Feb. 10: New Belgium’s Cocoa Mole
(Part of the Lips of Faith series): This one describes itself as “ale with
cocoa and spices”. It is brewed with 3 types of peppers, ancho, guajillo, and
chipotle. Dark color. The first taste is sweet, strong cocoa flavor, but also
reminiscent of Dr. Pepper. It also has a fruity, almost cherry-like flavor.
Very low hop presence. The cocoa gives way to a slight burn from the pepper;
it’s relatively mild but very distinct. Clearly influenced by the recent trend
in high end chocolates that incorporate various chilis. Strong at 9%, but
doesn’t taste of alcohol. Very cool design
with two dia de la muerte skeletons with flowers on the skulls. New Belgium
produces solid line of regular beers, so it’s nice to see them getting involved
in experimental varieties.
Feb. 11: Green Flash’s Hop Head
Red: This is listed as a Red India Pale Ale, dry hopped with Amarillo hops.
Strong at 7% ABV. Very dark red amber, close to brown. Good foamy head, but
dissipates fairly quickly. Very earthy with a slightly citrusy hop that fades
to a more light bitter flavor. Good balance of the almost brown sugar malty
taste with the mildly bitter hops. Good cold, but as it warmed a little, it
reveals more complexity. The overall bitterness reigns, but the sweetness of
the malt comes through as more caramel-y.
Feb. 12: Speakeasy’s Double Daddy:
Imperial IPA. Strong at 9.5%. Very smooth. Subtle aroma, somewhat piney and a
bit of citrus undertone. Nice sharp pine hoppy flavor with a hint of sweetness
just hovering above the fray. As it warms, the sweetness of the malt comes more
to the fore. Very well balanced.
Feb. 13: Lagunitas’ Cappuccino Stout.
I had tried this one last year (2011) and remember liking it very much. Maybe
it was because it was a coffee stout, a style I generally love, or maybe it was
because it was Lagunitas, and I’d recently become enamored of the brewery, or
maybe I was in a less critical mood, or maybe last year it was a better recipe
or . . . OK, I’m trying to avoid being overly critical. But, this is not one of
their better outings. The malt, while nice and dark in color, is a bit thin for
a stout, and not nearly enough of the roasted flavor needed for a great stout.
It is a strong beer at 9%ABV, and the alcohol is more present than it should
be. The coffee flavor is there, but less pronounced than ideal, and tending to
an almost spent grounds flavor than fresh coffee. Somehow, the balance of
flavors is off. Disappointing, in part due to my high regard and expectations
for Lagunitas
Feb. 14: New Belgium’s Biere De
Mars: (Part of the Lips of Faith Series): Bright and citrusy. Brewed with Lemon
Verbena and using brettanomyces yeast in the fermentation to create a mildly
sour flavor. As it warms, it has an almost peachy taste. There is also a slight
yeasty flavor that you sometimes experience with Belgian beers or bottle
conditioned beers. Tasty beer that would be excellent on a hot summer day.
Feb. 17: 15 Stone’s Escondidian
Imperial Black IPA: Very strong at 10.8%. Pours thick and black, very little
head. Strong sweet molasses flavor. Almost too sweet for the hops. Almost a
slight burnt rubber flavor. The alcohol comes through more and has a greater
presence than in some of their stronger beers. Mild smokiness as well.
Not their best. Can’t see revisiting – sorry Stone, gotta call ‘em and I see ‘em.
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