Brooklyn Brewery - Monster Ale (2009)

Beer Reviews No Responses »
May 282010

Much of this intro is the same as last Friday when I said (basically) that I found a few beer reviews that were for 2009 releases and I figured it would be best to share them before the 2010 releases become available.  I will need to do a flip through the binder to make sure that this is the only other one I need to do before switching back to my normal methods of operation.

This was a freebie beer for me as a gift from (as he will be referred to today) World Travelling Ken along with some Black Chocolate Stout that I still have for a rainy day in the future.  Many thanks to him and I will have to find something interesting to return the favor with as my home brews just don’t measure up to those quite yet!

On we go . . .

Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY)

Name: Monster Ale (2009)

Style: English Barleywine

ABV: 11.8%

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge (allowed to warm some) and served in an oversized wine glass.

Aroma: Sweet, malty, light caramel-like aroma with some mild hop notes and a hint of alcohol.  Almost a slight port of sherry-like aroma minus the fruity nose.

Appearance: Deep amber color that seems to have some reddish highlights to it.  Slight, off-white head with some retention and good trail (and legs).  Clear with tiny rising bubbles visible.

Flavor: Deep toasted (almost roasted) malty flavor with some good hop bitterness coming through and amplifying from middle to finish.  The maltiness is not as sweet as it is in the aroma and the balance overall goes to the hoppy bitterness.  Pretty dry at the finish (lingers some).

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation (that is volatile when agitated/swirled in glass).  Slightly creamy with warmth coming through at (and after) finish.

Overall Impressions: Really wanted a bit more of the malty sweetness to help balance out the overall.  The bitterness and warmth do build on your palate as the glass empties (not really in a good way).  Good, but it seems that my palate does favor the American Barleywines.  The Wife gave it a C to C- as the bitterness in the style is not her thing.

Grade: B(ish)

4563166268 4ca2b630ac Brooklyn Brewery Monster Ale (2009)

Brooklyn Brewery - Monster Ale (2009)

4563166298 a2ce81c816 Brooklyn Brewery Monster Ale (2009)

A bit closer now.

Posted by Lucas at 2:00 pm Tagged with: ,

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Old Ruffian

Beer Reviews No Responses »
Jul 312009

This was the first beer that I wrote an evaluation for, so it will now become the first review I post.

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, CO)

Name: Old Ruffian (Barley Wine Style Ale)

Style: American Barleywine

ABV: 10.2%

Tasting Notes: Stored in wine fridge and served in a snifter

Aroma: Prominent hop nose with a slight hint of caramelly malt.  A bit of dark fruit aroma present (prune, raisin, etc).  Some noticeable alcohol.

Appearance: Copper to brown in color with a slight hint of red.  Solid, off-white head with fairly quick dissipation.  Good clarity – bubbles can be seen rising.

Flavor: Fairly strong and lingering bitterness.  The alcohol is not quite as strong as aroma implies.  Tiny bit of malt (caramel) flavor.  Long, but pleasant finish with good hoppy bitterness.  The higher alcohol content is well balanced with the hop flavor(s).

Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety on the palate.  Alcohol warmth is present, but not excessive.

Overall Impressions: This is the first barleywine that I can recall having.  Really a very enjoyable drinking experience that gets even better as the beer warms towards room temperature.  The good hop bitterness is typical of the American Barleywine style (from what I have read).  I would certainly (buy and) drink again.

Grade: B+

Great Divide - Old Ruffian

Great Divide - Old Ruffian

Posted by Lucas at 1:35 am Tagged with: , ,
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