Weyerbacher - Insanity 2012

Oh oh.  So etching went wrong somewhere here. I'll blame it on the terrible storage conditions. Pretty oxidized, and a weird bitterness to it. Really bad compared to the fresh one last night. Ugh. 

Firestone Walker - Velvet Merkin

This was pretty tasty. Super silky. Tons of vanilla flavors from the barrel aging. Doesn't really standout with any ridiculous character but it's super drinkable. Don't think I'd get another bottle but wouldn't turn down a drink. 

Prairie Artisan Ales - Prairie Ale

Picked up in Maine at the Whole Foods in Portland and stored in the in-laws basement for a few months. 

I think I had a few other saisons from these guys last year but didn't log them (Gold and 'Merica). I had them at the same session as some Hill Farmstead, Tired Hands and Jester King.

Slightly bretty. A bitter kick from the saaz hops. Pretty dry. Nice enough. 

Goose Island -Gillian

Quite expensive and quite enjoyable. 

I'll take their word that there are strawberry's in here, but the white pepper is definitely in the aroma and fully present while imbibing. Moderately tart and fairly sweet. I'd definitely get it again. 

Bruery - Bois

I usually have drank/shared this over Christmas or Thanksgiving meals. This year? Sunday afternoon wild card football by myself. 

Sneaky abv. Tons of dark fruit flavor. The bourbon barrel agin isn't overpowering. Some vanilla and oak notes. Alcohol burn is pretty high, but not that bad for being 15%. For how much I bitched about this beer in previous years, this was pretty great. Not sure whether it's the vintage or not being buried after numerous other drinks. I'll definitely pick up another bottle next year. 

Marshall Wharf / Three Tides - Can't Dog

Part of the haul from Maine. Purchased at the Bier Cellar. The beer dude said he liked it best with two or three weeks on it. 

Nice enough. Fairly balanced. More of a traditional west coast IIPA. Pretty bitter with lots of citrusy notes. 

I wouldn't go out of my way to get it but it's certainly tasty. 

Rising Tide - Hesperus

Another beer picked up at Rising Tide. The folks working at the brewery have been really nice both times we've stopped by. I'd definitely recommend stopping by for a tasting. 

I had this on draft while we were at the brewery and liked it enough to pick up two bottles. I think I left one up in Maine. We'll see how it does with some age on it. 

Decent carbonation. Isn't too thin or thick for the style. Lots of brown sugar and vanilla from the barrel aging, some raisin. A little harsh finish.

Allagash - Old HLT

Stored in the cellar at the in-laws in Maine. Purchased sometime in 2012 and has a Nov 2011 bottled date. 

There is barely any cherry taste left. Mildly tart and finishes with barely any aftertaste. Carbonation is still good.  Should have drank them all last year. I have one bottle left and may leave it to see what happens for another year. 

Rising Tide - Zephyr

Purchased at the brewery. 

Fruity. Mildly bitter. The aroma is a strange mix of alcohol and the centennial and calypso hops. Decent brew. 

Traveling for Work Really Puts a Dent in What Passes for Blogging

The blog is dead (mostly, for now). I'll get around to posting the 20 or so drafted posts at some point. The only super high point out of those is the Stone Dayman IPA (coffee IPA; get it if you see it).

Follow my even briefer thoughts on beer here.

Maine Beer Co - Lunch IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I think I enjoyed Mo better. Its a nice IPA, definitely not worth the price. More on the citrus, grapefruit flavor & bitterness side than fruity. It's not a bad beer, but it's not a "world class" IPA, no matter what those review sites may tell you. 

Shorts - The Magician

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I wasn't expecting an Irish red ale. I was hoping for something hoppier. This was fine enough. Nothing spectacular. Not terrible. 

Flying Dog - Green Tea Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

There's green tea in this? Otherwise a nice, if unremarkable stout. 

Hardywood - Singel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Very yeast forward. I wish DC Brau's Citizen tasted like this. Nice enough. 

Heavy Seas - The Big DIPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Re-formulation. Now aged on oak spirals!!

Heavy Seas is going through yet another re-branding.

Okay. After having Heady Topper the other day I'll just go ahead and call bull-shit on this beer.

Weirdly bitter. Very malty and sweet. The oak is definitely there. And it just adds a completely undesirably element to the beer. Do not buy again.

Hardywood - Sidamo Coffee Stout

Old review. Picture lost to the gods. 

Yet another coffee stout. Nothing says May or Summer quite like a coffee stout.

Fine enough. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it again. Doesn't have a super strong coffee stout, but there is some bitterness here. 

Driftwood - Old Cellar Dweller

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The last beer from my Let's Pour order.

Its a barleywine. Not in the super hoppy range, but definitely super boozy. The bitterness is at just the right level to offset the alcohol and overall sweetness (typical dark malts, toffee, blah blah blah). Definitely enjoyable, but once again, not magnitudes better than other beers. 

Maine Beer Co - Mo

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Aroma on this is fantastic. Definitely a hop forward pale ale. No mistaking it for an IPA though (or maybe you could for a "session" IPA, I dunno). Lightly bitter, slightly sweet malt body.

Super drinkable. But again, I paid $7-8 for the bottle. ONE BOTTLE. I bought a six pack of OTWOA two weeks ago for $18. The MBC beer is almost twice as expensive per ounce. I'll stick to their beers on draft once I've tried them. A shame because they're all pretty darn good.

Stone - Oak Smoked Old Guardian Barleywine

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I do not like the regular Old Guardian. I've tried it fresh and aged and whatever weird variation they put out two years ago.

Somehow this one works for me. The hops are still abrasive, but the subtle smoked malt balances it out in the aftertaste. 

Allagash - FV 13

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Woo this is tart. Starts off a little sweet and then... bam. Tart cherry. Carbonation is perfect for the style. Not too sweet, tartness fades so its not ridiculous to drink the whole bottle.

Only downside was the price, but it wasn't too much more expensive than the Old HLT that I purchased at the brewery. Recommended if you see it.