Posts tagged Beer

Double Stout Black Ale, Green Flash Brewing Co., San Diego, CA, 8.8% abv.

This really stands out from other imperial stouts. It’s fermented at higher temperatures, which gives it a slight tartness that blends smoothly with the toasty malts.

Toasted Porter, Einstok Olgerd, Akureyri, Iceland, 6% abv.

Iceland really did us a solid by sending this deliciously rich porter our way. It almost makes up for that massively disruptive volcanic plume a few years back.

Life and Limb, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 10.2% abv.

This collaboration with Dogfish Head is a big slow-sipper, with a touch of maple syrup. It’s fantastic, but strong and filling, and therefore best to share with a worthy companion.

Sanctification, Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA, 6.75% abv.

This sour blonde ale is well carbonated, tart, and surprisingly refreshing. I highly recommend this if you are nervous about trying sour beers.

Torpedo Extra IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 7.2% abv.

Put a great beer in a tallboy can and I’m going to be happy every time.

Bison Organic Chocolate Stout, Bison Brewing, Ukiah, CA, 5% abv.

Dry, tastes like biscuits and cocoa. Very drinkable, but I like my stouts with a little more body (and alcohol).

Imperial Red Ale, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, CA, 7.8% abv.

Full bodied and red, like Christina Hendricks in a glass.

Hoptologist DIPA, Knee Deep Brewing Co., Lincoln, CA, 9% abv.

The guy on the label is actually me, reacting to my first taste of this double IPA before charging outside to find more. Crazy delicious hops (102 IBUs) and then a little sweet on the finish.

Tweason’ale, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE, 6% abv.

This is basically a fruit soda with some hops, but it’s pretty enjoyable for being gluten-free.

Dubhe Imperial Black IPA, Uinta Brewing Company, Salt Lake City, UT, 9.2% abv.

There’s a slight earthiness from what I assume are the hemp seeds, but mostly this is all dark chocolate malts and aggressive hops.

Winter Wit, Almanac Beer Co., San Jose, CA, 7%.

Almanac does one beer a season, and they do it damn well. This wheat ale, with its hints of orange and ginger, is a refreshing alternative to the more traditional stouts and barleywines of winter.

Boardwalk Black Rye, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego, CA, 8% abv.

Roasted rye malts and loads of Ahtanum hops dominate this fresh, West Coast ale. Karl Strauss just found himself a new customer.

He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A., Shmaltz Brewing Company, Saratoga Springs, NY, 10% abv.

I wanted to hate on this New York offering (see mug for source of my resentment), but the powerful hop aromas, pleasant bitterness and warming alcohol won me over.

Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale, Kiuchi Brewery, Japan, 7% abv.

This English-style IPA is aged in cedar casks, which are traditionally used for sake. I give it 92 out of 100 Hundred Hand Slaps.