It occurred to me just now while putting together this post that I probably need to throw together a few beer goals for 2012.  They may overlap a bit with my overall goals for the next year, but I have to sit down and think about that.  Perhaps I will share a top five (or so) on Monday next week.

The last news post of the year . . .

• Knowing my recent efforts to be more serious about my beer related studies The Wife passed along an article explaining why beer (and some complimentary wine) education is important.
• If you want a full report of how all of the top selling regular and light beers compare to each other you will have to wait until next week.  A little sneak peek is available now.
• With business continuing to be good among an otherwise down economy craft breweries are deciding to either continue expansion or to pull back just a bit.
• In the beers I can not get here in Florida department (save for the Nitro Milk Stout).
• I think the collaboration part of this article is cool, but I am more surprised that the craft beer week is taking place at the coldest time of year for this city.
• Over the last year I have enjoyed some really good craft ciders so I am pretty excited to read about more and more being available in the future.
• Here is a 2011 state of the brewery announcement in a fun style only they have.
• It seems you can dismantle a large brewery, ship it thousands of miles, and have it up and running in a pretty short period of time.
• Coming to the end of the year means we get to look back on what beer trends and/or innovations we enjoyed over the last 12 months.
• Unless that is what you really want to do, staying small only lasts for so long.
• There may be a better way for me to close my year of beer news, but a little highlight of one of my favorite breweries works for me.  Really the announcement of the new pilsner is what I was excited to share.

via http://blogs.denverpost.com

When the concept for this week of posts was floating around in my brain I believe it was a result of thinking of this beer.  With all of the reviews that I have done over the time I have done this site I know that this is the only beer that has received an A+ using any of my grading systems.

Lately I have realized that I am not often in the mood to drink big stouts like this but I don’t know that means that I would like this beer much less.  I think that since the review was done so early on that the complexity of the beer blew my mind.  It makes sense for me to go back sometime soon and revisit this one to see if my palate still gives it such a high mark.

Click on the photo below to see why I thought it was so go way back then . . .

It must be one of those weeks.  After not realizing I purchased some very close to the “best by” date vegetables until it was almost too late I have a beer that I think may have also slipped by the peak consumption date.  Still I really enjoyed everything about the beer, save for the carbonation that would have put it up another handful of points in the grading system.  Certainly one I will get back to again.

On with the review for today . . .

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

Name: Hades

Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale

ABV: 7.80% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled early to warm very slightly then served in a goblet/chalice.

Aroma: Lightly sweet and crisp aroma with low notes of spice.  Overall quite subtle, but quite nice. – 9/12

Appearance: Pale golden yellow in color.  Slight white color head that is thin and dissipates quickly leaving very little trail.  Very clear with a few rising bubbles visible (clear enough to see through in the photo and see what glass I used) – 2/3

Flavor: Nice, light malty base noticed immediately under some slight sweetness that fades into a very pleasant spice character.  Some bitterness in the middle (not at all overwhelming versus the flavor).  Finishes slightly dry with some lingering spice notes. – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Medium to light in body with a fairly low level of carbonation (which is a bummer).  Still has nice crispness despite carbonation. – 3/5

Overall Impressions: The level of carbonation makes me wonder if the beer was on the shelf at the store for a while before I bought it (can’t read date on bottle).  The carbonation was the main missing component and the beer was hurt overall by that (appearance included with little head retention).  Very nice flavor profile and aroma though.  Will definitely give it another shot at some point in search of a better carbonated bottle. – 7/10

Overall: Very Good – 36/50

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Hades

The close up

It had been such a long time since I went to the fridge to get anything other than a Southern Tier beer to review that I was not really sure what I would find in there this week.  Of course it probably should have been no surprise to find a few beers in there from some of my favorite breweries.  Though I try to keep a good variety around, there are certain breweries that have a tendency to end up coming home with me on a more regular basis.  GDBC is one of those breweries.

To bring an end to this week . . .

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

Name: Claymore Scotch Ale

Style: Strong Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

ABV: 7.70% (website)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in a pint glass.

Aroma: Deep, rich malty aroma that has a sweetness to it that is darker than caramel and also a bit of earthiness underneath.   – 8/12

Appearance: Dark brown with reddish tones that you can see when held to light.  Slight faint brown head that holds pretty well and dissipates slowly leaving a light trail with some legs.  Appears opaque, but is see through clear when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: Rich, slight roasted maltiness up front that fades into a somewhat smoky earthiness after that.  Some light bitterness present from middle through to the finish.  It finishes somewhat dry, in a nice way.  – 16/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate to high level of carbonation.  Pretty smooth overall with some sharpness coming through at the finish (at least somewhat from the carbonation). – 3/5

Overall Impressions: I really enjoy the smoky earthiness in the flavor as it builds nicely and becomes more smooth as I drink it.  The flavor is not overly complex or deep (just an observation).  Good cold, but slightly better when slightly warmed.  Not something I would keep drinking all night (probably two at a sitting would be enough).  – 7/10

Overall: Very Good – 37/50

Great Divide Brewing Co. - Claymore Scotch Ale

Closer now

Maybe the fact that The Wife and I had never been to a UCF football game until this weekend is a clear sign that we are transplants from the north and have yet to assimilate. I mean we have lived in our house for well over 4 years now and the campus is only about 8 miles or so from us. Even when we first moved down here and they were still playing in the Citrus Bowl we were never more than a quick 20-30 minute car ride away. Even with my beloved Orange being pretty awful for the last 10 years, they were the only team that I would bend my schedule to see (including once driving 4.5 hours each way to see a game).

However, via the generosity of Will (@willspot) offering to take us along to the homecoming game this weekend we finally broke through whatever barrier was holding us back all this time.

After getting there a few hours in advance and setting up some shade, it was time to sit back with a few beers, some good food, and watch a little of the other college football action happening elsewhere.

Doing my best to help get to the beer drinking part.

The students were out in force.

Though there is no photographic evidence, Will has engineered a very nice satellite setup to watch television with while tailgating. The Wife enjoyed it so much I think there were thoughts of running a cable out to the back yard just to watch television in the cool fall breeze on Saturdays and Sundays.

Yes, I did mention that we enjoyed a few beers and since that is what I typically mention on this site I will be a bit more specific. Since Will is one who enjoys Porters, Stouts and dark ales in general that is what I brought along for the occasion. A little Bell’s Expedition Stout, Bell’s Double Cream Stout, Great Divide Hibernation Ale , and some Terrapin Reunion ’10 did a lot to make the afternoon more enjoyable. I am pretty sure we went a lot heavier (and craftier) with our beers than was the norm for everyone else that afternoon.

After enjoying the tasty tasty beers (and food) it was off to what we were actually there for.

Getting the crowd worked up before the start of the game.

I love seeing the whole field at once.

The Wife getting her cheer on.

The game itself was not very competitive (as UCF made Rice look pretty bad) but the experience and the afternoon was a lot of fun. For an abundance of reasons that some of the readers of this site can attest to, taking a Saturday off to enjoy a football game was not typical of my college experience. If only for that reason it was nice to be on a campus and in that environment again.

Dante and Kevin enjoying the halftime recognition.

Many thanks to Will for thinking of us and giving us the chance to enjoy the day of football fun with him!