BuckleDown Shady Aftermath

Beer:   Shady Aftermath (SHA)

Brewery: BuckleDown 

Date:  January 26th, 2014

Style:  Porter

ABV:  6.3%

Similar To:  Baltika #6 Porter

Description:
Despite their convenience, I've never been fond of growlers, since, in my experience, the beer they contain inevitably tends to lose something between the tap and my glass.  I bring this up because I had my first positive growler-related (or more accurately 32 oz grumbler-related)  experience this past weekend with Buckle Down's Shady Aftermath. 

I was introduced to BuckleDown by a friend a few weeks ago.  When we visited their taproom I had the good fortune to enjoy some pleasant brews and to chat with the extremely affable owners, who were both behind the bar that afternoon.  The only downside of an otherwise enjoyable visit was that the porter wasn't currently on tap.  Luckily for me, the same friend picked up a grumbler of it when he came over for a recent beer tasting, and thus this post was born...

First Impression:
Pours dark brown with a thin white head, which fades quickly to a wisp of white lacing.

Smell:
Roasted coffee and caramel in the forefront with chocolate and a subtle underlying sweetness in the background.

Taste:
A pleasant mix of coffee and bitter chocolate.  I'm not tasting any of the sweetness that I smelled earlier, but that doesn't detract from the experience.   Reminds me of a bar of rich dark chocolate.  A surprisingly warming alcohol finish accompanied by some bitterness from the aforementioned featured ingredients. 

On the Palate:
Rich and velvety with low carbonation.

Why You'll like It:
A pleasant departure from many other coffee stouts I've tried recently, Shady Aftermath relies on the effectiveness of its chocolate and coffee notes rather than detracting from this effective formula with additional flavors.

...and why You won't:
This beer isn't for everyone.  Using my earlier analogy, if you enjoy fine dark chocolate and strong, and strong, unsweetened coffee, then I certainly recommend giving SHA a try.

In Closing...:
A fine achievement from a relatively new brewery, I'm looking forward to trying SHA again soon, hopefully on tap this time.  If you're ever near Lyons, IL, do yourself a favor and stop by the BuckleDown taproom to try any of their beers, especially SHA or their Belt and Suspenders American IPA.

Rating (Out of 5): 3 1/2 Stars


The BuckleDown Taproom in all its Splendor

Harpoon Winter Warmer

Winter Warmers:  The Cure for what ails You...

Beer:   Harpoon Winter Warmer (HWW)

Brewery:  Harpoon Brewery

Date: January 24th, 2013

Style: Winter Warmer, Spiced Ale

Spiced Ale

Spiced Ale

ABV: 5.9%

Similar To:  Anchor Christmas Ale 

Description:
A "ground stop" at O'Hare forced Mrs. Beer and me to spend the night at a Boston Logan hotel.  Rather than suffer through whatever indignities awaited us via the in-house dining options, we headed into Beantown proper for a walk around the Common (in sub-zero weather - not our best idea), followed by dinner and drinks.  In the spirit of trying to restore my circulation, I opted for Harpoon Brewery's Winter Warmer.

First Impression:
Pours an enticing dark amber/red head with white lacing which dissipated quickly.

Smell:
Very strong aroma of holiday spices, notably cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and some background sweetness, maybe brown sugar.

Taste:
Just as the aroma alluded to, strongly spiced and sweet, slight malt taste, with no really discernible hops.

On the Palate:
Mildly carbonated, smooth but not overly rich or syrupy.

Why You'll like It:
Likely to be popular among those who like sweeter or holiday-themed beers, such as pumpkin or Christmas ales.

...and why You won't:
Cinnamon and sweetness are this beer's defining characteristics.  If you're not a fan of either in your beer, or just don't enjoy the style, HWW isn't likely to change your opinion.

In Closing...:
An enjoyable winter warmer which doesn't stray from the characteristics that make the style popular.  Though not particularly well-balanced, I found it to be the perfect remedy for a frosty evening and the very trying day which preceded it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

New Glarus Home Town Blonde

[Insert Clog Dancing Joke here]

Beer:  New Glarus Home Town Blonde (HTB)

Brewery:  New Glarus

Date: January 4th, 2014

Style:  Bohemian Lager, German Pilsner

ABV: 4.8%

Similar To:  Brooklyn Pilsner

Description:
It's a tradition for many of us that as the days grow shorter, we tend to embrace progressively darker and heartier brews to match the season.  First come the Octoberfests and scores of pumpkin-laced creations that appear before Halloween and last through November, followed by the Winter Warmers, stouts, and porters that we most frequently associate with these bleaker parts of the calendar.  The occasional Christmas ale aside, there's not much call for sparking drinks at the brighter and lighter end of the spectrum, other than on New Year's Eve, of which very few are likely to be beers.

In an attempt to break from this relative monotony, I delved deep into the sideboard recently and retrieved a treat from this past summer smelling faintly of softball diamonds and sun lotion (or possibly just dust, as I've been fighting a bit of a cold for a while now).  The beer in question was New Glarus' fine Home Town Blonde, another commendable offering from the folks Up North.

First Impression:
Pours a light gold color, with a nice thick head which sticks around for quite a while.

Smell:
Plenty of lovely malty and yeasty aroma, as well as citrus and some mild honey-like or floral sweetness. Hops are also present, though they take a back seat to the malt.  There may even be some hints of Middle Eastern or Indian spices in the background (coriander?).

Taste:
Strong wheat and stronger hops that anticipated.  Definitely some of the aforementioned honey, citrus (orange) and what almost tastes like lemon pepper, which may be the coriander I smelled.  Leaves a slightly tangy aftertaste.

On the Palate:
Pleasantly and well carbonated.  Surprisingly thick but goes down quite smoothly (and often, if I have anything to say about it).

Why You'll like It:
If you like German-style pilsners with a little something extra, or are just in need of a break from the winter doldrums, like I was, this will definitely fit the bill.

...and why You won't:
Despite its complex character, this is definitely a lightweight compared to all of the robust darker beers many people enjoy this time of year.

In Closing...:
Despite my recent dark mood brought on by all of the snow around here, HTB certainly cheered me up and reminded me of the long sunny afternoons we'll all soon be cursing when July rolls around.  A delightful beer regardless of the season, and one to be sought out if you're ever in Wisconsin, since New Glarus isn't distributed outside that state.

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)

HaandBryggeriet Haandbakk

Beer:  HaandBryggeriet Haandbakk (HBH)

Brewery:  HaandBryggeriet

Date:  January 3rd, 2014

Style:  Sour Ale, Wild Ale, Oud Bruin, Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 8%

Similar To: Bockor Bellegems Bruin, Petrus Oud Bruin, Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge.

Description:
As Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl once said "Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity".  Heyerdahl's countrymen at the Haand Brewery have affirmed the continuing relevance of simplicity and tradition in their craft by reaching into the past to produce the first Norwegian beer using wild yeast in over 100 years.  Haandbakk wild ale (also described as a 'sour ale', 'farmhouse ale' or 'oud bruin' to borrow from the Flemish) derives its tartness from the French wine casks in which it was fermented, and is a worthy representative of the category. 

First Impression:
As with all of their beers, Haand's stylized handprint (see above) can be seen firmly grasping the bottle around the middle, like an international instruction manual for illiterate imbibers (hold beer here).  The Haandbakk's red prints reminded me of nothing so much as those found scattered throughout the USG Ishimura in the game Dead Space.  Though perhaps not the most flattering comparison, for me at least, it was a memorable one.

Back to the beer itself, it pours a dark, reddish brown with no head, and a lot of sediment.

Smell:
Very tart, like I'd expect from a farmhouse ale.  Grapes, cherries, and even some apple.

Taste:
Sour and acidic as expected, with the same fruits that I smelled earlier dominating.  Very tart with some indication grapes which were likely a result of the aforementioned wine barrels.  After a couple of tastes I begin to pick up on a faint sweetness lingering after swallowing.  Overall, uncomplicated but quite pleasant.

On the Palate:
Almost no carbonation, thick and slightly viscous, though not sludgy.  The acidity definitely lingers in your mouth and coats your tongue.

Why You'll like It:
If you like farmhouse ales, Saisons, and even dry hard cider, this is going to appeal to you.  The fruity taste really came through after a bit and the acidity lends it some genuine kick.

...and why You won't:
If tartness isn't your thing, I'd take a pass.  This style isn't for everyone, and this beer in particular isn't likely to convert anyone who considers wild and sour ales to be closer to vinegar than to champagne.

In Closing...:
HBH is an entertaining retelling of a well-worn classic, rather than a revolutionary (read: "progressive") new take on the style.  While slightly disappointing in light of the initial promise offered by the aroma, this beer is worth seeking out for fans of sour and wild ales, particularly those whose experience is limited to Belgian varieties of those styles.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

Great Lakes Blackout Stout

Who are you and what are you
doing on my porch?

Beer:  Great Lakes Blackout Stout (GBS)

Brewery:  Great Lakes

Date:  January 6th, 2013

Style:  (Russian) Imperial Stout

ABV:  9.0%

Similar To:  Founders Breakfast Stout, New Holland Dragon's Milk

Description:
Picture noon on the coldest day of the year, and a desolate, snow-covered street.  A man comes into view trudging alone through drifts piled high against parked cars and spilling from the doorways of shuttered businesses.  The wind tugs at his tightly wrapped scarf as he struggles forward through the swirling eddies of white powder.  He advances slowly, block by block until he reaches his destination, a grim bastion of humanity, holding on tenuously against nature's fury.  The interior of this establishment reveals it to be grim indeed; a low, smoke filled tap room inhabited by equally grim and desperate-looking inebriates, huddled in twos and threes against the cold around rickety tables, clutching rough earthenware pots of sour smelling ale, while spitting their wads of tobacco upon the dirt floor.

Now picture pretty much the same thing except without most of the gritty urban squalor.  More accurately, picture two people hoofing it through the snow for lunch on one of the coldest January days on record (and to relieve a little of their cabin fever while working from home).  Their destination:  a local biker bar we'll call "Miko's" for the sake of artistic license.  Their beer of choice on this frigid day?  Great Lakes' Blackout Stout.

First Impression:
Pours a very dark body with a thin mocha head which dissipates quickly.

Smell:
Arrived in a 6 oz "aromatic beer glass" (basically a stemless snifter) which was full almost to the top.  I may have missed out on some of what this beer had to offer because there was no room for the various aromas to gather and concentrate in the glass, but I was still able to pick out coffee, caramel, possibly vanilla, and some fruity aromas.

Taste:
Pleasantly bitter coffee taste, with a background of caramel, vanilla, and licorice.  Definitely some plum or raisin in there, explaining the fruit which I smelled originally.  Surprisingly little alcohol bite.

On the Palate:
Low carbonation, thick but not syrupy.

Why You'll like It:
If you enjoy Imperial Stouts but have trouble handling their 10%+ ABVs and strong alcohol tastes, you'll want to give this a try.

...and why You won't:
If Imperial Stouts aren't your style, or if you're looking for something really new in the genre, then this may not impress you (though what it does, it does quite well).

In Closing...:
An enjoyable take on the ever-popular style.  Solid, but not quite at the level of the really outstanding beers in this category, such as Evil Twin's Imperial Biscotti Break, Founders Breakfast Stout, Founders Imperial Stout, and Three Floyds' Dark Lord.  A good introductory beer for those unfamiliar with Imperial Stouts, as it's milder than many of its counterparts, though still fully representative of the style.  "Miko's" carries a lot of outstanding beers, and I suspect we'll be returning soon to sample more.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break

Cookies, meet Beer.

Beer:  Imperial Biscotti Break (IBB)

Brewery:  Evil Twin Brewing

Date:  December 31st, 2013

Style:  Imperial Stout

ABV:  13.0%

Similar To:  Founders Breakfast Stout, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout 



Description:
Though this one came highly recommended, I admit to feeling reluctant to crack it open, due in no small part to the name.  I'm a bit of an anti-foppishness snob, and the concept of biscotti beer, set my teeth on edge.  I can't imagine who exactly would take the time for a "biscotti break" but I'm pretty sure that they'd annoy the crap out of me while doing it.  Initial trepidation notwithstanding, I was very happy that I set aside my preconceptions, because the payoff was superb (read on).  I'm convinced that there's a lesson to be learned somewhere in all of this, but I'm almost equally sure that it would be lost on me.

First Impression:
Deep brown color to the point of being black.  Formed a thin medium brown lacing which dissipated quickly.

Smell:
I can't remember the last time I savored the aroma of a beer for so long before tasting it.  Swirling it in a tulip glass brought forth wave after wave of warm vanilla, bourbon, malt, and even a hint of almond (now I see the biscotti connection) or something similarly sweet hovering around the periphery.  While these were all great accompaniments, the dominant scents for IBB are, without a doubt, coffee and chocolate.

Taste:
Not to be outdone by the fragrant previews, IBB is a double-barreled epic with coffee and chocolate taking top billing.  A strong supporting cast includes vanilla, caramel, malt, and that additional elusive sweetness.  Also present are a strong alcohol taste and a welcome warming sensation going down.

On the Palate:
Thick and rich with almost no carbonation.  Surprisingly smooth, despite the high ABV.

Why You'll like It: 
Coffee, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, why wouldn't you like it?  In all seriousness, though, IBB will appeal to fans of imperial and coffee stouts.  Those adventurous enough to try IBB are unlikely to be disappointed.

...and why You won't:
Despite its complexity and depth of character, this is still one strong beer.  If lager and pale ale is your thing, you may be better served by sticking with those styles.  Similarly, if coffee doesn't appeal to you, then this is definitely one to pass on.

In Closing...:
What a way to end a year!  Along with Founders Backwoods Bastard, this may be my favorite beer of 2013.  Highly recommended, if you can find it, I look forward to trying more from Evil Twin very soon.  Nice to see that the Danes have expanded spectacularly beyond Carlsberg (and especially CSB, a stereotypical favorite of adolescent English boys and tramps for decades).

Rating (Out of 5):