Tribute Ale: Brown Ale

Bought this bottle while on a weekend trip to Grand Rapids. Eamon and I stopped at a local grocery store after hitting up the Hideout Brewery. I still admit that Bear Republic is my favorite brewery, so every time I see something new of theirs on the shelves, I'm certain to buy it. Tasted Thursday afternoon after my first track workout in over 6 months - 3 x mile w/ 3:00 rest interval.
Snifter Served
6.3% ABV

Appearance: The beer opened with a sharp spritz. The pour was mahogany brown and as it settled in the glass, the color deepened to a light coffee dark brown with a rustic hue when held to the light. The head is minimal, but still supports a cream colored ring around the perimeter of the glass. Lacing is specked and wet, while fine carbonation can briefly be seen along the edges of the glass.
Aroma: Rich toffee and toasted aromas protrude from surface of the beer. Vapors scream malt sweetness and aromatic barley. Some light chocolate and even a brief note of roast emerges near the end of the beer. Above all, I get toffee.
Taste: The flavor is dominated by an extremely complex malt base. A rendition of barley ranging from crystal to brown malt, to chocolate and aromatic. Initially sweeping the palate with caramel, it's only the beginning for this beer. Boasting a robust toasted toffee flavor as it approaches the end, only to then be spiced with a mild roast and tannic flavor of molasses. The finish is woodsy with a minute flavor of cedar, likewise complimented with toasted almonds and a touch of brown sugar. A lot goes on in this beer. I feel after several tastes that this beer has a higher acidity than most brown ale's I've had.

Mouthfeel: Rather light in body, but with no sacrifice to flavor. Carbonation is on the lighter side as well, initially, but develops into a nice kick as the beer reaches the back of the mouth. Some tackiness resides on the lips, while the beer still incorporates enough hop bitterness to dry out the palate.
Overall Impression: Very well balanced with a unusual spice derived from the molasses. Toffee and caramel make up the majority of the flavor profile, followed by an acidity that provides an additional spice to the overall character of the beer. Definitely something different than what I'm used to, but tasty nonetheless. And I'm glad to see Bear Republic getting more beer to the bottles, especially all the way out here in Michigan!

Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Tasted my first night back in Rock Island of 2011. I've tried this beer over and over again and it never ceased to impress me. While working at Binny's in Highland park, I recommended to every hop-head I came across.

Appearance: Golden hazed in color with a nice frothy white head that is sticky on the glass leaving a residual white lacing. Slow rising visible carbonation. Some chill haze apparent.

Aroma: A rich sweet pine sensation enters the nostrils and leaves as a tropical fruit sweetness. This beer is hoppy and choked full of alpha acids well into the C' hop category. The bouquet of citrus and light fruitiness are nicely balance by a foundational pale malt backbone. Some apricot and pineapple.

Taste: Starts refreshingly sweet with a biscuit light fruit sweetness but slowly transitions into a pine/juniper finish that takes the beer to an unparalleled level by most IPA standards. The balance between the malt and hops is incredible. The bitterness may take the upper hand, but it goes nowhere without the sweet fruitiness created by the two of pineapple and grapefruit. Tartness is in combination of hops and malt, and nothing else. Totally a unique and refreshing sensation. A beer drinkers "hot day lemonade." alcohol taste is completely masked by the hop resins and dryness.

Mouthfeel: Medium to fuller body with a perfect carbonation to transition the pine hop alpha acids through from the delicious malt sweetness. The hops make for a very refreshing and easy drinking beer.
Overall Impression: One of the best and most resiliently drinkable IPAs (and even beers for that matter) that I have ever tasted. The complexity and balance is astounding. The tropical flavors combined with the pine bitterness is achieved by few. If you see it, or are recommended it by a 22 year old working at Binny's, or where ever....Trust them.


95/100

Big Bear Black Stout

Tried this with Thomas Christian before our Farm2Fork meeting earlier this week. And again during dinner in Arbaugh with Tom Ries and Co.

Appearance: Amazingly robust creamy tan head that is one of the strongest I've seen, which sustains itself indefinitely. Color isn't black, but more of an extremely dark brown. Pour was thick. Beautiful lacing.

Aroma: Potently rich with complex sweet malt aromas of chocolate, caramel, coffee and even more chocolate!

Taste: Very thick and sweet with bittersweet dark milk chocolate as a malt foundation to the rest of the beer. Much of this completely masks the 8.1% ABV. There is a semi drying finish and after taste that (Thomas wasn't a fan) resembles a grainy tannin base with burnt undertones. Notes of carob and wood. Nevertheless this is either viewed as good hopping to some or unappealing to others. It's just the hops used. The start is phenomenally sweet and complex. Progressively, underlying roasted nutty flavors reveal themselves midtaste the further into a glass one gets.

Mouthfeel: The thickness of the body makes me think they may have used oats. Every synonym for soft, smooth and creamy can be used for this beer. Texture is just as such, smooth and delicate, but bold. Medium carbonation
Overall Impression: Generally, this beer is outstandingly flavorful with a whopping foretaste of rich nut chocolate flavors. I'm consistently impressed with Bear Republic. I haven't been disappointed yet.


94/100

XP Pale Ale

This one starts off my 3rd log book, of which I had the opportunity to try on my last day of summer in chicago.

Appearance: Darker than most pale ales, yet more of an orange rubied color with an off white bubbly head that resembles cool whip (ya know, texture wise).

Aroma: Strong nutty smell that also resembles traits of fresh cut grass - herbaceous and highly aromatic

Taste: First taste is really almondy with hints of grapefruit and fig with yeasty foretaste that develops the 3rd sip.Gradually there are biscuit tones and caramel toffee notes that come through the chaos of complex, yet appealing flavors. There's a roastiness of barley and even some hints of chocolate that can be acknowledged. Perhaps crystal 60 and caramel malts really contribute to the flavorful complexity and overall balance.

Mouthfeel: Drinkable, but smooth and delectably coating the tongue.
Overall Impression: The sweetness and balance in hop bitterness to formulate this complex beer is nothing I've really encountered before. The alcohol completes this brew giving it a uniquely crisp yet remaining finish that has me craving more. The Best.

95/100

Hop Rod Rye

Enjoyed during a fantastic afternoon pool party with the carpenters in celebration of Aubrey's birthday. Though the pool was actually only fit 3 small people, held a volume of 50 gallons of water, and had cartoon characters on it..

Appearance: Rubied dark brown, foamy head with strong retention. The color remains slightly hazy with a coppered glow.

Aroma: Resinous hops though more so a spicy aroma dominates. The hints of rye permeate the olfactory immediately. There is a slight zest tone as well.

Taste: Both tart and spicy rye flavors are my first impression, though I was quite surprised with the bitterness initially. I find this beer to have more of an aggressive or pronounced spicy rye flavor than the Schlafly ESB (phenomenal by the way) and Rogue Dead Guy. Definitely winter-esk notes to it with brown sugar and a strong caramel backbone.The unique spices hit the palate right away distributing to all areas of the tongue with a lasting aftertaste. There are following slight mellow notes of roastiness and burnt. Citrus and pine dominate the hop profile, which in turn is a large contributor to the finishing flavor. Nevertheless, caramel and biscuit malt do a fantastic job holding up the foundational malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Luscious and surprisingly full bodied with a balanced carbonation that makes for great flavor and aroma retention. The beer exhibits somewhat of a tacky texture. Leaves the finish to the palate slightly dry, but with a strong resinous coat on the tongue to induce an aftertaste.

Overall Impression: Love it! Spicing from the rye is aggressive, but fully helps balance the beer. I pick this beer up every chance I get. Along with their Big Black Bear stout!

94/100