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