Southern Tier Back Burner

Before 2 weeks ago, I had never tried a barleywine. Now, I think I'm hooked. The great thing with the two American Barleywines I have had so far, is that they are the perfect combination of bitter and sweet. Usually those super high ABV beers are overly bitter/hoppy and you can really only have one (think Hopslam).

Southern Tier Back Burner was very similar to the Cincinnati Collaboration beer week ale. I think it had a bit more bite, but that probably had to do with it not being 6 weeks old. I think what made this beer so session-able was it's great balance. From what I perceive, most Barleywine style beers are over the top and aggressive with the hops. The focus on the creamy, sweet malt and hop balance really makes this winter seasonal a must try!

Happy Drinking!

Who: Cathy
Where:Virgil's Cafe
Price: $$
Score: 5 / 5

Allies Win the War!

Currently in craft beer, there is nobody who can compete with the packaging of 21st Amendment Brewery. They absolutely understand how to design beautiful packaging and brew great tasting beer. So, take 2 of my passions and combine them and you get a great combination and currently one of my favorite brewers on the planet.

21st Amendment collaborated for the first time ever with Ninkasi to give us a fine English Strong Ale.

In a surprising turn of events, rival superpowers have joined forces to bring a beer of might to the world. According to top-secret documents, recently unclassified, brewmasters for 21st Amendment in California and Ninkasi in Oregon began their brewing careers together many years ago. The two leaders reunited recently at a secret camp in the Sierras to devise their master plan. “We are more alike than we are different,” said 21st Amendment’s Shaun O’Sullivan. “We must unite in our common cause,” added Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd. The resulting collaboration, an ale brewed with California dates, an aggressive arsenal of all-Northwest hops and an unmistakable aroma of victory, deals a unified blow to unoriginal beers everywhere.

With the attitude of "us against the world" and playing off of their "rivalry" they came up with a killer concept for branding this beer. I love the 4 pack box that feels like a newspaper from the WW2 era and even changes the faces off of a famous photograph of the Allies: Churchill, FDR and Stalin to those of the brewers.

This is definitely an original ale and one I'm glad I was able to get my hands on. Do yourself a favor and pick up a 4 pack next time you are out. Pours a very nice red brew with a slight warm creamy head. There was a pretty strong hoppy flavor but is well balanced with the sweetness of the dates.

Happy Drinking!

Who: --
Where: Sonnett House
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

New Holland - Dragon's Milk

New Holland Brewing brings us Dragon's Milk. An oak barreled beer, I'm not sure if it is a stout or ale or what. Not that I really care in the end, but it's hard to compare it to other brews if I don't know what type of beer it is.

"Dragon’s Milk Ale, is a crown jewel of New Holland Brewing Company. It is the unrivaled result of painstaking processes - both creative and scientific."

Not sure what to think of that other than they really want us to like this beer because it's hard to brew.

Anyways, it pours a deep dark chocolate color with a tan head. Smells of vanilla, caramel and a bit of the oak from the barrel. Tastes mostly of vanilla and alcohol, but some of the oak flavor comes through as well. I have really been into the dark/chocolate/vanilla beers this season but this beer didn't distinguish itself from the others.

I think that if it had been barreled in bourbon instead, like Jefferson's Reserve, I think I would try this one again. I was excited to try this because it was recommended by a stout loving beer friend. Sorry to disappoint, but this won't make it back to the cooler any time soon.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Flying Dog K-9 Winter Ale

Beer number 2 from the holiday beer cooler. The Flying Dog k-9 Winter Ale.

My favorite part of the Flying Dog series has to be the artwork on the labels. The illustrations are fantastic and a bit scary at the same time. Who would want to mess with that dog? Not me.

Not the best brew by Flying Dog, but still pretty good in my book. Pours copper/amber color with a nice white head. Lacing was seen down the glass all through the beer. The beer is way more malty than hoppy, though you can detect a slight earthy hop, but it is very subtle. There is a fruitiness to the beer as well but I couldn't quite put my finger on the taste, not a citrus fruit for sure.

A solid winter warmer, not the best but well worth the try.

Happy Drinking!

Who: the Fam
Where: Rita's House
Price: FREE
Score: 3 / 5

Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown

The holidays came and went like a flash. I still can't believe it's January...

Cathy and I had plenty of opportunities to try new brews over the past month. Both sides of the family know of our craft brew love, so they always try to have something new to try -- especially Joe and Thad.

That brings us to the first beer from our holiday beer fest: Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown.

A very tasty seasonal treat for sure. Maple, hazelnut and chocolate are front and center for this English Nut Brown styled beer. It was very different with the maple syrup flavor I almost forgot that I was drinking a beer and not a dessert wine or hot chocolate or something... One of those beers where you can only have 1 or 2 because it just isn't a session type of beer - unless you can handle the sugar overload!

Would be a very nice compliment to any holiday dinner. Thanks to Joe for bringing this one over to try.

Happy Drinking!

Who: the Fam
Where: Rita's House
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Brooklyn Brewery - Black Chocolate Stout

The Brooklyn Brewery brews 2 winter seasonal's and we start with their Black Chocolate Stout.

A Russian Imperial Stout, poured a very dark black/brown with a nice head on top. This was a very full bodied beer and the smell and taste of dark chocolate and coffee beans is almost overwhelming. The alcohol is at the forefront, giving you a nice warm feeling on what should be a very cold winter day. There was a super strong bitterness in the beer from the dark chocolate and coffee flavors. I feel like it is almost too much though as that is the thing I most remember.

If you are into dark chocolate and coffee then this beer will be for you. It is a beer that is probably only for cold winter days/nights though. I can't imagine having this on a hot summer night. I know that a lot of folks really enjoy this brew and have it as one of the top winter seasonals. I don't think I would vote it to my top 3 but I was glad I gave it a try, and will probably come back to it again.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$$
Score: 3 / 5

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is one of my holiday and winter staples. It is one of those beers that you will have a good chance of seeing in our refridgerator over the next few months. It helps that Cathy enjoy's it, so it is easier to have around than not.

The beer has a reddish brown hazy color with a nice thick head at the top. Sugary lacing follows all the way down to the bottom of the glass. Smells very hoppy, spicy (Christmas spice) and fruity. Tastes very hoppy with a nice slight caramel malt to balance it out. It is a medium bodied beer which helps the session. It is not so bitter that it is overwhelming but hops are the main culprit in the beer. Very good showing for a winter brew.

It is too bad that this beer is only a seasonal brew, because it is probably one of the best beers brewed in the country. I think it is Sierra's best beer for sure. Please give this one a go.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Cathy / Joe
Where: Home / BORZONE!
Price: $$
Score: 5 / 5

Heavy Seas Winter Storm

This beer is from the Clipper City Brewing Company out of Baltimore, Maryland. It is their seasonal winter brew and apart of their Heavy Seas collection. Winter Storm "Category 5" Ale is an Imperial ESB and is called the "winter warmer" by Clipper City.

The beer poured a reddish amber color without much head. Smelled pretty hoppy with some caramel malt tones and a small amount of citrus. This was a very good combination of sweet malt and bitter hop finish. What is nice about the beer is that their is a fairly large dose of both malt and hops. Malt sweetness first but then the bitter citrus and piney hops come through at the end. The bitterness isn't so much that it is a problem and that makes this beer very smooth. I don't think I could session this beer because it has a 7.5% ABV but could very easily enjoy one with dinner.

In the end this was a pretty enjoyable Winter Brew and I could see this being a staple for the winter months for the years to come.

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

The winter brews have arrived! We have already tried 6 seasonal brews and it is only December 2nd. With so many more to try and write about I am excited for the next 2 months. If you have any winter seasonal's you think I should try, leave a comment after this post, I really appreciate it. Check the list on the right to see if I have tried it before you post!

Happy Drinking!

Bell's Hell Hath No Fury

This beer comes from the Bell's Brewing Company out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. I was able to try this beer the last time we were home in Cleveland for Cathy's birthday.

I have yet to try a beer from Bell's that I haven't liked. Hell Hath No Fury didn't change that one bit. It says on the label, which Bell's does very well and is one cooler label designs I have seen, that...

A brew that gives you either sympathy for the devil or the courage to face him. Goes especially well with your favorite lost my girl/truck/dog/trailer song.

I didn't have any sympathy for the devil after having this beer, but would want to face him either...Anyways, it was a solid Belgian Dark and I am sad that it is only for a limited release in October and November. Although I feel that Bell's best beers are their limited brews. I think that is the case with most brewers, knowing that they don't have much room for error, they put their best efforts into these beers.

It poured a dark chocolate brown color with heavy brown head. Smells of dark smokey chocolate. A very roasted bitter dark chocolate taste with a slight caramel malt flavoring. Reminded me of a stout which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Had a medium body, which allows one to have a few in a sitting. Would love to get my hands on another, but regrettably will have to wait until next Fall.


Who: Thad
Where: Visiting Cleveland
Price: FREE
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Magic Hat Odd Notion (Winter 08)

Magic Hat Brewing Company, Burlington, Vermont brews a solid winter ale with their Odd Notion (Winter '08). It was in the Feast of Fools Winter 12 pack, along with #9, Circus Boy and Roxy Rolles.

I really enjoyed this years Odd Notion beer. I believe that they brew it differently every year, which is a pretty cool idea to retire a beer every year. Last year if I remember correctly it was a darker (wheat?) beer, with some cinnamon. This year it is a lot lighter in color and is brewed with some honey flavor. It was a very light beer with a hint of orange and spice, very drinkable.

Chances are I'll probably give this another try since I will certainly buy another 12 pack before the season is up (Gotta get a few more Roxy Rolles). I wish that I could substitute out the Circus Boy because I really don't care for the Hefe's.

In the end, I was glad I had a try but won't be sad when they come up with a new recipe next year.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Fort Collins Retro Red

A Classic Ruby Red Ale, Fort Collins Brewing comes in with Retro Red.

Cathy and I picked this one out purely based on it's label. We really enjoyed the red wagon, carrying the beer bottles. I never did this growing up, but I know everyone has seen the kid with his red Flyer wagon corralling up used bottles and cans to take bake to the corner store. Very cool.

Not the best red ale I have had, and it pales in comparison to Founders Red's Rye. I think that drinking this so close after that beer really put a damper on what I think of it.

It has a very nice deep red color with a slight tan head. Smells of toasty caramel malt with a hint of nuttiness. Taste's like the smell (sweet caramel nutty) with a small amount of bitterness at the end. It was a good beer but not the best. I'll probably give Retro Red a try again because Cathy likes the Red Ales so much.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Founders Red's Rye

Red's Rye was my first beer from Founders Brewing. I have heard some great things about this brewery and this beer did not disappoint. What I can't get over is the creepy old man on the label. I can only assume that he is "Red" and it's almost like he is staring right into your soul.

On to the beer...

Red's Rye was right up Cathy's alley as she loves the red/amber ales. Just the right amount of sweet malt and hops for her. I had to agree with her on this, a very nice blend that was easy to drink. Pours a very nice red color with a light tan head. Could really smell the caramel, grapefruit and malted rye. It was such a pleasing blend of the sweet caramel and bitter grapefruit. It kind of felt more like an IPA, but I think the rye malt was what distinguishes it in the end.

A top notch brew and recommended to everyone. I would love to get my hands on another 6 pack soon.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Lagunitas Censored Ale

Lagunitas The Censored Rich Copper Ale

Another beer from the California based brewers. They claim

"This ale contains no actual copper but we're pretty literal... It looked coppery, so we lamely called it a copper ale."

Pretty funny claim, yet true none the less. I picked this one up when I made my own 6 pack at Bruisin' Ales in Asheville.

This wasn't my favorite red/amber/copper ale, but it wasn't the worst. You could smell the sweet and toasty caramel malt and maybe a bit of the hops, but it was tough to smell it over the malt. Has a "gasp" copper color...

The caramel malt hits you hard and their is a slight hop bitterness at the end. I think I got hung up on the metallic aftertaste, which kind of turned me off. I think the best part was how easy it was to drink and that isn't what I look for in a beer.

All in all, not great but not terrible. I'll probably try something else before I get this again.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Budweiser American Ale

Budweiser is trying to get into the "craft brew" market, and have failed. I was excited to give this a try, hoping the American brewing giant would come up with something good. There really is nothing good to say about the beer at all. It was a pathetic attempt at something they are not suited for. You can't just take Bud Light and make it an reddish amber color and then say you did something different.

If this is supposed to get people excited to try craft brewed beers, they are going to be in a world of surprise if they ever try a "real ale".

I guess I shouldn't get so worked up about it, but I have a great passion and respect for craft brewing that I expected so much more from a company that has way more money than most to put into a new beer. This is not what craft brewing or Ale's are about. In my opinion AB is trying to get their foot in the door, but it is way to late, and have failed miserably. I am offended as a craft beer drinker that they are really trying to get into this market with this kind of beer. I would guess that most will reject this kind of beer until they start doing it right.

Go ahead and give this a try, but don't expect anything. This will probably be one of the only beers that will get a 0 from me.

Who: Joey
Where: THE BORZONE!
Price: $
Score: 0 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Great Lakes Burning River

Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale.

One of my all-time favorite beers gets its name from the 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River (really it happened: Burning Cuyahoga). The label shows the Cleveland skyline with the burning Cuyahoga River running through it. A nice play on an easy target if you want to make fun of Cleveland.

I have said before that I am partial to the GLBC and almost all things Cleveland (my wife, Indians, Cavs, Cuyahoga Valley Ntl. Park, etc.), but I think that many will agree that this is a solid American Pale Ale. It was in the running for my Session #21 favorite beer but since I hadn't reviewed it yet, I didn't want to choose it.

The beer pours a light copper color with slight white head a decent lacing. Very hoppy citrus and floral smells, but not overwhelming. This medium bodied beer makes it very drinkable and has a very hoppy bitterness at the beginning. You really get to taste the malt and caramel at the end making this a very balanced APA.

I think that GLBC really comes through on this brew and if you haven't given it a try yet, I would recommend that you do.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 5 / 5

Happy Drinking!

The Session #21: Favorite Beer

This is my first session post for beer blogging Friday. The 21st installment of The Session is hosted by A World of Brews. The topic chosen by Matt is "What is your favorite Beer and Why?"

This is a tough question, because I rarely ever buy the same beer over and over. When my wife and I are traveling one of my rules is to always try a beer from the region we are in, so I'm forced to try something new all of the time. That is the beauty of the craft beer world, their are so many choices and it's so hard to choose your favorite. Same goes for when we are in a bar, I never order the same beer at every bar. Most of the beers that I enjoy are not available in bars anyways.

But, since I don't like to break the rules, I'll go with Breckenridge 471 Small Batch IPA. It was the latest beer to get a 5 / 5 rating from me. Here is what I said in my review back in October

"This beer is not for those who don't like hops. It was a great combination of the malt with the double hops though. Although the bitterness and hops are in your face from the beginning, it wasn't overwhelming. The sweetness of the caramel was their at the beginning, but it isn't enough to take away from the bitter finish. The brewmaster really outdid him/herself with this beer. Even with the high ABV (9.20%) I could sit and have a handful of these.

Highly Recommended!"

I have to give a shoutout to Dave over at Musings Over a Pint and Chipper Dave at Fermentedly Challenged for alerting me to The Session. Be sure to check out A World of Brews for a summary of all of this month's Session posts.

Bad Penny Brown Ale

Brewed by the Big Boss Brewing Company in Raleigh, North Carolina. The thing that drew me to Bad Penny was the label and branding of the beer and brewery. As a designer I am always looking for things that excite and inspire me and this is one of those times. The design is fantastic and one of the better options in the craft beer world. All of Big Boss's brews have this same kind of design and feel. Very cool.

Now on to the beer itself.

Bad Penny is a brown ale and a pretty good one at that. Pours a dark brown, more like a porter than a brown ale, with a creamy off white head. Smells of dark chocolate and coffee. The taste reminds me a bit like a chocolate soda, it has this thin malty flavoring with a hint of nutty/hoppy bitterness at the end.

This really felt more like a porter than a brown ale, but I think that the bitterness at the end categorizes it as the brown ale over a porter/stout. Can't wait to try another brew from Big Boss.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

SweetWater IPA

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the SweetWater Brewing Company has been brewing beer since 1997 and are doing a pretty good job of it, based on their IPA.

Nice looking light yet foggy amber color with a slight head at the top. Decent lacing as the beer was drank. Big hop smell of citrus, flowers and a slight hint of caramel malt. Great hoppy explosion from the very first taste, but balances well with the sweet malt. Medium bodied which made it easy to drink, could have a few of these for sure.

A very good IPA that reminds me a lot of a West Coast brew, probably because the founders of SweetWater were roommates at Colorado University. Another good beer to try if you can find it or trade for it.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale

This was the last of the fall seasonal's we had in the ice box. Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is one of the better pumpkin ales that I have tried so far. The real problem I have with pumpkin beers is that they concentrate to much on the all spice and nutmeg.

Dogfish Head comes in with a different idea, they make it taste like a pumpkin not pumpkin pie, they also introduce a brown sugar flavor that really helps to make this beer drinkable compared to other pumpkin ales. It pours a nice orange/amber color more like a brown ale (Newcastle) than an Oktoberfest. You can smell all of the spices: cinnamon, brown sugar, all spice and nutmeg. A pretty full bodied beer and I probably could only drink the one at a time. The pumpkin taste is very apparent but not overwhelming and there is a pretty nice hoppy bitterness to finish it off. Which is why I probably liked it more than other pumpkins.

A good beer to try if you can find it. I am definitely glad that the autumn ale season is over, I've grown tired of this beer season and am excited for the winter/Christmas ales to come out.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Green Man Ales ESB

This was the growler we picked up in Asheville, NC. Cathy had tabbed Green Man Brewery as one we needed to try before we even made the trip. We picked this up at Brusin' Ales in downtown Asheville.

Green Man Ales ESB from the growler was very delicious. Pours out a dark amber / red and smells of toasty caramel and earthy hop tones. Was a pleasant medium bodied brew with a slight touch of sweetness and hop bitterness. It was very easy to drink and you could get 3 or 4 down with not problems.

The only issue I had was the $3 bottle deposit! I understand the concept and would be fine with it, except we live in Ohio. I am not able to get back to NC to recover the cost and we recycle everything anyways! That extra cost pushed the price of the growler to $14 (for 4 pints). Either way it was a good beer and hope to be able to try a few more from Green Man in the future.

Who: Emily
Where: Em and Bill's
Price: $$$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!