New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout

I had the opportunity to experience this brew on tap at local pub in kentucky.  the beer poured out a two finger head boasting caramel colors with darker shades accenting the foams whipped up presence.  The nose was greeted by  rich malty caramel smell that was potent and sweet.  Pushing through the aromatics, the brew rushed over the palate, spreading caramel and chocolate malts with light hop notes that spice the flavor.  After the swallow a slight bitter coffee taste left lingering.  The Poet had a medium body, great aroma and an excellent taste.

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

I've had this one before, but I needed at least 2 of these to truly call this one a favorite.  I can now safely say it is.  Here's what I've found.

Appearance:  Pours an orangey apple juice with a 2.5 finger head. 

Aroma:  Floral hops, like it’s been fermented for 90 minutes (which it is!).  Best smelling beer EVER.  I am also picking up sweet malts.

Taste:  Sweet malts like caramel popcorn, with an equal punch of a grapefruity citrus finish. 

Mouthfeel:  Incredibly smooth.  Hides the booziness well.

Overall:  One of the maltiest IPA’s I’ve ever had, BUT also one of the best IPA’s  I’ve ever had. Tremendous beer.  

Ap-  A-

Ar-  A+

Ta-  A+

Mf-  A

Overall- A

While you hopefully enjoy this beer while reading our review, here's a great video that pairs nicely.

90 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware 

-stefan

Southern Tier 2XIPA

Again, this one is from my notes.

Appearance:  Straw colored.  Looks a bit like I peed in my glass....
Aroma:  I get a floral hop nose with alot of malt backing.  Very piney and resiny.
Taste:  Bitter hops upfront with a well rounded malt following.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a lingering bitterness.  Very pleasant.
Overall-  A good DIPA.  Well balanced but not quite as refreshing as other DIPA's.  One I'll continually come back to when I get the chance.

Ap-B+
Ar-A-
Ta-A
Mf-A-
Overall- A-

2XIPA

Southern Tier Brewing Company

Lakewood, New York

-stefan

Terrapin Monk's Revenge Belgian IPA

Appearance: unfiltered hazy orange. A-

Aroma: spicy, fruity, sharp.  B+

Taste: lacks on rear end, but has a sugary sweetness.  A-

Mouthfeel:  Lingering sweet bitterness.  Light on the tongue.  B+

Overall:  Hard to not to compare to Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch, but there are such striking similarities.  Unfortunately, not quite as flavorful as Raging Bitch, but still a solid Belgian IPA.

Overall- B+

'

Monk's Revenge Belgian IPA

Terrapin Brewery

Athens, Georgia

-stefan

Terrapin Hopsecutioner

I was really anxious to give this one a try after hearing so many great things.  Got this one straight out of Athens, GA, where Terrapin Brewery calls home.  The beer looks like apple juice with a one finger white head that leaves some sticky lacing with each gulp.  The aromas of piney and citrusy hops makes for one great smelling beer.  The taste is what sets this beer apart from other IPAs.  Hopsecutioner had what I would describe as a tangy bitterness, much like the way a tart grapefruit acts on your taste buds.  But the hops are most certainly present, especially with a name like Hopsecutioner.  This beauty had a medium body and was sharp across the palate.  With the sharp, hoppy, citrusy flavors this beer brings, it makes it a nearly perfect standard IPA for the spring/summer months for me.  Dare I say my personal favorite IPA?

Appearance –A

Aroma- A+

Taste- A+

Mouthfeel- A

Overall- A+

 Hopsecutioner

Terrapin Brewing Company

Athens, Georgia

-Stefan

Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster

The name alone is what attracted me to this brew.  Like Hopsecutioner, this one came fresh out of Athens, GA where Terrapin Brewery Co. calls home.  The name was not misleading.  This monster pours out a menacing dark amber color with an off white 2 finger head.  The aromas jumping out of the glass were those of dark fruits, roasted malts, and obviously hops.  The monstrous amounts of hops were balanced out by even greater amounts of malts is what the label says.  This is evident by the dark fruity flavors and the barleywine-like sweetness this beer possesses.  There was an obvious booziness as well, which I didn’t mind as it didn’t fight with any of the complexity of the beer.  I was a little scared of the monster’s color when poured, since I’m not the biggest fan of dark beers in the summer months, however I was pleasantly surprised by how light of a mouthfeel Big Hoppy Monster possessed, leaving my tongue with a crisp hop residue after each sip.  I really enjoyed the complexity of this beer and can’t wait to try it again.

Appearance- A-

Aroma-B+

Taste- A-

Mouthfeel- A

Overall- A-

Big Hoppy Monster

Terrapin Brewing Company

Athens, Georgia

-Stefan

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

Using a Snifter, this lady poured out tall and dark, boasting a one finger head of light amber foam.  The nose is overwhelmed my malts and light notes of hops and woodiness.  But as the first drink comes in you realize this lady isn't as sweet as she seems.  Hops flood the palate.  They are then flanked by a malts creating a smooth sweet flavor displaying a hoppy finish, lingering as if you were sipping an IPA.  The Indian Brown Ale's medium body and mild carbonation worked well with its malty essence leaving a pleasant feeling across your palate.  

Indian Brown Ale is a cross between a scotch ale, american brown, and an IPA.  This beer distinguishes great qualities from each style of beer.  The aroma of a scotch ale blended with the crisp hoppyness of an IPA followed by the smooth malt character of a brown ale.  I want another.

Appearance:  A

Smell:            A

Taste:            A

Mouth Feel:   A-

Overall          A

Indian Brown Ale

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware

-Jake

Dogfish Head ApriHop

It was April when we popped open this renowned seasonal brew from Dogfish Head.  An ale brewed with Apricots was very suited for this spring weather.  Appearance was similar to that of a sweet tea with an off-white creamy head.  Aroma brought forth citrusy hops with definite fruitiness (certainly the Apricots).  Sort of a standard IPA smell but with a slight Apricot fruitiness.  The first taste was of citrus hops.  The apricots swooped in and smoothed out the taste quickly to make a unique fruity flavor that paired well with the hop bitterness.  A medium bodied beer that was not quite as crisp as a  Double IPA (DIPA) nor as viscous a darker brown ale.  Like many Dogfish Head brews, it was well balanced...very different ingredients but not over the top with it.
Overall, we were very pleased with another strange Dogfish Head creation.

Appearance: A-
Aroma: A-
Taste: A-
Mouthfeel: A-
Overall: A-

-Stefan / Jake

ApriHop

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware 

Founders Double Trouble

With a pour into a Delerium Snifter, Double Trouble produced a solid 1 finger head. With such a intimidating name as Double Trouble along with the 86 IBU's and 9.40% ABV, I was unsure of what to expect.  The pour gave way to a beautifully straw colored, slightly unfiltered haziness.  The aroma is incredibly strong and overwhelms my senses.  Floral hops dominate, but don't overpower (and actually compliment) the aroma of a crisply cut grapefruit on a summer morning.  The nose is also slightly boozy, but in such a way that it pairs perfectly with the other aromas to make such a dynamic smelling beer.  Taste is exceptional...slightly bitter with a definite citrusy taste.  There's something I can't put my finger on with the taste...almost like a Belgian Trippel honey-like sweetness.  The hops cover my taste buds but not in a way punches me in the face...it ends with hoppy finishing bite.  I have no idea where the alcohol is hiding.  There is a smooth mouthfeel for this beer.  Obviously being all about hops on the nose (along with 86 IBUs) I expected a true punch in the face.  But instead I found a perfect blend of hops from all spectrums.
Overall:  I am convinced this beer fell from the heavens.  Founders yet again did an incredible job of putting some special loving into a standard brew...in this case an incredibly well balanced DIPA that is all about the hops BUT doesn't leave you puckering after each sip.  My expectations were truly exceeded.  I can see why the Trouble is in the name now...incredibly smooth and balanced yet the alcohol is no where to be found.  I want another.

Plus it has one sweet label.

Appearance-A
Aroma-A
Taste-A+
Mouthfeel-A
Overall-A

Double Trouble DIPA

Founders Brewing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

yep, that is one cool label.

-stefan

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout

My first KBS, and Wow. Amazing! Dark with minimal head and a oily appearance. The smell was dominated with coffee, a hint of chocolate and a woody bourboness that was all up in there too. Even though you can smell the bourbon, the taste of it was absent. It went down super smooth and would love to have another one. Definitely one of my top favorites, depending on the season and time. KBS hit the spot just right


Appearance A
Smell A+
Taste A+
Mouthfeel A+
Overall A+

Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Founders Brewing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan 

-DC87

Avery India Pale Ale

The Avery IPA poured out a one finger head on a pedestal of light, filtered amber.  At first, the nose catches a sweet hoppy aroma, followed by fruity esters that spice the aromatics.  The Avery IPA has a two part taste.  The palate is greeted first by a sweet malty flavor, then closely followed by a flood of hops and hints of grapefruit that flood your taste buds.  As the Avery IPA leaves the mouth a distinct after taste is left lingering on the palate; with the front of the mouth mildly dry with a light malty flavor and the back featuring grapefruit hints and hoppiness. 

Appearance       - B+

Smell                 - A-

Taste                 - B-

Mouth Feel        - C+

Overall              - B

-Jake

India Pale Ale

Avery Brewing Company

Boulder, Colorado

Green Flash, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Stone; High 78 Scotch Ale

Pours a like a giant redwood with a lush 3 finger head that quickly crumbled to the ground. The alcohol was very distinct like a stranger slapping you in the face with a oaky wooden paddle. Malts are a def. sweetness is present and bitterness is short. Medium carbonation, medium body, smooth finish nough said. Its a great beer. A fantastic collaboration that makes me want to try the other companies pizza port and green flash. A decent fetch.


Appearance B
Smell B-
Taste B+
Mouthfeel B+
Overall B+


-Yo!!! Its DC87

Highway 78 Scotch Ale

A Collaboration by

Green Flash, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Stone

Escondido, CA

Deschutes Inversion IPA

With a tilted glass and a gentle pour, the Inversion IPA still produced a two finger head bulging over the rim of glass.  Still bubbling from its pour, the body of the beer shows off a deep amber color, dappled with suspended, unfiltered sediment.  Inversion's scent projects smooth malts blended with a light, crisp, hoppy bite.

Inversion has a taste that can best be described as smooth.  First, sharp hop notes blended with light caramel and citrus hints claim your palate.  After swallowing, a sweet grapefruit aftertaste remains.  

This is a good blend.  The smooth flavor and drinkability mask Inversion IPA's 6.8% alcohol very well.  

Appearance  - A+

Smell           - B+

Taste           - A-

Mouth Feel   - A-

Overall Rating   B+

-Jake

Inversion IPA

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon

  

Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale

With an straight pour and no tilt of the glass, the head foamed up to a half inch of creamy seduction.  It's light amber hue allows light to shine through, exposing its clean filtered essence.  The first scent is won by malts with hop notes lightly accenting its pungency.  The smell is refreshing, leaving you eager to taste it.  As it floods the palate, the smooth maltyness and light hoppy finish blend to reveal floral qualities that leave a pleasant taste.  As it passes the epiglottis and descends the esophagus a sweet, hoppy taste is left in your mouth.

The beer is amazing but I feel that a full spectrum of flavor was not achieved.  Overall I would rate the Mirror Pond Pale Ale a A-

Appearance - A

Smell           - A+

Taste           - B+

Mouth Feel  - A

Overall Rating   A-

- Jake

Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Deschutes Brewery

Bend, Oregon 

In the beginning...

Beverage elitists have been gathering for generations to sip, smell, and enjoy the complexities of beer. Men like Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin and Plato found adventure in the symphony of malts and hops dancing across their palate in a choreographed blend of flavor excellence.   We are no different.  We are but three dudes with seasoned palates destined to experience the world-wide abundance of flavors.  In the ensuing posts we will recapture the essence of various beers, wines and foods as we venture out on our own to wherever life takes us.