a 10.% ABV "Cascadian Dark Beer" or Black IPA. Brewed only once in 2012.. so let's see if it holds up. Roasty nose and hints of a sharp piney hop. The body is slightly light and oxidized for a higher ABV beer.. the hop profile still remains after 12+ months.. decent piney notes balanced out by mild roasty chocolate and iced coffee flavors. Dry finish.. more roast.. hops are close to fading out completely. Not my favorite style, but for the age, this held up very very nicely
- - 8 Hops!
Hill Farmstead Brewery - Everett
a 7.5% ABV Porter. Now I've heard amazing this about this Porter.. but as a no-frills Porter, it's really tough to be stand out. Can it live up? Typical rich pour, mocha head.. has a rich, roasty nose, more akin to a non-Russian Stout than a Porter. There's the chocolate and coffee you'd expect, but the roast is heavy and amazing. Smooth and strong.. this is just plain solid1
- - 8 Hops!
Mystic Brewery - Cabernet Sauvingon Barrel-Fermented Saison
a 7.0% ABV Saison fermented in red wine barrels.. yeah, not aged in the barrels.. actually fermented in the barrels. Suck it, neck-beards.. you aren't on this level. The natural bacteria in the barrels assists in the fermentation, adding a level to the Matrix that you just can't get from barrel-aging. Dry, funky, hay nose with an underlying tannic, fruity note. The body is the perfect blend of CabSauv and Saison.. yeasty, funky, and jammy without being tart. This is exactly as advertised.. a Saison blended with a Cab Sauv wine. Juicy barnyard goodness
- - 9 Hops!
SOX WIN! SOX WIN! SOX WIN! SOX WIN! SOX WIN! SOX WIN!!!!
Alesmith - Speedway Stout (Vietnamese Coffee)
a 12.0% ABV Imperial Sout brewed with Vietnamese coffee. I was told I can pick any beer from my friend's cellar.. everything was so epic, the decision was ridiculous. This is a fine celebratory beer, right? Such a huge, thick head and just oozes with this amazing coffee aroma. This drinks like a sub-6% ABV beer, absurdly smooth and sweet, zero booze bite, the coffee notes are like the most luxuriant coffee you could image, blended with orgasm-inducing chocolate. Highly recommend ANY of the Speedway Stout variants.
- - 9 Hops!
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