Beer Review: Dogfish Head's Miles Davis Bitches Brew

Today's review focuses on a beer that holds great memories as well as great flavor. Without focusing too much on my personal experience, I can honestly say that every word contained here is based just as much on the quality of the drink as it is on my personal associations with this beer. It was the first beer I purchased for my partner on the eve of her 21st birthday, and it happened to be one of the finer beers either of us had tried. Every October, we make a point to get at least one bottle so that we can enjoy this well crafted beer and continue our annual tradition.

As for the beer itself, this is one dark, intense experience in which you can really get lost. This beer pours as black and thick as night with a moderately foamy, dark brown head. Initially crafted to honor the 40th anniversary of Miles Davis' landmark album, this beer tastes as bold and exciting as Miles' music must have been back in 1970 when the world wasn't quite as accustomed to such sounds. This beer is three parts imperial stout and one part honey beer with gesho root, and while the initial flavor is purely bitter and dark like the stout would have you believe, there's the subtle sweetness in the aftertaste and a smoothness of drinking that most imperial stouts don't provide. As with many imperial stouts, the aroma and flavor are heavy with cocoa and coffee flavors, but there really is so much more to this beer than that.

I also need to mention the addition of gesho here. I'm not going to lie and pretend I was familiar with it before doing my research for this review, but I'm fascinated with its inclusion in this beer. Gesho is a plant that grows in Ethiopia and is often used similarly to hops, in order to create a mead-like drink brewed with honey. This exotic and bold experiment is a perfect example of Dogfish Head's legendary commitment to providing drinkable and unique beers to the average American drinker. Much like the album Bitches Brew introduced many unsuspecting folks to wilder and more electric sounds than the average jazz album, (myself included), this beer will hopefully introduce dark beer drinkers to sweeter and smoother tastes and will hopefully introduce fans of lighter beers to the vast potential of the stout. This beer will be leaving stores soon, so rush out and grab a bottle or three. It's perfect. It's worth it. And if for some reason you aren't into jazz music or haven't heard the album this beer is named after, give it a chance and you may be surprised. Even this extreme metal geek can't help but spin this album on occasion. Sit back, pour yourself a glass, and get lost in the darkness of this beer and the beauty of this album.

Beer Review: Anchor Brekle's Brown Ale

Today I'm examining a beer from my native region, the San Francisco bay area. Anchor Brewing Company were one of the first breweries to enter my vocabulary when I first came of age, so it's fitting that I'm including a beer of theirs that I've never had before. When I first turned 21, I would often go to the liquor store around the corner to grab a bottle of Anchor Steam, as I found it preferable to many of the other beers that were readily available and within my price range. I had no concept of the diverse flavors beer could have nor did I know the difference between cheap malt liquor and high quality craft beers. Still, I knew I was drawn to beers with a richer flavor, more meant for sipping than chugging. In the honor of my own nostalgia, I'm drinking a beer that is equally nostalgic for the brewery.

Named after Anchor's first brewmaster, Gottlieb Brekle, this beer builds on a traditional brown ale in the finest of ways. Pouring a beautiful, rich brown with a slightly foamy head, this beer's malty aroma gives little warning of the broad array of flavors that will sweep across your palate. This is instantly smooth and enjoyable, even to those without much of a taste for beer, as its darkness and thickness are contrasted nicely by an almost honey-like sweetness. There's a slight feeling of crisp, delicate bubbles on my tongue as I swallow the last of each sip, which leaves a pleasant warmth in my mouth. This beer is rather middle of the road in alcohol content for a craft beer (6%), so I imagine it would be great to bring a couple bottles of this to a social event where the goal is to have a drink in hand without getting heavily intoxicated.

As with anything based on an old recipe, I really enjoy imagining that one of my great grandfathers may have enjoyed beers like this in his younger years. As somebody with a strong desire and love for relics of the past, this beer appeals to me greatly and happens to taste just as good as I'd hoped. This doesn't appear to be a particularly limited beer, but this was definitely the first time I'd seen it before. For a musical pairing, I'm listening to NPR's stream of the new Pig Destroyer album, Book Burner, which comes out today. It's also a brand new experience from an old favorite that I loved well before I understood their genre or why they appealed to me: the perfect pairing.

Beer Review: Green Flash/Founders Linchpin White IPA

This blog often features collaborative efforts from some of the extreme metal underground's most daring musicians, yet has primarily reviewed beers that are made by only one brewery. Today I'm changing that. This white IPA (the first I've ever had) is the result of two breweries I've never explored combining their efforts to make a bold and delicious beer. Green Flash are a young brewery from San Diego whom I've heard much about but haven't yet sampled. Founders are a brewery I'd never heard of before buying this beer, and it sadly appears that I'm not able to purchase any of their beers in the state of Florida. Drat.

On to the beer itself, we've got a beautiful golden pour with an incredibly strong, foamy head that never fully fades away. The scent is heavy with fragrant pine and the sweetness of citrus, but the taste is primarily the piney tastes of hops that is the trademark of IPAs. This beer drinks more smoothly than the standard IPA, which is often hoppy and bitter to the point where many new drinkers are put off. This would be a great introduction to the high potential of the IPA format. This is smooth and tangy without being hoppy enough to warrant a grimace. As I get deeper into the beer, I'm finding a strong orange flavor is coming out and it's perfect. As with many beers, half the depth of the flavor is hitting me as I exhale after each sip, which really provides interesting surprises with this solid beer. Much like the diverse pairing of breweries, the beer seems to open up with slightly different flavors with each sip. It's a really beautiful beer and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to give it a shot.

It was recently suggested by an acquaintance that I begin suggesting music and beer pairings for each review. While I'll primarily do this for albums rather than beers, I'm going to begin this tradition by pairing this beer with the equally complex split from Sadness Saturn and Golden Raven, with its harsh and beautiful moments complementing a beer both bitter and smooth.

Beer Review: Weyerbacher's Imperial Pumpkin Ale

So here I am, the pumpkin beer skeptic posting another review of a pumpkin beer. Why? Because this one's too damn good not to share. I don't have an immense amount of details to share because it's a simple yet blissful experience. You may have noticed that I haven't posted many reviews of pumpkin beers. I tried quite a few, but felt they weren't worth reviewing. It's not really in my nature to waste anybody's time just to say "you probably shouldn't buy this," so despite my previous promise to share my favorite pumpkin beers, there just haven't been that many. Despite my aversion for the style, it's safe to say that Weyerbacher pretty much always impress me with their commitment to brewing some of the highest quality craft beers I've had the pleasure of tasting.

This partcular beer is a bit on the bitter side, but that's where I prefer my drinks anyway. The dominant flavor here is cloves rather than the sweeter cinnamon and nutmeg which overwhelm most other pumpkin inspired beers. This beauty pours a thick amber colored body, with a moderate but not extreme head. The scent is appropriately autumnal: slightly spiced and slightly sweet. Drinking this beer evokes more than just pumpkin in my mind. I remember the chilly autumn afternoons when I used to smell the fallen leaves. I smell and taste autumn as a whole in this beer. It's the summary of the smells and tastes of the season with an emphasis on the pumpkin pie that brought the whole family together. If there's any one pumpkin beer you try this year, be sure to give that honor to this delicious treat.

As this is a seasonal ale, I seriously recommend you grab yourself a bottle or a pack of it now. While the price might decrease after the month or season end, it's more likely that the stores will be out of stock before this beer's run is over. It's that good. Get it now and impress your friends with your stunningly good taste.

Beer Review: Hevelius Kaper

This one's another recommendation from a friend. After posting about my beloved Zywiec Porter a little bit ago, I was encouraged to give Hevelius Kaper a try. I definitely enjoy this beer, but am slightly on the fence about its ability to challenge my beloved Zywiec. It's brewed by the same company, but is a very different kind of beer from its cousin. Where Zywiec Porter focuses on a dark, bitter flavor that removes the illusion that well-crafted beers a recent trend, Hevelius Kaper is evidence that the lighter beers of the world can still pack a high alcohol content and great flavor without compromising on smoothness.

Hevelius Kaper pours a rich amber color with a thin yet noticeable head. There's a very faint aroma of honey, it seems, but it's nothing I can taste when I drink it. This tastes like a more sophisticated, complicated version of the beers I drank when I first reached legal drinking age. As a pilsner, it makes sense. Most popular cheap American beers are variations on the traditional pilsner, which may be why I am always reluctant to consume a pilsner. Despite the negative connotations the term has in my mind, I'm finding this to be very drinkable and delicious. With a higher alcohol content, there's a bit more of a refreshing bite at the end of a sip and there's very little of the the effervescent quality that most beers of this nature carry. So instead of belching my way through a bubbly beer, I'm enjoying a nice spike of alcohol at the end of every smooth and delicious sip.

While this beer is not quite ready to make its way into my personal hall of fame, it's definitely got me eager to try more light, smooth beers. I guess this demonstrates that, like everybody else, I could seriously benefit from challenging my own perceptions more often. I'm really glad I gave this beer a chance, and I hope you'll all try it at least once as well. I can't find an official website aside from the Zywiec site, but there's little information about this beer outside of beer rating website. Should somebody responsible for the creation of this beer happen upon my blog, please link me to your website so I can direct my readers to you.

Quick Fix: Cigar City Brewing Company's "Good Gourd"

I'm starting a new feature here on this blog to share new finds of mine that I'm unable to fully document. Whether I hear a great new band while visiting a friend or drink a great new beer at a bar/brewpub/brewery, I want to be able to share it with you guys. This debut post is about an excellent seasonal beer from a local brewery that is gaining national attention. Cigar City have done the seasonal pumpkin beer serious justice with their Good Gourd. I had it on tap at my local hangout, the Independent Bar and Cafe, and found it surprisingly good. It tastes strongly of nutmeg and has a smooth flavor with hints of cider and chai tea. This delicious beer tastes more like gingerbread than a slice of pumpkin pie, and I'm quite okay with that. It's an incredibly limited run, but it's available each year. Find it at your local beer retailer while you can. If you're local to Florida you'll find quite a few options. If you aren't, I recommend hunting this one down. Possibly the best pumpkin beer I've tried this year.

Beer Review: Shmaltz's "Coney Island Freaktoberfest"

Today's review has been a lot of fun for me. Do you want to get ready for Halloween in the most appropriate extreme metal fashion? Do you want to drink the blood of the innocent, but are afraid that local law enforcement may ruin your fun? Then grab yourself a bottle or more of Coney Island Freaktoberfest. I've got a well documented love for Shmaltz and their commitment to challenging and enjoyable beers. This blood red lager is another success in the long list of excellent Shmaltz beers I'm already hooked on.

I must admit that the kitsch factor of drinking this beer intimidated and concerned me at first. Would I find the color and alcohol content of 6.66% to be the only appealing aspects, as some friends had warned me? Would this be another autumn beer that simply leaves me waiting for my beloved winter beers? The answer is definitely "no." Aside from the freakishly entertaining packaging and concept, this beer is a wholly enjoyable experience. I'm not the most well educated drinker of red ales or lagers, but I know that I'm not always so partial to them. I'm partial to this beer, and not just for its gimmick. The flavor is quite balanced and palatable and the beer is great for smooth sipping. The head is slightly bubbly and gives way to a delightful mellow fizz when I take a big sip. While the color would imply hints of strawberry or raspberry, this is not a fruit beer by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, this beer isn't really any kind of beer other than just a damn great beer. With an equal balance of malt and hops, I find this to be an excellent beer to just sit and enjoy.

As the name and concept of this beer are specific to the month of October, don't be surprised if it leaves the shelves relatively soon. Grab yourself a pack and share it with friends if you're having a small gathering later this month. Put on your favorite extreme album, pour this blood red delight, and celebrate the glory of the freakiest month of the year with a killer beer in hand. I promise your friends will be looking forward to next year's Halloween party.

Beer Review: Capital Brewery's "Platinum Blonde Doppelbock"

This beer is one that was recommended to me by my good friend Jason from my local Whole Foods Market. A decent portion of the beers you see reviewed here have been suggested by this man, and he's served quite well as both the devil and angel on each of my shoulders, assisting me in expanding my own taste in excellent brews. Last week I decided it was high time to give the much neglected doppelbock another try. I had a doppelbock or two out at local pubs and was astonished that I hadn't been drinking these for the past few years. When I walked in to visit Jason, this delicious treat from Capital Brewery is what he shared with me. The label on this beauty says "Platinum Blonde Doppelbock" but glancing around the internet, I can only see their beer "Blonde Doppelbock." I'd love some more information on this one, but I realize I most likely won't learn until after I've posted this.

This beer pours beautifully, with almost no head and a pale gold/amber body. The thing I really enjoy about doppelbocks is the spiciness. It's like a better version of the highly popular pumpkin beer that's going around heavily this time of year. It's a solid beer that isn't trying to taste like anything but a beer, but has some strong delicious spice flavors. Also, much like my beloved Belgian ales, doppelbocks tend to pack quite a punch. This one's no different. For such a smooth and delicious beer, this beer stands tall with 7.8% ABV yet has a certain sweetness I can't quite identify. Perhaps it's the "blonde" portion of this beer's name, but it's even smoother and more drinkable than the other doppelbocks I've consumed in the past couple weeks. I'm seriously enjoying this beer and I wish I'd come home with a four or six pack instead of just this single bottle. Clearly I'll be rectifying that on my next visit to the market.

Casual drinkers of the world, give this one a shot. If you're hesitant to try new varieties (as we all are at times), let this smooth and crisp delight be your introduction to the exciting new world of doppelbocks. I'm enjoying it thoroughly and I hope you will enjoy it as well. Cheers!

Beer Review: Zywiec Porter

This one's a tongue-twister even before you've caught its surprisingly strong buzz. Pronounced "je-vi-ets" according to a quick Google search, this is probably the single most frequently consumed beer in my house. If I'm to believe the bottle, this recipe has been unchanged since 1881 when presumably some awesome guy in Poland decided to make a better porter than all the craft beer nerds would make 130+ years later. One of the best parts of drinking this beer is imagining men with excellent mustaches drinking this back in the old country. In order to get a proper sensation of a time gone by, I'm listening to Ulver's legendary "Kveldssanger." It's not Polish, but much like this beer, it's an archaic recipe in a modern context and the two go perfectly together.

As I said before, I drink this beer more often than I drink any other beer. It isn't my absolute favorite beer on earth, but it's incredibly delicious and drinkable, as well as retailing for a measly $2.99 at my local market. This beer is so dark it's almost a stout, but it's got the malty sweet aftertaste of a strong porter. Upon pouring this beer, you'll notice a dense coffee color and a thin head. There are almost no bubbles and the scent is rich and earthy in the best of ways. This beer is surprisingly smooth for such a dark, thick beer, and if I weren't careful I'd drink it like water. The thing that prevents me from destroying cases of this liquid at a time is the fact that this beer has an alcohol content of 9.5% hidden somewhere in all that delicious flavor. There's none of the bitterness or strong alcohol flavor of most beers this potent. I usually share a bottle with my partner and we're both quite content with the portioning that way.

I know this beer doesn't have all the exciting packaging or clever marketing that most modern craft beers have. Honestly, it doesn't need it. I'm usually a sucker for a well-marketed beer, but I'm glad this one made its way into my hands. My brother in beer, Derek, shared the word of Zywiec porter with me months ago and since then I've rarely been without it in my fridge. I'm pretty sure it's distributed by Heineken in the US, so it should be relatively easy to obtain. If not, talk to the manager of your local beer purchasing establishment and inquire. It's worth the extra effort.

Beer Review: Weyerbacher's "Insanity"

So, I'm cheating today and reviewing a beer I already love. This is probably the first barleywine I've reviewed, and is one of my favorite beers of all time. Weyerbacher's Insanity is an oak-aged version of their Blithering Idiot barleywine, which is also an incredible beer. The worn-out saying is that insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. I personally believe this beer should be consumed again and again regardless of results. It's absolutely delicious. You may notice this review is shorter than usual. I really don't need to say much about this beer other than how crucial it is. Read below for details, then get yourself to your local beer retailer and buy this before somebody else does.

The initial aroma upon pouring is sweet with hints of honey and raisins. It's not the sickly sweetness of fruit-flavored beers, nor is it wine-like. It's a rich and deep aroma that invites you to lose yourself in a stellar glass of beer. Initial sips taste similar to the scent, but also with slight hints of coffee as well as the sharp and wonderful bite of bourbon of the oak casks. Insanity is a beautiful opaque brown, appearing and tasting much softer than its remarkably high (11%ABV) alcohol content. Due to its potency, and the fact that your friends and loved ones deserve such a great beer, this is one I highly recommend sharing. It's sold in four packs, but even splitting a single bottle with a friend is sufficient in my book. Normally I have more to say about a beer this great, but there really isn't much more to say. This beer is uncommonly good and you need to buy a bottle and try it for yourself. It's not the cheapest beer on the market, but it's worth the high cost. If any beer on this blog so far could be considered a "top 5" type beer of mine, this is absolutely it.