Trignac XII 2013 Review

Castle Brewery

Br. Van Honsebrouck

globalbeer.com

Kasteel Tripel Aged in Cognac Casks
750 ml bottle
12% abv
$60 a bottle

Appearance: lightly cloudy; golden orange body with a thin head half finger bubbly head

Nose: light citrus reminding me of fresh squeezed orange; some white wine stone fruit; light oak; I'm not picking up any cognac notes; pleasing nose but, light overall; as it warms up a little alcohol note comes through and with the fruit notes, oak and a hint of vanilla I get the Cognac now

Flavors: this ale excels in this department; a basket of summer fruits that remind me of a fine Champagne; white grapes, fresh apple, pear, maybe a hint of peach; nice touch of lemon and orange peel; nice floral notes; touch of honey, a hint of vanilla and Belgian candy sugar; the Cognac aging is showing in the flavors; a dash of white pepper coming from the alcohol; a light twist of coriander

Mouthfeel: crisp and dry; sweet up front; fruity; dry grass feel on the finish; fine feel of carbonation; light spicy feel;  

To the Point: I have to admit the price scared me last year when I saw it at the Belgian Fest at Ashley's and at the store that I go to.  This year I said, 'I buy a bottle of wine for a 100 bucks and don't like it, I get over it, so why not a beer.'  But, I love this Ale!  Next time I see this bottle I am buy 6 bottles.  It is that good.

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; 

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;  

Big Dick's Olde Ale Vintage 2009 Review

Arcadia Brewing Company

Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

Arcadiaales.com

9% abv

51 IBU’s

2009 Vintage

I reviewed this beer back on June 6, 2010 and February 10,2012.  In 2010 I did not write down the vintage but, it had an 8% abv.  In 2012 I reviewed the 2010 vintage.  Today I found an old bottle that has a 2009 vintage.  Let’s see how this baby aged.

Appearance: a heavy, murky and dark caramel body with a very thin tan head from a very aggressive pour.  No lacing on the glass.

Aroma: light nose overall, he nose is reminding me of toasted caramel, sweet malts under a floral like hoppy note, a little wheat and rye bread in the mix

Flavors: some tasty hops adding a light bitterness, semi-sweet malty tone under the hops, I am going to stay with the floral hoppy note here in the flavor as well,       

Mouthfeel: smooth wool like texture, low carbonation,

To the Point: still a tasty Olde Ale here on this 2009 vintage, 

Double Bastard: Review

The Stone Brewing Co.

Escondido, San Diego County, California

Arrogantbastard.com/doublebastard

11.2% abv

1pt 6oz bottle

$7.99

2013 Release

Style: American Strong Ale

On the bottle: “Double Bastard Ale is not to be wasted on the tentative or weak.” 

Yes, that means you regular Bud and Miller and whatever light type beer drinkers.

Appearance: deep amber body with a one finger tan head that stays around for a while; plenty of sticky lacing on the glass

Aroma: hoppy; sweet grapefruit with a toasted caramel malt just behind the pine bark

Flavors: oh damn, that’s tasty.  White, pink and ruby red grapefruit salad; pine needles hit the tongue; toasted caramel malts and grains; then a wave floral hops; then some vanilla/toffee oak that reminds me of a fine Single Malt Scotch; boozy

Mouthfeel: sweet and bitter grapefruit notes; bitter pine; floral; bitter yet aromatic; boozy; super fine fizzy feel to the carbonation; full bodied;

To the Point: deeper notes compared to Arrogant Bastard with stronger pine and alcohol; I’ll have to review Arrogant Bastard again this week to get a better comparison; this Dbl Bastard is top shelf stuff here; 

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout: Review

Samuel Smith

Old Brewery Tadcaster

The Celebrated Oatmeal Stout

N. Yorks, England

5% abv

12 oz bottle

Four pack $10.99

Appearance: black body with a one finger tan head; deep chestnut edge; not much lacing;

Aroma: roasted coffee beans; some chocolate mocha going one; soft overall; expected more

Flavors: toasted grains; lightly burnt coffee note; dark chocolate and dark chocolate bitterness; lightly burnt dark sugars; roasted oak; earthy tones

Almost halftime in the Lions Ravens Game and the score is only 7 to 6.  I thought there would be more scoring in this game.  What I have seen in this game are the reasons these two teams are 7 and 6 for their season record going into this game.  9 to 7 Ravens at the half. 

Mouthfeel: very low carbonation – just a super fine fizz on the palate; thick but not syrupy; nothing overpowering; good bitterness for a Stout; lingering roasted notes on the aftertaste; dry;

To the Point: a pleasing and easy to drink Oatmeal Stout; very good – to call it outstanding would be pushing it for me; but, I sure do like it. 

Final Score from this Monday Night Football game between the Lions and the Ravens: 16 to 18 Ravens win or should we say the Refs won the game for the Ravens.  Two really bad interference calls during the game.  But, the Lions really didn't help themselves either to be fair.  Dropped footballs and of course turnovers.   

Just a side note about those elite teams that are 7 and 6 – they don’t go 7 and 7 when their playoff dreams are at hand.  God do they suck!  They were 5 and 1; now 7-7; they hate to be in first place; oh, now they are not - so all is well in the world of the Detroit Lions.    

New Belgium Accumulation: Review

New Belgium Brewing

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Newbelgium.com

6.2% abv

70 IBUs

White India Pale Ale

Winter Seasonal

I was looking for Snow Days, I enjoyed it last winter, but I came across Accumulation.  Never had it so I thought I would give it a try.

 

Appearance: bright lemon oil with a very nice snow white head that leaves tons lacing

Aroma: let me stay with the lemon oil theme; I’ll call it tart lemon oil with a soft fresh baked biscuit in the background

Flavors: the tart lemon dominates but, it is not overpowering – let’s say it is just short of moderate in strength; soft buttered bread underneath; a touch of white fruit – pear and apple; hint of sweet tropical

Mouthfeel: tart lemon up front; moderate bitterness lingers on the aftertaste; low carbonation; I want to say it is just short of medium in body but the tart lemon keeps it in the medium body range; sweet tropical on the mid

To the Point: I like this winter ale; let me call it a ‘winter shanty’; I am not a fan of the lemon flavor in beer but, this is very nice; the wheat blends in nicely with tropical/lemon notes

Today’s NFL football game: Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles – the winter weather should play a big role and the Lions love to turn over the ball.  Lions 24 Eagles 13 – the Lions are just too talented 

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter: Review

Samuel Smith Old Brewery

N. Yorks, England

The Famous Taddy Porter

5% abv

I picked this up for only 7 bucks a six pack at the Side Track Bar in Ypsilanti Michigan. It was a clearance deal they had going.  They had about eight different beers and you could do a mix or match on a six pack (only one per customer – damn).

I can’t believe I have never reviewed this Porter.

Appearance: near black body with some mahogany edges when held to the light; only a half-finger light tan head on a very easy pour – trying to pour and watch football; a much better one finger head on my second glass

Aroma: faint roasted malty notes with a touch of chocolate coffee

Flavors: slightly bitter coffee with a semi-sweet chocolate style; touch of fig; toasted caramel malts

Mouthfeel: low carbonation; semi-creamy feel; lightly burnt roasted notes; medium bitterness; lingering roasted malts on the aftertaste; medium-full body

To the Point: to me this has always been a classic Porter; not overly busy on the flavors; nice depth on the flavors; pleasing feel; a quality Porter to judge all others

I paired this with a Hoyo De Monterrey Excalibur Legend Robusto Cigar.  The Challenger comes in at 5.25 x 50 in size.  Flavor profile: peppery spice; dusty earthy notes; firm oak; black walnut.  This cigar has a nice medium-full body feel with some pleasing roasted notes that linger on the palate.

The pairing: the roasted notes of the cigar really complement the roasted malts from the Porter.  The peppery spice and black walnut add a nice contrast to the semi-creamy feel of the Ale.  The bitter styles complement one another during this pairing.  The coffee and semi-sweet chocolate of the Porter seems to transfer to the cigar making for an excellent pairing.  

The score for tonight's Michigan State/Ohio State College football game: Michigan State 38 Ohio State 23

The Great Dane Unleashed Double Dubbel: Review

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Wausau, Wisconsin, USA

Greatdanepub.com

Belgian Style Ale

10.6% abv

$15.99 a bottle

1pt 6oz bottle

I hear it is not available in Michigan

Appearance: dirty mahogany body with no head when poured

Aroma: Belgian style dubbel sweetness; rich malts; yeast; dark fruits – fig and raisin like; pretty nice nose for a dubbel

Flavors: let’s start with that Belgian style sweetness; lightly toasted sugars; malt focused; murky caramel; dark fruits dipped in chocolate; light alcohol peppery feel on the back of the palate; lingering rich malts on the aftertaste

I'll unleash my Carly the Corgi on that Great Dane
she makes cows wimper

Mouthfeel: no carbonation; rich; fairly thick feel; toasted sugars linger; some alcohol warmth; full-medium body;

To the Point: a murky Belgian Style Double Dubbel; good sipper; a pretty good interpretation of a Belgian Dubbel; I like  Belgian beers and I would buy this again  

Thunder Trail ESB: Review

Arcadia Brewing Company

Battle Creek, Michigan, USA

ArcadiaAles.com

English Style Ale

ESB – Extra Special Bitters

6% abv

ESB’s are not one of my favorites. Don’t be misled with the name Extra Special or Extra Strong Bitters.  To me there is nothing ‘special’ or ‘strong’ about it. I find them to be on the one dimensional boring side of town. Now, this is my opinion, if find them to have a hay/grassy hop style and a lightly sweet and toasted malt tone. Other than that, nothing much to talk about as far as I am concerned. 

While I do find them to be boring, I like them with food.

Appearance: glowing muddled amber body with a half finger off-white head; no sticky lacing on the glass

Aroma: dry grass hops; light roasted note

Flavors: the dry grass style dominates; lightly sweet roasted earthy malts; what I would call – typical

Mouthfeel: moderate bitterness; a sour-bitterness on the aftertaste; moderate-low carbonation; dry earthy feel; medium in body;

To the Point: nothing special about this ESB; it’s nice; would be good with a sandwich;

The Michigan vs Michigan State game is today and here is my call: State 31 to Michigan 10

Atwater Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

Malt Beverage Brewed with Chocolate

5.5% abv

11 IBUs

6 pack of 12 oz bottles

$

Appearance: dark dark brown almost black body with a ½ finger tan head and no lacing

Aroma: Oh yes, it is chocolate; second sniff – still chocolate; lightly roasted malts

Flavors: nice sweet and semi-sweet chocolate; hint of nut; grainy feel; light roasted malts on the finish;

Mouthfeel: light carbonation; medium body ale; lightly roasted notes; with an 11 IBU it is not sweet; very simple – chocolate with an ale backbone;

To the Point: very pleasing; easy to drink; I think this will be perfect to drink sitting around the campfire this fall; 

Atwater Double Down Imperial Amber Ale: Review

Atwater Block Brewery

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Atwaterbeer.com

7.5% abv

90 IBUs

4 pack of 12 oz bottles

$10.99

Appearance: muddy brown body with a half-finger tan head that leaves some spotty lacing

Aroma: I can smell the rich malty aroma just popping the cap to the bottle; rich malty Amber Ale notes; toasted caramel, almost molasses like, grains, just a hint of hops

Flavors/Mouthfeel: big rich malts on the palate; toasted caramel, burnt sugars; firm yet moderate bittering from the hops; medium-full feel on the palate; low carbonation; flavor notes not all that discernable

To the Point: I am not a fan of Amber Ales but, I sure like this one;  if you want an Amber Ale that is a little bolder and richer if flavor and mouthfeel, well this is for you; I would buy this again; if I was going to give this a grade … I’ll say … B/B-

Odd Side Bean Flicker: Review

Odd Side Bean Flicker

Odd Side Ales

Grand Haven, Michigan, USA

Oddsideales.com

Satisfying stimulation of sessionable self exploration!

Blonde Ale made with coffee

4.5% abv

My wife and I tried a couple of these last week.  She liked it and I was just plain ol’ dumbfounded.  (Ignorance is bliss)  This ale has the coffee profile that would fit a porter or a stout but has a golden ale backbone.  It just seemed really strange to me.

Appearance: golden body with a one finger white head, that lays down to a thin film in no time; not much on the lacing; plenty of carbonation bubbles rising to the top;

Aroma: a little coffee bean and then a light golden ale note and then more coffee; each time I get a whiff of golden ale the hazelnut coffee with light cream overrides everything; then the next sniff a vanilla caramel popcorn coffee; then back to hazelnut; if this was a dark porter my mind would not be confused but, the body of this ale is golden; just picked up a Bailey’s and coffee note

Flavors/Mouthfeel: changes with every sip I take just like the aroma; each time I think I get a hint of fresh golden grains that remind me that I am drinking a Golden Ale wham! Coffee and then hazelnut coffee with light cream then coffee again – well just read the aroma notes and that is what it tastes like; plenty of carbonation on the feel just like a Golden Ale; a light golden ale feel and a medium body coffee feel;

To the Point: on the bottle it says, ‘Satisfying stimulation of self exploration’ … oops … I left out ‘sessionable’ self exploration.  I always hope that self-exploration is satisfying and stimulating but sessionable?  OOhhh, I get it … my perception of beer is the ‘self-exploration’.  Bean Flicker is challenging my beer perception with this Blonde ale that is made with coffee.  And in my ‘self-exploration’ during this second bottle of Bean Flicker my hard view of the first bottle softened a bit and I started to like this ale a little bit more. 

I just don’t think I can drink two of these Bean Flickers back to back.  So much for, ‘sessionable self exploration’.  I guess I am a one and done kind of guy. 

Okay, I got myself up to do this ‘sessionable self exploration,’ that Odd Side Ales talk about here.  I poured myself a second glass to see if I can reach this concept of ‘Satisfying stimulation.’ 

Yeah, the first one was just fine – having a second one was like having a second helping of apple pie – I should have just left it at one and done.  

uBER PILS and CAO Flathead 554 Cigar: Review

Blue Mountain Barrel House

Arrington, Nelson County, Virginia, USA

Bluemountainbarrel.com

Imperial Pilsener

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$7.99

7.6% abv

40 IBUs

Appearance: deep rich golden body with a big snow cone shaped white head that stays around forever and a day; just globs of lacing hanging on the glass

Aroma: dusty grains; crisp; clean overall; light touch of hops

Flavors/Mouthfeel: crisp grains; nice moderate body for a pilsner; light sweet malts; no it is not your typical 17 IBU pilsner; light pleasing noble hops adds great balance without pushing the bitterness; nice light bitterness on the aftertaste

To the Point: a very pleasing Double Pilsner; a great value at $7.99; this is not an overly sweet pilsner that tastes like boiled corn; the 40 IBU seems to be pretty spot on; I’ll buy more

This Pilsener is called an Imperial Pilsener and it is also listed as a Double Pilsener.  I wish there were a few standard with the name ‘Imperial’ – for example: the ale should have a 10% abv or higher.  Calling this a Double Pilsner is closer to the truth.  A 4% ale and then doubled would be 8% and this one is only 7.6%. 

So, to me the name ‘uBER’ (super) and the labeling ‘An Imperial Pilsener’ seem to be a little misleading to me. Can you agree that 10% abv or higher is ‘super’. Call it ‘Double Pils’ – it’s only 7.6% – I don’t have a problem. 

Non-the-less; this is a very fine tasting Pilsener or is it Pilsner.  

Cigar Paring

CAO Flathead 554

This boxed press cigar is new on the market. This new line is named after car parts: Flathead, Piston, Big Block – get it.  This cigar looks like a big chunk of dark chocolate.    

Flavor Profile: very tasty earthy profile; medium roast coffee with shot of chocolate; by the mid-point a hint of spice;

Perfect burn; plenty of smoke; easy draw; pretty gray ash;

This cigar paired perfectly with the Barrel House uBER PILS.  This pilsner had enough body to match up with this tasty cigar.  The earthy profile of the cigar mingled well with the crisp grains of the pilsner.