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

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.

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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.

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Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout

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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

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

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.

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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

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

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

 

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

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