Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Fall Beer Tasting October 1st - 15th

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 3, 2009

  As the summer winds down and the air becomes crisp we often reach for a more substantial beer. What do you drink as the weather gets chilly? Is it a stout or porter or something entirely different? Taste your favorite fall beer and share your tasting notes with us. there are no limitations to what you can taste just be sure to share your findings with the rest of us.

  As the summer winds down and the air becomes crisp we often reach for a more substantial beer. What do you drink as the weather gets chilly? Is it a stout or porter or something entirely different? Taste your favorite fall beer and share your tasting notes with us. there are no limitations to what you can taste just be sure to share your findings with the rest of us.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 7, 2009

  I'd have to put the Stone Imperial Russian Stout and the Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale on the list of good fall beers.
  
  Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA, 10.50% ABV
  
  The Imperial Russian Stout Limited Release 2009 from Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California pours out jet black in color with no light getting through and is topped with a viscous, dense mocha head that has no plans on going anywhere anytime soon. On the nose aromas of licorice, freshly roasted coffee, dried dark berries, some charcoal and a touch of sweetness that is almost vanilla like. Syrupy in the mouth with big coffee flavors, roasted grain, licorice, chocolate and hints of smoke. Full bodied. Moderate carbonation. Beautiful lacing. Viscous, syrupy mouthfeel with hints of creaminess. The finish goes on forever with spectacular roast goodness and just a little alcohol warmth. This is one of the best, if not the best, Imperial Russian Stouts available. If you see it on the shelf in the store buy it. You will not be disappointed.
  
  Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale, Alaskan brewing Co. Juneau, AK, 9.80% ABV
  
  The Baltic Porter Ale 2009 from Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska pours out a very deep brown, almost black, in color with a thick, rich, tan head that hangs around for a while. This ale is brewed with cherries, brown sugar, vanilla beans and oak chips. On the nose these come though as a waft of slightly sweet cherry with hints of vanilla, chocolate and coffee. Complex in the mouth with flavors of roasted grain infused with a hint of ripe dried fruit, some sweetness and tinges of vanilla coffee and bittersweet chocolate ganache. Full side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Lovely lacing. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. Extended finish layered with flavor after flavor. It really is quite hard to tell this is 9.80% ABV. An incredible beer that I immensely enjoyed.
  
  

  I'd have to put the Stone Imperial Russian Stout and the Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale on the list of good fall beers.
  
  Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA, 10.50% ABV
  
  The Imperial Russian Stout Limited Release 2009 from Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California pours out jet black in color with no light getting through and is topped with a viscous, dense mocha head that has no plans on going anywhere anytime soon. On the nose aromas of licorice, freshly roasted coffee, dried dark berries, some charcoal and a touch of sweetness that is almost vanilla like. Syrupy in the mouth with big coffee flavors, roasted grain, licorice, chocolate and hints of smoke. Full bodied. Moderate carbonation. Beautiful lacing. Viscous, syrupy mouthfeel with hints of creaminess. The finish goes on forever with spectacular roast goodness and just a little alcohol warmth. This is one of the best, if not the best, Imperial Russian Stouts available. If you see it on the shelf in the store buy it. You will not be disappointed.
  
  Alaskan Baltic Porter Ale, Alaskan brewing Co. Juneau, AK, 9.80% ABV
  
  The Baltic Porter Ale 2009 from Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska pours out a very deep brown, almost black, in color with a thick, rich, tan head that hangs around for a while. This ale is brewed with cherries, brown sugar, vanilla beans and oak chips. On the nose these come though as a waft of slightly sweet cherry with hints of vanilla, chocolate and coffee. Complex in the mouth with flavors of roasted grain infused with a hint of ripe dried fruit, some sweetness and tinges of vanilla coffee and bittersweet chocolate ganache. Full side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Lovely lacing. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. Extended finish layered with flavor after flavor. It really is quite hard to tell this is 9.80% ABV. An incredible beer that I immensely enjoyed.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 9, 2009

  Sierra Nevada Porter, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 5.60% ABV
  
  The Porter from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California pours out a dark brown in color with some reddish hues and a little light getting through. A fairly aggressive pour results in a large, tan head that sticks around for a while. On the nose aromas of roast malt, earth, coffee, chocolate, caramel and little hoppy spice. In the mouth flavors of coffee, chocolate and a touch of hop citric bitterness that is followed by more malt and sweetness. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Very nice lacing. Quite clean mouthfeel with just a few hints of creaminess. The finish lingers, packed with lovely malt flavor. An excellent porter that is great as a treat or as an everyday brew.
  
  

  Sierra Nevada Porter, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 5.60% ABV
  
  The Porter from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California pours out a dark brown in color with some reddish hues and a little light getting through. A fairly aggressive pour results in a large, tan head that sticks around for a while. On the nose aromas of roast malt, earth, coffee, chocolate, caramel and little hoppy spice. In the mouth flavors of coffee, chocolate and a touch of hop citric bitterness that is followed by more malt and sweetness. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Very nice lacing. Quite clean mouthfeel with just a few hints of creaminess. The finish lingers, packed with lovely malt flavor. An excellent porter that is great as a treat or as an everyday brew.
  
  
• mr1mcbeerface

  

  Member
   

  October 10, 2009

  Samuel Adams October Harvest Collection Includes som of my favorites for this season the Oktoberfest, Irish Red, Brown Ale, Classic Boston Lager, and my top 2 the Dunkelweizen aromas from Cloves to fruit, a crisp malty taste of biscut, citrus,wheat. And the Cherry Wheat a smooth full bodied wheat beer with a kiss of cherry red maraschino cherry type flavor one of my year round flavor craving a little bottle of Christmas

  Samuel Adams October Harvest Collection Includes som of my favorites for this season the Oktoberfest, Irish Red, Brown Ale, Classic Boston Lager, and my top 2 the Dunkelweizen aromas from Cloves to fruit, a crisp malty taste of biscut, citrus,wheat. And the Cherry Wheat a smooth full bodied wheat beer with a kiss of cherry red maraschino cherry type flavor one of my year round flavor craving a little bottle of Christmas
• mr1mcbeerface

  

  Member
   

  October 10, 2009

  Sierra Blanca Brewing Carrizozo N.M. Nut Brown A woody aroma with slight nutmeg spice tingles the nose. With quick flavors of hazelnut and chocolate and sneaky after taste includes smokey walnut and vanilla. A choice NM flavor next to green Chile and pinon tree nuts>

  Sierra Blanca Brewing Carrizozo N.M. Nut Brown A woody aroma with slight nutmeg spice tingles the nose. With quick flavors of hazelnut and chocolate and sneaky after taste includes smokey walnut and vanilla. A choice NM flavor next to green Chile and pinon tree nuts>
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 11, 2009

  I will have to look for that Sierra Blanca.

  I will have to look for that Sierra Blanca.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 11, 2009

  Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales Brewery, Newport, OR, 6.50% ABV
  
  The Dead Guy Ale (German Maibock) from Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport, Oregon pours out a golden, coppery orange in color with good clarity and a large, dense off white head. Fantastic nose packed with aromas of caramel, bread, honey, mango and orange. In the mouth the malty sweetness comes first followed by spice and citrus hops to balance things. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Great lacing. Slight creaminess and oil to the mouthfeel. An exquisite finish that lasts a very long time filled with sweet and bitter. An incredible beer. Very deserving of all the awards it has won and one that should not be passed up. Each mouthful leaves you wanting more.
  
  

  Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Ales Brewery, Newport, OR, 6.50% ABV
  
  The Dead Guy Ale (German Maibock) from Rogue Ales Brewery in Newport, Oregon pours out a golden, coppery orange in color with good clarity and a large, dense off white head. Fantastic nose packed with aromas of caramel, bread, honey, mango and orange. In the mouth the malty sweetness comes first followed by spice and citrus hops to balance things. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Great lacing. Slight creaminess and oil to the mouthfeel. An exquisite finish that lasts a very long time filled with sweet and bitter. An incredible beer. Very deserving of all the awards it has won and one that should not be passed up. Each mouthful leaves you wanting more.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 14, 2009

  Sierra Nevada Stout, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 5.80% ABV
  
  The Sierra Nevada Stout from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California pours out jet black in color, is pretty much opaque and has a large, mocha colored head that is dense and sticks around. On the nose aromas of fig, plum, faint molasses and a hoppy earthiness. In the mouth there is a lovely roast bitterness with dark chocolate, caramel, a hint of coffee and hop bite. Mild carbonation. Full bodied. Great lacing. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. The bitterness carries through the finish with a little sweetness coming in right at the end. A very balanced stout that hits the mark. Probably one of the best stouts out there.
  
  

  Sierra Nevada Stout, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA, 5.80% ABV
  
  The Sierra Nevada Stout from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California pours out jet black in color, is pretty much opaque and has a large, mocha colored head that is dense and sticks around. On the nose aromas of fig, plum, faint molasses and a hoppy earthiness. In the mouth there is a lovely roast bitterness with dark chocolate, caramel, a hint of coffee and hop bite. Mild carbonation. Full bodied. Great lacing. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. The bitterness carries through the finish with a little sweetness coming in right at the end. A very balanced stout that hits the mark. Probably one of the best stouts out there.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  October 27, 2009

  Punkin Ale, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE 7.00% ABV
  
  The Punkin Ale (brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg) from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware pours out a deep copper in color with perfect clarity and a one finger, slightly off-white head that dissipates pretty quickly. On the nose the cinnamon and nutmeg are most prevalent with hints of rich brown sugar and pumpkin pie. In the mouth flavors of spiced biscuit with good sweetness and pumpkin. The spice and hop balance out the sweetness nicely. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing. Medium bodied. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Good flavors linger on an extended finish. A very nice, very fall beer that is a delight to drink.
  
  

  Punkin Ale, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE 7.00% ABV
  
  The Punkin Ale (brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg) from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware pours out a deep copper in color with perfect clarity and a one finger, slightly off-white head that dissipates pretty quickly. On the nose the cinnamon and nutmeg are most prevalent with hints of rich brown sugar and pumpkin pie. In the mouth flavors of spiced biscuit with good sweetness and pumpkin. The spice and hop balance out the sweetness nicely. Moderate carbonation. Some lacing. Medium bodied. Slight cream to the mouthfeel. Good flavors linger on an extended finish. A very nice, very fall beer that is a delight to drink.
  
  
• mr1mcbeerface

  

  Member
   

  October 27, 2009

  Blue Moon Harvest Moon some notes of pumpkin flavor low on spice less flavor then other pumpkin ales. Shipyard Brewing Pumpkin Head Portland Main better then harvest moon golden in color aroma and a brown sugar taste hints of pumpkin and nutmeg with a sharp ginger bite resembles a ginger snap cookie. Still nothing holds up to the warm taste of Chama River Brewing Co. Albuquerque N.M. seasonal spice full bodied rich flavor liquid pumpkin pie. I long await for every October . The flavors of this brew last longer than the supplies of demand on this local triditional brew. Perfect for a Halloween party yet have never been able to score a keg so late in the month.

  Blue Moon Harvest Moon some notes of pumpkin flavor low on spice less flavor then other pumpkin ales. Shipyard Brewing Pumpkin Head Portland Main better then harvest moon golden in color aroma and a brown sugar taste hints of pumpkin and nutmeg with a sharp ginger bite resembles a ginger snap cookie. Still nothing holds up to the warm taste of Chama River Brewing Co. Albuquerque N.M. seasonal spice full bodied rich flavor liquid pumpkin pie. I long await for every October . The flavors of this brew last longer than the supplies of demand on this local triditional brew. Perfect for a Halloween party yet have never been able to score a keg so late in the month.