Month: May 2017

Swamp Head Brewery Big Nose American IPA at 7.3% ABV | 50 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 21-Mar-2017, best before 20-Jul-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head that retains well, well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, resiny pine, caramel, tropical fruit, floral, very light diacetyl. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)

I’m always deeply concerned when the label starts off with “crystal clear water”. Seriously? That’s your lede? “We don’t use tainted ingredients”? Well, good, I guess, though it’s a little distressing that you felt it necessary to point it out, and/or that’s the best you’ve got to say. Anyhoo, this is Stump Knocker’s big brother, and in a lot of ways, the familial resemblance is clear. This is a little cleaner, though, and a little more hop-forward – although there’s just the slightest hint of buttery diacetyl I could do without. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Swamp Head Brewery Stump Knocker American Pale Ale at 5.6% ABV | 35 IBU (US$2.29 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: slightly hazy pale amber with one finger of creamy ivory head that retains well, well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: stone fruit, caramel, citrus, tropical and dried fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short mild bitter finish. (3/5)

A little meh-tastic. Slightly dull hops don’t really rise above the somewhat doughy caramel malt. Possible it’s old, I suppose, because there’s no BB on the can. (sigh) Nothing special. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sweetwater Brewing Company Hash Session IPA Session IPA at 4.2% ABV | 55 IBU (US$3.17 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 1-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of fluffy white head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, floral, pale crackery malt, grass. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp mild bitter finish. (4/5)

Some lovely dry hopping gives pleasantly bright hop aromas on the front end, but it drops off rapidly with a crisp, short finish. I guess some might argue that’s entirely the point of a Session IPA? This is basically a ghost beer – once it’s gone, it’s like you didn’t even drink it at all. So… well done… I guess? (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sweetwater Brewing Company Cool Breeze Cucumber Saison Saison at 4.9% ABV (US $3.17 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 1-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 24-May-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: cucumber, doughy wheat, lime, peppercorn, coriander and clove. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, mild bitter, light peppery spice. (7/10) Palate: light body, lively carbonation, dry crisp moderately bitter and slightly spicy finish. (3/5)

Very different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Cucumber leads the way in the aromas, which might seem odd for anybody who hasn’t had gin & tonic with cucumber instead of lime. (I recommend trying it some time if you haven’t!) Through the middle, this is a decent enough Saison, with an appropriately light body and lively carbonation, if a little too emphatic on the spice notes (as so many American Saisons are). Overall, it’s cool and refreshing, and would pair well with a spicy meal. Ultimately, though, it’s a bit too vegetal, both on the nose and in the finish, resulting in a slightly unbalanced bitterness verging on astringent. An interesting change from the everyday, and worth trying for that reason alone, but not one I’m likely to go back to. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Uinta Brewing Hop Nosh American IPA at 7.3% ABV | 82 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 5-May-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: caramel, pine, citrus, grass. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter finish. (4/5)

Definitely an old-sk00l IPA, with a pronounced malt backbone vying with the hops for dominance. Definitely not bright or juicy, but very well done regardless. (And come on: 7+% ABV and 80+ IBU? How is this not a D/IPA?) (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sixpoint Craft Ales Puff American Double / Imperial IPA at 9.8% ABV | 108 IBU (US$3.99 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 20-Apr-2017, best before 19-Aug-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, citrus, melon, caramel, tropical and stone fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, massive bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter finish. (4/5)

Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. I was really looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint. Dank, deep, and complex, with a massive spicy hop bite.  Big caramel sweetness, but appropriately balanced and barely sufficient to stop the huge hops from becoming overwhelming. Puff, puff – but I ain’t passin’. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dogfish Head Brewery Flesh & Blood IPA American IPA at 7.5% ABV | 45 IBU (US$2.99 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 8-Mar-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: clear medium amber with two fat fingers of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: orange juice, resiny pine, caramel malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry short bitter finish. (3/5)

Slightly better than e.g. Funky Buddha’s More Moro, but still not quite what I was hoping for in an orange juice-infused IPA. There’s juicy citrus there, sure, and resiny pine, but it’s just not bright and refreshing. I guess it should come as no surprise that underneath the orange juice, it’s pretty reminiscent of their 60 Minute IPA – which isn’t a criticism by any means, just an observation. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dogfish Head Brewery Sea Quench Ale Gose at 4.9% ABV | 10 IBU (US$2.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 2-Mar-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy straw with two fat fingers of fluffy white head, good retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: lime, wheat, brine, hint of coriander and peppercorns. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, mild bitter, light salt. (8/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, crisp short lightly briny finish. (4/5)

Nice – a crisp and refreshing mildly alcoholic limeade. Heavily dominated by lime (not a criticism!), with only hints of spice, and a lightly salty finish that simultaneously refreshes and invites the next sip. Definitely the kind of summertime beer that goes well with a sunny patio and a lazy afternoon. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Sixpoint Craft Ales Sweet Action Cream Ale at 5.2% ABV | 34 IBU (US$2.29 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, best before 7-Dec-2016, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 23-May-2017)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one finger of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: floral, caramel, resin. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (4/5)

Definitely one of the best Cream Ales I’ve ever had. Scratch, that, I checked: it’s the best example of the style I’ve ever had. Mostly because of the larger-than-normal hop presence, of course. Unlike most Cream Ales, this one has a significant hop presence, pretty evenly balanced against the sweet malt in intensity. Not a whole lot happening, but very easy drinking. Definitely would not say no to another. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Funky Buddha Brewery Hop Stimulator American Double / Imperial IPA at 9.5% ABV | 75 IBU (US$3.49 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, bottle date 22-Feb-2017, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 22-May-2017)

Appearance: hazy medium amber with two fingers of fluffy ivory head, excellent retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: resiny pine, caramel, citrus, tropical fruit, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, sweetish lingering and building bitter warming finish. (4/5)

Well, I have to say, I was skeptical: when you do multiple A/IPAs that are 7% ABV and 80 IBU, that doesn’t seem to leave a lot of room at the top: “Really,” one wonders, “how much bigger can their DIPA be?” And the funny thing is, the IBU rating for this is actually lower than the past two of their A/IPAs I tried, so, ummm…? Well, be that as it may, this feels bigger. Perhaps due to the higher ABV, or maybe just due to the hop selection, the hop presence here is emphatic right at decapping, and doesn’t let up. Big caramel hops try to challenge the hop dominance, but fail, albeit providing the right amount of support. The ABV is also fairly emphatic, coming through as a slickness in the body, a warming in the finish, and a tendency for the room to get a little fuzzy around the edges. Good stuff. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com