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...

Terrapin Hopsecutioner

Terrapin Hopsecutioner

American IPA
7.20% ABV

Greg score: 92/100

Greg says: This is a fantastic IPA. VERY hoppy as you might guess. I had it out of a 12 oz bottle. Decent head with good lacing. Aroma was definitely citrusy hops with some sweet smells. Taste is pretty similar with what appeared to be some pine notes. Finishes with a hint of citrus. If you like IPA's, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. Highly recommended and I will definitely buy again.

Harpoon Winter Warmer

Harpoon Brewery Winter Warmer
Spiced Ale
5.9% ABV

JT's Score: 88/100

Enjoyed on tap in a wide mouth 20oz mug. By the time it got to my table, there was no head so I really can't comment. The aroma was wonderful, full of the typical holiday spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. The taste mirrored the aroma perfectly. This is a very smooth, spicy ale that leaves a specific aftertaste of cinnamon and nutmeg, almost reminiscent of pumpkin pie. Nice caramel malt flavoring that slips down the throat very smoothly. No unpleasant aftertaste. There is almost no hoppiness. This may become one of my new favorite seasonal beers. 88/100 overall ranking, but would be a 90+ if I were looking only for a seasonal beer.