Epic Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout

I grew up in west Texas, a place where there certainly seemed to be a lot of Baptists, some them big and bad even, but i can assure you that none of them were as delicious as Epic Brewing's Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout.  The bourbon barrel-aged brew pours thick and black with a minimal tan head, but some nice lacing.  Aromas and flavors of cocoa, coffee, toffee, malt, and bourbon abound, and at 11.9% ABV, it is not to be trifled with.  This beer is a definite day-ender, meant to be sipped and enjoyed while winding it all down for the night.  Yum.

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Ghost Eye Oatmeal Stout

A couple of years ago, the folks over at Real Ale brewed a collaborative beer with the guys from the Austin metal band The Sword.  It was tasty.  And now it looks like they're at it again, this time around with an oatmeal stout.  The Ghost Eye Oatmeal Stout derives its name from a track on the band's latest album, "High Country."  The beer pours a dark blackish brown with a minimal head, and is light bodied than what you might expect.  Aromas of grain and chocolate with hints of coffee are present, and the flavor is similar and very smooth.  This is an easy drinker for sure, with a 6.5% ABV content, and probably pairs well with almost anything you can throw at it.  Listen to the song the beer is named for below.

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Community Barrel-Aged Legion

It's been a busy 10 days.  I became a dad again, and combined with all the day to day bull one has to take care of and the joy and struggle (mostly joy) of raising a toddler, i haven't had a lot of time to drink any beer.  So, when i get to sneak one in, i've got to make it count.  And at 11.6% ABV, the Barrel-Aged Legion from Community Beer Co. certainly does just that.  A dark and tasty Russian Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels, the beer pours black with a brownish tan head, and smells of roasty malts and notes of coffee, cocoa, and vanilla.  Those aspects are also present in the taste, mixing deliciously with hints of dark fruit and bourbon.  This is a complex brew, a wonderful slow sipper that's smooth and finishes with just the right amount of bitterness.  Well done.

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Smuttynose Scotch Ale

There are a lot of evenings where i wind down with a tasty scotch ale, and why wouldn't i?  Malty, slightly sweet, slightly smoky, and generally higher on the alcohol end, it's a great way to end a long day.  The Scotch Ale from Smuttynose Brewing out of Hampton, New Hampshire is as smooth as they come.  Pouring a dark, reddish brown with little head, the brew smells of malt and hints of cocoa.  The flavor is not overly sweet, a smooth and lightly smoky ale with light notes of chocolate and alcohol (8.2% ABV) that's really easy to drink.  Well done.

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