Beer Review: Stone Mocha IPA

Last year I stumbled across a brew that for the first time in a long time actually knocked me back. But the beer at the time could be found nowhere outside on tap at a couple of our local places, that changed this year. That beer was the Mocha IPA from Stone Brewing, but you knew that already since you’re reading or watching this review. Which if you are not watching right now but want to go ahead and do so, then just go ahead and hit play on the YouTube video attached here in the post. But if you do want to read a little about my view then let us continue.

Appearance:

Beginning with appearance, there is no disappointment with this one that I have seen whether on draft or out of the bottle. Since we are talking about the bottled version, I will just stick to this version. The beer itself poured a brilliant sunset amber orange color in my opinion and was capped nicely with a large foamy bone white head. I didn’t pour too aggressive, but ended up with about a three or 4 figure one but it all settled in nicely. It was easy to catch all of the nice bubble action taking place as the bubbles streamed up the glass. During my tasting of the beverage there was a fair amount of lacing that also took place, although not as much as I anticipated.

Aroma:

As far as aroma on the beer, this is where this one really gets interesting. The notes received from the ale brought up the imagery of an IPA meeting Stout. I received good notes of chocolate and coffee much like a stout, but there was also a lovely spice kick in there kind of like a peppery type feel which I wasn’t expecting but did enjoy.

Flavor / Palate:

So now it was time for the tasting portion and seeing how it felt on the palate as well as enjoying the flavor that may be offered. Now as I mentioned, it is a Double IPA so it did have a moderate amount of bitterness in the initial and finish but not as much as I imagined for the 80 IBU level. There was some throat scraping on the swallow, but nothing that was overly heavy. The texture was nice and dry with some good carbonation, but it wasn’t over carbonated. A full body beer for sure and there was some astringency as well, and in the end the finish had a nice amount of duration.

Overall Summary:

The Mocha IPA is really a beauty of a beer and brings a lot to the table, as I did really enjoy some of its complexities. It is also one that shakes up the rather overloaded IPA style and says hey, we are not the same which is something that Stone has seemed to be doing for a good amount of time. And for someone like me who likes IPA’s and Stouts, this is a perfect colliding of worlds and is why I rated this on my personal Untappd score as 5 out of 5. I will enjoy this one for seasons to come.

Brewery Links:

Stone Brewing http://www.stonebrewing.com/

Mocha IPA http://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/stone-seasonals/stone-mocha-ipa#ageGatePassed

Beer Review: Evil Twin Liquid Double Fudge

From Evil Twin Brewing comes the Liquid Double Fudge, this Imperial Stout boasts an ABV of 12% and the estimated IBU found places this one at 60, although bitterness was not really much of an issue for this dark ale during my tasting of it. Seeing something called Liquid Double Fudge was pretty much an automatic pickup for me when I saw it during a beer run. So let’s talk about it some, but if you would like to see my video review of this beer then please go ahead and click on the YouTube video which is listed here as part of this post.

Appearance:

Starting with appearance, I found it to be very nice in both the color of the body which was a nice dark brown color and probably as dark as it could be without being jet black as well as the foaminess of the tan or beige colored head which came out to be just about two fingers from the pour. With a stout, there are some limitations on the appearance but it represented itself very well and as it was being consumed, the lacing left behind was nicely done.

Aroma:

Aroma-wise, the beer was just oozing with sweetness from the malts and I was able to easily pick-up a chocolate feel as well as that similar to the fudge for which it was striving. I was surprised by some of the vanilla tones that I noticed but it just added to the beer very nicely. In the end, it delivered roasted coffee and chocolate notes in a way that you would expect a stout to do so.

Flavor / Palate:

So it looked good and it smelled good, but did it taste good? Isn’t that what we are really seeking when it comes to beers? Just as sweetness was received in the aroma, the taste followed right along the same lines. Now for some this could be an issue, but understanding what the beer is and what it should do then it shouldn’t be one. The beer’s taste was definitely that of decadence making it deserving of something like a dessert beer or maybe one for a nightcap. The thickness and full body of it just coated my mouth so nicely, that it was really like drinking a dessert. There was no issue with carbonation and although there was some light bitterness in the initial and finish, the overall creaminess of it was so smooth that any slight bitterness was easily offset.

Overall Summary:

So overall, I think that Evil Twin has put together a solid beer with this offering that is offered year-round. But for some it may weigh too heavy so bringing a friend to share it with could be a good idea, especially of you have a 22 ounce bottle like I did. There is a slight booziness and warming that will also come through on the beer but again at a 12% ABV, it is kind of expected that may be the case. As far as any rating score for how it fit for me overall in my beer enjoyment scale, I scored it 3.75 out of 5 placing it strongly in the area of good and just off of being very good.

Brewer Notes: N/A

Beer Review: Victory Jubilee

Jubilee from Victory Brewing Company is described as a Bière Brut when it comes to a beer style. If you are not familiar with that style then think of beer meets champagne, and this ale is the focus of my latest review here which you can see in my YouTube video at the end of this post.

Now I will tell you that I am not always the biggest champagne lover but the beer caught my eye and part of the fun of reviewing beers is trying ones that expand your horizons. This one did not fall short of that, and was able to bring something different with its effervescence and Belgium qualities. Check out my YouTube review to see my thoughts on it, and if you’ve had it then let me know what you thought as well.

Brewer Notes:

Join the Jubilee as we toast to 21 years of Victory! This lush and decadent Biére Brut has been fermented with sparkling wine yeast to marry lively effervescence with rich, fruit-forward flavors of Belgian-style ales. German Blanc hops impart aromas of pear, apple, and white grape while citrus and spice flavors culminate in a crisp, wine-like finish.

Composition

Malt: Pilsner
Hops: German Blanc
ABV: 12.0%

Flavor

Pours golden yellow/orange, with a nice white head. Immediate aromas of pear, green apple, white grape, and spice, with hints of a floral presence. Flavor/mouthfeel is lively and intense with flavors of orange peel, spice, cloves and pear (will be highly carbonated). Finish is dry, crisp and warming.

Availability

Available in 750 ml bottles.

Beer Review: Shmaltz Klingon Imperial Porter

Beer meets sci-fi with this one, and I couldn’t be any happier or geeked by what has been produced. The Klingon Imperial Porter from Shmaltz Brewing is a bold Imperial Porter that comes in at an ABV of 7.3% and 60 IBU. Not too thin, this one did deliver well during my enjoying of this brew and provided a nice overall aroma and flavor. The appearance was solid although I would have liked to have gotten more out of its head, but one is here to enjoy the beer and simply not just look at it. Check out my video to see all of my other thoughts on this ale and 'IwlIj jachjaj, that’s Klingon for “May your Blood Scream” or Cheers as we use it, lol.

Brewer Notes:

The First of 3 Limited STAR TREK Releases in 2017

STAR TREK KLINGON IMPERIAL PORTER

MALTS: Specialty 2-Row, Vienna, Melanoidin, Crystal, Honey, Pale Chocolate

HOPS: Columbus, Vanguard

Raise a goblet of Klingon Imperial Porter to the strongest warriors in the Galaxy. Discover the ruby undertones that pay homage to Klingon Bloodwine and fallen warriors who hold honor above life. “There is no honor in attacking the weak,” so take pleasure in besieging this 7.3% ABV Imperial Porter. But like this mighty elixir, Klingons also have a sweet side: Witness the wedding ritual where the gods forge two hearts so strong that once joined together cannot be opposed. (Just ignore the part of the ceremony where the groom swings his bat’leth at the bride!) A Klingon proverb states: “Death is an experience best shared,” and so is the first Star Trek limited release of 2017. Qapla’!

Beer Review: Victory Tart Ten

This is a look at the Tart Ten from Victory Brewing out of Pennsylvania. This sour ale beer is based in part on that of the Belgian dubbel style. For me, the beer poured a nice reddish amber color and capped out well with a nice two finger foamy head. There is no hiding the tartness on this 10% ABV ale, but what is well hidden was the taste of the alcohol making this a dangerous one that may sneak up on you. Check out my video review here to see more of my thoughts on this brew.

Brewery Notes:

Belgium’s vast history of brewing and beer styles has inspired us at Victory for decades. Settling in on the comfort a dubbel ale provides, we sparked that style up a bit with brettanomyces fermentation. The result is rich in flavor but light in body—sharp in impression but smooth in finish. You’ll Taste Victory as Tart Ten takes your palate on a new journey!

Composition

Malt: Pilsner, Vienna, Munich, Cara 350, Cara 150, Acidulated
Hops: Saaz
ABV: 10.0%

Flavor

This bold, copper-hued, brettanomyces-infused beer entices with a delicious tart flavor combined with its slight malt character and stellar carbonation.

Unboxing: EricALionsFan Beer Mail Surprise

It's always nice to receive a surprise. Who doesn't like getting one? I think just about everyone does. So when my my buddy Eric decided to drop me out a little beer as a surprise in the box, I was appreciative and ready to get this baby open. Check out my video here to see what it may be. Yes, indeed.

Beer Run: Here's What I Got Today!

I decided to attend our recent Beer, Bourbon and Bacon Festival today and following, what is better than a beer run on the way home? So that’s what I decided to do, and here you can check out my video to see what I happened to acquire during the run which ended up yielding some good deals. This is why I keep more than one store in my rotation, because having a variety brings together various opportunities especially when each store may offer something differently. The specialty of this store is that it does well with offering some closeout deals and beers at near wholesale prices. Check out the video below to see what I mean.

Beer Review: New Belgium Cherry Almond Ale

The Cherry Almond Ale from New Belgium Brewing is I guess what one could call a fruit ale in how it may be described for a style. The beer provides a great appearance with its reddish brown color and nice tannish and foamy head. Drinking this brought up images and tastes associated with chocolate covered cherries. This definitely played out as a malt forward beer and of course that is no surprise considering the IBU on this ale is only 16. And at an ABV of 5.8% the beer doesn’t play out too heavy, although its sweetness could become a factor for some. Check out my video below to see more of my thoughts on this limited availability ale.

Brewer Notes:

With a vibrant splash of cherry, and gentle chocolate aromas, our Cherry Almond Ale delicately balances malty sweetness with a refreshingly bitter finish. Find it only in Folly Packs in early 2017.

TASTING NOTES

VISUAL: Bright ruby/mahogany color with a light off-white foam.
AROMA: Coffee, roasted malt and chocolate initially with some caramel, cherries, cola and nuts, slight smoke.
FLAVOR: Sweet throughout with very subtle sour middle and a mild lingering bitterness.
MOUTHFEEL: Starts lightly coating, finishes astringent.
BODY: Medium body.

BEER FACTS

ABV: 5.8
IBU: 16
YEAST: Ale
HOPS: Nugget, Cascade
MALTS: Pale, Munich, C-120, Victory, Black Prinz

Beer Review: Lagunitas Lagunator Lager

The Lag or Lagunator Lager is a California Common from Lagunitas Brewing that provides a nice amount of maltiness with a little bit of bite from the hops used. I decided to pick up this bottle as my curiosity was aroused, especially as it is also related to being a bock. Check out my video located below to see my full insights on this beer.

Brewer Notes:

It’s a dry-hopped California Common with a massive malt character, rounded out by a bitter balance from some experimental hops from the Yakima Valley; this beer will leave you saying ‘I’ll be bock!’

AVAILABILITY: May - June

IBU/ABV: 42 / 7.7%

INTRODUCED: 06/1998

SOLD AS: 22 Oz. and On Tap

Beer Review: Avery Hog Heaven

I always enjoy a good Imperial IPA and Hog Heaven from Avery Brewing Company was one that I happened to find on a local beer run and was looking forward to trying. Pouring a nice reddish color as an Imperial Red IPA the beer did provide a nice appearance. But what really surprised me was that with the high IBU noted on Untappd as 104, the beer played smoother than expected. Side note, Avery should really provide this detail on their website so it can be easily seen. But back to the beer, the flavor and taste was very decent and there is a great balance between the malts and the hops. This applied to a good finish definitely makes it worth a try, and was part of the reason why I scored this one on Untappd as 4 out of 5. Check out my YouTube video to see more of my thoughts on this fine brew.

Brewer Notes:

This dangerously drinkable garnet beauty is a hop lover’s delight. The intense dry-hop nose and the alcohol content are perfectly balanced for a caramel malt backbone. This is a serious beer for serious beer aficionados. Oink!

AVAILABILITY: Year-round: 4-pack, 22-ounce and draft
IBU/ABV: 104 (Untappd)/9.2%
HOPS: Columbus
MALTS: 2-Row and C-80
YEAST: London Ale
SUGGESTED PAIRINGS: BBQ Nachos - Hog's hops cut the fattiness of the cheese, and its maltiness is a beautiful complement to the smoked meats.

Instagram Beer Shot

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