Lagunitas Brown Shugga' ....

Tonight's beer is Brown Shugga' Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company.  It is brewed with pure brown sugar, and is a seasonal released in October.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 9.9% ABV and 51.1 IBUs.

Brown Shugga' poured with a medium to thicker, light beige head.  Beer color is a bright copper.  The aroma is citrus and pine hoppy, like most Lagunitas, with some caramel sweetness.  The taste has grapefruit and piney hops, medium bitterness, caramel, brown sugar, fruit, spice and a higher-alcohol boozey bite.  The aftertaste leaves you with some bitterness, sweet and booze.  LOTS of flavor - thumbs up.

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Petaluma, California

www.lagunitas.com

Kona Pipeline ....

Today I will have a Pipeline Porter, with 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee, from Kona Brewing Company.  5.3% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The web site shows 23 IBUs.

This beer poured with a thin, rich colored head that was a little darker than tan.  Beer color is a very dark reddish brown.  A very small amount of light can be seen around the edges of the glass when it is held up to the light.  The aroma has primarily coffee and cocoa notes.  The taste has coffee, toasted malt, cocoa, and some nut.  The coffee blends in well and is not overpowering.  Just a small amount of bitterness.  Dry finish.  A little thin, seems like it could use a little more carbonation for mouth feel.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little bitter, coffee and cocoa.

Kona Brewing Company

Kailu a Kona, Hawaii

www.konabrewingco.com

Green Flash West Coast IPA ....

Tonight's brew is a West Coast IPA from Green Flash Brewing Company.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 7.3% ABV.  The West Coast web site lists IBUs at 95.

This beer poured with a thick, beige colored head.  Beer color in an orange-ish amber.  It is hazy, with a good amount of various size sediment.  The aroma is the type I really enjoy in IPAs: various citrus, pine and some sweetness.  The taste has plenty of grapefruit and pine, with enough malt to balance things out, but the hops are dominant.  A little floral or herbal comes out at the finish.  Malty, velvety mouth feel.  The aftertaste leaves your mouth a little dry with some bitterness.  Very tasty.  

Green Flash Brewing Company

San Diego, California

www.greenflashbrew.com

Abita Restoration ....

Today I will sample a Restoration Pale Ale from Abita Brewing Company.  5.2% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The web site shows 17 IBUs.

This beer poured with a small, bone colored head.  Beer color is a clear, golden yellow.  The aroma is fairly mild and lightly sweet, with some citrus and bready malt.  The taste is more of the same, with malt followed by some milder citrus and pine.  The aftertaste leaves you with just a little bitter.  Nice flavors, but it could use a little more oomph for my tastes.    

Abita Brewing Company

Abita Springs, Louisiana

www.abita.com

Rahr Visionary Brew ....

Tonight's beer is Visionary Brew Imperial Black IPA from Rahr & Sons Brewing Company.  1 pint, 6 ounce bottle.

This beer poured with a small to medium, beige colored head.  The beer color is a dark blackish brown and no light shines through the glass when held up to the light.  The aroma is somewhat sweet, with some citrus, fruit and a hint of higher alcohol.  The first part of the sip is heavy and malty, more like a stout or porter, with some roasted notes.  Later, some bitterness of citrus rind and pine comes in.  Foamy, heavier mouth feel.  The aftertaste leaves you with some bitter and roasted malt.  I like beers that have a good amount of malt and hops - this one fits that description nicely.  Thumbs up.   

Rahr & Sons Brewing Company

Fort Worth, Texas

www.rahrbrewing.com

Deep Ellum Farmhouse Wit ....

My beer for this evening is a Farmhouse Wit from Deep Ellum Brewing Company.  It is a specialty beer, not one of their year-round brews.

This beer poured with a medium to thicker, just off white head.  Beer color is a slightly hazy golden yellow.  The aroma has very appealing mix of wheat, citrus and yeast. In the taste, I am getting a good amount of wheat, with some citrus and fruit.  There is also some bitterness and spice to keep it interesting.  A little higher carbonation gives it a lot of mouth feel.  Medium bodied.  Fairly dry finish.

Deep Ellum Brewing Company

Dallas, Texas

www.deepellumbrewing.com

Ska Molé Stout ....

Today's beer is a Molé Stout from Ska Brewing.  It is an autumnal seasonal brewed with peppers, cocoa and spices.  I didn't see the alcohol content on the can or web site, but multiple sources on the Internet list ABV at 5.5%.  

This beer poured with a thin, darker brown head.  Beer color is a very blackish brown, and no light shows through when the glass is held up to the light.  The aroma is spicy - some definite chile notes, with some other spices in the background.  Some cocoa as well.  I am not getting any real heat in the taste, but the chile flavors are definitely there.  There is an underlying sweetness, some cocoa and other spices.  It feels a bit thin in the mouth; not the heavier, malty feel you expect from a stout.  The aftertaste leaves you with peppers and maybe a little cocoa.  Definitely one of the more interesting beers I have tried - the melange of flavors does remind you of a molé sauce.     

Ska Brewing Company

Durango, Colorado

www.skabrewing.com

Magic Hat hI.P.A. ....

Today I will have a hI.P.A from Magic Hat Brewing Company.  It is from their "I.P.A. On Tour!" seasonal series, and is available from August through October.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 6.7% ABV.  The web site lists IBUs at 70.

This beer poured with a medium to thicker, bone colored head.  The beer is a cloudy, darker yellow/gold that has a fair amount of various-sized sediment.  The aroma is fairly mild; malty, with some citrus.  The taste hits you with some citrus rind and pine bitterness - much more than the aroma.  Malty.  Slightly herbal/soapy.  Very dry.  Somewhat heavier, creamy mouth feel.  The aftertaste leaves your mouth dry, with some malty bitterness.      

Magic Hat Brewing Company

South Burlington, Vermont

www.magichat.net

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat ....

Tonight I will have a Sunset Wheat from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.  4.9% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.

Sunset Wheat poured with a thin, off white head.  Beer color is an orange-ish yellow, and very hazy.  The aroma has citrus, fruit, wheat and floral.  The taste is more of the same, starting out with a real fruity/floral note that is sweet, then fading to malts, wheat and a little spice.  Fairly high carbonation.  Dry finish.  The aftertaste leaves your mouth a little dry, with some spice and fruit.  The overall fruit/floral quality is almost overpowering (distracting?), as if something was added to the beer, but I can't see on the web site where anything was added besides coriander.  Interesting, but not really to my taste.  

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

www.leinie.com

Deep Ellum Double Brown Stout ....

Tonight I am trying my first beer from a newer Texas brewery: Deep Ellum Brewing Company from Dallas, Texas.  The beer is their Double Brown Stout.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 7% ABV.

This beer poured with a medium to thick, rich brown head.  The beer color is a dark blackish brown, and only the slightest hint of light shows around the edges when the glass is held up to the light.  The aroma isn't heavy and chocolaty like I expected; there is actually a yeasty quality.  Also some brown sugar and caramel.  Maybe a hint of higher alcohol.  The taste has that yeasty quality as well, but that fades to the more chocolaty malt taste I expected at the end of the sip.  Toasty, nutty.  There are some hoppy higher notes in the middle.  A little thin in the mouth feel.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little bitter and toasted malt.  This beer seemed a little tame at first, but a lot more flavor developed as I got into it.    

Deep Ellum Brewing Company

Dallas, Texas

www.deepellumbrewing.com

Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale ....

Today's beer is a Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Ale Brewed with Pumpkin and Spices, from The Boston Beer Company.  5.7% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The web site shows 14 IBUs.

This beer poured with a medium head, that was tan or a little darker in color.  Beer color is a reddish amber or copper.  The aroma has a strong fruit/pumpkin note, with some spice in the background.  This beer has a little more pumpkin in the taste than some others I have tried.  At the tail end of the taste, you get some real pumpkin pie spices.  Some malt and caramel as well.  Mild to medium in strength.  I like the flavor, but it felt a little thin in the mouth.  Very little aftertaste, just a hint of pumpkin and spice.  
 

The Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts 

www.samueladams.com

Deschutes Jubelale ....

Tonight I will have a Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery.  It is a winter seasonal, available October through December.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 6.7% ABV.  The Deschutes web site lists IBUs at 60.

This beer poured with a medium, rich tan colored head.  Beer color is a darker brown, with a little reddish tint.  The aroma, although fairly mild, is malty, a little toasted, with caramel and a slight note of dark fruit.  The taste is roasted malt, caramel and spice.  I am really not getting any fruit in the taste.  There is an underlying bitterness that doesn't ever really come to the forefront.  Medium to full in strength.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little of the roasted malt and bitter.  

 

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com

Leinenkugel Big Eddy Imperial IPA ....

My Friday night beer is a Big Eddy Imperial IPA from Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.  9% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.

This beer poured with a small to medium, creamy tan colored head.  The beer color was a very hazy/cloudy, dark orange-ish amber.  The aroma is sweet, with citrus and stewed fruits.  This is definitely a heavier, sweeter Imperial IPA.  There is citrus, pine, caramel/toffee and some noticeable alcohol.  A bitterness runs all the way through it, which goes nicely with the sweeter qualities.  The alcohol, and what seems to be a little spiciness, give it a nice warmth.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little of the bitterness and some caramel/toffee.

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

www.leinie.com

Newcastle Werewolf ....

Tonight I am trying a Newcastle Werewolf from The Caledonian Brewery Company.  It is available August through October.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 4.5% ABV.

This beer poured with a small head that was between bone and a light tan.  Beer color is a medium brown.  The aroma has an overripe dark fruit note, with some caramel.  The fruit note is present in the taste as well, with some caramel, toasted malt, and a little bitter.  Medium in strength.  A little grassy/metallic on the finish and in the aftertaste.    

The Caledonian Brewery Company

Edinburgh, Scotland

www.newcastlebrown.com

Boulevard Reverb ....

Tonight I am having a Reverb Imperial Pilsner.  It is a summer seasonal from the Smokestack Series from Boulevard Brewing Company.  7.7% ABV is listed on the 1 pint, 9.4 ounce bottle.  The web site shows 32 IBUs.

This beer poured with a medium, slightly off white head.  Beer color is a paler, bright yellow.  The aroma is mild, with some lemon/citrus and wheat.  The taste has some nice spice/pepper, grains and a light bitterness that is reminiscent of citrus rind.  Higher carbonation.  Medium in strength.  Somewhat higher alcohol leaves just a little warmth.  The finish is dry, and you are left with a dry, slightly bitter aftertaste.  Definitely a pilsner, but amped up with some spice, citrus and higher alcohol notes.

 

Boulevard Brewing Company

Kansas City, Missouri

www.boulevard.com

Big Sky Slow Elk ....

Today's beer is a Slow Elk Oatmeal Stout from Big Sky Brewing Company.  It is a limited release, available September through October.  5.4% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The web site shows 20 IBUs.

This beer poured with a small, rich brown head.  Beer color is a dark blackish brown.  When held up to the light, only a tiny amount of light shows through the glass.  The aroma is malty, with a good amount of coffee, some sweetness, molasses.  The taste has some roasted malt, coffee, brown sugar.  Towards the end, more roast comes in with some cocoa.  A little sweeter than most stouts.  Medium to full in strength.  The finish is somewhat dry.  The mild aftertaste leaves the mouth a little dry, with a little roast and cocoa.

Big Sky Brewing Company

Missoula, Montana

www.bigskybrew.com

Harpoon UFO Pumpkin ....

Today's beer is a UFO Pumpkin, Unfiltered Pumpkin Ale, from Harpoon Brewery.  Twelve ounce bottle.  Their web site shows 5.9% ABV and 20 IBUs.

This beer poured with a thin, bone colored head.  Beer color is an orange-ish yellow.  It is hazy, with a good amount of fine to small sediment.  I mostly notice spices in the aroma, but also some pumpkin and fruit.  The pumpkin is pretty mild.  The taste is malty, with a stronger note of pumpkin than the aroma.  There is also a good amount of pumpkin pie spices, especially some cinnamon.  Carbonation is a little higher.  Medium in strength.  The aftertaste  is a little grassy with some spice.    

Harpoon Brewery

Boston, Massachusetts

www.harpoonbrewery.com

Deschutes Chainbreaker ....

Today I will try a Chainbreaker White IPA from Deschutes Brewery.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 5.6% ABV.  Their web site lists IBUs at 55.

Chainbreaker poured with a thin, off white head.  Beer color is a paler yellow, similar to lemonade.  It is hazy with some very fine sediment.  The aroma is a nice tangy citrus, more the rind than the fruit.  Maybe a little pine.  Taste is fairly mild.  There is citrus and pine, but it is not overly bitter.  Some malt, yeast and peppery spice.  The finish seems a little thin - not bad, but just a little mild and thin.  Very little aftertaste.  If you like citrusy IPAs, and are looking for one that is light and refreshing, this would be it.  I like it, but would prefer a little more oomph.

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com

Coney Island Freaktoberfest ....

Tonight I will try a Coney Island Freaktoberfest from Shmaltz Brewing Company.  It is a seasonal available September through October.  6.66% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.

Freaktoberfest poured with a small, pinkish head - looks like something on a strawberry soda.  Beer color is red, but not as bright as a strawberry soda.  It is kind of a blood red.  The aroma has some caramel, fruit, brown sugar and sweetness.  The taste is malty, with a nice bitterness.  Some sweetness, but not as sweet as the aroma hinted.  This seems to me like a nice amber, with a beefed up hoppiness, maybe a little reminiscent of a pale ale.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little of the bitter.  The color scared me a little, but I like it.  

Shmaltz Brewing Company

Saratoga Spings, New York

www.shmaltzbrewing.com

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout ....

Tonight I will have an Imperial Stout from Samuel Smith.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 7% ABV.

This beer poured with a small to medium, darker rich brown head.  Beer color is a blackish brown.  No light penetrated the glass when held up to the light.  The aroma is dark fruits, molasses, brown sugar and booziness.  In the taste I get a good amount of roasted malts, almost smoky.  There is also some cocoa, molasses, dark fruit.  A little boozy - warms you up a bit.  Creamy mouth feel.  Leaves you with some of that cocoa powder-like dryness on the tongue and some smoky sweetness.

Samuel Smith

Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England

www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk

Jester King Noble King ....

Today I will try a Noble King, Hoppy Farmhouse Ale, from Jester King Craft Brewery.  The 1 pint 9.4 ounce bottle shows 5.9% ABV.

Noble King poured with a thick, off white head.  Beer color is a hazy, medium yellow.  The aroma has yeast,  lemon/citrus, spice and some sweetness.  Medium in strength.  Some definite hoppy bitterness in the taste to go along with the usual farmhouse qualities - yeast, wheat, lemon, grass.  The aftertaste leaves you with a little grass and bitterness.  I am not a huge fan of the farmhouse style, but the hoppiness in this beer give it a nice variety.  Tasty and different.    

Jester King Craft Brewery

Austin, Texas

www.jesterkingbrewery.com

Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale ....

This evening I will have the Pumpkin Ale, Brewed with Real Pumpkin and Natural Spice Flavor, from Buffalo Bill's Brewery.  5.2% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.

Pumpkin Ale poured with a thin, not quite tan colored head.  Beer color is a lighter orange-ish amber.  Although not overpowering, the aroma is heavy on the spice.  It is very reminiscent of pumpkin pie.  The taste is malty and bready/grainy, then some of the pumpkin and spice comes in.  Effervescent mouth feel.  Mild "beer" aftertaste.  Overall, I would describe this beer as similar to a simple lager, with some light pumpkin and spice added into the mix.  I think it could use a little more pumpkin and spice.

Buffalo Bill's Brewery

Hayward, California

www.buffalobillsbrewery.com

He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. ....

Today's beer is a He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A., a Double India Pale Ale with Rye Malt, from Shmaltz Brewing Company.  The twelve ounce bottle shows 10% ABV.

This beer poured with a thin, tan colored head.  Beer color is a hazy, orange-ish amber.  The aroma has some sweet citrus (lemon, orange), caramel and maybe a little hint of booziness.  The hops aren't nearly as sweet in the taste - more of a piney, resinous bitter with an underlying citrus note.  Malty, bready.  There is a real spiciness which probably comes from the rye.  Strong in the flavor department.  Creamy mouth feel.  Warms you up after a few drinks.  Leaves you with some pine bitter on the tongue for the aftertaste.  As advertised - a strong, flavorful double IPA with rye.  Thumbs up.

 

Shmaltz Brewing Company

Saratoga Spings, New York

www.shmaltzbrewing.com

Samuel Adams Octoberfest ....

This evening's beer will be a Samuel Adams Octoberfest from The Boston Beer Company.  5.3% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The web site shows 15 IBUs.

This beer poured with a small, lighter tan colored head.  Beer color is copper.  The aroma has toasted malt, sweet malt, caramel, brown sugar.  Taste has most of the notes from the aroma, and is bready with some spice.  Starts malty and sweet, then finished with kind of an earthy breadiness.  Strength is in the medium range.  The aftertaste leaves you with an earthy/toasted quality.

The Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts 

www.samueladams.com

Deschutes Green Lakes Amber Ale ....

Today I am sampling a Green Lakes Amber Ale from Deschutes Brewery.  5.2% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  The Deschutes web site shows 45 IBUs.

This beer poured with a small, lighter tan colored head.  Beer color is a darker amber or copper.  I am getting fruit, citrus and caramel in the aroma.  It is nicely sweet.  The taste has a mellow bitter, caramel, nuts, bread.  There is also a floral quality.  The aftertaste leave you with a bitter note and a little floral.  This is a smooth, balanced, flavorful amber.      

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com