Thumper American IPA

I let this warm a bit since my fridge is too cold, and that may be the reason for the big head. Not picking up much for aroma, and the taste feels more like a lager than an ale. Nicely bitter, but I was hoping for more flavor hops in this. The label says, "fiercely hopped and hopped again" but that doesn't necessarily mean "dry-hopped" as I was picturing. This is just hopped for bitterness, but I was just hoping for one of those crazy hop flavor beers that creates happiness at the end of a long banal or even bad day. This is not it. But it is drinkable, and sometimes that has to be good enough. ID

22 oz bottle, 6.8% ABV, 79 IBU
Rhinelander Brewing Company, LLC
Monroe, WI
purchased at Kenwood

Hopsickle Imperial Triple Hoppy Ale

Nice hop nose and big hoppy flavor! Very nice bitterness as well. Smooth and easy drinking with big bitterness at the back of the throat. A solid ale for all the hop heads out there. Simple big hop taste! MB

22 oz bottle, 9.2% ABV
Moylan's Brewing Company
Novato, CA
purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store

Vertical Epic 11-11-11 Ale

After popping the crown on this one I see the bottle suggests aging until 12-12-12! Yeah, like I'm gonna wait that long! I guess I need to score me the 10-10-10 version which is fit for consumption now. Nice amber to dark color, and a bit of a sweet smell, unusual to what I'm used to from this brewer. The taste is brutally complicated! I first noted a bit of that "farmhouse" flavor, which quickly morphs into banana. Sweetness abounds, but cleverly muted by bitterness. And then there is that hint of spice from the chilies. And a hint of cinnamon is there too. Should be disgusting, beer with all that stuff in it, but it is an amazing piece of brewing architecture! Drinking it a little cold, or even more flavors might pronounce. Will have to find me another bottle of this, cause this is a complicated novel that will likely require several reads to get the full story. MB once or twice! Get the full story my friends!

22 oz bottle, 9.4% ABV
The Stone Brewing Company
Escondido, San Diego County, CA
purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store (I think)

Iron Horse IPA

I think this is from the brew pub I spent much time at in college. The brewery name has changed but the ale stays the same! Nice bitter nose, and very bitter flavor. Not the hop flavor of the last one I reviewed, but this is a nice refreshing bitter. Nice rich color, and the flavor is solely bitterness. A happy bitter night to you all! ID

12 oz bottle
Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company
(formerly known as Mountain Town Station, I believe)
Mt. Pleasant, MI
purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store

120 Minute IPA

Whoa, I've been waiting to find this one! Went to a store and a sign on the shelf said to ask for it behind the counter. They couldn't find it. Left and went to my car when the clerk came running out to get me cause he found it. At $10 for the bottle it seems a bit steep, but hell, I pay like $8.75 for Sam Adams at the Hawks games, so this is nothing for the holy grail of Hopheadom! With the glass sitting a foot away from me on the table I can already smell the hops! And, oh is that a hoppy taste! Slight sweetness, on the aftertaste so this probably packs a punch, but the label is mute to the ABV. Smooth, and almost spicy. Wondering why some beers have freshness dates, and this one says it can age for a decade?! I'd never let my second bottle sit that long! Anyway, it is a good one to swill if you can find it. Good luck in your hunt! MB

12 oz bottle, details are top secret!
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, DE
purchased at Route 66 Liquors, Berwyn, IL

Rogue Chocolate Stout

Another oldy from back in December 2011. Dark and dry, with a slight whiff of cacao. Bitter, I'd say not so much from hops but rather from dark chocolate. Along with burnt grains, the flavor is dark, but the texture is not heavy. ID

22 oz bottle, 69 IBU

Rogue Ales
Newport, OR

purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store

(the family loved me on this trip!)

Mama Mia! Pizza Beer

Ok, I haven't posted in quite awhile, and this one dates back to Dec 2011 when I drank this little experiment with Steve. Saw this at Jimmie's while visiting at home and had to give it a try just for the experience. Label says it is brewed with oregano, basil, tomato, and garlic! Smells like pizza, no shit! Light in color with spices are visibly floating like black specks in the glass. Kinda weird, pleasant at first, but after awhile it sort of got annoying to me. Had pizza on the way to accompany the beer, and they went well together. But this is a one-time deal for me. If adventurous, and craving something way outside the norm, give this one a try just to say you did it! ID

16 oz bottle

lost the details of the contract brewer who did this

but find more at http://www.mammamiapizzabeer.com

purchased at Jimmie Garant's Party Store