Review: Mad River Steelhead Scotch Porter

 The word here is "Unique". From the immense amount of debris floating in this beer to it's taste. It has some chocolate undertones a oddly enough scotch flavor. I absolutely loved this beer. It's a must try! I hope I can find some more Mad River beers in the area.

Review: Cigar City Maduro

An American Brown Ale  ABV 5.5%

Analysis

I have heard great things about CCB for some time now around the beer world. I was more than delighted to finally find it. I found it in a little pub called Parrot Lounge in Ft. Lauderdale.  A lot of hype surrounds these boys at CCB so I was prepared for a disappointment.

I had it on draft and was smooth as silk and far from a disappointment it was. This is a bad ass chocolaty and nutty Brown Ale That  finishes with a stunning toasty dry finish. I will be hunting down some CCB from here on out. I have not had much luck here in NC. I will find it one way or the other damn it!

Analyst Score: 8.5

Review: Avery Out of Bounds Stout

This big, roasty stout takes flavor to the extreme. We aren't afraid to use plenty of rich roasted barley and a mountain of hops to give this full-bodied stout that little extra something you've been looking for in a beer.

ABV: 6.3% IBUs: 51  Color: Black

averybrewing.com

Analysis:

     This is the third Avery beer I have found myself drinking. The first two were just average beers to me not really standing out from the rest. So I decided to roll the dice again and try this stout which was highly recommended by the bartender. It started out OK with a light dry caramel body which faded quickly. Then the negatives of this beer quickly became apparent. The dryness is so overwhelming it takes your breathe away. The bitterness is intense and leaves your tongue feeling like sandpaper. It's out of bounds alright. Right in the bunker!

     

Review: Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Its bitterness hits our sweet spot. Its blackness lightens our hearts. Its liquid dichotomy pulls it all together in this sublimely sacrosanct ale. Yes, we damn well know our stuff here at Stone, and it would be irresponsible of us not to acknowledge how remarkable this heavenly creation of ours is. Thus the name we are compelled to give it --- Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale --- serves as a reminder of just how good we are, in both liquid and verbal form. 

ALC/VOL 8.7%, 90 IBUs

StoneBrew.com

Analysis:

     Every time I see a beer with Stone on the label I snatch that bastard as fast as I can because you know it won't be there long. These guys have a dream job and make dreamy beers. That makes them sound weak doesn't it? They make beers that punch you in the throat and then the kidneys!

     So I eventually popped open this bottle which contained the beautiful scent of pines. The flavor was a compilation of INTENSE hoppiness a bitter bite and light sweet finish. Well balanced fantastic of course. Stone rolls onward!

 

Analyst Score: 9 

Review: Thirsty Dog Hoppus Maximus

This beer's name will not disappoint! The complex character of American hops and amber colored caramel malts make this beer very crisp and refreshing. Silver Medal winner at the 2001 Great American Beer Festival.

IBU's 43 

5.9 ABV

Thirstydog.com

Analysis:

     I have never heard of Thirsty Dog until today to be honest. So I came into this one with no opinion at all which is fabulous. Deemed a American-Style Amber Ale really confused me after first taste. Seems like an IPA to me but who am I. I just drink them I don't label them.

     It starts of with some light caramel malts and launches into the hops which easily overpower the malt but are not overwhelming in nature. A nice light and smooth beer which is extremely easy to drink. I turned six into two in no time at all! I am not sure where I can find more Thirsty Dog brews but I will be on the lookout.

Analyst Score: 8 

Review: Abita Andygator

Andygator, a creature of the swamp, is a unique high-gravity brew made with pale malt, German lager yeast, and German Perle hops. Unlike other high-gravity brews, Andygator is fermented to a dry finish with a slightly sweet flavor and subtle fruit aroma. Reaching an alcohol strength of 8% by volume, it is a Helles Dopplebock.

IBU 25

Color 8

Analysis:

     I really enjoyed the Abita Abbey ale so I went back to the well in search of another good Abita beer. That was a bad idea indeed. This beer Abita calls Andygator is grainy and  too sweet with premature dryness and awkward aftertaste. Abita lost their way with this one. I think Abita and I are finished for awhile. We need to take a long break. I don't think it was meant to be.

Analyst score: 2 

Review: Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale

Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale is a unique hybridization of two well-known beer styles, combining the rich, voluptuous taste of a traditional barleywine with the subtle, tart flavors of an American wheat ale, topped off with a healthy dose of crisp, herbaceous hops.

ABV 12%

Smuttynose.com

Analysis:

     As soon as I caught wind of the release of the BIG beer series I became overwhelmed with anticipation. Smuttynose has never let me down before. Beer after beer they produce some of the best in every style. I cracked this wheat wine open and my love began there with the most magnificent scent. It started with a syrupy caramel which lead into moderate sweetness. Bordering to sweet but it's Smutty so of course they got it right. Then it turns to the wheat flavor a hop pop and rolls out a little dry with the alcohol showing it's presence late. Home run again!

Analyst Score: 9