Thursday, October 26, 2006
10/24/06 Harvest 2, Winter 4
*** Harvest #2 ***
Deschutes “Hop Trip”
One of the best harvest ales around. Made with plenty of fresh Willamette valley hop, this Pale ale pours a golden amber color and has the aroma and flavor of lemon, flowers, and just a touch of grass. Not too bitter but with tons of hop flavor and aroma. A+
*** Winter Ales Round 4 ***
Golden Valley “Tannin Bomb”
Now to me, this is what winter beers are all about. Out of all the winter beers I look forward to this one the most. It has a big malty fruity flavor that just does it for me. Not too hoppy, a light bitterness to finish well but nothing overpowering. The 8% alcohol is smooth but will warm the cockles of your heart. Best served only slightly chilled so as to bring out the smooth malt and play that against the fruity character. I always age a six-pack or so every year, this year I’m going for a case. This beer actually ages very well. On first sip you might not think that a beer like this can go long term but after about 8 months the malt starts to intensify and instead of it playing against the fruit character, it actually starts to accentuate the fruit and you end up with a more intense beer. I have to give props to Golden Valley for producing a winter beer like no other.
New Belgium “2 Below”
Dark amber in color, this beer pours with a ¼ inch creamy head. Nice resiny pine hop aroma. The flavor is malty nutty with earthy tones a touch of fruit and the finish dry and bitter.
Sierra Nevada “Celebration”
Copper in color with a thin head and a big floral hop aroma. The flavor is lightly of caramel / crystal malt. The hop flavor is bitter with a grassy citrusy flavor. This classic west coast brew is a sure sign of the happy holidays to come.
Scaldis “Prestige”
WOW!!! What a treat. This oaked Belgian beauty has it all going on. Great aroma, and flavor, strong in alcohol and a gorgeous package. It pours orange/amber in color with a big head despite it 13%. The aroma is big with fruity apple, cognac, vanilla, and a floral perfume. The flavor is amazingly complex. Sweet and malty, woody with a bit of tannin from the barrel aging. Creamy up front and dry in the finish the herbal / minty hops are low but in there someplace. Be forewarned that this indulgence does come at a price but a rare delicacy like this is worth it.
De Proef “Flemish Primitive (Pinhead)”
Copper /red in color with an ample head, this beer has a tart aroma with earthy hops. The flavor has a touch of brett and a light sour lemony character. The light body and prickly carbonation fits well and makes for a rather refreshing brew.
*** Back In Stock ***
Victory “Storm King”
This opaque black stout pours at a substantial 9% with coffee and cascade hop aroma. The flavor is of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, fig, and toast. More hops on this one than most stouts of this caliber but it works well and keeps it from getting too sticky. This one is a fun assault on your tongue from both the hop and malt side.
De Proef “Flemish Primitive (Surly Bird)”
The reason the name is in parentheses is that there is no name title, just a scene from a Hieronymus Bosch painting. Brewed with Brettanomyces, this is one of those wonderfully funky sour Belgian Ales. A yellow / light golden color with a massive rocky head that persists for some time. I used a German Weisse glass and still had problems. Earthy acidic aroma that moved into a lightly fruity, cirtusy flavor with a touch of sweetness and dry peppery finish.
Golden Valley “IPA VS Brut”
This deep copper IPA was aged in oak barrels at the Argyle winery. It was also put through the Methode de Champenoise (the way they make Champagne). Sort of a domestic IPA version of the Bosteel’s Deus. The aroma is slightly woody with fruity hops. The cork and wire-basket bottle opens with a loud pop, has good carbonation but little head. The flavor is of piney, citrusy hop bitterness with a ting of Chardonnay and lightly malty in the finish.
Bosteels “Deus”
This is by far the most elegant beer I have ever seen (or tasted). This beer is a bottle-conditioned triple that goes through the Champagne method (riddling, disgorging, and dosing). What does that mean to you? All of the complex flavors of a well aged triple, small tight dense head, crystal clear without any filtering. Pale straw in color, spicy / gingery aroma and a sweet tropical fruity flavor with hints of clove and cinnamon spice. It is more expensive due to the extra man power put into it but it is a great treat for the holiday season.
Deschutes “Hop Trip”
One of the best harvest ales around. Made with plenty of fresh Willamette valley hop, this Pale ale pours a golden amber color and has the aroma and flavor of lemon, flowers, and just a touch of grass. Not too bitter but with tons of hop flavor and aroma. A+
*** Winter Ales Round 4 ***
Golden Valley “Tannin Bomb”
Now to me, this is what winter beers are all about. Out of all the winter beers I look forward to this one the most. It has a big malty fruity flavor that just does it for me. Not too hoppy, a light bitterness to finish well but nothing overpowering. The 8% alcohol is smooth but will warm the cockles of your heart. Best served only slightly chilled so as to bring out the smooth malt and play that against the fruity character. I always age a six-pack or so every year, this year I’m going for a case. This beer actually ages very well. On first sip you might not think that a beer like this can go long term but after about 8 months the malt starts to intensify and instead of it playing against the fruit character, it actually starts to accentuate the fruit and you end up with a more intense beer. I have to give props to Golden Valley for producing a winter beer like no other.
New Belgium “2 Below”
Dark amber in color, this beer pours with a ¼ inch creamy head. Nice resiny pine hop aroma. The flavor is malty nutty with earthy tones a touch of fruit and the finish dry and bitter.
Sierra Nevada “Celebration”
Copper in color with a thin head and a big floral hop aroma. The flavor is lightly of caramel / crystal malt. The hop flavor is bitter with a grassy citrusy flavor. This classic west coast brew is a sure sign of the happy holidays to come.
Scaldis “Prestige”
WOW!!! What a treat. This oaked Belgian beauty has it all going on. Great aroma, and flavor, strong in alcohol and a gorgeous package. It pours orange/amber in color with a big head despite it 13%. The aroma is big with fruity apple, cognac, vanilla, and a floral perfume. The flavor is amazingly complex. Sweet and malty, woody with a bit of tannin from the barrel aging. Creamy up front and dry in the finish the herbal / minty hops are low but in there someplace. Be forewarned that this indulgence does come at a price but a rare delicacy like this is worth it.
De Proef “Flemish Primitive (Pinhead)”
Copper /red in color with an ample head, this beer has a tart aroma with earthy hops. The flavor has a touch of brett and a light sour lemony character. The light body and prickly carbonation fits well and makes for a rather refreshing brew.
*** Back In Stock ***
Victory “Storm King”
This opaque black stout pours at a substantial 9% with coffee and cascade hop aroma. The flavor is of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, fig, and toast. More hops on this one than most stouts of this caliber but it works well and keeps it from getting too sticky. This one is a fun assault on your tongue from both the hop and malt side.
De Proef “Flemish Primitive (Surly Bird)”
The reason the name is in parentheses is that there is no name title, just a scene from a Hieronymus Bosch painting. Brewed with Brettanomyces, this is one of those wonderfully funky sour Belgian Ales. A yellow / light golden color with a massive rocky head that persists for some time. I used a German Weisse glass and still had problems. Earthy acidic aroma that moved into a lightly fruity, cirtusy flavor with a touch of sweetness and dry peppery finish.
Golden Valley “IPA VS Brut”
This deep copper IPA was aged in oak barrels at the Argyle winery. It was also put through the Methode de Champenoise (the way they make Champagne). Sort of a domestic IPA version of the Bosteel’s Deus. The aroma is slightly woody with fruity hops. The cork and wire-basket bottle opens with a loud pop, has good carbonation but little head. The flavor is of piney, citrusy hop bitterness with a ting of Chardonnay and lightly malty in the finish.
Bosteels “Deus”
This is by far the most elegant beer I have ever seen (or tasted). This beer is a bottle-conditioned triple that goes through the Champagne method (riddling, disgorging, and dosing). What does that mean to you? All of the complex flavors of a well aged triple, small tight dense head, crystal clear without any filtering. Pale straw in color, spicy / gingery aroma and a sweet tropical fruity flavor with hints of clove and cinnamon spice. It is more expensive due to the extra man power put into it but it is a great treat for the holiday season.
