Getting My Beer On With Bell's Third Coast Old Ale

This one comes from the cellar as I decided to pull out a Third Coast Old Ale from Bell’s Brewery, another fine Michigan Brewery. This American Style Barley Wine Ale carries an ABV of 10.2% and is noted by its shelf life being unlimited by Bell’s, lol. Available in September and October, this beer is meant to be held for a while, if you can and choose to do so. Speaking of which, here is my cellar experience with this one.

My version was that of the 2015 vintage and this was actually done in April, so I guess I aged the review as well. I will say that there was not a wow factor for me, but it was a very smooth ale. I was able to pick up some nice tones of the caramel and toffee from the malts as well as some of what I would call black licorice and dark fruit notes often associated with a Barleywine. Full bodied, this beer is definitely one you may enjoy more in the cooler part of the day. There also was not as heavy of an alcohol presence, and even when fresher it was still hidden well enough. Overall, it was just a nice pleasant beer top sit back and enjoy and one that I was glad to pick up. Check out the video to hear and see more of this one, and if you have had it before then let me know what you thought of it by dropping a comment below.

Getting My Beer On With Shmaltz Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.

Lenny Bruce a prolific comedian of days past and one definitely deserving of a beer such as Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. from Shmaltz Brewing out of New York. Anytime something is dedicated in the name of an icon, there is a hope that it pulls it off and Shmaltz has pretty much done that with this beer. Coming in at 10% ABV, 86 IBU, this beer is defined as having an obscene amount of malts, and hops and what better than this beer to represent Lenny. For me, this beer packed in many good things from its appearance to the aroma to the taste and flavor, there was just a lot of good things happening.

Starting with that appearance, the color is just a nice brilliant caramel tone with a head capping it in a nice tannish color. The rye is easy to pick up in the aroma and taste and for a 10% beer; it is smooth in texture and flavor making it slightly dangerous to those that may rush through it. A good caramel or toffee type tone comes through in the flavor that is well balanced between the malts used, and speaking of malts. Shmaltz pulls off a nice balance of the malt backbone versus the number of hops also used; this does not play like a high IBU beer. It is full bodied for sure, and the mouthcoating left was impressive. Overall, this beer is just damn solid and worth a go in my opinion. Check out the video to see and hear more on this one, and if you have had it then let me know what you thought of it by dropping a comment as well. Cheers!

Getting My Beer On With Arcadia Ales Barrel Aged Shipwreck

The Barrel Aged Shipwrecked Porter from Michigan based Arcadia Ales is a 12% ABV 50 IBU Baltic-Style Porter that is aged 12 months in 10-year old Kentucky bourbon oak barrels. I found this one to be somewhat enjoyable, although while full-bodied, I did find it thinner than I expected. For me, there was a good amount of dark fruit play and the booziness was not escapable. The sweetness of the malts did balance well versus the bitterness, and overall it was a smooth beer. The licorice tone was probably one of the more dominating features for me, and I would have thought there would have been a little more oakiness in the taste although you do get it some on the nose. Decent enough and definitely worth a try if you are a dark beer fan, check out the video to see and hear more of my thoughts on this one. In addition, if you have had it, then let me know what you thought of it by dropping a comment below. Cheers!

Beer Flow - Can We Talk AB InBev Hype?

Tonight, we talk AB InBev and if they are really becoming the king of craft beer. We talk the opening of the Guinness Brewery in Mayland. Is it time drop craft and just go Independent? We discuss that as well as Freshfest from Pittsburgh and myself getting better at answering comments.

Getting My Beer On With America Solera The Ground Is Shaking

The Ground Is Shaking from American Solera located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a Rare Beer Exclusive that is a Flemish-Inspired Sour Brown Ale that is aged in Vin Santo Wine Casks. This 6% ABV ale is said to be best served from 50 to 57 degrees in a recommended Tulip, Goblet or Pinot glass according to the brewer. I went with a Tulip and found this one to be a very nice smooth ale that did a good job of bringing in the wine qualities from the aging in the casks, and provide a nice sour feel overall. There was the tart presence with a nice cherry feel, along with a little acidity. What I really liked about the tart was that you got it without it being overpowering as it struck a nice balance with everything else on the beer. A fine beer and treat indeed, and definitely recommend for anyone that digs a sour style and enjoys wine once and then. Check out my video to see and hear more on this one, and if you have had it then drop a comment about what you thought.

Thanks to my partners and friends, Brant and Emily for also making it possible for me to enjoy this beer.

Getting My Beer On With Alltech KY Bourbon Barrel Stout

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout from Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. based in Lexington, Kentucky, is an 8% ABV ale and a multi-medal winner from the brewery. I have to admit that the beer was smooth, and there was a nice touch of the coffee and vanilla notes. Some oakiness did also come through in the beer injecting some of the notes from the barrel aging. It did play a little thin, but outside of that, it proved to be solid for sure. Check out the video to see and hear more on this one, and if you have had it before then drop a comment on your thoughts about it as well.