96 Imperial Red Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (2/11)
Cloudy chestnut brown color. Aromas of chocolate cookie dough, honey roasted nuts, date bread and dried citrus with a chewy, finely carbonated fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, rich mocha, grilled root vegetable and grapefruit and peppery mesclun-like hops. Powerful, deliciously balanced and super drinkable.
94 Double Dead Guy, Rogue Ales (OR). 9% ABV (3/10)
Deep lightly hazy amber color. Aromas of peanut shells, candied apricot, cocoa and earth follow through on a round, silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with clay, brown sugar and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a long, warming mineral, pinecone and dried citrus fade. Very balanced and rich; try with sausages.
94 G’Knight Imperial Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8.7% ABV (2/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of buttery caramel, orange marmalade on raisin nut toast and pine blossoms with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with an exotic tropical custard, radish and grassy, mint-accented finish. Very attractive and flavorful.
92 Singleton Ale, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 8.3% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant medium amber color thin blanket of fine foam. Aromas of orange blossom honey, spice, praline and leather follow through on a pillowy, plush entry to a very fruity full body with layers of golden raisins, orange marmalade on buttered rye toast and sautéed peaches. Finishes with a long, pepper and mineral ore-accented fade with firm citrus and pine-tinged hops. A fresh and lively strong beer.
92 Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7.4% ABV (2/11)
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Aromas of omelet, roasted nuts, figs and honeyed pumpernickel toast with a supple, satiny medium-full body and a tangy citrus marmalade, edamame and peppery, grassy hop finish. A very attractive and amped-up take on the highly drinkable bitter style. Yum.
91 Maximus, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep reddish brown color with a wispy taupe head. Interesting aromas of molasses, coffee, pork rind, dried black cherry and bread pudding follow through of a round, velvety entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with dried currant, maple syrup and roasted nut notes. Finishes with a long molasses and licorice fade. A tasty, rich and balanced strong ale.
91 King Goblin Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 6.6% ABV (2/11)
Deep brilliant copper mahogany color. Aromas of sassafras, sour cherry jam and honeyed fruit cake with a supple, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a zesty baked citrus, toasted nut, wet copper ore and grass finish. Beautifully balanced and lively; will be great at the table.
90 Stegmaier Holiday Warmer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 8.1% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber copper color. Spicy cinnamon raisin toast and peach pie crust aromas follow through on a velvety, frothy entry to a fruity medium-full body with excellent depth, balance and a refreshing mineral, brown sugar, peppercorn and candied yam fade. Nice.
89 Red Ale, Otro Mundo Brewing (Argentina). 7.5% ABV (2/09)
Slightly hazy amber color. Aromas of toasted grains and caramelized macadamia nuts, floral honey and peach follow through on a soft, frothy entry to an off-dry full body with candy corn, sweet citrus and apricot compote notes and a legume and collard green note on the pepper jelly-on-toast finish.
88 Double Mocha Porter, Rogue Ales (OR). 8.2% ABV (2/11)
Dark reddish brown color. Pleasant cocoa-mocha, raisin nut toast and dried citrus aromas and flavors with a round, dryish medium-to-full body and a baked apple, pepper, coffee grounds and arugula accented finish.
87 Natty Imperial Red Ale, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 8% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Deep russet mahogany color. Aromas of roasted meat, licorice and dried apples and pears follow through on a smooth, satiny entry to a dryish full body with nice depth and balance. Finishes with a tangy, citrusy and wood piney hop fade.
86 Mogul Madness, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Deep reddish mahogany finish. Aromas of cocoa, roasted pecan and date cake with supple, soft dryish medium body and a roasted and creamed corn-accented, grilled turnip and pepper finish.
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