Stone 13th Anniversary Ale

Think I was charged for this by mistake a week or so ago, as whatever Stone ale I had couldn't be found on the computer and the clerk assumed it was this. Anyway, looks and smells like an amber, but backed up with that big bitterness these guys always seem to deliver! Roasted grains dominate the flavor, but it is smooth, and that bitterness just balances, perfectly, the grain flavor. So if you like bitter beers (probably stay away from Stone if you don't, cause they think you're a pussy) give this one a go. Ambers are usually not my thing, but with this much hops, it is amber redefined for my own personal dictionary! Even old it is good! Says "do not cellar, enjoy in 2009," on the label! MB

22 oz bottle, 9.5% ABV
The Stone Brewing Company
Escondido, San Diego County, CA
purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store

el Mole Ocho

Dark and looks pretty carbonated, though I'm not using a proper pint glass, so maybe that's why it looks that way. Not thick, so not even porter dark, so feels like a lager. Has a bit of a funky taste at the back of the mouth, and smells that way too. The tiniest hit of chocolate on the end of the taste, and maybe a little bit spicy, but maybe I'm just imagining the spice, since I read the label, but I'm pretty sure it's there. Love mole sauce from a good Mexican restaurant, and love that somebody would experiment with that in a beer. Not sure it has been pulled off here (nor maybe even possible) but is still something interesting for those looking to explore way beyond the usual realm. The more I drink, the more I'm kinda digging it. ID

22 oz bottle, 8.4% ABV
New Holland Brewing Company
Holland, MI
purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store

Flagraiser IPA

Big head on this one. Needed an IPA tonight after so many dark beers, and this was about the only new one I could find. Hoppy nose, and good flavor, balancing bitter and hop flavor. Kinda watery, but that may be just me as I've been drinking some heavy shit lately. The bitter seems to hit the throat rather than the tongue, except at the very back. Solid, so i shouldn't complain. Just been having imperial everything lately it seems. A good straight up IPA. ID

22 oz bottle, 7.5% ABV, 80 IBU
Brewed for Somerville Brewing Company by Mercury Brewing Company
Ipswich, MA
purchased at Kenwood

Black Chocolate Stout

Enjoyed a few beers from Brooklyn Brewery on location this summer. And just got word I will probably be going back again this coming summer! But for now, it's a true winter brew, a heavy stout! Has a smell of roasted grains and dark chocolate. Am a big fan of dark, as opposed to milk, chocolate. This delivers nicely. Had chocolate stouts or porters in the past that were nearly undrinkable (honestly have like a 5 year old bottle in my fridge that I won't drink, but refuse to throw away). This is very nice. Not quite as desserty as the last one I reviewed, but it oozes chocolate, complemented so perfectly by he burnt grains. Some beers just put a smile on your face, and this does. Not too heavy (could drink the whole 4-pack tonight) put packing serious flavor, and balls, so watch out. Definitely a winter favorite! MB

12 oz bottle, 10% ABV
The Brooklyn Brewery
Utica, NY
purchased at Kenwood

Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

Looks like a porter, smells like an IPA: causes confusion to the senses. The taste is heavy hop flavor and bitterness. Can't seem to taste any roasted or burnt grains, so confusing even further. I need to let this warm up a bit to get the subtleties. Will return. *turns tablet off* Took awhile to get back to this, but it definitely has some burnt grain flavor. It just blends with the bitterness so closely, it is hard to tell. Bottle says it's brewed with hemp seed for what that's worth. Not getting high! This one is great if you like strong bitterness as i do, otherwise it's not your bag (or bottle). MB

12 oz bottle, 9.2% ABV
Uinta Brewing Company
Salt Lake City, UT (wtf: is this even legal there? For export only?!)
purchased at Kenwood

Double Chocolate Stout

Drinking this after an Expedition stout, so anything should feel light, right? But this is a thick one, and ever so smooth and creamy. The chocolate flavor so naturally mixes with the dark grains, not like in some others that I've had. Wow, I feel like I'm drinking my dessert! Everything about this feels just right, right now. A late evening pick me up! Definitely boosting my spirits! MB

22 oz bottle, 8.1% ABV
The Fort Collins Brewery
Fort Collins, CO
purchased at Kenwood

Never Summer Ale

A bit of a funky flavor. Some spices are here in this winter ale. A good bit of bitterness makes this all come together. It mellows nicely as it warms and breathes. ID

12 oz bottle
Boulder Beer Company
Boulder, CO
purchased at Kenwood

Missing Elf Double Bock

Usually think of Bock as being a dark lager, but this is as light as a Coors Light! Even the cashier in the store remarked how light it looked in the bottle, but it had a 9.5% tag hanging from the neck, so that sold me. Dry and clean. A lager taste for sure, and maybe a bit old. A bit of alcohol flavor, but not what you'd think for what it's packing. I almost think I smell some christmassy spices in there, but this is remarkably clean. Let the elf stay missing, I'm busy here! ID But a great high octane beer for those who can't take a double IPA or an Imperial stout. Drink up!

16.9 oz bottle, 9.5% ABV
Rinkuskiai Brewery
Lithuania
purchased at Kenwood

North-Wind Imperial Stout

Dry roasted grain nose, smooth mouth feel with pronounced bitterness, which is why I picked this up. Definitely has the slight sweetness of an imperial stout but buried beneath the bitterness. And not oppressive bitterness like in a Double Bastard. This reminds me of Guinness, but done right, with a handcrafted touch. But after having the Expedition earlier, this is too thin, and not what I'm craving. Not bad at all, but I desire another! Poor twist of fate. But when I see this light hearted treat is packing 9+ on the alcohol, my heart can't give it less than MB.

12oz bottle, 9.1% ABV, 45 IBU
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Warrenville, IL
purchased at Kenwood

Expedition Stout

I was just describing this beer to someone the other day, remembering to the late 90s when I last tried it. Much more inexperienced at the time, I remember it being thick as molasses, and getting me buzzed on a single bottle. So now the reunion. Oh wow, it really is as thick as i remember. You almost need to chew it, this is wild! Like stout pudding, this is a trip. Tiny sweetness, and very roasty. You have to swallow twice on each sip. Still totally unique after all these years, it's an experience every stout enthusiast must have! Back then I bought a single bottle, but now with a sixer, this expedition is headed for new heights. MB

12oz bottle, 10.5% ABV
Bells Brewery, Inc
Comstock, MI
purchased at Kenwood

Bitch Creek Extra Special Brown Ale

Nice color and a surprizing dry grain flavor. Really roast, but not like black grain. I really like that. And there is good hop bitterness which really compliments the dry flavor of the grain. Drinking this too cold since I can't seem to get my fridge the right temperature, but it is all around goodness. Been feeling "up Shit Creek" all week with an overload of work, but I'm feeling much better her at Bitch Creek! MB

25.4 oz bottle, 6% ABV, 54 IBU
Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, ID
purchased at Kenwood

Pride of Oxford

Kind of flat and definitely European. That slight caramely whiff and flavor of an English ale. But a good bitterness and watery quality that would let me drink in excess. An '09 gold medal winner says the label, good but not my favorite English ale, but on second thought, kinda close. Drinking this to a Mumford & Son song by random chance, and it is a great fit. Memories of London, but better, given the company, or rather lack of it. ID

16.9oz bottle, 4.2% ABV
Oxfordshire Ales
Marsh Gibbon, Bicester, Oxfordshire, England
purchased at Kenwood

Alpha Klaus Christmas Porter

Not sure if i yet rated Alpha King a favorite beer from my youth that I used to special order. Saw this and thought, awesome! Definitely porter as that flavor comes completely through, though backed by big hop bitterness. A pleasant combo. Somehow I'd hoped for that huge citrus Alpha King punch. Not sure how that would clash with the roast flavors of the porter, but that is a fantastic nuclear fusion in my mind anyway. Not sure I want to give this MB since it seems close to Sierra Nevada, but fuck it. Life is too short to back down from anything or anyone which makes you smile. Smiling even with a sad song in the background, so this merry buzz is worth a MB.

22oz bottle, the rest is a secret, I guess
Three Floyds Brewing, LLC
Munster, IN
purchased at Kenwood