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Trebuchet-Gizmo Brew Works

Yep, local!

Credit-older daughter and her husband; Christmas gift 2018; thanks!!
Format-bomber
Brewed on-12/2018
Style-a type of catapult, I mean, barleywine
Appearance-dark amber; clear; moderate caramel head
Nose-dark caramel, cherries, syrup
Mouthfeel-almost syrupy
Tastes-burnt butterscotch, earthy/herbal hops, dark caramel, cherries
IBU-61 (Untappd)
ABV-9.3% in label description; 10.1% Untappd; 10.3% on bottom of label;
Overall impression-a very good barleywine, more English than American
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; glad I waited a year to uncap.

BBA St. Benedict's-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Close to local!

Credit-prior reviews by fuse and Tripping William; my Visa card; thanks to all!
Format-half pint draft
Style-flavored Belgian like dubbel
Appearance-dark brown with a small caramel head
Nose-dark fruits and bourbon
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-up front bourbon, followed by cocoa, coffee and lots of dried, dark fruits
Adjuncts-chocolate, coffee, oats
IBU-probably about 30
ABV-a surprisingly "low" 7.2%; punches well above its weight
Overall impression-the original is excellent; this variant is superb
Ymm, Beer rating-middle shelf cat 3; worth seeking out; Bottle Rev had no cans left but if August West found a 4 pack in Durham...

Javafruitcake-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Darn near local!

Credit-a whim
Format-half quart can
Style-flavored milk stout
Freshness-canned on 11/08/2019; 12:01:03
Appearance-mahogany; small, tan head
Nose-is it breakfast/dessert time yet?
Mouthfeel-mildly viscous
Tastes-coffee first, then dark/dried fruits, burnt caramel, cinnamon, spices, more coffee, molasses, dark chocolate milk
Adjuncts-lactose, sweet cherries, brandied raisins, orange peel, cinnamon, allspice, coffee
IBU-maybe 40
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-a boozy slice of fruitcake, washed down with a cup of espresso
Ymm, Beer rating-I can't rate everything from Haw River a cat three so I'll set this on the top shelf, front row of cat 2; worth the entire 4 pack

Javafruitcake-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Darn near local!

Credit-yes, the Visa card
Format-pint can
Style-heavily adjuncted milk stout
Appearance-very dark with a creamy beige head
Nose-fruitcake (d'oh!)
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-coffee, cake, chocolate milk, dark fruits, Christmas/holiday spices
Adjuncts-lactose, sweet cherries, brandied raisins, orange peel, cinnamon, allspice and coffee beans; no nuts or pineapple
IBU-probably 30
ABV-7.2%
Overall impression-another wonderful Haw River creation
Ymm, Beer rating-bottom shelf cat 3; if you don't like fruitcake, it's a cat 2; I'd eat/drink a pound/pint of the stuff; worth the entire 4 pack for about $18, but I might trade 1 or two...

Starr Hill Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale

Enjoyable. A small after taste.

Bob Green wrote: ↑

December 12th, 2019, 6:58 pm

Starr Hill Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale

Enjoyable. A small after taste.

Maple syrup/flavor in a brown ale sounds pretty good.

The Mad Elf-Troegs Brewing

Credit-my memories of Christmas past, a good price and a Visa card
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-flavored Belgian type strong ale (most likely)
Appearance-cherry soda with a thin, fizzy head
Nose-sweet and sour cherries
Mouthfeel-mild alcohol burn
Tastes-"light" cherry brandy/liqueur; honey; caramel
IBU-15
ABV-11%; it burns a wee bit
Hops-Saaz; Hallertau
Yeast-spicy Belgian
Adjuncts-cherries; honey
Overall impression-totally worth the $2.50/bottle, or $15 for the 6er
Ymm, Beer rating-high cat 2; a beer I haven't tasted for about 5 years; will be happy to sip a couple more and trade the rest

Javanog-Haw River Farmhouse Ales

From a nearby zipcode

Credit-knowledge, adventure and being nowhere near my credit limit this month
Format-pint can
Style-really? java? nog? holiday season? (it's listed on the label as a coffee cream stout )
Appearance-dark, dark brown; the java triumphs over the nog
Nose-coffee; cream; spices
Mouthfeel-smooth
Tastes-as the nose goes; nutmeg; milk chocolate; rum (it is rum barrel aged); vanilla; cream
Adjuncts-lactose, nutmeg, vanilla beans and coffee beans; no eggs were harmed in brewing this ale
IBU-48 (higher than perceived)
ABV-7.2% (lower than perceived; this has a pretty stiff punch)
Overall impression-Santa would highly approve and likely want more than one
Ymm, Beer rating-cat 3; worth seeking; a great concoction to sip with family and friends this season

Blizzard of Hops-Troegs Independent Brewing

Local if you're in Hershey

Credit-memory and $2 cash
Format-12 ounce can
Style -Winter IPA
Appearance-light yellow gold; clear; meringue-y head
Nose-lemon and grapefruit juices
Mouthfeel-mild citrusy bitter
Tastes-citrusy juicy; pith; lemon zest; pine; hint of sweetness
Hops-Centennial, Chinook, Galaxy, El Dorado
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-6.4%
Overall impression-inexpensive quality winter/white IPA
Ymm, Beer rating-middle tier cat 2; Troegs brews solid beers

I asked Santa and he approved of this* as a Christmas/holiday beverage for Ymm, Beer's Virtual Pub:

Dragon's Milk Reserve Oatmeal Cookie-New Holland Brewing

Several hundred miles from local!

Credit-a whim
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-BBA imperial stout with additives
Stemware-snifter
Appearance-mahogany; frothy tan head
Aromas-grandma's holiday baking day
Mouthfeel-very smooth
Tastes-cookie spices, dark/dried fruits, dark chocolate, coffee (not added), bourbon, dark caramel, vanilla
Adjuncts-cinnamon, raisins, brown sugar, oats, vanilla extract
IBU-maybe 50
ABV-11%; dangerous
Overall impression-liquid cookie dough/batter, drizzled with bourbon
Ymm, Beer rating-I'll slide this into cat 3; very happy to share/trade/store for 3 or 4 months

*-the fat old fella also said he expected to have a bottle of this waiting for him on Christmas eve

Minor Field Adjustment-Bond Brothers Brewing Company

Local!

Credit-location, location, location
Style-dry hopped golden sour
Stemware-10 ounce snifter
Appearance-peachy, hazy with a smallish head
Nose-sour apricots
Mouthfeel-mild pucker
Tastes-reminds me of Taxman's Apricot Cache Flow without the Brett funk; mildly tart/sour; apricots and other stone fruits; wet wood
Hops-Amarillo
IBU-25; a tad high for a sour
ABV-75; also a tad high for a sour
Overall impression-a foeder aged sour? yes, please; high quality stuff
Ymm, Beer-solid cat 3 (great minds and all that stuff )

Another enjoyable sipping out on Bond Brothers patio with fuse with temps in the low 60s in mid-December

Comic Sans Retaliation-Bond Brothers Beer Company

We were identical strangers with our independent orders this evening .

Yep, more local!

Credit-location3
Style-NEIPA
Appearance-hazy pineapple yellow; thin head
Nose-tropical fruit juice
Mouthfeel-mild rindy bitterness
Tastes-pineapple, papaya, mango, orange, rinds
IBU-70 (no way!)
ABV-7%
Overall impression-another BBBC winner
Ymm, Beer rating-easy cat 3; I'd have bought a 4 pack of this and the sour if they canned either/both

CBS-Founders (Mahou San Miguel) Brewing Company

Nowhere near local

Credit-not sure if this is a son of devildeac credit or August West; thanks to both as I have two 4 packs!
Bottled on-10/02/19
Style-flavored maple syrup/bourbon barrel aged imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle
Stemware-Founders snifter
Appearance-mahogany with a foamy beige head
Nose-coffee, dark chocolate, bourbon, maple syrup
Mouthfeel-fudgy
Tastes-mirror the aromas; dark caramel; molasses
Adjuncts-coffee, chocolate
IBU-(shrugs)-maybe 50
ABV-11.3%
Overall impression-worth the hype, even if it is the last brewing of this for about the 5th time
Ymm, Beer-strong cat 3; world class; worth the $6/bottle

The main difference with this and the tailgate review/s are the serving temps. I think the tailgate sampling was at about 45 degrees or less with no chance for warming. Last PM, I chilled a bottle for about 15 minutes in the fridge, poured and sipped over about 45 minutes, pretty near room temperature for most of the tasting. World of difference with the flavors.

Drip Drop-Otter Creek Brewing Company

Far from local!

Credit-item #1 from December beer club 4 pack
Style-coffee stout; or maybe stout coffee
Format-12 ounce can
Canned on-101119 5917M
Appearance-dark brown with a foamy beige head
Nose-there *might* be some coffee in this beer; or maybe some beer in this coffee
Mouthfeel-a bit thin but smooth
Tastes-exactly as anticipated with heavy java, roasty bitterness and baker's chocolate
Adjuncts-ummmm, coffee anyone?
IBU-guessing 40
ABV-5.6%
Overall impression-reminds me of Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout which is nice company to keep
Ymm, Beer rating-middle cat 2; a nice inclusion in a winter beer club 4 pack; would happily sip again

Photon Sphere-Olde Hickory Brewery

Text message session from last week:

devildeac to son of devildeac: "Is this beer really worth $22 for a 4 pack?"

son of devildeac: "Yep. I think it's awesome!"

Annnnnnd, into the shopping cart it went...

Credit-above
Format-12 ounce bottle
Style-BBA flavored imperial stout
Bottling date-05/30/19
Stemware-snifter, of course
Appearance-dark, dark brown; moderately frothy, tan head
Nose-dark chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla
Mouthfeel-slick
Tastes-in sync with the aromas, plus molasses (not added), coffee (not added), bourbon and ending with a bit of heat (added-see below)
Adjuncts-honey, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa and habanero peppers ()
IBU-probably about 50; lots of heavily roasted grains here
ABV-11.91% ()
Overall impression-I'm coming around; the heat is mild and only apparent as the beer warms at the end of the last few sips
Ymm, Beer rating-I'm sliding this into cat 3; I think Tripping William and RJ199 would rate higher and fuse a bit lower; I have 3 left if there's any interest...

Orange Meringue Gose-HiWire Brewing (brewed and canned by Three Ring Brewing Company)

Kinda local.

Credit-beer #3 in my December beer club 4 pack
Style-must you ask?
Format-12 ounce can
Freshness metrics-canned on 10/22/19
Appearance-clear; pale orange yellow; blink and you miss the bubbles
Nose-orange soda
Mouthfeel-bubbly and slightly briney
Tastes-orange popsicle; tangy; lemon lime; a pinch of salt
Adjuncts-blood oranges, tangerines, orange peel; pink Himalayan salt; coriander
IBU-5ish
ABV-4.2%
Overall impression-solid repping of the style
Ymm, Beer rating-middle of cat 2

Bladow!-Casita Cerverceria

I'll go with local.

Credit-older daughter and her husband; thanks!
Style-coffee imperial milk breakfast stout shake ('splained below)
Format-pint can ($5); I got a three ounce pour (I wuz robbed!)
Appearance-Pennzoil
Nose-strong coffee; dark chocolate
Mouthfeel-see appearance (oats involved here)
Tastes-liquid dark chocolate fudge; java; dark caramel
Adjuncts-oats, lactose (hence the milk stout), coffee and, astoundingly, no cocoa/chocolate listed
IBU-50 something (WAG)
ABV-11.5%; IOW, a booze-y, dark chocolate milkshake
Overall impression-superb; dessert in a glass
Ymm, Beer rating-solid cat 3; I may look for a 4 pack of this during the week

Christmas Bomb!-Prairie Artisan Ales

Not local.

Credit-devildeac2; thanks!!
Style-flavored imperial stout
Format-12 ounce bottle ($10, I think); divided among three tasters; I was allotted two ounces
Appearance-dark, dark brown; thin, tan head
Nose-lots of spices, mostly cinnamon
Mouthfeel-smoooooooth
Tastes-cinnamon, dark chocolate fudge; dark caramel; slight ginger zing
Adjuncts-cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg
IBU-65
ABV-13% (good reason I was only *allowed* two ounces)
Overall impression-such a well done ale
Ymm, Beer rating-another cat 3; very, very happy to have tasted this

More sour stuff:

Black Angel-Wicked Weed (InBev) Brewing

Sorta local.

Credit-a trader (or gift) from RJ199; many thanks!!
Format-a shapely 500 ml bottle that was both capped and corked
Freshness-bottled on 07/13/18; 103009; 16:14:18
Style-bourbon barrel aged and fruited sour
Stemware-Gouden Carolus chalices; rinsed and repeated
Appearance-dark burgundy; small, thin head
Nose-cherry vinegar
Mouthfeel-a bit more tart than Shady Grove
Tastes-sour/tart cherries, black pepper, fruited vinegar, mild bourbon
Adjuncts-1.5 pounds per gallon of Montmorency cherries
IBU-10ish
ABV-6.8%
Overall impression-an excellent concoction from the Funkatorium; I believe RJ199 promised I'd really like this and he was correct
Ymm, Beer rating-easy placement in cat 3; tough to decide whether we liked Shady Grove or this better; we'll call it a draw

From last PM:

Bourbon Barrel Dire Wolf-Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Bought local, delivered local.

Credit-devildeac2; THANKS!!
Style-BBA imperial stout
Format-bomber
Packaged on-Sep/19/2019
Stemware-snifters
Appearance-inky; modest creamy tan head
Nose-dark chocolate fudge; dark caramel; burnt grains; bourbon
Mouthfeel-20W50
Tastes-liquid, dark chocolate fudge, espresso (not added), burnt caramel and grains and warming bourbon; all more pronounced once it hit about 55 degrees
Overall impression-decadent; the base beer is excellent and this version is superb
Ymm, Beer rating-easily cat 3; one of the better BBA imperial stouts I've had