Tag Archives: craft beer

Puff – Sixpoint Brewery – Brooklyn, NY

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img_0819Brew: Puff

Brewer: Sixpoint Brewery

Style: Imperial IPA  ABV 9.8%

Puff pours an opaque hazy golden orange with a glorious dank floral nose of citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous pine emanating from the  hops. Flavors include what was evident in the nose, the citrus, tropical fruit, and piney character, as well as notes of grapefruit, mango, tangerine, a bready yestiness, and a strong but balanced malt.  The taste has a pleasing concentrated complexity reminiscent of Resin but with something new. Puff is new unfiltered version of Resin that has undergone an extra dry hopping and it is evident in the depth of flavor and added hop character.   This intoxicating experience is one that should not be missed – find this beer and take a puff.

Resin is one of the best Imperial IPAs I have had and Puff does not disappoint, because of Puff’s unfiltered nature I have detected differences in taste and body not just between can and draft pour but between each can and each pour itself.  It seems that Sixpoint knew how to reward loyal fans of Resin with something truly unique and thought provoking!

Seller Description: If you love Resin, try tasting it straight from the tanks. That’s PUFF – a hazy, unfiltered pour with an extra dose of dry hops… a new blend devised just for Puff.

Boom Sauce – Lord Hobo Brewing – Woburn, MA

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DSC_0304Brew: Boom Sauce

Brewer: Lord Hobo

Style: Imperial IPA  ABV 8%

Boom Sauce pours a hazy amber orange with a strong and diverse hop aroma on the nose.  The first tastes place a blend of resinous hops firmly on the palate enveloping the drinker in a citrus laden, fruit filled, piney experience.  The hop blend delivers tropical fruit and citrus flavors as well as a bitterness that is balanced by a strong maltiness. Perfect carbonation and a welcome earthiness contribute to the excellent mouthfeel and elating overall experience. The consistency and intensity of Boom Sauce is astounding considering this is an expert blend of 3 other beers – “Ball and Biscuit” “Steal This Can” and “Consolation Prize”.  Delivering an altogether original, diverse, and striking bouquet of flavors, every Boom Sauce speaks to its tempered complexity and remains true to its origins and its name as an artful, intense, and expertly crafted blend of great beers.

The New England “Flora” of Brews and Brewers is progressing like crazy and especially elevated these days.  As the holidays approach, It is making me crave the time when I’ll return to my homeland and immerse myself in friends, family, and libations imbibed best from the source.  Should you have the opportunity check out Lord Hobo in Cambridge, MA or their taproom in Woburn do so… and, of course, if you can find a can, pick one up!

Pesudo Sue Pale Ale – Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. – Decorah, IA (Lakeland, FL)

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Brew: Pseudo Sue Pale Ale

Brewer: Toppling Goliath

Style: American Pale Ale  ABV 5.8%

Pseudo Sue pours a lighter than expected saffron golden yellow with a fruity nose. The taste is hoppy and malty but very smooth and balanced. Notes of mango and citrus are present alongside an unobtrusive tempered malt. Although Pseudo Sue is drinkable and refreshing it is also enigmatically intense and flavorful at the same time. I can’t resist indulging in at least one Pseudo Sue if I see that it is available at the local watering hole, the depth of taste lives up to the highest expectations every time. With hops and body reminiscent of the perfect IPA but character all its own, this pale ale is undoubtedly worth a taste.. Or a case.

Tasting Note : like a Sixpoint Resin, Pseudo Sue should not be poured into a glass – the taste retains a pleasant concentrated complexity when imbibed straight from the can.

Sidenote: Pseudo Sue was named for the largest T-Rex fossil discovered thus far.

Seller Description: This single hop pale ale showcases the citra hop for a well balanced beer that is delicate and body with a mild bitterness in the finish. Ferocious aromas of citrus and mango give way to Pseudo Sue’s unique and refreshing taste that is clean and bright with just enough bite!

Resin – Sixpoint Craft Ales – Brooklyn, NY

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IMG_4352Brew: Resin

Brewery: Sixpoint Craft Ales

Style: Imperial IPA

Resin pours a hazy burnt orange and smells strongly of hops with notes of both citrus and funk.  The first taste bites as an amalgam of refined and exotic hop flavors.  As resin explodes in different directions on the palate there are notes of pine, citrus fruits, earthy herbs, caramel and subtle malt.  One of the most striking characteristics of this beer, ironically, is its smooth mouth-feel which complements the sharp bite of the hops.   The flavors are all intense but balanced in an artful and ultimately creative way.  Resin is quite possibly the most palate pleasing and expertly crafted IPA that currently exists in my opinion and is undoubtedly one of my favorites.  Props to Sixpoint for achieving this masterpiece. If you have the means, I suggest you pick one up.

Sidenote: I never do this, but I recommend drinking this IPA from the can. The lack of aeration keeps the flavors concentrated and intense.  I do this with very few beers, especially IPAs, but Sixpoints can design is perfect.

Seller Description : Resin is an ode to the sticky quintessence of hops – we extracted the alluring nectar from every precious citrus, pine, dank and herbal cone and channeled it all into one vessel. Now that’s Mad Science.

Prairie Flare – Prairie Artisan Ales – Tulsa, OK

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IMG_3610 (1)Brew: Prairie Flare

Brewery: Prairie Artisan Ales

Style: Gose ABV 5.4%

Prairie Flare pours a hazy pale orange with a funky tart citrus nose.  The first taste is extremely refreshing with an upfront tartness that makes the mouth water. Notes of coriander/cilantro, sea salt, savory orange, and blood orange are both poignant and pleasant. Background notes of citrus (lemon, lime), pepper, and a perfect level of carbonation greet the drinker as well.   It’s not every day you find a brewery that keeps delivering creative, unique libations, each with it’s own twist. Prairie Artisan Ales has consistently delivered exceptionally creative beers that have captivated my taste buds and trapped my attention, it you’re looking for an outside-the-box beer look no further.  If you’re a fan of sour beer, Prairie Flare takes what you have come to expect from a gose a step further.  If you are new to sour beer this is a great place to start.   I highly suggest finding a Prairie Flare, or any Prairie libation for that matter, and experiencing great taste, great perspective, and something new.

Seller Description: Flare (yes, that’s how we are spelling it) is our gose that we have added citrus fruit to. This beer is slightly tart, a little salty, and has a nice balance from the fruit and spices. Ale brewed with orange and coriander.

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Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale & Brand Stout – Goose Island Beer Co. – Chicago, IL

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IMG_3998Brew: Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale

Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Style: Barley Wine ABV 14.2%

Well its that time of the year again.  Bourbon county has graced the halls of local brewhouses and disctracted me away from sours, ciders, and creative head turners for the moment.

Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale Pours an amber brown with a nose of malt and molasses.  Tastes of a welcoming oaky bourbon background, raisins, vanilla, smokey spices, and molasses.  Bourbon County Barleywine Ale is incredibly smooth for the style and the ABV (14.2%) and becomes more complex with every sip. As it warms additional qualities become evident including the depth of the bourbon flavor and the mouth-feel of honey.  I can’t rave enough about the background notes of bourbon that are balanced by flavors of malt vanilla. Because this barleywine was aged for so long and in so many barrels it has an aged tempered flavor that is exquisitely pleasing to the palate. Just like an aged Imperial IPA develops complexity, so does this Barley Wine in the form of flavor not a.  Bourbon County Barleywine Ale is brewed in a third use barrel that previously housed Kentucky bourbon and Bourbon County Stout (another holiday release I am posting about below).  Bourbon is one of my favorite spirits and the increasing wave of bourbon barrel use as an aging agent in the U.S. is truly staggering.

Seller Description:
Aged in the third-use barrels that were once home to Kentucky bourbon and then our renowned Bourbon County Stout, this traditional English-style barleywine possesses the subtlety of flavor that only comes from a barrel that’s gone through many seasons of ritual care. The intricacies of the previous barrel denizens – oak, charcoal, hints of tobacco and vanilla, and that signature bourbon heat – are all present in this beer. Hearty and complex, Bourbon County Brand Barleywine is a titan and a timeline; a bold, flavorful journey through the craft of barrel aging.

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Brew: Bourbon County Brand Stout

Brewer: Goose Island Beer Co.

Style: Imperial Stout ABV 14.3%

The Bourbon County Brand Stout pours a charcoal brown with a nose of pure boozy bourbon and malt.  The flavors are not as intimidating as the nose with enveloping layers of bourbon flavors and warmth that balance the sweetness of vanilla and caramel, as well as a complimentary nutiness.   Malt and molasses permeate this libation creating a mouthwatering adjunct to the downright pronounced bourbon flavor.  While the Brand Barleywine Ale is a tempered brew with smooth qualities, the Brand Stout is a stronger experience with an added kick in the pants.  Find a proprietor willing to sell this before it runs out.. and stay tuned for some interesting ciders and brews of all kinds.

Seller Description: Brewed in honor of the 1000th batch at our original Clybourn brewpub. A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer.

ReDANKulous – Founders Brewing Company – Grand Rapids, MI

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DSC_0017Brew: ReDANKulous

Brewery: Founders Brewing Company

Style: Imperial IPA

Pours a burnt orange umber, beckons with a strong nose of hops. The fresh hops in ReDANKulous bring forth bitterness and incredible flavors of citrus, tropical fruit, as well as a pleasant spiciness. Flavors of caramel, toffee, and malt surround a body of hops and stone fruit contributing to a well tempered savory sweet flavor. The fruit body includes notes of citrus in the form of grapefruit, blood orange and tangerine (& others) and notes of stone fruit and dark fruit like mango, cherries and plums. Flavors of peppers, guava, and apricot are also detectable. The expertly crafted hop blend (Chinook, Mosaic and Simcoe) delivers a truly “dank” taste and a delicious resiny mouth feel.  You will find your own draw in the myriad of contributors, the complexity is like a welcoming abyss of flavors, grab a ReDANKulous and fall down the rabbit hole.

Seller Description: reDANKulous Imperial Red IPA is a no frills, bold 9.5% ABV India Pale Ale. It pours a pleasing burnt amber with some sweetness due to the Caramalt and roasted barley used in the malt bill. But hops are the true headliner in this elaborate sensory experience. The spicy, piney, tropical complexities of Chinook, Mosaic and Simcoe hops hit you right away with their dank aroma—and they stick around. Take a sip to have your palate simultaneously walloped and caressed in all the right places. Combined, the hops take the beer to 90 IBUs. It’s not just ridiculous. It’s reDANKulous.

Pirate Noir – Prairie Artisan Ales – Tulsa, OK

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IMG_3686Brew:  Pirate Noir

Brewery:  Prairie Artisan Ales

Style:  Imperial Stout ABV 12%

Pirate Noir pours a golden chocolaty brown, the nose imparts malt and rum.  Despite the high ABV, it is incredibly smooth and the taste of alcohol is not overpowering.  Notes of rum, vanilla, and cane sugar create a pleasant sweetness that is pleasing to the senses and subtle.  This brew is a luxurious experience and the woodiness and sweetness that comes from the Jamaican rum barrels is the pièce de résistance.  Undertones of coconut, toasted oak, dark chocolate, dark fruit, and candied nuts are also detectable and in the right mood you will find a flavor of your own. Prairie is a brewery that has been turning heads lately, their “artisan” ales are just that: painstakingly constructed conceptions of creativity that elevate flavors and the beers that encompass them. Well done gentlemen.

Seller Description: Pirate Noir is our Jamaican rum barrel aged imperial oatmeal stout. This beer takes our already delicious Prairie Noir and adds intense notes of vanilla, coconut, and rum to the beer.

Delirium Tremens – Brouwerij Huyghe – Belgium

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Brew:  Delirium Tremens

Brewery:  Brouwerij Huyghe

Style:  Belgian Strong Pale Ale ABV: 8.5%

Pours a clear deep golden yellow with a hint of orange, head is white and laces on the edge of the glass.  The nose is light but enticing with hints of Belgian yeast, spice, and citrus.  The taste is an extremely well tempered Belgian yeastiness surrounded by notes of banana, apple, peach, orange, and pepper. It is truly a pleasure to drink and has a sliky body with velvety lush texture. The taste is complex but extremely well-rounded and pleasing to the senses, it’s not hard to visualize sipping this beer in a Belgian “sound of music” style meadow during spring. Delerium Tremens is the classic of all classics as far as traditional Belgian beers go. This libation truly will remind you of the first great sip of beer you ever had.

Seller Description: Pale blond, the fine and regular effervesce ensures a fine and stable head. Slightly malty, a nice touch of alcohol, spicy. Feels like the sound shot of alcohol is igniting the mouth. In reality the tongue and palate are warmed. The taste is characterized by its roundness. The aftertaste is strong, long-lasting and dry bitter.

Here Gose Nothin’ – Destihl Brewery – Bloomington, IL

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Brew:  Here Gose Nothin’ : Wild Sour Series (Can)

Brewery:  Destihl Brewery

Style:  Gose  ABV 5%

Here Gose Nothin’ pours a golden orange darker than the typical gose.  The nose is fruity and floral with citrus notes and provocative hints of lactobacillus that make the mouth water before the first sip.  The taste is tart, refreshing, and dominated by citrus flavors of lemon and lime.  The tart sourness and sweetness is balanced by the perfect level of saltiness and spices.  Like Here Gose Nothin’, Many sour beers undergo a “wild” fermentation process meaning the yeast that forms the acidity comes from the local environment.  This natural process creates an acidity and a flavor that is unique to each brew and each batch. This beer undoubtedly has its own unique character and also possesses a refreshing drinkability.  Here Gose Nothin’ is a ‘wildly’ successful take on a gose and it is truly a triumph in the world of Sour Beer.  Looking forward to the rest of the Wild Sour Series…

Seller Description:  Our Leipzig-Style Gose undergoes a spontaneous fermentation, similar to Belgian-style Gueuze/Lambic beers, and exhibits a complexity of acidic flavor and aroma contributed by wild yeast lactic fermentation. Lemon, lime and other citrus-like qualities are present in aroma and on the palate, which is balanced by the spicy character of added coriander and a mineral-mouthfeel from added sea salt.

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