best samples of new-to-me beers from Germany in 2008. all time favorites include Schneider Aventinus Wizenbock, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Kotsritzer Schwarzbier, Paulaner Hefe-Weisse.
Kulmbacher Eisbock
Amazingly chocolately smooth Eisbock, apparently the original. Nose of dried fruits, roast, chocolate and slight smoke. The mouthfeel is faintly slick but thick, a slight warming but well blended for a beer of this strength. Dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, figs, molasses, cloves, banana, toffee, caramel. It is all in there. Finish is warm but rather dry.
Schnieder Edel-Weisse
This is an organic hefeweizen from Schnieder, and possibly my favorite of their offerings. A rather dry wizen with a hoppier presence than most, and much more restrained phenolic character (clove-bannana). Smells of wheat, toast and slight peppers and bubblegum. The mouthfeel is slightly acidic, dry and tastes of grains, biscuit and grass, with slight clove. Finish is slightly citrus-lemony. Delicious.
Schwelmer "Bernstien" Vienna
A very alt-like Vienna style lager. Very malty and slightly sweet in the nose, hints of toast and toffee, and slight earthy hops. Light on the palate, biscuits, caramel, chocolate, hazelnuts, with slight esters and a dry, hoppy finish featuring spicy, earthy noble hops.
Schnieder Aventinus Eisbock
Funny enough Schneider takes claim for the Eisbock Story as well as Klumbacher! Rich, warm and sweet with some melanoidian like complexity. Hints of chocolate, toffee, raisin, plums and hints of molasses and licorice. Slightly thick and slick mouthfeel, with hints of clove, peppers, dried fruits and chocolate. Powerful warmth pervades this beer, and it finishes pretty full and sweet.
Krusovice Schwartzbier
Slightly on the dunkel side of a Schwarzbier. Smooth dark lager with some roasty highlights. Notes of chocolate, caramel, toast, earth and bread. Medium mouthfeel, slightly slight, and a clean, slightly sweet finish.
Altenmunster Maibock
A very refreshing helles bock. Grains, wheat, toast in the nose, with some slight apple and pear esters and earthy hops. The taste is similar, quite sweet, and a smooth grainy quality, bread, caramel, with a lightly bitter finish featuring spicy hops. Light, refreshing.
Mahrs Wizenbock
Complex and rich ale. Clove, banana, toffee, earthy, spicy hops in the nose. Mouthfeel is medium to rich, smooth, no warmth, and the flavor brings caramel and more banana. The finish is slightly sweet and hoppy.
Allaguer Brahaus Marzen
Toasty, bisciutty and light ale. Nose of toffee and toast, hints of apples and earth. The mouthfeel is thin and a little slick, notes of caramel, earth, toast, honey, corn. The finish is a little grassy, but like old hops rather than fresh ones. Authentic offering, but could use a flavor boost.
Mahrs Weisse
Delicious, reserved hefewizen. Nose of clove, bubblegum and citrus, with traces of biscuit and wheat. The mouthfeel is very rich and thick, flavors similar to the nose but banana is very dominant. The finish is sweeter than most.
Altenmunster Winterbier
Reserved, rich, almost dunkel like doppelbock. Nose of bread, dates, chocolate, toast and even wine. Medium mouthfeel, would be fuller with more carbonation. Additional notes of licorice, dark chocolate and caramel in the taste. Overall, a balanced but slightly musty doppel.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Top 10 Barrel Aged Beers
top new-to-me Barrel Aged beers of 2008. sour barrel aged beers found in the sour beer catergory. All time favorites include Allagash Curieux.
Deschutes Abyss
Wow. I didn't know you could make a beer this intense and delicious. A jet black imperial stout with one third of it barrel aged in French oak and bourbon barrel oak. Chocolate, roast, coffee, licorice, molasses, this is a velvety warm beer to be sipped and cherished. There is no overt bourbon barrel presence, you find more of the trace elements (vanilla, tobacco, toffee, smoke) from it in the highlights. At 11% ABV, its is amazing how good this beer is young.
Firestone Walker Velvet Mirkin
This is an Oatmeal Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels. Deep licorice, dried fruit, smoke and chocolate flavors. This whole beer has a slight vinous quality, but is well rounded and smooth around the edges.
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Brown ale brewed to imperial strength and then aged in 10,000 gallon vessels made of Palo Santo wood from Paraguay! Supposedly the largest of such vessels since prohibition. Needless to say a very warm beer, with hints of chocolate, licorice, molasses, toffee, hazelnut and vanilla. This has big barrel written all over it. Port like, slightly sweet, slightly vinous, with a dry finish.
North Coast Bourbon Barrel Reserve Old Stock Ale
Another great cellar find at the North Coast shop, this is a rich Barleywine aged in oak whiskey barrels. Nose of caramel, dried fruits, cherries, with a upfront flavors of caramel, vanilla, and traces of hazelnut, oak earth and dried fruits in the finish. Very warm and rich throughout, but a dry, bitter and roasty finish.
Allagash Odyssey
Only their second attempt in their barrel series, this is another hit. A dark, dunkel like ale with 10% wheat added to the recipe. A portion of this is then aged in medium toast American oak for 6 months minimum before blending. This is a really well balanced, complex, malt influenced ale. There is a slight bitterness and vanilla from the barrel, notes of cherries, toffee, chocolate, coffee, prunes, earth, pine and roast. This beer is warm and finishes rather rich and creamy.
Firestone Walker Abacus
Barleywine aged in 5 different types of oak barrels for 9 months. Should have asked more questions on this one. Really dark, almost port like beer, strong bourbon, caramel, toffee, oak, chocolate and raisin. Really warm, rich, medium mouthfeel, slightly slick, with more dry but slightly hot finish.
Allagash Interlude
This could have easily gone in the sour beer category, or neo-belgian, but placed it here due to the really distinct use and profile of the barrel in this ale. A dual fermented beer golden strong ale (a farmhouse ale yeast and Brett for the secondary), the beer is taken from the stainless and aged in French Merlot and Sirah barrels, a very bold move. A very tannic, plum like character is added to an otherwise light and refreshing ale. Nose is of oak, red wine, brett, apples, with additional earthy, pear, toast, grape and berries in the flavor. Mouthfeel is medium, with a very tannic and slight acidic and tart aspect. Very unique ale.
Firestone Walker Parabola
Imperial Version of their Velvet Mirkin and also an extension of their Quercus Alba Program, so maybe we'll see this soon in bottles. Laid on bourbon barrels for a two year maturation. Very boozy, bourbon quality, this beer is warm and almost more barleywine like. At %14, this is a bomb, and the alcohol overcomes. Notes of chocolate, coffee, but really sweet, caramelly, and estery from the heat. Traces of vanilla, toast and dried fruits underneath all of this somewhere. Lay these in a cellar for a few years.
Green Flash Bourbon Barrel Double Stout
One of my favorite imperial stouts of the year laid on Bourbon Barrels. In the non barrel aged version, the luscious chocolate flavor dominated, but now, there is a much more chewy, earthy, bourbon and vanilla presences. Took a pretty straightforward Imperial and turned it on end. Hints of oat, caramel and toffee notes. There is a more of a warming in this beer, and more complexity and dryness in the finish.
Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout
Imperial Stout aged in oak Bourbon Barrels. Dark chocolate and a slight spicy rye and vanilla character dominates this beer. Notes of coffee, roast, caramel, oak, and earth. Quaffable, rich and warm.
Deschutes Abyss
Wow. I didn't know you could make a beer this intense and delicious. A jet black imperial stout with one third of it barrel aged in French oak and bourbon barrel oak. Chocolate, roast, coffee, licorice, molasses, this is a velvety warm beer to be sipped and cherished. There is no overt bourbon barrel presence, you find more of the trace elements (vanilla, tobacco, toffee, smoke) from it in the highlights. At 11% ABV, its is amazing how good this beer is young.
Firestone Walker Velvet Mirkin
This is an Oatmeal Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels. Deep licorice, dried fruit, smoke and chocolate flavors. This whole beer has a slight vinous quality, but is well rounded and smooth around the edges.
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Brown ale brewed to imperial strength and then aged in 10,000 gallon vessels made of Palo Santo wood from Paraguay! Supposedly the largest of such vessels since prohibition. Needless to say a very warm beer, with hints of chocolate, licorice, molasses, toffee, hazelnut and vanilla. This has big barrel written all over it. Port like, slightly sweet, slightly vinous, with a dry finish.
North Coast Bourbon Barrel Reserve Old Stock Ale
Another great cellar find at the North Coast shop, this is a rich Barleywine aged in oak whiskey barrels. Nose of caramel, dried fruits, cherries, with a upfront flavors of caramel, vanilla, and traces of hazelnut, oak earth and dried fruits in the finish. Very warm and rich throughout, but a dry, bitter and roasty finish.
Allagash Odyssey
Only their second attempt in their barrel series, this is another hit. A dark, dunkel like ale with 10% wheat added to the recipe. A portion of this is then aged in medium toast American oak for 6 months minimum before blending. This is a really well balanced, complex, malt influenced ale. There is a slight bitterness and vanilla from the barrel, notes of cherries, toffee, chocolate, coffee, prunes, earth, pine and roast. This beer is warm and finishes rather rich and creamy.
Firestone Walker Abacus
Barleywine aged in 5 different types of oak barrels for 9 months. Should have asked more questions on this one. Really dark, almost port like beer, strong bourbon, caramel, toffee, oak, chocolate and raisin. Really warm, rich, medium mouthfeel, slightly slick, with more dry but slightly hot finish.
Allagash Interlude
This could have easily gone in the sour beer category, or neo-belgian, but placed it here due to the really distinct use and profile of the barrel in this ale. A dual fermented beer golden strong ale (a farmhouse ale yeast and Brett for the secondary), the beer is taken from the stainless and aged in French Merlot and Sirah barrels, a very bold move. A very tannic, plum like character is added to an otherwise light and refreshing ale. Nose is of oak, red wine, brett, apples, with additional earthy, pear, toast, grape and berries in the flavor. Mouthfeel is medium, with a very tannic and slight acidic and tart aspect. Very unique ale.
Firestone Walker Parabola
Imperial Version of their Velvet Mirkin and also an extension of their Quercus Alba Program, so maybe we'll see this soon in bottles. Laid on bourbon barrels for a two year maturation. Very boozy, bourbon quality, this beer is warm and almost more barleywine like. At %14, this is a bomb, and the alcohol overcomes. Notes of chocolate, coffee, but really sweet, caramelly, and estery from the heat. Traces of vanilla, toast and dried fruits underneath all of this somewhere. Lay these in a cellar for a few years.
Green Flash Bourbon Barrel Double Stout
One of my favorite imperial stouts of the year laid on Bourbon Barrels. In the non barrel aged version, the luscious chocolate flavor dominated, but now, there is a much more chewy, earthy, bourbon and vanilla presences. Took a pretty straightforward Imperial and turned it on end. Hints of oat, caramel and toffee notes. There is a more of a warming in this beer, and more complexity and dryness in the finish.
Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout
Imperial Stout aged in oak Bourbon Barrels. Dark chocolate and a slight spicy rye and vanilla character dominates this beer. Notes of coffee, roast, caramel, oak, and earth. Quaffable, rich and warm.
Top 10 Sour Beers
these are my favorite 10 new-to-me sour beer beers of 2008. a collection of traditional Belgian Sour Ales (Lambics, Fruit Lambics, Flanders Red, Flanders Brown) and American Interpretations. all time favorites include Orval, Cantillion Gueze, Cantillion Iris, Boon Framboise, Russian River Temptation, Russian River Supplication.
Russian River Beatification
Blended Gueze 100% Spontaneously Fermented in very old Oak. Batch #2
Wow. This is as sour and bubbly as they come. Almost no brett flavor, very dry, grapefruit, tart and hints of wood, pear, apple. This is an incredibly one dimensional ale, and I mean that in a very good way! If you like sour, dry and bubbly, this is the way to go.
Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga
Belgian Pale Ale fermented in Oak (and spiked with Brett?)
Complex, well rounded, lightly sour ale. Light and spicy, with notes of coriander, clove, vanilla and some malt depth and complexity, slight toffee. A little musty, and flowery from hops. Has that indescribable "brett" flavor, often called barnyard. A definite farmhouse character to this one.
Boulevard Saison Brett
Saison spiked with Brett
A beer more in balance than overpowered by sourness, this Saison has a nice hop and ester spiciness, is slightly creamy, and sour with a bitter finish. Hints of pears, apples, banana, with notes of wheat, grass and a very citrus, noticeably orange, character to it. Very smooth and refreshing.
Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza
Golden Strong ale fermented in Oak (and spiked with Brett?)
Another spicy, sour and hoppy offering from JP. This offering is quite sour, gold colored and hazy, and has esters to boot: pear, apple, slight banana. Doesn't have the quite the barnyard-farmhouse going, possibly due to other organisms besides Brett? Need to find out more.
Russian River Consecration
Pale ale aged in Oak with Pluots.
Sour, cherries, figs, raisins, toffee. It has a dry, vinous character, should age superbly, and the barrel character is quite apparent, slight notes of vanilla, oak, earth. Quite acidic and a lingering sour finish. This one sticks with you.
Zoetzuur Flemish Reserve
Flanders Red
A very sharp, acidic red with a delicious malt backbone. Smells like sour cherries, once again, but has a less musty and muddled aroma, much more tart, and the flavor is cleaner, not musty, but definitely bretty. Hints of oak, raisins, plums and sour fruit. Very dry, almost astringent.
Port Brewing -de Proef Signature 2007
Pale ale spiked with Brett
Pale, refreshing very funky beer. This beer is quite bitter, light on the palatte, and has a grainy undertone. The brett character has nowhere to hide as the malt profile is quite low. The nose and finish are both quite hoppy, grapefruit and orange, but the sour-funkhouse character provides the base for this beer.
Brugge Diamond Kings
Quadrupel barrel aged in french oak and spiked with Brett and pickled plums.
This beer is a powerhouse. Much more malt complexity and even some residual sweetness than most Brett ales. Figs, raisins, cherries, toffee, vanilla, plums, this beer has much more of the barrel flavor to it left than just the beasties. The sourness is gentle, just a slight tartness, mustiness, and funkiness, maybe because it is just such a big beer at 12%.
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour
aka, Bios Vlaamse Bourgogne. A Flanders Red
Deep, rich malt with sour power. Almost like a sweet tart. Carmel, raisins, cherries, chocolate, oak. Then the sourness kicks in and goes through the finish. Musty, but lacking the horsey Brett Flavor. Richer, fruiter and more luscious than many of its kind.
Allgash -de Proef Les Deux Brasseurs
Belgian Golden Strong ale spiked with Brett from each Brewery.
Tart at the start, sweet and slightly malty-grainy in the middle, quite acidic, with a very hoppy finish. Notes of wheat, grass, orange, grapefruit, pear, apple, cider and slight funk.
Russian River Beatification
Blended Gueze 100% Spontaneously Fermented in very old Oak. Batch #2
Wow. This is as sour and bubbly as they come. Almost no brett flavor, very dry, grapefruit, tart and hints of wood, pear, apple. This is an incredibly one dimensional ale, and I mean that in a very good way! If you like sour, dry and bubbly, this is the way to go.
Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga
Belgian Pale Ale fermented in Oak (and spiked with Brett?)
Complex, well rounded, lightly sour ale. Light and spicy, with notes of coriander, clove, vanilla and some malt depth and complexity, slight toffee. A little musty, and flowery from hops. Has that indescribable "brett" flavor, often called barnyard. A definite farmhouse character to this one.
Boulevard Saison Brett
Saison spiked with Brett
A beer more in balance than overpowered by sourness, this Saison has a nice hop and ester spiciness, is slightly creamy, and sour with a bitter finish. Hints of pears, apples, banana, with notes of wheat, grass and a very citrus, noticeably orange, character to it. Very smooth and refreshing.
Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabaza
Golden Strong ale fermented in Oak (and spiked with Brett?)
Another spicy, sour and hoppy offering from JP. This offering is quite sour, gold colored and hazy, and has esters to boot: pear, apple, slight banana. Doesn't have the quite the barnyard-farmhouse going, possibly due to other organisms besides Brett? Need to find out more.
Russian River Consecration
Pale ale aged in Oak with Pluots.
Sour, cherries, figs, raisins, toffee. It has a dry, vinous character, should age superbly, and the barrel character is quite apparent, slight notes of vanilla, oak, earth. Quite acidic and a lingering sour finish. This one sticks with you.
Zoetzuur Flemish Reserve
Flanders Red
A very sharp, acidic red with a delicious malt backbone. Smells like sour cherries, once again, but has a less musty and muddled aroma, much more tart, and the flavor is cleaner, not musty, but definitely bretty. Hints of oak, raisins, plums and sour fruit. Very dry, almost astringent.
Port Brewing -de Proef Signature 2007
Pale ale spiked with Brett
Pale, refreshing very funky beer. This beer is quite bitter, light on the palatte, and has a grainy undertone. The brett character has nowhere to hide as the malt profile is quite low. The nose and finish are both quite hoppy, grapefruit and orange, but the sour-funkhouse character provides the base for this beer.
Brugge Diamond Kings
Quadrupel barrel aged in french oak and spiked with Brett and pickled plums.
This beer is a powerhouse. Much more malt complexity and even some residual sweetness than most Brett ales. Figs, raisins, cherries, toffee, vanilla, plums, this beer has much more of the barrel flavor to it left than just the beasties. The sourness is gentle, just a slight tartness, mustiness, and funkiness, maybe because it is just such a big beer at 12%.
Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour
aka, Bios Vlaamse Bourgogne. A Flanders Red
Deep, rich malt with sour power. Almost like a sweet tart. Carmel, raisins, cherries, chocolate, oak. Then the sourness kicks in and goes through the finish. Musty, but lacking the horsey Brett Flavor. Richer, fruiter and more luscious than many of its kind.
Allgash -de Proef Les Deux Brasseurs
Belgian Golden Strong ale spiked with Brett from each Brewery.
Tart at the start, sweet and slightly malty-grainy in the middle, quite acidic, with a very hoppy finish. Notes of wheat, grass, orange, grapefruit, pear, apple, cider and slight funk.
Top 10 IPAs and Imperials
my most researched category of the year, these are the top 10 IPA's and Imperial (or double) IPA's new to me in 2008. all time favorites include Speakeasy Big Daddy, Bear Republic Racer 5 , Russian River Pliny the Elder, and Lagunitas IPA.
Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA
Really a refreshing, sessionable offering from Firestone Walker that at the same time is over the top in hop aroma and flavor, quite a feat indeed. Light bodied, full aroma of grapefruit and orange, with resinous flavors that are even stronger, lemon,orange and pine, with a lingering but pleasant bitterness. A note of toast and caramel, but the hops dominate this! Great for Speakeasy Big Daddy fans, a light bodied, low ABV and highly hopped IPA.
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Amazingly 2008 was my first endeavor into the world of DFH and their legendary IPA. This is a bomber, with amazing floral, resiny and sweet. The aromatics are perfume like in their pungence, with pine and citrus assaulting the nose. The flavor begins malty-sweet, slight caramel and toast, then switches to lemon, orange, pine and earth. The impression is very mouth filling (at 9%), sweet but not cloying, resiny, and very bitter through the finish.
Rogue Imperial IPA (XS)
Whew, another bomber. Jet black ceramic bottle with a swing top, just taking a look at this beer makes you shake. I expected a much sweeter, malt oriented ale, but got a hop bomb with the malts playing much more of a background role. Spicy, slightly noble hoppiness, blended with the citrus and grassiness found in northwest varieties. Slight caramel, toast and biscuit come into play, this is a medium bodied ale with a clean, not to bitter finish and unique blend of hop flavors.
Port Brewing Wipeout IPA
Grass, pine and citrus come into balance in this lighter bodied IPA. Toast and biscuit notes come through, but the fresh, resiny hop notes dominate. The finish is pretty bitter, but not distracting.
Bear Republic Apex
A fresh hopheads wet dream, with the powerful resin flavor, overt grassiness and citrus-earthy varieties showcased. Medium bodied, slightly warm and a little slick, the flavors start with caramel and toast in the background, and switch to grapefruit, orange, pine and slight tangerine.
Stumptown Fossil Fuel XP
This IPA has a very complex flavor profile. It tastes super grassy and resiny, like fresh hops. Apparently, however, much of the spiciness and "fresh" character comes from a 45 million year old strain of yeast that resembles brewers yeast! An experimental ale brewed by Stumptown after being approached by scientists, it is a zesty, light and refreshing ale. Notes of lemon, grass, grapefruit, and even a touch of clove, with a slightly toasty and caramelly background. Soon into production by Fossil Fuels Brewing Co.
Bear Republic Rebellion
A light, crisp and slightly grainy IPA, with a floral and very citrus character. Orange, piney and lemon zest in the nose, medium bodied, with a slight spicy undertone and biscuit, toast and almond notes in the background.
Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA
Grass, pine and citrus. Caramel, toast, toffee. These are all present in massive quantities, with a slight pear ester undertone and slight warmth. Medium bodied, and mouth filling.
Sierra Nevada Chico Estate
Very resinous, medium bodied, almost slick IPA. This is a wet-hopped beer, and has the piney, woody and orangey flavors that go with it. Rather sweet malt profile, caramel, slight apples from the esters, and a considerably sugary finish to go with the bitterness.
Widmer Halo IPA
Really rich, sweet ale that has a solid hop backbone. The smooth caramel, toffee and toast are balanced with piney, floral hops. No residual sweetness, clean, dry, with slightly apple esters from the yeast, has a medium to full body and a lingering bitter finish.
Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA
Really a refreshing, sessionable offering from Firestone Walker that at the same time is over the top in hop aroma and flavor, quite a feat indeed. Light bodied, full aroma of grapefruit and orange, with resinous flavors that are even stronger, lemon,orange and pine, with a lingering but pleasant bitterness. A note of toast and caramel, but the hops dominate this! Great for Speakeasy Big Daddy fans, a light bodied, low ABV and highly hopped IPA.
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Amazingly 2008 was my first endeavor into the world of DFH and their legendary IPA. This is a bomber, with amazing floral, resiny and sweet. The aromatics are perfume like in their pungence, with pine and citrus assaulting the nose. The flavor begins malty-sweet, slight caramel and toast, then switches to lemon, orange, pine and earth. The impression is very mouth filling (at 9%), sweet but not cloying, resiny, and very bitter through the finish.
Rogue Imperial IPA (XS)
Whew, another bomber. Jet black ceramic bottle with a swing top, just taking a look at this beer makes you shake. I expected a much sweeter, malt oriented ale, but got a hop bomb with the malts playing much more of a background role. Spicy, slightly noble hoppiness, blended with the citrus and grassiness found in northwest varieties. Slight caramel, toast and biscuit come into play, this is a medium bodied ale with a clean, not to bitter finish and unique blend of hop flavors.
Port Brewing Wipeout IPA
Grass, pine and citrus come into balance in this lighter bodied IPA. Toast and biscuit notes come through, but the fresh, resiny hop notes dominate. The finish is pretty bitter, but not distracting.
Bear Republic Apex
A fresh hopheads wet dream, with the powerful resin flavor, overt grassiness and citrus-earthy varieties showcased. Medium bodied, slightly warm and a little slick, the flavors start with caramel and toast in the background, and switch to grapefruit, orange, pine and slight tangerine.
Stumptown Fossil Fuel XP
This IPA has a very complex flavor profile. It tastes super grassy and resiny, like fresh hops. Apparently, however, much of the spiciness and "fresh" character comes from a 45 million year old strain of yeast that resembles brewers yeast! An experimental ale brewed by Stumptown after being approached by scientists, it is a zesty, light and refreshing ale. Notes of lemon, grass, grapefruit, and even a touch of clove, with a slightly toasty and caramelly background. Soon into production by Fossil Fuels Brewing Co.
Bear Republic Rebellion
A light, crisp and slightly grainy IPA, with a floral and very citrus character. Orange, piney and lemon zest in the nose, medium bodied, with a slight spicy undertone and biscuit, toast and almond notes in the background.
Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA
Grass, pine and citrus. Caramel, toast, toffee. These are all present in massive quantities, with a slight pear ester undertone and slight warmth. Medium bodied, and mouth filling.
Sierra Nevada Chico Estate
Very resinous, medium bodied, almost slick IPA. This is a wet-hopped beer, and has the piney, woody and orangey flavors that go with it. Rather sweet malt profile, caramel, slight apples from the esters, and a considerably sugary finish to go with the bitterness.
Widmer Halo IPA
Really rich, sweet ale that has a solid hop backbone. The smooth caramel, toffee and toast are balanced with piney, floral hops. No residual sweetness, clean, dry, with slightly apple esters from the yeast, has a medium to full body and a lingering bitter finish.
Top 10 Porters and Imperials
favorite new Porters and Imperial Porters from 2008. nothing really blew me away this year, the top 3 being the most notable, but it was one of my most researched categories. all time favorite include Anchor Porter, Black Butter Porter, Black Prince Porter, Sierra Nevada Porter and Boulevard Bully Porter. smoked porters not included.
Deschutes Black Butte XX
A really rich imperial porter. Bomber of coffee and very bitter chocolate, A very slight vanilla and bourbon flavors peek through due to the barrel aging. Overall, the bitterness and warmth are in good balance, and this beer is pretty straightforward overall.
Baltika Porter (6)
Very smooth Baltic style Porter. Chocolate notes blend well with coffee and toffee. A medium bodied ale with a sweet finish, and has traces of dark fruit and bannana esters. Much less burnt and robust flavors than its American counterparts.
Meantime London Porter
The overt maltiness of this approaches and old ale or barleywine, but it is still a rounded rich and creamy brown porter. Seems well aged, with a slightly musty character. Caramel and coffee are the most prominent flavors, with dried fruit and a slight roast coming through.
Redhook Blackhook Porter
A really roasty and drinkable porter, with a great hoppy bitterness in the finish. Coffee, toffee, toast, almonds and slight spicy esters blend well behind the roasty and slightly sweet chocolate profile.
Left Hand BlackJack Porter
A more complex porter, blending disparte flavors into one. Dark chocolate, molasses, toffe and licorice mix with spicy, earthy and slightly citrusy hops and light peppery esters.
Speakeasy Hunters Point Porter
A very malty porter. Chocolate and roasty tones come through a solid base of caramel and bitterness. A very nice nuttiness can be found in the background, with dried fruits from the yeast esters.
Kona Pipeline Porter
A really creamy and smooth porter with an almost lactic quality to it. The primary flavor is coffee, with slight chocolate and roast. The finish is neither sweet nor bitter, almost like an iced coffee. Incredibly drinkable and unique ale.
Great Divide St. Bridgets Porter
One of the more American robust hoppy porters of the year. Chocolate and earthy pine balance to this one, with notes of toffee, vanilla and citrus. Finishes bitter and is very mouthfilling. Flavorful yet drinkable ale.
Roots Coconut Porter
Mild chocolatey porter with some creamy, bitter and roasty characteristics. The coconut is very light, almost adds more mouthfeel, and has a slightly lactic and nutty-toasty character.
McMenamins Black Rabbit Porter
A nutty, carmelly and creamy porter, with hints of coffee and chocolate. Much more a brown porter, with slightly spicy-ester aspects. Smooth, creamy and rather balanced.
Deschutes Black Butte XX
A really rich imperial porter. Bomber of coffee and very bitter chocolate, A very slight vanilla and bourbon flavors peek through due to the barrel aging. Overall, the bitterness and warmth are in good balance, and this beer is pretty straightforward overall.
Baltika Porter (6)
Very smooth Baltic style Porter. Chocolate notes blend well with coffee and toffee. A medium bodied ale with a sweet finish, and has traces of dark fruit and bannana esters. Much less burnt and robust flavors than its American counterparts.
Meantime London Porter
The overt maltiness of this approaches and old ale or barleywine, but it is still a rounded rich and creamy brown porter. Seems well aged, with a slightly musty character. Caramel and coffee are the most prominent flavors, with dried fruit and a slight roast coming through.
Redhook Blackhook Porter
A really roasty and drinkable porter, with a great hoppy bitterness in the finish. Coffee, toffee, toast, almonds and slight spicy esters blend well behind the roasty and slightly sweet chocolate profile.
Left Hand BlackJack Porter
A more complex porter, blending disparte flavors into one. Dark chocolate, molasses, toffe and licorice mix with spicy, earthy and slightly citrusy hops and light peppery esters.
Speakeasy Hunters Point Porter
A very malty porter. Chocolate and roasty tones come through a solid base of caramel and bitterness. A very nice nuttiness can be found in the background, with dried fruits from the yeast esters.
Kona Pipeline Porter
A really creamy and smooth porter with an almost lactic quality to it. The primary flavor is coffee, with slight chocolate and roast. The finish is neither sweet nor bitter, almost like an iced coffee. Incredibly drinkable and unique ale.
Great Divide St. Bridgets Porter
One of the more American robust hoppy porters of the year. Chocolate and earthy pine balance to this one, with notes of toffee, vanilla and citrus. Finishes bitter and is very mouthfilling. Flavorful yet drinkable ale.
Roots Coconut Porter
Mild chocolatey porter with some creamy, bitter and roasty characteristics. The coconut is very light, almost adds more mouthfeel, and has a slightly lactic and nutty-toasty character.
McMenamins Black Rabbit Porter
A nutty, carmelly and creamy porter, with hints of coffee and chocolate. Much more a brown porter, with slightly spicy-ester aspects. Smooth, creamy and rather balanced.
Top 10 Stouts and Imperials
my favorites new Stouts and Imperial Stouts from 2008. lots of great ones, and lots of barrel aged ones out there this year, which I've kept in here and may show up in the barrel aged categories. all time favorites include North Coast's Old Rasputin, Mirror Pond's Obsidian, Samuel Smith's Oatmeat Stout, Murphy's Irish Stout and Guiness.
Deschutes Abyss
Wow. I didn't know you could make a beer this intense and delicious. A jet black imperial stout with one third of it barrel aged in french oak and bourbon barrel oak. Chocolate, roast, coffee, licorice, molasses, this is a velvety warm beer to be sipped and cherished. There is no overt bourbon barrel presence, you find more of the trace elements (vanilla, tobacco, toffee, smoke) from it in the highlights. At 11% ABV, its is amazing how good this beer is young.
Green Flash Double Stout
Really well rounded Imperial Stout. Luscious chocolate flavor dominates, along with oat, caramel and toffee notes. There is a slight warming in the beer, but the finish isn't too bitter, and rather sweet, for this strong of a stout.
Firestone Walker Velvet Mirkin
This is an Oatmeal Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels. Deep licorice, dried fruit, smoke and chocolate flavors. This whole beer has a slight vinuous quality, but is well rounded and smooth around the edges.
Young's Oatmeal Stout
This is a thick, chewy oatmeal stout. A very roasty ale, with slight caramel, chocolate and toffee highlights. Very well rounded, lowly carbonated and hopped lightly, the oats really thicken this beer and add a hint of flavor to the palate.
Stone 12th Anniversary
A very warm ale, with incredibly powerful coffee, roast and chocolate notes. Burnt character, incredibly bitter, with slight toffee, oatmeal, vanilla, molasses and bark-earth. This is a much dryer and bitter beer than their usual imperial stout, and has a greater hop presence and bitterness in the finish.
Stone Russian Imperial Stout
A huge, thick, robust stout. Intense burnt, dark fruits, cacao, vanilla, toffee, chocolate and toffee. The flavors don't have anywhere to hide, this is a really warm ale that hits you in the face with flavor and doesn't let up.
Moylan's Irish Dry Stout
A very well balanced dry stout. Very roasty up front, chewy, coffee highlights with a slightly hoppy and bitter finish. Notes of chocolate, molasses, toast and coffee throughout, a delicious, sessionable stout. Great for a winter day at the local pub.
Magnolia Oyster Stout
There is a really rich flavor profile to this beer. It is well balanced between all the components, yet has a smokiness the permeates and cuts through the roasty flavors. It begins with chocolate, toffee and a slight yeastiness, and ends somewhat dry, smoky and slightly bitter. This goes really well with food, flavorful meats, and I would assume, oysters.
Lucky Labrador Black Lab Stout
A thick, roasty, robust and quite drinkable ale. Very flavorful, chocolate, dried fruits, caramel and a light nutty quality. It could be a bit thicker and less sweet, but it is still quite creamy due to the nitro tap.
Schells Stout
This is a British Style Sweet stout. A very rich ale, it has sweet chocolate, medium toffee and caramel and light espresso notes. A creamy, roasty and lightly bitter finish gives this stout a nice edge.
Deschutes Abyss
Wow. I didn't know you could make a beer this intense and delicious. A jet black imperial stout with one third of it barrel aged in french oak and bourbon barrel oak. Chocolate, roast, coffee, licorice, molasses, this is a velvety warm beer to be sipped and cherished. There is no overt bourbon barrel presence, you find more of the trace elements (vanilla, tobacco, toffee, smoke) from it in the highlights. At 11% ABV, its is amazing how good this beer is young.
Green Flash Double Stout
Really well rounded Imperial Stout. Luscious chocolate flavor dominates, along with oat, caramel and toffee notes. There is a slight warming in the beer, but the finish isn't too bitter, and rather sweet, for this strong of a stout.
Firestone Walker Velvet Mirkin
This is an Oatmeal Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels. Deep licorice, dried fruit, smoke and chocolate flavors. This whole beer has a slight vinuous quality, but is well rounded and smooth around the edges.
Young's Oatmeal Stout
This is a thick, chewy oatmeal stout. A very roasty ale, with slight caramel, chocolate and toffee highlights. Very well rounded, lowly carbonated and hopped lightly, the oats really thicken this beer and add a hint of flavor to the palate.
Stone 12th Anniversary
A very warm ale, with incredibly powerful coffee, roast and chocolate notes. Burnt character, incredibly bitter, with slight toffee, oatmeal, vanilla, molasses and bark-earth. This is a much dryer and bitter beer than their usual imperial stout, and has a greater hop presence and bitterness in the finish.
Stone Russian Imperial Stout
A huge, thick, robust stout. Intense burnt, dark fruits, cacao, vanilla, toffee, chocolate and toffee. The flavors don't have anywhere to hide, this is a really warm ale that hits you in the face with flavor and doesn't let up.
Moylan's Irish Dry Stout
A very well balanced dry stout. Very roasty up front, chewy, coffee highlights with a slightly hoppy and bitter finish. Notes of chocolate, molasses, toast and coffee throughout, a delicious, sessionable stout. Great for a winter day at the local pub.
Magnolia Oyster Stout
There is a really rich flavor profile to this beer. It is well balanced between all the components, yet has a smokiness the permeates and cuts through the roasty flavors. It begins with chocolate, toffee and a slight yeastiness, and ends somewhat dry, smoky and slightly bitter. This goes really well with food, flavorful meats, and I would assume, oysters.
Lucky Labrador Black Lab Stout
A thick, roasty, robust and quite drinkable ale. Very flavorful, chocolate, dried fruits, caramel and a light nutty quality. It could be a bit thicker and less sweet, but it is still quite creamy due to the nitro tap.
Schells Stout
This is a British Style Sweet stout. A very rich ale, it has sweet chocolate, medium toffee and caramel and light espresso notes. A creamy, roasty and lightly bitter finish gives this stout a nice edge.
Top 5 Pale Ales
my favorites new Pale Ales from 2008. I had 4 out of 5 of these at the breweries, which attests to the advantage of drinking this beer locally and fresh. my all time favorites include Bridgeport IPA, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Anchor Liberty, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Full Sail Pale Ale,
Deschutes Green Lakes Pale Ale
Another organic beer that tops my lists this year. A nice, medium to light bodied fruity ale, with notes of toffee, caramel and biscuit throughout. The hop presence is light but clear, piney, and definitely more in the flavor than the aroma. Slightly dry and bitter finish.
Seabright Pelican Pale Ale
Light and crisp, with toasty highlights and hop depth, including piney and citrus overtones. Excellent session beer that has a distinct west coast profile without the "bigness" (aka, alcohol content), and very fresh and bright, a nice complement to my meal.
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale
This is a malt forward, more English style pale with an assertive hop presence. A very pine like resin flavor seems to dominate through the aroma, but biscuit, caramel and slight toffee flavors fight through upon tasting. Sight fruity, plum like esters finish complement throughout. Clean, creamy finish with light citrus hops, fresh and on site.
McMenamins Hammerhead
Tried at the Hawthorne, Portland.
Hoppy zestiness dominates this beer up front, a certain profile for Cascade. Citrus and caramel overtones are complemented throughout, with slight tangerine, grapefruit orange and even lemon in the nose , while biscuit and toffee serve as the backbone. A great fresh beer in a one of a kind setting.
Bridgeport Haymaker Extra Pale Ale
Considering I think of Bridgeport IPA as really more of a Pale Ale by today's aggressive standards, their pale ale was a pleasant surprise, almost a very hoppy small beer, or an American version of a bitter. This sample was tried on site, and was very biscuitty, toasty and slightly carmelly overall. A slightly grassy, lemony hop presence ran throughout. The overall impression is a crisp, dry grainy, and slightly hoppy beer. This is the lawnmower beer for hopheads.
Deschutes Green Lakes Pale Ale
Another organic beer that tops my lists this year. A nice, medium to light bodied fruity ale, with notes of toffee, caramel and biscuit throughout. The hop presence is light but clear, piney, and definitely more in the flavor than the aroma. Slightly dry and bitter finish.
Seabright Pelican Pale Ale
Light and crisp, with toasty highlights and hop depth, including piney and citrus overtones. Excellent session beer that has a distinct west coast profile without the "bigness" (aka, alcohol content), and very fresh and bright, a nice complement to my meal.
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale
This is a malt forward, more English style pale with an assertive hop presence. A very pine like resin flavor seems to dominate through the aroma, but biscuit, caramel and slight toffee flavors fight through upon tasting. Sight fruity, plum like esters finish complement throughout. Clean, creamy finish with light citrus hops, fresh and on site.
McMenamins Hammerhead
Tried at the Hawthorne, Portland.
Hoppy zestiness dominates this beer up front, a certain profile for Cascade. Citrus and caramel overtones are complemented throughout, with slight tangerine, grapefruit orange and even lemon in the nose , while biscuit and toffee serve as the backbone. A great fresh beer in a one of a kind setting.
Bridgeport Haymaker Extra Pale Ale
Considering I think of Bridgeport IPA as really more of a Pale Ale by today's aggressive standards, their pale ale was a pleasant surprise, almost a very hoppy small beer, or an American version of a bitter. This sample was tried on site, and was very biscuitty, toasty and slightly carmelly overall. A slightly grassy, lemony hop presence ran throughout. The overall impression is a crisp, dry grainy, and slightly hoppy beer. This is the lawnmower beer for hopheads.
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