This Righteous is Divine

With all apologies to dear ol' So-Crates, and the paraphrasing of his quote...the saying fits this beer. The actual quote goes like this, "The souls of all men are Immortal, but the souls of the Righteous are Immortal and Divine." So with that said, and proper credit given, though I feel my English teachers of yore would prefer a bit more standardized notation, here we go.

Review #48

Righteous Ale  ABV: 6.3%
Sixpoint Brewery  Brooklyn , NY  16 oz can poured into my 'Texas' pint glass

A - This pours a ruddy, deep brown with a head full of big, bountiful bubbles that looks like its sticking around awhile. The head has an egg-nog complexion, and measures about one finger. The lacing is superb and trails each sip down the glass.

N - There is strong hit of nutty, peppery malt and rye at the forefront, some caramel hint in the middle, with faint, lingering citrus clinging on to the back end. That is about it, and also, about the only weak spot on this beer. There just isn't much to take in on the nose.

T - A bitter pucker gets this tasting going, mellowing quickly into a pool of smooth and creamy malted notes. Caramel and toffee give way to a bit of spice, pepper and almost a peatiness from the rye. Works very well together, and the transition is perfect. This isn't hop dominant, but the hops that are there are very earthy, and play a small supporting role.

M - A very full mouthfeel for a moderate ABV beer. The richness of the rye envelops the tongue, coats it and the thick head lands like a snowfall. In no way uninviting, but a bit of a surprise, given alcohol and general style.

O - This is a very good beer. I have only had two other from Sixpoint--The Bengali and Resin--and this is right in line with what I would expect based on those two offerings. Resin was ridiculous when I had that on tap in New York back in April, and I still have a couple cans of Bengali to get to here. In addition, while logging this beer on Untappd, people from the brewery were quick to respond and ask what I thought. I love companies that are using social media correctly. Connect with people, do some customer service, grow a product. Glad to see another company taking advantage of these tools. Well done, guys,

Cheers

Chris

P.S. The other companies I've found excelling in social media are Stone, Squatters, and Boulevard.

Missed the Mark

Well, it doesn't happen too often when you're buying familiar brands you know produce quality craftbeer, but nobody is perfect. I'm a fan of Avery, they generally churn out quality and their special releases are usually worth the purchase. This one...it left me flat

Review #47

Anniversary Nineteen   ABV: 8.23%
Avery Brewing Company    Boulder, CO  Belgian Tripel poured into tall pilsner

A - Very, very pale. Very translucent, hazy yellow with a thin off white cap. Little retention, and average lacing.

N - Big wheat, very grainy. An unbalanced run of aromas from the coriander and clove spices to the big hit of alcohol finishing with the standard Belgian yeast 'funk' that is expected. Some green fruit mixed in; apple and pear.

T - Its just not improving. There is nothing out of place here, style wise, its just not playing well together. All these different flavor profiles are fighting for attention, and the overall loser is me this time. Again, standard yeast notes, with the mix of spice and fruit. Maybe its that the fruit seems a bit off, or that the hops don't feel well absorbed, or that the flavors come at you in crashing waves as opposed to a nice complete wash. Just don't get it.

M - Very effervescent with lots of tight bubbles, sort of thin for the style, kind of watery.

O - This is in no way going to stop me from buying another Avery product. Adam Avery and his bunch put out lots of quality. This bottle or batch could have been contaminated, my palate could have just not meshed well with this particular beer. Many factors at play, all it takes is one. Here's to the next beer...always looking up!

Cheers,

Chris

A Stone's Throw...

Piggybacked this on the heels of the Black Perle, after the kids went to bed, while Lace and I watched a movie. This is a rotating available bottle; a blend of Arrogant Bastard, Oaked Arrogant Bastard, and Double Bastard. I haven't had one since 2010. So glad I have several to enjoy over the coming months

Review #46

Lukcy Basartd  ABV: 8.5%
Stone Brewing Company  Escondido, CA  22 oz poured into tall pilsner
(enjoyed while watching rom-com with the lovely Mrs. Butler)

A - A ruby-brown pour with a moderate head. Extremely awesome lacing, though less than average retention. A real looker.

N - Very complex nose, though certainly hop dominant. There is the oak from the blended Oaked Arrogant Bastard, some heat from the alcohol. Caramel and toffee malts bolster this brew, and then you're left with lingering, bitter hops.

T - The piney, bitter hops take hold first, and though the grip lessens, they maintain their grip throughout. There is a sweet, butterscotch note somewhere in the middle, fading into a vanilla. The wood is prevalent again, similar strength to the nose. There is some light fruit notes in there that come and go quite quickly, but leave their mark--peach and apricot most identifiable

M - Very dry finish with light carbonation. The warmer it gets, the more it smooths out.

O - Well, its no secret I am a Stone fan-boy. But, seriously, if you like great beer, you should be. Unless you  are anti hops I guess. Even then, there is something in Stone's stable for you. There is a reason I was so stoked to meet Mr Greg Koch this summer. I have my favorites among all the beers they do, and this is definitely one of them. Stone is, and has been a pioneer of West Coast IPAs and brewing; always pushing  a bit further, always willing to risk. One thing Greg said this summer still stick with me, "I'd rather fail trying to make a great craftbeer than succeed in making flavorless, yellow fizz." Amen, Mr Koch, amen.

Cheers,

Chris

Perle Diver

This was supposed to go out earlier today, but a certain clingy 4 year old had other plans. Such is life, cuddles were certainly more important anyhow.
This is a Leasea retrieval from a North Carolina trip. I have had a couple beers from this company in the past, namely when I was in Charleston, SC last year. They were okay, better than average, but nothing to write home about. This, however, this is completely different...

Review #45

Black Perle  ABV: 9.5%
RJ Rockers Brewing Company  Spartanburg, SC  22 oz bottle poured into Imperial Pint
(Enjoyed while finishing a rousing family game of Yahtzee)

A - This pours to a large tan head, atop a dark black body. As the head slowly disappears, it leaves huge chunks of lacing on the glass.

S - Mild, earthy hops dance around in a a heavily roast malt and chocolate dominant nose. A strong feeling of fresh tilled, wet earth over a cup of coffee. A light bready hint in there as well.

T - The roast malt and bittersweet chocolate notes come in waves, leaving behind those earthy, resinous hops, with just a touch of burnt sugar. The finish is long lasting, coating the tongue like chocolate milk. Very pleasant and well balanced.

M - Its a complex mouthfeel, with active, small carbonation bubbles, and dry but not acerbic, and a definite stout feel overall

O - I like this quite a lot. Easy drinking for a high ABV, complex beer. Lots of flavors, all playing nicely together. The black IPA/Cascadian IPA is a style I am liking more and more. Certainly more memorable than its cousins I've had previously. There is one more on the shelf, and it may last just long enough to make it to January or February's tasting events.

Cheers

Chris

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