The winter time is great for two things—- snow and dark, delicious brew. The shorter the days get the darker the beer I crave. Most brewers make a bunch of beer to accommodate such cravings. Seasonal suds which suggest flavors of the holidays and attempt to warm the belly. This bottle was brought over by friend Eli who spent some time living in Portland and frequenting this particular pub. This beer hits the winter g-spot on the softer side but hits it none the less. Tastes of hazelnuts and chocolate compliment the hops well and keep you wanting to drink more.
Archive for the ‘Strong Ales’ Category
Laurelwood Public House & Brewery Vinter Varmer
Stone Brewing Co. Lukcy Bastard
Stone’s cuvee of arrogant bastard, oaked bastard, and the double bastard. This came out in November and is making a select appearance in places where “liquid arrogance” can be found. Pours a deep dark mahogany with an off white head. Really appetizing dry-hopped piney perfume on the nose with bit of toasted wood. Awesome balance of three beers which on their own are not as good as this one. Drink this beer often.
Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. Fred batch #80
A new batch of “golden special ale” made by one of the countries best beer craftsman. Pours honey golden with a soft white head that dissipates quickly and leaves a hurricane shaped froth in the middle of my glass. Strong alcohol vapor on the nose as it should be at a hefty 10%abv. Bottle conditioned and produced with the intent of aging, this one still tastes a bit hot. Some apricot, ginger and lots of candy sugar make this a great aperitif. Drink this beer often.
Sam L. Smith Tadcaster Yorkshire Stingo
Wow, impressive English Strong Ale from a brewery that has been making hand crafted ales for decades. Stingo is the old term for the high alcohol beers being brewed in the region back in the 1700′s. Dark amber to brown in color. On the nose, medium+ intensity, loaded with toffee, coffee, caramel, herbs, and dried fruits. On the palate, medium intensity, rich, layered, balanced, dark roasted oats, stewed plums, raisins, serious toffee and candy character, this beer wears it’s 8% abv quite well.
The Bruery Orchard White
Shockingly, this is my first beer from this brewery that has been making some serious noise in the craft beer world. Yellow blond to white in color. On the nose, some of the prettiest flowers I”ve tasted in a beer, layered with coriander, citrus peel and lavender. On the palate, loaded with floral, beautifully balanced, with a very elegant finish. Could be my new favorite!
Epic Ales Solar Trans Amplifier
Cody Morris is the brewer at this small, hard working brewery in South Seattle. He makes tasty beers. For some reason, he has a hard time getting his labels through the TTB (The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau). It seems that words such as “toothy”, “meaty”, “swarthy”‘ and “invigorating” are non-accepted when used on a beer label. (Read more in the latest issue of All About Beer.) It’s a shame, because invigorating is the first word that comes to mind when I drink Solar! It is a deliciously refreshing twist on the wit, being brewed with oats and rice instead of wheat and seasoned with chamomile and ginger. Yeah, it’s as good as it sounds! The chamomile takes front seat here with a hint at the ginger on the finish. I would like a bit more ginger (say like Left Hands JuJu Ginger Brew) but it could easily overpower the chamomile and I appreciate the herbal aspect of this beer. It has a solid body with a long dry finish. Strong herbal on the exhale. Good job Cody. Just tone down your vocabulary to a level the government can comprehend.
Russian River Brewing Damnation
This was from batch 55 of this exceptional Belgian style Golden Ale. It’s hard not to paraphrase the breweries description of this on; bananas and pears, sweet malt and earthy hops, very smooth. I would add some nice spicy almost medicinal qualities that compliment the yeast nicely. I like this beer pretty much any time, anywhere, with any food. Very refreshing after a long days work in the sun!
Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Mayhem
A Belgian-Style Double IPA. Decent addition to the style. Tons of pine, herbs, sweet citrus. Hints of Belgian yeast, but not as much as I like in the style. LONG bitter finish. Poured a nice dark gold, clear, with solid sandy head. Went nice with spicy red beans and rice covered with lime juice. I won’t buy it again but would try it on draft.
La Rulles Biere de Gamme triple
Brewed and bottled by Brasserie Artisanale de Rulles from Belgium, we opened this one right after dinner. Very wheaty on the nose with some spice and some stank. The bottle volcanoed upon opening and I had to finger the bastard get it settled down. After pouring the carbonation quickly dispersed and left the beer a little flat. Tastes of fennel, sour grapes, hay, and some candy sugar keep this one on the sweet side but good enough to finish a glass in 5 minutes flat. Weighing in at 8.4%, there is enough booze in this one to wet your whistle and then probably reach for something else.
Upright Brewing Mingus and Monk
Their Saison sour beer, and my exposure to sour beers is minimal. Brown to coffee color. On the nose, sour plum fruit, sauerkraut, big league chew, bubblegum, pickle juice, some raisin, interesting nose. On the palate, dry, sour fruit, floral, hop notes, coffee and prunes on the finish. Interesting beer that could pair well with some weird foods.