North Coast - Old Stock Ale (2009)

As a continuation of North Coast Brewing Co.’s commitment to quality, our Old Stock Ale is crafted in the tradition of our 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. We produce a small quantity each year and it remains available from release date until our stock is depleted.

pre-2006 ABV: 11.4%.
2006 vintages: 11.6% & 13.25%.
2007 vintage: 11.7%.
2008 vintage: 12.5%.
2009 vintage: 11.5%.
2010 vintage: 11.7%.
2011 vintage: 11.9%

See my review for the 2010 vintage and the Old Stock Cellar Reserve 2009.

The ABV is 11.5 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 - Pours a cloudy brown color with a nice tan head.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Dark fruits, malts, caramel and toffee tones.
Taste - Malty, caramel, some dark fruits (plum), some molasses, a complex brew fer sure.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body. Slightly fizzy.  Warm after taste from the alcohol. 
Drinkable - My first 3 year old vintage of this brew.  It's starting to mature.  I have a case of the 2010 and 2011 in the cellar which I will age for several years. 

Goes great with cheeses and darker fruit.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 91
Ratebeer Rating = 99

Russian River - Salvation

This Belgian style Strong Dark Ale has a tawny brown color and aromas of banana and spice that dominate the initial bouquet of the beer. Lean malt flavors blend perfectly with fruit driven characteristics created by the classic Belgian yeast which fermented this ale. The alcohol content is deceptively smooth just like its sister beer Damnation. Brewed just once a year for a release in January.

Batch 010 - Bottle Date 2/15/2011

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Goblet, Tulip 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 big tan head that settles.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Lite, dark fruits, some malts and hops, Belgium yeast - bready.
Taste - Sweet, dark chocolate and dark fruits. A hint of spice.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation and medium body, smooth.
Drinkable - Pretty mellow, alcohol is well hidden.  A nice balanced brew.  Not my favorite strong dark ale but will have it again, and again.........

This beer pair well with strong cheese and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating =91
Ratebeer Rating = 99

Dogfish Head - Chateau Jiahu (2010)

Let's travel back in time again for another Dogfish Head Ancient Ale (Midas Touch was DFH's first foray and Theobroma the most recent). Our destination is 9,000 years ago, in Northern China! Preserved pottery jars found in the Neolithic villiage of Jiahu, in Henan province, have revealed that a mixed fermented beverage of rice, honey and fruit was being produced that long ago, right around the same time that barley beer and grape wine were beginning to be made in the Middle East!

Fast forward to 2005. Molecular archaeologist Dr. Patrick McGovern of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology calls on Dogfish Head to re-create another ancient beverage, and Chateau Jiahu is born.

In keeping with historic evidence, Dogfish brewers use brown rice syrup, orange blossom honey, muscat grape, barley malt and hawthorn berry. The wort is fermented for about a month with sake yeast until the beer is ready for packaging.

Did you catch the story on NPR's "All Things Considered" about Chateau Jiahu and DFH Ancient Ales? If you missed the story, here it is!

Original Release Date: 07/2006

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is 10
Style - Spice Beer
Glass to use- Tulip, Snifter or wine glass
Delivery 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy amber color.  Small white head. Some lacing.
Aroma - Grapes, straw essence, some hops ans sweet.
Taste -  Sweet, grapes and candy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - Taste like a nice Belgium brew, well balanced.  Aged nicely for 18 months'  Slightly smoother than a fresh bottle.  Worth a try, I will purchase this brew again.

This beer pairs well with desserts or try with Mexican and Indian dishes.  Can be use as an aperitif.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating = 86
Ratebeer Rating = 88

Yards - Old Bartholomew (2011)

Bart may give you a warming feeling on cold months. Old Bart is usually brewed around Halloween, and appears in taverns just before winter. Yards brews Bart once and when its gone its gone, until next year!

The ABV is 10.3 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - English Barleywine
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 orange color that's a bit cloudy with a big tan head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Malts, candy like aroma and some hint of hops and citrus fruit.
Taste -  Malty, hoppy, caramel and sweet. A tad of the citrus fruits.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. A nice clean and crisp finish with a slow alcohol burn.
Drinkable - This is more like an American Barleywine not an English Barleywine. I guess American brewers just don't get it.  Stop over hopping Barleywines!  If you do then don't call it an English Barleywine, geez!  I just found out this month that Yards was brewing a Barleywine.  I picked up a case of which half has been consumed.  The other half case will be aged.  So regardless of my ranting about Barleywines, I like this one.  Search it out and give it a go.

This beer pairs well with pungent cheese and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating =85
Ratebeer Rating =88

J.W. Lees - Harvest Ale 2002

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 2002 release which I enjoyed in January of 2012.  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 a small tan head that hangs around for awhile. Some lacing and a clear coat on the glass.
Aroma - Room filled with dark fruit; plums, figs and raisins. Molasses maybe brown sugar.
Taste -  Liquid dark fruits, sweet, toffee, caramel. Liken to a nice port. 
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, big body, very smooth no burn from the alcohol.  Very well balanced.
Drinkable - Very sweet, compairs well with other aged JW Lees bottles I have had in the past.  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 =95
Ratebeer Rating = 99

Brasserie des Géants - Noël Des Géants

Picture of an 375ml bottle

The Brasserie Des Légendes or Brasserie des Géants, or Giant Brewery, is housed in a medieval castle in the town of Irchonwelz, in the French-speaking south of Belgium.  Its majestic gate stands high to allow the passage of the occasional visiting giant... as the town is famous for its annual giants parade.

Unpasteurized, Unfiltered, Bottle-Refermented Belgian Ale.  The Géants Christmas beer came out in 2007, and it’s their best one yet. Rich and warming, and just a bit spicy (thanks to the delicate addition of a special aromatic herb from the region of the brewery), this festive ale has everything you want in a Belgian beer – but not the cheap sugary flavor that the more commercial breweries use to reel in a less sophisticated crowd.

This review is for a  1.5L bottle I purchased in 2011.  I did not write a review for the 375ml bottle.

The ABV is 8.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Spice Beer
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery 1.5 Liter Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark amber color with a white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malts, spices and some dark fruit.
Taste - Malty, spicy (ginger I think).
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body, and smooth.
Drinkable - An excellent Xmas brew. The 1.5 litter bottle was a bit too much, it took 5 days to finish.  Good thing I only drink it during the holidays.

Goes great with desserts, or as a apéritif.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating = 86
Ratebeer Rating = 85

Brooklyn - Black Chocolate Stout (2007)

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 2007 vintage.  Click here to see my review from 2005 or 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 (like ink) color with no head at first then a nice 1/2" dark brown head appears. Great lacing.
Aroma - Strong chocolate, some dried fruits (raisin and plum).
Taste -  Malts, caramel and dark chocolate.  Slightly bitter in the finish.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. A nice dry finish.
Drinkable - At nearly 5 years of aging, it lacks the typical aging tasting notes.  The alcohol is well hidden. I have two other vintages to try; a 2008 and 2009.  I think 5 1/2 years is perfect for this brew.  I'll wait for the other two to mature a bit before opening. 

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

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

Iron Hill - Old Ale (2007)

Traditional English-style brown ale with a distinct malty sweetness and fruity aromas that deepen with age.

The ABV is 7.2 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Old Ale
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Snifter, Tumbler, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Small 'Pop' from the cork, Pours a dark amber color with a tan head and some lacing.
Aroma - Filled the room with a light musty smell, malty, hints of dark fruit and some grassy notes.
Taste - Malty, earthy and dark fruit.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - This bottle aged a bit better than the other corked Iron Hill brews I've had in the past.  In my experience Iron Hill corked bottles do not age well after a year or two.  This bottle was a pleasant surprise.

This beer pairs well with cheese.

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

Stone - Old Guardian Belgo

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, in all its unadulterated glory. We make small adjustments to the recipe every year, just a little bit...as it provides an opportunity to try some different hops or malts.
When our illustrious brewing team spiked a few barrels of the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine with our Belgian yeast strain last year, we absolutely loved it. So much, in fact, that we knew we needed an excuse to make more. So, in our unending quest to constantly challenge the status quo (even our own), we came up with Odd Beers for Odd Years, a program to release odd beers – e.g. Stone Old Guardian BELGO Barley Wine – in odd years (2011, 2013, 2015…). It was met with a bit of resistance (to say the least) since we weren’t originally offering the traditional Old Guardian alongside it, but we’ve mended our ways and decided to make both. You’re welcome.

First Release Date:
February 1998

The ABV is 11.0 and the IBU rating is 85
Style - American Barleywine
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 22oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Copper in color and a tan head.  Some lacing.
Aroma - Malty, sweet, hoppy and some fruit. 
Taste - Malty and hoppy, sweet, caramel, some fruitiness and spices.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  A hoppy aftertaste.
Drinkable - A good American Barleywine.  This is a sipper, enjoy it does not need to be rushed.  

This beer pairs very with pungent and sharp cheese and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating =82
Ratebeer Rating =96

Corsendonk - Christmas Ale (2011)

On the palate this silky smooth ale is predominantly malty, with smoky, spicy and citrusy notes, and a long, lingering finish that is lightly tart and malty. 

This is my second review for this brew.  The other was the 2010 vintage.  The difference was the 2010 was from a case with 330ml bottles and the 2011 was from a gift set containing 250ml bottles.

The ABV is 8.5 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 250ml

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

The Pour - Brown in color.  Very big tan head that lingers around. Great lacing.
Aroma - Malts, spices and hops.
Taste - Malty and sweet, some fruitiness and spices.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  Smooth.
Drinkable - Very drinkable, the 250ml bottle went down quickly. At this size I could drink several in one sitting.  The 2011 is slightly better than the 2010.  Next I will pop open one of the 2010 after aging for a year.

Goes great with cheese and meat (grilled meat).

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

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

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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