Merry Christmas

I'm back from Aruba (that's me drinking a Balashi beer in the airport on the way back home - note the sad face) and while it's always good to be home, boy do I miss it already.  I could seriously be a professional vacationer!   More to come on the beers I had while on vacation, but first...

Today is Christmas day, so if you celebrate - Merry Christmas!  I'll be spending the day with family and friends and here's what's on tap:

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA - bringing six pack to my Sisters' (it's her favorite)
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale - bringing six pack to my Brothers'
Lagunitas Maximus - sneaked 1 bottle in the Holiday Ale sixer above as it's a nice big Double IPA

The last one is going to be a special brew from the beer fridge...I believe it will be one of the Firestone Walker 15's.  Big beers like that are meant to be shared, so why not today!?

I know my brothers will also have some big beers in store, so I'm looking forward to a pretty awesome evening.  What do you all plan to open up special for today (or this fine holiday season)?

Cheers!

Olfabrikken Porter

In honor of my upcoming trip to a foreign land (Aruba), I am posting my first foreign brewed ale.  This beer was one of the first foreign beers I'd never heard of and decided to try...I know, I know living on the edge!  So just to be clear, I'm not talking about Guinness or Samuel Smith, but a real hidden gem.  To this day, this is the best Baltic Porter I've had - Olfabrikken Porter.   

What makes a porter Baltic, you may ask?  Well, I'm glad you're paying attention as that's a good question!  According to multiple sources, a Baltic Porter is typically brewed in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark or Sweden; the Olfabrikken Porter is brewed in Denmark.

Being adventurous is the only way to pursue the perfect beer.  So when I first saw this beer at Marty's in West Newton about 5 years ago (or thereabouts).  I was drawn to the fun to say name...Ol Fa Brik ken (that's how I say it anyway) and the fact that it was a Porter that I had never heard of.  After the first sip, I was in love.  You get the normal Porter characteristics, big roasted malt & barley, some chocolate, brown sugar, and a little something else that's hard to identify.  Almost all of the Baltic Porters I've had (Sinebrychoff, Smuttynose, Victory, etc...) have a faint sour or subtle fruit note throughout.  While this sounds strange, it's just part of this complex Porter.  This Porter is deep black and stout like, but doesn't have the typical bitterness of some stouts.  It goes down smooth, especially for a 7.5% beer.  If you like Porters, I suggest taking a dip in the Baltics and going for this one!

Kev Rating: A+
Style: Baltic Porter
ABV: 7.50%

IBUs: ?
Availability:  Easy to find at a store with a good selection of Foreign Craft Beers
Had: 22oz bottle purchased originally at Marty's in West Newton (many times since)
Region: Denmark

Slumbrew Porter Sq Porter

Continuing on my support local theme, next up is a Porter from the Somerville Brewing Company (aka Slumbrew).  

Slumbrew is a new addition to the Greater Boston brewing scene.  To describe their operation properly, here is a blurb from their very own website:  "The Somerville Brewing Company contracts with regional breweries to make the best recipes for wide-spread commercial release, but each recipe is an evolving process of refinement. This model for beer production provides an opportunity to experiment with innovative local ingredients to produce craft beers that stand apart from typical formulations." I'm hoping this mantra will bring some interesting and unique beers to the area for years to come.  I'm always willing to give an upstart a shot, so the first time I saw a Slumbrew beer at the store, I picked it up.  

The Porter Square Porter is one of the three beers currently being distributed by Slumbrew (they also have an IPA and a Hefeweizen).  If you've ever been to Porter Square, you know that A) there is a lot of traffic (people, cars, buses, bikes, etc) and B) that you'll always be able to find something good to eat & drink!  

As most of you know, I dig the dark beers, so this was an easy way to get me to try their beer.  When reading the label, I learned that the Porter was conditioned with cacao nibs from Taza Chocolate.  If you didn't read the lable first, believe me you'd still be able to taste the chocolate.  This one was very chocolatey on the nose and then a big roasted malt up front leading into a nice bitter chocolate - almost like popping a handful of morsels in your mouth (you know who you are).

I definitely recommend this Porter for people that don't love dark beer.  It's light, goes down easy, and has a great chocolate undertone throughout.  AND, it's LOCAL!

Kev Rating: B
Style: American Porter
ABV: 6.50%

IBUs: 31
Availability: Moderately easy to find at a store with a good Craft selection
Had: 22oz bottle purchased at Glendale Liquors in Waltham
Region: Somerville, MA

12 Beers of Christmas

I decided to join in the Holiday spirit and do a quick 12 Beers of Christmas/Winter list.  While this list is not specifically Winter Ales, they are seasonally released at this point of the year and I for one, enjoy them in these colder months.  Feel free to suggest your own to the mix, I'm sure there are plenty I simply can't think of right now:

Anchor Christmas Ale
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel Solstice D'hiver
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Founders Breakfast Stout
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale
Long Trail Hibernator
Mayflower Winter Oatmeal Stout
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
Sierra Nevada Celebration
Southern Tier Choklat
Troegs Mad Elf
Victory Dark Intrigue

Cheers!

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

The first few posts have been about some pretty hard to get beers, let's bring it down a notch to something a bit easier to find.  While this is not going to be on every shelf, I know of at least two stores right now where I could find it.  Also, I've been feeling the love today from my awesome cousin-in-law Etan and well, the first time I had this it was a gift from him.

When I started branching out and trying to find new breweries and beers, I came across a bottle of Victory At Sea - a Coffee, Vanilla, Imperial Porter by Ballast Point Brewery.  As someone who was always a fan of the dark beers, this easily caught my eye.  At some point I'll provide the full review on that inaugural voyage into Ballast Point's lineup, but tonight the focus is perhaps their most regarded beer - Sculpin IPA.

I had been dying to try this beer for a long time as it was always highly rated on BeerAdvocate and RateBeer.  However, I could never seem to find it on local shelves.  This past summer, Rebecca visited California and was given some amazing beers from some West Coast Beer Geeks (very close friends); included in the booty was the infamous Sculpin.  

After a very short lived fridge life, I decided to enjoy this one in the heat of the summer (I love a good IPA in the summer).  When smelling this one, I got an amazing overload of citrus - both grapefruit and something tropical.  Upon first sip, it had the unmistakeable flavors of West Coast Hops.  While the hops were really strong up front, it quickly mellowed and was extremely light & crisp on the finish.  This IPA is one of the best IPA's currently being brewed right now.  I try to pick one up periodically to simply sit back & enjoy...I highly suggest you do the same the next time you see it on the shelf.

Kev Rating: A
Style: American IPA
ABV: 7.00% (70 IBUs)
Availability: Moderately easy to find at a store with a good Craft selection
Had: 22oz bottle, gift from Etan
Region: San Diego, CA

Mean Old Tom

Part of my mission to find the perfect beer is also to support local craft breweries as much as possible.  Case in point - Maine Beer Company out of Portland, Maine.  

Not only is the Maine Beer Co part of the 1% for the Planet cause they are a truly outstanding small operation in Portland.  I can't wait to get up to Portland to visit this new brewery for the first time.  In the mean time I'll have to continue supporting them by buying their fantastic line up of beers.

First up for discussion is their newest beer, Mean Old Tom, an American style Stout.  Mean Old Tom pours a very dark black and had about a half inch foamy head.  The biggest aroma I got was of dark chocolate.  On the tongue I could definitely taste the roasted malt, more bitter chocolate, and a very faint hint of the vanilla (this one was aged on natural vanilla beans).  When enjoying this stout, let it come to room temperature or the subtle flavors will be lost.  Also, don't expect an Imperial Stout when enjoying an American Stout like this.  The overall experience is way more mellow than an Imperial Stout...it's easier to drink and closer to the mouthfeel of a porter.

If you get a chance to purchase any of the Maine Beer Co's beers (Zoe, Peeper, Lunch, or Mean Old Tom here), you shouldn't hesitate.  I'll review each of them in the near future.  As most of my beer geek friends can attest, I cannot stop recommending this brewery as their beers are solid and priced just right!

Also, if you're in the greater Boston area this weekend, stop by the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont as a rep from the Maine Beer Co will be there on Saturday, 12/10 from 3pm to 5pm sharing stories and more importantly - beer!  I am going to do my best to be there to support this fantastic brewery.

Kev Rating: A
Style: American Stout (aged on Vanilla Beans)
ABV: 6.50%
Availability: Hit shelves in ME, VT, NY, MA in late November, hoping for more soon!
Had: 16.9oz Bottle poured into Snifter - purchased @ Gordon's in Waltham (main st)
Region: Portland, ME

Victory Dark Intrigue

Last year Victory Brewing Company released a limited batch of their Storm King Stout on steroids.  This amped up version was known as Dark Intrigue, a bourbon barrel aged version of their Storm King Stout.  Precisely, it is the Storm King aged for a summer in bourbon barrels from Jim Beam and Heaven Hill Distilleries.  While I was lucky enough to enjoy a 2010 bottle last December, I am saddened to read on Victory's site that this will be the 2nd and last batch of Dark Intrigue.  I guess not all good things are meant to last.

I purchased this beer with the intent on aging it for a bit or at least for more than 2 days (yeah...that didn't happen).  So, in a moment of weakness I decided to bypass the leftover beers in the big fridge and crack open the Dark Intrigue that I purchased this weekend.  For those of you that do get your hands on a bottle, it does say on the bottle that it can be aged for up to 5 years...good luck with that.

I had this in the beer fridge for only a day or so, so the temperature was pretty close to optimal drinking temp (not too cold).  I poured this one into a 22oz snifter (thanks Ikea) and it was beautiful - pitch black with a nice 2 inch head.  While I did steal a quick sip to fit all of the 750ml into the snifter, it was only done to allow the entire beer to be poured into the snifter.  I then put the snifter down and let it open up & warm up a bit while the wife and I wrote our Holiday cards.  

After about 10-15 minutes I decided it was time to sip & enjoy.  While I knew what to expect as I'd had this last year, I was still excited.  Upon first sip, I was instantly greeted with bourbon, vanilla, and dark chocolate; not a bad way to start.  As it warmed up, it also mellowed out.  I was able to taste some roasted malt and a pretty decent amount of hops.  If you've had a bourbon barrel aged beer, you know you're going to get a pretty good smell and mouthful of the bourbon...but this one was pretty subdued throughout.  At the very end it was a bit boozy, but that's to be expected.

Kev Rating: A- for the 2011 version; I looked back & see I rated the 2010 version an A
Style: Russian Imperial Stout (bourbon barrel aged)
ABV: 9.10%
Availability: Once a year - December.  Let's hope this isn't the last year as their website said.
Had: 750ml bottle; corked - purchased from Gordon's in Watertown
Region: Downington, PA

Kate The Great RIS

It's only fitting that my first entry on my new beer blog be for the glorious Kate The Great Russian Imperial Stout from the Portsmouth Brewery in NH.

While I have been a fan of craft beer for a long time now, no one beer has ever engrained itself in my head like the Kate the Great. Not only is it the best stout I have ever tasted, it also shares my initials - KTG; could it be more perfect?

A few years back you used to be able to 'happen upon' Kate at the Portsmouth Brewery as I did in 2007. My wife and I were spending the weekend in Portsmouth and stopped by our favorite NH brewery for some dinner and drinks. Side note - the beer mussels are FANTASTIC. As it so happens, after dinner was finished the waiter asked if I'd like to try something a little more intense for dessert as I'd been drinking stouts (Black Cat) throughout the meal. Never shying away from a new beer, I accepted his challenge. What he brought out was a beautiful dark glass of ale...Kate the Great RIS. After the first sip, I was in love. It was a perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt...the lacing on the glass was so beautiful it was art!

Next came the perfect storm...according to the Portsmouth Brewery website, "Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout named #1 Beer in the USA & #2 on Planet Earth by the Beer Advocates in Beer Advocate Magazine's 2007 Beer Roundup". This was a game changer and KtG would now become a challenge to enjoy. I am a proud member and supporter of BeerAdvocate.com (member since 2006) so I was happy to see KtG receive some major support. But, what was to follow is simply unbelievable. 2008 was the first official Kate the Great day, 900 bottles sold out in 3 hours and the keg was kicked in 3 days. In 2009, 900 bottles sold out in 2 hours and the keg was kicked the same day. A buddy and I attended the 2009 KtG day and while we were unable to get a bottle (this was before the current lottery system was in place) we did enjoy 2 fantastic glasses while eating lunch at the Brewery...oh did I mention we waited in line from a little before 8am on a soggy cold Monday in March until about 1pm to get inside? It was worth it.

So to be clear - I still consider Kate the Great to be the best ale I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. If you are able to go to a KtG day (typically on a Monday in March (March 5th this year)) you should...you will meet wonderful people in line and have an amazing beer.

You will see a vast variety of ales on this site and I hope that my 2 cents nudge you to try one (or all of them)!

Kev Rating: A+
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 8%-10% varying on the batch
Availability: Whale (very limited release)
Had: On tap
Region: Portsmouth, NH