Stone Brewing Company - Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale

Purchased From: Bierkraft

Serving Type: 750mL bottle, poured into a stemmed water glass

Bottleworks, a well-known Seattle-based beer seller, turned to Stone Brewing Company this year to create a beer to commemorate their 13th year in business. The beer was release today, June 20, 2012. Apparently Bottleworks has been creating anniversary ales with a number of collaborators over the years, but, this year they decided to work with craft-brewing titan Stone. Everything about this ale is 13-centric, but, despite their intentions, the ABV only came out to about 11% (the word is that too much specialty malt held back the fermentable sugar).

This epic collaboration features 13 grains: Pale 2-Row, White Wheat, Aromatic, Weyerman Chocolate Rye, Light Munich, Brown Crisp, Crisp Light Crystal, Crisp Amber, Caramunich, Baird's Chocolate Malt, Lightly Peated, Simpsons Dark Crystal, and Oats as well as 13 hops: Bravo, Target, Columbus, Cascade, Delta, Warrior, Magnum, Apollo, Calypso, Perle, Galena, Chinook, and Mt. Hood. 

This beer, billed as an American Strong Ale, plays out much like an Imperial Porter or and Imperial Stout. The body is deep, almost completely opaque in a wide glass, with a mahogany brown body with auburn and ruby inner glow. Only the base of the glass reveals the beer's true hue when held to light. Gently rising streams of minuscule carbonation bubbles fuel a large, fluffy, and creamy head of dense light brown foam. The head retention is fantastic and it leaves a thick ring of lace around the top of the glass and dissipates with elegant patterns as the beer disappears. 

The nose is big and sweet with an impressive malt showing. Caramelized specialty grains bring a variety of profiles, most noticeably a molasses sweetness with deep coffee notes. A hoppy edge tightens this beer and its impressive grain bill. Hops pinch at the nose slightly with a mildly resinous pine and sweet sappy cones of fresh hop essence.

The beer is crisp up front and quickly yields to a huge roasty character. Blackened, coffee-like grains produce a smokey essence that is perhaps the most prominent characteristic of this strongly dark ale, which sports most of the trappings of an export stout. The most darkly roasted malts easily overpower the lighter nuances of the White Wheat grain and Pale Two-Row malts. However, the scattering of rye malt here lends a spicy edge the coffee-like tones and the oats in this beer lend their distinctive smooth slickness, despite the opening and finishing crispness.

Smooth smokiness on the finish beckons another sip along with the dry hoppy finish. Light mineral water characteristics play in at the end and lead effortlessly to the long-lasting dank hoppiness of the aftertaste. 

This beer is excellent, highly drinkable, and very, very good, but the 13 by 13 grain and hop bill seems stuntish when taken in context of the impressive and overbearing stout profile of this beer. To miss the spicy nuances of the beer, the resinous, floral, and earthy hop profiles would be remiss, but, the overpowering roasted coffee profile is the true identity of the beer.

If it's still around, find it, but if you miss it, don't feel slighted if you can pick up the absolutely-world-class Imperial Russian Stout by Stone.

Final Verdict: A

Stone Brewing Company - Double Bastard Ale

Brewed In: Escondido, CA
Serving Type: 650 mL bottle, poured into a snifter

The Double Bastard Ale isn't exactly a double up on the Arrogant Bastard Ale, but this American Strong Ale comes in a step up from its little brother at 10.5% ABV. The beer pours a cloudy, muddied brown body with a cherry-infused glow. The head, in this case, poured a paper thin tan foam with minimal retention and very minor lace-like spotting on the glass. The nose is oaky, but not oaked, and bready. Hops are very tight with a punch of pine. The beer stands out as clearly big and clearly alcoholic with a sticky sweetness.

Sweet molasses notes up front play off distinct woody notes. The beer is hulking and robust, but smooth and massively enjoyable. Sticky, resinous pine hops are potent, but do not overwhelm the layered maltiness. Sweet sugary malts carry deep woodiness and a candied dark fruit component. A spritz of subtle citrus rind adds another tone of the depth of flavor. The finish is dry and slightly vegetal. Throughout and lasting past the finish, the beer has a coarse maltiness with defined biscuity tones. An excellent beer that must be enjoyed and shared.

Final Verdict: A

Lagunitas Brewing Company - Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF) Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 750 mL bottle, poured into a snifter

This limited release from Lagunitas bills itself, quite humorously, as "A malty, robust jobless recovery ale." The beer pours a deep chestnut brown body. The beer's modest light tan head is light on retention and produces very little lacing. On a second, more vigorous pour, a fluffier head arose and left thin sticky lacing. The nose is spicy and strong with a lightly minerally water edge. The beer has a cellared feel with a musty yeast character and a slightly herbal character.

The beer's deep roasted malts have a rich toasted edge. The beer is strong, but not boozy. Dark fruits are mild, but provide a taste of latent sugar that underlies the beer's more robust elements. Additionally, moderately piney and quite resinous hops give the brew added depth and make this big beer quite enjoyable.

Final Verdict: A-

The Lost Abbey / Port Brewing Company

On my way down to San Deigo from Los Angeles I could not miss stopping at the popular, but elusive Lost Abbey. The brewery, along with its "American side" Port Brewing Company are well known and popular among beer drinkers in the region, but has very sparse distribution. From Connecticut, the closest areas in Lost Abbey's distribution are the Boston and Philadelphia metro areas.

The brewery is hidden away in a commercial park, but clearly marked by its grain silo painted to look like a large barrel. After entering through the large garage door, the open taproom is directly ahead. I got lucky on my timing. I was in the area on a Wednesday, but the taproom is usually only open for bottle sales. I was more than happy to find out that because the Home Brewers Convention was in town, Lost Abbey modified their hours.

Lost Abbey has a large barrel program, giving their beers interesting, layered flavor profiles. The evidence of their barrel aging was all around the facility.

At the counter of the tap room I sampled six Lost Abbey beers. A number of them were also available in bottles, although I didn't buy any. I did, however, buy a glass as a souvenir.

The Lost Abbey - Avant Garde
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

At the Lost Abbey they insist that this beer is truly Avant Garde, and it should not be considered brewed in the style of the traditional French Bière de Garde style. While it may be true, or at least believable, this beer does share some similarities to the style, as well as the related Belgian Saison style. The beer pours a rich ruby amber with a moderate white Caramel and honey essence are present in the malt aroma as well as a mild booziness.

The beer has a pronounced spice spice element and a subtle depth of flavor and richness. It seems fairly dry and has a somewhat musty or dusty component, consistent with the cellared edge of the style. There's a slight mash feature as well as a seemingly charred flavor. It doesn't seem like the charred roasted flavor of a stout, there's a greater emphasis on the woodiness than the smokiness. A delicious, well-made beer.

The Lost Abbey - Red Barn Ale
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

Following up the Avante Garde, I had the Red Barn Ale. The order is very fitting considering the Red Barn Ale is a Saison-style beer, also known as a 'Farmhouse Ale,' which has a heritage very similar to the Bière de Garde. The beer poured a golden straw body with a healthy white head that carried a slightly creamy texture. The nose was spicy, with hints like a witbier. In fact, the beer is brewed with barley, wheat, and oats.

Very big on the spice, there are hints of ginger and black pepper that give the beer a drying edge. Pronounced citrusy orange peel is prominent blending with the spice notes and the semi-sweet malts of the beer. The carbonation is very crisp and lends itself to a crisp finish with a lasting spiciness.

The Lost Abbey - Serpent's Stout
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

Serpent's Stout, an American Imperial Stout pours a very dark brown with a thick, creamy medium tan head. Smokiness is pervasive on the nose with rich, deeply roasted, coffee notes and a hint of dark chocolate.

The body of the beer is strong with a smokiness, bold caramel and minor esters. The beer seems very thick, almost pudding like. In a 4 oz. sample it was difficult to determine how heavy the beer actually is, but it seems very strong and clearly alcoholic. Not a session beer, but an event. Dark roasted malts add sweetness of caramel and toffee that are tempered by the smoke finish.

The Lost Abbey - Framboise de Amorosa
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

Framboise de Amorosa is a famous, interesting, and unique play from the Lost Abbey. Although I can't confirm there is actually any spontaneous fermentation going on, I've seen it dubbed an 'American Wild Ale,' clearly taking after the Belgian Lambic ales that undergo spontaneous fermentation. Similarly, the Belgian Guezes have fruit added to them to produce a variety of interestingly and delicious fruit beers.

In this case, the beer is aged in fresh red wine barrels and sees three additions of raspberries during its year-plus aging period. The beer pours with a ruby accent to a light amber body. The glow is brightly red and the nose is a sweet, candy-like, raspberry.

The sweet raspberry flavor is akin to a Belgian Framboise, but with a much more sturdy malt body. The underlying malts aren't quite overshadowed in this case, and there's a clearly present alcohol component. There's a very familiar candy sugar feel toothsome feel on the finish.

The Lost Abbey - The Angel's Share (Aged in Brandy Barrels)
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

As I hear, the beer starts out a lot lighter, more of a burgundy than a brown, but after a year in a barrel, it comes out more of a deep brown mahogany with mixed ruby and golden glows. A year in a Brandy barrel adds a considerable boozy grape component to the beer as well as a mild oakiness on the nose.

The beer has big chocolatey notes and a velvety mouthfeel. It is boozy and strong with raisins for days and tons of sweet dark fruits, which play well with the depth of flavors imparted from the barrel aging. A slight evaporating carbonation adds a tingle to the finish of the beer. It is very different from the common understanding of what beer is. The Lost Abbey is not the first or the last brewery to delve into barrel aging, but this is a great example of what can result. I preferred the Brandy barrel-aged version of The Angel's Share to the Burbon barrel.

The Lost Abbey - The Angel's Share (Aged in Burbon Barrels)
Enjoyed At: The Lost Abbey Taproom, San Marcos, CA
Serving Type: 4 oz. sampler glass, poured from the tap

The Burbon barrel-aged version of The Angel's Share pours a very similar mahogany brown with competing glows from within. The nose carries a distinct smokey whiskey edge with clear vanilla characteristics. The oak from the barrel also asserts itself on the nose.

An unmistakable Burbon aroma manifests itself in the flavor giving this beer a strong whiskey influence. It almost overtakes the beer. The fired oak flavor is present throughout, as well. I preferred the Brandy barrel-aged version, but would gladly have either. Both were well worth trying, given the opportunity.

From their website: "Down in Kentucky and across the pond in Scotland, distillers who age their whiskeys for many years refer to the evaporation of the spirits from their barrels as "The Angel's Share." We couldn't agree more. Each time a barrel is filled, a measure of liquid seeps into the oak and is lost for good."

Lagunitas Brewing Company - Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a tulip glass

The limited release Undercover Investigation from Lagunitas is an American strong ale that weighs in at a strangely precise 9.87% ABV. The body is a deep chestnut with a cherry red glow. The head is a huge creamy light tan foam with excellent retention. The lacing matches with thick layers down most of the length of the glass. The nose is sweet and syrupy with a dominent piney hop component. The toasted malts give nose some added depth with a light hint of dates.

The mouthfeel is velvety with sudsy carbonation. The beer is sweet and immensely fruity with minor earthy undertones. The hops are big and primarily piney, with a significant resinous edge. The finish is fairly boozy with some warming that helps develop the lasting caramel flavor and nearly-biting dry hops.

Final Verdict: B+

Mendocino Brewing Company - Eye of the Hawk

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a mug

Switching back to the Select series (i.e. White Hawk) comes Mendocino's Eye of the Hawk, and American strong ale. The beer pours a deep amber with apparent reddish hues. The head is an airy light tan, moderate in size, with surprisingly good retention from the initial pour. The nose is leafy and fresh with a waxy honey sweetness and hints of light caramel toastiness.

The caramel and sticky molasses are huge in this beer. Overall the focus here is on big malts and very light on hops. There's an earthiness to the beer, but it's missing some of the deft nuance of the Red Tail Ale. There's a slight spiced rum character to the beer, but it is thankfully lacking the burn of the real deal. A bit of alcohol develops on the finish and lingers with a considerable dryness.

Final Verdict: B+

Lagunitas Brewing Company - The Hairy Eyeball Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a snifter

The Hairy Eyeball from Lagunitas is a bold California-inspired American Strong Ale. It pours a deep glowing ruby with a dark body and a massive creamy head in a medium tan. The nose is sweet with dark fruits. It's sugary with a cellary must and hints of crisp hops.

The dark fruit sweetness is prominent with some caramelized sugars. There's a bit of heat, but the beer seems to cool down in a spicy dip on the mid-palate. The finish is earthy with barely a trace of the beer's considerable alcohol in the aftermath.
Final Verdict: B+

Lagunitas Brewing Company - Brown Shugga’ Ale

Lagunitas Brewing Company - Brown Shugga’ Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a mug

Lagunitas’ Brown Shugga’ Ale is exactly what it sounds like, an ale chock full of brown sugar. It pours a light clear brown with cherry hints and a thin, but long-lasting syrupy tan head. The nose is spicy backed up with a crisp hoppiness. There’s also an alcoholic sweetness paired with some candied fruits in the background.

The toasted malts add a molasses character to the beer, but the added brown sugar really makes a palatable impact. The brown sugar, which is added directly to the brew kettle, adds a ton of extra sweetness and extra alcohol. The alcoholic tinge comes in a bit late, riding a wave of sugary sweetness. Both of these components linger on the finish and the alcohol carries a bit of a drying edge.

Final Verdict: B-

Stone Brewing Company - Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Brewing Company - Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. screen-printed bottle, poured into a snifter

The body is a hazy ruby-brown. The haze seems to come from what appears to be extremely fine yeast suspended throughout the body. The thin tan head is light on retention and lacing, but leaves an intricate pattern of circular wisps of foam at the top of the beer. Overall the beer is interesting and attractive in appearance alone.

The nose is complex with sweet toasted malts, and a very pungent hop aroma that gives the beer a character similar to some Belgian pale ales or Belgian strong ales. Candied fruits like plums and vigs mix with rising alcoholic esters to round out the scent.

The beer is extremely smooth with an excellent and pleasing mouthfeel. Along with toasted malts, citrus components add to the depth of the beer. The oak really comes through strong. Mixed with the piney hops, the woodiness makes this beer like a baseball bat in the face. The finish is rewarding and slowly slides into a pleasant vanilla aftertaste.

Final Verdict: A

Note: The screen-printed bottle is at once a piece of art and a call to action. Its appearance is fantastic, but giving it an earnest read reveal humor and entitlement. Essentially, put down your over-carbonated, mass-produced swill, and drink a real beer. One final note, the state of California believes that the cadmium paint used in the production of this bottle causes cancer.