Southern Tier 2xIPA

This is the best IPA that I've had in a long time. It beats 90 Minute from Dogfish Head, Stone Ruination, Bells Hopslam (waiting for the lightning and haters) , and even the Ohio brewed GLBC Lake Erie Monster.
 I picked up a sixer of this for around $10 at a local wine and beer shop off of 161 and Sunbury called Wine and Brew Emporium.  It's a double IPA so I was under the impression it might be a little more but I wasn't going to pay a Hopslam price. $18 for Hopslam, seriously Bells?
  It has a perfect blend of citrus hops and malt that finishes extremely clean. The 8.5 abv is diabolically hidden and leaves only a warmth that wrapped me in a cozy bed of hoppy goodness. This will be cloned! Until then it will be a staple in the kegerator and always recommended to anyone who favors the Pacific coast hop.
Seriously go get some before I clear the shelves!

Sinbrychoff - Baltic Porter

I picked this up at The World of Beer, in the brewery district, downtown Columbus. Porters* are among my favorite styles and I had never heard of this brand let alone it coming out of Finland.

It's a black ale with a very assertive dark chocolate and coffee aroma. Thick and creamy the taste is fairly sweet. It kind of reminded me of dark fruits like plums or raisons until it finished. As the last bit goes down the hints of coffee and roasted malts come out but too little too late. In my opinion it's a little too "fruity" and needed more of the roasted goodness I love in porters. The alcohol is hidden very well so be careful of the second round as it may sneak up on you.

I enjoyed it but wouldn't get it a second time. There are much better porters. Who might you ask? Smuttynose and Flying Dog are excellent choices.

* Porters are a dark ale that predates stouts and some would say that if it weren't for porters stouts wouldn't exist. A good example of a porter will have very little hop flavor or aroma, be very roasty, almost coffee-like, and very smooth going down. They'll go great with smoked foods like barbecue, prime rib and even chocolate cake.

Beer Review - Bells Java Stout (plus a Video!)

I hope this made you thirsty, it's one of many video's I'll be posting in the days to come. I have 3 cameras and a few extra minutes per day to put these together. This was the initial run of my 1st attempt using my Nexus 4g and FujiFilm S700. I also have a microcam I'm going to use soon too.

Now, did I like it? Definitely. It's going to be a staple in my kegerator. (Way to go Bells! :)) Smooth creamy espresso and light cream (wheat? oatmeal?) made this go down too easy. If you like dark, very bold coffee you will be in heaven with this. Hops are virtually impossible to detect since the espresso flavor is so on top. There are hints of cocoa from some black patent malt (just a guess) but that bold espresso knocks everything else out of the park. Don't misunderstand me, it remains a very balanced beer. I've had others that taste like someone dropped a shot of coffee in a glass of beer and tried pulling it off as a "java or coffee" beer but Bells Java Stout is nothing of the sort.

Another "freebie" given to me by Bill.....thanks for the brew!

Coming soon (tomorrow) The Christmas Ale tasting. Beers included:

Bells - Christmas Ale

Anchor - Christmas Ale 2011

Schlafly - Christmas Ale 2010

Hoppin' Frog - Frosted Frog Christmas Ale

Troeg's - Mad Elf

Avery Brewing - Old Jubilation

There will be more but the rest of the bums aren't getting back to me. I hope Ogi brings his home brewed Christmas Ale. Stay tuned!

Beer Review - Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Enjoying the glass of the month at the Winking Lizard on Hutchinson off 23. I can't believe they have it available, afterall its the 4th! /sarcasm intended
$4.75 for the pint and $6.95 for the glass. A bit expensive in my opinion but I liked the glass.
I've never had anything bad to say about Great Lakes brew and it'll stay the course in this review.
The color was a deep amber with a very nice head that didn't last very long. The aroma was filled with honey and Christmas spices, yes, it smelled like Christmas. Cinnamon, clove, caramel in the finish. Malty with a slight bite near the end but nothing to complain about, in fact I enjoyed it and it warmed my spirit. If I had to make a guess at the hop addition I would say some noble German hop like Hallertau or Saaz. This time of the season is my favorite for beers and this is among the top. It's very good and worth a try. If you can find it pick up a sixer and give it a shot. I'm still working on next years Christmas Ale because I've been busy over at the Graydentech blog working on inputting Microsoft's SCCM into my computer lab at home. I know I know, beer is helluva a lot more fun but it's not bringing in the Benjamin's (yet).
Stay tuned for the upcoming I'd Tap That Christmas Beer Tasting Extravaganza! I'm getting together a small group of beer snobs for a group tasting. Each of us will be tasked to pick up a six-pack, bomber, or growler of the Christmas Ale of their choice. We'll divide and conquer from there and try all of them. I'll post the results within 2 weeks so stay tuned!

Beer Review - Bells Cherry Stout

I was given three of these by a friend. He asked me to give my honest opinion since he wasn't a fan.
I like them. The aroma is baking chocolate, oak, and cherries. When served chilled right from the frig the cherry is very tart but it calms down as it warms. The longer I let it sit and warm the stronger the chocolate and oak comes through. It reminds me of chocolate cake drenched in boozey cherries.
Its a good desert beer and I could drink one occasionally.
Next up Bells Java Stout, and after that I plan on mixing the two.
Thanks Bill, without your kind donation I doubt I would've ever picked this up.

Beer Reviews - Guinness Black Lager

(normally picture goes here) - Sorry but it seems the Android didn't like the fantastic picture I took and deleted it.

Given to me by one of the OB (original brewers)  from I'd Tap That HomeBrewClub, I was finally able to sit down and crack this open.
Black patent malt is very obvious in the aroma and taste. Strong black coffee is very dominant. Hops don't make up a lot of the flavor (if I had to guess I'd say cascade or saaz) . If you're looking for a lager version of the famous Stout then its close but its very light and not as creamy.
All in all for a schwarzbier I've had better. I'd drink this again but I wouldn't spend money on it. Remember, I'm no pro try it yourself and you might like it!

Double Tap Undead Ale

This is the premier of my latest creation. The Double Tap Undead Ale is based on a Strong Ale with German and American hops.
I used a "fruitier " yeast for this and it turned out great! 9.1% and very smooth. Apples, pears, and a slight bit of honey combine to create a fantastic aroma as you drink. Nice fruity hops and malty backbone create an unforgettable beast of a beer.
Cheers!

Smoked Porter - Stone

First smoked porter and since it's from Stone I should be pleased. Poured thick, dark brown with a small beige head that dissipated quickly.

Smelled the smoke, some hops, and baking chocolate.

Coffee, heavy malt and a slight sensation of smoke followed by a decent hop bite.

Mouthfeel was slightly thin, but not disappointing. I would love to have this again sometime.

The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest - Avery Brewing

Spotted this at a local brew shop and for $6.99 and figured why not, it's Oktoberfest somewhere. Very interesting label, German WW1 flag with a picture of Kaiser Wilhelm on the front and an Iron Cross.

Slick, oily pour with a nice orange/sienna hue holding a two-fingered beige head. The smell of caramel, nuts, hops and some alcohol lingering in the nose. Bitter hops pleasently mixed exceptionally with sweet lingering malts, hiding the big 9.3 ABV. Don't get fooled by it's subtlty. Smooth and creamy with a velevety texture, it leaves a little of itself behind after every drink. Overall this is an exceptional brew from Avery and probably one of my favorites. Unfortunately this is limited so I'll have to grab another very soon.

Old Leghumper Robust Porter - Thirsty Dog Brewing

One more reason to drink local brews and another to thank The Winking Lizard. I can't wait to get up to Canton and try it off the tap.

Deep maroon with a slight ring of beige around the top leaving an oil slick behind.

Toffee dominates the first whiff of this selection. Chocolate and a slight very mild taste of alcohol (called "hot" by most reviewers).

Slick feel as I took the first sip which brought good malt, chocolate, and coffee flavors. A slight tinge of bitterness from small amounts of hop followed up to make this one of my top porters.