Samuel Adams Fat Jack

20141026:
I smell as if there's some nutmeg in here. There might also be some cinnamon. The beer has a very carbonated taste. Its a bit more like the sour type of pumpkin beers. 7:35PM PT

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Samuel Adams Fat Jack

Relevant Links:
Samuel Adams Fat Jack (Samuel Adams Website)
Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale (BeerAdvocate.com)
Samuel Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Samuel Adams
Fat Jack

This rich and luscious brew indulges in flavor with over 28 lbs. of pumpkin per barrel, for a full bodied sweetness and deep russet color. Classic pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice ignite a warmth and spark that’s deepened by an undercurrent of roasty smoked malts. The result is a delectable brew full of enveloping layers of flavor and spice.

HOP VARIETIES: East Kent Goldings and Fuggles
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, rye Special B and smoked malt
YEAST STRAIN: Samuel Adams ale yeast
COLOR: Rich copper, SRM: 25
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS: Real pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & allspice
ALC. BY VOL/WT: 8.5% ABV - 6.6% ABW
IBUs: 25
CAL PER SERVING: 288
AVAILABILITY: Limited

THE TOOLS
Making favorite fall flavors richer, fuller, and thoroughly satisfying. We began with a pumpkin ale and then doubled its pumpkin, spices, and strength. Fat Jack’s smoothness and richness comes from its abundance of roasted malts, including a hint of smoked malt for a further roasty dimension, and pounds of real pumpkin. These decadent flavors are given an added kick and warmth from familiar fall spices of like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice and strength for a hearty fall treat with a full bodied sweetness and deep russet color.

THE TRADE
For years we have been brewing pumpkin ale for our Halloween party using local pumpkins. We found that the richness and smoothness of the roasted malts and pumpkin could be brought to a new level for a much stronger brew. We use over 28 pounds of real pumpkin to give Samuel Adams® Fat Jack a deep smoothness, full body and authentic pumpkin flavor.

THE LEGACY
Pumpkin Ale is one of the oldest styles to originate in America. When New England colonists lacked some beer ingredients they turned to what they could find or grow themselves. In place of malt they used other fermentable sugars like molasses, sweet potato, or pumpkin. Alas, pumpkin beers weren’t too popular since the pumpkin was used for its sugar alone rather than its flavor. Today, pumpkins, along with other pumpkin pie spices, are used in addition to malt to create these fall favorites. Craft brewers have also taken these to the next level by creating double or imperial versions, amping up the strength, flavor, and spice.

Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale

20141026:
This Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata was good! The first sip was deliciously sweet. However, it sort of fades away as the drink goes on. In any case, the beer definitely has an horchata flavor! 6:23 PM PT

Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale - Bottle

[20141129]

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201411??:
I had a second bottle somewhere during this time. While I didn't take any notes, I recall the experience was the same as my first experience with the beer.

[20141129]

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Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale - Box

20141128:
"This Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata tasted, as before, sweet. The initial sips, however, I think due to the food I was eating (chicken and salad), was a bit bitter. Overall, the I thought the beer was delicious." 1:17AM PT

[20141129]

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Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale

Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale - Label on the Back of the Bottle

Relevant Links:
Cinnamon Horchata Ale (Blue Moon Website)
Horchata (Wikipedia.org)
Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata (BeerAdvocate.com)
Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Cinnamon Horchata Ale

History:
Cinnamon Horchata Ale, mucho gusto.
For this beer, our brewmaster reached back to his roots and found inspiration in the traditional agua de horchata. Our cinnamon-spiced ale is his interpretation of this delicious Latin beverage. It’s brewed with natural long-grain rice for a creamy texture to complement flavors of cinnamon, making it the perfect treat for a get-together with friends.

Ingredients and Profile:

• Malts: 2-row pale malt and long grain rice
• Hops: Sterling Hops
• Our Twist: This isn’t a classic beer style. We took a traditional Mexican non-alcoholic drink and made it into a refreshing beer.
• IBUs: 10
• Original Gravity: 13.8
• ABV: 5.5%

Glassware: We recommend pouring Cinnamon Horchata Ale in our signature Blue Moon® glass to accentuate its color and allow room for a creamy, white head.
Appearance: Unfiltered Ale with a remarkable golden color. Pours with a creamy, white head.
Aroma: A rich cinnamon aroma followed by subtle sweet notes.
Taste: Fresh cinnamon tastes balanced with a caramel maltiness.
Mouthfeel: The long-grain rice gives the beer a, creamy, medium body.
Finish: Light cinnamon notes gradually fade.

Food Pairing:
The creamy texture, and notes of cinnamon will bring out the flavors in semi-soft cheeses like Fontina, Vanilla and custard desserts, crepes with apples, or anything with chocolate.

Bison Organic Chocolate Stout

20141010:
This beer has a solid stout smell.

It also has a very carbonated mouthfeel.

I find it hard to detect more than a generic stout taste.

If anything, it has more of a coffee taste than a chocolate taste.

Overall, the beer is solid and the fizzy mouthfeel drops off, which to me is a good thing. 7:38PM PT

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Bison Organic Chocolate Stout

Relevant Links:
Chocolate Stout (Bison Brewing)
Bison Organic Chocolate Stout (BeerAdvocate.com)
Bison Organic Chocolate Stout (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Chocolate Stout

The Original Chocolate Stout, brewed with Peruvian cocoa.

Like Barry White’s voice in a bottle, Bison’s Chocolate Stout is a dark, slow-pouring aphrodisiac of the smoothest proportions. Rich and roasty with charismatic flavors of dark chocolate and espresso, and creamy, dry finish. (5.0% abv | 20 IBUS).

Chocolate Stout is available year-round in 12 oz. 6-packs and draft. For more information on how to locate or order Chocolate Stout, contact info@bisonbrew.com.

Chocolate Stout + Food

back-ribs-sl-1646464-xEarthy, roasty and rich, Chocolate Stout pairs extremely well with grilled dark meats, mushroom-based dishes and sauces, pungent cheeses and rich desserts. It is also our favorite beer to use in the kitchen. There is something super magical about our Chocolate Stout that makes it a fantastic tenderizer for meat — especially short ribs. It adds amazing texture and flavor when baked into bread and also makes for a bad-ass ice cream. But, our most famous recipe, by far, is our Chocolate Stout Baked Mac & Cheese. Recommended pairings include oysters, grilled meats, short ribs, pulled pork, bacon, mushrooms, stews, quinoa, baked mac & cheese, chocolate, cheesecake, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Maytag Blue.

Environmental Impact

Bison strives to lead by example, educating that one not need sacrifice the pleasures of every day living to be green. Mindful of our carbon footprint, we strive to reduce our business and personal impacts.

Chocolate Stout is brewed with 100% certified organic hops, malts and cocoa. Restaurants and bars choosing to sell just one 15.5-gallon keg of organic beer per week causes a farmer to convert one football field of farmland from conventional to organic agriculture. That is a HUGE impact, and we have the numbers to prove it!

Firestone Walker Pale 31

20141006:
From the bottle, this beer has a berry-like smell. It definitely tastes like an ale.

I sensed the bitterness on the second sip; it's a persistent bitterness. This might be because I haven't had a beer in a while. 6:06PM PT

Firestone Walker Pale 31 - Bottle and Beer in Glass (20141215)

[20141119]

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20141215:
Firestone Pale 31 has a sour smell to it. Actually, perhaps "sour" is inaccurate, maybe its the smell of the hops?

In any case, the beer has a carbonated mouth feel, more so than most other beers I've had recently. In addition, it has an interesting taste; something makes it taste slightly different from other pale ales. 10:59PM PT

While the beer dominantly tastes good and goes down easy from the beginning to the middle of each sip, the end of every sip leaves a subtle bitterness in my mouth. As such, only the bitter aftertaste disrupts the overall experience.

Firestone Walker Pale 31 - Bottle (20141006)

Randomly I would note that the beer doesn't leave a sugary coating (I suppose I was thinking of malty brown ales for some reason).

It should also be noted that burping gives a flowery taste. Thinking about it more, it tastes like complex, Belgian beers which are sweet. As such, I would conclude there's a decent amount of sugars in the beer, but either not enough to leave a sugary coating or not enough to overtake the bitterness. 11:13PM PT

Remark: This is the first time I used my newly bought Firestone glass. The only other time I've drank a brand of beer in its corresponding branded glass (not in a bar) is with Ommegang (Hennepin, Three Philosophers). Unfortunately, that poor glass got crushed on its transition from Maryland to California. 11:01PM PT

Firestone Walker Pale 31 - Beer in Glass, Half Empty (20141215)

[20141229 Edit]

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Firestone Walker Pale 31

Relevant Links:
Pale 31 (Firestone Walker Brewing Company)
Firestone Walker Pale 31 (BeerAdvocate.com)
Firestone Walker Pale 31 (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

pale 31

california pale ale

A tribute to our home state of California – the 31st to be added to the Union. Beautiful floral and citrus hop aromas greet the nose with undertones of lightly toasted malt. Crisp pale and crystal malts offer a hint of sweetness. Subtle hop bitterness offers a refreshing finish. Perfect for a sunny California day at the beach or BBQ with friends, Pale 31 represents the bold yet approachable spirit that embodies our state.

REMEMBER: Watch for bottled on dates located on the necks or bottom left corner of the label for each of our beers. Our beer is not pasteurized, so it is best when stored at 44F or below, out of light and within 120 days of the bottled on date...this ensures freshness and ultimately a great Firestone Walker beer!

brew notes

style: California Style Pale Ale
abv: 4.9%
ibu: 38
color: 7SRM
fermentation: Selectively fermented in the Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system
malts: Premium Two-Row, Maris Otter Pale, Munich, Crystal
hops: Bittering—Fuggle; Late Kettle—Cascade, Centennial, Chinnok; Dry Hops—Cascade, Centennial, Chinook
availability: 6 pack & draft (13.3g/5.2g)