November 2006 Archives
Boom. My first imperial in quite a while... and while it masks the 10.6% (ABV) alcohol content well, the kick is still there -- kinda like garlic buried in a tomato sauce. Which, speaking of garlic and tomatoes, this beer can overpower even the strongest food flavors.
Characteristics: Burnt motor oil brown, minimal carbonation, thin but persistent head, medium to heavy body, slow start gives way to dark chocolate roasted malt dominance, with the alcohol sugar/burn emerging only when the beer warms.
Minor Gripes: It's twice as strong as the average beer -- that's a major kick in the pants after a long day at work. Rationing isn't just encouraged, it's required.
Bottom Line: As seasonal beers go, the Black Chocolate Stout is definitely a winner. It's not for everyone, but those who can handle a heavier, darker beer should definitely give it a whirl.
Rating: 7 / 10
Yes, the Malt and Barley Chronicles are now a year old. About 40 reviews in 52 weeks (along with a few other stories) -- not a bad pace. Now if I can just keep it up ... not that this is a tough hobby to maintain, but finding new beers (while still enjoying some old favorites) can get a little tricky sometimes. Here's to another year -- Prosit!
When I first tried to review this beer, I was sampling the Otter Creek Amber as well ... and I couldn't really keep the two straight. That's not a bad sign -- just an observation.
Characteristics: Orangey-amber color, low carbonation, light-to-medium body, toast and caramel malty flavors with a slightly dry start.
Minor Gripes: Some hoppiness starts to come out as it warms, as does a slightly curdled milk note. (No, I don't put milk in my pint glasses, so there's no risk of cross-contamination.)
Bottom Line: A decent, middle-of-the-road beer. I prefer the Otter Creek, but there's also a freshness factor lurking in the back of my mind.
Rating: 5.5 / 10
I first learned about River Horse this past winter at a friend's wedding. The standard lager and pale ale were decent craft brews, but nothing that hinted directly at this beverage. It's hardly fair to compare this dark Belgian ale to the more conventional over-spiced winter ale that gets syrupy after about ten minutes.
Characteristics: Dark brown (but still translucent), medium body and carbonation, and a progression of bittersweet chocolate (maybe coffee) and spices with that characteristic Belgian/abbey ale sweetness at the end.
Minor Gripes: That sweetness can be a little overbearing, though it varies with temperature... there's a spot where it all falls apart and then settles back into balance.
Bottom Line: This is a fantastic winter ale... well-balanced, flavorful, smooth. Thankfully, I should be passing through central New Jersey at least once more before this batch runs out or goes stale.
Rating: 7.25 / 10
If you've ever visited Deadly Tango, a sister site to these here Chronicles, you know that I have an interest in music that is certainly equal to (if not greater than) my interest in beer. Happily, those interests sometimes come together -- a night at local watering hole with a solid jukebox or band, or a song that captures the spirit and camaraderie of that kind of night. From the LP "The Gas Chair" (Factory Benelux 1981), I present suggest that you visit Crawling Chaos and their interpretation of a slightly raucous night at the pub, "Guinness."(*) If you like this one, head on over to Deadly Tango for a few more selections from Crawling Chaos -- no two songs are even remotely the same, but in a good way.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress ...
(*) UPDATE, 19-May-2007: MP3 removed at request of copyright holder. Now that Crawling Chaos has a formal web presence, I heartily recommend that you visit their site (or check out eMusic, with two albums available) and be amazed.
