Ommegang - Seduction

A BELGIAN LOVE AFFAIR Ommegang Seduction is lovingly brewed with six dark malts. Chocolatier Callebut provides the chocolate, while Liefmans brings the cherries. This international romance is consummated with a full body, alluring aromas and flavors of Belgian chocolate, and tart cherries. Seduction is an ale to be lovingly embraced. Beautiful, rich and smooth, roasty and malty throughout, Seduction offers balanced chocolate-cherry notes, a bit of caramel sweetness, and a long, slow finish. Seduction is welcoming and warm-hearten, gently hopped and harbors no bitterness, leaving only a lingering glow.

The ABV is 6.8 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Belgium Dark Ale

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

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a dark brown color with a thick tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Chocolate, some fruit and spice.
Taste -  Chocolate, Malty and spices, cocoa powder after taste.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, medium body and creamy.
Drinkable - Not the best chocolate stout but a good brew for a brewery that specializes in Belgium beer.  You can taste the Belgium yeast.  The tartness is buried in the cocoa, not balanced.  I'll need to try another bottle in the future.

This beer may pair well with cheese or as a apéritif.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+.
BeerAdvocate Rating = 84
Ratebeer Rating = 95

'T Gaverhopke - Bitter Sweet Symphony

A collaboration between Gaverhopke and Tired Hands Brewing Company.  Tired Hands worked with Bruno and Gudrun at ‘t Gaverhopke in Stasegem to create  Bittersweet Symphony. BSS is a 7.8%, blonde, Double IPA brewed with a touch of caramel malt, wheat, a blend of citrus-forward hops, and fermented with ‘t Gaverhopke’s house yeast. A side note: ‘t Gaverhopke uses a koelschip to cool their wort down en route to the fermenter.

ABV is 7.8 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Belgium IPA
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring, unless ABV exceeds average range.

The Pour - Pours a golden color with small white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Citrus, grassy, hoppy with hints of spice.
Taste -  Hoppy and sweet, some orange and other citrus taste.
Mouth Feel - Medium body and carbonation.
Drinkable - Very mild hop after taste, I think it's more like an American IPA than a Belgium IPA.  Alcohol is well hidden. 

This beer pairs well with share or pungent cheese and salad.

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

Dogfish Head - Red & White

Update
A big, Belgian-style Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice. After fermentation a fraction of the batch is aged in Oregon Pinot Noir barrels, and another fraction is aged on oak staves. The beer is blended together before packaging. This has been one of DFH's most popular Limited Edition beers at both thier Rehoboth Beach, DE brewpub and at festivals. It successfully marries the refreshing citrusy qualities of a Belgian-style white beer with the robust complexity of a bold red wine. Ah-men!

Original posting - 10/8/2010

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

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

The Pour - Pours a nice cloudy orange color with a thick white head and great lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, flowery, grapes and citrus fruits, hoppy and oaky (winey).  Some hints of alcohol.
Taste - Wow, unexpected, candy, coriander grapes and orange. Tarty, bitter and a slight hoppy aftertaste.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  Sharp, clean and crisp with a nice finish.  
Drinkable - Very drinkable and refreshing, too easy for a 10% brew.  I think wine snob drinkers would enjoy this brew along with their fellow beer snob drinkers.  (Peace in the drinking world).

This beer pairs well with cheese and white meats.

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

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Trappistes Rochefort - 8 (2010)

The lower gravity cousin to Rochefort 10. Gold Medal winner World Beer Championships 2004.

Rochefort 10 - Blue cap (11.3%)

Rochefort 8 - Green cap (9.2%)

Rochefort 6 - Red cap (7.5%)

The ABV is 9.2 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Dubbel
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 330ml

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

The Pour - Cloudy brown in color.  Tan head with drops of brown yeast from the bottle. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malts, sweet and some fruit
Taste - Malty and sweet, chocolate, spices and dark fruit.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  A bit on the fizzy side (typical Belgium brew).
Drinkable - A nice dubbel.  This bottle has been aging for twos in my cellar.  It's very mellow, worth the wait. 

Goes great with cheese, chocolate and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-
BeerAdvocate Rating = 95
Ratebeer Rating = 100

Sly Fox - Black Raspberry Reserve

 Update 5/17/2012
An unforgettable wheat ale brewed with German Pils and Wheat malts and Tradition hops, with 1 lb. of red and black raspberries per gallon of beer. This beer features a tart finish and a sugary sorbet aroma.

Original posting - 6/22/2011

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Wheat Fruit Beer
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Tumbler, Mug or Stein
Delivery 750ml Bottle

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a dark purple color with a reddish head. Very little lacing.
Aroma - Fruity - raspberry, almost like an extract.
Taste -  Not much, no malts or hops and a hint of raspberry. 
Mouth Feel - Medium/high carbonation and a lite body.
Drinkable - Very watered down in my opinion.  I was expecting something like a fruit lambic not realizing it was a wheat beer.  However it is a nice summer wheat beer with a hint of raspberry.  It is lacking taste.

Update - After aging for about a year the taste is much more pronounced.  The fruity flavors come through more aggressive making for a nicer beer experience.  The body seems to be more balanced, I would say a medium body beer.  And is well balanced all around.

In conclusion, though this brew is not recommended for cellaring, aging it a year improved it very much.  I am changing me rating from a C+ to a solid B!

This beer pairs well with salad.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating =66

Trappistes Rochefort - 10 (2010)

The top product from the Rochefort Trappist brewery. Dark color, full and very impressive taste. Strong plum, raisin, and black currant palate, with ascending notes of vinousness and other complexities.

Rochefort 10 - Blue cap (11.3%)
Rochefort 8 - Green cap (9.2%)
Rochefort 6 - Red cap (7.5%)

The ABV is 11.3 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Quadrupel
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Goblet, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 330ml

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

The Pour - Dark brown in color.  Tan head with drops of brown yeast from the bottle. Great lacing.
Aroma - Malts, sweet, maybe some brown sugar
Taste - Malty and sweet, dark chocolate, hint of spice and dark fruits.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  A bit on the fizzy side (typical Belgium brew).
Drinkable - I first had this in the mid 90's at Nodding Head's.  This bottle has been aging for twos in my cellar.  It's very mellow, worth the wait.  Very balanced, not too sweet.

Goes great with cheese and beef.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 99
Ratebeer Rating = 100

Dogfish Head - Fort

Update

An ale brewed with a ridiculous amount of pureed raspberries (over a ton of em!). Fort has a Belgian Ale type base, then they follow a similar fermentation process as they use in other high ABV beers, 120 Minute IPA and World Wide Stout.

I've had this brew on a few occasions, the first was during the Philly Craft Beer Express, fall of 2010.  The second was in Florida during my Xmas break of 2010.

The Update was on 5/8/2012 see below for details.

The ABV is 18.0 and the IBU rating is 49
Style - Strong Fruit Ale
Glass to use- Tulip or oversize wine glass
Delivery 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy orange color with an off white head. Great lacing.
Aroma - Sweet and as expected lots of fruit and tartness.
Taste -  Strong, sweet and tart.  Very fruity, raspberries, you can definitely taste the alcohol.  Has a tangy after taste. 
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation.  Full bodied.
Drinkable - Very strong and somewhat tart, but I do like it a lot!  Not an everyday brew but worth trying.  I am very happy after two glasses, at home I must say!  I purchased two bottles at the end of 2011 due to rumors that DFH is discontinuing the Fort line.  I am very sad for that news.  Had one bottle for this post update and the second bottle will be aged for many years.

This beer pairs well with chocolate or cheese.  Try it with duck. 

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =B
Ratebeer Rating = 84

Green Flash - Barleywine

A four hour boil intensifies the caramel malts and enormous Pacific Northwest hop charge. The result is a rich, estery brew with toffee notes and citrus hop flavors layered throughout. Enjoy fresh today or lay it down and see how the flavors of each vintage evolve.

The ABV is 10.9 and the IBU rating is 85

Style - American Barley Wine

Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 22oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a dark copper color with a big tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malts, caramel, grassy and hops.
Taste -  Sweet, caramel, toffee and hoppy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, medium body, strong hoppy after taste like a west coast IPA.
Drinkable - Alcohol is well hidden.  A true west coast barley wine. 

This beer may pair well with cheese and desserts.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating = 86
Ratebeer Rating = 98

Duvel - Tripel Hop Special Edition (2010)

Unique one-off, made with three kinds of hops: Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Amarillo. Dry hopped with more Styrian, and an extra dose of malts to hold up.

Brewed May 2010

The ABV is 9.5 and the IBU rating is ??

Style - Belgium IPA

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

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Pours a golden color with a big white head that sticks around. Great lacing.
Aroma - Citrus fruits, yeast and hops.
Taste -  Sweet, citrus, a little bit of a hoppy after taste.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation, medium body, crisp dry finish.
Drinkable - I aged this bottle for two years.  Bottle indicates that it is good until 2013.  Taste better as it warms up, which is typical of any well made brew.  A very nice summer brew, refreshing.  I think it's a tad better than a regular Duvel.  Try it for yourself. 

This beer may pair well with cheese and salad.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating = 94
Ratebeer Rating = 99

Leinenkugels - Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale is a tip of the cap to the brewers of Scotland. A blend of eight robust malts give Wee Heavy its complex flavor which is balanced by notes of dark chocolate, toffee and caramel.  Limited release, majestic brew with layer upon layer of malt complexity.

The ABV is 9.5 and the IBU rating is 18
Style - Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, 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 tan head.  Good thick lacing.
Aroma - Dark fruit, molasses and sweet. 
Taste - Leathery - peat and malty, rich.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.  Pretty smooth.
Drinkable - Smells more like an English Barley Wine.  The aroma is nothing like the taste.  Not sure I would call it a Wee Heavy thou it is nice.  Will have another bottle or two please.......

This beer pairs very with meats and chocolate.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating = 83
Ratebeer Rating =94

Dogfish Head - Burton Baton (2009)

This is a blended beer that DFH has been brewing for the past several years and it's recently been gaining in popularity.  For Burton Baton DFH brews two 'threads' or batches of beer: an English-style Old Ale and an Imperial IPA. After fementating the separate beers in stainless tanks, the two are transferred and blended together in a large oak tank. Burton Baton sits on the wood for about a month.  When enjoying the Burton Baton, you'll find an awesome blend of the citrus notes from Northwestern hops melding with woody, vanilla notes from the oak. The wood also tends to mellow the 10% of the beer - so tread cautiously!  Burton Baton is brewed and released three times per year.

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is 70
Style - Imperial/Double IPA
Glass to use- Snifter, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

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

The Pour - Orange in color and a thick tan head which dissipates.  Great lacing.
Aroma - Hoppy and citrus fruit - orange. 
Taste - Malty and hoppy.  Citrus and some spice and vanilla.  Fresh bottles have a harsh after taste however aging has mellowed out the harshness.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body.
Drinkable - Very drinkable.  This had been aging for three years.  Some difference from a fresh bottle, no real hints of oak aging.  Starting to taste like an English Barley Wine, very nice.  The alcohol is well hidden.  This beer ages very well, I'll need to push it a few more years to maybe five or six to see how they turn out.

This beer pairs very with cheese and meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 93
Ratebeer Rating =98

Domaine Dupont - Givre Vintage 2006

This non sparkling "sweet wine" from apples, low in alcohol, has unique aromatic richness and sweetness. Domaine Dupont exclusive. Givre won a prize at the Innovative Food from Normandy competition.

Terroir:	Nutrient poor clay and marl soil, perfect for giving small fruit.
Varieties:	90% of bittersweet apples 10% of acid apples
Harvesting:	from October to November
Bottling:	April
Residual sugar:	155 g per liter

At the end of the pressing process the must has already acquired the attractive golden amber tints of cider. After several weeks of fermentation in vats, the cider is racked and bottled.
Fermentation will subsequently continue slowly in the bottle, and the carbon dioxide that is naturally produced is retained by the cork to create the natural effervescence of cider.

The faint haze and the deposit present are the proofs of this bottle fermentation. They give the ciders from the Domaine Dupont their unique aromatic complexity. Stocked upright in good conditions (less than 15°C (59°F) the cider will improve and its mousse will become finer and more persistent.

The ABV is 6.9 and the IBU rating is n/a
Style - Ice Cider
Glass to use- Tulip, Champagne or wine glass
Delivery 375ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy dark amber color.  No head. No lacing.
Aroma - Very nice strong apple aroma, backed apples. A mix of apples, spices and caramel.
Taste -  Very sweet, tart and apples.  Gets more complex as it warms up.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, full body. Coats the mouth.
Drinkable - This is my first cider blog.  I've been looking for this bottle for a number of years.  I found it a Capones in Norristown.  At $25 for a 375ml bottle, it's very expensive but worth it.  Have to remember that it has been aged for five years.  Very well balanced.  I wounder what a fresh bottle taste like?

This beer pairs well with apple dishes, most cheeses and desserts.  Use as an aperitif or try it with foie gras.

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

Dogfish Head - Sahtea (2010)

This Ancient Ale is a modern take on a 9th-century Finnish beer.  The wort for Sah'tea is caramelized over white-hot river rocks, and the beer is fermented with a German weizen yeast. In addition to juniper berries foraged from the Finnish countryside, Sah'tea is flavored with black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and black pepper.  The spicing is subtle and balanced, and Sah'tea is a highly-quaffable, truly unique brew with a full mouth-feel.

Original Release Date: 05/2009

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is 6
Style - Shati
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker, Tumbler, or Stein
Delivery 750ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy straw color with chunks! A white head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Strong spice like coriander and juniper, citrus fruits.
Taste -  Nice spicy taste and sweet.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - Very refreshing.  I like the strong spice taste.  Good for one glass maybe two in one sitting.  A bit overpowering flavor for multiple glasses.  Still, its good, give it a go.

This beer pairs well with most cheese and desserts.  I used it as a broth in a beef stew.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B+
BeerAdvocate Rating =89
Ratebeer Rating =96

Dogfish Head - Raison D'Etre (2011)

A deep mahogany, Belgian-style brown ale brewed with beet sugar, raisins and Belgian-style yeast.
We began brewing this one at our pub in 1996 (we began packaging and selling it sometime in 1998) as the answer to the question, "What beer should I enjoy with a wood-grilled steak?" Raison D'Etre fits the bill. It's as tasty and complex as a fine red wine.

In the Quick Sip Clip video below, Sam talks about Raison D'Etre inside the new cellars for our 600-bbl fermentation tanks. The cellars were designed specifically to allow sterile yeast management. The system also allows us to automatically dose the yeast into the fermentation tanks. At Dogfish, we use multiple strains of yeast for our different beers, so we are acutely aware of all that can go wrong when you don't love and protect the yeast.

The original release date was March of 1998.

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is 25. 

Style - Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet
Delivery 12 oz bottle.

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy dark amber in color and a tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, raisins, spice, brown sugar and hops.
Taste - Malty, sweet, leather (peat), dark fruit and hoppy.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and body.
Drinkable - A fresh D'Etre taste much better. This one did not age well. I'll stick to fresh RD'E.  I would describe this bottle as a fresh RD'E with a bit of peat.  (A strong ale mixed with a wee heavy).

This beer pairs well with steak, duck, game, wine-reduction sauces, blue cheese, goat cheese, ham, mussels.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.

BeerAdvocate Rating 83

Ratebeer Rating = 96

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