I Knew It! - Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale:

I knew Bigfoot existed ... I just couldn't prove it. Your commander-in-chief had been informed by his advisors that Bigfoot was prowling the unsettled territories of this FermentNation. I could hear the yell of this majestic man-beast but had never encountered him until now.

Finally face to face with Bigfoot I can say that it is the missing link between barleywine and beer. I had previously heard that this beast from the Sierra Nevada brewery was a bit on the mellow side, so I was prepared for something and got something else ... something better. The aroma is fruity and hoppy with an almost undetectable alcohol vapor. The flavor is bold and dry, smooth and spicy. Pour it just right and witness the head rise from the depths of your glass. Look out for the bitter finish lurking at the end of that trail you've been following.

Not the barleywine-est barleywine ever, but a bridge; so Representation points will seem a bit low. But everything else about this brew is a serious treat.

2008 marks the 25th expedition for Bigfoot. I finally found it in the store (only $9.99 for a six pack). Hopefully my personal quest will prove less elusive: To capture this natural wonder on tap. Keep in mind, though, at 9.6% abv the hunter could become the hunted if he nods off by the campfire.

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale:.

Representation: .80
Accessability: .85
Style: .90
Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.45 Flags

• Looking back, I may have given Old Horizontal a bit of a short shrift. Comment if you demand a recount!

Never Say Die - North Coast Old Rasputin

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout:

The legend of Rasputin is alive and well at North Coast Brewing Co. Dark and mysterious? Check. Gets in your mind and controls your thoughts and actions? Check. Hardier than normal? Refuses to die? May very well be immortal? Check, check, and check.

Old Rasputin is dark as night and just as infinite. Where does the bitterness come from? Coffee, cocoa, and deep roasted malt lurk there in the depths of this black beer. The beige head pours thick and lingers for a good while.

Each sip is mesmerizing. Give yourself over to the multitude of flavors going on in the swirling darkness of the glass. Bitterness, dryness, more bitterness. Then your breath is stolen by the phantasmal alcohol kick. You may ask, "What am I drinking?" Ask him yourself. Pick up the bottle and look at the label. Now gaze into his eyes. "Take another sip," says the monk, "9%abv will not harm you..."

What was I saying? Oh yeah, drink Old Rasputin. It's great. The flavors are bold and bitter and strong. This stout is imperial, alright. It has a never-say-die attitude. The only way to conquer the very bitter finish is to have another sip. I really recommend this beer. But only if you're in the mood for a dark and rich experience. Old Rasputin is the scary second cousin that North Coast Old No. 38 never talks about.

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .75
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.45 Flags

Rock Out With Your Double Bock Out - Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

There's only one way to begin reviewing Tröegs's beers: You gotta grab the elderly bearded gentleman by the horns. Wow! This double bock appears to me (although it's dark in here and I'm kind of colorblind) to be ruby red. Poured from bottle to glass, the clean and mellow taste of Troegenator won't let me put it down. There's a bit of dryness to Troegenator that other double bocks usually lack. There is less wheatiness in this Pennsylvania beer than its German counterparts, which changes up the scoring a bit. Just a tad dry with medium body, Troegenator is a smidge easier to drink than say, Celebrator. Style points may register a bit lower, however. The American signature is stamped on this, one of the Troegs brothers finest selections, but the old world spirit lives on in this seductive American craft brew.

But don't get too Troegenated: Look at that guy on the label. He's telling you, "Drink up, my friend. 8.2% abv isn't that much. And my satyr friends won't do anything to you when you pass out...honest."

The Cabinet and I went on a "Beercation" this past fall. On a whirlwind tour of the Beermuda Triangle, Tröegs was a magical step along the way. Troegenator was naturally one of the highlights. I suggest drinking it straight out of the horn. That's how I roll.

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .90
Style: .80
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.55 Flags

Dopple Vision - Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock:

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I'm a double bock kind of guy. Celebrator is a classic rendition of the style. The aroma is toffee-like and malty, but not overpowering. Quite inviting, as a matter of fact. The flavor has toffee notes as well as roasted malty goodness. The cool thing about dopple bocks is the wheaty undertones that wait until the finish to really come out to play.

Celebrator sounds like a party beer. Well, citizens, it should be just that. Not necessarily a rave-type party -- more like an anniversary dinner or a graduation. The festive nature of this dark and toasty (yet surprisingly crisp) brew is a good way to invite someone into the family of true beer lovers. So smooth in every way, and a reasonable 6.7% abv, Celebrator makes the perfect gift. And besides the celebratory nature of the beverage itself and the handsome label so lovingly illustrated, each bottle of Celebrator comes with a memento: a charm depicting the label's cover critter. See it for yourself.

P.S. I don't think I've ever seen a Celebrator without the goat charm. This attests to the class of Celebratorians as well as the respect it commands from others. Use this talisman to ward off foul taste. It seems to work for the folks at Ayinger.

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock:

Representation: .90
Accessability: .85
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.5 Flags

This Sounds Dangerous - Orkney Skullsplitter

Orkney Brewery Skullsplitter Orkney Ale

This comes right off the bottle:
"Orkney -- a small group of islands off the northern tip of Scotland, shrouded in magic and mystery, was the home of Thorfinn Hausakluif (Skullsplitter) 7th Viking Earl of Orkney, around 1000 AD. Now, the Orkney Brewery invites you to step back in time."

I really couldn't have said it better myself. This ale is fit for barbarian and nobleman alike. Drink it out of a chalice or straight out of the bottle. Hell, I'll bet it tastes great right out of the cask. Just grab an axe and crack that baby open!

With just a bit of sweetness and warming alcohol, Skullsplitter has a smooth mouthfeel and deep fruit essence. Red pear, maybe? Grapes? There are some wine-like qualities to it, but Skullsplitter finishes dry like a true ale.

When I tried this beer about 7 or 8 years ago I wasn't a raving fan. I suppose my taste buds weren't manly enough to handle anything this bold. But upon tasting it again for the first time, I'd ransack an entire village just to get my hands on one. Careful, though: Skullsplitter goes down easy at 8.5% abv. If you are prone to hangovers, I'm sure this headache is a doozy, considering the name and appearance of the guy on the label.

Orkney Brewery Skullsplitter Orkney Ale:

Representation: .90
Accessability: .85
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.5 Flags

Victory Twelve

Victory Twelve

Oh, that's Twelve alright. Twelve what, I'm not sure. This beverage has a golden Belgian Tripel feel as well as the taste, at first. Distinctive yeasts have a candy-like essence and honey and fruit notes rein in the sweetness with an earthy, organic punch. But the alcohol will not be denied its rightful place in this equation. The alcohol taste is present (aha-- twelve percent! 12% abv) but it didn't overwhelm me personally though it could overpower some. The first lady for example. She is a fan of Victory's Golden Monkey (pretty formidable at 9.3%) but Twelve is simply too much for her. So be prepared. I kinda get the feeling that if the Golden Monkey spent a little too much time lounging in the French Riviera and had gotten a deep tan, Twelve would be just like that.

The label of this beer tells the pourer and the drinker to leave the dregs in the bottle. This is a departure from my conventional procedure. Victory also remindes us on the label that the beer changes as it warms. Very specific temperature recommendations are made by the Victory guys themselves. These gentlemen know what they're talking about, so heed their advice.

By the way, Twelve does change a bit while warming. A more earthy, wine-like quality will emerge. But you probably won't notice if you're drinking an entire 750 ml bottle by yourself. But that does enhance the watching of Superbad. Cheers.

Victory Twelve:

Representation: .9
Accessability: .75
Style: .9
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.4 Flags

Sri Lanka?

Lion Stout

Citizens, this stout receives high marks. The Lion is known as the King of Beasts and Lion Stout brings honor to the table with a dark, rich complexity. Coffee and chocolate work together for an incredibly smooth flavor. Not sweet... actually a little dry. Sometimes dry beers can lose out on body when the hops overtake the malts. I have to tell you, Lion is well balanced in every way. Chocolaty but not sweet; dry but not vapid; coffe essence without bitterness. This brew is complex without being complicated.

But Sri Lanka? Seriously? I don't think I've ever eaten or drunk anything from Sri Lanka in my life. But what a way to start! I'm smitten. The alcohol isn't too evident, although it is a sophisticated adult beverage for the most discerning of palates. Bear in mind that Lion weighs in at 8% abv. Porter lovers as well as stout officianados will appreciate the richness of Lion Stout. t's a great way to get started if you have a long night ahead of you. Mellow yet assertive.

Lion Stout:

Representation: .9
Accessability: .85
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .9

Total Score: 3.5 Flags

Man Bites Dog - Flying Dog Double Pale Ale

Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale

Well, well ... what have we here? Double Dog is twice the beer that Snake Dog is. Hoppy, dry, and bitter, this pale ale packs a punch. The aroma is light and citrusy. The flavor plays out the same in the middle of the sip, when the beer is on the back of the tongue, ready to go down. Finally, the finish is extra hoppy. The dryness and hoppy bitterness hide out for a second then materialize like they were just beamed up from some distant planet.

But wait, we're not done! The citrus notes come back at the very end and clean things up. The hops can then call out to the taste buds, "Hey, remember me? Hops. Go ahead, have another sip. I'll take care of things." Which is cool considering some hoppy ales tell your taste buds, "Shut up and sit down."

Alright, Flying Dog is back on my list. I was a bit disappointed in the past but the Double Dog is on the right track. When things aren't going the way you thought they would, double up on the hops. Success! This beer is for intermediate hop-heads and advanced drinkers. Double Dog is friendly, but he nips if you pull his tail. 10.5% abv gets your tail to waggin'.

Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .75
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.3 Flags

Flying Dog Snake Dog

Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA:

Flying Dog Snake Dog is not bad. Straight out of the bottle, it starts off a little too mellow for my tastes. Which might make one think that it would be a good beer to try if you've never had an IPA before. But just then, the finish hits: really dry and kinda hoppy with a slight bitterness. The finish sort of lingers on the back of the tongue. Be advised: I didn't know that the abv is 7.1%. The alcohol is very well masked, so don't get a false sense of sobriety when you kick back more than one.

So really what we have here is a jokester. Ha ha, I'm easy drinking. No, wait, I'm for advanced hop-heads. Nah, not really.

I don't want to bash this beer because it's not straight up stinky. But goodness, there are so many better ones out there, I can't rightly throw this one a parade. I'm not deporting Flying Dog just yet. I feel that they're putting forth an effort so I'm willing to try them again.

If you're searching for an IPA with even flavor and clean finish, here are a few which will be reviewed in the not-too-distant future: Victory Hop Devil (the ultimate), Troegs Hop Back, Lancaster Hop Hog, and Stone IPA.

Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA:

Representation: .70
Accessability: .75
Style: .70
Personal Preference: .70

Total Score: 2.85 Flags

A Word About IPAs

India Pale Ales are hopped the way they are because of a very practical origin: The English ales that were transported to faraway colonies needed to be preserved for their l ong journeys... especially when they were going all the way to India. The hops acted as a preservative to keep the ale tasting fresh even after travelling so far. Today's IPAs are mostly good if you like hops. They're really good when the hops excite your taste buds without burning them off. Very few are spectacular, so when you find one that makes you smirk just thinking about it... that's an IPA.

Woooo Woooo!

North Coast Old No. 38 Stout:

Roasty, toasty, coffee-liscious, Old No. 38 is a medium-bodied stout. I really never drink stout out of a bottle (unless I'm drinking THE stout, which can be drunk in any way, shape, or form), so I poured it into a pint glass. The aroma is fairly mild and the head starts off really pretty. Coffee is clearly present but not bitter. This stout is dry, especially in the finish. Clean and flavorful! Really nice stuff.

The label features a steam engine barreling toward the unsuspecting drinker. But a dastardly villain with a greasy handlebar mustache does NOT have you tied to the tracks. At a less than deadly 5.5% abv, Old No. 38 is extremely drinkable. Not over the top by any stretch. Accessability points boost up the score and wake up the overall mellowness of this California craft beer.

Some stout fiends love the extravagance of imperial stouts. Old No. 38 is the understated version for those of us who like to shovel coal on the fire for a steady journey across the Ferment Nation.

North Coast Old No. 38 Stout:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .90
Style: .70
Personal Preference: .80

Total Score: 3.25 Flags

FermentNation Runs on Dunkel - Warsteiner Dunkel

Warsteiner Dunkel:

This beer is what we call a "gateway beer." Lure innocent victims to the Dark Side with this dunkel. Some stubborn scaredy-cats may shy away from the Dunkel. "But I don't like dark beer," they whine. Well quit being a pansy and try Warsteiner. It has a roasted malt flavor and a little bit of body -- it's a dark beer without extremes in any category. Leery beginners peer into the dark alley and the shady characters lurking there welcome them with open arms.

This brew is quite drinkable out of the bottle, but poured into a glass, Warsteiner Dunkel opens up a bit. It goes down smooth... perhaps too smooth. The taste is clean with a slight dryness to it. Brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516 W.D. saunters in at a chill 4.8% abv so drink away.

Another bonus: Warsteiner Dunkel can be found at really reasonable prices (I paid $10.99 for a 12-pack). Its smoothness and drinkability give it a universal appeal, which makes it a no-brainer when you need to bring a lil' sumpn-sumpn to a party. Those partygoers who don't already like a decent dark beer are about to be welcomed into the family. The first one's on me. You gotta pay next time.

Warsteiner Dunkel:

Representation: .75
Accessability: 1.0
Style: .70
Personal Preference: .75

Total Score: 3.2 Flags

Midnight Ride

Anchor Liberty Ale:
I open this beer at midnight in keeping with Liberty Ale's tradition. Originally brewed on April 18th, 1975 to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of Paul Revere's midnight ride, Liberty still rings the bell of freedom. Even though Anchor is on the wrong coast, I pretty much love everything they make. Liberty Ale isn't their ultimate effort, but it's pretty darn good.

Ok, listen up: We need to talk for a moment about bottle vs. glass. We will have an open town hall meeting on this very topic in the future, so be on the lookout. But here are my thoughts: I like to sip a beer out of the bottle first before deciding on whether to pour it into a glass. True beer lovers acknowledge the difference since the amount of air in the beer, the olfactory system's access to the aroma, and several other factors come into play here. How much hits the tongue? What part of the tongue? And when?

Anyway, I'm not afraid to drink any Anchor brew out of the bottle. Sometimes I actually prefer it (as with the Steam). Liberty Ale is much drier and much hoppier out of the bottle. Poured into a standard pint glass, the flavors soften and open up. It's a little maltier and smoother, and therefore easier to drink. Beginners should pour it into a glass. If you're more of a hop-head, drink out of the bottle. They're not so different that I'll review them separately, but just be advised.

This beer is not blah. It has an American ingenuity to it that will make you proud to drink it. And at a fairly mellow 6% abv, you can treat yourself to a few. It would be dynamite at a barbeque.

My love for Anchor and their Liberty Ale's patriotic genesis should push me to stand with hand over heart and pledge allegiance to it. Anyone with some fermentnational pride would do the same. Liberty Ale is better than a lot of beers, but it falls a little shy of national holiday material.

DO try a sixpack before jumping into a case.
DON'T stop drinking or the terrorists will win.

Anchor Brewing Company Liberty Ale:

Representation: .8
Accessability: .8
Style: .75
Personal Preference: .75

Total Score: 3.1 Flags

Long Live the Storm - Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

It's difficult to review this beer without crying. My most recent encounter was a bottle poured into a pint glass, but I've also had Storm King on tap. Victory is a national treasure! Consistency in all of their beers makes each experience better and better as some lesser beers come and go. Storm King is in rare air among stouts.

Storm King doesn't posess chocolate and coffee notes, he allows them to partake in his existence. The Storm King is benevolent enough to grant audience to smoothness. If I weren't so nationalistic, I may be tempted to pay homage to the crown.

Stout drinkers MUST try this beer. Everyone else MUST become stout drinkers.

Of course I realize that not everyone would be ready, willing, or able to drink more than one. And at a regal 9.1% abv, that may not be a great idea anyway. So accessability points are just shy of perfect, but check out the personal preference category. True Royalty.

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout:

Representation: .9
Accessability: .8
Style: .9
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.6 Flags

Get Sideways - Victory Old Horizontal

Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine Style Ale

Oh my. Victory does so many things right. Old Horizontal is a unique variation of the Barleywine style. The aroma isn't very powerful, but the taste is an outright slap in the buds. This experience starts off mellow with a comfortable barleywine-type familiarity. But wait... Here come the hops! Crisp on the tongue and a little bitter at the end, this barleywine kicks like an IPA.

One of my favorite things about barleywine style ales is looking down into the glass right before sipping. Actually suspending time in mid-sip is even better. The brew caresses your mouth like a lake laps the shore, the sides of the glass are slick as a glacier, and the ultra-thin head swirls like a galaxy of stars in search of the birthplace of all creation.

Sorry, miles away.

Victory Old Horizontal takes the style in a slightly different direction. Beginners may like the label, but be warned: The flavors of this fermented beverage are not sleepy in the slightest. The drinker, however, may end up playing the title character if he or she tries to have more than one. 1o.5% abv will get you sideways in a hurry, especially since the alcohol is fairly well masked.

Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine Style Ale:

Representation: .75
Accessability: .70
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .80

Total Score: 3.1 Flags