Hop Henge IPA

Hop Henge IPA, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
(IPA, Rated 99)

Cloudy gold our with a little, finger-width head. Aromas of sweet malts, candied oranges, mangos, and a little pine. Taste is malt forward, sticky pine resin, tropical fruits, and floral hops. Nicely balanced. 7% abv.

Citra Ass Down

Citra Ass Down, Against the Grain Brewery, Louisville, KY
(Imperial/Double IPA, Rated 97)

When an IPA fan gets a hold of this bottle, he does just as it suggests. Golden yellow pour. Amazing aromas of pungent Citra, tropical fruit, loads of citrus. with a little grassy note. Taste is very hop forward and loaded with flavor. Not overpowering like some IIPA can be. The taste is gently well-balanced, with floral, nectar, mango juice, and pronounced grapefruit.  Finish is smooth...too smooth. Brings it with an 8.2% abv.  Ranks up there with some of my favorites. Fantastic!

Daisy Cutter Pale Ale

Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago, IL
(American Pale Ale, Rated 99)

Among the list of outstanding pale ales out there, Daisy Cutter is among them. A West Coast pale ale from the Midwest. Golden, honey pour with a nice, thick, white head that settles into fine lacing. Aromas of fresh citrus, sticky pine resin, with an earthiness. Taste is straight up juicy. Just a touch of bitterness up front but quickly flows into nice, crisp, floral and citrus hop finish. At 5.2% abv, you can have more than one of these.

Sea Monster Imperial Stout

Sea Monster Imperial Stout, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Imperial Stout, Rated 98)

Continuing with this string of Ballast Point beers, this imperial stout pours black in color with a tan head. Aromas of roasted malts, cocoa powder, and coffee. Taste is a touch bitter up front with chocolate, dark roasted coffee, an dark malts. Full bodied and full of flavor. This 10% abv beer is dangerously drinkable.

Tongue Buckler Imperial Red Ale

Tongue Buckler Imperial Red Ale, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(American Strong Ale, Rated 98)

Opening line on the bottle's side label reads "Our Tongue Buckler Imperial Red Ale doesn't pull any punches."  No it certainly does not. Ruby red pour with a quickly dissipating head. First waft through the nose reveals what the label warns, heavy, pungent, piney hop aromas. Toasted malts. Hints of citrus and caramel. Taste is lightly brown sugar sweetness that quickly gives way to an abundance of piney resin and sticky hops. Woody fresh. Toasty burnt malts. Has a lingering, over the top bitterness. with an alcohol burn at 10% abv. Reminds me of Green Flash Brewing's Palate Wrecker.

Victory at Sea

Victory at Sea, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Imperial/Strong Porter, Rated 100)

Holy amazing beer! Dark black pour with a thick, pillowy, mocha head that lingers. Strong aromas of black, roasted coffee, chocolate syrup, and vanilla sweetness. Taste starts with vanilla then intense roasted coffee explodes. Chocolate provides a nice background. Full and creamy. Nice 10% abv kick to go along with this amazing flavor.

Black Marlin Porter

Black Marlin Porter, Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, CA
(Porter, Rated 96)

Deep brown pour with a frothy, mocha head. Decadent aromas of roasted coffee, chocolate, sweet caramel, and malt. Taste is similar. Dark roasted coffee, chocolate sweetness, and a little bit of a hoppy, bitter finish that just tingles the tongue. Medium mouthfeel. Light carbonation and drinkable at 6% abv. Really good porter here.