Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Dude White Russian Stout

So long as craft brews and brewpubs remain in vogue, i will continue to be the happiest of campers.  One of Austin's locals, Pinthouse Pizza, recently put out a one-off batch of The Dude White Russian Stout.  What can i say?  It was creamy, chocolatey, hoppy, and strong as hell.  At over 10% ABV, this beer does not mess around.  But the aroma and flavor of chocolate and toffee, and the back end bite from the hops really round the whole thing out.  Here's hoping this makes it into regular rotation.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Rogness Belfort

Upstart Texas brewery Rogness has been going strong about two years now, and have started to release a series of reserve, one-off batches of beer.  The Belfort is a Belgian style strong ale, and it was a pretty tasty one to boot.  The beer pours a nice crimson amber with a moderate white head that dissipates quickly.  The brew smells of caramel, dark fruits, banana, and some hints of toffee.  Flavor wise, the beer keeps with the aspects of its aroma, with some added breadiness and a light vanilla.  It finishes nicely and would go great with a meat and cheese plate...and we're smack in the middle of prime meat and cheese plate season.

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

I think it's wonderful that you can tell the change in seasons by the different kinds of seasonal brews that start to hit the shelves.  Pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest brews signal the start of Autumn, while Christmas ales and beers brewed with pecans or other nuts or spices start making the rounds for Winter time.  Louisiana's Abita Brewing's Pecan Harvest Ale is a tasty treat for weather that's starting to get a bit nippy.  The beer pours a nice, brownish amber with an aroma of roasted nuts and malts.  The taste is sweet with hints of caramel throughout, recalling the candied pecan dishes that begin to make the rounds this time of year, but not too sweet.  Overall, a very well-rounded beer.  Cheers.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Renaissance Cowboy Scotch Ale

There's nothing like a good scotch ale to chase down your dinner with, relax after work with, or just end an evening.  And the good folks over at Texas Big Beer (out in Buna, Texas) have crafted a particularly sweet and tasty one for our enjoyment.  The Renaissance Cowboy is malty, malty, malty.  The smell and taste are akin to chocolate, toffee, and chocolate and toffee.  This is the only beer i've ever had that tastes like a box of Whoppers.  And i'm not complaining.  The sweet flavor makes this brew ridiculously easy to drink, but watch out for the 8.2% ABV, because it will sneak up on you.

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