95 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2007. 27% ABV (8/08)
Reddish deep copper color. Warm caramel, baked apple, orange and pear, pepper, nutty bourbon barrel and spice aromas follow through on a round, syrupy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with layers of exotic spiced nuts, orange marmalade, honey, mushrooms and white clay. Finishes with a long, spicy, peppery praline fade with a dash of dried lemon peel. A big, spicy and peppery dessert beer with an astringent earthy edge. Give this some time.
94 Samuel Adams Millennium, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 20% ABV (8/08)
Cloudy copper brown color. Rich aromas of caramel apple pie, roasted nuts, brown sugar and delicate spices follow through on a thick, syrupy entry to a mildly sweet full body with no carbonation and accents of dried autumn fruit and honey. Finishes with a long, nutty, yeasty and tangy oloroso sherry-like fade. Enjoy as an after dinner sipper as you would a PX sherry.
94 Signature Ale, De Proef Brouwerij (Belgium). 8.5% ABV (8/07)
Lightly hazy pale amber color. Grilled citrus, fruit caramel and tapioca aromas are inviting. A rich, frothy entry leads to a fruity, full body of grilled citrus, toffee, sea salt and delicate spice. Finishes with an endless, evolving fade of citrus (tangerine, kiwi, grapefruit), nut and honey flavors. Remarkable!
93 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2005. 25% ABV (8/08)
Hazy tawny copper color. Aromas of melted caramel, lemon pepper and roasted nuts follow though on a round, lightly syrupy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with layers of dried fruits and pepper spice. Finishes with a lively, yeasty baguette toast and nutty, sherry barrel notes. A big flavorful after dinner beer to enjoy like a amontillado sherry.
91 Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5% ABV (9/09)
Deep brown color with a light manila head. Aromas of dark roasted nuts, cocoa and vegetable fried rice follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry medium-to-full body with excellent smoothness, umami and balance. Finishes with a long, crisp, earthy hop accent. A sensational food beer, reminiscent of a light dry stout; pair with oysters and drunken noodles with chicken.
90 Samuel Adams Utopias, The Boston Beer Co. (MA) 2003. 23% ABV (8/08)
Hazy orange deep amber color. Caramel, raisin and nut aromas follow through on a gentle, lightly syrupy entry to a dryish full body with toasted baguette and treacle accents. Finishes with a long, nutty oloroso sherry-like fade with a nice citrus and yeast tangy. Enjoy after dinner like an oloroso sherry.
90 Estrella Damm Inedit, Damm Brewery (Spain). 4.8% ABV (9/09)
Hazy golden yellow color with a thin fine head. Delicate aromas of orange honey, coriander and herbed flat bread-like malt follow through on a supple, soft entry to a dryish medium body with great smoothness and integration. Finishes with a refreshing, supple interplay of light toasty grain, dried citrus and mossy hops.
89 Storm IPA, BrewDog (Scotland). 8% ABV (8/08)
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of burning cigar embers, peat and honey roasted nuts follow through on a bold, round entry to a dryish full body and a lingering tobacco, herbal moss and honeyed cracker fade with a deft touch of astringent dried citrus hops. A brawny, smoky beer for adventurous hopheads looking for the next frontier.
89 Ginger My Tart, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). (9/09) %{Brewpub}
Hazy amber orange color. Aromas of sour yeast, bruised citrus and shaved ginger peel follow through on a round, supple entry to a tart, dry medium-to-full body with sour green apple notes and a tangy, mouthwatering fade. A nicely balanced sour beer with a refreshing hint of ginger. Pair with spicy General Tso chicken.
88 Morimoto Soba Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5% ABV (9/09)
Bright pale golden amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of orange blossom honey and buttered buckwheat pancakes follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry medium-to-full body with soda noodles and buttered raisin toast notes. Finishes with a crisp, dried citrus and earthy, hay-like hop fade. A nice food beer to pair with dumplings.
87 Samuel Adams Triple Bock, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 18% ABV (8/08)
Opaque black-brown color with a saffron rim that paints the glass. Baked raisin nut compote, soy and molasses aromas follow through on a round, syrupy entry to a dryish full body with prominent roasted nut and dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a treacle, charred nut, chocolate-covered espresso bean, black licorice and delicate spice fade. An interesting nut liqueur-like treat.
86 Chipotle Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5% ABV (9/09)
Bright amber color. Mild aromas of honey and pepper jelly follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with delicate smoked pepper, baked cherry and rye toast notes. Finishes with a prickly pepper and roasted grain-accented fade.
83 New Grist, Lakefront Brewery (WI). 5.4% ABV (8/07)
Bubbly golden amber color. Creamy cotton candy, sea salt, Brazil nut and sorghum aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium body of warm Kayo syrup and sorghum-covered nut toast. Finishes with a touch of molasses-covered lemons and roasted nuts. Curious.
81 Lemon Radler, Stiegl Columbus (Austria). 2.5% ABV (9/09)
Pale golden yellow color. Bright aromas of lemon grapefruit soda (Squirt) and a hint of dough follow through on a round, buoyant entry to a fruity light body with lime starfruit candy and toast notes. Finishes with a lingering, drying, bitter children’s aspirin fade.
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