Sam Adams Bonfire Rauchbier

The Dirt
Smoked beers are...interesting. I always can respect a smoked beer when it's clear that it was actually smoked versus adding liquid smoke. However, it's usually so present in all aspects of the beer that it makes it difficult to consume more than a large sampler worth. So when Sam Adams decided to release a smoked beer, I was surprised and intrigued.

As with all smoked beers for me, the smoke flavor did overpower the rest of this beer. That said, this is probably the most drinkable smoked beer I've ever had. I couldn't drink more than one bottle, but was able to comfortably consume all 12 oz. "Bonfire" is certainly an appropriate name, as you do feel like you're by the fire. The smoke flavor is very present on the first sip, but does mellow out some as you drink on. I found that it's quite good with spicy food, especially chips and salsa. The salsa seems to cut the smoke a bit, or perhaps compliments it in a chipotle kind of way. There are some caramel tones in the beer as well, but they're hard to find in the smoke (no pun intended).

Worth it?
I wouldn't buy it again, but if you want to try a smoked beer for the first time or like smoked beers but want something a bit more drinkable, then this is a very good option. It came in the fall mix pack, and I'm sure you can find a single of it here and there.

The Final Word

Bristol Red Rocket Pale Ale

The Dirt
A large degree of variance exists in American pale ales these days. From flirting with IPAs to flirting with pure boredom, the style can be all over the place it seems. Not my favorite of styles, but I typically go for a pale when I don't want the in-your-face hop storm and fullness of an IPA. Red Rocket provides just that - a hoppy but refreshing beer. The hops are certainly present, as the Red Rocket approaches IPA-dom, but they don't overpower and there isn't any biscuity sweetness on the back end. The initial hit is more piney/floral in nature rather than pure bitterness, and it fades somewhat quickly to clean and smooth hop notes. The body is somewhat light, but doesn't make it feel like you're drinking water. Quite honestly when I think of what an American pale ale should do, the Red Rocket does it quite well. If you like hops, but don't want an IPA and are often disappointed with other pale ales, give the Red Rocket a ride.

Worth it?
Totally - a nice change of pace from IPAs during the summer months. Bought in a mix-pack, but would buy alone or on draft.

The Final Word

Bristol Beehive Honey Wheat

The Dirt
Part of a summer mix pack, the Beehive attempts to be the wheat beer in Bristol's bottled profile. I really like wheat beers, and I yearn for a honey beer to really impress me, but unfortunately this was beer did not meet expectations. You can taste the honey a bit up-front, but it fades to more of a pale ale profile, ending with a dry copper-like taste. The beer is a bit too light for my taste and has a weak back end. The honey, although somewhat detectable, is almost hidden by a slight lemon-like flavor. Perhaps the honey is more wild than I'm used to, but whatever the case, it's not as present as I had hoped.

Worth it?
Perhaps I'll one day buy the sample pack again, as there were some stellar beers in it (reviews to come), but it's unlikely I'd purchase this individually.

The Final Word

SPECIAL REVIEW: Sam Adams Utopias

The Dirt
Extreme beers usually refer to brews with complex tastes accompanied by high alcohol - say 12-18% abv. So what do you get when you multiply extreme by two? Sam Adams Utopias. Released every two years, this beast comes in at a healthy 27% abv. No, that's not a typo folks.

Utopias is a blend of previous batches, with some having been aged for 18 years. They've spent time in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, Spanish Sherry barrels, Madeira casks, and Port barrels from Portugal - all of which give Utopias an unseen level of complexity. It's brewed with champagne yeast, which allows for the high alcohol level. However, it is uncarbonated, allowing it to be stored and saved at room temperature. In fact, it's best served at room temp, and is meant to be saved after opening (besides it's abv, the other reason for this will be clearly revealed below).

Upon opening the mash tun-like bottle and pouring a few ounces, Utopias smells like the world's greatest Ports. Then when you take your first sip - WOW. Your brain tries to write down what your taste buds are screaming, but it can't keep up. After only one sip, it's abundantly clear that this is the most complex thing I've ever tasted. After a few more sips, Sherry and Port appear to make up the front end, while the back has a Cabernet Sauvignon profile - fruity with a hint of dry. Occasionally tastes of cinnamon appear through the barrel-aged flavors, along with maple syrup. Nearing the end of the 4oz. pour, my friend pointed out undertones of dark chocolate, and maybe even hints of a little toffee and raisins. There are a million other flavors that I could not grasp long enough to describe, but together makes for one incredible experience.

What's surprising about Utopias is that the alcohol is not that present. There is a slight tingle on the tongue at first, but otherwise you wouldn't guess that you're drinking 27% alcohol - it's that silky smooth. Also interesting is the Utopias glass that comes free (+ S&H) with the purchase (see below). It was made special for drinking Utopias, and it actually makes a difference. My friend drank from a small snifter glass and noted that the alcohol was present in the nose of the beer, but was not as potent in the Utopias glass. We deduced that the taller and slim design allowed the alcohol to escape, but on the sip would concentrate the flavors to the nose. Meanwhile, the snifter glass's bulb shape trapped it all. That...or the 27% was getting to us and we were completely making that up.

Worth it?
Well, it's a yes-no answer really. If you find it hard to spend more than $7 on a 6-pack, this beer certainly isn't for you. If you shop on the top shelf of the bourbon shelf, then perhaps. As someone who is on a quest to find the best tasting beers in the world, I can't put a price on something like this. But the liquor store sure did - roughly $200 with tax for 750 mL. Yup, that's nearly $8/oz. for those of you keeping score at home. So logically, the answer is no. But this experience isn't about logic - it's about a once-in-a-lifetime experience of something rare and unmatched. So for us, the answer was yes. The fact that I was even able to purchase this was a miracle. Most stores get about two bottles (if your store even gets one), and one usually goes to someone at the store. The last one is either pre-ordered or snatched up very quickly. I happened to see that my local store listed it on their website. That could just mean they've had it before, but when I asked one day after checking out, they said they had one. It was in a locked display case for all to see. My decision was made then and there, and if it happened again...chances are I'd pull the trigger once more.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Octoberfest

The Dirt
As previously noted, I love the fall beer season. Part of my love is derived from Oktoberfest beers, which to me seem like a fuller, more flavorful amber - a true celebration of the harvest. The Sam Adams Octoberfest does just that. Despite having great earthy malt tones, it's not too sweet, yet has lots of great roasted grain flavor. It nicely balances these tones to be full of flavor, yet is crisp like the changing weather. Overall a very good rendition of this wonderful seasonal style.

Worth it?
Oktoberfests are around for only a short period of time before stouts and porters take over the entire shelf. I always like getting the Sam Adams harvest mix pack, which has this in it plus other fall favorites. So in that case, it definitely is, but it certainly is worth a purchase on its own if all you want is a tasty Oktoberfest.

The Final Word

 

SPECIAL REVIEW: The 2011 Great American Beer Festival

The Dirt
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), or simply known as Beerfest amongst those who have attended before, is one of the grandest beer festivals one can attend. Typical beerfests are on a Saturday afternoon and might have a dozen or two breweries on-hand, while GABF is three days with 450+ breweries and 2,000+ beers for 2011. It is held every year in the massive Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. This year marked the 30th Anniversary of GABF, running from Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

What's Special
This year marked the 5th straight GABF that my partners in crime and I have attended, and over the years we've witnessed and established a number of traditions that make GABF even more special than it already is.

Every year legends such as Dogfish Head, Sam Adams, and New Belgium have some of the longest lines at the festival. But no brewery has a longer line than New Glarus (pictured above-left). We make it a point to make New Glarus our first stop each year, and now that we have American Homebrewers Association memberships, that means getting in just before GABF officially opens, allowing us to get in line early. This year's lineup was a bit weaker than in the past, but their Raspberry Tart is one of the finest. It's like eating fresh raspberries, but tart and delicious as a beer.

Dogfish Head is probably a close second to New Glarus' line (pictured above-right). This is likely due to their always outstanding lineup, but also because founder Sam Calagione is back there serving beer (pictured pouring me a beer below-bottom). He is a rockstar in the craft beer world, and it's always a treat to get a sample straight from him.

But Sam isn't the only notable name we see at Beerfest. Over the years we've had the true honor of getting to know John Leinenkugel, one of the three Leinenkugel brothers of the Leinenkugel Brewery (pictured with us above-top). John is a hoot and a great guy who always loves talking beer with us, including what's happening on the Leinenkugel docket. This year John was joined by his brothers Jake and Dick, who too are upstanding guys. And this year's visit with John was extra special, as he presented us with a box of their Russian Imperial Stout signed by him and Jake (see below).

Highlights
It's impossible to try every single beer at GABF - well, if you want to live to tell about them - but that makes for some diamonds in the rough. Here's a list of what stood out at this year's Beerfest:

• Bull & Bush Legend of the Liquid Brain - a delicious imperial stout from a local Denver brewery that is worth a visit on its own. Also gets props for a crazy unique name (see logo below-left).
• Avery Immitis Barrel-Aged Sour Ale - might be one of the best sours I've ever had. What is certain is that this was the best beer I sampled at the festival. The bad news: it was a very limited release.
• Russian River Brown Ale - aged in oak barrels with cherries, this beer filled the void that we all have for New Glarus' Belgian Red - very delicious. Their other offers were quite tasty too, and had a healty line at all times.
• Dad & Dudes Breweria Toffee Porter - the first time I've seen toffee used in a beer, and a porter was the perfect vehicle for it. Kind of wonder why it hasn't been used before. Not something I'd drink often, but was tasty and unique.
• Dogfish Head World Wide Stout - this may be the 120 Minute of dark beers, as it certainly has its alcohol profile (18%).
• Sam Adams LongShot: Derf’s Secret Alt - one of the three beers that attendees can vote on to appear in the LongShot variety pack, this one stood out amongst a very strong showing this year. I believe it won, so be on the lookout for the LongShot 6-pack.

Overall, the Rocky Mountain section probably had the strongest showing, with solid beers from even the smallest and lowest-profile breweries. And if you ever happen to be in Michigan, see if you can get some beer from Shorts Brewery - very good stuff.

Cap It
Overall, Year 5 was one of the best despite being one man down on night two (NOTE: do not drink a growler's worth of barrel-aged imperial ales - you will get sick). This year's most popular styles seemed to be Oktoberfests (makes sense given the time of year), pumpkin beers (including imperial), beers aged over cherries, and barrel-aged beers in general. Needless to say, it was Cloud 9 for our taste buds. And as always, GABF was what I like to call the largest gathering of the happiest people on earth. The countdown to 2012 is already underway.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale

The Dirt
Oh Autumn, how I love you. Tis the season for Oktoberfests, harvest beers, and pumpkin beers. Pumpkin beers? Sounds wrong, doesn't it? But when done right, it is just that - right.

Sam Adams pairs its Oktoberfest beer in its Harvest sampler pack with the Harvest Pumpkin Ale. Looking like an Oktoberfest in the glass, this beer also has those malty tones, but not to the level of an Oktoberfest. This allows the pumpkin to be on display. Upon the sip, pumpkin isn't noticed right away, but emerges after the carbonation settles down in your mouth. Once this happens, it really does taste like real pumpkin - as opposed to a sweet pumpkin pie or pumpkin bars. You can also taste a hint of nutmeg and pumpkin spice in the mix. These elements combined with the malty backbone of the beer makes for a very hearty, balanced, and enjoyable beer on a crisp fall afternoon. My only complaint is that it's a little dry on the back-end, lacking a smooth finish.

Worth it?
As part of Sam Adams' fall sampler, this is a nice treat. I'd even consider buying at least one 6-pack of this during the fall if I didn't buy the sampler. If you want to try a pumpkin beer but don't want to shell out the dough for the Dogfish Head Punkin Ale (the gold standard of pumpkin beers), avoid Buffalo Bill's at all costs and try this guy out.

Final Word

Flying Dog Wild Dog Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter

The Dirt

The world is full of imperial stouts and imperial IPAs, but there seems to be a lacking of imperial porters on the market. Thankfully Flying Dog thought the same thing, and created the Wild Dog.

Although a pretty tame label name compared to some of their other beers, the Wild Dog is properly named, as it is wildly awesome. It pours thick with low carbonation, as if it were a wine. In fact, it reminded me of a fine port in taste and feel, with a medium body for such a thick looking pour. It has a Canadian whiskey profile (it's aged in Colorado whiskey barrels), with an almost dark cherry like tone. I'd highly recommend as an after-dinner beer, especially a spicy dinner. That, and it's strong, so it'll get you ready for bed.

Worth it?

I got this as a gift from my friends Brian and Jill (thanks guys!), so in that case it certainly was worth it. But even if I had to buy it, I have no idea of the cost, but it's worth a pick-up.

The Final Word

BridgePort Summer Squeeze Bright Ale

The Dirt
I've only heard of beers being brewed with lemongrass, but have never tried one until the Summer Squeeze. Brewed with lemongrass and added yuzu fruit juice (an Asian citrus fruit), I was a little hesitant to purchase at first. However, this turned out to be a very light and refreshing brew. On the same level as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, I probably wouldn't be interested in drinking more than one in a single sitting unless I was at the pool or lake on a hot summer day. And that's what this beer is for - to refresh while relaxing in the sun.

Upon the pour you can certainly smell the lemongrass nose, but it's much more subdued in the beer. The first taste you get is actually the citrus of the yuzu (or so I guess since I have no idea what yuzu tastes like), and the lemongrass becomes more pronounced as the beer finishes. I'd almost describe the overall impression of the beer as a wit but with a different citrus profile. To realize more flavor, try in a large snifter glass.

Worth it?
As with the other BridgePort beers I've reviewed recently, I got this on sale for $5.99. Any BridgePort beer is worth $5.99. At full price, there are plenty of other beers I'd try first, but I would consider if I was going to be outside by the water all day.

The Final Word

 

Alaskan Amber

The Dirt
Alaskan is an elusive brewery for someone who doesn't live in the West. I've had the lucky fortune to experience their stuff while in Arizona and California, and now with living in Colorado. The Amber had been one of my favorites to get when traveling, so it was time to finally buy a 6-pack.

As an amber should, this beer has a great deep amber color. Upon first sip it has a nice crisp malty tone that isn't very sweet, which I like in an amber. Subsequent consumption reveals an accompanying dry hop front end. Although I recall it being far more smooth and crisp in my past experiences (I once called it the crispest beer I ever had), it's still a great beer for grilling out and when in the mood for a no-frills traditional beer.

Worth it?
Alaskan can be expensive. I got this on sale for $7.49 a 6-pack, which was a good deal. I used to be willing to pay anything for this beer, as it was so unbelievably crisp and fresh. That profile has subsided a bit, but it's still a tasty brew worth its pennies when on sale or anytime on draft.

Final Word

Boulder Beer Singletrack Copper Ale

The Dirt
Ahhhh, my first review of a Colorado beer since moving here. So why not start with "Colorado's First Microbrewery"! I decided to give their Copper Ale a try, which is an elusive beer style that really isn't a style. It typically lies along the fuzzy line of a Pale Ale and Amber, often getting the distinction of one or the other depending on if it's hoppier or maltier. Every now and then you find one that falls right in the middle, and that is my definition of a perfect Copper Ale. The best I've had was the now extinct BridgePort Pintail, which one day I'll try to make on my own, but that's another story for another day. Every other Copper Ale has fallen flat in the shadow of the Pintail...until the Singletrack.

Upon the first sip I knew this was a winner. I took a bunch of quick sips to make sure the first was true, and it was. A slight floral hop character from the middle to back, with an almost sweetcorn-like sweet throughout - subtle caramel sweet but you know it's there. That subtle sweet balances perfectly with the hop notes, making the beer refreshing and versatile. You could drink it with anything, or by itself - hell, I drank it while eating Goldfish. Regardless, it'll leave you craving another. And to tie it all together, the color is a nice copper tone. I see this becoming a staple in my Colorado beer lineup.

Worth it?
I bought this on-sale at my local liquor store for $6.99, which was certainly worth it. I can't wait to visit the brewery and load up a growler...I hope they fill growlers...

The Final Word

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

The Dirt
Every now and then I encounter a beer that truly pushes the beer-making envelope. Many of those are from Dogfish, and the Palo Santo is one of them. When you drink it, you think you're drinking an imperial stout, but with something else. In fact, it's a brown ale - a crazy brown ale. After brewing, the beer is a high-octane brown at 12% abv, but what really makes this beer different is the aging process. It is placed in a giant tank made of palo santo wood, claimed to be the second densest wood in the world. It also happens to be one of the most aromatic woods as well, and a few weeks of aging gives this beer all kinds of new flavors.

On the first sip, a ton of flavors hit your tongue. The most obvious is a dark chocolate flavor, more pronounced at the end. But after a few drinks an element of vanilla, nutmeg, and other spices start to linger. There's almost a hint of bourbon with all of these flavors coming together. Too many for me to identify them all. A great beer to drink after dinner, and in a snifter glass.

Worth it?
This is definitely one of those beers that you just have to ignore the price tag. A great special occasion or gift purchase...or to indulge. Whatever reason you come up with, it's a good one.

The Final Word

BridgePort Hop Czar Imperial IPA

 

The Dirt

I love hops, so this seemed to be a logical try. At first it doesn't seem that hoppy, but then the dry hopness starts to build until - BAM - you realize you were way off, and this is one hoppy beer. And science proves it, with 87 IBUs.

No real special tasting notes here - just straight hops with a piney character. Very dry beer, so I suggest following it up with something a bit more malty or a wheat beer. Or if with a meal, try a sausage, maybe some corn on the cob, to balance the bitterness and dryness. But if you love hops and their bitterness - this beer is for you.

Worth it?

I got this on special for $5.99 a 6-pack, so I think that answers this question. Regularly $6.99 at my liquor store, which is a deal for a beer coming in at 7.5% ABV. Totally worth it, sale or no sale. However, if you don't like loads of hops...well, you should still buy it, then give it to your buddy who does if you don't like it.

The Final Word

Real Ale Lost Gold IPA

 

The Dirt

Once only available on draft in select bars and restaurants, the Lost Gold IPA is now a mainstay in Real Ale's line. I once had this cask-conditioned, and loved it, so I'm very happy to see it bottled.

The Lost Gold pours a golden color, perhaps a little lighter than your average IPA. Its appearance almost resembles a Dogfish IPA. But don't be fooled, it definitely fits an IPA profile. Over the first few sips, the great dry floral and citrus hop notes dominate, and slide away smoothly at the end of the beer. A hint of biscuitiness is there at the very end as well. Further tasting reveals a slight caramel sweetness amongst the hops. A very balanced beer, with medium body and a perfect helping of hops. Very drinkable, but retains the IPA label.

Worth it?

This may be my favorite year-round Real Ale beer. If you're in the mood for a refreshing IPA, or want to get into IPAs, this is a good start. I can't buy this anymore since I'm no longer in Texas, but will certainly order one whenever I return.

The Final Word

Dogfish Head Squall IPA

The Dirt
Drinking a Dogfish beer is always a treat, especially when you've never had it before. However, this guy will seem strangely familiar if you've had the 90-Minute IPA. From what I could deduce, it seemed like a slightly less carbonated and bit sweeter version of the 90-Minute, which I'm told may be because this beer is bottle conditioned versus aging in a tank.

The brew pours a thick, deep gold color that's cloudy from being unfiltered. It has pine and citrus tones up front, followed by that trademark Dogfish IPA sweet middle. It's not really a malty sweet...kind of its own sweet...like what I'd imagine a candied hop would be like if such a thing existed. Both flavors then merge and slowly wash away on the back end. Like I noted, very similar to the 90-Minute, but I'd have to taste them side-by-side to tell the official differences. I could almost say this one may be a little smoother than the 90-Minute.

Worth it?
First and foremost, this is a delicious beer. However, at $10 for a 750mL bottle, it might be better to buy the 90-Minute 4-pack. I need to have this next to a 90-Minute to compare. But in the end, you'll be quite happy with either purchase.

The Final Word

 

Sam Adams Revolutionary Rye Ale

The Dirt
A recently added beer to the Sam Adams lineup, most recently in the spring variety pack. Unlike some of the other rye beers I've had, rye is the focus of this beer (versus being a pale ale or something). This is clear while drinking, as the spice and grab of the rye lingers throughout the beer. That combined with the traditional ale nature of this beer brings a well balanced brew with a sweet finish. You also get a hint of dry hops in the middle, giving it a bit more character. A very tasty medium bodied brew that's refreshing.

Worth it?
I bought this as part of the spring variety pack, which is always worth it given the other beers that tag along. I've bought this on draft too, and would definitely buy again. A good beer to relax with and to identify the rye difference.

The Final Word

 

Shiner Ruby Redbird

The Dirt
I will admit, when I saw this on the shelf, I frowned a little. But my roommate brought back a couple from a BYOB gathering at Salt Lick, so I thought I'd review something I wouldn't normally buy.

Once poured, you can instantly smell the ginger. After a few sips, you wonder if you're drinking a ginger ale with less fiz and alcohol added in. There's a hint of the grapefruit on the backside of the beer, but isn't too noticeable compared to the ginger. Very dry after the initial ginger taste.

Worth it?
I will always keep an open mind to any beer I try, because some can truly surprise you. But this one lived up to the expectations. It was free for me, and there's another in the fridge. Safe to say, I won't be drinking it. I applaud the creative effort and old college try, but Shiner, please return to crafting tasty renditions of classic German beers.


The Final Word

Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

The Dirt
Rye beers are making a big comeback (or moment in the sun), and with good cause. Rye adds a little spice versus a lot of malty taste. And of course, pale ales are hoppy, so it was interesting to see how these two would play with each other.

This beer got it all right, with the perfect balance of hops and rye. Smooth at first, but the hop and rye flavors fade in quickly. Citrus notes from the hops and the spice of the rye linger on the backside, with a hint of sweet at the end. Just plain tasty and very drinkable. Hop heads (which I am), you may want more hops, but I think that would hide the rye. Although letting a pale ale warm up isn't something I'd recommend, I will say that the rye becomes more present later in the glass, as the beer warms up just a tad. The only way this could get better is if it was made into a double pale or something.

Worth it?
A trick question this time around. A very generous friend gave me of few of these, as they're not available here in Texas. But if you see it somewhere (probably more in the Southeast), I recommend getting one, especially if you like pale ales and want to be introduced to rye.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Scotch Ale

The Dirt
 The Scotch Ale finds itself in many of the Sam Adams sampler packs, and is a great addition. It has that traditional malty sweetness that is part of a scotch ale, with a small hint of peat. It's one of the most drinkable scotch ales I've had, as some can be too sweet, making it hard to have anything else afterward. The downside to that is the flavor may not be as intense or complex. Pretty solid flavor profile from start to finish, though it does get a little flat at the end as it warms up a bit. Very good beer though, and a good entry to scotch ales if you're a bit weary of trying one.

Worth it?
I rarely buy a 6-pack of a Sam Adams beer for the full list price, as they can be a bit pricey. But they usually go on sale at some point, so grab it then to try. I usually get the Scotch Ale in a mix pack, which is always worth it.

The Final Word

 

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen

The Dirt
 Hefeweizens - the tasty brew of the summer months. Sierra Nevada is known for their hoppy beers, so I've been meaning to try their hef to see what they were up to. As with most good hefs, this guy is unfiltered, and thus has a nice cloudy light golden color. Clove hits first on the front-end, then a light banana flavor follows, which gives way to a smooth wheaty sweetness on the finish. Like a cross between a traditional hef and an American hef, meaning the clove and banana flavors are there, but so is the wheaty sweet and hint of lemon. Not overpowering on the clove and banana - fairly well balanced. I recommend swishing it in your mouth in order to get the full flavor profile, otherwise it can appear weak if drank too quickly. Don't forget to leave a little bit of beer left in the bottle to swirl! Some extra flavor is sit'n at the bottom of that bottle.

Worth it?
 When normally priced, this is a bit steep, but when on sale is a great buy. A good hef - definitely nice for a summer day. Guess Sierra Nevada isn't just about the hops.

The Final Word

 

SPECIAL REVIEW: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (AGED: 1.5 years - bottle)

The Dirt
Another accidentally aged beer! And a Russian Imperial Stout no less. I've had one of these un-aged and it was tasty, but like the Stone Russian, the aging mellowed it out. This guy has a little more spicy dark chocolate tone right up front, but smooths out and has great body. As noted, it has become more velvety in texture with age.

Worth it?
The couple of times I've bought this at Spec's it was on sale for like $5 or $6 for a 4-pack. Both times I got the last pack on the shelf. I would have bought more if they were there. If I were forced to pick only one between the Stone and the Brooklyn, I'd have to narrowly pick the Stone. But this guy is definitely worth it, on sale or not.

The Final Word

Real Ale Phoenixx Double ESB

The Dirt
This is one of Real Ale's seasonal releases, which I've had before, but it's been a while. Beautiful color in the glass, with almost an IPA look and feel at first. However, my friend pointed out that the overall taste profile is like that of a barleywine, with that bite of alcohol in the back, but lacking the fennel/black licorice tones that are often present. Overall solid, but I'd suggest trying to age one of these for like a year. I accidentally did this once for 6 months and noticed a nice, more mellow difference.

Worth it?
It's a little raw in my opinion, thus the aging suggestion. Not sure what this is going for in 6-packs these days, but I do recall it being a little pricey. I personally prefer the other Real Ale seasonals, but like any other beer they do, it's quality stuff.

The Final Word

SPECIAL REVIEW: Stone Imperial Russian Stout (AGED: 2 years - bottle)

The Dirt
Aging beer is fun, but tough. It's not about keeping it in the right conditions or anything like that. It's tough because the beers that are best for aging...are the most difficult to put away and avoid drinking for years. Fortunately I hid this one in my wine fridge, and completely forgot about it until 2 years later. Boy did it pay off.

I don't think I've had this beer straight from the store, and I'm sure it would be great, but aging 2 years hit the ball out of the park. It poured dark and thick, which got me excited from the start. At first it had heavy dark chocolate tones and a silky disappearance that left you excited for the next sip. As it warmed up, the beer got a bit more complex, with a mocha dry back end, great malt and roastiness, and eventually a little spice in the middle. But overall it was very smooth and you could tell it mellowed a bit with the aging.

Worth it?
I have no idea what I paid for the 22oz. bomber, probably like $6, and it was more than worth it. And as tough as it was to let it sit, that was WELL worth the wait as well. This may be one of the best beers I've ever had. It had it all, from start to finish, and from cold to warmed. I couldn't get over the smoothness and flavor profiles, as they were intense, but perfectly balanced. I'm going to have to buy a case of this next time and try them over different aging periods...if I can hold myself off from them over time.

The Final Word