Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Look: burnt honey color with little to no head

 

Taste: Great sharp hop flavor followed by a nutty, roasted flavor that sooths the sharp hoppyness.

 

Conclusion: I really love this ale! My beer reviewing compatriot told me to try it, and since he didn’t review it, here we go…

            This beer tastes a lot like Sierra Nevada Ale, but with a semi-sweet nutty finish. It still offers a lot of hopy goodness, but washes malty good. I can drink this beer year round and love it. It’s warming for those cold nights, but cooling for those hot summer days.

            The first drink will give you a burst of wonderful hops that you are used to if you’ve drank Sierra Nevada’s Ales before. But this one gives you a little extra roasted flavor. It is one of the most well balanced beers I have ever drank. 

 

I give this wonderful ale a 9 out of 10

Sierra Nevada, Harvest Wet Hop Ale (12th Release)

Look: Burnt orange with a good medium sized white foam head.

Taste: Bitter hop bite followed by spice and citrus flavor that finishes with a lingering hop note

Conclusion: Sierra Nevada tends to do quite a few cycling events. My favorite is the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA. I didn't even know Sierra Nevada made an IPA as we only see their porter and pale ale here in southern cali.

The mouthfeel is deceivingly thick. The tremendous hop smell and flavors fill your mouth and make the body feel as if you're drinking a light hop syrup. At the end of the drink a weight lifts off your tongue and your left with the spice and citrus/fruit flavors that taste mature but light enough not to overpower the hop backbone.

Although this is their 12th release I've never been lucky enough to run into this wonderful brew. Apparently Sierra Nevada rushes their hops down the night they pick them so they can be throw in the vats while their still fresh. They should give raises to all their drivers. This ale just tastes alive and packs an astonishing amount of bite and taste into a 6.7% alcohol mark. I love Sierra Nevada's Tornado IPA(think that's the name...it was so good I had one to many) and am sold after tasting their Harvest Wet Hop Ale. "I didn't know you liked to get wet". Well, yes. Now I do.

9 Brews!

Spaten, Oktoberfest

Look: Maple oak with a cocoa colored, minimal head

Taste: Sweet malt with a light mouthfeel and almost no bitterness

Conclusion: Who better to teach us the ways of Oktoberfest than good old Spaten of Alemania? Since these types of beers are brewed to be drunk in mass quantity I was astonished at the heaviness, or at the least the illusion of it, that came with the drink.

The taste is of sweet malt and barley. This is, quite honestly, the best Oktoberfest I've tasted. Ze Germans at Spaten definitely have this beer down pat. An overachieving drink that avoids falling into the bland and watered-down cage that too many Oktoberfests get trapped in.

7 Brews!

Magnolia – Tweezer Tripel (seasonal)

Look: nice light amber color

Taste: very sweet with a slight sharp bite to it

Conclusion: You guessed it, a Belgian… was it the name? I should have figured that out, but I was too buzzed to pick up on it. Oh well, duty calls, and I had to drink all six beers for your benefit. At least that’s what I told myself.
This beer was a bit too sweet for my liking. It had a very citrusy flavor, the trademark of any Belgian beer, but this one had a bit too much carbonation. The carbonation gave it the feel of drinking a strong soda, and had it not been for the light body it would have made it too hard to drink. (A thick, strong beer with a lot of carbonation does not sound too appetizing) I feel they probably cold have cut back on the carbonation in this one and allowed you to hold the beer on your tongue for a minute to savor the different fruits and spices they put in this beer, but alas.

I give this Belgian a slightly above average 6 out of 10.

Magnolia - Double Clutch Doppelweizen (seasonal)

Look: dark amber color with light cream foam head

Taste: sweet, citrus flavors through out

Conclusion: Belgians… why did it have to be Belgians… If you’ve read the blog before, you probably concluded that I am not the biggest fan of Belgian ales. This one was actually one of the better Belgians that I’ve had though. The sweet was there, but it was not overpowering. It was a seasonal brew for Strong Beer Month, so it had plenty of kick to it. So much so that you can smell the alcohol as you lift the glass to your lips. They did well to mask the strength, but you can definitely feel it taking effect.

A 7 out of 10

Magnolia – Smokestack Lightning Imperial Stout (seasonal)

Look: Light absorbing black with milk chocolate brown head

Taste: delicious smoky flavor with slight bite

Conclusion: I really liked this stout a lot. It delivered on taste, aroma, look, and strength. This is another Strong Beer Month offering from Magnolia that will not be soon forgotten. The smoky flavor combined with the thickness of the beer meant that your tongue got a nice thick coat of flavor that stays well after your drink is gone. It had a slight bite to it that eventually gave way to a slight sweetness. As you drink more of the beer, this sweetness becomes a sign that the alcohol is about to kick in. You can literally get buzzed on queue – queue sweet flavor… bam! alcohol takes effect.
This beer was crafted with care, and it shows. They do well to mask the high alcohol content with rich flavors, and textures, but not so much that they kill the flavor of the beer. This is a great example of the flavors complimenting the strength of the beer.

I give this Imperial Stout an 8 out of 10

Magnolia – Promised Land IPA (seasonal)

Look: Almost purple when held to the light

Taste: Sharp as a tack and strong

Conclusion: This is one of my favorites of the Strong Beer Month offerings from Magnolia. Promised Land comes right at you with sharp claws and bitter words. After the initial sharpness, you get a nice hoppy aroma to keep you company until your next drink. This beer is quite the versatile beverage too. Its refreshing enough to quench your thirst on a warm day, but strong enough to keep you warm on colder days, such as those February days in San Francisco…

An above average IPA in the flavor department; way above in the strength department.
An 8 out of 10

Magnolia - Old Thunderpussy (seasonal)

Look: Dark brown/maple with a small silky light tan head.

Taste: Hoppy initially with a warm fruit, oak, and nut finish.

Last year my brew reviewing compadre and I had a discussion in which this beer was mentioned. This beer is brewed yearly at Magolia Pub & Brewery on Haight St in San Francisco, during Strong Beer Month. He went to 21st Amendment(the other of the two breweries that hold the event) last year so we decided, to our benefit, on Magnolia's menu.

This 11.3% barley wine is named after the head mistress of the whore house that used to be where Magnolia is today. It starts with a very nice and deep hop charge that's followed by fruit and oak or nut tasting flavors that finish the drink. There is a decent amount of sweetness but it never feels sickeningly so. This is deceptively drinkable too. You're half way through before you realize your head isn't quite right...it sure feels good, but things got hazy for me at that point. Every part of the drink is delicious and it certainly is a relaxing beer. It'll drop your pants and steal your wallet before you know what hit ya!

We found no faults whatsoever with this one...and, as our 100th beer reviewed, we hearbye dub it 11 out of 10!

11 Brews!

Young’s Winter Warmer (seasonal)

Look: Dark/ burnt honey color with a thin, tan foamy head

Taste: Slightly bitter with sweet malty undertones

Conclusion: This beer had a nice mix of sweet and bitter tones. Don’t let the dark look fool you, this is a light beer that does not sit heavy in your stomach. The sweetness of the roasted barley really comes out, but it does not over power the beer. Like biting into an apple, the natural sweetness comes out.
As advertised, this brew really warms the soul and gives you comfort in on a cold winter night. Its like an internal blanket that compliments the exterior blanket to give you total body warmth. Crack one open by the fire place, and enjoy.

I give this beer a 7 out of 10.

Widmer Brothers, Snow Plow

Look: Caca brown with a slight film of chocolate brown head

Taste: Creamy roasted malt/barley with chocolate and coffee flavors

Conclusion: This is actually a milk stout. It's brewed with milk sugar which lends it a bit more body and creaminess than a normal stout. It definitely goes down smooth.

It pours like heavy silk and has the same mouthfeel to it. The roasted chocolate and coffee flavors prevail but the creamy consistency of the drink helps it go down easily. I can't say I fancy the prevalent Widmer Brother's hefeweizen, which is why I almost didn't pick up this sixer. Luckily I did and was paid back in full. This is one of the best seasonal brews I had this year and just a great stout regardless of the season.

8 Brews!

Lump of Coal Stout (winter seasonal)

Look: Black, black with nice brown head

Taste: Subtle caramel taste, but very light (not thick)

Conclusion: This was a good stout. I was in need of something like this after some of the garbage my family drank over the holidays. Why didn’t Santa leave this lump of coal in my stocking? I would have welcomed it with arms wide open!
This full body stout was nice and dark like Guinness, but not as thick or heavy in your stomach. I fancy it like a Guinness Light (lite?), but with out the gross flavors you get with other light stuff. I can easily kick back a few of these in front of a fire place in the winter. At $5.00 a bottle, it was a bit pricy, but its Festivus, go ahead and spoil your self.

I give it an 8 out of 10

Shelton Brothers, Santa's Butt

Look: Rich black with a brown cream head

Taste: Light but rich roasted barley and oat flavor with a mild finish

Conclusion: While the jokes will come all to easily, this brew is actually something more than a clever name. The drink starts rich and roasty with barley and oat flavors that are mixed with some delicious winter spices.

At 6% it's not exactly a beast of a porter but it will warm you senses and leave you feeling grateful that you tried it out. No, I wouldn't want to tell a friend I tasted Santa's Butt, but I did...and loved it! Definitely pick one of these up. This is a fantastic holiday brew that hits the spot.

7 Brews!

Full Sail, Wreck the Halls

Look: Peach colored with cream foam head

Taste: Blast of hops accompanied by strong grapefruit and citrus taste

Conclusion: This is a 6.7% hop filled breakfast beverage! Or at least it tasted like it. I exaggerate but the tart grapefruit and abundance of hops are the main flavors in this "Hoppy Holiday Ale".

I'm a grapefruit juice fan so I instantly took to this zesty brew immediately. This would pair great with a sandwich on a hot day, or even some pancakes! Making myself hungry. This one is refreshing and bold. A surprisingly scrumptious change-up on overhopped beers. Highly recommend it!

8 Brews!

Michelob Marzen (seasonal)

Look: Honey color, white bubbly head

Taste: Very light, smooth barley flavor

Conclusion: This is an aged Oktoberfest style brew that is brewed up in March (Marzen) and stored in ice filled caves until October when they are taken out, and served to the masses. Or so they will have you believe. There is not really much going on in this beer. I was anticipating it because last year it was fantastic. This year left me wanting though. The barley taste washes way almost immediately, and there is little to no after taste to be savored.
This is a simple beer with no complexity to speak of. It does leave a slight dry feeling in your mouth that makes you reach back for another drink, but that’s about it. Having been to Oktoberfest in Munchin, I know they would not serve this up to the masses. Perhaps brewed in the style of and Oktoberfest beer, but I doubt it is brewed with the same purity laws followed by all German breweries. I was hoping for a lot more.

This beer gets a sub par 4 out of 10

Delirium Noel

Look: Cloudy red/brown with a foamy white head

Taste: Flat fruit flavors with winter spices and a powerful yeast/vinegar finish

Conclusion: It's true, I'm not a fan of Belgian ales, but I'm always up for something new. Don't judge a book by it's cover and all that, you know. This brew brings the heat at 10%. The fruity and spice flavors are there but as the taste finishes your left with an overpowering yeast aftertaste. It was almost like vinegar it was so strong. The warming finish comes but I found myself reeling from the potency of the yeast flavor.

If I were Belgian or a fan of their beers I suppose I'd consider this one refined and tasty. Too bad I'm not. I just could not stomach this holiday rendition and found myself dreading the next sip instead of looking forward to it. Like a nagging girlfriend this one is persistent and just won't shut up. This brew has won awards and is a proven soldier in the army of Belgian ales so, if you're brave enough take a drink! I'm giving it an average score but only because I'm not a Belgian ale guy. More of a knock on my limited pallet than anything.

5 Brews!

Samuel Smith's, Winter Seasonal

Look: Golden Amber with a soft foam head

Taste: Initially taste winter spices along with malts and barleys that are tame throughout the drink

Conclusion: This, like all Sam Smith brews, was mild but oh so tasty. As I sipped my glass I imagined myself on a cold winter's day all huddled up next to a warm fire. Boy do I love me these winter brews. This one had some spice and nut flavors, the former taking majority of the taste.

Samuel Smith never disappoints. This was a great, mild, but flavorful brew that is light enough to have a couple but tasty enough that you can relax and enjoy all it has to offer. Just another solid brew from a fantastic beer maker. Yes, it looks to be a great holiday season. Thanks Winter Seasonal!

7 Brews!

ROCKTOBERFEST – Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look: Brown-ish red with foamy white head

Taste: Slightly hoppy with a strong yeasty aroma

Conclusion: This was a good take on a traditional German Oktoberfest brew. It was a bit yeasty for my liking, but still refreshing. It went really well with the appetizers I ordered, and I’d imagine it would pair well with most of their menu. As a stand alone beer, it was good, but not great. At 5.4% alc., you can put down a few pints and not worry too much about stumbling out of the establishment.

A 4 out of 10

IPA - Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look – Golden, with a small head

Taste – Initial very sharp taste, but it does not last.

Conclusion - This beer has a hoppy bitterness to it, but it washes away almost immediately. I wish the flavor lingered a little longer so that I could savor the flavor of the hops, but alas.
At 7.5%, it is a strong beer and you feel it after every sip. At the end of my “Mug Club” half liter, I was feeling happy. Not buzzed quite yet, but well on my way.
I enjoyed the beer, but it pales in comparison to Rock Bottom’s “The Hammer” IPA they had a few seasons ago. I hope that one returns soon!

6 out of 10 brews

Samuel Adams, Octoberfest

Look: Tangerine colored body with a thin, tan, creamy head

Taste: A light, zesty initially followed by a spicy and very slightly bitter flavor. Just a mild taste or sweetness.

Conclusion: I really liked Sam Adams Octoberfest seasonal brew in the past but this year's was lacking major flavor. The whole 6-pack I had was rather bland and I was really disappointed. A lot of the richness is not there like it was in past years. This was hard to admit as I was an avid fan of this particular Octoberfest. A sub par showing this year though. Unfortunate.

4 Brews!

Chai Stout – Rock Bottom, LBC (seasonal)

Look: Black, with a foamy white head.

Taste: Chai Stout has a strong smoky flavor to it, but also a little sweetness. It is not over powering, but very, very noticeable. I get a subtle hint of roasted nuts, like Black Seal, but not as bitter. You can definitely taste the sweet honey flavor in it, but the smoke is what stays with you.

Conclusion: I am sad to say I am not impressed with this seasonal beer offering. Is was a good idea, but the execution did not turn out all that well. It tastes like a modified Black Seal, and nothing more. I wish they would have started out with a new stout recipe and had the chai stand out more. The majority of the black tea and honey flavors were lost in the bitterness of the Black Seal recipe. Had they started from scratch, I think they could have come up with something better and more original.
I am sad to say that this is the first time I was not impressed with Master Brewer Haley’s efforts. I know she is capable of much better and creative beers.

I give it a 4 out of 10 for lack of creativity.