Author: dpatrickryan

Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout Russian Imperial Stout at 9% ABV | 75 IBU (C$10.99 at Oak & Vine, 500 ml, packaged on 12-Jan-2016, best before 12-Jan-2020, acquired 31-Jul-2017, reviewed 3-Nov-2017)

Appearance: opaque black with no relief, a fat fluffy medium beige head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, roasted malt, chocolate, dark dried fruit, molasses, coffee, liquorice. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: full slick body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter warming finish. (4/5)

I was quite surprised by how very mild the aroma was, despite my starting with a cellar cool bottle and allowing it to warm before opening. I was further surprised by the first sip, which revealed a relatively high carbonation for the style. That’s  not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, since it prevents this quite heavy brew from becoming cloying.  Overall, quite good, but just not as good as I was expecting/hoping. (15/20)

My 249th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 239th from the 2013 edition, and 263rd combining both editions.

7.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Avery Brewing Co. / Russian River Brewing Company Collaboration Not Litigation (Batch #9) Belgian Strong Ale at 8.9% ABV | 55 IBU (US$9.99 at Specs Main Houston, 650 ml, packaged on 1-Jan-2016, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 2-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear medium amber with one fat finger of fluffy ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: honey, orchard fruit, citrus, bready yeast, coffee/cocoa, cloves. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter warming finish. (4/5)

This is of course very nearly the poster child for feel-good craft beer stories, where two breweries with beers of the same name decide to collaborate instead of litigate. Except, if you ask me, this is kind of averaging elephants and avocados: Avery’s offering is a BSPA, while Russian River’s is a BSDA. “What’s the difference?” you may ask? Well, the difference between Pale and Dark, of course. And obviously, when you blend light and dark, you get something in-between – and that’s precariously close to “middle-of-the-road” for my taste. I’ve had RR’s version by itself, though not Avery’s, but based on a review of my notes and t’internet, it looks to me like Avery is dominating this: RR’s is a full-on Belgian Dark, and though there are elements of that here, they’re definitely far in the background. What I get in the foreground is honey, apples, and pears, none of which are present in the RR contribution.  (Kind of reminds me of Arrogant Bastard, actually, in that there’s a whole bunch going on, that isn’t necessarily all that thematically unified.) Still good fun, but I’m not sure a shared name is a good enough reason to try and make this work. (15/20)

My 248th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, 238th from the 2013 edition, and 262nd combining both editions.

7.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Dogfish Head Brewery Oak Aged Noble Rot Fruit / Vegetable Beer at 9% ABV | 18 IBU (US$15.99 at Specs Main Houston, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 8-Mar-2017, reviewed 2-Nov-2017)

Appearance: clear pale gold with a short, short-lived white head, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: complex, grape must, oak, stone fruit, gooseberry, field berries. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, moderate tart. (9/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry mildly warming and funky finish. (4/5)

I called the original version of this the first hybrid I’ve had that’s worth a damn. Like that one, this is a well-balanced integration of beer character with botrytis-infected Viognier grape must, but with more emphasis on the oak. Really good stuff. (17/20)

8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

The Bruery So Happens It’s Tuesday (2016) American Double / Imperial Stout at 14.7% ABV | 22 IBU (C$25.50 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, packaged on 30-Sep-2016, acquired 13-Dec-2016, reviewed 31-Oct-2017)

Appearance: near opaque black with moderate relief at the margins, a fizzy short-lived loose beige head, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bourbon, cocoa, raisins, molasses, coffee, vanilla, liquorice. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: full slick body, moderate-high carbonation, off-dry lingering and building bitter warming (verging on harsh) finish. (3/5)

Another slightly special one from the cellar – and on a Tuesday, no less. Very big, very hot. The label makes the fairly risible claim that this is “affable” – yeah, about as affable as a kick in the teeth. It would probably be excessively mouth coating and sticky were it not for the surprisingly high carbonation, which is a bit outside spec for the style, but actually not unwelcome. The alcohol is emphatically present, both as the bourbon barrel notes dominating the front end, but also in a finish that would charitably called “warming” (or, less charitably, “harsh”). (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Bellwoods Brewery Bring Out Your Dead (2014) Imperial Stout at 12.2% ABV (C$13.00 via trade – thanks, Chucksahoy!, 500 ml, packaged on 5-Nov-2014, acquired 17-Jul-2015, reviewed 30-Oct-2017)

Appearance: mercilessly black with no hint of relief at the margins, a short, short-lived loose beige head, no lacing. (4/5) Aroma: brandy, dark chocolate, coffee, dates and figs, nuts. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (9/10) Palate: full slick body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering and building bitter and warming finish. (4/5)

Something a little special from the cellar tonight (numbered bottle 1885 of 2100, ooo, fancy!), because fuck it, why not? Like my sticker says, life is short, so you might as well drink the good stuff first, right? And three years is long enough to leave it in the cellar, even if it does leave double digit ABVs well in the rear view mirror. (And, by the way, if the name doesn’t evoke Monty Python for you, you might as well just uncircle me now, because you’re not my kind of people.) This is, by any metric you care to use, a monster: a big, boozy bastard that doesn’t give two shits what you think. That being said, I’ll list my (very short list of) perceived defects, because it’s easier than listing its merits: I’d like to see better head retention/lacing; the carbonation tends slightly high, making the body (in my opinion) feel slightly lighter than it really is; and even three years in, it’s still hot. That’s it. I won’t elucidate any deficiencies in the aroma or flavour, because I think it’s totally personal preference, and someone else might well go higher or lower. I’ve gone on record as saying McAuslan’s St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout is one of the best Canadian beers around – and this is better. This might actually be the very best Canadian Stout that can be had for love or money, despite its extremely reasonable price point. (Well, originally, anyway – I have no idea what it’s doing in the secondary market.) Do what you have to do to get one. (19/20)

9.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery Aurora Heart Chocolate Raspberry Stout Milk / Sweet Stout at 7.1% ABV (C$12.36 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 25-Apr-2017, reviewed 30-Oct-2017)

Appearance: near opaque brown with moderate relief at the margins, three fingers of rocky beige head, good retention and moderately heavy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: raspberry, dark chocolate, cherries, light floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart. (7/10) Palate: medium-full body tending slightly thin, moderate-high carbonation, sweetish mildly tart and lightly warming finish. (3/5)

I’m a little on the fence on this one: yes, it’s raspberry, and yes, the raspberry tastes authentic. Full marks there. And it’s backed up by dark chocolate and more than a hint of dark cherries (maybe Bing, instead of maraschino or Rainier) so no complaints there. But, overall, it just comes across as a little thin, and a little less rich than e.g. The Chocolate Manifesto. Or maybe that’s the nearly 3% lower ABV? In any case, decent but not my favourite by them. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Microbrasserie Les Trois Mousquetaires Grande Cuvée Doppelbock Doppelbock at 8.6% ABV | 30 IBU (C$10.36 at NLC Stavanger, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 6-Oct-2017, reviewed 28-Oct-2017)

Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of creamy beige head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: sweet malt, chocolate, dried dark fruit, hint of oranges. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, medium sweetish lightly warming finish. (4/5)

I’m usually all about the hops, and this… well.. isn’t. At all. But, as an ode to malt, this is extremely well done. I quite enjoyed it. (16/20)

8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij De Brabandere Petrus Aged Red Sour Brown Ale (Flanders Oud Bruin) at 8.5% ABV (C$3.92 at NLC Stavanger, 330 ml, best before 6-Jun-2019, acquired 30-Sep-2017, reviewed 27-Oct-2017)

Appearance: clear deep red with a short light pink head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: cherries, hint of oak, caramel. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, moderate tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium sweetish lightly warming finish. (3/5)

So, if I’m reading the label correctly, this is 85% their Dubbel that I just tried (and gave a 6/10) and 15% their Aged Pale that I tried a couple of years ago (and gave an 8/10). Not quite sure what volume the cherries comprise, but they utterly dominate the aroma and flavour (and appearance, I guess, since it’s a deep ruby red). Unfortunately, although they don’t necessarily come across as artificial, the combination of cherries, sweetness, and alcohol warming tends to suggest “cough syrup” to me. That being said, it’s better than the Dubbel, though not as good as the Aged Pale. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij De Brabandere Petrus Dubbel Dubbel at 7% ABV (C$3.47 at NLC Stavanger, 330 ml, best before 3-Apr-2019, acquired 30-Sep-2017, reviewed 27-Oct-2017)

Appearance: clear amber brown with a short light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: molasses, dried dark fruit, nuts, mild chocolate, hint of solvent. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly watery, moderate-high carbonation, medium duration sweetish mildly bitter lightly tart finish. (3/5)

I’m not feeling this one. A thinnish, sweetish Dubbel, with a hint of solvent on the nose initially. Even as it warms, the aromas and flavours don’t really open up. The tartness in the finish doesn’t really feel intentional, and actually ends up slightly astringent. (12/20)

6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Brouwerij De Brabandere Wittekerke Rosé Fruit / Vegetable Beer at 4.3% ABV _(C$2.98 at NLC Stavanger, 250 ml, best before 8-Apr-2018, acquired 30-Sep-2017, reviewed 27-Oct-2017)_

Appearance: hazy pinkish pale amber with one finger of fluffy white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: raspberry, candi sugar, floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low tart, low bitter. (6/10) Palate: light body, moderate carbonation, short duration sweet mildly tart finish. (4/5)

Fairly unidimensional, if we’re honest, and the sweetness does get to be a bit much after a while, especially as it warms. But for all that, I must admit a certain weakness for raspberry beers, and despite the excessive sweetness, the raspberry really does smell and taste like real berries. (13/20)

6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com