Tyranena - Shaggin' in the Wood Bourbon-Aged Scotch Ale

Let's kick things off today with a tribute to the amount of hatred I have for the Yankees.  They are the absolute bane to the Minnesota Twins existence.  No matter what the Twins do, they never seem to be able to win a series against that cursed baseball team.  Can't.  Stand.  Them...... F the yankees.

Now that we're past my baseball rant, let's get down to the things that really matter, beer obviously being at the top of that list.  Today I'll be Shaggin' in the Wood with this Scotch Ale, from Tyranena Brewing in Wisconsin.  This is part of their Brewers' Gone Wild series of beers, which, according to Steve, has produced a couple tasty beers in the past.  My last few glasses of Tyranena have been rough....not very good at all.  But I'm not willing to give up on them just yet, and besides, who can resist a beer called Shaggin' in the Wood?  Not this guy.

This beer comes in a nifty little "Brewers Gone Wild" label design, complete with a description of the brew, and a doodle of the head brewer (both pictured below).  Also notes on the label that this is "A series of big, bold, ballsy beers".  This beer is a dark, cloudy amber-brown color with minimal head and lacing.  The nose starts with a fantastic, musky caramel apple cider.  Oak, bourbon, vanilla scents all blend together in their as well.  Flavor starts with a woody, roasty caramel.  Then comes some vanilla notes, and some sweet apple along with it.  The bourbon is really only an afterthought in the flavor profile, which in my opinion is a good thing.  The finish leaves you with a vanilla-tongue, and some alcohol fumes on the nose.  The body is thick and viscous from start to finish, with moderate carbonation.

Overall Rating:  (3.3 out of 6.0)  This was probably the best Tyranena brew that I've had to date.  I enjoyed it to an extent, but I still am left wishing for a little more.  Can't quite pinpoint exactly what that is, but it was missing that kick that I was hoping for...too much vanilla-wood for me.   

Founders - Backwoods Bastard

Tonight I'm drinking Founders Backwoods Bastard.  I have had Founders beers in the past and have been satisfied with their product.  Their beers tend to embody the American craft beer movement.  Most are big, bold and unique, with todays brew being no exception.  Its a 10.6% ABV scotch ale and aged in oak bourbon barrels.  I generally like beers aged in oak.  The best examples I have previously found have all been stouts so this one should be a good change of pace.

After letting this warm up a bit the bourbon really wafts out of my glass.  A little smoke and vanilla add some complexity to the prominent bourbon smell.  The flavor is really nice and plays right into the aroma.  Bourbon, smoke, caramel, and dark fruit come together and finishes dry with an alcohol warmth at the end.  The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy.  The carbonation level is perfect... just enough there to accentuate the creaminess.

Overall 5.2/6.0 - I really liked this.  The bourbon is definitely prominent and the star player in this brew.  If you dont like bourbon this is not your kind of beer.  However, as a beer lover that also enjoys bourbon on occasion this is definitely a nice play on the strong scotch ale style.  The flavors blend together nicely.  It doesnt taste like somebody just dropped a shot of bourbon in this beer.  I think this comes in a four pack although Im not sure since this was another single bottle purchase.  Four pack or six pack aside, I wish I had more than just one on hand.  Pick it up and give it a shot!

Dark Horse - Scotty Karate

Today marks the first day this winter that I am at home, not at work, and not shoveling my driveway!  Although if the snow plows have anything to say about it Ill be back out there digging out the end of my driveway sooner than I think.  I cant complain too much though.... Ive always been a sucker for a white Christmas.

Dark Horse Brewery was established in 1997 in Marshall Michigan.  They have been brewing big, flavorful, bold beers since their inception.  Dark Horse's smallest beer is 5% ABV with their biggest going as high as 15%!  Todays beer review is of their Scotch Ale, Scotty Karate.  This beer is named after a one man band that played behind one of their beers stands at a local beer festival.  They advertised his presence above their booth and folks thought their beer was named Scotty Karate.  After the festival they decided to appease the masses and actually name a new beer after their booth attraction, Scotty Karate.

After pouring, a light tan foam which settles in a thin layer.  A very deep, reddish brown color fills your glass.  I cant tell if its cloudy or not but they say unfiltered on the side of the four pack.  Malty, slightly fruity, a small hint of smoke in the aroma.  Very smooth, creamy body.  Light carbonation.  An mild caramel malt flavor lingers after swallowing.  Nicely balanced and rich flavors come together.  They note the use of smoked malt on their packaging and they come through in a subtle complexity.  I really enjoy this scotch ale.  Although its not labeled as one it should be called an Imperial Scotch Ale.  Its right on the high end of the Strong Scotch Ale style guidelines.  At 9.5% ABV I'm happily surprised at the lack of its presence in this beer.  Its only there if you let it warm up.

Overall 5.25/6 - I'm very pleased with this brew.  I only remember having one other beer from Dark Horse and my memories are good ones.  Malty, creamy, smooth, easy to drink.  And very reasonably priced at $7.99 a four pack, this brew is something ill be getting again.