21st Amendment - Allies Win the War!

Ameeeeeeeeeeerica, F*ck Yeah!!!  Sorry, that's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw this beer at the store.  Little did I know that "Allies Win the War!" was named after the first successful collaborative brew for 21st Amendment with Ninkasi Brewing.  My naive self figured they named this special release in honor of Veterans Day... That will teach me to think of our service men and women first before beer! **Sarcasm switch now set to off**  In any case, these two powerhouses of the West have formed an alliance to bring us beer lovers something truly unique.

The can art as an old-time newspaper is pretty cool.

'Allies Win the War!' is an English strong ale at heart.  This 8.5% ABV base sets the stage for a boatload of Northwestern hops and California dates.    A combination that I have yet to see commercially brewed.  It will be interesting to see if the traditionally aggressive citrus and pine hop characteristics will be kept in balance to allow the subtleties of the dates and pale malts to be noticeable.  There is only one way to find out!

As soon as I cracked open the tab it smelled like hop cones exploded out of the can like those spring-loaded snakes you find in a prank can of peanuts.  The color is a clear amber brown with a surprisingly bright white and lingering foam.  Plenty of those citrusy and piney hop aromas blend together with a prominent candied sweetness.  Possibly from the dates?  The flavors are an entirely different story.  The hops are still there, sure, but not nearly as bold as the aroma would lead you to believe.  What really takes center stage are those dates.  Candied dates are balanced perfectly with a citrusy hop bitterness.  Bread and caramel sweetness make an appearance as well.  There is something just a little off with the finish.  It seems a bit tinny, but this flaw isn't enough to detract from the many great qualities of this collaborative brew.

Overall - This is a great beer.  I doubt you will find anything else like it at the beer store.  The dates add the perfect amount of flavor and sweetness to balance out those bold Northwestern hops.  The strong ale base is delicious as well.  I'm not quite sure what I don't like about the finish.  Whatever it is, I find it to be more of an annoyance than a flaw.  Not anything to keep me from drinking another can, that's for sure.  In fact, I think I'll pour myself another right now.  Cheers!

Anchor - Old Foghorn 2011

I am currently drinking Stone's 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA.  The beer is fantastic, just like Dunz had mentioned in his review.  But the beer isn't what necessarily caught me by surprise.  It was more the statement on the back of the bottle.  It's long, but completely worth reading.  If you want to read my review of Old Foghorn skip to the following paragraph.  I think the words on the back of this bottle of Stone are worth repeating here.

"In the 15 years since we entered the craft brewing world, change has come not in a straight line, but as an exponential curve.  The craft brewing movement has long been called a "revolution".  But today the air is so thick with revolution, it's palpable.  No longer is it only an awareness among the faithful; the unconverted are beginning to feel it as well.  Denial and ignorance are disappearing in favor of opened eyes, curiosity and the sense that there's something larger out there.  For far too long we have been lied to.  For far too long we have been oppressed by the notion that dumbed-down-lowest-common-denominator-mediocrity was all that we could, and should, expect. You might think we're talking only about the world of brewing, but we're not.  There is a myriad of products out there masquerading as cheese, coffee, chocolates, breads... hell, there is stuff pretending to be 'food' that our great grandmothers would not recognize as such.  Yet the craft brewing movement, together with the artisanal food movement, is making much progress.  Where the industrial companies can't dismiss or bury us, they are attempting to copy us with cheap facsimiles.  Yes, chances are if you are holding this bottle, you understand these things to be true about the world of brewing.  You also likely understand the importance of our fight at Stone against accepted 'norms' over the last 15 years.  We believe that America was ready to embrace things made with artistry and passion.  You have spoken.  Your response has been clear. We are not merely consumers to be spoon-fed whatever commodities need to be unloaded for a profit.  We have only just begun to move the needle of this revolution, & mediocrity still reigns.  Consider that when you reject dumbed down, industrialized food and drink, you also support craft brewing.  The line is nearly seamless; we are fighting the same battle.  We will not win in our lifetime, as the powers are too entrenched, and the masses too fooled.  And shackled.  However, this is a revolution of ideas and of taste, and we will win.  How do you want to be viewed by your children, and your children's children?  As a hero, or as the oppressed?  (Those that don't think they have been oppressed are already lost).  Ultimately, it's up to you to decide.  We hope you'll stand with us.  Strong and unyielding.  You are needed.  This bottle and its glorious contents are a celebration of you, brothers and sisters, and you importance in this fight.  Cheers to all we've accomplished together in the past fifteen years, and cheers to the adventure ahead!"

Hopefully Anchor Brewing has the same sentiment as Stone seeing as how I just use over half this review to republish something created by Stone.  The bottom line is that hand crafted, well made food and drink is in the midst of a strong resurgence in America.  Any craft brewery within the states should know and respect that fact.

Working together is the only way to make a difference, regardless of what your objective is.  I think the American craft beer movement is one of the great poster children for what a unified group of people can accomplish.  We all love great beer.  Lets continue to fan the embers that those before us and beside us relentlessly keep kindled.

Tonight's review is of Anchor's version of an American Barley Wine.  Old Foghorn is one of the best examples of the style available in the world.  I reviewed the 2010 release in February and found it to be right on par with my expectations.  Unfortunately I didn't age any of the 2010 bottles so I am unable to compare this years with lasts.  But I imagine they wont differ too much.

The color is a very rich deep amber.  Perfectly clear and *Cue British Accent* brilliant!  Only a thin lacing of foam clings to the glass.  A little boozy, candied dark fruit, matly sweet, hoppiness and brown sugar are all in the aroma.  The body is full, smooth and nicely balanced.  Many of the aromas make an appearance in the flavor.  Caramelized malt, subtle dark fruit and a slight hop bitterness round out the prominent flavors.  Mild carbonation and alcohol warmth - in equal parts - help to finish this barley wine out relatively dry.

Overall - As I mentioned earlier, I wasn't sure the 2011 would differ much from the 2010.  It appears as though I was right.  While Anchor's Old Foghorn is a good example of the American Barley Wine style, it's not extraordinary in my book.  Certainly one to enjoy if you are able to pick up a six pack.  But I wouldn't go too far out of your way to get it. 

Stone - Double Bastard 2011

Dear readers, first of all, HAPPY STOUT DAY!!!  Well, for most of you who will be reading this, International Stout Day was yesterday.  Our bad for posting in the evening!  Also, my bad for not realizing International Stout Day was today and not preparing a stout review in advance.  In the absence of a magnificent stout review, I have provided links to a number of delicious stout reviews we have done in the past.  Here they are, in the order that I found them: Darkness 2011, Darkness 2010, Avery - The Czar, Bell's - Expedition Stout,  Founders - KBS, Great Divide - Belgian Yeti, North Coast - Old Rasputin and Victory - Storm King.  Enjoy!

Tonights review is of Stone Double Bastard.  This is another new brew to MN from Stone.  Duns just reviewed their 15th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA and absolutely loved it.  I have high hopes for Double Bastard since I have only heard good things about this ominous bottle of hoppy, malty and alcoholic destruction.

First impressions... DAYUM!  I opted not to go through my normal routine of looking-sniffing-tasting and just decided to dive right in.  This bastard caught me off guard.  Bigger, bolder and hoppier than expected.  The appearance is almost soothing.  Perhaps a mechanism to lure you in much like the gentle glowing light of a deep see angler fish?  Clear, with a burnt orange color and a very minimal head.  Smooth pour.  Lots of dark fruit with hints of vaporous vodka in the aroma lets you know this sucker won't go down without a fight, or at least without some rosy cheeks and fuzzy memories.  Can definitely smell some strong caramel and vanilla as it warms as well.  The taste is very similar to a bold American Barley Wine.  Nice and thick, almost syrupy, with strong hop bitterness at its core surrounded by dark cherries, toffee, caramel, toasted bread.  Anything else?  Oh yeah, booze!  And plenty of it. But not a harsh biting booze.  More of a warming, numbing of the tongue sensation.  Perfectly acceptable in a beer of this size.

Overall - This is my first experience with the Double Bastard.  If I were in a cage fighting match with this beer, I'd be knocked out in the first round by a round-house kick square to the nose.  But I'd love every second of it.  This beer puts forth no subliminal messaging or subtleties about its intended purpose on this planet.  It's a straight-forward all-you-can-eat buffet of awesome.  Bold and full of hoppy and malty flavors, this brew is for the adventurous beer lovers out there.  I'll be finding another bottle of this Double Bastard and giving it some age.

Mechanical Angler Fish... way scarier than normal Angler Fish.

Stone - Levitation Ale

Another night, another tasty brew!  Tonight's brew comes courtesy of Stone Brewing.  Every since these guys started to distribute out our way Dunz and I have jumped on the opportunity to taste as many Stone creations as we could.  Prior to tonight, we have reviewed seven (seems to be a common number these days) Stone brews to date.  We have tasted everything from Stone's Arrogant Bastard to their Cali-Belgie IPA and on into a delicious Sublimely Self Righteous Dark IPA.  Unfortunately, the limited release bottles don't make their way out here.  Hopefully if we drink enough Stone beer they will think the market is large enough to warrant sending a few bottles our way.

This bottle of Stone Levitation boasts the same gargoyle theme that we have all come to know and love.  The beer trapped inside is a clear burnt amber color.  A solid, creamy light tan foam forms and refuses to retreat.  Citrus and floral aromas are very prominent and supported by a hint of caramel and toasted bread.  The flavors here are intense replications of the aroma.  It starts off with a strong hop bitterness that quickly gives way to a fruity-citrusy combination which further yields itself to a sweet caramel finish.  No alcohol and a mild carbonation allow the primary flavors of citrus and caramelized bread to linger throughout.

Overall - A very tasty hoppy amber ale from Stone.  As with most Stone beers, Levitation doesn't really fit nicely into any single category of beer.  If anything, its a majorly hoppy American Amber Ale on steroids.  Bold flavors throughout kept me coming back for each sip.  Even though each aspect was bold and distinct, nothing completely overpowered this beer.  Levitation is a nicely balanced but bold brew.  Lucky for me its availability is year round!

Stone - Smoked Porter

Tonight I'm reviewing Stone's Smoked Porter.  While I have come across many smoked porters in the past I'm not quite sure what to expect from Stone's version.  Every since they have arrived in MN I have been intrigued by their creations.  Their beers, aside from the ones specifically designed to do so, tend not to fit into any specific style category.  Arrogant Bastard is a prime example.  Beer Advocate categorizes it as an American Strong Ale. I can go with that.  But it could also be placed within a strong, hoppy American Brown Ale or some other derivation of the style.  Bottom line - Stone likes to twist things around a bit.  It keeps me interested in trying their brews.

This smoked porter has been brewed by Stone since 1996.  It has garnered some high praise on Beer Advocate and RateBeer.  Stone's website attempts to make the case that this beer is one for those who may not like dark beers.  For some reason, I have trouble seeing a smoked porter as a gateway beer for anti-dark beer drinkers.  Maybe that's just me.  But I know people who love dark beers but wouldn't touch a smoked beer with a 10 foot pole.  Lets crack this bomber open and see if it lives up to the hype.

Stone's smokeified porter starts out like most others within the category - clear, deep brown with a soft tan foam.  The aromas are subtle but distinct.  A light smokiness mingles with a dark malt sweetness.  Nothing too bold here.  The flavors follow through with a clear smokey overtone throughout what is otherwise a basic porter.  Light chocolate and coffee notes on top of a smooth malty sweet base with barely a hint of bitterness.  A bit of alcohol sneaks it way through towards the end of the bottle.

Overall - Well, I guess Stone was right.  For a "gateway" beer to the dark side this would be a good candidate.  No flavor is too overpowering and the overall beer is very easy to drink.  I was a little disappointed, though, since I expected something more bold from Stone.  This could be seen as their beer for the masses which is fine with me.  But for a Stone beer, I wanted a little more.

Sierra Nevada - Pale Ale

Tonight I am reviewing a brew that is likely the second most famous craft beer in the U.S. market today.  This distinction will depend on what coast you live on.  If you are from the West, its the most famous beer.  Otherwise, on the East coast, Sam Adams Boston Lager takes the cake.  In either case, we are going to partake in a beer that paved the way for many others to follow in its brew steps.

Sierra Nevada is a brewery that is known for its clean, refreshing and extraordinarily consistent brew process.  Every batch of beer they produce is just like the previous batch.  They take great pride in their beer and their popularity across the nation backs up their reputation.  They are one of the few breweries that you can find across the country INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska.  A distribution reach like Sierra Nevada's is one that most other breweries cannot boast about.

I love this enhanced feature on my camera. It really makes the beer pop!

SN's Pale ale is a great example of the style.  In fact, it is the primary example of an American Pale Ale.  Since its listed first under the commercial examples section found within the link that means you cannot find a better beer to exemplify the characteristics you are expected to find within an American Pale Ale.

This nicely green labeled beer has a clear amber body and bright white head.  Strings of carbonation can be seen rising from the base of my tumbler.  Not the best glass to use for an aromatic beer such as this one but it works.  Piney, resiny and citrusy with a touch of caramel malt blend nicely together to form a welcoming aroma.  The flavor is much like aroma with it being a bit more malt forward than my initial impressions.  Citrus makes a bolder appearance as well alongside a noticeably pleasant level of carbonation to bring out the hoppy tones and crisp finish.  No alcohol, no bite, all enjoyable.

Overall - I dont think there is much doubt as to where I am going with this wrap-up.  Sierra Nevada's example of an American Pale Ale is second to none.  If you are not a hop head but are looking to make the leap into the lupulin scene then I advise that this be the place to start.  Its not so overbearingly hoppy that you feel as though your tongue is being burned off by hop acid.  This pale ale is a pleasant experience that will keep you coming back for more. 

Stone - Pale Ale

This evening I had the pleasure of enjoying one of the few nice summer evenings we have had in MN since, well, last summer!  My wife and I went out to the arboretum and had a serene, peaceful picnic on the top of the highest hill within the park.  Even though we were surrounded by crab apple trees, we still had a wonderful scenic view of the surrounding area.  It was a great way to clear my mind, relax and spend some quality time with my better half.  I feel great!

Now that I am one with nature I feel more qualified to give my opinion on topics that are related to nature.  Lucky for us, water, barley, hops and yeast are all natural products readily available on this little blue planet of ours!

Tonight's review is from Stone Brewing Co. out of Escondido, CA.  We have reviewed a number of their brews in the past, all mighty delicious.  You can find them all in the Review Archives if interested!  Stones Pale Ale is their flagship brew.  Based off of the classic British Pale Ale, Stone adds their own southern Californian spin by adding a healthy does of Magnum and Ahtanum hops to a rich malt backbone.  In classic Stone form, the bottle depicts a Gargoyle on the front with a little story about its origins on the back.

True to the websites description, this pale ale is a crystal clear deep amber.  A voluminous off-white head gives off a subtle woody, floral aroma.  Caramel malt blends nicely with the delicate hop aromas and doesn't steal the show.  The flavor is really where the maltiness kicks in.  Smooth, clean, toasty caramelized malt is first in line.  The Magnum hops do a nice job providing a solid bitter foundation to cut the sweetness a bit.  Some more woody, earthy tones creep around as the flavors commingle together.  Absolutely no alcohol is present and the carbonation is soft which supports the smooth mouthfeel.

Overall - This pale ale is certainly worthy of carrying Stones flagship banner.  Its not overly done with extreme hoppiness like some other West coast pale ales I've run into.  I like a solid malt character with just enough of a hop boost to push it over the edge from an American Amber Ale into an American Pale Ale.  In fact, I dub this a new style - American Amber Pale.  Feel free to borrow the description and place it on your bottles for the next batch.

Anchor - Liberty Ale

Tonights review comes to us from Anchor Brewing Co. out of San Francisco, CA.  Dunz and I have reviewed their Porter and Old Foghorn Barley wine and have enjoyed both of them.  This brewery produces consistently good beer year round.  And really, what else would you want from a nationally known, award winning brewery?  Its nice to see these guys stick to their guns and create craft beer that doesn't belong within the nether-regions of the craft beer universe.  You wont find any chocolate-coffee-espresso-double-mega-ultra-oak-aged stout from this brew house.

Liberty Ale was originally conceived on April 18th, 1975 as a tribute to the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere's historic ride.  Unfortunately, for us here in the states, Paul Revere has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently... just Google 'Sarah Palin' and 'Paul Revere' and you will know what I'm talking about.  This craft beverage is a light, dry hopped ale that is produced year round.

A hefty plume of bright white foam billows from my pint as I pour the slightly hazy, straw colored brew from its 12 ounce bottle.  The head retention is impressive, still loitering around 15 minutes later.  Sweet malt and floral hops make up the aroma.  Hints of lemon grass are noticeable and carry through into the flavor.  Bready, hoppy and clean, this pale ale is easy on the senses.  A light bitterness supports the overall profile with no alcohol present to crash the party.

Overall - A very clean, easy to drink summertime pale ale.  This brew is light and full of flavor.  More on the hoppy side of the pale ale category but I'm certainly not complaining.  This six pack will disappear from your fridge before you can say "The British are coming!  The British are coming!" 


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Stone - Cali Belgie IPA

First off, I'd like to express my absolute joy about the fact that I am finally done with my exam!  No longer do I need to come home after work and worry about studying.  I get to do things like write about beer without feeling bad about it! Which is good news for both myself and our wonderful readers.

And speaking of our readers, if you want another way to follow us throughout the day follow us on Twitter at Worldobeercraft!  Not only will we let you know about what we are reviewing, we will post the beers we are drinking at any given time throughout the day as well as other beer related information from some of our favorite breweries across the country.  Lots of great information is out there and Dunz and I are excited to utilize what seems to be this silly form of communication.

Tonights brew is another from Stone.  We had a bit of a Stone-ganza when they first started shipping out to Minnesota. We reviewed their Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA, normal IPA, Ruination IPA, and Arrogant Bastard.  From that list, you can probably already tell two things: 1. They have some pretty solid IPAs and 2. They are from California.  And Californians love them some hops in their beers.  So tonight, it seems appropriate that I'm reviewing yet another IPA from Stone, their Cali - Belgie IPA.  I'm assuming this is going to be more on the hoppier side just from what I know from this brewery.  Lets dig in and find out.

The brew is brilliantly clear.  Clearly filtered which takes away from what you would assume from a Belgian beer.  The head is a nice and frothy white.  Very aromatic, clearly a Belgian yeast strain was used.  Some spicy grapefruit and lemon zest.  Oh hey, I just read the bottle and its apparently their standard IPA fermented with a Belgian yeast strain.  Look what happens when you read!  Its all making sense now.  A nice bitterness flows through the lemony, bready and somewhat tropical fruity flavor profile.  Nicely balanced with hardly any alcoholic bite.  Dry and bitter rounds out this easily drinkable IPA with a Belgian twist.

Overall - I'm pretty happy this one comes in a 22oz bomber.  Well brewed and easy to drink.  Quite refreshing on a 95 degree day like today too!  I wouldn't pick it up if you are looking for a more Belgian-y Belgian IPA.  This brew certainly errs on the side of IPA.  But it is delicious if you are looking for a beer to spice up your standard, run-of-the-mill IPA.

Lagunitas - Imperial Stout

Tonight I'm drinking the Unlimited Release Lagunitas Imperial Stout.  This beer is brewed by Lagunitas in Petaluma, CA.  According to the label, it's 'Doggone Good!', with 72 IBUs and 9.9%ABV.  There is also a little story on the label that I'll quote below:


"Having downed his forth Imperial Stout of theay, the wild eyed charlatan from Voldvostogniaky belched and hollered for the Czarina to enter his chamber and bend herself to his will. The economy was a wreck and revolt was just around the corner. Nicky the Czar dude was off playing soldier like any pale nobleman wioth a hemorrphagic skin condition would. Such were the final days of the old empire. Reactionary, decadent, sputnik, stroganoff, wierd, and drunk. But even as the proletariat countryside labored under inhuman conditions and a threat of being sent to futile war in the east, they wisely took the time to slam back an Imperial Stout or two. After all, life can be a real "suka", as they say in the old country. Big, black, bourgeois, bolshoy, belligerent, buxom, and scary - this is our version of the chaotic end of an era in a bottle."


The beer looks black....against the light, it's definitely black and doesn't let any of those protons through.  My pour leaves a thick layer of tan head with nice retention.  The aroma is full of plums, raisins, and alcohol.  It almost reminds me of a port wine.  Also a faint scent of vanilla in there.  


The taste starts off strange.  Then, it progresses to odd.  The finish brings a heavy dose of weird.  Honestly, even after 5 sips I still can't figure out what's going on with this beer.  I guess the first two things that come to mind are vanilla and candied plums.  Then comes a fairly hot dose of alcohol.  I'm not catching any of the roasty, coffee, chocolate malts that I expect and love in a big stout.  Instead, there is an overwhelming, and off-putting, bitter-sour alcohol.  The mouthfeel is pretty light and the carbonation is too high. 


Overall Rating:  I hate to bash Lagunitas, I'm a fan of many of their brews.  But this beer definitely falls at the bottom of the barrel - very disappointing.  I haven't sacrificed to the drain gods for a long long time, but that is exactly where this is going.  The fact that I feel zero remorse for this blasphemy just confirms it was the right thing to do.  

21st Amendment - Bitter American

Well today is another dreary and cold day in Minnesota.  We were teased with spring last week when we had temperatures in the 50s and 60s.  Now, its 40, rainy and overcast and I dont want to do a damn thing right now.  Sitting on the couch and watching a baseball game where its warm and people are wearing sunglasses makes me want to do nothing even more.  When I do nothing, its generally with a beer in my hand.  And todays brew is a spring seasonal from 21st Amendment Brewery out in California.  Am I the only one who cant say California without thinking of Schwarzenegger?

Bitter American comes in a can with a space monkey floating around in space.  Its typically not the first thing I think of when Im looking for a good brew but it caught my attention none the less.  From this six packs packaging, "If you'd been rocketed into space against your will, you might be a little bitter too".  Well I guess that explains that!  They go on to say how this beer is their "long-overdue tribute to unsung, unwitting heroes everywhere".  I can get on board with that.  I raise this pint to you garbage men, sewage technicians and road construction workers everywhere who dispose of my trash, keep my house flowing and allowing me to get to and from work without blowing out a tire in a giant pot hole.  Well... that last ones a bit iffy.... Cheers!

A brilliantly clear and vibrant straw-sunburst color fills my glass and tops off with a lasting white head of foam.  Citrus and malty aromas fill the empty space at the top of my mug.  Grapefruit, orange peel, biscuit and hints of caramel comprise a decidedly floral aroma.  The flavor is very crisp and clean.  More malt forward than the aroma but the bitterness catches up quickly towards the finish.  Subtly sweet malt mix with a slight fruitiness from the yeast used to ferment this seasonal session brew.  Dry, bitter and crisp round out the final flavors as I finish each sip.  Medium carbonation and no alcohol warmth either.

Overall - A very enjoyable session beer for a hop head.  At 4.4% ABV I could put back a few of these and still feel like going back for another.  Nice to drink and easy on the eyes.  Search high and low for a six pack of Bitter American this spring.  Since its a seasonal it wont be around for long!

Stone - Sublimely Self Righteous Ale

On my way home from my place of business this afternoon I felt the intense urge to pick up some new beer.  This urge could not go unsatiated.  Even though I have no lack of bottles to review in my fridge currently, I wanted something different.  For me, going to the beer store is akin to a kid entering a Toys R Us for the first time in his life.  Every time I go to one I always find something new and I get a silly, childish grin on my face while I carry as many bottles as I can in my hands up to the cash register.  I intentionally leave the shopping carts and baskets, if available, at the door... God help my bank account if that ever becomes a habit of mine.

One of the bottles I picked up is from Stone.  Yes, Dunz just reviewed one of their brews this weekend and I wanted to get in on this party.  I have heard good things about Stone and found an impressive line up of their bombers at the brew store.  I went with one I was unfamiliar with and knew little about.  From what I derived by reading the lengthy story on the back of the bottle it was bitter, dark and well received back when it was featured as Stone's 11th anniversary release.  Its always good to see a special release beer become part of a breweries normal line up.  Must mean they are doing something right.  And I must say, I love the art that is featured throughout Stone.  Medieval gargoyles and winged beasts litter Stones website and bottles.  Very cool.

A deep brown, almost black brew flows into my mug creating a frothy tan head.  The hops are instantly permeating the air and very vibrant.  The aroma is almost all citrusy hops with a hint of roast and brown sugar in the background.  Had this been a blind tasting, I would have a very hard time identifying this as anything other than a big IPA.  The flavors flow through from the aroma with an intense bitterness and hop presence.  Lots of tart citrus flavors like grapefruit and tangy orange.  Some burnt caramel and roast begin to show up as the brew warms.  Very smooth mouthfeel with moderate carbonation.  A slight alcoholic warmth comes into play as I finish off this silky treat.

Overall 5.2/6.0 - Delicious.  I can toss other descriptors out there but delicious sums up my thoughts on this brew quite thoroughly.  Black IPAs, a relatively new brew category, are quickly catching on with craft breweries across the country.  Its no surprise that some of the best are coming from the West.  I would love to have Stone package it in six pack form.  In fact, Ill take a six pack of 22 oz bottles.  Jumbo sixer.  Now there's an idea!

Anchor - Porter

Tonights review comes to us from the West coast.  Yes, another brew from those crazy brewers out West.  What do they know about beer, huh?!?  Well apparently a lot.  A majority of American craft breweries, especially those that focus on the hoppier side of brewing, have made a name for themselves on the West coast. Rogue, Stone, Deschutes, and tonights brewery, Anchor, all hail from one of those large states out west.

Anchor made a name for itself from its flagship brew, Anchor Steam.  It uses a unique hop called Northern Brewer as its primary hop addition.  This hop is known for its woody, rustic and slightly minty flavor and aroma. The California Common style of beer is directly based off of Anchor Steam which has paved the way for other craft breweries to explore the use of unique hops and ingredients with great success, and, at times, great failure.  The beer I'm enjoying tonight is another of Anchors famous line up, Anchor Porter.

Classified as a Robust Porter, this brew is a clear, dark ruby when held up to the light.  A thin layer of foam settles on the surface and sticks around throughout each drink.  My first impression is a strong dark fruit mixed with a subtle roast and hardly any hops.  This porter is packed full of flavor.  Bittersweet chocolate, subtle dark fruits, sweet roast and a slight hint of vanilla bring this expansive flavor profile together.  Subtle carbonation and a smooth, sweet but not cloying finish make this a very drinkable porter.

Overall 5.0/6.0 - I keep coming back to this porter as one that I can enjoy at any time.  Its big and flavorful enough that it will warm you during a cold winter night.  Yet also not too heavy that its enjoyability goes down on a cool summer evening.  If you can find it and you are a fan of delicious porters, pick up a sixer of Anchor Porter.  You wont be disappointed!

Sierra Nevada - 30th Anniversary Imperial Helles Bock

Good evening beer lovers!  For some reason I am in delightfully chipper mood tonight.  No, its not because I'm all drugged up on antihistamines... damn allergies.  Its because the sun was shining after work, the temperature was in the 50s for one of the first times this spring, and I knew I had a delicious brew waiting for me to enjoy when I got home.  The only downside to the night so far was the Twins game getting rained out in New York.  I'm ok with that though since the Twins had an epic comeback win against them last night!  Woo hoo!!!

Tonights beer is one I have had on hand for close to six months now.  I couldnt tell you why its taken me this long to pop open.  Maybe its because it looks like a fancy bottle because it has a cork instead of a cap.  Or it could be because it was $10 for the bottle and I wanted to save it for a special occasion.  That sounds more accurate.  This beer is being reviewed in honor of spring finally making an appearance here in Minnesota!  Cheers to no more snow on the ground!

Sierra Nevada's Imperial Helles Bock, brewed in part by two of the countries most well known home brewers Charlie Papazian and Fred Eckhardt, is one of four beers produced in their 30th anniversary series.  The Helles style of beer, one we partially reviewed during our German beer tasting event back in December, was originally brewed to compete with the dominant German Pilsner style at the time.  Generally light with a sweet malt aroma and subdued hop profile, this style is bland on paper but brilliantly full flavored when brewed properly.  Sierra Nevada's version is an imperial style meaning its going to be bigger, more alcoholic and bolder than your standard Helles.  Who can complain with that?

The cork pops off with a thin, white smoke of carbonation flowing out the top of the neck.  As I pour this beer I can already smell the sweet malt aroma expected from the Helles style.  A cream colored head forms on top of a  brilliantly clear, straw colored brew.  A sweet toasted malt character is what I sense first followed by an unexpected crisp, aromatic hop profile.  Nicely balanced with neither overpowering the other.  The head has receded into a few small slugs floating in the middle of a thin lacing clinging to the circumference of my pint.  My first sip is more bitter than I excepted.  I get a lot of floral hops throughout my first few sips with the bready, slightly toasty malt profile showing up every so often.  The body is nice and full, more so than your typically Helles.  Moderate carbonation accentuates the bitterness and 8.3% ABV of this anniversary brew.  Very smooth finish with no lingering cloying sweetness or bitterness.

Overall 4.5/6.0 - While I cant say this was my favorite out of the four anniversary beers Sierra Nevada produced last year I can say this was a well brewed beer.  I wanted to give it a lower score because of the higher than expected hop profile in the flavor but I should have known that may be the case because A) its an imperial beer and B) I don't know very many home brewers, much less Sierra Nevada, who can restrain themselves from throwing a massive amount of hops into every beer they make!  The beer is delicious and I would certainly drink it again.  If you can find a bottle, definitely pick it up if you like your beers on the hoppier side.

Lagunitas - The Hairy Eyeball Ale

This evening's brew comes to us from Lagunitas Brewery out in Petaluma, CA.  Steve and I have had a lot of great Lagunitas' brews over the last couple years, but for some reason, we've only written 1 Lagunitas review.  So tonight, we are going to DOUBLE that amount, and give this bottle of Hairy Eyeball a try.  Hairy Eyeball is a split personality American Strong Ale / Imperial Brown, and registers at a bold 9%ABV.

The beer pours a dark mahogany brown that only lets a couple rays of light through.  The nose is elusive, but after searching there is some candi sweetness, some sour dark fruits and a little cinnamon.  The first sip brings a punch of flavor that frankly caught me by surprise after being lulled by the soft aromas.  There is a strong mix of bittering hops and heavy, sweet caramel malts.  Also some banana nut bread, and some cinnamon raisins make an appearance in the middle.  Then, the alcohol budges in and bullies everyone out of the room.  The mouthfeel is very smooth and creamy, and carbonation is appropriately low. 

Overall Rating:  (4.5 out of 6.0)  This was a nice, barley-wine-esque brew from Lagunitas.  Full of flavor, and the alcohol prominence in the finish reminds you that this is a big beer.  I would certainly recommend this, especially if you like the barley-wines!

**Side Note - I'm having a hard time finishing this glass - the beer is heavy.....doesn't take away from the awesome flavor, but I think I'll finish this glass and go take a nap ; )

Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot Barely Wine 2010

Tonight, my friends, is one of those nights where I wanted to drink something that I knew would be delicious.  Something that was full of flavor, hops, body, aroma, and all around fantasticness.  Sierra Nevada has rarely ever let me down with any of their beers.  So what better beer to pick than one that I have been aging for over a year... a 2010 Bigfoot barley wine.  We all know how much I <3 barley wines.  This was a clear choice.

Every year Sierra Nevada has been brewing this glorious concoction.  And every the recipe changes.  I have had the 2011 vintage this year and it is mighty hoppy.  I recall from the 2010's I had last year that they were much less so.  More of an English than an American barley wine.  I enjoyed 2010 much more.  I anticipate that since its had time to age the flavors have come together and mellow out over the year.  Lets see if that is indeed the case!

The pour is a deep, hazy brown-red color.  The yeast sediment is floating freely throughout the glass.  A solid off white crop of foam forms during the pour and recedes only a few minutes after.  The aroma is intense; full of candied fruits, brown sugar, toasted caramel and a bit of citrus from the hops.  My first sip is smooth like Kieth Stone.  Those fruity tones mixed together with a small amount of caramel and malt blend together with a surprising amount of hop bitterness towards the finish.  Over time, hops tend to drop out of the beer.  If you let a beer age longer than 3-5 years you can typically assume your bittering aspect of the hops to be nonexistent.  Over one year old and the bitter bite is still there.  A warming alcohol presence assists this brew on its way down your throat.  The carbonation is moderate and accentuates some of the subtleties this brew has to offer.

Overall 5.1/6.0 - This was a great beer to drink and has certainly aged well.  The flavors were not harsh, the hops played a bold but not powerful role, and the alcohol was mellow.  While delicious overall, I have definitely had better barley wines this winter.  I would never pass up on a Bigfoot and the 2010 vintage is no different.  If you have a bottle aging now is as good a time as any other to crack it open and enjoy a solid American brewed treat.

Sierra Nevada - 30th Anniversary Grand Cru

Tonight is a night where I have absolutely no intention of reviewing a beer.  Let me tell you my timeline for today... this morning I woke up with a mild hangover from the evening before.  Nothing crazy, but debilitating none the less.  At around 10 am I got wood... not that kind of wood you sick bastard!  A farmer that Dunz recommended to me harvests fire wood for the winter so I bought some and stuck it in my garage.  Throughout the afternoon I watched the Tutors, excellent showtime series and DVD package I must say.  Then after a few episodes I decided to mount my TV... again, sick bastards, stop it with your negativity!  It took a solid two hours to stick this thing to the wall.  After it was completed I watched the Steelers have their way with the Ravens... GO STEELERS!  Then I went out to the bar and drank a few while the Packers dismantled the Falcons.

So, with that said, I normally review beers in advance for times like these.  Although, this specific time I didnt do any editing to add more information to the post.  So what you experience going forward will be my raw tasting notes of this beer.  Nothing has been added or changed from the time I tasted this beer last weekend.  So here you go... this is how I initially review beers...

Deep amber color, lingering off tan head.  Very aromatic - hoppy, zesty, piney, slight alcohol smell apparent.  There is a little malt in there but the hops are front stage.  My first sip is full of hops but the malt body backs them up and helps to balance everything out.  A nice chewy body reminds me of the bigfoot and a very slight hint of oak shows up in the bitter finish.  I can pick out a piece of each of the three beers blended to make this piece of hop heaven.  The oak aged bigfoot shows up in the bold body and mild oak finish.  The celebration ales fresh hopped aroma and color mesh nicely with the pale ales strong bitter finish.

Overall 5.8/6.0 - Very, very little wrong with this beer.  The only thing I could pick out was the hint of alcohol in the nose.  But Im not even sure you can consider that a flaw at 9.2% ABV.  This bottle is dangerously drinkable but one that would be good to age.  Thats why I bought two!  Im almost positive that when I revisit this brew next year it will be a resoundingly perfect beer.  Cheers to the 30th anniversary of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.!

21st Amendment - Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale

Today is a winter warmer from 21st Amendment brewery in San Fransisco, CA.  This brewery is obviously named after the end of prohibition which is probably the best piece of legislation our congress has ever passed.  One thing you will notice from the picture is that they like to put their beer in cans.  This has been a recent trend amongst craft brewers but 21st Amendment has been doing this since their inception in 2000.  Canning the beer allows the brew to retain its freshness for longer since it is not subjected to light or oxygen like bottles typically are.  Fireside chat is their early winter seasonal.  I have had their Brew Free or Die IPA and Back in Black IPA and both were good.  This will be my first time tasting this iteration of their winter warmer so I'm excited to see what it has in store.

Color is a deep mahogany, almost brown but when held up to the light I see ruby red.  The little head formation created during the pour recedes into a thin lacing.  The aroma, still cool from the fridge, gives me some dark fruit, maybe black cherries?  The spices are certainly there as well and remind me of a mild ginger snap.  I think I can smell the malt but its overshadowed by the spices added.  No description of these spices exist on their website other than "spices and coco nibs".  I cant pick out the coco nibs but ill accept the fact that they're there.  Maybe they will make a presence in the flavor.  The body is nice and full.  Lots of spice!  Cinnamon, hints of clove, ginger and nutmeg make a bold presence.  Reminds me of a gingerbread without the molasses.  The malt is there but only in the body and as a background flavor.  No hops present at all in the nose but are noticeable in the finish which is to be expected at 45 IBU's.  After about 10 min on the counter the spices really take over and the sweetness of this brew punches its way into the profile.  The 7.9% ABV is absent throughout. 

Overall 3.1/6.0 - While I may be able to drink a few of these I think the spices eventually get in the way of this brews enjoyability.  Be sure to drink this on the cooler side.  This would be a nice beer to have with dinner or an appetizer but not so much as a stand alone drink.  Thats not to say its not enjoyable, but one serving of this winter warmer is enough for me.

Lagunitas - Censored Rich Copper Ale

Tonight Dunz, myself and our ladies went out to go see the Christmas Schooner at the History Theater in St Paul. It was a great performance with plenty of Christmas cheer. I would happily watch the performance again. A bonus to the performance was a German beer tasting that we attended prior to the show. We sampled six different brews that all originated from Germany. Some of these breweries dated back to the 1040's! We took notes and pictures and will be writing an overall tasting review tomorrow. For tonight, however, I wanted to share a bit of Lagunitas with you!

Lagunitas is a brewery that is known for its big, full bodied, overly hoppy beers. These guys are brewing beers for the craft beer drinker and wouldnt be happy anywhere else. Censored Ale seems to stray slightly from that craft beer way of thinking. Pouring a very clear copper (which would make sense considering the name) you are greeted with a head that quickly dissipates into a off-white ring around your glass. The aroma is caramel with a touch of roast. You would miss the roast if you werent looking for it. Your first sip will be a nice big malt bomb in your mouth... (Ill give you a malt bomb... thats what she said???). As it warms a touch of alcohol enters the flavor profile and grows as the brew gets warmer. At 5.9% abv it would almost be expected but doesnt fit in this beer. Hops take a back seat in this Lagunitas brew where their only role here is a finishing bitterness on the back of your tounge. Something you wouldnt typically expect from a brewery who labels one of their beers "Hop Stoopid". You will want to drink this one cold. But not any cooler than 35-40 degrees otherwise you will lose the sweet, caramel aroma. Any warmer than 50 and the alcohol starts to interfere with the primary, and frankly only flavor this beer has got. You have to search pretty hard to find other primary flavor characteristics.

Overall, lets give this one a 3.2 out of 6. I enjoy it and could drink a few at a time but eventually the sweetness catches up to you. It has a dry finish which helps keep it drinkable. If you are looking for a sweet beer with plenty of caramel malt in your face then this will be right up your alley and you could probably drink a number of them until you fall off your bar stool. I, however, prefer my beers to be a bit more complex without being overly sweet. This one doesnt quite hit it all the way home.

Interesting fact nugget for all of you illegal cigarette smokers out there, the name under the "Censored" bar on the label is actually "Kronic". And yes, the nugget pun was intended.

Statistics:
1.065 O.G.
25 IBU's

www.lagunitas.com/beers/censored

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Ale 2010

Tonight is a very exciting night for me....tonight I get to review one of my favorite winter seasonals - the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale! Sierra Nevada is one of those craft breweries that always seems to get it right, probably because the founder, Ken Grossman, is a damn genius. He studied chemistry and physics at California State University back in the 70's, and soon after opened up his own Home Brew Shop. After a couple years, he pieced together a brewery from salvaged dairy tanks and other big pieces of old shitty equipment - in those initial years he focused on using premium ingredients (including obscene amounts of quality hops), which they are known for now. They've stuck to their guns over the years, maintaining a lot of the same techniques and attention to quality (and shitloads of hops), and it shows - this Celebration Ale is a Sierra Nevada showcase - OK let's drink!

Statistics:
Alcohol (ABV): 6.8%
Bittering Hops: Chinook

Finishing Hops: Cascade and Centennial

Dry Hopping: Cascade and Centennial

IBUs: 65

Malts: Two-row Pale and English Caramel

Yeast: Top-fermenting Ale yeast

The bottle is red and festive - on top of the bottle is listed "Fresh Hop Ale". I like fresh hops, I like Ales, and I like festive things, this is a good start!

Pouring this brew into a pint glass - it pours with a nice copper hue, a bit cloudy but still looks clean, with a big frothy egg-white head. It smells very citrusy, kind of reminds me of that opening theme scene on Dexter, when he is cutting the orange and they show the citrus spraying all over the place. There's also some pine-cones in the nose, all very fresh.

My first drink of this brew makes me think of....wanting to take a second drink. It's like a masseuse on my palate, it hits all the right spots. First thing that comes through is a slightly sweet maltiness, but the hop-hulk loaded with oranges, grapefruits, and pine trees comes through immediately after that and body-slams my tongue. Kind of a bitter ending, but in a good way, with a little alcohol warmth to wash everything down.

Celebration Ale has a medium, smooth body that is almost creamy - carbonation is just right. The drinkability is outrageous and flat-out dangerous....

Overall Rating: Excellent (5.10 out of 6.00) This is a great, well-balanced American IPA that really hits the spot on the cold winter nights in this arctic tundra of a state. I don't typically think of IPA's as "winter warmers", but this beer fits in the category well with those big stouts and porters that are more commonly used for thawing. This 2010 edition is even better than the 2009, and that's a hard thing to do, the 2009 was pretty damn good. Pick up a 12-pack of this ASAP!