Victory Storm King Stout

Mostly coffee bitterness. Good brew, but I liked the Stone Russian Imperial Stout better last night.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2011)

Mandy actually liked this. That should tell you how hoppy & bitter it is at this point.

It drinks a lot closer to a DIPA than a barleywine right now. The cascade & centennial hops really shine this point. I mean, its enjoyable. But I think I liked the 2010 I had a few weeks ago a lot better.

Sierra Nevada - Juniper Black Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This was... interesting. It tastes like a black IPA with an off aftertaste. I'm not sure I really taste the juniper a lot except for the aftertaste. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy this (or drink it).


Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
Oh god, it has an aftertaste of like marijuana.

Bottlecaps!

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Sierra Nevada - Beer Camp #37 - Weizenbock

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A lot more banana flavor maybe than a standard weizenboch. Its pretty easy drinking though.


Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
It tastes like a belgian, wheaty beer.

Belize vs. Guatemala

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

We drank a lot of Belekin while we were in Belize. I had the stout once, and we opened a bottle of Belekin "Premium" that was in our mini-bar also. But most of the beers were the standard Belekin ale. It wasn't bad. It wasn't good though either. Perfectly suitable for drinking in a hot climate. (My favorite was the stout, which wasn't really much like a stout (to me), but was pretty tasty.)

We picked up the can of Gallo while we were in Guatemala. I thought it was terrible. It had an off, sour taste to it. Mandy's reaction wasn't nearly as negative as mine. I believe her exact words were "I didn't think it was that bad." It does have a rooster on the can though, so I guess it has that going for it.

Rodenbach Grand Cru

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well. This is really tart & sour. Still pretty enjoyable.

Wish I had someone to split the bottle with. One glass was probably enough.

Hopworks Urban Brewery - Deluxe Organic Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

We received this (along with 3 other bottles) from Mandy's brother. He brought them to DC in a suitcase he had picked up from Goodwill. I greatly appreciate the effort to smuggle alcohol across state lines (and from the west coast).

This was mostly dominated the malt, caramel and bready. Maybe a hint of bitterness at the finish.

Sierra Nevada - Best of Beer Camp - Double IPA (#29)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I think the first entry was lost due to that blogger snafu.

This is pretty bitter. Maybe a grassy/grapefruity hoppiness. Not really balanced by any sweetness. Its good to have in the mix pack, but its not my favorite double IPA.

Firestone Walker - Double Jack

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is pretty good. Nice citrus hops taste. Right amount of bitterness. I'd buy it again on draft.

Heavy Seas Hang Ten

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Lesson from this beer: If I am about the buy a weizenbock, if it is not named "Aventinus", put it down and instead buy an Aventinus.

It was enjoyable, but its fairly alcoholic, which overpowers most of the fruity esters that are present.

Weyerbacher Quad

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I think I like this better than the Three Philosophers.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Lagunitas A Little Sumpin Sumpin

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is a pretty delicious beer. Sweet and citrusy.

Ommegang Three Philosophers

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Not bad. Not sure I'd buy an entire 4 pack.

Heavy Seas Dubbel Cannon

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Well this was a little underwhelming. When it says "Belgian IPA" on the bottle, I expect it to be a least slight bitter. I don't know. I mean, I guess its "slightly" bitter, but its really not what I'm looking for.

The "dubbel" part of the name is probably accurate. Its a dubbel with a floral hoppiness to it. I think I'd stick to the Loose Cannon and Black Cannon instead of this. Or just buy the best "Belgian IPA" I've had, Raging Bitch.

Lagunitas Undercover Shutdown Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. I think my problem with Lagunitas is that most of their beers aren't easily distinguishable from memory.

This is fairly bitter, pretty sweet and matly. Maybe more bitter than Hairy Eyeball. But who knows.

I mean, its good. But if I can't pick it out of a mental line-up I'm probably not going to buy it again.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
I think I'd like it more if it was colder. It has a slight bacony aftertaste. It'd be a good breakfast beer. You should put it in a coffee mug and bring it to work. [I think she was joking].

Sierra Nevada Ovila Dubbel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Much better as it warmed up. More on the sweet/sugary side than fruity. I think I've liked other dubbels better.

Sam Adams - Revolutionary Rye Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

We had some friends over last night, so Mandy picked up a Sam Adams mix pack.

I had the Scotch Ale, which I really enjoyed. It was super malty and slightly peaty.

I also had this rye ale. It pales in comparison to Founders Rye PA. There is a hint of rye in the finish. It's a fairly unmemorable beer.

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was okay. Light and fairly refreshing, I guess. It'd be good for sipping on a hot day.

That said, I probably won't buy it again.

Sam Adams Longshot - Blackend Hops

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

These bottles are just so goofy.

This is actually a pretty good black IPA.

Full Sail Ltd #5

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Apparently part of a series of lagers they're brewing.

I like it better than Red Oak (which I have a bunch of in the fridge thanks to Justin).

I'm glad I don't have a six pack though.

Weyerbacher Slam Dunkel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Great name.

Hmm. This is slightly... peppery? Cloves? Something like that.

Not bad, but Aventinus is still much more enjoyable.

Sam Adams Longshot - Friar Hop Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. I don't think I like this very much. Nevermind the ridiculous bottle with this dude's head on it.

Its pretty sweet and has the typical belgian-y flavors. There is a slight bitterness to it. Yeah, just no.

Sierra Nevada Glissade

From Apr 7, 2011

Hmm. Well, this is only mildly interesting. I don't think most Helles Bocks/Maibocks are my thing.

Port City Porter

From Apr 7, 2011

Hells yeah, DC area beer!

My first beer from one of the many DC breweries opening this year. Okay, Port City is technically out of Alexandria, VA, but its within the beltway (I think), so that counts for something.

I had the option to pick up either a six pack of their wit or the porter. No brainer for me. I was handsomely rewarded for my decision. This is one terrific porter.

It has a great roasted malt flavor, with hints of coffee and chocolate. There is slight bitterness there also.

Great beer and I would definitely buy it again.

Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine - 2009

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Okay, so maybe I didn't age this. The local beer store had this on their shelves. I think it was when from the brewer did a book signing last year.

This is freakin delicious. Not bitter at all. Lots of interesting fruity malt flavors. I wonder if this is this good when its fresh?

If you somehow run across a bottle that's two years old, I wouldn't hesitate to get it.

Dogfish Head Red & White

I have no idea how this is classified as a witbier on beer advocate. Although I guess it taste like someone poured a bunch of grape/wine syrup into a white ale (if i close my eyes).

I was hoping this would be similar to Goose Island's Sofie, but it really wasn't.

This was pretty sweet, with some fruitiness to it. There is something in it that my nose really dislikes, as its now completely stuffed up. Last time that has really happened (that I can remember) was with Founder Centennial IPA.

Would not buy again.

Brooklyn Black Ops

I think if you handed me this without knowing what it was I wouldn't be able to tell it was barrel aged.

There's a fairly subtle vanilla taste. It is really bubbly, or at least, really small bubbles, thanks to the champagne yeast. Fairly bitter.

I'll have to say, it was not worth the money ($20). Definitely not, compared to say, Heresy ($12 four-pack) or KBS ($20 four-pack).

The bottle is really cool though.

Gnomegang

Great name.

This was a pretty tasty beer. Fairly sweet with peppery/spice notes. I'd definitely get it again if I saw it on draft.

Ommegang Zuur

This was pretty good. Not too sour or tart.

Split the bottle with Jeffrey.

Weyerbacher Heresy

I had this on draft at Rustico a few weeks ago and loved it.

Its not thick and super sweet like a lot of barrel aged stouts. Strong vanilla/bourbon smell, but it doesn't come across that much in the taste. I really like it.