beer shorts

Cascade Kriek Ale

ABV: 7.2%

Picked up a bottle of the '2012 Project' over the summer. Nice teeth enamel-removing sourness, tart and fresh cherries; though they lean strongly towards tart. Lemons, oak, some vinegar, bready+herbal tones, and a decent dose of funk. Somewhat big-feeling for the style with high carbonation. A good example of an American kriek, though be prepared for an intense sourness stranglehold.

Jack's Abby Pumpkin Crop Lager

ABV: 5.5%

After two seasons of having it around now, this has become one of my must-buy pumpkin beers when autumn hits. Following in the Jack's Abby tradition, it's a lager - which is unique for the style and works well here, adding some bready and grainy tones. The mouthfeel feels a bit on the watery side, but the authentic pumpkin+squash flavors and restrained spices make this a winner for me. The lightness and drinkability is nice too, the low ABV is great. A definite standout in a style that can often be repetitive.

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.2%

Straight-up roasty and boozy imperial stout, no coffee/barrels/whathaveyou needed, great stuff. The scent is a little tame but the taste improves upon it. Big roasted malt/dark chocolate punch, dark fruits, light molasses sweetness, and perhaps some hops burrowing beneath this deep dark malt attack. Coffee ground-esque finish. Thick and viscous mouthfeel with some alcohol heat, which only compliments the boldness rather than detracting from the beer. Especially at the price, this is a nice 4-pack purchase during these cold months - good for cellaring too.

Dieu Du Ciel Route Des Épices

ABV: 5.3%

A rye ale brewed with peppercorns - unabashed peppercorns, that is. It is indeed a spicy sipper, but not quite overbearing. Other than rye, grassy tones, and general herbs/spices, there are also flavors that resemble ones found in a light brown ale such as nutty malts, toasted bread, and caramel. Carbonation is somewhat on the low side. Probably not for those with little spice tolerance, I love pepper and this still made me break a sweat!

The Alchemist Heady Topper

ABV: 8%

Watching this beer go from a sorta-hyped newcomer to a phenomenon has been an interesting experience to say the least. This has been a classic to me since my first visit to the brewpub (R.I.P.) in 2010, and though it's sort of cliche by now - especially coming from a New Englander - this still holds up as what may be my favorite Double IPA. This was definitely one of the first to nail the whole 'potent and balanced citrus/tropical/earthy/danky hops and warm biscuit malt' thing that so many IPAs go for now, and also remains one of the prime examples of this type. Standout characteristics for me: the level of bitterness, the mouthfeel, and the balance of hop and malt (but mostly hop) flavors. I'm also convinced they pioneered the 'hoppy beer in a 16 oz. can' trend, but that may have to be a debate for a later time.