3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, Belgian IPA, Stone Brewing Co., USA

Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

Tuesday, 27 October 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Stone Brewing Co.
Country: USA
ABV: 6.9%
Style: Belgian IPA
Other Notes: A California-style IPA with a Belgian twist.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) The term “Cali” hints that this is a California-style IPA, and “Belgique”/”Belgie” highlights its undeniable Belgian influence. We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that presents a delicious twist but keeps the beer recognisable as a relative of its very American predecessor. Think of it as Stone IPA’s otherwise identical twin that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

This beer looks the same as Stone IPA, yet there is something unmistakably transformed. The aromas of Stone IPA and this beer have some similarities, but Stone Cali-Belgique IPA is decidedly a bit more, shall we say, different. A gentle sweetness joins the fold; you might even pick up hints of bubblegum. All in all, we find it fascinating and delicious the way the Belgian yeast expresses itself. And so we proudly say, “C’est avec le grand plaisir que nous le presentons vous!” or “Het is met geweldig genoegen dat wij het naar u voorstellen!”

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.27
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.3

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with a bottled on date of 14th July 2015 and an enjoy by date of 11th November 2015. Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: It poured a clear golden colour with a one finger white head that dissipated quickly leaving thin sticky lacing.
Aroma: Belgian yeasts, bready malt, honey, citrus lemon and orange.
Taste: Starts sweetish with honey, banana and bubblegum followed by biscuit and some light citrus orange, lemon and grapefruit giving it a light bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Dry, medium bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall: The Belgian yeast really shows in both the aromas and taste and is a decently made Belgian IPA.

5 - Excellent (must buy), American Pale Ale, Beer Reviews, Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, USA

Toppling Goliath pseudoSue

Wednesday, 21 October 2015 kitch Leave a comment

My 100th beer review, and I’ve saved a great beer to celebrate this.

Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 5.8%
Style: American Pale Ale
Other Notes: 50 IBUs. Brewed by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Decorah, IA under special agreement with Brew Hub, Lakeland, FL.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) This single hop pale ale showcases the Citra hop for a well balanced beer that is delicate in body with a mild bitterness in the finish. Ferocious aromas of citrus and mango give way to pseudoSue’s unique and refreshing taste that is clean and bright with just enough bite!

My rating: 5
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.53
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.4

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle bottled on 15th June 2015 and poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: It poured a slightly hazy golden orange colour with a one finger white head that fades fairly quickly to a thin foamy layer but leaves lots of nice spotty lacing.
Aroma: A nice mix of citrus and tropical fruits with orange, lemon, grapefruit, passionfruit and mango. There are hints of pine here and there.
Taste: Starts off tropical with mango and passionfruit leading the way in addition to hints of peach and apricot along the way. The finish is a nice lightly bitter grapefruit and orange pith. The balance between sweet and bitter here is perfect.
Mouthfeel: Dry, crisp, light to medium bodied with mid to high carbonation.
Overall: I loved it. Lived up to its hype and is in my opinion better than Zombie Dust. I really need to find more of this must buy beer.

4 - Good (buy), American IPA, Beer Reviews, Surly Brewing Company, USA

Surly Furious

Monday, 19 October 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Surly Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 6.6%
Style: American IPA
Other Notes: Malt – 2-row, Golden Promise, Aromatic, Medium Crystal, Roasted Barley. Hops – Warrior, Ahtanum, Cascade, Simcoe, Amarillo.

Brewer Description: (from can) A tempest on the tongue, or a moment of pure hop bliss? Brewed with a dazzling blend of American hops and Scottish malt, this crimson-hued ale delivers waves of citrus, pine and caramel-toffee. For those who favor flavor, Furious has the hop-fire your taste buds have been screaming for.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.29
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.2

Intro: A 16 fl oz can canned on 8th July 2015 and poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass.
Appearance: It poured a clear copper amber colour with slightly less than two finger white head that leaves spotty lacing.
Aroma: Tropical fruit especially mango, peach and apricot, caramel malt, biscuit and hints of grass and pine.
Taste: Less fruit than I expected. Mainly malt, biscuit, caramel and lasting piney bitterness. Maybe a hint of citrus grapefruit, and its peel, but not much.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.
Overall: A very nice IPA. It was a lot less fruity than I expected after taking a whiff of the aromas, but the malty and piney hop bitterness was balanced and very good.

4 - Good (buy), American Pale Ale, Beer Reviews, Toppling Goliath Brewing Company, USA

Toppling Goliath Light Speed Pale Ale

Friday, 16 October 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 5.8%
Style: American Pale Ale
Other Notes: 70 IBUs.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) This seasonal pale ale was crafted with a perfect mixture of Millennium hops and Falconer’s flight blend. Inviting orange aroma and hints of lemon flavor in this medium-bodied beauty will make you want to drink yours at light speed!

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.36
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.2

Intro: A 22 fl oz bomber with a bottled on date of 7th July 2015. Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: Poured a cloudy golden orange colour with a one finger white head that had good retention and nice stringy lacing.
Aroma: Strong tropical fruits especially mango, pineapple and peach with hints of grass and citrus fruits like grapefruit and orange pulp.
Taste: Hop-forward for sure, but very tea like at the same time. Its like a bitter and citrus (orange and lemon) tea with hints of bready malts.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with light carbonation (too light in my opinion).
Overall: A great pale ale that is very easy to drink. It kind of reminds me a bit of tea and makes it interesting. The only thing is that I would have preferred more carbonation in it although this may take away the interesting tea like feel that I currently get.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, Evil Twin Brewing, Farmhouse Saison, USA

Evil Twin Ryan And The Beaster Bunny

Thursday, 15 October 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Evil Twin Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 7%
Style: Belgian Saison
Other Notes: Brewed by Evil Twin Brewing at Two Roads Brewing Company.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) In Denmark we have a lovely tradition for seasonal beer, and what you have here is certainly no exception. This is a never before seen collaboration between Ryan and the Beaster Bunny. A fluffy and precious Saison originally conceived of on the beautiful island of Fano on the west coast of Denmark. It may sound like a true fairytale, but don’t be fooled by it’s cute appearance.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.66
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.5

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with a date code of 056:15 meaning that it was bottled on 25th February 2015. It was poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: It poured a slightly hazy orange colour with a one finger creamy white head that dissipated fairly quickly to thin layer of foam leaving spotty lacing.
Aroma: Belgian yeastiness with honey, coriander, pear, lemon zest and a hint of peppery spice.
Taste: Similar to the aroma, it tastes of Belgian yeast, honey, banana, brown sugar, coriander, pear, sour apple, dry biscuit with a hint of citrus lemon zest and pepper spice.
Mouthfeel: Dry, medium bodied with high lively carbonation.
Overall: This was a solid saison, but usually I prefer more sour and less bitter.

words of another dreamy traveller