Allagash Interlude

On tap at max's taphouse

Fairly similar to the goose island dominque.

Slightly tart with a hint of sweetness. Slightly funky. Pretty enjoyable.

Stone Old Guardian - 2009

Photo Mar 30, 7 39 00 PM, a photo by mountainfrieddeac on Flickr.

I'm not sure why I thought I'd like this better if even if it had time to mellow out over the 2 years.

Its still really hoppy and grapefruity in a way that's unappealing to me. Not nearly enough caramel/malt flavor.

I shall refer back to this post whenever I think of buying another bottle of this, old or not.

Mikkeller/Grassroots lemoncello ipa

On tap at max's taphouse

Well, it's certainly lemony. It's a more natural lemon peel kind of taste than say Sam summer ale.

A bizarre choice for a winter drink.

[This was really not enjoyable.]

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti

[picture lost in the interwebs]

Fairly dry and pretty bitter. Only a hint of vanilla from the wood aging. Dominant smell is of coffee.

Pretty good, but in comparison with the rest of the stouts I've been drinking I don't think I'd get it again.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 2010

Found this on the back shelf at a Whole Foods.

Still really tasty. The hops are still present even after a year. Good times.

Brewdog/Mikkeller I Hardcore U

My binge of hoppy beers continues.

This is actually pretty good. Well balanced. But also pretty expensive ($6 for a bottle).

Great Divide Titan IPA

Another IPA on my ridiculous hop tour.

Pretty good. Not really a lot of malt/sweetness to it. Kind of a grassy hop flavor. A good change of pace.

Founder's Imperial Stout

Stumbled across this at the neighborhood beer store.

Its pretty "aggressive". You can taste the alcohol, along with a lot of molasses, a little licorice, and some bitterness.

I guess I'm a little torn on this one. I don't think its as good as the Stone Russian Imperial Stout. The alcohol is really prevalent. I'll have to see what happens to it sitting in the back of the closet for a few months.

Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

I had this on draft at the local bar and subsequently picked up a bottle on my walk home.

Its pretty good. More piney and bitter than floral. Only a slight hint of sweetness. I think I liked it on draft better. I'd pick up another bottle next year.

Troegs Nugget Nectar

Called an imperial red, but easily mistaken for an IPA/DIPA.

Pretty bitter. Really delicious. I'd buy this fairly often if it was available all year.

Oskar Blues Old Chub

Pretty sweet. Lots of caramel, roasted malts, etc. Fares a lot better in the middle of winter than on a lawn watching Wilco.

I'd consider buying it again.

Cantillon Bruocsella 1900 Grand Cru

Hmm. Its completely flat. More tart than sour. Its okay. Definitely wasn't worth the price tag. The Lindeman's Gueze I had was comparable for $10 or $12 less.

Mandy asked: "Is this a beer?"

Goose Island Pepe Nero

I debated between buying the 4 pack or the bomber. Purchased the 4 pack.

On the plus side, I won't have to sit and drink two glasses of this at once. On the downside, I have three more bottles to drink.

It tastes pretty similar to the Stillwater Existent. Maybe better though? Looking at the notes from that, the Pepe Nero has a better level of carbonation.

Had they not said it was brewed with peppercorns, I'm not sure anyone would call it out in the taste.

I would not purchase again. Especially compared against the 4 pack of GI Sofie it was sitting next to.

Bell's Cherry Stout

Well, its certainly a stout. And it certainly tastes like it has cherry juice in it. I'm still split whether that's a good thing.

Interesting enough to get on tap if you ever see it. Probably not worth it for a six pack.

Stone Ruination IPA

Compared to the hopslam I've been drinking through, this is extremely bitter.

I guess its enjoyable? Maybe? Compared to what else is usually available though, I'd opt for Loose Cannon or Two Hearted Ale.

Souther Tier Gemini

This was okay. Pretty bitter, pretty sweet. I like their 2XIPA a lot better.

Oskar Blues Gordon Ale

[Picture lost somewhere in the cloud]

And I was pretty buzzed by this point... I also had this in a can awhile ago. Also, looking at the beer advocate classification for this I definitely don't get that it was an IIPA. I think the can even describes it as a red ale.

Pretty enjoyable. Slightly sweet.

Goose Island Fleur

[Picture missing in the interwebs]

Slightly funky, only slightly tart. Finish is fairly dry. Interesting but I think I liked their other Belgian offerings better.

Souther Tier Cuvee Series Three

Oak aged, blend of two other beers according to the bottle/box.

Hmm. Its fairly thin. Pretty sweet. Its taste close to cherry cough syrup, with maybe a little hint of vanilla.

Not great.Not terrible. I wouldn't buy it again though.

Trader Joe's 2010 Vintage Ale

Brewed by Unibroe

The last time I purchased one of trader joe's vintage ales was when I lived by myself in Cleveland Park. I remember it being over-carbonated and fairly bland. The recipe changes each year, so I'm not sure whether its my palate that's changed or the 2006 actually was terrible.

The 2010 is actually pretty enjoyable. Decent amount of carbonation (although it did take a few minutes to get the cork out). Figs, raisins, etc. dominate the taste. Good deal at the price, as I'm pretty sure I paid $5 for it.

Heavy Seas Below Deck Barleywine

After having two of the barrel aged versions (one good, one not so good) I finally have the "normal" version.

I have to say its not that impressive. Both the Brooklyn and Victory offerings were much more enjoyable. Fairly thin, slightly sweet without a lot else.

Brooklyn Monster Ale - 2009

I don't know if its because its been sitting around for a year (on the back shelf at a Whole Foods) but there isn't a lot of hops present here. Pretty sweet with a toffee/caramel taste.

Not terrible. Not ridiculously good.

Victory Old Horizontal

Decent. Pretty bitter. Not a lot of interesting fruit flavors from the malt.

St Bernardus - Christmas Ale

A muted cherry taste. Decent amount of carbonation (the cork practically came out on its own). Pretty tasty.

Goose Island Pere Jacques

Pretty sweet, some dark fruit and caramel flavors. Moderate amount of carbonation. Pretty good offering.

I think I should probably drink more dubbels.

Stone Imperial Russian Stout

I hadn't had this in a year or two and had somehow forgotten it was this good.

A slight hint of anise/licorice in the initial taste. Finishes with a little coffee and chocolate. Just the right amount of sweetness.

Stillwater Artisan Ales Existent

Super disappointing.

Smells slightly nutty, almost like a Leffe Brune. The taste is dominated by an off/burnt taste. Tastes like I burned a bagel and then made a beer from it. There isn't much carbonation either which doesn't help. Would not buy again.