Boulevard's Imperial Stout Aged in Whiskey Barrels

Last one in the Great Eight box (excepting Tank 7, which I've had before). Did I ever mention that I really like stouts, especially in the colder seasons of the year? And if you're going to brew a stout, why not go all out, making it an imperial at 11.0% ABV and aging it in whiskey barrels? The stout pours a nearly impenetrable black, with an almost imperceptible tan head. You can really taste the whiskey here, augmented by the alcohol heat - this must be the first batch brewed with these particular barrels (the taste that the barrels impart gets weaker each time it's used). The taste is quite strong, redolent of milk chocolate and espresso. Hints of vanilla, figs, and black cherries. We may have our Joyce Family Christmas beer!

Boulevard's Tell-Tale Tart

The next offering from the Great Eight variety pack. I've gotten to be quite a fan of the sour beers lately. Goose Island has had a few on the market for several years, but they seem to be the new fad. Tell-Tale Tart pours a coppery red, with a small finger and a half head. The tartness is not overwhelming, and would be a nice introductory ale for the neophyte. In addition to the sour tartness, there is some cherry notes, with perhaps some strawberry as well. As it attains room temperature there is a suggestion of sour apple as well. Honestly, I've had better sours, but this one could be a great "gateway" tart ale.

Boulevard's The Calling IPA

The first (or rather second, because I've already had Tank 7) from the Great Eight 8-pack from Boulevard. The Calling is an 8.5% ABV India Pale Ale. It poured a golden hue with a three-finger pure white head. It has a slightly oily consistency and is heavy on pineapple and mango hoppiness, with some breadiness as it warms up. Pine hoppiness also starts to show up as the temperature rises. Pretty decent IPA.

Boulevard's Great Eight

I picked up this eight-pack at a grocery store that I'll likely never shop at again...I thought it was going to be eight different beers (I should read the label more carefully) but it's two each of four different beers, one of which I have tried many times before. Reviews to come

N'Ice Chouffe Belgian Dark Ale

The Brasserie d'Achouffe is a Belgian brewery based in Achouffe. It was founded in 1982 by two brothers-in-law, Pierre Gobron and Christian Bauweraerts, as a hobby. In September 2006, the brewery was bought by the brewery group Duvel Moortgat. Check out their website for some wild stuff about dwarfs or gnomes or fairies or some such: http://www.achouffe.be/en/brewery#history

The N'Ice Chouffe is a Belgian dark ale, pouring a deep, dark brown (ah hell, mahogany!) with a towering four finger beige head. A whiff of that 10% ABV wafts through the nostrils. There's a lot of complexity here: licorice, figs, black cherries, spices. A great ale for enjoying on a cool autumn night.