This beer came to me courtesy of my Dad, who has been contributing to my craft beer habit over the last several years by picking up beer in Texas I can't get here in Arkansas. He also keeps a lookout for news, releases, and occasionally he'll have something I haven't, and pass it along. Such is the case here, a San Antonio brewery and distillery that is fairly new and cranking out some adventurous brews. Kudos to them and hopefully they'll have long continued success. To the review...
Review #32
La Bestia Aimable ABV 9.5%
Ranger Creek Distillery 22 oz bomber poured into a snifter
A - For starters, the label on the beer is like artwork; its gorgeous. A sticker on the side says it is a January of 2012 batch. This beer poured a bright, clear garnet color with one finger of creamy white head. Not a lot of retention here, but the lacing and clinging bubbles show legs and promise.
S - A bready malt aroma is quickly overtaken by a sugary sweet burst. Brown sugar, molasses, dark fruit. An earthy tone creeps in towards the end and you can finally get that Belgian 'funk.' I was worried for a second there. The finish is all honey and oak.
T - A very sweet, almost cloying first sip. It is banana bread and sugar and honey and YEAST, lots of yeast. And unbalanced amount of yeastiness. The malts are almost overtaken here and I am not sure they stand up to the yeast and sweeter notes. There is certainly some fig, dark fruit and funk here as well, but it just doesn't seem to all come together. A bit disappointing really.
M - Medium bodied buoyed by lots of carbonation, which does help to cut the sweetness somewhat.
O - If there were just a bit more balance one way or the other, I could write very similar tasting notes in a positive light. As it is, I just can't. I don't hate it, its an admirable effort, and still drinkable, but it just lacks harmony. I am looking forward to my Mesquite Smoked Porter from these guys, and any others I can get my hands on. Keep up the efforts, good luck to you!
Cheers,
Chris
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Squatters Stands Tall
So, I had this beer quite awhile back, but i misplaced my notes, then I went on vacation. Then I found them, and went on another vacation. Then Summer hit, and the kids were home and, yep, another vacation. I was really excited when I wrote my notes for this one to, because if y'all don't know Squatters, then you're missing out. Not only do they make great beer, but they are superb at customer service and social media. I have never enjoyed a brew by these guys and not received a 'Cheers!' at the very least. In dialogue, they've even cheered me on about a future visit. Pretty outstanding, and I wish I could get some in Arkansas.
Oh shoot, I think I just gave away my objectivity. Anyhow, if you're still interested in this particular beer, read on!
Beer review #31
Outer Darkness ABV: 10.5% Russian Imperial Stout
Squatters Beers Utah Brewers Coop. Salt Lake City 750ml Bottle
A - For starters, this beer has a great label, with burning eyes staring at you out of an all black background. Very cool. Pours a jet black; thick and viscous with a large mocha colored head that takes its time to settle, leaving massive lacing.
S - There are aromas bursting from the glass. Before I even get close, I can smell molasses and tobacco, with woody tones. As I get closer, I am treated to a wide array of smells. There is a spice, maybe clove that fades into smoke, some definite licorice, and some vanilla sweetness. All of this plays on a bed of roasted dark malts, bringing forth the chocolate you'd suspect from a RIS
T - This is intense. There is an initial sweetness that quickly runs to string coffee. Chocolate malts and dark fruits are throughout, with some spice again, this time a bit more peppery. There is an alcohol heat in the back but it is all balanced by the richness of flavor that is in each sip. As it warms, the smoke and earth and wood become stronger players and the only sweetness is on the lips and in the molasses thickness.
M - Very robust, yet the carbonation seems to lighten and buoy this thick, oily black stout. Even the mouth feel has a tremendous balance to it.
O - Well, I sorta jumped the shark at the intro, but seriously, if you like dark beer, and don't try this? You're doing yourself a disservice and the rest of us that know and love Squatters will continue to imbibe in secret. They have a bar in SLC airport, so even if you can't make it out to one of their pubs, catch one on a layover. Mention them on Twitter, or Facebook, they'll shout back at ya. A really well run brewing company from brewers to social media, the way it should be done in today's age. You don't need advertising, you need a grass roots, word of mouth wildfire borne out of a quality product. Nail, meet head. Thanks, Squatters!
Cheers,
Chris
Oh shoot, I think I just gave away my objectivity. Anyhow, if you're still interested in this particular beer, read on!
Beer review #31
Outer Darkness ABV: 10.5% Russian Imperial Stout
Squatters Beers Utah Brewers Coop. Salt Lake City 750ml Bottle
A - For starters, this beer has a great label, with burning eyes staring at you out of an all black background. Very cool. Pours a jet black; thick and viscous with a large mocha colored head that takes its time to settle, leaving massive lacing.
S - There are aromas bursting from the glass. Before I even get close, I can smell molasses and tobacco, with woody tones. As I get closer, I am treated to a wide array of smells. There is a spice, maybe clove that fades into smoke, some definite licorice, and some vanilla sweetness. All of this plays on a bed of roasted dark malts, bringing forth the chocolate you'd suspect from a RIS
T - This is intense. There is an initial sweetness that quickly runs to string coffee. Chocolate malts and dark fruits are throughout, with some spice again, this time a bit more peppery. There is an alcohol heat in the back but it is all balanced by the richness of flavor that is in each sip. As it warms, the smoke and earth and wood become stronger players and the only sweetness is on the lips and in the molasses thickness.
M - Very robust, yet the carbonation seems to lighten and buoy this thick, oily black stout. Even the mouth feel has a tremendous balance to it.
O - Well, I sorta jumped the shark at the intro, but seriously, if you like dark beer, and don't try this? You're doing yourself a disservice and the rest of us that know and love Squatters will continue to imbibe in secret. They have a bar in SLC airport, so even if you can't make it out to one of their pubs, catch one on a layover. Mention them on Twitter, or Facebook, they'll shout back at ya. A really well run brewing company from brewers to social media, the way it should be done in today's age. You don't need advertising, you need a grass roots, word of mouth wildfire borne out of a quality product. Nail, meet head. Thanks, Squatters!
Cheers,
Chris
Friday, July 20, 2012
Chuckle Head
The latest offering is a Rye IPA. I didn't enjoy rye beers as recently as a a couple years ago, but they have grown on me, and grown quickly. I have enjoyed more rye beers in the last year than I had in all my years previously. Guess Mom and Dad were right--again--tastes do change.
Review #30
Rocket Dog IPA ABV 6.9%
Laughing Dog Brewery Sandpoint, ID 650 ml poured into pint glass
A - Pours much lighter than other ryes I've had, a golden, honey hue. A snow white head retains surprisingly well, and the lace is very clearly indicated
S - Sweet nose, with spice and lemon. Lots of hops here with a toasty backbone that is much more rye, than malt. Sweet fruits, orange and pineapple on the end. Appears to be super hop-forward, but the balance is certainly there.
T - Immediate smack of full cone hops, lemon and white grape acidity matched by the return of the sweet fruits and now some raw sugar and grassy notes. I almost get a tropical vision. The rye is a supporting actor here, but it is a Rye IPA, so I did expect a bit more. There is a bready quality to counteract all the hop craziness, but it doesn't quite reach a full, level balance.
M - A definite oily feeling, coming from the hop resin. The overall mouth feel is on the high side of light, or low side of medium, depending on your perspective. Light carbonation.
O - This is not a bad beer. Not at all. Something just doesn't quite work though. If you take it in pieces, it seems fine, but all together it lacks cohesiveness. I'd certainly drink it again, my hope is that further production would have a bit more peppery rye to counteract the hops, or reduce the hops a bit; make it more fully a Rye IPA.
Cheers,
Chris
Review #30
Rocket Dog IPA ABV 6.9%
Laughing Dog Brewery Sandpoint, ID 650 ml poured into pint glass
A - Pours much lighter than other ryes I've had, a golden, honey hue. A snow white head retains surprisingly well, and the lace is very clearly indicated
S - Sweet nose, with spice and lemon. Lots of hops here with a toasty backbone that is much more rye, than malt. Sweet fruits, orange and pineapple on the end. Appears to be super hop-forward, but the balance is certainly there.
T - Immediate smack of full cone hops, lemon and white grape acidity matched by the return of the sweet fruits and now some raw sugar and grassy notes. I almost get a tropical vision. The rye is a supporting actor here, but it is a Rye IPA, so I did expect a bit more. There is a bready quality to counteract all the hop craziness, but it doesn't quite reach a full, level balance.
M - A definite oily feeling, coming from the hop resin. The overall mouth feel is on the high side of light, or low side of medium, depending on your perspective. Light carbonation.
O - This is not a bad beer. Not at all. Something just doesn't quite work though. If you take it in pieces, it seems fine, but all together it lacks cohesiveness. I'd certainly drink it again, my hope is that further production would have a bit more peppery rye to counteract the hops, or reduce the hops a bit; make it more fully a Rye IPA.
Cheers,
Chris
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Bock, Bock, Bock...Gone!
Trying to stay in the saddle now that I've got a rhythm going. So, here we again. Another 'trip beer' courtesy of Lace's Cobb travels to Kentucky. Perks of the job I guess. She leaves me for 3-10 days, returns with an appeasement gift of quality brew. The way to a man's heart IS through his liver after after all...
Review #29
Double Smoked Doppelbock ABV 10.2%
Fort Collins Brewery Fort Collins, CO 650 ml bottle poured into tall pilsner
A - The pour is an amber brown, with gorgeous orange edges playing in the light. A small, cream colored head disappears quickly leaving very little bubbled lacing.
S - Initial aroma is ripe fruit with fig, date, and cherry flavors. A warmed molasses, smooth caramel secondary smell lingers after the fruity notes pass. Dark malts, with a certain smoke note, but nowhere near as overwhelming as I feared it might be
T - Darker fruit immediately again, this time with some raisin and plum mixed in. Its a seamless transition from the sweet fruit front end to the smoky secondary presence. The smoke starts faint, and grows with a caramel balance to keep it at bay. The finish is reminiscent of slightly burned bacon, the lingering smell in the air of the grease still cooking. Some maple syrup sweetness just before the finish, which is all smoke, wood, and bacon. Little to no hop, but I wasn't expecting much anyhow.
M - A medium level mouth feel, smoothed out caramel textures
O - While there is no question that I am a 'Hop Head' the lack here does nothing to upset me. There are so many different flavors and complexities created here with mostly malt, that I almost don't even miss the hops. Almost. The 'double smoked' description had me a bit scared, but it is so mellowed by the dark, ripe fruits and sweet toffee, the smoke, though powerful, never gets OVER whelming. A very nice beer, and Lace scores again.
Cheers,
Chris
Review #29
Double Smoked Doppelbock ABV 10.2%
Fort Collins Brewery Fort Collins, CO 650 ml bottle poured into tall pilsner
A - The pour is an amber brown, with gorgeous orange edges playing in the light. A small, cream colored head disappears quickly leaving very little bubbled lacing.
S - Initial aroma is ripe fruit with fig, date, and cherry flavors. A warmed molasses, smooth caramel secondary smell lingers after the fruity notes pass. Dark malts, with a certain smoke note, but nowhere near as overwhelming as I feared it might be
T - Darker fruit immediately again, this time with some raisin and plum mixed in. Its a seamless transition from the sweet fruit front end to the smoky secondary presence. The smoke starts faint, and grows with a caramel balance to keep it at bay. The finish is reminiscent of slightly burned bacon, the lingering smell in the air of the grease still cooking. Some maple syrup sweetness just before the finish, which is all smoke, wood, and bacon. Little to no hop, but I wasn't expecting much anyhow.
M - A medium level mouth feel, smoothed out caramel textures
O - While there is no question that I am a 'Hop Head' the lack here does nothing to upset me. There are so many different flavors and complexities created here with mostly malt, that I almost don't even miss the hops. Almost. The 'double smoked' description had me a bit scared, but it is so mellowed by the dark, ripe fruits and sweet toffee, the smoke, though powerful, never gets OVER whelming. A very nice beer, and Lace scores again.
Cheers,
Chris
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Better with Pepper
I decided to back up the fresh made salsa tonight, made with home grown jalapenos, with a complimentary, peppery beer. I chose the beer Gypsy's Chipotle Porter, also known as 'Texas Ranger.' Perfect.
Review #28
Mikkeller Chipotle Porter aka Texas Ranger ABV 6.6%
Mikkeller Gypsy/Phantom brewers 22 oz brown bottle poured into a Guinness Imperial Pint glass
A - A midnight black pour with a good half glass of tan head. Nice retention, with wonderful lacing in multiple lines. A beautiful, lace-like image is left on the glass from the gorgeous evaporating bubbles.
S - A mild smoke aroma amidst the dark chocolate and coffee bean. A wispy aroma of dark cocoa, baker's chocolate, earthy wood smells all intermingle in the second wave. The peaty aroma clings to the back of the palate with just a touch of pepper. Not near as much as I would have expected. A very nice, complex intermingling.
T - Initial tastes of roasted malts, wood charring and dark toasted bread give way to a smooth, mellowed chocolate flavor. The earthiness is strong again here, with a reminder of 'forest after rain' smell; wet leaves. The finish starts off thin, but the pepper builds, clings to the throat, finally showing off its namesake. No alcohol heat, a little lacking there. A burnt coffee finish clears out the pepper at the very last. Makes me want to brew a pot...or have a doughnut. Or both.
M - With as much as there is going on with the aroma and taste, the mouth feel is definitely on the thin side. Not awful, but easily the weakest segment of this brew.
O - This is a really, really nice beer. Lots of complex hints of flavors not readily noticeable in the aroma and vice versa. These crazy Danes know what they are doing, and they have a great plan of using everyone else's breweries to do it. While every Mikkeller beer isn't a hit, they will certainly never be accused of being boring or not thinking outside the box. Their willingness to try new things, new flavors is to be commended, and I will continually try their offerings on that basis alone.
Cheers,
Chris
Review #28
Mikkeller Chipotle Porter aka Texas Ranger ABV 6.6%
Mikkeller Gypsy/Phantom brewers 22 oz brown bottle poured into a Guinness Imperial Pint glass
A - A midnight black pour with a good half glass of tan head. Nice retention, with wonderful lacing in multiple lines. A beautiful, lace-like image is left on the glass from the gorgeous evaporating bubbles.
S - A mild smoke aroma amidst the dark chocolate and coffee bean. A wispy aroma of dark cocoa, baker's chocolate, earthy wood smells all intermingle in the second wave. The peaty aroma clings to the back of the palate with just a touch of pepper. Not near as much as I would have expected. A very nice, complex intermingling.
T - Initial tastes of roasted malts, wood charring and dark toasted bread give way to a smooth, mellowed chocolate flavor. The earthiness is strong again here, with a reminder of 'forest after rain' smell; wet leaves. The finish starts off thin, but the pepper builds, clings to the throat, finally showing off its namesake. No alcohol heat, a little lacking there. A burnt coffee finish clears out the pepper at the very last. Makes me want to brew a pot...or have a doughnut. Or both.
M - With as much as there is going on with the aroma and taste, the mouth feel is definitely on the thin side. Not awful, but easily the weakest segment of this brew.
O - This is a really, really nice beer. Lots of complex hints of flavors not readily noticeable in the aroma and vice versa. These crazy Danes know what they are doing, and they have a great plan of using everyone else's breweries to do it. While every Mikkeller beer isn't a hit, they will certainly never be accused of being boring or not thinking outside the box. Their willingness to try new things, new flavors is to be commended, and I will continually try their offerings on that basis alone.
Cheers,
Chris
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
For the Love
I haven't done this in awhile now. I have to admit, I got discouraged. I wasn't seeing page views, and I let it get to me. You know what though? Who cares. I am doing this for myself ultimately. I want you to read it; to like it, but in the end, I just like writing. So here we go again. Also, this brew was so unique, I couldn't NOT write about it. Thanks to Alex Roberts for the gift!
Beer review #27
Boulevard Love Child No.2 American Wild Ale ABV 9.6%
Boulevard Brewing Company Kansas City, MO 22 oz Bomber poured into a Maredsous Tulip
A - A deep amber pour with a slight haziness. A thin beige head with small bubbles and little lacing give this a less than perfect appearance when poured, but that is also part of the style. No points for or against it then I suppose.
N - Vinegar acidity hits the nose first, with cherries, raspberries and some woodiness. Lemon comes in on the back end, playing up the tartness further. There is a battle going on here just in the aroma for dominance between sweet/sour. Smells like a Kriek, a sour, a red wine that has, JUST gone bad. Its very interesting and not at all unpleasant. As it warms, more of the Belgian pronounced 'funk' comes in along with a heavier wood flavor, and bourbon. The aging is definitely more noticeable after it has relaxed.
T - Wow. A lemon tart, acid explosion gets run over by a rush of ripened fruit. Orange, berries, apples--even an apple cider twang. The finish is long with feelings of crusty bread, and the bourbon holds the final note. The Brett is strong throughout, and for those not used to this, it may feel like this beer has gone bad at first. Slow down, let it coat your palate, warm up. The oak, bourbon heat is a stronger presence than I imagined from the aroma, but it is mellowed by all the other flavors at play. A real three circus of flavor.
M - Very thick, and very strong. For beginner sour drinkers, I would suggest something a bit lower on the pucker scale, and work your way up.
O - This is not a beer I could've drank 10 years ago. Maybe not 5 years ago. And even though I enjoy it occasionally now, its not a style I could have even once a week. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, but for those beer aficionados out there, Boulevard really cranks out some interesting, top-notch stuff with their Smokestack series. There are just so many levels of flavor and aroma here, that if you can get past the vinegar, acid, tartness levels initially, you will find yourself enjoying a truly one-of-a-kind beer. One of the more unique beers I have had in a very long time, thanks again Alex!
Cheers,
Chris
Beer review #27
Boulevard Love Child No.2 American Wild Ale ABV 9.6%
Boulevard Brewing Company Kansas City, MO 22 oz Bomber poured into a Maredsous Tulip
A - A deep amber pour with a slight haziness. A thin beige head with small bubbles and little lacing give this a less than perfect appearance when poured, but that is also part of the style. No points for or against it then I suppose.
N - Vinegar acidity hits the nose first, with cherries, raspberries and some woodiness. Lemon comes in on the back end, playing up the tartness further. There is a battle going on here just in the aroma for dominance between sweet/sour. Smells like a Kriek, a sour, a red wine that has, JUST gone bad. Its very interesting and not at all unpleasant. As it warms, more of the Belgian pronounced 'funk' comes in along with a heavier wood flavor, and bourbon. The aging is definitely more noticeable after it has relaxed.
T - Wow. A lemon tart, acid explosion gets run over by a rush of ripened fruit. Orange, berries, apples--even an apple cider twang. The finish is long with feelings of crusty bread, and the bourbon holds the final note. The Brett is strong throughout, and for those not used to this, it may feel like this beer has gone bad at first. Slow down, let it coat your palate, warm up. The oak, bourbon heat is a stronger presence than I imagined from the aroma, but it is mellowed by all the other flavors at play. A real three circus of flavor.
M - Very thick, and very strong. For beginner sour drinkers, I would suggest something a bit lower on the pucker scale, and work your way up.
O - This is not a beer I could've drank 10 years ago. Maybe not 5 years ago. And even though I enjoy it occasionally now, its not a style I could have even once a week. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, but for those beer aficionados out there, Boulevard really cranks out some interesting, top-notch stuff with their Smokestack series. There are just so many levels of flavor and aroma here, that if you can get past the vinegar, acid, tartness levels initially, you will find yourself enjoying a truly one-of-a-kind beer. One of the more unique beers I have had in a very long time, thanks again Alex!
Cheers,
Chris
Friday, May 18, 2012
Not so Funny
I write this blog fairly sadly this evening. I don't like not liking beer. I really like to like it. I want to be able to say good things about all the stuff I drink. I want to. This one was tough.
Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet Black IPA ABV: 7%
Clown Shoes Beer Ipswich, MA 22 oz brown bottle with nice artwork poured into tall pilsner
A - Even with the standard slow pour, this beer was way to happy to get out of the bottle. I fought an hour to get it fully poured, mostly staring at a glass of thick, chunky bubbles. Since the frothy head lingered so long, its really tough to tell if the strong lacing properties are from quality or just a result of holding the foam so long.
S - Roast, charcoal, smoke, malt. I am getting no hop aroma whatsoever.
T -Very, very bitter. Roasted notes with some charcoal and smoke kicking in. Way more BLACK than IPA as the hops hide in the background till the very last, coming through piney and bitter on the rear of the palate, leaving a long, dry finish of BBQ coals
M - Definitely on the carbonated side of right for my two cents. The rich coating flavors do work hard against that however.
O - This is a bit of a letdown after the 94 rating on BA. Although looking through those ratings, it does seem split between people like me, and people who loved it. I hope I just got a bad bottle, especially since I have another sitting in the cellar. There was just too much that was off in this bottle. There seem to be lots of good building blocks in place, they just never really get built upon. Its almost as if this beer was caught between a porter and an ale, and they decided to call it a Black IPA. I need more balance, more hops to sign off on this one. If the other bottle is good, I will certainly amend this review.
Cheers
Chris
Clown Shoes Hoppy Feet Black IPA ABV: 7%
Clown Shoes Beer Ipswich, MA 22 oz brown bottle with nice artwork poured into tall pilsner
A - Even with the standard slow pour, this beer was way to happy to get out of the bottle. I fought an hour to get it fully poured, mostly staring at a glass of thick, chunky bubbles. Since the frothy head lingered so long, its really tough to tell if the strong lacing properties are from quality or just a result of holding the foam so long.
S - Roast, charcoal, smoke, malt. I am getting no hop aroma whatsoever.
T -Very, very bitter. Roasted notes with some charcoal and smoke kicking in. Way more BLACK than IPA as the hops hide in the background till the very last, coming through piney and bitter on the rear of the palate, leaving a long, dry finish of BBQ coals
M - Definitely on the carbonated side of right for my two cents. The rich coating flavors do work hard against that however.
O - This is a bit of a letdown after the 94 rating on BA. Although looking through those ratings, it does seem split between people like me, and people who loved it. I hope I just got a bad bottle, especially since I have another sitting in the cellar. There was just too much that was off in this bottle. There seem to be lots of good building blocks in place, they just never really get built upon. Its almost as if this beer was caught between a porter and an ale, and they decided to call it a Black IPA. I need more balance, more hops to sign off on this one. If the other bottle is good, I will certainly amend this review.
Cheers
Chris
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