By Mikkeller
In Denmark
7.50 ABV
Oatmeal Stout
Mikkeller is a gypsy brewer that goes around the globe setting up areas to brew his beer. The "Beer Geek Breakfast" name has had more spin offs than CSI. This is the original base formula for the beer. It's brewed with chocolate malts, oats and gourmet coffee.
Visual: Jet black but there is a noticeable yeast sediment in the glass. Not very appetizing but it greets you in the glass.
Smell: It really smells like roasted coffee. The type of coffee that you know will get you wired. A dark roast with an almost charred smell.
Taste:Mouthfeel is medium, you get a big dose of black roasted coffee. The roast is very apparent even cold. The oats add a bit of creamyness making it easier to sip. There is a hint of bitterness, not exactly a hop bitterness more of a charred coffee lingering on the toungue. As you drink it your mouth gets coated with an ashtray sensation
Overall: A very coffee forward stout, you will enjoy it if you like big robust coffee flavors. It lacks in much anything else as the bitterness and slight creaminess are there to supplement the roast coffee. It would be much better if it had more diversity but it definitely is a sipper beer even at the moderate alcohol level. 89/100
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
# 8 and # 9 Evil Twins "Aún Más A Jesús" and "Even More Jesus"
By Evil Twin Brewing
Aún Más A Jesús Brewed in Companyia Cervesera del Montseny SLL, Catalunya, Spain
Even More Jesus Brewed in Valby, Denmark
Both have a ABV of 12% Alcohol
Both Imperial Stouts
Evil Twin is brewed by a Gypsy brewer that goes around all over the globe establishing areas to create beer. Much like his brothers beer company "Mikkeller", the style of beer is always a unique take with interesting marketing such as naming a beer "Even More Jesus". These beers tend to be priced highly, with these 12ozs pricing at $11.00. Drinking these side by side I will hyphen it with a E for Even More Jesus and an A, for "Aún Más".
Visual: Both of these are pitch black, A comes out much thicker but E has a bigger head with a dark brown head. A almost gushes out like motor oil.
Smell: Aun has a slightly sweet sugary smell, with heavy dark chocolate and coffee. Even smells more like alcohol.
Taste: Even's alcohol is very apparent with a heavy expresso taste and alcohol heat lingering. Aun is more balanced with a really thick mouthfeel that coats the mouth. Slightly sweet dark coffee, fudge, a lot more balanced. A slight cherry taste to it. As it warms up you get a slight buttery mouthfeel, almost like a chocolate batter. Even's alcohol is more balanced but it still isn't well balanced.
Overall: These beers feel very different from all aspects, Although both have chocolate and coffee the type of ingrediants feel like a different formula. The alcohol in Even More overwhelms from the other flavors. Aun is more balanced but I don't feel like the price is justified.
Aún Más A Jesús 85, Even More Jesus 81
Aún Más A Jesús Brewed in Companyia Cervesera del Montseny SLL, Catalunya, Spain
Even More Jesus Brewed in Valby, Denmark
Both have a ABV of 12% Alcohol
Both Imperial Stouts
Evil Twin is brewed by a Gypsy brewer that goes around all over the globe establishing areas to create beer. Much like his brothers beer company "Mikkeller", the style of beer is always a unique take with interesting marketing such as naming a beer "Even More Jesus". These beers tend to be priced highly, with these 12ozs pricing at $11.00. Drinking these side by side I will hyphen it with a E for Even More Jesus and an A, for "Aún Más".
Visual: Both of these are pitch black, A comes out much thicker but E has a bigger head with a dark brown head. A almost gushes out like motor oil.
Smell: Aun has a slightly sweet sugary smell, with heavy dark chocolate and coffee. Even smells more like alcohol.
Taste: Even's alcohol is very apparent with a heavy expresso taste and alcohol heat lingering. Aun is more balanced with a really thick mouthfeel that coats the mouth. Slightly sweet dark coffee, fudge, a lot more balanced. A slight cherry taste to it. As it warms up you get a slight buttery mouthfeel, almost like a chocolate batter. Even's alcohol is more balanced but it still isn't well balanced.
Overall: These beers feel very different from all aspects, Although both have chocolate and coffee the type of ingrediants feel like a different formula. The alcohol in Even More overwhelms from the other flavors. Aun is more balanced but I don't feel like the price is justified.
Aún Más A Jesús 85, Even More Jesus 81
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
#7Ballast point "Sculpin"
By Ballast Point
In San Diego, California
7.00 ABV
American IPA
So after a quick Wikipedia search a Sculpin which is adorned on the beer is a fish with poisonous spikes, though it's meat is supposed to be some of the best fish meat available according to some Les Stroud type caveman person. Ballast point seems to have a fascination with marine life, several of their beers are adorned with aquatic type activities. Think boats and fish, not floaties and chlorine.
Visual: It has a big 2 finger head, much lacing on the glass with a amber dark orange color
Smell: Crazy smell for an IPA, there is a sweet and slightly salty smelling dimension with a small dose of tropical fruit.
Taste: Mango, peach, some pear, with a slight hop lingering effect that reinvigorates the palete for more.The alcohol is well hidden and It's very easy to drink. The fruit here taste's ripe and fresh picked, a real tasty IPA. The mouthfeel is very thin but this helps out the subdued flavors of fruit and hop.
Overall:I can imagine this being a great introduction to people who want to get a real IPA experience with tropical fruit to balance it out. It's not too sweet either, it provides a good balance and this is definitely going to be a constant buy for me.It could provide more tropical fruit but it still has a good enough dose for those trying out a well rounded IPA. 92/100
In San Diego, California
7.00 ABV
American IPA
So after a quick Wikipedia search a Sculpin which is adorned on the beer is a fish with poisonous spikes, though it's meat is supposed to be some of the best fish meat available according to some Les Stroud type caveman person. Ballast point seems to have a fascination with marine life, several of their beers are adorned with aquatic type activities. Think boats and fish, not floaties and chlorine.
Visual: It has a big 2 finger head, much lacing on the glass with a amber dark orange color
Smell: Crazy smell for an IPA, there is a sweet and slightly salty smelling dimension with a small dose of tropical fruit.
Taste: Mango, peach, some pear, with a slight hop lingering effect that reinvigorates the palete for more.The alcohol is well hidden and It's very easy to drink. The fruit here taste's ripe and fresh picked, a real tasty IPA. The mouthfeel is very thin but this helps out the subdued flavors of fruit and hop.
Overall:I can imagine this being a great introduction to people who want to get a real IPA experience with tropical fruit to balance it out. It's not too sweet either, it provides a good balance and this is definitely going to be a constant buy for me.It could provide more tropical fruit but it still has a good enough dose for those trying out a well rounded IPA. 92/100
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
#6 Russian River "Pliny the Elder"
By Russian River
In Santa Rosa, California
8.00 ABV
Imperial IPA
Pliny the Elder is heralded by some as one of the best IPA's on the market. California is also known to produce the best IPA's in the world. Of course we all crave varying flavor profiles, it seems all across the board beer drinkers rate this beer highly.
Interesting history on Pliny the elder, he was a Roman man who was involved in politics, military, writing, law, philosophy and several other hobbies ensuring his badassedry in history.
Visual: Pours out a hazy orange, slight lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Several fruits, some pineapple juice, a hint of other tropical fruits.
Taste: First thing you get is a very small dose of hops, followed by what seems to be a small dose of pineapple juice. It's very easy to drink and you can't taste much alcohol. Though after you drink it it seems very underwhelming. It offers a very light flavor profile, lacking much diversity. It is very refreshing though, I can imagine drinking several of these in the summer.
Overall: This IPA needs more flavor to it. It's probably one of the most well balanced beers in relation to how well blended the hops and malt are, but it's lacking in any real definition. It's underwhelming and also it isn't very unique. I could see this as a good starter IPA for beer newbies though because of it's drinkability. 88/100
In Santa Rosa, California
8.00 ABV
Imperial IPA
Pliny the Elder is heralded by some as one of the best IPA's on the market. California is also known to produce the best IPA's in the world. Of course we all crave varying flavor profiles, it seems all across the board beer drinkers rate this beer highly.
Interesting history on Pliny the elder, he was a Roman man who was involved in politics, military, writing, law, philosophy and several other hobbies ensuring his badassedry in history.
Visual: Pours out a hazy orange, slight lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Several fruits, some pineapple juice, a hint of other tropical fruits.
Taste: First thing you get is a very small dose of hops, followed by what seems to be a small dose of pineapple juice. It's very easy to drink and you can't taste much alcohol. Though after you drink it it seems very underwhelming. It offers a very light flavor profile, lacking much diversity. It is very refreshing though, I can imagine drinking several of these in the summer.
Overall: This IPA needs more flavor to it. It's probably one of the most well balanced beers in relation to how well blended the hops and malt are, but it's lacking in any real definition. It's underwhelming and also it isn't very unique. I could see this as a good starter IPA for beer newbies though because of it's drinkability. 88/100
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
#5 Brouwerij Oud Beersel "Oude De Kriek"
By Brouwerij Oud Beersel
in Belgium
6.50% ABV
Fruit Lambic
This lambic beer comes in a traditional Belgian green bottle with a cork you can pull out with pressure with your fingers. It reminds me of something you might get served in Dracula's castle with the image of a temple and bottle design.
Visual: Very unique as it pours blood ruby red color. Not much head or lacing on the glass but you can definetly tell the cherry fruit they used in the oak translated well
Smell: Surprisingly light for a beer I assume to be sour, you get a sight dose of funky vinegar with a bit of barnyard funk
Taste: Taste is subtly, you get a tart flavor which lingers for a bit with an almost undetectable taste of cherry, the cherry really just adds as a backbone to the rest of the tartness.. You also get a bit of unripened cherries and a slight amount of oak. Not much of a sour sensation, it really hits you as if there's a juicy fruit without much sweetness.
Overall: It somewhat reminds me of a champagne, not much alcohol detected and it has the carbonation and mouthfeel of a champagne. Although it doesen't hit you intensely it does provide a good introduction to a tart beer. 90/100
in Belgium
6.50% ABV
Fruit Lambic
This lambic beer comes in a traditional Belgian green bottle with a cork you can pull out with pressure with your fingers. It reminds me of something you might get served in Dracula's castle with the image of a temple and bottle design.
Visual: Very unique as it pours blood ruby red color. Not much head or lacing on the glass but you can definetly tell the cherry fruit they used in the oak translated well
Smell: Surprisingly light for a beer I assume to be sour, you get a sight dose of funky vinegar with a bit of barnyard funk
Taste: Taste is subtly, you get a tart flavor which lingers for a bit with an almost undetectable taste of cherry, the cherry really just adds as a backbone to the rest of the tartness.. You also get a bit of unripened cherries and a slight amount of oak. Not much of a sour sensation, it really hits you as if there's a juicy fruit without much sweetness.
Overall: It somewhat reminds me of a champagne, not much alcohol detected and it has the carbonation and mouthfeel of a champagne. Although it doesen't hit you intensely it does provide a good introduction to a tart beer. 90/100
Saturday, October 27, 2012
#4 Tallgrass "Halcyon Unfiltered Wheat"
By Tallgrass Brewing Company in Manhattan, Kansas
5.00% ABV
Wheat Beer
This is a unfiltered wheat beer in a can, although a can sounds unappetizing it actually preserves the alcohol quite well, meanwhile it also provides an ecologically friendly way to serve alcohol due to the efficiency of tin in comparison to other storage vessels.(First and probably last time I will use the word vessel in a beer review)
The wheat is provided by a local farmer in Kansas ensuring less emissions.
Visual:It pours out a golden yellow with a small amount of head.
Smell: It smells really pleasant, almost like a bowl of fruit loops oddly enough. Not cloyingly sweet, reminds one of a mixture of grain and several mixed fruits.
Taste: A very light mouth feel, almost like water in that it is easy to swallow and provides a refreshing crispness. It has a very light citrus orange taste with an emphasis on citrus sweetness to balance out the beer. It's very pleasant to drink and I could imagine it being a sessionable summer beer.
Overall: It's mild, easy-drinking, and it provides a nice natural sweetness character. If it had more diversity and a hint more of flavor it would be a reoccurring character in my fridge besides crumbs. Though as it stands I would recommend it as a choice for wheat beer.
80/100
5.00% ABV
Wheat Beer
This is a unfiltered wheat beer in a can, although a can sounds unappetizing it actually preserves the alcohol quite well, meanwhile it also provides an ecologically friendly way to serve alcohol due to the efficiency of tin in comparison to other storage vessels.(First and probably last time I will use the word vessel in a beer review)
The wheat is provided by a local farmer in Kansas ensuring less emissions.
Visual:It pours out a golden yellow with a small amount of head.
Smell: It smells really pleasant, almost like a bowl of fruit loops oddly enough. Not cloyingly sweet, reminds one of a mixture of grain and several mixed fruits.
(Toucan Sam threatened legal action if I posted his actual photo)
Taste: A very light mouth feel, almost like water in that it is easy to swallow and provides a refreshing crispness. It has a very light citrus orange taste with an emphasis on citrus sweetness to balance out the beer. It's very pleasant to drink and I could imagine it being a sessionable summer beer.
Overall: It's mild, easy-drinking, and it provides a nice natural sweetness character. If it had more diversity and a hint more of flavor it would be a reoccurring character in my fridge besides crumbs. Though as it stands I would recommend it as a choice for wheat beer.
80/100
Monday, September 17, 2012
#3 North Coast "Old Rasputin"
By North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California
9.00% ABV
Russian Imperial Stout
" A sincere friend is not born instantly". Each bottle has this imprinted in Russian with Rasputin giving a man size salute. Russian Imperial stouts date back to the 18th century, wherein English brewers would try and appease Catherine the Great. Or what we call today, dating.
Visual: Just like Malcolm X, completely black brew with a one finger head.
Smell: Strong smell of roasted malt with a bit of caramel, reminds me of a Folgers commercial, fresh roasted coffee.
Taste: It coats your mouth immediatly, there's an intense flavor profile. Oak, dark chocolate, caramel. All the flavors combine so perfect. Now there's a heavy roast and bold ashy characters all through. Ash may sound unappetizing but with the combination you can't help but sip some more. If you've ever been through a theoretical physics textbook then you already know how complex this is. Although it's just like gay marriage, you're either for it or against it, it may be too ashy and unsweetened for some.
Overall:A 4 pack for 7 bucks of something this intense and interesting is a great value. Some might not like the intensity while others will completely devour this treat. I really enjoyed drinking this but would advise for virgin stout fans to shy away.
93/100
9.00% ABV
Russian Imperial Stout
" A sincere friend is not born instantly". Each bottle has this imprinted in Russian with Rasputin giving a man size salute. Russian Imperial stouts date back to the 18th century, wherein English brewers would try and appease Catherine the Great. Or what we call today, dating.
Visual: Just like Malcolm X, completely black brew with a one finger head.
Smell: Strong smell of roasted malt with a bit of caramel, reminds me of a Folgers commercial, fresh roasted coffee.
Taste: It coats your mouth immediatly, there's an intense flavor profile. Oak, dark chocolate, caramel. All the flavors combine so perfect. Now there's a heavy roast and bold ashy characters all through. Ash may sound unappetizing but with the combination you can't help but sip some more. If you've ever been through a theoretical physics textbook then you already know how complex this is. Although it's just like gay marriage, you're either for it or against it, it may be too ashy and unsweetened for some.
Overall:A 4 pack for 7 bucks of something this intense and interesting is a great value. Some might not like the intensity while others will completely devour this treat. I really enjoyed drinking this but would advise for virgin stout fans to shy away.
93/100
Sunday, September 16, 2012
#2 Brouwerji De Molen's "Hemel & Aarde"
By Brouwerji De Molen based in Bodegraven, Netherlands
10.00 ABV
Russian Imperial Stout
Hemel & Aarde(translates to Heaven and Earth) on first sight looks like a bottle handmade by a kindergarten arts and crafts class. Very basic with a black and white label, this bottle didn't even say what type of beer it is. According to their website this beer contains some of the most heavily peated malt they could find.
Visual: Looks like an oil change in a beer mug, very little head and almost no carbonation
Smell: Straight hazelnut, fresh roasted coffee, a hickory smell. After this warms up it smells like a southern barbecue with a strong bacon smell, just enough to disgrace the sabbath and make farmer john feel right at home
Taste: Heavy thick oily mouthful, almost like you stuffed your mouth full of liquid bread. Heavy charred malt but surprisingly it's easy to drink. Has also a roasted nut quality to the taste. As it warms you get a heavy Wilbur the pig taste, very tasty pork pours out. Seemingly out of nowhere Robitussin aspects come out, this really detracts from the beer and even though it's not overwhelming, it isn't pleasant.According to their website they were going for a licorice taste, think uneaten/inedible black licorice, not red vines.
Overall: A very complex brew with a unique flavor profile of a backyard barbecue. Heavy char, pig, coffee and the only detractor is the medicinal taste. Russian Imperial Stouts age well and I'd recommend aging a few to expose some new flavors. 88/100
10.00 ABV
Russian Imperial Stout
Hemel & Aarde(translates to Heaven and Earth) on first sight looks like a bottle handmade by a kindergarten arts and crafts class. Very basic with a black and white label, this bottle didn't even say what type of beer it is. According to their website this beer contains some of the most heavily peated malt they could find.
Visual: Looks like an oil change in a beer mug, very little head and almost no carbonation
Taste: Heavy thick oily mouthful, almost like you stuffed your mouth full of liquid bread. Heavy charred malt but surprisingly it's easy to drink. Has also a roasted nut quality to the taste. As it warms you get a heavy Wilbur the pig taste, very tasty pork pours out. Seemingly out of nowhere Robitussin aspects come out, this really detracts from the beer and even though it's not overwhelming, it isn't pleasant.According to their website they were going for a licorice taste, think uneaten/inedible black licorice, not red vines.
Overall: A very complex brew with a unique flavor profile of a backyard barbecue. Heavy char, pig, coffee and the only detractor is the medicinal taste. Russian Imperial Stouts age well and I'd recommend aging a few to expose some new flavors. 88/100
Thursday, September 13, 2012
#1 Stone's "Enjoy By 9.21.12"
By Stone Brewing Company, based in Escondido California
9.40% ABV
Imperial IPA
The concept behind this beer is for people to appreciate an IPA as it's meant to be served, as fresh as possible. Having had this one fresh and near the 9 21 12 deadline there are noticeable differences in flavors. Yeah it's a bit gimmicky to have this in limited amounts and to not serve it after the deadline, but I'm the type of person with tamagochi, beanie babies, and cases of Pepsi Crystal in my basement
Visual: A very dark golden yellow, some decent carbonation and a lot of lacing.
Smell: A rush of tropical fruit, very fragrant with very little hop character. Actually has a bit of nuttiness which is unusual for an IPA that isn't infused with rye.Very unassuming beer in terms of the alcohol content that lies within.
Taste:Immediately have a nice medium oily coating in the mouth with a rush of mango, pineapple, citrus.If you've ever had freshly squeezed juice(not packaged) with some alcohol(who hasn't?) then you've had this before.Fairly modest resiny piny and oily hop character, but in comparison to most Stone Beers it isn't much of a factor. It's as drinkable as mothers milk at 9.40% ABV. If you've had Stone Ruination its quite similar but with less hop character and more tropical fruit. As it warms the roles are reversed for this beer, wherein you get a ton of oily hops and very little tropical fruit. I can't get over how much tropical fruit is in this, it's like a Chiquita commercial in my mouth
Rating: Easily a 95/100. The only things setting this back is the limited quantities, which at this point you have to really search to acquire a bottle which isn't very fresh. If I have one criticism(negative nancy time) is that it's missing more tropical fruit to make it a 100. It's got a good dose of it but If I have to be picky that would be the reason why.
9.40% ABV
Imperial IPA
The concept behind this beer is for people to appreciate an IPA as it's meant to be served, as fresh as possible. Having had this one fresh and near the 9 21 12 deadline there are noticeable differences in flavors. Yeah it's a bit gimmicky to have this in limited amounts and to not serve it after the deadline, but I'm the type of person with tamagochi, beanie babies, and cases of Pepsi Crystal in my basement
Visual: A very dark golden yellow, some decent carbonation and a lot of lacing.
Smell: A rush of tropical fruit, very fragrant with very little hop character. Actually has a bit of nuttiness which is unusual for an IPA that isn't infused with rye.Very unassuming beer in terms of the alcohol content that lies within.
Taste:Immediately have a nice medium oily coating in the mouth with a rush of mango, pineapple, citrus.If you've ever had freshly squeezed juice(not packaged) with some alcohol(who hasn't?) then you've had this before.Fairly modest resiny piny and oily hop character, but in comparison to most Stone Beers it isn't much of a factor. It's as drinkable as mothers milk at 9.40% ABV. If you've had Stone Ruination its quite similar but with less hop character and more tropical fruit. As it warms the roles are reversed for this beer, wherein you get a ton of oily hops and very little tropical fruit. I can't get over how much tropical fruit is in this, it's like a Chiquita commercial in my mouth
Rating: Easily a 95/100. The only things setting this back is the limited quantities, which at this point you have to really search to acquire a bottle which isn't very fresh. If I have one criticism(negative nancy time) is that it's missing more tropical fruit to make it a 100. It's got a good dose of it but If I have to be picky that would be the reason why.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Introduction
I can't wait to see where this blog will take me, I hope people will share their opinions and give criticisms and opinions of the beers we all know and love. A big internet knuckles hello to all.
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