Southampton - Pumpkin Ale

Southampton Pumpkin Ale is a unique brew that has particular appeal during the autumn months and the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Pumpkin ales have their origins in the colonial days of America when malted barley was not always available in sufficient quantities to brewers. In those days, resourceful brewers would seek out a secondary source of starch (mainly pumpkins) as a substitute for barley malt. The pumpkin would contribute some fermentable sugars as well as a distinct flavor. They use a generous amount of pumpkin as well as traditional "pumpkin pie" spices to give this unusual brew a definite seasonal character.

The ABV is 5.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Pumpkin Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a dark amber color with a big cream head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Mostly spices; clove, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste -  Caramel, pumpkin pie spices, some malts.
Mouth Feel - Just the right amount of carbonation, medium body.
Drinkable - This is a good example of a pumpkin ale.  I will have it again.

This beer pairs well with meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =86

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Weyerbacher - Imerial Pumpkin Ale

Brewed with Pumpkin and Spices (Cinnamon,Nutmeg,Cardamom,Cloves). This 8.0% ABV pumpkin ale is heartier, spicier, and more caramelly and pumpkiny than its faint brethren! Perfect finisher on a cool autumn night, or match it up with a slice of pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream. If you don't agree this is the mother of all pumpkin ales, then you just don't like mothers!  This is my first A+ rating, it's just that good (plus I have not rated the J.W. Lee yet).


The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Pumpkin Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a clear dark amber with a nice cream head that last. Some lacing.
Aroma - Spicy, you can really smell the nutmeg and cinnamon.
Taste -  Spice up front and the caramel and pumpkin are there are well.
Mouth Feel - Clean and just the right amount of carbonation.
Drinkable - Very good pumpkin ale just like Dogfish Head but I tad better IMHO.

This beer pairs well with cheese and Thanksgiving dinner.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating = 96

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North Coast - Old Stock Ale (2010)

The North Coast Brewing Co.’s  Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of their critically acclaimed Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale and Old Rasputin Imperial Stout. It’s brewed with classic floor-malted Maris Otter Pale Malt and Fuggles Hops imported from England, so it’s a beer to be served proudly. Like a fine wine, North Coast’s Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round-out and mellow with age. North Coast Brewing Co. Old Stock Ale is a vintage dated ale. North Coast produced a small quantity each year and it remains available from release date until the stock is depleted.

The ABV is 12.5 and the IBU rating is 36
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

The Pour - Mahogany in color a bit cloudy.  The white head dissipates quickly. Good lacing.
Aroma - Very malty and winey aroma that includes caramel and toffee tones.
Taste - Malty and hints of caramel, dark fruit, a hint of rum.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is low to medium, full body.  Very warm after taste from the alcohol.
Drinkable - I like this beer a lot, reminds me of a good barlywine.  It's a sipper with a warm burn from the 12.5 % abv.  I can't wait to age this brew for a few years. 

Goes great with cheeses and darker fruit.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating =99

Tröegs - Flying Mouflan

Dubbed the Flying Mouflan (for reasons that become clearer toward the bottom of the glass) this strong alluring ale is two beers in one. Cracking open a fresh bottle unleashes hops and heat with more than 100 IBUs emanating from three hop varieties and sweet burn of 9.3% ABV. Cellaring the Flying Mouflan in a cool dark place at 50 degrees for a minimum of four months will mellow out the hops and wash away the heat. If you can resist temptation you will be rewarded with two memorable beers in a single bottle.  I first had this brew back in August '10, my second bottle was during the third week of the NFL season the same year.  I will save the third bottle for next year.  I like John Trogner's tasting notes: “We classify this beer as pushing Nugget Nectar off the side of a cliff. It is bold and intense–think hops dipped in candied sugar and rolled in dark chocolate nibs. Over time, the Flying Mouflan transforms into lush raisin and chocolate overtones as the hops subside and the rich barley flavors come out in the beer.”

The ABV is 9.3 and the IBU rating is 100
Style - Barleywine
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tulip, Snifter
Delivery 22oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a brownish amber color with a cream head that last through out the drink.
Aroma - Hoppy and malty.
Taste -  Malty up front, caramel, toffee and some pine from the hops.  You can taste the warmth of the alcohol.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation, very smooth.
Drinkable - I like this brew but can only have one per sitting, what out for the alcohol.

This beer pairs well with sharp, pungent cheese.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating = 99

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Cricket Hill - Fall Festivus Ale

This amazing unfiltered Autumn brew falls somewhere between Cricket Hill’s popular "American Ale" and their equally-popular "Hopnotic IPA" but takes on a taste all it’s own. A fantastic Ale that one must seek on the journey of microbrew obsession.

The ABV is 5.1 and the IBU rating is ??
Style -Amber Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours to a clear amber color with a small white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty and hoppy
Taste -  Not a whole lot going on, a well balanced brew between the hops and malt.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation and smooth. Medium bodied.
Drinkable - Very drinkable I will have it again.

This beer pairs well with cheese and meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B-
Ratebeer Rating =60

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Brooklyn Brewery - Post Road Pumpkin Ale

Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a revival of a beer brewed by the early American colonists. Pumpkins were plentiful, flavorful and nutritious and they blended nicely with barley malt. Hundreds of pumpkins are blended into each batch of Post Road Pumpkin Ale. Post Road Pumpkin Ale is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

The ABV is 5.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Pumpkin Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle
Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Amber in color.  The cream head last through out the drinking experience.
Aroma - Strong clove.
Taste - Biscuity malt center and a bitter after taste.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation and a crisp finish.
Drinkable - I had a hard time finishing this one.  I did not like the taste.

No pairings.

This beer gets a Duper rating of C+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =54

Thomas Hooker - Octoberfest

Originally brewed to celebrate the beginning of the German brewing season and the 1810 wedding of crown prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his bride-to-be, princess Therese of Saxon-Hildburghausen. This amber beer was brewed in March ("Marzenbier") and left to age in cool lagering caves during the heat of the summer. The rich and satisfying Bavarian-style OctoberFest comes from a special blend of imported German malts that creates a full-bodied brew and stresses a malty flavor and lingering aroma. Gently hopped and delicately balanced, its true-to-style, slow fermentation and long, cold maturation produces a luxuriously smooth, award-winning brew.

The ABV is 6.1 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Oktoberfest
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a light amber color non-filtered (cloudy) with a cream head.
Aroma - Flowery, sweet, malty.
Taste - Bitter up front and sweet as a finish.
Mouth Feel - Clean, low carbonation, smooth.
Drinkable - Good style, could drink it every day but there are better Oktoberfest on the market. 

This beer pairs well with German food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating = 82

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Great Lakes - Holy Moses White Ale

Known for its crisp and clean taste spiced with orange peel, chamomile and coriander, this is truly a unique brew. Much like a certain city and its founder: Moses Cleaveland.  This beer has won many awards:

• Bronze Medal, 2006 World Beer Championships
• Silver Medal, 2001 World Beer Championships
• Gold Medal, 1996 World Beer Championships
• Silver Medal, 1995 World Beer Championships

The ABV is 5.4 and the IBU rating is 30
Style - Belgian White (Witbier)
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Pilsener Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a straw cloudy color with a large white head.
Aroma - Citrus, lemon, flowery, coriander and orange.
Taste - Slightly sweet, no hoppy taste.  Light and crisp.
Mouth Feel - Good carbonation, light body.
Drinkable - Very smooth and light.  Good for a summer day.

This beer pairs well with cheese and white meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating = 84

St Bernardus - Watou Tripel

St Bernardus brewery says with high fermentation, has a pale amber color and a flowery, fruity taste with a harmonious balance between sweet and sour (8% alcohol content). This beer has a thick and vivid froth and strikes by its balanced taste with a delicate bitterness. I had this brew with an old friend in Jacksonville, FL back in June of 2009. We sampled several big beers this evening all of which are on the blog site.  The second brew was in July of 2010.
 

The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Tripel
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet.

Delivery 750ml bottle and 11.2oz bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a orange color and a little cloudy with a white head that last.
Aroma - A mix of fruity and a yeasty and malty.
Taste - Sweet up front, fruity, caramel in the back for a finish.
Mouth Feel - A little too fuzzy for me, very smooth and full body.
Drinkable - Very drinkable but a little light for a tripel and I like the Abt 12 better.


This beer pairs very well with cheese, Mediterranean food and pork or poultry.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating =NR

Dog Fish Head - Palo Santo Marron

Big Brown Ale aged on palo santo wood from Paraguay. This beer is a 12% abv, highly roasty, and malty brown ale aged on the wood of the Palo Santo tree from Paraguay. Palo Santo means "holy tree" and it's wood has been used in South American wine-making communities. DFH was lucky enough to get their hands on 20 blocks of the super-dense wood and the wood was added to the aging tank after fermentation.

The ABV is 12.0 and the IBU rating is 50
Style - American Brown (Strong) Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Very dark ruby - (like motor oil) in color and a dark cream head which hangs around.  Good lacing.
Aroma - Sweet and malty with oaky and vanilla tones from the wood. 
Taste - Malty up front and the vanilla kicks in at the end. and finishes with some heat from the 12% alcohol.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth just the right amount of carbonation.
Drinkable - Smooth.  You can only drink one per sitting.  But you must have one its a phenomenal brew.

This beer pairs very with cheese, chocolate and meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating =99

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Yards - Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Yards has recreated Thomas Jefferson Tavern ale - a strong golden ale - from ingredients originally specified by Jefferson himself for semi-annual brewing at his estate, Monticello. I purchased a case of the "Ales of the Revolution" which includes "Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce; Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale; and General Washington's Tavern Porter.  I will review the over tow later in this blog.

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Strong Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Amber in color.  The white head disappears in a few minutes.
Aroma - Sweet, malty and hoppy.
Taste - Sweet and malty not as hoppy as an IPA.  Just the right amount of hops.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth and low carbonation.
Drinkable - A very drinkable ale, an every day brew but watch out for the 8%..

This will go good with cheese and grilled meat..

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =89

Yards - Poor Richard's Tavern Spuce

Tavern Spruce is brewed to celebrate and commemorate Ben Franklin’s 300th Birthday. Yards quotes "Yards are proud to bring you this historically brewed spruce/molasses beer". Brewed with Norwegian Spruce tips and a whole dwarf Alberta Spruce. I purchased a case of the "Ales of the Revolution" which includes "Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce; Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale; and General Washington's Tavern Porter.  I will review the over tow later in this blog. 

The ABV is 5.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Spice Beer
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Copper in color.  Head disappears in a few minutes.

Aroma - Spicy, woodsiness, and sweet.

Taste - Strong spice, the spruce over powers the taste.

Mouth Feel - Very smooth just the right amount of carbonation.

Drinkable - You either like it or you don't.  I love to drink one every once in a while but could not drink it as a session ale.

This had no special pairings, unless you like crewing on bark.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =82

Russian River - Supplication

Brown ale aged in Pinot Noir wine barrels for one year with sour cherries, Brettanomyces yeast, and Lactobacillus & Pedicoccus bacteria..

The ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is 27
Style - Sour Ale or American Wild Ale
Glass to use- Flute, Tulip, or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper condition.

The Pour - Dark color (Ruby).  Nice cream head.
Aroma - Sour cherry and pinot smell, like a wine. Then the citrus sourness presents itself.
Taste - Sour taste at first, followed by cherry and then oak tannins.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation, very smooth.
Drinkable - Goes down very nice,  I need to age a few for a year or two.

Goes great with cheese.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A
Ratebeer Rating =100

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Dogfish Head - Olde School Barleywine

Inspired by a tale of a cask doctor who brought sluggish ales back to life by suspending a fig in them. Brewed from 100% Maris Otter pale ale malt, a blend of fine hops and conditioned on dates and figs. User Instructions: open bottle, pour contents into two snifters. Enjoy. ALTERNATIVELY: Walk hand-in-neck with bottle into the middle of the woods. Use shovel to dig 2x2 hole three feet deep. Seal bottle in plastic bag. Place in hole and pack with dirt. Memorize location and leave. Return exactly one year later. Dig up bottle, open and enjoy. 

I had this beer at the Hulmeville Inn. *Update Oct-2010; I finally found a case and revisited this brew.
 
The ABV is 15.0 and the IBU rating is 85
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Snifter
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Clear and copper in color.  Cream head that sticks around awhile. Some lacing.
Aroma - Boozy, sweet and malty. Fruity and flowerier.
Taste - Strong boozy, sweet and malty. Brown sugar.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth just the right amount of carbonation.
Drinkable - Very drinkable.  You can only drink one per sitting.  But you must have one. I need to age a half a case for a few years.

This beer pairs very with cheese.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =98

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Lost Abbey - Avant Garde Ale

From the French word "Garde" meaning something worth keeping, this Farmhouse Styled Ale is a most delicious companion to a loaf of freshly baked bread from the oven. Grab a seat on the porch, some soft cheese and a tree ripened apple from your grandmother's old orchard. Relax and watch the evening arrive as the afternoon sun is consumed by the illuminating moon over the gardens.  I had this beer on draft at the Hulmeville Inn.  

The ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Bière de Garde
Glass to use- Tulip or Oversize Wine Glass
Delivery Draft

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Amber in color.  White head which quickly disappears.

Aroma - A bit fruity. A little sour.

Taste - Sweat and a little hoppy.  Some spice.

Mouth Feel - Very smooth just the right amount of carbonation.

Drinkable - Very drinkable. I can drink this anytime of day. Other bears in this style that are malty do not work, this one does.

This beer pairs very with cheese. Indian cuisine and shellfish.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =95

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Lindemans - Pomme (Apple) Lambic

Long before hops were common in most beers, various fruits and herbs were used to season beers. The clean, bright aroma and flavor of apples melds beautifully with the complex tartness of lambic. Smooth, light body with the fresh flavor of real apples and a light green-apple tartness.

The ABV is 4.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Lambic - Fruit
Glass to use- Flute, Snifter or Tulip
Delivery 12oz bottle.

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Gold in color.  A big white head which quickly disappears in a proper flute glass.
Aroma - Tart green apples.
Taste - Sweat and tart green apple. Like a cider.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth just the right amount of carbonation.
Drinkable - Very drinkable as an after dinner drink. I can drink this anytime of day.

This beer pairs very with chocolate and most deserts. (Try it with apple pie)  It may pair well with spicy food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =56

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Weyerbacher - Merry Monks' Ale

At Weyerbacher we've recreated a Belgian Trippel without limitation. We use premium Pilsener malts, candi-sugar, and yeast strains- all imported from Belgium. To be true to the style, our Trippel is bottle conditioned. This means we add a bit of candi-sugar and yeast just prior to bottling. This imparts a special effervescence to the beer, a creamier carbonation, and also extends the shelf life. The on-going fermentation inside the bottle will change the character of the beer as it ages, and you'll find it becomes dryer with age. You may want to lay down a few bottles for future evaluation. We suggest storing at cellar temperatures -around 55 degrees F- and away from light.


The ABV is 9.3 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Abbey Tripel
Glass to use- Snifter or Goblet
Delivery 12oz bottle.

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Straw in color.  A nice white head which quickly disappears.
Aroma - Candy, banana, cherry and a hint of grass.
Taste - Light hops, malty and sweat, some spice.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth not much carbonation, balanced is nice and the finish moderate.
Drinkable - Very drinkable but watch out for the alcohol.  

This beer pairs very with cheeses and pork and poultry, try it with Mediterranean food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =88

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Stone - Old Guardian (Limited Early 2010 Edition)

A beautiful bold Barley Wine. Massive malt and hop notes. Silver Medal winner at the 2000 Great American Beer Festival in the Barley Wine category. Gold Medal winner at the 2002 World Beer Championships in the Barley Wine Category. Look for it in the first quarter of each new year. Can be cellared or enjoyed upon its release.

The ABV is 11.1 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - American Barleywine
Glass to use- Pint glass or Snifter.
Delivery 755 ml bottle.

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Cooper in color.  A nice white head which quickly disappears.
Aroma - A strong hoppy smell typical of the style.  Some sweat hints.
Taste - Hoppy with notes of caramel.I picked up hints of fruit like apple.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth not much carbonation
Drinkable - Very drinkable but watch out for the alcohol.  

This beer pairs very with cheeses.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating =99