Thursday, March 29, 2012

Kona Island Lager




















The Dirt
Once again living in a place that has winter, I got a little bit of cabin fever in February when it came to my beer choice and decided to give Kona's Island Lager a spin. I'm a big fan of their Pipeline Porter and like some of their other beers, so I was hoping that a tropical brewery might know a thing or two about making a crisp island lager.

Sadly, that wasn't my experience. As I drank the beer it kept reminding me of a Bud Light with a slightly smoother back end. Perhaps it needed a lime, as I found it lacking in flavoring hops and having a bit of a full-feeling middle. I know it's meant to be light, but I found it too light in flavor and a bit heavy on body for its style. That said, I did find that it went better with a spicy salsa.

Worth it?
I bought it on a very good sale in order to try, which is why I didn't buy some of my favorites from Kona. I wish I would have instead bought the Fire Rock Pale Ale, as I recall that being quite tasty and refreshing. However, my friend Nick pointed out that since it was on sale it could have been old, which would impact a lighter beer greatly. That said, I doubt I'd pay full price for it ($8-$9) when I could buy the porter or other beers in that range with far more character.

The Final Word

Monday, March 26, 2012

SPECIAL REVIEW: Real Ale Sisyphus 2008 (AGED: 4 years - bottle)




















The Dirt
"Four years? What the heck were you doing!"

A fair question my friend. Barleywines can be great to age a couple of years, but truth be told, this was somewhat of an accident. I bought this when it was already a year or two old, and should have consumed it then, but wanted to hang onto it for just a bit longer. Before I knew it, I was pulling this out of my wine fridge and going "Oh crap! Need to drink this NOW."

In the end, this "accident" wasn't all that bad. I concluded that I certainly waited far too long, but this made for an interesting experience. First off, this baby was smoooooooth to the n-th degree. That's what four years of hibernation will do - obliterate any unsuspecting hops until there are none left. It was almost too smooth, as the back-end was a bit too subdued - almost stale in a sense. The front half was delicious though, with great barleywine flavor sans the usual bite, and a slight biscuity flavor in the middle. Despite the empty end, the beer left what is best described as a film on the tongue. That may sound nasty, but it was actually kind of interesting, as it was almost sweet. To put it another way, it did not detract from the experience. The beer improved a bit as it warmed up a tad, but letting it sit too long allowed the alcohol to come out way too strong.

Lesson learned: try 1-2 years next time. Leave long-term aging to the Dogfish Head 120 Minute.

NOTE: This review is primarily based on the aging of this specific beer, not for a newly bottled and purchased version of the Sisyphus. Perhaps I'll get there one day.

Worth it?
If I recall, the Sisyphus is a bit pricy. But it is delicious, especially if you like barleywines. I would certainly try this again, but age for only two years versus four.

The Final Word

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Russian River Pliney the Elder




















The Dirt
I've been amazed with how hard it is to get this beer. Then again, with a 100 rating on Beer Advocate, I guess I can understand why. And after having it...twice...I really know why.

Billed by many as the best double IPA out there, I'm always reluctant to crown a beer "best ever". But I can certainly see why many say this, as The Elder is something special. Most double IPAs have intense hops at the front, and then return to normal levels with perhaps some biscuity sweetness on the latter half. The Elder is different in that its intense fresh piney and citrusy hop notes just keep going...and going...and going. Even when it's all gone, the fresh hops are on your tongue for another minute at least. The sensation is almost tingly, or maybe even spicy. It's hops Heaven really, but not in a bitter pucker-face kind of way. It's actually very refreshing with it's medium body, and the alcohol is hidden very well. Perhaps one of the most unique beers I've had, and one of the best too.

As the label says, drink promptly. This is one of the few beers where time is a real enemy, as you want all that fresh hoppiness for the full flavor impact. I read a lot about the possibility of aging The Elder, and concluded it to be a bad idea. There just isn't enough malt, and the intense hops (which is why this beer is special) will only disappear. And use a snifter glass if you've got one, as it'll condense the nose even more.

Worth it?
Yes. Yes and yes. Yes, yes, and yes. In case you're confused: YES. If you love hops, this guy is a must. If you don't like hops, it's cheap enough (or it was for me) to try something like this to reconfirm if you actually don't like hops. I paid a jaw-dropping $4.25 for each Elder. Why did I only buy two? They only had two left.

The Final Word

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine




















The Dirt
A barleywine from Dogfish Head? Sign me up!

You could certainly tell who made this beer, as it clocked in at a healthy 12% ABV. The Olde School also had a "Bad Boy Barleywine" nose on it, making this one big beer. However, the first few sips initially reminded me of the 90 Minute to some degree, with sweet + hops and plenty of alcohol, followed by a barleywine profile. After sitting for a few minutes, and a few more sips, the beer comes more into its own as a full-on barleywine. It could have been a little darker with a tiny bit more barleywine flavor, but that was likely altered by what it took to get this beer as big as it was. Still a very good barleywine that will be all the beer you'll need that night. In other words, not for the faint of heart.

Worth it?
Yes, as barleywines are usually pretty pricey to begin with, and this guy was huge. I still think that Lagunitas' Gnarley Wine is my favorite, and it's a steal, but the Olde School was still very tasty.

The Final Word
 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Sam Adams Griffin's Bow




















The Dirt
Part of the Sam Adams experimental line, Griffin's Bow claims its style as an "oaked blonde barleywine ale". Sounds interesting? Or maybe confusing? Yes, and yes. It certainly has the oak flavor down, especially at the front end, but I only tasted a hint of barleywine before it fades to a blonde and then nothing at all. It could almost be labeled as a weak oaked trippel or high-octane pale.I liked it more after it sat for a few minutes, but then it really lost all association with a barleywine in my opinion. I guess when you drink this, just forget the label and drink it for what it is: an oaked double ale of some sort. If you let it warm too much, the oak flavor gets really strong, so either drink quickly or share (I suggest share...it's a bit potent to drink quickly). I also recommend a hearty meal to go with it.

I struggled to rate Griffin's Bow. For me it's a 3 if blindfolded, 2.5 after reading the label.

Worth it?
It was fun...a bit confusing, but fun. I doubt I'd buy again, but if you like trying oaked beers, this might be a good try. I find it hard to get past the absent traditional barleywine flavor though, which is probably unfair, but my taste buds must be directly linked to the part of my brain that handles expectations.

The Final Word