Off Label Nightmare on 1st Street Imperial Pumpkin Ale

There are a lot of beer snobs out there that turn their noses up at pumpkin ales.  I am not one of those beer snobs.  I love pumpkin ales...of all kind...of any kind.  And over the last few years, they have begun to sprout up in the fall like weeds, brewery after brewery creating their own pumpkin concoctions.  Magnificent.  No Label Brewing out of Katy, Texas just released one of my new favorites on their small batch, Off Label series, an imperial pumpkin ale called Nightmare on 1st Street.  The brew pours a dark amber and smells malts, molasses, spices, and...you guessed it...pumpkin.  Flavors of malt, cinnamon and clove, caramel, and...you guessed it again...pumpkin spices compliment each other swimmingly in this 9.27% ABV brew.  Get it while you can.  Yum.

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Strange Land Brewery Atholl Brose Scotch Ale

I'm in the process of moving, and let me tell you, it sucks a big one.  At least i've got beer to get me through the aches and pains i keep racking up.  Strange Land Brewery is one of the latest providers of liquid heaven to open its doors in the Austin area, and from what i've been able to try thus far, they know what they're doing.  The Atholl Brose Scotch Ale is a strong and tasty dark brew to put an end to an evening with.  Pouring a dark brown with off-white head, this 8.9% ABV beer smells oats, malt, and whiskey.  The oat and whiskey flavors are very present with hints of honey to liven things up.  I would love one of these after i finish packing some stuff up tonight.

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Real Ale Black Quad

Since i started writing this blog and drinking a slew of different beers every week, one of my all time favorites was the Brewer's Cut Black Quadruple from Real Ale, a one-off batch from about three years ago.  I have pined for its return ever since i drank my last one, sometime in April of 2013 at a baby shower before my son was born, and it has returned...this time in bomber form.  Now a regular rotation brew, this 10.5% ABV wonder pours a dark brown and smells of malts, molasses, dark fruits, and heaven.  The flavor is complex, spicy and fruity with just the right kind of dry finish.  Easily one of my favorite beers ever, i am beyond stoked to have it in my fridge again...only BIGGER.  Hooray!

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KCCO White Wheat

One of the lovely things that happens when you write about beer on the internet is that you will sometimes get messages from like-minded people on social media with recommendations and discoveries and such.  Recently, i was encouraged to try the KCCO Black Lager from Austin's Resignation Brewery...which for whatever reason or another, i have not gotten around to doing so yet, but i did get a chance to try their KCCO White Wheat, and it's a perfect summertime brew.  This 5% ABV beer pours a hazy gold and smells of wheat and honey.  The flavor is full of the same wheat and honey notes, but with some added citrus and orange.  And it's damn refreshing.

Eventually i will get around to that black lager.

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