I love Stone IPA and yes Ruination takes the cake but it is in essence a double and if your not a hop monster then it can be a bit overpowering. I had a Stone 16 Year Anniversary IPA tonight, unbelievable. Probably the best IPA I have ever had. Just the right balance of everything and almost didn't seem IPA hoppy. It was almost creamy and just so smooth. It's limited production and locally I have only found it in bombers, maybe I'll pull a CA trip and see if I can find a 6, 12 or case to bring home.
Newcastle Werewolf
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It's a real interesting beer because of the distinct switch in taste, and the fruity smell despite the lack of fruit. They say they used mostly malts with a caramel note. I didn't really get the caramel though.
English yeast produce estery aromas like peach, pear, apple, etc. and caramel malts, the darker ones, will produce an aroma of dark cherries, prunes, raisins, etc. instead of a caramel flavor.
Guinness Black Lager
Guinness, St. James Gate, Dublin
4.5% ABV
Appearance: Thick, chocolate head, oil-black body. Looks just like a Stout with a typical Guinness head. The anemic 11.5 ounce bottle left me feeling shortchanged, especially when poured into my giant INGO stein mug.
Smell: Chocolate malt, with a hint of toffee.
Taste: The taste is very similar to a standard lager, with a hint of Guinness Stout bitterness mixed in. Starts out very mild and then the roasted barley kicks in nicely. Does very well ice-cold where a regular Guinness likes to be a little warmer.
Mouthfeel: It's got the lightness of a lager without the thick, chewiness of a stout. Smooth and slightly creamy.
Overall: I know that this is not a craft beer in the sense for whiche I started this thread, but I've always been a fan of Guinness Extra Stout and I wanted to give this one a try. It's marketed as a "Black Lager" of the American style, but it's really more of a German schwarzbier. The slight sourness of a Guinness Stout is evident in this lager, with the plain easy drinkability of your standard lager. Where you might be tired of a Stout after just one or two, you could probably drink the Black Lagers all evening. That said, it's only fair-to-middling in the schwarzbier field. It's not the best I've had, but it's not the worst, either. I'll enjoy drinking the remaining bottles, but then I'll probably move on to something else.
I get the feeling that Guinness created this to market to people who just couldn't drink the oily chewiness of a traditional Guinness Stout. In that respect, I feel that they'll probably find a small niche audience. Unfortunately, savvy drinkers will look for something more palatable, while traditional lager drinkers will probably stick with their national-brand favorites. I give this one a solid C. Try it if it's there, don't go out of your way to seek it out.
Dragon's Milk- New Holland Brewing Company
Part of their High Gravity series.
Reminds me of Robert the Bruce Scottish Ale (look and smell), with a little more alcohol afterflavor.
Smooth mouthfeel.
Oaken barrel aged, can taste a bit of it, not overpoweringly woody (much less woody than Gnawbone or Double Crooked Tree)
Alc 10%
Comes in a 4 pack. Cuz didn't like his. Have 2 left.........make that 1. None in an hr.
Web photo
http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/high-gravity-series/dragons-milk-ale-aged-in-oak-barrels/
Have 5 Dirty Bastards by Founders, 8.5%. If I kill a deer I'll celebrate with those tomorrow.
sam adams utopia is for sale again. about 160 per 750ml. think i might try and order a bottle or two. Samuel Adams - America's World Class Beer
Any idea where this is available in the Indy area? I've only found it up north.
They might make good beer, but I just can't bring myself to give them any money. That's the beer of Pat's fans and I just won't buy it.
This is nearly the most ridiculous reason not to drink decent beer I've ever heard. It takes second place to "God doesn't approve of drinking."
Some recent Beer porn