review: Boulevard - Long Strange Tripel

Style: Tripel
ABV: 9.00%

I've been looking forward to trying something from Boulevard for a long time, and awesome trader BuckeyeNation hooked me up bigtime with a few different bottles. At first I wonder which way this tripel will go, an authentic Belgian way, or the messy American way with a little bit of everything thrown in.

Pours toasty-golden, big poofy head, nice and fluffy, awesome lacing left. Just like a tripel should look like. Smells slightly musty, with some sweetness coming through over it. Little bit of spicing evident. Upon first sip, I know we have a winner. It's slightly sweet, but balanced by a good bit of dryness. Nothing like Golden Monkey (although I do love me some Monkey) and a sweet barrage of everything but the kitchen sink right off the bat. Little bit of spicing, but nothing overpowering. Kind of bready, reminds me of cookies, almost. I'm doing a really bad job doing it justice, save that is very very good. Very ephervescent in mouthfeel, silky smooth texture, can't stop drinking it. Just awesome.

A: 4/5
S: 12.5/15
T: 43/50
M: 12/15
D: 14/15

Total: 85.5%

Review: North Coast - Old Stock Ale

Style: Old Stock Ale
ABV: 12.50%

Oddly enough, this is one of a few North Coast beers we don't get in MA (Cru D'or and the Rasputin anniversary series being the others). I don't get it, but such is life. I'm sampling a 2007 vintage so graciously provided by my Minnesota BA buddy, BDLbrewster.

This to me is the definition of a sessionable old ale. My only other experience previous to such a thing was with Founder's Curmudgeon, and I hated it. Far too smokey for me. This one pours almost jet black, not much signs of carbonation or life. This is actually a good thing, however, as too much carbonation would subdue all that's going on. It really doesn't smell as strongly as I would have figured, either. Bit of vinuous acidic fruit lying underneath layers and layers of peaty malt - not too smokey, but tobaccoey, a bit leathery. A good dose of that slightly acrid chewy-spicy taste, also. This is another one that lingers pleasantly on the palate, tasting for an hour or more after like smokey licorice. Very pleasant, and not overwhelming. A great go-to old ale that belies it's very high ABV with superb drinkability. North Coast is just awesome.

A: 3/5
S: 11/15
T: 44/50
M: 13/15
D: 13/15

Total: 84%

Review: Stone - Vertical Epic 09.09.09

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV: 8.90%

Ever since I heard about this one a few months back, I was intrigued. Heavy on chocolate malts, with vanilla and tangerine peel added. Sounds like an awesome orange and chocolate combination. The final product doesn't quite live up to my lofty expectations, but it is still very good nevertheless.

Very dark, pruney-brown, massive head that emerges makes for a slow pour. Smells almost like coffee, which is strange - almost harsh, but in a pleasing way. Not sure if it's the heavy chocolate malts doing it, interacting with it in a strange way. Taste is very similar - almost harsh, but not quite, in a pleasant way. Heavier hopped than a typical Belgian Dark, which for Stone is far less than normal :) It's far more dense than a typical Belgian Dark, though, doesn't have the ephervescent smoothness or velvety texture in the mouth. For my own sanity, I'm calling this a Belgian Stout, even though it isn't really. But the slightly astringent malt makes me think of that - roasty and chocolatey, with Belgian candied sugars. The orange doesn't come through really, which is a shame, I'd like for it to be balancing a lot better with the chocolate. The vanilla adds a light, lofty sweetness to the endgame. It's very drinkable for what it is, and that is to its credit. It's just not quite at the balance I'd like to see. I'll be buying more of this to drink and squirrel away for sure, and we'll see how it evolves.

A: 3.5/5
S: 11/15
T: 41/50
M: 11.5/15
D: 12/15

Total: 78%

sick :(

Got a bit of a cold the past few days, which is cutting in to valuable beer tasting time. I have a bunch of old reviews from the past week or so to write up, so don't worry, I'm not binging or anything :p

"Bacon's" isn't a bad name...

...it could always be worse.

Review: Stone - Levitation

Style: American Amber / Red Ale
ABV: 4.40%

If I recall correctly, this is basically a baby version of the Stone XI recipe (which later became Sublimely Self-Righteous). All in all, it's pretty mild for a Stone brew. From the appearance, great carbonation, leading to a soupy head. Kind of cloudy on the inside, but looks quite refreshing. Smells unspecifically of hops, sort of a generic IPA smell. Tastes like a mild, sessionable IPA. Earthy and grapefruity hops, just in lesser quantities than you usually get from Stone. The carbonation really helps this one along, low carbonation and it would be quite eh, but since the flavors are more muted, it helps keep things moving along. Pretty easy session IPA/Amber/whathaveyou, nothing earth-shattering.

A: 4/5
S: 11/15
T: 36/50
M: 13/15
D: 12/15

T: 76%

FBS FBS FBS!

Just found out that Founder's Breakfast Stout lands this week, can't wait! Such an awesome and rich coffee bomb, one of my favorites.