Liefmans Cuvee Brut

Liefmans Cuvee Brut   6.0%ABV

Belgium Flemish Sour Brown aged in oak with cherries

Brouwerij Liefmans, Belgium

A:  Pours a slightly opaque ruby red amber color with a small pink toned head.

S:  Smells of big tart cherries, light wood notes, hints of backing spice and brown sugar.  Hops are present but delicate and this is all about the acid, fruit, and malt.

T:  Rich body with bold dark malts and lots of tart fruits, (cherry, cranberry, hints of raspberry)

M:  Medium in body with moderate carbonation and a great effervescence texture that finishes tart and moderately dry.

O:  This is a great celebration beer, but also pairs with food tremendously well- think, dark chocolate, creamy desserts that want to be accompanied by cherries, great with cheese plates and incredible with foie and duck preparations.  Also a great introductory sour due to price point, impact and moderate sourness balanced with fruit.

Murphy’s Irish Stout

Murphy’s Irish Stout       4%ABV

Cork, Ireland

A:  Pours an inky black color with a lofty tan, nitrous head.

S:  Dark aromas of coffee, brown bread, and lots of dark roasted malts.

T:  Oats  and dark malts, hints of unseasoned bitter coffee,  with mild hints of smoke and earthy hops

M:  Medium- light bodied with a silky nitrous carbonation and a creamy texture.

D:  As drinkable as the day is long.

Pairing:  Oysters, bread pudding, rich and aged nutty cheeses.

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.