Devils Tale Review

Coronado Brewing & Devils Backbone Brewing

Coronado, California

Coronadobrewingcompany.com

India Pale Ale

7.5% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$8.99 a bottle

Appearance: tangerine colored body with a one finger bone white head that leaves some lacing

Aroma: citrus biscuit mix on the nose; just enough hops on top of a firm malty tone

Flavors: muddled tropical notes; moderate grapefruit; old pineapple; splash of orange meat; grassy on the back; earthy biscuit swirls around; sweet grapefruit on the mid and some bitter grapefruit on the back and aftertaste;

Mouthfeel: medium body IPA; decent carbonation – medium; tangy hops mix nicely with some sweet malts; moderate bitterness on the back and aftertaste – some grapefruit with a twist of pine;

To the Point: decent IPA; this would be good with a standard burger; 

Flight of the Angry Beast Review

Clown Shoes

Ipswich, Massachusetts

Clownshoesbeer.com

10.75% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$14.99 a bottle

Imperial stout and Barleywine ale aged in bourbon and scotch barrels

Appearance: black coffee body with just a rim shot of head; syrupy legs drip on the glass with each sip; a nice little ¼ inch dark tan head that dissipates to nothing in a split second when I poured my other glasses from this big bottle

Aroma: the barleywine nose is front and center with all the barrel aging notes intermingling; if you don’t like bourbon or scotch you won’t go for this aroma; if you do – like me – you will thoroughly enjoy the nose; you can play a guessing game with this aroma – “what do you detect?” – big rich dark malts dominate; slight smoky note; honey; vanilla;

Flavors: yes it is boozy; sweet notes from the barleywine shine; same for the bourbon and scotch; honey; vanilla; coconut; pink peppercorn; dark roasted grains; medium dark roast coffee; dark caramel; 90% dark chocolate like feel and dry bitterness; as the stout open up and warms up a hint of oak; this reminds me of Glenmorangie 18 year old Single Malt Scotch only with dark roasted malts in the mix;

Mouthfeel: a slight syrupy feel coats the palate; sweetness; rich malts dominate; dry bitterness on the back; low-no carbonation gives it a creamy feel followed by the syrupy feel; heavy body; a true sipper;

To the Point: Get your own glass – now – I mean NOW – this is really top notch stuff here

Ommegang Winter Ale Review

Ommegang Brewery

Cooperstown, New York

Ommegang.com

Oatmeal Stout

5.3% abv

12 oz bottle

$12.99 a four pack

Take this beer out of the fridge and let it sit for 20 – 30 minutes to warm up.  When too cold the aromas and flavors are muted.

Appearance: black body with a nice big mocha brown head; nice spotty lacing on the glass.

Aroma: to me – typical of an oatmeal stout, soft with light roasted notes

Flavors: dark roasted grains; medium roast coffee; 70% dark chocolate like notes

Mouthfeel: medium, medium-full for a stout; soft on the palate;  low carbonation a very light tingle on the mid and late;  dark roasted notes build with each sip; pleasing and easy to drink, after taste slowly builds – not much on the first few sips and about halfway through the bottle the dark roasted grains linger a bit

To the Point: a nice oatmeal stout; I don’t know if I want to spend 13 bucks for a four pack for ‘nice;’ I like Founders Breakfast Stout better – had one last night and coffee and chocolate notes were big and bold

Yacht Lager Review

Stillwater Artisanal

Stratford, Connecticut

Dry-hopped session lager

4.2% abv

4 pack

Appearance: clear golden yellow body with plenty of bubbles racing to the top; pure white head (easy 2 finger) and it has good retention and leaves plenty of lacing on the glass

Aroma: surprisingly aromatic; must be truly ‘dry-hopped’, nice hint hops on the nose, a little citrus twist, soda cracker,

Flavors and Mouthfeel: wow, a nice tasting lager; some typical lager notes like white bread and yeast BUT also some nice hoppy notes – lemon peel with a little floral tea in the mix; nice zippy mouthfeel coming from the carbonation – the carbonation does fall off by the time I am halfway thru the glass

To the Point: a very pleasing lager; I would buy this again

The Windjammer in Lexington Michigan

If you are ever driving through Lexington Michigan you need to go down to the marina and stop by The Windjammer Restaurant.

Located to the right of the circle turn around

You know you are in the right spot when you see the crows nest once you open the front door

The Old Salt will show you the hallway

The hallway looks like an ol'jammer

This hallway is worth the trip

This is my kind of place

Some people may say it is out dated; BUT it looks like a Windjammer - Since when did some Pirate say, "let's update the look of our ship today crew!"

I enjoyed a Dirty Blonde at the Jammer Bar; That's a beer not the bartender

The bartender was a brunette

A great view of the marina and Lake Huron

Goose Island Endless IPA and 312 Urban Wheat

Two easy going ales to enjoy this summer

New Belgium Portage Porter Review

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

6% abv

$9.99 a six pack

Appearance: black body with a nice one finger tan head leaving some spotty lacing on the glass

Aroma: medium-light roasted coffee; light charred wood;

Flavors: medium roast coffee; toasted cocoa bean; I’ll stay with that charred wood; 65% like dark chocolate bitterness on the back; toasted and slightly burnt notes linger on the palate

Mouthfeel: medium-full body; very light fizzy feel from the carbonation; burnt and roasted notes on the palate; medium / medium-full bitterness mix with those roasted notes;

To the Point: this is a very good Porter; I really like the roasted and slightly burnt notes – they make for a nice hearty beverage; perfect for those cool nights of spring or cold winter nights that are finally gone – thank God!  I have enjoyed a couple of six packs of this Porter over the last few months.  I think this Porter will make a great beverage to use in my March Matching Tournament.  This is where I pair up a variety of different cigars with a beverage to see which one is the best match.  

Visit Cigar Postings for the March Matching 2015

Alaskan Icy Bay IPA Review

Alaskan Brewing Company

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Alaskanbeer.com

                            

           

6.2% abv

65 IBU

Appearance: a misty golden hue with a one finger white head that leaves some sticky lacing on the glass.

Aroma: light floral citrus note

Flavors and Mouthfeel: nice touch of pink grapefruit; oily feel; fine carbonation gives it a nice crisp feel; floral note; touch of sweet grains to keep things in balance; pleasing bitterness on the palate that lingers;

To the Point: a pleasing IPA; easy to drink; nothing bold here but, it has a nice flavor; looking for a session IPA this could be the one

Alaskan Freeride APA Review

Alaskan Brewing Company

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Alaskanbeer.com

5.3% abv

40 IBU

American Pale Ale

Appearance: clear shiny amber body with very little head and not a trace of lace – Uhm, looks just like their Winter Ale.  I just put them side by side and I can’t tell the difference while riding a horse.  The Winter does have a light touch of copper

Aroma: very faint; light citrus note but I really had to do a bloodhound job to notice anything here

Flavors: light yet pleasing citrus notes; a touch of grapefruit with orange peel; firm malty presence in the mix;  

Mouthfeel: crisp; refreshing; a fine fizzy feel to the carbonation; simple on the flavor front; thin in body; watery edges; medium at best; not much of an aftertaste; easy to drink

To the Point: there seems to be a pattern here with the Alaskan brand; simple; thin; light on the aroma; made for the average beer drinker; these seem like they would be good to use to introduce somebody to a craft beer;

I have just tried three of their beers; the Amber, Winter Ale and this one.  Nothing special on any of them. I can see why a regular bar has been putting the Amber on tap – a Bud or Miller drinker can probably handle having one.  I’ll pass.  

Alaskan Winter Ale Review

Alaskan Brewing Company

Juneau, Alaska, USA

Alaskanbeer.com

6.4% abv
22 IBU

Ale brewed with spruce tips

Winter Seasonal

Appearance: clear shiny copper body with very little head and not a trace of lace

Aroma: malty amber ale; very faint; no spruce or pine

Flavors: sweet grains; faint spruce tip; soft hoppy note to keep the malts in check

Mouthfeel: sweet but not cloying; hops present but not noticeable; crisp up front; light-moderate carbonation; medium body at best; soft bitterness on the back; semi-dry finish; the sweet malts mingle with the hops for a nice aftertaste 

To the Point: a nice light olde ale; the spruce note could be a little more pronounced; pleasing sweet grains; easy to drink; easy to forget about – nothing special

The Bruery Rugbrod Review

The Bruery

Placentia, California, USA

Thebruery.com

                  

        

8% abv

30 IBU

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$19.99 a bottle

JuleBryg-Style Dark Rye Ale

Winter ale

2013 Edition / Retired

Bottle dated 9-2013

The date on the bottle is very hard to find

Can be aged two years – well let’s find out if it matured properly.

Appearance: leave the sediment on the bottom of the bottle; very dark cola body with a one finger tan head

Aroma: light rye spice; toasted caramel; sweet rich grains;

Flavors: nice dose of rye; dark toasted malts; little nutty; dusty brown spice; sweet burnt sugar on the back;

Mouthfeel: rich dark malts; rye spice on the front and mid; sweet burnt sugar on the back; a muddled aftertaste of all the flavors; sweetness dominates;

To the Point: I have never had this beer before to see how it has aged but, the beer still tastes very good; I wonder if the spiciness of the rye has settled; I do like this style but for me this is a one glass and done type beer; with some dopplebocks and dubbel ales I am the same way – where I like them but all I can do is drink just one; the rich style and the sweetness gets to be too much for me

The Bruery Mischief Review

The Bruery

Placentia, California, USA

Thebruery.com

8.5% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$9.99 a bottle

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Unfiltered

I wish they dated their bottles

I reviewed a few beers from this brewery in the last couple of months and I really enjoyed them.  I enjoyed them so much I have purchased more of the ones that I have reviewed and while I was there I picked up a couple of new ones to me.  This Brewery is fast becoming my favorite brewery. 

Appearance: a misty golden glow to the body with a one finger white head; not much on the lacing front; the second glass had a cloud appearance

Aroma: moderate note of lemon peel; hint of sweet fruit; fresh yeast

Flavors: summertime ripe and sweet muskmelon; lemon meat; lemon grass; fresh baked buttermilk biscuit;

Mouthfeel: flavors are very bright; the carbonation has a fine lively feel; medium body; medium-light bitterness mixed with a pleasing hint of sweetness; crisp up front; dry on the back; light citrus bitterness lingers giving it a soft pink peppercorn feel

This beer was so crisp and fresh that it made me think
of my new favorite female poker player Lily Kiletto

Pair with shellfish, grilled Italian chicken breast; whitefish; and I did pair it with an Indian Tabac Maduro Cigar and it was pleasing 

To the Point: with 1,150 reviews on Beer Advocate it scored an 89 and that is what I was thinking a solid B+; I would buy this again; one day I will find a beer from this brewery that I don’t like but, it was not today; they are 5 for 5 for the beers that I have reviewed and ‘really’ liked; I am going to buy more of this one and do a dinner pairing review