OMMEGANG SEDUCTION

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma is superbly Belgian, dark fruit, malts. Pours very dark with nice tan head. Dark chocolate note on the finish, but nothing too prominent. Well balanced Belgian ale with cherry notes. A little sour on the finish as well. really a true specialty Belgian ale. Tasted @ 56F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

Ommegang Seduction is lovingly brewed with six dark malts. Chocolatier Callebut provides the chocolate, while Liefmans brings the cherries. This international romance is consumated with a full body, alluring aromas and flavors of Belgian chocolate, and tart cherries. Seduction is an ale to be lovingly embraced.Beautiful, rich and smooth, roasty and malty throughout, Seduction offers balanced chocolate-cherry notes, a bit of caramel sweetness, and a long, slow finish. Seduction is welcoming and warm-hearted, gently hopped and harbors no bitterness, leaving only a lingering glow.

SILVER CITY IMPERIAL STOUT

TASTING NOTES:
Bottle: Aroma from the neck very malty, chocolate, coffee, & alcohol note. Pours black with a nice tan head that dissipates into a halo. Huge roasted malt nose and flavor, coffee, woody, and a bit of heat. Notes of cherries, chocolate, carmelized sugar nicely balanced with hops and alcohol. Medium bodied and easy drinking. This is very smooth for such a young Imperial Stout. Slightly sticky and just enough sweetness to be right where I like my beers. Delicious. I am interested to see how this ages, but predict with the 9.2% ABV, hops, and residual sugar, this beer should age quite well. It reminds me of Panther Lake Porter in balance, and I know that beer ages VERY well. Tasted @ 68.2F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
An extremely black beer with massive roasted malt character balanced with assertive hopping from Northwest Chinook hops, fruity esters and a sinister alcohol content. Brewed in late fall/early winter and a is limited release.

AWARDS:

• 2007 North American Beer Awards: Bronze Medal Winner


• 2005 North American Beer Awards: Silver Medal Winner


• 2004 Great American Beer Festival: Silver Medal Winner


• 2004 North American Beer Awards: Gold Medal Winner

MORE BROWN THAN BLACK IPA

TASTING NOTES:

Super fruity wet hop aroma from the bottle. Mango, pineapple, and sweet smelling. Pours medium brown, with off-white head and lots of flotsom. This isn't just cloudy...it has chunkage. The head recedes slowly, larger bubbles in the center, and very fine around the rim. Aroma in the glass is still VERY tropical (I suspect from Citra Hops) and there is a bit of a swing towards piney and malts. So much fruit though, like strawberries. Dirty hop-forward flavor. Not what I was expecting after such a tropical nose. Not much body, bitter on the finish, but I am not getting anything in the middle. Perhaps because of the yeasties, this bottle is a little rough and maybe I poured it too soon or too roughly. I had noticed there wasn't much head, so I raised the bottle up and poured faster to get a head to develop. The head in fact is still clinging to the glass some 10 minutes later. I am not sure what the IBU is on this, but it seems quite high, and I also have to note that the ABV is completely masked by the interesting hop flavors. And the name really says it, in that this is certainly more IPA than black ale. In fact it really seems like a double IPA to me. I am getting more fruit, again sweet strawberry-ish on the very end of the finish. It is a very interesting brew to be sure. I am enjoying it. Tasted from the bottle @ 52.3F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

One of the many unfortunate casualties of Hurricane Irene was The Alchemist Pub and Brewery in Waterbury, VT, which was completely flooded and destroyed. When Stone Brewing Co. Brewmaster Mitch Steele heard of the loss, he immediately sent out an email to The Alchemist Head Brewer John Kimmich asking if there was anything he could do to help.

“John’s wife, Jen, wrote back suggesting that John fly out to Southern California for a few days… just to get a break from the reality of everything,” Mitch said. “And almost as an afterthought, she casually mentioned that maybe we could even brew something together. I ran with it.“

Mitch asked Jamie Floyd, Brewer/Co-founder of Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, OR, if he wanted to complete the brewing trifecta, and he immediately jumped on board.
In November, the three brewers came together and brewed “The Alchemist / Ninkasi / Stone More Brown Than Black IPA.” It was quite the occasion, so we made a nifty video about the beer and the brewday:

CABOOSE OATMEAL STOUT

TASTING NOTES:

Smokey aroma from the bottle. Pours black with nice tan head. Some legs, but dissipates to a thin halo in about 1 minute. This one lets NO light through. Aroma of sweet malts, herbs, and dark fruit from the glass. Very smokey malted flavor with only a slight hint of bittering hops. Carmelized brown sugar...The mouth feel is wicked nice, thick and a bit oily. Slight tartness on the finish, lingering sweet, smokey, and salty flavor. A little less oatmeal and more towards a sweet smoked stout. But then again, when I think of an American Stout, this is what I envision. As it warms up, the oatmeal seems to come more into play. Very enjoyable! Tasted @ 51F.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

This Oatmeal Stout is dark brown to almost black in color with a rich cream colored head. It has a pleasant, full-bodied, smooth flavor profile with an aromatic blend of coffee, oats, and roasted malts. A long, rich and smooth finish with a subtle dark chocolate finish. This oatmeal stout is something great to behold, enjoy!

HALE'S BARREL AGED WEE HEAVY

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma of malts, wood, and booze from the neck. Pours cloudy, red/amber, with a very THICK tan head. Aroma is amazing. It just smells like Heaven. So much malt, dark sugars, and wood on the nose. Nice full mouthfeel, sweet wood character and a surprising note of bitter hops. Tastes stronger (hotter) than the stated ABV, and I am really interested to see how this ages. Lots of vanilla but overwhelmed by the booze. And I do get some slight vegetal note that I can't quite place. It's fleeting though, and may just be a bit of a grassy note in with the hops. I don't drink many Hale's Ales, but when I do, I go HEAVY! I'll save one for a few months and report back! Tasted from the bottle @ 60F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

J.K.'S ORGANIC SOLSTICE HARD CIDER

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma from the neck: Fruit, floral/roses, cinnamon & other spices. Pours slightly cloudy golden with moderate carbonation. Easy drinking, with apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of a pucker on the end. Very well balanced with not much alcohol note. This is a sweet, aromatic, and VERY enjoyable cider. Kind of a cross between Martinelli's and a spiced cider. Nice and full bodied, and I would guess welcomed by nearly everyone as a good afternoon Winter warmer. Goes really nice with pumpkin pie! Tasted @ 50F.

RATING: ratebeer.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

As the sun arcs low in the mid day sky, this year's harvest is slowly fermenting in its winter slumber. Everyone here at the Orchard enjoys a few halcyon days to remember the hard work in the last year's harvest. We look forward to next year's crop of apples. To warm ourselves in the cold northern solstice we enjoy our winter cider. Lightly spiced with ethically traded cinnamon, vanilla and a wee drop of syrup from our old Maple trees on our farm. Enjoy this wonderful cider cool or gently warmed, savor a tipple to reflect on your last year and bountiful new year beginning.

ORGANIC - GLUTEN FREE - SULFITE FREE - SORBATE FREE

HARMON IMPERIAL RED ALE

TASTING NOTES:

Sweet sugary malts and a touch of hops from the neck. Pours clear red with a thin but sturdy off-white head. Lots of bubbles clinging to the glass. Aroma of pine, candi sugar, and malt. Lots of hops in the flavor though. Sweet, medium bittered ale, with a little salt and hops. Seems very slightly acetic. Viscous, medium bodied, with a mild finish. The finish does linger on the palate though. Imperial Red? This really leans towards old ale or barleywine style ale IMO, and that's why I like it. Tasted from the bottle @ 52F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

A well balanced red ale with a healthy dose of caramel malts - this brew leaves an empire of flavor in your mouth!

BLACK BOSS PORTER

TASTING NOTES:

Aroma from the neck is a malt lover's dream come true! Caramel, alcohol notes, sugary goodness. Pours very dark amber and with some coaxing, a thin tan head. Huge aroma of malts and dark fruit, cherry, plum, and carmelized sugars. The head dissipates fairly quickly but leaves a nice set of legs clinging to the glass. Although very dark in the glass, a flashlight reveals this beer is essentially red. Wicked red. Flavors of toasted grain, a little smoke, malts, and virtually zero hop. The flavor is much more subdued than the aroma IMO. Body is medium, slightly viscous, and tart on the finish. I also get some notes of sherry. Tasted @ 55F from the 330ml bottle.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

Original Polish Porter, brewed since 1848.

WIDMER LEMONGRASS WHEAT ALE

TASTING NOTES:
Beautiful label. Aroma from the neck of wheat, malt, and faint lemon. Pours fairly clear golden with thin white head. Lightly carbonated and smells like candy. Now & Laters? Not much aroma for me. Flavor is interesting. Seems very well balanced with little hint of a 9% ABV. Mild wheat flavor, a little faint lemony tart note, and a shwoosh of salty bittering hops on the finish. Wow! Subtle yet very nice drinker. There is a bit of a wine-like character to this brew, and I think that is carried by the salty & robust mouthfeel If you like wheat beers, this is a must try! Tasted from the bottle @ 56F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
Wheat ale brewed with lemongrass and muscat grape juice with lemongrass added. This brew has a traditional malt backbone, hints of late harvest grape sweetness, and a distinct lemongrass flavor and aroma. Champagne and ale yeasts were used in tandem to produce a sparkling, crisp, yet fruity profile. Alchemy and crystal hops balance and compliment the citrus, earthy, and spicy notes of the beer.

LAGUNITAS DOPPELWEIZEN

TASTING NOTES:

Classic wheat aroma from the neck. Pours hazy orange with a frothy big bubble head. Aroma of fruit, grain, bready, and a bit of an alcohol note. Has a VERY sweet smell. Malt & wheat taste, finishes light and surprisingly clean considering the haze and legs. Notes of banana, carmelized sugar, and pepper? A bit of a hop bitterness, but really fairly well balanced except for the higher ABV in the middle. Not being a wheat beer fan, I was attracted to this beer because of the higher ABV and it does not dissappoint. Not a huge flavor bomb, but very drinkable, enjoyable offering from Lagunitas. tasted @ 61F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

Our Own Bavarian-Style DoppelWeizen!
A Brand-Spankin' New Beer Inspired by Rolec: The Builders of our New Brewing System. They Sent Us a Traditional Yeast Sent From Their Friends in Bavaria & We Way-Overfed It To Take It All Up A Bit!

DOGFISH HEAD PUNKIN ALE

TASTING NOTES:
Sweet and sour notes from the neck. Pours ultra clear orange/amber with a nice white head. Initially tastes a bit "hot" and definitely leans toward a sour brown flavor. It's subtle, but there. Spices of course like nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin. The head dissipates fairly quickly but the mouthfeel is very nice medium bodied, with decent legs. It really is a cool color. And it's more on the sweet malty side than hoppy. As it warms up, I get more brown sugar and pumpkin pie flavors. The hops are still fairly subdued, and this works well for a pumpkin beer IMO. I am genrally not a fan of pumpkin beers, but i can easily see why this one is so popular. tasted from the bottle @ 58F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
A full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. We brew our Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar and spices. This is the perfect beer to warm-up with, as the season cools.

Punkin Ale is named after a locally-famous and seriously off-centered event here in southern Delaware - Punkin Chunkin (check out some of these Discovery Channel videos of Punkin Chunkin, you gotta see it to believe it!). In fact, Punkin Ale made it's debut as it claimed First Prize in the 1994 Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest - yes, that was a full 6 months before we even opened our doors for business. Punkin Chunkin has grown in size and scale with pumpkins now being hurled more than 4,000 feet through the air! If you come down to see if for yourself - come by and visit us.

Since then, we've brewed Punkin Ale each and every fall. It is released right around September first each year. When you find it, grab some extra because it's usually gone by Thanksgiving.

AVERY THE BEAST GRAND CRU

TASTING NOTES:

Batch 9 - Unbelievable. Pours ruby brown with thick legs. Head dissipates fairly quickly but comes back with a negence when swirled. Thick legs is an understatement. Almost like seeing an Yquem stick to a glass. And no one else gets pineapple from this beer? Huge pineapple nose from the bottle and the glass. Lots of pineapple/tropical fruit, dark fruit, dark malts, hops, and rummy. Absolutely stunning beer. I will have another just to check my work. Tasted from the bottle @ 60F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:

The Beast is a seducer - accommodating, complicated, powerful, dark and created to last the ages. With a deep burgundy color and aromas of honey, nutmeg, mandarin orange and pineapple, this massive and challenging brew has flavors akin to a beautiful Caribbean rum. Dates, plums, raisins and molasses are dominant in a rich vinous texture. Cellarable for 10+ years.

Elysian Dark O' The Moon

TASTING NOTES:
Pours very dark with nice fluffy tan head. Aroma of roasted malts, spices. Nice pumkin flavor, like pumkin bread with the yeasty notes and cinnamon. Some chocolate notes as well. Seems a little thin in body in relation to the aroma & flavor, but perhaps it's just that I am more acclimated to higher ABV beers with more residual sugar. Love the bottle and name too! Tasted from the bottle @ 56F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
Brewed at the Elysian on Capitol Hill. a perennial favorite, brewed with Great Western pale, Crisp 77deg Crystal, Munich, Cara-Vienne, roasted, chocolate and Special B malts with roasted pumpkin seeds in the mash. Pumpkin in the mash, kettle and fermenter. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Saaz and crushed cinnamon.

Big Sale @ Marina Market!

Marina Market Beer Bucks Days!

http://www.icontact-archive.com/3-8bZR8Kj_PRas4mZVGc4Jrd1UJ5jewX#.TnjIKDLJRDQ.blogger

STONE BELGO ANISE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN STOUT

TASTING NOTES:
Aroma from the neck is black licorice, molasses, and smoke. I am intrigued! Pours black and with a little coaxing manages a nice thick tan head. Aroma is about the same but a little more subtle and complex. I get faint notes of wood, vanilla, and can I say is smells salty? Very nice sticky laces and a slowly receding head. Very nice flavor, if not a bit "ODD". Strong flavor of salt licorice, and some subtle hints of wood, hops, bittering on the finish. It really sticks around for a bit too. Mouthfeel is medium bodied (for this style) and I get some citrus notes as well. Also important to note that the 10.5% ABV is well masked. While it's a strong flavored brew, it does not have the alcohol notes I would expect of a higher gravity beer. Very interesting version of the Stone IRS. Anyone who likes salt licorice would love this beer. Tasted from the bottle @ 53F.

RATINGS: ratebeer.com BeerAdvocate.com

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION:
This 2011 Odd Year release pours pitch black with a deep tan head, with aromatic notes of anise, coffee, and cocoa jumping from the glass. Coffee and dark roasted malt flavors dominate, with a robust complement of anise and oak, which leave a lingering blend of vanilla, licorice, and dark malt on the palate. This one will age nicely for several years.