Stone Matt's Burning Rosids Cherrywood-Smoked Saison
This was the biggest question mark of the entire trio that we tasted this week. A highly alcoholic Saison (10.5% ABV) that is smoked with Cherrywood sounds like it could go either way. The nose is interesting with thick aromas of sour grapes, cherries, charred oak, and orange juice. Lighter aromas of apples, hot dogs, and floral notes popped up as well. The flavor has just the slightest hint of smoke before being overpowered by thick flavors of bruised pears, pine, grapefruit, and bologna. It starts to become bitter towards the end, and really picks up in the finish. Flavors of dill, cantaloupe, and light ash finish off this flavorful beer. It is especially well done as the alcohol is practically non-existent in the flavor.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Stone Smoked Porter w/ Vanilla Beans
We move on to the dark beer of the bunch. Stone's Smoked Porter is a very solid Porter. While it doesn't have much smoke flavor compared to the likes of the Class of 88 that we had up recently, it would normally stand up well. The infusion of Vanilla Beans takes this from a solid Porter to a must drink. The nose is phenomenal, with thick aromas of oatmeal, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, vanilla, coffee, and raisins. It definitely smells like a thick Winter dessert. The taste is thick with chocolate of all kinds ranging from chocolate syrup to hot chocolate. Silky flavors of vanilla and caramel intermingle to form a wonderful flavor. A strong bitterness accompanies the finish and brings flavors of dark chocolate, cream, coffee grounds, and ash. This is a lovely way to finish off the last few cold weeks.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Stone Grapefruit Slam IPA
We end this section with another of Stone's new IPA's, this one with grapefruit peel added. Needless to say, we had high expectations with this one...and Stone met them. The nose can only be described as the sun shining through a pine forest in Heaven. Thick aromas of Spring Air, pine, grapefruit, lime zest, and sage form a nose that any IPA would be proud of. The taste is distinctly herbal with flavors of basil, tarragon, and sage. Flavors of perfume, grapefruit, and mint leaf burst out after the initial herbal explosion. The finish is intensely bitter with flavors of perfume, dill, grapefruit pith, pine, and sage. This IPA leans towards the bitter grapefruit and pine flavors, but I find that to be a refreshing change from the heavy influx of tropical fruit IPA's.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.5/10
Friday, February 28, 2014
Super Special Stone Adjunk Pint Night
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's Pint Night is quite special. The Stone Brewing Company shall be our feature, and each of their offerings is uniquely infused with high-quality additives that make them really special and mouth-watering; it seems almost inappropriate to use the term "adjunk" when describing them.
Quite an eclectic and diverse selection, no? You'll first notice their redolent aromas, which beckon every taster to them. There you shall discover beers as tasty as they are diverse from each other, packed with robust, exciting flavors that resonate in every corner of the palate. So tasty in fact, that only a mad person would miss the opportunity to sample them! And if the beers themselves weren't enough, we have Stone pint glasses of exceeding elegance to compliment these fine beers. So come one, come all! The nivosity of the season can't keep amazing beers at bay here!
- Stone Matt's Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison
- Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean
- Stone Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA
Quite an eclectic and diverse selection, no? You'll first notice their redolent aromas, which beckon every taster to them. There you shall discover beers as tasty as they are diverse from each other, packed with robust, exciting flavors that resonate in every corner of the palate. So tasty in fact, that only a mad person would miss the opportunity to sample them! And if the beers themselves weren't enough, we have Stone pint glasses of exceeding elegance to compliment these fine beers. So come one, come all! The nivosity of the season can't keep amazing beers at bay here!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
New Beer Releases
We have quite a few new beers this week that are sure to delight you palates. Some are hoppy, some are obviously early Spring releases, and some are clinging to the cold winter months. Here's what we have for you folks:
If all of these awesome releases weren't enough, we also received another shipment of Bell's HopSlam. Your eyes don't deceive you...Bell's HopSlam 6 packs are back! So come and pick up some of these hot commodities while you can!
- Abita Strawberry Lager 6 Packs
- Stone Grapefruit Slam IPA 22oz. Bottles
- Deschutes Hop Henge 22oz. Bottles
- Against the Grain Citra Ass Down 22oz. Bottles
- Against the Grain 35K Milk Stout 22oz. Bottles
- Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree Double IPA 4 Packs
- Bell's Consecrator Doppelbock 6 Packs
- Breckenridge 72 Imperial Chocolate Cream Stout 4 Packs
- Ommegang Glimmerglass Saison 4 Packs
- He'Brew Messiah Nut Brown Ale 6 Packs
- He'Brew Genesis Dry-Hopped Session Ale (Amber Ale) 6 Packs
- He'Brew Rye India Pale Ale (RIPA) 4 Packs
- Three Floyds BackMasking Oatmeal Stout 22oz. Bottles
- Three Floyds Live A Rich Life Belgian Double IPA 22oz. Bottles
If all of these awesome releases weren't enough, we also received another shipment of Bell's HopSlam. Your eyes don't deceive you...Bell's HopSlam 6 packs are back! So come and pick up some of these hot commodities while you can!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Sierra Nevada Pint Night
Welcome! Tomorrow's Pint Night will feature the ever-popular Sierra Nevada, and quite a nice selection at that:
And if Sierra Nevada's hoppy selections weren't enough, we will be offering a new local brew from Country Boy that is rich and dark, with a subtle bitter, piney background. We'll also be featuring the appropriate glassware, so do come empty-handed, won't you?
- Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
- Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA
- Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine
- Country Boy Heart of Dankness Imperial Black IPA
And if Sierra Nevada's hoppy selections weren't enough, we will be offering a new local brew from Country Boy that is rich and dark, with a subtle bitter, piney background. We'll also be featuring the appropriate glassware, so do come empty-handed, won't you?
Friday, February 14, 2014
Sixpoint Valentine's Day/Polar Vortex/India Pale Ale Triple Play Night!
Whew, sorry folks! I've been caught in an arctic blizzard all week, and have only just arrived at my computer! Without further ado:
Brave the storm, and emerge into the eye of bliss.
- Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA
- Sixpoint Resin Imperial IPA
- Sixpoint Hi-Res Imperial IPA
- Schlafly AIPA
Brave the storm, and emerge into the eye of bliss.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Weekly Beer Reviews
Each week I have been badgered about when I would put on more IPA's. When would the hops start the flow? Well, I took your nudging to heart and tapped 2 IPA's and 2 Imperial IPA's that are sure to keep everyone happy.
Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA
We haven't welcomed this single IPA to our wall since Sixpoint first arrived on our shelves. After tasting it, I can say it has been too long. I was worried about the age on this beer at first, but it has done little to hurt this IPA. The nose is subtle with hints of lavender, linen, soap, and orange pulp. It makes for a tantalizing entry into this beer. The taste is bitter and crisp with flavors of lemon pith, grapefruit, and clover. The sharp hop flavors start to tone down in the finish, though the bitterness ramps up. Flavors of soap, toast, and floral notes mingle with a light woodiness. This is a lovely IPA that is perfect as the warm weather battles the cold.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Schlafly American IPA (AIPA)
I had this beer out of bottles twice, and was severely disappointed in this years release. Considering this is consistently my favorite Single IPA, that is surely troubling. I figured the tap would have more to offer...It didn't. The nose smells heavily of armpit and onions, completely overpowering the sweeter aromas of mango and pineapple. None of the trademark black and green tea aroma remains. The taste has thick amounts of lemon zest and onions, with lighter flavors of pineapple and green tea. The finish has more of that onion flavor with heavy amounts of burnt toast, oats, and light hints of lemon zest. This was easily the worst release either Tyler or I have ever had of AIPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.5/10
Sixpoint Resin Imperial IPA
We move on to the first of the Double IPA's from Sixpoint. The Resin boasts a 9.1% ABV and it sure packs a wallop. The nose has soft aromas of honey, sweet lemon, rose petals, and powdered sugar. The smooth nose doesn't warn you for the snap of hop flavor. The taste is more up front, with flavors of lemon pith, orange juice, mango, and honey. The complex hop flavors die a little in the finish. Bitterness combines with flavors of star anise, wintergreen, and rose petals with a hint of grapefruit. This is another fantastic IPA from Sixpoint. They sure know how to do hops.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Six Point Hi-Res Imperial IPA
Just when you thought the IPA's couldn't get any bigger, this 11.1% ABV monster from Sixpoint gets tapped. This one even makes HopSlam seem lighter. The nose is complex with tons of aroma to it. Strong hints of onions, pine, garlic, mango, and pineapple combine with lighter aromas of watermelon and black pepper to make a truly incredible nose. The taste is immediately sweet with flavors of pineapple, mango, sweet onion, black pepper, and pine resin. This burst of hops doesn't end there either. The finish has hints of apple juice, perfume, and grass. It remains somewhat sweet, though a bitter twang is present. This will probably be the class of the night.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
Sixpoint Bengali Tiger IPA
We haven't welcomed this single IPA to our wall since Sixpoint first arrived on our shelves. After tasting it, I can say it has been too long. I was worried about the age on this beer at first, but it has done little to hurt this IPA. The nose is subtle with hints of lavender, linen, soap, and orange pulp. It makes for a tantalizing entry into this beer. The taste is bitter and crisp with flavors of lemon pith, grapefruit, and clover. The sharp hop flavors start to tone down in the finish, though the bitterness ramps up. Flavors of soap, toast, and floral notes mingle with a light woodiness. This is a lovely IPA that is perfect as the warm weather battles the cold.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Schlafly American IPA (AIPA)
I had this beer out of bottles twice, and was severely disappointed in this years release. Considering this is consistently my favorite Single IPA, that is surely troubling. I figured the tap would have more to offer...It didn't. The nose smells heavily of armpit and onions, completely overpowering the sweeter aromas of mango and pineapple. None of the trademark black and green tea aroma remains. The taste has thick amounts of lemon zest and onions, with lighter flavors of pineapple and green tea. The finish has more of that onion flavor with heavy amounts of burnt toast, oats, and light hints of lemon zest. This was easily the worst release either Tyler or I have ever had of AIPA.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 6.5/10
Sixpoint Resin Imperial IPA
We move on to the first of the Double IPA's from Sixpoint. The Resin boasts a 9.1% ABV and it sure packs a wallop. The nose has soft aromas of honey, sweet lemon, rose petals, and powdered sugar. The smooth nose doesn't warn you for the snap of hop flavor. The taste is more up front, with flavors of lemon pith, orange juice, mango, and honey. The complex hop flavors die a little in the finish. Bitterness combines with flavors of star anise, wintergreen, and rose petals with a hint of grapefruit. This is another fantastic IPA from Sixpoint. They sure know how to do hops.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.75/10
Six Point Hi-Res Imperial IPA
Just when you thought the IPA's couldn't get any bigger, this 11.1% ABV monster from Sixpoint gets tapped. This one even makes HopSlam seem lighter. The nose is complex with tons of aroma to it. Strong hints of onions, pine, garlic, mango, and pineapple combine with lighter aromas of watermelon and black pepper to make a truly incredible nose. The taste is immediately sweet with flavors of pineapple, mango, sweet onion, black pepper, and pine resin. This burst of hops doesn't end there either. The finish has hints of apple juice, perfume, and grass. It remains somewhat sweet, though a bitter twang is present. This will probably be the class of the night.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
New Beer Releases
We have had quite the number of new arrivals this week. IPA's and hops galore are rushing onto our shelves as Winter nears its inevitable end. Let's explore what we have this week:
That is quite the lineup. There is a little something for everyone before the hop craze completely takes us. I will also take this opportunity to let everyone know that we are sold out of Bell's HopSlam and don't expect to get anymore this year. Hopefully everyone got to enjoy this fantastic Imperial IPA.
- Samuel Adams Rebel IPA
- Samuel Adams Excape Route Kölsch
- Anderson Valley Spring Hornin' IPA
- Rogue 7 Hop IPA
- Rogue 25th Anniversary Intergrity Golden Ale
- Evil Twin Ashtray Heart Smoked
- Evil Twin Freudian Slip Hoppy Barleywine
- Lucky Buddha Lager
- Heavy Seas Black IPA
- Against The Grain Bo&Luke Imperial Stout
- Against The Grain Rico Sauvin'
- Mikkeller Mosaic Double IPA
- Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout (Now in 6 Packs)
That is quite the lineup. There is a little something for everyone before the hop craze completely takes us. I will also take this opportunity to let everyone know that we are sold out of Bell's HopSlam and don't expect to get anymore this year. Hopefully everyone got to enjoy this fantastic Imperial IPA.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Bell's Brewery Pint Night
Hello everyone! Tomorrow's Pint Night should be one for the books, for we will be featuring Bell's Brewery, in particular the infamous Hopslam. Behold:
Here we have a well-diversified sampling of Bell's brews that should definitely improve a dreary, bone-chillingly cold week. It's time to top things off right, come in tomorrow for our Pint Night!
- Bell's La Batteur Bière de Garde
- Bell's Smitten Golden Rye Ale
- Bell's Chery Stout
- Bell's Hopslam Imperial IPA
Here we have a well-diversified sampling of Bell's brews that should definitely improve a dreary, bone-chillingly cold week. It's time to top things off right, come in tomorrow for our Pint Night!
Weekly Reviews
Bell's Le Batteur Bière de Garde
I am sure that this is the first Bière de Garde for many of you. To me, it tastes like a cross between a Belgian Golden Ale and a Hopped Lager. But that would just be my best attempt to describe it using other styles. It truly is unique. The nose is slightly sweet with hints of banana, apples, and cinnamon. As the nose progresses, softer aromas of honey and bread shine arise. The taste is bittersweet with flavors of lemon cookies, orange zest, mineral water, and chalk. The finish has slightly sour notes to it with flavors of bread, corn flakes, and lighter hints of apples.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.25/10
Bell's Smitten Golden Rye Ale
Last year was the first year for this beer, and it did decently. Combining the flavors of a Golden Ale and the deep, bitter flavors of Rye seemed like an impossible task. This year, they seemed to have done a better job of perfecting that combination. The nose has lovely flavors of pine, orange peel, lemon zest, and hay. It is more reminiscent of an IPA than a Golden with its aroma. The taste smacks you with bitter rye at first, then brings about flavors of lemon juice, winter snow, and rosemary. The finish starts with light flavors of sage before the bitterness ramps up, then displays hints of soap and burnt toast. This is the perfect dethawing beer as Spring tries to fight off Winter.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Bell's Cherry Stout
This will be another first to our wall, and what a worthy addition it is. The nose is subtle with hints of milk chocolate, fudge brownies, dry cherries, and rich espresso. The nose doesn't warn you of the shock that the first taste will give you. Tart cherries immediately overwhelm your taste buds to the point of shock and surprise. After that initial surprise (and another sip), wood, bittersweet chocolate, and light hints of smoke shine forth. The finish lightens the flavor of cherries up and brings out barrel-aged fudge brownies with only hints of cherry juice. For you sweet stout lovers looking for your next fix between Southern Tiers, this is your beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Bell's HopSlam Imperial IPA
I wouldn't be surprised if some of you skimmed ahead in the reviews to see how we rated this years edition of HopSlam. Last years edition was the first one to receive less than a 9.5/10, ending up with an 8.75. This years edition is noticeably better, but didn't reach that 9.5. The nose is quite herbal with thick aromas of pine, citrus, and Tropicana Fruit Punch. Definitely a strong burst of hops up front. The taste is quite the mishmash, with flavors of banana, orange juice, mango, peaches, coconut, and tamarind. The finish doesn't die too much and provides strong flavors of pine, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and apricot syrup. However, without that bitterness from the honey, the alcohol can be detected in the taste which takes away from some of the great flavors.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
I am sure that this is the first Bière de Garde for many of you. To me, it tastes like a cross between a Belgian Golden Ale and a Hopped Lager. But that would just be my best attempt to describe it using other styles. It truly is unique. The nose is slightly sweet with hints of banana, apples, and cinnamon. As the nose progresses, softer aromas of honey and bread shine arise. The taste is bittersweet with flavors of lemon cookies, orange zest, mineral water, and chalk. The finish has slightly sour notes to it with flavors of bread, corn flakes, and lighter hints of apples.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 7.25/10
Bell's Smitten Golden Rye Ale
Last year was the first year for this beer, and it did decently. Combining the flavors of a Golden Ale and the deep, bitter flavors of Rye seemed like an impossible task. This year, they seemed to have done a better job of perfecting that combination. The nose has lovely flavors of pine, orange peel, lemon zest, and hay. It is more reminiscent of an IPA than a Golden with its aroma. The taste smacks you with bitter rye at first, then brings about flavors of lemon juice, winter snow, and rosemary. The finish starts with light flavors of sage before the bitterness ramps up, then displays hints of soap and burnt toast. This is the perfect dethawing beer as Spring tries to fight off Winter.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.5/10
Bell's Cherry Stout
This will be another first to our wall, and what a worthy addition it is. The nose is subtle with hints of milk chocolate, fudge brownies, dry cherries, and rich espresso. The nose doesn't warn you of the shock that the first taste will give you. Tart cherries immediately overwhelm your taste buds to the point of shock and surprise. After that initial surprise (and another sip), wood, bittersweet chocolate, and light hints of smoke shine forth. The finish lightens the flavor of cherries up and brings out barrel-aged fudge brownies with only hints of cherry juice. For you sweet stout lovers looking for your next fix between Southern Tiers, this is your beer.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 8.25/10
Bell's HopSlam Imperial IPA
I wouldn't be surprised if some of you skimmed ahead in the reviews to see how we rated this years edition of HopSlam. Last years edition was the first one to receive less than a 9.5/10, ending up with an 8.75. This years edition is noticeably better, but didn't reach that 9.5. The nose is quite herbal with thick aromas of pine, citrus, and Tropicana Fruit Punch. Definitely a strong burst of hops up front. The taste is quite the mishmash, with flavors of banana, orange juice, mango, peaches, coconut, and tamarind. The finish doesn't die too much and provides strong flavors of pine, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and apricot syrup. However, without that bitterness from the honey, the alcohol can be detected in the taste which takes away from some of the great flavors.
Mike and Tyler's Rating - 9.25/10
New Beer Releases
The reason beer is always so popular is that there is always something new out. So another week arrives, and more new beer comes with it. Here is this weeks list of new arrivals:
I am also proud to announce that we have dropped the price of our Guinness Heritage 8 Packs from $14.49 to $9.99 in honor of St. Patrick's Day which is rapidly approaching. This pack has a little something for everyone and includes 14.9 oz. cans of Guinness Draught, Guinness Black Lager, Smithwicks Irish Ale, and Smithwicks Pale Ale. Take advantage of this deal while it lasts!
- Schlafly American IPA 6 packs
- Samuel Adams Rebel IPA 6 packs
- Sixpoint High-Res Imperial IPA 4 packs
- Angry Orchard Green Apple 6 packs
- Avery New World Porter 6 packs
I am also proud to announce that we have dropped the price of our Guinness Heritage 8 Packs from $14.49 to $9.99 in honor of St. Patrick's Day which is rapidly approaching. This pack has a little something for everyone and includes 14.9 oz. cans of Guinness Draught, Guinness Black Lager, Smithwicks Irish Ale, and Smithwicks Pale Ale. Take advantage of this deal while it lasts!
Monday, February 3, 2014
RateBeer's Top 100 Beers for 2013
You heard it here first folks! Here are RateBeer's Top 100 Craft Brews for 2013! Doubtlessly there are some classic favorites, some upsets, and some controversies on this list. The astute growler wall visitor will note that plenty of these beers have graced our wall this year, thanks to Mike's extensive expertise. All the more reason to trust our tapped beer selection over nearly anyone's in the city/state/country/universe.
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