Lost Abbey - Red Barn Ale

This Farmhouse Ale traces its roots to the small rustic breweries of Southern Belgium. The word Saison comes to us from the French language and it means Season. Lightly spiced with Organic Ginger, Orange Peels, Black Pepper and Grains of Paradise, this brew promises to quench your thirst on the hottest Southern California days or wherever your travels may take you. Available in 750 ml bottles and on draft at select inspired locations.

The ABV is 6.7 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Saison / Farmhouse Ale

Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a straw color with a white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Grassy, flowery and biscuit flavors. 
Taste -  Some spice, lite hop finish.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation, low body.  Fizzy and dry.
Drinkable - A good summer ale but a bit lacking in the body and taste.

This beer may pair well with cheese and white meat.

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

De Brunehaut - St. Martin Brune

The brewery's history dates directly to 1096 in Tournai. With its aroma of caramel and liquorice, this dark beer of 8% should be drunk at room temperature.

World Beer Championship 2007 – Silver

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Dubbel
Glass to use- Goblet or Chalice
Delivery 330ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a brown color with a tan head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Malty, caramel and some dark fruits. 
Taste - Sweet, malty, molasses and caramel. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonated and body.
Drinkable - I like it.  Could drink more than one. This is a good brew but does not stand above the Belgium beer crowd.

This beer pair well with cheese and meats.

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

Bell's - Cherry Stout

This unique ale begins its life as a powerful and richly sweet stout to which Michigan tart cherries are added. The resulting black brew is complex, sweet and tart with a distinct cherry finish. It will improve with cellaring. Available September - May.

The ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Fruit Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery - 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark ruby/brown color with a reddish head that disappeared,  Little lacing.
Aroma - Fruity, malty some hops.
Taste - Wow, a tart cherry taste upfront rounded off by a nice maltiness.  Nice finish.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation and medium body.  Very smooth.
Drinkable - Not sure what to expect, I been wanting to try this for some time.  This is a great mix of flavors.  You need to try this out.  Will cellar one a year or so.

This beer pairs well with cheese, chocolate and try it with a salad.

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

Alesmith - Grand Cru

Bottle conditioned.  AleSmith Grand Cru really needs to be tasted to be truly appreciated. Toasty, caramelly flavors, as well as flavors imparted by the Belgian yeast strain, predominate over a tapestry of subtle nuances. Winner of the blue ribbon at the 1999 California State Fair, it is a thing of beauty. It is available in 750 ml. champagne bottles. Appearance: Crystal clear (when served properly), with a toast-brown color. Flavor: Starts with the tangy flavor of our championship Belgian yeast, then fades to a medium-light flavor of vanilla, caramel and chocolate. Finishes dry and well-balanced with a slightly toasty flavor. Aroma: Vanilla and chocolate aromas predominate, along with the Belgian yeast characteristics. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Clean and crisp, medium-bodied. Warmth from the high alcohol content makes it feel like a fine wine.

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a brown color with a big tan head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Malty, caramel and toffee. 
Taste - Sweet, tangy, malty and caramel. 
Mouth Feel - Fizzy, highly carbonated.  Full body.  Dry finish.
Drinkable - Nice, I was not sure what to expect.  I like it.  Drinkable but it will catch up with up at 10%.

This beer pair well with cheese and meats.

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

Fegley's - Hop'Solutely

Hop’Solutely is deep copper in color, brewed with Cascade, Chinook, Amarillo, Summit and Tomahawk Hops. It has a complex grapefruit hop aroma which is followed by a smooth malt flavor. Hop’Solutely comes in at a whopping 11.5% ABV with 74 IBUs.

The ABV is 11.5 and the IBU rating is 74
Style - Imperial IPA
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Chalice, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a copper color with a big tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Fruity like bananas and flowery from the hops.
Taste -  Sweet, some fruits and hoppy. 
Mouth Feel - Medium body and carbonation, smooth.
Drinkable - Very good, alcohol is hidden well (small slow burn at the end).  No nasty bitter after taste from the hops.

This beer pairs well with cheese and grilled meat.

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

Coopers - Vintage Ale 2008

Bottle conditioned.
Brewed with choice malts and an extended top fermentation. This naturally conditioned ale experiences interactions between the robust malt, hop and yeast characteristics, to exhibit an intriguing journey of flavor development over a period of five years when stored under cellar conditions.

The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Strong Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Seidel
Delivery - 375ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours an amber color with a tan head and good lacing.
Aroma - Malty and a lite hop scent.
Taste - Not much, little malty and some hops.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation (too much) medium body.  Fizzy drink.
Drinkable - A bit watered downed. Was expecting sometime totally different.  May need to cellar a few more years.

This beer pairs well with cheese and white meats.

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

Blue Point - Old Howling Bastard

Blue Point Brewing's "Old Howling Bastard" named after an infamous local character, this strong ale has plenty of character all its own. Made with English 2 row barley and Vienna malt. Reaching an alcohol content of 10% barleywine should be consumed in moderation. Strong malty caramel flavors balanced by lots and lots of hops. Try this in a snifter or wineglass. The trick is to never forget that after a few glasses you may become the "Old Howling Bastard".

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is 60
Style - American Barleywine
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler or Snifter
Delivery - 22oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a orange color with a tan head that disappears. Some lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, malty and fruity.
Taste - Hoppy, sweet, some maltiness and fruit.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation and full body.
Drinkable - Not bad, not my favorite ABW but will try it again next year. 

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =90