Twenty Pounder

Label: Twenty Pounder
Type: Double IPA
ABV[%]: 9 point holy knotknickers batman zero
Packaging: 650 ml bottle
Brewery: Driftwood Brewery, Victoria BC

Smell: Cascade hops with light citrus
Head: Light with mild lacing
Color: Burgundy Brown
Carbonation: mild
Kick: Holy PantsOnTheGround Batman
Rating: 6.5/10

Notes:
For those about to hop... We salute you.

This is a very sharp tasting brew as might be obvious from the high ABV, coupled with the fact that it's a double hopped IPA. This isn't just about the hops... It's also about the buzz.

It pretty much attacks you with some sweetness at first at the edges of the toungue, followed by a kick of hoppiness to the middle, and concluding with a tarty and dry palette, typical of a really strong brew. After 5 or so swigs, my toungue feels like it's been carpet-bombed by Cascade hops. And as for the hoppiness... it's kinda like a premature ejaculation: immediately satisfying self-absorption, but feeling awkward now... was that it? (subject matter I know very, ahem, little about of course).

The label art is reminescent of the AC/DC classic album cover, which pretty much exemplifies what this beer is all about... maybe some "Balls to the Wall" as well.

I will give kudos to Driftwood for making this beer (and I have one in my beer 'cellar'), but it really isn't my cup-o-tea. So my rating is what it is... Live with it crappy-nut lovers. Speaking of edibles, this would likely go well with some strong cheese.

Keep hope alive.

Edit 2015:

So after keeping. A bottle aged in high efficiency conditions I cracked open a bottle aged after about 2 years. Boy what a difference!

The hoppiness is pretty much gone and the Caramel tones are on full display. The lacing and carbonation are weak but it's a totally different experience. I'm going with a 7.5 now.

Jack D'Or

Label: Jack D'Or
Type: IPA (saison americain)
ABV[%]: 6 point friggin 5
Packaging: 650 ml bottle
Brewery: Pretty Things, Massachussets

Smell: Hops...
Head: white and rich with thick lacing
Color: yellow and a bit cloudy
Carbonation: mild
Kick: jacked
Rating: 8/10

Notes:
Oh dear. How I have missed this blog.

Pretty Things is a delightfully weird brewery that has a few nice brews Ive heard of but never tried. So seeing their flagship brew on stock in my local store in the west coast made my mouth water. But it wasn't until about 6 months after buying the bottle that I had the opportunity to pop the cap (more on the reason in a later blog).

This is a deceptively strong beer given the color and taste. It has a great balance of hoppiness and tartiness that gives you the kind of beer breath your partner will object to. Small penance. The finish is very balanced, and again very deceptive: you'd think it was citrus flavours but it isn't. They manage to pull off the tart by balancing hops with a variety of grains (rye, oats...).

Upon pouring, it had a beautiful goldish yellow transparent color, but at the end of the bottle was some sediment, so my second glass was fuzzier... And a bit more rich tasting.

I totally get why locals in MA would dig this beer out of the tap as it would likely have better consistency and it tastes great. But it is strong so it isn't a session beer unless your objective it to get blitzed. And the label art is ugly/weird enough to attract the curious.

Until next time beatches.