Author: John Holl
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Staff Reviews -
Staff ReviewsBigfoot Barleywine Style Ale Vertical Tasting
January 1, 2015 - John Holl Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale: 2011-2014 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, CA Working from the most recent, the barley wine starts off with present boozy notes, some caramel sugar, cherry pits and a hop bitterness at the finish. It’s complex but not defined. As it ages vanilla notes come into play and the mouthfeel develops into... View Article -
Staff ReviewsTasting Lagers
January 1, 2015 - John Holl Herkulean Woods (Batch No. 16 in Unchained Series) Summit Brewing Co.—St. Paul, MN Faint fresh pine rises from the glass that contains the color of golden leaves at the peak of foliage season. Warm notes of the maple combine with prickly resin flavors on the palate. With a slightly sticky mouthfeel and somewhat bitter finish,... View Article -
One Dish Four BeersPastrami Sandwich
January 1, 2015 - John Holl There are certain parts of the country where a proper sandwich is worshipped with the reverence it deserves. It is more than just meat and cheese between two slices of bread. Ingredients matter. Construction matters. In order to get a proper sandwich you must go to a deli, not an impersonal shop with pre-sliced meats... View Article -
Web OnlyRing in 2015 with These Beers
December 23, 2014 - John Holl Champagne, or some version of sparkling white wine, is the traditional drink of choice as the old year becomes a new one. Served in a flute that is clinked against other delicate glasses, while kisses are conferred, confetti falls, and there is—for at least a few fleeting seconds—the promise of a clean slate. Since we... View Article -
Blogs - John Holl - Web OnlySix Christmas Beers to Unwrap in 2014
December 22, 2014 - John Holl Just after the last gift has been unwrapped on Christmas day, it’s a good time to start thinking about the first beer to open. There is no shortage of beers named for the holiday. While it’s a good bet many of you have already enjoyed a multitude leading up to the big day, often these... View Article -
Blogs - John Holl - Web OnlyBrewer Returns Medal Awarded at Recent Festival
December 2, 2014 - John Holl In what is both an act of honesty but raises an eyebrow on the judging process that takes place at festivals around the country, a brewery has returned a medal awarded last month. Earlier today Jason Yester of the TRiNiTY Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs, CO, returned the silver medal his brewery won at the... View Article -
Staff Reviews2014 Bourbon County Brand Stout
November 27, 2014 - John Holl 2014 Bourbon County Brand Stout Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago ABV: 13.8% From the moment the liquid black velvet hits the glass strong notes of toasted coconut, dark chocolate and caramel rise and combine into a delightful candy bar sensation. With a thick mouthfeel and a mocha-colored head that fizzled from a fluffy head to thin... View Article -
Staff ReviewsBourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale
November 27, 2014 - John Holl Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago ABV: 12.3% There’s a whole lot of fruit happening in this beer including plum and ripe melon. The overwhelming flavor and aroma, however, is sweet maraschino cherry and light milk chocolate. It pours a deep caramel color with garnet highlights and finishes semi-dry with flavors of... View Article