Cody's beer of the week 8/31/11

August 31st, 2011 8:16am - Posted By: Cody Flanagan

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar 6% A.B.V.

When I was a small and eccentric young man, I collected many things, and among these things were empty beer bottles. One of the first bottles I ever remember collecting was one that my old man gave me, an empty Rogue Dead Guy Ale bottle. So, Rogue has a special place in my gut because it was one of the first micro brewery names that I had ever seen and that I can recall. That's how long Rogue has been at this and that's why I feel lucky that I get to write about their beer this week. Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar is quite simple and simply delicious. Instead of a traditionally boring European brown ale, the Hazelnut brings so much more to the pint glass. It pours a delightful shade of semi-transparent mahogany, with a subtle representation of off white head. The aroma is undeniably pleasant with the apparent scent of hazelnut followed by notes of brown sugar, chocolate malt, and vanilla cream. The mouth feel is round, rich, and sticky, coating the tongue with a tasty layer of hazelnut syrup that drips down the back of the throat, and lingering flavors of milk chocolate and vanilla extract create a lengthy finish. I believe that this beer is perfect for any season but it felt appropriate for this week because we are starting to pull away from crisp summer seasonals and move into those toasty fall and winter seasonals. Hazelnut Brown Nectar is all of those things, crisp, toasty, flavorful and delicious. Cheers! - Cody

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Cody's beer of the week 8/24/11

August 24th, 2011 8:21am - Posted By: Cody Flanagan

Lagunitas Imperial Stout 9.9% A.B.V.  

This week I bring you an Imperial Stout courtesy of the masterminds at Lagunitas. You may think I'm crazy for featuring a high octane stout in the middle of the summer but I just couldn't help myself. When these cases arrived I had to get my hands on some and see just how tasty this new brew was. Luckily, Lagunitas does not make a bad beer, and their Imperial Stout is just as delicious as the rest of their line up. This bad boy pours a deep mahogany with a fluffy mocha head. On the nose the aroma of bakers chocolate combines with notes of caramel, honey, and roasted malts to create a pleasing preview of what you're about to taste. The flavor is a wonderful combination of chocolate and brown sugar with just a hint of coffee that lends itself to create a slightly bitter finish. With a very full mouthfeel, subtle carbonation, and a lengthy sticky finish this seemless Imperial Stout doesn't miss a beat. However, drink this one with caution because the 9.9% alcohol in this one is hidden incredibly well and sneaks up on you to knock you off of your feet. This thing is doggone good! Cheers!

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Cody's beer of the week 8/17/11

August 17th, 2011 8:47am - Posted By: Cody Flanagan

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Double Jack 9.5% A.B.V.

To be honest I had no idea that Firestone Walker even existed until about three weeks ago, and not knowing about their presence and their finely tuned ales made me feel like less of a beer geek. I don't like feeling like less of a beer geek. Having said that I made sure we found them a home on our shelves and took it upon myself to study their brews. I honestly don't have to write anything to sell their six packs or the Double Jack, but I suppose I should because it's what I do. The Double Jack is a deliciously balanced and bitter brew that deserves its spot at the top of the hop charts. Have you heard of a beer they call Pliny the Elder? Yeah, Double Jack and Pliny like to hang out and talk about how delicously citrusy, sticky, and amazing they both are. DJ is a brilliant shade of orange and likes to sport a halo of pearly white bubbles. The aroma is as if you took a whole hop flower, painted it with fresh pineapple juice, and than lightly sprinkled it with pine needle dust. My buds shouted with glee as flavors of grapefruit, resin, pine, fresh pineapple, and hops smothered them to sleep with beer love. Yep, this thing's for real. That's all that can be said.  

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Cody's beer of the week 8/10/11

August 10th, 2011 8:44am - Posted By: Cody Flanagan

Twisted Pine Bough Breaker Barleywine 9.1% A.B.V.   The Bough Breaker barleywine from Twisted Pine is one mean mutha. At 9.1% this tasty bad boy will help ease the pain of any long day, and by ease I mean completely erase. This brew pours a deep ruby/amber color with a slight head to match. On the nose you get the aroma of cinammon, roasted malt, toffee, raisins and just a slight hint of sour cherries. The powerful combination of roasted malt and hops creates a substantial mouthfeel with lingering flavors of caramel, rasins, and citrus. The alcohol content can definitely be felt in the back of the throat as you exhale but it is a pleasant component that really brings this beer together. Big, mean, and tasty is what I got out of this one. Cheers!

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Cody's beer of the week 8/3/11

August 3rd, 2011 9:01am - Posted By: Cody Flanagan

Deschutes/Boulevard Conflux No. 2 White IPA 7.3% A.B.V.

The Conflux No. 2 is a collaborative effort between two powerhouse breweries that does not disappoint. This white India pale ale is a stunningly beautiful and complex brew. It has a cloudy liquid gold color with a gentle stream of fine bubbles and a pearly white head. Notes of banana and clove introduce aromas of honey, pineapple, fresh citrus, and hops. Subtle flavors of allspice greet the tongue, but it's the combination of citrus and hops that creates a finish that lingers in the back of the throat. Bright, hoppy, fruity, and delicious the Conflux No. 2 is dangerously sessionable. Cheers!

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