Avery - Samael's Oaked Aged Ale

Samael is the prince of demons, the angel of death, accuser and destroyer. Filled with enmity towards man, he planted the vine, the forbidden tree of paradise. Behold his venom and vengeance, both sweet and tempting, enticing you, his spellbound victim, within his wings.

Samael’s Ale is a super-caramelly, oak aged English-style strong ale. Perhaps the least hoppy (sacrilege here at Avery!!) beer we’ve brewed, to accentuate the malt. The oak is very apparent in this rich and high gravity ale, adding additional depth and complexity with a woody and cask-like nose and a pronounced vanilla flavor on the palate. Notes for 2007 - With the addition of an additional roasted malt, Samael's now delivers subtle bitterness to add balance to the natural sweetness.

A super-caramelly, oak-aged strong English-style ale, brewed with Columbus, Fuggels hops and two-row barley, caramel 150L malt.

2007: 14.50% (Batch #3)
2008: 15.53% (Batch #4)
2009: 16.45% (Batch #5)
2010: 15.82% (Batch #6)
2011: 15.31% (Batch #7) 

The ABV is 14.5 and the IBU rating is 41
Style - Oak Aged English Strong Ale
Glass to use- Flute, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, oaky tannins, sour dark fruit - cherries.
Taste -  Malty, nice tart taste taste, some spices. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body, dry finish.
Drinkable - This bottle had aged for two years and it shows in a good way.  Seek it out though it may be very hard to find since the last batch was in 2009.  Had this in Florida during the holidays.

This beer pairs well with crème brulee, sticky bread pudding or any dessert dish featuring the flavors of burnt or caramelized sugar.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-
BeerAdvocate Rating =87
Ratebeer Rating =96

Flying Fish - Grand Cru Winter Reserve

This Belgian-style strong golden ale showcases a variety of the ingredients and brewing methods that help differentiate Flying Fish beers. The Grand Cru is fermented at a higher temperature than our other beers adding an undercurrent of fruitiness and clove (although there is no fruit or spice in the beer). Very lightly filtered, the Grand Cru exhibits complex mouth-feel, strong malt flavors, a spicy hop presence and a soothing alcohol warmth, followed by a clean, dry finish. It is excellent with food as well as served by itself.

Available October through February

The ABV is 7.2 and the IBU rating is 10.4
Style - Belgium Grand Cru
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy straw color with a white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Orange and other citrus notes like lemon, bready, sweet and spicy.
Taste -  Sweet, citrus fruits and spices
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body. A bit of a dry finish.
Drinkable - A nice brew with a good finish.  A pleasant Belgium winter brew.  Can drink several in a session.  I had this in Florida over the Thanksgiving Holidays

This beer pairs well with most meats, cheese and hearty soups.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating =84
Ratebeer Rating =81

St. Sebastiaan - Dark

Dark top-fermented Abby ale brewed according to the purity law of 1516.  Sweet and bitter on the tongue with a sweat perfume of caramel malt.

The ABV is 6.9 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Dubbel
Glass to use- Goblet, Chalice, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 500ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a big tan head and some lacing.
Aroma - Lite aroma consisting of malts, caramel and hints of dark fruit.
Taste - Same as the smell mostly malty and caramel.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - An average Belgium brown.  Worth a try but that's 'bout it.  It does get the winner of the most unusual bottle.

This beer pairs well with cheese, chocolate and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =87

Caracole - Nostradamus (2010)

A very complex artisanal Wallonian brown ale, rich, warming, little piquant in the mouth with liquorice, mocha flavors, pear and toasted bread background notes, perfect after-dinner drink or night cap.

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversize Wine Glass

Delivery 12oz bottle.

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

The Pour - Pours a brown color with a small tan head that disappears. Some lacing.
Aroma - Spices and dark fruit.
Taste -  Sweet, malty, dark fruit, molasses and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. A slight warm burn.
Drinkable - I like this brew.  One year of aging helped this brew.  A very good beer for the cooler months.  Well balanced between the sweetness and spices.

This beer pairs very well with cheeses and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating = 97

Otter Creek - 20th Anniversary Ale

Otter Creek's Twentieth Anniversary Ale is a homage to their long-running flagship... Copper Ale. With four times the malts and hops, the traditional flavor is a bigger, bolder and more complex ale that can be savored for years to come. It features a blend of six malts with German & American hops and is a celebration of Otter Creek's 20 years of craft brewed ales in Middlebury, Vermont

The ABV is 12.0 and the IBU rating is 55
Style - Quadruple Alt / American Barleywine
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversize Wine Glass

Delivery 12oz bottle.

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

The Pour - Pours a brown color with a very small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, caramel, molasses and dark fruit.
Taste -  Sweet, malty, boozy and hoppy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. Boozy finish with a nice warm burn.
Drinkable - Very nice, I had this on draft at Capones in Norristown a month ago and was able to find the special four pack.  I've never heard of a Quadruple Alt style so this is a first for me. I think the style is closer to an American Barleywine in my judgement.  Beer Advocate calls it an American Strong Ale.  I like the nice 12% warm alcohol burn nice during the cool months.  I will try another after aging for few more years.

This beer pairs very well with cheeses and smoked meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B-

Ratebeer Rating =n/r

Weyerbacher - Blithering Idiot

Weyerbacher says, we prefer to brew things true to European style guidelines, so this Barleywine is definitely on the malty side, without being overly sweet. Notes of date or perhaps fig on the palate follow a pleasurably malty aroma to your taste buds. The finish is warm and fruity, and begs for the next sip.

I first had this brew with an old friend in Jacksonville, FL.  We sampled several big beers this evening all of which are on the blog site.

The second time was at dinner with friends on one of my trips back home from Libya, Sept 7th, 2009.

Update in 2011 with a 2010 vintage.

The ABV is 11.1 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - English Barley Wine.  
Glass to use - Snifter or Oversize Wine Glass

Delivery 12oz bottle.

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

The Pour - Pours a brown color with small tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, malty and some dark fruit.
Taste -  Malty, sweet, caramel, dark fruit with a hoppy after taste.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. Boozy finish with a nice warm burn.
Drinkable - Okay, this is listed as an English Barleywine, however it is way too hoppy to be an English BW.  Closer to an American Barleywine in my judgement.  Given that, it's still a very good brew.  I like the nice 11% warm alcohol burn.  My last one was aged for one year.  I will try another aged for few more years.

This beer pairs very well with cheeses and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B

Ratebeer Rating = 97

Related articles by Zemanta

• Day 162 Drink: Weyerbacher Riserva (lyke2drink.blogspot.com)
• Day 266 Drink: Weyerbacher 2005 Decadence (lyke2drink.blogspot.com)

Great Divide - Hibernation Ale

English-style Old Ale. Hibernation Ale is Colorado’s original strong ale -- it has been Great Divide’s winter seasonal each year since 1995. Hibernation’s massive flavors are so intense that it requires over three months of aging each year. This lengthy aging process gives Hibernation its revered malty richness, complex hop profile and hearty warming character, which is perfect right out of the bottle or cellared for longer periods of time.

8.1% ABV through 2008
8.7% ABV in 2009

The ABV is 8.7 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker, Tumbler, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark amber color with a small tan head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Hoppy, spices and dark fruit.
Taste -  Malty, tobacco, toffee maybe some brown sugar and hops.
Mouth Feel - Low carbonation and full body. Smooth.
Drinkable - Taste more like an American Barleywine with the hop kick.  It is dry hopped which is why I get the hoppiness.  It is well balanced between the malts and hops.  Not sure why they call it an English-style Old Ale.

This beer pairs well with aged cheese and grilled meats.

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

Great Lakes - Christmas Ale

It has a cinnamon and ginger spice flavor, a rich copper color, and a medium body that will fit with any holiday meal.  Available November and December every year.

Gold Medal, 2009 World Beer Championships

Gold Medal, 2007 World Beer Championships

Gold Medal, 2006 World Beer Championships

Gold Medal, 2005 World Beer Championships

Silver Medal, 1999 World Beer Championships

The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Winter Warmer
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker or Tumbler
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours an amber color with a small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Not much at first then the spices start coming through as it warms up.
Taste -  Sweet, honey, orange peel, nutmeg and all spice.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - Pretty good, a well balanced Xmas beer.  Not too sweet and just the right amount of spice.

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =93

Brooklyn - Black Chocolate Stout (2005)

This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, our award-winning rendition of the Imperial Stout style once made exclusively for Catherine the Great. We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specialty roasted malts. We brew it every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.  Available from October through March.

This review is for the 2005 vintage.  Click here to see my review from 2010 of a fresh bottle.

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

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

The Pour - Pours a solid thick black color with no head. Clear coat lacing.
Aroma - Strong licorice, dried fruits (raisin and plum).
Taste -  Same as the aroma with the addition of some malts and caramel. Notes of dark chocolate with a tart finish.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. Dry.
Drinkable - My first aged Imperial Chocolate Stout. At 6 years of aging it taste like other aged brews with chocolate added to the mix.  I have three other vintages; a 2007, 2008 and 2009.

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts (Anything chocolate!).

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

Bosteels - Pauwel Kwak

Pauwel Kwak is from the the Bosteels Brewery which also makes DeuS and Tripel Karmeliet.

Full-bodied Belgian Specialty Ale. Amber in color with beautiful foam and slightly sweet, seductive malt character. Rich, satisfying Belgian experience.  Discover a very mellow, fruity attack, a nougat-like solidity, and a slightly spicy character with hints of liquorice passing into a warm finish that reminds you of caramelised banana. The bitterness always remains in the background but in the end emerges delicately.   

I've been saving this for a year, the date on the bottle is March 2010.  I remember first having this at Nodding Head's Brewpub circa 1996.  The second time was with an old friend in Jacksonville, FL.  We sampled several big beers that evening all of which are on the blog site.

Updated in November 2011

The ABV is 8.4 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Belgium Strong Pale Ale

Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 330ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark amber color with a big white head. Great lacing. Poured into a great special Kwak glass (see photo).
Aroma - Grassy, hops, some spices and fruits.
Taste -  Sweet like candy, with some spices and hints of fruit.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and lite/medium body. Crisp and a little dry.
Drinkable - This was one of the first Belgium beers I ever had, about 15 years ago.  It still taste great to me, I love the fancy glass from their gift set.  The alcohol is hidden well.

This beer may pair well with white meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating = 94

Rouge - Double Chocolate Stout

Double Chocolate Stout is an evolution of Rogue Chocolate Stout, which is flavored with imported Dutch bittersweet chocolate. In 2010, Double Chocolate Stour received a Gold Medal at the World Beer Championships.

Made with 10 Ingredients:
Malts: C120, Chocolate and Rogue Micro Barley Farm Risk™
Hops: Cascade and Rogue Micro Hopyard Revolution.
Yeast & Water: Rogue’s Pacman Yeast and Free Range Coastal Water.

Comes in a bright red painted 750ml bottle, I purchased a case.

The ABV is 8.7 and the IBU rating is 50
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker, Tumbler, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a black color with a big tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Dark chocolate fills the air as you pop the cap, malts, molasses and coffee.
Taste -  Like drinking a dark chocolate bar with other notes of malts and coffee.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and big body. Very creamy.
Drinkable - Delicious!  Will obviously cellar many bottles to see how it ages. One of the best DCS I have ever had, maybe even better than the Brooklyn DCS. 

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts (Anything chocolate!).

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

Samuel Smith's - Oatmeal Stout (2010)

Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create an almost opaque, wonderfully silky and smooth textured ale with a complex medium dry palate and bittersweet finish.

The ABV is 5.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style – Oatmeal Stout
Glass to use - Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery 550ml bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a black color and a big tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Oat grains, malty, sweet, caramel and molasses.
Taste - Dark malts, dark chocolate and sweet.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body. A little tangy.
Drinkable - One of the best oatmeal stouts on the market. 


This beer pairs with cheese, smoked meats and shell fish.

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

Samuel Smith's - India Ale (2010)

Brewed with well water (the original well at the Old Brewery, sunk in 1758, is still in use, with the hard well water being drawn from 85 feet underground); best malted barley and a generous amount of choicest aroma hops; fermented in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ to create an exceptionally full-flavored complex ale with an abundance of maltiness and fruity hop character.

The ABV is 5.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style – English IPA
Glass to use - Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery 550ml bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a copper color and a tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Hops, spices and bready.
Taste - Grains, spices, .
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - No harsh after taste.  A nice refreshing brew.  This was aged for a year, I will try a fresh one soon.


This beer pairs with cheese, Indian food, shell fish.

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

Flying Dog - Dogtoberfest (2010)

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 ??

Style - Oktoberfest

Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery - 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a amber color with a small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, sweet, hint of dark fruit (fig).
Taste -  Malty, sweet and dark fruit.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - A surprise with the dark fruit.  Must be from the aging.  this brew should be enjoyed fresh.  However, though it's only 5% in aged well for a year.  I would not push it longer.

This beer may pair well with German food.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =62