Monthly Archives: February 2023

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Deschutes Brewery, Porter - Imperial, USA

Deschutes Black Butte XXVII

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Brewery: Deschutes Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 11.6%
Style: Porter – Imperial
Other Notes: 27th Birthday Reserve. Ale brewed with rose water with 50% aged in bourbon barrels blended with ale with apricot puree, cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and spices

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Our 27th Anniversary Imperial Porter was brewed with Theo’s cocoa nibs, pomegranate molasses and select spices, blended with apricot puree, and then aged in bourbon barrels. The result is a truly exquisite ale with bold chocolate character, inspired flavors of fruit, and just a pinch of spice. The perfect way for us to celebrate our golden birthday with you!

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.03
My ratebeer.com rating: 4

Intro: A 22 fl. oz. black waxed bomber, 27th birthday reserve, with a best after date of 20th July 2016. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Dark brown with an orange hue, and a thin khaki head that dissipated quickly, while leaving some sparse spotty lacing.
Aroma: Roasty, cocoa nibs, chocolate, fruity, tangy, dried apricot, orange, with soft bourbon notes.
Taste: Moderately roasty, chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla, lightly sweet, molasses, fruity, dried apricot, orange marmalade, pomegranate, and a hint of bourbon.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: Interesting series of adjuncts that I wouldn’t have put together, but results in an interesting and pretty enjoyable sipper.

4 - Good (buy), AleSmith Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy, USA

AleSmith Wee Heavy

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Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 10%
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Other Notes: Scotch style ale

Brewer Description: (from bottle) This Scottish-inspired deep mahogany-colored ale showcases a rich, malty flavor profile of caramel and toffee offset by hints of roast and subtle smoke. The complex malty sweetness includes notes of dark fruit balanced by a subdued hop bitterness. Wee Heavy is incredibly nuanced and in a class of its own in terms of balance and sophistication. It ages very well and will keep improving for years to come.

My rating: 4-
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.97
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.9

Intro: A 1 pint 9.4 fl. oz. foiled and capped bottle, with no clear bottled on or best before date. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: A cloudy amber copper orange colour with very thin beige head that dissipated quickly, while leaving some lacing.
Aroma: Dark fruit, prunes, caramel, toffee, booze, with a light roast and a hint of chocolate.
Taste: Sweet malt, light roast, caramel, toffee, dark fruit, prunes, brown sugar, with light notes of chocolate.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with light to moderate carbonation.
Overall: A nice sipper with good flavours.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, de Garde Brewing, USA, Wild Ale

de Garde The Law of Motion Réserve

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Brewery: de Garde Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 6.5%
Style: Wild Ale

Brewer Description: (from bottle) A spontaneous Wild Ale with Cider apples aged in oak barrels for four years. Made with our friends at Baird & Dewar.

My rating: 3+
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.97
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.8

Intro: A 1 pint 9.4 fl. oz. corked and capped bottle, bottled in April 2021. Poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: A nice clear golden colour with a one finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly to a ring around the glass, while leaving some lacing.
Aroma: Tart, funk, apple peel, green apple, apple cider.
Taste: Tart, sour, apple peel, apple cider, lemon juice, with light oak and pineapple notes.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: The aroma was what I was expecting, but the taste didn’t quite reflect in the same way. I thought the lemony sourness overpowered the cider a bit and the nice funkiness that I got in the aroma wasn’t very noticeable.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, de Garde Brewing, USA, Wild Ale

de Garde Riesling Ivy

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Brewery: de Garde Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 7%
Style: Wild Ale

Brewer Description: (from bottle) A spontaneous Wild Ale with Riesling grapes aged in oak barrels for two years.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.03
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.9

Intro: A 1 pint 9.4 fl. oz. corked and capped bottle, bottled in March 2021. Poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: A very nice clear golden colour with a one finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly to a ring around the glass, while leaving some lacing.
Aroma: Light tartness, sweet Riesling, with notes of pear, honey, and oak.
Taste: Lightly sour and tart, Riesling grapes, pear, green apple, oak, and a touch of lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with high carbonation (overly so).
Overall: The look and aroma was great, and the taste was nice, but the over carbonation did affect the experience as it was a touch uncomfortable on the palate. I would love to try this again with less carbonation.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Farmhouse Saison - Fruit, Jester King Brewery, USA

Jester King Farmhouse Ale Refermented with Texas Summer Melons

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Brewery: Jester King Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 5.8%
Style: Farmhouse Saison – Fruit
Other Notes: Watermelons, Casaba Melons, Santa Claus Melons, Sugar Kiss Melons

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Farmhouse Ale with Texas Summer Melons seeks to express and preserve the savory, decadent, and highly aromatic character of Texas melons in a way that only wild fermentation with native yeast can do. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and 100% naturally conditioned.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.25
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.1

Intro: A 750ml bottle, batch #1, bottled on October 2020. Poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: It was a clear straw yellow golden colour, with a one finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly, while leaving some lacing.
Aroma: Light funk, citrus zingy, tart, cucumber, melons, and lemon zest.
Taste: Tart, lightly sour, melons, cucumber, lemon zest, with a moderately funky finish.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Light, refreshing and really easy to drink. I’m not familiar with most of the melons involved, but I do generally enjoy melons and this was no exception.