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

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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

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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".