Abita - SOS Pilsner

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Really fruity. Lacks any real hops or bitterness to cut the sweetness. Would have been a lot more enjoyable 6 months ago (bottle said best by June or July 2012). Still decent enough. 

DuClaw - HERO Chocolate Chipotle Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I really love spicy stouts. There's something that just really works. (See Great Divide's Chocolate Yeti and the recent Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers)

The peppers are front and center in the beer, but its not ridiculously over-powering. Chocolate still comes through and there's a bitterness to the finish.

I'd recommend it. 

Berkshire Brewing Company - Russian Imperial Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The best way to describe this is as incredibly drinkable. Its described as a russian imperial stout, but its not bitter, super sweet, strong coffee flavors etc like most of the russian imperial stouts out there (I'm looking at you Expedition Stout).

I think I got this for about $5. I'd definitely recommend it. 

DuClaw - Anti- Venom - Citra

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Very clear aroma from the citra hops.

I think I need to remind myself that the standard recipe is probably more malty than I'm typically looking for. Some bitterness to it. Its fine. I'll probably skip future offerings.

Finch's Beer Co - Threadless IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Decent enough IPA. Pretty bitter for an IPA. More on the dank side of hops than fruity/piney. Reminds me slightly of DC Brau's Corruption. 

Bosteels - Tripel Karmaliet

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The bottle was a gusher. The alcohol is well hidden for the style (which is good). Fruity, sweet and enjoyable. I'd get it again out and about.


I did not realize these guys made Kwak also (which at one point was a favorite of mine). 

DuClaw - X-4 Macchiato Milk Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Definitely a milk stout. Very sweet. I was expecting more coffee flavor after the bottle boasts of added espresso and asks "bartender or barista?" So yeah, not that much coffee flavor. I guess its nice enough. Nothing mind blowing. 

Goose Island - Big John

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I like Nightstalker a lot better than this. It's actually comparable to Narwhal (at least from my memory), but a lot more expensive.

Chocolate, roasted malts, blah blah. Not bitter, no coffee taste to it. Its nice enough, not great though. I'd pass. 

Goose Island - Bourbon County - 2011 & 2012

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The aged 2011 is a lot smoother, but I think I actually like the fresh one better. The bourbon was a lot more prevalent.

Goose Island - Madame Rose

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Not sure what I was expecting when I bought it, but I didn't put together the pieces to think it was supposed to be an Oud Bruin.

It's an enjoyable enough brew. Slightly tart and moderate acidity. Its fine. If you want something along the same style though, I'd spend $10 less and just get a Rodenbach. 

Goose Island - 2011 Pepe Nero

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Almost two years old at this point. I thought I had made a post earlier this year about a bottle, but I guess not? The original, not favorable review, is here.

The carbonation level on this is still crazy high. After 5 minutes or so, its settles down to the point of being drinkable without a shit ton of prickly carbonation.

I think the almost two years on this have definitely helped. I actually don't mind drinking this now. Whatever I didn't like about this before is not present now (glad I took super detailed notes before). I was afraid this might have a gross burnt bagel taste, but its fairly smooth. The peppercorns or dark malts have mellowed and the yeast comes through nicely now.

Pretty good after two years, if you're into holding onto beer for that long. 

Sam Adams - White Christmas

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Cinnamon and nutmeg come through for a slightly different spicing than a typical white ale. Its alright as a part of the mixed pack, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it. 

Saranac - White IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Tastes like a bitter white ale, surprise! Its actually decent for the style, its not overwhelmingly bitter. They didn't add apricot to it to make it a bitter Magic Hat # 9 (looking at you Sam Adams). I guess I'd recommend it if you're looking for a white IPA. You could certainly do worse. 

Schlafly - Tasmanian IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

One of the palest IPA's I think I've seen. A super fruity IPA with mango-like flavors. Great aroma.  Moderate to strong bitterness. Great beer. 

Firestone Walker - Wookey Jack

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Yup. Its a black IPA. Its good. Is it that much better than Black Cannon or whatever the 21st Amendment one is called that I'd continually spend $8 a bomber for it? Probably not.

I also don't get much rye, its overshadowed by the roast malts and hops. 

Firestone Walker - Firestone XV Anniversary Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

So after not seeing this in stores when it was released last year (2011), I was a little surprised to see it at the expensive beer store in the neighborhood this week just as the XVI is also being released. After my positive experience with their DDBA, I figured I'd give this a shot too.

Very much in the style of a barrel aged barleywine. Some slight roasted malt notes in the finish. Vanilla and bourbon is very prevalent. Not overly alcoholic for the 12% abv. 

Firestone Walker - Double DBA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I was pretty skeptical that this would be good. The barrel aging isn't completely ridiculous here. Its much better than Backwoods Bastard, another beer with a lower alcohol %. Much better than some of the barrel aged barley wines I've had. I'd recommend it as a barrel aged non-stout.

Flying Dog - Old Bay Gose

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I somehow misplaced my notes on this, but it tasted like a slightly sour, slightly tart beer flavored with an overpowering amount of Old Bay seasoning. It was... interesting. It succeeded in being a flavored with Old Bay, but there is no way I could drink another of these.  

Saranac - Big Moose Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This has a malt taste more like a english pale ale (or at least what I associate with one). It has an impressive hop bill, but they don't really come through. Its a fine beer, nothing great. Not terrible. 

Boulder - Buffalo Gold

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is not the right season for this beer (if there is one). Its very... eh. No bitterness at all to offset the sweetness. Not crisp either. I would not purchase this under any circumstance. 

Boulder - Mojo IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Reminds me slightly of Two Hearted Ale, but not as bitter. Pretty sweet. It could definitely use a little more bitterness to balance out the sweetness. Decent enough. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it though. 

New England Beverage Co - Gandhi-Bot IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

My second beer from NEBCO. I picked this up in CT while visiting my family for Thanksgiving. The art on the can is totally ridiculous and if I hadn't read positive things about the beer I probably wouldn't have noticed it sitting in a case on the ground.

A pretty standard take on an imperial IPA (in the western US style). Either simcoe or citra hops are in here. Fairly bitter. Great smell. Very citrusy. I'd definitely pick it up again when I'm in CT. Very comparable to DC Brau's OTWOA. 

Speakeasy - Scarlett Red Rye

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Enjoyable enough, but it wasn't as hoppy as I hoped and the rye was a little muted. Founder's Rye Pale Ale still reins supreme. 

Tilquin - Gueuze

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Shared with a friend. Very sour, very enjoyable. 

DC Brau - For Others

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A single hop Citra IPA. Very enjoyable.

Guest appearance by Leah. 

Anchor - Our Special Ale 2012

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

After somehow missing the 2011 version last year, I picked myself up a 6 pack of the 2012 while at Trader Joe's.

A strong whiff of ginger. Fine enough. 

Maine Beer Co. - Peeper Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I've had this a few times in Maine on my various travels. It's a lemony pale ale. No real malt backbone although it describes itself as having a "pleasant malt body."

It would be a much better beer if they bottled (or canned) it in six packs and charged $10 for it instead of $6-7 for the 20 oz. Also, it would be better if I was drinking this in the middle of the summer.

Nice & pleasant, no reason to go out of your way for it though. Bonus points for their super simplistic labels.

Maine Beer Co. - Mean Old Tom

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

For a beer that boasts "aged on vanilla beans" there is hardly a hint of vanilla. The finish is overly harsh and bitter with an almost ashy taste. Very disappointing after the other solid beers from these guys.

I would not recommend this, or if you do happen upon a bottle, sit on it for a year or so to mellow out the bitterness. 

Widmer Bros - Shaddock IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Pretty acceptable. Could be a little more carbonated and slightly more bitter in the middle. The aftertaste really does taste like grapefruit. That is all.