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Russian River Brewing Company STS Pils – Pilsener at 5.35% ABV | 33 IBU

Russian River Brewing Company STS Pils Pilsener at 5.35% ABV | 33 IBU (US$5.45 at Russian River Brewing Company, 510 ml, packaged on 5-Jun-2017, acquired 18-Jun-2017, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: clear pale straw with one fat finger of fluffy white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grass, crackery malt, light citrus and floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light peppery spice. (8/10) Light body, moderate carbonation, dry crisp slightly peppery finish. (4/5)

I’m not a big fan of Pilseners in general, because I usually find them pretty boring. This one, however, is quite hoppy – perhaps too much so for a Pilsener purist. However, since I’m not a Pilsener purist, and am an unrepentant hophead, it works just fine for me! It’s still noble hops, of course, but they’re emphatic, on a clean crackery malt base, and finishes bone dry and crisp. Really quite good, and very refreshing. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Russian River 2017-06-18

So, I finally made the pilgrimage to Russian River. In order to maximize my bang for my buck (so to speak) I decided that I would limit my draft beers to ones that weren’t available in bottles. A very enjoyable afternoon ensued, and I have to say: the hype seems to be validated. (I say “seems to be” because I still haven’t tried Pliny, Blind Pig, Consecration, or Supplication – but will, shortly.)

Dribble Belt 1.045 OG 4.50% Hoppy Session Ale – 8/10

Clear pale straw with a short white head, light soapy lacing (3/5). Resiny pine, citrus, stone fruit, light tropical fruit (9/10). Moderate sweet, moderate high bitter (9/10). Medium-light body tending slightly watery, clean moderate bitter finish (3/5). Really bright and pleasant with a nose that’s all hops and no malt, but very easy drinking. Drops off watery somewhat rapidly and definitely not one to let warm up. Totally crushable. (16/20)

Happy Hops 1.053 OG 5.50% Pale Ale – 7.5/10

Clear pale gold with a short white head, moderate soapy lacing (3/5). Mild aroma, tropical fruit, pale malt, floral, citrus (8/10). Moderate sweet, moderate bitter (8/10). Medium-light body, clean moderate bitter finish (4/5). Not as bright and hop-dominant as Dribble Belt, but on the other hand, the malt presence prevents the body from dropping off in the same fashion. Not quite as crushable, perhaps, but still a very good beer. (15/20)

Row 2, Hill 56 1.055 OG 5.80% Simcoe Hop Pale Ale – 8.5/10

Clear pale gold with a short white head, light soapy lacing (3/5). Resiny pine, citrus, caramel, tropical fruit (9/10). Moderate sweet, moderate high bitter (9/10). Medium-light body, clean moderate bitter finish (4/5). Really nice! Takes all the good bits from each of the prior two, and none of the shortcomings. The bigger malt bill means it doesn’t fall off the same way Dribble Belt does, but the hop profile is much brighter than Happy Hops. This is a seriously good APA, among the best I’ve ever had. (17/20)

Salvation 1.076 OG 6.75% Strong Dark Ale – 7.5/10

Clear amber-brown with a short creamy light beige head, minimal stringy lacing (3/5). Mild dark dried fruit, cherries, raisins & figs, brown sugar, toasty malt, earth (8/10). Moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (8/10). Medium-full slightly slick body, mild bitter & warming finish (4/10). Solid BSDA, but very slightly understated, particularly on the nose. Definitely authentically Belgian, comparable to the various offerings I’ve had out of Quebec. (15/20)

Tempo Change 1.064 OG 7.00% India Pale Ale – 8.5/10

Cloudy, nearly opaque pale gold with a short white head, light soapy lacing (3/5). Juicy citrus, resiny pine, pale malt, tropical fruit (9/10). Moderate sweet, moderate high bitter (9/10). Medium body, clean moderate bitter finish (4/5). Hell yeah! RR does an NE/IPA! Bright and juicy, with a clean malt backbone that supports without intruding. (17/20)

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Microbrasserie Le Bilboquet La Coup de Canon – American Stout at 5% ABV | 70 IBU

Microbrasserie Le Bilboquet La Coup de Canon American Stout at 5% ABV | 70 IBU (C$6.95 at J. Webb Wine Merchant, 500 ml, packaged on 18-May-2017, acquired 30-Apr-2017, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: nearly opaque black with brown relief at the margins, two fingers of fluffy beige head, excellent retention and lacing. (5/5) Aroma: coffee, anise, cacao, nuts, hint of vanilla, slight roasted ash. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Medium-full body, soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)

Surprise, surprise, another decent offering from a Quebec brewery. Initially really nice on the front end, with a very pleasant combination of coffee, liquorice, and chocolate, but as the pint progresses and warms, the aromas and finish do tend slightly astringent, with a somewhat overextracted note to the coffee. In my experience that seems to be a common fault with coffee beers, and one that this beer has not entirely avoided. Still and all, a solid performer. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Microbrasserie Le Bilboquet La Nelligan – Dunkelweizen at 5% ABV

Microbrasserie Le Bilboquet La Nelligan Dunkelweizen at 5% ABV (C$6.95 at J. Webb Wine Merchant, 500 ml, packaged on 1-Apr-2017, acquired 30-Apr-2017, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: clear brown with two fingers of rocky beige head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark molasses, banana bread, mild nuttiness, faint earth and leafy weed. (8/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Medium body, soft carbonation, off-dry medium duration finish. (4/5)

This is seriously interesting: I don’t think I’ve ever had a beer that was so malt-intense, yet not sweet. It’s like drinking blackstrap molasses: huge dark malt character, but very little sugar. I’m a serious hophead, but this, with essentially zero hop character, is totally my cup of tea. Give it a shot if you can. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller Domino Real Estate – Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 8.1% ABV

Mikkeller Domino Real Estate Belgian Golden Strong Ale at 8.1% ABV (C$6.00 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 330 ml, best before 12-Jul-2017, acquired 17-Dec-2016, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with one fat finger of rocky ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: floral, candi sugar, pome and stone fruit, spices, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate-low carbonation, sweetish warming finish. (4/5)

Now this – Mikkel’s apparently random naming scheme notwithstanding – is all right. Quite a decent Belgian Strong… Golden… Pale… whatever! I can say with certainty it’s not dark. It’s strong. It’s Belgian. It’s golden. You figure it out. I like it. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller Domino White Lung – Kölsch at 6.7% ABV

Mikkeller Domino White Lung – Kölsch at 6.7% ABV (C$6.00 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 330 ml,course content best before 12-Jul-2017, acquired 17-Dec-2016, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: clear pale to medium gold with one fat finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bready malt, light citrus, tropical fruit, hint of stone fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short duration finish. (3/5)

This one makes me wonder whether Mikkel not only names the beers by picking words at random, but whether he decides what style name to hang on it that way, too – after he brews it. I mean, come on, how the heck is this a Kölsch? It’s too dark, too heavy, too boozy, too pretty much everything. This is a Kölsch the way I’m a gentleman – which is to say, not even close. As one of my profs once told me, “I was torn between giving you an A for original content and an F for following the course content, so I split the difference and gave you a C – don’t appeal it.” (I quoted Metallica in a Philosophy exam I wrote while drunk. I think Mikkel was drunk when he named this.) (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller Mikkelerberger – American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV

Mikkeller Mikkelerberger American Pale Ale at 5.2% ABV (C$5.80 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 330 ml, best before 13-Jul-2017, acquired 17-Dec-2016, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with three fingers of loose off-white head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: mild, citrus, doughy wheat, pine, floral and green leaves. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (3/5)

I guess I’ve got to damn this with faint praise: it’s not bad. It’s a bit muddled, and busy, and lacking focus, but it’s not bad. Don’t get me wrong: I’ll always drink anything Mikkeller brews – but I wouldn’t necessarily go looking for this one again. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller / Liu Xiaodong Scent on the Air – Session IPA at 4.6% ABV

Mikkeller / Liu Xiaodong Scent on the Air Session IPA at 4.6% ABV (C$5.80 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 330 ml, best before 12-Oct-2017, acquired 17-Dec-2016, reviewed 17-Jun-2017)

Appearance: hazy deep gold with three fingers (and growing) of fluffy marshmallow ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: slightly funky citrus, yeasty pale malt, floral, pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, smooth off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

I didn’t exactly intend to keep the Mikkeller string going over a second day, but I noticed several in the fridge and figured there’s pretty good odds I’ll be at the Mikkeller bar in San Francisco tomorrow night, so what the hell, let’s see if it makes it to three? Anyway, as far as the beer goes, well… not a runaway success. I’ve had some hoppy Mikkellers in the past that have a truly ridiculous shelf life, but despite coming in four months under the wire on this one, I think it’s faded at least a little. Dunno how old it is, but since I bought it six months ago, it’s at least that. It’s not bad, mind you. I’m not detecting any oats in the aroma, but the mouth feel has the smoothness I associate with a little oat presence, and the overall character is more or less clean, with a slight mustiness that adds an interesting complexity. Gotta say, though, I’m starting to hit my saturation point with merely good Mekkellers. Maybe instead of adding fifty or so seven out of ten beers a year, he could dial things back a bit, and instead add ten or twenty nine out of tens, maybe one or two ten out of tens? (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller Amoeba (Amøbe) – American IPA at 6.5% ABV

Mikkeller Amoeba (Amøbe) American IPA at 6.5% ABV (US$2.99 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, packaged on 2-Dec-2016, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 16-Jun-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with three fingers of loose white head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, resiny pine, leathery funk, pale malt, floral, hint of onion. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter, mild funk. (8/10) Medium-light body, moderate carbonation, crisp bitter and funky finish. (4/5)

I was initially a little surprised, thinking there wasn’t a whole lot of brett character there. After the first sip, though, the retronasal contribution really kicks in, and the funky, leathery aspects start to come to the fore. Another really good Mikkeller beer. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

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Mikkeller Sparks (Gnister) – American Pale Ale at 5.6% ABV

Mikkeller Sparks (Gnister) American Pale Ale at 5.6% ABV (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, packaged on 2-Feb-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 16-Jun-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with three fingers of fluffy ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy and pithy citrus, resiny pine, bready caramel malt, floral, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Medium body, moderate-soft carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)

Fairly big bitterness barely maintains dominance over sweet bready caramel. I’m not suggesting it’s unbalanced, or even tending towards an EPA, but there’s definitely a more emphatic malt presence than I was expecting. Still and all, well-balanced, with a lingering but not overwhelmingly bitter finish. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com