Flying Dog - International Arms Race

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A "Zero IBU IPA." So this beer is made with basically zero hops. But they wanted to try to have it maybe be mistaken for an IPA.

It doesn't smell nor taste like an IPA. It smells like a beer with a bunch of random spices. Tastes about the same. Not very sweet. Pass. 

Stone - Mint Chocolate Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This definitely tasted like a mint stout with a good amount of chocolate. Enjoyable 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. 

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.  

New Belgium - Peach Porch Lounger

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Slightly malty, a little hint of peach. Also a hint of brett. Less interesting than it sounds from my very boring description.

Mandy described this as "slightly cidery."

Oliver's - A human must never say no to an ape

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Super Dark!
Cask with ginger root and lemon peel

It smells like floor cleaner. Tastes slightly better. The ginger is really prevalent and it would definitely be better had they left it out. Otherwise a nice drinking blonde ale.

Dogfish Head - Urkontinent

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Not really a traditional dubbel. Some licorice & chocolate taste to it. Reminds me vaguely of Bell's Batch 9000. Nice enough. I'd get it on tap, but probably won't get another bottle.

Allagash - Old HLT

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Purchased after a tour at Allagash

Botttled in Nov 2011. Not very tart. I was expecting something a little more tart and cherry. Heavy carbonation. Nice enough. I have three more bottles to go through, we'll see how it holds up.

Devil's Backbone - Vision Quest

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Lots of sage. Not in a pleasant way. I had a glass of dry-hopped cask Stillwater Cellar Door (see barrel aged review here) before this that was awesome. This is just overwhelming. Would not recommend.

New Belgium - Cocoa Mole

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The smell is dominated by cinnamon. No hint of heat at all. Its a lot thinner than I was anticipating. The cinnamon is still strong, but there are definitely peppers in here. Slightly tingly on my tongue and back of the throat. Its interesting, but I don't want to drink a lot of it. There's just something missing. It doesn't have the body to stand up to the peppers & cinnamon. I wish I had someone to share the bottle with. Half a glass was enough for me.

Shiner Holiday Cheer

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Peachy!

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.

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.

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.

Stone - Vertical Epic 11.11.11

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Another year, another weird beer.

This one is brewed with chilies and cinnamon. The chilies certainly stand out in the beer, but its not spicy. Its more... I'm not good with describing chilies, but its not one that I'd like in a beer. Smokey? Pass.

Sixpoint - Autumnation

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is not a "traditional" pumpkin ale. It is heavily hopped and would probably be mistaken for some sort of pale ale if not for the labeling.

Its decent enough.

Elysian - Avatar Jasmine IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I'm not sure that it tastes like jasmine. But maybe I don't know what jasmine tastes like. Mandy thought it tasted like potatoes.

Flying Dog - Secret Stash Harvest Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This has potatoes as a common ingredient with that weird Sierra Nevada beer I got in Maine. There's a common weird smell which I'll attribute to the potatoes.

This is easier to drink than the Sierra Nevada, but I sorta wish I didn't have five more to go through.

Its worth getting one bottle, as its fairly unique, but no more.

Chatoe Rogue First Growth Creek Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Eh. A slightly weird cherry taste at the end. No tartness. Not that great. Would not buy again.

Ommegang Aphrodite

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This has a slight taste of raspberries. The bottle says it was fermented with brett, but I don't think it really has much funkiness to it. Its much more drinkable than the Blushing Monk was. I wouldn't go out of my way for it though.

Bonus Mandy Thoughts
It looks pink! Is it a raspberry lemonade? Ugh. Ugh. My taste buds are offended. [Immediately takes a palate cleansing sip of Two Hearted Ale] Pomegranate?