599 replies to this topic

[jeffc666]

Just cracked a 2005 Stone Old Guardian. A bit of a big beer for a work night but that is how it goes. My initial impression is that it is hotter, in terms of alcohol presence, then it has ever been. Still enjoyable though.

[Susan in FL]

RE: the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, I like it better than the other two for more frequent drinking; however, that's not to say I don't enjoy a 90 Minute now and then. For me, the 120 needs to be occasional.
There seems to be a direct link between being active on this Beer Forum and the addition of a few pounds. Of course it has nothing to do with the beer drinking behavior these topics stimulate.
So, I've been cutting back during the week. I've done this for two days now. Monday and last night I had one Tuppers' Hop Pocket after work (and a glass of wine with dinner).

[plattetude]

I'm currently on a short trip to Amsterdam for work, and I've had far too few opportunities to indulge in the malted art. (I also need to get some genever tasting in while I'm here.)

Anyway, I found my way to a nice little brown cafe during my wandering on Sunday and took some bare-bones tasting notes. Unfortunately, work has kept me away from the forums for too long this week, so a lot of details that might have stuck in my short-term memory are long gone. On to the report:

Started off by having a Duvel with my very late lunch at a small outdoor cafe. Same Duvel we all know and love (or is there a slightly different formulation for U.S. distribution?) -- crisp, floral, dense creamy head, plenty of warming alcohol balanced by the perfect balance of hops and hint of candy sweetness.

My walking then took me to Gollem, a brown cafe boasting some 180 beers, including about a dozen taps. (Most of the taps were Belgian beers; and I've noticed Dutch drinking a lot of these tap beers that I've always understood were better kept/poured from bottles, as God intended of bottle-conditioned beers. Hm.) I scanned the list (and only later realized I'd missed an entire blackboard of other choices) and picked out one that I'd never heard of or seen before -- Egmont Tripel. Well, apparently, the barkeep and her patrons didn't know of it either, because she had a very hard time finding a bottle in the case and gave up looking for the branded glass.

The bottle identified the beer as hailing from Zottegem, and was brewed with "smaakevolutie," which I have no idea at all how to translate. (Maybe Klary is reading this and can be of some assistance.) 7% abv.

This beer seemed to be crafted very much in the Duvel vein, with a similar floral perfumed nose, but up front had a faint sourness, almost as though it were a gueze. Maybe "smaakvolutie" means "airborne yeast".... Anyway, as I said, very much like a Duvel in many respects, but a bit thinner in flavor profile, and that intriguing sourness up front. Interesting indeed!

Next I chose a less obscure choice, but one that I don't see much in the States, that being Hoegaarden Grand Cru. Only had this once before, in Belgium, so I was very pleased to have the chance to try it again.

Another in the Strong Blonde Ale tradition of Duvel, this couldn't be further from the witbier that Hoegaarden is so known for (apart from a few similar spicing notes). Malty, caramel, floral nose. First taste impressions are full of figs, raisins, honey, bitter orange, vanilla, and then a light dusting of hops to cleanse the palate as it goes down. Dense, fluffy head, tiny bubbles, massively effervescent, standard lace. Further tastes brought on some biscuity, crisp champagne notes, from the yeast I presume. Really really a superb beer.

God I'm thirsty now.

Christopher

[Chufi]

The bottle identified the beer as hailing from Zottegem, and was brewed with "smaakevolutie," which I have no idea at all how to translate.  (Maybe Klary is reading this and can be of some assistance.)  7% abv.

I am glad you are enjoying yourself!

Smaakevolutie means evolution (change/development) of taste. I think it means that the taste of the beer changes (and often deteriorates) once it's bottled, and that some beers ae brewed in such a way that they are still yeasting when they are bottled, so that the change in taste is intentional.

As much as I love good beer, I don't know much about it, so i could be completely wrong about this

keep drinking and reporting Christopher!

[BrentKulman]

Had a pint of Otter Creek Mud Bock Ale this evening.

Sadly, this great adrogynous beer (bocks are supposed to be lagers) has been discontinued by the brewery and was not brewed this spring.

A few kegs were left over since last year and since the beer has aged nicely, they have been distributed around the country and the Charlotte Flying Saucer has been the lucky beneficiary.

While the beer is not as hoppy as it was in its younger days, it has increased its malty complexity and now is resonant of chocolate malt sweetness and lots of dark fruit - tastes not too dissimilar to the Maredsous 8 I had the night before.

[plattetude]

Smaakevolutie means evolution (change/development) of taste. I think it means that the taste of the beer changes (and often deteriorates) once it's bottled, and that some beers ae brewed in such a way that they are still yeasting when they are bottled, so that the change in taste is intentional.

Aha. What we refer to as "bottle-conditioned." Makes sense. I guess if I'd thought about it, I might have pieced that meaning together, since the concept of bottle-conditioning was really best developed by the Belgians (as I understand it, anyway). And that was really what I'd alluded to in my earlier comment about how I don't understand the apparent preference for many of these beers on tap when the formulas for these beers were really developed for being stored in bottles -- the whole "freshness" concept that U.S. brewers like Budweiser tout really carry no weight with living beers like these.

To get back on topic, I had my first Netherlands Amstel last night. Far better than the Amstel Light that flows like so much water in the States, and it made for a nice crisp aperitif. Struck me as kind of midway between a light pilsner and a Vienna lager.

Today I was hoping to do a lot of shopping and exploring and hit a few other beer recommendations that Klary so kindly gave me, but it's looking like a lot of things are closed for Remembrance Day (I may be getting the name of the holiday wrong, but I think that's the essence -- remembrance of fallen soldiers of WWII). Fingers crossed that I come across some more good brews!

Christopher


(edited for clarity; *hic*)

Edited by plattetude, 05 May 2005 - 02:41 AM.

[Matsusaka Ushi]

I'm developing an expensive beer habit from this thread. I feel compelled to go to my local beer stores and raid their shelves on a nightly basis. Perhaps there should be support groups for this sort of thing. This is actually getting worse than my wine addiction in some ways. *sigh*

BUT I digress....

Yesterday: Dogfish Head Aprihop, Corsendonk Abby Pale Ale.

Corsendonk is one of my favorites, its beautiful champagne pop followed by its excellent apple and pear smells. Its not quite as sweet as some other belgians of its style, which is a good thing for me. Also, years ago Corsendonk was my first serious introduction into "good" beers... so there is that nostalgia factor.

The aprihop is good, although not one of Dogfish Heads best in my opinion. Definately nice crisp hop flavor, but the hops arent so prominent that it obscures the apricot. A good beer for sure, but I would say it would be a better value if it was in the 6 pack rather than the 4. Then again, thats probably just my habit talking.

[JPW]

I've been on a Victory kick. Just made the seasonal switchover from the Hop Devil IPA to the Prima pils.

Everyone must try the pils at least once. You'll see what I mean by "WOW" when you do.

[TongoRad]

For whatever reason I can only get the Victory Hop Devil and Golden Monkey by me, and I do like them both. Fortunately for me, my sister lives in Bethlehem, PA- so I called her up last week and asked her to bring a case of the Prima Pils to our Kentucky Derby party, which of course she said would be no problem. I don't know what took me so long to tap that resourse but, hey, at least now I'll finally get to try the Prima

Last night I had Redhook IPA (Ballard Bitter)- it was OK, nothing special- and Sierra Nevada Porter- still great, this beer has not lost a step at all.

[BrentKulman]

I've been on a Victory kick. Just made the seasonal switchover from the Hop Devil IPA to the Prima pils.

Everyone must try the pils at least once. You'll see what I mean by "WOW" when you do.

This week, Victory launched their beers into the North Carolina market, offering the Prima Pils, the All Malt Lager and their Wit. Unfortunately, we still have a 6% abv restriction (although the legislature is in the midst of deciding to change that law) so none of the higher gravity beers can be sold here.

Really enjoyed the Prima Pils - terrific example of the style.

[BrentKulman]

Since today is 5/5, that can only mean it is time to take a look at Stone's Vertical Epic from 4/4/04.

It's drinking very nicely, and I'm not a big tripel fan:

Appearance: Pours a hazy, honey colored body with lots of tight, tiny white bubbles; a decent head that quickly fades and leaves spotty lacing around the glass

Smell: Lots of aroma; filled with overripe bananas, a touch of clove and coriander and a bit of floral citrus from the kaffir lime leaves

Taste: Starts with a sweet, banana/bubblegum flavor which, after a prolongued wait, is matched by some astringent sour/herbacious notes that are a touch too dominant into the finish; the kaffir lime presents a very interesting twist with its floral tones

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, soft body; modest carbonation

Drinkability: I am not a big tripel fan but this one is particularly good

[john b]

Last night I had Lancaster Brewing Co.'s new IPA, Hop Hog. My first impression was that it was pretty average. Not very hoppy and a bit on the thin side. The hops that were there were one dimensional. It's not the worst IPA I've ever had, but it's certainly nowhere near Hop Devil.

[Susan in FL]

Last night I had Lancaster Brewing Co.'s new IPA, Hop Hog.  My first impression was that it was pretty average.  Not very hoppy and a bit on the thin side.  The hops that were there were one dimensional.  It's not the worst IPA I've ever had, but it's certainly nowhere near Hop Devil.

Always glad to hear about a new IPA...

For me, the best Hop Devil is the standard by which to judge all IPAs.

[Prepcook]

One of my favorite Friday happy hours; drinking Michelob Light from a paper cup, shelling peanuts at the bar and slurping a dozen oysters on the half shell at the Oyster Pub in Daytona Beach.

[jeffc666]

Last night I had Lancaster Brewing Co.'s new IPA, Hop Hog.  My first impression was that it was pretty average.  Not very hoppy and a bit on the thin side.  The hops that were there were one dimensional.  It's not the worst IPA I've ever had, but it's certainly nowhere near Hop Devil.

I have been wanting to try that. My exepectations are not very high as most everythin gi have had from Lancaster Brewing has been a average at best.

As for my favorite IPA, Pelican India Pelican Ale from Pelican Brewing in Pacific City, OR. Unfortunately they stopped bottling this gem recently so no more mail order of it for me.

[john b]

Last night I had Lancaster Brewing Co.'s new IPA, Hop Hog.  My first impression was that it was pretty average.  Not very hoppy and a bit on the thin side.  The hops that were there were one dimensional.  It's not the worst IPA I've ever had, but it's certainly nowhere near Hop Devil.

I have been wanting to try that. My exepectations are not very high as most everythin gi have had from Lancaster Brewing has been a average at best.

I like the milk stout. Their other beers, as you've said, are pretty average.

[Jim]

Since I'm getting ready to brew an Imperial Stout soon to lay down for a few years my brewing partner and I thought we'd sample a few to help us decide on a recipe. We ended up with 4 excellent examples of modern Imperial Stouts and one interesting (alleged) example of Tsarist brewed Imperials.

Harvey’s A LeCoq Imperial Stout
Reputed to be authentic reproduction of the Imperial Stout’s originally brewed by LeCoq, in Tsarist Russia. Perhaps it is, too. Had the 2001 version, an opaque, oily, lightly carbonated brew with a very small head and light carbonation. Sour aromas, including soy sauce, dark fruit, old coffee and dark chocolate. Mouthfilling and slightly oily, sour , fruity flavour. Overall, not my cup of tea at all, but interesting as an example of what the Tsar’s court very likely had before the revolution.

Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout
Pours dark brown with hints of ruby with a tan, bubbly head that dissipates soon; low carbonation level feels just right. Initial aroma of coffee and toasted malts. Relatively low in alcohol at 7%. Thin mouthfeel for an Imperial Stout, more like the draft Guinnes in Ireland, though with tons more flavor, including a strong caramel note and just barely counterbalanced by bitterness. The most quaffable of the Imperial S’s I had today, but also, the least interesting.

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout
This 9.1 % beer pours a high, dense, light tan head that lasts and laces the glass. Initial aromas feature roast malt and – surprise – hops! Light, mouthfeel with a pleasant, prickly hop dimension and highest carbonation level of those tasted today. Spicy hops and roast and caramel malts come through interwoven in the taste, with a pleasing touch of middle sweetness. Virtually not hint of the alcohol and a bitter aftertaste. My favority by a smidge over the Poseiden. The only Imperial Stout I’d have more than one of, for it’s actually refreshing and not a bit cloying.

Fish Tale Poseiden Imperial Stout batch 5
A 10% complex monster from Olympia Washington, this is the first Poseiden not barrel aged. It poured a frothy, huge light brown head that lasted and laced the glass as we slowly polished it off over 90 minutes. Chewy, mouthfeel with a riotous interplay of roast malt, caramel, bitterness, coffee and chocolate all somehow smoothly evolving with nothing sticking out too much. A beer to be sipped slowly on a dark noght.

North Coast Old Rasputin, 9 %
Poured a dense, long lasting light brown head. Quite a dark beer with hints of ruby. Nice balance of roasted barley and hop bitterness. Rather rapid finish. A very pleasant beer, certainly not a session candidate, but, overall rather middle of the pack, like Guinnes on steroids.

Our favorite was a toss-up between Poseidon and Storm King, so we decided to design our recipe to replicate Poseidon for the beer we'll drink after a year and to replicate the hop aroma/flavor for that portion we'll drink after 4 months.

[jeffc666]

...
Fish Tale Poseiden Imperial Stout batch 5
A 10% complex monster from Olympia Washington, this is the first Poseiden not barrel aged.  It poured a frothy, huge light brown head that lasted and laced the glass as we slowly polished it off over 90 minutes.  Chewy, mouthfeel with a riotous interplay of roast malt, caramel, bitterness, coffee and chocolate all somehow smoothly evolving with nothing sticking out too much.  A beer to be sipped slowly on a dark noght. 
...

I loved the earlier batches that were aged in used Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. I was bummed to hear that they stopped aging in wood. Their Barley wine, Leviathan, is better IMO not aged in wood. It did not carry the wood very well, unlike the Imperial Stout. Sounds like I need to find a >= Batch 5 Poseidon.

[jeffc666]

Last night I had my only bottle of Barrel-aged Old Salty from Heavyweight brewing. I absolutely adored this year's regular ld Salty, though the last 4-pack I bought was infected so that tainted my opinion somewhat. Anyhow, the barrel-aged version was quite nice. The wood was subtle but still lent some nice complexities. The palate was fantastic, full and luscious and did not suffer from a vastly thinned or dry syrupy palate as so many big wood-aged beers do.

I had an earlier vintage that had been aged in wood (2002 I think) that was not nearly as good. In fact it tasted like what I imagine dirty aquarium water tastes like! So I was very pleased to not have to experience that again.

[Susan in FL]

I am being reminded of beers I forgot about. Oh how I wish that I could drink at least one of everything discussed here.
Earlier tonight, before dinner, I had an Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA. I'll quote the label... I can't yet come up with this stuff myself, but I'll keep working on it. In the meantime:
"Hop-heads, your dreams have come true! Hot Ottin' is Boontling for 'hard working hops,' and they're surely hard at work in this brew. Hop Ottin' starts with a strong floral aroma, which winds into a deep and complex body. In an intriguing balance, honey-drenched malts coat rich hop undertones. At length, the hops prevail, with a satisfyingly crish finish. Hop Ottin' bites like a can-kicky bluetail (Hop Ottin bites like a rattlesnake looking for a fight)." I agree.
Here's the web site.
Over the weekend, I drank another Old Dominion Spring Brew 2004, which is an Impy Pils. Unexpectantly, and pleasantly suprisingly, it seemed to have improved from last year. It had intense aroma and flavors and still had the big hop punch. It actually tasted more balanced to me now than when we got the case last year... less of an alcohol finish. Tangy, crispy, and clean, it had a nice hoppy finish.
We also had another BBBCS stout float last night.

[helenas]

Last night I had Lancaster Brewing Co.'s new IPA, Hop Hog.  My first impression was that it was pretty average.  Not very hoppy and a bit on the thin side.  The hops that were there were one dimensional.  It's not the worst IPA I've ever had, but it's certainly nowhere near Hop Devil.

Always glad to hear about a new IPA...

For me, the best Hop Devil is the standard by which to judge all IPAs.

i probably keep getting bad Hop Devil as i find it quite underwhelming.
On the other hand i consider Hop Hog quite an interesting IPA: plenty of grapefruit bordering really strong almost guava aroma.
We had a side to side tasting tonight and both preferred Hog to Devil.

Tomorrow i'm planning the comparative tasting of two imperial IPA heavyweights:
Stoudts Double IPA vs Dogfish Head 90 Minute: i'm almost sure which one reigns supreme

Edited by helenas, 09 May 2005 - 07:23 PM.

[Susan in FL]

i probably keep getting bad Hop Devil as i find it quite underwhelming.
.....
Tomorrow i'm planning the comparative tasting of two imperial IPA heavyweights:
Stoudts Double IPA vs Dogfish Head 90 Minute: i'm almost sure which one reigns supreme

It could be that you have gotten bad Hop Devil. When we were in Delaware to sell our house up there about a year ago, we went to "our" package store and bought some Hop Devil, which was really good. But also, the owner gave us a case which was past the fresh date at no charge. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good. If you ever get the chance, go to the brewpub and have one from the tap. Oh my... one of the times I did that, it was the best beer of my life. I still remember it vividly.

Can't wait to hear about your tasting tomorrow!

[jeffc666]

Over the weekend, I drank another Old Dominion Spring Brew 2004, which is an Impy Pils.  Unexpectantly, and pleasantly suprisingly, it seemed to have improved from last year.  It had intense aroma and flavors and still had the big hop punch.  It actually tasted more balanced to me now than when we got the case last year...  less of an alcohol finish.  Tangy, crispy, and clean, it had a nice hoppy finish.
We also had another BBBCS stout float last night.

This year's OD Spring Brew was amazing. I am in fact drinking my last one right now. The recipe was the same but they dry-hopped it this year and as a result it is stunningly good. Its just dripping with noble hops. mmmmm

[Susan in FL]

This year's OD Spring Brew was amazing. I am in fact drinking my last one right now. The recipe was the same but they dry-hopped it this year and as a result it is stunningly good. Its just dripping with noble hops. mmmmm

I'm so glad you mentioned that. There is a chance of my husband going up north in June and could look for some. Do you think there would still be any available anywhere?

[suzilightning]

today was a trip to restock my other vices and to add to the growing bottles for trying so, in an attempt to be scientific, i picked up an Otter Creek Middlebury Ale and Stovepipe Porter.

i tried the ale first after i had mowed the lawn and finished the raking. light and not too frothy. when i opened the bottle i had the sensation of berries. went down very smoothly and while nicely hopped it wasn't overly done. the stovepipe porter - though i do like porters- does seem more like a stout than a porter to me. dark, rich and sweet to my taste. not as bad as a guiness but i'm thinking johnnybird will be taking the other bottles down the shore with him....

[helenas]

Stoudts Double IPA vs Dogfish Head 90 Minute: i'm almost sure which one reigns supreme

what can i say - same league, but as much as i love to hate Dogfish Head, this one is a winner: in terms of aroma and very long finish.

but you know what - these days i always have some Red Seal in my fridge

[Nick Soapdish]

st ambroise oatmeal stout and denison's weissbier

ns

[RobStagis]

Well, I found some Ommegang Rare Vos in the 'bargain' section (really, a shopping cart pushed to the side) in my local package store. I liked it a lot - and it totally changed characcter as it warmed in my glass. THEN I read an article where Ommegang's brewmaster called it their flagship product - how difficult it was to get right and how 'spensive it was. Heh - I remembered that the bargain cart held more - so I went back and bought 'em out - for less than a buck apiece!

[jeffc666]

This year's OD Spring Brew was amazing. I am in fact drinking my last one right now. The recipe was the same but they dry-hopped it this year and as a result it is stunningly good. Its just dripping with noble hops. mmmmm

I'm so glad you mentioned that. There is a chance of my husband going up north in June and could look for some. Do you think there would still be any available anywhere?

It is still around on most of the store shelves I have seen. There might still be some around in June. Where is he going? If he is in the DC area the Northern VA suburbs are probably the best place to look.

[jeffc666]

Well, I found some Ommegang Rare Vos in the 'bargain' section (really, a shopping cart pushed to the side) in my local package store.  I liked it a lot - and it totally changed characcter as it warmed in my glass.  THEN I read an article where Ommegang's brewmaster called it their flagship product - how difficult it was to get right and how 'spensive it was.  Heh - I remembered that the bargain cart held more - so I went back and bought 'em out - for less than a buck apiece!

Wow a buck a pop for Rare Vos. That is really good deal. It should age well so unless it has been subject to some major temperature abuse it should all still be good.

I would however consider their Belgian Stong Ale which is named Ommegang their flagship product. They are actually owned by Moortgat (same folks that brew Duvel and Maredsous) so they have some good lineage.