Port Brewing Anniversary Ale

Time for another (quick) Port Brewing review...HUZZAH!

Appearance: Pours a cloudy golden amber color with a couple inches of head. Trails of carbonation rising to the top.

Smell: Strong floral hop scents with some fruit, oranges, lemon zest, and others. Almost no malt to speak of.

Taste: Huge fruit hop flavor, grapefruit maybe, with hints of spice and fruit zest. The bottle was right, a true hop monster, especially as the brew warms up.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and a little oily coating on the palate from the hop oils, well carbonated, an alcoholic and hop bitter aftertaste.

Drinkability: The smell and taste are fantastic, but the alcoholic aftertaste makes more than one bomber a little hard to pull off. It's probably better that way since the abv is 10%. Definitely a beer that belongs towards the end of a night of drinking. This beer definitely grew on me as it got warmer...or as the alcohol got to my head. 9/10

Glass type: Dogfish Head bullet/pint glass
Serving type: Bottle, 22 oz.

Avery duganA IPA

This was another beer from our most recent trip to Shangy's a little while ago. I'm a big fan of pretty much anything that comes from Avery, so when Jimmy suggested their latest imperial IPA release, I was on board immediately. I'm hoping not to be let down which has been the case with other imperial IPAs boasting high IBU counts (93 IBUs for duganA) but have lacked the hoppy punch you would expect.

Appearance: A nice clear amber color with a quickly fading finger of head, a constant trickle of carbonation floating to the top.

Smell: Hopgasm. A blast of pine hops with some background resiny hops, some citrus fruits are noticeable too.

Taste: Resiny hop flavors, HUGE bitterness, this nails the DIPA style. There are some nice bready malt flavors that hang onto your tongue to wash away the bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, low to medium carbonation, a little bit of an oily texture from the hop oils, some alcoholic tinges on the aftertaste, but overall a pleasant mouthfeel for hopheads.

Drinkability: I don't know if I would have more than one bomber bottle of this in a night because I would be on bitterness overload if I did. It's not as heavy in the alcohol department, clocking in at 8.5% abv, but it would still get you nice and toasty. *Cue Stephen A. Smith voice* HOWEVA, I would buy another bottle every time I see it in the liquor store. This is my new go-to DIPA and I look forward to enjoying the rest of my half case. I'm going to be bold and give it a 10/10.

Serving type: Bottle, 22 oz.
Glass type: DFH bullet glass

Great Divide Hercule Double IPA

Man oh man, am I glad I didn't see the review for this beer here yet, because I've been wanting an excuse to drink one of these since I picked up the four pack a little while ago. If there is a review of this already, then big whoop, you're getting two perspectives then. We had this all star out of a keg for Jimmy's birthday/Hophead reunion and it was spectacular, but as you can imagine, none of us were in any condition to write something up or even remember specifics.

Appearance: Pours to a dark amber color that's clear and alive, very inviting, along with two fingers of light creamy head with great retention.

Smell: An explosion of smells with heavy floral and herbal hops and a hint of sweet and bready malts, absolutely perfect combo.

Taste: Wow, almost as good as on tap, it starts with a heavy caramel and sweet malt flavor, then comes in with an almost barleywine style of hop bitterness, grassy and herbal for sure.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, not watery, perfectly carbonated and full bodied, so it doesn't taste too syrpuy despite great malt presence, a decent bite and alcohol aftertaste which makes this brew border on a barleywine.

Drinkability: At our gathering in June, we were able to drink this like water at the end of the night since we were probably a little drunk off of the Brutal Bitter, however, at 10% abv you should be careful when drinking more than a couple in a night. Luckily the alcoholic bite might be able to remind you to take this one easy. I absolutely love this beer and highly recommend it if you are up for a great DIPA. 9.5/10

Serving type: Bottle
Glass type: Sam Adams glass

Long Trail Brewmaster Series Double IPA

I was impressed with the Rockart Vermonster last week so I decided to pick up another VT level 4 type beer, once again at the ever so popular Whole Foods in Paramus, NJ. What caught my attention to purchase this bomber were the phrases "A taste of Vermont" and of course "Double IPA" on the label. [Side note: I am on a mission to drink every single Double/Imperial IPA out in the micro USA beer economy].

Appearance: Is this really a double IPA? It literally pours a clear golden yellow stream of Miller Light piss. Lackluster looks, 2 fingers of head after a careful pour and it appears clear upon initial glance, but I can actually see some unfilteration going on.

Smell: Is my nose stuffy or not working? Very faint whiffs of Chardonnay with hints of lemon zest. No malt presence but I am detecting minor floral honeysuckle hops.

Taste: Sweet droplets of fancy grade A type honey and the bitterness definitely comes out from its hiding place. The IBU presence reminds me of biting into the rind or the inner skin of a grapefruit.

Mouthfeel: Looks clear, smells bland but it actually has some chewy body to it; definitely more than meets the bare eye. Kind of a minor unpleasant aftertaste as the ale digests; reminds me in a ways (no where near as bad!) of a warm natty light aftertaste.

Drinkability: Smooth as my skin was when I was a baby. I would say this is more of a mellow India Pale Ale than a Double, even though it is clocking in at 8.6% abv. My heritage lies withing my favorite east coast, but those west coast hop bombs just trump my coast and make them look like the NY Mets!!! 6/10 for me (this was like a government regulated DIPA, but I kind of liked the laid back stoner character to it....)

Southern Tier Gemini

Sorry for the delayed review, but like I said, packing for the July 4th weekend took temporary precedence Thursday night. Fear not, fellow beer nuts, for I present to you Gemini, Southern Tier's creation from 50% unfiltered Hoppe and 50% Unearthly. I believe someone here has reviewed the Unearthly, but not too sure about the Hoppe.

Appearance: Pours with a slightly cloudy golden color with a finger and a half of head, whose retention is very good.

Smell: Great earthy, herbal, and floral hop overtones that have a slight background of citrus, also present are some lighter malt scents, almost reminding me of a combo wheat/Belgian, all of this done to perfection.

Taste: Unfortunately, the taste does not live up to the smell, it seems like there is too much going on to really get good identifiable flavors in there. Don't get me wrong, its quite good, but the smell sets such a high standard that it can't be matched. The hops that seemed to team up well before now just seem to mash together to give you one big bitterness bite, although the wheat style malts I mentioned earlier do complement this well.

Mouthfeel: Perfectly carbonated, not too heavy or thick, and relatively smooth for an unfiltered ale, a tinge of alcohol aftertaste reminds you its an imperial.

Drinkability: When I read the label and saw 10.5% abv, I was shocked at how easy it is to drink, which can be credited to the wheat malt flavor balancing act described before. You probably don't want to dirnk more than one bomber in a night, but it won't knock you out for the count (that's what the barleywine is for). I know it seems like I was harsh on the taste, but the smell gave me such high hopes that this brew could reach the 9.5 or even 10 point threshold that of course I would be let down when it didn't live up to it. Still, it is a very good brew with a good concept, which still gets an 8.5/10 in my book.

Serving type: Bottle
Glass type: Sam Adams glass

*Side note: I hope one of the other Hopheads posts some pics from the epicness that was Jimmy's birthday and our attempt to kill the Brutal Bitter and Herc in a weekend. Good times...

Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly IPA

Be not mistaken by the label but this is not just a typical India Pale Ale, it is an IMPERIAL! My favorite style shows up unexpectedly, or should I say unearthly? The shimmer and shine of this bomber caught my attention at Ramsey Liquors here in the dirty Jerz. The price of $8.99 almost deflected my heart away from this ale, but the hop wearing a crown on the label was like love at first site. Let us see what the brewers from Lakewood, NY created in this limited release imperial.

Appearance: Pours a 1/2 pink finger of head that dissipates to a thin cover after it settles for a minute (as if you were skiing/snowboarding down the mountain and you come up to a patch of snow with dusting on top and then you realize it is a major ice spot and panic, leading to a monster yard sale wipe out). That comparison is basically how I feel right now, scared but anxious to try it. You can attempt to see through your glass but you will end up squinting due to the faint hop cloudiness. This goldenrod-brown-orange-yellow-ish ale is secretly alive as you watch the micro carbonation bubbles gasp for air at the top of the glass.

Smell: Intense wafts of vanilla bean from the "[oak aged]-ness" character that masks all else. Hazel-nutty malts and spicy/perfume-y hops (although my hop sense might be off from the overpowering vanilla bourbon tasting barrel. Reminds of smell of an Oak Aged Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewing.

Taste: Butterscotch candy that has been spiked with alcohol melting in your mouth. Can taste the bitterness of the hops finally...over-ripened pineapple in combination with floral hops. Vanilla sweet malts leading the charge as the smell still, but not as overpowering as in the Smell category.

Mouthfeel: Goes down smooth as velvet, but that alcohol after bite stings as you let the beer mellow in your mouth and even has an unpleasant alcoholic taste minutes after you take a sip. I feel like eating on pretzels and/or beer nuts, or wait GOLDFISH! to act as a palette cleanser. As it warms up to room temperature, the not pleasing aftertaste isn't as dreadful...reminds me of a sweety malty red ale finish.

Drinkability: Overall this beer is diffult to consume for me, as I slayed this bomber in an hour approximately. Not the hopgasm I expected for a DIPA. My experience with the oak aged beers has been borderline kindergarten (my favorite is oak aged yeti from Great Divide), but for me it ruined this beer. I would keep the Oak Aged style to stouts in particular, but then again, I need to gain experience points with this style before I can make that judgement call. It was definitely worth a try buying this for educating my beer brain, but I don't see myself getting it again (fell hophead Ryan had this on tap in Philly I think...how was it?) 6/10 for me. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of the high octane beer (north of 10%abv), but I don't like when I clearly taste booze as I felt was the case with this ale: vanilla mellow sweet booze.

Founders Double Trouble Imperial IPA

So it is Sunday and you know what that means in my family: BEEEEEEEEEEER. I picked some of these 12oz over at Ramsey Liquors. Lets get this party started for April:

Appearance: Pours an incandescent clear yellow with a surprising 2 fingers of head (I think the northern NJ distributor of Founders must have gone over a couple of bumps because this is the second time I have had a Founders that was overly carbonated. Either that or that is how a typical Founders is). Molten head lacing slowly dissipates and leaves this hieroglyphic writing that says, "Enjoy the 86 IBU's!"

Smell: Ahhhhh!! My favorite grapefruit citrus hops blended well douglas fir baby pine tree tasting hops. Lets get that nose in closer for another AHHHHHH!!!

Taste: Not as orgasmic as the smell. Intense hopsicity more on the piney side. Kind of sweet in a way (could be the salt from my PepFarm Pizza Flavor Blasted Goldfish).

Mouthfeel: Dry bitter smoky aftertaste that would make BudLight drinkers cry home to their mommys. Goes down coarse and not as carbonated as the initial appearance

Drinkability: Another job well done from Founders in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Would like to get the chance to try this off the tap someday. Overall, this 9.4% was a 8.5/10 for me. Up there with my hoppy DIPAs that I just go crazy over. Its strong, but I am stronger so I could have a couple more; hence I would definitely drink another

Moylan's Moylander Double IPA

In honor of the Extreme Beer Fest, I'll review a couple of bombers I picked up from State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD. The one for tonight is a DIPA I am pretty sure I have had before with Jimmy at some point, but I don't remember anything about it, so it's essentially a fresh review.

Appearance: Golden orange color nice and clear, about half a finger of thin head that doesn't stick around for long, plenty of bubbles rising to the top.

Smell: Light floral and citrus hops with a hint of sweet malts, but surprisingly the smell doesn't overpower, slightly complex.

Taste: This has a two stage taste; floral and piney hops in spurts at the beginning then finishes with a sweet caramel flavor, with a little spiciness in the aftertaste, also has some bite and bitterness to it, good complex full taste.

Mouthfeel: Well carbonated for the style, almost a little too much, combo of sweetness and bitterness brings an interesting feel on its way down.

Drinkability: This beer is a textbook example of a double IPA, pretty standard stuff, nothing too special, but why mess with a good thing? A bomber bottle will definitely put a hurting on you at 8.5%, and its not one of those beers that hides its kick too well, so you might not feel like having more than one bomber of it anyway. Still, I give this very good DIPA a respectable 8/10.

Glass type: Sam Adams glass
Serving type: Bottle

Avery Presidential Pale Ale

Ale to the Chief! I picked this brew up months ago, then decided to keep it to drink on inauguration day. Well, since I put it in my cabinet, it was out of sight, out of mind, and of course I forgot to drink it upon the fateful day. Well, I figure the first Saturday night of the new presidency is as good a night as any to break it out, rather than wait another 4 years.

Appearance: Hazy amber in color, finger or two of head in a Sam Adams glass, and sticky lacing on the glass as I drank it.

Smell: Suprisingly caramel-ey. I figured as a "Presidential Pale Ale" the emphasis would be on the "Pale" part, but I think they're going for "Presidential" as a more democratic version of "imperial." This guy is very much a DIPA at heart.

Taste: A lot like Avery's delicious Hog Heaven but with a "paler" aftertaste. The caramel malts smooth out the Cascade hops.

Mouthfeel: Oily hop resins stick to the tongue. Mmm.

Drinkability: 8.75% ABV, not for the faint of heart, but who are we kidding, its par for this blog's course. Its real tasty, but stay out of trouble and stick to one per night.

Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA

We think this is our first Weyerbacher review and we have pretty high hopes for it.

Appearance: A very cloudy, deep red almost brown color that pours a quarter finger of head with little retention. Looks dead as the bubbles slowly rise to the top hinting away from the possibilities of carbonation.

Smell: A good mix of the dank and resiny hops with sweet and sugary malts ("like candy" -Jimmy). A really good balance of smell and just a good combination in general. Nothing is too overpowering.

Taste: For a double IPA you expect for the hops to be in the forefront, but the sweet malts take center stage. After a couple sips you can pick out the hops, but not like you would expect. Very sweet almost like a barleywine. Jimmy has had this on a different occasion and said it wasn't as sweet and that you could notice the hops better. This used to be his favorite east coast DIPA, but this might change his mind.

Mouthfeel: Not carbonated well. The aftertaste is quite interesting: the sweet malts melt away which leaves that desired hop lacing sensation that tickles the tongue. Thick enough for this DIPA.

Drinkability: We could probably have one more, but the sweetness is just too much for repetitive drinking in a night. The 9% abv gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling after one, so there's not really a need to have more in a night. Our suspicions are that this six pack might have been on the shelves a little too long because Jimmy and King Adubahbi have had much better experiences with this one. However, just basing on this tasting, we have to give it a 7/10. We might revisit this in the future.

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (2003)

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except two giganormous humans (Yea, that so doesn't rhyme). We just got back from Christmas Eve church and my dad busted out this rare bomber bottle (1 pint 9.6 ounces) with a cork in it of 2003 Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (The Imperial India Pale Ale). This bottle literally did not see any light while aging in the cellar from when I graduated high school in 2003 and hated beer till present day Xmas eve 2008.

Note: I did not review this because it was still a week after my deviated septum surgery and my nose was not functioning properly as well as looking like a cross between Rudolph the red-nose reindeer and Pinocchio. So I apologize in advance for my lame review.

This was only the second time ever that I had 120 minute. My first was on tap at some random bar in Washington D.C. that I went to with fellow hopheads Alex & Mike. The taste was rich and not as super sweet as I remembered. It took 2 hours to finish and savor this beauty, which comes in at a whopping 18% abv I think. Reminded me of sipping on a fine port wine and appreciating the delicacy of this god-like nectar.

Addition (1/5/09): Review from King Adubahbi who helped slay this beast: "characteristics of a Belgian tripel, complex, HUGE. The original residual sugars have dried out nicely."

Victory Hop Wallop

This "very hoppy" ale has been sitting in my fridge for too long. Time to crack it open and experience the ride.

Appearance: Dirty school bus yellow with a 2.5 finger head (I poured it like a waterfall). As it gradually settles, there is just a vague covering of head up top while tiny bits of carbonation slowly creep.

Smell: Sweetie malts but the dank hops straight up trump that. They don't call it HOP WALLOP for nothing.

Taste: Sweet taste that is quite refreshing to my palette. The hops are more herb-ey now.

Mouthfeel: Bitter aftertaste that tapers off just waiting for you to take another sip. Such a beautiful seasonal cycle [sip - swirl and dance in mouth - bitter aftertaste - give me more].

Drinkability: I would definitely have another. One of my first DIPAs that I ever had back at school. A reliable one for me out on the east coast, even though I like to venture out to other areas. {side note - this was really good on tap at the Victory brewpub}. Chillin' at 8.5% abv with my rating of 8/10

Southern Tier: Un-Earthly

On a recent trip to the Crawford compound in Long Island, I came bearing gifts in the form of 22 oz. bombers. One of which was the Southern Tier: Un-Earthly. I had made a trip earlier in the week to The Foodery on 2nd & Poplar (which I will talk about on a later post for sure), and this beer came highly recommended by the guy that worked there. Unfortunately for me, this bomber was not opened on either of the two late nights on the island, including the night that "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" was danced to and the Maharaja was slain.

I was so curious and intrigued by the brew (because of the great recommendation, that I made a trip back to the Foodery to purchase myself a bomber of it:

Appearance: If it was a Crayola Crayon, it's name would be "Foggy Gold". It was a very nice gold, bordering (but not quite) on amber.

Smell: The hops filled my nostrils on first whiff. Although, it was not as strong as I would have anticipated. The hops smell was very sweet and flowery, very pleasant.

Taste: Much to say about the taste. Being an Imperial IPA, the hops were clearly apparent on the first taste. Contrary to the name, the hops were very earthly, tasting both sweet and flowery, just like the smell. There was a very sharp and refreshing taste at the start of the gulp, but on the finish, Un-Earthly was very smooth. As I continued tasting, there was a very subtle malt taste coming through, but I'm assuming that it is the result of getting used to the hops.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation tickles and tingles the mouth more than it kicks you in the face. It is carbonated perfectly to compliment the taste. Leaves a very slight bitter (although pleasant) aftertaste (very, very brief).

Drinkability: "Deceptive" was the one word that came to mind. On the surface it's both sweet-tasting and refreshing, but at 11% ABV, it has as much punch as Rocky Balboa. Seems like a perfect summer night-capper. Would definitely purchase again.

Mad River Brewing Co. Steelhead Double IPA

My dad split a case of this with his friend; I thus took a bottle of the California beauty and drank it. First time I had a beer from this brewery. Lets see how it goes:

Appearance: Vermont honey glow. Don't even try to look through it. 1/2 finger of head.

Smell: I don't know if its my stuffy nose, but I am having trouble sniffing this one. Sweet malts and perfumy hops stand out the most to me.

Taste: Where did the malts come from!! Quite surprising for this style of beer I feel. On the sweet side.

Mouthfeel: A little coarse in texture and leaves a mild dry hop aftertaste. The hops definitely prevail the maltage in this category.

Drinkability: I wasn't blown away but still a decent brew. It was missing that bang that I get from my favorite style of DIPAs. Despite my criticism, still a decent 7/10.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial I.P.A.

DREADNAUGHT BABYYYYYY!!! FINALLY, I have the holy grail of Imperial IPAs. Thank you Godfather for bringing this all the way from Indiana.

Appearance: A fog of golden peach brownish hops. Don't even try to see through it.

Smell: Citrusy pinapple tropical golden hop aroma. Reminds me of heaven.

Taste: You think the hops will just purely overpower the rest of the beer, but that is not the case. Amazing balanced perfect beer with the citrusy hawaiin hops making you smile.

Mouthfeel: Good bodie and kind of thick/creamy like a stout almost. Not too much carbonation.

Drinkability: Once of the best, no questions asked. 9.5% abv and could definitley drink more than one if my body allowed

Bell's Hopslam Ale

Appearance: Light golden, hazy, very little head, color of autumn leaves, color is inviting, haze seems like its dull

Smell: Hops slap you in the face, golden floral hops in the forefront, barely any malts in the smell, hops are overpowering

Taste: Malts become present during tasting, presenting a honey flavor, hops take a backseat but are still noticeable

Mouthfeel: Decent amount of carbonation, medium to heavy feel, a little aclohol present, gives you a little kick

Drinkability: Definitely repeatable, becomes better when warmed to room temperature, 10% ABV, 106 IBUs!!!!, did not see that coming!, the best part of the experience is the smell

-Mike and Jimmy

SlyFox Odyssey Imperial IPA

Appearance: Golden like a pumpkin, slightly cloudy but only in certain spots, with about 3/4 finger of head

Smell: Sweet malt smell with dank to herbal hops, smells are greatly intertwined without one overpowering the other

Taste: Bitterness stands out right away, malts and hops present together, producing fine taste, leaves dank/dry aftertaste, hops are not as forceful as most imperial ipa's

Mouthfeel: Aftertaste becomes more powerful the longer the beer settles in the mouth, pretty light, not overly carbonated

Drinkability: Wouldn't go out of our way for it, not as repeatable, 8.4% ABV

-Mike and Jimmy

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (Via Randall)

Mini Review:
Well I took too long writing this to recall a lot of specifics of this beer, so let me just say a few things that I do remember.

Served to me in a tulip glass at the Blind Tiger Alehouse (I could write a review of this place in itself, that might come later). Nice head (finger and a half or two) that stayed there for a while.

The taste was sweeter than I remember from out of a bottle. I've never had 90 minute on tap before so I'm not sure if it was the magical Randall or the non-bottle vessel it was served from. Its light mouth-feel and sweet aroma and flavor belied its high %ABV.

All in all, I was blown away by the flavor of this concoction, and I wish I were Hophead enough to have gathered my thoughts while drinking it.

-Alex