Archive for the ‘United States’ Category

9 Sep

Pelican The Perfect Storm

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Barleywine, Pelican Brewery, United States.

Session # 200
Pelican | The Perfect Storm
English Barleywine | Pacific City, OR | 13.5% ABV

One year ago: Hoppin’ Frog Barrel-aged B.O.R.I.S.

There were some days I never thought I’d make it to 100 reviews, let alone getting to 200 reviews. But alas, today I have made it and Tim Pratt joins me once again to share a beer I’ve been staring at on my shelves for a long time. The Perfect Storm! It’s a beer I wanted to try so badly that I actually reached out to the brewer of Pelican Pub & Brewery. I was lucky enough to get one sent to me and I’ve been hanging on to it for a special occasion. Today is that day. As Tim and I poured this monstrous beer in our glasses, we noticed a couple things. First, was that the room instantly smelled like a bourbon barrel explosion. Second, was the fact that this beer didn’t pour as gooey and big as we thought it would. It had a nice dark mahogany color with a fair amount of head resting on top, but we could see the bottoms of our glasses. We thought this was a bit odd. The nose was of dark fruits, burnt caramel, brown sugar, and TONS of booze. One sip set us back further than planned because the amount of heat coming off this beer was numbing. Once this burn subsided, toffee, oak, and vanilla laid on our tongues for a few minutes. But at the end of the day, the annihilation of that booze was too much to take. Was their good flavor? Yes. Was it drinkable? Ummm…no. I can tell you that our score was collaborative but mine was much lower than Tim’s. I was pretty disappointed for a beer I’ve been waiting ages to drink. Firestone Walker’s Abacus eats this beer’s lunch all day long… So get it instead.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer has been retired.
Listening To: Joy Division “Atmosphere”



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8 Sep

Odell Deconstruction Ale

Posted by iamgingerbeard in American Wild Ale, Odell, United States.

Session # 199
Odell | Deconstruction Ale
American Wild Ale | Fort Collins, CO | 10.5% ABV

One year ago: Odell India Pale Ale

Over the course of the last year or so, Odell Brewing out of Fort Collins, CO has been making their fair share of barrel-aged beers. At least five that I can think of off the top of my head. Today’s beer, Deconstruction Ale, is a blend (if you will) of three different beers. One aged in oak barrels; one aged in bourbon barrels; and one aged in wine barrels. There is also a portion of it that is just Strong Ale. But there was definitely some thought put in to the blending of this beer. Out of the bottle came a huge jet of white foam before I could even pour it into my glass. It kept creeping throughout the review. The vibrant orange color, however, was amazing. That soft pillowy white head rested right on top. Aromas of funk, oak, citrus and spice abounded. The flavor didn’t stray too far and really reminded me of Orval or Russian River Temptation. Lots of Belgian yeast funk, citrus and oak were predominant on the tongue followed by a nice dry and effervescent finish. Definitely an enjoyable beer if you like funky barrel-aged flavors.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Menahan Street Band “Home Again”



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7 Sep

Boulevard Imperial Stout ’11

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Boulevard, Imperial Stout, United States.

Session # 198
Boulevard | Imperial Stout
Imperial Stout | Kansas City, MO | 11% ABV

One year ago: Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout

Today is the first time on The Hopry I will have reviewed the same beer twice. I have generally stayed away from this because I want to get to as many different beers as possible. However, I enjoyed the 2008 release of the Boulevard Imperial Stout so much, that I actually gave it a perfect score (one of only three beers). So I just had to revisit it in the form of this 2011 release. More specifically, though, I wanted to revisit the “un-infected” batch # 1. I missed this in the review, but 46% of this one was aged in barrels, while the 2008 was only 10%. The color was near pitch black with touches of ruby red coming through when held up to the light. A chocolaty head formed on top before a nice bourbon aroma filled the air. Immediately this beer smelled great with dark fruits up front followed soon by oak and vanilla. It smelled very Belgian for sure. On the palate, not quite as big as you’d think for an 11% ABV beer, but there was definitely enough barrel and bite to make you happy. It finished with burnt caramel and dark fruits and that signature Belgian stamp that Pauwels is so good at doing. Not as good as the 2008 for sure, but definitely better than the infected batch # 2 from 2011.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Wilco “I Might”



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31 Aug

Kern River Citra DIPA

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Imperial IPA, Kern River, United States.

Session # 196
Kern River | Citra DIPA
Imperial IPA | Kernville, CA | 8% ABV

One year ago: Pretty Things Jack D’or

As someone who caught the craft beer bug because of Bell’s Hopslam (reviewed here), I can tell you that I have always been on the hunt for the next best Double IPA. I’ve had Pliny the Elder, Dreadnaught, Double Jack, and many others. These have all lived up to the hype, but rarely do Imperial IPAs match my appreciation for my first love. Today’s beer comes pretty damn close. The Citra DIPA from Kern River satisfies just about every element that I look for in an IPA. It poured a very warm orange color with a slight bit of hop haze and frothy off-white head. Before I could even get my nose into the glass the heavenly smell of peach, mango, papaya, and sweet pine pummeled my face. But getting in there further…yep…this is a righteous smelling beer. The flavor basically followed the same formula with boatloads of tropical fruit and pine with some nice light bready malt underneath just to wrap it all up in a pretty little bow. This was everything I’d hoped for: fresh; clean; and beautiful in every way. Thank you, Juan!!!

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Faith No More “Epic”



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26 Aug

Founders Nemesis (2010)

Posted by iamgingerbeard in Barleywine, Founders, United States.

Session # 194
Founders | Nemesis
American Barleywine | Grand Rapids, MI | 12% ABV

One year ago: Dark Horse Reserve Special

As we approach 200 sessions, I felt it only necessary to start pulling out some big beers I’ve been sitting on for a while. And since Founders is my favorite brewery, why not open this Nemesis from 2010. You know it’s going to be a good beer, right? Well it poured darker than your typical American Barleywine with its very dark brown (almost ruby) color. A small but supple medium-tan head formed on top that looked very inviting. The dark fruits that you’d expect began creeping out of the glass immediately. Rum-soaked raisins and oak were at the forefront with some sweetness and booze on the nose as well. First sip unveiled a good grassy hoppiness followed by rich sweet dark fruits (figs, plums, etc). The finish was surprisingly dry for a Barleywine. This was not my favorite offering from Founders, but it was overall a pretty easy-drinking beer for 12%.

Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer was a one-time release only.
Listening To: Max Tundra “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (Prince cover)



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