Filed under: Imperial Stout (snifter), North Coast | Tags: beautiful design, biting texture, black, chocolate, coffee, cream, dark finish, high craft, high hops, high malt, high quality, high strength, little lace, long, opaque, So nice, thin tan head, very well balanced
ABV, Volume & Calories: 9% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 200 C
Purchased at: Super Saver, Pennington, NJ
Aroma: So nice, coffee, chocolate, cream. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: beautiful design, black, opaque, thin tan head, little lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: very well balanced, high malt, high hops, high strength, high craft. 10 out of 10.
Palate: high quality, biting texture, long, dark finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Amazing, definitely a repeat, always a favorite, high value, high craft. 20 out of 20.
Filed under: Belgian Strong Ale (trappist, tulip, tumbler), Browerij Het Anker | Tags: angry, bitter, bitter finish, brilliant, cherry, dark, dry, floaters, Fruity, long, long lasting white head, medium craft, red, roasted, sour, spongey, subtle, subtle lace, warm, washy, watery
ABV, Volume & Calories: 8% in 11.2 fl oz. estimated at 200 C
Purchased at: Canal’s Lawrenceville, NJ for $3.50 ($13.99 Belgian sampler)
Aroma: fruity, cherry, sour. 8 out of 10.
Visuals: floaters, brilliant, angry, red, long lasting white head, subtle lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: cherry, sour, watery, warm, dark, roasted, bitter, medium craft. 7 out of 10.
Palate: washy, dry, spongey, long, subtle, bitter finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Seems like a kriek, but much less intense than something from Cantillion. I would not go out of my way to have it again. Craft seems strangely lacking. 16 out of 20.
Filed under: Imperial Stout (snifter) | Tags: bitter finish, black, burnt, cappuccino, chocolate, coffee, dark finish, dark malts, deep, delicious, espresso, fluffy, long, oily, opaque, persistent head, rich, roasted, sour, steady lace, syrup, tan, thick, well crafted
ABV, Volume & Calories: 9% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 190 C
Purchased at: Trenton Road Take Out, Langhorne, PA for $.41
Aroma: deep, roasted, coffee, syrup, chocolate, sour. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: deep, opaque, black, oily, tan, fluffy, persistent head, steady lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: rich, coffee, espresso, dark malts, burnt, roasted, bitter finish,thick, delicious, well crafted. 10 out of 10.
Palate: oily, thick, long, dark finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Like a Wawa cappuccino but much darker and deeper. I will seek it out and have it again and again, as long as this price stands. It’s very well crafted, and it is a personal favorite. 20 out of 20.
Filed under: American Pale Ale (lager glass, shaker), Oskar Blues | Tags: active, amber, beautiful, bitter, bright, brown, citrus, clay, clear, coriander, deep, dull, flowery, full, golden, grapefruit, heavy malt, hoppy, long, mold, nicely laced, off white, pine, rippled, sour, spicy, sweet, varied, wonderful
ABV: 5.5%
Calories: estimated at 150 C
Volume: 12 fl oz can
Glass: 6 oz goblet
Purchased at: West Trenton Wine and Liquor
Price: 1.59
Consumed at: Home
sensory first impression: Nice rippled creamy head. Beautiful color — off white head on a golden, amber, brown, varied body. Clear, bright sparkling. Hoppy aroma and wonderful flavor of pine and citrus.
Aroma: 10 out of 10
Spicy, coriander, Pine, Grapefruit, sludgy texture, clay, flowery.
Visuals: 5 out of 5
Amber, brown, golden, variant body with long lasting head of off white. Nicely laced.
Taste: 10 out of 10
heavy malt overtones, slightly sweet aftertaste, very hoppy bitter presence, sour in after taste.
Palate: 4 out of 5
Body is medium-full. Mouthfeel is clay and mold. Texture is dull, but wonderful. Carbonation is visually present, and active. Finish is long, sweet, sour, and deep.
Overall experience: 18 out of 20. I liked the uniquity of the canned delivery, the surprise of the quality, the aroma, the color, and the flavor.
Filed under: Imperial Stout (snifter), Samuel Smith | Tags: black, chocolate, coffee, dark, deep, delicious finish, heavy, heavy malt flavors, inviting, layered, light bitterness, liquor, long, loose lace, murky, nice, oily, opaque, persistent head, rich, roasted, soda, tan, tannins, well crafted
ABV, Volume & Calories: 7 % in 12 fl oz. estimated at 170 C
Purchased at: Circle Liquors, Pennington, NJ for $2.75
Aroma: tannins, dark, roasted, chocolate, coffee, nice, inviting. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: deep, murky, black, opaque, tan, persistent head, loose lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: deep, roasted, liquor, light bitterness, heavy malt flavors, layered, rich, well crafted. 9 out of 10.
Palate: soda, heavy, oily, long, deep, delicious finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Not quite up there with some other imperials, such as Stone, and not nearly as rich nor deep as something like Mikkeller’s Geek Breakfast, but highly available, and very delicious. I’d have it again in a heartbeat. It’s a great beer, and very well crafted. 18 out of 20.
Filed under: American Pale Ale (lager glass, shaker), Great Divide | Tags: anise, bitter, bronze, cascade hops, cloudy with fresh hop floaters, crisp, delicious finish, electric, fantastic, golden, great lace, honey, hoppy, long, rough, sandy, so very deeply bitter, strong, sweet, well crafted, wispy white head
ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.1 % in 22fl oz. estimated at 300 C
Purchased at: OakTree in South Plainsfield, NJ for $7.49
Aroma: sweet, cascade hops, honey, anise. 9 out of 10.
Visuals: cloudy with fresh hop floaters, golden, bronze, strong, wispy white head, great lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: so very deeply bitter, hoppy, fantastic, well crafted. 10 out of 10.
Palate: crisp, sandy, rough, electric, long, bitter, delicious finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Wow. Great Divide just doesn’t make a bad brew. The floating bittering hops do the job completely. I will most definitely seek this out again. It’s an absolute favorite, and very well crafted. 20 out of 20.
Filed under: Barleywine Style Ale (snifter), Smuttynose | Tags: bitter, buzzing, coating, deep but clear opacity, drying, heavy malt, intricate lace, inviting, limited clarity, long, maple, nice, nicely crafted, persistent head, roasted, ruby color, strong finish, sweet, tan
ABV, Volume & Calories: 10% in 22 fl oz. estimated at 400 C
Purchased at: for $4.99
Aroma: sweet, nice, inviting, maple. 9 out of 10.
Visuals: deep but clear opacity, ruby color, limited clarity, tan, persistent head, intricate lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: heavy malt, roasted, bitter, nicely crafted. 9 out of 10.
Palate: coating, drying, buzzing, long, strong finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Lighter and crisper than Old Ruffian. I’d have it again in an instant. Nicely priced, and great flavors. Get it. Well crafted. 18 out of 20.
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: 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.
