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