The Bruery White Chocolate First released as an exclusive beer to the members of the The Bruery’s Reserve Society of 2012, this is a Wheatwine aged in bourbon barrels with cacao nibs and vanilla beans. The beer pours a nice honey color, light amber with touches of orange and light brown when struck by the light. A nice, thick, soapy, white head appears momentarily but dissipates briefly leaving behind no lacing. The aroma starts powerful white chocolate, touches of caramel, light vanilla and oaky bourbon, it’s quite smooth, potently rich but very inviting. The flavors are right in line, but a touch more complex, light, sweet chocolate straight away with a ton of caramel flavor behind it, vanilla eases its way behind them nicely, touches of bourbon, chewy oak with some honey and light hoppy citrus at the finish. The flavors meld quite nicely together, providing a nice balance between the strong rich flavors and the lighter more effervescent flavors. The body is a bit thinner than I’d like with a touch more carbonation than anticipated, but it coats the mouth nicely and finishes smoothly. Verdict: A very nice bourbon barrel beer from The Bruery. While certainly a sweet, sipping beer, the richness is moderately kept in check making this a great beer to share for desert. (4.08/5)

Goose Island Night Stalker (2012) One of Goose Island’s rotating stouts, Night Stalker Imperial Stout is a heavily dry hopped stout that uses the same base stout as the famed Bourbon County Brand Stout. The beer pours a lovely jet black color, thick and fairly viscous in texture from the bottle, a thin, fizzy, caramel colored head appears briefly with poor retention and leaves behind no lacing. The aroma is peculiar, burnt, roast coffee, a touch of charred malt and rich chocolate with a bright bitter citrus layer, comes across a bit like a chocolate covered orange, but still a bit muddled and the balance is a bit rough. The flavors are just as interesting, lots of citrus and floral, hoppy notes straight away with lingering chocolate, a touch of coffee roast and toasted malt with just a bit of lingering stone fruit at the end. The flavors are much more cohesive than the nose, but I’m still not convinced the hoppy stout is a pleasurable style. The body is fairly rich, but a little light for an imperial stout, higher than average carbonation with a very dry finish. Verdict: A interesting Imperial Stout from Goose Island, the hoppy, citrus elements feel a bit clunky and the cohesion is a bit lacking. Certainly an interesting experiment, but not one I’m interesting in seeking out again. (3.78/5)

Deschutes The Dissident (2012) One of the less frequently made beers from Deschutes, the 2012 release of The Dissident was just the third time this beer has appeared since it’s inception in 2008. Per the bottle, it is a Flander’s Red that is 20% Ale in French Oak wine barrels and 80% Ale brewed with cherries. The beer pours a great dark cherry color, touches of burgundy and garnet when struck by the light, a fizzy, bone colored head appears briefly but vanishes instantly with no lacing left behind. The aroma is heavy on sour cherry, light oak with some strong vinegar presence, a bit of strawberry is noticeable as well. The aroma is very intense, from the moment the bottle is cracked open, the immediate area is blasted by the sour cherry fragrance. The flavors are very similar, lots of cherry, leaning towards dried cherry rather than fresh cherry, smooth sweet oak with a touch of red grape. There is some strong vinegar and acidity on the tongue, at times a bit overdone and off-putting but as the beer warms and opens up these effects tone down and the beer becomes a bit more smooth and rounded. The body is very lively, zesty and prickly on the tongue, very fizzy with high carbonation with a fairly abrasive finish.  Verdict: A decent Flander’s Red from Deschutes, lacking in complexity and subtlety as the harsh sour and vinegar qualities really dominate this beer at times. I’m left wishing the cherry flavors came across as fresh fruit rather than dried as they never really pop. My one praise is that you would never know it’s 11.4% as the alcohol is artfully hidden. (3.58/5)

Founders Imperial Stout Another winter stout from Founders, Imperial Stout is their take on the Russian Imperial Stout. The beer pours a viscous, sludgy texture out of the bottle, jet black in color with a nice dense caramel colored head, about a finger high that has moderate retention but leaves behind a great network of sticky lacing. The aroma is very nice, roasted coffee and burnt chocolate that eases up into some nice sweet grain and dark pitted fruit. The complexity is a bit lacking, but with the simplicity comes a very nice balance. The flavors are rewarding as well, big roasted coffee with bitter dark chocolate jumps out, molasses and a bit of licorice follow behind that help smooth things out and bring out some nice rich grain and sweeter dark cherries that also provide a hint of tartness that is very pleasant. The body is thick and chewy, rich and fairly smooth, just enough carbonation to prop up the flavors and to give this beer just enough lively prickliness but yet still have an easy smooth finish. Verdict: A Very nice Russian Imperial Stout from Founders. It’s big and robust yet smooth and rich and while the flavors aren’t that developed, clearly with time this beer will evolve into a really flavorful and special beer. (4.00/5)

The Lost Abbey Serpent’s Stout An annual winter release, Serpent’s Stout is The Lost Abbey’s take on a high gravity American Imperial Stout, clocking in at 11%. This bottle is just over a year old, bottled January 6th, 2012. The beer pours an impressive sludgey jet black color barely a touch of brown when struck by the light. A nice soft billowy caramel colored head rises out of the beer, nearly 2 fingers hight that leaves about a quarter finger behind throughout the entire session with just a touch of lacing. The aroma is heavy on molasses, roasted coffee with bits of bitter dark chocolate and rich dark grain with a bit of raisin and dark stone fruit that leads to a big alcohol presence that is hot on the nostrils. The flavors are nice, rich decadent chocolate that isn’t too sweet or too bitter, layers of molasses, caramel and pitted fruit, sweet cherry predominantly. Roasted coffee peeks out behind the fruit while a strong malt sweetness that brings out the alcohol comes through at the finish, the alcohol is somewhat harsh on the tongue but doesn’t take over the other flavors too much. The body is very rich and viscous, thick but not syrupy with just enough lively carbonation to prop up the flavors well, the finish is silky and smooth with a mild warming sensation as it goes down. Verdict: A big, bold, boozy Imperial Stout from The Lost Abbey, and one that is fairly rewarding. The flavors are mildly complex, nicely balanced but the alcohol is still very pesky and doesn’t really let this beer shine the way it could. Definitely one to check out if you like a big rich Imperial Stout. (3.99/5)

Hill Farmstead Anna Another member of the Ancestral Series from Hill Farmstead, Anna is dedicated to Shaun’s Grandfather’s Sister and is a Biére de Miel brewed with 20% raw wildflower Vermont honey. Anna pours a lovely golden straw color, hues of lemon and light orange with a nice cloudy, hazy texture with a lovely 2 fingers of cloudy, soft white head that has very nice retention and leaves behind a nice touch of lacing. The aroma is really wonderful, lots of nice funky yeast, pale straw, zesty lemon, clove and bits of a banana really shine with some light floral layers that really bring out the nice subtle notes of honey with just a brush of berry fruit that lingers so nicely. The flavors are just as invigorating, tons of bright citrus on the tongue that brings out a great floral  presence, nice layers of hibiscus with a great presence of funky pale grain, straw and bits of lightly sweet honey. Just a touch of alcohol is present at the finish that has a very pleasant bit of berry and banana flavor. The body is nice and full, very lively, coats the mouth very well, medium to high carbonation with a prickly yet dry finish. Verdict: A truly great Honey Saison from Hill Farmstead. Wonderfully complex and delightfully balanced, this really is one of the more remarkable American made Saisons, a must try for anyone who enjoys this style. (4.45/5)

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus An annual treat, Alpha Klaus is Three Floyds’ Christmas Porter, and a beer that I very much look forward to each year. The beer pours a lovely jet black color, extremely opaque texture with a thick, cloudy khaki head that leaves behind a touch of lacing. The aroma is nice, lots of rich chocolate, touches of vanilla with some nice brown sugar notes as well, roasted coffee with some nice dark grain brings out a touch of alcohol at the finish. The flavors are very pleasant, big rich dark grain right off the bat, a bit of sweet chocolate and vanilla, grassy bitter hops bring out some smokiness. There is a nice bit of roasted coffee flavor that lingers really nicely. The body is nice and rich, almost milky yet almost thin, carbonation is right in the medium sweet spot with a very dry finish.  Verdict: A very tasty Christmas Porter from Three Floyds. The flavors are nice and rich, but the grassy hop presence really adds something interesting to this beer, per their motto, “It’s Not Normal.” Definitely a nice treat to enjoy each winter. (4.01/5)

Smuttynose Big Beer Series - Imperial Stout (2011) This beer, part of Smuttynose’s Big Beer series, which focuses on higher gravity beers in the 22 ounce format bottles, is their take on the Russian Imperial Stout. The beer pours a nice jet black color, thick, motor oil texture, touches of dark brown when hit by the light with a nice thick caramel colored head rising up the glass, about a finger and a half high that has decent retention and leaves behind no lacing. The aroma is of nice chocolate malt, mollasses, prune with some slightly roasted coffee with some residual sweetness from the malt a bit of fusel alcohol. The flavors follow nicely, big chocolate malt rush on the tongue with some nice stone fruit flavors, dark cherry and plum, mollasses with a much more prolific roasted coffee presence that lingers nicely on the tongue with a touch of alcohol at the finish. The body is fairly silky, moderately rich with a bit more carbonation than expected, higher on the medium spectrum with an easy smooth finish that has a nice warming sensation as it goes down. Verdict: A very fine stout from Smuttynose. Their isn’t a ton of complexity here, but the beer is very balanced and easy to drink. A worthy take on the Russian Imperial Stout and one I hope that gets brewed again in the future. (3.98/5)

Lagunitas Sucks (Brown Shugga’ Substitute Ale) One of the more endearing beers on the market, Sucks was born in 2011 when Lagunitas announced they were no long going to produce Brown Shugga’ due to cost issues. As a replacement, they brewed a new IPA and named it Sucks a knock on themselves for failing to deliver a seasonal fan favorite. Since it’s inception last year, Sucks became even more popular than Brown Shugga’ and will be added to Lagunitas’ year round rotation. The beer pours a nice copper color, hues of orange and light amber, very clear complexion with a few bubbles rising to the top of the glass with a nice cloudy white head, just over 2 fingers high that has good retention and leaves behind a great network of lacing. The aroma is pleasant, sticky resinous pine, earthy bitter hop oils with touches of bright floral notes with a healthy amount of sweet caramel malt that lingers nicely. The flavors are right in line with the nose, lots of bitter pine and earthy hop resin that brings out some bright grapefruit flavors and some nice meadowy floral notes before a big sweet malt heavy finish swallows them up providing great balance on the tongue. The body is nice and full, sticky and coats the mouth very well with a nice bitter finish that is moderately dry.    Verdict: A very fine IPA from Lagunitas and the fanfare is justified here. It’s crisp, clean, satisfyingly bitter and while not overly complex, the balance is perfect. Definitely worth checking out for any hophead. (4.00/5)

Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale Another member of the Boulevard Smokestack Series, Tank 7 is their take on a Belgian Farmhouse Ale. It pours a lovely golden honey color, hues of lemon with touches of orange, cloudy complexion with a bit of sediment floating in the glass. A huge cloudy white head rises out of the glass, nearly 3 fingers high that has great retention and leaves behind a great bit of lacing. The aroma is pleasant, mild funkiness, cereal grain, fruity yeast, a touch of berry comes out behind the grain with some lemon zest and a light floral presence. The flavors really shine, lots of pale cereal grain, mild barnyard funk, nice bready yeast that brings out the same nice fruity tones in the nose, a bit of apple and lemon with some sweet berry flavors, very well balanced with the grain and funky layers. The body is very lively, medium to high carbonation, a touch thinner than anticipated, definitely coats the mouth well, alcohol is present at the finish which is nice and dry.  Verdict: A really pleasant Farmhouse Ale from Boulevard. The flavors are layered, bright and enjoyable. While it may not be the most complex and exciting Farmhouse Ale, it is certainly a worthy brew for anyone who loves a good Belgian Style Ale. (4.01/5)

Bell’s Expedition Stout  One of the better winter treats from Bell’s, Expedition Stout is their annual take on the Russian Imperial Stout, this bottle is just over a year old, bottled on Jan 18, 2012. The beer pours a lovely jet black color, very opaque, hues of cola brown when struck by the light, a very thin, fizzy, caramel colored head appears but dissipates almost immediately leaving behind no lacing. The aroma is really great, loads of dark fruits, cherry, raisin a touch of plum leads to a nice sweet malt layer with just a touch of burnt coffee that lingers ever so nicely. The flavors are even more complex and rewarding, Cherry and raisin are very pronounced, touches of plum and fig behind them, with a bit of sweet vanilla that leads to some rich dark grain. Roasted coffee and a bit of charred wood comes out towards the finish that is wonderfully bitter with just a nice lingering alcohol heat. The body is rich and full, medium carbonation which is a bit higher than I expected it to be, but not distraction with a nice easy finish with a pleasant warming as it goes down.  Verdict: An exemplary Russian Imperial stout and in my opinion, the benchmark for the style. The flavors have continued to increase in complexity and depth and the alcohol has mellowed substantially, a real treat to savor and enjoy on a cold winter night. Anyone who loves a good stout really needs to seek this beer out. (4.29/5)

New Belgium Lips of Faith: Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout Another installment of the Lips of Faith series at New Belgium, Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout is just that, a robust stout brewed with coffee and chocolate. The beer pours a nice deep black color, touches of dark brown when struck by light, a nice, thick, frothy, 2 finger caramel colored head which has good retention, leaving behind a nice soapy film and a great network of sticky lacing. The aroma is very milky, lots of sweet milk chocolate, with bitter roasted coffee and a touch of smooth grain. The milkiness is really overpowering and pretty unpleasant. Bitter coffee hits the tongue straight away, with a touch of grain behind it, before the outrageously sweet milk chocolate comes back and really dominates the tongue. The milky flavors are a bit watered down on the tongue which makes it much worse, literally like a glass of milk with water poured over it. The body is fairly rich and full, a touch thinner than I’d like for a stout, coats the mouth well and has a nice easy finish. Verdict: A pretty poor offering from New Belgium. The milky flavors and overbearing sweetness makes this beer very unpalatable. The Lips of Faith series has been fairly successful in my mind, but this is definitely a forgettable experience, a drain pour. (2.80/5)

New Glarus Raspberry Tart One of the mainstays of the New Glarus lineup, Raspberry Tart is a spontaneously fermented wheat ale aged in oak barrels with a boatload of Oregon raspberries, much like a traditional Framboise from Belgium. The beer pours a nice raspberry red color, slightly off white head atop the beer, recedes quickly, fairly bubbly complexion to the beer, no lacing to speak of. The nose is incredible, raspberry, raspberry and more raspberry. Could be a pie filling, it’s also jammy, pungent, tart, sweet, effervescent, but more importantly, ever so inviting. The flavors are nice, overpowering raspberry, the flavor is natural, but the sweetness and tartness skews it down towards something from a can or a raspberry syrup, just a hint of malt on the back end rounds out what could be an exceptionally delicious pie. I think that the raspberries are just a bit too dominent and overboard that it comes off a bit harsher and not quite as refined as it could. The mouthfeel is good, crisp yet juicy, just enough bubbles. Verdict: Damn delicious stuff. One of the best fruit beers around, it almost drinks like fruit juice, but on a hot day, or really on any day you are looking for something different, this is spot on. (4.26/5)

Three Floyds Rye’da Tiger First released in the Fall of 2012, Rye’da Tiger is an imperial version of Three Floyds’ hoppy rye ale, Rye’da Lightning. The reaction to Rye’da Tiger was such that it replaced Black Sun Stout as the December seasonal brew and was released earlier this month. Rye’da Tiger pours a lovely bright copper color, hues of orange and gold, somewhat cloudy, lots of sediment floating in the glass with a few bubbles rising up from the bottom. A nice, thick, cloudy, white head rises out of the beer, nearly 2 fingers high, tightly packed bubbles that has great retention and leaves behind a large network of soapy lacing. The aroma is superb, bright citrus with light subtle floral notes, resinous pine and some earthy grass lead to sweet pale grain and a bit of fusel alcohol. Bright citrus hits the tongue, grapefruit with lighter tangerine, lovely floral notes come out with a big burst of sticky, oily pine and bitter, earthy notes of grass and weeds, prickly rye is apparent with some sweet grain and strong astringent alcohol. The body is somewhat oily and soapy, medium carbonation, coats the mouth well and has a slightly dry finish with a touch of alcohol bite. Verdict: A wonderful Imperial Rye IPA from Three Floyds. The hop profile is so bright and vibrant, really shows off the freshness of the beer, the rye is a subtle touch that adds a nice bit of complexity and while this is certainly a boozy beer, the alcohol is never that much of a distraction, a very worthy IPA for any hop head. (4.23/5)

Brasseurs du Monde Porter Robuste (2012) This is another beer that I was able to bring home from Montréal during my trip there at the end of 2012, Porter Robuste is an extra-strong porter brewed with chipotle peppers. The beer pours a lovely jet black color, very opaque, with touches of dark brown when struck by the light. A huge 3 finger caramel colored head rises out of the glass, very tightly packed bubbles, thick and frothy soap texture, that has great retention but leaves behind no lacing. The aroma is pleasant, bitter dark chocolate, roasted coffee, rich toffee with some vegetal pepper aroma, but it’s definitely in the background, a nice prickly heat lingers on the nose. The flavors are nice as well, lots of smooth dark chocolate, burnt coffee, some earthy hop flavors bring out the pepper quite nicely, very subtle use of the pepper, it by no means overpowers the other flavors and really goes well with the chocolate. The body is a bit thin yet quite lively and prickly, an easy dry finish goes down nicely. Verdict: Quite nice porter from Brasseurs du Monde, the pepper is extremely well integrated and a lovely subtle touch. This is my first experience with this brewery and I am certainly impressed, a lovely porter for anyone who can find it and likes a touch of spice. (4.00/5)