Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Goose Island King Henry Barleywine Ale

Aged in bourbon barrels, King Henry is a burgundy hued English-style barleywine with aromas of vanilla, oak, and dark fruit. Caramel and toffee flavors blend together with bold notes of bourbon delivered in a smooth body followed by a malty finish.  (from the Goose Island web site)


This barleywine was aged in the same barrels as Bourbon County Rare Stout, giving it that bourbon-y tinge. King Henry poured a deep chocolate brown with a thin khaki-colored head. Strong tastes of plums, raisins, figs and black cherries; honey and maple and brown sugar too. Silky smooth. The 13.4% ABV provides a little heat, but not overwhelming. 


Definitely not a session beer, but good for a nightcap.



Monday, December 26, 2011

Goose Island Christmas Ale 2011

Part of the Christmas Eve Joyce get-together, Goose Island is one of those brands where you just can't go wrong. This year's offering for the Winter seasonal is an American brown ale. Pours a hazy orange-brown with a small tan head and a distinct, yet subtle hop bite. There's also an additional sting from some ginger and an overlay of spices, maybe some cinnamon, nutmeg and even a little lemon. After the initial hoppiness, I got some toffee-like sweetness. Very nice, a perfect Christmas brew.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Euphoria Pale Ale

I'd not heard of Ska Brewing heretofore, but my first experience was definitely positive. It poured out of its can (yes, can) a clear ambery orange, with a tall frothy head. Very hoppy, but with out the graprefruity signature that one would expect with an IPA. Citrus notes were not absent, there was some lemon evident, but with a strong maltiness on the back of the tongue. Very crisp, very clean...great session beer in my opinion. Great label too. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Schell's Snowstorm 2011 - Wee Heavy

Strong Scotch Ale is also known as "Wee Heavy". Examples of beers brewed in the USA under the name Wee Heavy tend to be 7% abv and higher, while Scottish-brewed examples, such as Belhaven's Wee Heavy, can be found between 5.5% and 6.5% abv. On the other hand, Scottish brewed exceptions include Traquair House Ale which is brewed to a strength of 7.2% abv, and Traquair Jacobite Ale which is 8% abv. McEwan's Scotch Ale is also 8% abv. - from Wikipedia: Scotch Ale


Pours a dark amber with a healthy foamy tan head. A good representation of strong Scotch Ales, with a sweet smoky taste, with undertones of toasted malt and a little vanilla wafer. A get a little bit of black cherry and maybe some fig as well. The 7% ABV doesn't overwhelm, but it warms up nicely. Pretty smooth for a high octane. 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Weyerbacher Winter Ale

Creamy, malty taste, with some unidentified spices. Pours a dark brown and in some respects approaches a porter, but with a bit less heaviness. Doesn't stand above the pack, like most Weyerbachers, but a good solid Winter seasonal.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Boulevard Nutcracker

Pours a dark orange with a foamy white head; hoppier than I thought it would be, but balanced by a rich malt character. There're some spices hidden amongst the hops, but subtle enough that I can't really make out which ones! Some pine and citrus from the hops, and a nice brown-sugary finish - a passable session beer for a holiday get together.

Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout

The blueberry overwhelms and there isn't much resemblance to a stout, oatmeal or otherwise...run away...run away fast