Quick Sips: August 2010

Here is our first entry of Quick Sips, a super condensed and brief synopsis of some beers that we've had in the last few weeks. This one will include thoughts from the last few months.

• Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA tastes amazing fresh (less than 2 1/2 weeks old)
• Weyerbacher Tiny is incredibly delicious (on our fourth bomber)
• Dogfish Head SahTea isn't as good as last years (not enough cinnamon, clove and ginger spices)
• Southern Tier 2XIPA is amazing (but make sure it is fresh.) Blows away most IPAs.
• Bell's Hopslam wasn't as good as last years. Like most IPA's- Make sure it's fresh.
• Great Lakes Holy Moses was a great choice for a spring beer. Glad to see it back.
• Thirsty Dog has come out with three new crap beers (Barktoberfest, Whippet Wheat and Twisted Kilt) and one decent one (Cerberus)
• Some batches of Founders Devil Dancer taste like a THC producing plant.
• Heavy Seas Below Decks Cabernet Barrel Aged is probably the best fresh barleywine out there.
• Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale (Pub Exclusive) is just plain gross.
• Heavy Seas Smoke on the Water wasn't as generic as it's name. Worth the buy.
• Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale is a refreshing summer IPA.
• Great Divide Brewing has some great beers out there (Colette, 16th Anniversary, Titan, Yeti.) We're excited to try more
• Dark Horse has yet to come out with a beer I thought was above average (Crooked Tree, Sapient Trip, Scotty Karate)
• Great Lakes Lake Erie Monster was great fresh but had a tinge too much alcohol flavor.

Weyerbacher Fifteen Smoked Imperial Stout

Weyerbacher does not pour large sums of money into their graphic design department. Their logo was probably made with Microsoft Paint by the owner's son during study hall. However, they seem to invest their money into something worthwhile- creating new beers. Weyerbacher's Fourteen is responsible for our deeper dive into the wheatwine style and their latest imperial stout, Tiny, was nothing short of amazing. For all these reasons amongst others made us anticipate the arrival of their next anniversary brew, Fifteen.

Weyerbacher's Fifteen pours jet black with a light carmel head. An earth-like tinge hits the nose as you go in for that initial whiff. Hints of nuts with chicory as the "smoked" flavor lets it's presence be known as it flows over the taste buds. This beer is well bodied and coats the tongue with a silky yet earthy taste as it lingers until the next sip. We let this beer warm up to near room temperature and it's body went from a Baconator with a Frosty to just a Wendy's Double.

Weyerbacher knows how to celebrate their birthday. Twelve, Fourteen and Fifteen (Thirteen wasn't sold in Ohio) are all fine examples of what an anniversary beer should be. This is something a stout fan should pick up since this is a perfect example of an imperial smoked stout. At 10.8% ABV, this will get you where you should be for a birthday- intoxicated.

Oz Scale: 8.6

Mike Scale: 8.6

Weyerbacher Zotten

Weyerbacher has long caught our eye when it comes to beer despite the subpar labels on the bottles. From our very first sip of Double Simcoe IPA, we grew ever eager to try more from this brewery. Many have dominated our taste buds (Heresy, Blasphemy and Imperial Pumpkin Ale to name a few) so we were excited that these kind brewers would bless us with yet another beverage. Weyerbacher's newest creation, Zotten, is a Belgian Pale Ale. At 6%, this "session beer" still beats any of the ice domestics you can get at your local NE Ohio grocery in ABV.

Zotten, Belgian for "joker," pours a clear amber color with a Belgian Ale style smell and frothy white head. The brew has a creamier taste than what the label promises with hops hidden beneath its classic Belgian fruit flavor. The brew flows freely down the throat making it incredibly drinkable given the style.

Zotten is an every day style beer. Given the drinkability, its shocking that the brew comes in just four packs. There is nothing too innovative about it, just a slight different take on a classic. We would like more of a bite on the back end of the brew. The hops are promising but lead to a dead end street. This could be a great trasitionary brew to get someone into the style, i.e. Mike's girlfriend. Now if he could only get her to swollow something else frothy and creamy...

Oz Scale: 7.2
Mike Scale: 7.3

So This is the New Year: Battle of the IPA's

By now, everyone should know that we are hopheads. The rare breed of beer drinker that likes their brew more bitter than a North East Ohio winter and with more hops than the king, LeBron James. Our bitter beer faces are all smiles.

With a new year brings new challenges, you know, remembering to write an 09 instead of an 08 on the rent check. It also brings us to our first challenge of the year: The battle of the IPA's. Since we wanted to start out the new year strong, today we sample two of our favorite IPA's for yet another blind taste test: Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA and Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Both IPA's are double hopped and have a 9%ABV but the Double Simcoe is bottle fermented. This poses a problem: How do we keep this a blind tasting when one has yeast floating in the bottle? Simple. Turn off all lights-- after all this is a blind tasting. To help keep things fair today is Mr. Johnny V.

Fist Brew: The start is not as strong as one would expect from the style but we are okay with that. It has a unique taste that somehow still adheres the the IPA formula. The brew finishes well with an obviously high ABV but not as bitter as we would have hoped. This delicious brew seems to lack something we can't put our finger on, but it sure as hell gets two thumbs up anyway.

Oz Scale: 8.0

Mike Scale: 8.3

Second Brew: This brew has an incredible hoppy aroma. With a slightly slow start that crescendos to almost an overpowering taste that leaves you with two hands in the air plummeting down to a climatic finish. Some beers have a stairway to heaven, this brew has a glass elevator to eternal bliss (at least until the 4-pack is done.)

Oz Scale: 8.8

Mike Scale: 8.7

It was later revealed to us that the Dogfish Head lead off our tasting followed by the Weyerbacher. I guess the rare simcoe hops seem to have our a-card. If you are a hop enthusiast, we recommend trying both these delectable brews on your search for the perfect IPA. In conjunction with this review, Blood of Christ Winery has added both of these brews on tap.

Oi! Here Comes Chanukah... Beers

Disclaimer: No Jewish jokes. We promise. We are big fans of the Jews: The potato pancakes, the killing of Jesus, clay toys and Spaceballs. What is not to love? Let's celebrate! We know we are a little early but 'tis the season for holidays (and winter seasonals.)

This is the third of our holiday blind beer tastings. However, today we are doing things a little different. Rather than just a third of a beer, we are feeling a little saucy. Eight full beers. God jul us all. C'mon, on paper Judas f'ing ruled.

With us once again is our good friend Nick to keep us from cheating. The main rule for this tasting stated that there should be no Christmas ales considering this is Chanukah. However, since Christmas happens to fall on one of the days of Chanukah this year, we have just one Xmas brew. The choices of the day were: Abita Christmas Ale, Avery Old Jubulation Ale, Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout, Heavy Seas Winter Storm, Michelob Winter Cask Ale (Their first of our knowledge to not have a twist top,) Samual Adams Winter Lager, Stoudts Winter Ale and Weyerbacher Winter Ale.

First Candle: Unfiltered, possibly bottle fermented. Well balanced taste with slightly more hops than malt. Nice copper color, pours easily down the throat but finishes weak compared to the taste. Could work as a yearly IPA.

Oz Scale: 8.4
Mike Scale: 8.5
Nick Scale: 9.0

Second Candle: Dark in color, slightly tart in taste. Surprisingly chugable. An accessible brew. Nothing above average but not terrible.

Oz Scale: 5.8
Mike Scale: 5.4
Nick Scale: 5.3


Third Candle: This is a brew that promises but does not deliver. It is hoppy, sweet and has no balance. What are we supposed to be drinking? "It creates flustrations deep down inside of me." says Oz. This is a bisexual brew, it dabbles into the extremes but doesn't make any decision either way. "It is like a chick who says she is into bondage," Nick adds, "but only uses scarves."

Oz Scale: 5.7
Mike Scale: 5.6
Nick Scale: 5.0

Forth Candle: Rich and full bodied, similar to a porter without the full malty bite. More drinkable than most stouts with a complex, rich delectable taste.

Oz Scale: 8.5
Mike Scale: 8.1
Nick Scale: 8.3

Fifth Candle: See video post:

Oz Scale: 5.4
Mike Scale: 5.4
Nick Scale 5.7

Sixth Candle: Dark, robust, lavishes on your tongue. Satisfying finish that surprisingly lingers for more.

Oz Scale: 7.9
Mike Scale:8.1
Nick Scale: 8.4

Seventh Candle: This is a safe beer. Average color and taste. The drinkability is there but it was probably because of the gaps between brews. "Naps are great!" adds Mike. The other two puked in various places.

Oz Scale: 5.3
Mike Scale: 5.5
Nick Scale: 5.0

Eighth Candle: Slightly dark. Once again, a safe beer. Above average taste that gets mad props for its high drinkability. Afterall, this is our eighth beer.

Oz Scale: 5.5
Mike Scale: 5.6
Nick Scale: 6.7

The actual brews:
1: Heavy Seas Winter Storm (averaged 8.6)
2: Weyerbacher Winter Ale (averaged 5.5)
3: Avery Old Jubulation Ale (averaged 5.4)
4: Stoudts Winter Ale (averaged 8.3)
5: Michelob Winter Cask Ale (averaged 5.5)
6: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout (averaged 8.1)
7: Abita Christmas Ale (averaged 5.3)
8: Sam Adams Winter Ale (averaged 5.9)

This brings our winter season ranking to this:

20: Breckenridge Christmas Ale (averaged 4.6)
19: Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale (averaged 5.0)
18: Abita Christmas Ale (averaged 5.27)
17: Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale (averaged 5.33)
16: Avery Old Jubulation Ale (averaged 5.4)
15: Michelob Winter Cask Ale (averaged 5.5)
14: Weyerbacher Winter Ale (averaged 5.53)
13: Sam Adams Winter Ale (averaged 5.9)
12: Blue Moon Full Moon (Average 6.3)
11: Summit Winter Ale (Averaged 6.7)
10: Corsendonk Christmas Ale (Averaged 7.2)
9: Magic Hat Roxy Rolles (Average 7.3)
8: Troegs Mad Elf Ale (Averaged 7.8)
7: Bell's Christmas Ale (Averaged 8.0)
6: Great Lakes Christmas Ale (Averaged 8.07)
5: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout (averaged 8.13)
4: Stoudts Winter Ale (averaged 8.3)
3: Rogue Santa's Private Reserve (Averaged 8.57)
2: Heavey Seas Winter Storm (averaged 8.63)

and the winner thus far:

1: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (Averaged 8.8)

Oz 'n' Mike's Beertoberfest '08

36 delictable beverages of health and happiness overflowing two fridges kicked off our first annual Beertoberfest. Good friends shared good times, good food and good beer. Spirits rang high as we offered beer tasting of ten select brews as the rest were fair game for our guests to try on their own.

An estimated $350 was spent on the chosen varieties and our money was well worth the effort. Founders Breakfast Stout, Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre, O'Hara's Celebration Stout, Stone Smoked Porter, Golden Draak Ale, Hitachino Nest Weizen and Samual Smith Taddy Porter went over the best amongst our friends. While all of these brews were shared and enjoyed, Oz and Mike found the following to be the highlights of the evening: Bells Hell Hath No Fury, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Founders Breakfast Stout, Stone Ruination IPA, Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre, Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA and Hitachino Nest Weizen.

We'd like to thank everyone who came out and helped contribute to the enlightenment of our taste buds. We hope to continue the tradition of Beertoberfest for many years to come. Who knows, maybe a Marzenfest is in our future. Expect more in depth reviews of the aforementioned beers. Many thanks again to those who helped make our Beertoberfest a success.


Our 36 Selections:

1. Founders Breakfast Stout- 8.3 ABV (Tasting)
   
2. Barbar Blonde Ale - 8.0 ABV
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA - 9.0 ABV
4. Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre - 8.0 ABV
5. Great Lakes Blackout Stout - 9.0 ABV
6. Great Lakes Commodore Perry - 7.5 ABV
7. Delirium Tremens - 8.5 ABV
8. O'Hara's Celebration Stout - 6.0 ABV (Tasting)
   
9. Flying Dog Dogtoberfest - 5.3 ABV
10. Bells Hell Hath No Fury Ale - 7.5 ABV
11. Kulmbocher Eisbock - 9.2 ABV
12. Victory Golden Monkey - 9.5 ABV
13. Paulaner Salvator Double Bock - 7.9 ABV
14. Northcoast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - 9.0 ABV
15. Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard - 7.2 ABV
16. Stone Smoked Porter - 5.9 ABV (Tasting)
    
17. Stone Ruination IPA - 7.7 ABV (Tasting)
    
18. Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA - 9.0 ABV (Tasting)
    
19. Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale - 6.0 ABV
20. Samuel Smith Taddy Porter - 5.0 ABV (Tasting)
    
21. Golden Draak - 10.5 ABV (Tasting)
    
22. Tommyknocker - Butt Head Bock - 8.2 ABV
23. Tommyknocker - Jack Whacker Wheat Ale - N/A
24. Tommyknocker - Ornery Amber Lager - N/A
25. Tommyknocker - Maple Nut Brown Ale - N/A
26. Tommyknocker - Pick Axe Pale Ale - N/A
27. Tommyknocker - Alpine Glacier Lager - N/A
28. McEwans Scotch Ale - 8.0 ABV
29. Leinenkugels Oktoberfest - 5.1 ABV
30. Sprecher Black Bavarian - 5.9 ABV
31. Hitachino Nest Weizen - 5.0 ABV (Tasting)
    
32. Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca - 4.8 ABV (Tasting)
    
33. Wittekerke Belgian Wheat - 5.0 ABV
34. Chimay Peres Trappist (Blue Cap) - 9.0 ABV
35. Warsteiner Premium - 2.9 ABV
36. Unibroue Quelque Chose - 8.0 ABV (Tasting)
    
    Here is a look at the aftermath:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    And check out our beer wall prior to the festival. 180 bottles of import and microbrew beers on the wall, 180 bottles of import and microbrew bottles of beer. You take one down and pass it around....