Stone Cali-Belgique IPA ....

Saturday night bomber.  Cali-Belgique India Pale Ale from Stone Brewing Company.  The 22 ounce bottle shows 6.9% ABV.  The Stone web site lists 77 IBUs.  They describe it as a California-style IPA with Belgian influence - a Belgian yeast strain.

This IPA poured with a small, bone colored head.  The beer is very clear, and a medium to darker golden shade.  There is some citrus to the aroma, but there is an underlying yeast that keeps it from being the citrusy/hoppy IPA aroma you expect.  There is some spice as well; almost a clove.  The taste has some bite of citrus and pine, but like the aroma, there is some yeast and spice that comes in to keep it from being a straight IPA.  Medium to full bodied.  A fair amount of carbonation.  Somewhat dry finish.  Some bitterness sticks around for the aftertaste, like a stronger IPA.  Unique and tasty.  

Stone Brewing Company

Escondido, California

www.stonebrew.com

Boulevard Boss Tom's Golden Bock ....

My sampling for today is Boss Tom's Golden Bock from Boulevard Brewing Company.  This is a seasonal, available April through May.  Their web site shows 6.1% ABV and 22 IBUs.  Style is listed as a Maibock.

This beer poured with a thin, off white head.  Beer color is a bright golden yellow, and there is a fair amount of sediment suspended in the beer.  The aroma has a nice sweetness, almost honey-like.  There is also a little yeast.  Mild bodied.  Bready malt in the taste, with some sweetness.  There is a crisp fruitiness at the end that reminds me of an effervescent, grape-ish white wine.  Very mild aftertaste of the overall beer.

Boulevard Brewing Company

Kansas City, Missouri

www.boulevard.com

Deschutes Obsidian Stout ....

Tonight I will have an Obsidian Stout from Deschutes Brewery.  6.4% ABV is listed on the twelve ounce bottle.  Their web site shows 55 IBUs.

This beer poured with a thick, dark chocolaty brown head.  Beer color is a very dark blackish brown.  Hold the glass up to a light, and no light can be seen through it.  The aroma is fairly mild, with cocoa and a little coffee.  The taste has a lot of roasted, almost burnt, malt.  Reminds me of the smoky quality of scotches like Laphroaig or Lagavulin.  Some cocoa.  A little sweetness.  There is an underlying bitterness that never really comes out to the forefront.  Rich, creamy mouth feel.  Medium bodied.  It leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste; the only time the bitter really stands out.

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

www.deschutesbrewery.com

Lagunitas Lucky 13.alt ....

Time for a "bomber" for the holiday: Lucky 13.alt from Lagunitas Brewing Company.  8.8% ABV and 60 IBUs are shown on the 1 pint, 6 ounce bottle.  This is a limited version of one of their seasonals.

This beer poured with a medium to thicker, creamy colored head.  Beer color is a very golden amber.  Very clear.  The aroma is fairly mild; citrus, some sweetness, a little pine, a floral note.  There is a smoothness and higher alcohol quality, much like an Imperial IPA.  Citrus, pine, caramel sweetness.  A smooth, consistent bitterness in the background.  Nice carbonation/mouth feel; not quite fizzy.  Medium bodied.  Very mild bitter aftertaste.  Very nice; I enjoyed that it seemed like a slightly milder Imperial IPA.    

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Petaluma, California

www.lagunitas.com

Stone Ruination IPA ....

Today I will have a Ruination IPA from Stone Brewing Company.  7.7% ABV is shown on the twelve ounce bottle, as well as "100+" IBUs.

This beer poured with a medium, slightly creamy colored head.  Beer color is a orange-ish amber.  Nice IPA aroma - a mix of citrus with a little sweetness.  The taste is heavy on citrus and pine, with a good amount of bitterness, although there is some malt to take the edge off.  A definite hint of the higher alcohol.  Medium to full bodied.  Dry finish.  Leaves you with a dry, bitter aftertaste.  A nice strong, hoppy IPA.  Thumbs up!  

 

Stone Brewing Company

Escondido, California

www.stonebrew.com

Alaskan White ....

Tonight's beer is the White, "Wheat Ale Brewed With Spices", from Alaskan Brewing Company.  Twelve ounce bottle.  The Alaskan web site shows 5.3% ABV and 15 IBUs.

This beer poured with a very thin, off white head.  The beer is slightly cloudy, and a medium to darker golden yellow.  The aroma: wheat, spices and banana.  Mild bodied.  The taste has light grain/wheat and spices.  A fair amount of carbonation; almost fizzy.  For some reason, there almost seems to be a grape-like quality in the taste.  Very mild, grassy aftertaste.  A little mild for my tastes, but it has some interesting characteristics for someone who likes their beers on the milder end of the scale.

Alaskan Brewing Company

Juneau, Alaska

www.alaskanbeer.com

Victory Headwaters Pale Ale ....

I made it through the first six months!  Time to start on the second half of a year of beer, with a Headwaters Pale Ale from Victory Brewing Company.  Twelve ounce bottle.  Their web site lists 5.1% ABV.

A medium, creamy-colored head.  The beer is a light golden/amber hue, with a touch of orange.  There is some real fresh, fruity citrus to the aroma.  The citrus does not dominate the taste, but there is definitely some citrus, pine and floral there from the hops.  Some malt to balance it out; nice mouth feel.  Medium bodied.  Dry finish.  The aftertaste leaves you with a lingering, mellow bitter that makes you want more.  I'm really liking this one.  

 

Victory Brewing Company

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

www.victorybeer.com