RyansBooze

Brouwerij Bosteels DeuS Brut des Flandres Bière de Champagne at 11.5% ABV (C$20.61 at NLC Stavanger, 750 ml, best before 1-Jun-2016, reviewed 12-Feb-2016)

Appearance: clear pale gold with a tall white head that diminishes rapidly to one finger with good retention and lacing. (4/5) Aroma: apples and pears, spices, white grape must. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: light body, high to lively carbonation, off-dry crisp and lightly tart moderately warming finish. (4/5)

Pretty easy drinking for a massive ABV beast, buoyed by a lively carbonation. I see the champagne comparisons, but unfortunately I think there’s an element of it showing its age (again – the last Bière de Champagne I tried was well past its best-before). Even though it’s four months before its BB date, I think the cidery apple has gone a touch brown, and I can’t help but think this would be nicer – crisper and cleaner – were it fresher. But hey! It’s a 1001 beer, from my local distributor? I don’t remember the last time that happened! (15/20)

My 218th from the 2010 Edition (207th from the 2013 edition), and 229th combining both editions.

7.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dogfish Head Brewery Palo Santo Marron American Strong Ale at 12% ABV (US$6.12 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 12-Feb-2016)

Appearance: inky unrelieved black with a short fine light beige head that diminishes rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: boozy dried fruit, dark malt, woody perfume. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: full slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, lingering sticky and warm (verging on hot) finish. (4/5)

I have no idea what the cryptic date code on the bottle (“2395 B2 0616”) means. Obviously it isn’t a brew date in June of 2016, and hot as it is I can’t see that being a BB, so your guess is as good as mine. Flavourful and hot, a slow sipper that opens as it warms. Calling it an “American Strong Ale” here, but it’s got a lot in common with Quads/Abts. About as subtle as ‘arf a brick in the teeth, but boozy good fun. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Old Yale Brewing Co. Sasquatch Stout Stout at 5% ABV (C$5.99 at Quarry Park Co-Op, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 11-Feb-2016)

Appearance: opaque black with brown margins, two fingers of rocky light beige head, moderate retention and minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark roast malt, grassy hops, earth. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly to the watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration mild bitter and lightly tart finish. (3/5)

Another less than memorable BC stout. It’s not great, nor is it terrible: it’s OK. Not sure why it’s won awards, to be honest, but hey, if it works for you, have at it. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bad Tattoo Brewing Full Sleeve Strong Stout Irish Dry Stout at 5.5% ABV (C$4.58 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, bottle date 1-Jul-2015, reviewed 11-Feb-2016)

Appearance: opaque black with brown margins, one finger of fluffy light beige head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark roast malt, grassy and lightly floral hop, earth. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly to the watery, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration mild bitter and lightly metallic finish. (3/5)

Nothing too memorable on the positive or negative side – straightforward Dry Irish Stout. Try it if you’re in the mood for that style, I guess? And if you ask me, that brewery name is a bit on the nose, given the prevalence of such among both craft brewers and their customers. Hell, you might as well call yourselves “Hipster Beard” or “Lumberjack Shirt”… Hold on, I need to go register a couple of trademarks… (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

8 Wired Brewing Company C4 Double Coffee Brown Ale American Brown Ale at 8% ABV (C$11.30 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 500 ml, best before 14-Dec-2016, reviewed 10-Feb-2016)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of fluffy light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: coffee, caramel, light vanilla, bready yeast, floral and peppery hops. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, lively to moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter and light tart finish. (3/5)

Again with the unexpected tartness in a coffee beer? I don’t know what they’re doing in New Zealand, but presumably it’s not an age issue, since they (Hallelujah! Finally!) put a BB date on the bottle. There is a small amount of hop profile present here, but it’s largely washed out by the coffee. Once again, I’m not all that thrilled with the coffee, though – it’s coming through as watered down and acrid, instead of smooth and rich (like e.g. Brunch Weasel). Somewhat surprisingly, it’s a bit better balanced than their coffee stout, but it’s still not what I would consider their best work. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

8 Wired Brewing Company Flat White Milk / Sweet Stout at 5.5% ABV (C$10.70 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 500 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 10-Feb-2016)

Appearance: opaque black with brown margins, one finger of fluffy light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: espresso, lactose, light chocolate and roasty notes. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly to the watery, lively to moderate carbonation, medium duration building bitter and light tart finish. (3/5)

Not really what I was expecting. Yes, there’s a little lactose milky sweetness in it, but there’s also a surprising tart note – and though I’m a big fan of sours, that just doesn’t belong in this style. The body is also surprisingly light and thing, buoyed by a higher than expected carbonation. And the finish, in addition to being marred by the tart note, is less a hop or roasty malt bitterness, and more an over-extracted espresso bean one. A bit of a mess, at least as far as adherence to the style goes. And to be brutally honest, I’m liking it less as the pint progresses. Not one of their better offerings. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout American Double / Imperial Stout at 10% ABV (US$3.15 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 9-Feb-2016)

Appearance: opaque black with only the merest hint of relief around the margins, one finger of medium dense light beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: chocolate, coffee and dark roast malt notes, liquorice, light metallic. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, bitter and mildly warming finish. (4/5)

Black? Check. Chocolate? Check. Stout? Check. Well, that’s that, then, isn’t it? Oh, you wanted more? OK, well, it starts off with heavy chocolate and not much else, but eventually that settles down and some dark roasty notes come through. Unfortunately, so does a light metallic tinge, particularly on the tongue. It’s not terrible, by any means, but I’ve definitely had better chocolate stouts. On the up side, the double-digit ABV is barely noticeable and really only presents as a mild warming. (14/20)

My 217th from the 2010 Edition (206th from the 2013 edition), and 228th combining both editions.

7/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com