Special Double Cream Stout

Bell's

Special Double Cream Stout

(Specs) 6.1 ABV

Colour: Black

Aroma: roasted malt, chocolate

Head: light brown, small amount

Initial Taste: sweet chocolate notes

Mouthfeel: velvity and bitter, coffee notes medium-heavy body

Aftertaste: intense coffee sourness, but not unpleasant

Note: As the beer sits in the air / warms up, its flavours really develop

Verdict: This beer is a keeper, you really get a huge amount of chocolate and coffee wrapped within a velvety cushion without the crushing heaviness that usually accompanies it.

Yes, the beer is hard to find. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, you should buy it.

You'll thank me.

Boatswain Double IPA

(Trader Joe's) Boatswain

Double IPA

(Specs) 7.5 IBU, 8.4 ABV, 17.15 OG

Colour: dark amber

Aroma: hops, slight malty sweetness

Head: white

Initial Taste: slightly hoppy

Mouthfeel: sweet malt, nice hoppy flavour develops

Aftertaste: slight sweet, fermented aftertaste

Dead Reckoning Porter

Tröegs

Dead Reckoning Porter

(Specs) 4.2 ABV

Colour: Dark Brown

Aroma: dark roasted grains

Head: small, off-white bubbles, small amount

Initial Taste: sweet roasted notes

Mouthfeel: smooth

Aftertaste: hoppy, slightly bitter

Nighty Night

Buckeye Brewing

Nighty Night

Colour:

Aroma: hoppy, slightly roasted/sweet (fruity)

Head: light brown, small bubbles, small quantity

Initial Taste: sweet, fruity

Mouthfeel: smooth, medium body, (fruity sweetness develops)

Aftertaste: slightly sour/sweet aftertaste

Maple Bacon Ale

Rogue / Voodoo Donut

Maple Bacon Ale

(Specs) 6.1 ABV

Colour: 

Aroma: Slightly hoppy, very maple-y, very bacon-y

Head: 

Initial Taste: intense maple and bacon flavours,

Mouthfeel: very rich, medium body, a hoppiness develops

Aftertaste: slightly sweet, maple-y aftertaste

Verdict: I don't know how they did it, but it literally tastes like Maple Bacon Donut, combined with beer. Though the flavours are bold, I don't find it tastes like chemicals or artificial flavouring, just the real deal. Your opinion of this beer will depend entirely on your opinion of Maple, Bacon, and their combination--if you don't like either, you won't like it; if you do, then you won't be able to get enough.

That said, as with many super small-batch beers, I highly recommend checking this beer out if you have the chance. It is an experience to have and to share. Especially since you probably won't be able to finish a bottle yourself, I suggest getting a couple of friends and splitting it after dinner or something. Maybe with some donuts.

Bad Elf Winter's Ale

Ridgeway Brewing Company

Bad Elf Winter's Ale

(Specs) 6.0 ABV

Colour: golden-orange colour

Aroma: slightly roasted, carmelised malt

Head: white, medium-sized head

Initial Taste: carmelised malt, slightly sweet

Mouthfeel: fairy smooth, medium body

Aftertaste: bitter, slightly astringent

Gossamer Golden Ale

Half Acre Beer Company

Gossamer Golden Ale

(Specs) 4.2 ABV

Colour: light gold, with a hint of orange

Aroma: spicy, hoppy

Head: white, small amount

Initial Taste: spicy

Mouthfeel: medium body

Aftertaste: slightly bitter

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

Ridgeway Brewing Company

Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout

(Specs) 8.0 ABV

Colour: dark dark brown

Aroma: roasted hops

Head: light tan

Initial Taste: bitter, rich, slightly hoppy

Mouthfeel: medium body

Aftertaste: bitter, spicy aftertaste

Note: as the beer sat, the sharper flavours mellowed noticeably

Dortmunder Gold

Great Lakes Brewery
Dortmunder Gold

One of the great things about living in the Midwest, and specifically Ohio is the craft beer scene and at the top of that list is Great Lakes Brewery. That is not to say that everything they make is the bee's knees but they generally keep to a high standard. The other great thing is that they are everwhere, even a shitty dive with only corporate "Lite" beers, will often have a tap, which makes trying to get a decent beer, no matter where you are, a much easier task.



Colour: Golden
Head: White, almost creamy head

Inital Taste: Slightly hoppy
Mouthfeel: Incredibly smooth, medium body
Aftertaste: Slight spice aftertaste

Verdict: This is one of my favourite beers from Great Lakes. It isn't knock your socks off amazing, but I find that whenever I want a beer, this usually kits the spot, no matter the occasion. If you see if on draft or bottled and you haven't had, I highly recommend checking it out.

Chocolate Stout

Rogue Brewery
Chocolate Stout

After eyeing this beer for a few months, as I often do with most issues by Rogue, I finally broke down and bought it.

(Specs) ABV 9.6%


Colour: Black
Aroma: Roasted hops, oak

Head: Light brown, slight head

Inital Taste: Slightly sweet of taste of hops, hint of bitter chocolate and coffee
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied beer
Aftertaste: Slightly sour

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

As I have mentioned before (Double Bastard) I am a big fan of Stone Brewing Co. Arrogant Bastard line of ales. Their packing and marketing is fantastic, and I had never been disappointed with the witticisms on their bottles. I also really liked the original Arrogant Bastard Ale and so I feel obliged to try all of it's various iterations.

This is why I ended up in the position I am right now, drinking the Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, even though I am congested and have a flight that leaves in like 4 hours. I picked this up a few days ago at the awesome DnQ Mini Markt (check out my post here) but unfortunately have not had occasion to drink it yet and since I will be leaving this location for at least 6 months, I felt I would do a disservice to myself, if I didn't try it before I went.

Anyway, as it is, I am not sure how helpful this review will be—I don't particularly like it (a bit too aromatic for me) but I also have a sleep-deprivation head ache, and am super congested, so I dunno, but here is my best shot.

ABV: 7.2%

SERVE: 330ml bottle poured into a Nonic Pint Glass

COLOUR: Medium Brown, red-amber tint

AROMA: slight oak, hoppy

HEAD: Small rise, light beige

TASTE:

(initial) hoppy

(mouthfeel) spicy, bitter, nice body

(after) intense wood finish

VERDICT: get back to later, when I am in a better state to taste and think clearly.

Places to Drink

Over the past year, during my endless quest for craft brews, I came across a few great places either to drink or to buy beer which I though I'd share, in case anyone was feeling especially parched.

Places to DRINK

Beer Revolution, Calgary, CA

This is a brand new bar in Calgary attached to Brewster's (Microbrewery/Restaurant). Much like Brewsters (which actually split in half to birth Beer Revolution), it sells it's own brew, but it is also much more focused on selling a wide range of craft beers (almost all on tap). They have TV screens showing everything available and the selection changes every day. I wouldn't even be surprised if on a busy night, it changed every few hours!

Grizzly Paw, Canmore CA

This is a nice little brew pub conveniently located along the drive from Calgary to Banff, Radium, and (everything else located west of Calgary). The serve only their own beers on tap, but with between 9 and 13 at any time, you are spoiled for choices Additionally, the serve a wide range of palletes in beer drinkers, so even if you are pretty particular, they can probably sort you out.

The Flying Saucer, Houston, TX

Quite possibly the best thing about Houston, TX. With over 200 beers and a literal wall of taps, this place is a craft brew enthusiasts mecca in the South (they also have 14 other locations in six states so I'd check your area if you're interested.

Delerium Cafe, Brussels, BE

The place with the largest selection of commerically available beers IN THE WORLD (over 2000 at any time). Need I say more?

Places to BUY

-- DnQ Mini Mart, Houston, TX

806 Richmond

Houston, Texas, 77006

United States

phone: (713) 526-4451

No website and frankly it looks like a crappy convenience store from the outside, but walk in and you'll see one of Houston's real gems. A huge selection of brews for the size of the store (especially given stupid texas craft brew importing laws) and at decent prices too. Also, the best selection of beer glassware for sale I've ever seen in one place.

The New Beer Distributor's, New York, NY

167 Chrystie Street

New York NY . 10002

phone: 212-473-8757

Hands down my place to buy craft brews in New York City. A phenomenal selection of domestic and international beers, with quantity discounted cases and kegs available for parties. A bit difficult to find initially, but as soon as you go once, you won't be able to stay away!

Blaecorn Unidragon

So I believe the name for this one requires a bit of explanation, so I will transplant it directly from the bottle for you.

"What should we all our Russian Imperial Stout? Black Unicorn? Soul Dragon? Nahhhh Let's combine them and create the ultimate mythical creature: Blaecorn Unidragon!"

So their you have it, the Blaecorn Unidragon Russian Imperial Stout by Clown Shoes beer. This is a brewery I can honestly said that I have never heard of, but a quick perusal of their site shows that their humorous naming schema continues through the rest of their brews.

Year: 2011

ABV: 12.5%

From: Form a 750ml bottle, and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: creamy, brown head, medium size

COLOUR: black, with a dark brown tint, opaque

SMELL: roasted hoppy smell

TASTE:

(initial) slight oak-ey character, roasted hops

(body) medium body

(aftertaste) slightly hoppy aftertaste

Bourbon Barrel Stout

At my university, there is one bar on campus. Even though, the can only sell beer, they have a pretty awesome selection (about 30-40 different bottles) and that is where this week's selection comes from.

It is a Bourbon Barrel Stout from the Clay Street Series by Bluegrass Brewery Company. Try as I might though, I cannot find anything about this beer on the internet, besides the fact it was aged in a barrel formerly used in the bourbon manufacturing process—something immediately evident upon opening the bottle.

Year: 2010

ABV: 8.6%

From: 12oz bottle (chilled), and poured into plastic cup

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: brown chocolately colour (very big foam) *pour very slowly it still foams

COLOUR: very dark brown, almost black

SMELL: very roasted, charred wood

TASTE:

(initial) roasted taste, leads into a hoppiness

(body) medium body, hints of coffee, charred taste of the barrel

(aftertaste) very hoppy, hint of bourbon, slightly sour

Real Ale Brewhouse Brown Ale

I noticed beer in the fridge a parent's house when I went to visit after returning from my time abroad in the City (see NYC). The bottles (see here) have a very simple unpretentious, hand drawn pictures on their label, which I think is  definitely reflective of the company and a beer a whole. The Brewhouse Brown isn't the most complex flavour trip you are going to go on, but I don't think it has to be.

verdict: check it out.

Year: 2011

ABV: 5.4%

From: half pint poured from bottle

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: khaki coloured foam – very slight, dissipated very quickly

COLOUR: chocolate brown

SMELL: deep roasted, burnt hops, slightly nutty

TASTE:

(initial) roasted hoppy taste, dry with hints of coffee

(body) medium body

(aftertaste) slightly acidic

Brooklyn Brown Ale

Over the summer, while living in one of (if not my favourite cities: New York) I had to take a trip down to my favourite brewery, the eponymous* Brooklyn Brewery, in Williamsburg. While there I had went on their free tour, which while not really taking you through the brewery is still pretty awesome and I definitely recommend it. The history of the brewery is incredibly fascinating but that is for another post, and another time.

The reason why I bring all this up though, is because while I was there I took it upon myself to sample one their beers (even though it was just after 10:00am). Though they had a huge variety of taps available, including limited release brews only ever sold in the brewery itself such as the brewmaster's reserves, but I decided to go with the relatively conventional Brown Ale. Not much else to say actually, like all of their beers that I've sampled, it's a great brew, and if your a fan of more medium bodied beers, I definitely check it out.

*just go with me, yeah?

Year: 2011

ABV: 5.6%

From: On Draft, and poured into plastic cup

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very small, light tan bubbles, creamy

COLOUR: warm medium brown, translucent

SMELL: light hoppy taste, hints of fruitness

TASTE:

(initial) hoppy, slightly fruity

(body) medium body

(aftertaste) sweet taste

Pumpkin Ale

I picked up this beer in the late summer at my friend Hammer's 21st birthday party. I had ever had a pumpkin beer before but had seen them around during the fall so I thought I'd give it a try.

The Pumpkin Ale is from Saranac Breweries, in upstate NY, a brewery I unfortunately do not know that much about but like most craft brewers, that seem pretty awesome. A quick glance over their website and I noticed that sponsor a ton of different events every year and even have a blog. Reppin' the web!

Year: 2011

ABV: 5.4%

From: 12oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very thick white foam, small bubbles

COLOUR: matte brown (close to a dark amber)

SMELL: slight hint of roasted hops

TASTE:

(initial) slightly hoppy

(body) lighter bodied beer

(aftertaste) slight taste of cloves

Highway 78: Scotch Ale

Highway 78 Scotch Ale is a very interesting beer. I picked it up partially because I like the minimalist aesthetic of the bottle and partially because I was bullied into in by this overly knowledgeable east European man in the Beer Stone (not liquor store; it only sells beer).

Turns out though, that this is also an incredibly special beer. It is a collaboration between Stone Brewing Company (who made this), as well as Pizza Port Carlsbad, and Green Flash Brewing Company, two other California brewers. There is tons more information on the site linked above and so I suggest checking it out, but I just think that it is pretty awesome in a world of specialization and (in many ways) isolation; some brewers would get together and produce these one off beers just in the name of the craft. My hats off to them.

Year: 2010

ABV: 8.8%

From: 12oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: light tan, didn't really rise, dissipated very quickly

COLOUR: deep caramel colour with a red tint

SMELL: dark, roasted smell (with hints of dark chocolate) but still hoppy

TASTE:

(initial) dark, rich flavour of roasted hops.

(body) full body, and the hops really grows blossoms but never is overpowering

(aftertaste) very little besides the initial flavour, which lingers

Double Bastard Ale

Double Bastard Ale is a from the line of "Bastard Ales" from Stone Brewing Company out of San Diego, CA. Regardless of how their beers taste (they could be absolute shite–they're not–but they could be) and I would still recommend purchasing a bottle or too because the bottles are hilarious to read. The first one I picked up (during last summer) was the Arrogant Bastard Ale and I couldn't stop showing people the bottle because it was too funny.

Unfortunately Though I remember quite enjoying the Arrogant Bastard Ale, The Double Bastard wasn't one of my favourites, so I probably wouldn't drink it again (too aromatic)—but I would definitely give it as a gift to a friend.

Year: 2010

ABV: 11.2%

From: 22oz bottle (chilled), and poured

DRINKING NOTES:

FOAM: very light tan colour almost creamy

COLOUR: deep red (like red oak) opaque, but you can still see the glint of light from the bottom of the glass

SMELL: slightly sweet scent of hops with a slight floral bouquet

TASTE:

(initial) floral notes mixed with the bitterness of the hops plant and a hints of chocolate

(body) it has a full body and the flavour really blossoms in the mouth

(aftertaste) the floral notes linger mixed with slight acidic bitterness that grows over time

White Ale

Samuel Adams Winter Lager

DRINKING NOTES:

COLOUR: reddish brown

HEAD: cream coloured (very small head, dissipated almost immediately)

SMELL: light oaky smell

TASTE:

crisp hoppy taste, quite smooth

nice body, not to light, not to heavy

aftertaste: slightly bitter