12/10/15

Notes on just a few of the beers I've tasted since last update.

Cascade Bourbonic Plague '14 - drank at 1 year wedding anniversary 5/31/15
-This is one of the top 5 beers I've ever had, if not top 3.  The complexity of the sourness covered the gamut, from Lacto to Brett to Acetic to Wild.  If that weren't enough, the aroma and flavor both provided rich dark fruit and light roast notes with a hint of tobacco to complement the funk.  This is a beer that I will absolutely seek out in the future.

Cantillon Vignerone - other than Bourbonic Plague, this is the only other beer I've rated a perfect 5 out of 5.  The sweet green grapes mingle amazingly with the signature Cantillon funk.  I had a very difficult time finding good descriptors for this marriage of sweet and funky, all I can say is that this beer made my mouth as happy as it's ever been!

Squatters Outer Darkness '14 - drank mid-October 2015
-Sadly, this beer was underwhelming.  The aroma was quite oxidized, possibly due to poor aging.  The heavy coffee-like dark roast was quite astringent, and lingered well after the finish.  The lone redeeming note I made was that there was a nice sweet chocolate that came through more as it warmed.


Updated Cellar List:
Brau Brothers The Bancreagie Sour Peated Ale '14
Cantillon Gueuze 100% Lambic Bio '15
Cantillon Kriek 100% Lambic Bio '15
Deschutes Abyss Imperial Stout '13
Engquist Homebrew Gingerbread Imperial Stout '13
Engquist Homebrew Smoked Robust Vanilla Porter '13
Goose Island Matilda Belgian Style Pale Ale '13
Hardywood Gingerbread Stout '14
Hardywood Barrel Aged Gingerbread Stout '14
Southern Tier Creme Brulee '13
Southern Tier Creme Brulee '14
Summit Old Blaggard Barleywine '15 (x4)
Surly Darkness Imperial Stout '15 (x2)
Toppling Goliath Assassin Imperial Stout '14
Two Brothers Bare Tree Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer '13
Unibroue Don de Dieu Triple Wheat '14
Unibroue Trois Pistoles Dark Ale '14
Weyerbacher Tiny Imperial Stout '13
Weyerbacher Tiny Imperial Stout '14

3/9/15

So my intention of updating this list monthly has fallen by the wayside, but nevertheless I will update the list after quite a birthday haul.

But first...a few notes about a few bottles that I've tasted since December.

Deschutes Class of '88 Belgian Style Ale '13
-Much sweeter than I expected.  The grapes added during wine barrel aging certainly add a very unique complexity, however I would have liked to get a bit more of the belgian yeast esters shining through.  The 10.9% is completely masked by the fruity sweetness and hint of woodiness from the barrel aging.  Although a very unique and enjoyable drink, I don't think I would seek this one out again.

Homebrewed Gingerbread Imperial Stout '13
-The flavor profile seems to have been hijacked by the deteriorating spices.  It still shows hints of dark malt complexity, but is vastly overshadowed by the almost tangy spiciness from the ginger and cinnamon.  I have one bottle left, but it appears this one peaked between 6-12 months.

Widmer Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout '13
-This one came straight from the brewery in Portland, and did not disappoint.  The subtle raspberry tart sweetness was magnificently blended with the deep complex roasted malt.  A slight warming alcohol was matched with just the right amount of light effervescence.  This is a world class beer that I will most definitely seek out again, and encourage everyone else to as well.

Hill Farmstead Nordic Saison '14
-A truly amazing beer, enjoyed during the 2015 Super Bowl.  The complex citrusy esters are beautifully complemented by a hint of honey sweetness, yet with a superbly dry finish.  It's sadly unlikely that this beer will find it's way to my cellar any time soon as it is distributed in a narrow region surrounding the Vermont brewery.  If you are in the vicinity of Greensboro Bend, VT, please do yourself a favor and visit this fantastic brewery, or at least find this or another of their beers to enjoy.  Or, even better, bring one back to Minneapolis to share with me!

1. Blacklist Coco Noir '14
2. Brau Brothers The Bancreagie Sour Peated Ale '14
3. Cascade Brewing Bourbonic Plague Northwest Style Sour Ale '14
4. Clown Shoes The Peace That Money Can't Buy '14 (5th Anniversary Belgian Style Quad)
5. Deschutes Abyss Imperial Stout '13
6. Deschutes Not the Stoic Belgian-Styled (sic) Quad '14
7. Engquist Homebrew Belgian Dark Strong '14 (x8)
8. Engquist Homebrew Gingerbread Imperial Stout '13
9. Engquist Homebrew Smoked Robust Vanilla Porter '13
10. Fulton War & Peace Imperial Coffee Stout '13
11. Goose Island Matilda Belgian Style Pale Ale '13
12. Lift Bridge Biscotti '14
13. Lucid Goslar '14
14. New Glarus Cherry Belgian Red '14
15. New Glarus Raspberry Tar '14
16. Rogue Double Chocolate Stout '13
17. Schell Dawn of Aurora '14
18. Southern Tier Creme Brulee '13
19. Southern Tier Creme Brulee '14
20. Squatters Outer Darkness '14
21. Toppling Goliath Assassin Imperial Stout '14
22. Two Brothers Bare Tree Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer '13
23. Unibroue Don De Dieu Triple Wheat '14
24. Unibroue Terrible '14
25. Unibroue Trois Pistoles Dark Ale '14