Liquid Solutions

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.

Labels: Beer, ipa

Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA 22oz:

Frankly I have not gotten a bad beer from Elysian Brewing. The Avatar is another fine example of Dick Cantwell’s brewing talents. This fine IPA is infused with real jasmine flowers. This gives it a big floral aroma and a slightly sweet flavor that comes in right before the hop bitterness takes over.

Labels: Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA, ipa

Deschutes Bond Hop Henge 22oz:

Ummmm, hop-o-licious. Who cares what this thing looks like; the first thing to hit you as you pour this baby is the resinious, cirtusy pine aroma. It smells like walking into a hop storage cooler. But after that you will notice a big head comes rolling out but does not stay long. The color is deep amber with a brown tint. Now as the more volatile aromas boil off you can notice a fruity orange component as well a hint of crystal malt. The aroma is superb, in fact I am delaying trying a taste just so I can full appreciate its beautiful aroma. The flavors are all about the hops as well. Medium body with a bit grapefruit hop flavor and as that hop hit dies down the flavor moves into a fruity orange and woody hop mélange. Although this has a good hop bitterness it is not overpowering; the malting is just enough to balance the bitterness but not so much as to detract from this awesome hop flavor. For a hop driven beer to get my A+ two thumbs up rating, it has to be complex, balanced, and drinkable. Hop Henge is all that and more.

Not too sure how long this will last this year. I have to fight for quantities with some of the large chain store here in Portland. The found out how good it was last year and now are doing up 30 case displays in each of their stores. I"ll do what I can to get you your Henge but the supply may end abruptly.

Labels: alaskan, amber, Barley Wine, Beer, deschutes, ipa, Liquid, Liquid Solutions, Moose Drool, Solutions

Fish Tale 10 Squared 22oz 22oz:

I am happy to report that Fish has done another batch of their awesome 10 squared. This time in 22oz bottles. If you did not get any last time please don’t miss out. Fish makes some of THE best specialty brews and this one does not disappoint.
This extreme IPA (or is it a barley wine) is the 10th anniversary beer from Fish Tale. With 10 different hops and 100 IBUs (thus the name) and enough malt to back it all up, this beer has more of everything you want in a beer. A tone of upfront hop flavor that moves into the richer brown malt tones and finishes with substantial hop bitterness. With a good body and a nice head this beer has something to offer just about every beer drinker.

Labels: Barley Wine, Beer, ipa