Sunday, December 29, 2013

Southern Tier Choklat

Apparently, tis the season for chocolate beers in my house.  I've been on a kick lately.  One of the best that i've imbibed thus far is the Choklat Imperial Stout from New York's Southern Tier Brewing.  It's a monster.  The beer pours a dark black with a mocha head, giving off a dominant aroma of dark chocolate.  The taste is chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, but with some burnt malts, alcohol, and some back end tartness to round the whole thing out.  It's a perfect dessert beer...and it's 10% ABV.  Pair it with some cheese, mint candies, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale

The winter months increase my cravings for dark, strong beers tenfold.  Stouts, porters, and such make their daily rounds over my palette...and into my belly.  And scotch ales.  I love the scotch ales.  Maybe it's the hints of bourbon and alcohol flavors.  Maybe it's the sweetness and bite.  I don't know.  But they sure do win me over every year.  Founders Brewery out of Grand Rapids, Michigan has a tasty offering called the Dirty Bastard.  The beer is a dark and inviting mahogany with a light head, aromas of malts, dark fruits, some banana, and alcohol.  As far as flavor, there's some subtle spices mixed in with the mildly sweet fruits, alcohol, and hoppy back end.  Probably one of the better scotch ales i've had in a while.  Oh, and at 8.5% ABV, you know you've got a good night ahead of you.

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Nothing says winter and the holidays like some good stouts, and the Black Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery is pretty damn good.  This dark brew pours black with a thin head, but plenty of carbonation to give the beer a little kick.  The aroma is one of chocolate, coffee, toffee, nuts, dark fruits, and some subtle hints of alcohol (bourbon or scotch).  The taste is surprisingly crisp with bitter, dark chocolate overtones, and some slight, fruity sweetness on the back end.  Celebrate with this guy pre or post meal (it is 10% ABV after all), a fine winter's treat.

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale

I actually tried this guy a few weeks ago, and i'm just now getting around to writing about it.  Also i've been a little sick.  And i'm busy.  Who are you to judge?  Get off my back!  Whew!  Now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, on to the beer.  Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale from Shipyard Brewing out in Portland, Maine is a pretty serviceable pumpkin ale.  It's not too flashy, but it doesn't really need to be.  The brew pours a light amber and gives off an aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, and pumpkin.  As for taste, seasonal spices, a hint of bitterness, and some sweetness on the back end.  Overall, a decent beer for the fall.

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