Hopworks Urban Brewery - Galactic Imperial Red Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Galactic Imperial Red Ale

Hopworks Urban Brewery

2944 SE Powell Boulevard

Portland, OR USA

Est. 2007

www.hopworksbeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 22.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Rich deep red/brown color; almost a bit dark for a red.

Caramel malt, pine hop and citrus floral hop on the nose.

Two finger near-white head that leaves great spiderweb lacing.
Tastes earthy with a caramel malt backbone.

At 100 IBU, the hops are not aggressive.
Modest amount of carbonation.

Full flavor, medium bodied. Balance of malt and hops.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
We are on a bus, headed to hop fields south of Portland Oregon and this is one of the beers that is brought out as we sit in Friday night rush hour. I am gobsmacked by the old-school arcade images on the painted label. As if that isn't enough, it's a 100 IBU, 9.5% ABV Imperial Red that is organic, to boot. 5000 point bonus power-up for the folks over at HUB!

From all levels, this is a kick ass brew. High in hops and nicely masked alcohol, this Imp. Red quickly got my attention. The hops and alcohol are done so well and the beer so easily drinkable, it won't be "Game Over" for your senses. Turns out they really had me hooked by the label. I have shoveled a ton of quarters into those old arcade machines in my day. I took some notes and stashed the empty bottle, so I could return it to the crypt and write this review.

Get your game on, with this one.

Dogfish Head - Theobroma (Randall Infused)

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer 
Theobroma
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA 
Est. 1995 
www.dogfish.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 10.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Creamy, hazed golden peach color.
Strawberry and chocolate aromas. Hint of spiciness.
One-finger off white head that dissipates quickly. Leaves scant cover.
Spots of lacing on the glass.
Chocolate dipped strawberry on the lips and front of tongue. Finish has spice warmth.
Lightly carbonated. Slightly syrupy.
Medium bodied. Interesting sweet and spice playfulness.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Quoted from Dogfish Head's own website:

This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions. The discovery of this beverage pushed back the earliest use of cocoa for human consumption more than 500 years to 1200 BC. As per the analysis, Dogfish Heads Theobroma (translated into 'food of the gods') is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs (from our friends at Askinosie Chocolate), honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds). It's light in color - not what you expect with your typical chocolate beer. Not that you'd be surpised that we'd do something unexpected with this beer!

At a recent World of Beer-Carrollwood, Dogfish Head tap-takeover, eighteen different DFH brews were featured. This one was run through a Randall of Aztec Fire Tea. It's flavors are those of chilles, strawberry and chocolate, which are in line with the ale's original taste, but the tea further enhanced the profile. The Randall imparted an up front taste of chocolate dipped strawberries and finished with a mild twang of heat. The strawberry flavor was a nice stand-in though it overpowered any of the annatto flavor. Now I must do a straight-up review on Theobroma to compare.

Interestingly unusual.

Cigar CIty - Bolita Double Brown Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Bolita Double Brown Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Very dark brown body color.
Malt sweetness, chocolate and toffee along with roasted nuttiness in the aroma.
Light brown, two finger head that vanishes quickly.
Sticky, stringy lacing adheres to the inside of the glass.
Nutty first note followed by rich maltiness.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied with stealth alcohol action.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Bolita has three great things going for it. All at once it is playful, lingering and seductive. It's playful because of the great brown ale style that brings roasty nuttiness to the sweet malts, toffee and latent chocolate notes. Lingering, because its flavor wraps around your tongue and coats the back of your mouth. It draws you in, sip after sip, which leads us to - - - Seductive. Let's say that the 9% ABV in this generous sized bottle will pack a velvet punch. Pow!

Playful + Lingering + Seductive  =  A fun to hang around with, TKO.

Odell - India Barley Wine

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

India Barley Wine
Odell Brewing Company
800 East Lincoln Avenue
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.odellbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Light, hazy amber color.
A large amount of hops, followed by malt caramel and a touch of yeast aromas to the nose.
Short head disappears to a cover but leaves clingy lacing.
Soft, sweet malt taste, some bold hops and honey (?) sweetness.
Soft carbonation.
Full flavored, somewhat complex bodied. Even more flavorful as it warms. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
I have had this aging for nearly one year. It was brought out in the company of great beer lovers.  All agreed it was an excellent sipper. Not a heavy handed barley wine, as some tend to be. Not overly complex, nor difficult to consume.  In fact, it was deceptively easy to drink at over 9% ABV. And did I mention the hops? That is where it gets its double identity (a.k.a India) as there are 68 IBU's of hop heat neatly tucked inside this barley wine.

So glad I was able to share with those that appreciate a well made ale. Kudos Odell!

Great Divide - Yeti Imperial Stout

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Yeti Imperial Stout
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.greatdivide.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Super black onyx color.
Smell of rich roasted malt and toffee.
Thick, rocky caramel colored head.
Lace clings tightly to the side of the glass with each sip.
Roasty malt taste with vanilla, and large hits of hops flavor.
Full bodied and full complex flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
"Untamed". "Imposing". Though the print is tiny, these two words jump off the label. Yeti is not a brew for the timid...believe that fact.

Let's start with the malt. Rich and roasted. Toffee and caramel wafts off the nose. Sip it, and Yeti envelopes your tongue in a rolling river of rich malt. Then come the staggering 75 IBU's of hops. They will grip your taste buds and hang on for dear life as the malted backbone slides down your throat, searing every inch.

Now I have had the oak-aged version as well and prefer the additional flavor note, but let's take a moment to recall that original Yeti is a multi-award winning stout from the 2005, 2008 & 2009 Great American Beer Festival. All this knowledge will hopefully prepare you for your elusive encounter with a Yeti.

You drink Yeti - - - you will believe!

Sierra Nevada - Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Fritz & Ken's Ale 30th Anniversary
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Chico, CA USA
Est. 1980
www.sierranevada.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.2 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Inky blackness, the color of spent motor oil.
Sensual roast malt tones. Chocolate notes. Some oatiness.
Nicely foaming two finger head with good lacing on the glass.
Roasted malt and chocolate flavors.; interestingly complex.
Active amount of carbonation.
Nearly no alcohol taste for such a high ABV.
Rich, velvety and full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Sensational occasions call for sensational ales. Christmas around the crypt this year was a bit extra special, so we pulled out this beauty to celebrate the day. As is often said, "...it is far better to give than receive." So sharing with close family was especially rewarding for me, and those that tasted were equally excited to receive.  Fritz Maytag and Ken Grossman really have something special to celebrate with, right here.  This is a one off, singular release to commemorate the 30th year of Sierra Nevada. Certainly, something of a sensation in terms of brewing craft beers for 30 years.

These two pioneers of the craft beer and ale movement would likely be on the "Mount Rushmore" of brewing, if there was ever such a national monument. Hmmm...something worth thinking about.  But now, on to the ale.  This is one helluva beautiful Imperial Stout. Impressive black color, not unlike that you may have seen while changing the engine oil on your car or truck. Rest assured, it tastes equally impressive as the color. Deceptively easy drinking at 9.2% ABV, I found it hard to resist pouring a bit more into my snifter after each sip. No boozy undertones or aftertaste - rather a delicious river of exquisite roast malt flavor and chocolaty backbone. Superior to any I have sampled previously. Okay, I really liked it!

At this writing, it is still available on shelves if you look real hard in you local stores. Worth the price since you'll likely not see it again. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary.

Odell Mountain Standard - 2010 Double Black IPA

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Mountain Standard - 2010 Double Black IPA
Odell Brewing Company
800 East Lincoln Avenue
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1989
www.odellbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark brown to black in color.
68 IBU's of hops and beautifully roasted malts greet your nose.
Silky soft head clings to the glass leaving draped lacing.
Big malt and hops taste that finishes softly, smoothly.
Soft carbonation.
Full flavored, full bodied. No alcohol after taste. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #11

Odell Brewer Joe Mohrfeld & me

If you have been keeping score at home with my posts, it will come as no surprise that I am a self proclaimed fan-boy of Odell. They have an outstanding lineup of basic beer from a wheat through the pale and India pale ales and porters. Then they have their Single Serve releases and the now famously sought after Woodcut series.

Speaking of the special releases, I had the 2009 Mountain Standard Single Serve earlier this year and truly enjoyed it. But when Odell brewer Joe Mohrfeld came by our table with the 2010 Mountain Standard, my heart skipped a beat.

This corked and caged beer was being released today at 4:30 (Mountain Standard Time, of course!). We were getting to sample it only an hour before the release. This is a luxurious Double Black IPA that has a silky soft head.  Smooth, not boozy with a rich easy-to-drink texture that envelops your tongue and taste buds on the way down. Pure enjoyment, dark and satisfying to the bottom of the glass. 

Joe was a great ambassador of Odell.  He took time to explain how the 11 brewers collaborate on the brewing process for the releases. I'm sure the other 10 brewers share his passion, else their beer could not achieve such great quality and taste. Now, if we can just get that distribution a little closer to my home base...looks like many more trips to Colorado are in store for me.

Heaven on earth is the only way to describe the taste. Okay, maybe I'm gushing, but you will not be disappointed in the least. Now, I have to find a way to get some of this 2010 Single Serve before it's all gone.

Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.greatdivide.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Black in color.
Smell of roast malt, vanilla and oak mingle on the nose.
Thick, rocky caramel colored head.
Lace clings tightly to the side of the glass with each sip.
Roasty malt taste with vanilla, and large hits of hops flavor.
Full bodied and full complex flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #10

Bryan Baltzell of Great Divide

Bryan Baltzell was the Yeti 'wrangler' from Great Divide, for this round. Oak Aged Yeti, no less. This is a sumptuous Russian Imperial Stout that left an impressive rocky head with some nice lacing on the glass.

Bryan passed a couple of bottles around the table for review while explaining the difference that oak aging makes on this brew, compared to the standard Yeti. I have never tasted either and was looking forward to trying it. After pouring, sniffing, holding it up to light, and swirling the beer, I raised the glass to my lips in great anticipation. Boo-yah!

According to Great Divide, this is a more sophisticated version of the Yeti.  Kinda' sounds like an oxymoron; a sophisticated Yeti?!!? Now I have a picture of Peter Boyle from Young Frankenstein stuck in my head.

Frankenstein in a tuxedo? You bet! It's "Super-DOOPER!"

Widmer Brothers - Brothers Reserve Barrel Aged Brrrbon Fall 2010

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Brothers Reserve Barrel Aged Brrrbon Fall 2010
Widmer Brothers
929 N. Russell
Portland, OR USA
Est. 1984
www.widmer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 (3 oz. sample)

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark amber brown color.
Caramel notes along with a distinct presence of bourbon smells.
Small head with creamy bubble layer that dissipates slowly.
Soft oak and bourbon tastes mingle to sweetness with a dry finish.
Slight alcohol warmth in finish.
Smooth carbonation, smooth drinking. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This blog post was done live at the first ever Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Boulder Colorado. 108 bloggers were in attendance, from over five hundred identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by 12 brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. 12 beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Round #8

Rob Widmer

Brothers Rob and Kurt founded their brewery in 1984.  This was a time in microbrewing's infancy. They have tended to their craft quite nicely creating one unique tasting beer after another.  This is one of the first of their bigger beers I have been able to sample.  I found its bourbon flavor made for a great taste experience.

Rob was our presenter today.  He explained to us the barrel aging process.  Rob stated that over one quarter of the barrels came from Maker's Mark and many of the rest from Jim Beam. The flavors of the bourbon and the oak really shine in the taste of this beer.  It's like a hand crafted boilermaker.

Enjoy this while it lasts. Once one of their specialty series is gone, it's gone! So don't miss out.

North Coast - Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout
North Coast Brewing Company
455 North Main Street
Fort Bragg, CA USA
Est. 1988
www.northcoastbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Jet black color but with ruby tones on pour.
Sweet, roasted malt and hint of chocolate smell.
Two finger caramel-tan head that leaves abundant lacing.
Head is tight and lasts about half the glass then thinly covers.
Deep roasted malt/chocolate/coffee tasting with fig/raisin taste that warms.
Light amount of carbonation.
A full bodied ale that will satisfy.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Here is a fantastic Russian Imperial stout that will satisfy the discriminating ale drinker.  Old Rasputin is rich and full bodied with a lot of complex flavors going on, in the glass.  It is chewy and thick in body.  The complex flavors keep you guessing what you will taste next.

An absolutely fine beverage that will please with ease, for those of you that like stout. The 9% alcohol is masked until the end when it releases a warming and drying factor in the back of your throat. Now it leads me to wonder what Rasputin is doing, gesturing with his hand...is it a salutation? A blessing? Or is he telling you the bed is upstairs when you are done with that one in your hand?!?

Rogue - Double Dead Guy Ale

Double Dead Guy

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Double Dead Guy Ale
Rogue Ales
2320 OSU Drive
Newport, OR USA
Est.1988
www.rogue.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (On Tap)


Postmortem Brew Review
Yellow orange in color.
Caramel malt taste and aroma with floral scent of hops.
Off-white, almost tan head with good retention.
Light carbonation with hoppy finish.
Light to medium bodied, hearty flavor.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Irony, in a bottle.  It's twice the goodness of regular Dead Guy, and that's all you really need to know.  Muahaahaahaaahaaaaaa! ! ! ! !

The Reaper enjoys this Super Maibock ale when it's just the regular Dead Guy.  It was on tap at World of Beer for a display of Rogue's finest fares.  The event?  Beertopia. So appropriate for a fine brewer like Rogue.

This has made limited appearances, so be sure to get some when you see it.

Unibroue - Don de Dieu

Dead Explorer

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Don de Dieu
Unibroue Inc.
80, Des Carrieres
Chambly, Quebec Canada
Est. 1992
unibroue.com/products

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light honey yellow-orange color with slight cloudy  haze.
Whiffs of alcohol, some kind of fruit (apple/banana/raisin) and yeast.
One finger fluffy white head with good lacing and retention.
Lots of fizzy carbonation with active surface nucleation strands.
Very slight boozy taste as it warms, sweetness in each sip.
Full flavor, complex aromas, medium body.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Don de Dieu literally means "Gift from God". It is indeed a treat for the senses. Full of nose tingling bubbles and sweet apple-like aroma, it is a fitting way to wind down the day.

The label depicts the Don de Dieu; ship of Samuel de Champlain.  In the early 1600's, Champlain sailed from France to settle Quebec where he encountered the St. Lawrence Iroquoians, natives to North America. Sadly, it was the last of the days for the Iroquois as a tribe.  As for Champlain and his crew, their first winter was tough.  It claimed 16 of the crew of 24.

Happily, their stories live on.  Partly due to this wonderful Belgian style ale.  Set sail with this ale.

Val Dieu - Triple Abbey Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Val Dieu Triple
Brasserie de L'Abbaye du Val~Dieu
Val Dieu, 225
Aubel, Belgium
Est. 1997
www.val-dieu.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Turbid golden color.
Yeasty smell.
White bright soapy tight bubbled head.
Lots of sparkling nucleation.
Amazing hanging lacing on glass.
Crisp taste with slight apple notes.
Light golden body. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
From their website, "The abbey of Val-Dieu was built 1216 by Cistercian monks. They were looking for a lone valley with a stream for agricultural and brewing activities, a haven of peace full of nature. Cistercian orders are well-known abroad for their brewing skills. The monks of this abbey made no exception to this rule." It seems that over the centuries, the Abbey fell into different states of disrepair. Thankfully, it was re-established in 1997.

As for the ale, it has the characteristics of any fine tripel.  It has an apple taste along with the yeast component.  There was also a hint of wine flavor, mmm, that's what seemed to come through.  I bought this as my third Father's Day ale, this time to honor my own dad. It may not have been what he would have drunk back in the 50's and 60's, but I would have liked to introduce him to this style.  I'm certain he would have enjoyed it a lot.

Too bad Val~Dieu didn't learn how to spell Tripel correctly. Ahh, who cares what's on the bottle as long as it's good in the bottle.

Brooklyn - Local 2

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Brooklyn Local 2
Brooklyn Brewery
#1 Brewers Row
79 North 11th Street
Brooklyn , NY USA
Est. 1988
www.brooklynbrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Deep brown color with a ruby red tinge.
Belgian yeast and fig/prune aromas.
Tan colored foaming head goes to about one finger high.
Great rings of lacing up and down the glass.
Honey in the taste along with the Belgian yeast. A bit dry at the end of the sip.
Good amount of carbonation without going overboard.
Slight note of alcohol but mellow finish.
Medium to full bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Another great Brooklyn brew, the sibling to Local 1.  Unlike its brethren, Local 2 is a darker, maltier ale.  Notably Belgian in style and notably high in ABV.

We definitely took note as three of us shared this magnificent ale and all found the alcohol by the bottom of our glass.

Pick 1 or 2 and you'll have a winner of an ale.

Unibroue - La Fin Du Monde

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
La Fin Du Monde
Unibroue Inc.
80, Des Carrieres
Chambly, Quebec Canada
Est. 1992
unibroue.com/products

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light honey colored body with slight haze.
Whiffs of alcohol, some kind of fruit (pear), some clove and yeast.
Two fingered fluffy white head with good lacing and retention.
Medium carbonation.
Very slight alcohol taste as it warms, a bit of peppery taste.
Full flavor, complex aromas.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
What's that on the label? Why it's the very northern provinces of Quebec (and Newfoundland) Canada. In other words, "The End of the World" as La Fin du Monde loosely translates.

Bottle refermented, this Tripel shows that great abbey style Belgian beer is much sought after, even in the furthest reaches of civilization.  And for good reason.  When you've got one chance to get it right, you have to go for it.  And go for it they do, at Unibroue.  This is so light and easy, while having the characteristics of true Belgian Tripels.

So, lucky for you and me, we do not have to go to the ends of the earth to get such luxurious ale.  It's just north of the border in lovely Canada and a good thing to have on hand at The End of the World.

Brooklyn - Local 1

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Brooklyn Local 1
Brooklyn Brewery
#1 Brewers Row
79 North 11th Street
Brooklyn , NY USA
Est. 1988
www.brooklynbrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy golden yellow pour.
Fruity like banana and peach with honey aromas prevail.
Rich soapy head about two and a half fingers high.
Super delicate lace spotting up and down the glass.
The head bubbles are small and tightly packed like champagne.
Carbonation is medium.  Little presence of alcohol.
Medium bodied mouth feel; complex fruit, yeast and spice tartness. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
As with all of Brooklyn's beers thus far, The Reaper has been particularly impressed by the mad skills of their brewmaster, Garrett Oliver.  The man makes some amazing beer.

There are meticulous details like the logo imprint on the bottle cork and the wire basket.  The bottle is worthy of a fine champagne, even better that it contains this brew.  Its heavy, thick walls and have raised lettering displaying the Brooklyn logo and name.  The 'punt' in the bottom gives you a great place to grab with the thumb when swirling out the last bit of nectar from this Belgian Strong Pale Ale.  German hops, raw cane sugars and a fantastic yeast strain are in the brew.  Top it off with the fact that it's refermented in the bottle, and you get an out of the body experience to savor.

I shared this delectable embalming fluid at a local haunt with a few of my ghoulish friends.  Sinfully deliciousl...muahhahaahaaahaahaaaa!

UPDATE: 9/17/2010 - Lucky me! Garrett graciously posed for a snapshot while pouring some of Brooklyn's finest at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival.

Cigar City - Batch #69 Double Cream Ale

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Batch #69 Double Cream Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Copper color body.
Bready, malty aroma with soft hops and fruit aroma.
Off white minimal head that settles to a cover.
Little head, but good spot and string lacing down the glass.
Sweet malty taste with some tropical fruit notes.
Creamy sweet sugary twang at end of each sip.
Slight alcohol notes as it warms up.
Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
I came across this brew, served on tap, while out of town on a business trip.  I decided to reap its reward of flavor.  This is quite an interesting beer, perhaps because it is locally brewed in FL.  Sweet fruity taste at times and a sleeper at 9.5% ABV.  You hardly notice the alcohol content for the delicious taste wrapped around it.

I was told that it is currently only in kegs at the moment, so tough luck if you aren't in their delivery area.  However, that is excellent luck for the rest of us!

Victory - Golden Monkey

Taps for a Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Golden Monkey
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downington, PA USA
Est.1996
www.victorybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Syrupy light golden color. Some particle suspension.
Sweet fruit aroma; think apples. Not a lot of yeast.
Soapy white head that reveals excellent string lacing.
Light tasting like a wheat with sweet fruit finish.
Very little carbonation leaving a slight viscous body.
Alcohol is well hidden for a Trippel.
Light to medium bodied.  Well balanced flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A new craft beer bar has come to town in Sarasota.  Mr. Beery's opened this week and we thought we'd give it a go.  Since we were having an unseasonal downpour, the regular stop would have been treacherous to transit.  We agreed upon this meeting place for the evening.  Partly due to the proximity to home and the bus line, should it be necessary.  Practice safe imbibing skills, my followers!

A tidy, non-nonsense brick and wood interior contained a gleaming chrome tap line.  We were dazzled!  It contained a tremendous assortment of suds from which to choose.  There were North American and European brews on tap and chillin' in the fridges, too.  A chalkboard in the corner proclaimed the oft seen and spoken words of true craft beer establihments, "No Crap On Tap!"  Yeah, baby!

When confronted by the plethora of delectable beer choices, our beer-tender, Rick, helped us settle upon a flight of four.  The first up was this delicious Belgian style trippel from American craft brewers, Victory.  There was so much going on in this one.  The fruitiness, the low carbonation, the high ABV, the sumptuous pale golden color.  I didn't get all of the yeast complexities associated with this style.  Nevertheless, it was a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.  You gotta' get yourself some of this, monkey!

Dogfish Head - Midas Touch

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Dogfish Head - Midas Touch
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
6 Cannery Village Center
Milton, DE USA
Est. 1995
www.dogfish.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Mostly orange with yellow hues.
Poured to a little over a one finger tall, white head.
Honey and dry grape tastes up front. More honey on the finish.
Good amount of carbonation.
Medium mouth feel with dry finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The World of Beer's colors are predominantly black and gold, so it was fitting that this beer was chosen as my 50th selection.  That honor gets you a WOBculture T-shirt emblazoned with the university block font 5 0 on the back.  Nice shirt for a milestone.

Midas Touch Ale has honey, white muscat grapes and saffron in the mix.  It's made from an ancient Egyptian recipe. The bottle has a fingerprint on the label, suggesting that King Midas himself touched this nectar to turn it gold. It is the muscat grapes that fascinate me the most.  These are typically seen in dessert wines. They give a sweetness that is very pleasant in aroma and body.  It was a pleasant drink for the 50th selection, adding that it was my "just desserts!"

You won't be sitting around the Pharaoh's tomb drinking too many of these, as the sweetness doesn't lend itself as a session style beer.  And at 9% ABV, it would make an outstanding enbalming fluid for mummification!

Oskar Blues - Ten Fidy

Tin Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Ten Fidy
Oskar Blues Brewery LLC
1800 Pike Road
Longmont, CO USA
Est. 1997
www.oskarblues.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Solid black color.
Hop aroma, chocolate and roasted malts with other complex aromas.
One fingered creamy tan head, quickly dissipates.
Stringy lace on the glass.
Full flavor in taste; hop, malt and chocolate complex flavors.
Full bodied; smooth and silky.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oh my.  Nearing the end of a fine evening at the new liquid location "World of Beer", host Brogan sought me out and offered some of the establishment's 'private stock', not yet on the available menu.  

This one almost escaped my grasp due to a 'bone headed' thought.  Getting ready to leave for the evening, I first refused the purchase.  That's when it occurred to me I had a designated driver to navigate.  What fortuitous luck!  I sheepishly returned to my host and apologized for acting the chump.

This imperial stout is so outrageous in so many ways, it simply shouldn't work.  I mean, nearly 10% ABV is a challenge...NO PROBLEM.  You don't pick that up in the taste.  How about the insane roasted malt AND chocolate, chocolate, chocolate flavors? PERFECT!  And for an encore, they add the CUH-raziest amount of hops.  IBU's 98...that cuh razy enough for you?  Sounds like it should be a train wreck. Ahhh, but it's more like the 20th Century Limited.  Simply the finest experience.  But leave the chugging to the train and savor the flavors of this fine imperial stout.

Outrageous? Yes! Worth every bit of it.  Oskar Blues...wooot, WHooooT!  That must be the Ten Fidy train. And to think I almost let it pass me by!