Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Berkshire Brewing Company

Beer Name: River Ale

Beer Style: American Dark Wheat Ale

Abv.: 7%

Serving Glassware: Pint, Stein, Hefeweizen Glass

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

Local Availability: Table and Vine, many places

Pairings: Barbecued Meat, Pie (cherry)

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Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A-/4.22

Appearance:4

Aroma: 4

Taste: 4.5

Mouthfeel: 4

Drinkability: 4

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: B+/3.88

Mike's Description

Had this both on-tap at BBC and in bombers. Both were fantastic, but my review is based on the 22 ounce bottle.

Appearance - Now I see what they mean by a "DARK wheat ale"...very dark indeed for a wheat beer. Similar in shade to a brown ale, but more greyish...I've never seen a beer this color before. I guess it resembles a scotch ale, but with less lively colors. Frothy inch-and-a-half darker head that complements the beer. Good level of lacing on the shaker pint glass...to be expected from BBC. Some sediment present obscuring the clarity which is typical for a wheat beer.

Aroma - The bready/biscuity aromas of a wheat beer are present, but there is also a musty/rustic feel to the esters.

Taste - Fantastic and perfectly representative of the style with added unexpected kicks. Tastes like a wheat beer (the usual spicy/bitter flavor), but loads and loads of malt to sweeten things up. In terms of fruity notes, I'm getting grapes and raisins mainly. On the sweeter side I'm picking up brown sugar and caramel.

Mouthfeel - Provides the spiciness that wheat beer-lovers crave. Medium to full-bodied beer that also satisfies the sweet tooth.

Drinkability - This is my favorite beer by BBC (the coffee house porter is a close second). The alcohol is detectable, but doesn't deter. I could easily down two of these bad boys in the springtime...and here I go!

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Russian River Brewing

Beer Name: Pliny the Elder

Beer Style: Imperial IPA

Abv.: 8%

Serving Glassware: Tulip, Snifter, Oversized Wine Glass

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

Local Availability: N/A

Pairings: Enjoy this rarity by itself!

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Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A-/4.25

Appearance: 5

Aroma: 4.5

Taste: 4

Mouthfeel: 4

Drinkability: 4.5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A+/4.59

Mike's Description

My notes take into consideration the age of this bottle...it is probably a couple months old, so it won't be up to par with standards.  This is the highest rated beer in the world next to Trappist Westvleteren, so thank you Craig for trading me this amazing rarity!!!

Appearance - Burnt orange color with 1/2" of white head and decent retention. Lacing is present all over the snifter. Beautiful representation of the style.

Aroma - Hops are up front with citrusy bursts similar, but slightly more active than Nugget Nectar. I am pretty certain the famous fresh hop esters have dissipated over time.

Taste - Again, hops dominate the forefront of this facet with a nice orange-peel citrusy aftertaste. The malt comes through in the aftertaste as well and combines perfectly with the hops.

Mouthfeel - The malt/hop balance really comes into play here...the bitter hop notes play up the fruity sweetness and coat the tongue all over.

Drinkability - This is a fantastic beer overall and it is one of the best DIPAs that I have ever had. I am pretty sure that if I had this within a few days of bottling, it would be my favorite, but it is amazing nonetheless. The alcohol is completely hidden my the hop bitterness and the citrusy character. Thanks again Craig for this extremely rare opportunity!

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Peak Organic Brewing Company

Beer Name: King Crimson

Beer Style: Imperial Amber Ale

Abv.: 9%

Serving Glassware: Pint, Stein

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

Local Availability: Special Release (Table and Vine may still have some)

Pairings: Crackers, Burgers, Steak, Mushrooms, Peppers

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Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A/4.5

Appearance: 4.5

Aroma: 4.5

Taste: 4.5

Mouthfeel: 4.5

Drinkability: 4.5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: B+/3.98

Mike's Description

Appearance - Beautiful amber shade (pretty much the same color as the label) with 1 inch of off-white head. Fantastic retention that carries throughout the session and heavy lacing.

Aroma - Wonderful aromas that are true to the style. Citrusy hop esters and licorice come to mind with a nice syrupy malt finish.

Taste - Very heavy and flavorful malt backbone with a plethora of fruity hops. The label says "lavishly dry-hopped" in addition to the wet-hopping and it is pretty blatant. Wonderful fruity sweetness balanced by Simcoe dry-hopping bitterness.

Mouthfeel - Pretty full-bodied brew, especially for an amber. The dominant citrusy character from the hops clashes with the strong malty facet...everything is in full force.

Drinkability - Overall this is in my top 3 favorite ambers and probably my favorite imperial amber. It is outdone by Nugget Nectar because NN has much less alcohol, yet it pretty much reaches the same level of flavor and hop character that Crimson achieves. You can also drink a 6-pk of NN whereas only one of these bombers would nearly put me over the top.

Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: Cisco Brewers
Beer Name: Monomoy Kriek

Beer Style: American Wild Ale

Abv.: 6.7%

Serving Glassware: Flute, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass

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

Local Availability: Table and Vine

Pairings: Steak



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Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A-/4.05

Appearance: 4

Aroma: 4

Taste: 4

Mouthfeel: 4.5

Drinkability: 4

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A-/4.15

Mike's Description

Thanks to Meg and Kev for this awesome beer!

 

Appearance - Appears amber in color with about a half inch of head and little to no retention. No lacing present on the pint glass. Akin to Dr. Pepper in appearance!

Aroma - Believe it or not...ketchup!  A tinge of red wine is present within this facet as well.

Taste - This is really where this beer is a winner for a mere 6.7% abv. This American Wild Ale "Aged in Oak Barrels" stays close to its title. The oak aged flavor is ever present and being a wild ale, the wild yeast's habitat clearly had some thought put into it because this beer is extremely distinct from other wild ales that I've had...it resembles red wine in taste.

Mouthfeel - The aftertaste is lingering in a way that only red wine can provide. At 6.7% there isn't much to mask, but the wild yeasts more than adequately handle the task.

Drinkability - This beer is extraordinarily different from any other beer I've had. I would only recommend this to the adventurous palate that also has a taste for red wine.