Dogfish Head Black & Blue

Dogfish Head Black & Blue:

Starts off like a Belgian strong ale. Flemish sour comes on... then just before you say, "Well, that's just not quite my thing..." the sour turns to tart and the fruit emerges (currants?). Kinda like a Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale with a tremendous set of cujones.

Served in a chalice, this sweet-tart-rich ale is worthy of a special occasion. Medium bodied magic happens when flavor pops like a berry between your teeth. Trouble is... here we linger between beer and wine and mixed drink. Tor true ale lovers, this is something tart and different but pretty strong fruit flavors prevail. Fruit beer drinkers need to be aware of the possibility that the ale-ish-ness may have the final say. Flemish sour lovers may be left not puckered enough, though ale lovers and hop heads could find it too much for their tastes. But this beer is too good to be left homeless! I'm not sure to cry tears of joy or sadness for Dogfish Head Black & Blue. The reason I love it is the reason others may turn away.

Different as anything. But Dogfish Head is always doing the experimental brewing with crazy results. Embrace the twist that Dogfish Head puts on beer. Subtle to mind-blowing, Black & Blue does not disappoint. But it may confuse you if you're not ready. By the way, I'm not sure but I think DFH B&B is somewhere between 9-10% abv. Another kick in the pants. Expect high style and preference scores, but a little low on the accessibility scores.

Dogfish Head Black & Blue:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .79

Style: .975

Personal Preference: .895

Total Score: 3.66 Flags

Lagunitas Brown Shugga'

Lagunitas Brown Shugga':

That's something different! The easy-going brown ale gets a crafty, sweet makeover. This is a session beer that's spent some time in the weight room -- bursting with flavors that are defined and toned but not bulky. Brown Shugga' is mildly sweet in the way you'd expect -- earthy and deep with a tangy touch. Reminds me of a glaze. Boy, I bet it would be great with a baked ham!

The sweet yet not sweet taste of Brown Shugga' reminds me a bit of Dogfish Head Raison D'etre in the sense that it glows with an almost wine-like dryness despite the sweetness to the tongue. Not caramel, not fruit, but the brown shugga' makes its mark on the taste buds in a memorable way. Brown ale lovers have to give this beer a try. But be warned: Lagunitas Brown Shugga' packs a smooth punch at 9.9% abv.

Tradition, move over. This is a brown ale that has finally seen the next level without going too far over the edge.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga':

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .89

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .99

Total Score: 3.83 Flags

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout:

I've had some imperial stouts that are so big that they fairly stand up from inside the glass and start ordering you around. Many American imperial stouts explode with flavor and throw their weight around, brandishing an imperial alcohol content somewhere between 9% and 12% abv. Don't get me wrong... I love these, of course. (Check out Weyerbacher Old Heathen, Victory Storm King, and North Coast Old Rasputin for good examples). British beers seem to favor erring on the side of caution (as evidenced by their milder IPA presentation which we Americans have adopted and cranked up to sometimes staggering levels of hoppiness). Samuel Smith has chosen to err on the side of sublimity.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is as finely crafted as beer gets. Every bit as robust as any imperial stout with 50% more alcohol, Sam Smith's Imperial maintains its dignified reputation at a reserved 7% abv. The dangerous thing about this is its smoothness and drinkability. With just the right meal or lively conversation, this imperial stout could accidentally turn into a session beer... Oh good heavens!

Dark as night, with malty and some fruity notes, this hearty stout has a bready warmth, an unbelievably smooth mouthfeel, and a slightly bitter finish. Just enough boozy tang at the end to remind you that it's imperial. Fit for royalty.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0

Style: 1.0

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 4.0 Flags

Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter

Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter

Being no stranger to vanilla, java, or porter, I was excited to review this particular beer from Atwater Block. However, I was also hesitant at first because of the presence of vanilla, especially after reading that they add plain old vanilla extract to the brew (couldn't they slow roast imported vanilla beans over an open fire or something?). I was also ready and willing to be critical, having recently sampled other coffee flavored brews.

Needless to say, the Vanilla Java Porter was disappointing because of its tameness and yet simultaneously exciting because of its accessibility. This is clearly a drinking beer and not a sipping beer. Unlike the 8% Flying Fish Espresso Porter or the 12% Southern Tier Jah-Va Imperial Coffee Stout, Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter (at 6%) strikes me as an after-work beer and not an after dinner-beer. You get just enough vanilla and coffee aroma and taste as you sniff before you drink as well as on the back of your tongue when you let it bubble down your throat.

The subtle flavors make this a great transition beer, helping traditional drinkers bridge the gap between everyday porters and over-the-top imperials. Sadly, of course, it could also be a gateway beer, enslaving unwary drinkers to their new dark masters of the coffee brews.

Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter

Representation: .8
Accessibility: .9
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .85

Total: 3.4 Flags

National Hat Requisitioned

The Ferment Nation has just requisitioned a new standard issue military cap. Here it is. Sporting the trademark bottle cap logo and the National colors, this cap will give you the air of authority while preserving your beer-fueled sophistication.

Hoppy Easter from The Ferment Nation!

Hoppy Easter from the Ferment Nation!

If you are looking for a breath of fresh hoppy air for this hoppy holiday, look no further than these Ferment Nation reviews.

Victory Hop Wallop
Founders Double Trouble
Weyerbacher's Double Simcoe

Stone Levitation

Stone Levitation

In the craft brew world, a few names stand out as true innovators... Stone is one of them. With the near-perfect-just-out-of-the-average-beer-drinker's-league (Yes, that would be a reference to Arrogant Bastard) to more extreme versions of the same (Double and Oaked) and even mind-melting hop events likely to bring about the end of civilization (Ruination), Stone presents nothing but unabashed quality. They spare no expense and make no excuses.

So who could make a brew so light in body and low in alcohol (4.4% abv) that the term "session beer" needs to be redefined? Stone, of course. In order to fight the effects of a brew that drags you down, one needs the power of Levitation. Stone Levitation has an amazing cache of flavors stored in a very light body. Dry and hoppy, this ale is extremely drinkable and could, given enough servings, allow the drinker to conjure up a supernatural levity that defies the very laws of nature.

Present Stone Levitation to those who seek the knowledge which you have already attained. Small beer drinkers who are looking for something more might be brought across if only they had a beer worth trying... a beer floating just above the rest. And so behold the power of Levitation.

Stone Levitation:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.85 Flags

De Dolle Oerbier

De Dolle Oerbier:

Belgian delight. Very rich and dark and lovely. If you are a fan of Belgian strong ales like Chimay, this will intrigue you. Rich fruity flavors and a bit of caramel sweetness make this Oerbier a nice dessert beer or possibly a sipper to accompany a nice cheese. I would imagine that after one or two of these puppies, judgment could fog over and Oerbier could be considered "easy-drinking" but one may be enough before moving on to something a little tamer.

De Dolle Oerbier is flavorful-- perhaps a little flamboyant -- but not terribly extreme. Malty and full-bodied, the warming boozy feeling hits you in the belly, not the tongue. The sweetness of candi sugar and malty goodness give Oerbier a signature Belgian flare. And 9% abv is enough to warrant a warning: Take your time and sip this brew! But the flavors alone are complex enough to command respect. I'm kinda getting a cherry vanilla vibe with some oaky hints. Mellow and yet vibrant. Really nice all-around Belgian brew.

De Dolle Oerbier:

Representation: .95

Accessibility: .90

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .925

Total Score: 3.725 Flags

Founders KBS

Founders KBS:

The Amazing Kosmicki's Highly Acclaimed KBS is good for what ails ya. Warms you all the way to your very skeleton. Founders has done it again -- pushed the bounds of normal everyday brewing and kicked boring beers in the groin. How serious is KBS? It takes Founders own Breakfast Stout behind the woodshed to teach it a lesson. Not that the Breakfast of Champions needed any more complexity -- what with double chocolate, oatmeal, and coffee and all. But soak that breakfast in a bourbon barrel and you've got an elixir that's guaranteed to make even the most potent snake oil look and taste like a glass of muddy water.

KBS is a little drier than the Backwoods Bastard and is definitely a stoutish brew with excessive flavor. Step right up and experience a revelation... A veritable sip of Salvation if ever there was one. Stout lovers and Bourbon cask-conditioned lovers need to find this beer if you can. The body is outstanding and the bourbon essence is clearly evident though the bitter chocolate and coffee notes are not overpowered. Black as pitch and deep in flavor, it sticks to your ribs and then kicks you in them. At 11.2% abv, this is a breakfast for the truly fearless (or those with nothing to lose). Now quit stomping around! El Presidente needs his medicine.

Founders KBS:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: .85

Style: 1.0

Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.85 Flags

Ferment Nation Beer Blog

Ferment Nation News Flash

The VP here with some late-breaking Ferment National News. We have begun uploading our review archives to the Internet. We will be periodically posting and upgrading our YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/TheFermentNation. For now, check out our review of Founders Double Trouble Double IPA.



We would also like to announce that The Ferment Nation has struck an historic strategic alliance with The South Jersey Beer News Blog. All of our citizens residing in the Delaware Valley should check this out for "News and Clues About Brews You Can Use." Follow their Twitter "tweets" for the latest news.