Beer!

[Ryan Ruck]

New one from Rogue up tonight. This one is Kulture Clash.

Kulture Clash is an explosive collision with Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha, a fearless fermenter and world-class Oregon brand. By combining the unique tangy flavors of a custom-brewed kombucha from Brew Dr. with a Rogue blonde ale specifically brewed to complement it, we’ve created a flavorful, invigorating balance of blonde and bold that both kombucha and beer drinkers will enjoy.

Poured a darker gold into a Tulip with a large white head. Has a mildly sour smell with some citrus, yeast, and ginger. Flavor is definitely spicy ginger, citrus, biscuity malts, and I suppose what kombucha tea tastes like (I've never had it). Medium bodied with a respectable 6.9% ABV. A very nice brew for a very warm evening!

[Ryan Ruck]

Having some Ballast Point Victory At Sea - High West Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter tonight!

A 12 percent ABV imperial porter brewed with coffee beans sourced from Caffe Calabria, vanilla and peanut butter before being aged in barrels that previously held High West bourbon and rye. The porter has been aged in various brands of barrels and released in bottles over the years, including Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Victory At Sea (12.2 percent ABV), Heaven Hills Bourbon Barrel-Aged Victory At Sea (12.2 percent ABV) and Rum & Rye Barrel-Aged Victory At Sea (12.4 percent ABV), among others.

Poured ink black into a Snifter with a sizable, lasting light brown head. Allowed to warm a bit. Has a very nice smell of chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts, and boozy bourbon. Taste is delicious! All of the smells are there in the flavor with a very noticeable alcohol taste and a very light bitterness on the backend. Has a decently heavy body to accompany the robust 12% ABV. Definitely deserving of it's RateBeer score! Good stuff and was surprisingly inexpensive for what it is at $14/4 pack.

[Ryan Ruck]

Time for review #2! Another local brew, this time a new release from Rhinegeist - Brittlebrain Belgian Style Golden Ale.

Pith helmets on, we dig for the holy ale. Soon it emerges, golden sun in its eyes, roaring for liquid relief. Brittlebrain is an effervescent Belgian Style Golden Ale with notes of fruit and light spice, brewed with Cincinnati Museum Center in celebration of the power of dinosaur.

Poured a dark and dirty golden into a Tulip glass with a big, persistent white head. Smells of Belgian spices and tart citrus. A somewhat weak scent overall though. Flavor is yeasty with Belgian spice and some citrus bitterness. The body is surprisingly heavy for the style. Has a healthy 8.6% ABV. Tasty brew!

[Ryan Ruck]

Reviewing an anniversary brew from Bell's tonight, their Cherry Stout 30th Anniversary Reserve!

American Stout Brewed With Cherries
Shelf Life - Unlimited

When a beer reaches a milestone like this, a special batch is required. Brewed with even more cherries than the original that inspired it, this version celebrates 30 years of a Bell’s classic.

This version was brewed in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of our Cherry Stout, another specialty beer that was first brewed in 1988 as a nod to a local homebrew club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It has grown to be one of the most anticipated beers we brew at the brewery every year.

We brewed a version of Cherry Stout in 2001 using oak chips and cherry pits. This time around, we decided to brew with whole cherries and oak chips.

Poured pitch black into a Snifter with no head except a dark tan topping. Allowed to warm slightly. Smells of roasted malts, oak, sweet cocoa, and tart cherry. All of the smells are in the flavor in a perfect blend and very rich. Medium heavy bodied with a nice 9% ABV. Great anniversary brew from Bell's!

[Ryan Ruck]

Reviewing a Clown Shoes brew tonight. Gargoyle Love Song 2018.

Gargoyles gone wild? Those bastards were meant to protect the city. Instead, they started to tear Chicago apart. Fortunately, Crasher fired up his jet packs and flew in to sing them a love song. For this, the 2018 version, we barrel aged Undead Party Crasher in high-end bourbon barrels and added large quantities of vanilla beans.

Poured ink black into a Snifter with a moderate sized brown head. Allowed to warm a bit. Smells of bourbon, a little sweet chocolate and caramel, and roasted malt. Tastes of sweet cocoa, oak, caramel, and a bit of bourbon. Body is medium heavy and the ABV comes in at 10.5%. Typical great tasting Clown Shoes brew!

[Ryan Ruck]

Sipping on one of the bigger ABV beers I've had in some time... Having some Evil Twin/Lervig Big Ass Money Stout 3.



Story on the brew: http://beersonwindowsills.com/evil-t...money-stout-3/

It is brewed with frozen pizza and Norwegian money.

Poured as thick and black as used diesel motor oil into a Snifter, no head. Has a peaty ash smell like Scotch along with some cocoa, coffee and (no surprise) alcohol. Flavor is surprisingly sweet and creamy with chocolate, coffee, oak, and only a little bit of alcohol which is surprising. Also has a slight saltiness. Body is very heavy and finishes with a bit of warmth. This brew boasts a 17.2% ABV so you can't do much more than sip it. This is really damn good and that's not just the alcohol talking.

[Ryan Ruck]

Tonight's beer of choice is another Barrel House release from Southern Tier, Southern Tier Imperial Oat - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout.

Remember when we brewed oat? Once gone but not forgotten, we’ve recreated this cult classic. No, this isn’t just some nostalgic throwback. This horse learned a new trick: Barrel aging. As black as a moonless night, silky and full bodied, and as richly complex as the eponymous brew of old. Behold, Oat!

Poured black as night into a Snifter with a big, dense, dark brown head. Has a scent of chocolate, malts, and very boozy bourbon. The taste is very sweet chocolate, malty, oaky, and warm alcohol bourbon. Body is very heavy and has a 12.6% ABV to go with it. Finishes warm. Most big alcohol brews try to hide the alcohol but it comes through loud and clear in this brew! Real good stuff!

[Ryan Ruck]

Beer tonight while I'm watching Live PD is a new, limited release from Dogfish, Fruit-Full Fort

A complex ale brewed with a boatload of berries.

A twist on our beloved Fort, Fruit-Full Fort is brewed with four types of berries - Raspberry, Blackberry, Boysenberry and Elderberry! This juicy blend of dark berries creates depth and complexity reminiscent of a jammy red wine.

Along with adding a boatload of more berries this time around, we also punched up the malt bill with Munich malt to provide a firm backbone. The result provides balance to the tart flavors of a very berry blend.

Dark maroon in color, Fruit-Full Fort is swirling with notes of velvety cherry and berry sweetness for a full-bodied - and full-flavor - experience!

“At Dogfish, we create food-centric beers that allow us to examine the entire culinary landscape for ingredient choices and flavors to enhance the aroma and taste of the beer,” says Calagione. “With Fruit-Full Fort, we went overboard in adding ridiculous amounts of flavorful berries which makes this beer a perfect complement for desserts like a decadent chocolatey cake or a rich velvety torte. Like World Wide Stout, Old School, 120 Minute IPA, and beers that typically clock in at over 14-15%, Fruit-Full Fort is a perfect candidate for cellaring as the flavor profiles really tend to hit their stride after aging it for a couple of years.”

ABV: 15 - 18
Style: Belgian-style
Aroma: Velvety cherry and berry sweetness
Flavor: Raspberry and blackberry, with a lingering sweetness
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied

Poured a dark, ruddy brown into a Snifter with a medium sized light brown head. Smells of tart berries, some molasses, and has a definite alcohol aroma. Definite flavors of sweet berries, some oakiness, and a bit of alcohol. A decidedly full body to accompany the 16.5% ABV. Very full flavored and tasty. Feels like it's got more "punch" than the regular Fort which is pretty darn good. A definite sipping brew!

[Ryan Ruck]

I realized I had forgotten to post this review from last weekend. It's of this year's w00tstout from Stone.

Previously I had written off Stone because of their pissy little "I'm Peach" beer dig but I just can't pass up w00tstout.

This barrel-aged palate-saver has been a favorite among our fans—and us—since its inception in 2013. Pecans, wheat, flaked rye and bourbon-soaked wood provide this whopping, complex superhero version of an imperial stout with a profound complexity that makes it ideal for cellaring—if you can wait that long.

Front and center this year is the result of Wil’s creative machinations taking the art direction duties with world-renowned fantasy artist Joe Jusko representing our gargoyle’s triumph over the evils in the world of beer. Six years into this amazing w00tstout legacy and I continue to be stunned and humbled by the response of our fans. Sure, it’s an amazingly delicious massive Russian Imperial Stout partially inspired by Kentucky Derby Pie of Drew’s home state. And speaking of Drew, we asked him to lean into two of his strengths: drinking w00tstout and chatting up a storm. So this year he’ll MC our wildly nerd-nominious celebration of beer and geekery known as HopCon/w00tstout release party held annually during San Diego’s Comic-Con. The nerd lives in all of us. Celebrate it! Now is the golden age for us lovers of awesome things. We’re here. We’re vast, and we’ve got great taste. This beer is an ode to you, Fellow Nerd.

Allowed to warm a bit. Poured pitch black into a Shaker glass with a massive, dark brown head. Scent isn't overly pungent but smells of cocoa, roast malt, and a little coffee. Much of the smell comes across in the taste dominated mostly by cocoa. The body is nice and heavy with a robust 11.5% ABV that is hidden quite well. As in years past, w00tstout does not disappoint!

Oh, and as usual, shut up Wesley!

[Ryan Ruck]

Going semi-local for tonight's beer with a special brew. This one is Great Lakes Brewing's 30th Anniversary Imperial Oyster Stout.

You didn’t think we’d celebrate our 30th anniversary without a special release, did you? In honor of three decades of independent craft brewing, Great Lakes Brewing Co. is proud to share our 30th Anniversary Imperial Oyster Stout.


To celebrate our pearl anniversary we added fresh shucked oysters and cacao nibs to this special Imperial Stout, symbolizing the hard work and sweet memories we’ve shared over 30 years of independent, family-owned (and now employee-owned) craft brewing.


To mark this storied occasion, the 30th Anniversary Imperial Oyster Stout will be presented in an elegant black matte 22 oz. bottle. Screenprinted on the surface in glossy black ink is a discoverable bathymetric map of Lake Erie (though we can’t promise you’ll find any oysters there).

Poured a deep black into a Snifter with a big, light brown head. Big roasty, malt and chocolate smell with a slightly salty note. The taste starts off with strong chocolate and smokey roastiness and finishes with a little saltiness. Body is medium-heavy. Comes in at 11% ABV which is right where it should be. A very nice showing for Great Lakes' 30th!

[Ryan Ruck]

Enjoying some Clown Shoes tonight! This is their Very Angry Beast Imperial Stout.

Hoppy Feet guy extinguished evil via a sharp stake through an undead chest. Now, Blaecorn Unidragon, full of fury, has expelled another bloodsucker from Earth. We hate vampires, but love Vampire Slayer, which we blended in equal parts with Blaecorn Unidragon, bourbon barrel aging the mix to beget Very Angry Beast. Note: A blend of bourbon barrel aged Vampire Slayer and bourbon barrel aged Blaecorn Unidragon.

Poured deep black into a Snifter with a large, dark brown head. Smells of roasted malt, chocolate, oak, a bit of dark fruit, and some alcohol. Flavors of chocolate, vanilla, smokey malt, and some boozy bourbon. Nice hefty body with an equally hefty 11% ABV. Yet another damn fine brew from Clown Shoes!

[Ryan Ruck]

Having a new Clown Shoes tonight. New enough it's not up on RateBeer yet. It's an Imperial Stout called The Exorcism Of Rich Ackerman.



Pours deep black into a Snifter with almost no head. Allowed to warm a bit. Smells of oak, coffee, cocoa, and bourbon. Big cocoa flavors in the taste along with oaky bourbon and a little coffee and vanilla. A nice 11.5% ABV with a nice heavy body. Yet another delicious stout from Clown Shoes! Definitely recommend!

[Ryan Ruck]

Going with Rogue for tonight's brew. This is Dead 'N' Dead

Dead Guy Ale aged in Dead Guy Whiskey barrels. The barrels enhance the robust malt and hop profiles of original Dead Guy Ale. The ale soaks in hints of oak and whiskey while maturing over several months at the Rogue ocean aging room. 10 Ingredients: 2-Row, C15, Munich & Rogue Farms Dare™ and Risk™ Malts; Perle & Sterling Hops; Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast; all aged in Dead Guy Whiskey oak barrels.

Poured a deep copper into a Shaker glass with a medium sized white head. Has a smell of caramel malts, whiskey, oak, and some honey sweetness. The taste is a big malt bomb with a lot of caramel malt sweetness and some mellow, oaky whiskey flavors on the backside. Medium bodied with an 8.8% ABV to go with it. Pretty tasty drink! Goes down smooth and packs a decent punch!

[Ryan Ruck]

Having a big bottle of Founders Barrel Runner tonight. And I need it after today. 6th 12 hour day in a row...

Mosaic-Hopped Ale aged in Rum Barrels

Inspiration for our barrel-aged beers can come from the most unexpected places and our latest release is proof of that. Sweet and hoppy, rich and bright – this rum barrel-aged imperial IPA brewed with Mosaic hops will make you believe you’re in the tropics.

Inspired by the tiki cocktails that our Brewmaster is particularly fond of...

Poured a hazy, medium gold into a Shaker with a decent sized golden-white head. A definite tropical fruit hop aroma with just a bit of rum. Big, boozy rum flavors with a tropical fruit twist. Medium bodied but with a heavyweight 11.1% ABV! Definitely a tropical themed brew and Founders did an excellent job blending the flavors! A good drink for a Summer that just won't give up around here.

[Ryan Ruck]

Going local tonight for my brew while I'm enjoying an evening with Live PD!

Rhinegeist Bourbon Barrel Aged Penguin Blonde Stout

Barrel Aged Penguin (9.8%, 33 IBU) is a smooth Blonde Stout, aged for three months in Old Pogue bourbon barrels. This brew’s flavor profile is complex, offering notes of oak, vanilla and chocolate, on top of a distinct honeyed bourbon backbone. Malts: Golden Promise, Flaked Oats, Golden Naked Oats, with addition of coffee and cacao nibs in the barrel. Hops: Bravo, Glacier

I reviewed Penguin a while back and loved it. Spotted this this afternoon when I was out and snagged it!

Pours more of a dark, hazy amber than blonde! Poured into a Snifter with a moderate head. Has a very nice aroma of coffee and oak. Flavor is the same coffee and oak with a bit of chocolate in the mix. Body is medium-heavy and this comes in at 10.2% ABV. An absolutely fantastic brew from Rhinegeist! The original Penguin was good stuff and this manages to be even better!

[Ryan Ruck]

Having a bottle of Founders tonight! A nice bomber of their Curmudgeon's Better Half Old Ale.

What tames an old ale like Curmudgeon? The tender embrace of oak and sweet maple, that’s what. The result is Curmudgeon’s Better Half, a harmonious matrimony of our deceptively smooth old ale brewed with molasses and time spent aging in bourbon barrels that have previously held maple syrup. Because all counterparts should be sweet, rich and utterly delicious.

Rated in the Top 50 on RateBeer!

Poured a deep, ruddy brown into a Snifter with a sizable khaki colored head. Smells sweet with molasses, maple syrup, oak, and dark fruit. Has a flavor of molasses, fig, maple syrup, caramel, and a bit of boozy oaky bourbon. A hefty body and a hefty 12.7% ABV! Very rich flavored and most definitely a sipper. A very, very fine job by Founders in making a great brew!

[Ryan Ruck]

Tonight's beer is from Alaskan Brewing Company. This is their Smoked Porter

The dark, robust body and pronounced smoky flavor of this limited edition beer make it an adventuresome taste experience. Alaskan Smoked Porter is produced in limited "vintages" each year and, unlike most beers, may be aged in the bottle, much like fine wine.

Poured black into a Shaker with a large, khaki head. Notable smokey smell. Also smells of roasted malt as well as slight chocolate and coffee. The taste is a nice smokey, peaty flavor with roasted malts and a bit of chocolate and dark fruit. Medium bodied and 6.5% ABV. A very tasty example of a smoked porter!

[Ryan Ruck]

Live PD just started and I've just opened a brand new brew from Clown Shoes!

This is La Bestia Furiosa Imperial Stout

And in an interesting twist, this will actually be a picture I've taken since I was in a picture taking mood with my new shotgun!

A new beer from Clown Shoes Beer is “not as hot as a Lava Unidragon erupting from a volcano of doom…but close enough.” La Bestia Furioso is a “Mexican-style imperial stout” aged in both bourbon and rum barrels with ancho, chipotle and habanero peppers. The new release uses the Boston-based brewery’s Chocolate Sombrero imperial stout (9 percent ABV) as its base.

Poured ink black into a Snifter with a moderate, light tan head. Allowed to warm a little. Smells roasty with cocoa, oak, brown sugar, and a little chili pepper. There is a ton going on in the flavor! Flavors of cocoa, oak, rum, and a little roast coffee all finishing with a slight spiciness. The body is heavyweight with a 10% ABV. Very nice brew!

[Ryan Ruck]

Another brand new beer for tonight!

Going local for this one - Rhinegeist Big Willy Wee Heavy Ale

Brewed with Honey Malt and Chocolate Wheat, this Wee Heavy Ale spent 12 magnificent months in bourbon barrels, and imparts a complex, mildly roasty, and ever-so-slightly sweet character. Don't be shy; Big Willy's a gentle giant.

Poured deep brown, bordering on black, into a Tulip (in lieu of a Thistle) with a big brown head. Starts off with a nice oaky bourbon smell and accompanied by some caramel and vanilla. Big oaky bourbon dominates the taste just like the smell. Has some dark fruit and caramel to go along with it and finishes with some boozy warmth. Body is definitely wee heavy and has a nice 10.7% ABV. Great flavors in this one in a perfect blend. Another fabulous brew from Rhinegeist!

[Ryan Ruck]

Tonight's review is local from Listermann and I picked it up last Saturday.

Listermann released Operation Flintlock in celebration of the Marine Corps 243rd birthday last Saturday in cooperation with the 4th Marine Division. Some proceeds from the sales on launch went towards Toys For Tots.



(Yes, that's my truck. )

Poured black into a Snifter with a moderate, tan head. Has an aroma of rich roasted coffee and vanilla, not super strong but smells nice. Flavor reflects the smell. Nice, mellow roast coffee, vanilla, and a bit of caramel. Slight coffee bitterness on the backside. The body is pretty heavy and this brings a 6% ABV to the table. Very tasty and very easy drinking! A proper celebration for the Marine Corps birthday! Semper Fi Marines!