Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break by Evil Twin Brewing

Posted by Keith Wallace on Jan 9, 2013 in Beer Reviews | 0 comments

Here is a bit of dessert for you. A high octane but richly textured Stout with a chocolate personality.  The color of this sticky beer is the black of Belgian chocolate, with a head like a Mochaccino Latte. The flavors follow forward with dark bitter chocolate flavors that fade just enough to allow a bit of toffee and vanilla come forward (I am not kidding when I said this is dessert–perhaps the best dessert I have had in awhile). The finish moves toward dark molasses and coffee. This full bodied beer has enough carbonation to keep it from becoming cloying, and allow this beer to finish crisp and almost dry. Which is perfect, because now you are ready for the next sip…

Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA

Posted by Keith Wallace on Nov 1, 2012 in Beer Reviews | 0 comments

Brewed for  the beer’s 10th Anniversary in 2012.  The usual Stone Ruination IPA is 7.7% ABV with about 2.5 pounds of hops per barrel. Those are pretty impressive  numbers. For this brew, though, they doubled the hops and pushed the malt bill by about a third.  It’s a monster of a brew: it will ruin your palate for hours. Don’t try to eat anything anything after this, except possibly a fried pickle.  You won’t taste a thing.

Pine resin, bong water, and grapefruit are the primary aromas, with some hay and floral notes. On the palate, it is rich and creamy, like a bitter pudding. Flavors of grapefruit oil, pizza dough, and  cascade hops take control. Notes of alcohol break up the flavors, and the sweetness of the malt sneak in. The fruity esters take over and this finishes with moderate carbonation and a slug fest of hops. This is a  big !#*#&#$ beer.

The 90 Plus Beer Review of Zombie Dust . Yet Another Beer Review by Epikur.

Posted by Keith Wallace on Jun 30, 2012 in Beer Reviews | 0 comments

Pale Ale is a classic British beer. It is a buttoned-down style that is typically understated, a touch rich, and occasionally a bit buttery. The American version is a whole different species:  Louder, Fresher,  Cleaner.  In the 3Floyds  Brewery version,  things get really ugly real fast. And I mean that in the best way possible.

Zombie Dust lives up to its name. It’s a bit of wicked incarnation that will suck out your brains and leave you shivering on the floor. It’s a big beer that swings a heavy cudgel of hops and malt.

The brew features the Citra, which is a big mango-and-grapefruit-flavored  hop  from Washington State.  The hops take center stage, but they are balanced out with the malts, which bring flavors of burnt sugar and fresh bread into the mix. The finish goes to orange oil and hop resin.

A fantastic brew. Highly recommended.

Uinta Tilted Smile Imperial Pilsner

Posted by Keith Wallace on Apr 23, 2012 in Beer Reviews | 0 comments

I love pilsners. I love imperial beers. They are the ying and yang of my beer drinking existence, just as Family Guy and Breaking Bad are the opposing forces of  my TV addiction. As Stewie Griffin  should never ever join forces with Walter White, I thought these two beer styles could never co-exist peaceably.

Like most things, I was right until I was wrong.  Unita has done something remarkable with their Tilted Smile; they crafted a beer that both sings and shouts.  The clean Pilsen malt offers up aromas of  freshly toasted biscuits. This turns into a rich full-bodied maltiness on the palate, which is balanced by a light effervescence.  The finishing hops poke in with the essence of wild flowers and long grasses; finally,  a bright and spicy citrus note smooths it all out.

PBC: Fleur de Lehigh

Posted by Keith Wallace on Apr 22, 2012 in Beer Reviews | 2 comments

Inspired by memories of the onset of Spring (and eternal hope, of course) at Shibe Park – which was located on Lehigh Ave.  – Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s Fleur de Lehigh is a unique local choice for warm weather drinking. The beauty of this beer is that it’s smooth enough for a patio or tailgate session, but more flavorful than the average summer brew.

The floral aromas and bright, fresh flavors are derived mostly from the spices added: ginger, lemongrass, rose hips, rhubarb and cardamom. The herbal aromatics are quite assertive, which, on one hand is what makes this brew so interesting, but on the other can cause a slightly medicinal flavor.

As long as that doesn’t put you off, Fleur de Lehigh has enough complexity and personality to warrant repeat visits all summer long.