt to help clear room...

Review #35
Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S Oatmeal Imperial Stout  ABV 9.4%
Hoppin Frog Brewery  Akron, OH  22 oz bottle poured hard into tall pint

A - This is the green cap, Batch #3 from October of '09. This is a deep, jet black pour, with a cappuccino colored, thin head. Oily and viscous, I almost have to shake the last remnants out of the bottle. There is little to no retention, due to lack of head. The lacing is loose, but strong, and travels well all the way down the glass.

S - The first smell is full of roasted malts and chocolate, backed by a bit of oak. A hint of alcohol, and a strong hit of earthiness finish this off

T - This is dessert and dinner all at once. Big and bold, with assertive vanilla and chocolate flavors, coffee and and oak up front. The oak carries through to mid taste, where the bourbon comes in. Subtle and unassuming, it grows as you roll it over the palate and it warms. The ending is chocolate and alcohol, sweet and bitter all at once, coating my lips in sticky alcohol sweetness. Tastes of chocolate ganache richness, and vanilla pudding smoothness, coffee punch, and heavy chewiness. A Tiramisu in a glass.

M - Very full bodied. Chewy and sweet, with little carbonation.

O - This is probably in my top 3 stouts ever. It is so rich, so complex, so satisfying. It was a two hour drink, every minute savored. No one flavor overwhelmed the others, all playing their supporting roles in the larger picture--the beer as a whole. A contemporary Hollywood movie with ten superstars all playing bit parts for the greater goal. Absolutely fantastic, and I will certainly have Leasea pick up more from Hoppin Frog in the future, hopefully this is a sign of more great beers in my future.

Cheers,
Chris

Bat Crazy

I make no secret of the fact I am from Texas, and that I don't care for San Antonio. Tough to reconcile, because my folks, and many high school and college friends are either still there or return when I do. So it has become a meeting point for me. If you find yourself in the same situation, you have GOT to stop in to Freetail. On Loop 1604 and NW Military, they've been rocking the brewpub atmosphere with great food and atmosphere to boot for three and a half years. Scott, the Owner/Manager, has challenged other San Antonio restaurants to up their beer game, he has helped in the suit against Texas for beer freedom (HB 660), and has managed to grow the reputation of this little joint the whole way. Always with 6-8 of his own brews, he also carries a nice rotating selection of other local and craft beers. You will not be disappointed.

Review #34
Three - Anniversary Ale   ABV ??
Freetail Brewing Company  22 oz bottle poured into Imperial Pint Glass

*My father scored this on the bottle release day, see HB 660 link above for clarity.*

A - This pours the color of black walnut, with a small tan head that disappears in a blink to a light brown puddle in the center of the glass. Minimal retention, and decent lacing.

S - Chocolate malt, roast malt, and some coffee, a hint of sweetness on the second whiff, but overall, this is the weakest segment.

T - A hint of grassy hops underneath a large smack of chocolate and roasted, dark malts. Chocolate gives way to a smooth vanilla after a moment. The chocolate brings a smooth, milky sweetness; the roasted malts counter with oak and char. Just a whisper of smoke on the finish, but doesn't last long enough to register till the third or fourth sip. The alcohol comes forward as the glass, and the brew warm.

M - A medium, big body, but incredibly smooth. Lack of carbonation lends toward the fullness

O - A very decent offering. I have had better from Freetail, but this is incredibly drinkable. It has a porter smoothness, with a bit more depth than usual. I wish there was one closer--hint, hint, Scott, I'll open and run one up here...--but for now, I'll settle for Freetail being the meeting place for, a memory place. Friends old and new, great beer, great food, wonderful atmosphere, perfect place to catch up.

Cheers,
Chris