The Tale of Two Christmas Ales

Tis the season to be on the hunt for the best of the best Winter Warmers.  I have tried several (shocking, I know) and to my delight I have not tossed any in the sink in disgust. 

Just to list a few...

Iron Hill Brewery - Winter Warmer

Flying Dog - K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

Harpoon - Winter Warmer (My ultimate favorite)

Lancaster Brewing Company - Winter Warmer

All of the brews were pretty tasty and the Harpoon Winter Warmer is FANTASTIC! I serve it in a glass rimmed with a little simple syrup dipped in cinnamon and sugar.  Pure Christmas Bliss.

I would have liked to review each Winter Warmer but I decided  to pick just two and I thought the two with the same name was the ticket.  Christmas Ale by Great Lakes Brewery and St.Louis Brewery/Schlafly Bottleworks.

St.Louis Brewey/Schafly Bottleworks

Christmas Ale - 8% ABV

I happen to see it in the make your own six pack and thought, what the hell.  In the cart it went with a few other treasures. 

Hello, Christmas in a bottle!!!  Really!  I opened the bottle and instantly smelled orange and cloves.  The color of this bottle of Noel was a rich amber with a small creamy head.  It did not hold the head for long but it had a decent amount of carbonation.

I was not too sure with the orange action oozing from the bottle but the fist sip proved my intuition to be wrong!  What a well balanced, sweet, yet not too sweet, spiced, fruity, and just a drinkable beer. Oh, and with a respectable ABV of 8% I was feeling mighty festive after three bottles.

Great Lakes Brewing Company

Christmas Ale - 7.5% ABV

Even though they share the same name the two beers are completely different.  The Schafly Christmas Ale had an orange flavor that lingered with some clove but this number used honey, ginger, and cinnamon.  Great Lakes once again did not let me down.

After I emptied the bottle out into a glass. the head rose to at least 3 fingers high.  When the head slowly shrank a beautiful copper colored ale was left in the glass. 

The taste was constantly evolving.  I instantly tasted ginger, then honey, and last cinnamon.  The three flavors melted together to produce a well brewed ale.  Again, with a nice 7.5% ABV it left you no choice to feel all warm and fuzzy for Christmas.

So, if some of you faithful readers want to try a good Winter Warmer instead of trying to hide that obnoxious Elf on the Shelf try some of my picks!

Cherrs!

~K~





My NOT so Epic Afternoon With Stone.

Stone Brewing Company

Vertical Epic Ale - 9.4% ABV

Stone Brewing Company has been releasing a Vertical Epic Ale since 02/02/02 and you guessed it, I got the 11/11/11.

I am usually not a HUGE fan of Stone Brewing Company because they tend to be Arrogant Bastards and use way too much hops.  I have sampled a few of the Bastard Releases and what a Bastard it was to my taste buds. Gab and I also tried two of Stone's Collaboration Releases, and if I remember correctly, I thought the Cherry Chocolate Stout was ok but the Japanese Green Tea IPA was a hot mess! 

Now, back to the present and the Vertical Epic Ale 11/11/11.  The label says the series are bottle-conditioned ales that are specifically designed to be aged until sometime after December 12th, 2012!  Even though some people say I am a beer hoarder (Gab & Ryan) I am quite sure I can not hold onto a beer that long.

Once poured in a glass the dark amber colored beer produced a nice frothy head.  The aroma was a bit strange to me.  I was expecting to smell more spices but was not hit with much of anything.  The label mentioned cinnamon with chilies so I was anxious to give it a try.  I should have waited.  UGH!!!  It was NOT what I thought it was going to taste like at all!!!  I was expecting some drinkablity and some heat from the chili.  Hell no!  I got bitch slapped by a freaking pepper!  Seriously, it was like taking a shot of beer while gnawing on a pepper!  If I wanted to eat right and sit with a veggie tray I would of gone to Whole Foods not Canals!!!  I wanted beer! A good beer damn it!

After I dumped out the bottled veggie tray I ran to the beer fridge, where I so called hoard my beer, and saw yet another Stone bottle mocking me!  This one was a different Gargoyle smirking above the label.  It was the Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout. 

Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

ABV - 10.5%

I did not waste much time pouring this in a glass in hopes of saving my taste buds from it's unfortunate peril.  The color was just beautiful.  A dark, dark, dark mahogany and the caramel head was inviting.  The aroma was that of licorice, chocolate, and coffee. All scents that are very much my cup of beer.  The first sip was a shock of coffee, like a typical stout, and once that dissipated a faint licorice flavor comes forward.  The two ingredients totally complimented each other.  At the very end of the complex journey of flavors a vanilla undertone sneaks in on your palate.  Now that my Bastard is a freaking beer!  No veggies here!!!!

So, my afternoon was not a complete Epic Fail.

Cheers!

~K~

Pretty Things Babayaga and Guest with Heat

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project

Babayaga - 7% ABV

Hello boys and girls, I recently had the opportunity to try out Pretty Things "Babayaga" Stout which is their winter seasonal brew.  It is brewed by Pretty Things Ale and Beer Project located in Westport, Massachusetts.  I've tried brews from this place before and I knew before trying it I would more than likely enjoy it...so...I went ahead and bought twelve of them.  

First and foremost, the abv of this stout comes in low at 7%.  I was a bit disappointed at first, but due to the quantity I have, I wasn't too worried.  Even with a heavy pour into a snifter the head was small, dark brown in color, and dissipated quickly.  This brew has a complex smell for me.  I get roasted malts, faint chocolate and alcohol, maybe some oatmeal as well.  The taste is complex as well, I've never tasted anything like this before. You can taste a bit of a smoked flavor along with hints of mocha along with a fruit and nut taste.  A very unique brew to say the least and is very drinkable! 

 This one gets the two hangover up vote especially after drinking three of them a few nights ago.  Overall, this is a very drinkable stout and I highly recommend trying one or three.  Also, after my initial "tasting" I had the great pleasure of having this on tap at a nearby saloon.  This beer tasted just as good on tap as it did bottled.  

Pictured along with my brew is my evil Glock model 21SF chambered in .45ACP.  The "SF" after the model number indicates this is a short frame model as compared to their Glock 21 which has a larger frame.  Glock was founded in the early 1980's by Gaston Glock who is an Austrian engineer.  The pistol's frame is made of polymer which is considerably lighter than steel.  Although Glock was not the first to manufacturer a polymer framed pistol it was the first successful one with their Glock 17.  Glock pistols come in various sizes and calibers and are carried by many professionals world wide as well as a popular weapon for the shooting enthusiast.  Glock pistols are simple to operate and easy to maintain.  Whether you want something for range use or a compact weapon to conceal on your person for self defense a Glock could certainly meet your needs.  Anyway, just like with various brews...there are various guns to try out to find your personal likings.  I personally prefer a 1911 but a Glock will work for me as well.  

Cheers!

~Ryan~

I do like it Sam I Adams!!!

The Boston Beer Company - Samuel Adams

Thirteenth Hour - 9% ABV

Sam I am DIGGING you!!!!  I would drink this on a train, in a plane, and in the rain!  Samuel Adams has been one of my go to beers lately too.  I enjoyed the Pumpkin Ale, Winter Lager, and the OctoberFest.  As you all know I was obsessed with all the pumpkin brews.  Not one beer held a candle to my favorites Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin or Southern Tier Pumking but Sam Adams was a close runner up.  As Gab put it, during one of our liquid lunches, it is the sleeper of the season! 

 The Thirteenth Hour is one of four of the Barrel Room Collection all of which are sold only in a 22oz bottles. On the bottle the brief but catchy description was:

The thirteenth hour is the witching hour and refers to the mysterious combination of flavors in this brew.  We've combined the roasted chocolate and coffee flavors of a stout with the spicy character of a Belgian ale aged in oak. 

Uhhh, hello...this sounds like my perfect beer!  Oh and let's not forget it made with Kosmic Mother Funk!  You read that right! Sam Adams created KMF (Oh lookie...my initials!) which is a name for the process of aging ale in large oak tuns that is blended to varying degrees in each of the beers in the series to add unique spicy, fruity, and complex character.  Get the Kosmic Mother Funk outta here!!! 

The color was a deep mahogany with a creamy tan head.  It had an unusual scent that had me stumped and intrigued.  I knew I picked up the usual suspects for a stout which is chocolate and coffee, but there was a sweet scent wafting from the glass.  Maybe cherry?  An oaky vanilla aroma was also noted.

The Thirteenth Hour has a nicely balanced spice and sweetness that lingered on my taste buds.  It was not as full bodied as I anticipated but not let down.  Since this beer is a Belgium Stout is is a little different than your tradtitional stout.  I liked how all the flavors mingled with each other so I was not overwhelmed with one ingredient. 

Sam Adams once again, did not disappoint me.  I think you too would enjoy this beer here or there...You would like them everywhere!

Cheers!

~K~

 



The Poet whispered sweet nothings to me

New Holland Brewing Company

The Poet - 5.2% ABV

The last time I tried a New Holland product I lost my head along with Ichabod.  The Ichabod Pumpkin Ale  was not even drinkable!  Seriously, I was taught that wasting a beer was a sin...well I went to confession and had to say 10 Hail Marys because I had to dump it down the drain.  I still get goose bumps thinking of the experience.  So, trying another brew was not on my top ten lists, until I saw it on the shelf mocking me!  There it was, in my favorite liqueur store looking like it needed to be savoured.  I guess you can figure out what happened next. 

I flipped off the cap and  was mesmerized by the fragrance seeping from the bottle.  It was a sweet oatmeal smell with a hint of chocolate.  Just the smell alone made me drool but it got even BETTER!  Once poured into a glass the color was a very dark brown with a gorgeous beige head.  The first sip was like diving into a a creamy dreamy milkshake with carbonation and let's not forget alcohol.  The body on this beer was full and complex.  My taste buds were getting smacked around with all different flavors while the fullness of the beer lingered in my mouth.  The lacing was all over the glass and did not start to slide down for at least a few minutes.  What an all around fantastic oatmeal stout. 

Cheers!

~K~

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout & Guest

Brooklyn Brewery

Black Chocolate Stout - 10% ABV

This was a dream stout and incredibly priced at $7.99 in my neck of the woods for a four pack.  Not too shabby for a fantastic brew with a side of kick your ass!  It poured a black as night and the head was  creamy and tan.

Look at that sweetness!!  It was just as beautiful to taste as it was to look at!  It smelled of roasted malt and bitter chocolate.  The taste lingered on my palate and it was welcomed to stay!  It was complex yet simple: the flavors yielded by simple ingredients, and complex in how they mingled to create a masterpiece.

But do not just take my word for it this time, folks!  My brother, Ryan, is a beer snob like us!  He tried this luscious beer and composed his own blog entry! 

So, without any further ado, please read Ryan's guest blog entry...

Stopped by the local Wegmans to see if Southern Tier Choklat hit the shelves yet.  Unfortunately it did not so I settled for a four pack of Brooklyn "Black Chocolate Stout" for about nine bucks.  This one weighs in at 10% abv which I certainly like.  It pours nice and black with a small light brown head.  I can smell the chocolate but it's not as pronounced as my beloved Southern Tier Choklat.  It tastes very good with hints of chocolate and coffee, almost a bitterness to it.  Next to ST Choklat this is a fine stout and I will definitely be buying some of this again.  I'll go ahead and give this two hangovers up.  Very drinkable brew and I should have bought more but I do have some back up weapons lurking in the ice box. 

What is that stainless steel masterpiece next to my beverage you ask?  Why that is my Ed Brown 1911 pistol in .45 caliber.  This particular weapon has ridden with me just about everyday for the last six years and has never let me down.  The 1911 was invented by Sir John Moses Browning in the year 1911.  The 1911 was the standard issue side arm for our armed forces from 1911-1985 and is still used today by the Marine Corps Special Operations Command, LAPD SWAT, and the FBI Hostage Rescue Team to name a few.  A design made one hundred years ago and is still serving folks' shooting needs today!  How cool is that?  

Typically, guns and alcohol don't mix all that well.  I can assure you that no babies or unicorns were harmed while taking these photos.  After the photos were taken the gun was secured in her proper home while I sit here and enjoy Sunday football along with my beverages.

Bravo Ryan!!!  I am one proud younger sister!  Blah ha ha!!! 

Cheers!

~K&R~



San Diego = Beer

Ahhh, isn't it just picturesque? The sun was setting and seals were welcoming the incoming tide.  I was perched up on a cliff in La Jolla and I got real thirsty! 

This is the view from George's At The Cove..not to shabby.

Just a block or so away we (my hubs Rob and I) went to a highly recommended restaurant named Georges's At The Cove.  It had three levels to choose from to dine on and we picked the rooftop. 

There were 10 draft beer handles that include local favorites like Ballast Point Sculpin, Stone Pale Ale and Alesmith Nautical Nut Brown, and bottles including Green Flash Brewing Company Double Stout, Coronado Orange Avenue Wit and Ballast Point Calico Amber. I was in HEAVEN!!!!  Seriously...I had just traveled all day, been up for 20 hours and it was all forgotten once I saw the beer list.

After much deliberation, I went with the Double Stout by Green Flash Brewing Company.  Our waiter loves this beer and assured me I made a stellar decision.  Rob chose the Stone Pale Ale.  Yawn...boring.

Green Flash Brewing Company

Double Stout Black Ale - 8.8% ABV

O..M...G...this was a fine brew!  Everything about this beer screamed greatness!  The color was pitch black with a mocha head.  Once the head dissipated it left tan lace cascading down the glass.  I swear this stout screamed SEX in a glass!!  The smell was of roasted malts, bitter chocolate, and coffee. With the first sip the bold flavor of roasted malts hit and then a rich chocolate flavor rolled around in my mouth.  It was bold - not a HOLY SHIT bold...but a well balanced bold stout.  It rocked out an IBU of 45, but it was well hidden with the maltiness.  All around this was a perfect buzz and grin-maker. 

Green Flash Brewing Company has quite a line up of beers to choose from too.  I know one beer I WILL NOT be trying...it is called the Palete Wrecker with a 9.5% ABV.  Catchy name but hells NO!  The IBU is listed at 100 Plus!  Did you read that?? Over 100!!!!  Gab, this is made for you! I am sure she would also love the Le Freak. It is a modern ale crafted by converging two beer styles, Belgian Trippel and American Imperial IPA. Dry-Hopped and Bottle-Conditioned. The ABV is 9.2% and the IBU is 101.  I Le Freaked out at the thought of just pouring these beers. 

The next day we stayed at the hotel and again Stone Brewing Company graced the menu, but I saw a Karl Strauss Amber Lager that peaked my interest. 

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Amber Lager - 4.2% ABV

This bronze beauty had a sweet scent of toffee, toasted malts, and caramel.  Very pleasing.  The flavor mimicked just what I smelled. Slightly sweet, earthy, and rich caramel flavors.  It was made with Munich Malts and I tend to really like beers made with his particular malt. Another bonus was the IBU is just at 16!  I would say this brew has total drinkability since it has a low ABV and not too bold to overpower your taste buds.  Score for Karl Strauss.

The trip was too short to really appreciate all the great beers offered.  I did however get to sample some of Stone Brewing Company's brews.  The company had a tasting table at our hotel to start off San Diego's Beer Week.  I had a swig of Arrogant Bastard Ale...I did not like it before and still did not like it.  Ugh...the label is arrogant and the IBU is not listed because it is "classified".  I would say it was up in the 80's.  NOT GOOD.  I did like the Smoked Porter which did list the IBU at 53.  The ABV was a not so impressive 5.9% , but it made up for it's short comings in the flavor.  It had rich chocolaty notes with a slight smokey ending.  The color was a dreamy mahogany and it was topped with a creamy head.  This beer is complex but perfectly balanced.  Stone is usually a brewery I steer clear of because of it's reputation of being hoppy but this Smoked Porter is a keeper for me. 

Now, back to reality.  Crap. 

Cheers

~K~