Anchor - Our Special Ale 2010 (Chrsitmas Ale)

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Our Special Ale 2010 (Christmas Ale)
Anchor Brewing Company
1705 Mariposa Street 
San Francisco, CA USA
Est. 1896
www.anchorbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown color.
Roasted malt with toasted nut aromas.
Tan, fluffy two finger head with lacing that coats the glass.
Strong burnt spice flavor. Very dry finish. 
Medium bodied flavor. Moderate carbonation. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is the annual Christmas ale by Anchor.  I found myself looking through my tasting notes from last year to see what differences might appear. I remembered enjoying the 2009 version. It was pretty good, actually the best of the Christmas ales as I recalled.

Either my taste buds have changed over the year or something else is awry. I found this to be just a bit too drying and the spiced flavors seemed a bit burnt. I am sure it was me, but it seems odd that it varied that much between tasting notes in the past twelve months. Anchor, I am sure, tweaks this formula from year to year. It was just not up to my liking this season. The 2011 version will be interesting to try, so we shall see you again to discuss this brew, next year.

Ska - Steel Toe Stout

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Steel Toe Stout (Working Class Milk Stout)

Ska Brewing Co.
225 Girard Street
Durango, CO USA
Est. 1995
www.skabrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Toffee brown color. Ruby highlights when held up to light.
Chocolate malts up front. Roasted malt background. Slight bread scent.
Nicely foaming two finger tan head with decent lacing on glass.
Creamy sweet malt taste up front. Some vanilla (?)and a bit of hops.
Nice amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another great brew from those cool cats at Ska. Make no 'bones' about it, I really enjoyed this Milk Stout. This was another nice surprise from the mixed 12-pack brought home from my recent trip to Colorado. The milky sweetness is just right and plays nicely with the chocolate maltiness. Add a bit of vanilla hints, you've got yourself a nice "working class" milk stout. Nothing over the top, just a no-nonsense ale.

Lace up your boots and go get one.

The Bruery - Trade Winds Belgian Tripel

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Trade Winds Belgian Tripel

The Bruery

715 Dunn Way

Placentia, CA USA

Est. 2008

www.thebruery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.1 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review

Rusty deep copper/brown color.

Fruit and mixed spices that are tough to discern, in aroma.

One finger off-white head that quickly vanishes.

Citrus plus a sweet caramel malt taste.
Belgian yeast spice lingering in the finish, along with the basil.

Smoothly carbonated.

Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Here's a super easy to drink tripel. The 8.1% ABV makes it even easier, though it had a ever so slight boozy quality about it, in taste. The basil was an unusual twist on a tripel, but not repulsive. I found that the Thai basil made for an interesting spice addition, but it didn't show up in the aroma, rather at the end of the sip.

Try some if you find it in your area. Very different from what you might be used to in a Belgian style tripel, but it makes for a surprising, not ordinary, tripel.

Sierra Nevada - Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Inky blackness, the color of spent motor oil.
Sensual roast malt tones. Chocolate notes. Some oatiness.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Roasted malt and chocolate flavors.; interestingly complex.
Active amount of carbonation.
Nearly no alcohol taste for such a high ABV.
Rich, velvety and full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Sensational occasions call for sensational ales. Christmas around the crypt this year was a bit extra special, so we pulled out this beauty to celebrate the day. As is often said, "...it is far better to give than receive." So sharing with close family was especially rewarding for me, and those that tasted were equally excited to receive.  Fritz Maytag and Ken Grossman really have something special to celebrate with, right here.  This is a one off, singular release to commemorate the 30th year of Sierra Nevada. Certainly, something of a sensation in terms of brewing craft beers for 30 years.

These two pioneers of the craft beer and ale movement would likely be on the "Mount Rushmore" of brewing, if there was ever such a national monument. Hmmm...something worth thinking about.  But now, on to the ale.  This is one helluva beautiful Imperial Stout. Impressive black color, not unlike that you may have seen while changing the engine oil on your car or truck. Rest assured, it tastes equally impressive as the color. Deceptively easy drinking at 9.2% ABV, I found it hard to resist pouring a bit more into my snifter after each sip. No boozy undertones or aftertaste - rather a delicious river of exquisite roast malt flavor and chocolaty backbone. Superior to any I have sampled previously. Okay, I really liked it!

At this writing, it is still available on shelves if you look real hard in you local stores. Worth the price since you'll likely not see it again. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary.

Ska - Pin Stripe Red Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Pin Stripe Red Ale
Ska Brewing Co.
225 Girard Street
Durango, CO USA
Est. 1995
www.skabrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.15 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Amber color.
Malt aromas with a nice hops smell.
Nicely foaming two finger off-white head with decent lacing on glass.
Nice malt taste up front with tasty finishing hops flavor.
Fairly active amount of carbonation.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I have to admit it, there were only two reasons the mixed 12 pack of Ska came back with me from the 2010 Beer Bloggers Conference...

For one, I was looking for variety. The store I went to did not allow the breaking up of six-packs to choose singles. The mixed 12 pack allowed me several different beers in a box by a single brewer.  Since I had never tried Ska's beers before, that appealed to me. (Note to all you beer marketing guru's out there that these introduction boxes are worth continuing.)

Reason number two, really requires no explanation other than IT HAS A SKULL ON THE LOGO! Have you been paying attention? I love when I find a beer with grim markings. like this ale. The skulls seem to be a fairly common element on their labeling. Not certain what the bowling pins (and accompanying collision animation), and the chapeau have to do with it, but I like it! I guess it's what the"frame" of mind these slick hipsters from Ska are up to, when enjoying this refreshingly great Red Ale.

I certainly do get the idea of clenching a few hops buds in his teeth. The hops flavor is nicely done in this ale. And it's also sweet that the image runs in relief, as a watermark, on the white parts of the rest of the label.

Seems like Ska and I have a lot in common - - - skulls, bowling, lids (c'mon...#23...the headgear definition), beer and an off centered appreciation for all four! Grab your hat and some PinStripe and I'll meet you at the lanes.

Mercury - Ipswich India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Ipswich India Pale Ale
Mercury Brewing Company
23 Hayward Street
Ipswich, MA USA 
Est.1991
www.ipswichalebrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.5% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep copper/amber color.
Citrus hops smells and some malt undertones.
Frothy off white head with very nice glass lace.
Malt and hops balanced taste with great hops flavor finish.
Medium carbonation.
Medium body. Clean finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Another Ipswich ale from Mercury Brewing.  Great tasting IPA that didn't go over the top. Excellent taste and easy to drink by the session.  I am glad they now ship to our area.

Check out the three masted schooner in scrimshaw effect on Mercury's Ipswich labels. Shiver me timbers and sink one of these soon, ya' landlubbers! Very cool logo.  Slightly different from its little brother the "Original Ale". Looking forward to other selections from them soon.

Mercury - Ipswich Original Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Ipswich Original Ale
Mercury Brewing Company
23 Hayward Street
Ipswich, MA USA 
Est.1991
www.ipswichalebrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.4% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep orange amber color.
Malt, biscuit and bready nose with aromas of finishing hops.
Frothy off white head with good lace.
Malt taste and hops finish with more malt in the balance.
Medium carbonation.
Medium body. Clean finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A real find at the local watering hole.  What can I say, mortals? Here is a brew that has heretofore been unseen in these parts of the southeast. I tried this one first and then his big brother, the IPA. It was truly a nice amber colored English Pale Ale. Quite tasty indeed!

A great lead in to the IPA and it also helped that it quenched my thirst. Sail out of the store with some of these any time at all.

Allagash - Dubbel Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Dubbel Ale
Allagash Brewing Company
50 Industrial Way
Portland, ME USA 
Est.1994
www.allagash.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark amber color.
Malty and slightly sweet nose with touch of yeast and some dark fruit.
Tall, tan head with great draped lacing..
Lots of mixed malt taste and a crisp dry finish.
Medium amount of carbonation.
Medium body. Complex taste.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Allagash Dubbel Ale was the right call at the end of a busy day. Holiday shopping completed, a reward was in order to celebrate. A recent dip in the temps also helped set  the tone for this 7% dubbel. This beer finishes very clean and leaves you wanting more. And how I wish there were more.

Seven malts go into making Dubbel Ale along with a Belgian yeast strain. It's tasty and a solid ale that can be easily sessioned. While it isn't the absolute best dubbel I've sampled, I would get this again and again. Smooth, malty sweet and delicious.

That does it...going on a hunt for more, soon.

Terrapin - Gamma Ray Wheat Wine Ale

Dead Reptile

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Gamma Ray WheatWine Ale
Terrapin Beer Company
265 Newton Bridge Road
Athens, GA USA
Est. 2002
www.terrapinbeer.com
 
Brain Damage Quotient = 10.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy honey golden color.
Sweet candy like smells with a fruity background.
Very little head; slightly off-white.
No lace on glass, but instead, it leaves syrupy traces.
Sweet honey that keeps coming and has a lingering fruit taste.
Slight amount of carbonation.
Viscous syrup mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Part of the "Monster Beer Tour", Terrapin has a WheatWine ale brewed with honey from the Savannah Bee Company. That's right, a WheatWine, not a BarleyWine. Made from Tupelo & Sourwood honey and wheat, instead of barley, Gamma Ray is a 'Super Hero' of a beer.

Deliciously sweet (and boozy), it will make you feel as if you have super powers, too. But remember those powers do not include driving or flying or any other machinery operations....lest I, The Reaper, see you first!  Be careful with your superpowers. They should only be used for good and not evil! Muahahaaahaaaa!

Try some, or get some and put it away for a while. This will keep very well at 10.8% ABV. Terrapin suggests you do the same and then break it out a few years from now, in the hour of need, when a special celebration takes place. You will be hailed as a super hero, for sure!

As stated on the label, "...'CAUSE SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A SUPERHERO!"

Sierra Nevada - Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2010 
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty, ruddy, reddish in color.
Pleasant hops aroma with hop oil and pine scents. Malt undertones.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Hoppy tasting; great balance of hops and malt. 
Rich, medium to full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Same brew, different year - uh wait a moment. This somehow tastes different, even better than my tasting notes from 2009 would indicate. The hops seem more lively and the malt note is a bit more pronounced. Very nice IPA from Sierra Nevada, so nice that I wish it was available all year around.

This year, we were high and dry during the tasting. Last year we were in a steady cold drizzle in downtown Orlando at a beer festival. The weather wasn't cooperative, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm. In fact, it made for less of a throng and kept other unprepared mortals away. The festival was ours to enjoy.

This year, I got a whole friggin' 12 pack of Celebration to have on hand for guests at the home crypt. Merry Christmas y'all and don't let the ghosts of spirits past, present or future keep you away from this terrific IPA.

Big Sky - IPA

Dead Wapiti

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Big Sky India Pale Ale
Big Sky Brewing Company
Missoula, MT USA
Est. 1995
www.bigskybrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden to amber and clear colored.
Piney resin notes in the aroma.
Two-finger off-white head. Slowly dissipates leaving stretcy strings of lace.
Satisfying hops punch with a bit of caramel malt in the taste.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Medium mouth feel. Easy to session.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
More liquid gold from Big Sky. They are fast becoming a favorite of mine.  Sure glad I took the lunch hour at the Beer Bloggers Conference in November to pick up the mixed 12 pack of their samplings.  Every one I tried from the box has been a hit in taste and this one was no exception.

This IPA has that right 'zaaz' of hops in the smell and taste, making it a great (ob)sessionable beer! The grapefruit and pine aroma right up front and a warming biting amount of hops in the finish is tantalizing. Its creamy caramelized  finish coats your tongue and throat with the delicious hops flavor; great if you are a hop-head like me. It's very well balanced between malts and hops. Get your hands on some if you can.

Ska - Buster Nut Brown Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Buster Nut Brown Ale
Ska Brewing Co.
225 Girard Street
Durango, CO USA
Est. 1995
www.skabrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.15 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Toffee brown color with some ruby highlights when held up to light.
Deep bready aroma with nutty notes. Roasted malt background.
Nicely foaming two finger tan head with decent lacing on glass.
Creamy sweet malt taste up front. Some nuttiness and a bit of hops.
Nice amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
New brew for me straight outta the west. I returned from Colorado in November with a mix 12 pack of Ska and this is the first one opened for review.  They are a funky fine brewery; just take a tour of their website.  Try not to bust into a ska dance snit while the music blares over your PC speakers! Very cool attitude from this bunch.

The Buster Nut Brown is a great English style brown ale done pretty straight up.  It's easy to sit around all day with a bunch of these. Enjoy the music, enjoy the commentary and by all means, enjoy some Buster Nut!

Gotta get out to Durango one day and meet these cats!

Odell Isolation Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Isolation Ale
Odell Brewing Company
800 East Lincoln Avenue
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.odellbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light amber brown color.
Nutty, wood and spice smells with malt aromas to the nose.
Short head disappears to a cover but leaves clingy lacing.
Soft, sweet malt taste with hints of spice that balances the sweetness.
Soft carbonation.
Full flavored, medium bodied. More flavorful as it warms. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
I have been trying to retrieve some of this ale from my trips to Colorado without much success...that is, until I visited this fall and found some just at release. This is an Odell seasonal selection, so being there during the winter months is necessary in order to score some for your very own.

I find this a quite interesting departure from their other 12 oz bottles. And it lives up to the label's enchanting vision of being stuck in a warm cozy cabin on a cold winter's evening. Believe it or not folks, the temps in South Florida have dipped into the low 30's this week. I had my CSU beanie on this morning, sporting the Rams colors on the way into the office. So when evening came, I remembered the Isolation Ale was in the back of the fridge. A good brew to 'hunker-down' with on a cold winter's evening, for sure. One beauty of a Winter Warmer!

Magic Hat - Howl WInter Seasonal

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Magic Hat - Howl Winter Seasonal
Magic Hat Brewing Company
5 Bartlett Bay Road
Burlington, VT USA
Est. 1994
www.magichat.net

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.6 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Brown to black in color.
Malt and chocolate (bitter style) dry aromas.
One finger tan head that slowly but certainly vanishes.
Caramel malt creamy taste with zip of a hop finish at the end.
Active amount of carbonation that tingles.
Medium bodied.Very sessionable.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Easy to session, this Schwarzbier is tasty and leaves you wanting more.  It finishes nicely but has just a slight bit too much carbonation, (only drawback I could find.) All in all it makes a great session beer and I could easily see myself drinking a few of these.  The alcohol content is low enough and the taste is impressive to keep you coming back for more.

This winter, pick up some of this sinister looking beer and 'Howl" a little yourself! 

Inside the cap says, "Behold the power of yeast!"

Boulder Beer - Singletrack Copper Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Singletrack Copper Ale
Boulder Beer Company

2880 Wilderness Place
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1979
www.boulderbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 4.9 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear and copper in color.
Bread-like malt with distinct but buried aromas of hops.
Two finger, off white head upon pour that dissipates slowly and leaves little cover.
Tastes just as it smells but with sharp hops at the end.

Some lace coating on side of glass.
Light to medium bodied. Easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Here's a beer in the American Pale Ale category that defies the description. Now while it is a great, drinkable beer with some quirky characteristics, I didn't find that it was exactly like any other American Pale Ales that I have tasted before.

It is a super little beer that needs its own category. It's really easy to drink and the malts and hops play around in an off beat way. But that is exactly why I think I liked it in the first place.

Try some for yourself.

Cigar City - Maduro Brown Ale

Resurrected Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Maduro Brown Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Rich brown color.
Deep malty aroma, not much else.
Tan colored, minimal head that settles quickly to a cover.
Lacing is also minimal on the glass.
Malty sweet with a slight sugary sweet taste at end of each sip.
Nice amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Pretty easy to drink in a session.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
V I C T O R Y !  Raise your glasses folks.

Went to my favorite watering hole tonight and ordered the Maduro in celebration of the Cigar City Tasting Room's approval for wet zoning.  The Tampa City Council passed the decision in a close 4 to 3 'yes' vote.  CCB had previously been allowed temporary permits that had to be renewed on a regular basis to keep the Tasting Room open.  All seven Tampa council persons showed up on this important vote.  It was a great relief to the local craft beer community of Florida and beyond to hear that Tampa's multi-award winning brewery was allowed to have a permanent wet zoning license.

Cigar City has grown in just two years from two employees to over twenty. People I know have planned portions of their Florida vacations just to visit this renown brewery, showing they have the drawing power to bring tourism into the state. I have visited the place and found it nice to see where the beer is made and enjoy one or two of their delicious beers.  Half growlers or double growlers are available for purchase along with 12 oz and 750 ml bottles. You can also buy shirts, hats and other CCB logo items.

Remember to support your local brewery, your local brewer and fight for the right to drink decent beer. It's the only fight worth having over beer.

Big Sky - Heavy Horse Scotch Ale

Dead Horse

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Big Sky Heavy Horse Scotch Ale
Big Sky Brewing Company
Missoula, MT USA
Est. 1995
www.bigskybrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown and clear colored.
Toasted malty, dry aroma.
Two-finger tan colored head. Slowly dissipates leaving a yeasty cover.
Malty with a caramel sweetness with a drying scotch-like taste. Caramel finish.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Medium mouth feel. Easy to session.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Returned from the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference in Boulder, CO with a mix 12 pack from Big Sky.  I loved their Moose Drool so much that I thought it would be worth a risk on more of their products. Good choice!

The Heavy Horse is a super easy to drink Wee Heavy style and does not disappoint in the least.  I found that it has some very satisfying caramel and toasted flavors along with the drying scotch-like finish.  The caramel note at the end was also nicely unexpected.

Hitch your plow to this Scotch Ale next time you're out plowing the "north forty".

Dubuisson - Scaldis Amber Ale

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Scaldis Amber Ale
Brasserie Dubuisson
Chaussée de Mons 32, 7904
Pipaix, Belgium
Est. 1769
www.br-dubuisson.com
and
www.belgianexperts.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 12.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden amber color.
Nutty, sweet malt aromas to the nose with hints of Belgian yeast.
Big head that leaves clingy lacing and stays to the end of glass.
Sweet malt taste that is not overly sticky or syrupy.
Clean hop finish that does not interfere with the malts.
Soft carbonation. Warming effect from the alcohol.
Full mouth feel; full flavored. Best served slightly chilled above room temperature. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
If beer brings people together then we must assume that good beer brings good people together.  This 75th anniversary edition of Scaldis Amber Ale was gifted to me by Wendy Littlefield, at the 2010 Beer Bloggers Conference held in Boulder, Colorado. Wendy, along with her husband are co-founders of Vanberg & DeWulf, importers of some of the finest Belgian beer available. They are not newbies to the beer world. Vanberg & DeWulf bill themselves as "The Experts in Belgian Beer Since 1982." That is a long track record with a great history. And as I discovered, they also founded, built and subsequently sold Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY. Wendy won a home brewing competition for none other than Three Philosophers. If you follow this line of provenance, you can see how impressed I was with making her acquaintance.

As for the Scaldis, according to the Dubuisson's website:

The trademark BUSH has only been registered in a few European countries as in the forties, nobody at the Brewery Dubuisson had imagined this BUSH beer would be sold worldwide. Afterwards, the Brewery Dubuisson has not been allowed to register the BUSH name in several countries. As a result, our BUSH beer is exported in all other countries under the name of SCALDIS.

My bottle of Scaldis was returned safely home to the crypt in FL and kept for our Thanksgiving Day celebration held with my wife and family. This brew had a special air about it from the distinguished orange and white painted label to the cork and cage stopper. The label informs the holder that this ale is bottle fermented/conditioned (refermentee as displayed.)  Billed as "The strongest beer brewed in Belgium", at 12% ABV, Scaldis is 100% naturally fermented. They use a 65 year old yeast strain that is exclusive to Dubuisson brewery, along with some tried and true science to create this wonderful ale. It made a delicious accompaniment to the end of our Thanksgiving Day feast and paired well with the sumptuous desserts.

Back to the opening statement that beer brings people together...As it turns out, my eldest daughter's boyfriend "popped" the question over the holiday weekend and they are now engaged to be married! Who knew that "popping" the cork would bring such luck?

From my chance meeting with Wendy to the celebration of holiday and family, I now know that if the old adage is applied to the fullest, we can confidently state that "great beer brings great people together!"

The Bruery - Autumn Maple Belgian Style Brown Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Autumn Maple Belgian Style Brown Ale

The Bruery

715 Dunn Way

Placentia, CA USA

Est. 2008

www.thebruery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 10.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review

Rusty deep amber to clear brown color.

Malt sweetness with slight dry nuttiness in aroma.

One finger off-white head that quickly vanishes.

Sweet caramel malt taste with lingering finish.

Minimal amount of carbonation.

Light to medium bodied. A bit boozy on the finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Autumn Maple is a Belgian-Style Brown Ale that weighs in at a hefty 10.5% ABV. The bottle label exclaims, "We don't need pumpkins in our beer!" And it's true, they don't. Most people do not realize that pumpkin, in and of itself, does not have much taste. It is the spices that make the flavor.

This beer is packed with flavor. Maple is pronounced, but you'll find a variety of sugary caramel things like sweet yams, cinnamon, brown sugar and more, hinting in the background.  There's almost too much going on in the bottle. Sweetness abounds, but happily with no cloying taste.  We made it the 'meal' beer with our turkey day spread. It was starchy enough to stand on its own with the varieties of food on the table.  Autumn Maple was well received by all in attendance.

Autumn Maple is practically a meal in itself. Its creamy texture and warming alcohol went down with ease...almost too easy!

Magic Hat - Hex Ourtoberfest

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Magic Hat - Hex Ourtoberfest
Magic Hat Brewing Company
5 Bartlett Bay Road
Burlington, VT USA
Est. 1994
www.magichat.net

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Rusty deep amber color.
Malt sweetness with slight dry nuttiness in aroma.
One finger off-white head that quickly vanishes.
Sweet caramel malt taste with lingering finish.
Minimal amount of carbonation.
Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I guess that Oktoberfest is still hanging out in the fridge. I found this one on a routine check and decided to drink and review before the onslaught of Christmas beer arrives.

"Ourtoberfest" is a little touch on the sweet side for a Marzen, which is why it is actually classified as an American Amber or Red style ale. Nonetheless, a curious refresher that you can use to introduce your friends to a trade up from their yellow lager beers. A very likeable drinker.

Inside the cap says, "Just say 9" What does that mean? I dunno, but it's fun to say.

Brouwerij Huyghe - DELIRIUM tremens

Pink Elephant

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
DELIRIUM tremens
Brouwerij Huyghe
Melle, Belgium
Est. 1654
www.delirium.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Almost clear, pleasant light golden color.
Yeasty smells, lemon, other fruit and spice like coriander.
Two finger frothy white head. Spotty lacing and tightly packed bubbles on head.
Sweet taste; dry finish with peppery, lemony twang.
Medium carbonation.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The white, speckled bottle with rich blue foil neck wrapper, grabs your attention. The happy little pink elephants, dancing gators and balancing serpents keep you entertained as this delightfully deceptive ale draws you in. Of course it's Huyghe since 1654.

Soft bubbles much like those found in champagne, tickle your nose as the 8.5% ABV works its magic. Blissfully pleasant to drink.  It only gets better as it warms in the glass.  Fruity flavors, spice and other components are released to you tongue and nose.

Not too many of these...otherwise you will see 1:1 scale pink elephants.

Sierra Nevada - Tumbler 2010 Autumn Brown Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Tumbler 2010 Autumn Brown Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Root beer brown color.
Roasty malt aromas with nutty dry aromas.
Two finger frothy tan head that coats the glass.
Great head and lace retention completely down the side of glass.
Sweet malty taste; dry easy finish with taste of toasted nuts.
Medium carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Very smooth. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Today is the 30th anniversary of Ken Grossman's little beer project, a.k.a. Sierra Nevada. Congrats to him and the staff for doing their part in helping the craft beer revolution along.

I'm going to keep it simple here as I usually do with my Sierra Nevada posts....here is a great measuring stick for all brown ales.  Smooth, tight and dry with a bit of nuttiness and touch of sweetness. Another outstanding beer from Sierra Nevada.

Keep up the good work Ken and thanks for all the great ales! Keep 'em coming! Happy 30th anniversary!

Paulaner - Oktoberfest Marzen

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen
Paulaner Brewing
Munich, Germany
Est. 1634
www.paulaner.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep golden color.
Dry grainy malt backbone and hops smell.
Off-white head that sticks around to the end of the glass.
Stringy lacing.
Light to medium body.  Easy to drink. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
One last bastion of Oktoberfest hanging out in my cooler. This one is the real deal from Germany, however, I felt it lacked a little bit of character. It was a bit more malty than I would care for in a fest beer, but still a well made brew just the same.

Paulaner has been making beer for a long time, so who am I to judge. I prefer some  of the other German Marzen's to this, but wouldn't turn it down just the same.

BrewDog - The End Of History

Totally Stuffed Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
The End Of History
BrewDog Ltd.
Unit 1, Kessock Workshops
Fraserburgh  Scotland 
Est. 2007
www.brewdog.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 55.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (container) / 0.5 (sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Near clear amber/orange color.
Strong, overpowering presence of alcohol and not much more on the nose.
Aroma can be noticed from a distance.
No head.
Some legs of lacing on the glass.
No carbonation detectable.
Taste is harsh and grainy like full on grain alcohol.  Stinging hops finish.
Lots of alcohol burn, straight down the throat.
Tough to determine body from sample but strong flavored to say the least. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Oh yes I did.......oh yes I did! Muahahaaahaaa!

Pushing the boundaries is what it's all about with BrewDog James and the gang in Scotland. No one, repeat, no one at all can call them dispassionate. This is their latest attempt to top German brewer Schorschbrau in the quest for the world's strongest beer. It's freakin' 55% for crying out loud!

Once again, I'll let the brewer's speak for themselves: 

This 55% beer should be drank in small servings whilst exuding an endearing pseudo vigilance and reverence for Mr Stoat. This is to be enjoyed with a weather eye on the horizon for inflatable alcohol industry Nazis, judgemental washed up neo-prohibitionists or any grandiloquent, ostentatious foxes.

 The End of History: The name derives from the famous work of philosopher Francis Fukuyama, this is to beer what democracy is to history. Fukuyama defined history as the evolution of the political system and traced this through the ages until we got the Western Democratic paradigm. For Fukuyama this was the end point of man’s political evolution and consequently the end of history. The beer is the last high abv beer we are going to brew, the end point of our research into how far the can push the boundaries of extreme brewing, the end of beer.

Whew! If you are taking this too seriously, I think you are missing the point.  The only serious things here are the extremes to which BrewDog takes their dedication to pushing the envelope on beer.  And boy, has it ever been pushed.  Just look at the err, uhmm, well, I guess it 'aint exactly a label. It's a taxiderm-ied squirrel! Holy s#IT !!!

Mr. Stoat takes time out
of his busy schedule to
pose with me at BBC2010

I was truly lucky just to be in the presence of Mr. Stoat at the 2010 Beer Blogger's Conference held in Boulder, CO.  The guys at BeerTapTV were chosen to receive the bottle-wrapped-in-a-squirrel, as the one and only media bottle! I was luckier still that Erik and Romey from BeerTapTV allowed me a sip. After I watched the panelists take a sip, I had a feeling there would be some left over to taste. I watched them wrinkle their noses, smack their lips and stroke their throats as the potent liquid did its thing on them.

The beer was seriously strong, I got about a half ounce sip and my lips and tongue tingled like I just had the hottest Buffalo Wings, ever!  They stayed that way for about 30 to 45 minutes.  The alcohol burn was laser-like as it snaked its way down my throat. Grainy and super strong. If you aren't paying attention, it is 110 proof. That's stronger than most shots of whiskey, or tequila, friend.

The only thing this squirrel is missing, are some nuts...and you will need a big pair of them to drink much more of this!

Mr. Stoat with Romey, Erik and Ashley

Disclaimer: No humans were harmed during the drinking enjoyment of this beer.

BrewDog - Sink the Bismarck!

Sunken Sailor

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sink the Bismarck!
BrewDog Ltd.
Unit 1, Kessock Workshops
Fraserburgh  Scotland 
Est. 2007
www.brewdog.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 41.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (container) / 1.5 (sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy amber/orange color.
Fruity sweet with heavy malt smell and some slightly acrid scents.
Absolutely no head.
Slightly detectable "legs" of lacing on the glass.
Tiny amount of carbonation.
Taste is deep smoky like the that of burning rubber.  Lots of biting hops throughout.
Warms the back of the mouth and throat; quite a bit of alcohol sting.
Tastes intensified as it warmed to room temperature.
Heavy malted body, complex flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Let's let the brewers speak for themselves: 

Sink the Bismarck! is beer, amplified. With the volume turned full up, it is important you that you be careful with this beer and show it the same amount of skeptical, tentative respect you would show an international chess superstar, clown or gypsy. Sink the Bismarck is a quadruple IPA that contains four times the hops, four times the bitterness and frozen four times to create at a staggering 41% ABV. This is IPA amplified, the most evocative style of the craft beer resistance with the volume cranked off the scale. Kettle hopped, dry hopped then freeze hopped for a deep fruit, resinous and spicy aroma. A full out attack on your taste-buds ensues as the incredibly smooth liquid delivers a crescendo of malt, sweet honey, hop oils and a torpedo of hop bitterness which lasts and lasts.

I got a burnt rubber like taste, not entirely detestable, but certainly not a drink to be quaffed in any kind of quantity.  BrewDog duked it out with Schorschbrau in the strongest beer "arms race" for ABV supremacy.  This was BrewDog's second salvo fired at the "sausage-muncher's" attempt to dethrone them for the crown.

Sink the Bismarck! is one heck of an alcoholic concoction, but certainly it seems aimed at grabbing some headlines, and $$$ rather than a serious, drinkable beer.  That aside, it is still fun to watch these two brewers from the sidelines.  Even more fun, is the chance to get a taste of this rare, and extreme example of brewing. And taste, I did, since it won't likely pass this way again.

Thanks to the fellow who brought it with them to this year's Beer Blogger's Conference, else I might not had a chance to sample it, at all. 

Just like the real battle ship, it was very tough to sink, indeed!

Deschutes Brewery - Hop Trip

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hop Trip
Deschutes Brewery 
901 SW Simpson Avenue
Bend, OR USA
Est. 1988
www.deschutesbrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Amber color; clear.
100% crystal hops and citrus orange-like aroma.
One to two finger head with super sticky lacing as it drapes on the glass.
Tastes of malt and hops, interesting because malts are masked by hops on the nose.
Modest carbonation.
Semi dry finish in the taste.
Medium bodied. Fresh taste and easy to drink. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #12

Stacey Denbow

Stacey Denbow explained all about this wonderfully interesting hopped brew. He stated that this "fresh hop" Pale Ale is about the celebration of the hop harvest in the fall. Deschutes picks the hops fresh and trucks them to the brewery so they can be added to the brew right away. It takes about 680 pounds of Crystal hops from a farm outside Salem, Oregon.  The hops are added to each 120 barrel batch in addition to some dry kilned whole flower hops. Crazy stuff from their Bond Street Series, but with all those hops, it's even crazier that it attains a mere 38 IBU's ! No mistake, it has all the full fresh hop taste enveloping your taste buds with none of the over hopped burnout. Refreshingly delicious!

Some of the more interesting highlights that Stacey shared with us:

• Hops are added immediately after arrival to the brewery (the boil is started as the trucks leave the hop yards!)
• Produced once a year in 22oz bottles.
• Hop Trip is meant to be consumed immediately, to keep the hop fresh flavor alive.
• Our tasting bottle was only 10 days old !

Odell Mountain Standard - 2010 Double Black IPA

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Mountain Standard - 2010 Double Black IPA
Odell Brewing Company
800 East Lincoln Avenue
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.odellbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown to black in color.
68 IBU's of hops and beautifully roasted malts greet your nose.
Silky soft head clings to the glass leaving draped lacing.
Big malt and hops taste that finishes softly, smoothly.
Soft carbonation.
Full flavored, full bodied. No alcohol after taste. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #11

Odell Brewer Joe Mohrfeld & me

If you have been keeping score at home with my posts, it will come as no surprise that I am a self proclaimed fan-boy of Odell. They have an outstanding lineup of basic beer from a wheat through the pale and India pale ales and porters. Then they have their Single Serve releases and the now famously sought after Woodcut series.

Speaking of the special releases, I had the 2009 Mountain Standard Single Serve earlier this year and truly enjoyed it. But when Odell brewer Joe Mohrfeld came by our table with the 2010 Mountain Standard, my heart skipped a beat.

This corked and caged beer was being released today at 4:30 (Mountain Standard Time, of course!). We were getting to sample it only an hour before the release. This is a luxurious Double Black IPA that has a silky soft head.  Smooth, not boozy with a rich easy-to-drink texture that envelops your tongue and taste buds on the way down. Pure enjoyment, dark and satisfying to the bottom of the glass. 

Joe was a great ambassador of Odell.  He took time to explain how the 11 brewers collaborate on the brewing process for the releases. I'm sure the other 10 brewers share his passion, else their beer could not achieve such great quality and taste. Now, if we can just get that distribution a little closer to my home base...looks like many more trips to Colorado are in store for me.

Heaven on earth is the only way to describe the taste. Okay, maybe I'm gushing, but you will not be disappointed in the least. Now, I have to find a way to get some of this 2010 Single Serve before it's all gone.

Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.greatdivide.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Black in color.
Smell of roast malt, vanilla and oak mingle on the nose.
Thick, rocky caramel colored head.
Lace clings tightly to the side of the glass with each sip.
Roasty malt taste with vanilla, and large hits of hops flavor.
Full bodied and full complex flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #10

Bryan Baltzell of Great Divide

Bryan Baltzell was the Yeti 'wrangler' from Great Divide, for this round. Oak Aged Yeti, no less. This is a sumptuous Russian Imperial Stout that left an impressive rocky head with some nice lacing on the glass.

Bryan passed a couple of bottles around the table for review while explaining the difference that oak aging makes on this brew, compared to the standard Yeti. I have never tasted either and was looking forward to trying it. After pouring, sniffing, holding it up to light, and swirling the beer, I raised the glass to my lips in great anticipation. Boo-yah!

According to Great Divide, this is a more sophisticated version of the Yeti.  Kinda' sounds like an oxymoron; a sophisticated Yeti?!!? Now I have a picture of Peter Boyle from Young Frankenstein stuck in my head.

Frankenstein in a tuxedo? You bet! It's "Super-DOOPER!"