Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Troegs Brewing Company (PA)

Beer Name: Nugget Nectar

Beer Style: Imperial Amber Ale

Abv.: 7.5%

Serving Glassware: Pint Glass, Stein

Serving Temp.: 45-50 deg. F. (BeerAdvocate.com)

Local Availability: Table and Vine (Not yet, but expect a new shipment soon - call)

Pairings: Cheese (Sharp, Bleu, Cheddar), Beef, Chicken

www.bigbeefandbeer.com

Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A/4.5

Appearance: 5

Aroma: 5

Taste: 4

Mouthfeel: 4

Drinkability: 5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A/4.34

Mike's Description

Finally.......! I have been going to Table and Vine twice a week and calling them once a week for the past two months merely to ask about the availability of this beer...and it came...but now it's gone!!!!!  Table and Vine received 22 cases (1 case = 24 bottles) of this amazing beer and within 8 hours of arrival, only 6 were left! Fortunately, I was able to obtain one... It will be back, so have no fear and make sure to call Table and Vine to find out when the next shipment is arriving...there will be more.

Appearance - This is one of the most beautiful beers I've ever seen. Completely translucent and perfectly amber. Light to moderate head and not bad head retention. Lacing is nothing to brag about here. Despite the large amount of hops used "93ish IBUs," this beer is not cloudy at all.

Aroma - This is definitely a highlight of this beer; hoppy fruity whiffs in your face. Extremely strong aroma out of the glass and in the bottle.

Taste - This is the best amber ale that I've ever had...probably because, like most people, I'm a hop fan. I wouldn't say 93 IBUs...more like 75ish, but perhaps that's the freshness I'm tasting (no date on the bottle or case). In addition to the bitterness, the malts are very noticeable. Slight woody notes, but mainly an active fruit flavor (citrusy).

Mouthfeel - The sweet fruity citrusy flavor lingers and it is complimented by the hops to create a wonderfully balanced beer. Wonderful aftertaste.

Drinkability - Despite being 7.5% abv., I would probably drink a six pack of this at one time...it's just so damn good.

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Beer Name: Hoptimum

Beer Style: Imperial IPA

Abv.: 10.4%

Serving Glassware: Snifter, Tulip, Red Wine Glass

Serving Temp.: 50-55 deg. F. (BeerAdvocate.com)

Local Availability: N/A (See Below)

Pairings: Sharp Cheddar, Burgers, Steak, Salmon

www.tfproject.org

Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A+/4.85

Appearance: 5

Aroma: 4.5

Taste: 5

Mouthfeel: 5

Drinkability: 4.5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A-/4.06

Mike's Description

First off, this is one of the best beers that I have ever had...I apologize that my beer of the week is not available at this time and probably won't be for awhile because it was only brewed once by Sierra Nevada and is now completely sold out.  I had it on tap on Monday at Smith's Billiards in Springfield, MA (it was only one of two kegs in Western MA).  Sorry that you couldn't make it Craig...

Appearance - Pours a slightly hazy golden with a reddish tinge. Pure white beautiful head with fantastic retention...bubbles were there the entire time. Lots and lots of lacing obscuring the wine glass almost completely.

Aroma - Sweet smell for a DIPA, but the hops are definitely there.

Taste - Unreal...like the smell there is a lot of sweetness, but the hops and other ingredients balance it out so well.

Mouthfeel - Fantastic, the hops last and last with the sweetness and bitterness continually playing off each other. Great lasting aftertaste that stays with you until the next sip.

Drinkability - Only have a couple of these...although it's hard because you won't be driving anywhere at 10.4%.

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Beer Name: A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'

Beer Style: American Pale Wheat Ale

Abv.: 7.5%

Serving Glassware: Pint, Stein, Weizen Glass

Serving Temp.: 45-50 deg. F. (BeerAdvocate.com)

Local Availability: Table and Vine in six packs

Pairings: Cheese, Chicken, Salad

Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A/4.5

Appearance: 4

Aroma: 4

Taste: 5

Mouthfeel: 4.5

Drinkability: 4.5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A-/4.14

Mike's Description

Appearance - Pours a light golden color, similar to a pilsner, but slightly darker and more opaque. Great head retention and thickness that is pure white. Parts with a thin and scattered lace on the glass.

Aroma - Hops definitely dominate this aroma. The malts are present and the spices from the wheat are noticeable, but the hop bitterness really stands out.

Taste - This beer is an "American Pale Wheat Ale." The name describes the taste perfectly in terms of color, lightness, and a hint of spicy flavor. The flavors completely mask the 7.5% abv. with the aid of the 64.2 IBUs.

Mouthfeel - This beer really satiates all parts of the tongue by delivering exactly what it states. No hot alcohol burn, but a perfect kick from the hops and wheat.

Drinkability - At 7.5% abv. this beer is dangerously drinkable. The light color and crisp taste really throw me off. I feel as though I'm drinking a normal, lower %, pale ale until I look at the bottle.

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information
Brewery: Wachusett Brewing Company
Beer Name: Larry
Beer Style: Imperial IPA
Abv.: 7.5%
Serving Glassware: snifter or tulip glass (for aroma)
Serving Temp.: 50-55 deg. F. (BeerAdvocate.com)
Local Availability: Table and Vine in 22 oz. bottles
Pairings: cheese (spicy, sharp, bleu, cheddar), meat (salmon, steak)



http://365beers.files.wordpress.com

Mike's Ratings (1-5)
Overall Grade/Rate: A/4.5
Appearance: 5
Aroma: 4
Taste: 4.5
Mouthfeel: 4.5
Drinkability: 4.5
BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A-/4.13

Mike's Description
Appearance - A darker shade of gold and slightly opaque; exactly the color a DIPA should be. 1/2 inch head thickness and moderate retention; white tiny bubbles stick nicely on the sides of the glass (pint glass) - looks amazing.

Aroma - Pretty strong hop aroma out of the bottle and in the glass. More piney than citrusy, but pretty well balanced aroma.

Taste - EXACTLY what a DIPA should taste like...extremely well balanced. Piney and citrusy taste reflects the aroma nicely and the taste lingers a little. Aftertaste goes away pretty quickly.

Mouthfeel - At a whopping 85 IBUs makes my mouth feel great...soothes all parts of the tongue and mouth.

Drinkability - Can only have a couple of these at a time at 22 ounces of 7.5% abv. Overall for a DIPA, very drinkable.