2010 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso

20150331:
The waiter (at Cucina Alessa) brings an opened bottle of the wine to taste. Giving it a taste, I approve and we order a bottle of Zenato, Valpolicella Ripassa, Veneto 2010.

Menu Description:
Zenato, Valpolicella Ripassa, Veneto 2010 55
Dried fruit and licorice flavors blend with aromas of cherry and exotic spices.

The wine has a nice deep smell. It also has a nice smooth taste.

An employee (perhaps a manager) comes by and changes the glass, saying the wine will taste better in the new glass. Josh thought it was a bit lighter, and less rich. I thought it gained a sour tinge.

In any case, I love the deep smell, like maybe berries. It tastes smooth and delicious.

Yeah, a little strong finish which is nice variety to the taste.

The label states that the wine has a 14% ABV. 7:15PM PT

Taking the last sip, I find the wine has a sweet smell, sour taste, and tastes good. 8:40PM PT

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2010 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso

Relevant Links:
Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore
2010 Zenato Ripassa (CellarTracker.com)
Valpolicella (Wikipedia.org)

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Website Information:

Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore
This wine is closely connected to the greatest wine of Valpolicella: Amarone. After pressing the dried grapes from which Amarone is made, the Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm marc of Amarone. A second alcoholic fermentation begins which increases the alcoholic content and the wine becomes richer in colour, bouquet

GRAPE VARIETY

85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta.

VINIFICATION

The grapes are de-stemmed and macerated in stainless steel fermenters for 10-12 days. Once the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the new wine is separated from the skins by light pressing and conserved in large oak casks of 54 and 75 hectolitres until February; this is the period in which the dried grapes are pressed to produce Amarone. At this point, the Valpolicella is passed over the marc of the Amarone for a period of 7-8 days at a temperature of 25-28°C. The wine is aged for 18 months in 500 lt. oak casks and barrels.

GASTRONOMICAL COMBINATIONS

Excellent companion to game dishes, grilled meat and roasts, salami and aged cheeses.

Website Information: (CellarTracker.com)
Vintage: 2010
Type: Red
Producer: Zenato
Varietal: Corvina Blend
Designation: Ripassa
Vineyard: n/a
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
SubRegion: Valpolicella
Appellation: Ripasso della Valpolicella Superiore
UPC/EAN Code: 098709436046, 641734000036, 641734000067, 641734000159, 8005631000124

Crispin Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp

~I'm not a beer. I'm a cider.~

20150328:
There's a bright cider smell. It tastes tart, no wait, it has a sweetness which reminds me of having a drop of honey. 10:54PM PT

Oh wait, it actually tastes exactly like the Martinelli's apple juice I had all the time when I was a kid (little bottles which were just about the size of an apple). It's possible that this cider is just slightly more sweet than the apple juice. 20150329 8:50AM PT

[20150422]

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Crispin Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp

Relevant Links:
Honey Crisp (Crispin Cider Website)
Honey Crisp Press Release (Crispin Cider Website)
Crispin Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Honey Crisp

Crispin Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve™ is a small batch, hand crafted, super-premium hard apple cider smoothed with real organic honey for a rich, creamy, full-bodied crisp taste. Smooth over ice.

Cloudy Hard Cider™. For the discerning drinker, Honey Crisp’s artisanal style is embodied in our unique Cloudy Filtration™ process, using racked unfiltered apple wine that leaves residual natural apple wine sediment in the bottle. Every bottle should receive a full Bottoms-Up! tilt and swirl before opening and enjoying.

Naturally fermented using a premium apple juice blend, not from apple juice concentrate, with no added malt, spirit or grape alcohol. Honey Crisp is smoothed with pure organic honey, with no added sugar, colorants or sorbate or benzoate preservatives. Honey Crisp's apple juice is a fresh pressed blend of 3 to 5 different apples. We do not use the Honeycrisp apple, a very fine dessert eating apple, but in our experience and in our opinion, not a fine base for apple wine.

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Website Information (Press Release):

Honey Crisp
2011-06-28

Smooth Operator: Introducing Crispin Honey Crisp

Artisanal Reserve(R) Cloudy Hard CiderTM

Confident, Authentic, Uniquely American

The Crispin Cider Company upends the traditional apple cart again with genre breaking new Crispin Honey Crisp -- a uniquely American cider embodying classic European craftsmanship with a New World vitality to create a new style of hard apple cider with a pedigree all its own.

"Crispin has always been inspired by where we came from, however Honey Crisp is inspired by where we are now. A cider with a classical heritage, but its eye firmly on the future." says new US citizen Joe Heron CEO Crispin Cider Company.

Artisanal Reserve. A small batch, hand-crafted, super-premium hard apple cider, Crispin Honey Crisp is smoothed with real organic honey for a creamy, rich, full-bodied and crisp taste. Honey Crisp is vinted to a 6.5% ABV for robust yet smooth refreshment from the first crisp sip to the last drop.

Cloudy Filtration. The embodiment of artisanal style, Honey Crisp boasts a rack-aged cloudy filtration process. Discerning drinkers will find in each bottle a residual apple wine sediment for a smooth full-bodied flavor that's true to the apple and good to the last drop. Honey Crisp drinkers are encouraged to pour the last sediment in to their glasses for deeply satisfying refreshment.

A uniquely earthy, fruity bouquet. Crispin Honey Crisp's authentic cidery aroma is redolent of crisp apple notes, softened with hints of honey echoing the orchard.

Naturally fermented. Uncorrupted by added malt, spirit or grape alcohols, Crispin Honey Crisp is free of added sugar, colorants or sorbate or benzoate preservatives, and is filtered cold for crisp refreshment.

The Greatest Adventures Happen Over Ice: Crispin Super-Premium Natural Hard Apple Ciders are designed to be enjoyed over a glass of ice for crisply satisfying refreshment, Honey Crisp continues with this vision and is exceptionally smooth tasting over ice.

"The combination of super-premium ingredients and hand-craftsmanship yields a hard cider of exceptional smoothness and nuance, yet surprising boldness and confidence," says Joe Heron, founder of the Crispin Cider Company. "Honey Crisp is a distinctively American cider, with a new world swagger and confidence that complements its natural refinement."

A complement to meals - and a delicious component in them.

The same sophistication and nuance that elevates Crispin Honey Crisp to the status similar to fine wine makes it a natural ally in the kitchen. "It subdues spicy food, brings out the subtlety of seafood, and complements a full bodied steak," explains Heron. "Honey Crisp's light carbonation also stands up to bar fare, from pizzas to brats and burgers." On the other end of the spectrum, the Honey Crisp's brisk refreshment adds dimension to fine cheeses, oysters, Asian and Latin cuisines, and even cured meats.

About the Crispin Cider Company

In addition to Crispin Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve Cloudy Hard Cider, the Crispin Cider Company also produces European-style Natural Hard Apple Ciders in Original, Light and Brut varietals. The company is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita

20150327:
Although I didn't take any notes on this drink, I distinctly remember it tasted like a strawberry-flavored wine cooler.

While I associate Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch with beer, I later realized that the bottle indicates the drink is a malt beverage.

[201505017]

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Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita

Relevant Links:
Straw-Ber-Rita (Bud Light Website)
Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita | Anheuser-Busch (BeerAdvocate.com)
Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita (RateBeer.com)
Bud Light Lime Introduces Straw-Ber-Rita (Anheuser-Busch Website) (Press Release)

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Website Information:

Bud Light Lime
STRAW-BER-RITA

STRAW-BER-RITA
BEER MARGARITA WITH A TWIST

ALCOHOL: 8% BY VOLUME
CALORIES: 198 (PER 8 FL. OZ.)
FAT: 0 g (PER 8 FL. OZ.)
CARBS: 23.6 g (PER 8 FL. OZ.)

Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Rita has the great taste of a strawberry margarita with a twist of Bud Light Lime for a delightfully refreshing finish. With Bud Light Lime-Ritas, there’s no need to spend time mixing and blending to prepare a strawberry-flavored beer margarita. Just pop open, pour over ice and enjoy!

Because brewing is a natural process, values are approximate and may vary slightly.
Alcohol content will differ depending on the market in which the product is sold due to state regulations of permissible alcohol content.
For example, in some markets, Straw-Ber-Rita may not exceed 6% alcohol by volume.

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy

2015 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy

Relevant Links:
Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Odd Release (Stone Brewing Website)
Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale | Stone Brewing Co. (BeerAdvocate.com)
Stone Old Guardian (Vintages 2004 and later) (RateBeer.com)

20150327:
Today at Slater's 50/50 Burger I had a beer flight plus an additional sampler. They are as follows:
1. Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
2. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
4. Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy
5. Epic Big Bad Baptist

Color: Orange-red. 8:32PM PT

1. 2. 3. 4: There's no discernible smell coming from this beer, but there's a strong, hoppy taste. Interestingly, despite the hoppiness, the beer is actually smooth. Of course, it did come after trying (1), (2), and (3). 8:59PM PT

With the spiciness from the burger in mind:
1. 2. 3. 4: The Stone is hoppy. It also tastes weird.

I wonder if I should try these beers in a different order. 9:24PM PT

5. 4: Hmm, the beer doesn't taste hoppy right now, but there is a spiciness. Perhaps this spiciness is simply a lingering sensation on my tongue left from the burger. Regardless, the beer retains an alcoholic taste. 3. 2. 5. 1. 9:49PM PT

Website Information:
STONE OLD GUARDIAN
BARLEY WINE - EXTRA HOPPY
2015 RELEASE ODD YEAR

STYLE: BARLEY WINE
ALC/VOL: 11.2%
IBUS: 80
Available in: Limited 22-ounce bottles & draft, Feb 9

Barley wines are traditionally hefty brews, but ours is downright excessive. The huge maltiness of this beer is only tamed by an equally prodigious addition of hops, creating a rich, slightly sweet, caramel-hued ale infused with assertive bitterness and bright hop notes, all culminating in a pleasing dryness. While it will evolve into an even more glorious brew with age, this beer's delicious onslaught of flavors will seriously challenge your ability to wait any longer to drink it.

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout

Relevant Links:
Yeti Imperial Stout (Great Divide Website)
Yeti Imperial Stout | Great Divide Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout (RateBeer.com)

20150327:
Today at Slater's 50/50 Burger I had a beer flight plus an additional sampler. They are as follows:
1. Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
2. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
4. Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy
5. Epic Big Bad Baptist

Color: Pitch black. 8:32PM PT

1. 2. 3: The yeti has some alcoholic fumes, and that's all I detect. Matching the smell, the beer has a strong taste at the start of the sip and a stout flavor that makes itself known at the end of the sip. Afterwards, the lingering flavors are a mixture of strong alcohol and coffee with some bitterness. I like the beer's strength, but I'm ambivalent on its taste. 8:51PM PT 4.

With the spiciness from the burger in mind:
1. 2. 3: Wow, this beer is really strong. There's also a coffee taste. 4.

Maybe I should have the beers in a different order. 9:24PM PT

5. 4. 3: After finishing the Stone Old Guardian I have some ice water. Taking a sip, I find the beer momentarily reveals its stout characteristics before its strength returns. 2. 5. 1. 9:49PM PT

Website Information:
YETI IMPERIAL STOUT

YETI IMPERIAL STOUT is an onslaught of the senses. It starts with big, roasty malt flavor that gives way to rich caramel and toffee notes. YETI gets its bold hop character from an enormous quantity of American hops. It weighs in at a hefty 75 IBUs.

ABV: 9.5%
RATE BEER: 100
AVAILABLE: Year Round
SIZES: 22oz, 12oz 4-pack, 15.5 gal & 5 gal kegs
AWARDS:
2005 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Imperial Stout
2008 Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Imperial Stout
2009 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Imperial Stout
2010 BeerAdvocate “Top 100 Beers On Planet Earth,” #36
2014 RateBeer.com "Top Beer in Colorado"
FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled steak and leeks, rosemary potatoes au gratin, Roquefort blue cheese, crème brulee.

Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'

Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
Vanilla Cream Ale

Relevant Links:
Cali' Creamin' (Mother Earth Website)
Cali Creamin' Vanilla Cream Ale | Mother Earth Brew Co. (BeerAdvocate.com)
Mother Earth California Creamin (RateBeer.com)

20150327:
Today at Slater's 50/50 Burger I had a beer flight plus an additional sampler. They are as follows:
1. Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
2. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
4. Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy
5. Epic Big Bad Baptist

Color: Yellow. 8:32PM PT

1: There's not much of a smell, but this beer definitely tastes like cream soda. Now that I think about it, the beer even looks like cream soda. Oh, I can also smell the cream soda flavor! I like this beer. 8:35PM PT 2. 3. 4.

With the spiciness from the burger in mind:
1: This beer has a nice creamy cream soda taste. 2. 3. 4.

Maybe I should try these beers in a different order. 9:24PM PT

5. 4. 3. 2. 5. 1: This beer smells best and I saved the lightest beer for last. There's no taste initially, but the final sip ends with a nice, cream stout taste. 9:49PM PT

Website Information:
Cali' Creamin'
Vanilla Cream Ale

One of our most popular beers ever, this light cream ale has a malty backbone thanks to some flaked corn and honey malt. A medium bodied cult classic, it is sure to woo the ladies, but also flavorful enough to satisfy the dudes. You’ll swear you were drinking a cream soda... but tricks are for kids.

5.2% ABV

21 IBUs

Epic Big Bad Baptist

Epic Big Bad Baptist

Relevant Links:
Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout (Epic Brewing Website)
Big Bad Baptist | Epic Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Epic Big Bad Baptist (RateBeer.com)

20150327:
Today at Slater's 50/50 Burger I had a beer flight plus an additional sampler. They are as follows:
1. Mother Earth Cali' Creamin'
2. Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
3. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
4. Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine - Extra Hoppy
5. Epic Big Bad Baptist

1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4.

5: The Big Bad Baptist has a light stout smell, and a definite chocolate and coffee taste. I like it. I definitely like it more than the Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout, and possibly more than the Lagunitas Cappucino Stout. 9:31PM PT

4. 3. 2. 5: Yeah I like this more than both (2) and (3). I taste and detect the chocolate notes slightly more than the coffee notes. 1. 9:49PM PT

Website Information:
Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout

One Big Bad Imperial Stout with Cocoa nibs and Coffee beans. Each season's release uses a different dark roasted coffee.

Glassware: Snifter, Tulip White Wine
Food Pairings: Hard cheeses and dark chocolate desserts

Hangar 24 Betty IPA

Hangar 24 Betty IPA

Relevant Links:
Betty IPA (Hangar 24 Website)
Betty | Hangar 24 Brewery (BeerAdvocate.com)
Hangar 24 Betty IPA (RateBeer.com)

20150325: [20150409]
As there were two different glasses to "steal" from Eureka! today, I ordered a second beer by Hangar 24: the Betty IPA.

It definitely had an orange smell, an orange color, and little head. Similar to the nose, it had a good orange taste. In fact, it was the most refreshing citrus beer I've had in a while.

The beer left a nice lacing on the glass and overall has a lovely IPA taste. This is the best IPA I've had in a long time.

I'm on the BART now and it was a bit of a rushed drinking experience, but the aftertaste of the beer is that of an IPA with a brighter citrus flavor.

Furthermore, it was undoubtedly much more drinkable than the Barrel Roll No. 3. With that being said, the Barrel Roll No. 3 was drinkable compared to a bottle of Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA.

Website Information:
Hangar 24 Betty IPA

Betty is an American IPA boasting a blend of Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops. We spent 8 months perfecting this hop blend, and we love the huge range of juicy aromas and flavors we were able to hit: tropical fruit, citrus zest, berries, stone fruit and pine are all packed in, soaring over a base of pleasantly bitter 68 IBUs and drinkable 6.5% ABV. She pours a hazy orange-gold with a white frothy head, and marks the first addition to our Year-Round lineup of beers since Double IPA debuted in 2010.

Additional Information:

With Betty our goal was to brew the modern, American IPA that we'd want to drink ourselves, every day. If you ever had a pint of Experimental IPA in our Tasting Room, you were helping us build this beer, ever since we put the first batch on tap in May of 2013 at our Airfest and 5th Anniversary Celebration. We used that feedback from our fans and employees to help shape Betty.

The beer’s name pays homage to the pin-up art that adorned the planes of American B17 pilots during World War 2. These pilots would commission these fantastic works of art on the noses of their planes, and it serve as a daily reminder of the home they were fighting to protect.

Awards:
SILVER - 2014 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition

Alcohol Content: 6.5%
IBU: 68

Hangar 24 Barrel Roll No. 3 - Pugachev's Cobra

Hangar 24 Barrel Roll No. 3 - Pugachev's Cobra

Relevant Links:
Barrel Roll No. 3 - Pugachev's Cobra (Hangar 24 Website)
Barrel Roll No. 3 Pugachev's Cobra | Hangar 24 Brewery (BeerAdvocate.com)
Hangar 24 Barrel Roll No. 3: Pugachev's Cobra - Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (RateBeer.com)

20150325:
The bartender (at Eureka!) started me off with a sample. The sample had a strong, nice flavor. Upon receiving the full glass, I found it had a dark smell with some alcohol reaching my nose. Tasting the beer, I found it had an alcohol flavor (a slight burn), but with this nice dark taste.

Apparently this release is 19% ABV.* I eventually detected a slight chocolate flavor.

Halfway through, I still sensed the alcoholic burn. I also continued detecting a slight chocolate flavor, but less than before.

The beer came out with no head, and shows no signs of lacing.

As for the last sip, there was still alcohol on the nose, a definite strong taste, but the beer's strength was tolerable and the beer's flavor was tasty. 5:25PM PT

For a beer as strong as the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, it was much more drinkable. On the other hand, it's been a while since I've had a 120 Minute IPA.

*The website says 18.9%.

Website Information:
Barrel Roll No. 3 - Pugachev's Cobra

Get ready for an assault on your senses with PUGACHEV’S COBRA, an intense Russian Imperial Stout. This rich, black beauty with a thick caramel head is bursting with aromas of chocolate, vanilla, oak, bourbon, licorice and dark fruits, while flavors of chocolate-covered plum, sweet malt, bourbon, and roasted coffee explode on your palate.

This is no ordinary beer; three different dark roasted malts and rich maple syrup are combined in a truly unique brewing process to create complexity and depth. Once fermented, it’s then aged for eight months in freshly emptied bourbon barrels. This powerful concoction is designed to be enjoyed now with friends or cellared to perfection and savored in the years to come.

Additional Information:

PUGACHEV'S COBRA: The brainchild of Victor Pugachev — not for the faint of heart. Pilot suddenly raises the aircraft nose to near vertical before dropping back to attack mode.

Fourth Release: December 6, 2014
Bottles for Fourth Release: 11,220
Third Release: December 7, 2013
Bottles for Third Release: 8,856
Second Release: December 8, 2012
Bottles for Second Release: 5,360
First Release: December 10, 2011
First Release Bottles: 3,495

Awards:
SILVER - 2013 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition
BRONZE - 2013 California State Fair Beer Competition
2ND GOLD - 2012 California State Fair

Alcohol Content: 2014-18.9%, 2013-13.8%, 2012-15.8%, 2011-16.5%
IBU: 85
Glass Type: Snifter
Serving: 54º fahrenheit | Cellaring: 50º fahrenheit
Food Pairing: Perfect for sipping after any excellent meal. Enjoy with a nice maduro cigar.

Elevation 66 Ramble Tamble Red Ale

Elevation 66 Ramble Tamble Red Ale

Relevant Links:
Beer Menu (Elevation 66 Website)
Elevation 66 Ramble Tamble Red Ale (RateBeer.com)
Ramble Tamble Red Ale | Elevation 66 Brewing (BeerAdvocate.com)

20150320:
My friends and I are here at Elevation 66 after climbing at Berkeley Ironworks, a rock climbing gym in Berkeley, CA. In any case, one of my friends got the Ramble Tamble Red Ale and I thought it had a nice smell as well as a nice sweet taste. Unfortunately, the taste was slightly affected by the taste of my Blood Orange Cider. 11:42PM PT

Website Information:
Ramble Tamble Red Ale
Wonderfully complex, malty backbone with a strong, citrusy, crisp hop finish. A classic American style red ale.

Two Rivers Blood Orange Cider

~I'm not a beer. I'm a cider.~

20150320:
Today I was at Elevation 66 and after having the HenHouse Biere de Garde I decided to order this cider. I supposed it smelled like a blood orange would smell, I noted there was no head, and I liked the taste - carbonated and juicy. Despite being an alcoholic drink, it tasted like a fruit juice. 11:15PM PT

[20150403]

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Two Rivers Blood Orange Cider

Relevant Links:
Two Rivers Cider Website

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Website Information:

Blood Orange Cider
Deep in color with a bright citrus nose and just enough sweetness to balance the natural acidity.

HenHouse Biere de Garde

20150320: [20150402]
I'm here at Elevation 66 and after having a taste of Esther's Vanilla Stout (by Elevation 66), I decided to "try" the HenHouse Biere de Garde. Having just had a taster, I assumed "try" would imply getting another taster. Instead, the bartender interpreted my request to mean that I wanted to blindly have (i.e., "try") [a pint of] the Biere de Garde.

Upon his pouring me a full pint, I expressed my confusion and according to the bartender, if I wanted another taste, I should have asked used the word "taste" instead of "try." Unfortunately for me, people do in fact use this sense of the word "try." However, I disapprove of his interpretation given the context.

With that being said, I made no complaint and was willing to "try" a full pint of the Biere de Garde.* The beer smelled tart, appeared to have a dark red color, and its head dissipated quickly. Giving the beer a taste, I found it tasted a bit like a Natty Boh. While it slightly tasted tart, the bitterness had more presence than the tartness.

Actually, the beer is a bit malty. Hmm, there is a strange taste. I guess there was also a slight alcoholic burn. 10:55PM PT

*I've never had a biere de garde before, I didn't even know it was a style of beer until today.

[20150403]
I didn't realize it at the time, but upon writing this post, I discovered that I had a HenHouse Saison on 20150317, just three days before having this HenHouse Biere de Garde.

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HenHouse Biere de Garde

Relevant Links:
HenHouse Biere De Garde (RateBeer.com)
HenHouse Slow & Steady (RateBeer.com)*

*This might be the Slow & Steady... but I think it's the Biere de Garde.

Elevation 66 Esther's Vanilla Stout

Elevation 66 Esther's Vanilla Stout

(20150320)

Relevant Links:
Beer Menu (Elevation 66 Website)
Esther's Vanilla Stout | Elevation 66 Brewing (BeerAdvocate.com)
Elevation 66 Esther's Vanilla Stout (RateBeer.com)

20150320:
I had a taste of the Elevation 66 Esther's Vanilla Stout (while at Elevation 66). It has a nice coffee smell and an initially bitter taste, but a nice end. 10:23PM PT Since the tester was not enough to convince me to get a full pint of the beer, I decided to "try" the HenHouse Biere de Garde.

(20150818)

20150818:
Today I got the Fieldwork Hanging Valley, but Celia got the Esther's Vanilla Stout and I had a sip. It definitely tasted like a stout (the typical coffee and chocolate taste). Our friend Jack also noted the chocolate taste.

On an unrelated note, I found it interesting how Celia's shirt color (purple) shows up in the photo along the upper left of the glass and a bit along the bottom of the glass to the right.

Website Information:

Esther's Vanilla Stout
A smooth drinking, low a.b.v stout made with dark roasted malts. Roasty, bold, coffee tones accompany this dark ale with a strong vanilla nose and mild vanilla flavor.

HenHouse Saison

HenHouse Saison

Relevant Links:
HenHouse Brewing Company Website
HenHouse Saison (RateBeer.com)
HenHouse Saison | HenHouse Brewing (BeerAdvocate.com)

20150317: [20150401]
I went to Perdition Smokehouse for the second time today, and unlike last time, I ordered beer. In part, this was due to the lunch special: $10 for a sandwich, chips, and soda, $3 to upgrade the soda to one of three select beers.

Among the three choices, I decided on drinking the HenHouse Saison.* It has an uplifting smell and it tastes good. Maybe it tastes like coriander, because I remember a similar taste when I drinking a New Belgium Trippel, an ale brewed with coriander.

Taking a moment to describe how the beer looks, I find the beer appears to have a very pale, straw yellow color with no lacing. 1:08PM PT

Still trying to place the taste of this beer, I find it doesn't quite have a banana taste, but it does have a taste similar to a flavor which accompanies beers with a banana taste.** 1:10PM PT

*Apparently "saison" is a French word that's pronounced something like "seh-zohn" - with a nasal ending. Of course, there exists those who propose that it would be pretentious to pronounce certain foreign words correctly while speaking American English (e.g., saying "May I have a croissant?" with the French pronunciation of "croissant"). In which case, the "proper" American butchering of "saison" would be something like "say-zahn" or "say-sawn."

**Reviewers use all sorts of words to describe the smell and taste. While "banana," "coriander," and "orange" find their way into some reviews, many also describe the smell and taste as "bready," "lemony," "cereal," "yeasty," "fruity," and "earthy."

Linden Street Emperor Norton

Linden Street Emperor Norton

Relevant Links:
Linden Street Emperor Norton (RateBeer.com)

20150311: [20150328 Edit]
Looking to drink another beer at Eureka!, I sampled the High Water Campfire Stout and wasn't impressed. As such, I decided to order a glass of Linden Street Emperor Norton, an Imperial Stout.

This beer has a black color. It has a dark and good stout taste. Moreover, I find it has a strong flavor and gives off hints of alcohol.

The beer leaves behind clear traces of lacing. 7:53PM PT

Finally, I find the beer has a definite alcohol finish. 8:32PM PT

Internet Information:
Linden St. - Emperor Norton Imperial Stout (9%)
A full-bodied beer, balanced between the natural sweetness of the crystal malts and the dry roast flavor of dark malts. It carrie a Rye spiciness elevated by the bourbon soaked oak. Not your average Imperial Stout -- like Emperor Norton, it is a little eccentric and fits our Bay Area roots.

High Water Campfire Stout

High Water Campfire Stout

Relevant Links:
Campfire Stout (High Water Brewing)
Campfire Stout | High Water Brewing (BeerAdvocate.com)
High Water Campfire Stout (RateBeer.com)

20150311:
I was here at Eureka! and I had just finished my Slice of Darkness.* While I was planning to leave, a good beer conversation left me looking at Eureka's list of beers on tap. After some thought, I decided to have a taste of the High Water Campfire Stout.

While it was just a sip or two worth of beer, I gave the small sample a whiff and I initially thought it smelled like bubblegum. At the least, it was a strange smell. Perhaps more importantly, I did not enjoy the taste.

With that being said, it's important to note that I was coming off a cold and it was only a sample.

I decided to order a Linden Street Emperor Norton.

*I later learned (20150327) that this beer was a collaboration between Triple Voodoo and High Water. Coincidentally, I decided to taste this High Water Campfire Stout.

[20150327]
While the beer's name might suggest a smoky-flavored stout, the beer's description (below) suggests it should be called a S'More Stout. Perhaps the company was going for a more unique name.

Website Information:

Brewmaster's Notes: Campfire Stout

Release Date: April 4, 2012
22oz Bottles & 15.5 Gal and 5.16 Gal Draft
6.5% ABV
38 IBU's

Our newest full production release, available year round. This beer was a blast to create and brew. We put over 4 lbs per bbl of Graham crackers in the mash, we used chocolate malt and to top it off added a natural toasted marshmallow flavor.

Our number one selling beer!

High Water / Triple Voodoo Slice of Darkness

High Water / Triple Voodoo Slice of Darkness

Relevant Links:
High Water / Triple Voodoo Slice of Darkness (RateBeer.com)

20150311: [20150327 Edit]
Once again I'm here at Eureka! for their Steal the Glass Wednesday special. While still coming off a cold, I can't help but come for the beer and the glass.

This Slice of Darkness has a stout smell and a tart taste. It has a black color and a nice carbonated mouthfeel.

Furthermore, the beer hardly has an aftertaste. Overall, this beer tastes good.

Actually, I find it has a slight coffee aftertaste. The beer shows practically no lacing. 6:40PM PT

[20150327]
Apparently the beer is not widely available. In general, I guess the beers which Eureka! gets for their Steal the Glass Wednesday specials can be quite a treat.

Internet Information:
Slice of Darkness
Coffee Saison

High Water / Triple Voodoo beer collaboration release

Slice Of Darkness is a dark Saison made with coffee and spices!

ABV 7.7%
IBU 17

Russian River Blind Pig IPA

Russian River Blind Pig IPA

Relevant Links:
Blind Pig IPA (Russian River Brewing Company Website)
Blind Pig IPA | Russian River Brewing Company (BeerAdvocate.com)
Russian River Blind Pig IPA (RateBeer.com)

20150311: [20150326 Edit]
Today I went to eat at Chez Panisse Cafe and I couldn't help but order this beer. First, I had yet to try it. Second, it is highly rated. And last, but not least, the restaurant has a half pint size!*

In any case, my half pint Russian River Blind Pig IPA had a great hoppy, IPA smell. The beer arrived with a thick head, but it quickly dissipates.

Possibly due to my cold, I found this IPA had a light taste.

The beer had a light straw color and created a decent amount of lacing.

It was tasty and had no bitter aftertaste.

While the half pint is two-thirds the cost of a pint, the size was perfect for lunch (and for being sick). 1:12PM PT

*That's half the reason why I love Yard House! Note that Perdition Smokehouse also has a half pint option.

Website Information:

Blind Pig I.P.A.

India Pale Ale

Full-bodied, very hoppy, citrus, pine, fruity notes with nice dry, bitter finish!

Availability
Pub draft and bottles, local distribution draft and bottles, limited distribution on draft and some bottles to most of our distributors, year-round

Original Gravity: 1.058
Alcohol by Volume: 6.10%
Color: Copper
Bitterness: Medium

Speakeasy Metropolis Lager

Speakeasy Metropolis Lager

Relevant Links:
The Usual Suspects (Speakeasy Website)
Speakeasy Metropolis (RateBeer.com)
Metropolis Lager | Speakeasy Ales & Lagers (BeerAdvocate.com)

20150306:
This beer pours an orange-yellow color with a quickly dissipating head. It has a pungent, somewhat hoppy smell and a light, mellow wheat taste. While I don't like the smell, the beer has an agreeable, though somewhat watered taste. Overall, it's alright. 5:48PM PT

Website Information:
METROPOLIS Lager

Generously dry-hopped with a blend of Mosaic and Saphir hops, Metropolis Lager unites classic German-style brewing and West Coast innovation to create a refreshing yet flavorful lager. Metropolis pours a radiant gold, with tropical fruit aromas and a delicate floral note. Caramel malts lend a subtle sweetness to balance the dry, crisp character of the lager yeast.

Style – American Craft Lager
ABV – 5.3% ABV
IBU – 47 IBU
Malt – Two Row Pale, Vienna, CaraRed, CaraHell
Hops – Mosaic, Saphir, Magnum, Merkur, Hallertau, Pacific Gem
Availability – Limited
Formats – Draft & 12oz. bottles

FOOD PAIRINGS
For the carnivore: The light caramelization of german malts will complement char-grilled bratwurst or juicy burgers. Add a slice of pineapple or bacon to stand up to its bold west coast hops.
Cheese pairing: Salty cheeses with a hint sweetness, like a dry-aged cheddar, will offset the dryness of the lager yeast.
For a fresh catch: To bring out the aromatic citrus and tropical fruit notes of Mosaic and Pacific Gem hops, pair with grilled salmon, ceviche, or fish tacos with mango salsa.

New Belgium Oscar Worthy Coffee

New Belgium Oscar Worthy Coffee

Relevant Links:
Oscar Worthy Coffee | New Belgium Brewing (BeerAdvocate.com)
New Belgium Oscar - Worthy Coffee (RateBeer.com)

20150305: [20150319 Edit]
I'm here at Jupiter and to drink I order this New Belgium Oscar Worthy Coffee. It has a lovely coffee smell, the head disappeared quickly, and it has a dark red color.

Returning to the smell, I find that this beer, more than any other beer I've had recently, has a definite coffee smell.

As for the taste, the beer has an immediate tart and coffee taste that's followed by a lingering flavor which is primarily tart. 12:56PM PT

Unbelievable, the beer's coffee smell is exactly like coffee, or perhaps coffee beans.

The smell and taste of this Oscar Worthy Coffee remains consistent to the end: coffee on the smell, coffee and tart on the taste.

While arguably a bit pricey ($10), it was also worth every penny. 1:21PM PT

In particular, it doesn't seem to be a regular offering, so if you like tart beers and come across it, then I would recommend you try it.