I Can't Help But Feel a Specific Anger of Waiting in Line to Swipe at the Subway Turnstile Behind Someone Who Does Not Know How to Swipe Double IPA from Evil Twin Brewing

8.5% ABV No IBU's

Beer Advocate score - 4.13/5
Untappd score 4.13/5

22A. Double IPA

An intensely hoppy, fairly strong pale ale without the big, rich, complex maltiness and residual sweetness and body of an American barleywine. Strongly hopped, but clean, dry, and lacking harshness. Drinkability is an important characteristic; this should not be a heavy, sipping beer.

From a Tavour shipment - Hails from Queens, New York

It's getting crazy out there so what do you do to pass the time? I am a sports geek and a beer geek...without sports, I turn my attention to good beer. This one comes from one of my favorite experimental breweries. They always have some crazy concoction that you just want to try...even if it sounds like it could be totally disgusting. That's the thing about experimental beers, you never know what you will get. This one is fairly straight forward though but it had a cool name. Long but cool. And I just couldn't turn it down. On to the review!

Appearance: Thick golden ale. Not clear cause it's a hazy IPA. Nice brilliant white head that lasts for a good long time. Awesome lacing. 9

Aroma: Citrus forward with Tangerine and Grapefruit. A well balanced dank hop aroma up front. Smells as if it were double dry hopped.  8

Flavor: Definitely well balanced. Quite a bit of Orange citrus with a nice floral bouquet of hop flavor.  8

Mouthfeel: Right amount of carbonation and medium bodied. Lingers but not thick. Dangerously crushable.  8

Overall: Evil Twin always meets my expectations. This one is no different. It keeps getting better the more you drink it. While I have had better IPA's, this one is comfortably in the top 5-10 range. And it seems my score is right on par with everyone else.  8.25

Matt's mark: 4.125/5

Weldwerks Brewing Starry Night Milk Stout

Hazelnut, Toasted Coconut & Milk Chocolate

7.5% ABV
Beer Advocate score - 4.18/5
Untappd score 4.15/5

16A. Sweet Stout

A very dark, sweet, full-bodied, slightly roasty ale that can suggest coffee-and-cream, or sweetened espresso.

Shipment from Tavour - Hails from Greeley, Colorado

Milk stouts are quickly becoming one of my favorite styles. So when I saw this one from Weldwerks, I deftly maneuvered my fingers and brought this one home. I really enjoyed their 3.8 Miles Double IPA and I am guessing this will be a treat as well. On to the review!

Appearance: It's a dark brew with reddish and brownish hues...thought it would be a little darker. Has a thin mocha head with not much lacing.  7.1

Aroma: The hazel-nuttiness hits first but you quickly realize the coconut and chocolate are present as well. Enough to make your mouth water. Definitely a dessert beer.  8.2

Flavor: It's a nice balance of the sweetness of the coconut and chocolate along with the nutty hazelnut. There is a tad bit of hop bitterness but nothing to write home about...like an afterthought...  8.1

Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated for a stout. Interestingly has a low to medium body. Was hoping for a creamier feel. Overall doesn't detract from experience too much.  7

Overall: Another solid effort from Weldwerks Brewing. I wouldn't put it into the upper echelon of Milk Stouts but it was enjoyable. Was hoping for it to have a creamier mouthfeel but the high carbonation took that away a little bit. Fix that issue and maybe use dark chocolate instead and then we can talk about upper echelon. 7.6

Matt's mark: 3.8/5

Methodical Hazy IPA from Barrier Brewing Company

Collaboration with Kino's County Brewers Collective

7.7% ABV No IBU's

Beer Advocate score - N/A
Untappd score 3.87/5

21A. American IPA

A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale, showcasing modern American or New World hop varietihe balance is hopforward, with a clean fermentation profile, dryish finish, and clean, supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through.

From a Tavour shipment - Hails from Oceanside & Brooklyn, New York

Next up from the latest Tavour shipment is the Methodical Hazy IPA from Barrier. When it comes to IPA's, you just want to see how well they balance the hop and the malt. Sometimes, like here in the PNW, the hop outweighs the malt cause we have a higher rate of hop heads per capita. It gets really hard to find an IPA that meets the balance. I have high hopes for this one...I mean, with a name like Methodical, it has to be well balanced...right? On to the review!

Appearance: It has a thick eggshell colored head. The brew is straw colored and a little hazy. Not overdone on the haze but also not a rich color. 7.7

Aroma: Smells a lot like the cleaner Pine Sol. Astringent but not unpleasant...if that is possible. A little unexpected. And by little, I mean a lot.  7

Flavor: Nicely balanced. The hops are not overwhelming with a clean malty back bone. Clean, fresh, piney and lemony. A lot like Pine Sol but I am sure it tastes way better. Nicely done.  8

Mouthfeel: Crisp and light. Dry but not to dry and the right amount of carbonation.  8

Overall: Barrier Brewing (with the help from KCBC) does a solid job with this particular brew. I found it thirst quenching and it had good flavor. I do think there are better offerings in the PNW but I wouldn't say no to another.  7.66

Matt's mark: 3.83/5

Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout by Wyndridge Farm Brewing

Aged in Hidden Hills Spirits Bourbon barrels

13.9% ABV
Beer Advocate score - 4.38/5
Untappd score 4.18/5

20C. Imperial Stout

An intensely-flavored, big, dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components need to meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer, not a hot mess.

Shipment from Tavour - Hails from Dallastown, PA

It just seems like I review a lot of Imperial Stouts. I don't do it on purpose (or do I?), they are really hard to pass up. Maybe I should be more selective about these things...probably not gonna happen though. If given a choice between a Double IPA and a Bourbon Barrel Imperial, I am bourbon every time. Sorry IPA, dark beer has stolen my heart.

Appearance: Pours a deep black color with a thin mocha head. The head dissipates quickly and leaves nice lacing behind.  8

Aroma: My mouth started salivating from the hints of coffee and bourbon layered on top of the chocolate, vanilla and toffee. Nicely done.  8
 
Flavor: A nicely balanced brew. The bitterness of the coffee lingers all the way through. It's balanced out by the sweetness of toffee, chocolate and a bit of cherry. Get a nice pinch of the bourbon character as well.  9

Mouthfeel: Full bodied but not too thick and syrupy. Has the right amount of carbonation with nice acidity level.   9

Overall: This is a fine example of a bourbon barrel imperial stout. I wish I had bought another one but you can't always do that when buying on a budget and also wanting all the beers. If you can find this, pay whatever they are asking for it...it's worth it. 8.5

Matt's mark: 4.25/5

Duchesse Chocolate Cherry by Brouwerij Verhaeghe

Beer Advocate - 4.18/5
Untappd - 4.07/5

23B. Flanders Red Ale

A sour, fruity, red wine-like Belgianstyle ale with interesting supportive malt flavors and fruit complexity. The dry finish and tannin completes the mental image of a fine red wine.

Purchased from Tavour - Hails from Vichte, Belgium.

So I have this thing against the Flanders Red style. I had a bad experience once and for some reason or another, I couldn't let it go. I vowed to never again, try another Flanders Red. Tavour then offered up this particular ale and I ended up with it...without realizing that it was indeed a Flanders Red. I guess it's time to find out what I though...On to the review!

Appearance: The coloring of the brew is that of a lighter Pinot Noir but not quite a Rosé. The head is, of course, the coloring of a Rosé. Looks inviting.  8.6

Aroma: An inviting tart aroma that has notes of cherry and chocolate with an earthiness. Maybe from the oak casks.  8

Flavor: The tartness of the cherry combined with the loveliness of the chocolate is quite delicious. Has a touch of oak and vanilla.  8.2

Mouthfeel: Light and crisp with a the perfect, light carbonation. Has a nice, dry finish.  8

Overall: Huh. I guess I shouldn't base an entire style of beer on just one sample. This Flanders Red Ale was delicious and I wish I had another right now. I am curious as to how the regular Duchesse (without the chocolate cherry part) would mingle with my taste buds. If I can find it, I will give it a go.  8.2

Matt's mark: 4.1/5

Hubbard's Cave Chocolate & Blackberry Pot De Créme Imperial Stout

Chocolate, Blackberrie, Vanilla Beans, Lactose
Brewed at Une Année Brewery

12% ABV
Beer Advocate score - 4.32/5
Untappd score 4.15/5

20C. Imperial Stout

An intensely-flavored, big, dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components need to meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer, not a hot mess.

Shipment from Tavour - Hails from Niles, Illinois

This is the first review of my Birthday Shipment from Tavour! When you get free money, there is no better way to spend it...at least for me. This lovely brew had me after I read Chocolate & Blackberry. I didn't even realize it was an Imperial Stout until after purchasing it! And the can went really well with our tiny little Christmas tree...but Christmas is over, so on to the review!

Appearance: Pours an oily black color as all the ingredients are of the dark nature. Hardly a head but it was mocha colored and dissipated quickly.  8

Aroma: First note is of a combination of fruit with hints of plum, fig and of course blackberry. The chocolate kicks in after with a whiff of vanilla and a nice earthy undertone.  9
 
Flavor: Jammy blackberry up front which dives into a silky smooth chocolate ganache. Hints of coffe and a lingering vanilla on the back end. It was as smooth as drinking a fine red wine blend.  9.3

Mouthfeel: A full bodied brew that hides the high alcohol very well. Smooth with the right amount of carbonation.   8

Overall: I think I need to visit Niles, Illinois so I can discover more from Hubbard's Cave. This is a top notch brew that I would pay top dollar for. I haven't had many brews that I liked more than this one. Thank you Hubbard's Cave for introducing the world to this perfection of a brew. 8.58

Matt's mark: 4.26/5

Worthy Brewing's Cosmic Portal Cocoa Porter

brewed with cocoa nibs

25 IBU 5.4% ABV
Beer Advocate - 3.88 (one review)
Untappd - 4.03/5

20A. American Porter

A substantial, malty dark beer with a complex and flavorful dark malt character.

Purchased at Safeway - Hails from Bend, Oregon.

It's been a minute since I did my last review. Life events and holiday cheer kept getting in the way (or just delaying the review, I kept drinking the beers of course). I was delighted I didn't have to go very far for this one. It's not very often I can find a beer I haven't had by walking through a Safeway...yet here we are! On to the review!

Appearance: It's a nice dark brown with just the slightest touch of red. Fingers width of a tan head which dissipates slowly. Nice lacing.  7.8

Aroma: As one would expect from a cocoa porter, it has a nice strong chocolate aroma with sweet nutty roasty fragrance to back it up.   7.9

Flavor: A nice biscuity bitterness that flows directly into a dark chocolate note. It finishes off with notes of toffee on the back end. Nicely balanced.   8

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied which is perfect for a porter. The carbonation level could be a little lower.   7

Overall: I've come to expect anything from Worthy Brewing not to disappoint. The Cosmic Portal held up its end of the bargain. While I have certainly had higher scoring brews, this is a solid drink to have in hand when entertaining company or watching a football game...or anytime really. Now, if they had a barrel aged version of this I would be waiting in line for it.  7.67

Matt's mark: 3.84/5