Oak Aged Baltic Porter

Homebrew

We had a few extra gallons of our Baltic Porter (7.5% abv) so we cask-conditioned it and added some French oak chips that had been soaked in Makers Mark bourbon.

The oak added a really nice bit of aroma and flavor, and a hint of extra tannins in the finish as well.  Super smooth and drinkable beer.

Carbonation is moderate to light, flavor is initially quite malty, but that is quickly followed by some oak and vanilla.  Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, but there is a good bit of astringency in the finish that helps clean up the palate.

Damn good beer, if I do say so myself.

Brother Thelonius

Not sure if I reviewed this one before or not, so I'll just say it is one of my favorites from North Coast brewing.

Critical Hit

Barleywine
Ninkasi Brewing, Eugene, Oregon
22oz bottle, 11.7%abv

Pours dark amber and clear, with a moderate head.

Aroma is lots of sweet malt and a good amount of citrusy and floral hops.

Flavor is intensely malty and hoppy, but simple. Some caramel sweetness, but mostly just tastes like a big amber.

Mouthfeel is initially creamy, smooth and rich, but then turns strongly bitter.  Bitter enough that it cleans up the strength and sweetness and makes you want another drink.

Overall a surprisingly drinkable beer.  The balance ends up about perfect for this big of a beer. It's not a super complex flavor, but its damn good.

Moose & Squirrel

Imperial Stout
Laurelwood Brewing, Portland, OR
8.6%abv, 22oz bottle

Pours black and opaque with a dark tan head

Aroma is coffee and lightly roasty.

Flavor is roast malt and some alcohol.  Simple, but good.

Mouthfeel is moderately full and rich, but balanced and finishes fairly clean with substantial warmth.

A nice, simple American style imperial stout.  Tasty.

Beer Advent final day

Can't believe it's over!

And of course the last beer is Samichlaus.  Maybe now I'll get around to drinking the one from last year...

Cantillon Fou'Foune

Lambic brewed with apricots and aged in oak barrels
Brasserie Cantillon, Brussels, Belgium
5% abv, 750ml bottle

A rare and hard to get Belgian sour beer. This is pretty much perfect -- super sour, very dry, only subtle hints of fruit and oak that blend perfectly and don't overpower the underlying lambic.

Yum!

Drunken Elves...

...have been seen in the vicinity stealing beer and martinis.  Keep an eye on your alcohol!

Beer Advent Day 22

Laurelwood Moose & Squirrel Russian Imperial Stout

Smisje Catherine

The Great Imperial Stout --  Beer Advent  day 18
De Regenboog brewery, Brugge, Belgium
11.2oz bottle, 10%abv

Pours clear and dark brown -- not black as expected -- with a moderate tan head.

Flavor is rich and roasty with lots of nutty hints.  A tiny bit of Belgian funk is apparent as well, but a very mild amount.  Some alcohol is also noted.  While it's a flavorful beer, its very different and considerably lighter than most imperial stouts I've ever had, and much more so than traditional American ones.

Mouthfeel is well balanced. Warming, but with a crisp hint of bitterness and a bit of astringency.

Different than expected, but very, very nice.

Beer Advent Day 21

Deschutes Dissident

This has a "best after" date of 8/20/2013 so goes straight to the cellar.

Beer Advent Day 20

Brux!

Russian River/Sierra Nevada collaboration

Beer Advent Day 19

Bottleworks/Stone brewing.

Firestone Walker Double DBA

(This was beer advent day 9)

Barrel aged imperial special bitter
Firestone Walker Brewing, Paso Robles, CA
22oz bottle, 12%abv

Pours dark amber with a small amount of white head.

Aroma is light chocolate and toffee -- very much like Almond Roca. Some alcohol as well. Quite nice.

Flavor is similar -- rich, malty, with toffee/chocolate notes.  Balanced, not too sweet.  A hint of alcohol, but not overpowering.  A little wood and vanilla from the barrel.Really, really good.

Mouthfeel is rich without being too big. Good alcohol heat, but not enough to be overpowering.  Finish is a little sweet, but still balanced.

This is how a big malty beer should be.  The recent Avery and North Coast offerings are pretty awful in comparison.

Belgian Beer Dinner Followup

Just a quick update whit some final thoughts while last night's great meal is still fairly fresh in my mind:

• Starter snack was dark rye toast with a soft two-cheese spread and thinly sliced radish on top. Simple, but seriously delicous.
• The elk/beef carbonade was super yummy, but I think my favorite part of the night was the two different beers served along side two very different cheeses. It was really interesting how they paired with each other, and to hear what others perceived was better or worse about the pairings.
• Not a real fan of the "5 Golden Rings" beer. Evidently it's all the rage right now, but to me it was sorta like a weird tart pineapple bubblicious bubblegum. Not my favorite.

Overall another great event put on by great people. Thanks Joel, Nick, Kristen, Drew and everybody else involved in organizing, preparing and serving such a great meal.

Beer Advent Day 18

The Great Imperial Stout.

Cake!

Oh yeah...

Dessert!

The Bruery: Five Golden Rings

Big, fruity craziness.

Main course, food

Elk/beef carbonade showed up. Tasty.

Main course, beer

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

Elk and beef carbonade with Pommes frites.

Third Course

De Ranke Pere Noel

Gouden Carolus Noel

English Stilton and Willamette Valley gouda cheese.