Wasatch First One Down Winter Warmer Ale

This beer used to be called Winterfest.














Here's a link to an older review:

http://ill-gottenbooty.blogspot.com/search?q=Wasatch

O'Malley's Stout

From Weston brewing company, which I had not heretofore heard of, but it caught my eye, so I scooped up a can. Nothing outstanding, but still, not a bad representation of the style. Coffee and chocolate notes and a creamy finish. I wouldn't turn one down, but I wouldn't turn the place upside down looking for another.

New Belgium Slow Ride

Many people view New Belgium's Ranger IPA as the IPA gold standard, the India Pale Ale against which all others are measured, the IPA which breaks beer neophytes against its hoppy walls. Slow Ride Session IPA does not have the rough astringency that Ranger does, but it's plenty hoppy for a lightweight. It pours a clear golden hue with a tall white head and might be mistaken for a lager...until you get close and the hops crawl up your nostrils and announce their presence. Pine notes, balanced by a citrus haze, mostly lemon peel. Very light and refreshing; while I usually stick with the stouts and porters this time of year, this was a nice change of pace.

New Belgium Portage

New Belgium has made porters and stouts before, notably the limited edition salty chocolate stout that we had on Christmas, but not to my knowledge as a standard six-pack offering. Portage poured a deep, dark brown with a thick two-finger head. Chocolate and coffee notes predominate, with the roasted malts forming a nice base. Thick and creamy in consistency, they've done a great job creating an almost perfect porter. I will certainly revisit Portage this winter.

"The Muddy" Imperial Stout from Goose Island

Brewed with molasses and brewer's licorice says the Goose Island website, as well as dark rock and candy sugar. Sweeeeet! They say it's inspired by Chicago Blues (Muddy Waters - get it?) with "amplified sweetness", and yes, it is sweet - very much so. Not as heavy as your vtypical imperial stout, more like a dark quad in mouthfeel. The licorice is very subdued, but all of the other stuff contributes to a brew that is like drinking candy. There are some other flavors and aromas as well: dark fruits and some apricot, and, as expected, some chocolate and coffee. A very complex beer by some of Americ's craft beer masters.

Odell's Fifty-Niner Golden Ale

Fifty-Niner is a limited edition ale by Odell Brewing. Classified as an American Wild Ale aged on oak staves. At 10% ABV, there's a little bit of alcohol heat, but not at all distracting from the crisp, clean flavor. Apples predominate, with a little pear, and a small bit of sourness as well. A nice finish to any meal.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Series: Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout

Part of the Joyce Christmas gathering for 2014, my son John brought a bottle of the New Belgium Lips of Faith Series, Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout. It was a nice combination: the sweet smoothness of a typical Belgian, balanced by the silky body brought on by the chocolate. A little lighter than you might expect from a stout, more like a porter; but what's in a name? There's also some coffee notes in the mix, as well as some dark fruit, especially black cherries.