Duck Rabbit - Wee Heavy

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Very nice. Strong roasted malt flavor. Not much bitterness. A really great scotch ale/scotish ale/wee heavy/whatever.

DC Brau/Stillwater - NATAS

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A dry chocolatey finish. Enjoyable enough. I was hoping for something comparable to the 25 to One (Folklore) which I liked a lot more.

Shiner Holiday Cheer

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Peachy!

Rochefort 8

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Its very drinkable. But its a lot more subdued than I like dubbels. The fruit flavors are muted. It's nice, but way too pricey to buy again.

Stone/Bruery/Elysian - La Citrueille Celeste de Citracado

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Totally ridiculous name.

A hint of maple? Slightly lemony (or that might be from the hummus I'm eating). Not bad. Reasonable priced (for one of these Stone collaborations) at $5.

Does not taste like a typical pumpkin ale.

Bell's - Cherry Stout (2010)

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Thanks to my super detailed notes from my last tasting, I have an excellent comparison point for over a year of aging (don't be fooled by the date of the post). Based on the batch number of 9993, this was bottled on October 28, 2010.

The cherry taste is still really strong in this, providing a fair amount of tartness. The roasted malt is almost secondary at this point. Its fine, but nothing I'd go out of my way to get (or age again).

Dogfish Head - Immort Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Woah. Heavily peated malts in this. Also sweet. Slightly dark fruity?

The peat malt is the overwhelming taste here. I'd pass if I saw it again.

New Belgium - Fresh Hop India Pale Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

We had an eager to please waiter at Meridian Pint who described this beer, in detail, from memory. I didn't get it that day, but it stuck with me when I was picking up some wine the other day.

Slightly grassy with a good amount of grapefruit bitterness that lingers (for a "normal" IPA). Easy drinking.

Souther Tier - Old Man

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Not as heavy as I thought it would be. Slight almost rye taste to it. Nicely hopped.

The Bruery - Four Calling Birds

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I liked last year's version in the series well enough, so I figured I'd keep up the trend.

Still enjoyable enough. Mildly spiced. A burnt sugary sweetness.

Port City - Tidings

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is heavy on the spices. Coriander and grains of paradise are noticeable. (Cardamom and ginger were also used). Its all a little too much. I don't think I'd get it again.

Dogfish Head - Chicory Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was surprisingly "mild" for a stout proclaiming it has coffee and chicory in it. Thinner body. More in line with a porter these days than a stout, but whatever. Its a fine beer that I wouldn't go out of my way to get again.

Trader Joe's -2011 Vintage Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Slightly over carbonated, but it settles some. Its spiced a fair amount, but it works well enough. Not super sweet or heavy.

Left Hand - Fade to Black 2011

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This is apparently a "pepper porter". It is a little spicy (the kind that hits you in the back of the throat vs. burning up your tongue). Its..uh.. interesting? Its less pleasant than the Stone 11.11.11 though.

Heavy Seas - Winter Storm

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was pleasant. A hint of caramel, mild bitterness. Unoffensive.

Great Lakes - Blackout Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Tasty. Roasted coffee & associated bitterness are the main flavors, but there are hints of chocolate and anise as well. Very nice. Recommended.

Great Divide - Hibernation Ale 2010

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Bottled November 4, 2010 and saved in a closet/cupboard for a year.

Sort of light chocolatey? The hops have completely faded away (compared to the 2011 bottle I had earlier in the day). It seems very thin now.

It's okay, but I liked the fresh one today better.

Rochefort 10

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Ooo. A lot more mild than I thought. Dark fruit flavors are present, but not overwhelming. The alcohol comes through more as it warms up, but for being 10%, its not that apparent. (Mandy did think it was too boozy though). Good brew.

New Belgium - Prickly Passion Saison

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was pretty good. A little sweet, but definitely had a strong saison quality from the yeast.

Ayinger - Weizen Bock

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Tastes like a strong hefeweizen. Not my favorite weizenbock.

Sixpoint - Diesel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is a very different stout. The piney(?) hop aroma and taste are pretty prevalent. Its easy drinking though which is nice. It drinks almost like an only slightly bitter black IPA vs. a stout. I might pick up another 4 pack if the mood struck me.

Avery Old Jubilation Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This wasn't too bad. Pretty sweet. Not overly spiced. One was enough though.

I think I may just be burned out on spiced ales between the winter/christmas ales and pumpkin ales.