Time to finish off the first round of the Sam Adams Small Batch Series with - Tasman Red - a Red IPA at 6.75% ABV and 80 IBUs. For this they utilized hops from Tasmania. A nice rich ruby brown pour and another huge head.. this series loves those huge carbonated heads! Citrusy and piney hop nose, hints of cherry..oranges..and a ton of malt. Caramel and nutty tones here. A fuller, maltier IPA than I'm used to..toasted nutty malts with some caramel and lighter toffee, but with a great hop bite to balance this out. Tropical fruits then give way to a huge grapefruit, mango, citrus hop bite with bitterness just shy of too much that turns into more piney notes towards the finish. Not much malty sweetness to the end, leaving a nice dry bitterness to linger. A really nice IPA with a twist..
The final brew from the first round of the small batch series - Sam Adams - The Vixen.. an 8.5% ABV 20 IBU Chocolate Chili Bock. They apparently used their standard Chocolate Bock as a base and brewed with Ancho and Chipotle chilies and cinnamon. Deep mahogany red/brown pour and yep.. thick fluffy head. Subdued nose here.. chocolate malts, molasses, hints of the cinnamon and chilies, undertones of thicker oats and dried dark fruits. A smooth and creamy brew, the cocoa nibs compliment this mouthfeel very very nicely, sweet milk chocolate with hints of dark chocolate. Sweeter notes of vanilla soon lead into that signature cinnamon note and the mildest of warming chili heat. No real sign of hops here, and that's fine with me! This hot little lady did just fine the way she was! Maybe a touch more heat would've been nice (think Left Hand Chili Porter), but The Vixen rocked my socks!
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