Dogfish Head Immort Ale

$14 for a four pack? 11% ABV Dogfish Head? Our we that big of label whores? The answer to all three of these things is "yes." The blind beer tastings only slightly disproved our whorish ways, so here we are again. Tonight's journey brings us to Immort Ale, a strong ale aged in oak barrels and bottle fermented brought to us by one of our favorite breweries, Dogfish Head.

It kicks harder than Christopher Reeve's horse from start to finish. The flavors come in waves as the initial taste sends you in a different direction than the beer ultimately leads to. It is a strong ale; so those who can not take punch need not attempt.

In no way does the hop characteristics take over the flavor. The initial smoke flavor is layered on by a slight sweetness as the beer finally balances between hops and barley. With a strong ale, you do expect a kick in the ass and it delivers that. However, we would prefer a little more hop bitterness to the finish but beggars can't be drunks. Then again, I guess they can be.

Oz Scale: 7.9
Mike Scale: 7.9

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Luciernaga & Ordo de Calabaza

Label whores. Yes, we know, but have you seen our beer bottle collection? We drink to complete our set. Yes, that is how we rationalize our drinking. Also, we love their artwork and our two previous encounters with their beers. Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales seem to have our card but not the A-card or V-card, of course. The holy, most sacred B-card.

Two different Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, both 1 Pt, 9.4 Oz bottles, Luciernaga & Ordo de Calabaza, sat in the cooler at World Wines & Liquor in Mentor, OH. Rather than waste one and blog another, we decided it was combo time. Fresh off of our seasonal blind tastings and our Blood of Christ Winery review, we seem to be on quite a roll. Today is our "Pumpkin" roll.

The first beer poured in our glasses tonight was Lucienrnaga, a spiced, bottle fermented ale brewed in the "tradition of the Grand Cru." It has a sweet, almost wheat taste that is purely originated in the Belgian tradition. After the long wait of the large amount of head to settle, this beer immediately hits with a coriander kick similar to most wheat beers but still retains a Belgian overtone. The beverage slides down the throat to a sweet finish. Though the spices are known, it doesn't have the kick this 6.5% ABV should. It promises but doesn't quite deliver, not that the delivery isn't bad.

Oz Scale: 7.2
Mike Scale: 7.1

The next brew to settle in our glasses was Ordo de Calabaza. It is oak barrel aged and refermented in the bottle. Unlike the seasonal Luciernaga, Ordo de Calabaza is a year round golden strong ale. In taste, it reminds us of both Victory's Golden Monkey (a Belgian style tripel) and Duval but the sweetness gives it a uniqueness unmatched by both. It has a cohesive start and finish with a slight kick letting you know that you are dealing with an 8% ABV brew. The smell gives false illusions of a floral scented wheat beer but when it hits the tongue, you have yourself heaven in a glass.

Oz Scale: 9.3
Mike Scale: 8.5

Stoudts Double India Pale Ale

After a failed attempt Monday night at finding a decent IPA (seriously, the only one we found in this town was from Sleemans,) we made an journey to our favorite beverage shop. Lena's in Painesville is only 31 miles away, after all. Sitting proudly in the third cooler sat Stoudts Double India Pale Ale. Having great memories of the only Stoudt we have every tried, we picked up a 6-pack. Helping us with the pivotal third opine today is Mr. Johnny V.

This (D)IPA floats like a mist through your mouth, whispering in every delicate flower's ear. This brew bites initially like a Doberman but pulls back and leaves you with a Maltese. This beverage has a sweet overtone which is quite uncommon in most American IPA's. Strong, yet subtle, the smooth ale finishes without the kick you would come to expect from the style.

However, extra points have to be awarded for the individuality of this brew. This 90 IBU, 10% ABV, bottle conditioned brew could be transitional to some but not to Mr. Bud Light. This Pennsylvanian brewery has batted 1.000 with us and keeps us excited to try more.

Oz Scale: 7.7
Mike Scale: 8.1
Mr. V Scale: 7.1

Unibroue Trois Pistoles

Oh, Canada: Wild uninhabited forests, snow, moose, Prince Edward Island and a just aboot as beautiful scenery as Alaska. However, Canada does have horrible things: Nickelback, Celine Dion, Eskimos, premises to John Candy movies and shitty breweries. Redemption comes from Unibroue, a microbrew from Chambly, Quebec, that has opened the minds of beer lovers since 1993.

Their complex beers have yet to fail us and Trois Pistoles is no exception. Dark, fruity and complex flavors dangle on your tongue well after the brew has slipped down the throat. The flavor has a Belgian style overtone with the best, sweet properties of good wheat beer. This would be a great jump for someone who adores Hoegaarden and its imitator Blue Moon.

High in alcohol and rich in taste, this four-pack has us seeing stars like a juke box hero. This 9% ABV beverage is well worth the price and I'm sure it will cover our pallet at least once more. This has renewed our faith in Canada (did we ever though?) The only downside to the bottled fermented ale is that we didn't have more.

Oz Scale: 8.7
Mike Scale: 8.4