Beer Review: 12.12.12. Vertical Epic Ale (Stone Brewing Company)

Today we're reviewing a beer that comes last in a twelve-year line of epic beers. To be honest, I've only had the last two in the series, as I wasn't of drinking age when the series began. However, this beer alone deserves a mighty legacy, and I'm sad to know that I won't be able to find this on shelves in years to come. The 12.12.12. Vertical Epic is easily one of my favorite releases from Stone, so I really hope they'll come up with a new series of peculiar annual beers to follow this up. For those not familiar, each year Stone has released a beer on a date of sequential numbers (02.02.02., 03.03.03., etc.) and it's not possible to do it in 2013, so we'll have to find some new tradition as beer drinkers.

The drink itself is a Belgian-style strong ale, with all the deliciousness such a beverage entails. The beer is thick and dark and the head is a heavy caramel color, with a scent so sweet it's intoxicating. The beer doesn't really drink as sweetly, which is a delight for me. The fruity, almost cotton candy-like scent pairs with a dark, rich beer that goes down smoothly and feels much thinner than the color would make me assume. Like most Stone beers, this is noticeably stronger in flavor than similarly marketed beers, and that's a very welcome characteristic in this ale. This is the second bottle of 12.12.12. I've had the opportunity to enjoy, and I anticipate I'll stock up a couple more for months and hopefully years to come, in case I feel the desire to reminisce about being 25. Thanks to Stone for this delicious beer. Here's to many more years of brewing excellence!

Beer Review: Fixed Gear American Red Ale (Lakefront)

(Image courtesy of beerstreetjournal.com)

Today I'm drinking a beer that shares its name with a style of bicycles that's become quite notorious. It seems folks are either fanatical about riding fixed gear bikes or they have a disdain for the bikes and their owners. As a neutral fan of any method of transportation that isn't a personal automobile, I feel Lakefront's stellar red ale could appeal to folks on either side.

(Image courtesy of ratebeer.com)

The beer pours a rich red, true to its name, with a very thin head. This beer carries a scent that is heavily floral, although I'd be hard pressed to name a specific flower.  I can definitely smell some honeysuckle and orange. The beer drinks as smoothly and sweetly as it smells, with a slight bitterness typical of beers with moderate amounts of hops, but it doesn't quite live up to its claims of being bold or having attitude. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but don't expect this to be a beer that kicks your teeth in or turns off fans of smoother beers. This beer is more likely to cruise by on a single-speed bike and entice your taste buds with its smoothness. The only bold or particularly edgy aspect is the slight dryness of this beer, which I find to be another appealing aspect rather than a dangerous selling point.

Whether you're a grizzled beer connoisseur who feels my reviews are amateur in nature (spoiler: they are), or a newcomer visiting for a recommendation, this is an excellent red ale to start off with. While others have a more bitter or challenging flavor, this beer has the perfect balance of typical red ale features and palate-friendly smoothness to win over pretty much anybody. If you're a beer veteran, a six-pack is a wise investment, as these are incredibly drinkable. If you're a fresh drinker or perhaps not fully sold, grab a single bottle and sip slowly to get accustomed to its taste. You'll be a convert, I'm sure of it.

Beer Review: Harviestoun Old Engine Oil

Lately I've been writing about a lot of old favorites of mine. Not to get personal, but as the weather gets colder, it seems instinctive for me to withdraw from experimentation and return to familiar, comforting things. Old Engine Oil is a beer I was first served at a traditional English pub I used to frequent when I requested the perfect pairing for a plate of bangers and mash. My server gave me one of the most perfect beer pairings I'd had in a while when she presented this delicious black ale that fulfills its name's heavy promise. As a fan of thick, dark beers, I was immediately intrigued, and I was able to savor each drop as happily as the one before. While I'm currently enjoying this beer without a meal, it's still as memorable and pleasant as it was the first time I experienced it.

True to its name, this beer may as well have been dredged from the insides of a machine. Its dark color and thick nose would scare away many folks for whom a Guinness is too strong, but this beer's strength lies in its complexity. Despite its heaviness, Old Engine Oil is just as much of a dark ale as it is a porter, which lends a slight bitterness that fans of lighter beers will find familiar and welcoming. The malty aromas of coffee and caramel are here, as with many traditional porters, yet they accent the richness of the drink rather than comprising the majority of its flavors. The beer's carbonation is minimal, another reason the oil comparison is rather appropriate. The liquid glides across my palate smoothly, without any interference. Most dark beers are slow drinkers, but were I not drinking this with the intention of fully savoring it and writing a review, I could find myself in danger of drinking far too quickly. Still, at only 6% alcohol, this beer isn't as much of a threat as it may seem.

If you're a fan of any traditional Scottish ales, I highly recommend Old Engine Oil. If you ever want a nice dark drink to comfort you on a cold, grey day, I highly recommend Old Engine Oil. If you are making a meal that will stick with you for the next eight hours and want a beer heavy enough to pair with it and light enough to not overwhelm your stomach, you know what to get. I don't see this beer often enough, yet it always seems to be around when I'm looking for it. Seek it out and enjoy your reward.

Beer Review: Monster Ale Barleywine (Brooklyn Brewery)

In this blog, I often describe things as monstrous or beastly, because I tend to like things that can fit into such categories. When a beer is given the name "Monster," then I know it's going to be a great fit for my blog. Brooklyn Brewery's Monster Ale definitely deserves its title and has been on my shopping list a handful of times. It's highly drinkable and a great introduction to barleywines for folks who may not have had one before.

The beer pours a dark, dull amber, with a very small head. The aroma is heavy with notes of grape and honey, with a sip providing a richer version of the same flavors, with a slight hint of hops. The beer as a whole showcases the strength of a barleywine, as it somewhat treads the line between a dark beer with light hop elements and a stronger bottle of mead. The beer is intense and sweet without being thick or syrupy, and it leaves a light, crisp aftertaste. It masks its high alcohol content (10.1%) behind a veil of sweet and vibrant flavors, which makes for a fantastic drinking experience that warrants sharing instead of overindulgence. This is a relatively standard barleywine experience, but being standard doesn't make this boring. Instead, this is one of my easy go-to beers when I want more than a single bottle and I want a solid and drinkable barleywine.

As with most of my beers, this comes highly recommended, even if it doesn't sound like your normal cup of tea (or glass of beer). I'm pretty sure this beer is available year-round, and accordingly it should be a nice addition to your fridge in the near future.

Beer Review: Abita's Andygator Helles Doppelbock

Today's beer came to me on a recommendation from a friend when I expressed a renewed interest in the mighty doppelbock. The style of beer isn't nearly as popular as it should be, including in my own home. Most people seem to stick with familiar varieties of beer: pilsners, stouts, pale ales, etc. I feel like a good bock gets lost in the mix of great but common beers, so I've been making it a mission to find a few great bocks. This one comes in a dark bottle with the image of a gator implying that danger lies inside, but I found a smooth drinking experience instead of a fearful time.

This beer poured with one of the thickest heads of any beer I've featured in here so far, and a very light, slightly transparent body. In fact, in many ways this beer is a "first" for this blog. This is by far the smoothest and lightest beer I've featured here, yet it stands strong at a relatively potent 8% alcohol by volume. As I'm not usually a drinker of pilsners and the like, I could easily see this beer being something I'd keep on hand to share with friends who typically drink lighter beers but would love to try a new treat. This is on the milder side of the doppelbocks I've had in the past, yet it still retains enough bite to keep me intrigued. This isn't ready to jump to the top of my next list of purchases, but it's definitely something I'd keep in mind when I want a smooth drink to sip casually.

If you're a light beer drinker, I recommend giving the Andygator a shot as your introduction to a slightly more bitter experience. If you drink more bitter beers but have nothing to drink with your friends who are immersed in the world of pilsners, share this with them and you'll find something in common.

Beer Review: North Coast's Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale

Since we're beginning a new year, I feel it's appropriate to visit one of the first beers I can remember imbibing in my early days of beer geekiness.. What used to be "that tasty beer named after a musician I dig" is now "that beer I refer to as a sibling because its name and memory evoke such a feeling." Yes, North Coast's Brother Thelonious is so dear to me I refer to it as a family member whenever it comes to visit. While the label calls this beer a Belgian style abbey ale, the internet seems quick to argue with this description. I'm not typically one to challenge a label, and I must say that this beer was one of the beers that led me toward my obsession with Belgian and Belgian styled beers.

Much like the remarkable pianist this beer shares a name with, Brother Thelonious is more complex than any easy description will permit. To call Monk's music "jazz" is to sell him short, packaging him besides easy listening artists and not the kinetic and soulful madness that jazz once represented. To give this beer a simple title is also inappropriate. While the beer pours a dark amber with a nice thick head, and has an absolutely captivating scent, it's not an experience that can be understood with one or two sips and a glance at the glass. This beer is something you understand more deeply as you near the bottle's end. Crisp flavors of caramel and raisin play on my tongue, while the liquid itself slides across my palate more smoothly than a beer this rich normally would. Drinking Brother Thelonious is like a slow and playful seduction, with each sip lingering just enough to create a tense anticipation for the next.  An experiment I recommend (and how I first was introduced to this beer) is to try drinking this at room temperature. I first learned of this beer at a traditional pub, where none of the beers were served at the icy temperatures many of us Americans are accustomed to. While I was initially confused, I still was blown away by how incredible this beer tasted. That was four years ago. I'm still finding new excuses to lose myself in Brother Thelonious, and I hope this review will encourage you to do the same.

Another appealing incentive for purchasing this golden treat is the fact that North Coast makes a donation to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz with every bottle purchased. This means that in addition to receiving a quite reasonably priced bottle of beer, you're directly contributing to musical education and greatness with each purchase. I know I'll drink to that. Cheers.

Year End Extravaganza: Review of Cigar City's Moat Water

As we wrap up the year's festivities this evening, it's time to raise a toast of sorts to the things that make our lives better. I can't think of a better way to do so than with a beer honoring the Skate Park of Tampa's 20 year anniversary, which falls in 2013. Even though Cigar City is far younger than the Skate Park, they've crafted a very mature beer for this special occasion. It's a dark, delicious stout, with smoky hints of vanilla and dark coffee melting into a smooth maple finish. The legend behind this beer is that there's a drainage ditch behind the Skate Park lovingly referred to as "the moat." A liter of the water from the infamous moat was taken back to the brewery where it was mixed in with the batch of beer, providing the name (and a sense of dread) to this delicious beer. While the drink sounds dangerous, welcoming in a new year with a small and delicious risk is quite suitable and appropriate. Drink safely and in good health. Here's to another year of stellar beers and music!

Beer Review: Unibroue's Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2012

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I visited some friends out of town, in one of the few cities here in Florida that has a Trader Joe's store (a common chain for me growing up out west, but I find they're almost impossible to find down here). I went in to grab a snack for the road and left with this interesting bottle. It's brewed by Unibroue but is exclusively sold and bottled for Trader Joe's. It's now my job to see how this beer differs from Unibroue's other offerings.

This dark beer pours an incredibly thick and resilient head that slowly dissipates as the beer settles. While I initially expected this to be a repeat of Trois Pistoles, it smells slightly fruitier and sweeter than I recall its counterpart being. Indeed, it is a thinner and more noticeably effervescent drink than its cousin, but the two share many similarities. The almost tropical flavors presented in this beer are balanced by a hint of citrusy hops and a moderate darkness, yet nothing too intense to frighten away more timid drinkers. This is a highly drinkable beer and while it's got a great deal of intricacy and flavor, it's hardly intimidating. If you're in a Trader Joe's and find yourself curious, grab a bottle. It's a great price and a great beer, whether you're a well seasoned palate or a curious individual who seldom drinks craft beer. Grab it while it lasts and enjoy!

Beer Review: Shmaltz' Coney Island Bourbon-Aged Human Blockhead

Well, this beer's name is a mouthful to say the least. Made by my beloved Shmaltz, this is their doppelbock, the Human Blockhead, but with a little extra kick somewhere in the process. The bourbon aging adds a smooth but noticeable bite to the drink, something I find I enjoy quite a bit. The dark and sweet caramel flavors compliment the light burn of the barrels this delicious beverage was aged within. I'd long been enticed by the comical mascot on the bottle, and I'm glad I finally made the commitment to purchasing a bottle for my own enjoyment. While I've yet to have the standard Human Blockhead, it just moved up many notches on my growing list of drinks to try. I recommend you find this delicious rarity before it vanishes again.

Quick Fix: Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier

Today's Quick Fix is Samichlaus, a beer that is only brewed one day a year, and that day happens to be today, December 6th.  I'm not sure what the reasoning is, but this beer has a reputation and a unique flavor to back it. Once known as the most alcoholic beer on earth (at 14% ABV), it's still known as one of the most peculiar and cherished beers. This doppelbock is surprisingly smooth and sweet for its alcohol content. When I say this beer is sweet, I don't just mean it's got a light malty presence. The malt and fruit flavors are over the top. Some complain about this beer being almost syrupy, but I find it quite enjoyable. Regardless, I would probably never drink a whole bottle without the aid of my partner, as I don't often enjoy getting tipsy after just one glass of beer. This is definitely one to get your hands on, if for no reason other than for the experience of it. Give it a shot, even if you find it's not quite your thing. I enjoy it thoroughly and hope you will as well.

Beer Review: Grimbergen Blonde Ale

Lately I've been paying favor to a lot of my beloved dark, thick beers, so here's a review of a lighter ale to keep things friendly for all of my readers. Grimbergen are a Belgian brewery that has been in operation as an abbey since 1128 and brews in a properly enjoyable fashion. Aside from having a name that evokes a lot of black metal imagery, Grimbergen's Blonde Ale is a delicious and smooth beer that sits just heavily enough to be noticeable and is just light enough to be highly drinkable.

This beer is a strong testament to the power of the Belgians in all of their brewing endeavors. While I tend to prefer stronger beers, especially Quadruppels, even this pale beer is more refreshing and enjoyable than some of its American cousins. The sweetness and color of this beer are very similar to many Hefeweizens, yet this beer is higher in alcohol (6.7%) and richer in flavor, with a clearer body. I can't say how this stands against most Belgian Blondes, because I usually drink heavier beers, but it's damn tasty and refreshing. I could see myself having a couple of these to sip on at a social gathering if I'm trying to have a drink in hand for most of the night.

As this beer is light yet not wimpy, I'm going to recommend pairing this delicious treat with In Flames' melodic death metal classic "Lunar Strain." While it's a bit outside of the genre for this blog, the two are perfectly paired for each other. Enjoy some sweet solos while you drink a smooth beer.

Quick Fix: Unibroue's "Maudite" Gift Set

Hey there readers, it's time for a quick fix, and this one's a bit unique. This is the first time I'm reviewing a gift set rather than just a beer on its own, so we'll see how this one goes for me. I've never had Maudite before purchasing it in this box set, but after seeing the snifter included and the stellar price (I paid only about ten bucks for mine), I had to have it.

The beer pours a heavy brown with a very thick, foamy head, that lingers around for quite a while. This is my first drink at home from a proper snifter, and I'm excited by this one in particular. The ominous gargoyle on this is perfect for a metal-loving beer nerd like myself, and while I'm still learning about the shape of a glass in relation to its impact on the drinking experience, I'm happy to have a new style of glass in my cabinet. In this particular beer, it really seems to fill out the nose, providing a massive experience. Much like the heavy nose, a sip of this beer provides a relatively hoppy, yet notably fruity and delicious beer. It mentions on the box that this beer can be paired successfully with spicy food, and I'm enjoying it alongside a bowl of painfully spicy homemade chili. The two are absolutely suited to each other and I'm having a great time. Given the price and the beauty of this set as a whole, I highly recommend getting this for yourself or the beer snob in your life. Cheers!

Beer Review: Unibroue's Trois Pistoles

Oh man. Every now and then I get beer recommendations from my friends who also enjoy a good drink. These recommendations often prove to be enjoyable, but seldom lead me to the discovery of a beer I can't live without. This fantastic ale from Unibroue leaves me baffled and delighted. I have no idea how I made it this far into my life as a beer nerd without trying this, but I'm glad I was encouraged to try it.

Described as a Belgian-style Strong Ale, this beer is so much more than any name could capture. As with all Unibroue beers, the label on the bottle is incredibly detailed and gorgeous, which complements such a drinking experience quite nicely. The beer pours a rich brown with a very thin head that creeps away towards the edges of the glass before dissolving rather quickly. The nose is thick with fruity malts that hint at the rich and enjoyable beer within. Even a mere sip is a brief moment in paradise, as the malty goodness is paired with syrupy sweetness that finishes so smoothly, the beer's high alcohol content (9%) is masked perfectly. The label likens the flavors to a fine port wine and it's totally accurate. There's even a bit of the delicious bite of a nice glass of brandy. Seriously, I'd say this is the perfect dessert beer, but I would never recommend waiting until after a meal to drink such a delicious beer. Start it halfway through the meal and enjoy a sip or two with each course. You'll be glad you did.

It doesn't appear this beer is seasonal, so grab a four-pack or single at your next opportunity. Stores in my area sell four for an average of ten dollars, so it's an incredible deal. When you find it, leave me a comment with your thoughts. I'm obsessed with this beer and hope you'll feel the same way I do.

Thanksgiving Special: Saison du Buff Series

So today is Thanksgiving. Whether you're tearing into a roasted turkey, a vegan grain cutlet, or even just a plate full of stuffing with gravy, you're probably consuming a lot of delicious herbs and spices in whatever it is you're eating. There's no better beer to pair with your holiday festivities than one of the beers from the magnificent Saison du Buff series. These three beers are all variations on the same recipe from Dogfish Head, Victory, and Stone Brewing Company. All three share a strong love and dedication for brewing excellent craft beers, and all three have achieved a moderate level of fame through their commitment to perfection, so it's a wonderful match for all three to collaborate on this peculiar beer. Each one includes rosemary, sage, parsley, and thyme, which makes it the best pairing you can imagine for your holiday meal, whatever it may contain.

I'm sharing this with some close friends, and we're drinking each brewery's take on this fantastic beer. We're drinking them in order of release, beginning with Dogfish Head and ending with Stone. All pour relatively pale bodies with a thick foamy head, but each is slightly different from its peers. Since I can't write a paragraph on each beer due to similarities, I'll instead write a few sentences explaining how they contrast from each other. While the beer doesn't taste like a turkey dinner, it's the perfect complement. Dogfish's take on it is a crisp and hearty take on the beer, with the spices being heavy in the nose and relatively light in the body. More than any of the other flavors, sage takes the focus in this delicious incarnation of the Saison Du Buff. Victory's version of the Saison is a slightly fuller drink, a bit more of a punch in the nose and mouth. It still relies heavily on the sage, but the rosemary also plays gently at the back of my palate with each sip. The head is a little less heavy on the foam here than Dogfish Head's ample pour, but it's still a nice thick little endeavor. Tonight is the first time I'm drinking Stone's version, which is why I'm finally putting out this review that I've waited for months to write. The head is almost nonexistent, which is fine with me, and the nose is very citrusy in comparison to the other two. True to Stone's tradition of brewing strong beers, this one has a slight hint of piney hops added in to the herb-heavy mix, adding a bitterness that works quite nicely.

Whichever beer you choose to enjoy with your dinner tonight, be sure to check out the Saison du Buff family in the near future for some solid evidence that sometimes businesses can support each other rather than simply acting as competitors. I had a great time visiting with friends and drinking these three beers side by side, and I'm sure you'll have an equally enjoyable time whether you get just a single bottle or one from each brewery.

Beer Review: Breckenridge Vanilla Porter

Today's review covers one of my favorite beers for casual drinking, the legendary Breckenridge Vanilla Porter. It's available year-round, is reasonably priced in a six-pack, and has the perfect balance of flavors for maximum enjoyment. I could sit down and have three or four of these tasty treats in one sitting. Seriously, this beer is like candy in my household. We only buy about one of these six-packs a month, but we tear right on through it when we do. Why do we drink it so quickly? Because it's smooth and easy to drink, while still being a dark and delicious beer.

The beer pours a dark and thick brown, with a thin but definitely noticeable head. The scent is slightly toasty with a sweet smell I can only identify as similar to jelly beans, which I can only assume comes from the vanilla. Taking a sip, the beer has the standard malty and slightly bitter characteristics of a good porter, yet finishes lightly with vanilla that lingers more in my nose than on my tongue. As I make my way farther into the beer, the sweetness does build up slightly, but never threatens to overwhelm my senses and does little to hinder my enjoyment of this well-made porter. While this isn't the beer to end all beers, this is absolutely one of my favorites for casual drinking. If I'm going to buy a six-pack rather than a single bottle, this is easily within the top five beers I'll purchase.

Pair this beer with any album that you'd consider a classic. It may not be something you listen to every day, but if it's reliable and brings a smile to your face, then it works well with this beer. Drinking this beer is like meeting up with a great old friend: it's always enjoyable and pleasant, no matter how long it's been since the last time you've crossed paths.

Beer Review: Clown Shoes' Chocolate Sombrero Imperial Stout

Every now and then, a beer comes to me with a recommendation from a friend rather than something I've found on a whim. This beer is absolutely one of those. This is the first beer I've had from Clown Shoes, and it definitely fulfills the reputation my friends have given it. My friend Frank recommended the Vampire Killer, which has moved even higher on my list, but this bottle was given to my partner as a birthday gift, so this dark and delicious brew is my introduction to the massive talent that is Clown Shoes.

First off, I'm a total sucker for dark beers, so I'm both predisposed to liking this and also preemptively jaded on the style. If a chocolate stout is poorly done, I'm going to notice it. This beer is not poorly done. It's incredibly delicious. This beer pours dark and beautifully with a very thin brown head. The aroma is appropriately heavy on the chocolate, but a sip of the beer provides a slightly more complex experience. If you've ever had a Mexican-style hot chocolate, you know what they're aiming for here. For the most part, they succeed. Of course this isn't nearly as sweet and syrupy, but this does good justice to its goal as far as beers can go. In addition to chocolate, this beer has ancho chilies, vanilla, and cinnamon thrown into the mix. They all combine relatively smoothly, with the lightly spicy aspects playing nicely at the back of my throat after each sip. It's a delightful experience and is proving to be richer of an experience than I anticipated.

For a brewery I hadn't even heard of before I started this blog, Clown Shoes have thoroughly impressed me with this stellar stout beer. I'll definitely be revisiting this one, and I couldn't be happier that I've got such generous friends. Expect another Clown Shoes review from me soon. They're on my radar now.

Quick Fix: OBP's Toasted Coconut Porter

Here's another treat from the folks that created the OBP, which I reviewed in September. Whereas pilsners aren't usually my cup of tea, I could drink porters all day long and this is no exception. The aroma on this one is rich and malty and it drinks more smoothly than most porters I've had. The slight sweetness of coconut becomes more present as it builds up on my palate while I drink this beer, but never threatens to overwhelm the delicious flavor of this beer. I bought a single bottle of this on a whim, but it's quite possible I'll be buying this in six-packs from here on out. This porter is highly drinkable and still complex enough to entertain many beer geeks. I recommend trying this one against a more highly priced craft beer competitor, you may find a more affordable and delicious beer with this one. I shared mine around a fire at a friend's house and everybody who sampled it found it to be thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Beer Review: Southern Tier's Pumking

(image from Southern Tier's website)

So now that we've reached Halloween itself, it's time to share my absolute favorite pumpkin beer. Southern Tier have made the pumpkin beer that made me forget my dislike for all things pumpkin themed. My skeptical attitude first changed just last autumn, when a friend shared a sip of hers at a bonfire. I instantly knew that I'd be trying every pumpkin beer I could get my hands on when the next autumn began. This experience set me on a pumpkin spree this year. I must say the results were quite mixed. Many of the pumpkin beers I tried were unimpressive, or even downright unpleasant. The few I chose to share surprised me. I wasn't sure if I'd be sold on very many at all. After a month of more pumpkin-y treats than I'd care to admit, this one still stands out on top.

I've had three encounters this year with his highness, the Pumking, and each one proved better than the last. The beer pours a clear and thin amber color, with almost no head to speak of. The scent is so full and wonderful. Rather than smelling disgustingly of pumpkin, the light scent of slightly toasty pumpkin pie is complemented by heavy and tantalizing spices.The taste is equally impressive. Both full of pumpkin and delicious spices, it presents a mixture of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and even a hint of possibly ginger or brown sugar. This beer is such an absolute pleasure to drink that I feel it'd be appropriate any time of year. It's warm enough for the winter yet smooth and crisp enough for the spring and summertime. Seriously a top choice. I'll likely be saving an extra bottle or two to enjoy in about six months when I start to miss this season.

I know it's not vanishing with the end of October, but usually this beer's supply dwindles over the next month or two, so I highly recommend grabbing it soon, even if you just plan on hoarding it for a later date. For a pairing, I suggest King Diamond's Fatal Portrait, if for no other reason than the legendary "Halloween." For those curious about the lack of images in this review, I apologize. My wonderful blog queue seems to have deleted images from a couple of my queued posts, and I already deleted the pictures I took from my hard drive. I apologize and will likely keep pictures stored for a slightly longer time.

Beer Review: Innis & Gunn's "Rum Cask Oak Aged Beer"

This beer is a sneaky one. The bottle is unassuming and modest. There's no flashy packaging, no absurdly high price tag. It's not made by a brewery actively riding the current craft beer craze with a hundred different drinks on the market. It's a simple and attractive bottle, explaining what the beer is and little else. That should be all this beer needs to sell itself, but it probably isn't. I was hesitant at first, but appearances are often deceiving, so I brought home this modest little monster from Innis & Gunn and I'm currently a very happy camper.

The beer pours a pretty average head, which dissipates relatively quickly. Even the first sniff of this beer confused me. The aroma was almost reminiscent of many standard pilsner type beers, which I tend to find unexciting. While there's a certain faint, musty sweetness to the nose, it's pretty mellow and tame, which makes the flavor such a huge and wonderful surprise. My first sip was an oak-filled flavor explosion. So was my second. This beer in its simple bottle with its mild aroma has some of the biggest and most surprising flavor of any beer I've tried lately. The actual beer is full of caramel, raisin, and other sweetly intoxicating tastes. With each sip I feel like I'm peeling back another layer of this beer's medley of tastes. It's got a fair kick (7.4%)  that you can definitely taste, and it's a malty, rich, and wonderful experience.

What I expected to be a rather standard beer experience is quickly making its way onto my "will buy again" list. I encourage you to do the same. While many of the currently popular breweries are making bizarre and exciting beers with all sorts of peculiar names and labels, this is an incredibly well made beer with enough depth to dominate even the fiercest competition. If you find a bottle, grab it. I've had its non-rum cask cousin, which was quite good, but I definitely recommend spending the extra dollar or two for this gem.

Quick Fix: Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA

My friend Brad and I were fortunate enough to grab a goblet of Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA on draft from one of my preferred local watering holes last week. If you're a bit of a beer geek like myself, you'll know that this is one of those beers that appears infrequently and sells out quickly. I'm not often an IPA drinker, as the hops tend to dominate other flavors, but this beer proves the great potential an IPA can hold. This dark amber beauty has a light aroma of citrus and a slightly foamy head. Upon sipping, the sweet flavors of honeysuckle and orange blossom contrast the tangy bite of hoppy bitterness. While the bite can be a bit intimidating, this beer is worth trying at least once, preferably with a friend. Drinking it alone can be a bit daunting with its 17% ABV, so this tasty drink makes a good excuse to invite a friend out for a beer. Cheers!