North Coast - Old Rasputin

The North Coast Brewing Co.’s  Produced in the tradition of 18th Century English brewers who supplied the court of Russia's Catherine the Great, Old Rasputin seems to develop a cult following wherever it goes. It's a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish.

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is 75
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Snifter or Pint Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Black color with a cream head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Chocolate and coffee.
Taste - Malty and some hops with a bitter chocolate finish.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is good, full bodied beer, and smooth.
Drinkable - A pretty good imperial stout. Add this to your Russian Imperial Stout entourage.

Goes great with cheeses.

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

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Sierra Nevada - Tumbler

Sierra Nevada uses malt within days of roasting at the peak of its flavor to give Tumbler a gracefully smooth malt character. Two-row pale, crystal 40, chocolate and smoked malts give it a malty complexity. Challenger hops in the boil add balancing bitterness, while more Challengers and some Goldings give just enough hop flavor in the finish to balance all that malt.

The ABV is 5.5 and the IBU rating is 37
Style -American Brown Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.
The Pour - Pours a clear brown color.  Has a nice cream head with great retention. Good lacing.
Aroma - Hints of hops, some breadiness and a touch of caramel.
Taste -  Same as the noise, some hops and some breadiness.
Mouth Feel - Well carbonation, clean and crisp.
Drinkable - Definitely a light brown session ale.  Easy to drink but nothing extraordinary.

This beer pair well with most foods including cheese and meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =92

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Brooklyn Brewery - Chocolate Stout

This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, the award-winning rendition of the Imperial Stout style once made exclusively for Catherine the Great. Brooklyn uses three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specialty roasted malts. They brew it every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.
I had this with friends on a Saturday night, we all participated in the review.

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Russian Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler or Snifter
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Black in color.  The large cream head.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Chocolate and coffee.
Taste - Same as the nose plus sweet hints and a bitter chocolate finish.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is just right, full body with a dry finish.
Drinkable - Nice brew.  Wish I had it with cheese, maybe next time.  Give it a go.

Goes good with strong cheese, chocolate or other deserts.

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

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Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout 2009

Dark, rich, roasty and complex, World Wide Stout has more in common with a fine port than a can of cheap, mass-marketed beer. Brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley. Have one with (or as!) dessert tonight.

2001 - (18%) displays the unaltered words "Vim and Vigor" on the label and with gold cap.

2002 - (23%) "Vim and Vigor" is crossed out with gold cap.

2003 - (18.8%). No "Vim and Vigor" present, gold cap.

2004 - (20%) Bright yellow cap, no date stamp.

2005 - Bright yellow cap, date stamp

2006 - Dark green cap, date stamp

2007 - Dark green cap, date stamp

2008 - Yellowish-green cap, date stamp

2009 - (18%) Yellowish-green cap, date stamp
2010 - (18%) Yellowish-green cap, date stamp

World Wide Stout is one of the world’s strongest dark beers. It is brewed using six different yeast strains over seven months and then aged for half a year. World Wide Stout  is released in early winter with very limited availability.
This post is for the Nov 2009 vintage (one year old to the month).  Look in this blog for the 2004 I had on draft at Monk's in November of 2010.
.
The ABV is 18.0 and the IBU rating is 70
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Black pure dark in color and a thick cream head which vanishes.  No lacing.
Aroma - Strong dark fruity mostly raisins. 
Taste - Lushness, dark fruit, molasses some vanilla. A dark rum or brandy comes to mind.
Mouth Feel - Very smooth light carbonation, sticky. Full body.
Drinkable - Very drinkable.  But only have one per session.  You must get a bottle and age it as long as possible. 

This beer pairs very with cheese and meats (smoked meats).

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

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Samuel Adams - Imperial Stout

This is the third of the Imperial Series from Sam Adams that I've had.  Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is SA take on the traditional Russian imperial stouts from the 18th century.  While this style originated in England, American craft brewers have embraced the style and taken it to whole new level of flavor and complexity.    Samuel Adams Imperial Stout is a massive beer filled with big, dark flavors.  It has been a SA's favorite in recent year.

The ABV is 9.2 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Russian Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass or  Snifter
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Wow!! Chocolate as soon as I popped the bottle. Poors to a black color with a big cream head that stays. Excellent lacing.
Aroma - Chocolate but not as intense as when I opened the bottle.
Taste - Malty with a hoppy finish, bitter ended like bitter dark chocolate.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is just right. Full body.
Drinkable - Smooth. 

This beer pairs well with deserts like chocolate and cheese.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating = 95

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Samuel Adams - Imperial White

This is second of the Imperial Series from Sam Adams that I've had.  Samuel Adams® Imperial White represents a new perspective on the classic witbier style.  Witbiers are normally light and refreshing with a fruity finish.  This is not just a more intense version of Samuel Adams® White Ale.  Samuel Adams Imperial White is a new recipe that stands on its own.  In fact, it is more of a wine substitute than just another refreshing witbier.  This is a beer that should be sipped and savored and you’ll be amazed at the flavors you’ll discover as the beer warms and opens up

The ABV is 10.3 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Imperial Witbier
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Pilsener Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring, but I will give it a good because of the high alcohol.

The Pour - Wow!! Bananas as soon as I popped the bottle. Poors an orange color with a big white head that stays. Some lacing.
Aroma - Fruity but not as intense as when I opened the bottle.
Taste - Sweet candy like, fruity with some toffee notes.
Mouth Feel - Carbonation is just right. Crisp and clean.
Drinkable - Very drinkable.  At first I had no desire to try this brew but a friend from work said i should give it a good.  Glad I did, I like this beer a lot. 

This beer pairs well with white meats like pork and cheese.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating = 76

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Dogfish Head - Chicory Stout

This is my second blog on this beer.  The first was in June of 2009.
Chicory Stout is a rich, dark beer made with a touch of roasted chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John's Wort, and licorice root. It is brewed with roast barley, crystal malt and oats and hopped just right with Glacier hops. DFH uses fair trade Organic Mexican Coatepec beans roasted to our specifications by Notting Hill Coffee Roastery in Lewes, DE..

The ABV is 5.2 and the IBU rating is 21
Style - American Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass or Mug
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Dark brown/black in color and a large thick cream head which vanishes after a while.  Almost no lacing.
Aroma - Coffee and chocolate. 
Taste - Coffee and sweet and bitter chocolate.
Mouth Feel - Light high on the carbonation. Medium body with a dry finish
Drinkable - Not my favorite stout but you should give it a go and see for yourself. 

This beer pairs very with cheese and smoked or grilled meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =95

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St Bernardus - Pater 6

This name became a reference. This beer is mostly pointed out with its product name: “a Paterke”. This “Paterke” is a chestnut colored dark beer with a high fermentation (6.7 alcohol content) and a full taste.
 
The ABV is 6.7 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Dubbel
Glass to use - Goblet or Chalice

Delivery 11.2oz bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with a cream head that last. Good lacing.
Aroma - Not much a light aroma, hints of bread, maybe some yeast and slight hint of fruit.
Taste - Fruity, hints of malts, finishes with a hoppy and alcoholic flavor.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation on this one, medium to full body.
Drinkable - I like this beer, not bad.  I could have one or two in a session thanks to the low alcohol.

This beer pairs very well with cheese and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating = 96

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Wychwood - Hobgoblin

Bottle and can: Pasteurized. Ingredients: Pale, chocolate and crystal malts; English Fuggles and Styrian Goldings hops. Hobgoblin is a powerful full-bodied copper red, well-balanced brew. Strong in roasted malt with a moderate hoppy bitterness and slight fruity character that lasts through to the end. Michael Jackson 500 Classic Brews.
 
The ABV is 5.2 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - English Brown
Glass to use - Pint Glass or Mug.

Delivery 11.2oz bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a ruby color a white head. No lacing.
Aroma - Bready not much else going on here.
Taste - Some hops and watered down.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation medium body.
Drinkable - Not at all was I expecting, I was hoping for something more.  Disappointed and let down.  A very boring brew.

This beer pairs with cheese and meat.

This beer gets a Duper rating of C+.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B

Ratebeer Rating = 66

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Craft Beer Express #3 Fall Edition

The CBX was on November 13th starting at 11am to 9pm which had a series of buses running loops between the following bars (Kraftworks, Johnny Brenda's, Standard Tap, The Institute, Bishop's Collar, Kite & Key, Jose Pistolas, Sidecar, P.O.P.E, Devils Den & Brauhaus Schmitz).

Scheduled Events

Kraftwork: 20 Beers from B.United
Johnny Brenda's: The Wet Hop Rodeo (A round up of local & national wet hoped beers)
Standard Tap: Imperial Pageant
The Institute: The Power of the Darks Side (Stout & Porter event)
Bishop's Collar: Southern Tier Invades the North East
Kite & Key: A.A.A (Almighty, Afternoon of Alagash)
Jose Pistolas: Big Bold Barleywine
Sidecar: Featuring Bell's Jazz series brews
P.O.P.E: Dogfish Head Dominates the P.O.P.E featuring the Randell 3.0
Devils Den: Stockertown Beverage Supplies SUDDS special tapping of Founders Nemesis
Brauhaus Schmitz: Starkierfest

I started at Jose Pistolas for the Barleywines then to Sidecar and had the Bell's 25th Anniversary brew. Next was my favorite stop, P.O.P.E. I ran into some old friends, Curt and Bear from Nodding Heads. On to the beer, they had 12+ DFH taps including: the 2009 -120 Minute IPA; the 2008 - World Wide Stout on the “Randall the Enamel Animal” hop infuser with cherries; and this years Fort!

* The 120 Minute blew me away – one of best beers I have ever had. So complex and very good.
* The World Wide Stout through the infuser was phenomenal –Wow! not quite as good as the 2004 I had yesterday at Monk's but through the Randall with the cherries, ridiculous! (look at my review from Monk's)
* The Fort was nothing like what I had anticipated –Fruity, tart (and boozy at 18%) unlike any other beer I have every had.  

I only made two more stops before calling it a day.  By far the DFH was the best beer.

Monk's Cafe'

Monk's had a 2004 World Wide Stout and a 2009 World Wide Stout on draft in the back bar and the Old School Barleywine on tap in the front bar. 

The 2004 World Wide Stout was one of the best beers I have ever had.  It was rated at 20%.  Six years of aging did this brew well.  And to be able to sample it with the 2009 was a treat in itself. 

The Old School was nothing impressive being on draft, it taste the same as the bottle version.  But on draft is very cool!

I'll swing by again this weekend to see if any of these three are still on tap.

Dogfish Head - World Wide Stout - 2004

Dark, rich, roasty and complex, World Wide Stout has more in common with a fine port than a can of cheap, mass-marketed beer. Brewed with a ridiculous amount of barley. Have one with (or as!) dessert tonight.
World Wide Stout is one of the world’s strongest dark beers. It is brewed using six different yeast strains over seven months and then aged for half a year. World Wide Stout is released in early winter with very limited availability 

2001 - (18%) displays the unaltered words "Vim and Vigor" on the label and with gold cap.

2002 - (23%) "Vim and Vigor" is crossed out with gold cap.

2003 - (18.8%). No "Vim and Vigor" present, gold cap.

2004 - (20%) Bright yellow cap, no date stamp.

2005 - Bright yellow cap, date stamp

2006 - Dark green cap, date stamp

2007 - Dark green cap, date stamp

2008 - Yellowish-green cap, date stamp

2009 - (18%) Yellowish-green cap, date stamp
2010 - (18%) Yellowish-green cap, date stamp

 This post is for the 2004 vintage on draft I had on draft at Monk's in November of 2010.  

The ABV is 20.0 and the IBU rating is 70
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - Draft

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

The Pour - Dark in color and a small cream head which vanishes.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Strong dark fruity, malty, sweet and you can tell it's 20%. 
Taste - Wow! Malty, dark fruit, sweet molasses and dark chocolate. Like a triple bock or brandy.
Mouth Feel - Very very smooth and light carbonation, sticky. Full body.
Drinkable - Very drinkable too easy at 20%, it will sneak up on you. 

This beer pairs very with cheese.

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

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Lagunitas - Maximus

This is my second blog on this brew.  The first was in June of 2009.
At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt that the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh hops and malt. Caution: May remove enamel from teeth. This is Lagunitas IPA pumped up by about 30%!

The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is 72
Style - Imperial IPA
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Lite cooper color with a white head.  Good lacing..
Aroma - Hoppy, bananas and spices.
Taste - Hoppy, loads of hops and sweet.  No bad after taste.
Mouth Feel - Excellent carbonation. Full body. Great finish.
Drinkable - I have not had a good IPA in a long time. This taste very good. 

This beer pairs well with cheese and grilled meat.

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

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Flying Dog - Dogtoberfest

Dogtoberfest is a unique beer containing five premium malts. This lager draws its influence from the Vienna Marzen or Oktoberfest style. It is rich and malty with a sweet aroma and deep mahogany color.

The ABV is 5.3 and the IBU rating is 30
Style - Marzen / Oktoberfest
Glass to use- Pint glass or a mug
Delivery 12 oz bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a dark ambercolor with a white colored head.  Some lacing.
Aroma - I get some fruits, caramel, malts and molasses.
Taste - Malty, some toffee, very good.
Mouth Feel - Well carbonated, crisp.
Drinkable - A very good example for this style. Go out and get one.

This beer pairs with German food or a good sausage dog.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating = B
Ratebeer Rating = 63

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St Bernardus - Tripel

This beer, 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.
 
The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Tripel
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet.

Delivery 11.2oz bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a straw color and a little cloudy with a white head that last.Some lacing.
Aroma - A mix of light fruits.
Taste - Sweet, fruity and spicy .
Mouth Feel - Good carbonation on this one, very smooth and full body.
Drinkable - Not bad but I like the Abt 12 better.

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

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating = 99

Troegs - Dead Reckonning

Dead Reckoning is unfiltered and weighs in at 5.8% abv and 53 IBU’s. It features Pilsner, Caramel, Chocolate and Roasted malts along with Chinook and Vanguard hops. The outstanding taste and flavor of Dead Reckoning originates in the chocolate and roasted malts. There is a nice hoppiness in the front of the beer, but the rich, smooth mouth feel is what really stands out.

The ABV is 5.8 and the IBU rating is 53
Style - Porter
Glass to use- Pint glass or a mug
Delivery 12 oz bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.
The Pour - Pours a black or very dark brown with a nice cream colored head.  Good lacing.
Aroma - I get chocolate, dates, cinnamon.
Taste - Hoppy and sweet, chocolate and coffee.
Mouth Feel - Well carbonated, full body.
Drinkable - Drinkable, smooth, low alcohol means you can have several!

This beer pairs with beef, like a good steak, cheese and chocolate.

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

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J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2000

Available filtered and pasteurized in 275ml dark glass bottles. Has appeared occasionally in cask.
This fully fermented strong ale has been brewed by J.W. Lees as a celebration of the brewers art since 1985. Harvest Ale can be enjoyed now or laid down like a vintage wine for enjoyment in years to come.

This blog is for the 2000 release which I enjoyed at the Memphis Taproom in the fall of 2010.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 275ml Bottle

Should be cellared for long periods as this one was, under the proper conditions. Ah Men.

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with no head. No lacing but a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Plums, figs and raisins are dominate at first then molasses maybe brown sugar.
Taste -  Dark fruits, toffee, caramel. Liken to a nice port. 
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.  Very well balanced.
Drinkable - This one is nearly identical to the 1999 I had a month ago.  Try to find a bottle at least 8 years old, preferably one from the 1990's.

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts but just enjoy it without food.

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

St Bernardus - Prior 8

This noble delicious beer with a high fermentation has a ruby purple color with a full malty and fruity taste (8% alcohol content).  This beer has a beautiful round froth due to the second fermentation with a taste that creates a perfect balance between sweet and sour
 
The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Dubbel
Glass to use - Goblet.

Delivery 11.2oz bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy brown color with a cream head that last.  Good lacing

Aroma - A mix of fruity and a yeasty and malty.
Taste - Dark fruits, malty and caramel.
Mouth Feel - A little too fuzzy for me, very smooth and full body.
Drinkable - Drinkable but I like the Abt 12 better.

This beer pairs very well with cheese and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating = 99