Saturday, June 9, 2012

Stone Levitation Ale American Amber


Stone Levitation Ale American Amber ABV: 4.40%
A - Amber-brown in color with a toffee colored head.
S - Has a nice caramel malt aroma with some piney and grapefruity hop aromas.
T - Slight malt flavor that is immediately over powered by an intense hop spicyness.
M - Light bodied with a fair amount of carbonation.
O - A pretty good amber ale, but I think it is a little too hopped for the style.
Pairing:  Sausage, brat burger, fishwich, Tri Tip, spatzle, chicken sandwich, and Surf and Turf. 

Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale


Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale 7.7% ABV
A:  Pours a reddish mahogany brown color with a khaki colored creamy head.
S:  Aromas of sweet rich malts, dark fruits, caramel, toffee and dark sugars.  Minimal hops at best.
T:  Sweet caramel and roasted malts , creamy dark fruits, mild hop and dark roasted malt bitterness and moderate booziness round out the flavor profile.
M: Rich, medium to full bodied beer with soft, creamy carbonation and a dry yet sticky finish.
D:  Moderately drinkable, yet rich and full flavored.
Pairings: Great with bbq meats, rich dark sauces, sausages, tri tip, Po’ boy, Surf and Turf.

New Belgium Tart Lychee.


New Belgium Tart Lychee.  American Wild Ale, 56% Ale Aged in Oak 44% Ale brewed with Lychee and Cinammon.
7.5%ABV
A: Pours a hazy golden orange with a frothy white head and moderate lacing.
S: Tropical and citrus fruit, light malt sweetness, delicate cinammon, dry earthy funk and mild tartness.
T: Tart tropical and citrus fruits, with mild sweetness and dry funky finish.  Similar to the nose, but a bit more fruit.
M: Medium light bodied, bright carbonation with a crisp tartness a mild funk.
D:  Very drinkable yet also a great food beer.  Another great summer style beer and great with our light fare.
Pairings: Chicken Sandwich, Fishwich, spatzle, Veal Schnitzel, Halibut, Po’Boy, sausage, and Surf and Turf.

Petrus: Aged Ale (Sour)


Petrus: Aged Ale (Flanders Oud Bruin), 7.3% abv, 12oz Beer Advocate: B+ / A (Bros)
A: Clear golden color with minor amber highlights, fantastic white head 2 inches thick, great lacing.
S: Oak, funky horse-blanket, lactic acid, fruit is tart apples.
T: Sour and tart with apples, cherries, peaches wrapped up in oak with notes of citrus fruit (lemon).
M: Light to medium bodied with solid carbonation.
D: Clean and refreshing sour ale! Can’t even taste the abv on this one and isn’t as heavy/tart as a Gueuze.
*Food Pairings: Lamb Poutine, Duck Poutine add Boudin Noir, Bone Marrow, Tri-Tip, Smores, Cupcake

Orval Trappist Ale


Orval Trappist Ale,  Belgian Pale Ale bottle Conditioned with Brett
6.9%ABV
A: This beer pours a cloudy honey amber color with a lofty white head. 
S: Aromas of citrus, white fruits, pale malts, sharp grassy and spicy hops and a dry delicate barnyard funk.
T: Light sweet malts, Belgian yeast, dry Brett funk and delicate citrus notes.
M: Medium- light body with bright prickly carbonation, and a dry and slightly funky finish.
D:  Very drinkable summer style brew.  Bright, citrusy, hoppy and dry.
Pairings:  Fishwich, Chicken Schntzel Sandwich, Weisswurst, Halibut, slaw, and spatzle.

Estrella Damm Daura (Gluten Free)


Estrella Damm Daura  (Speciality Beer brewed with Ceoliacs Society 
5.4% European Pale Lager
A: This beer pours a brilliantly clear golden straw color with modest white head., minimal lacing or head retention.
S: Aromas of pale malt, mild hops,  with no real big flavors.
T:  Light, grainy malts with mild sweetness and hints of grassy and spicy hops in compliment..
M:  Light in body, crisp, bright carbonation and semi-dry lager finish.
D:  Very drinkable, especially on hot days, especially if you are Gluten Intolerant.  This is a “gluten free“beer that tastes like beer.
Pairings:  This beer will pair with our lighter fare.  Chicken Schnitzel, fishwich, veal schnitzel, weisswurst.
*This beer was brewed with the Ceoliacs Society and has a gluten level of 6 ppm.(20 ppm is the acceptable limit for Coeliacs)  Unfortunately the FDA regulates any dietary “recommendations” so they are not allowed to label it as “Gluten Free” although most Gluten Intolerants would find this acceptable.


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Odell Mountain Standard Double Black IPA


Odell Mountain Standard Double Black IPA ( Ft. Collins, CO) 9.5%
A:  Pours a dark mahogany color with a short tan head leaving significant lacing
S:  Lots o ftropical fruits and dark roasted malts and piney needle aromas.
T: A dance between rich roasted malts and assertive piney, citrusy and fruity hops.
M:   Rich and creamy mouthfeel with medium body and adequate carbonation
D: Very drinkable but also great with rich full flavored dishes.
PAIRINGS:  Tri- tip Steak, Brat Burger, Kielbasa, Hopwurst, Cheese Curds

Avery Hog Heaven American Barleywine


Avery Hog Heaven Barleywine – ( Boulder, CO) 9.2%ABV
A:  Pours a slightly hazy golden copper orange color with a moderate pale tan head. 
S: Sweet malts, lots of piney and citrus hops (grapefruit, lemon zest, orange)
T:  Hop explosion with lots of  juicy and sweet malts.  Big juicy citrus fruits.
M: Medium bodied for a barleywine. 
D:  Moderate, yet pairs well with food.
Pairings: Brat Burger, Bone Marrow, Sausages

St. Bernardus Prior 8 Belgian Dubbel


St. Bernardus Prior 8 Belgian Dubbel   (Belgium) 8%ABV
A: Pours a clear chestnut color with a lofty off-white head with moderate lacing.
S:  Lots of dark fruit aromas, belgian yeast and moderate dark bready malts.
T: Sweet malt flavors up front followed by dark fruits and spicey clove from the Belgian yeast. 
M:  Velvety texture, medium-full body with moderate carbonation and with a sweet fruity finish.
D:  Great conversation beer, sips and snacks.
PAIRINGS:  Nuts and charcuterie, Mussels, Weisswurst, Boudin Noir, Earthy Cheese, spatzle, Cast Iron Vegetables, and Lemon Buckle, Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich.

Echt Kriekenbier Flemish Cherry Ale


Brouwerij Verhaeghe- Echt Kriekenbier (Flemish Cherry Ale) (Belgium) 6.8%ABV: 11.2oz,
  • Smooth, refreshing Cherry ale with some food friendly acidity. the aroma of Kirsch cherry brandy, smooth, vanilla-like oaky palate and late surge of passion-fruit flavors with some acidity. Local sour cherries are added during the maturation process to the wooden casks containing Vichtenaar. The final product is a blend of 1, 2 and 3 years old beers.

Piraat Belgian Tripel


Piraat-Belgian Trippel Ale/Belgian IPA (Belgium) 10.5%ABV
A perfect harmony of malted, sweet and bitter hopped aromas, after which you are immersed in a very long, slightly sweet finish with a hint of bitter to it.

Schneider Aventinus Dopplbock Wheat


Schneider Aventinus-Weizenbock (Strong Lager) (Germany) 8.2%ABV: 16oz
  • A very intense wheat doppelbock with a complex spicy chocolate-like aroma, with a hint of banana and raisins. Soft, very rich and complex, though fresh with a hint of caramel. It finishes in a rich soft and lightly bitter impression. Dessert beer!

Young's Double Chocolate Stout


Young's-Dbl Chocolate Stout (England) 5.2%ABV:  14.9oz,
  • Chocolate malt and real dark chocolate are combined with Young's award winning rich, full flavoured dark beer to craft a satisfyingly indulgent, but never overly sweet experience.

Lindeman's Apple Lambic


 Lindemans-Apple Lambic (Belgium) 3.5%ABV: 12oz,
  • Clean, bright aroma and flavor of apples melds beautifully with the complex tartness of a lambic. Smooth, light body, with the fresh flavor of real apples and light green-apple tartness Brouwerij Verhaeghe- Duchesse De Bourgogne (Flanders Red Ale) (Belgium) 6.2%ABV: 12oz,

Duchesse de Bourgogne Flemish Red


Brouwerij Verhaeghe- Duchesse De Bourgogne (Flanders Red Ale) (Belgium) 6.2%ABV: 12oz,
Appearance: Deep brown/ruby red beer with an active carbonation level and a bitty, pillowy, off-white sticky head with incredible staying power. Smell: Soft, acidic, wine-like and oak aromas. Taste: Smooth and soft up-front. Medium-bodied, at times even chewy. A tart flavour begins to build, and in parallel does a malt one. Tart flavours are like sweet ripe cherries with an underlying wine acidic quality that eventually goes metallic on the palate. Citric lime-like    flavours mingle in with the fruity cherry. Malt flavours range from sweet caramel to chocolate   and seem to flux in and out, with mild bready notes. The finish is clean despite everything going on, with trace malt and fruit flavours.

Ohara's Irish Stout


O’Hara’s-Irish Stout (Ireland) 4.3%ABV: 11oz Nitro can,
Opaque brown black color, with a foamy head. Cocoa, muddy barnyard haystack, and mossy stone aromas follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a light-to-medium body with roasted nut and tangy dried orange peel notes. Finishes crisply with a cocoa and earth fade. (a bit more obust than Guiness)

Samuel Smith Organic Cider


Samuel Smith-Organic Cider (England) 5.0%ABV: 16oz,
Bright straw-gold with excellent clarity. The bouquet is fresh apples, with a soft floral note. It has a light body, with brilliant conditioning, a crisp clean flavor (not sweet), and a dry finish.

Old Speckled Hen


Old Speckeled Hen- English Pale / Amber (England) 5.2%ABV: 14.9oz,
 Rich amber colour and superb fruity aromas. Toffee and malt combine with bitterness on the back of the tongue to give a balanced sweetness. This is followed by a refreshingly dry finish

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA


Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA (Chico, CA)  7.2%ABV
A:  Pours a clear light copper color with a lofty bright white head with lots of lacing.
S:  Piney, earthy, floral and citrusy with a mild maltiness.
T:  Citrus and pine first followed by bitter hops.  Lots of flavors of grass, juniper, and bitter citrus peel.
M:  Smooth, medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
D:  very drinkable
PAIRINGS:  Brat Burger, Hopwurst, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, Kielbasa, spatzle, fries. 

Sam Smith Pale Ale


Samuel Smith-Pale Ale (England) 5.0%ABV: 12oz,
Copper penny color. Mild roasted nut aromas and flavors with a smooth even, dryish palate and a dried raisin toast and treacle like fade.

Straffe Hendrik Belgian Quadrupel


Straffe Hendrik Belgian Quadrupel  11%ABV
A:  Pours a slightly cloudy brown with gorgeous red highlights and a lofty beige head.
S:  Aromas of squaw bread, molasses, dark fruits, dark chocolate.
T:  Starts light and floral then succumbs to the rich roasted malts and complexities of the belgian yeast esters.   Notes of apple, raisin, brown sugar, earthy caramel.
M: Med- full in body with modest carbonation and a sincere alcohol warmth. 
D: This is quite the sipper but would also pair incredibly with food.
PAIRINGS:  Try this with cheese offerings with earthy complexities,  PoBoy, Tri Tip Steak, Sausages, Sour dough waffle and ice cream sandwich, Lemon Buckle

Bristol Laughing Lab


Bristol Brewing Co Laughing Lab  Scottish Ale 5.3%ABV (Colorado Springs, CO)
A: Pours a rich cola brown color with a moderate tan head
S: Dark caramel malt backbone, with hints of dark bread and mild underlying hops
T:  Roasted breadiness and caramel and toffee notes.  Mild hop bitterness to balance the rich malts.
M:  Medium bodied with med-light carbonation.
D: Very drinkable yet a great food beer.
Pairings: Sausages, Tri-tip, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, Bone marrow, Camembert /Pear Preserve Grilled Cheese

Victory Prima Pils


Victory Prima Pils  German Pilsner (Pennsylvania) 5.3% ABV
A: Pours a clear light straw color with a modest bright  off white head.
S:  Crackers and sweet pilsner malts, with a slight sweet corn aroma and floral and spicy noble hops
T:  Grainy pils malts balance with grassy and floral noble hops.
M:  Light in body, bright carbonation, and a slightly sweet and hoppy finish.
D: Very drinkable.
Pairings:  Veal Schnitzel, Pork Schnitzel, Chicken Sandwich, Spatzle, Sprouts, Sausages

Upslope Foreign Style Stout


Upslope Foreign Style Stout  ( Boulder, CO )  6.9%ABV
A: Pours nearly an opaque, nearly black, dark dark brown with a rich mocha head.
S: Unseasoned coffee, dark roasted barley and malts,
T:  Rich roasted barley and malts, unseasoned coffee, bittersweet chocolate notes and a healthy dose of hops to keep it just balanced with a slight bitter draw.
M:  Rich and creamy while not coming across as heavy.
D: Very drinkable yet great with food.
Pairings:  Great paired with Duck Poutine, Ice Cream Sandwich, Brat Burger, Tri Tip

Oskar Blues G'Knight Imperial Red


Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red Ale (Lyons, CO) 8.7% ABV
A: pours a deep auburn, reddish color with a rocky 2 finger head and lots of sticky lacing.
S:  Bright aromas of citrus and stone fruits.  Lots of succulent malt aromas
T:  Rich jammy, caramel malts followed by lots of hops.  Flavors of citrus, pine, stone and tropical fruits.  This beer is a dance between sweet malts and bright hops.
M:  Satiny texture with a medium body and moderately carbonation.  This is a rich beer that finishes rather dry and slightly bitter.  The finish will encourage another sip making this a very drinkable beer. 
D:  Very drinkable yet rich and suited perfectly for rich foods.
PAIRINGS:  Brat Burger, Sausages, Chicken and Waffles, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich.