Sierra Nevada Porter Review

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

5.6% abv

12oz bottle

Appearance: dark brown body with a bubbly almost two finger tan head

Aroma: mellow dark roasted grains with a hint of baker’s chocolate

Flavors: pretty much like the nose; roasted malts swirl on the palate to remind me of a medium roast coffee; a nice touch of baker’s chocolate on the back and finish

Mouthfeel: moderate-low carbonation; moderate roasted notes; medium medium-full body; fairly simple which is how I like my women I mean my Porters; straight forward roasted malts bringing that coffee and some type of chocolate – I am happy then – a classic porter. 

To the Point: easy drinking Porter; enjoyable on this cold November night; I’ll have to buy a couple of six packs to add to the beer fridge; I have been looking for some Porters over the last month and it is getting hard to find one; I prefer Fuller’s London Porter

Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout Review

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

6.2% abv

12oz bottle

$15.00 for a 12 pack sampler

Appearance: pitch black body with a small (1/4 inch if that) light tan head; spot here and there for lacing

Aroma: mild-moderate toasted grains; not much else after that

Flavors: coffee comes through in the taste front and center; dark roasted grains; roasted chestnut and black walnut; 90% dark chocolate like bitterness on the back;

Mouthfeel: low carbonation; dark toasted flavors coat the palate; dark chocolate bitterness; medium-full body for a stout; not syrupy; lingering roasted notes and bitterness on the aftertaste

To the Point: if you like dark roasted flavors this is it; to me it almost comes across like a big time Nut Brown in its flavors and mouthfeel; the nose was disappointing; the flavors did not disappoint;  

Sierra Nevada Snowpack Seasonal Sampler

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

12 pack sampler of 12 oz bottles:

Coffee Stout

Boomerang IPA

Porter

Pale Ale

I’ll link them as they get posted over the next two weeks

Smoking Wood Rye Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Thebruery.com

Placentia, California, USA

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$19.99 a bottle

14% abv

unfiltered

2014 Edition

Smoked imperial rye porter aged in bourbon barrels

Back around September 20^th my Dad sold his house in one day without telling me that he was going to do so.  My sister took him to see an independent living place for him and Mom. The next day he called a Real Estate company and sold his condo the next day for $25,000 more than his asking price.  Needless to say, I was not happy.  He was not signed up at the independent living place yet.  Well, long story short I have not had a chance to do a beer review in the last two months because I had get everything out of his house within a month.

I sure am glad to finally post here on my beer blog.  I bought a bottle of this Smoking Wood Rye Porter during that time and I liked it so much I went back and bought four more bottles.  Oh yeah, my Mom and Dad did get into their new independent living place and are doing as best as you can.

Appearance: black body with a brown rim with a thin dark tan head if you get that you’ll be lucky; not much on the lacing the glass is clean after each sip

Aroma: wow, smoky molasses, the nose is intoxicating, if you like smoked ales you need to smell this baby , molasses, roasted vanilla, hint of oak, roasted grains, and did I say it was very smoky.

Flavors: the taste does not disappoint; smoky notes abound, roasted vanilla, molasses, espresso, dark chocolate bitterness, black licorice, light rye spice, pleasing oak,   

Mouthfeel: semi-thick, rich, clings to the palate, no carbonation, lingering roasted notes, long aftertaste, quality oak wood flavoring from the barrel aging,  

To the Point: this is one great smoked porter, this is a must buy for anyone who loves smoked barrel aged ales, if they have anymore I am buying another four bottles  

New Holland Beerhive Tripel Review

New Holland Brewing

Holland, Michigan, USA

Newhollandbrew.com

The High Gravity Series

Ale Brewed with Honey & Ginger

8.47% abv

19 Plato

Vintage 2013

$8.99 1pt 6oz bottle

I have never had this before so, I won’t be able to see how it has aged. 

Appearance: dark golden honey body with a thin off white head that did … nothing;

Aroma: smell like Canada Dry Ginger Ale with a honey backbone;

Flavors: fairly firm ginger spice followed by a somewhat earthy honey note;

Mouthfeel: sweet all around; good ginger spice; mild carbonation; medium body; dirty earthy honey

To the Point: I don’t know if it’s due to its age but, the dirty earthy tone is not hitting me right; I think this honey & ginger idea might work more for a soda than an ale; I don’t think I can finish this bottle the sweetness is getting to me and I have only had about a quarter of this bottle.

Round Barn Oronoko Cocoa Stout Review

Round Barn Brewery

Roundbarnbrewery.com

Baroda, Michigan, USA

5.8% abv

$9.99 a six pack

Appearance: black body with a big 2+ finger tan head that leaves some spotty lacing

Flavors: Coffee bean; semi-sweet chocolate; roasted barley; lactose present

Mouthfeel: strong carbonation; medium body for a stout; some roasted notes;

To the Point: too much carbonation for a stout; comes across like a black lager or Irish Stout; the carbonation overpowers the flavors; I can pass on this one

Belgian Dark Ale 2014 Review

Hof ten Dormaal
Tildonk, Belgium

12% abv

$25.00 a bottle

75cl bottle

Hof Ten Dormaal Barrel-Aged Project

Aged in Grappa Barrels

Limited Edition 988 Bottles

Appearance: dark caramel brown body with a two finger light tan head that has some staying power

Aroma: fruit bread; grappa wine like nose

Flavors: grappa wine like flavors shine through; lightly toasted caramel bread;

Mouthfeel: soft; super fine fizzy feel; malty; light-medium body; earthy, bready, caramel notes linger on the palate; dry feel

To the Point: I have never had Grappa wine before but, it sure seems to have transferred to the ale in the aging process; while I am a wine lover – I just don’t think I am a fan of wine barrel aged ales; the few I have had all I can say is that they are okay; I am not paying 25 bucks for okay