Goose Island Matilda
This Belgian-Style Pale Ale definitely fits to form on the nose. Strong hints of coriander and applesauce dominate, with soft hints of dill on the back end. The beer is thick, with tons of yeast and spice up front. Soft flavors of tea mix in nicely. The finish is lightly bitter with hints of toasty malts. This is light and flavorful, though the yeast certainly dominates this beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Goose Island Pere Jacques
This is quite the contrast from the other Belgian-Style reviewed above. The nose is sweet, with strong hints of brown sugar, grapes, and an alcoholic twinge at the end. The taste is pleasantly bitter up front, with rich flavors of brown sugar and banana's. That quickly transitions to a light toastiness with more an alcoholic taste than this beer should have. This one isn't very complex, and the sweetness is a bit overpowering.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7/10
Goose Island Imperial IPA
This beer has a wonderful nose on it. Lovely hints of herbs, citrus, pine, and pineapple all blend deliciously together to form one of the best bouquets on tap. However, that is where the greatness ends. The taste is overly bitter, with strong flavors of smoke, bacon, and medicinal gauze. Unpleasant and not well-balanced, they transition to the finish where flavor dissipates quickly (thankfully).
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 5.5/10
Southern Tier Gemini Imperial Blended Ale
This beer was pleasant, though much lighter than the last time it was on the wall. Age has helped smooth this beer out. The nose smells wonderfully floral, with light hints of rosemary. The taste is light, with delicious flavors of oranges mixing with a subtle taste of pine. The finish is smooth, with a light bitterness that covers up the slight alcoholic burn on the back end. Overall, I found this to be much better than the first keg we tapped.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8/10
Stone Imperial Russian Stout
This is the first time Stone's Imperial Stout has been on tap. Stone is usually known for their hoppy beers, though this Stout didn't disappoint. The nose is wonderful, with lovely aroma's of coffee, cream, and woodchips. The beer itself is smooth, with coffee and dark chocolate blending together beautifully. The finish was dry, with hints of roasted coffee, cream, and a dash of cocoa. Honestly, this is a very approachable stout. Not as diverse as some, it is still another great offering from Stone.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Pint Night for Friday the 29th
We have quite the Pint Night set up for tomorrow. Goose Island will be featuring a number of their beers on tap, which will include Pere Jacques, Matilda, Sofie, and Goose Islands own Imperial IPA. We have a number of different glasses, and the prices will vary on each. The beer itself will run $4 a pint, $5 for the Imperial IPA. I would advise getting here early to get the glass that you want. Hopefully I will see you all tomorrow!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Liquor and Wine Tasting
Saturday, June 23rd 3 - 6 PM
Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
Jose Cuervo Ready To Drink Varietals
Cap Cette Picpoul de Pinet
Norton Cosecha Tardia Late Harvest Chardonnay
Cantelle Salice Salentino
Razon Tinto
Come out and enjoy these wonderful selections that Stephanie has picked out!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Weekly Beer Reviews
Green Flash West Coast IPA
Finally, the West Coast IPA has returned! I always love the nose on this beer, which has lovely aroma's of cracked pepper, grapefruit, oranges, and onions. It is one of the more aromatic IPA's we get on tap. Unfortunately, this is another beer where the taste isn't as wonderful as the nose. The initial flavor is all bitter, with light hints of tea mixed in. The bitterness ramps up as the finish comes, with flavors of burnt toast and charcoal. This isn't a bad beer, but it is certainly geared more towards bitter lovers.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Let me say this is one stinky beer. The nose is all onions and garlic, making this one of the most fragrant Imperial IPA's we have put on tap. It translates to the taste, with hints of onions and chives up front and light hints of citrus in the back. The finish is slightly bitter, and the taste fades quickly. For lovers of the Triple IPA's, this is as close as you will find on tap.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Thirsty Dog Siberian Night
This is one of my all time favorite stouts that we have gotten on tap, and I am glad it has made a return. The nose is truly impressive, with hints of smoke, milk chocolate, and graham crackers. The taste is diverse, starting with rich flavors of raisin, smoke and pepper. That transitioned to cheese and smoked meats. This wonderful trip with a long finish that had flavors of dark chocolate and coffee. It is rare to find such a quality stout in late June.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
For those of you unacquainted with this beer, it is an Imperial IPA aged with oak staves. The nose is impressive, with scents of earthy hops, pine, and oak (of course). The initial taste is very floral, with refreshing flavors of lemon coming next. The alcohol could be felt a little on the finish, though that isn't surprising with a 10% beer. A slight bitterness comes out with the flavor of the oak in the finish, and it has a dash of garlic flavor. This is a great, well-balanced beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Founders Cerise
Ladies and Gentlemen, Cerise has returned! This cherry fermented ale was immensely popular the first time we tapped it a couple of weeks ago. This time we got an even bigger barrel, and it is just as good as last time. The nose is all cherries, with hints of lighter malts at the back of the aroma. Tart up front, it quickly transition to cherries, and then to a crust-like flavor in the finish. Remarkably smooth and tasting like cherry cobbler, this beer will be an instant hit with everyone.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Southern Tier 2X IPA
The nose on this beer is very mild, with hints of soapy hops, cracked pepper, and clove. The taste is more upfront, with a heavy bitterness that smacks you in the mouth from the start. Floral hops assault your tastebuds as well, forming a strong flavor. It all quickly dissipates, with a clean, smooth finish that is a nice change from the brutal start.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA
I swear, this is the last review. Another very popular offering from Dogfish Head, this barrel delivers. The nose was fantastic, with hints of earthy hops, pine, and sweet grapefruit. The taste is immensely smooth for a 9% ABV beer, with a slight bitterness that doesn't overpower the earthy notes and tantalizing tastes of brown sugar. The finish is smooth, with no alcohol burn and continuing the strong earth and pine flavors. This beer went over well, and the perfect score from Tyler and I shows that.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 10/10
Finally, the West Coast IPA has returned! I always love the nose on this beer, which has lovely aroma's of cracked pepper, grapefruit, oranges, and onions. It is one of the more aromatic IPA's we get on tap. Unfortunately, this is another beer where the taste isn't as wonderful as the nose. The initial flavor is all bitter, with light hints of tea mixed in. The bitterness ramps up as the finish comes, with flavors of burnt toast and charcoal. This isn't a bad beer, but it is certainly geared more towards bitter lovers.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Let me say this is one stinky beer. The nose is all onions and garlic, making this one of the most fragrant Imperial IPA's we have put on tap. It translates to the taste, with hints of onions and chives up front and light hints of citrus in the back. The finish is slightly bitter, and the taste fades quickly. For lovers of the Triple IPA's, this is as close as you will find on tap.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.5/10
Thirsty Dog Siberian Night
This is one of my all time favorite stouts that we have gotten on tap, and I am glad it has made a return. The nose is truly impressive, with hints of smoke, milk chocolate, and graham crackers. The taste is diverse, starting with rich flavors of raisin, smoke and pepper. That transitioned to cheese and smoked meats. This wonderful trip with a long finish that had flavors of dark chocolate and coffee. It is rare to find such a quality stout in late June.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
For those of you unacquainted with this beer, it is an Imperial IPA aged with oak staves. The nose is impressive, with scents of earthy hops, pine, and oak (of course). The initial taste is very floral, with refreshing flavors of lemon coming next. The alcohol could be felt a little on the finish, though that isn't surprising with a 10% beer. A slight bitterness comes out with the flavor of the oak in the finish, and it has a dash of garlic flavor. This is a great, well-balanced beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9/10
Founders Cerise
Ladies and Gentlemen, Cerise has returned! This cherry fermented ale was immensely popular the first time we tapped it a couple of weeks ago. This time we got an even bigger barrel, and it is just as good as last time. The nose is all cherries, with hints of lighter malts at the back of the aroma. Tart up front, it quickly transition to cherries, and then to a crust-like flavor in the finish. Remarkably smooth and tasting like cherry cobbler, this beer will be an instant hit with everyone.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Southern Tier 2X IPA
The nose on this beer is very mild, with hints of soapy hops, cracked pepper, and clove. The taste is more upfront, with a heavy bitterness that smacks you in the mouth from the start. Floral hops assault your tastebuds as well, forming a strong flavor. It all quickly dissipates, with a clean, smooth finish that is a nice change from the brutal start.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA
I swear, this is the last review. Another very popular offering from Dogfish Head, this barrel delivers. The nose was fantastic, with hints of earthy hops, pine, and sweet grapefruit. The taste is immensely smooth for a 9% ABV beer, with a slight bitterness that doesn't overpower the earthy notes and tantalizing tastes of brown sugar. The finish is smooth, with no alcohol burn and continuing the strong earth and pine flavors. This beer went over well, and the perfect score from Tyler and I shows that.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 10/10
Pint Night for Friday the 22nd
This weeks Pint Night has been announced. Green Flash is the featured beer of the night, and we have a couple cases of glasses to boot! A glass and a fill will run $6, with each refill going for $3. We have three options from this wonderful brewery out of California: Double Stout, Imperial IPA, and West Coast IPA. You will find reviews for the latter two later today when I get them posted. So come on out and enjoy Green Flash's first Pint Night on our wall!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Liquor and Wine Tasting
Friday, June 15th, 4 - 7 PM
Appleton V/X Jamaican Rum
Appleton Reserve Jamaican Rum
Appleton 12 Year Jamaican Rum
Graham Beck Viognier
Norton Torrontes
Cape Diamond Merlot
Cueva de las Manos Malbec Reserve
Baker has also informed me of this special event today that is perfect for Father's Day:
Makers Mark 46 Etching, 5 - 7 PM
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Weekly Beer Reviews
Shiner Blonde
The art of the Blonde Ale seems to have been lost on Shiner with this entry. The nose has only small aroma's of corn and bread. Very watery, the taste is practically nonexistent. Only a slight bitterness and a mild taste of corn separates the taste of this beer from water. The finish was the most pleasant part, with a smooth taste of cornflakes. This beer is perfect for those hot summer days. However if you are looking for anything to please your diverse palate, this is not the beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 3.5/10
Shiner Bock
This has been a popular beer among the average domestic beer drinker for years. It is a light bock, with more in common to a Black Lager in terms of taste. It is a nice, darker offering for the Summer. The nose is light, with only slight hints of nuttiness. The taste is also light, with little hints of nutty malts and wheat. They transition into the finish, but fade quickly. Another good option for summer, but not the best example of the style.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.0/10
Founders Centennial IPA
This beer had quite the bouquet on the nose, with an intoxicating aroma that is both fruity and floral. However, that wonderful nose doesn't transition to the taste. The taste is overwhelmingly bitter, with tastes of burnt toast and earthy hops. It isn't well balanced, and the bitterness and burnt flavor quickly overwhelms your tastebuds into the dry finish.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.5/10
New Albanian Naughty Girl
This is the first Blonde IPA we have welcomed to our Growler Wall. The nose shows off both a blonde ale and an IPA, with aroma's of clove, spice, and fruit. The taste was more earthy, with light citrus and spice tones to it. The finish was smooth and clean, with the flavors disappearing quickly. Honestly, this beer was pretty good, though I would rather just have either a blonde ale or an IPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.75/10
New Albanian Elsa Von Horizon
Another first to the growler wall, this local Imperial Pilsner is the first of its style that I have even had. The nose was odd, and both Tyler and I got completely different aroma's. I picked up chicken noodle soup on the nose, while he picked up grape cough syrup.The taste is bitter up front, though not unpleasant. Light floral flavors help to smooth it out a bit and transition for the clean, light finish. This is a hoppy beer for the hot weather with just how refreshing it actually is.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.0/10
The art of the Blonde Ale seems to have been lost on Shiner with this entry. The nose has only small aroma's of corn and bread. Very watery, the taste is practically nonexistent. Only a slight bitterness and a mild taste of corn separates the taste of this beer from water. The finish was the most pleasant part, with a smooth taste of cornflakes. This beer is perfect for those hot summer days. However if you are looking for anything to please your diverse palate, this is not the beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 3.5/10
Shiner Bock
This has been a popular beer among the average domestic beer drinker for years. It is a light bock, with more in common to a Black Lager in terms of taste. It is a nice, darker offering for the Summer. The nose is light, with only slight hints of nuttiness. The taste is also light, with little hints of nutty malts and wheat. They transition into the finish, but fade quickly. Another good option for summer, but not the best example of the style.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.0/10
Founders Centennial IPA
This beer had quite the bouquet on the nose, with an intoxicating aroma that is both fruity and floral. However, that wonderful nose doesn't transition to the taste. The taste is overwhelmingly bitter, with tastes of burnt toast and earthy hops. It isn't well balanced, and the bitterness and burnt flavor quickly overwhelms your tastebuds into the dry finish.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 4.5/10
New Albanian Naughty Girl
This is the first Blonde IPA we have welcomed to our Growler Wall. The nose shows off both a blonde ale and an IPA, with aroma's of clove, spice, and fruit. The taste was more earthy, with light citrus and spice tones to it. The finish was smooth and clean, with the flavors disappearing quickly. Honestly, this beer was pretty good, though I would rather just have either a blonde ale or an IPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.75/10
New Albanian Elsa Von Horizon
Another first to the growler wall, this local Imperial Pilsner is the first of its style that I have even had. The nose was odd, and both Tyler and I got completely different aroma's. I picked up chicken noodle soup on the nose, while he picked up grape cough syrup.The taste is bitter up front, though not unpleasant. Light floral flavors help to smooth it out a bit and transition for the clean, light finish. This is a hoppy beer for the hot weather with just how refreshing it actually is.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.0/10
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Pint Night for Friday the 15th
We have this weeks Pint Night ready to go! Shiner will be our featured beer, and we will have Shiner Bock and Shiner Blonde on tap. $5 will get you a glass and a fill. The glasses are mason jars complete with handles. The jars have the Shiner logo emblazoned on them. I will be at a wedding, so Tyler will be flying solo. Glasses are limited, so definitely get in here early.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Weekly Beer Reviews
Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Fresh Hop Harvest Ale
This is a customer favorite that I look forward to every year. The nose is incredibly light, with subtle herbal tones. The taste has a lot of bitterness to it, with earthy hops able to be picked up faintly. It was a little dry on the finish with the bitterness lingering until light malt tones took over. A great IPA for hot weather.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA
This continues to be one of the most popular IPA's on the wall. Each keg seems to vary greatly, and the age on this one did not endear itself to me. The nose had light hints of citrus and grapefruit, but most of the hop aroma seems to have dissipated. The taste was light, with very small hints of grapefruit. It was overpowered by stronger tastes of alcohol, toast, and the bittering hops. The finish was quick, with light hints of lemon and wheat. Overall, this beer did not do well with the age, though Tyler did enjoy it.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.75/10
Great Lakes The Doppelrock
So far, this has been my favorite Spring seasonal. The nose has quite the bouquet, with lovely aroma's of grapes, toffee, and oatmeal. The taste is bitter up front, with a lovely creaminess that transitions into the finish. The finish also has a lovely taste of light toffee and milk chocolate. Overall, this is one of the better Doppelbocks you will find on the market.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.0/10
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous
Stone wrote the book on making a good Black IPA. Even though this one has a few months of age on it, it still is an outstanding example of what a Black IPA should be. The nose is roasty, with a strong aroma of pineapple. Tyler also managed to pick out what he described as a roux smell. The taste was remarkably similar to salami, with hints of grapes, citrus, and a light bitterness to round out the flavor. The salami flavored continued into the finish, where it was overpowered by the bitterness and a hint of charcoal. If Black IPA's are your thing, this one is right up your alley.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
This one made it back just in time for our Pint Night. The nose was all tropical fruit, with aroma's of mango and banana being prevalent. The taste is intense and big, with flavors of citrus and pine assaulting your tastebuds right off the bat. The finish shows off more of the hops, with the citrus and pine becoming flavors of mango and grapefruit. A light, toasty malt flavor rounded out the finish. Not too bitter, this one has loads of hop flavors that any hop lover will enjoy
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.00/10
This is a customer favorite that I look forward to every year. The nose is incredibly light, with subtle herbal tones. The taste has a lot of bitterness to it, with earthy hops able to be picked up faintly. It was a little dry on the finish with the bitterness lingering until light malt tones took over. A great IPA for hot weather.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA
This continues to be one of the most popular IPA's on the wall. Each keg seems to vary greatly, and the age on this one did not endear itself to me. The nose had light hints of citrus and grapefruit, but most of the hop aroma seems to have dissipated. The taste was light, with very small hints of grapefruit. It was overpowered by stronger tastes of alcohol, toast, and the bittering hops. The finish was quick, with light hints of lemon and wheat. Overall, this beer did not do well with the age, though Tyler did enjoy it.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.75/10
Great Lakes The Doppelrock
So far, this has been my favorite Spring seasonal. The nose has quite the bouquet, with lovely aroma's of grapes, toffee, and oatmeal. The taste is bitter up front, with a lovely creaminess that transitions into the finish. The finish also has a lovely taste of light toffee and milk chocolate. Overall, this is one of the better Doppelbocks you will find on the market.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.0/10
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous
Stone wrote the book on making a good Black IPA. Even though this one has a few months of age on it, it still is an outstanding example of what a Black IPA should be. The nose is roasty, with a strong aroma of pineapple. Tyler also managed to pick out what he described as a roux smell. The taste was remarkably similar to salami, with hints of grapes, citrus, and a light bitterness to round out the flavor. The salami flavored continued into the finish, where it was overpowered by the bitterness and a hint of charcoal. If Black IPA's are your thing, this one is right up your alley.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
This one made it back just in time for our Pint Night. The nose was all tropical fruit, with aroma's of mango and banana being prevalent. The taste is intense and big, with flavors of citrus and pine assaulting your tastebuds right off the bat. The finish shows off more of the hops, with the citrus and pine becoming flavors of mango and grapefruit. A light, toasty malt flavor rounded out the finish. Not too bitter, this one has loads of hop flavors that any hop lover will enjoy
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.00/10
The Pint Night for this week has been decided and Great Lakes will be featured. We have about two cases of glasses to sell, so make sure to get here early if you want one. The featured Pints from Great Lakes are Commodore Perry IPA, The Doppelrock, and Lake Erie Monster. $6 will get you a glass and a pint of any of them, with $3 refills. Hope to see some of you all out here tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Introduction
Welcome Liquor Barn St. Matthews Newsletter Readers,
This is my first blog so bear with me a little. I will be tweaking the template and such for the next few weeks as I figure this system out. Information will be placed on this blog site as I hear of it, so it will give you faster access to news than with the newsletter. You all can still reach me at LiquorBarnLetters, so feel free to send any emails my way. I already have a little news for you, so here goes:
Liquor and Wine Tasting
Friday, June 8th, 4 - 7 PM
New Amsterdam Gin
New Amsterdam Vodka
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
Ecco Domani Moscato
Mirassou Pinot Noir
St. Francis Chardonnay
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