Dry Dock Double IPA

Dry Dock Double IPA 9.0% ABV,  Dry Dock Brewind Co.  (Aurora, CO.)

A:  Pours a mildly hazy golden orange copper with dense off white head that is persistent while leaving substantial lacing as it recedes.

S: Citrusy (lemon, grapefruit) hops and pine resin dominate the nose of this DIPA while sweet caramel and roasted malts balance and support the aroma.

T: The flavor profile of this beer follows the nose, citrus (grapefruit, lemon, orange) and pine, while also benefiting from a bitterness that puts this beer perfectly off balance.

M:  Medium – medfull bodied beer with adequate carbonation and a nice dry finish.

D: This beer is a great food beer but dangerously drinkable.  Weighing in at 9.0%ABV this beer can easily sneak up on you. 

Ettiene Dupont Cidre Bouche Normand Cider

Ettiene Dupont Cidre Bouche Normand Cider, 6%, Cider

Ettiene Dupont, Victot-Pontfol, France

A: Hazy golden, thin white head which dissipates quickly

S: Apple, lavender, rose, with notable barnyard elements

T: Dry apple, oak, floral, tannic, funk

M: Strong carbonation, tart, thin, refreshing

D: Interesting by itself; nice with food that is compassionate with apples

Pairing: Pork chop, salad, cheese, chicken

Firestone Walker DBA ESB

Firestone Walker DBA ESB, 5.0%, ESB

Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA

A: Clear copper color, with tan head

S: Biscuit, charred oak, fruit, flowers

T: Cereal, toffee, honey, fruit, citrus

M: Medium body, moderate carbonation

D: This is the beer you order on a first date if you show up to the bar before they do.

Glider Cider

Glider Cider              Dry American Cider            6.95%ABV

Denver Cider Company

A: Pours a clear golden color with modest foam that recedes to leave a thin ring of bubbles.

S:  Aromas of  mildly sweet apples and mildly tart earthy apple skin and flesh, hints of vanilla,

T:  Bright tartness and the apple sweetness falls into a delicate  balance that errs to the dry side.  Accented by nuanced flavors of white wine, tannic oak barrels and hints of vanilla.

M:  Med-light in body with moderate carbonation,

D:  Very drinkable but also fantastic paired with light summer fare.

Heineken European Lager

Heineken European Lager       5%ABV

Heineken Brewing Co, Netherlands

A:  Pours a brilliantly clear golden straw color with a lofty white head that recedes leaving moderate amount of lacing.

S:  Aromas of pale malts and subtle Noble hops are balanced delicately.

T:  Sweet pale malts are balanced with moderate grassy and earthy noble hops with hints of  light fruitiness.

M:  Medium-light bodied with notable carbonation and creamy yet crisp texture.

D:  Very drinkable, however, great with European fare, gyro, fish and chips, curry,

Pairing:  think curry, gyro, fish and chips, pizza

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, 4.3%, Irish Cream Ale

Guinness Ltd., Dublin, Ireland

A: Clear, rusty copper, thick tanish head

S: Toast, biscuit, cherry, toffee, earthy hop

T: Buttered toast, caramel, light fruit, bitter hops

M: Round, creamy, but light bodied; smooth carbonation

D: Easy

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.