Lagunitas Brewing Company Hop Stoopid Imperial IPA

Hello beer lovers, Happy IPA day and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Lagunitas Brewing Company Hop Stoopid Imperial IPA. I’m really feeling the IPA day thing and wanted to get this review up tonight in an effort to celebrate the day properly and give props to one of my favorite IPAs. Why does IPA day matter? Well, just because.

From the Lagunitas Brewing Company website:” For those mornings when you have to cut right to the chase, this is the one. Sure to blast through just about anything still lingering from the night before, this mouthful of Hops and huge rich Malt has a gaurantee built right into the name!”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a clear burnt orange with a tight off white head and good lacing.

Aroma: What I love most about every Lagunitas offering is the aroma and this is no exception. Hops dominate the nose with so many scents jumping out it is stooped. Citrus, pine, floral…the scents are sweet and inviting. Everything you could want to breathe in.

Taste: Strong and upfront hop taste, but balanced well. The fruit flavors are all over the place with mango, grapefruit, apricot, pineapple…I could go on and on, but I think you probably should just go taste one yourself. The flavor is amazing.

Overall: Crisp, drinkable and probably one of the best in its category, Lagunitas Brewing Company Hop Stoopid Imperial IPA is a must try and at 8% ABV you may even get through two bombers. The price is right; the beer is great…go get some!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Drake's Brewing Company Jolly Roger Imperial Dark IPA

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Drake's Brewing Company Jolly Roger Imperial Dark IPA.  I think by now anyone reading this blog knows that I’m a Drake’s fan and since I’m an East Bay resident I really enjoy supporting their efforts (OK, OK…drinking their beer).  This is another review that’s been on hold and I’m finally getting around to it.  Unfortunately you may not be able to find a Jolly Roger Imperial Dark IPA since each year Drake’s Brewing changes up the offering.

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown, nearly black with a huge tan head and loads of sticky lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Huge hop presence, pine and citrus with scents reminiscent of a stout – roasted malts, chocolate and coffee.  Smells rich!

Taste: Very hop forward with pine, citrus and tropical fruits, but balanced nicely with richness of the malt profile – roasted, caramel and chocolate.  Very smooth!

Overall: Although the style isn’t something I would tend to gravitate towards, I really enjoyed Drake's Brewing Company Jolly Roger Imperial Dark IPA.  With a ton of flavors dancing around my palate and incredible balance I completely enjoyed this offering from Drake’s.  At 8.75% ABV a 22 was just about right for me on this.  Come November we’ll have to see what they’ve got up their sleeves.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale.  In keeping with last night’s theme (all things Drake’s Brewing) I thought I’d write about another one of their exceptional beers. Although this beer is available in October why not get you clamoring for it now, right?

From the Drake’s Brewing website: “This Hoppy Red Ale is loaded with Crystal malts for color and maltiness and balanced by an onslaught of Cascade and Chinook hops. Behold Expedition’s ruby-red color as you savor the wonderful aroma, complex taste, and mildly bitter finish.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish amber with a small off white head and nice lacing.

Aroma: Caramel and toasted malts matched with citrus hops and a brown sugar sweetness.  Smells great.

Taste: Sweet caramel malts and toasted malts are matched with assertive citrus and floral hop bitterness. A really tasty Red Ale.

Overall: Exceptionally drinkable, Drake's Brewing Company Expedition Red Ale is very well made.  At 7% ABV you may not have several, but I guess that depends on you.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale.  I’m a huge fan of Drake’s Brewing and I’ve said that time and time again so I thought I better go to reviewing some of their other beers (I’m a sucker for their IPAs…all of them).

From the Drake’s Brewing website: “Light in color from brewing with only 2-row malt, but big on flavor from imported Noble Saaz hops and German Spalt hops.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a bright and clear golden straw color with a large soapy white head and minimal lacing.

Aroma: Light and sweet smelling malts – like crackers and shortbread. Very crisp with subtle hop scents and the unmistakable Kölsch yeast aroma.

Taste: Very refreshing - a pilsner-like malt crisp start with citrus hop bitterness following.  Clean finish.

Overall: As is to be expected, Drake’s Brewing Kölsch-style Blonde Ale is another exceptional offering.  Easy to drink and perfect for summer days or fall evenings, at 4.8% ABV this is a sessionable beer and great for those times you’re not seeking one of their heavier or higher ABV ale offerings.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Bear Republic Brewing Company Racer X Double IPA

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Bear Republic Brewing Company Racer X Double IPA. Although this is another seasonal release (October) I felt the need to get this review posted.

I was recently visiting the new Cars Land at California Adventure (Disneyland) and was thrilled to see Bear Republic Brewing Company beers at Flo's V8 Café (Racer 5 and Red Rocket Rocket Ale). Needless to say I had a few pints of Racer 5 while I was there.

From the Bear Republic Brewing Company website:” Racer X™ is an uncommon Double India Pale Ale which puts a California twist on English brewing traditions by adding an assertive hop aroma and bitterness that compliments the firm malt backbone. Like its little brother Racer 5, Racer X™ is balance in a bottle.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a golden copper color with a large off-white head and sticky lacing.

Aroma: Huge hop aroma as is to be expected with a fine DIPA.  Pine, citrus and tropical hop notes.

Taste: Floral hops up front with pine and citrus hops close behind.  Nice malt balance – not overwhelming to allow the hops to take center stage. Incredible balance!

Overall: Since I’m a huge fan of Bear Republic Brewing Company it was no surprise that I enjoyed Racer X Double IPA.  This is everything a DIPA should be.  At 8.3% ABV you may not get to your second 22 oz. bottle, but I guess that depends on you.  Find it when it is out.  It is fantastic!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Anchor Brewing Bock Beer

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Yep, I’m back at it again and in an attempt to clear out reviews that I’ve been sitting on for some time. I’ve photographed and taken notes on dozens of beers so now I have to muddle through notes and pictures to bring the reviews to you. I’m hoping to pull off this feat quickly so I can bring seasonal beer reviews to the blog while they are still available.

Tonight’s featured beer is Anchor Brewing Bock Beer. I’ve long been a fan of Anchor Brewing dating back many decades when I had the chance to meet Fritz Maytag. I tried to avoid talking beer as much as possible since I was at an event celebrating a friend’s engagement. Anyhow, let’s get on with the review.

From the Anchor Brewing website: “A traditional celebration of spring. With a modern kick.

The dark satiny texture of Anchor Bock®, with its rich hints of chocolate, caramel and roasted barley, is our interpretation of the strong German beers that signal the coming of spring.

Anchor Bock® Beer is brewed from a complex blend of malts, and fresh, whole-cone hops. In the ancient bock tradition, the dark-colored brew is released in time for springtime celebrations. Bock beers are believed to have originated in the town of Einbeck, Germany and traditionally feature a goat on their labels. The term, “bock” occurs in several Germanic languages and roughly translates to “billy goat”, but there are some unlikely alternatives. Followers of the zodiac have described it as a beer for Capricorn, the time when, as the days grow longer, brewers brew their bock beers in anticipation of the coming of spring.

Over time, bock has come to mean a beer darker and stronger than a brewery's “regular” brew. One with, you might say, the kick of a goat behind it.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark reddish brown with a nice brown head and excellent lacing.

Aroma: Chocolate and caramel malts, dark fruits, with slight coffee, toffee and vanilla tones.

Taste: Delicious chocolate malt and more hops than the nose. Well balanced.

Overall: Anchor Brewing’s Bock Beer is a medium bodied and refreshing offering and at 5.5% ABV is highly drinkable. Available from February – May…grab some next time you see it.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

I know it has been some time since I last reviewed a beer, but I am hoping that I can get back into the swing of things.  I've not stopped drinking, no.  Just haven't had the time to write much over this busy Summer.

Tonight’s featured beer is 21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat. I wrote this review prior to this Summer season, but waited until I knew Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat was available in stores. Although the artwork on the cans has changed the taste is still the same.

From the 21st Amendment Brewery website:”Like Lady Liberty, we stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great. No journey too long. No fruit too gigantic. This American wheat beer is brewed with real watermelon, for a flavor that's surprisingly crisp, dry and refreshing—summer in a can.

Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is our summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. We start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a hazy gold with a nice white head and nice lacing.

Aroma: Wheat, grains, watermelon and yeast.

Taste: Crisp and clean – wheat and nice hints of watermelon.  Not too sweet or overpowering.

Overall: Amazingly drinkable and refreshing, 21st Amendment Brewery’s Hell or High Water Watermelon Wheat an excellent Summer beer.  At 4.9% ABV this beer is sessionable and nice for a hot day.  Pick some up for your next BBQ or picnic.  Since I live in Northern California it is ALWAYS time for a BBQ or picnic.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Abita Brewing Company Abbey Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Abita Brewing Company Abbey Ale.  With this beer I complete my Abita Brewing Company beer reviews (for now). This one I didn’t try while in New Orleans, but did pick up locally.  Abita Brewing Company distributes their beer all over so every now and again I pick some up.

From the Abita Brewing Company website: “Abbey Ale honors the ancient tradition of monks who perfected the art of brewing beer to support the monastery and their "liquid bread". We offer up our support and thank them with a 25¢ donation to St. Joseph's Abbey with every bottle sold of this heavenly brew. Dark amber in color, the aroma of caramel, fruits and cloves invites you to contemplate the creamy head of this "Dubbel" or double ale. Abita Abbey Ale is a malty brew, top-fermented and bottle aged to rapturous perfection. This ale pairs well with barbecue, meat stews or a nice thick steak. For dessert, try Abita Abbey Ale with milk chocolate or chocolate bread pudding. We suggest serving this brew at 46 degrees.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a rich caramel color with a nice off-white head and good lacing.

Aroma: Roasted and caramel malts, dark fruits – raisins and cherries, cinnamon and cloves.

Taste: Sweet malt, spice, brown sugar and raisins.  Slight alcohol presence. Tastes GREAT!

Overall:  A very well done American made Belgian style Ale, Abita Brewing Company’s Abbey Ale is well worth trying if you enjoy Dubbels and at 8% ABV one that’s highly drinkable.  I very much enjoyed this offering and plan to drink it again.

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

Abita Brewing Company Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Abita Brewing Company Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale as I finally continue on with my “drinking Abita in New Orleans” special.  I kind of fell of the blogging wagon, but I’m back on to finish up the Abita reviews.

From the Abita Brewing Company website:” Turbodog is the inspiration for this robust dark ale. It is brewed with generous amounts of pale, caramel, and chocolate malts and Willamette hops. Whole natural vanilla beans are added during the aging process.This combination provides a rich body and color with chocolate, vanilla and toffee-like flavor.

25 years ago Abita Brewing was founded on a pristine artesian aquifer north of New Orleans. For a quarter of a century, Abita has proudly brewed full-flavored ales and lagers. We thank our loyal customers for their support and pledge to continue the tradition of brewing excellence.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours a dark brown with nearly no head (small glass pour again) and nice lacing.

Aroma: Roasted and caramel malts, vanilla, chocolate, toffee and coffee.

Taste: Flavored like the nose with sweet malts and vanilla forward, toasted nuts, unsweetened chocolate, bitter coffee and toffee. Really, really good.

Overall: Very well done, approachable and drinkable, Abita Brewing Company’s Vanilla Double Dog American Strong Ale is a beer I’d drink again and at 7% ABV is a beer that I could enjoy without worrying about getting knocked down. 

Cheers!

Mark Harvey