Green Flash - West Coast India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

West Coast India Pale Ale

Green Flash Brewing Company

6550 Mira Mesa Boulevard

San Diego, CA USA

Est. ????

www.greenflashbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.3 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Hazy yellow/orange color tone.

Pleasant, powerful hop scents that are citrus like grapefruit.
Two finger off-white, rocky head.

Head leaves spiderwebs of lace. End of glass still retains a few clumps of froth.
Sticky hops taste that finishes clean without residual bitterness.

Moderate to active carbonation.

Full hops flavor, medium bodied.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
My second Green Flash, and alas, the last of them in my fridge. I must say that for hanging around 5 months in my mortuary cooler, this beer held up it's hops notes very well. I now wish I had consumed at time of purchase just to see the kind of presence they would have had when freshly bottled. This ale is one to try to get if you want to see what a great West Coast IPA tastes like.

I am now on the hunt for these actively, as they are not sold on the east coast of the U.S. to my knowledge. It is simply a well crafted and tasty ale, like it's brother the amber. Get some. If you fancy yourself a pale ale or India pale ale drinker, you will find that you won't be disappointed.

Columbus, Centennial and Cascade hops make 95 IBU's. Couple that with a 7.3% ABV you shouldn't need more proof as to how good it tastes. But just in case you do, check out the hardware earned on this is a multi-award winning ale:

• San Diego County Fair 
  2008 Best of Show
  2008 Gold - American IPA 
  2007 Silver - American IPA
• California State Fair
  2008-1st Place - American IPA
  2005-3rd Place - American IPA
• Los Angeles County Fair
  2007 Gold - American IPA
• Bistro IPA Festival
  2010 Bronze
  2005 Gold
• National IPA Challenge
  2008 Champion

Anderson Valley - Hop Ottin' IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hop Ottin' IPA
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
17700 Hwy 253
Boonville, CA USA
Est. 1987
www.avbc.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Slightly hazy, amber color.
Pine and citrus hops nose.
Off-white, two finger frothy head. Dissipates slowly and leaves a nice sticky draped lacing on the glass.
Great biting hops, mostly citrus in taste, cling to the tongue.
Moderate carbonation. 
Medium bodied. Well balanced and easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Anderson Valley's lineup of beers is now available in my immediate area. The previous two reviewed were fetched from a trip to the desert, some time ago.

While the first two were enjoyable, they didn't exceed my expectations for style, but to be fair they were worthy beers in their own right. This IPA is however, an interesting and quite tasty example of what West Coast IPA's are all about. The citrus and pine notes show up well in the nose and are downright show stealers during each sip.

Do be sure to get this under your belt, soon.

Elysian - Dragonstooth Stout

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Dragonstooth Oatmeal Stout
Elysian Brewing Company
1221 E. Pike Street
Seattle, WA USA
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1996
www.elysianbrewing.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Deep black color on the pour.
Carmely and roasted malt nose; nicely malty. Good presence of hop aromas.
Short, stout, tan colored head with strings of lace.
Smooth flavors of caramel, chocolate and oats.
Soft carbonation.
Full bodied. Rich, full flavored.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I picked this one up on the west coast. Not gonna' lie, the dragon artwork really caught my eye. It is actually done by a Seattle tattoo artist named Joe of Pierced Hearts Tattoo Parlor. According to the label, he's a good friend of the brewery.

Also not gonna' lie, I was in search of a good oatmeal stout. Pretty sure I nailed that quest. This stout uses Crystal, Chocolate and Munich barley along with rolled oats to achieve a sultry smooth and roasty stout. A really great ale to curl up with in the dead of winter. Don't you think so too? Muaaahaahaa!

The bottle lists Fort Collins, CO as an additional location, but I don't see much in the website's credits to match that info. Also, the folks at Elysian have three locations to choose from while in Seattle. That's nice.

And what about the name Elysian? According to Mirriam Webster, it means "blissful, delightful". I agree. Each sip brought me to a state of enjoying the oatmeal stout with elysian ease! With a bit of exploration on their website, I found many of their ales and beers belie the tranquility of their company name. Titles such as Loser, Perseus, Dark o' the Moon and Men's Room, along with above mentioned Dragonstooth conjure up fiercer imagery. But again, I'm not gonna lie...I dig it! After all , I am The Reaper! Muahaaha mUUaHaaHAAA!

Okay, enough of that. Get some of this stout and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's seriously good stuff.

Hair of the Dog - Blue Dot Double India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Blue Dot DIPA
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
61 SE Yamhill Street
Portland, OR USA
Est. 1993
http://www.hairofthedog.com/


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Dark orange/dark amber color, hazy and translucent on the pour.
Some sweet fruits like pineapple and apple along with hops aromas.
Minimal off-white head. Minimal lace.
Smooth flavors of floral hops and fruits.
Soft carbonation. Hops are biting at the end, but  are gone fast.
Medium bodied. A little thin on the finish, but a good drinker.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Loyal. Pure. Faithful. Wet Nose. Traits that we are all familiar with and traits that this brewer ascribes to. If this sounds like "Man's Best Friend", then you aren't too far off point. But it's beers, not Bulldogs we're talking about. By the way, these traits are imprinted into the company logo.

A good and solid drinker from a small brewery in Portland. I enjoyed this beer equally as much as I enjoyed the terrific painted bottle. It seems notable to mention that I see a trend with small handcrafted breweries from the west. Many prefer to have custom artwork done and placed on the glass as opposed to paper labeling each bottle. I prefer the feel and texture of the painted label. Overall, the bottles stand out more noticeably.

It's a pretty good bet that you can "unleash" a "growler" of this stuff direct from the brewer.

Firestone Walker - Union Jack IPA

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Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
1400 Ramada Drive
Paso Robles, CA USA
Est. 1996
www.firestonebeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden/amber color.
Lots of citrus and pine hops notes on the nose.
Near-white head that does not last too long nor does it lace much.
Heavy lingering hops flavors that turn dry. Slight paper flavor noticed.
Medium bodied, medium mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is the second Firestone Walker brew I was able to bring back from a west coast trip. As with the other (the Pale Ale) I think something was lost in translation. And I think I know what the culprit may have been. Let me explain...

I have heard and read a lot about this brewer as stated in the previous review of the Pale Ale. As I "boned" up on my homework about this IPA, I noticed the brewer's notes stated the beer was unpasteurized and was best stored at 44 degrees (Fahrenheit). Basically, it required some special handling to ensure it was as fresh a product the brewer intended it to be. I did travel with it for 24 hours without refrigeration, but I can assure you that it was not my mishandling. Looking back on it now, I purchased this and the Pale Ale from a 'big box' liquor/wine/beer chain from their assorted singles shelf, where the customers are allowed to 'mix-a-six' of their own choosing. Those shelves are out in the open and not refrigerated. And although the store had air conditioning, I can reasonably state it was not set anywhere near 44 degrees! As a result, it had a paper flavor that may have been indicative of oxidation.

So alas, fellow beer drinkers - - - I am sad to report that while it was a nice tasting beer, overall, it did not impress due to the off flavor note at the end. As a result, I am chalking it up to the retailer for not having refrigerated the product. And as for me, my selections will be more influenced by how I can better purchase and handle unpasteurized beer in the future. As is my usual course for other beers I have tried and felt may have been mishandled, I will attempt to get an ideal example of this again; likely a fresh refrigerated bottle when next in the western states. It deserves my re-examination as this IPA is a multiple award winning beer, as judged at The Great American Beer Festival.

Lessons learned and shared, so you don't have to learn them for yourself.

New Belgium - Trippel

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Trippel
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy bright golden color.
Lemon and spice aroma with some sweet apple notes.
Delicate foamy, bright white, one-finger head.
Slightly spotted lacing on the glass.
Light spice taste with touch of apple-like sweetness.
Moderate carbonation.
Light to medium bodied. Alcohol is masked.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
We don't get this one around these parts, so when offered a chance to try, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so. New Belgium's Trippel is on the mark for the style, but not as bold or brilliant as other Belgian Tripel's that I've tried. It lacks the more typical banana note elements, but does impart a nice bouquet that includes a sweet apple fragrance. Although there is a definite spice component, it is just not as punctuated as other Belgian Tripel's I have sampled.


I have had the opportunity to enjoy a few of these at the New Belgium Brewery on a couple of occasions, in Fort Collins, CO. From the tap, this is a very refreshing and delicious Tripel. Sadly, it seems the bottle conditioned version wasn't what I remembered it to be from those past tap room experiences.


I have been spoiled by drinking too many of this style that are direct from Belgium lately. But on the other hand, the thought of how my palate has developed over the past several years has shown me how to discern the nuances. Still, this is a solid Tripel to enjoy and I would not hesitate recommending it to someone who has yet to try the style.

Bridgeport - Hop Czar Imperial India Pale Ale

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Hop Czar Imperial India Pale Ale
Bridgeport Brewing Company
1318 N.W. Northrup 
Portland, OR USA
Est. 1984
www.bridgeportbrew.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Deep orange color with a hazy body.
Big smell of citrus, mostly grapefruit but a pinch of pine hops.
Near white color, one-half finger head.
Good amount of sticky, draped lacing on glass.
The taste switches up from the aromas, where piney hops flavor dominates the citrus hops.
A little bit low on the carbonation.
Light to medium bodied.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Several things appealed to me about this IPA. First was the company name, as it reminds me of home. Not Portland OR, but my hometown is named Bridgeport.


The Hop Czar himself, tweeted to many of the bloggers that attended the 2011 Beer Bloggers Conference, held in Portland, OR. He was willing to pick up bloggers as they arrived at the airport, in full regalia - wearing the crown and hounds-tooth cape! Ha-ha! That is going the extra mile to impress. Alas, my flight arrived a bit too late for the royal reception.


Hop Czar is an Imperial, as the name would suggest. So what better to show on the label than an emperor, king or in this case, a czar. Is this the strongest Imperial as I have ever tasted? Well, no. But, moving up the chain of command, it leaves some room for "Hops Emperor" or "Hops King".


If you are fond of hops, it's a great beer. Give it a try.

Bear Republic - Racer 5 India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Racer 5 India Pale Ale
Bear Republic Brewing Company
345 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg , CA USA
Est. 1995
www.bearrepublic.com 


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Golden to amber in color with a slight haze.
Smell of grapefruit and sweet orange citrus hops on the nose.
Off-white head, about one finger high, covers to cap.
Fair amount of lacing down the side of the glass.
Citrus tastes more like grapefruit and lemon zest. It belies the aromas.
Active carbonation.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Here's a pretty darn good IPA. I had heard a lot oh hoopla about this one. So when a recent trip took me out west, I found a bottle to bring home to try. It is good, borderline great for an American IPA. It sure fits the qualifications for a west coast IPA. Citrusy hops smell and taste.

Once again, wish I had bought a whole six pack of this stuff. But being that I can only bring back so much in luggage, it was a one off. I liked it.

What's your take?

Cigar City - Jai Alai White Oak Aged India Pale Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Jai Alai White Oak Aged India Pale Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy, orange/amber color.
Citrus hops on the nose. White Oak adds a different nose complexity of dryness.
Off-white, two finger head that hangs around a long time.
Sticky, stringy lacing inside of the glass.
Citrus (orange) hops flavored. Woody oak tones shine through.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Complex flavors of drying oak and citrusy hops on the tongue.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I've had the Humidor Series IPA aged on cedar and the standard base JaiAlai IPA's before. Here's a very interesting take on the standard JaiAlai from Cigar City Brewing. It is aged on White Oak and that imparts a new and interesting taste to the beer.


The White Oak adds a rich, pungent and dry quality to the flavor. It truly speaks to you and asks, "Why don't you sit back and just sip me?" I was quite unprepared for this version and was ready to quaff away, but after the first bold flavored sip, I knew that we were going to take some time to get acquainted. It's not that the IPA is overwhelming or strong, it is that the beer has such a complex flavor profile coming off the oak.


And, boys & girls, that is not a bad thing. Settle in and get to know this oak aged treat! Not your ordinary India Pale Ale.

21st Amendment - Brew Free! or Die IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Brew Free! or Die IPA
21st Amendment Brewery
563 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA USA
Brewed at:
Cold Spring, MN USA
Est. 1995
www.21st-amendment.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Beautiful deep amber color.
Piney and citrusy hops and caramel malts in aroma.
Near-white, two finger head. Nice draped lacing, good head retention.
Hops are off the charts. Malts play in the background with resiny hops taste.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied. Enveloping hops-play on tongue.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
No less than six kinds of hops (70 IBU's) and two malts make up the structure of this tongue tantilizing IPA. Found in a supermarket on my trip to Portland, OR, a six-pack of the stuff was snatched up, without question. It was the only representation of 21st Amendment's offerings at this store, but a nice find indeed. And the light weight cans made it a no-brainer for packing in my travelling cooler to bring home and share. The Reaper loves the sentiment "Brew Free! or Die" on this whimsical and free spirited container. Honest Abe is bustin' out of Mt. Rushmore much to the delight of Teddy Roosevelt and concern of George Washington. Thomas Jefferson, a brewer in his own right, appears unfazed by all this calamity. Presumably, Mr. Lincoln is going to go get a sixer of these IPA's for the boys.

Everyone that's tried some has remarked how tasty it is. I still have a few tucked away, but fear they won't last long in the mortuary fridge. And when they are gone, well, we'll continue to search out more. Very nicely done west coast style American IPA.


Get some if you can.

Muahhaahaahaa!

Great Divide - Rumble Oak Aged IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Rumble Oak Aged India Pale Ale
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.greatdivide.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy orange/honey color.
Smell of citrus hops. Nice oak aroma imparts from glass.
Firm but short lasting, off-white head.
Lace clings tightly to the side of the glass with each sip.
Oak taste and hops flavor pretty much dominate the muted malt tones and a vanilla finish.
Medium bodied and modestly complex flavors. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
What can't Great Divide do with an India Pale Ale? It is easier to say that they can do pretty much anything. If you are an India Pale Ale fan, strap it on, because Rumble is one not to miss.


This one is a fairly sessionable IPA at a tad over 7%, unlike its big brother Hercules at 10% (yet to be obducted by yours truly.) And it's safe to say that Rumble is unlike its other sibling, Titan, a similar in ABV ale, but does not have Rumble's vanilla nor oak conditioning. Then there's the 17th Anniversary that combines more, more, more of everything as a DIPA, but that is not Rumble either. Oh yeah, there's also Belgica, Rumble's European cousin, a Belgian style IPA.


So where does this Oak Aged India Pale Ale fit in? Rumble tucks neatly in the middle of the pack, yet stands on its own. A fairly easy drinking, modest ABV India Pale Ale with an oaky and vanilla character that hits the taste buds like, well - like WHAM!


A very interesting and unusual India Pale Ale that satisfies and surprises.

Sinebrychoff - Porter

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Sinebrychoff - Porter

Oy Sinebrychoff Ab

(Part of the Carlsberg Group)

Sinebrychoffnaukio 1

Kerava, Finland

Est. 1821
www.sinebrychoff.fi

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 11.2 

Postmortem Brew Review

Dark black appearance.
Dry, roasted malt smell with sugary molasses notes.
Medium sized, tan colored head. Hangs around a minute or so.
Slight strings of lacing on glass.

Fairly big malt taste up front with strong coffee notes balanced by a subtle sweet toffee finish.
Some hops bitters at the end of each sip.

Light to medium mouth feel. Dry and astringent on finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Here's another first for me. A beer from Finland. This is a sturdy porter at 7.2% ABV and 45 IBU's of hops. But then again, the Finnish are a sturdy bunch and require a beer that will fortify them through the cold temps of their land.

The porter began with a bitter note of espresso coffee taste, but I say that in a good way. Soothing it on the back side were more toffee/caramel sweet tones. Not over done, just to balance the initial strength of the coffee flavors. In all, a nice combination. It gave what is usually a simple ale, such as a porter, a bit more complexity.


Erittäin hyvä !

Pensacola Bay Brewing - Li'l Napoleon IPA

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Li'l Napoleon IPA

Pensacola Bay Brewing

225 E. Zaragoza Street
Pensacola, FL USA
Est. 2009
www.pbbrew.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 32.0 (Growler)


Postmortem Brew Review

Hazy amber/orange color.

Bready malts front of nose presence with  floral hop notes.

Draped lacing, off-white head that simmers out to a wispy cover.

Tastes nicely hopped and bitter up front, finishing with a balance of malt.

Moderate carbonation. 

Medium bodied. Finishes very clean.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Brought to me from the other timezone of Florida, was this half-growler of Lil' Napoleon. I've heard of this brewery/pub but they are about a ten hour drive from my parts, here at the crypt. Fortunately, I have friends in the right places.

This is a real nice IPA. In the growler bottle, it didn't stand a chance. I reaped it within 24 hours of pour from the tap and must say that it was very enjoyable.

One of three to review, from Pensacola Bay. Can't wait for the other two.

SanTan Brewing - Hop Shock I.P.A.

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hop Shock I.P.A.

SanTan Brewing Company

8 South San Marcos Place

Chandler, AZ USA

Est. 2007

www.santanbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.1 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Rich copper color.

Pine hop aroma and a bit of malt on the nose.

Two finger head that leaves great spiderweb lacing.
Tastes hoppy up front with a good twinge of malt in the backbone.

Modest amount of carbonation.

Full flavor, medium bodied. Tasty hops.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The time has come when I finally review this brew. I had a pint on tap at SanTan in Chandler earlier this year. I was glad to see they packaged in cans. So this one was brought home to compare with my tasting notes from the tap. It is quite a rocking West Coast style India Pale Ale, and one that I won't soon forget!


SanTan had such a great lineup of beers when we visited, we also ordered one of their surfboard shaped flights. It included 7 of their best from the tap. I truly enjoy a good IPA and find that this one ranks right up there in my top ten. But that's just my opinion. The bottom of the can says it all, "Craft Beer For Beer Drinking."  They may be masters of the obvious, but at least they included these instructions for its application, lest you forget what to do with it. Muahhahaha!


Along with great beer, SanTan's brewery is also a full service food pub, and the fare is oh, so good! If you ever get a chance to visit the Phoenix area, make it a point to swing by Chandler for a visit. You will be well rewarded.

Breckenridge Extra ESB - 471 Small Batch

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Breckenridge Extra ESB- 471 Small Batch

Breckenridge Brewery
471 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1989

www.breckbrew.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.8 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review

Somewhere between a burnt amber and red color.
Some bitter hops, caramel and brown sugar notes from the toasted smelling malts.
Tan colored, one finger clinging head.
Good amount of lacing down the side of the glass.
Scotch flavor, hops and then malts present in that order when tasting.
Carbonation is surprisingly zippy.
Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oh, the Small Batch! Strong beer with equally strong characteristics. The IPA was surprisingly high at over 9% ABV. This ESB is a bit more manageable though it still pushes nearly 8%. It hides that fact well, I might add.

With a Scothch style ale taste up front, tingling hops in the middle and malts on the finish, I found this to be a fairly easy drinker, regardless of the ABV. Sessionable? That depends. An uncommon Extra Special Bitter in a Scotch style ale.

Boulder Beer - Mojo

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Mojo IPA
Boulder Beer Company

2880 Wilderness Place
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1979
www.boulderbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear, brilliant light copper color.
Strong presence of citrus hops and light malts detected in aroma.
Two finger, off white head on pour.

Spiderweb lace coating on side of glass.
Hops taste up front, but not as bold as the smell. Malt finish.
Medium bodied. Easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Mojo as a term, is something that keeps you going. It's your groove, your vibe, your energy source. From the bottle's label it reads:

 Mo-Jo ('mO-(")jO) n.1: a magic spell or charm; magical power 2: herbaceous ale that summons hop attacks.

For an IPA, it resonates with that emotion, because you could session these all day and not get your over the top IPA burnout.It is an American IPA, done in the English style as the label reads. I had the good fortune to have some of this at the Boulder Brewery last fall, fresh from their taproom. In the bottle, it is nearly just as good.

Find your own Mojo, and see what it's all about.

St. Bernardus - Watou Tripel

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

St. Bernardus Watou Tripel
Brouwerij St. Bernard NV
Trappisenweg, Watou, Belgium
Est.1985

http://www.sintbernardus.be/en/beers.html

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 25.4 


Postmortem Brew Review 
Hazy yellow orange in color with golden hues.
Lots of honey and yeast aromas up front.
Creamy and frothy white head that settles down to a cover.
Bread and grains with sweet fruit notes on the palate.
Just the right amount of bubbly carbonation.
Delicious, pleasantly refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
From the land where the monks are happy, and it's no surprise why. Watou is named after the "burg" it hails from, though the folks at St. Bernardus have other tripels in their arsenal. This one is as good as any (or even better) that you'll find from any of the Belgium brew houses.

Watou. Even the name is fun to say. As in Watou gonna' hav' mon? As for me, I'll have another Watou Tripel. Praise to the monks and pass the ale.

Williams Brothers - Alba Scots Pine Ale

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Alba Scots Pine Ale
Williams Brothers Brewing Company
Brewed by Heather Ale Limited
FK10, 1NT
Alloa, UK Scotland
Est. 1988
www.heatherale.co.uk 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark gold and clear in color.
Smell of fresh pine aromas; not hints, but rather real pine smell.
Off-white head dissipates rapidly and covers to wisp.
Some lacing down the side of the glass.
Bright pine flavors as if you are drinking the sap of a tree. Not much malt detected.
Modest carbonation.
Light to medium mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
You've no doubt heard the word haggis. How many have looked up what it is? Mmmmmm, sounds delish! No??? Well, the Scottish are a little weird, but I can be weird-er. May I suggest a food and beer pairing?

As long as it's gonna be a Andrew Zimmern event menu-wise, let's keep the beer in the same region. Region of weirdness that is. Alba is a Scottish Gruit style beer, an ancient recipe that gathers those things directly from an area and combines them as a fermented concoction. While most IPA's tend to have characteristics of pine notes, Alba has actual sprigs of spruce and Scots pine thrown into the batch.  They are gathered fresh during the spring months.

The bottlers call this a "triple" style ale from a traditional Highland recipe. The Vikings brought us both haggis and Scottish Gruit. If it was good for those hardy souls, it should fortify us. Natural diet proponent Euell Gibbons once asked in a 1970's breakfast cereal commercial, "Ever eat a pine tree?" Well, now I can say that I have drunk one, at least. It's a bluuudy fresh piney baastaard!

Would I drink this again? Yes. Would I ever eat haggis? Uh, no thanks.

Abita - SOS (Save Our Shore)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
SOS (Save Our Shore)
Abita Brewing Company, LLC
Abita Springs, LA USA
Est. 1986
www.abita.com
and
sos.abita.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Brilliant golden color.
Wheat; bready aroma. Bright finishing hops noticed.
Two-finger bright white head that leaves ringed lacing.
Dry, tart wheat taste. Citrus (like tangerine) touches. Slightly acerbic on finish.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Light mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
At the intersection of Mardi Gras and exaggerated gasoline prices, we find this wonderful Louisiana beer. A bright pilsener done with a twist; wheat instead of barley. An unusual 22 ounce pilsener weizen. Truly a Big Easy beer, if ever there was one.  As a side note, the finishing note of the beer and the the aftermath of the 2010 gulf oil spill, reveal a bitter finish. Poetic justice, Abita!

The idea for such a beer was created as a response to help with the community, suffering from the great oil spill from 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, along the shores of Louisiana. For every bottle sold, Abita donates seventy five cents towards, "... the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill."  Nice effort on their part. They have gone above and beyond by even creating a superb web page for all to view. You can help the cause by viewing it here at http://sos.abita.com/

Beautiful bottle, web page, beer and cause. Do visit them and see what you can do to help out.

Breckenridge - Pandora's Bock

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Pandora's Bock
Breckenridge Brewery
471 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.breckbrew.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear brown color on the pour. Reddish tints.
Smell of malt, some caramel and a bit of hops.
Tan head, about one finger high, covers to wisp.
Fair amount of spotted lacing on the side of the glass.
A bit malty at the start in taste, but finishes with a touch of caramel sweetness.
Lightly carbonated.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
It's that time of the year.

"Dead" of winter.

My time- - -Bock time.

Bocks used to be the staple winter alternate in the dark days before the craft/micro brew revolution. Every brewery had one to switch up from the summer lagers. Many of you might not be able to remember the stone age of beer, pre 1985. I'm a relic.

Generally speaking, in today's fanatic microbrew climate, most drinkers might tend to dismiss them out of hand. Admittedly, they are not for everybody.  Fortunately, they don't have a large learning curve of enjoyment to realize if they are for you.

This one is a sleeper of a Bock. Pretty standard as far as Bocks go. Maltiness you expect, nothing over the top, uh, ohh, wait! 7.5% ABV! Well, a little something over the top, indeed! Tastes good; no alcohol present in the way of your enjoyment. And that ABV boost helps nudge you closer to the warm springtime ahead.

Help herald the end of winter's doldrums. Open Pandora's Bock and see what flys out. Remember, there was hope in the end. Now you're curious, too.