Delirium Tremens

Delirium Tremens
Belgian Pale Ale
8.5% ABV

Jared's Score: 93/100

Jared Says: You want to know how to make a beer? Go ask the Huyghe family who has been brewing beer for 356 years. They started in 1654! That's 122 years before the United States was even formed. The beer pours golden...slightly hazy, and has that sweet smell that you automatically associate with Belgian Ales. The taste is smooth, clean and leaves a a sweet aftertaste that again is "typical" for Belgian Ales...just done better...much much better. The only beef I had with the beer was because of the bottle (which is pretty cool) I could not see my pour, of which I over poured just slightly dumping all the particulate at the bottom of the bottle into my beer. My beer looked like a dam snow globe! Otherwise...awesome beer. Buy it....drink it....enjoy it!

****By the way...it may have been 1998, but this beer was voted best beer in the world at the World Beer Championships in Chicago!****
-Jared

Dreadnaught IPA

Three Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA
American Double IPA
9.50% ABV

Greg score: 92/100

Greg says: Can you tell I enjoy IPA's? :) This is one I picked up from a trade with a guy in Minnesota. I have been looking forward to this since it arrived. I was not disappointed. It pours an orange amber color. My pour didn't really produce much head. The smell is a citrus bomb for sure. I thought I was able to detect some malt as well. Taste has some nice peach and grapefruit in there followed by malts and some pine. The malt balances out the bitterness quite well. This is another fantastic IPA and I can only hope that 3 Floyds will distribute in Ga sometime in the near future.

5 Seasons Hopgasm IPA

Hopgasm IPA
American IPA
6.50% ABV

Greg score: 94/100

Greg says: This is brewed at the 5 Seasons at the Prado. Let me just say that this is one of the best IPA's I have ever had. A friend of mine took me over there for lunch knowing how much I love IPA's. It is just an incredible IPA. Had this on draught, obviously. Appearance is amber in color. The aroma was mostly hops. Very nice to smell. Definitely can pick up pine and citrus in there. Taste is pretty similar with pine coming near the end and leaving some nice bitterness. I also can detect some nice grapefruit in there. This is a very smooth drinking IPA. It's easy to consume quite a few of these guys in a sitting. If you can make it over there, go and have a pint or three of this fantastic IPA!

Pliny the Elder

Russian River Brewing Company Pliny the Elder
American Double IPA
8.00% ABV

Greg score: 95/100

Greg says: Man, what a huge score this was. I got this from a guy in Cali. This is a very hard to come by beer, so I was happy to have this guy include it in a package. I didn't know it was coming, so I was overjoyed when I opened it and saw it sitting there. This is easily one of the best DIPA's I have ever had. This pours a golden cloudy color. Good lacing. The aroma is intense lemon, tropical fruit, and pine. All of these things are noticed in the taste along with some strong hops. There is some malt at the end, but the pine and citrus really stick around for most of the taste. If you are a hop-head and are lucky enough to have access to this, GET IT! Period. You will thank me later.

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Trois Pistoles
Dark Ale
9% ABV

Jared's Score: 92/100

Jared Says: Wow.....what a great beer. From Canada, it poured dark but clear. The aroma has hints of chocolate and definite hints of fruit. Being a dark ale I expected some more bitterness....but there was none to be found. The aftertaste of the beer lingers, but it is sweet. Like the bottle says, it is almost "port" like. I just really enjoyed this beer A LOT, and will definitely look to buy some more. Per the company this beer has a shelf life of 8 years........I can see this beer being much better with age and look forward to cellaring some to find out.

- Jared

Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale 13th

Harvest Ale 13th
Wet Hop Ale
ABV 6.7%

Jared's Score: 91/100

Jared Says: This is the 13th year of the line that SN says started the "wet hop" revolution where the hops are not dried out, but sent to the brewery the same day they are picked to ensure they are added to the beer at peak hopiness. SN was the 1st brewery to do this, and after 13 years they still don't disappoint. The beer pours amber with ample head. The aroma is obviously very hoppy...with a mixture of pine and citrus. The 1st sip always bites back at ya with this type of beer, but as you drink this beer down you realize just how refreshing it is. This is a well balanced beer, the spiciness and citrus play off each other very well, and the beer becomes exceedingly more drinkable as you get to the bottom of the glass. As this is a special release each year...I will try and buy some more....and look forward to 14.

-Jared

Article on beer snobbery

http://www.scandalouscandice.com/pork_chops_chicken/

This is a good article. I agree with most of what she says. I disagree in that not liking certain beers makes you a snob. If someone offers you a beer you don't like, and you turn it down, that isn't being a snob.

-Greg


I agree with ya Greg. Making me drink an Oatmeal Stout when that may not be my style of beer and I don't want to drink it doesn't mean I am a snob......it means I don't like Oatmeal Stouts. If someone offers me a carrot and I turn it down, on her logic that would make me a vegetable snob. ..........Stupid.

-Jared

Boaks Monster Mash

Monster Mash
Russian Imperial
ABV 10%

Jared's Score: 90/100

Jared Says: This beer hails from my home town up in NJ. Brewed by a good friend of the family who has won all sorts of awards for his home (now gone public) brew. Gotta admit it is pretty dam cool knowing someone who has their own brewery. This is a very dark beer...essentially black, good head and lacing. This beer is chocolaty the way a Russian Imperial should be, but it is not too bitter. The fruit undertones really balance this beer nicely and hide the high ABV very well. JT would like this beer a lot. I would definitely buy this beer....and am lucky enough to have a case again in my basement.

Hebrew Origin
Amber Ale (Brewed with Pomegranate)
8% ABV

Jared's Score: 80/100

Jared Says: From the Hebrews of the Shmaltz Brewing Company (LOVE that name!!) comes their Origin Pomegranate Ale. Like potato pancakes, and a guilt trip....the Hebrews know how to make a good beer. That is why I was so disappointed in this beer. Pours amber color, decent lacing/head. Can definitely smell the fruit (I assume what a pomegranate would smell like.....hell I don't even know what a pomegranate looks like!) But overall this was a very simple beer. Not a lot of complexity to it. Wasn't all that bad...wasn't all that good. I really like the Hebrew line...many of their beers are well over 8% ABV. This just wasn't one of their best, and I would probably not go back to it, just because this line has so many other great beers.

****SIDE NOTE**** Their newest beer coming in Feb 2010 is a beer I am really looking forward to, and I am sure my Beermigo friend Greg is gonna be very excited. In Feb. look for R.I.P.A on Rye...it is going to be a 10% ABV Double IPA brewed with Rye Malt. Sounds delicious.......until then.......L'Chiam!

Founders Devil Dancer

Devil Dancer
Imperial IPA
12.00% ABV

Greg Score: 93/100

Greg Says: You could almost call this a Barleywine. The label says Triple IPA and apparently it has almost a 200 for IBU(International Bitterness Units). That is insane if true. Stone Ruination isn't even that high. I will say that it didn't seem as bitter as Ruination. This is another that I got from a trade with a bud in Minny. I got a 4 pack of this, which is nice because it is very good. Though one is enough to make you have a very pleasant evening. This badboy pours very thick and dark. No head to speak of at all. The aroma has some citrus and sweetness to it. You can also smell the hops. Flavor is kind of syrupy maltiness that helps with the hops hit. Its a "thick" tasting beer for sure. There is some fruit present and maybe a bit of pine. But I think I am just imaging that. It is very well balanced considering its incredible ABV. Really a great beer if this is your thing. I just wish it was available in GA. Founders is now in GA. And by now, I mean literally a day ago started distributing here. But I am not sure if Devil Dancer will be part of their offering here for a while. I will keep you posted!

Two Brothers Cane and Ebel

Cane and Ebel
Rye Beer
7.00% ABV

Greg Score: 88/100

Greg says:
Got this 12 oz bottle from a trade with a guy in Minny. Sadly it's not available in GA yet. Poured a dark copper color with a little head. Smell has some hops to it along with some grains perhaps. Hops are slightly present in the taste, but the rye and grain really stick out. It's a very unique beer. I really enjoyed it. Wished my trading partner had sent a couple more. Has a nice dry finish with a long aftertaste. Good beer for sure. I was expecting it to be similar to Terrapin Rye, but its not. But that isn't a bad thing.

Stoudt's Triple

Stoudt's Triple
Belgian Style Tripel
9.00% ABV

Greg Score: 94/100

Greg Says: What a fantastic beer. I don't know how I just discovered this now. It's been around for a while. Pours an orange-amber color with little head. Sweet but mild fruity aromas are what I first noticed. There were incredible sweet candied flavors up front. Definitely can pick up the malt and yeast. Can also pick up some banana and maybe some pear. If you like Tripel's, buy this beer. I will be getting a sixer next time I am at the store.

First BIF completed

Well, I completed my first BIF. BIF stands for Beer It Forward. Basically a theme is set with some rules (minimum ounces, type of beers, etc..) and a set number of people sign up. This particular BIF was for Imperial Stouts. Though some non-stouts are thrown in, which is allowed. The originator of the BIF then assigns one person to another as their target. Typically they try to seperate geographically as far apart as possible so that people can get beer that they can't just go to the store and purchase. My guy did a pretty good job. In Georgia we don't have access to all but 4 of these beers below. Then you send your beer and everyone is happy! The person that had me was in Cali. I just got my box today, and this is what he sent me.

Swag: Typically people will throw in local swag as well.
Ballast Point Tasting glass
Ballast Point coozy
Ballast Point Coasters
Ballast Point Beanie!
Karl Strauss Coasters

Beer:
16.9 oz
Pliny the Elder - This one is an unbelievably huge score. Typically this is ranked as the best Double IPA in the country. And it's only available in the area around where it's brewed in California. When I unwrapped the bubble wrap on this one, it made me cry with happyness!!

12 oz
Old Rasputin
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

22 oz
The Czar
Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper '09
Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper - Bourbon Barrel Aged
Port Brewing Old Viscosity
Ryan Sullivan's Imperial Stout
Ballast Point Victory At Sea Coffee Vanilla Imp Porter
Lagunitas Little Sumptin Extra
Lagunitas Cappucino Stout

500 ml
Drake's Imperial Stout

Here they are: Click to enlarge.

-Greg

Sweetwater Dank Tank Donkey Punch

Sweetwater Dank Tank Donkey Punch
Barleywine
10.20 ABV

Greg Score: 90/100

Greg says: Well, I have been really looking forward to drinking this beer. I missed it when it came out back in the summer, but I found a bunch at a package store the other week. What a great beer. Pours out in an amber color with little head. Aroma is some grassy hops and some citrus as well. The taste contains some grapefruit and some hints of pineapple. Also some hints of caramel at times. Definitely can pick up some hops and some malt as well. Really glad I grabbed some bottles of this. A definite must for the barleywine fan.

Jax Package Store

Jax Fine Wine and Spirits

This is a great package store. The prices are fantastic and the beer selection is unbelievable. It's a little bit of a tight fit in there and it is all the way in Cumming, but the drive is worth the selection. I only wish they had a few more individual 12 oz bottles. But they have a monster selection of 22 oz and 750ml bottles. Check it out if you are in that area.

-Greg


Agree with Greg....this place is dirty little slice of heaven. Greg took me here about a month ago on a well anticipated jaunt during a weekday afternoon when we were both able to get away from work and the families (less likely than anyone reading this blog drinking a Bud Lite) Jax is nothing to look at, both inside and out. Kind of dingy....small isles, but what this place lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for in selection of beer. Now if your looking to make your own variety 6 pack of 12 ouncers...this may not be your place, but if you are looking for a 2nd to none selection of 22oz bottles and craft beer.....then when you here the angles sing as you round the corner to the two plus isles of bottled beer...............you are home :)

-Jared

N'Ice Chouffe

Brasserie d'Achouffe
N'Ice Chouffe
Belgian Strong Ale (Dark)
10% ABV

JT Score: 85/100

I had this one on tap in what I believe was a 40ml pour...see glass in picture. The pour had a decent amount of head, 1 to 2 fingers, that settled in a moderate amount of time. The nose was quite malty with a caramelized nut scent. I didn't pick up a lot of spice which is what I expected from this type of seasonal ale. The taste was good, bu nothing exceptional too me. I feel this was kind of a standard dark Belgian style ale, and I am not sure what all the hype is about (from what I read on other sites). The malty tones were dominant in this fairly carbonated brew. Aftertaste was mild and decent, but again, I feel this was just a good, not great Belgian. Compared to La'Chouffe, I would drink La'Chouffe over this every time. Still,...I wouldn't kick her out of bed...

Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti

Great Divide Brewery
Espresso Oak Aged Yeti
Stout/Porter
9.5% ABV

JT's Score: 92/100

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a 20oz wide mouth mug. I had to dump the beer into the mug for the final 1/3 to get a head to form because of the high ABV. Lacing was non-existent. Color was deep, deep brown with a light brown head, very nice looking. Lots of malt for the aroma, with a slight coffee (as to be expected) and chocolate smell. Lovely... As a coffee lover, this brew is fantastic. The espresso notes hit right away, mild bitterness for a stout, with a slight chocolate flavoring. The malt flavoring is predominant but in a very balanced way. The astertaste was pleasant and diminshed quickly leaving me wanting to sip the beer again anad again. This is probably now one of my favorite stout styles, and the ABV gives a nice bang for the buck.

Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale

Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale
Belgian Tripel
7.50% ABV

Greg score: 90/100

Greg says: Wow, this beer surprised me. It was really good. I don't know why I expected it to not be this good, but I did. I was wrong. I poured it from an 11.2 oz bottle. Had a golden yellow color. Nice head to it. The aroma was a mix of banana, maybe some honey and some yeast. But the smell was not overwhelming. Had a bit of hops in the flavor with the banana and some citrus coming out as well. Very easy to drink. I will definitely be purchasing again.

Left Hand Oak Aged Widdershins

Oak Aged Widdershins

American Barleywine
8.80% ABV

Greg score: 88/100

Greg says: Had this out of a 22 oz bottle. I actually had the 2007 and I had let it sit for about 6 months before opening it. Colors were deep caramel. And it left some decent lacing. You can definitely find the oak in the aroma as well as some hops. Taste is some caramel with a lot of oak. You definitely know its oak aged. But that was a good thing, IMO. It was very sweet as well. If you can find a bottle, I recommend it for the Barleywine fans out there.

Smuttynose Hanami Ale

Smuttynose Hanami Ale

Fruit Beer
5.70% ABV

Greg score: 65/100
JT score: I would rather stay sober.

Greg says: This beer was really just not so good. They say its infused with Cherries. It tastes like Cherry Robitussin. Very tart. I honestly don't even feel like describing the experience. I can't recommend this at all. Of course your mileage may vary.

JT Says: I had this brew about 2 months ago based off the recommendation of my server. I debated a 2% tip for him after this. I originally decided not to review this based off the age-old mantra..."If you don't have anything nice to say..." But since Greg gave some input, I figured I would at least let him know I agree...