Ommegang Hennepin

Ommegang Hennepin      7.7%ABV              Saison

Ommegang Brewing Co.            Cooperstown NY

A:  Pours a hazy golden straw color with a foamy white head.

S:  Coriander, black pepper, coriander, orange peel, baked bread,  and mild grassy hops.

T:  Lemon citrus notes, clove, coriander, pepper, bready grains, and Belgian yeast.

D:  Drinkable yet incredible with food.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine     9.6%ABV

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, CA

A:   Pours a dark ruby brown with an off white cap of foam.

S:  Aromas of piney and citrus hops to balance a BIG malt backbone of dark fruit, caramel, toffee, and toasted malts.

T: Lots of citrus and tropical fruits (tangerine, mango, apricot,) Big pine and lots of bready and caramely malts.

M:  Medium full bodied with lots of flavor and just enough carbonation to not allow it to destroy you.  Texture is rich and seductive with just enough attitude.

D:  Great preparty beer, also great for long conversations

Pairing:   Great with blue cheese, grilled meats, and some nutty desserts.

Upslope Brown Ale

Upslope Brown Ale 6.7%ABV

A:  Dark brown color with a thick but shy tan head that recedes to leave a lot of lacing.

S: Smells of caramel malts slightly burnt with mild bitterness.

T: Caramel and toasted malts, light cocoa and mild bitterness on the finish.

M: Medium to full bodied with a creamy texture and mild carbonation.

D: Very drinkable and great food beer.

Bull & Bush Man Beer

Bull & Bush Man Beer, 7.7%, English IPA

Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO

A: Pours a reddish bronze, copper color, with a thin beige head

S: Aromas of citrus hops, lemon, sweet malt, biscuit

T: Toasted bread, caramel, citrus, pine

M: Medium body, hop oils, bitter finish

D: Citrus hop balances sweet malt; hoppy for EIPA style

Avery Reverend Belgian Style Quad

Avery Reverend  Belgian Style Quad  10%ABV

Avery Brewing Co, Boulder, CO

A:  Pours a clear, deep rosy colored amber body with a full cap of white foam.

S:  Caramel malts, belgian candi sugar with slight fruity character of figs and bananas.

T:  Rich carmel and malt, dark dried fruits like figs, raisins, and prunes.  Only  traces of Belgian flavors and lightly noticeable  alcohol.

M:  Medium -full mouthfeel with adequate carbonation and a seductively smooth finish.

D:  Again, great alone, great with food.

Russian River Blind Pig IPA

Russian River Blind Pig IPA    6.1%abv

Russian River Brewing Co, Santa Rosa, CA

A:  Pours a brilliantly clear golden orange color with a lofty white head that recedes leaving a gorgeous lace patern.
S:  The aromas sing of citrus rind(grapefruit), fresh cut grass, and light tropical fruits (pineapple), stone fruit (peach, apricot) and floral notes blend with earthy pine aromas and a rich doughy caramel malt backbone.

T:  Fresh tropical and citrus flavors followed by earthy, grassy, and piney  hop flavors all balanced by a full malt profile.

M:  Medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a slightly creamy texture.
O:  Overall, one of the single best IPA’s in the game.  Drinks like a session and if you are lucky enough to have more than one, enjoy.
Pairings:  Pair this with a burger topped with artisanal blue cheese.  Also will pair nicely with curries, fried chicken and grilled pork ribs.  

Deschutes Inversion IPA

Deschutes Inversion IPA

Deschutes Brewing Co, Bend, Oregon

American IPA 6.8% ABV

A: Pours a clear dark amber (sweet tea) color with a lofty off white head and an abundance of lacing.

S:  Smells of American hops (citrus, pine, resin) with a rich caramel malt backbone.  Hints at possibly having a noticeable sweetness with light notes of tropical fruit and floral elements.

T:  Very hoppy forward (as opposed to a malt forward nose) with bold bitterness and citrus focused hops.  Malt plays a supporting role balancing the citrus/bitterness.

M:  Mild-med carbonation, med-light in body with a creamy texture and a dry/bitter finish.

O:  Notable ABV w/o being too big, this is a great food beer, naturally pairing with burgers, roasted chicken, curry, or dishes with an elevated richness that would benefit from cutting alcohol/bitterness and would pair with sweet malts.