Filed under: American Strong Ale (trappist), Rogue | Tags: alcohol, amazingly persistent head, as usual, beautifully crafted, brilliant, brown, denim, floral, gold, great quality, long deep finish, Malty, nice hops, no lace, packaging is beautiful, powerful, ruby, rye, sweet, terrycloth, well hidden alcohol, yellow
ABV, Volume & Calories: 9.0 % in 26 fl oz. estimated at 400 C
Purchased at: Canal’s Lawrenceville, NJ for $11.49
Aroma: alcohol, powerful, floral, sweet. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: packaging is beautiful, as usual, yellow, ruby, gold, brown, brilliant, amazingly persistent head, no lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: rye, malty, nice hops, well hidden alcohol, beautifully crafted. 10 out of 10.
Palate: great quality, denim, terrycloth, long deep finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: reminds me of a meadow. I love it, and would seek it out. It’s very well done. 20 out of 20.
Filed under: Founders, Specialty Grain (shaker) | Tags: beautiful, bitter, caraway seed, cascade hops, clear, crisp, deep brilliant, dry, exciting, expertly crafted, favorite, grapefruit, hops, impressive, long bitter finish, off white head, persistent, pine, powerful, pumpernickel, red, rye bread, sandy, siren like, strong, strong lace, sugary
ABV, Volume & Calories: 6.8% in 12 fl oz. estimated at 170 C
Purchased at: circle liquors Super Saver, Pennington, NJ for $2.50
Aroma: siren like, sugary, pine, cascade hops, grapefruit. 10 out of 10.
Visuals: clear, deep brilliant, red, off white head, persistent, beautiful, strong lace. 5 out of 5.
Taste: rye bread, pumpernickel, caraway seed, strong, bitter, hops, powerful, expertly crafted. 10 out of 10.
Palate: crisp, exciting, dry, sandy, long bitter finish. 5 out of 5.
Overall: Simply amazing – the mix of rye and hops is one of my favorites. I’d have it again in a split second. An instant favorite. Beautifully crafted. One of the most impressive lacings I’ve ever enjoyed. 20 out of 20.
Filed under: IPA (shaker, tulip), Stone | Tags: balanced, bitter, depth, fantastic, favorite, flowery, lace, powerful, sour
ABV: 7.7%
IBU: 100+
Volume: 1 PT 6 FL OZ
Glass: Tulip
Purchased at: Joe Canal’s, Lawrenceville, NJ
Price: $4.99
Consumed on: 02/11/2008 at 11:40 pm and many other occasions
first impression: A very nice lighter colored amber ale. Differs in depth at edge. Head is nice and thick and aroma is spicy and permeating. Flowers are everywhere. Nice lace. No question of its power upon first sip – rich and full of bitterness. Disposition of an angry old man, but balanced with flavor, depth, and character in loads. One of my favorite beers.
Aroma/Olfactory:
A nutty, roasted flavor of malt, just slightly charred.
Resinous hops, sticky and flowery. The hops dominate here.
There is something hinting at sawdust or a woodworking scent. Its beautifully layered.
A medicinal tinge loops into licorice and raisin and leads to a smoky wooden taste.
Visuals/Appearance:
A light stained walnut appearance and flavor doesn’t travel far from it. Sculptural.
This is a quiet, clear and crisp ale. More about taste than visuals, but not bad to look at.
A very white head, flattens in time, and clings nicely in lace.
Taste/Flavor:
A slight sweetness and overwhelmingly bitter, with 100+ IBUs.
Tasty sour aftertaste hangs on back of the tongue with a little bit of salt. This would go great with a curry. Malt keeps up with the hops, surprisingly.
Palate/Tactile:
A light body, despite the wallop. This ale is slick with alcohol.
Soft and quiet carbonation finishes with a bitter impact that is worth savoring.
second impression: Overall, this brew is fantastic – if you like bitter, you should not miss Ruination. Be forewarned, all others will pale in character afterwards. This should be the last brew in a session.