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

Weyerbacher - Slam Dunkel

Slam Dunkel was a small batch release in 2007. Weyerbacher had such an overwhelming response that they had to put it in the seasonal rotation. This 7% Double Dunkelweizen is unfiltered and made with over 50% wheat malt along with pale, munich, and a touch of chocolate to give it the traditional color and flavor. Bitterness is subdued to allow the Weihenstephen yeast to shine through with those traditional notes of banana and clove. Available in June in bottles and draft. Recipe by Chris Wilson, Head Brewer.

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Dunkelweizen
Glass to use- Flute or Weizen 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 and good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, sweet, bready and a hint of spice maybe chocolate.
Taste - Sweet, malty, fruity - bananas and tangy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - I like it, this is a good brew.  True to the style. 

This beer pairs well with grilled meats.

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

Amager Bryghus - Batch One

With this special brew, Batch One, AB dared to experiment with combining usual devotion to a solid malt profile with the addition of American aroma hops. Batch One is an American-inspired Ale characterized by its vast, full body and generous use of hops. In the glass, it has a reddish-brown color with a coppery glow, and a beige-colored head leaves a nice lacing behind. For this brew AB chose to only use the noble Simcoe hop, both for boiling and the following dry-hopping. The hops give the beer its fresh citrus-like character and impart a solid bitterness to balance the sweet caramel malt.


The ABV is 9.2 and the IBU rating is 80

Style - American Strong Ale

Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler or Snifter
Delivery - Draft

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

The Pour - Pours a amber color with a big tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Very Hoppy and grassy. 
Taste -  Sweet, fruity and like a double IPA.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body..
Drinkable - Not as advertised, is an Imperial IPA or a Double IPA.  

This beer may pair well with desserts and grilled meat.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B+
Ratebeer Rating =97

Nøgne Ø/Jolly Pumpkin/Stone - Special Holiday Ale

This is the second release of Special Holiday Ale, which was first brewed in San Diego in 2008. Each brew is following the same recipe, including Michigan chestnuts, white sage from southern California and Norwegian juniper berries, but differences in brewing and aging practices produce different beers. Cheers to being different! Skål!

The ABV is 8.5 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Winter Warmer

Glass to use- Pint Glass or Tumbler
Delivery - 500ml Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Woody oak, berries, green peppers and other spices. 
Taste -  Sweet, fruity, berries and chocolate.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation, medium body.
Drinkable - Very surprising, complex, excellent holiday brew.  

This beer may pair well with desserts.

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

Het Anker - Gouden Carolus Classic

Het Anker Brewery still brews "The Emperor’s Beer" which is top-fermented and bottle conditioned following traditional methods. Its high gravity (O.G. 1080-85) combines the warmth of wine and the freshness of beer. Gouden Carolus is one of the strongest and most exciting beers in the world. After lengthy maturing and conditioning, it is bottled unfiltered, giving a beer which is rich in vitamins and 100% natural. Gouden Carolus has unlimited storage (it even improves with age) and will charm you with its warm coppery color and rich bouquet.

The ABV is 8.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 330ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours to a dark brown color with a big tan head that disappears after a while. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, caramel and fruity.
Taste - Sweet, malty and some candy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body.
Drinkable - A typical Belgium dubbel but not quite as good as others.  But give it a go...

This beer pairs well with cheese and grilled meat.

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

Amager Bryghus - Xbeeriment Black Force One

The basic idea with this beer originated while making Xbeeriment Barack. AB decided to go for it and create an Imperial Stout made with 5 different kinds of malt including substantial amounts of peat smoked malt, roasted barley and 3 different hop varieties. Then added a 4th variety for dry hopping. Finally it was bottled unfiltered, bottle conditioned and left to mature in the bottle for 2 months before release. Serve at 53-57 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ABV is 10.4 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Imperial Stout

Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - Draft

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Roasty malts, sweet and chocolate. 
Taste -  Deep roasty malts, dark chocolate, a slight hop after burn and boozy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body.
Drinkable - A good example of the style.It's a slipper, only negative aspect is the harsh hop aftertaste which some folks like.

This beer may pair well with cheese and smoked meat.

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

Guinness - Foreign Extra

Higher in alcohol content than other Guinness products, this stout has a strong, oaky, complex flavor.


The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler or Snifter
Delivery 355ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a black color with a tan head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Malty, caramel, chocolate and sweet. 
Taste - Sweet, roasty malts, chocolate, smoky and peaty. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonated and body.
Drinkable - A bit boozy.  Much better than the Guinness you get at your local pub on draft.  Search it out and give it a go.

This beer pair well with chocolate, desserts and meats.

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

Fegley's - Space Monkey

Formulated to rocket around your palate with a 21st century complexity in flavor and aroma: Hints of lemon and pepper orbit around a raspberry tartness to guarantee a successful flight.

The ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Raspberry Saison
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 an amber color with a white head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Fruity and hoppy.
Taste -  Tart, fruity and hoppy. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and light body, slightly dry.
Drinkable - A good summer beer, light fruit taste that is not over bearing.

This beer pairs well with cheese and meat.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =C+
Ratebeer Rating =77

Orval - Trappist Ale

In contrast to all the others, the Orval Trappist brewery makes only one beer for the general public. It has an intensely aromatic and dry character. Between the first and second fermentation there is also an additional dry-hopping process. Through this the beer acquires its pronounced hoppy aroma and extra dry taste.
Bottled at 5.2% abv - can go up as high as 7.2%

The ABV is 5.2 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Pale Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 375ml Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pour orange/straw color with a big white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Fruity like apples or pears and a little malty (bready).
Taste - Slightly bready with some spices and fruity. 
Mouth Feel - High carbonation with a light body. Very fuzzy and dry.
Drinkable - Really bland tasting, a good beer for a hot summer day.  The aroma is better than the taste.I know a lot of people who like the brew, to me it's like drinking carbonated water.

This beer pairs well with cheese and white meat.

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

Great Divide - Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is a new addition to the Yeti clan. A generous infusion of Denver’s own Pablo’s espresso adds yet another layer of complexity to this beer, combining with the vanilla oak character, intense roasty maltiness and bold hop profile to create a whole new breed of mythical creature. It’s official, you can now have Yeti with breakfast.

Had this brew on a Saturday night with friends in their backyard sitting by an open pit fire.

The ABV is 9.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 22oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours to a black color with a big tan head that stays. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, coffee (espresso), chocolate and molasses.
Taste - Malty, vanilla, toffee and the finish is lingering espresso and chocolate flavors.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body.
Drinkable - Very nice imperial stout and the oaking effect is not over powering.  Just enough of an espresso hint, not over whelming.  Give it a go you should like it....

This beer pairs well with deserts like chocolate and cheese.

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

Harviestoun - Ola Dubh Special Reserve 30

Ola Dubh (or ‘Black Oil’) is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park, Distiller of the Year*. It is based on Harviestoun’s award-winning Old Engine Oil. With more than a stylistic nod to the classic Imperial Porters (and Stouts) of the nineteenth century, this deliciously rich, dark, 8% a.b.v. beer is the first ale to be aged in malt whiskey casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks and numbered bottles, the rest with genuine provenance. Ola Dubh will initially be available in three different expressions; the initial release will be of small batches aged in casks formerly used to mature:
Highland Park 12 Year Old

Highland Park 16 Year Old

Highland Park 30 Year Old

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Ola Dubh is, in the words of beer aficionado Owen D.L. Barstow: “The most interesting new British beer I have tried in years.”

Had this a Eulogy in Old City Philly.

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 375ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a black color with no head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Scotch, bourbon, peat, very earthy and boozy.
Taste -  Same as the noise, scotch, bourbon and earthy.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, full body, stingy and boozy.
Drinkable - Like drinking water-downed scotch.  Next time I'll try the 12 or 16.  They also make a 40 but I don't think I would enjoy that one, maybe if someone else offered one up...

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts.

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

Van Steenberge - Gulden Draak

Gulden Draak is a dark brown Triple Ale, which makes it an exception among the Belgian Triples. The second fermentation offers the nice creamy head, the full body and all the vitamins of the centuries old brewers yeast. It is a "thick" beer, that you can actually "eat" to adventure the complex taste. Gulden Draak balances a natural malt toffee-like sweetness with a mellow happiness and some hoppy accents. The aroma is round, sweet and reveals the 10.5 alcohol by volume.

Had this a Eulogy in Old City Philly.

The ABV is 10.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 375ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, sweet, some fruitiness.
Taste -  Malty, sweet, with a tang.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, full body, fuzzy with a metallic after taste.
Drinkable - I would call this a typical Belgium beer. Not bad I will have it again.

This beer may pair well with cheese grilled meats.

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

Rodenbach - Grand Cru

A blend of 1/3 young beer and 2/3 of beer aged 2 years in large oak vats. The more important proportion of oak matured beer contributes to its fruity taste, complexity and intensity. The finish is worthy of a great wine.

Had this a Eulogy in Old City Philly.

The ABV is 6.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Flanders Red Ale
Glass to use- Flute, Snifter, Tulip
Delivery - Draft

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

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Sour, fruits and sweet.
Taste -  Sour up front then some fruit, tart.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body, and a dry finish.
Drinkable - A good brew, I have a 750ml bottle aging in the cellar, can't wait to open it one day.  

This beer may pair well with cheese grilled meats.

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

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2006

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 2006 release which I found at the Foodery.  In 2010 and 2011 I had the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2007 all on different dates of course.  Sadly I have no blogs for the 1997, 1998 or 2001 vintages.

The 2006 is still a young ale, needs to age for another 5 years.

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, 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 is the first thing noticed then a bit of chocolate and other dark fruit.
Taste -  Dark fruits like plums and raisins. Like a sherry or port.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.
Drinkable - Very drinkable but still needs some time to age.  Given that it is a good brew, and a sipper.  

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