The Dogfather Imperial Stout

The Dogfather Imperial Stout, Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay, ID
(Imperial Stout, Rated 98)

"I'll give you an offer you can't refuse." The Dogfather speaks and this consumer listened. This imperial stout was aged for over 11 months in bourbon barrels. Pours black with a mocha-colored head. Aroma has chocolate, molasses, roastiness, and mild bourbon. Flavors of coffee, chocolate, roasted malts, and sweet molasses. Smooth, balanced, with minimal carbonation. Nice rich finish with a faint bourbon linger. The bourbon isn't as apparent as with other barrel aged beers, but this is a solid imperial stout. Even at 10.85% abv, it hides the alcohol well.

Accumulation White IPA

Accumulation White IPA, New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO
(IPA)

The Winter months often bring big, rich beers from breweries everywhere. Its also a time for Winter Seasonals, like this india pale ale from New Belgium Brewing Company. It pours a clear, straw-colored yellow with a faint white head. Aroma is citrus with lemon, orange, grapefruit with a light malt tone. Same citrus fruit comes through in the taste. Lemon zestiness, pine, and sweet malty finish. Smooth, creamy, with citrus carbonation that tingles the tongue, and a dry finish. This ranks up there with my favorite beers from New Belgium.

Blackout Stout

Blackout Stout, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)

Another cold, Winter night. Another fantastic Winter warmer. This Russian Imperial Stout pours pitch black with the faintest of tan heads. Strong black coffee aromas with molasses and dark, roasted malts. Chocolaty sweet up front, then dries out with a bitter roast malt finish. Very smooth on the palate. A great stout for stout lovers.

Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout

Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout, Central Waters Brewing Company, Amherst, WI
(Imperial Stout, Rated 99)

I look forward to this beer every year. Such a fantastic beer from an amazing Wisconsin brewery. Central Waters is one of leading barrel-aging breweries in the United States and one of my favorite breweries altogether. They have perfected the art of barrel-aging. This year's bourbon barrel stout has been on the shelves for a few weeks now. This isn't my first one this year, but I figure I'd finally tell you all about this beauty. Pours black with a nice tan head. The aroma is heavy on the bourbon, as expected, with oak, malts, and subtle vanilla sweetness. Very smooth taste with a slightly tart finish and bourbon flavor throughout. At 9.5% abv, it definitely warms the throat on a cold Winters day. Outstanding beer!

Zombie Dust

Zombie Dust, Three Floyds Brewing Company, Munster, IN
(American Pale Ale, Rated 100)

The first time I had Zombie Dust, it was when one of the brewers from Three Floyds came to one of my favorite Milwaukee bars, Sugar Maple, for a tasting. This is my first time having this beauty from the bottle. A hazy, golden, orange pour with an aroma that is all hops. Spicy citrus and pine though the nose. Taste is very hop forward. Grapefruit, orange peel, resin with a subtly-sweet, malt finish. Smooth mouthfeel and fantastically well balanced. One of the best American Pale Ale's I have had and from one of my favorite breweries!

Global Warmer

Global Warmer, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
(Imperial/Double Red Ale, Rated 94)

Another fantastic beer from Sixpoint! This one pours a hazy amber color with a creamy white head. Huge hop aromas of pine and citrus with a bit of sweet malt. The hop flavor explodes in your mouth. Pine, citrus, and a malty finish. Has an earthy quality and nice carbonation. The bitterness lasts.Easy drinker for sure. Delicious!

Old Foghorn Ale

Old Foghorn Ale, Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, CA
(Barley wine, Rated 99)

Barley wines are one of my favorite styles of beer. I mentioned Old Foghorn in my themed-blog post 12 Barley Wines back in February 2013. I don't think I could find it at the time I wrote that. Said to be the first barley wine brewed in the United States, this is a great beer. Pours a nice, burgundy-brown color with little head. The aroma and the taste is boozy, as are most barley wines. Aromas of dark fruits, caramel, and malts. Smooth mouthfeel. Dark fruit sweetness up front followed by a subtle malty bitterness. A nice warm, boozy finish.