Ska Modus Hoperandi IPA

Ska Modus Hoperandi, 6.8%ABV American IPA

A - Deep bronzed color with a good sized, smooth, creamy, tight, ivory head. Decent head retention leaving a great layer of lacing.

S - Sweet citrus hop aroma leads along with some pine and a sweet sappy resin followed by a fair amount of sweet caramel malt.

T - Starts with a prickly grassy and pine hop flavor. That gives way to a sweet citrus and caramel/toffee malt flavor. Fairly sweet with touches of bitterness. This bitterness gets stronger on the finish.

M - Light to medium body. Plenty of carbonation and prickly and zesty mouthfeel.

D - Easy to drink beer. Not too sweet nor too bitter. Pretty refreshing and I finished the can no problem.

Lost Abbey Red Barn Farmhouse Ale

Lost Abbey Red Barn (Belgian Farmhouse/Saison 6.7% ABV)

Lost Abbey Brewery, San Marcos, CA    

Beer Advocate: A-

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden orange with a lofty head.

S:  Grassy hops, citrus(lemon, orange), wheat, spice (ginger, corriander) slight funk

T:  Grainy, biscuity malts, Delicate fruits (apple, pear) Spices(clove, ginger), Belgian yeast, lemon, orange, and subtle yet bitter hops finish.

M: Light-Med body, light carbonation with a smooth, dry finish.

D: Real drinkable and at 6.7%ABV this also serves as a great food beer.

Left Hand Nitro Sawtooth ESB

Left Hand Nitro Sawtooth ESB    5.3%ABV  

A:  Pours a brilliantly clear copper color with a very creamy nitro off white head.

S:   Bready and caramel malts with significant citrusy and grassy hops that is slightly dulled by the fine bubbles of the nitro gas.

T: A nice round mellow malt body that adds some needed sweetness, then a nice tangy, citrus hop follow through.

M:  Medium bodied with an emphasized creamy texture and creamy nitro carbonation.

D:  Excellent session/ after work beer, very drinkable yet a natural paring for old world comfort food; think about curry, fish and chips, brandade. 

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Deschutes Brewing Co, Bend, Oregon

American Porter 5.2% ABV

A:  Pours a dark brown almost black with a frothy tan head.

S:  Dark roasted malts, toffee, hints of coffee and chocolate.  

T:  Espresso and chocolate, dark roasted and burnt malts with a slight hop bitterness on the finish.

M:  Medium bodied with adequate carbonation.  Smooth with a crisp finish.

D:  Extremely drinkable beer.  

Backcountry Brett Imp Saison

Backcountry Brett Imp Saison     9.5%ABV

Backcountry Brewing Co. Frisco, CO

A:  Pours a slightly hazy, dark golden straw color with an off white head.

S:  Smells of citrus, pineapple, pale malts, light wheat elements and the signature barnyard funk that is indicative of Brettanomyces.

T:  The flavors follow the nose with an emphasis on Belgian yeast, pale malts and brett funk with the citrus and pineapple notes playing nuanced supporting roles.

M:  Light to med in body, crisp, refreshing with a dry, tart and slightly funky finish.

O:  Great food beer, think summer salads, vegetables, lamb, chicken, ham, and earthy accoutrements.

Backcountry Bourbon Barrel Breakfast Stout

Backcountry Bourbon Barrel Breakfast Stout       10%ABV

Backcountry Brewing Co. Frisco, CO

A:   Pours an opaque black color with a lofty dark tan head.

S:  Bold aromas of roasted malt, caramel, raisin and squaw bread marry with rich notes of Breckenridge Bourbon and toasted American oak from its time spent in barrel (6mo)

T:  Flavors follow the nose closely with a heavy yet pleasant sweetness that is balanced nicely with just a touch of hops.

M:  Full bodied with a creamy texture and modest carbonation.  This beer finishes on the sweet side with noticeable boozy element.

O:  Overall a great winter sipper but also pairs incredibly with pork belly, coffee and chocolate desserts as well as desserts focused on creamy vanilla flavors or candied nuts.

Great Divide TITAN IPA

Great Divide TITAN IPA    7.1%ABV

Great Divide Brewing Co.  Denver Colorado

A:  Clear bright copper with a lofty off white head.

S:  Lots of caramel malts , citrus and tropical fruits and mild pine, and grass

T:  This beer is about balance between rich caramel malt and citrus, tropical, and piney hops.

D:  Very drinkable, yet considerably high in alcohol.  Also great with food.

Pairing:  Whole roasted chicken, lemon grass sausage