speaking of green flash, i picked up this the other night. probably going to try a couple tonight.



as far as the Wisconsin beers, i'd rank them...

1. Bell's Two Hearted (definitely the best beer of the night. i'm not sure if it's my favorite ipa but it's damn well up there.)
2. Lake Louie Warped Speed Scotch Ale (i don't think i've had any scotch ales before but this makes me want to try more and they probably won't measure up to this.)
3. Central Waters Satin Solstice/Ale Asylum Satisfaction Jacksin (tie) (different beers but i don't think i could rank either one higher or lower than the other. if i had to, i'd probably choose the DIPA as i like them more than stouts but that Central Waters was really really good.)
4. New Glarus Spotted Cow (this was alright. maybe there was something off with this batch like you said but everything above this was just so much better.)
5. Capital Supper Club (maybe a step above High Life? in a tasting like this it's definitely not going to come in first but i'd sit around and drink a bunch of these no problem.)


K - the hellhound on my ale is really good. the faithfull is just kind of average.

I was in Nashville on business earlier in the week and met Discostu at the 12 South Taproom. Had a Caldera IPA can and another IPA in a can who's name escapes me (pretty sure it was out of Washington). Dollar off cans on Tuesday's!

Both were average to good--nothing earth shattering, but damn tasty just the same.

Also had a Yazoo Pale Ale on the trip: It was decent, but lacked a bit in both hoppiness and flavor. At the bar of the restaurant I was at though, it was definitely the best thing going.

Recents

The Bruery 4 Calling Birds - could theoretically be aged up to 8 years but the beer guy at the local store said it was good fresh. He was mostly right, but pretty heavy to drink a whole bomber by myself since the wife didn't like it.


Bear Republic Racer 5 - good, solid.


New Holland Dragon's Milk - this was a contributing factor in knocking a friend of mine on his ass day drinking last Saturday watching basketball and football. Nice hint of bourbon, very good.


Southern Tier Unearthly Imperial IPA - drinking this now. Have really been impressed with the Southern Tier beers I've had and this is no exception.

My favorite night of the month: Stouts and Scrabble night at the K house. For tonight we are looking at:

Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout
Duck Rabbit Milk Stout
Victory Storm King
Troeg's Java Head
Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti
Epic Big Bad Baptist Imperial
Ten Fidy Imperial
Southern Tier 2X Double Milk Stout

I doubt between the four of us we will get through all of these, but it's nice to have choices I reckon. Any reccs on what to make sure we get to tonight?

It will be outshadowed by all the bigger, badder offerings on that list, but the Wolaver's is quietly a great sixpack stout, and punches above its price point. Smooth and balanced. Not an experience beer but really thick and solid.

I think that is actually the one I am most looking forward to. I recently came to the conclusion that Oatmeal Stouts are probably my favorite; the Barney Flats and Schlafly Oatmeals are easily my two favorite beers I have had in the few months we have been doing this.

Next month I think we are switching to Saisons, Sours, and Scrabble (I like alliteration) which is a bit daunting as I know nothing of those styles at all.

Saisons are easy to love, so sunny and gentle and smooth. Sours can be kinda cool, or kinda harsh. Future month ideas...

Porters, Pales, and Poker
Chocolate Stouts and Chinese Checkers (that's right not just chess or checkers, went for the double hit)
Cherry Lambics and Chutes-n-Ladders

now in Nashville as well.

PS - I love the Bruery, and Racer 5. Racer is like, the closest thing to 2 Hearted I can find around here. Excellent heavy IPA.

Yeah, you've got some BIG beers up there. Haven't had the Wolaver's but can attest to the Duck Rabbit Milk Stout. Much like Cap'n's description, the Duck Rabbit is quite similar. If not taste then the fact that it's just a solid affordable option that sits at normal levels of ABV% and you can drink 4-5 and be functioning. Whereas having 5 Ten Fidy's and be passed out. Then again, I'm a sucker for sweet stouts (see also: Young's Double Chocolate).

Haven't had the Epic Big Bad or the Troegs. Like Capn said, I'd hit the Duck Rabbit early in the proceedings.

Duck Rabbit makes some incredibly good beer, I suspect (from the one Derris sent me). There was craft in that bottle.

Even the Scotch Ale I didn't like was at least well made. It didn't taste cheap, just not to my tastes.

extremely pleased that this will finally be canned (tall boys, no less) starting in March:

I tried New Belgium Lips of Faith Cocoa Mole, a Dark Ale brewed with chocolate, spice and chilies.

Brewery Description: "Chocolate, cinnamon and chilies combine for a sweet and spicy burst of fun in the newest Lips of Faith offering, Cocoa Molé. Brewed with pale, caramel 80, chocolate, dark chocolate malts and healthy dash of chocolate rye, Cocoa Molé presents midnight dark with a subtle reddish hue, lifting a pillowy, burnished head. The cocoa and cinnamon accompany plentiful ancho, guajillo and chipotle chilies to bring the molé merriment to the forefront. Cocoa Molé starts on the tongue with sweet and finishes with the fine-spun heat of peppers. A worldly contrast in a glass, this beer will get you dancing with Mexican Hats. Olé."

I don't really like Racer 5 in bottles. Different story on draft though.

what blows my mind is that it's from a shithole little eastern NC town that I've never even heard of.

Cleaning out the recycle bin so to speak. From the last week or so:



Brooklyn Brewing - Sorachi Ace

I know this one's been talked about before but I had this last weekend for the first time. Wasn't sure what to expect but it more then met any expectations. Essentially ventures into Farmhouse/Saison territory with a little more lemony zest going on. Not quite world class but certainly another fine addition to their big beer stuff. Recommended for sure.



French Broad Brewing - Wee Heavy-er

Another good, almost great offering from this Asheville Brewery. I feel like with most of their beers they're allllllmost there but not quite. Still, I've been to their brewery and did their tasting and they couldn't have been nicer people. That goes a long way with me. If I lived there and this was on tap everywhere, I'd probably drink it all the time but ultimately there are other Scotch Ales I'd reach for (Dirty Bastard comes to mind).

Orkney Brewery - Skull Splitter

I see this has been mentioned as well but I got this as an impulse buy at Hop City. Solid scotch ale. Had 2 so far but they weren't my first of the evening if you know what I mean. Need to have it all by itself but so far, I have only positives to say about it. Right at 8.5% so it's not too crazy but definitely one to watch yourself with.




Founders - Dry Hopped Pale Ale

Grabbed this as part of a mix n match sixer and am glad I did. Nothing mind blowing but it was good as hell at the end of a long week. I'd compare it almost to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Just a well made beer. Worthy of space in your fridge as a go to session beer.



This, on the other hand, may have pushed Founders into "Best Brewery" in America territory. Randomly got this one as well as part of the same mix n match. Just a brightly hopped to the gills DIPA that is looking to give Hopslam a run for it's money. It hasn't quite done that yet, maybe a notch below, but the fact that I can get this most places around here without worrying that it will sell out in minutes makes it all the better. These guys are fucking awesome.



Caracole - Troublette

Cap'n's brewery that he has pimped forever. A belgian wheat ale as it's billed. This is a world class beer. Even FemDerris agreed on this one. Only 5.5% but it's just so funky and crisp and zesty. Bloor, I'd recommend this to begin dipping the toe into the Belgians. Just an easy sipping beer but all flavor. Tip of the cap to Cap'n. Great brewery.



Brooklyn Brewing - Black Chocolate Stout

Already been covered here but I finally got around to drinking some. Great beer for the price. It's a little boozy for my taste. I actually think the Ten Fidy hides it a little better but as stated, it can't be beat for the price for a 4 pack. Would go well with dessert for sure.


Others had but can't remember much about due to "circumstances of consumption":

Rogue Winter Warmer
Terrapin Moo Hoo Chocolate Stout
Great Divide - Nomad Pilsner

Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout - This was extremely good. Easy drinking for sure, but didn't seem thin or like it was missing anything. Flavors were all there, but not overpowering. Nothing was jumping out saying look at me, nothing terribly fancy here, just a great Oatmeal Stout with a pretty traditional flavor profile. I don't think it was as good as the Barney Flats I had a while back but this type of beer, kind of plain I guess, is right up my alley. My favorite that we had the other night.

Duck Rabbit Milk Stout - I liked this a lot also. I think I have had it before, not sure though. Not overly sweet and not watered down like the Left Hand and Lancaster Milk Stouts I have had. This is one I could probably drink a lot of.

Epic Big Bad Baptist Imperial - This was terrible. I am still pissed I spent almost $10 on this. It tastes like someone ran a base, zero character stout through some five day old coffee grounds and called it good. I found nothing enjoyable about this and will never buy anything from these guys again.

Ten Fidy - This on the other hand is for real. Good Lord, I don't think I could get through more than two, maybe three of these, but this an outstanding beer. Had just poured this when it started snowing and it was perfect. Huge roasty flavor, not bitter at all though, killer beer. This is one I will revisit for sure throughout the rest of this winter.

Southern Tier 2X Double Milk Stout - This was the general favorite the other night, I wasn't as happy with it as everyone else seemed to be. It was just a touch too sweet for me. I am sure it is a great dessert beer, and if you really like sweet beers this is probably for you, I just wasn't particularly in the mood for this at the time I think. I will try it again though for sure maybe with some good bread pudding or something just to see if it changes my mind at all.

Because they're so damn tasty, on my first session a year or so ago, I got through one of these and an Old Chub pretty quickly and when I stood up, my brain told me I had just consumed the equivalent of 4 cans of swill beer's alc content.

Great write up. I need to have a Ten Fiddy again... I think the last (and only) one I had was with Busty a long time ago. Also glad the Wolaver's did its job. It isn't flashy, but when you drink a lot of good beer you realize just how hard it is to make a really good "normal" beer.

Don't think I've seen it on draft in these parts (and maybe its just not distributed here yet) but I'd definitely be interested in trying it on draft at some point.

I need to get a hold of some of that fresh Double Trouble--I had it on draft last year and it is GOOD (and DANGEROUS).

I gotta say, personally I have a hard time plunking down 10 bucks for a sixer of Founders, Lagunitas, Bell's, Victory et al Pale Ales when Sierra is $22.99 for a case. Even if the others are better, they aren't that much better, and it's pale ale--it exists to make multiple bottles disappear in short order.

I had the Uinta Cockeyed Cooper Barleywine over the weekend. It was good not great: not quite the explosion of flavor I was hoping for but then again, not too boozy and lots of bourbon barrel smoofness. Not on the level of say their Detour DIPA, which I've now had twice: the first time I absolutely loved it, the second less so but still really good. Here's a pic of the Detour:

Yeah dude that Detour is a killer, killer beer. That one bottle I had of it suck them into my head on the "Buy It If You See It" list. Actually I finally did, I think I have pics of another of theirs in the folder to review next time around.