Great Lakes Chillwave Double IPA

Beer:  Chillwave Double IPA (CDI)

Brewery:  Great Lakes

Date: March 14th, 2014

Style:  Double IPA

ABV: 9.4% 

Description:
Ah, the thrill of airport bars (and those near airports):  bad beer selections, institutional food, annoying crowds, lethargic waitstaff.  Not unlike Wrigleyville without the intoxicated coeds.  It was with this high opinion that I headed for such an establishment, at roughly the midpoint between my house and those of the other 2/3rds of the Greater Chicago Gentlemen's Fermented Beverage Appreciation Society (we've got to hold our monthly meetings somewhere, after all).  Misgivings aside, the evening was enjoyable not only for the company, but also for the surprisingly broad selection of taps and bottles.  Of all of the aforementioned knocks against bars of this type, an above average list of beers more than makes up for the other shortcomings.  Either that or I'm getting to be far too forgiving in my old age...

First Impression: 
I like the concept of the "Chillwave", though I'll probably like it even more in retrospect, come July, when the mercury's topping out at about 70 degrees warmer than it was on this evening.  

Smell:
Citrus fruits and maybe some pineapple(?) but mainly a lot of hoppiness.  I can already tell this one is going to be bitter.  Small white head that dissipated very quickly. 

Taste:
Oh yeah, that's a DIPA alright.  Very bitter and malty, with strong flavors of grapefruit, orange, and something spicy like pepper at the finish.  Quite a strong alcohol taste, but that's to be expected in this style. 

On the Palate:
Thick but surprisingly effervescent which makes it go down very smoothly. 

Why You'll like It:
A very good, strong DIPA.  If you like flavorful, fruity IPAs, and can take a step up to something with this much bite, you'll be well rewarded.  

In Closing...:
Another fine beer from GLBC, another excuse to enjoy one or two with the boys.  Bring on the next Chillwave!

Rating (out of 5):

Lindemans Kriek

A balanced Dinner including Fruits and Vegetables

Beer:   Kriek (BLK)

Brewery:  Brouwerij Lindemans 

Date:  March 9th, 2014

Style:  Lambic

ABV: 4.0%

Description:  This was one of the first krieks that I tried, more than 20 years ago, and I've still to find another variety which captures all of its charm.  I've heard BLK described as tasting like everything from dessert wine, to soda, to champagne, to chocolate milk (not really), the common thread being its approachability and broad appeal.

First Impression:
Deep red with a pinkish hue.  2 finger pink head which leaves behind lots of lacing.  Clear and sparkling.

Smell:
A strong and fairly tart cherry aroma, which becomes noticeably sweeter as the beer approaches room temperature.

Taste:
Starts out full of sweet cherries which are offset by a slightly crisper tart finish. 

On the Palate:
Very smooth and highly carbonated.  Goes down entirely too easily.

Why You'll like It: 
Light and fruity, with just enough tartness to give it balance.  An excellent introduction to lambics for anyone who's not a beer fan and could be put off by a stronger or more tart version of this style.


In Closing...:
Probably the sweetest kriek that I've had, but, like all of Lindemans' lambics, that's part of what makes it so accessible.  

Rating (out of 5):

Bockor Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge

Beer:  Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge (CJR)

Brewery: Bockor Brewery

Date:  March 8th, 2014

Style:  Sour Ale

ABV:  5.5%

Description: 
There was a time, several years ago, when I used to drink CJR like it was going out of style.  If it was available, there was no question as to what I'd be ordering that night.  Though my opinion of it hasn't changed, I've become much more adventurous when presented with an unfamiliar bottle list, and find myself ordering CJR (and other old favorites) with ever-decreasing frequency.  On the occasion of a friend's wedding, my wife and I found ourselves alone at the end of the evening, and decided to have a quiet drink away from the crowd before heading home.  Confronted with an expansive drink menu containing many unfamiliar options, this was an excellent choice.

First Impression:
Dark reddish brown, with a light brown finger thick head.  Fairly good head retention (despite the above picture).

Smell:
Tart apples and cherries, this beer even *smells* crisp.  I can practically feel my eyelids puckering and that's actually a good thing.

Taste:
Every bit as flavorful as I recall.   Very tart throughout, but with an undercurrent of fruit which surfaces as your palate warms to the sourness.  Not a beer that I've ever been able to consume quickly but as soon as I've finished one, I want another.

On the Palate:
Tart with low carbonation.  

Why You'll like It:
An excellent example of what a sour beer should be:  Tart and fruity but not so acidic as to affect your enjoyment.  Compared to other sours, the acidity is actually almost (mild), making this remarkably drinkable.

In Closing...:
A great choice for sour beer lovers and for anyone who's curious about them.  It was also nice to revisit a beer that I enjoyed so much and to discover that my taste hasn't "evolved" past being able (read: grown too critical/fussy) to appreciate it.  If anything, CJR tastes even better than I remember.

Rating (out of 5):

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Beer:  Torpedo Extra IPA (TEI)

Brewery:  Sierra Nevada

Date:  March 7th, 2014

Style:  IPA

ABV:  7.2%

Description:
Though it's been almost 20 years, I can still remember my first Sierra Nevada beer quite clearly.  I'd just returned from a semester abroad in France, the greatest parts of which were spent playing soccer and enjoying rather heroic amounts of European beer.  What I recall about that Sierra Nevada was how distinct it was from anything else I'd had for the last several months, which ran the gamut from lagers like Kronenbourg 1664, to Trappists like Chimay and Westmalle, to a whole slew of lambics, including St. Louis and Mort Subite.  What stood out for me about that Pale Ale, was its intense mixture of piney hops and tangy citrus, which I'd never before tasted (or smelled) in that combination.  It's with that memorable first experience (and several subsequent positive ones) in mind, that I turn to reviewing my current favorite Sierra Nevada beer, Torpedo.

First Impression:
Golden body with a 2 finger foamy head, with good retention.

Smell:
Floral hops with a sharp citrus aroma. 

Taste:
Profoundly hoppy from start to finish, underscored by a tart citrus zing.  Mildly sweet maltiness in the background.  The citrus and malts really complement and help to balance out the rather staggeringly hoppy character.

On the Palate:
Smooth with a moderately rich mouthfeel. Mildly carbonated.


Why You'll like It:
Perfect for hop lovers looking for a strong IPA with more than just a big dose of bitterness.


Rating (out of 5):

Goose Island Barrel Aged Outfoxxed

Beer:  Barrel Aged Outfoxxed (BAO)

Brewery:  Goose Island

Date:  March 2nd, 2014

Style:  Brown Ale

ABV:  8.0%

Description:
As Chicago breweries go, Goose Island's already about as well-known as the Bears and roughly as successful as the Blackhawks (of the last 5 years).  With that considerable pedigree and with the great commercial (312, Honker's Ale) and critical (Bourbon County Stout) successes of many of their best-known beers, my expectations for them are understandably rather lofty.  Despite their recent change of ownership, BAO is an encouraging sign that it doesn't appear that they'll be resting upon their laurels any time soon.

First Impression:
Deep, chocolate brown with a two finger beige head.

Smell:
Bourbon and chocolate abound, with malts in the background.
 
Taste:
A wondrous combination of chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and those underlying roasted malts which I smelled previously.  The cocoa taste complements the bourbon admirably.  Sweet but not imbalanced.  Moderately strong alcohol finish.

On the Palate:
Mild carbonation, though a surprisingly light mouthfeel for such a flavorful beer.

Why You'll like It:
In writing this, I fully realize that BAO won't appeal to everyone.  It's strong, fairly sweet, and unabashedly chocolaty.  Well worth a taste for anyone who appreciates a good barley wine, imperial stout, or other robust, flavorful styles.

In Closing...:
Not your typical brown ale, but, for all of the above reasons, a must-try.  

Rating (out of 5):

You call that "Head Retention"?  Now *this* is...

Hazelnut color, bourbon aroma, dark chocolate and vanilla flavor, medium-rich body. Aged 8 months in 12 yr Elijah Craig Bourbon Barrels.

Goose Island Tongue-in-Cheek

Beer:  Tongue-in-Cheek (TIC) 

Brewery:  Goose Island

Date:  March 2nd, 2014

Style:  Saison / Farmhouse Ale

ABV:  8.0%

Description:
Another morning of family fun, followed by a trip to our regular weekend lunch spot, the Goose Island Brewpub.  Other than the company, the best part of these visits has been the variety of beers that are only available at the brewpubs or at festivals, many of which are one-offs.  TIC is one of these tap-only varieties, a surprisingly light and fruity-tasting saison.

First Impression:
Dark reddish-brown, cloudy body.  Thin, light brown head.

Smell:
Fruity and tart aroma, with a hint of vanilla.

Taste:
Tart raspberries and a nice malt background give this an almost lambic-like character.  Not sweet, by any means, but you definitely taste the berries and hints of raisins and plums.  Not a strong alcohol taste, despite the higher ABV.

On the Palate: 
Quite light and effervescent, with a smooth mouthfeel.  

Why You'll like It:
An enjoyable fruity saison.  Great for anyone who appreciates this style or similar ones, such as sours.  

In Closing...:
Another visit to the brewpub, another positive experience.  My only regret is that it may not be produced again, as I think it would go very well with football, come autumn.   

Rating (out of 5):

Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Beer:   Christmas Ale (GCA)

Brewery:  Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Date: February 28th, 2014

Style: Winter Warmer

ABV:  7.5% 

Description: 
I've had a lot of very good beers from Great Lakes this year, and their 2013 Christmas Ale certainly continued that trend.  Christmas beers and winter warmers tend to be a bit of a mixed bag, as one can only do cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves so many ways.  GCA was a welcome break from that standard, the only disappointing part of which was the bottle art (above), which looked more like a craft store circular than a fine representative of the style.

First Impression:
Dark, golden brown with a thin, white head which rapidly dissipated.

Smell:
Cinnamon predominates, but there also an underlying fruitiness, and sweetness, likely from the honey mentioned on the label. 

Taste:
Cinnamon and ginger, with a pleasant fruit (berry?) taste in the background.  There's also a great honey/caramel sweetness that makes this go down very easily.  Surprising amount of maltiness which balances the sweet and spice flavors. 

On the Palate: 
Rich, and smooth, more so that many Christmas ales.

Why You'll like It:
If you enjoy winter warmers but are looking for something with a more complex and varied palette of flavors, I'd highly recommend it.  Not overwhelmingly sweet, but about as well balanced a beer of this style as I've had.

In Closing...: 
GCA's yearly release is heralded with as much fanfare in Cleveland as Bourbon County Stout's is in the Chicago area.  Based on my experience, I'm beginning to understand why.

Rating (Out of 5):