|
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Flying Dog Brewing Co. - Kujo Imperial Coffee Stout Review
Brewery: Flying Dog Brewing Co.
The Facts:
Location: Frederick, Md.
Established: 1990
Tidbits: Starting as a brewpub in Aspen then to a full-fledge brewery in Denver, then migrating to Frederick, MD. FD has grown immensely since the origins in 1990. Flying Dog continuously pay homage to thier Gonzo Godfathers – George Stranahan, Hunter S. Thompson, and Ralph Steadman
Availability: Limited Seasonal
Type: Imperial Stout
ABV: 8.9%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: Pitch blackness overwhelms the glass with no signs of letting any other color come forward. The bombardment of head overflowed from the glass and took a while to ease back into it's cradle. A milk chocolate brown is the color, and that color is gorgeous.
Aroma: Roasty toasty chocolate fills the pint and is noticeable roughly a foot or so from the glass. Coffee does show it's impact, but not as intense as the name implies. Plenty of sweet esters complete the inhales and make me even more interested in trying my first sip.
Taste: Well, "Holy Smoke Batman"! That first sip was intense...Coffee or should I say a shot Espresso punches you in the mouth right from the get-go. Creaminess coats the tongue and fills the cheeks with more coffee essense and now a more subtle tone of charred chocolate coming through. The mild hop inclusion, is in the form of drying on the tongue. Alcohol is hidden well, and could tend to make this a very easy drinker, even with the higher ABV.
Overall: I reviewed a similar brew roughly a year ago from Flying Dog, and at the time it was my fav of the style. This one has very similar qualities from what that review states, but there are 2 nearly undetecable differences to me. 1, the nose reminds me of a Chocolate/Chocolate Chip Cookie, with no hint of "fig" or dark fruit...2, The alcohol is better hidden this time around. Marketing this beer with the creatively dynamic "Dog" themes will definitely help sell this beer, but it should be bought for the quality of product alone. Keep up the good work Matt, Ben and Crew.
Similar Brew(s): New Glarus - Coffee Stout or Schlafly - Coffee Stout
Score: 9.2/10
 
|
|
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Victory Brewing Co. - Storm King Review
Brewery: Victory Brewing Co./Sam Adams
The Facts:
Location: Downingtown, PA.
Established: 1996
Tidbits: Victory opened it's doors in the old Pepperidge Farm factory. They created a Pandora station for the brew. Numerous award winner...latest being Australian International Beer Award Bronze 2008.
Availability: Year round
Type: Imperial Stout
ABV: 9.1%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: This is a beautiful pouring brew...pitch black with a tall standing half-inch head of cinnamon brown in color. The fluffy lid on the elixer fades to a thin film on the surface, leaving some nice lacing around the inside of the glass.
Aroma: The nose is pleasant roasted coffee crossing with chocolate milk. Hops are light, but they are there, bringing in mild floral earthiness to balance things well.
Taste: Chocolate dominates in the front with some nice alcohol warming piercing through. Some bitter rides in, but doesn't influence much. A note of burnt maltiness as well a maybe some mint mix in well.
Overall: I love this brew...It's not perfect, but is completely appetizing front to back...Thinner bodied but still full in flavor. Aftertaste of hop bitter bites the corners of the tongue, begging you to take another swig to sooth the bite. Recommend highly.
Similar Brew(s): Ballast Point Sea Monster or Dogfish Head Bitches Brew
Score: 9.1/10
|
|
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Brooklyn Brewing Co. - Black Chocolate Stout Review
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewing Co.
The Facts:
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Established: 1988
Availability: October through March
Type: Chocolate Imperial Stout
ABV: 10%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: Motor oil black with traces of browns and reds showing through in the right light reflection. The head forms moderately...about a half inch tall of a fluffy mud-brown, that dissolves to a thin film on the surface.
Aroma: Espresso coffee, and chocolate forward this brew. Sweet notes of cherry, along with some absorbed notes of oak. The sweetness throws from the glass a few feet, letting you know it's gonna be bold from a distance..
Taste: Dark fruits hits the back of the throat with a zing. Charred coffee grinds and fresh roasted chocolates nibs follow swiftly. Some drying comes across the palette either the hop finally hits or more chocolate goodness.
Overall: Having had this brew on tap last year I was definitely looking forward to reviewing this for International Stout day. Thin in the mouth, but still leaves a nice reminder of what was just injested. Sweet notes balance well of the char/earthy-coffee flavors that lead. Good for an early day or late evening sipper, at 10% ABV be cautious with moderate intake.
Score: 8.9/10
 Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wells & Young's Brewing Co. - Double Chocolate Stout Review
Brewery: Wells & Young's Brewing Co.
The Facts:
Location: Bedford, England.
Established: 1876
Availability: Year Round
Type: Chocolate Stout
ABV: 5.2%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: Brown, Brown, and more Brown...3 shades of the chocolatey color. Dark brown almost black main body, Lighter chocolate browns at the surface and base, and "Ovaltine"-brown with the wispy, frothy head on top.
Aroma: More of the roasted chocolate malt than anything else in the initial inhale. On the deeper breath I get more of a light alcohol essence and darker-chocolate candy come through. Definitely a chococalte face to this one, as the name would imply..
Taste: Wow, choclate, dry, bakers chocolate at first...kinda syrupy, then sweetened chocolate notes hit the front of the tongue superbly. Not overwhelming as the name would make you think...balanced well with an ever so subtle note of bitter hop. Nearly perfect char to the malt and/or the chocolate to make it standout, without standing out.
Overall: I've had a few of the W & Y brews before and was always pleased with them. Not being a big Stout guy, I figured I would probable be okay with this one because of my previous experiences...I was right, RIght from the first sip I knew I had a great brew in my hand. Powerful notes of Chocolate without being to harsh and taking away from the 'beer' elements. Mellow enough to give impression I was drinking a fine liqour of having a great candy. Mouthfeel was thin, while being syrupy, and there is a great aftertaste that makes me want to pour another.
Score: /10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Monday, September 5, 2011
Avery Brewing Co. - Out Of Bounds Stout Review
Brewery: Avery Brewing Co.
The Facts:
Location: Boulder, Co.
Established: 1993
Tidbits: Won gold for Out Of Bounds Stout at GABF in 1994 for Dry Stouts. Started canning in late 2010.
Availability: Year Round
Type: American Stout
ABV: 6.3%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: Deep "Blackout" brown main body with glistens of ruby-red in the pour. This red settles on the bottom and the top of the brew. The head builds to a brown-sugar colored wisps, that cling to the sides of the glass as it dissipates to an 1/8" tall.
Aroma: Obvious toasty, roasty malts with a tingle of booze on first inhale. Strong coffee notes ovewhelm and chocolate malts that were there. The deep inhale brings a great finish of earthy hops, which I love.
Taste: Even though the coffee beats out the chocolate in the nose, the tables are flipped in the taste. Dry chocolate dominates the coffee in the initial sips. There is a significant alcohol essence that kinda pauses things until more dryness hits.
Overall: Pleasnt and surprisingly thin. Decent balance between charred coffee, chocolate and bitter. Mouthfeel is light to medium with some lightly intimidating sour bite noticed at the corners of the tongue. Would drink again.
Similar Brew(s): Three Floyds - Black Sun Stout or Victory Brewing - Donnybrook Stout
Score: 8.2/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Thursday, March 10, 2011
DuClaw Brewing Co. - Naked Fish Stout Review
Brewery: DuClaw Brewing Company
The Facts:
Location: Bel Air, Maryland
Established: 1996
Availability: Seasonal Late Winter(Limited)
Type: Chocolate Raspberry Stout
ABV: 4.6%
Observations & Opinion:
Sight: Obvious, tremendously dark-brown to an nearly black body with a frisky milk-chocolate head of nearly an inch. That head does fade to a thick film on the surface, with more of the head trying to escape the glass via crawling up the sides.
Aroma: Friendly notes of chocolate and coffee are the most potent, then the fruity essence of the namesake raspberries break through. The scents are strong but not overpowering.
Taste: Ultra-thin, powdered chocolate and coffee are the intitial notes. There are some very subtle touches of raspberry, but not to the strength that I expected. Some tingle of alcohol, that again wasn't expected due to the ABV being so low.
Overall: The first sip wasn't really what I imagined. But after a few more sips I am actually digging it. The nice balance of coffee and chocolate with a delicate topping of raspberry sweetness works well together. Mouthfeel is a little thin but this actually helps the aftertaste avoid being a burden on the palate.
Score: 8.5/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Monday, February 14, 2011
Philadelphia Brewing Co. - Joe Coffee Porter Review
Brewery: Philadelphia Brewing Co. - Philadelphia, PA.
Type: Porter with Coffee
ABV: 5.5%
Sight: Black Coffee is what it is...Completely black with a thin brown sugar head. Minimal lacing remains after the head dies off.
Aroma: Strong nose of coffee(as the name would imply), along with hints of toasted malts, along with some burnt notes of wood.
Taste: Again the flavors stay with the name well. Toasted coffee, roasted, almost burnt malts, along with some pleasant tingles of carbination.
Overall: Well things didn't go according to plan for my #200 review, wanting it to be a video review. The filming that I did do just didn't do it for me. I am though hoping to make a little collaboration of my adventures in Philly to post in the videos section. The mouthfeel is surprisingly light to medium, with a mild, friendly aftertaste that reminds you of a good cup of "Joe". Nothing really unique, but is good for it's style.
Score: 8.3/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Flying Dog Brewing Co. - "Wild Dog Series" Batch 2 Coffee Stout Review
Brewery: Flying Dog Brewing Co.
Type: Stout with Coffee
ABV: 8.9%
Sight: Deep dark brown almost black, but duh it's a stout, what would I say..."It's crystal clear with a hint on golden orange throught"?. I digress...The head is thin but, with the raw sugar brown tint to it, it is completely attractive. Said head dies off quickly wthout lacing.
Aroma: The nose brings together exactly what the name implies...Tremendous roasted elements of pre-sweetened coffee and dark chocolatey-malts with a hint of candied figs. A pleasant spice of alcohol help put the smells to bed.
Taste: Creaminess, almost milkshake-esque front it all. with a warming element from alcohol knifing through. The coffee element holds strong from front to back and balances well off of the sweet chocolate malts that holds things together.
Overall: As you might know by reading the reviews on this site, I usually don't seek out the Stouts. But after tasting this at the Open House I went to this last Monday at Bond Beer Distributing, I hunted for it since. This is easily the best stout I've had to date. The mouthfeel is slightly creamy with a very chill aftertaste remaining on the tongue. The 8.9% alcohol barely makes an impression, which is good.
Score: 9.0/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Terrapin Beer Co. - Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout Review
Brewery: Terrapin Beer Co.
Type: Stout
ABV: 6%
Sight: Nothing unusual from the look of the pour...Black or almost black with not much of a head. The little head that does form is a nicely roasted brown color.
Aroma: Lots of chocolate notes along with touches of alcohol begin this brew. There is a roasted element also, that leads to the end of the breath.
Taste: What hits me first is the light essence of alcohol, that wanes quickly, leaving the actual "chocolate" base along with a "milk" creaminess body to break through. Not as full in body as I would have expected. There is more notes of the cocoa that helps bring the profile to a close.
Overall: Basically smooth, and creamy, with a surprisingly lighter mouthfeel thant most stouts. The chocolate comes through in two different parts of the taste, but isn't "beat you over the head strong"...It is friendly and enjoyable. Aftertaste is mildly bitter, coming from the mild hop profile.
Score: 8.1/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Monday, December 13, 2010
Bell's Brewery - Cherry Stout Review
Brewery: Bell's Brewery
Type: Stout/Sour
ABV: 7%
Sight: Not surprisingly, this brew pours a dead-black. There is a thin head of light-brown with an ever-so-slight twinge of red trapped in the bubbles of foam.
Aroma: Sweetness of those cherries covers the dark-roasted malt base. Chocolate, and coffee are the malt notes that come through all the way til the end of the breath.
Taste: Hmmm...The cherries, sour, more than sweet climb over the chocolatey malt body that fades too more of the nice sour cherry taste. Some creaminess coats the tongue with a pleasant coffee-malt finish.
Overall: Completely surprised with this one...I normally am not that much into stouts, but I have been digging sours alot. This is the best of both worlds for me a nice sour brew, that rides the base of a good stout. The mouthfeel is medium with an aftertaste that keeps me wanting more...Gotta love the sour.
Score: 8.8/10
Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Submit your Comments
Your Comments:
|
|
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Heavy Seas Brewery - "Letter of Marquee" - Mutiny Fleet - Rye Porter Review
Brewery: Heavy Seas Brewery - Baltimore, Md.
Type: Porter with Rye
ABV: 7.8%
Sight: Obvious opaque deep rich brown, almost black with a full fluffy tan head one finger thick. mild lacing along the sides of the glass leaving a thin film on the surface.
Aroma: Spice of rye and deep roasted malts pop in the beginning. Toffee, a tad coffee and some chocolate hits also. Maybe a touch of earthiness from hops.
Taste: Creamy chocolate and spice tingle the tip of the tongue. There is a mild bite to the sides of the tongue possibly from those surprising hops. Overtones of dry roasted malts actually take over nicely. The end is abrupt and mild...Not at all unwelcomed.
Overall: I get nervous about these homebrewers series beers, because most of them are hit or miss. This one isn't just a hit it is a Home Run...Heavy Seas found a good brew with this porter...From the addition of the rye to spice it up a little, to the hop surprises, its creamy, well-balanced with a nice medium mouthfeel. Goes well with the cheese In the picture(Real Amish-made Guinness Port cheese), but could also go well on it's own. Congrats to the winners Frank Butt & Neil Heinlein on winning the Letter Of Marquee for this year. Good Job.
Score: 8.8/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Friday, September 10, 2010
DogFish Head Brewery - Bitches Brew Review
Brewery: DogFish
Type: "A dark beer that's a fusion of three threads imperial stout and one thread honey"
ABV: 9%
Sight: There are no if's,an's, or but's about it...This is a very boldly dark beer, chocolate black in body with a half-fingers thin, foamy light brown sugar colored head. Theat head wanes fast to leave a spotty film in the center, and in a ring around the glass.
Aroma:On the initial inhale I get alcohol, chocolate, roasted malt and licorice. Second and deeper breath give a more complex nose of fig, prunes, and plum, but also some earthiness of tree-bark or unsweetened cocoa nibs.
Taste: With the presentation of a stout youd not expect sweetness as abundant as you get with this beer. Cherry, candied sugar, and that added honey are welcoming in the initial sip, then alcohol and a light bitter follow nicely. Near the end you get more of those sweeter noted from plum, and possible raisin. It finishes fairly clean with a continued tang on the sides of the mouth.
Overall: Well, as said in the tasting notes, I was completely turned 180 degrees from what I expected. Mouthfeel is fizzy and light to medium. You will get a tingle from the front to back. It is balanced well, but could possibly use a creamy element to make it as "Historic" as the album for which it's named. It is a fine beer though, don't get me wrong, and a fitting tribute to the man, the ledgend...Miles Davis
Score: 8.6/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Old Dominion - Oak Barrel Stout Review
Brewery: Old Dominion
Type: Stout
ABV: 5.2%
Sight: Deep dark brown, almost black with a very eager fluffy lighter-brown head that is 2 fingers thick.
Aroma: Chocolate and coffee are up front with an alcohol tingle and a hint of vanilla coming through from behind.
Taste: Definite oak flavors comes through nicely. The roasted coffee and light tinges of chocolate and vanilla fight to overcome the dominance of oak, and actually do. Nice balance between the flavors overall from front to back.
Overall: If your into smoked flavors in your beer, you'll love this brew. If not, you'll like it. Nice light to medium mouthfeel. No hard aftertaste like there is in some stouts. A very refreshing beer, that being aged in the oak barrels has only helped.
Score: 8.2/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Heavy Seas Brewery - Peg Leg Imperial Stout Review
Brewery: Heavy Seas Brewery
Type: Imperial Stout
ABV: 8%
Sight: Obviously it's dark...Black with a light brown foamy head.
Aroma: Heavy dark chocolate with anice coffee peaks. Very little or no alcohol in the nose...Very enticing.
Taste: Creamy chocolate and coffee intermingle nicely with an underlying molasses. There is a slight tingle of alcohol in the back of the throat, which leaves quickly.
Overall: Very smooth on the tongue, giving the mouthfeel a surprising light to medium body. The deep dark malts are strengthened just right with coffee touches. The finish is also light and leaves little evidence of just having a stout. Heavy Seas keeps the goodness coming.
Score: 8.3/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Troubadour Obscura "Mild Stout" Review
Brewery: Belgian Strong dark Ale
Type: Stout
ABV: 8.2%
Sight: Deep dark-brown with lighter browns on the bottom...A nice full rocky tan head that hangs for a while.
Aroma: Sweet roasted maltand alcohol with a nice touch of chocolate.
Taste: The title if mild stout is dead on...Very mild and sweet for a stout. Some alcohol taste that isn't overpowering. Nice roasted malt that holds on. The chocolate is undrlying but still represent well.
Overall: I've said it before, that I am not a fan of stouts...But this one is very good. I like the light dryness, and the nice malt accents that blend well with the alcohol. It is nice and light bodied and can be enjoyed in moderation.
Score: 8.2/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
STARR HILL BREWERY - Dark Starr Stout Review
Brewery: Starr Hill Brewery
Type: Stout
ABV: 4.2%
Sight: The darkest brown, basically black with a nice tan head
Aroma: Coffee, caramel, alcohol, and smoked malt are abundant.
Taste: Smokey and dry with a very little amount of bitterness, alcohol and woodsey essences.
Overall: I preface this, this way...I am not too fond of stouts, but i still try them to hopefully one day finding that awesome stout that is out there. With that being said, I really didn't enjoy this one at all. Surprisingly light body for a stout. The taste of alcohol is the reason I'm not digging it at all...It is the most awarded DRY IRISH STOUT in the country. Sorry, but i don't really get it. The main reason i grabbed this one is because of the Grateful Dead tribute...Obviously!
Score: 5/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
Sunday, April 18, 2010
SIERRA NEVADA'S 30th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - "Fritz & Ken's Ale Review
Brewery: SIERRA NEVADA
Type: Stout
ABV: 9.5%
Sight: Black with beautiful amber hues..especially at the bottom of the glass. Nice thin maple brown head that clings to the glass nicely as it dwindles down.
Aroma: Nice sweet and malty. The malt is roasted enough to not make the nose overpowering.
Taste: Light Bitterness with nice balanced sweetness from the malt. The finish was mellow and unlasting...It just leaves you wanting more.
Overall: Not being a big stout fan, I could dink this one in barrels. The chilled out dry bitterness mellows out the malt sweetness very well. Not to sweet, just sweet enough.
Score: 8.7/10
Share this on Twitter
|
|
|
