Sam Adams – The Vixen *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 062011
 

This one was saved for last because just from the label I was thinking that it was the one that I was least excited to drink 22oz of when compared to the other three.  I think that was mostly because the chili thing is tough to get right in a beer, at least for my palate.  Within the first few sips of this one I knew that wasn’t going to be an issue and I actually found myself wanting a little more heat to balance everything else out.

The last of what is now four . . .

Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)

Name: The Vixen

Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer (based on a Doppelbock)

ABV: 8.5% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge before being served in a pint glass.  Batch No. 1

Aroma: Light sweetness with some faint roasted malts with maybe a bit of spice.  Relatively mild and clean overall. – 7.5/12

Appearance: Dark, dark brown with garnet tones at the edges when held to light.  One finger plus light brown head with small bubbles, good retention, and leaving a very slight trail.  Appears opaque though clear at the edges with rising bubbles when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: Smooth roasted malty sweetness with a touch of chocolate and also some notes of vanilla.  A very low heat comes through in the back of the throat with some faint cinnamon-like spice toward the finish.  Finishes quite smoothly and pretty cleanly with some lingering sweetness on the palate. – 13/20

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Very smooth and somewhat creamy on the palate. – 4.5/5

Overall Impressions: The chili heat is very, very faint and kind of a letdown – really kind of pointless and unneeded in this beer.  Very easy drinking with a bit more cinnamon and chocolate as it warms a touch.  Wouldn’t mind having again especially if paired with the proper food.  The clean finish is very nice after the sweetness fades.  Does not taste like a beer with 8.5% ABV (hides it well). – 6.5/10

Overall: B (34.5/50)

6466353891 fca0a36075 Sam Adams The Vixen *

Sam Adams - The Vixen

 Posted by Lucas at 11:30 am  Tagged with: , ,

Stone – Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout *

 Beer Reviews  1 Response »
Nov 182011
 

Though the weather has not cooled enough to have me wanting stouts on a regular basis I simply could not pass this one up when seeing it a little while back.  I am not one to keep black licorice around the house, but I really was interested to see (or rather taste) how that flavor worked with a big, bold stout.  The answer is that I think it works well and certainly much more so than I thought roasted buckwheat did.

Easing into the weekend . . .

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA)

Name: Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

Style: Russian Imperial Stout (or maybe Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer)

ABV: 10.50% (on bottle)

Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and pulled a little early to warm a bit before being served in a snifter.

Aroma: A full, smooth, chocolately roasted malt character with a more subtle licorice aroma underneath. Well balanced and quite pleasant overall with maybe a bit of alcohol there.  – 9/12

Appearance: Dark, dark, dark brown (black) in color.  One finger light brown head that is pretty thick, holds fairly well, and leaves some legs on the glass.  Opaque and even so at the edges when held to light. – 3/3

Flavor: A deep roasted malt flavor with notes of bittersweet chocolate and a light molasses-like sweetness.  The licorice flavor comes through middle to finish with some bitterness and a bit of astringency (from roasted malt profile) coming out near the finish.  Otherwise finishes fairly smooth with some lingering chocolate and anise. – 15/20

Mouthfeel: Full body with a moderate to low level of carbonation.  Smooth and pretty creamy on the palate with a bit of warmth noticeable. – 4/5

Overall Impressions: First significantly sized glass of stout in a long time.  I actually prefer this one not as warm as I usually do a big stout as the licorice gets to be a little too prominent and out of balance.  The aftertaste and astringency are like that after eating some very dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.  I could see this one pairing really well with the appropriate desserts. – 8/10

Overall: B+ (39/50)

6343538177 23b8c00dcf Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout *

Stone Brewing Co. - Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout

 Posted by Lucas at 10:00 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Rogue Ales – Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale *

 Beer Reviews  No Responses »
Nov 152011
 

After the two not so common wheat beer styles/versions reviewed last week I am going a bit darker this week.  More specifically beers that are much more dark in color than the wheat beers and also ones that utilize some unique ingredients to add flavors not all that common to find in your brew.

Today roasted buckwheat makes and appearance and though I have tried it in a beer before (Morimoto Soba Ale) I do not remember how much I enjoyed it.  It must have been before my note taking obsession began.

On to the beer with a name that makes me want noodles . . .

Brewery: Rogue Ales (Newport, OR)

Name: Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale

Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer

ABV: 5.00% +/- (various numbers found)

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

Aroma: A sweet roasted characteristic to the aroma with maybe a bit or chocolate.  Subtle overall and pretty unique. – 7/12

Appearance: Deep, deep brown in color.  Slight tan color head that is pretty thick, holds fairly well, and leaves a slight trail on the glass.  Appears opaque but is clear with rising bubbles visible when held to light. – 2.5/3

Flavor: A bittersweet roasted maltiness that has a nutty character towards and after the finish.  Not much, but there is a sharp bitterness in the middle and maybe a bit of a floral note.  The finish is a bit dry, but is fairly clean with some lingering flavors. – 10/20

Mouthfeel: Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation that carries a bit of sharpness.  Pretty smooth overall with some creaminess. – 3.5/5

Overall Impressions: There is something in the flavors at the finish that just do not work for me.  Found it difficult to describe the flavor overall and most of the flavors seem to be more prominent at the finish.  The bitterness in combination with the rest doesn’t work too well.  Maybe my expectations going in were too high, but I feel no need to drink this one again anytime soon.  Letter grade might have been lower without the point system. – 5/10

Overall: C+ (28/50)

6343538261 9333711e32 Rogue Ales Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale *

Rogue Ales - Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale

 Posted by Lucas at 10:00 am  Tagged with: , ,
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