Tuesday, November 26, 2013

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.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Russian River Consecration


Russian River  Consecration, Russian River Brewing Co.,
American Wild Ale, Beer Advocate: A    375mL/10% abv
A: Cherry brown with a very slight head that fades fast. Slight lacing as well. 

S: Things starts of acidic with notes of vinegar pairs with cherry, oak and vanilla. Varying levels of fruitiness and acidity come through making for a complex nose.

T: lactic acid and tartness up front, big time puckering, followed by a sweeter and fruitier middle, this is followed up by a considerable amount of oak with a touch of funk, and the tartness returns on the finish. Definitely carries with it a sense of tannic wine pull from the currents as well as the Cabernet barrels.
M: Light to medium body with heavy carbonation. Dry crisp finish that has a tart lingering. very nice.

D: The currents and the Cabernet barrels really give this a tannic lactic acid feel that finishes dry similar to a Brute Champagne. Fantastic Sour, enough said.

Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA


Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA    8.3%ABV
Hops: German Magnum (bittering), Citra & Amarillo (flavor/aroma and double dry-hopped)
A: Dark dark brown, nearly opaque, with a creamy mocha head.
S: Lots of fruity and piney hops, rye spice, roasted chocolate malts, with hints of coffee.
T: Mild rye , rich chocolatey and dark bready malts, citrusy, grassy,  and piney hops with a slightly sweet and hoppy finish..  
M: Medium plus bodied, slightly creamy texture with moderate carbonation.
D: Boozy but very drinkable.