Thursday, June 28, 2007

 

*** Featured Wine ***

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 750ml:

1. HOT WINE this week:
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 - WS 96 points.
Loaded with raspberry & boysenberry flavors that are followed by licorice, incense, graphite & mocha; well structured with a lenghty finish. A great DEAL at $85.00 per bottle while supplies last!

2. Final days of free shipping on wine - place your orders now and SAVE!


 

*** Auctions ***

Lot 53 1 bottle 1994 Chimay Grand Reserve 750ml
Lot 54 1 Bottle 1996 Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus 750ml

 

Okocim Palone 500ml:

This dark Polish lager has a richness and complexity that I go for. It pours dark brown with red tint. It pours with a decent head that settles into a thin layer. The aroma is a touch sweet with toffee a light roastiness and a whiff of hops. The flavor has a light smokiness about it with caramel toasty flavors.


 

Kalnapilis Original 500ml:

The Original pours a beautiful gold color with a big sudsy head. The aroma is lightly of pale malt but mostly of leafy hops. The flavor is hop bitter with a bit of mineral and a slight spiciness.


 

Kalnapils 7.30 500ml:

This 7.3% lager pours golden / copper and has a good head. Sweet malt in the aroma with a big bitter spicy hop flavor with a medium body and a prickly carbonation.


 

Golden Pheasant 500ml:

Darker golden in color this Slovakian brew pours with a medium head that settles into a thin layer. The aroma is of pale malt and spicy lemony hops. The flavor malty but not too sweet and floral hop without a ton of bitterness. Smooth, easy and well balanced. Good lager.


 

The Return on some MONSTER beers

Avery The Beast 12oz 12oz:

Whoa Mama!!! This baby is one big tasty Belgian Style Grand Cru. At 14.6% this definitely qualifies as a sippin beer. It pours a dark burgundy / ruby red with dense tan head. The aroma is malty sweet with spicy, citrusy, fruity tones. The taste is honeyish with dark plum, date and raisin flavors. It tastes great now and will only improve over many years of aging.

Sorry about the bad picture, it is a really cool black on black label that I just could not get to come out right.


 

Avery Samael"s 12oz:

Holy Crap!!!!! This is one powerful, flavorful, sneak up behind you and hit you in the back of the head kind of beer. Big, big malt like an English Old ale and fruity esters like a Belgian. At 14.5% it is a behemoth that should be served well chilled and enjoyed slowly...with a friend....while sitting down. Not even “The Beast” could take on “Samael”. A+++ IMHO.


 

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA 12oz:

I’ve been waiting for this one to come back for some time. This 20% IPA had hops added to it continually for 120 minutes then it was dry hopped every single day for a month. What does this do to a beer? It makes it the biggest hop monster on the planet. The aroma is big flowery, grassy grapefruit hop extravaganza with a bit of sweet fruitiness to boot. The flavor is like chewing on a sweet juicy hop cone. Sweet malt with grape like fruitiness along with a grassy hop flavor and a spicy alcohol hit. When it comes to excess no one does it like Dogfish Head.


 

Allagash Musette 750ml:

An exquisite Scottish inspired Belgian brew that is malt driven and has been aged in oak bourbon barrels. VERY VERY limited. Big and velvety it has suggestions of dark fruit, banana, with big caramel and just a hint of smoke.


 

Allagash Curieux 750ml:

This bourbon barrel aged triple is quite a beer. The color is golden with a bit of haze. The head (and beer) is more effervescent than anything else. The aromas are of bourbon, wood, vanilla, and tropical fruit. The aromas carry over into the flavors with ripe fruit, vanilla, and a spicy alcohol hit and a light hop bitter finish.


 

Stone Vertical Epic 7-7-07 22oz:

I managed to score a few more cases. If you tried to order but we were out of stock please try again.

Wonderfully fruity Belgian Style triple / grand cru. Copper / orange in color with a big head that settles down to a thin layer. I suspect the head to retain better after some aging. The aroma is fruity cherry with fig and allspice. The flavor is of peach and candied cherries. Although the spice comes through mostly in the aroma the flavor does pick up a touch of cinnamon. Outstanding beer that will most definitely improve over the years.


Wednesday, June 20, 2007

 

Auctions

Lot #51
Three bottles of hair or the Dog “Fred Batch 4”

Lot #52
La Choufee “Nice Chouffe 1997”

 

*** Liquid Solutions Wines ***

Good News!!! Liquid Solutions now offers an ever increasing selection of premium wines. I know the wine department has been down for some time but we needed the time to find the right combination of product, staff and logistics to really bring the department to where I wanted it to be.
Akhil is the “The Man” as he manages all of the wine, from selection and stocking to shipping and reviews. If you have any wine questions or request you can reach him at wine@liquidsolutions.biz. What beer is to me, wine is to Akhil. He not only has vast product knowledge but also has the experience and industry contacts to provide you the customer the level of service you expect from Liquid Solutions.
All of these wines do come out of a different warehouse so if you have beer and wine on the some order they may not show up the same day. As some of you have already found out, we have been bringing up more and more wine inventory and now at over 200 items we thought it would be a good time to let you all know and as a promotional consideration we will be offering free ground shipping on all wine items ordered before 6-30.

 

*** Featured Wine ***

Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino 2002

A delicious Brunello to enjoy now - aged for two years on oak, this wine offers pretty florals & spice aromas on the nose; medium-full body with blackberry, currant & black plum; soft, refined tannins with an elegant medium finish - drink now and over the next few years!
A steal at $37. per bottle for a Brunello, while supplies last ...

 

Stone Vertical Epic 7-7-07 22oz:

Our shipment did arrive and we have enough to cover all of our existing orders and an extra 6 cases to sell. I’m enjoying one right now as I type and it is a wonderfully fruity Belgian Style triple / grand cru. Copper / orange in color with a big head that settles down to a thin layer. I suspect the head to retain better after some aging. The aroma is fruity cherry with fig and allspice. The flavor is of peach and candied cherries. Although the spice comes through mostly in the aroma the flavor does pick up a touch of cinnamon. Outstanding beer that will most definitely improve over the years.


 

Deschutes Bond St. 19th Ann. 22oz:

I hope many of you look forward to new Deschutes Bond Street releases like I do. This series is rock solid and when new ones like this come in I have HIGH expectations. The 19th Anniversary is a Belgian Golden style that comes in at a respectable 8.7%. The color is bright gold with a tight but thin head. The aroma is candy sugar sweet with malt and fruit tones (plum and tart apple). The flavor is not as sweet as you would think from the aroma and the fruit carries order well and the light citrus and spice hop bitterness although a bit off for a Belgian is perfect for this NW interpretation.


 

Bocq Blanche Des Moines 750ml:

Pale yellow in color this Belgian wit beer is light but flavorful, with a subtle balance between the spices and wheat. The aroma comes off orange and lemony with a hit of coriander. The flavor is of sweet spice, orange peel and a tart wheat character. The mouth feel is light and fluffy but with a tactile spiciness.

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Lagunitas Sirius 12oz 12oz:

This “Hi-Gravity” cream ale pouts a light amber color with a big white head. The aroma of sweet malt and piney and citrusy hops. Grainy maltiness up front with a smooth body and a bitterness one expects from Lagunitas. Unlike other cream ales, no corn or rice in this quality brew.


 

Eggenberg Urbock 23 330ml:

From those wacky Austrians who brought you Samichlaus, we are now carrying Urbock 23. This 9.6% golden bock is a tasty sipping treat. The aroma is of honey and yeasty bread. The flavor is sweet malt, herbal hop with a solid bitterness. Exactly what you would expect from the makers of Sami.

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Thursday, June 14, 2007

 

Allagash Triple Reserve 750ml:

Golden amber in color with a large dense head. The aroma is sweet with orange, coriander and some smooth vanilla. The carbonation is prickly on the tongue but the mouth feel is soft and creamy. The flavor has fruity melon tones, citrusy with a touch of pepper. Damn fine triple that is pleasing in its complexity and assertiveness.


 

Allagash Grand Cru 750ml:

Copper in color with a voluminous white head. The aroma is floral and fruit (peaches and apple) with sweet honey / candy tones and a light spicy ginger. The flavor is or orange, allspice and pepper. Not as heavy sweet (which is a good thing) like some in the style. Crisp and highly carbonated this grand cru is much more refreshing than most while it finishes with a powdery dry character and an alcohol warmth


 

*** Brewery Review ***

Dick’s brewing out of Washington makes a ton of beers. Many have been available for some time and some are just now getting reviewed. Although you make not like all of the styles they brew but they brew the styles well and there is a style here for everyone at Dick’s.

 

Dicks Barley Wine 12oz 12oz:

Excellently balanced barley wine.


 

Dick""s Danger Ale 12oz 12oz:

Dark brown in color, Danger ale pours with a nice size head. The aroma is of chocolate and toasty malt. The flavor is big and grainy with hints of roasted barley. The hops are earthy and pull it all together nicely. Not enough black malts to be a porter, a bit too dark for a brown. I’m not sure what it is but I like it.


 

Dick""s Grand Cru 12 oz 12 oz:

Deep copper in color this grand cru pours with a thin head. The aroma has an appropriately sweet fruity nose of pear and cherry. The flavor is of mellow fruit, peach, pear and mellow, with a spicy cinnamon and pepper feel.


 

Dicks Mountain Amber 12oz:

Copper amber in color this amber pours with a medium head. The flavor and aroma are malty up front with a light piney / spicy hop character.


 

Dick""s Pale Ale 12 oz:

Yellow in color with a tint of orange. Small but tight head that laces well. The aroma is of gentle citrus hops. The flavor is smooth malt and just a tinge of hops at the end. Easy drinkin’


 

Dick"s Tripel 12 oz 12 oz:

This beer pours orange / gold in color. It has a wispy heady that leave plenty of lace around the inside of the glass. It has a spicy fruity (banana / peach) aroma. The flavor is big, malty, and sweet. The flavor is outstanding and at the price is a great value.


 

Dick's Working man's Brown 12oz:

Brown with an amber tint, it comes out with a big foamy head. The aroma is floral and nutty with a bit of sweetness. Caramel and toast in flavor with a smooth mouth feel and just a hinting of hops at the end.


 

Dick's Silk Lady 12oz:

Dick’s version of a Belgain Pale, it pours a light hazy orange with a dense lacey head. The aroma is fruity with pear, apple, and a little spice. The flavor is sweet and fruity with a touch of pepper and more hops than most Belgian Pales. A good domestic version of the style with just enough hops to make it interesting.


 

Dicks Mountain Amber 12oz:

Copper amber in color this amber pours with a medium head. The flavor and aroma are malty up front with a light piney / spicy hop character.


 

Dick""s Lava Rock Porter 12oz:

Dick’s porter pours a very dark brow with a thin head. The aroma is roasty with hints of chocolate. The flavor holds true to the aroma, roasted barley with bits of chocolate. The yeast gives off a light fruitiness while the Hood and Magnum provide plenty in the hop department.


 

Dicks Irish 12oz:

Deep orange in color, this beer has an ample and attractive head. Toasted malt in the aroma as well as some fruity hops. The flavor is biscuit / nutty in the malt along with an easy hop bitterness. The medium body is low in carbonation and has smooth lightly creamy feel.


 

Dick""s Danger Ale 12oz 12oz:

Dark brown in color, Danger ale pours with a nice size head. The aroma is of chocolate and toasty malt. The flavor is big and grainy with hints of roasted barley. The hops are earthy and pull it all together nicely. Not enough black malts to be a porter, a bit too dark for a brown. I’m not sure what it is but I like it.


 

Dicks Best Bitter 12 oz 12 oz:

The color is deep amber / brown and the head is substantial but settles quickly to an inch of foam. The hoppy aroma mingles with a slight sweet bready malt. The flavor starts off with a crisp flowery / grassy hop character and finishes with a smooth malt finish. A very well done bitter. Not over the top on the hops and enough malt to balance it all out.


 

Dicks Cream Stout 12oz 12oz:

Deep brown / black in color, this beer pours with a medium but tight head. The aroma is toasty, vanilla and big on the chocolate. The flavor is roasty with coffee and a touch of licorice, all in all an easy sweet tone throughout. The hops have a bit of spiciness to them with a bitterness that makes in finish well.


 

Dick"s IPA 12 oz 12 oz:

Amber in color with a large-bubble foam and plenty of carbonation streaming up the glass. Big and hoppy with citrus and pine hop flavors and a caramel and doughy malt flavor. If you are after the hops, this is it.


Wednesday, June 06, 2007

 

*** Vintage Auctions ***

Lot 49
Three 1996 Mad River “John Barleycorn”

Lot 50
One 1994 Lindeman’s “Cuvee Rene”

 

Stone Vertical Epic 7-7-07 22oz:

We are now taking orders for the Stone Vertical Epic 7-7-07. Because it has not been released yet I do not have any tasting notes or pictures. Following years past I expect great things out of Epic. There is a limited supply and we will fill orders sequentially until they are gone. We should be getting them on 6-20 and we will immediately email you if we are unable to fill your order due to availability.

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Skagit Highwater Porter 22oz:

Very dark brown with a mahogany tint, it pours with a small head. The aroma is of dark chocolate and a whiff of citrus hops. The flavor is Big and malty with chocolate and coffee. It has a medium body, a sweeter character and the hops make it finish dry.

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Skagit Steelie Brown Ale 22oz:

Chestnut brown with a tight tan head. The aroma is caramel and toasty. Very smooth body with a very light pine hop finish. I would say more English Brown in flavor but I don’t think I have ever had an English Brown with this much body. Very tasty and easy.

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Skagit Trumpeter 22oz:

It pours quite black in color with a foamy tan head. The aroma is bready with fruity ester and a bit of licorice. The flavor is heavy on the roasted barley and citrus hops. It is good now and I foresee some nice aging potential, gaining in the dark fruit flavors and mellowing in the finish.

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Skagit Sculler""s IPA 22oz:

This IPA pours with a very nice dense head, which lasts quite a while for an IPA. The deep amber color is a giveaway for the substantial malting to come. The aroma is piney/grapefruit hops with a touch of sweet malt. The flavor is big, hoppy upfront with a substantial bitterness. It moves into toasty malt with even a touch of caramel. This is a big American style IPA that of course is hop driven.

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Spezial Rauchbier 500ml:

I do enjoy a good “Smoked” beer now and again and this one is my favorite. The reason I love it so is the balance. Smoke flavors are great but I hate to be hit over the head with them. This Marzen lager is amber red in color with a smooth light body. The beeachwood smoke flavor mingles with the malt without overpowering it. A light crisp hoping makes it finish well and leaves you wanting more.


 

Gavroche Red Ale 12oz:

This Bier de Garde style French ale pours amber brown in color with a sticky white head. The aroma is toasty with a bit of earthy herbal notes. The mouth feel is creamy and the flavor is aggressive with a berry ginger hit, spice tones and a touch of minerals. If drank at cellar temp (55+) the finish is smooth and malty, too cold and you get a lot of earthiness at the end.


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