Dogfish Head - Raison D'Etre

Here's another favorite of mine.  It is available year round in the Philly area.  I have been on a Barley Wine and Belgian ale kick for the last five years or so.  I just love the aroma and complex taste of these styles.  Dogfish list it as a Belgian-Style Brown Ale, I personal call it a Belgian Strong Dark Ale and pretty close to a Barley Wine.  It is made with beet sugar (I think), raisins, and Belgian-style yeast. I can't wait until I can have older vintages of this brew.  (I have case in the cellar).

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 - No head a very clear top. Brown or dark amber in color, a rich ruby color if you look trough the glass into a light source.
Aroma - Malty some alcohol, spice, brown sugar.
Taste - Better closer to room temperature.  Sweat and some fruits.  Very complex.  A slight hop aftertaste.
Mouth Feel - Light carbonation to none. Smooth
Drinkable -Very drinkable but watch out for the alcohol. 

This beer pairs well with cheese and deserts.  I have tried it with Maytag and Stinson blue cheese along with a verity of sharp cheeses.  It could be paired up with beef (a good steak on the grill).

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.

BeerAdvocate Rating = B

Ratebeer Rating = 96

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Dogfish Head - Pumpkin Ale

My first review will be one of my favorite seasonal local beers.  It is available between September and November in the Philly area.  The first time I had the beer was about five years ago.  I found a case at my local beer distributor and gave it a go.  I've been a big fan ever since.  I missed the 2008 batch because I was living in Libya at the time.  I came back in September 2009 for a short vacation and was able to get two cases which I stored in the basement.  Looking forward to having one when I move back home in August.  Dogfish list it as a Full-Bodied Brown Ale, I would call it a Harvest Ale, Spice Ale or more exact Pumpkin Ale.  If the alcohol content was a bit higher I would call this an Imperial Pumpkin Ale.  It is made with of course pumpkin, brown sugar and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

The ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is 28.    

The original release date was November of 1994.
Style - Pumpkin Ale
Glass to use - Pint Glass

Delivery 12 oz bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

The Pour - Amber in color and a bit cloudy.  Head dissipates after a minute.
Aroma - Pumpkin, clover, cinnamon and all spice.
Taste - Sweat, clover, nutmeg and pumpkin as a finish.
Mouth Feel - Crisp and refreshing.
Drinkable -Very drinkable, I can drink this all day but watch out for the alcohol.  The 7% is hidden in both the small and taste. 

This beer will go great at the Thanksgiving dinner table.  It pairs nicely with turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.  Also good with other poultry like chicken and duck.  I like it with apple pie.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.

BeerAdvocate Rating = B+

Ratebeer Rating = 89

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Lagunitas - Maximus

Lagunitas brewing says at the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt that the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh hops and malt. Caution: May remove enamel from teeth. This is Lagunitas IPA pumped up by about 30%!. I 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.

*See my Nov. 10, 2010 updated review *

The ABV is 7.5 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Double/Imperial IPA
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet.

Delivery 750ml bottle.

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

This beer pairs very well with cheese, and meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-

BeerAdvocate Rating =B+

Ratebeer Rating = 98

St Bernardus - Abt 12

St Bernardus brewery said it's the absolute top quality in the hierarchy of the their beers.  St Bernardus is a brewery out of Belgium. I 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 ABV is 10.5 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Belgian Quadruple.  
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet.

Delivery 750ml bottle.

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

This beer pairs well with cheese. Will also go good with beef and sausages.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A

Ratebeer Rating = 100

Dogfish Head - Midas Touch

Dogfish Head says Midas Touch this recipe is the actual oldest-known fermented beverage in the world! It is an ancient Turkish recipe using the original ingredients from the 2700 year old drinking vessels discovered in the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine & mead; this smooth, sweet, yet dry ale will please the Chardonnay of beer drinker alike.  I 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.  

Original release date March 1999

The ABV is 9.0 and the IBU rating is 12.  
Style - Spiced Beer.  
Glass to use - Pint glass or mug.

Delivery 12oz bottle.
Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

This beer pairs very well with Asian dishes and white meats..

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B

Ratebeer Rating = 93

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Chimay - Triple (White)

Chimay Blanche (White), with its typical golden color, its slightly hazy appearance and its fine head is especially characterized by its aroma which results from an agreeable combination of fresh hops and yeast. The beer's flavor, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma. The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, re fermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized..

I had this brew with an old friend in Jacksonville, FL back in June of 2009.  We sampled several big beers this evening all of which are on the blog site.  

The ABV is 8.0 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Triple
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet.

Delivery 330ml bottle.

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

The Pour - Pours a cloudy orange/brown color with a white head that last.  Good lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, fruity like bananas.
Taste - Citrus fruit, some hops and honey.
Mouth Feel - High carbonation which is typical, fuzzy.
Drinkable - The alcohol is hidden well.  Though this is my least favorite of the three Chimay's it is still a good choice.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A

Ratebeer Rating =100

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Chimay - Red Label

Chimay brewery says is noted for its coppery color which makes it particularly attractive. Topped with a creamy head, it gives off a light, fruity apricot aroma produced by the fermentation. The taste perceived in the mouth is a balance confirming the fruity nuances noticed in the fragrance. Its taste, which imparts a silky sensation to the tongue, is made refreshing by a light touch of bitterness. To the palate, the taster perceives a pleasant astringency which complements the flavor qualities of this beer very harmoniously. This top fermented Trappist beer, re-fermented in the bottle, is not pasteurized. I 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 ABV is 7.0 and the IBU rating is ??.  
Style - Dubbel 
Glass to use - Goblet.

Delivery 12oz bottle.
Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

This beer pairs very well with cheese, chocolate and some meat.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.

BeerAdvocate Rating =A-

Ratebeer Rating = 99

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Dogfish Head - Chicory Stout

Chicory Stout is a rich, dark beer made with a touch of roasted chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John's Wort, and licorice root. It is brewed with roast barley, crystal malt and oats and hopped just right with Glacier hops. We use fair trade Organic Mexican Coatepec beans roasted to our specifications by Notting Hill Coffee Roastery in Lewes, DE.  I 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.  
One of the original beers severed when the first brewpub opened in 1995. 

The ABV is 5.2 and the IBU rating is 21.  

Style - American Stout
Glass to use - Pint Glass or Mug.

Delivery 12oz bottle.

Not recommended for extended cellaring.

This beer pairs very well with cheese, deserts and most meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B-.

BeerAdvocate Rating =B+

Ratebeer Rating = 95

Great Divide - Old Ruffian

This a is hefty, hop-forward Barley Wine- Style Ale. Seemingly mellow at the start with subtle fruit aromas and complex caramel sweetness, it quickly becomes aggressive with its bold hop flavors and huge hop bitterness. Ultimately, the big body, succulent sweetness and massive hop character come together to work wonders on your palate.  I had this in Reading, PA with a group of friends at Canal Street Pub, (Legacy Brewing).

The second time was in Feb 2011.

The ABV is 10.2 and the IBU rating is ??.
Seasonal - Available January through March.

Style - American Barley Wine
Glass to use - Snifter, Tulip or Goblet
Delivery 22oz bottle.

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

The Pour - Copper color with a light tan head that diminishes towards the end of the session, good lacing.
Aroma - Malty, sweet, faint hint of citrus and hops.
Taste - Malty and sweet as in caramel, brown sugar with a bitter hop after taste.
Mouth Feel - Thick candy coating, low carbonation and full body.
Drinkable -It is drinkable, I finished the bottle in one session.  A bit too much of the hoppy after taste for me but still very good.  The alcohol is well-hidden.

This beer pairs perfectly with cheese and deserts.  Mostly cheeses.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A

BeerAdvocate Rating =A

Ratebeer Rating = 99

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Ceres - Strong Ale Export

Strong Ale is brewed at Ceres Bryggerierne in Denmark. Strong Ale has a distinct vinous character. However, it is not a heavy beer since raw grain (maize) has been used to soften the taste. Drink chilled, preferably in large, stemmed glasses. Why not serve it with a steak instead of a glass of red wine?  I had this brew in Sicily 2009, it was a warm day and went down very well.

The ABV is 7.7 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Euro Strong Lager
Glass to use- Flute, Pilsener Glass
Delivery 330ml Bottle

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

The Pour - Pour amber color with a big head that hangs around. Good lacing.
Aroma - Malts.
Taste - Some hops and strong. 
Mouth Feel - Well carbonation, medium body.  
Drinkable - Pretty good on a nice spring day and just leaving a dry country.

This beer pairs well with Mediterranean food, cheese and meat. - I had it with a slice of Sicilian pizza.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B.
BeerAdvocate Rating =C
Ratebeer Rating = 20

General Lafayette - 275th Anniversary Ale

It was a one time run to celebrate the General Lafayette Inn's 275th anniversary in 2007.  General Lafayette is located just outside of Philly.  I was a mug club member for the ten years that the brewpub offered the membership.  I purchased one bottle to give it a try.  I loved it!  I went back and purchased two or three more bottles.  I managed to save one for a few months before I shared it with friends.  The General Lafayette held back bottles for a second offering and I picked up three more bottles.

The ABV is 13.1 and the IBU rating is ??. 

Style - English Barley Wine

Glass to use - Snifter or Oversize Wine Glass

Delivery 755ml bottle.

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

The Pour - Dark reddish brown in color and clear.  A cream colored head with quickly fades away.

Aroma - Toffee and raisins, malty.

Taste - Strong on the raisin taste and very sweet.

Mouth Feel - Smooth and light carbonation.

Drinkable - Watch out the 13% will sneak up on you, one can not tell how strong it is.  This is very drinkable.

This beer pairs very well with cheeses.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A+

BeerAdvocate Rating =A

Ratebeer Rating = 97