Fireside Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

Fireside Colorado Bourbon Whiskey

Mile High Spirits

Denver, Colorado

4 Years Old

40% (80 Proof)

It's always nice to review lesser known gems, especially from smaller operations and local joints.  Today's review is the Fireside Colorado Bourbon Whiskey from Mile High Spirits in Denver, Coloardo.

Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend Reserve

Graffigna Centenario Elevation

Red Blend Reserve

Vintage: 2012

San Juan, Argentina

It's no secret I'm a huge fan of wines from Argentina.  Probably a good third of the wines I've reviewed here on Bob's Brew and Liquor Reviews have been from Argentina.  Something about that place is magical... at least for wine making!

So for now, we're looking at reviewing a new wine from Graffigna, their 2012 Centenario Elevation Red Blend Reserve.

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Brancott Estate

Sauvignon Blanc

2012 Vintage

Marlborough, New Zealand

I'm not sure about where you guys are, but here the weather is starting to cool down.  And for some people, that means drinking less white wine and breaking out more of the dark reds.  I can see how that may seem to fit since heavier food is more fitting for cold weather, but unfortunately you'd be missing out on some great white wines!

  

Like this one, the 2012 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc...

Layer Cake Primitivo 2010

Layer Cake

Primitivo a.k.a. Zinfandel

Pure Love Wines

Puglia, Italy

Vintage: 2010

 

Now we're talking, another review of a Layer Cake Wine.  Here we have the 2010 Layer Cake Primitivo (Zinfandel).

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.

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.                         

 

Martin Miller's Gin

 

Martin Miller's Gin

Distilled in England

Blended in Iceland

40% Alcohol (80 Proof)

I don't know if many people realize how many ingredients really go into making gin.  You always hear people talking about how it has juniper in it, and yes, this is true.  BUT, there are so many other herbs and botanicals that are commonly found in gin.  For example, Martin Miller's Gin (also on Twitter) contains juniper, florentine iris, cassia bark, liquorice root, coriander, angelica, and lime peel, among other things.  That's a whole lot of flavors going into one drink!

Martin Miller's Gin is interesting in that it is distilled in England.  The raw spirit is then shipped to Iceland to be blended with spring water to bottling proof.  

From here...

To here...

  Martin Miller, himself, is a an English entrepreneur and admitted eccentric.  He wrote an etiquette guide called Success with the Fairer Sex, followed by jaunts in photography, concert organization, and writing Miller's Antique Price Guides.  He then ventured into real-estate and now owns several boutique hotels and an arts and science lecture venue (Miller's Academy).  He did all of this before deciding to try his hand at making a gin up to his quality standards.  Apparently, this guy just about does it all.

Martin Miller now makes two separate gins, their standard 80 Proof and a 90.4 Proof "Westbourne Strength" gin.  Both of which are similar, yet rather different gins.

Martin Miller's 80 Proof gin smells fresh and crisp, like citrus, dew, and cucumber.  You take a sip and get cool, crisp lemon, hints of juniper, ginger, some pepper, and a host of other subtleties that all blend together very well.  

I tried this side-by-side with Bombay Sapphire to get a good comparison against what I consider a standard gin... and it was much, much better.  Martin Miller's Gin is more crisp, more refreshing, and more flavorful than Bombay Sapphire.  Definitely a winner.  Apparently Martin Miller's quest to make a better gin has been a success.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine gave this a 93, so my tastes must not be too far off...

Drink This: if you want a really great, refreshing gin, especially without breaking the bank ($25-35 depending on location).

Don't Drink This: if you don't like gin.  I guess that's really the only reason not to.  Martin Miller's gin is good enough to drink neat, on the rocks, in a martini, or in any sort of cocktail.  It does it all, and does it well.  Go check them out on Facebook and Twitter... then buy a bottle, or 3.  Really great stuff...  

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!       

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale

Imperial IPA

IBU's: 102

Alcohol: 8.0%

The Lagunitas Brewing Company is out of Petaluma, California and they make several really great brews.  Not all of their beers are super amazing, but when they get it right, they get it perfect.

One of Lagunitas Brewing's more famous beers is their Hop Stoopid Ale, an Imperial Pale Ale (bordering on an American Strong Ale due to the maltiness) with a respectable 8.0% ABV and a reported 102 IBU's (bitterness units).  Like I've said before, the research shows most people cannot taste anything different in IBU's past 100, but going above this does give the beers more aroma, and of course, some bragging rights.  If you look at the top of the label, it says "102 I.B.U.4.U."  Funny Lagunitas.  At least they don't take themselves too seriously.

 

Anyway, Hop Stoopid Ale pours a hazy, dark golden almost amber hue.  It smells deliciously hoptastic: strong, sweet, piney, grapefruity hops, hops, and more hops.  You take a sip and you are greeted with a thick, malty, hop bomb with a great depth of hop notes ranging from dry citrus peel to sweet pine notes.  It leaves a long-lasting bitterness in the finish that is dry enough to make you want another sip.  And then another.  And another.  This is what an Imperial IPA should taste like, without going completely overboard.  Hop Stoopid Ale isn't just a one note IPA.  It is complex, deep, and doubly delicious.  Drink it!

Drink This: if you want a thick, well-balanced, deeply hoppy, delicious, golden perfect example of an Imperial IPA.  This is for the IPA lovers.

Don't Drink This: if you aren't into hops.  Hop Stoopid Ale is hoptastic and will give rookies the bitter beer face.  But, boy oh boy, if you love hops, this is yummy stuff... 

            

Kahlua Especial

Kahlua Especial

Pernod Ricard/Allied Domecq

Coffee Liqueur

35% Alcohol (70 Proof)

Sometimes there's a man--I won't say a hero, cause what's a hero? 

But sometimes there's a man. And I'm talkin' about the Dude here-- 
sometimes there's a man who, well, he's the man for his time'n place, 
he fits right in there--and that's the Dude, in Los Angeles.
...and even if he's a lazy man, and the Dude was certainly that--quite 
possibly the laziest in Los Angeles County... 

which would place him high in the 
runnin' for laziest worldwide--but sometimes there's a man...

-The Big Lebowski

Those are the opening lines to the best movie ever made, The Big Lebowski. 

If you haven't seen it, you probably feel a gaping void in your life.  A void 

that you probably attribute to a mid-life or existential crisis.  And in some 

ways it is. Not seeing this movie is almost a crime against humanity.  Almost. 

One warning, if you don't like the "F-word," do NOTsee this movie.  The 

F-word, including variations, are said an impressive 292 times.  But don't 

let that deter you.  Life is not complete without seeing The Big Lebowski. 

Anyway, every single time I watch The Big Lebowski I feel this unmistakable 

urge.  Not like in 'Nam, of course. A yearning that will not stop.  It is

the wanting of one drink, one amazingly delicious drink, the White 

Russian.  Or "Caucasian," if you will. 

How does one make a White Russian you say?  Well, take some vodka, 

coffee liqueur, cream/milk, and ice.  Combine.  Drink.  Done. The real 

recipe is something like 1 part vodka, 1 part coffee liqueur, and 2 parts 

cream, but Hell, this is the Dude we're talking about.  Does he measure 

anything in the movie?  Or even seem to care about ratios?  No.  All he 

cares about is his rug.  And drinking a White Russian in every single scene 

where he appears in the movie, even with his lady friend. 

Well, enough of the Dude for now.  Back to the alcohol.  Coffee liqueur 

is an integral part of the White Russian which brings us to my new favorite 

coffee liqueur, Kahlua.  Not just any Kahlua, but Kahlua Especial.  This

 is essentially a more grown-up version of Kahlua. 

The Dude, White Russian in hand

It still tastes

 like sweet 

coffee 

syrup, yet 

with the 

Especial the 

sweetness is 

tamed a bit,           

with the 
coffee taste being deeper, like a darker roast coffee.  I'm sure it would make a lot of great mixed drinks like a B-52 and what have you, but the White Russian is all I really ever have it in.  It's really all I want it in.  The Kahlua Especial is considerably better than standard Kahlua and makes one Hell of a White Russian.  But, that's just like my opinion, man.  

Drink This: if you are watching The Big Lebowski.  Or perhaps if you just want to feel like the Dude.

Don't Drink this: if you are a Nihilist.   

Delicious.

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.  :)        

Rogue Brutal IPA

Rogue Brutal IPA

India Pale Ale

IBUs: 59 

Alcohol: 5.8%

Every once in awhile, a person wants something that they can sip on while they ponder the mysteries of the universe and life, itself.  These special times require something special, something one can sip slowly over a prolonged period of time, something strong and with amazing depth.  

I picked up the Rogue Brutal IPA thinking this would be such a beer since I had a couple hours to read a book and sit outside a cabin as the sun went down in Montana.  I have had many of the beers from Rogue Ales, a brewery out of Newport, Oregon, and most have been great brews.  So, I had high hopes for this beer, especially with "Brutal" on the label and the Rogue guy's glasses on crooked as if this beer just blew his mind.  

It poured a cloudy medium orange color and smelled of grapefruit with a moderate amount of hops.  I took a sip expecting my tongue to be blown-up by the sheer brutality of this hoppy nectar.  But no... it wasn't.  When I think of the word "brutal," I expect something, well, brutal, like Slayer, Pantera, tanks, and cage fighting.  

This beer was clearly not brutal.  
It was, however, delicious and tasted mostly of grapefruit and orange peel, with background notes of honey and bread.  It was actually very well-balanced between the hops and sweetness, and really quite easy-drinking, especially for an IPA.  This beer used to be called "Brutal Bitter," and they have only recently changed the name to "Brutal IPA," perhaps with the new rise in IPA fans, I'm not sure.  For the "brutal" label to fit, it really needs to be considerably hoppier than it is and perhaps less sweet.  

So, all in all, this was a delicious beer.  Was it "brutal?" No.  Was it yummy and well-balanced? Hell yes.  Apparently the "brutal" label threw me for a loop.  I was expecting something to rip my jaw off and force me to take small sips and ponder its depths.  Don't get me wrong, it is a great beer and I will probably buy it again, but it was just not what I was expecting from the deceiving label.            

 

Samuel Adams Double Bock

Samuel Adams Double Bock

Imperial Series

Boston Beer Co. (Sam Adams)

IBU's: 25

Alcohol: 9.5%

I have to give Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Co.) credit for creating a flavorful mainstream beer: Boston Lager.  This has been a gateway beer for many people stuck in a rut of pale, watery, flavorless mass-produced commercial American lagers.  And while Samuel Adams has become a big name in the American beer scene, they do stay true to the craft brewing scene and make a whole variety of styles ranging from the standards like Pale Ales, Witbiers, and Scotch Ales, to seasonals like Octoberfest and Winter Lager, to the more extremes like the Imperial Series and the Utopias.  There seems to be something for everyone.

In the range of Sam Adams' beers, I tend to prefer the more flavorful side of things.  Since I have yet to try a Utopia, that leaves the Imperial Series.  The Imperial Series is currently a selection of four high-proof, extra flavorful beers including an Imperial Stout, Imperial White, Double Bock, and the new Wee Heavy.

Today, we will focus on the Double Bock.  The Double Bock, or Doppelbock, is one of the Boston Beer Company's first beers, although it is making a rebirth as a higher-proof brew so that it can be part of the newer Imperial Series of beers, hence two different labels.  And thank God.  This stuff is good.  

The new Double Bock pours a dark amber/mahogany hue and smells of malt, dark bread, nuts, and a bit of sweetness.  It tastes primarily of toasted malt, with some bread and molasses notes.  There are some hops in the background, but very subtle.  You can taste the higher proof alcohol, but it's welcoming as it actually seems to cut through the thick richness of the malts without being distracting.  It has a medium thickness, which is perfect for the style.  It really is quite malty and delicious, and would make a rather perfect Fall beer.  A great beer from Samuel Adams.
 

Drink This: if you enjoy thicker, malty yummy beers and need a beer for when the weather starts to cool.  

Don't Drink This: if you are expecting something completely over-the-top, hoppy, or dark.  This is none of those things.  This is a well-balanced, flavorful Double Bock good for those who love malty deliciousness.      

 

Labyrinth - Black Ale

Labyrinth

Black Ale

Uinta Brewing Company

IBU's: 56

Alcohol: 13.2%

Labyrinth is one crazy beer.  In a good way.

 

Labyrinth is a black ale brewed by Uinta Brewing Company out of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Labyrinth is part of Uinta Brewing Company's "Crooked Line" of beers, a set of experimental brewing that turns out some exciting beverages.  Labyrinth won a gold medal at the 2010 North American Brewers Association Awards in the Imperial Stout category. 

 

This is clearly no normal black ale.  This thing is brewed with licorice sticks and aged in oak barrels.  And boy, can you tell.  Labyrinth pours ridiculously black and opaque.  It smells like dry licorice, dark chocolate, and roasted malt.  Taste-wise is where this thing hits hard.  I have had some beers brewed with licorice, but this thing has the most licorice flavor by far!  It tastes like strong, dry licorice and straight espresso with some dark roasted malts holding up the base.  The alcohol does make itself present and seems to linger in the finish, but at 13.2% ABV what do you expect? This beer isn't for sissies.

 

This is clearly not a beer for most people.  This thing is strong, dark, and full of flavor that smacks you in the face.  It was good on its own, but surprisingly great with warm chocolate cake.  It seemed like the two were made for each other.  I have never tasted a beer that went so well with chocolate.  Seriously. 

Try This: if you want a beer that will smack your taste buds around.  This thing is not for novices to the craft and experimental beer scene.  It is extreme.  Perhaps too much for most. But if you're into dark, ridiculously flavorful, high-alcohol beers, this thing is delicious. 

Don't Try This: if you hate black licorice, if you think Guinness is "too dark," or you think Samuel Adams Boston Lager is "too flavorful."  If you normally drink Bud Light, you are a little bitch ...and this beer will kick your ass.  

 

 

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.

Okto - Festival Ale

Okto - Festival Ale

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

 German Altbier/Oktoberfest Ale

IBU's: 25

Alcohol: 5.5%

Widmer Brothers make a variety of different beer styles, although their hefeweizen seems to be what they are most famous for.  And with their Hefeweizen, many people seem to add a slice of orange, which I find interesting, yet odd.  Personally, I'd rather not add fruit to my beer.  If I want fruity beer, I will just get a flavored lambic, but hey that's just me.  Last year, however, Widmer Brothers released Okto, an Oktoberfest ale in the classic German altbier style.  Honestly, this was my favorite overall Oktoberfest seasonal beer last year, although there were a couple others I tried that were stiff competition. 

Poured, it is actually a bit darker than the picture shows, a dark copper color.  The smell is exactly how an Oktoberfest ale should smell, warm, moderately hoppy, caramely, with an almost wheat-like background.  Taste-wise, it was exactly how one would expect from the smell: sweet, malty, wheat-y, with some lingering hops.  It is perfect for the Fall months and really quite easy-drinking and delicious.  I stocked up on this while I could and drank a few six-packs over the course of last winter.  

While checking out the Widmer Brothers website, I noticed they have changed the label for this year's Oktoberfest (Okto) release and lowered the ABV from 5.5% to 5.3%, although interestingly, the IBU's have gone from 25 to 28 for the new release.  It will be interesting to see how the 2011 version compares to last year's.  I hope it can compete with last year's.  We shall see!

Drink This: if you want a classic, well-balanced German-style altbier, perfect for Oktoberfest.  I just hope the 2011 version is as good as last year's.  Goes well with bratwurst and sauerkraut, but don't most beers?

Don't Drink This:  if you don't like beer or glasses of deliciousness.  But hey, if you like beer and it's the Fall, then definitely see if you can at least try this.  When I think Oktoberfest, I think of beers like this. Grab a glass, put on your lederhosen, and enjoy!  :)

 This isn't my photo, but this is what you should look like when drinking Okto, preferably at a beer fest... 

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.