Filed under: Captain Lawrence, Porter (English pint, stem glass) | Tags: age, beautifully crafted, bitter, black, burnt, cherry, electric, extraordinary, fully opaque, grapes, long, mercury, oak, overwhelming, pine, pungent, sauerkraut, sour, strong, strong lacing, surf, thin wispy tan head, wet, wine
ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.4% in 25.4 fl oz. estimated at 340C
Purchased at: OakTree Buy Rite in South Plainsfield, NJ for $14.99 (special thanks to Jay for this back store grab.)
Aroma: wine, oak, age, extraordinary, overwhelming, pungent. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: fully opaque, black, thin wispy tan head, strong lacing. 5 out of 5.
Taste: grapes, oak, electric, sauerkraut, wet, burnt, pine, cherry, beautifully crafted. 9 out of 10.
Palate: surf, mercury, long, strong, bitter, sour. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Reminds me of the smell of a house burning. I wouldn’t seek it out again – smoked is not my favorite style, though I’m glad I had a chance to sample it. It’s extremely well crafted, and in my palate, it’s extremely close to wine. 17 out of 20.
Filed under: Great Divide, IPA (shaker, tulip) | Tags: balanced, bitter, bitterness, burning, classic IPA, clear, coating, copper, crisp, drying, enticing, flour, grapefruit, intricate lace, long finish, nice, nicely crafted, sandy, spicy, strong finish, very persistent, white head
ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.8% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 170C
Purchased at: OakTree Buy Rite, South Plainsfield, NJ for $2.49
Aroma: nice, enticing, spicy, grapefruit, burning. 8 out of 10.
Visuals: clear, copper, white head, very persistent, intricate lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: flour, grapefruit, classic IPA, balanced, bitterness, nicely crafted. 9 out of 10.
Palate: drying, bitter, crisp, coating, long finish, strong finish, sandy. 4 out of 5.
Overall: Reminds me of many other IPAs, but a high quality example with an exemplar in the visual area. I’d have it again in a minute. It seems like a regular go-to pick. Very well crafted. 18 out of 20.
Filed under: brown ale [bruin] (mug), Mikkeller | Tags: bitter, brilliant, caramel, celery, coffee, crisp, drying, enjoyable, faint, garlic, ginger, hoppy, impressive lace, intense hops, interesting, long, nice, overpriced, peppery, persistent head, red-brown color, roasted, root beer, spicy, thick foamy off-white, well crafted
ABV, Volume & Calories: 6% in 16.9 fl oz. estimated at 200 C
Purchased at: OakTree Buy Rite, South Plainsfield, NJ for $14.99
Aroma: faint, spicy, hoppy, caramel, root beer, nice. 8 out of 10.
Visuals: brilliant, red-brown color, thick foamy off-white, persistent head, impressive lace. 4 out of 5.
Taste: roasted, coffee, ginger, garlic, celery, intense hops, interesting, well crafted.10 out of 10.
Palate: mouthfeel is crisp, drying, texture is peppery, finish is long, bitter, and enjoyable. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Reminded me of a dark and delicious root beer. I’d have it again as a gift, but the price was very steep. Browns in general are not a favorite style for me. This one was very well done, as are all Mikkelleri. 18 out of 20.
