Life and Limb (2)

Thanks to Justen Parris for bringing a bottle of this over yesterday. I had sold him the last of my homebrew equipment, and in exchange he also gave me this bottle. Jen and I tasted it that night after a fried rice dish I concocted on the whim.
Snifter served.
10% ABV

Appearance: Dark brown with a thick textured pour. In the glass, the beer looked like dark maple syrup, a bit of a red hue. Head was dense and beige, and relatively quick to dissipate. A layer of foam resided after several minutes. Lacing is wet and speckled
Aroma: Just that, maple syrup, dark cane sugar and fruit. Perhaps figs, dates and plums. Rich aromatics, but nothing really jumps out or overpowers. Everything seems to meld well with each other. Toasted and even roasted malt at the end.
Taste: Immediately sweet, and according to the label, the beer IS MADE WITH SYRUP! Which definitely contributes a unique flavor. Huge malt base, and some alcohol round out the finish, which is paralleled by a subtle woodiness. I get a lot of toasted malt and even some toffee. This makes it relatively dry, but still ironically refreshing. Throughout, and examined in a specific perspective, this beer boasts a lot of the dark roasted fruit flavors that were present in the aroma. While the aftertaste maintains a wood flavor, the finish of the beer leaves almost a roasted/chocolate flavor of coffee, but with a sweetness to back it up.
Mouthfeel: The carbonation is slight, but enough to bubble up and fizz on the tongue to create a nicely refreshing zip at the end. The body is thick and velvety.
Overall Impression: A lot darker than expected, but the flavor was just what I could have imagined. The maple and Birch syrups add a fantastic flavor profile and unique woodiness. Plums and figs are complexly incorporated alongside the slight (and I mean well masked) burn from the alcohol and the mild fizz from the carbonation. Wood and chocolate/roastiness round out the end.

Ruthless Rye IPA

Thanks to Rich Nunez for bringing a six pack of this over while discussing label layouts for his brewery. I first got a chance to try this beer earlier this week when Paul and Scott brought it back from Omaha, NE. Again I received several picture texts from friends that this beer had arrived in the QC. Just my fortune when this beer arrived at my house Thursday night.
6.6% ABV

Appearance: Very clear and ambered with an oranged hue. The head is very minute and only standing as a thin filmed white ring. Lacing is wet and even a bit stringy. There are occasional bubbles throughout the beer, but it remains relatively action-less.
Aroma: Sweet, with a prominent rye characteristic up front as well as bready and biscuit. Some undertones of fruit (plum: from the malt). The second half incorporates a tropical bitterness with floral notes. Pineapple and grapefruit fruit zest in the finish.
Taste: The beer starts sweet, beginning with a sugary neutrality, followed by a biscuit malt base. The flavor of rye starts here, but the primary character is a frontal 2-row and victory malt. Light pumpernickel and nutty flavors. Spiced and honeyed. Then the citrus and tropical hops emerge in complement to the rye spicing at the end. Dark fruits are presented initially, followed by more grapefruit and and blood orange. Overall, this beer presents a very perceptively earthy character, in conjunction with the grain flavor of rye and citrus zest. Generally, this beer is bitter, but boasts flavor in itself. Aftertaste continues long after the beer has left the palate.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety. The body is of medium stature while remaining soft, but still maintaining an enticing feel. The second half foams up and bubbles down the throat. Very drying as it is prolonged at the end. Not a lot of stickiness.
Overall Impression: This packs the flavor I desire in both an IPA and in a rye, and both are very fantastic. The rye remains prominant, even under the bittering units that are packed into this beer. Balanced and complex, but extremely drinkable! I see myself drinking this beer on a regular basis. MMM RYE!


95/100

Kellerweis Hefeweizen

Thanks to Joshua Schipp and Andy for picking this up from the Hy-vee on 53rd this past weekend for the beer dinner we were hosting. I got around to reviewing this Monday afternoon following an easy 6 miler through Moline.
4.80%

Appearance: Without dreggs: Amazingly clear. Whatever yeast they used (definitely not Hefe yeast) really had a high flocculation and seemed to have settled completely out, giving the beer a very shiny, clear golden color. With Dreggs: Once added, the beer took on its typical appearance for the style, even a bit milky too. The head is strong white and foamy with a prominent carbonation rising from the depths of the glass.

Aroma: Without the dregs, the beer seemed a bit insufficient in character and complexity, leaving only the scent of the outdoors and hay/straw. Once the dreggs were added, more of a yeasty undertone was permitted along with a minute pungency with clove and banana to follow through an undertoned smell.

Taste: I initially got a lot of vanilla from this. The backbone is bready and dough like with subtle hints of fruity esters and the complementary banana and clove phenol (though the clove is hindered a lot here by the vanilla). Some tang follows near the end with a light splash of orange juice and straw like qualities. THe end is sweet and honeyed.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a very well incorporated carbonation, which makes the beer go down very smooth, yet provides a bigger creamier body. The wheat adds a chewiness. Nevertheless it finishes dry but sweet, yet crisp and refreshing.
Overall Impression: It's kind of cool to have a two-beer-in-one bottle available. whether you like a cleaner crisper beer, or a saturated doughy, but complex and equally enjoyable (depending on preference) beer, I'd say this is a Hefeweizen (wheat) beer to put on the list of beers worth trying, even if you are like me and not necessarily a fan of the Wits/Whites, Weiss', Wheat's and Hefe's.

Estate Home Grown Ale

Tasted following my second 8 mile run of the day.  Reviewed following cooking up a meal made entirely of vegetables from my garden. I purchased it from the Sylvis Hy-vee where I was in the process of difficultly getting my state ID a couple weeks ago.

Tomorrow I leave for a wedding in NY. I will try to log, but don't take my word for it.

Appearance: Hazed amber in color with almost a rubied hue. Head is well sustained with an off white bubbly texture. Along the sides remains a segmented dry lacing. Glowing and relatively still.

Aroma: Robust caramel malt bill accompanied with biscuit and earthy undertones. Hop presence is substantial in the form of citrus, and herbal as well as a piney complexity.

Taste: Sweet and candied but incredibly well balanced with biscuit and piney herbal hops. A pleasant tang burst on the palate, really helping to contribute to the drinkability. Touches of brown sugar in the foretaste as well. By the middle a warming sensation emerges as it parallels the emerging hop bitterness. Tremendously earthy and floral to the taste but still maintains a piney undertone. As the beer warms, it develops a nice mellow grape/fig fruitiness, but without any tart or vininess, though it also gets a little more bitter with the hops becoming all the more apparent. The finish is dry and a bit warming, while the aftertaste is of pine and earthy leafiness with a component of ever prominent caramel. The palate really comes to adapt to this beer by the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a soft mouthfeel, yet presenting an adequate carbonation to still leave a textured zip on the end of the tongue. The finish isn't as completely drying as I would have expected, but perfectly finished to create a crisp and very refreshing beer.
Overall Impression: Rich in flavor and complexity while still remaining extremely well balanced and refreshing. Just for the fact that this is such a carefully crafted all, you know the heart and effort that went into producing it. I give a lot of appreciation to Sierra Nevada for successfully producing such a well crafted ale...especially going organic! I suggest seeking this out whenever possible!


Jen: 91/100
Tim: 93/100

Hoptimum Imperial IPA

Justen Parris brought this beer over to my house last weekend, along with a couple others to try. Gave him a tour of the Nieu Coope and garden. Unfortunately it was in the morning, and I was about to head out for a run. Nevertheless we split this one 3 ways (and that was enough). Tasted using my tasting flight.

Appearance: Golden amber with a highly apparent carbonation. Head is foamy with a soapy off white consistency. Accumulation of bubbles on the side. Dry Styrofoam white lacing clings on the glass. Head retention is quite favorable. Minor flocculents appear at the bottom of the glass.
Aroma: Rich sweet malt bill reminiscent of honey and mellow fruit undertones. Floral notes with a dash of pine. Biscuit and caramel malt maintain a foundation. Almost a medicinal element to the beer. Subtle orange and tangerine add an additional spice to the end.
Taste: The malt profile is honeyed with a biscuit profile. The hops are more reminiscent of pine and lemon but with a grassy thistle complexion. I find that the alcohol encourages the hop resins to the extent that the finish is somewhat solventy. Gradually as the palate gets used to the beer it begins to exhibit a a greater complexity by way of resins with more sweet lemon and pine flavor a well as a spiciness. Again the tangerine flavor shows up with a mild undertone near the end as it melds into the alcohol. Some grapefruit, but an under-ripe flavor. I sense from the sweet flavor and the solvent which makes me think that there was a hefty amount of cane sugar. Aftertaste is spiced but initially fruity, leaving behind a dried semi-wood bark character.
Mouthfeel: Body is quite viscous and thick, but the finish gives an alternative impression of thinness. Carbonation loosens the beer, but in a very minimal way. It kind of reminds me of a syrup that's been microwaved but where the heat is substituted for the alcohol.
Overall Impression: I wasn't overly impressed with this beer. I thought the solvent and alcohol were over done, leaving little complexity for the hops to bear through. It almost takes over the malt backbone. If you can make it past the alcohol, one may draw some variant flavors, but not many. I think it just doesn't fit together.


75/100

Summerfest

Tasted Wednesday night after an 8 mile run (Tim) and bike ride (me). We opted for staying in on a nasty rainy night instead venturing out into the cold. The fact that we drove to HyVee to get this seasonal is besides the point...


Appearance: Bright golden yellow color with lots of visible, active carbonation rising from primarily the middle of the bottom of the glass with some accumulation on the sides. This fuels a soapy white head which soon thins to a layer of bubbles with most concentrated in the center. Clarity is at its maximal.
Aroma: A very light and effervescent aroma, carrying notes of lemon zest and flowery undertones. Slight presence of grain, citrus hops, and spices all work together to impart a outdoorsy-sort of smell. Yeasty.
Taste: Very simple flavor and although there is not a lot of depth, the taste is clean . There is a hint of vague pale malt that is followed by some lemon zest and flowery traces. Has a bit of breadiness contributing to the taste. The citrus hops carry a finishing, crisp bite. An undertone of grainy, unmalted wheat is present which still contributes that dry tannin, lemony bready flavor. A peppery end to a very pungent beer. Leaves behind a grain hull aftertaste. A bit skunky like a Heinekin.
Mouthfeel: Has a light-medium body and a definite dry finish that leaves a slightly mild, bitter aftertaste in the back of throat and mouth. Carbonation helps to bring out and balance out the flavors.
Overall Impression: This beer, although it is characterized a pilsner style, could fall into the line of a wheat/hefe, but still has a lagered pungency and a bready undertone. The hops aren't as crisp as most pilsners, leaving out a lot of the distinct Hallertau and Saaz hopping. Can't really get around the husky aftertaste - which is a big distinguishing characteristic from a pilsner.

$7.99/six pack

78/100

Glissade Golden Bock

Tasted following a brief, but aggressive thunderstorm. Notes written while watching League of Extraordinary Men and cooking my lunch for the week. I had seen this beer a couple of times at Binny's but there were always several beers in my list ahead of it. Fortunately Jen picked up an assorted six pack including it.

Appearance: A light golden amber with a strong micro bubble carbonation about it. White foam head is well sustained, even as it dissipates it leaves a complete foam film across the top. Lacing uniformly and entirely covers the sides.

Aroma: Subtly fruity with a light malt character about it. Strong phenols and spices immediately make an impression to the palate upon the finish to me. Earthy undertones. Some wheat citrus parallels the malt base.

Taste: Sweet and uniquely earthy with an underlying spiciness. Malt is reminiscent of honey and biscuits, even to the extent of ginger snaps and mild nuttiness, though nevertheless on a light, but balanced spectrum. However the malt does remain relatively grainy. Hops are apparent from midtaste on out finishing in a peppery character and leaving a sustained grassy flavor in the mouth. Definitely some lemon apparent and floral complexity.
Mouthfeel: Light body though the carbonation softens the mouthfeel to a medium texture and body. The beer finishes extremely dry from a residual hop bitterness. Carbonation is on the medium side.
Overall Impression: A very interesting beer. Extremely complex, though the bitterness is a little overwhelming, especially for a bock beer. I do find the spicing and the malt complexity enticing. Very floral and herbaceous as it warms.


83/100

Northern Hemisphere Harvest (2010)

Thanks to Elise, Tom and Kate for bringing this over one night for a tasting. It was accompanied with a bomber of BrooDoo from Three Floyds. Tasted using a tasting paddle.

Appearance: Rich ambered color with a coppered hue. There is a thick tan foamy head. Clarity is maximal with a bit of carbonation visible within the glass.

Aroma: Very aromatic and reminiscent of pine and other tropical resins. Initial caramel-nut malt character present with its accompanying earth-like diacetyl citrus splash. Elise said it smelled like banana bread.

Taste: The flavor is a little boozy with a paralleled hop resin finish. Gradually, once the palate accepts the bitterness, rich and sweet caramel malt complexity emerges. There is also a dark fruit undertone. To complement this, there is some residual biscuit malt sweetness incorporated that I think helps balance the wet hop citrus pine. Together, raisins and dark cherries emerge. Ultimately this beer showed more pine and dark fruit skin bitterness than grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Medium with a heavier body. Carbonation is light, but nevertheless really helps draw out the complexity of the floral hops. Highly drinkable and smooth with a dry finish, yet still maintaining a longer aftertaste.
Overall Impression: Generally this is a well balanced, complex hand crafted ale that exhibits a sweet biscuit/fruit and toasted malt with an even reply from the citra/pine hops.


89/100

Bigfoot Barleywine 2005 vs 2008

Thank you Greg Ferlin for sending me these two Bigfoot Barleywines to help me come to terms with Barleywines and their ability to age. Having seen my post on the 2010 version, and how I "panned" it, he sought it necessary to acquaint my palate with the way they should be drunk. Thanks Greg!
And Jaron Gaier, thank you too.
These were enjoyed using my tasting flight with Don, Jim and Hank as a comparative tasting (unfortunately Bigfoot 2010 wasn't available).

2005 – twist off

Appearance: Darker brown with a minimal head , highly apparent carbonation build-up on the side of the glass. Quite hazy. Lingering middle brown-amidst the orange.

Aroma: Citrusy and orange zest to the nose with an underlying malt backbone. Mild booziness with a citrus zest finish. It imparts estery phenols.

Taste: is 10 x milder than the 2010, but still admits some tannins. Carbonation is very minimal. Semi-oxidized in flavor. I still taste some plain warrior hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Thick and tacky with a full body. Carbonation is dwindling on almost nothing, leaving the body completely full
Overall Impression: Based on what I know about barleywines, and my N00bish palate in the style I still think it was . There was extra effort involved in sipping this beer.

Hank says that a hot dog would pair well 

76/100

2008 – Pop-top

Appearance: More orange with a with a soapy off white head. Still some carbonation growth on the side. Quite orange and glowing

Aroma: Lesser citrus and more estery aroma. Though still maintains a complexity to the caramel malt backbone.
Taste: A lot more sweet and drinkable. Lighter body and more fruity tasting. Grassy aftertaste and caramel malt midtaste sweetness. The mellowest of the barleywines tasted.
Mouthfeel: A lot more drinkable lighter body and higher carbonation. Texture is dispersed with a normative amount of carbonation which really helps loosen up the beer and give it some character.
Overall Impression: Far more balanced and milder than the 2005 and definitely the 2010. I find this one has a lot more complexity, the bitterness isn't harsh, and the texture is a lot lighter than the others. This beer exhibits the qualities in a barleywine that I'd prefer. Nevertheless, this will always be a beer I'll need to practice getting used to.

87/100

Overall Overall Impression: Both beers brought to the table quite a different profile. I hadn't any idea how much a beer may vary from year to year, but this clearly outlined it for me. The 2005 had mellowed almost too much, just exhibiting a tacky syrupy mouthfeel that was overly sweet, yet far better than the 2010. The 2008 was delicate and smooth and highly flavorful and drinkable.
Cheers!

Sierra Nevada 2010 Celebration Ale

Tried this last night with the courtesy of the Quad-City's MUGZ homebrew club meeting at Great River. It was a blast, Jen and I brought our SPCS and dry-hopped IPA, while everyone else brought a range of different ales and lagers. The SPCS went fast and people thought it was intriguingly tasty. I especially liked the Rye stout and one of the APA's (there were over 25 different homebrews to try). We met a lot of cool and interesting people. They even had food and a cider demonstration (We missed it though due to arriving late). This one caught my eye immediately. Thanks to the one who sacrificed it to the number of ravenous beer enthusiasts who devoured it.

Appearance: Poured in a plastic tasting cup. Strong dark golden amber color with a rubied hue with a visible carbonation. Head was ridiculously robust and sustained. Laces Beautifully. Transparency is quite clear, nevertheless giving the appeal of a rich flavorful ale...Total eye candy.

Aroma: Delicately floral with a combination of  spice and citrus. I find a potent note of sweet pine and freshly mowed grass followed by a dark fruit overtone. Extremely aromatic and complex. I can definitely say there are Amarillo hops in this one!

Taste: The fresh hop profile really stands out. Initially it is somewhat leafy, but quickly graduates into a bouquet of delicate hop complexity. I note subtle sensations of grapefruit zest, and other citrus notes, as well as low raisin and dark fruit flavors with a combination of pine and floral notes. Extremely complex and balanced when the sweetness hits. Interestingly the malt sweetness melds amazingly well with the hop character. I find caramel and toasted biscuit malt hitting the palate slightly between the bittering flavors but more dominantly afterwards.
Mouthfeel: Slightly resinous and tacky, but the texture is rich with a hardy cream-like feeling. The body is lighter than I would have expected. It finishes dry from the large amount of hop flavors and alcohol.
Overall Impression: Hops are definitely the show-man in this one, but harmonious interaction of biscuit and caramel malts help reinforce the delicious alpha acid profile. Overall this beer is delectably drinkable, even after tasting several others before-hand. Amazing complement between herbaceous and fruit-like bitterness which ultimately results in an entirely balanced and overwhelmingly complicated ale. If you see it, buy them up, as I'm sure even at an aged status, this ale maintains or even improves it's character.


95/100

Bigfoot Barleywine (2010)

Tried this back in March or April, 2010 while living in Parkander TLA. Bought a six pack of it thinking it was going to be good, but I was way off. At more than 300 calories a bottle prepare to be slapped in the face by 10% ABV.

Appearance: Bold amber color with a touch of ruby red. Dense tan/white foamy head that layers the glass in lace.

Aroma: Fruity and bold with strong aromatic hop additions. Hop character is complex both resembling fruity esters and grassy alpha acids. Dried dark fruit is intertwined.

Taste: Yuck. Alcohol takes away any potential in this beer. The malt flavors are so small and dominated so much by the overpowering bitterness and alcohol, the balance of this beer has little to offer. Perhaps they went overboard with the warrior or challenger hops? Finishes overwhelmingly dry and bitter. Nothing like anything I've had before.

Mouthfeel: Tacky to the lips and leaves an astringent aftertaste. The only thing done well was the carbonation.
Overall Impression: I'm not sure barley wines can be brewed at a large scale, which makes me presume that this one was. It was hard to get through the six pack let alone the beer itself. Nevertheless my tastes were still budding and developing at the time and I have come to be a lot more accepting of bitterness and a variety of beers since then. I think to be fair, another try is worthy.


60/100

Torpedo Extra IPA

2nd beer tasting at Brew Ha Ha.
11/21/10: A re-tasting with Elise Meyer, Thomas Christian, Kate Ries, and Jen Misewicz as we sat around a boiling 16 gallon pot of Pale Ale wort in the kitchen.

Appearance: Golden copper color with strong frothy apricot colored head. Also some lacing against the glass. Rich pour and visible carbonation on the glass. Mostly cloudy, but still somewhat transparent.

Aroma: Potent floral hop aroma (but not just grassy). And a rich bouquet of flowery pine and dark fruit esters.

Taste: Extremely strong bitterness from start to finish, pine flavors apparent as well upon the finish. Subtle raisin/dark fruit sweetness attempts to balance the bitter notes of grapefruit zest. Mid-taste, a light biscuitness flavor comes through. But hops are the most pronounced in multi-faceted complexity. Upon second tasting this beer reveals more of a richer biscuit caramel sweet foundation that helps complement the hops. Very tasty and appealing.

Mouthfeel: Creamy mouthfeel from micro-bubble carbonation, that helps blossom out new flavors the deeper one gets into the glass. Thicker body and stickier texture. Very drinkable.

Overall Impression: I do like the sweetness of this once you get used to the alpha bitterness. The paralleled complement between the sweet floral pine bitterness and the malt backbone is one accomplished by few. A spectacular IPA worthy of many six packs to come.

T1: 87/100
11/18/10 T2: 90