Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout

Sierra Nevada knows how to brew black ales. I stuck a spoon in it and couldn't see the spoon! No head other than a token layer of mocha foam, and zero carbonation. Aroma and taste of dark chocolate and dark roasted coffee. A lot creamier than I expected, and sweet - not at all dry or bitter. No alcohol heat from the 10+% ABV, but a whiskey-like kick after the first third is consumed. A little bit o' smokiness and some figs on the back end. Without a doubt a great beer for the dark months ahead.

Sierra Nevada Oatmeal Stout (Beer Camp #45)

The color of a black hole; no light can escape, with dark brown 1/2 finger head on it. Lots of stuff going on: espresso coffee, chocolate, hazel nuts, with the oatmeal lending a heavy, creamy consistency to it - like drinking a liquid fudge brownie. Great for after dinner or with some heavy deserts like New York style cheese cake or triple chocolate brownies. No discernible heat despite the 9+% ABV. Great for those cold Nebraska winter nights.

Sierra Nevada Imperial Red (Beer Camp #65)

Imperial Red - kind of a cross between a double IPA and an Irish Red. Pours the color of an old penny with a three-finger tan head. Lots of citrus and pine in the hop profile with an infusion of sweet maltiness. Peach and tangerine make appearances and (perhaps because I read it on the label first...a no-no!) cantaloupe! Some brown sugar on the back of the tongue. This is a complex yet very drinkable beer. The 8% ABV adds a little heat, but not overmuch. So far this has been the best of the bunch. I would recommend to anyone. A fine Fall beer to enjoy on a cool October night.

Sierra Nevada Floral IPA (Beer Camp #53)

Pours the color of honey, with a fast-receding fluffy white head. Typical IPA hop profile - piney/grapefuity, with a little something extra (must be the "floral"). I can almost detect some rose in the flavor/aroma mix in there with everything else. Very dry. Nothing really wrong with it, but it's not pushing any buttons with me.

I waited a day and then had a second one. Here's some free advice - don't drink a beer right after brushing your teeth! Had one with some smoked pineapple brats and onion with BBQ sauce and Floral IPA was just right. Enough of a zing and a zip to keep up with the Devil's Spit and enough sweetness from the floral notes to make it interesting. Yeah...always go back for seconds!

Sierra Nevada Imperial Pilsner (Beer Camp #43)

Beer camp! What an idea! Sierra Nevada collects some of the best of their beer camp creations for a variety 12 pack each year; this is the first year that I've seen it available in Lincoln. My first selection was the Imperial Pilsner. I had expected a higher ABV with the appellation "Imperial", but it clocks in at 5.6%. Pours a slightly cloudy golden hue, with a medium white head. Good representation of the Pilsner style - not too hoppy, light, crisp and refreshing. Although I said not too hoppy, but the hops are still there - a little bit piney with some lemon notes. A smidgen of spiciness and some tart sweetness at the back of the tongue. Interesting concept, interesting beer.

Ska Brewing Seasonal Autumnal Molé Stout

With the Mayan calendar running out of pages we're starting to see Mayan or end-of-the-world themed  beers. So even though it's not yet officially stout season on the Ill-Gotten Booty Beer Calendar I thought I should give this ugly-canned brew a try. To start off, it's dark, I mean really, really, really dark! Pretty tall head that disappeared almost immediately.   Lots of chocolate, but balanced well by the peppers - and "balanced" is the key word, nothings beating you over the head; everything blends together in a pleasing manner.

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest

After trying so many beers, sometimes it's difficult to find a new one (at least one that doesn't cost $30 for a half liter!) but I spotted this bottle of Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest in a seasonal display the other day. The color is a medium amber, very clear with a minimal tan head that recedes leaving some lacing. First sip revealed a little of the distinctive...well, let's just call it skunkiness...that you often find with German and Dutch beers. That aspect faded after a while and what was left was a malty brew with bready notes that was light and refreshing. As it went down I noted some maple on the back of the tongue, but otherwise pretty straightforward.