Must Try this Beer!! Hell or High Watermelon

If anyone knows of where I can get this beer in Colorado please tell me! I would love to try it! Or if you find it in Oregon you should send it to me! Or if you're in San Francisco please go to 21st Amendment Brewing and buy some and send to me!

Tangerine Cream Stout, Mountain Sun

This stout is packed full of chocolate malts which make for a rich and smooth drink. This is the Mountain Sun's Korova Stout with tangerine zest added to the brew, and you definately notice! The smell of tangerines pops right out at you first thing, and the subtle taste of tangerines combined with chocolate makes this stout wonderful. Poured on nitro, this beer had a very thick, creamy head that lasts for the whole glass. 

So good you can't only order one! I ordered two pints and savored each of them. Get it while you can, as it's only at the Southern Sun until it runs out! Or atleast try to get it before I buy the rest....you don't know what you're missing!

Malt: Marris Otter English Pale, Munich Malt, 120L Crystal Malt, Black Malt, Chocolate Malt, Victory Malt, CaraPils Malt, Roasted Barley

Hops: Fuggle

***** (TM)

Shark Attack Double Red, Port Brewing Co

Aroma: Sweet but prominent and powerful hop aroma.

Taste: A stronger than expected maltiness, most notably crystal malt, followed by a strong hop character. Also, a good balance of malt and hops, smoother than the average hoppy ale.

Color: I wouldn't call it red... But it was certainly lighter than a stout and darker than an amber, so just go with it

***.5 - (KM)
***.5 - (TM)

Ruination IPA, Stone

STONE Ruination IPA

Aroma: Intensley bitter, hoppy. This brew packs a punch even before you taste it.

Dave says: "In fact, it packs so much of a punch it punched my mom in the face. When my mom called she said ouch, why the fuck did you do that!?"

Taste: An IPA, thus hoppy and bitter, but more distinguishing, a pine forest jumps out and the finish is filled with the flavor of centennial hops.

Color: Dark gold. Meaning darker than a pilsner, but not the unfiltered look of a hefewiezen. The sort of IPA that screams "refreshing, yet serious."

**** - (TM)
**** - (KM)
???? - (DH)

Yeti Imperial Stout, Great Divide

Great Divide describes the Yeti Imperial Stout as "an onslaught of the senses," and we are inclined to agree. The beer pours midnight black, with a creamy chocolate-colored head and an assertively malty nose. To make things interesting, it's also loaded with 75 IBUs worth of American hops, giving it an unexpectedly bitter kick.

We really weren't sure what to make of this beer on the first sip. It went down smoothly, but initially had an odd lingering flavor on the front/middle of the palate. The strangeness could simply have been the highly roasted malt, or perhaps the 9.5% ABV, which is hard to detect but not impossible to. A rich, chocolate/caramel flavor then followed, finishing off with a strong, hoppy bite. One of us actually noted the hops before the other flavors. It might go well with chocolate desserts or a nice juicy steak.

On the whole, we found the bitterness of this stout conflicted too strongly with the malty sweetness, resulting in flavors that contradicted each other more than they complimented. Overall an interesting beer, but it did not suit our tastes.

***(DC.)
***(S.)
**(BTM.)

Note:
For comparison, we tried the 6 month oak-aged version, which was much more balanced and well-rounded. The bitterness is more subdued, and it goes down smoother than its younger counterpart. It's definitely the way to go if your preference is for something a bit milder.

Buzzsaw Brown Ale, Deschutes

I got home from a long night at work and pulled this beer out of my fridge. The beer pours with a foamy, tan head and has a slight floral aroma to it. Upon my first sip, I was surprised there is not much to this beer. Slightly hoppy and not bitter, very smooth, and nutty. I enjoy the malt flavors in this beer, and I think it would be even better if enjoyed with a sandwich or burger.

I think it's very refreshing, and very well balanced. No specific flavors pop out at you. I probably wouldn't order or buy this over other beers. But if you're in the mood for a satisfying meal and a good beer the Buzzsaw is the way to go.

*** (TM)

*** (DH) Really refreshing with lunch on a hot day!

Elysian: The Wise ESB

An excellent ESB from Elysian Brewing. The use of four different malts and three kinds of hops creates a wonderful blend of sweet and bitter. The taste is malty at the front and mid point of the tounge, and finishes with a mild bitter that leaves a hint of flowery hops at the base of your nose. A very slight hint of oranges edges the taste.

As with most ESB's, this beer is a great substitute for an IPA and your average amber ale. This a greate choice for a winter warmer or a refreshing late spring brew.

-Brian


***1/2: (B.T.M) Good beer, I would buy it over a lot of others, but not the most amazing I have tasted. I would say it's a solid average in the ESP department.

Inversion IPA, Deschutes

From Deschutes Brewery in Bend OR

Citrusy, amazing floral aromas, traditional IPA character, and thats just straight out of the bottle! Sweet hop aromas from the chilled glass, another full palleted beer from Deschutes.

One of the few IPA's we've had that can balanace the malt with the hoppiness without detracting from the overall character.

****(DH)

*****(KM)
****1/2 (DC) Definitely a great IPA :)
****1/2 (S)

Shakespeare Stout, Rogue

If you're a fan of stouts and you haven't tried this one, you're really missing out. Thick, dry, and creamy, it perfectly balances a robust coffee nose and roasted malt flavors with a hint of smokiness, and leaves the palate with a pleasant bitterness. An absolutely fantastic beer. Go and buy a bottle, like right now.

*****(D.C.)

***** (TM) I want to marry this beer.

Singletrack, Boulder Beer

A light, delicately balanced copper ale. Subtle citrusy flavors followed by a faint hoppy finish. Dark golden in color with a foamy white head. Not something I'd write home about, but good nonetheless.


***1/2 (DC)
*** (TM)
*** (DH)

Hog Heaven, Avery

Hog Heaven is for the serious beer drinker, at 9.2%ABV and 104 IBUs. With a rich and smooth malty flavor and an intense dry-hopped aroma this beer gives you the perfect balance of bitterness and caramel taste at the end.

This is another beer that improves with age, so buy a bottle and keep in in your collection for a year to enjoy it even more!

****1/2 (S.)
****1/2 (DC.)
**** (TM.)

Rogue Old Crustacean Barley Wine

Filtered: No Awesome: Yes

Its dark, and malty, and at 110IBU it'll knock your tastebuds off like a freight train. Its robust enough to take on experienced beer drinkers; and like all Rogue beers: "Disgusting to Newbies."

The resealable ceramic bottle will make a good addition to my homebrew supply; and the bottle i'm going to age for the rest of the year will make a good addition to my closet. Look for the review in the fall for a 6mo barley wine!

**** (DH)

Drop Top, Widmer

A fruity smell and taste of orange peel and peaches. Malty, but not hoppy. A great summer ale.

***** (T.) Best. Amber. Ever.
**** (D.) One of my favorite ambers
**** (S.) Good strong flavors

Full Sail Amber

A robust flavor of roasted malts with a slight hop to it.

**** (D.) Very good
**** (T.) Always one of my favorites
***1/2 (S.) Surprisingly deliscious

Red Fox Amber, Rouge

Bitter finish with a slightly fruity and citrusy taste.

**** (D.) Pretty hoppy for and amber, but very good
*** (T.) Too hoppy for what an amber should be...more like a red.
*** (S.) Seemed more like a Red, but was good

Fat Tire, New Belgium

A malty, chocolaty and carmally taste. Roasted grains and no hops.

*** (T.) I enjoyed the chocolate undertones
*** (D.) A little too bland, but still good
** (S.) A bit too bland for my taste. The flavors didn't seem to stand on their own.

American Amber, Rouge

A hoppy amber, nearly an IPA with a bitter finish. Good but not if you're looking for a traditional amber.

** (T.)

Ropewalk Amber, Bridgeport

A favorite amber ale of ours. It is malty with nutty tastes that leaves you with the smell of banana bread.
**** (T.)
**** (D.)

Black Butte Porter, Deschutes

Very mollassesy with nice coffee and chocolate undertones. We have always enjoyed this porter!

*** (D.)
**1/2 (T.)
***(DH)

Pipeline Porter, Kona

Spicy, black pepper after taste. Hints of espresso and chocolate. Very very good. (T & D.)
**** (T.)
**** (D.)

Black Boss, Poland

Lighter porter, very molassasey, with espresso flavors. (S.)
**** -- S
*** -- T
*** -- D

Planet Porter, Boulder Beer

Thick, mild chocolate and espresso taste. Very creamy and overall a great porter! (T & D.) ****

Titan IPA, Great Divide

Smooth and slightly bitter. Hoppy and flowery aroma. Like an IPA combined with an amber. (T., D., S., & B.)
*** -- T
**** -- D
***1/2 -- S

Threesome IPA, Roots Brewery

Like drinking a bitter forest (D.)***
Intenslely bitter with a great hop aroma. (T.)***
Very bitter, strong aroma and strong flavors (S.)***

Bridgeport, IPA

Bland & uninteresting. A bad batch perhaps, but none of us enjoyed it. Smelled a little like baby diapers.

Lagunita's IPA

Semi-bitter, peachy. A good summer beer! (T&D). ***

Avery IPA

A citrusy, piney and very bitter beer! All four of us agreed it was the best IPA in our first taste test (T.) ****

A very piney nose with strong bitterness. Really, really good. (D.) ***

Beers beers beers!

IPA's
1. Avery IPA -- Boulder, CO
2. Lagunita's IPA, Petuluma, CA
3. Bridgeport IPA, Portland, OR
4. Threesome IPA, Roots Brewery, Portland, OR
5. Titan IPA, Great Divide, Denver, CO

Porters
1. Planet Porter, Boulder Beer, Boulder, CO
2. Black Boss, Poland
3. Pipeline Porter, Kona, HI
4. Black Butte Porter, Deschutes, Bend, OR

Amber Ales
1. Ropewalk, Bridgeport, Portland, OR
2. American Amber, Rouge, Portland, OR
3. Fat Tire, New Belgium, Ft. Collins, CO
4. Red Fox, Rouge, Portland, OR
5. Full Sail Amber, Hood River, OR
6. Drop Top, Widmer, Portland, OR

Other brews
1. Mephistophles Stout, Avery, Boulder CO
2. The Beast, Avery, Boulder, CO
3. Hog Heaven, Avery, Boulder, CO
4. The Reverend, Avery, Boulder, CO
5. Old Jubilation, Avery, Boulder, CO
6. Karma, Avery, Boulder, CO
7. White Rascal, Avery, Boulder, CO
8. Hibernation Ale, Great Divide, Denver, CO
9. Never Summer, Boulder Beer, Boulder, CO
10. Island Red, Roots Brewery, Portland, OR
11. Heather Ale, Roots Brewery, Portland, OR

Great Minds Drink Alike!

Beer is a drink that can be enjoyed as thoroughly as wine, with many different types and subtle flavors that make each beer and brewery unique. Beer is a drink that can be enjoyed after a long day spent out in the mountains climbing, or after a cold day of skiing. Playing scrabble while drinking beer is a favorite past-time of ours. This blog is meant to document our thoughts of all beers we try.

About the Authors

Tim (TM.) is a Boulder native but learned his beer in Portland, OR. Living back in Boulder now, the Southern Sun is his favorite place to drink good beer; and he also enjoys the Avery Tap Room. He enjoys climbing, biking, salsa dancing and Battlestar Galactica. Tim's favorite beer is currently Root's Heather Ale.

David (DC.) is an Oregonian through and through. His love of beer began with the Black Butte Porter, from Deschutes. One of his favorite pubs to frequent is the Oak Bottom Public House in Sellwood. He expanded his knowledge of beer through his study of chemistry, and dreams of someday brewing. David enjoys climbing, Wii, and Arrested Development. Currently, his favorite beer is Rogue's Shakespeare Stout.

Sarah (S.) is living in Portland and enjoys the diversity of microbrews the city has to offer.
She is a lover of many a drink including beer, wine and tea. Sarah enjoys swimming, getting lost and Firefly. She loves to have a good beer at The Oak Bottom Public House and is currently very fond of Avery's barley wine, Hog Heaven.

Kevin (K.) is living in Boulder and struggling to figure out if Colorado or Oregon offers better microbrews. He is an enthusiastic skier, climber, salsa dancer and fan of How I Met Your Mother. Kevin enjoys dollar taco night at the Southern Sun and loves their F.Y.IPA.

Tess (TG.) is a resident of Albuquerque but at heart is a Portlander or Boulderite (she's not too sure which). She enjoys climbing, salsa dancing, skiing and Man vs. Wild, which she helped create a drinking game for! Tess loves the Luck Lab in Portland and she is a huge fan of the BBQ wings at the Southern Sun and is in love with Widmer's Drop Top Amber Ale.

David (DH.) lives in Boulder and is attempting to brew beer under his staircase. He enjoys climbing, skiing, salsa dancing, talking loudly and playing with electronics. He is the master of anything goes Scrabble at the Southern Sun and enjoys drinking their Java Porter.