Label: Singularity
Type: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV[%]: 11.8
Packaging: 650ml
Brewery: Driftwood Breweries, Victoria,BC
Smell: caramel, oats, vodka, tad of coffee
Head: dark brown that fades quickly
Color: opaque brown
Carbonation: mild to little
Kick: was that a bullet in the head?
Rating: 8/10
Notes:
In physics, the word singularity describes the state of something when the mass of an object becomes so large that the gravitational force it exerts is immeasurably large. The word has fantastic imagery for a state of existence that is cannot be visualized, let alone conceived by most people. Thus it has a mystical spot in the shelves of science: a description beyond reproach.
In mathematics, the concept of singularity is perhaps more tangible: a mathematical expression where the divisor becomes infinitesimally small. The consequence is a number that becomes so large it doesn't make sense to think of it as a number, but instead a concept of something so large there is little value in counting it.
This is a stout that is (arguably) excessively strong, excessively thick, and excessively flavorful. This isn't yo mamas Cool Aid. This is a damn strong beer. It has a Carmel flavor with a vodka-like infused taste. It doesn't really compare with the scotch infused strong beer brewed by Russell Breweries. With such a high ABV content, you can't swig this back in your favourite beer glass (word to the wise, use a thin glass of ~4 oz or so). It tickles that back of the throat and leaves a burnt, oaty and alcohol aftertaste.
So yes, the gravity in this beer is high. And yes, the aftertaste lingers forever. But does it reach infinity? No. It is a hell of a treat that I'd recommend to the stout lover.
But not in a pint glass.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Black Widow
Label: Black Widow
Type: Mild Ale
ABV[%]: 5.0
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Tin Whistle Brewing Co., Penticton, BC
Smell: spicy, cinnamon and fruitiness
Head: brown and thin
Color: dark brown, beautiful
Carbonation: medium
Kick: a mallet of feathers
Rating: 8/10
Notes:
In the beautiful Okanagan valley rests a small little brewery called Tin Whistle. Nicely packaged with a picture of the ole No.1 Kettle Valley line train, this beer has a nice balance of flavor for a mild ale. It has a sweet taste with a molasses aftertaste which isn't too overbearing. It covers the whole tongue, leaving a slight bitter aftertaste. It is probably the kinda beer that would give you noticeable beer breath, and you probably don't want to have too many of these. I bet this beer would be awesome on tap.
The brewery's name reminded me of that highly successful band David Bowie had after his serious moonlight tour... Anyone?
Type: Mild Ale
ABV[%]: 5.0
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Tin Whistle Brewing Co., Penticton, BC
Smell: spicy, cinnamon and fruitiness
Head: brown and thin
Color: dark brown, beautiful
Carbonation: medium
Kick: a mallet of feathers
Rating: 8/10
Notes:
In the beautiful Okanagan valley rests a small little brewery called Tin Whistle. Nicely packaged with a picture of the ole No.1 Kettle Valley line train, this beer has a nice balance of flavor for a mild ale. It has a sweet taste with a molasses aftertaste which isn't too overbearing. It covers the whole tongue, leaving a slight bitter aftertaste. It is probably the kinda beer that would give you noticeable beer breath, and you probably don't want to have too many of these. I bet this beer would be awesome on tap.
The brewery's name reminded me of that highly successful band David Bowie had after his serious moonlight tour... Anyone?
Nasty Habit
Label: Nasty Habit
Type: Ale
ABV[%]: 6.0
Packaging: 650 ml bottle
Brewery: Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.
Smell: Hops, spices and fruit, and more hops
Head: thin
Color: Amber
Carbonation:
Kick: greased lightening
Rating: 8.5/10
Notes:
Spicy and fruity, followed by hops and little malty. Smooth, slight sweet aftertaste. Perfectly spiced and smooth. Looks like an English bitter.
Brilliance.
Type: Ale
ABV[%]: 6.0
Packaging: 650 ml bottle
Brewery: Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.
Smell: Hops, spices and fruit, and more hops
Head: thin
Color: Amber
Carbonation:
Kick: greased lightening
Rating: 8.5/10
Notes:
Spicy and fruity, followed by hops and little malty. Smooth, slight sweet aftertaste. Perfectly spiced and smooth. Looks like an English bitter.
Brilliance.
Chimay
Label: Chimay
Type: Strong Ale
ABV[%]: 9.0
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Scourmont Abbey, Chimay, Belgium
Smell: sweet molasses
Head: thin but thin lacing
Color: cloudy brown
Carbonation: medium
Kick: Scotty, beam me up!
Rating: 7/10
Notes:
Not much of a dialogue today. Just getting to the point.
Smooth but sharp tasting ale. You could drink quite a few of these. Not hoppy, but sweet and malty.
Major part of the sales revenue is to support charitable works of monks on Belgium. Brewed in the walls of a Trappist monastery under the control of a Trappist community.
Silky little aftertaste but a strong first taste. Not as heavy as it looks.
A good piss-up.
Type: Strong Ale
ABV[%]: 9.0
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Scourmont Abbey, Chimay, Belgium
Smell: sweet molasses
Head: thin but thin lacing
Color: cloudy brown
Carbonation: medium
Kick: Scotty, beam me up!
Rating: 7/10
Notes:
Not much of a dialogue today. Just getting to the point.
Smooth but sharp tasting ale. You could drink quite a few of these. Not hoppy, but sweet and malty.
Major part of the sales revenue is to support charitable works of monks on Belgium. Brewed in the walls of a Trappist monastery under the control of a Trappist community.
Silky little aftertaste but a strong first taste. Not as heavy as it looks.
A good piss-up.
Navigator
Label: Navigator
Type: Dopplebock
ABV[%]: 8.5
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Lighthouse Breweries, Victoria BC
Smell: Malty with a tinge of spice
Head: thin
Color: dark brown
Carbonation: medium
Kick: To Live Crew beatch
Rating: 8.5/10
Notes:
Yet another night of coaching my sons basketball practice followed by his homework routine and then an hour and a half of indoor soccer. I knew before I came home that I would sample another delicious brew from Lighthouse breweries. My knee kind of blew out so I figured I needed some pain relieve. And what could be better for pain relieve than a Dopplebock.
I normally prefer hocks over Dopplebocks since the latter tend to be a bit too strong for my liking. And swigging 650ml of a Dopplebock might require some exceptionally good behaviour to veil how piss drunk you really are when you speak to your wife. But I digress. Now to the beer.
The first thing you taste are the malts and it covers your tongue with flavor and carbonation. This is followed with a burnt oatish taste, smooth and slightly bitter. The alcohol aftertaste hits you much later and a bit of sourness. Not discouraging though.
Dopplebocks are stronger and dark malty lager and a staple from Munich. It purports of having a deep flavour. And that seems to be a fair comment. What is so cool about Dopplebocks are that they are lagers... Not ales, not stouts, but lagers. So imagine a really good bottle of Canadian (if there is such a thing) but brewed to twice the alcohol content and with a ton of malty flavors. Wonderful. I recently has Philips Dopplebock and this one is clearly better. Not too much flavor, and easy going down. And boy is it strong. Very strong. Strong enough for me to summon all my equilibrating senses when trying to have a civil conversation.
In the words of Spearhead "I like it loudy, loudy, loudy!".
Type: Dopplebock
ABV[%]: 8.5
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Lighthouse Breweries, Victoria BC
Smell: Malty with a tinge of spice
Head: thin
Color: dark brown
Carbonation: medium
Kick: To Live Crew beatch
Rating: 8.5/10
Notes:
Yet another night of coaching my sons basketball practice followed by his homework routine and then an hour and a half of indoor soccer. I knew before I came home that I would sample another delicious brew from Lighthouse breweries. My knee kind of blew out so I figured I needed some pain relieve. And what could be better for pain relieve than a Dopplebock.
I normally prefer hocks over Dopplebocks since the latter tend to be a bit too strong for my liking. And swigging 650ml of a Dopplebock might require some exceptionally good behaviour to veil how piss drunk you really are when you speak to your wife. But I digress. Now to the beer.
The first thing you taste are the malts and it covers your tongue with flavor and carbonation. This is followed with a burnt oatish taste, smooth and slightly bitter. The alcohol aftertaste hits you much later and a bit of sourness. Not discouraging though.
Dopplebocks are stronger and dark malty lager and a staple from Munich. It purports of having a deep flavour. And that seems to be a fair comment. What is so cool about Dopplebocks are that they are lagers... Not ales, not stouts, but lagers. So imagine a really good bottle of Canadian (if there is such a thing) but brewed to twice the alcohol content and with a ton of malty flavors. Wonderful. I recently has Philips Dopplebock and this one is clearly better. Not too much flavor, and easy going down. And boy is it strong. Very strong. Strong enough for me to summon all my equilibrating senses when trying to have a civil conversation.
In the words of Spearhead "I like it loudy, loudy, loudy!".
Abominable Winter Ale
Label: Abominable Winter Ale
Type: Ale
ABV[%]: 7.3
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Hop Works Urban Brewery, Oregon
Smell: hops and citrus with some spice
Head: creamy brown that lingers
Color: brownish
Carbonation: medium
Kick: Scotty, beam me up!
Rating: 7/10
Notes
I saw this bottle at my favorite beer store and the label made me teary-eyed remembering my days as a "yout" and watching the pathetically animated Christmas special "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer". My favorite character was the misunderstood abominable snowman. Poor guy. Nobody realized that his fuss is over a simple toothache. The beer label has a picture of a similar looking snowman. I had to stop myself from sobbing at the beer store. Pathetic.
This beer is full of hops and has a pleasant sweet aftertaste. Luke warm it goes down great so it would probably taste better slightly child. It has a strong finish. It has a variety of spices and, for me, maybe a tad too flavourful. But that might be intentional since it is a seasonal brew.
You can't argue with this breweries passion for organic substances. It amazes me how different beers taste with organics ingredients. Ask me to compare the taste of organic vs. non-organic oranges and I'd be lost. But ask me to tell the difference in beer, well it is really quite amazing.
It claims of having 6 organic malts, and has a bitterness vale of 70 IBU. That seems about right. It's too bad we don't get many Oregon brews here in Canada. Maybe it is time for a visit.
Type: Ale
ABV[%]: 7.3
Packaging: 750 ml Bottle
Brewery: Hop Works Urban Brewery, Oregon
Smell: hops and citrus with some spice
Head: creamy brown that lingers
Color: brownish
Carbonation: medium
Kick: Scotty, beam me up!
Rating: 7/10
Notes
I saw this bottle at my favorite beer store and the label made me teary-eyed remembering my days as a "yout" and watching the pathetically animated Christmas special "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer". My favorite character was the misunderstood abominable snowman. Poor guy. Nobody realized that his fuss is over a simple toothache. The beer label has a picture of a similar looking snowman. I had to stop myself from sobbing at the beer store. Pathetic.
This beer is full of hops and has a pleasant sweet aftertaste. Luke warm it goes down great so it would probably taste better slightly child. It has a strong finish. It has a variety of spices and, for me, maybe a tad too flavourful. But that might be intentional since it is a seasonal brew.
You can't argue with this breweries passion for organic substances. It amazes me how different beers taste with organics ingredients. Ask me to compare the taste of organic vs. non-organic oranges and I'd be lost. But ask me to tell the difference in beer, well it is really quite amazing.
It claims of having 6 organic malts, and has a bitterness vale of 70 IBU. That seems about right. It's too bad we don't get many Oregon brews here in Canada. Maybe it is time for a visit.
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