Evolution - Menagerie # 8

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

High carbonation that still didn't really die off even after an hour or so. Carbonation initially masked a lot of the flavor. The wine barrels definitely left their mark. I'm not sure I'd really be able to identify the base beer if it wasn't on the bottle (belgian dark ale). Moderately to really sweet. The aftertaste is like a watered down red wine. Nice enough, but I think I liked the Victory porter aged in wine barrels a lot better (and it was about $4 cheaper too). 

Alesmith - Grand Cru

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Its a belgian dark ale for sure. Super sweet. A hint of fruity esters. Decent. 

Stone - Vertical Epic 12.12.12

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Another year, another weird beer. This one isn't totally off the wall though. The cinnamon definitely comes through. I wouldn't go out of my way to get this...

21st Amendment - Monk's Blood 2011

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This isn't too bad now. Lots of dark fruit flavors. Pretty prevalent alcohol. Fine enough after a year.

Allagash - Odyssey

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Oooh. I like it. It finishes fairly dry. Reminds me a little of the 2010 Fluxus. I'd definitely buy a bottle. Very interesting.

DC Brau - Thyme After Thyme

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I actually didn't think the Thyme was that strong in this. It was... interesting though.

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.

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.

Troegs - The Mad Elf

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Reminds me of a dubbel, but less effervescent and a lot sweeter.

Brewer's Art Dinner at Meridian Pint

I didn't really set out to document the entire dinner and my will power/focus was slightly gone by the end of the meal, so the last course is not pictured (Raspberry creme brule with Resurrection). We also received a late pour of the Flying Dog/Brewer's Art collaboration, Table for Two that is not pictured. It was supposed to accompany the amuse bouche which was a deviled egg. Blech.

First Up: Tomato Consomme with Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Naturtiums and Herbs (Not Pictured) -- Saison des Mystéres

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was pretty enjoyable. A little more malty or sweet than a typical saison. The consomme was pretty tasty. The herbs and such in it were great.

2nd course:
Lobster and Cantaloupe Salad with Baby Mache and Lemon Verbena -- Ozzy

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Presented without commentary because I forgot to write anything down.

3rd Course:
Barbecued Duck Breast with Maryland Corn Pudding and Grilled Peaches -- Canard

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The meal was awesome. The corn pudding was particularly delicious. If they had it on the menu all the time I would order it frequently. The Canard was highly malty and sweet. It reminded me of a Maudite. It paired really well with the duck.

4th Course:
Crispy Proscuitto with Marscapone and a Warm Fig -- Green Peppercorn Tripel

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This beer was great. The peppercorns really came through in addition to a traditional triple profile. I thought it was the best beer of the night. The dish was a little disappointing. The prosciutto lost much of its flavor (i.e., salt) in the frying. It was crispy though. I just didn't think it worked.

5th Course:
Raspberry Creme Brulee with Almond Biscotti -- Resurrection [Not Pictured]

Overall the dinner was really enjoyable. The beers were definitely good and I'd recommend buying bottles if you ever stumble across them or visit Baltimore.

Dogfish Head - Raison D'extra

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Strong taste of raisin and dark fruit. The alcohol really comes out as it warms up.

It also made my nose severely stuffed up.

Great Divide Grand Cru

I was a little worried about this after I smelled it.

Its pretty enjoyable. Pretty sweet, with the usual dark fruit, cherry, etc.

21st Amendment Monks Blood

Hmm. Well, its interesting. I think.

Not to sweet. Maybe a little bitter. Maybe a hint of raisin? I don't know. Its tastes weird. Not sure I like it.



Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
It smells like markers.

I want to like it. Its not sickly sweet. Its cold & carbonated.

But yeah, I guess its like someone dropped some candy in a beer. But the beer taste won out.

Stillwater Artisan Ales 25 to One

Brewed to celebrate Stillwater's first anniversary & Max's 25th.

This is freaking delicious. A lot of roasted malt flavor and its fairly bitter. Mandy thought it tasted pretty bitter & like coffee. The belgian yeast comes through nicely.

I'd buy another bottle if I saw it. I think this is my favorite by Stillwater so far.

Bruery Three French Hens

[picture lost to st. nick]

Pretty good. At the same time, nothing earth shattering. Standard belgian dark ale flavors. I think the alcohol maybe comes through too much.

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.

St Bernardus - Christmas Ale

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

Bell's Hell Hath No Fury Ale

Not bad not great. A belgian style stout of sorts.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
Its too sweet. With a cough syrup aftertaste. I'd rather rob-u-dose.

The Bruery Black Orchard

So according to Beer Advocate, they've stopped brewing this beer. Explains all the dust on the bottle I bought.

Bottle says its a black wheat ale. Faint chocolate and coffee smell. Slight taste of chocolate, mostly wheaty. Fairly bubbly. I guess its okay. Don't think I'd get it again (not that I'll have the chance).

Allagash Black

Billed as a "belgian style stout" but it comes off tasting a lot like a mix between a porter and a stout. I'm further confused by the fact that beer advocate classifies it as a belgian strong dark ale.

Plenty of carbonation. A mild bitter coffee and chocolate taste. I don't really get a lot from the belgian yeast used. Shrug.