Layer Cake Malbec 2011

Layer Cake Malbec.

2011.

Pure Love Wines

Mendoza, Argentina

And here we have it, the 2011 Layer Cake Malbec.

If you read through some of my amazing wine reviews, particularly the Malbec reviews, it won't take long before you see me mention the Layer Cake Malbec.  

Cherry Pie Pinot Noir

Cherry Pie Pinot Noir

2010
Hundred Acre

Stanly Ranch, Napa Valley, California

Jayson Woodbridge

Every time I think of cherry pie, I think of the Rock hit by Warrant.  I can't help it.  It gets stuck in your head.  Not that it has anything to do with this elegant wine, though.

But this, this is the review of the Cherry Pie wine, a Pinot Noir from winemaker Jayson Woodbridge.  Not quite the same as a song by Warrant.  Not at all.

If You See Kay Red Wine

If You See Kay

Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Blend

2010

One True Vine/Hundred Acre Winery

Lazio, Italy

So... here's a wine that's garnered some attention, If You See Kay.  Obviously, the name is a play on words from the lengthy classic James Joyce novel, Ulysses.  The full quote is:

If you see kay      

Tell him he may      

See you in tea      

Tell him from me

An observant reader would notice another four letter word, but hey, it's literature!  What we're really here for is the wine!

Maison Nicolas Merlot Reserve

Maison Nicolas Merlot Reserve

Vintage: 2010

Bordeaux, France

When shopping for wine I tend to just buy whatever random bottles I see that I haven't tried yet.  No real rhyme or reason.

  

Does it look interesting?  Great, I buy it.

  

Does it look weird?  I buy it. 

Do I have difficulty pronouncing the name? Buy it.

Is there liquid inside? Buy it. 

But sometimes, I do actually go with others' recommendations.  Such is the case here.  This is the 2010 Maison Nicolas Merlot Reserve from the Bordeaux Region of France.  It was recommended to me by the same people at my local wine/beer cellar who talked me into buying a bottle of Tanilla Porter, granted this purchase was considerably more favorable.  

Thank goodness!

Anyway, this is a relatively cheap French wine.  But price can be deceiving.  So let's cut to the chase.

The 2010 Maison Nicolas Merlot Reserve pours a dark, semi-hazy garnet and shares aromas of plums, prunes, cherries, and strawberries.  Tasting brings dried strawberries, cherries, and cranberries blending into notes of stone, a fair bit of pepper, damp earth, and bitter oak in the finish with a good, chewy mouthfeel from the moderately strong tannins.  

In some ways, this almost tastes like a Merlot mixed with a California Zinfandel.  It's an interesting and intriguing wine, and quite honestly the best Merlot I've had this entire year.  And that's saying something, especially since it only costs around $8-12 depending on where you find it.  The price is deceptively cheap for how tasty this wine is.  

I could pair this with game meat several times a week and be a happy, happy guy.

Drink This: if you want a great bang-for-your-buck French Merlot.

Don't Drink This: if you don't like tasty, tasty French red wines...

Cheers!

     

Layer Cake Primitivo aka Zinfandel

Layer Cake

Primitivo a.k.a. Zinfandel

Pure Love Wines

Origin: Puglia, Italy

Vintage: 2008

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sometimes I come across beverage companies that are just consistent, with almost everything they put out being above average, sometimes well above average.  Stone Brewing Company comes to mind, where even their worst beers are better than most other breweries typical beer.  

Well, Layer Cake wines have reached that status in my mind.  They don't make the most expensive wines nor necessarily the absolute best, but for the money, they're hard to beat.  Every wine they put out tends to be consistent and above (or well above) average.

I've already formally reviewed Layer Cake's Shiraz (here) and the Layer Cake Malbec (here), so go check those out.  

And remarkably, for what it's worth, the Layer Cake Malbec is one of the few wines I have bought more than once this year.  So that's saying something.

But for now, I'm looking at Layer Cake's Primitivo, which is an Old Vine Zinfandel produced in Manduria, Italy.  Like I've said before, Layer Cake has somebody with good tastes sourcing their grapes.

The 2008 Layer Cake Primitivo (Zinfandel) pours an inky, dark, dark purple that verges on being black.  It's that DARK.  It has aromas of blackberries, plums, pepper, and Maduro-wrapped cigars (my favorite).  Tastings brings about more dark, dark berries and jam, cocoa, tobacco, hints of leather, and a bit of spicy cinnamon, with a velvety thick mouthfeel and a bit of chewiness.

Bottom line this is a big, dark, decadent Zinfandel.  It has a surprising depth of flavors going on, without being overly oaked and boozy like many California Zinfandels.  It's another Layer Cake winner. 

I thoroughly enjoyed it.  That's all I need to say.

Drink This: if you want an extremely dark, rich Zinfandel.

Don't Drink This: if you're looking for an oakier, California-style Zinfandel.  This one is quite dark, but still has a bit of jamminess to it.  But, it's definitely worth trying.

Cheers!   

          

 

The Show Malbec

The Show

Malbec

Three Thieves/Rebel Wine

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina

Vintage: 2010

I've mentioned The Show Malbec wine before, but haven't officially reviewed it

... until now.

(Queue dramatic music)

Okay, so let's not be that dramatic.  It's just a simple wine review, afterall...

Anyway, if you've read through some of my Malbec reviews (check them out here) you may have noticed I tend to compare Malbecs to a few of my favorites, Layer Cake's being one and The Show being another.  They're not the most expensive Malbecs, but they both are certainly good bang-for-your-buck wines.  

The Show Malbec is produced by Three Thieves which I take it is owned by Rebel Wines which is out of California.  Despite this, The Show Malbec is made in Mendoza, Argentina home of many great Malbecs.  85% of this wine is from Lujan de Cuyo and the other 15% is from Uco Valley.  If that sounds familiar, it is.  I recently reviewed Diseño Old Vine Malbec which is made in the exact same two regions of Argentina.  I'm wondering if there may be some overlap in the vineyards where these two wines are sourced (they're both good wines and similar, so I could believe it).  Regardless, the wine is then aged for 9 months in 25% new French oak.  

The Show Malbec pours a deep purple and has aromas of blackberries, vanilla, anise, and a bit of florals.  Tastings brings out more blackberries, blueberries, raisins, bits of clove, coffee, and cocoa, followed by an earthy and rustic finish.

I consider this to be, like I said earlier, a great Malbec wine for the money.  It has good, strong dark fruit flavors and depth followed by the classic Argentinian Malbec finish of earthy rustic soul-pleasing goodness.  I know a few people who don't like the earth notes in good Malbecs, but I, for one, love them.

Drink This: if you want a big, yummy, earthy Argentinian Malbec.  It only costs around $12 a bottle, but tastes like other Malbecs that are $20+.

Don't Drink This: if you don't like a dark red wine with a rustic, dusty, farmyard feel.  

This wine isn't for everyone, but that just leaves more for me... 

Cheers!  

 

    

Homemade Bacon and Wild Crawdads

Homemade Bacon & Wild Crawdads

Okay, so this isn't an alcohol review like usual.  

My bad.  

I just want to share a couple cool pictures I took.   

Yes, that's a slab of homemade bacon, dry-cured and hickory smoked, by me!  

BACON.

BACCCOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNN. 

I did slice it later, of course, but I thought this was an amazingly drool-inducing picture.  This is classic hickory, but my last couple pounds of bacon were peach wood smoked.  

Delicious.  

And just FYI, this was dry-cured which is the old school artisinal method, whereas most modern produced bacon is wet-cured.  This lends a slightly different flavor profile and a different texture when cooked, which I happen to prefer over the mainstream store-bought bacon.  The people who don't understand others' love of bacon have never tried it homemade.  

But I digress....

Anyway, here is a pic of some wild crawdads (aka crawfish) I caught within 15 minutes of my house, then cooked in a Cajun-style boil and served with melted butter.  Kind of like lobster.  

Also delicious.  :)

 

More alcohol reviews on the way.  

Stay tuned...

Cheers!

The Abyss

The Abyss

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

Vintage: 2011

Imperial Stout

IBU's: 65

Alcohol: 11%

There are a few beers that are hyped more than others within the craft beer community including several stouts from Founders Brewing Company, the Dark Lord from Three Floyds, Russian River's Pliny the Younger and Elder, and this bad boy The ABYSS.

The Abyss is an Imperial Stout from Deschutes Brewery out of Bend, Oregon.  Now, they make a hell of a lot of great beer (ie. Inversion IPA, Obsidian Stout, Jubelale, and several of their other yearly releases), but this one takes the cake as their crowning achievement.  And well, I'm not going to beat around the bush, it simply beats the hell out of most other brews out there.  

The Abyss is a massive 11% ABV and a decent 65 IBU's.  It is brewed with black strap molasses and licorice.  Vanilla and cherry bark are added partway through the process to help flavor the beer.  6% of this beer is aged in oak ex-bourbon barrels, 11% is aged in plain oak barrels, and another 11% is aged in an undisclosed varietal of ex-wine oak barrels before being blended together with the remaining 72% and bottled.  The result is an incredibly complex, amazingly balanced beer.  

It pours as black as the Devil's soul with a thick, light brown head.  It smells of dark roasted, toasted malts and sweet vanilla.  You take a sip and get smacked in the mouth with a creamy mouthful of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, anise, dark roasted coffee, strong oak which reminds me of an aged Old Vine Zinfandel, dark sweet fruit in the mid-palette, and tobacco and a moderate bitterness (hops and licorice?) in the finish.  After each sip there is a lingering toasty, oaky, almost grilled flavor.  The 11% alcohol is completely hidden somewhere within this dark beast of a beer.  Somehow this beer stays balanced amidst all of the strong flavors, while still being creamy, smooth, and lusciously dark.  

Don't drink this brew ice-cold, let it warm up a bit to really let the deep, complex flavors shine.  I wouldn't recommend this beer with food, as it would be a shame to have food cover up the wonderful flavors, although I could see having a dark, big ring cigar as suiting this bad boy quite well if the mood is right...

Drink This: if you want one of the best dark beers in production today.  There's a reason why The Abyss is hyped like it is... because it's great.

Don't Drink This: if you don't like awesome, incredibly rich and dark brews.  This is easily one of the best Imperial Stouts I've ever had.                         

 

Double Bastard Ale

Double Bastard Ale

2011 Release

American Strong Ale

Stone Brewing Co.

IBU's: "Classified" (100+?)

Alcohol: 10.5%

"Ye shall know the Bastard,

and the Bastard shall set you free."

It's crazy to think, but 101 reviews ago I reviewed the original Arrogant Bastard Ale, a perfectly balanced hoppy and malty, strong amber ale.  The original Arrogant Bastard maintains itself as one of my all-time favorite beers and I've probably gone through more bottles of it than any other single beer.  Stone Brewing make several variations on the Arrogant Bastard, with the oaked version being one of my favs, as well.  But, the big daddy of them all is this one, the Double Bastard.

Now, any reader of the beers reviews on this blog knows that I have a love for Stone Brewing Company out of California.  And even though I've only formally reviewed a handful of their beers, I've sampled over a dozen different brews and haven't had a bad tasting one from them yet.

So here we have the Double Bastard, a 10.5% ABV beast of a beer.  It pours a slightly darker amber than the standard Arrogant Bastard.  It has strong aromas of malty caramel, figs, and a massive amount of hops on par with a good India Pale Ale.  You take a sip and get thick, sweet toffee malts, dark raisins, pine, a touch of the high-proof alcohol, and a pleasantly long-lasting bitter hop finish that rivals just about any IPA out there.

This is everything I love about the original Arrogant Bastard Ale stepped up a couple notches.  It has pretty much the same flavor profile, but everything is stronger here.  Stronger malt, stronger hops, stronger alcohol.

This. beer. is. badass.

Drink This: if you want a malty, hoppy, beast of a sipping beer.  If you enjoy the standard Arrogant Bastard or like hoppy beers, give this is a try.  This is easily Stone's best beer and in my top 5 favorite beers, perhaps even top 3, of all-time...

Don't Drink This: if you are not worthy.         

 

George T. Stagg Bourbon 2011

 George T. Stagg Bourbon

2011 Buffalo Trace

Antique Collection

71.3% Alcohol (142.6 Proof)

If you get into the bourbon drinking world at all, there's one bourbon that comes up in conversation time and time again.  For many (including me), it's the epitome of what bourbon can, and should, be.
It's the infamous George T. Stagg.

Personally, I've never had a George Stagg bourbon I didn't like and I've had several bottles yearly the past few years.  I reviewed last year's (2010) bottling here.  As usual, every Fall the Buffalo Trace Distillery releases its Antique Collection, a limited yearly release of five whiskeys: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Sazerac, Eagle Rare, and the Thomas H. Handy.  I've already formally reviewed the 2011 William Larue Weller, a wheated bourbon, which I thought was better than last year's bottling.  For now, I'm going to focus on the big daddy of them all, the George T. Stagg, but the other reviews should be coming soon, as well.

Fortunately, I still had some left from one of my opened 2010 Stagg bottles so I could compare them side-by-side.  Granted, the already opened 2010 bottle is likely a little mellower since that happens after a bottle has been open for a month or two.  But, it still made for a good comparison.

George T. Stagg 2011 vs. 2010

The 2011 Release George T. Stagg pours a slightly lighter color than the 2010, but still with the distinct dark, auburn color.  It smells very similar to last year's, with overt smells of dark maple and brown sugar.  Even though it has slightly less alcohol than last year's, the alcohol smell it more pronounced in the nose.  Granted, this could be because this 2010 bottle has been opened for a couple of months, giving it time to mellow like I said earlier.  The 2011 tastes of strong, smokey dark brown sugar, oak, vanilla, and some maple in the finish.

This is clearly less sweet than last year's release (and a couple of the years before that), both in smell and taste, but for some people that could be a welcome change.  The staple Stagg characteristics are clearly there, making this easily still one of the best and most hardcore bourbons out there.  Make sure to drink it with a splash of water to experience the full flavors. 

Personally for me, of the 2011 Antique Collection releases the William Larue Weller might actually be tied with big daddy Stagg... and that's saying something.

Drink This: if you want one of the finest, most flavorful barrel-proof bourbons around.  (If you can find one, I suggest also buying a 2010 or 2009 release since they're slightly more balanced in my opinion, but they are awfully hard to come by now and might cost quite a bit more)
Don't Drink This: if you want a bourbon to mix or if you think Jack Daniels is "too strong."  This 142 Proof beast will tear you up if you're not already accustomed to drinking high-proof bourbon neat.  And no, taking shots doesn't count. 

Cheers!         

Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout

 Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout

Bottle Conditioned

IBU's: 75

Alcohol: 9%

When I think of Norway, I think of Black Metal.  That's right, those headbanging, leather-clad, spike-wearing dudes with faces painted black and white, screaming hymns to the Dark Lord himself!  To me, that's Norway.  I'm sure it's a beautiful country, but it has to be awfully cold and dark there.  That's why it's only fitting that an Imperial Stout from the land of Black Metal would be ridiculously dark and devilishly warming.  And guess what? It is.

Gorgoroth probably drink Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout.

Nøgne Ø is the largest bottle-conditioned beer brewery in Norway.  The name translates as "naked island," which they claim is a reference to the, "countless stark, barren outcroppings that are visible in the rough sea off Norway's southern coast."  They actually make quite a few different beers, most of which I've heard are quite tasty.


The Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout pours black as sin, with a crazy dark brown head.  No light is getting through this nectar from the land of the dark, cold North.  It smells awesomely strong of dark chocolate, anise, some fruitiness (plums and black cherries, perhaps?), and some burnt background notes.  You take a swig and get exactly what you're expecting: dark and semi-sweet chocolate, black cherries, deeply roasted almost-burnt malts, espresso, and a mild bit of hops at the very end.

This is easily one of the darkest, heaviest, gloriously delicious brews I have had in quite some time.  And I have quite a few really great beers each week, so that's saying something.  This is not an everyday beer.  This is a brew for those cold, bleak, rainy nights when you want to stare into the darkness, while taking small sips of liquid warmth.  Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout is truly a great Imperial Stout.  But then again, I'm a fiend for Imperial Stouts.  Cheers, my friends...

Drink This: if you want a liquid slice of warming darkness.
Don't Drink This: if you are weak.  This beer is such a far departure from American Macro Light Beers that I don't even know if the universe would let them exist side-by-side in the same refrigerator. 

   

Samuel Adams Imperial White

 Samuel Adams Imperial White

Belgian Witbier Brewed with Spices

Boston Beer Co. (Sam Adams)

IBU's: 20

Alcohol: 10.3%

For some reason, I'm not generally a huge fan of wheat beers.  They're not bad, but they tend to all be too similar and sometimes a bit too bland.  Certainly there are a few standout breweries that can make tasty ones (Widmer Bros. for example).  So, when I saw that Samuel Adams had an Imperial White, I was a bit hesitant to try it.  Luckily for me, I did.

This Imperial White is another in Samuel Adams' Imperial Series which includes four different beers (Imperial White, Imperial Stout, Double Bock, and a Wee Heavy).  I previously reviewed the Double Bock, which is a malty glass of high ABV goodness.  Don't ask me why the label in the picture up top says 8.3% alcohol, my 4-pack were all 10.3%.  I do know they had made revisions to the recipes for the beers going into the Imperial Series.  The Double Bock went up a couple percent in alcohol, too, for its new iteration.  

The Imperial White pours a cloudy, dark gold, almost copper hue, which is actually a bit darker than most wheat beers.  It smells of strong, sweet malts, orangey citrus, and LOTS and LOTS of spices (coriander and nutmeg, among others).  You take a sip and you get an explosion of sweet malts, sweet citrus, moderate hops, and a mouthful of spice.  The 10.3% alcohol is present, but like the Double Bock, it actually helps cut through some of the maltiness and sweetness, giving it a unique balance.  It leaves a spiced, lingering, oddly citrusy aftertaste.  It sounds freaking crazy... and that's because it is.  Freaking crazy over-the-top delicious.   

I have to commend Samuel Adams for making something this flavorful and bold.  The Imperial White is probably the best overall wheat beer I've tried, and that's saying something because I have tried quite a few.  Over the top malts, over the top spices, and over the top alcohol, while somehow not becoming cloying... instead become AWESOME.
Don't ask me how come I like it so much, but I do.  I really, really do.

Drink This: if you want an over-the-top spiced wheat beer experience from a brewery that is mainstream, yet continues to release awesome craft beer-style brews.
Don't Drink This: if you are most people.  This is not a brew for everyone.  It is totally unique and almost doesn't taste like a wheat beer.  The spices, especially, will be much too strong for many.  It almost reminds me of a spiced Christmas Ale seeing as how heavily spiced it is.  

If you decide to try it, let me know.  I'm certain Samuel Adams Imperial White will be an extremely polarizing beer.  You will either hate it or love it.  
Cheers!       

Germain-Robin Single Barrel Colombard Brandy

Germain-Robin Single Barrel Colombard Brandy

23 Years Old

42.8% Alcohol (85.6 Proof)

Colombard Grapes

For some, brandy can be a rather polarizing drink.  While many people love wine, only some of those love brandy and usually not until later in their lives.  However, Germain-Robin's Single Barrel Colombard is exactly the type of brandy that could turn non-brandy drinkers into brandy lovers.  This is fantastic stuff.

Germain-Robin's Single Barrel Colombard was aged for 23 years in a single Limousin oak barrel, unblended, and brought to bottling proof (85.6 proof) with filtered rainwater.  According to Germain-Robin,

Colombard was the preferred grape of Cognac in the 1800s, before phlloxera; this show you why.  The river-bottom soil of the Hildreth ranch contains peat: you can taste it.

This brandy received an impressive score of 97 by Wine Enthusiast.  

Germain-Robin's Single Barrel Colombard pours a rich, golden hue.  On the nose, it has very soft hints of fruit and a subtle mustiness.  Upon first sip, you are greeted with a complex, rich flavor, yet with a silky and velvety mouthfeel that is common only to the finest spirits.  You can certainly taste peat in the background, giving this brandy a unique and welcome depth.  It genuinely is one of the smoothest, softest, most elegant brandies I have had the pleasure of drinking.  Like I said earlier, this could easily turn non-brandy drinkers into brandy-lovers.  Hopefully with time I can taste some of their other single barrel offerings.  Amazing stuff.

Drink This: if you want a ridiculously soft and smooth, complex brandy.  If you already love brandy, you will adore this.

Don't Drink This: if you don't appreciate delicate, craft spirits.                

 

Low Gap Whiskey

Low Gap Whiskey

Craft Distillers

Clear Whiskey

Aged 357 Minutes in Oak

44.8% Alcohol (89.6 Proof)

Every once in awhile, something will catch you off guard.  Something will be so random, so unexpected, that it makes your head spin.  Now I have had quite a few "white" whiskeys over the years, including moonshine, pure corn whiskeys, and several "white dog" mashes of a variety of bourbons (including Buffalo Trace's White Dog Mash Recipe #1 reviewed just a few days ago).  But, the thing that's currently blowing my mind is Craft Distillers' Low Gap Whiskey.  This isn't your grandpa's cough medicine.

Craft Distillers' Low Gap whiskey is distilled by hand in an antique double-distillation copper cognac potstill from Germain-Robin's old Surrenne distillery.  If distilling whiskey in a cognac still sounds odd, that's because it is.  Low Gap is made from Bavarian hard wheat, slowly fermented to 8.8% alcohol, distilled, then brought to bottle proofing with rainwater.  That certainly sounds impressive and guess what?  The end product most definitely is.

Low Gap whiskey is aged for 357 minutes in oak before being bottled, but this liquid is as clear as spring water.  It smells like mildly sweet corn and bread, with some background notes that are almost floral.  Tasting it totally caught me off guard.  Whereas Buffalo Trace's White Dog is almost cloyingly sweet, Low Gap's sweetness is tamed down.  It has much more depth and roundness to its flavor, but it is almost difficult to describe.  There is a delicate sweetness, where the floral notes show up again, some wheat in the background, and an almost ethereal base.  It has surprisingly little alcohol burn.  

Don't let the plain looking bottle fool you, Low Gap is special stuff.  It is easily the smoothest, most elegant white whiskey I have tried.  I craved more after my glass was gone.  I'm excited to try this after it has been aged a few years.  Considering how delicate and refined it already is, several years in wood could give some of the heavily aged Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys some stiff competition.  

This is a white whiskey I may have to keep stocked in my liquor cabinet.  Brilliant, brilliant stuff. 

Drink This: if you want to try white whiskey done well.

Don't Drink This: if you don't drink whiskey neat or with a splash of water.  It would be a shame to mix something of this quality with cola or a sour mix.    

      

Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double IPA

Odell Brewing Myrcenary Double IPA

Double India Pale Ale

IBU's: 70 (Reportedly)

Alcohol: 9.3% 

There are a couple styles of beer that I really love, Stouts and India Pale Ales, and all the variations of these.  Odell Brewing Company out of Fort Collins, Colorado makes a couple really great IPA's.  Their Myrcenary Double IPA is part of their 4-Pack Series which includes this Double IPA, a Double Black IPA, and a Double Pilsner.  

 

Usually I abhor sweet drinks.  Maybe that's too strong of word.  Okay, so I usually dislike sweet drinks, with only a handful of exception.  Odell's Myrcenary Double IPA is one of those exceptions... and it is truly something special.  

 

Myrcenary pours like most IPA's, a hazy damp golden hue.  Nothing special there.  The smell and taste, though, are where it shines.  It smells like sweet oranges, citrus zest, moderate hops, and almost overwhelming floral.  You really have to smell this to understand.  It is almost a lavender or lilac-type scent, but without becoming too effeminate.  While that may sound a bit weird, it fits in so well with the sweet oranges and bite of the citrus zest.  It tastes very hoppy as is expected from a Double IPA, but it's not astringent or bitter like one would think.  It somehow remains sweet (not overly so), yet deep, lively, and dynamic.  There are clear sweet citrus notes, almost tropical fruits (guava?), and a malty backbone.  The higher ABV somehow stays hidden.  Mycenary is really, really complex and has a lot going on through the whole drinking experience.  

 

This is probably the most dynamic and interesting IPA I've ever had.  It's not the hoppiest, strongest, or most bitter, but it has complexity and unique flavors in spades and is unlike any other IPA.  On paper the crazy floral notes and sweet orange taste don't really seem like my style of drink.  BUT, in the real-world, Odell's Myrcenary Double IPA is glorious, exceedingly delicious, and worth seeking out.  

 

Drink This: if you enjoy a good India Pale Ale and want to try a twist on the style.

Don't Drink This: if you dislike hops.  Like any IPA, this is hoppy.  Sure, it's not nearly as bitter as some, but for the beer-drinking newbies, this will still be a bit over-the-top. 

Stone Ruination IPA

Stone Ruination IPA

India Pale Ale
IBU's: 100
Alcohol: 7.7%

If you couldn't tell from my previous reviews of Arrogant Bastard and Belgo Anise Russian Imperial Stout, I love the Hell out of Stone Brewing.  Somehow they manage to make every freaking beer taste amazingly dynamic and flavorful beyond belief.  While there are several other breweries that come close and have a couple amazing brews, Stone maintains the number one slot in my mental ranking of breweries. 

So, today I am reviewing another in Stone Brewing's line-up, the Ruination IPA.  It pours the color of dark hay and smells of hops, hops, and more hops, with a small bite of grapefruit and pine.  I was totally expecting this to just ruin my mouth and destroy my tastebuds with a hoppy overkill.  BUT, it did not.  For as hoppy as it smelled, the hop taste was actually very well-rounded and dynamic.  Don't get me wrong, this is one extremely hoppy beer and is clearly not intended for anyone except hopheads and those venturing into extreme IPA territory, but this beer isn't just a one-note hop bomb.  The taste is mostly hops, yes, but there is a sweet maltiness and some clear citrus peel flavors going on, too, making it very, very drinkable and delicious beyond belief.  The mouthfeel is perfectly creamy and oh so fitting.  It leaves a long-lasting, pleasant hop taste in your mouth that urges you to take another sip.

Stone Ruination IPA is one damn good India Pale Ale.  It may be tied for my favorite IPA at the moment.

Drink This: if you love to fill your mouth with creamy, hoppy, liquid deliciousness of the Gods.

Don't Drink This: if you aren't into hops.  If the hoppiest thing you've ever tried is Samuel Adams Boston Lager (like many people), this will destroy your palette and make you cry for mommy.  If that happens, send me an email and I will come finish the rest of your drink.  :)        

Black Flag Imperial Stout

Black Flag

American Style Imperial Stout

Beer Valley Brewing Co.

IBU's: 100+

Alcohol: 11% 

Black Flag, like Old Rasputin, is one bad ass beer.  Seriously, seriously bad ass.  This is the kind of drink that I almost feel bad if I'm not listening to Pantera or sailing a Viking ship while drinking it.  It's that bad ass.

Black Flag is brewed by Beer Valley Brewing Co. out of Ontario, Oregon which started production only in 2007.  This was their first production beer, although they now have several others which I now need to try.

Black Flag Imperial Stout is brewed with 8 different malts and 4 different types of hops resulting in 100+ IBU's (bitterness) and 11% alcohol.  That's pretty damn hardcore all around.  It pours as thick and black as sin, with no signs of light shining through.  It is only lightly carbonated, but will pour a good enough head if you try.  It smells like coffee, dark chocolate, dark roasted malts, and hops.  It tastes gloriously dark and deep, with notes of dark chocolate, nuts, and a great presence of hops. The 11% alcohol blends in amazingly well considering that's strong as Hell.  

All in all, one of my new favorite beers.  As if you couldn't tell.   

Drink This: if you want an amazingly delicious, hardcore, well-made Imperial Stout.  I imagine you can take this with you while you pillage and burn villages, whether as a Viking or a Pirate.  And yes, I'm a geek.

Don't Drink This: if you are weak.  

Delicious.

 

He drinks Black Flag.

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

North Coast Brewing Co.

IBU's: 75

Alcohol: 9%

There is a reason why Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout is well-loved by those who enjoy dark beers: because it kicks ass.  Old Rasputin is made by the North Coast Brewing Company out of Fort Bragg, California. I'm sure they make other delicious beers, but who cares, Old Rasputin is all you need.

This beer is named after Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (1869-1916), a Russian who was reported to be a mystic, prophet, and healer.  He had substantial influence over the Russian emperor of the time and was eventually murdered.  He was poisoned, then shot four times, then finally thrown into the Neva River where he drowned.  Apparently he was a tough bastard who refused to die.  That's why his pretty face adorns this bad ass beer bottle.  

Bad ass.

 

Old Rasputin pours black as black can be, with a good thickness.  It smells like dark chocolate, coffee, and toasted malts, with some distinct hops.  In other words, it smells awesome.  It tastes like a stout should: dark and roasty and thick, although it does actually have a less hoppy taste than I would imagine.  You can barely taste the presence of the higher ABV (9%), but only barely.  It is really quite well-rounded, but not in-your-face like some other Imperial Stouts I have tried.  It is almost subdued and easy-drinking for the Imperial Stout genre, if that even makes sense. 

Compared to what most people consider "dark beer," aka Guinness, this blows it out of the water.  This makes Guinness seem like Mr. Rogers, and this is a tame Russian Imperial Stout!  If you haven't tried a beer in this genre and enjoy Guinness, try this! It will alter your perceptions of what dark beer can be.  And then, maybe you can start exploring the delicious world of darker, more extreme beers, as this really is quite mild for the genre.  If on the other hand you enjoy your Bud Light, Keystone, and Natural Light run far, far away. This beer is not for you.

Drink This: if you want something darker and more aggressive than Guinness, yet not extremely over-the-top like some beers can be.  This really is a fantastic introduction to the world of Imperial Stouts.

Don't Drink This: if you are a wussy.   

Delicious.

George T. Stagg 2010 Release Bourbon

George T. Stagg 2010 Release

Buffalo Trace Distillery Antique Collection

Barrel-Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

71.5% Alcohol (143.0 Proof)

Now this, this is what whiskey is all about.  This is the 2010 George T. Stagg release from Buffalo Trace as part of their Antique Collection.  Their Antique Collection, as a whole, are some of the best whiskeys a person can buy and at a fantastic value.  I believe I only paid $62 for this bottle, although I have heard that many states are charging considerably more.  Regardless, that's a steal for this quality of bourbon at barrel-proof.  This whiskey is barrel-proof, meaning it is not watered down like most whiskeys.  Barrel-proof essentially lets you taste whiskey the way the master distillers do straight from the barrel.  This is about as in-your-face as a whiskey can get, yet somehow delicate and refined.  I prefer to drink this neat in a Glencairn glass with a splash of water depending on how quickly I plan to sip it.  Generally I drink whiskey neat, but at 143 proof it may be a bit strong to drink without the water for most people.  This whiskey is about as full-flavored as they come, with very prominent notes of very dark maple and brown sugar in both smell and taste.  This mapley taste is not overly sweet like some whiskeys, but just sweet enough to make you want some more.  Don't get me wrong, with the strong maple and brown sugar notes, it will still put hair on your chest, while still being smooth considering the proof.  It does seem a bit more flavorful actually than what I remember of the 2009 release, yet all of them are worth picking up if you can find a bottle.  They are actually quite hard to find in most states unless you can somehow reserve a bottle like I do. 

Drink This: if you love ridiculously awesome full-flavor, hardcore yet balanced bourbon.

Don't Drink this: if you are accustomed to Southern Comfort or other panty-waist wannabe whiskeys, if you think Jack Daniels is "too strong," or if you like to mix your bourbon.  This is NOT a whiskey for mixing.  If you mix this with cola, I will personally fly to your home and steal the bottle.  Then probably punch you in the throat. 

Arrogant Bastard Ale

ARROGANT BASTARD ALE

Stone Brewing Company

American Strong Ale

IBU's: Classified

7.2% Alcohol

Well, what can you say? Arrogant Bastard Ale is badass.  Sure, there's an awesome gargoyle on the bottle and it's 7.2% alcohol, but really, seriously this is god damn delicious beer.  This is how beer can and should taste.  It is essentially a moderately higher-alcohol, hoppy amber ale.  It doesn't try to be overly dark for the sake of being dark, or even overly hoppy just to be hoppy.  It is perfectly balanced in all respects.  Surely some people are going to piss and moan and say it is too hoppy, well those people probably drink the big name watery beer with no hops whatsoever.  Well, screw them.  Most people I have given this beer to have loved it; a few, not so much.  

Here's the writing on the back of the bottle:

This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory---maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal.  Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make a beer taste better.  Perhaps you are mouthing your words as you read this.

Like it says, this is an aggressive beer, especially by most people's standards.  Certainly I have had many darker beers, many hoppier beers, and many higher strength beers, yet somehow this one strikes the perfect balance.  The fact that I have gone through several cases of this stuff over the past couple years is proof enough of how amazing it is.  This is exactly why is the first beer being reviewed on Bob's Brew and Liquor Reviews.  I can think of no better way.  I love this stuff...

Drink This: if you like full-flavored, hoppy glasses of deliciousness.

Don't Drink This: if you dislike hops and enjoy watery piss beer, if you like sugary girly drinks, or if you are a pansy.