The Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced IPA from Boston Beer Company is a mango influenced IPA through the use of mango juice, which is combines citrusy hops to create something of a juicier type IPA. The appearances itself is a very nice one on this beer, and the aroma and taste both end up being somewhat decent which for me was better this time around then when I had initially tasted it during a beer festival. Check out my video here to see and hear my other thoughts on this one.
Brewer Notes:
Swirling with ripe aromas of mango and tropical fruits, this IPA is jam-packed with juicy, citrusy hops and mango juice. It’s as if we took fresh hops and mangos and put them in a juicer.
STYLE - Tropical IPA
AVAILABILITY -Year Round - Draft, 6-pack bottles
HOP VARIETIES - Zeus, Mosaic, Mandarina
MALT VARIETIES - Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend
The Scorcher IPA from Brooklyn Brewery is described as a session IPA that comes in with an ABV of 4.5%. Piney and grapefruity in the aroma and taste along with its solid body and mouthfeel, it is easy to forget that this one is a session IPA. Find out more of my thoughts on this beer by checking out my video here.
Brewer’s Notes:
Brooklyn Scorcher IPA is a surprisingly sessionable IPA. A floral, piney aroma strikes first, followed by a burst of mouthwatering bitterness as the hops begin their attack. Suddenly, a hint of toasty malt and a clean, lively finish burst in to leave you thirsty for more. It’s ludicrously tasty, and at a reasonable 4.5%, it’s a beer you can come back to again and again. Try it with spicy foods, salads, grilled meats, cheddar, feta or just another Scorcher IPA.
Lexington, Kentucky is home to Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company and this is a look at their Kentucky Honey Barrel Brown Ale. This 10% ABV Imperial Brown Ale is brewed with Kentucky honey and ginger and aged in oak bourbon barrels. Check out my review here to see what I think of this newly found brew.
Brewer Notes:
As every drop of the ale is aged in fresh bourbon barrels, the caramel and vanilla flavors of the barrel are imparted upon the beer and balance with the spiciness of the ginger. At 10 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), this malty, limited release seasonal makes for a flavorful sipping beer to enjoy during the holiday season.
Saturday afternoon, what to do? Well, what do you think? It’s time for a beer run and this time, I decided to go blind on what may be in the box. GreatBrewers.com has created variety craft beer boxes to showcase craft beers. Nowhere on the outside does the box tell you what’s inside, so I am truly playing what’s in the box. This should be interesting, check out my video here to see what I find.
Some days, I just think Cincinnati should be “Brewnati,” because we have so many different beer things happening that one cannot even keep up anymore. So here is the Ville De Rivere Geuze from our own Rivertown Brewery and Barrel House, 6.2% ABV and 8 IBU make up this 3 malt and 1 hop sour Geuze. Now if you are not familiar with the Geuze style, it is a type of Lambic that is done by blending a 1 year old Lambic with and a 2 to 3 year old Lambic, but with this brew it was a one and a three that was used and then allowed to mature in the bottle, but this was after it was already aged in oak wine barrels.
So knowing all of this, why would I not try this beer? Oak, like, wine barrels, like, Belgian style, like, sours, like…all I needed was a glass and then this review was off and going. Now, you can see the video to gather my thoughts on the beer, but the beer is definitely a pretty one from the pour and the aroma is on point for sure. But the taste did hit with more tart than I expected, which for me made it more like a tart bomb which was neither good nor bad but depending on your sour level and how much you like to pucker, it could be something to consider before trying this one. But as far as being a sour beer and of the Geuze style there was no mistaking that, it delivered, but I also think it over delivered on the tartness that was received which led to my Untappd score on this one being 3 out of 5.
Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale and Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, three good quality ales that alone stand as decent beers. But what happens when you take some from each and put them together in one brew? Well my friends, at that point you are a Lucky Bastard or a Lukcy Basartd as described by Arrogant Brewing.
This Special Release Ale features a dry-hopped blend of the aforementioned beers and was first released in 2010 in celebration of the 13th anniversary of Arrogant Bastard Ale. At 8.5% ABV, this beer is not one to probably be taken lightly although I didn’t have too much trouble in finishing this 22 ounce gem. It drinks more like a light Barleywine and is one to easily slide into for an easy comfortable feel. If you find it then I think that it’s definitely worth checking it out, and watch my video here to see my additional thoughts. My Untappd score on this one: 4 out of 5.