Monthly Archives: March 2013

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Epic Brewing Double Skull Doppelbock

Epic Brewing Double Skull DoppelbockSpring has just begun, but I’ve been on a bock and doppelbock for a while now. Rogue Dead Guy is a favorite of mine, and Brooklyn’s Silver Anniversary Lager is amazing, but I have also been trying some new beers within this style as well. On that list is a bomber of Epic Brewing Double Skull Doppelbock Lager, which my brother was kind enough to share with me. As the title suggests, this is a doppelbock, which means it’s high in alcohol (9% ABV) and big on flavor.

Double Skull is part of Epic’s Exponential Series. Beers in this series tend to be higher quality brews that are released in somewhat limited batches with the release number and date printed on the label. Sadly, I didn’t think to write down which batch this bottle is from.

Double Skull is dark reddish-brown in color with a finger and a half of thick, creamy, light tan head. Retention is fair and as the head recedes, small traces of of wispy bubbles are left behind.

The aroma is dark and made up mostly of malts and fruits. There is a lot of bread and yeast present, as well as raisins and dates. I smell a lot of caramel and chocolate, also. There are some faint hints nutty and grassy notes, and the hop aroma is very mild.

The taste follows the aroma pretty well. The bready, biscuity flavor is very forward with the caramel and chocolate flavors adding some complexity. The roastiness in the malts is quite noticeable. The dark fruits, particularly raisins and dates, provide a lot of sweetness.  There is not much in in the way of hops flavor, save for slight bitterness on the finish. At 9% ABV, the alcohol is hidden very well. Double Skull is medium to full bodied and feels very smooth.

This is only the second beer from Epic Brewing that I’ve had (Wit Beer being the other) and I must say I’m pretty impressed. It is quite sweet, but the flavor is big and complex. Although it won’t rank among the most memorable Doppelbocks I’ve tried, it’s worth trying, for sure.

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Southern Tier Jahva Imperial Coffee Stout

Southern Tier Jah-Va Imperial Coffee StoutSouthern Tier Brewing Company, located in Lakewood, New York, has built a reputation of brewing some pretty awesome beers since 2002. They have a number of popular year-round beers such as their 2X IPA, Iniquity Black Ale, and Unearthly IPA. They also feature seasonal favorites like 2X Christmas and Imperial Pumpking. This is my first bout with Southern Tier Jahva Imperial Coffee Stout, and much like my previous experiences with the brewery, this one rocks!

This beer pours a very, very dark brown with about one finger of tan head. The head does not last long but lacing is decent. Overall this is very visually attractive beer.

The aroma is a blast of roasted coffee and dark chocolate malts. There is a little bit of caramel and vanilla present, but the coffee and chocolate really take over here. There is also a bit of a boozy smell on the end of the nose. It smells great, but not overly complex. It’s pretty much exactly what you might expect from a coffee stout.

The taste doesn’t deviate much from the aroma, which is not a knock on this beer at all; it’s delicious. The flavor is heavy on the chocolate malts and the coffee is quite pronounced. I get some caramel, hints of vanilla, and some molasses as well. It’s relatively sweet for the most part, but on the back end there is a nice hop bitterness that melds nicely with the bitterness from the coffee.

Jahva is full-bodied and feels very creamy, if not a bit oily, on the pallet. It weighs in at about 10.5% ABV, and you’ll know it by the boozy taste left on the back of your tongue on the finish.

I’ve had a handful of coffee beers, and generally they tend to be hit-or-miss to me. This one is a hit, for sure. It’s big, and while it isn’t very complex, it is very delicious. Southern Tier aimed for a particular flavor here, and it’s executed excellently. Go give it a try. Cheers!

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Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Bell's Two Hearted AleAs a life-long resident of Columbus, Ohio, graduate of THE Ohio State University and die-hard Buckeye fan, I don’t freely give compliments to “that state up North.” I must begrudgingly give credit where credit is due, though, when it comes to Bell’s Brewery. All kidding aside, Bell’s produces some of the best beer around and every beer of theirs that I have tired has been of top-notch quality. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is their IPA offering and is one of their most popular brews (for good reason).

The pour is gold-orange color with about a finger of off-white head. Retention is fair, leaving behind a small ring of suds around the edge of the glass. There is not much lacing to speak of.

The aroma is full of tropical fruits and hops. I get a lot of orange, grapefruit and apricots. I also get some pine and other floral notes. There is slight hint of some caramel malt aroma hiding here as well. Finally, there is a bit of a boozy note mixed in.

This beer is sweet up front, but not overly so. The tropical fruit flavors are very prominent with the grapefruit and apricots taking center stage while pineapple and peach tag along. There is bit malt sweetness along with some pine notes, as well. The hops give a nice bite of bitterness on the pallet, but it’s not the huge barrage of bitterness you may experience with other IPAs.

The body on Two Hearted is medium with a creamy mouthfeel. There is a bit of booze taste on the finish that leaves the pallet mildly dry and wanting more.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is a year-round offering and widely available in the Mid-West and Eastern states. Two Hearted is also often readily available on tap. Although it isn’t as big and bold and many other IPAs out there, this is a high quality beer that is a refreshing change of pace from the many overly hopped IPAs and DIPAs popping up today.

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Biffy Clyro- Opposites

Biffy Clyro- OppositesScottish rock trio Biffy Clyro dropped their sixth studio album, and their first since 2009′s Only Revolutions, on Tuesday. Over the last decade, Biffy Clyro have perfected the formula for big rock albums, and their newest release is no exception. Opposites is  20-track, double record that is packed full of 80 minutes-worth of huge rock anthems. But does it really need to be that long?

The title Opposites seems to be a bit of a misnomer. When looking back though the annals of rock history, and specifically the release of other double-disc albums, conventional wisdom would tell you to expect something profound. Opposites leads you to expect each side of the album to have it’s own distinct sound or story to tell. But both discs of this record sound remarkably similar and could have been easily contained within one 10 or 12-track disc. Also, Biffy Clyro are not exactly breaking new ground with album either; their sound remains easily recognizable and largely the same. I’m not sure exactly what the band is trying to tell us with the title and I’m not sure the double disc format is necessary here.

Having said all that, this is not at all a bad album, especially if you’re a fan of Biffy Clyro. All this really means is that you get twice the Biffy Clyro for your money. Songs like “Stinging Belle” and “Modern Magic Formula” hit hard with piercing guitar riffs and thunderous base lines. You’ll also find plenty of catchy, pop-rock choruses that are easy to sing along to, like “Black Chandelier.” Simon Neil’s raw, Ayrshire-accented voice really shines on “Pocket,” which also finds its way onto the album as a bonus acoustic track; a real treat.

Opposites is unmistakably Biffy Clyro, and that’s awesome. I’m just not sure the album really needs to be two discs. As a fan of Biffy Clyro, I’m not complaining because it’s like getting two albums for the price of one. However, the band has not done anything remarkably different or profound to really warrant the length  or title of the album. I really enjoy this album, and I even highly recommend it, but you may only need to listen to about half of it to really appreciate it.

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Best Places to Buy Craft Beer in Columbus

ColumbusOne of my favorite things about drinking craft beer is the adventure involved in trying to get my hangs on some of the more difficult to find beers. There is certainly no shortage of great places to buy craft beer in Columbus, including some chain stores, such as Giant Eagle and World Market. Those stores, however, don’t usually carry the one-off, specialty brews that true beer nerds love to drink. Therefore, finding a local bottle shop to fill your needs is essential. Below is a few of my favorite spots around the city, but this is not at all meant intended to be an exhaustive list.

Kenny Road Market, 4658 Kenny Road- When I first really started getting into drinking craft beers beyond what I could find at Giant Eagle, Kenny Road Market became my go-to spot. From the outside, the store looks like a typical carry-out, but don’t let looks deceive you; they have an awesome selection of specialty and craft beer. They also have a pretty decent wine selection, but I’m not much of a wine drinker. Kenny Road Market has a very helpful and knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you’re looking for.

Palmer’s Beverage Center, 3375 Indianola Avenue- Palmer’s has a really good selection of craft beer in their coolers, but I like to come here for bombers. They also have an impressive wine selection.

Weiland’s Gourmet Market, 3600 Indianola Avenue- Weiland’s Gourmet Market is a full supermarket that can be a one-stop shop for all your grocery needs. They’re on this list, though, because the have an outstanding craft beer selection. If you like to put together your own 6-pack, this is the place to go. They also carry a wide variety of spirits.

Blacklick Wine & Spirits, 7199 East Broad Street, Blacklick, OH- I have only been to Blacklick Wine & Spirits a couple of times because it’s quite a drive for me, but their selection is truly impressive. They have just about everything; import and domestic craft beer, a huge wine selection, and they are a State Liquor Agency. If you already know what you want and don’t need to browse, they have a “Brew-Thru” drive-up window for convenience  Better yet, if you live nearby, they’ll deliver to your door. They also have beer and wine tastings on Thursday and Friday nights. I only wish they were closer to my home.

Gentile’s Wine Sellers, 1565 King Avenue- Gentiles’s Wine Sellers has a very nice craft beer selection, including keg sales, but that’s not the only reason they’re on this list. For the home-brewer, Gentile’s is a must. They have everything you could possibly need for your home-brewing operation, whether you are a novice or a seasoned vet.

Savor Market, 4440 Indianola Avenue- Savor Market has quickly become my favorite spot for all my craft beer needs. They have over 600 craft and import beers, tons of bombers, and great wine selection. They have also recently added a growler-filling station with awesome, rotation selection on draught. You can purchase a growl there with the Savor logo on it, but they’ll also fill outside growlers if you already own one. You can also join them every Friday nights from 5-7 for beer tastings. The staff here are amazing and will help you find what ever meets your tastes.

These are few of my favorite locations in Columbus to by craft beer, but it’s certainly not a complete list. There are tons of great locations in and around the city to serve the craft beer crowd. So I want to hear from you; if your favorite isn’t on my list, tell me about it and I’ll go check it out. Cheers!

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Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPADogfish Head 75 Minute IPA is much more than just a mid-way point between the popular 60 and the 90 Minute IPAs. The Delaware-based brewery does a number of things differently with this limited-release beer to make it a truly special brew. Maple Syrup is added to the beer and it is bottle conditioned (which is another way of saying it is allowed to ferment in the bottle). It is also dry-hopped with cascade hops to give the aroma a little extra hop kick.

The pour gives way to a vibrant orange beer with some moderate haze. This haziness is the by-product of the bottle conditioning. There is a lot of sediment in the bottom of the bottle, so pour with care. My pour yielded several fingers of creamy, off-white head with decent lacing and retention.

Being dry-hopped, this beer has a strong hop nose, but it’s also very complex. There’s definitely some sweetness in the aroma, perhaps from the maple syrup, and the hops give the beer a really great citrus blast. It also has a very earthy undertone, with lots of pine and floral notes.

Up front, the 75 minute IPA is quite sweet, and I can taste a bit of yeast and bread. The piney and floral earthiness in the aroma comes though in the taste as well. There is only a very faint hint of maple syrup in the taste, with is a little disappointing. It’s quite hoppy, but unlike beers that more aggressively hopped (Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, for example), the hops in this beer gradually sneak up on the pallet rather than bombard it, and the bitterness lingers for a while. The hops also impart a wonderful grapefruit and orange flavor to the brew.

This a full-bodied beer with a very creamy mouthfeel and moderate carbonation. The finish is a bit sticky and dry with very little boozy taste.

I really enjoyed this beer. It has a unique flavor profile and a great aroma. This is a limited release specialty brew from Dogfish Head, so you may have trouble finding it. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on some, let me know what you think. Cheers!

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A New Batch of Stone Enjoy By IPA Is On It’s Way

Stone Enjoy By IPAIt looks like Stone Brewing Company already has a new batch of Enjoy By IPA ready to be bottled. Their last batch was released last week with an “Enjoy By” date of 04.01.13, and it has been widely popular for good reason; it was delicious! According to Stone’s website, this latest batch is scheduled to be bottled on March 20 and will be distributed immediately follow. The newest batch will have an “Enjoy By” date of 04.20.13.

The fun thing about the Enjoy By series is that the distribution areas are determined by crowd-sourcing. Fans of the beer can vote for their city via Facebook  Twitter and Instagram by using a hash-tag with their city or state.

The newest batch of Stone Enjoy By IPA will be limited to just seven distribution areas; Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Las Vegas, Missouri, Sacramento and Washington. Sadly, that means none coming my way this time around. If you’re lucky enough to live in one of those locations, expect the newest shipment of Enjoy By IPA to hit your local bottle shop sometime after March 20. In the meantime, I’ll wait patiently whilst voting incessantly for Ohio to be included in the next round.

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Woman- Rhye

Rhye- WomanOccasionally a record comes along that inexplicably captures your imagination. For whatever reason, you become captivated and can’t turn it off. It may not be the greatest album you’ve ever heard, and you certainly wouldn’t call it your favorite, but, as if some mysterious force is contained within the notes, it draws you in deeper each time you listen. Woman, the debut album from Rhye, has become that album for me.

Mike Milosh of Canada and Robin Hannibal of Denmark form the enigmatic, pop duo Rhye. The band appeared about a year ago with striking music videos (in which they do not appear) which left many wondering about the identity of the musicians. In large part, they have remained a bit of a mystery. Try searching Google for images of the group and you’ll notice it’s difficult to find unobstructed photos of their faces. This, of course, is all by design, and the duo is able to pull it off without it feeling gimmicky. The rational for, and the beauty in, remaining anonymous, so to speak, is focus the audience’s attention where it belongs; on the music.

When you listen to Woman, you begin to understand and appreciate their efforts to maintain a sense of obscurity. This album is budding with sensuality, but it manages to do so with sexually ambiguous and gender-neutral lyrics. Mike’s voice defines expectations and blurs the lines between what “masculine” and “feminine” should sound like. In fact, it’s striking how closely his voice echos Sada. The album is a blend of styles, taking 90′s R&B, easy listening and jazz and melding them together into silky smooth chill-music.

The beauty in this album is that Rhye’s design works perfectly, and you quickly realize that the men behind the curtain are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the music. It’s as if they’re standing behind you with their hands over you eyes whilst you listen. And as the melodies wrap around you, you become less aware of the hands over your eyes and allow yourself to become fully immersed in the listening experience. Rhye has created something remarkable with their debut album, Woman, and it is as mesmerizing and relaxing as it is provocative. 

Woman was released yesterday, March 5, so go pick it up. In the meantime, check out the official video for “The Fall” below. Enjoy!

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Elevator Horny Goat

Elevator Horny GoatThe Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus is located in Downtown Columbus, OH, and is the original site of the Bott Brother’s Billiards and Gentlemen’s Saloon. The building was originally opened in the late 19th century and flourished until prohibition in the 1920′s. Today, the old saloon houses Elevator’s restaurant and bar, while their full-scale brewery is located a couple blocks away. Elevator is one of my favorite local brewers, and Horny Goat is one of their limited release offerings; a porter aged in oak whiskey barrels. This year’s batch was just released a few days ago and I quickly snatched up a 4-pack for around $10. This is my first go-around with this particular brew and I’m really excited to try it out.

This beer a very dark brown, almost black color with very little head. My pour managed less than a finger, and retention and lacing were not much better. A small ring of tan bubbles around the edge of the glass on the top layer of beer is the only evidence of any carbonation.

The nose is strong with whiskey and there is no mistaking that this beer has been aged in whiskey barrels. Dark chocolate malts and molasses aromas are plentiful, and there is a smoked wood scent as well. There is also a nice layer of roasted coffee. Finally, there is a hint of vanilla and some dark fruits, perhaps raises. I give a thumbs-up to the aroma, but I will say the whiskey is very forward.

Similar to the aroma, the whiskey flavor is very forward and hits the pallet immediately. I would have liked it to be a bit more subtle, but it’s not bad. Dark malt flavors are very prominent in this porter, particularly chocolate and, to a lesser extent, coffee. There is a little bit of vanilla sweetness in the flavor and just the slightest hint of raisin fruitiness that I detected in the aroma. There is an odd flavor near the finish that I best described a cola-like flavor. The beer finishes with a very light hops flavor and a moderate amount of alcohol burn from the whiskey.

Horny Goat is a medium-bodied porter with light-to-medium carbonation. It has a creamy mouthfeel and is quite smooth. This is my first experience with Horny Goat and I was expecting it to be a little heavier than it is and this is somewhat disappointing. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this beer.

While Elevator Horny Goat doesn’t quite stack up to other limited release, barrel-aged beers that I’ve had (especially Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged BORIS Imperial Oatmeal Stout), I like it a lot and it is certainly worth another drink. Also, the fact that it comes from a local brewery makes it an easy choice for me. If you live in Columbus, or in Elevator’s distribution area, give this beer a shot and let me know what you think. Cheers!

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Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged BORIS Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged BORIS Oatmeal Imperial StoutHoppin Frog is a small brewery located in Akron, Ohio that continuously churns out some unbelievably great beers. Their BORIS the Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout was a Gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival in both 2008 and 2011. BORIS is an acronym used by the brewery that translates to Bodacious Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout. The name may seem a bit redundant, but, nevertheless  it’s an awesome name for an awesome beer. The Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged BORIS Oatmeal Imperial Stout is essentially the same beer, but it is aged in oak whiskey barrels to impart additional flavor and character to the beer. This process takes the aforementioned awesomeness of the original BORIS to an entirely new level.

The Oak Aged BORIS pours just about as black as you’re going to find in any beer. When held up to light, there are some faint hints of brown around the edge of the glass, but it’s otherwise akin to staring into a dark abyss. There is about one and a half fingers of creamy, tan head which recedes quickly, leaving behind a few tiny bubble around the glass.

Upon first sniff it is immediately obvious that this beer has been barrel-aged. The wood and whisky aromas hit you the face hard. But underneath of that, there is a very complex profile. There are lots of dark, roasted chocolate and caramel malt, molasses, and a bit of vanilla. The whiskey also gives the beer a bit of an alcohol note at the end.

Drinking this beer is a delight. The whiskey is prominent in the flavor, as well as the intense wood flavor imparted from the barrels. It’s very heavy with the roasted malts, and the dark chocolate and caramel flavors are really mouth-watering. There is some molasses in there too, which impart some sweetness to the beer. There a very little kick from the hops on the finish, but, in its place there is certainly some alcohol flavor. My bottle was served a bit colder than it should have been, but I nursed it over the course of about 30-45 minutes, and as it crept towards room temperature the flavors really began to blossom.

Not only is Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged BORIS Oatmeal Imperial Stout a mouthful to say, it’s literally a mouthful. This is a big, heavy beer. Having said that, though, it’s remarkably easy to drink. The mouthfeel is creamy, lightly carbonated, and one of the smoothest beers I’ve every had.

Hoppin Frog is a relatively small brewery in Northeast Ohio, but they distribute to a good chunk of the Mid-West and East Coast. If you live in Ohio, you should definitely check these guys out and support your local brewers. If you live outside of Ohio, check for availability in your neck of the woods and treat yourself to this truly amazing brew.