The only problem with my lucky predicament was that I don’t have anything to compare it to (i.e., a fresh bottling). From what I’ve read, however, this is a brew that needs to be set down for a while. And after 3 years in the bottle, it’s still a mean son of a bitch.

Appearance

All imperial stouts, in my opinion, should pour black as night. This one, however, pours an oily black like the deepest, darkest pits from which it comes. The small light brown head faded almost instantly.

Aroma

This beer has a huge nose on it with a ton of booze (16.03% ABV), chocolates, light roast, some anise and subtle dark fruits in the background.

Taste

It never ceases to amaze me when a beer with a few years on it remains actively carbonated. Mephistopheles’ Stout is no different — the carbonation is tempered only by its slick mouthfeel. Even after three years, this beer is still pretty hot. It could have sit for another three in the basement and I’m not sure the alcohol would have mellowed that much more. Along with the warming booze are roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes. There’s also a nice bitterness in the finish like a dark coffee.

Overall

This will probably be a once in a long while experience for me. This beer was hard enough to find, let along being able to grab another 2006 vintage. It was definitely a big, big beer that required a long while to sip slowly and fully enjoy every aspect of it. Needless to say, I loved it. It’s a huge beer, but any self respecting fan of stouts needs to find a bottle of this one — if you can find it.

Rating: 4.5/5

This brown ale from Shipyard Brewery was originally released back in 2006 under a slightly different name, but it appears as though the recipe has remained the same. I never had the opportunity to have this one until samples arrived from the brewery in the mail last week.

The description of the brew found within the press release points toward “…a nice smoky taste up front and a smooth, full body finishing with a crisp hop bite…” I got a bit of the roasted malt up front, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it smoky. At any rate, here’s the review.

Appearance

Brewer’s Brown pours a dark, rustic brown in color with a light tan head that faded to patchy lacing.

Aroma

There’s definitely a nice, roasted malt backbone with a semi-sweet caramel. There’s also a touch of butterscotch with light hops in the background.

Taste

This is a smooth, rich, medium bodied brown ale. The malts have a good roast with a light caramel in the mix. The finish is surprisingly dry with a lingering, subtle hop bitterness. It’s got plenty of depth with the mix of five varieties of malt. It’s well balanced and very easy to drink.

Overall

At 5.4% ABV, I can definitely see myself putting a few of these away in a sitting. Brewer’s Brown is a smooth, flavorful brew that’s got a good roasted malt base with a well balanced hop presence. My wife is a big fan of brown ales and this one got a solid thumbs up from her.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Return of Coney Island Human Blockhead™

Pound for pound, Coney Island Human Blockhead™ (my review here) is a finely crafted professional. 8 specialty malts of barley, wheat, rye, and oats create an enormously developed body. Juggling 6 hop varieties from European Noble roots to American Pacific Northwest new school flavors balances this weighty task. Traditional proprietary Lager yeast shines true elegance on this innovative recipe for a complex demonstration of pure enjoyment. 10% alcohol nails it home.

Originally developed by renowned magician and sideshow performer Melvin Burkhart, the “human blockhead” stunt remains a staple at the Coney Island sideshow to this day. With Burkhardt leaving after 25 years of performance in Coney Island, the act is kept alive by the current MC of the CI Sideshow, Donny Vomit. The sideshow runs from April – September, and since Donny joined in 2004, he has performed over 2,000 shows. He comments, “As a kid, I always thought it would be cool to have an action figure made after me, but having a kickass beer is a whole lot better. Drink my beer!!” Coney Island Human Blockhead™ pays delicious tribute to the wildly mustachioed MC and the legacy of this shocking act.

Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. Now Available In 4 Packs

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the tragic death of legendary satirist Lenny Bruce (R.I.P.A. in 22 oz. bottles was initially released on August 3, 2006), Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. is brewed with an obscene amount of malts and hops, and soars to 10% alc. With shocking flavors far beyond contemporary community standards, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. has been touted by beer aficionados and critics alike as The Most Radical Jewish Tribute Beer ever created. Shmaltz is proud to introduce Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. in 4 packs (12 oz. bottles) as a new year-round offering starting in January 2010.

AP Photo

For those unaware, Burger King will be selling beer at a few select locations starting with Miama, FL. More here.

Any time I see a new beer on the shelves of my local shop, I’m going to get at least one bottle. Any time that bottle is a new Belgian (and a tripel at that), I’m going to get two bottles. That’s just how I roll.

This particular tripel, after a bit of a hiatus as the recipe was passed between various owners, is once again being brewed by Brouwerij De Halve Maan and is apparently the last “authentic tripel of Bruges.” Billed as a “Bitter Tripel Ale,” the beer weighs in at 9% ABV and is brewed with six different malt with Saaz and Styrian Golding on the hop side of things.

Appearance

This particular tripel pours like every other tripel I’ve had before — bright golden amber in color with a large white fluffy head that faded quickly. There’s a bit of an orange hue when held up to the light.

Aroma

Smells wonderful with a decent malt base and floral hops to balance out. There’s light banana, apple and pear that comingle with the peppery yeast. The hops are there, but not enough to cause the beer to smell bitter.

Taste

First off, it’s got a very active mouthfeel, which I like in a tripel. The carbonation level isn’t near champagne-like, but when combined with the hops does make for a nice, semi-dry bite. This is definitely a tripel. It’s got that tell-tale Belgian yeast character with a little banana and bubble gum in the background. The alcohol is fairly well hidden, but you’ll definitely feel its warming effects after a few sips.

Overall

I’m not sure I would call this bitter. Perhaps, that’s because I’m used to being bombarded with over-hopped American IPAs and my tongue is gleefully desensitized to them. Either way, this is a tasty tripel with a nice semi-dry bite in the finish. I think I’ll still choose one or two other tripels over it if given the option, but I will certainly pick this one up again.

Rating: 4/5