2.17 - Pre Holiday Beer Party

umm.. President's Day off work?  YES PLEASE!  I've been run ragged at work the past few weeks and I was caught off-guard a few days ago when someone reminded me that we had Monday (Prezzies Day) off!  Mental freedom!!  So what do I do?  Why, I drink like crazy Sunday night, clearly!

I took some brews over a buddy's place, watched the Walking Dead, and got fairly schwasty-faced!

Smuttynose (BIG BEER series) - Zinneke
an 8.4% ABV  50 IBU Belgian Stout aged in bourbon barrels.  Apparently named after the native canine residents of Brussels.  My friend had been dying to try this, so I brought over the bottle I didn't plan on cellaring.  Black/brown pour and quickly-fading tan head.  There's a lot of smoke in the nose and Belgian yeast, not much to lend itself to the stout name.  Only a hint of bourbon sweetness comes through, even as it warms.  The Belgain and Stout battle for the tongue, but not in a great way... they don't mesh.  Each sip leans towards a different facet.  There isn't a ton of bourbon notes here either.  It's smooth and sweet with nice brown sugar, molasses, toffee.. not a huge bite, a bit over-carbonated for the style.  At least the Belgian aspect is great?

- - 5 Hops

I then cracked open a Dogfish Head - Squall for us.  But since I have already reviewed, I didn't document it.     A 9.0% ABV  90 IBU refermented, bottle conditioned 90 Minute IPA.  WHOA!  This one mellowed with age and more tropical fruits came out.  Still very nice, a bit too fizzy and the hoppy bitterness faded (duh)  Malts were slightly lacking.. but grassy hops, mangoes, peaches.. faint sweetness (honey and grains).  Not that bad for the style and being cellared for 18+ months.

- - 6 Hops!

Up next -  Sixpoint - 3Beans
a 10.0% ABV 85 IBU coffee Baltic Porter.  Like some of the other special releases, 3Beans runs on the hoppier side.  Almost a pure black pour and nice mocha head.  All I get is iced black coffee on the nose, and not a very roasty pour either.  Maybe touches of vanilla and some coca-cola taste.  The smoke from the Baltic edge comes in a bit on the taste with a bit of booze present.  There's roasty malts, rich coffee, piney/resinous hops.  The two sides to this work great, but can't fully mesh well.  I was hoping for more and just can't place where this went wrong.  It just dosn't seem balanced.. lacks direction.

- - 6 Hops!

Surly - Abrasive (AKA 16 Grit)

A massive "double oat IPA" at 9.0% ABV and "120ish" IBUs.  WHOA.  16 grit is some of the most abrasive sandpaper there is.. and this is hella abrasive to yo tastebuds, kid!  Gorgeous sunny copper pour and a big fluffy head.  Citrus..crazy sweet tropical hoppy citrus paired with an underlying vinous, resiny hop note.  This. Is. HEAVEN.  Nose alone.. this is on par with Heady Topper, for realsies.  Just touches of cracker and honey malts here.  The taste.. well, to be able to follow up that nose.. that would be a feat.  And Abrasive comes through!  Piney and harsh, the hops take over every part of my mouth.  It's powerful, but not everlasting as the amazing tropical citrus notes swim back in..  pineapple, mango, grapefruits.. holy hell.  Touches of grassy hops and just the smallest bit of pale and honey-esque malts.  It's crazy harsh but goes down oh-so easy.  The aftertaste is just sweet enough to keep you coming back for more punishment.  The ABV is totally hidden and although VERY hoppy, it doesn't seem to be near the "120ish" No joke.. to reiterate. On. Par. With. HEADY.  Probably just as tough to come by as Heady, even more so for us East Coast folk, but as close to perfection as you can get.

- - 10 HOPS!

Short's Brewing - The Soft Parade

Yes... I said Short's!  You can't get this shizz here in MA, but they sent some over for the Extreme Beer Fest (BA) that was supposed to be last week.  Nemo ruined that little gathering, but the beer was already here.  By friend was able to procure some and allowed me to partake in this!  

    an ale at 9.0% ABV  14 IBU fermented with pureed strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.  This pours like like fresh fruit juice red with touches of orange.. almost no head.  It's syrupy sweet with the aforementioned berries present (sheesh, I'd hope so!).  Touches of malt and rye in the background with maybe a little grassy hops.  The brew is tart and sweet that the same time, not too thick either, which is key in fruit beers.  There isn't a ton of malt, but just a touch of rye spiciness helps to offset the fruit.  The alcohol is all but hidden.  This comes of like a wonderful adult version of a super-fruity gelato/italian ice.  A tough style to like, but kudos to Short's for downright killin it.

- - 9 Hops!