Uinta Punk'n Harvest Pumpkin Ale

The Dirt
Pumpkin ales appeared to be all the rage this past fall, which I liked since I am a fan of this seasonal beer. The Punk'n was actually my first beer from Uinta, and it was a darn good one.

The beer had a slight, but delicious smelling nose of pumpkin and spice. It turned out to have a great balance of taste with these two flavors as well. The beer actually had slightly less pumpkin spices than your average pumpkin beer, but only slightly less, and I really appreciated this. This balanced allowed you to taste the pumpkin a little more without being too earthy. The pumpkin and spice were backed up with a nice malty backbone, further adding to its balance.

All told it was crisp on the front-end and medium bodied, with a great pumpkin and spice profile. It's honestly one of the best crafted pumpkin beers I've tasted. It's not as deep and complex as other beer styles, but certainly at the top of the pumpkin ale food chain.

Worth it?
If Uinta is available in your area, they can be a bit pricey. I was fortunate to grab this six-pack on sale, and it was certainly worth it. But even at full price, Punk'n is worth it, especially if you like pumpkin beers.

The Final Word

 

Shiner Wild Hare Pale Ale

The Dirt
I have to admit that I was rather intrigued that Shiner would make a pale ale. It was on sale one week, so I decided to give it a shot.

I prefer pale ales to be one of two things: big floral hops on the front that quickly disappear to a clean finish, or have a light but certainly present hop profile from start to finish, being a refreshing beer. I found the Wild Hare to be neither.

There was a very mild hop flavor up front, but it was pretty hidden. The beer reminded me more of a slightly sweeter amber, which more or less translates into being a generic ale or what some might call a "mild". This is also the case with the color profile, which is too dark for a pale ale in my opinion.

In all honesty, this isn't a bad beer - it's just not what I'd classify as a pale ale. If it were marketed as something else, I'd probably give it higher marks.

Worth it?
Eh, I think I paid $5.99 for the six-pack, so in that respect it was since it wasn't a bad beer. But if you want a true pale ale, I'd try something else.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Fat Jack

The Dirt
Another addition to the quickly growing line of what I call experimental beers from Sam Adams. I love pumpkin beers during the fall, so I was very excited to try this imperial pumpkin ale.

This beer poured a very deep copper color, looking very much like a big pumpkin ale. My first sips reminded me of a non-sweet spiced rum, with noticeable booze and some nutmeg on the back half. As I drank more I could certainly tell there was plenty of pumpkin used. There was a bit of sweet malt 1/3 of the way in, but the taste profile was ending a bit more bitter than I would have liked. Perhaps there was too much booze or maybe even too much pumpkin (gasp!). A bit more malty sweetness would have been ideal for the early drinking of the beer.

I say "early drinking" as it does take a bit of time to consume this bomber, which is a good thing. It became less bitter as time went by and the beer warmed up. But don't let it get too warm, as the spices and booze will come through too much.

Overall the Fat Jack was an interesting and dynamic beer. I recommend enjoying it with a meal, as this too decreases the bitterness or harshness I tasted.

Worth it?
It was a rather affordable bomber. I'd pick Shipyard's Smashed Pumpkin over this, but it's worth a try. I think I'd be a big fan if it had a little more maltiness, but it is a good beer, especially after it warms a bit.

The Final Word

SPECIAL REVIEW: Dogfish Head Midus Touch 2010 (AGED: 2 years - bottle)

The Dirt
Every now and then I get a little too creative, whether it's cooking up a meal or aging a beer. I happened to have an extra Midus Touch lying around for a bit so, having not read anything against aging it, that's what I did. It's 9% alcohol and is similar to a tripel, so why not?

Oh silly me - I wasted a perfectly good Midus Touch that when fresh is a tasty brew (review to come someday). Turns out this beer is about as age-worthy as milk. The nose smelled like strong grape juice, which wasn't surprising given that grapes are used in the beer. But the taste was that of the worst wine you've ever encountered. It was like taking cheap champagne meets store brand grape juice and putting it in your car for all of July before drinking. There was also a nasty gray film on the cap. Needless to say I did not finish this experiment gone horribly wrong. Sorry Sam for wasting one of your perfectly good brews.

Worth it?
The beer, when fresh, is worth it as a treat now and then. But aged? No sir. I regret my decision 110%.

The Final Word

 

Sam Adams Dark Depths

The Dirt
The Dark Depths is another addition to what I call Sam Adams' experimental bomber line. The beer caught my attention with its proclaimed style: Baltic IPA. I love Baltic porters and am a big fan of IPAs, so this was a must try.

And a tale of two beers was indeed the story of this beer. Deep and complex would be the words I would use to describe its character. It starts off like a black IPA, with good upfront hoppiness for the first half of the beer plus some slight maltiness. Then it turns over into Baltic porter territory for the back half, with slight dark chocolate notes and a bit of toasted notes. Once my sip was complete, I noticed that the hops still lingered on my tongue ever so slightly. As the beer warms up it becomes less like an IPA and more like the Baltic porter half - basically a slightly hoppy Baltic porter. The toastiness starts to become more apparent earlier, while the hops become less impactful.

A really well designed beer that has many layers and changes over temps. Perfect in a bomber, as it's not super drinkable though not too much of a task.

Worth it?
Definitely. It was not only a fun try, but a delicious find. Many times I enjoy an experimental beer but don't really have the desire to have again. Not true here. A good fall beer or for the winter time when you want a little more hops.

The Final Word

Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

The Dirt
It's no secret I love everything Deschutes, but that doesn't mean they don't have to prove themselves when they release a new beer. The Chainbreaker was released this summer, and will be a staple of my summers to come for as long as they brew this refreshing brew.

Light in color and crisp subtle wheat profile like a wit with hop levels of a weaker IPA or stronger pale ale, this beer screams refreshment without sacrificing flavor. Although certainly drinkable anytime of the year, its great citrus hop profile combined with wit characteristics makes it the perfect companion to a hot summer day. It's also incredible with spicy food. All in all a very well balanced beer that's refreshing yet layered. Come March it'll make you even more restless for the summer days ahead.

Worth it?
Yes. If you don't like hops, it may not be for you. However, it's on the lower end of an IPA, so it's worth a try if you have a part-time interest in hops. If you're a hop-head, it's not overly hoppy, but will be a nice "session" beer in terms of hops for the summer time.

The Final Word

 

Lakefront Dan Brewed A Baltic Porter

The Dirt
I love drinking beer from my home state (WI). So imagine my surprise when I see "Lakefront" in the bomber room of my favorite liquor store. The excitement multiplied, as the beer was a Baltic porter - one of my favorite beer styles (see my review on New Old Lompac's).

This beer pours a deep beautiful black. It starts out sharp and dry, but finishes smoother - especially after it warms up a tad. That back side has a dark, dry chocolate nibs profile that is delicious after a meal. Was a bit boozy on the front at the start, and the naming convention is a bit odd, but overall this brew was darn tasty and would be ideal on a cold night.

Worth it?
I recall this being rather affordable for the beer style and bomber size. There's a good chance I'll buy again.

The Final Word

SPECIAL REVIEW: The 2012 Great American Beer Festival

The Dirt
Another year, another Great American Beer Festival (GABF) has come and gone. This year, our sixth straight, hosted over 2,700 different beers under one roof. No, I sadly did not drink them all. But there were some stellar beers as usual.

This year did not start off smoothly. Tickets were a fiasco, as GABF switched completely over to Ticketmaster as the provider. Both the members ticket and public ticket offerings experienced technical glitches that frustrated many, including yours truly. Buying through Ticketmaster also meant the end to free pints at the Wynkoop and 2-for-1 at Winter Park on every ticket. But many did not get tickets this year with the public sale selling out in 45 minutes, so I still feel lucky to have gotten tickets regardless of the snafu. That said, I was sad to learn that not all members tickets were for the member's entrance, which grants ticket holders the ability to wait indoors and enter the festival 15 minutes early to get in line. Times be a changing. What didn't change was our battle plan. Two nights of Beerfest: Thursday and Friday.

What's Special
Once the week of Beerfest arrived, all ill feelings had been forgotten. Before I even set foot into the festival, the week started off with a Deschutes tasting 27 floors above downtown Denver. As a lover of all things Deschutes, this was the perfect way to get the party started.

Deschutes brought six beers for tasting, which was about the most delicious six-pack ever assembled. From left to right, top to bottom: Jubelale, Chainbreaker White IPA, Hop Trip, Black Butte XXIV, Conflux No. 1, and The Dissident. Holy wow Batman. The Jubelale is always one of my favorite holiday beers, bringing great caramel notes especially on tap. The Chainbreaker is my new favorite summer beer, while the Hop Trip excited every bit of the hophead in me. The Black Butte XXIV was thick deliciousness, acting like my dessert with so many dark spice and sweet notes. The Conflux No. 1 (a collaboration beer with Hair of The Dog Brewing Company) was like a high octane sour dubbel and might be one of the best beers I've ever had. And last but not least, The Dissident sour satisfied the La Folie lover in me. Good times!

Highlights
Once the festival started it was clear that there were some new beers that were going to wow us. Here is a small subset of what grabbed our palates this year at GABF:

• Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine - this...this is a barleywine ladies and gentlemen. Central Waters is known for their bourbon barrel aging expertise, and they did not disappoint with this beer. The bourbon was a perfect compliment to the black licorice-like malt and hop combo. The aging in the barrels made this big and intense beer as smooth as a baby's bottom.
• New Glarus Enigma - a delicious sour brown ale with tart Wisconsin cherries. I would have had more if the line wasn't one of the longest at the festival.
• Avery sours - even though Avery isn't far away from me, we always stop by for their sours. This year they sported a barrel aged sour brown that was intense, and a softer slightly fruitier sour that was also delicious.

• Stone 2008 Russian Imperial Stout - as some of you may recall, I aged one of these beers for a year and it was amazing. Turns out aging for four years is more than four times better. This beer was epic: smooth, big, chocolatey, and just plain delicious.
• Stone Drink By 11.09.12 IPA - Stone was on fire this year. This was their version of a Pliny the Elder, and it did not disappoint. Incredibly hoppy, but not bitter, and super fresh pine and citrus notes.

• Real Ale Scots Gone Wild - last but not least is what I deemed the best beer of GABF 2012. Who would have thought that a sour scotch ale would be a good idea let alone so delicious? Real Ale did, cementing why they're possibly my favorite brewery in Texas and probably in my top ten overall. Tart, malty, and a bit of oak with a hint of cherry. It was also the beer I had the most of this year. One of the best beers to ever grace my palate.

Once again a very tasty experience. Other breweries of note were Jester King bringing their tasty Boxer's Revenge and Goose Island's bourbon barrel stout. That said, I'm sure happy I live on the Front Range where a massive variety of great beer exists. But it's sure nice to get to experience other beers I cannot get here.

Cap It
GABF 2012 was a bit more crowded, especially on Friday, and the ticket fiasco was not a fun experience. But the beers were as tasty as ever. No real "it beer" for 2012, although all of the sours I had were spot on so I guess everyone is getting more versed in their creation. Next year we're thinking of changing it up by attending the members-only session on Saturday afternoon rather than the Friday night session, but likely still going Thursday. Yup, we're already planning 2013.

The Final Word

Santa Fe Imperial Java Stout

The Dirt
If you don't like coffee, well...wait, how did you survive college?! Anyway, this beer isn't for you. But if you do like the "other" brew (or require it), then this beer was made for you.

I think Santa Fe's Imperial Java Stout is a married couple between an iced mocha coffee and a bad ass imperial stout. In fact, it might have a bit too much of the bean to consume on a regular basis, but awesome if coffee + stout is what you're looking for. But be careful, this is definitely an imperial stout. This fact is well hidden by the coffee profile. It also has a hint of creamy on the back end, which is the stout's way of saying it's still there. Let it get too warm though and it will start to get a bit heavy going down.

Worth it?
This is under $10 for a 6-pack! That's a yes if you're scoring at home. It's actually almost too much of a deal really. They should probably do a 4-pack. Though I'm actually aging a couple right now to see how they turn out.

Also, it's worth a purchase at least once for the can's design. Look at that thing...awesome.

The Final Word

Pyramid Outburst Imperial IPA

The Dirt
I had this beer on tap in Portland a little over a year ago at the Pyramid taphouse. It was certainly enjoyable, so it was a nice surprise to see it in bottles at my local liquor store. Just like the taphouse version, this beer made it clear that it's for hop heads. Equipped with a very sharp hop profile, it came across very dry with heavy pine and almost spicy hops. This is fantastic if you're in the mood for a boatload of hops, which I certainly can be. However, if you're not, this beer can be hard to drink. If it had a bit of biscuity sweetness on the back end, it would be a much more balanced beer. Then again, I doubt that's what it's aiming for. If you're not into hops...stay away. If you are...enjoy my friend.

Worth it?
Not if you don't like hops. If you do, a 6-pack is very well priced. I would be more inclined to buy again if it came in a 4-pack or as a single.

The Final Word

 

Russian River Redemption

The Dirt
The Russian River Redemption is labeled a blonde ale, but this isn't your typical blonde. It's the most full flavored blonde I've had, and I assume this is what a blonde should be versus the typical American versions. Light and refreshing, yet full of flavor, the Redemption looks like a wit and tastes like a pilsner meets Belgian. It's less hoppy than a Belgian pale ale, but has more character than a pils or blonde. The first third of the beer's taste profile is Belgian (clove, bit of funk), then fades to more of the pilsner/blonde profile of light and crisp. Perhaps calling this a "Belgian single" would be a good title.

This beer is an absolutely excellent brew for a hot summer. Be sure to avoid bitter foods (my mistake was a cucumber), but definitely enjoy with spicy food.

Worth it?
I don't recall what I paid for this (it was a single). Whatever it was, it wasn't bad and is totally worth it. So in summary: yes.

The Final Word

 

Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

The Dirt
I've been eagerly waiting for the day to write this review. Quite possibly one of the best beers I've ever had, Central Waters' Bourbon Barrel Stout is what I measure all other bourbon barrel stouts against. It's basically the beer lover's dessert, with a silky dark chocolate and bourbon profile that is smooth as a baby's bottom from start to finish. It gets this silky smooth profile by not having much carbonation, which makes the dark chocolate and bourbon all that more easy to savor. Heck, it's still absolutely smooth and delicious if you let it warm up a bit, though the bourbon will become more pronounced (oops...darn).

Although the bourbon is certainly noticeable no matter what the temp, it's not overpowering in my opinion. It provides a perfect sweetness and a bit of booze to go with the tart dark chocolate elements. Honestly, I wish this beer would never end. Any more of any single element would throw off the delicate balance this beer has, and what it has is perfect.

Worth it?
To me this beer would be worth it at any price. Amazingly, it's like $7 for a 4-pack. It doesn't get much more awesome than that folks. Sadly it is only available in Wisconsin (and maybe neighboring states). Road trip anyone?

The Final Word

Sam Adams Alpine Spring

The Dirt
The Alpine Spring was Sam Adam's spring seasonal this year and invoked memories of the old While Ale that used to occupy this seasonal slot (oh how I miss you White Ale). The Alpine is an unfiltered lager that is like a pale ale meets unfiltered wheat. It is similar to the Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat in some respects, but without the sweetness and the hops are a bit more pronounced. It is very refreshing but full of flavor being unfiltered. One can taste a hint of orange rinds as the citrus aspect of the beer, though some spices such as coriander could have been a nice addition. The unfiltered nature does make this beer a bit heavier than most spring beers, but is still a medium-bodied brew that goes down easy.

Overall, a very smooth and balanced beer that is quite delicious. Although it's not the White Ale, it's probably the closest thing Sam Adams is going to make, and it's darn good. NOTE: Be sure to leave a little bit of beer at the bottom of the bottle to swirl before finishing the pour, as there's some extra goodness at the bottom to make the beer even better.

Worth it?
Definitely a good spring beer, or even a summer beer for that matter. I had it as part of a mix pack, but could certainly see myself buying a sixer or grabbing a pint when out on the town.

The Final Word

Dogfish Head Chicory Stout

The Dirt
Chicory is a stout is made with Mexican coffee, but it operated much more like a black lager to me. It had nice earthy notes on the front half, with slight tastes of coffee combined with a small bite (not really spicy, but sharp). There were slight smokey notes as well, but not really smoked.

I say the beer seemed more like a black lager because the flavor profile subsides dramatically after about half of the way through your sip. This is a characteristic I have experienced with many black lagers, and why some people do not like them as much compared to a stout, porter, or even a brown. Although in this case, there is a small hint of coffee that remains. You do get the coffee and some chocolate notes to be more present when you "slurp" it more, thus releasing more of the profile (kind of like wine tasting). But in the end, I would have liked to see a bit more bite (hops, alcohol, etc.). That said, still an enjoyable beer, just not one of my favorites from Dogfish.

Worth it?
I wouldn't buy a 4-pack of this (I bought a single for under $2), and probably won't purchase again. But if you have more of a nose for coffee, you might get more flavor out of this than I did. And if you're a fan of Dogfish, buying a single of this is worth a try.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Mighty Oak Ale

The Dirt
I honestly had low expectations for this beer. I was prepared for too much oak, not enough oak...but it ended up being delicious and well-rounded. The oak balanced very well with the sweet maltiness of the beer. It was kind of like a scotch ale, but with oak instead of peat. It had a very smooth finish that left a slightly sweet oak taste lingering on your tongue. Both tasty and drinkable.

Worth it?
It was part of a pretty stellar spring mix pack this year. I probably wouldn't buy a full 6-pack of it (oak is best in moderation), but certainly enjoyed the two that came in the pack and would buy on tap if available.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Chocolate Bock

The Dirt

Once a hard to find beer from Sam Adams, but now available in the winter variety pack, the chocolate bock is simply delicious. It reminds me of a semi-sweet chocolate chip muffin, and is a perfect after dinner beer. Silky smooth dark chocolate makes up the front of this beer, with a malty bock center, and finishing with a semi-sweet chocolate profile. It pours looking like a Shiner Bock, but when settled in the glass it's a very dark brown to black. You won't see much of a head on this beer, as it's low in carbonation, but that makes it even smoother and works perfectly with the chocolate.

Worth it?

I love the winter variety pack, and the chocolate bock makes it even better. It also helps that it replaced the infamous cranberry lambic. So, yes.

The Final Word

Rockyard Bourbon Strike Stout

The Dirt
Ever wondered what a spiked oatmeal chocolate chip cookie would be like? Me neither, but that's what this guy reminded me of, and it was delicious. The combination of an oatmeal stout and aging in bourbon barrels made for a unique flavor profile, which at times almost tasted like toffee as well. The front end displays more of the stout, followed by the bourbon, but then quickly balanced by a sweet and oaty-ness of the oatmeal. It then finishes with a caramel bourbon flavor when it's all said and done. With all that flavor, it's certainly a dessert time beer, although it's not as heavy as you might expect which makes it rather drinkable. It could have used a little more alcohol to cut some of the sweetness, but overall was a very delicious experience.

Worth it?
Indeed it was. Not something I would drink too often, but will look forward to having it every once in a while.

The Final Word

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

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

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

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

 

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

Sam Adams The Vixen

The Dirt
Easily the best beer in the Sam Adams experimental lineup, The Vixen is a chocolate chili bock. Now if there's one beer style I do not usually drink, its chili beers. I appreciate them, but usually cannot drink more than a sampler worth. They usually have just too much of a focus on the chili, but The Vixen has the balance done perfectly. The chili coupled with the chocolate makes the beer almost have an ancho chili chocolate pie like profile, making it very drinkable.

The beer is mostly dominated with the very smooth chocolate flavor, especially up-front. The chili comes in slightly at the end, giving just a hint of bite on the tongue. This perfect pairing makes for a chili beer that I was able to drink not only a glass-full, but an entire bomber worth. It makes for a good after-dinner sipping beer on a cold evening. So I guess it's aptly named: smooth, good body, and a hint of spice.

Worth it?
Simply, yes. If you're like me and love chocolate beers but do not typically care for chili beers, this is a great way to hit both sides of the spectrum. It's basically an alteration to the regular Sam Adams Chocolate Bock (to be reviewed soon).

The Final Word