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