Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you... THE DERRIS HAULI walked into the lobby of my building a week and a half back, and saw this white box sitting there. And I'm like, "wow, someone here in the building ordered something off the internet and the company that shipped it uses EXACTLY THE SAME KIND OF BOX MY COMPANY DOES, holy shit that's crazy, those are expensive, what must they have ordered that needs that kind of insulation" blahblah etc. Totally fucking forgot Derris was shipping me back some goodies. So it was an even nicer surprise to see my name scrawled onto the top of it, and slowly realize
it was full of delicious beer for me to drink. My kind of box. The contents:
The Duck Rabbit - Porter
I expected good things from these guys, based on what I've read and (frankly) because their labels are good, and for what ever reason people who are smart enough to get the labels right seem to have their shit in gear enough to also make good beer. I also came in with a bias for porters, which I fucking seem to love, like everytime (see Narraganssett cans... they
can't be good but somehow I liked them a lot). So sipping this on the front lawn with the family and dogs, everything lined up about right. I wasn't knocked out, it wasn't the star of the box, but it was very very good. My question, though, is whether this is a sixpack beer or sold only in singles at higher cost? That would sway me. If this is a sixpack beer, it's in the top tier. It's rich, smooth, almost velvety in the delivery, and the little hop back bite at the end is just a perfect parting shot. If it's a costly single, then it's just middle-pack. Either way it was the right beer at the right time, and I remain very interested in what else these guys do. A-
Jailhouse Brewing - Breakout Stout
First one in the box from GA. This was the most burnt malt flavor I think I've had in a stout (ie, in anything). Thick, big, full, somewhat complex, and a solid effort all around. I wonder if the name isn't something of a pun, not just because of the brewery's name but because of their young age. Is this intended to be their breakout beer, that establishes them? I can see that being the case, potentially. I was only not floored by this because I drink a lot of big stouts, but I think the average dude who drinks Bud and Bass would be pretty much knocked flat by this - the malt is really big, and VERY burnt. Again, I wanna see what else they can do. That's the problem with these across-state-lines boxes... leaves you with more questions than answers.
B+
Terrapin - Side Project 15: Indiana Krunkles
Athens GA. So this was a mashup of a hefe weizen and an IPA. Those (style mashups) can be risky, but honestly this struck me in a very, very good way. I love both kinds, and the combo here was handled very well. It was like a sweeter, more mellow "big" IPA. Think "Weihenstephaner meets Racer 5." I could drink a lot of this beer -- well no, not without getting drunk as a motherfucker, but the flavor would be a pleasant companion to the bottom. I'm sure not all of these attempts hit a good mark, but this was good for me. I loved it, and I'm glad people try. A-
Wild Heaven - Ode To Mercy
Calling this a Brown Ale is like calling Claudia Shiffer a mammal. ...technically correct, but in no way representative of what it's like to behold the object in person. Fucking Newcastle is a "brown ale." This beer was
special. I guess the tip off would be the "Imperial," but still. This was amazing, honestly. It was caramel, heather, green hops, multiple malt roasts, on the sweeter side but not candy. It smelled like a million bucks after sitting out for about ten minutes. I think I picked the empty glass up no less than 4 times, tipped it up, and THEN looked down into it to once again discover that it was empty... like I was willing it to refill itself. If they can do this with a brown, what else can they do? A
Highland - Tasgall Ale
Kyle's pick. Best of the bunch. I know I just raved about the Wild Heaven, and it was killer, but for some reason this scotch ale was just right on the money. This was the only one to get me to do a double take, and it may be about expectations. I've had one Highland 22 before, christmas before last when we were in NC. It was solid, but not incredible. This was alllmost the best scotch ale I've had - it was that good. Why don't people talk about it more? Or do they and I just don't hear it? Or was I already tipsy when I had it? I wanted to hug the fucking bottle. A good scotch ale, and I mean a REALLY good one, is just about as good as beer gets. They're just a big fat kick in the nuts, in all the right ways. This reminded me of my favorite scotch ale, Lake Louie, and I can't give it much better of a compliment than that. A+
French Broad - Rye Hopper Ale
Whoooooooooooooooo fuckballs this was bitter. I eventually got used to it, and I don't mean to imply the beer wasn't good, but it is NOT for everyone. This was a big risk for them - people could try this and never trust these guys again. I have sometimes wondered what an imperial IPA would be like if the balance of IBU's was tipped more towards early hops, making the beer a lot more dry and bitter (vs late hops, which taste sweet and green), and I think this was the answer. It is a big open handed slap to the tastebuds, which echos over the next 4 or 5 sips until your tongue finally quits in protest and walks out, leaving you properly desensitized and able to explore what kinda malt is hiding timidly under all those hops. An acquired taste, and not the one you want to let your girlfriend / wife try unless she's really into this stuff, or unless you want to scare her off mooching your beers. This would do it. B
The box contained a letter explaining what and why on the picks, as well as a burned double disc of summer music (Toots & the Maytals), which were both greatly appreciated. Been boppin' along to the Toots in my helmet to/from work. I am glad to see some top-tier work coming out of southern breweries, especially NC. That box was wonderful, and I was very sad to see the last of it go into the recycling bin.
I salute you, sir.
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