After a quick trip up to Hill Farmstead for the PBS Weekends with Yankee shoot, it was back on the road home. My friend had an early day the next day, so he was a sport in agreeing to a quick stop at the Alchemist in Stowe. I wish I thought to take some pictures but it really was a quick grab and go. Next time. My haul was some Heady Topper, The Crusher, Focal Banger and a four pack of Skadoosh and Alena.
Skadoosh:
Beer #: 1,121
This nonsensical word was used by Po, the main character in Kung Fu Panda. Apparently, it means “goodbye” or “peace”. On-line references say that this term is often used right before you beat someone’s ass. So, I assume the assaulting bitterness of this brew are appropos. There are progressive versions of Skadoosh, I believe this is version 12 as I see some on-line commentary about number 12 at the same time this was purchased. I’ll give Skadoosh 88 points.
Alena:
Beer #: 1,122
Start typing Alena in your Google search box. A few letters in Google takes over returning the most popular searches. Mine returned Alena Shiskova. It’s a beauty…uh the beer, well uh both…Here are John Kimmich’s thoughts
Yes, some mellow dankness up front. Definitely more polish than Skadoosh, some mellow juiciness, 90 points.
Careful Man, There’s a Beverage Here by Pipeworks Brewing
Tasting: November 10, 2017 Style: White Milk Stout Beer #: 1,117 ABV: 10.5% Line from the movie, Big Lebowski. The reddish brown color of Careful Man, There’s a Beverage Here threw me for a minute but a double take on the label does say white stout. Looks more like a barley wine and tastes a bit like a barley wine. Boozy, caramel sweet, and mellow vanilla coffee flavor. This unique beer grew on me as I worked my way through but still a so-so beer, 86 points.
B.O.R.I.S. Reserve by Hoppin’ Frog
Tasting: November 11, 2017 Style: Russian Imperial Stout Beer #: 1,118 ABV: 10.4% Called a reserve for the use of better, darker grains. I guess regular B.O.R.I.S. uses crappy grains. Lots of roasted grains, mellow chocolate underneath. A tad boozy. All-in-all ,92 points.
Tasting: November 19, 2017 Style: Russian Imperial Stout Beer #: 1,119 ABV: 9.4 % A few sips in and I’m reminded why I don’t like pumpkin beer. Well in this case, butternut squash beers. Spices give this a chemical flavor. Not enjoying this at all, 70 points.
Another release in the series named for New Jersey Turnpike exits. This time, Bergen County’s Exit 18. It’s noted that the Baltic reference is a tribute to the many Baltic residents in the county. That’s Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. A pretty broad brush. Frankly, this beer should have been named for the Hudson River as it’s quite demure in watery flavor. Offers up some boozy burn. Very disappointing. 72 points.
My 15-year-old beer fridge went kaput the other day. I bought it for $199 so, I’ll consider it an honorable discharge. However, it leaves me in a quandry and I was forced to do an emergency evacuation of my craft beer to a couple coolers. I’ve had a few friends volunteer some fridge space but none made any promises of returning my full inventory. While I try and find a new fridge, I’ll do my part in trying to purge some beer that’s been building in my inventory. I’ll give some rapid fire thoughts on each…
A Beer Has No Name by Liquid Riot Bottling Company
Tasting: September 1, 2017 Style: American Double / Imperial IPA Beer #: 1,103 ABV: 8.2%
(C) 2017 popsonhops
Thanks to my friend, Mark for the goodies from Maine. I’m sorry to hear that his vacation was cut short. Dank hoppy and smokey underneath some bright pineapple sweetness. Hops include: Idaho 7, Mosaic, Citra, and Chinook Hops
Not sure why there isn’t love for this beer on Beer Advocate 85 points I like it a lot, 92 points from me.
Flume by Battery Steele Brewing
Tasting: October 19, 2017 Style: American Double / Imperial IPA Beer #: 1,104 ABV: 8.0%
(C) popsonhops.com
Another goody from my friend Mark. Lots going on with this beer. Herbal like black tea and lemongrass. Some underlying sweetness of honey and caramel. Bitterness is a little over the top but all in all enjoyable. 91 points.
Devastation by Brewery Vivant
Tasting: October 19, 2017 Style: American Double / Imperial IPA Beer #: 1,105 ABV: 11.6%
(C) 2017 popsonhops
Admittedly, this has been in the back of my fridge for a month. What’s left is yeasty, odd-flavored, sweet with some oak, vanilla and moss barrel influence. Really an odd beer. 75 points.
Big Timber IPA by Big Timber Brewing
Tasting: October 18, 2017 Style: American IPA Beer #: 1,106 ABV: 6.5%
(C) 2017 popsonhops
My first craft beer brewed in West Virginia crosses off state number 37 in my casual pursuit of beer from all 50. A gift from a friend that went to West Virginia. Maybe the first person I’ve known that has been to West Virginia. Very traditional IPA, lots of earthy pine and overpowering grapefruit and lime bittnerness. Has some balance as well with some distinct cracker-like malt. Surprisingly good. Big Timber IPA gets a respectable 87 points from me.
(C) 2017 popsonhops
Chasing Rabbits by Burlington Beer Company
Tasting: October 25, 2017 Style: American Pale Wheat Ale Beer #: 1,107 ABV: 5.8%
Delivers black tea, herbal, and some white wine grapes. Mouthfeel is nice. Like it quite a bit, 91 points.
Orbital Elevator by Burlington Beer Company
Tasting: October 25, 2017 Style: American Imperial IPA Beer #: 1,108 ABV: 8.3%
Brewed with Oat Malt and Flaked Oats and it does deliver a nice mouthfeel. Dank undertone, bold citrus. Froot loops quality flavor. I liked Chasing Rabbits more but another nice beer, 90 points.
Originally an Against the Grain Brewery and Brouwerij De Molen collaboration beer. Here’s how the Against the Grain describes Bo & Luke Stout:
We took the ingredients in bourbon whiskey (Barley, Rye, Corn) and then smoked them with cherry wood and brewed a huge imperial stout with them. Then to top it off we aged it in Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels. The resulting beer is rich, smokey and complex, with a bourbon character of caramel, vanilla and spice.
Doesn’t that sound amazing?
Here we are at beer number 1,100.
Very active carbonation, bubbles out of the bottle and no matter how careful I pour, it leaves a very active khaki-colored head. Even my first few sips are fizzy.
First flavor impression is a lot of peat and damp moss flavor. I assume whiskey influence here. Some cherries, smokey. Unique flavor for sure. Not your typical imperial stout. I’m not getting any of the advertised caramel, vanilla or even spice. A bit of a let down for me, but still interesting enough to call it at 89 points.
As I usually do, here are some of my milestone beers…
October 6, 2017 is beer # 1,100 and 342 days since #1,000 October 29, 2016 is beer # 1,000 and 225 days since # 900 March 18, 2016 is beer # 900 and 172 days since # 800 September 29, 2015 is beer # 800 and 228 days since # 700 February 14, 2015 is beer # 700 and 163 days since # 600 September 5, 2014 beer # 600 and 300 days since # 500 November 9, 2013 was beer #500 and 340 days since # 400 December 4, 2012 was beer # 400 and 182 days since # 300 June 5, 2012 was beer # 300 and 195 days since # 200 November 23, 2011 was beer # 200 and 134 days since # 100 July 12, 2011 was beer # 100 and 244 days since # 1 November 10 2010, was beer # 1
