Coconut Victory At Sea Imperial Porter

This looks better than Guinness in that namesake's glass. Thinking about it, there just aren't enough porters out there. I remember as I really just got started on craft beer, sampling the wares at Mountain Town station, the distinctness of a porter from a stout. Nowadays, I don't think much about which I'm having. Really, Guinness should be considered a porter, no? Anyway onto this wonderful little gem: a perfect example of what a porter should be. I'm guessing they also sell this as a straight up porter. But I bought it for the uniqueness of the coconut flavor, and this doesn't disappoint in aroma or flavor. The coconut is noticed all over, strong, dominating as you breathe in and drink, but fading almost magically into the porter flavor as not to interfere at all by the swallow. An imaginative, perfectly realized concoction. I've been to San Diego once, unfortunately unaware of this brewer at the time. Their mastery of the craft has moved them to the top of my favorites list, and a So Cal trip is definitely something I'd like to do to visit this brewery (and Stone is there too, crazy!), amongst other pursuits! MB

22oz bottle, 10% ABV
Ballast Point Brewing Company
San Diego CA
purchased at Kenwood 

Enjoy By 12.25.16 Unfiltered IPA

I'm a bit late drinking this, but I'm sure it is still good! Bitter. A hint of citrus. And some other flavor that I can't place. The label says they have used "more than 10 different hops", so that could explain it! A nice funky IPA, that I'll say MB about it, though it is old as this is written, do likely this is a unique moment, destined not to be repeated.

22oz bottle, 9.4% ABV
Stone Brewing
Escondido CA and Richmond VA
purchased at Kenwood

André Cold Duck

Trying to recapture the flavor of a sparkling juice from my childhood, but hitting a memory from my teens instead. Like the infamous "Night Train" only bubbly. 'Cause I'm keeping this holiday classy @ $3.99 a bottle! (Bought 3!) Gibby should be pleased! ID

750mL bottle (requisite paper bag missing!), 9.5% ABV
André Cellars
Modesto CA
purchased at Kenwood

West Coast IPA

A decent hop-driven IPA. Good bitterness. A bit of hop flavor. Pretty thin body. Easy guzzling: I guess that's why it comes in big cans. ID

16oz can, 96 IBU, 7% ABV
Old Capital Brew Works & Public House, LLC
DBA Great River Brewery
Davenport IA
purchased at Kenwood

Azacca IPA

Pretty bitter, but very thin, reminding me of a light lager. Oh, yeah, not to my liking today. Maybe it is clashing with one of the spices in my chili, cause I thought it was OK when I popped one open last night, but today, I have to say it is not good. Right now I'm thinking SK+, which just seems wrong, so I'm gonna add to this with a second opinion another day (today is 12/19).

12oz bottle, 70 IBU, 7% ABV
Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids MI
purchased at Meijer

Big Swell IPA

Deeply bitter and a bit funky, in a good way. Definitely citrus bitterness. Does this have fruit in it or is this just hop bitterness? Curious. I like it, for a straight up but uniquely flavored IPA. ID+

12oz can, 6.8% ABV
Maui Brewing Company
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
purchased at Kenwood

Citra India Pale Ale

Full of Citra hops this is, so I love it! Just dripping with resiny goodness, a hophead like me could need nothing more. Citra perfection! And kick ass booze you barely notice. MB

22oz bottle, 9.5% ABV
Pipeworks Brewing Company
Chicago IL
purchased at Kenwood

XocovezA

"A winter-spiced mocha stout". Sounds festive. But this is an odd one. Lots of flavors swirling around. It's a stout. Or maybe it's a cold cup of coffee. The cinnamon makes itself known, I'm sure because I put cinnamon, amaretto, and Nestle Quick in my coffee the other day, and it tasted alot like this! And there's vanilla too. And a hint of peppers so slight I didn't taste it until I was consciously looking for it. It is all of that at once, though I'm convinced it is beyond human ability to process that all at once! You have to focus on the flavor to find it in this well-crafted mix. It is growing on me. ID

12oz bottle, 8.1% ABV
Stone Brewing
Escondido CA and Richmond VA
purchased at Kenwood

Lucky Bastard

"A dry-hopped blend of Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, and Oaked Arrogant Bastard". Three Bastards in one = damn good! Just a bit of sweetness. Bitterness toned down from what I remember. That great complicated dirtiness I remember. All around, pretty easy drinking. I like it. I don't know the story of why this doesn't bear the "Stone" name. ID+

22oz bottle, 8.5% ABV
Arrogant Brewing
Escondido CA & Richmond VA
purchased at Kenwood

Blood Orange Lorenzini Double IPA

Wow! Fresh tasting blood orange at first sip. Not orange juice or orange flavor. It's like putting a fresh orange in your mouth! Then I guess there's a hint of ale flavor, but wow again, this is SO perfectly blended, I can't quite tell where fresh fruit ends and IPA begins. And it's a double to boot. This would have certainly prevented scurvy on the long voyage to India, or to Hawaii, I guess. I absolutely love this beer! Of course it would be a "limited release", f@¢k! MB

12oz can, 8% ABV
Maui Brewing Company
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
purchased at Kenwood

Goose Experimental Autumn 2016

An Amber lager that is definitely hop forward. Surprisingly drinkable! Caramel whiff, and tiny bit of roast on the body, but super well balanced so a hop head like me really enjoys it. MB

12oz bottle, 48 IBU, 5.8% ABV
Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago IL, Baldwinsville NY, Fort Collins CO
purchased at Kenwood

Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit

How can I pass this up?! Has a wonderfully fragrant nose. A mix of hops and grapefruit I think. The taste is a simple but perfect IPA not too thin, but no noticeable grain backbone. Just pure refreshment with a hint (maybe more) of grapefruit. With every sip, it is a pleasure to have my nose in the glass, as the bouquet is just perfect. This brewery is surging up my list of favorites, turning out some great, interesting, brews. Gotta find me some more of this! MB

12oz bottle, 6.1% ABV
Sweetwater Brewing Company
Atlanta, GA
purchased at Kenwood

Goose Four Star Pils

I hate pilsners and most lagers at this point. Got this in a deeply discounted mixed 12 pack. Decided to drink this now after seeing commercials for it during the Hawks game. I tipped it over so when I opened it, it foamed up all over my phone and the tests I was grading. So I'm pissed off and have every fucking reason to hate this beer . . . except it's actually fairly good! Kicks the shit out of "Bud" who's parent company owns Goose now. Handily better than Urquell, my previous ideal standard for Pilsner. I would never choose a Pilsner over an ale, except maybe for this. I laugh at the Goose commercials for their IPA saying they want to be "the best beer you drink". Their IPA is acceptable at best, 100s are better, so they have NO chance at being best. BUT, they should focus on Four Stars, because this just could be the best Pilsner out there. So this does deserve a MB for when you want a Pilsner, or when you want to get a cheap beer drinker to try something better. I will choose this over an inferior ale, because it is a wonderful lager!

12oz bottle, 44 IBU, 5.1% ABV
Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago IL, Baldwinsville NY, Fort Collins CO
purchased at Kenwood

Wise Fool IPA

A funky flavor that's a blend of some pretty aromatic hops, grain, and I think, their yeast. There's a smell here that I recognize but can't quite place right now. It is not bad, but that one off-flavor is rubbing me the wrong way. ID-

12oz can, 7% ABV
Miskatonic Brewing Company
Darien, Il
purchased at Kenwood

Beer For Breakfast Stout

A nooner Hawks game is a perfect excuse to have Beer For Breakfast! Full on coffee flavor, and just a touch salty and smoky. Not at all sweet, even though it is supposed to have maple syrup. And I'm glad, because there are plenty of sweet stouts. All around good and unique, as you can always expect from these guys. MB

12oz bottle, 7.4% ABV
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton DE
purchased at Kenwood

The Double Magician

A Double London-Style Red Ale. Caught my eye on a grocery shopping trip. Has strong malt sweetness. But the hops balance it pretty well so that you feel refreshed on the swallow. Then malt remains, around the tongue. The result is a nice caramelly roasty flavor with a dry finish. I dig it. ID

12oz bottle, ughhh: no deets
Short's Brewing Company
Elk Rapids, MI
purchased at Meijer