(C) 2016 popsonhops
One of the unwritten rules of trading craft beer trading is the inclusion of “bonus beer” in each trade. These beers are typically shelf items found in your local area that probably are not be available in the home state of your trading partner. To me, the best source to compare shelf availability by brewery or by state is Seek A Brew. If the main trade has you sending a stout or a wild ale to your partner – it would be appropriate to bonus the same styles. Personally, I like to include a premium beer as a bonus beer – like a Heady Topper (if I’m flush with inventory). In my last trade, I included a Trillium Dry-Hopped Melcher.
As you can see from the photo, I’ve received a number of bonus beers in my last few trades and frankly they are beginning to cause me some refrigerator space issues.
Maple Breakfast Stout by 14th Star Brewing
Tasting: April 24, 2016
Style: Maple Stout
Beer #: 943
ABV: 5.5%
Came as a bonus with some Sip of Sunshine. This Vermont beer is like a sessionable stout. Watery but flavors deliver on their promise. Sweet, some coffee and tootsie roll chocolate some roasted flavors. Not bad, 87 points.
Blood of the Unicorn by Pipeworks Brewing
Tasting: April 23, 2016
Style: Red Ale
Beer #: 944
ABV: 6.5%
Another Unicorn installment…very cool can. A hoppy red ale that pours amazingly dark red. Some caramel but for the most part Blood of the Unicorn delivers a earthy, black pepper and pine. Surprisingly drinkable for something with such potent hops…88 points.
Tampa-Style Lager by Cigar City
Tasting: April 27, 2016
Style: Lager
Beer #: 945
ABV: 4.5%
Came as a bonus in a trade for another Cigar City beer – Hunaphu. It’s called a Tampa-Style lager or inspired by German- helles. Fizzy, some crystal malt sweetness. Very mundane. I could see a cold one on a hot Florida day. 83 points.
Nihilist by Odd Side Ales
Tasting: April 29, 2016
Style: Imperial IPA aged in Bourbon Barrels
Beer # 946:
ABV: 10%
Part of a pack of a bonus beers in my deal for some bourbon-barrel aged Plead the Fifth. Boozy blast – double check the label – 10% alcohol. Described as an imperial IPA aged in bourbon barrels. You can pick up the woodsy – vanilla barrel influence tucked behind a resinous and piney hop. Boozy stomps all over this and for that reason an 87.
Athena by Creature Comforts
Tasting: April 26, 2016
Style: Berliner Weiss
Beer #: 947
ABV: 4.5%
Liking the style more and more. Delivers tart apple reminiscent of white white, slightly cider sourness, very refreshing. 88 points.
IPA by Spellbound Brewing
Tasting: April 17, 2016
Style: IPA
Beer #: 948
ABV: 6.5%
A New Jersey beer – Mount Holly to be specific. Believe it or not came from a fellow New Jersey trader. Label says 75 IBU (moderate/firm bitterness). More pine than citrus and it comes across a little clunky (clunky meaning bitter without clear characteristics that make it bitter). Has a valiant malt base that does its best to balance but it comes up short. Not bad but there are better choices in this category and better IPA made in New Jersey – 85 points.
Brother Benjamin by Greenish Brewing (Michigan)
Tasting: April 17, 2016
Style: Imperial IPA
Beer #: 949
ABV: 10.1%
Even more bonus beer from my bourbon-barrel aged Plead the Fifth deal. Label says you should be prepared to be mystified. I’d say be prepared to find something else to drink. Actually, first sip is okay, next one is so-so and the third one has me following my own advice. Brother Benjamin Has a wisp of honey sweetness and a wave of boozy bitterness. The bitterness mounts sip after sip. On the plus side viscosity and a decent caramel base. I’ll put this at 84 points.
Train Wreck by Mountain Town Brewing Company (Michigan)
Tasting: April 17, 2016
Style: Ale
Beer #: 950
ABV: 8.2%
I think the name says it all. Boozy, yeasty and some clunky bitterness layered in for good (or bad measure). Not going any further with this, 72 points.
Swami’s IPA by Pizza Port Brewing
Tasting: April 16, 2016
Style: IPA
Beer #: 951
ABV: 6.8%
Haven’t had anything to this point from Pizza Port Brewing. The only thing stuck in my brain is that another brewery – Port Brewing (also of southern California) has a disclaimer that they are not affiliated with Pizza Port Brewing. Apparently, at one time they were a big happy family but Port Brewing became a spin off of the original Pizza Port Brewing. Today they even share the same names of beer – Hop 15, Shark Attack, Wipeout and they have a similar logo – but the recipes and owners have moved in different directions.
Swami’s delivers an herbal hop flavor – black tea, honey. Bitterness is a little over the top and does interfere a bit. Other than that Very nice, 91 points.
Nib Smuggler by Funky Buddha
Tasting: April 29, 2016
Style: Chocolate Porter
Beer #: 952
ABV: 6.3%
Some tootsie roll chocolate and roasted flavor has some creaminess but the flavor is way too demure for me. 85 points
Mega Mix by MIA Beer Co.
Tasting: April 25, 2016
Style: Pale Ale
Beer #: 953
ABV: 6.0%
Some mellow caramel and light on the dank. Not bad 87 points.
Shorts Superfluid
Tasting: April 27, 2016
Style: Imperial IPA
Beer #: 954
ABV: 8.0%
From a friend – part of an in person deal. Peppery hops and wet moldy grass (never used that one – but it was that or fish tank algae). A tad boozy and over run with a clunky (nondescript) bitterness. Not my cup of beer – 83 points.
Gone Away by Half Acre
Tasting: April 22, 2016
Style: Imperial IPA
Beer #: 955
ABV: 7.0%
Reminds me of Carton’s 077XX. Bitter hop with very little backbone. I might have liked this better a couple of years ago but my introduction to juicy hop bombs has sent me in another direction. Still, I’d say 90 points.
Hopsessed by Petoskey
Tasting: April 16, 2016
Style: Imperial IPA
Beer #: 956
ABV: 9.2%
Dark in color, some caramel and massively bitter. No characteristics to the bitterness – just bitter. A tad bit astringent and boozy. Mediocre at best. Thanks anyway – 83 points.
Winter Storm by Heavy Seas (Clipper City)
Tasting: April 16, 2016
Style: Old Ale Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
Beer #: 957
ABV: 7.5%
Sturdy Malt backbone and decent hop presence. Wears out its welcome a bit after a few sips. I’ll call it an okay 86 points.
