Flying Dog Single Hop Citra (2013)

Yes, we've reviewed this brew before (actually, it was our first review here). But, that was last year's keg only release. This year, they've released it in bottles. So this is the Single Hop Citra 2013 release. It's kind of cool to look back at out first review, and then roughly 150 reviews later, how much we've grown in both our comfort level in our writing ability and our descriptions. But enough sentimental BS, you're here for the beer. And as this is getting late (11:50pm) and I'm sleep deprived, I'll try to keep this shortened, but giving good points.

This pours a beautiful golden orange color, with small amount of white head that doesn't stick around. The aroma is citrus and something like pineapple, there's some slight tones of sweetness. It's faint, but it's there. The taste is nothing but hops. Oh, Hopsus be praised! Piney and citrusy swirls that leave a nice resiny feel to the finish. At first it's crisp and clean with decent carbonation to make it refreshing, then the resin mouthfeel takes hold and starts puckering your mouth a bit. This is what an Imperial IPA should be. There are also some tones of tropical fruit to blend with the lemon, grapefruit and piney notes of the hops. Yeah, Citra. If only I could have this year round.

5/5 caps

-Nathan-

Wait just a minute here. Did we just make it through a Flying Dog review from Nathan without a single Hunter S. Thompson reference? And why, dear Hopsus, why should it be on me to provide it???  I'm not the fanboy here... I appreciate The Good Doctor with all his Gonzoisms, but I'm not nearly the fanboy that my partner in crime is. With that, I offer this, from The Great Shark Hunt:

Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of 'the rat race' is not yet final.

That pretty accurately sums up this beer for me. It's mythical, it's legendary (or at least it should be), and your ability to obtain it is a near-infinite impossibility. And it proves to me, at least, why Flying Dog is still a stalwart in the rat race that is the craft beer industry in America today. Although I could tell you where there remain two six-packs of this nectar of Hopsus. But shall I? Or should I save that little nugget of knowledge for when I'm alone some afternoon, wandering up and down Indianola Ave. while Nathan toils his weekday away?

I can't decide. So let's talk about some beer. This wonderful beer in particular. I actually pick up a great malt backbone in here... along with some additional sweetness, almost like brown sugar or maybe some Belgian candi sugar. These perfectly complement the hop characteristics that have me head over 6" platform heels in love with this series from those rascals in Frederick, MD. I don't think it's overly resinous, as opposed to our friend at Savor Market and Nathan. Our love of the citra hop is well documented, and Nathan has done much justice to it above. I just find it a tad more cloying and malty than he does, it would seem. Oh! And there is the fabled wisp of lychee that this hop strain is noted for. Yuuuuuummmmmmm. I don't find this overly puckering or overly hoppy. It's a great demonstration of what this hop strain has to offer us mere peons.

I am really hoping they send some of their Single Hop Sorachi Ace this direction. Hint, hint: Erin and Flying Dog crew. I love pineapple in my beer. And now I'm off to dream about brewing a pineapple IPA. Huh.

4.98/5 caps, because their Simcoe of this series is still one of my all-time favorite brews, and this is just shy of that.

-Jennie

Flying Dog Big Black Wit

Flying Dog's Brewhouse Rarities series. Supposed to be draft-only (except 3 of them that will be available in 750ml bottles as well), and only along the mid-Atlantic areas. Somehow, it has found it's way to the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio specifically. Oh, don't dare get me wrong, I'm so ecstatic that I'm sporting some wood.... The wood is Trollie, you see, as he's made of wood, but at the same time, he's also my drinking companion, more so than Jennie.

According to Flying Dog's website, this has the following:
7% ABV, 18 IBU,  Perle, Cascade and Galaxy hops. Pilsner, Raw Wheat, Midnight Wheat, Torrified Wheat and Flaked Oats as the specialty malts.

So, with Trollie by my side, I put on my Gonzo-vision and dive balls deep into this pint glass, taking your through this train wreck I like to call 'my beer review.' Please note, there are not many reviews on this, so I feel like the Great Gonzo in the Sky is smiling down upon me.

This pours black and opaque, like soy sauce, with a small amount of off-white head. In the aroma, there are notes of your typical wit, coriander and spice. But there are also tones of roasty notes and tones of citrus. These meld together in a way that should be a felony, but then again, look at all the things that are felonies that are fun. Hell, I've committed multiple felonies, sometimes multiple at one, just never been caught, and that's the thrill of it all. Knowing somewhere in the back of your twisted mind, that no normal, sane person would attempt such a feat, due to fear of persecution and consequences. But, I, as Robert Frost said, I took the one less traveled by. And that's how this aroma sneaks into your olfactory senses with a twisted grip, astounding your mind with all the memories it's trying to recall, placing scents with places, people, and beers. But enough about that; onto the real part that people look for. How does this taste, you sorry bastard? Well, It's not that easy to answer. There are hints of caramel up front, that slowly give way to some more whole grain-sort of bready tones, somewhere combining with some light roasted tones. That bizarre trio is met by some piney and citrusy flavors from the hops that go on a ravaging spree across your taste buds when they meet up with good old coriander and spice, but mostly more toward the back end of this smooth drinking beauty. The mouthfeel is medium with, surprisingly little carbonation. I say surprising, as when our friend was pouring this into the growler, the brew was rather foamy, to where she said "I think I lost 3 growlers of head pouring this one growler."

All in all, a very interesting brew. If you have the odd notion to try something new, and you have the opportunity, try this. To quote the good Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die."

4.7/5 caps

-Nathan-

Happy American Craft Beer Week! Thus begins our week-long celebration of all things American craft beer.

OK, that's an adequate Thompson quote, but not the one I expected, my dear Gonzo-wannabe. The one I expected, after your felonious rant above, is as follows:

If I'd written all the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people -- including me -- would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today. Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.

The truth of the Big Black Wit should perhaps remain under wraps; I can't lie, I'm too pretty for prison. So is Nathan. And indeed, this beer is much to weird to live, and too rare to die. Huh. Now I have Avenged Sevenfold's "Bat Country" stuck in my head.

The pour is as Nathan described. The nose gives some citrus and bready malts and farmhouse yeast strain. Uh oh. I don't really care for Flying Dog's farmhouse yeast strain. I don't mind it in Raging Bitch, but I don't care for it in, say, Wildeman or In-Heat Wheat. Just my personal opinion and tastebuds. Well, let's see if it's more Raging Bitch or if that bitch is in heat.

This beer is downright weird. I taste plenty of roasty black malts, and then it's definitely a wit beer, with hints of coriander and, wait. I definitely prefer this colder, at fridge temp. This glass has warmed up while Nathan was typing away. The farmhouse notes are more Woody Creek White than In-Heat Wheat (that's doable), and have really come to the forefront since it's warmed. When it was cold, it was easy to discern the roasty notes and the wheat, and the farmhouse dank was much less pronounced. Now it's kind of a hot mess. And not in a good way. It kind of tastes like they blended Hoegaarden and Guinness in my glass.

It's definitely not my favorite from Flying Dog. But since this beer will only be brewed once, apparently it's not too rare to die. Suck on that, Dr. Gonzo.

4.05/5 caps, because it's warmed too much. I might give it a 4.1 if it were cold.

-Jennie

-Jennie

Revolution Brewing Company Rosa

It's Mother's Day. Hopefully you have done something nice for your mom, because remember, you're the reason she drinks. It's been a lovely day here... Nathan and Dad and Peanut have all spoiled me rotten, despite the rampant exhaustion running through the family. One Mother's Day tradition in our house is to drink the first Oberon of the year... check. Maybe I should have started with that review, but was ready to change it up a bit after that first beer. I love the pink on the label, and I have yet to have a beer from Revolution Brewing that I don't thoroughly enjoy. This is a hibiscus ale, brewed with 12 pounds of hibiscus flowers and a touch of orange peel. After the fiasco that was Magic Hat's Hicu (at least in my opinion), I'm ready to redeem hibiscus as a valid brew ingredient. In theory, at least, this should be a beer that all moms love.

This pours a lovely pink grapefruit color with a pale pink head. It's almost too pretty to drink, much like Founder's Cerise. Hey, I'm a girl, I'm allowed to like pink beers! Almost, I said. I really want to taste this, though, so taste we shall. The nose on this is very mild, and it takes a couple of sniffs to detect faint malt, citrus, and a very vague floral presence. Huh, this is interesting. It almost drinks more like a lager than an ale. It starts off a little bready, then gives way to the orange peel and vague aromas of hibiscus, and it finishes dry with just the faintest hint of sweetness. I love that it's not like drinking perfume (see our reviews on Hicu and Rhizing Bines to recall how much I dislike my beer tasting like perfume). It's well-carbonated, and as mentioned, drinks more like a lager than an ale.

I'm enjoying this. It's subtle, unlike my platinum blonde hair. I'd love to have this on a hot summer day... I'm not much for mowing the lawn, but this would be great on the porch on a scorching summer night. I love that Revolution has nailed pretty much every style I've tried by them. And don't get me started on Anti-Hero... there's also a six-pack of that in the fridge. Yum.

Awwww, Nathan is painting a piece of art for me. I'm blushing the color of this beer. It's really pretty so far... kind of like this beer.

4.265/5 caps. Feeling kinda arbitrary.

-Jennie

Before we review this, I would like to point out, previously, on Jennie's Bday, we reviewed Anti-Hero, after having another one tonight, I don't think I rated it as high as it should be. It's a damn good IPA to where Hopsus should be praised.

Tonight's selection from Revolution Brewing brings us a hibiscus ale, Rosa. We picked this up the same day Savor got it in (along with sharing a couple cans). The pour is, as Jennie put, like a ruby red grapefruit. The nose is more prevalent after warming up some, but as my muse described. After warming up, there are more notes of hibiscus that are forward, slightly tart for a second, giving way to some bready tones and some slight orange. There are some floral tones in here as well that are faint throughout, but slowly raising toward the back end. Finishes dry with some hints of sweetness. I think the mouthfeel is rather smooth, well-carbonated. This is a great beer for the summer time, whether it's mowing, enjoying the night sky, enjoying good company, ah hell, who am I kidding? This is a great anything outdoor in the summertime beer.

A nice, mellow summertime brew, that hopefully has renewed Jennie's faith in hibiscus being in beer (yes. yes, we know- it doesn't fall into the guidelines of the Purity Law of 1516).

4.35/5 caps (tabs? As this is available in cans?)

-Nathan-

Three Floyds Rabbid Rabbit

Three Floyds is a well loved brewery. All their beers sell out as soon as they are put on shelves. We've reviewed two others (zombie dust and jinx proof) by them so far, with yet another selection sitting on the shelf, staring at me in anticipation of sliding down my soon-to-be-happy throat, lashing my taste buds with each exciting sip.With each beer I have from them, Three Floyds grows in my heart to where I will chase down released by them (much like we do with Founders, Flying Dog, Bells and most recently Knee Deep).

So, What is Rabbid Rabbit? It is a mutated giant green rabbit attacking a gnome wearing a jester hat. As I am a gnome sympathizer, I have an issue with this. Despite this, I, as a beer lover, can look past the label and look at the pint glass. This pours a hazy golden color, and it should as it's a saison. There is a small amount of white head that sits perfectly on top, much like the jester hat did on the gnome before being ferociously attacked by this green monstrosity that's on the bottle. Damn. This makes me the rabbit, as I will be annihilating this brew, sip by sip.

The aroma is earthy with some fresh dough-like tendencies to it. Some slight citrus notes that are taken-over by the previously mentioned attributes. And now for the best part- the tasting. This is nice and light, with come citrus, pepper, and hints of herbs to it. The more you sip, the more the peppery tones come out. There's some sweetness about it as well, but nowhere near cloyingly sweet. No, my friend, the sweetness adds just the right touch. The mouthfeel is a bit creamy, with some stickiness that dries out quickly. Light carbonation to add to the complexity of this brew.

We ended up purchasing this twice in one night from Palmer's. Our first bottle ended up going to a friend at Savor Market (as she wasn't going to be off work in time to get a bottle), the second bottle is this one. Yes, we are cool people like that who like to share good beer with good people. But at the same time, our bar hopping has turned into beer market hopping. Oh well, beer market hopping gives you the opportunity to get great beers and meet great people, actually remember their names, and make lasting impacts without dancing on a bar table while singing karaoke.

We've not reviewed many saisons, but this is good. Will be hunting down some more of this when it's available.

4.8/5 caps

-Nathan-

Oh, how the mighty have fallen... Those were the words out of my mouth as we climbed out of the car at Savor tonight, having already been to Palmer's for said other Three Floyds' offering. From dancing on tables while singing karaoke, to doing the Indianola Ave. rare-beer market crawl. And to think, this is now what makes us (or at least me) happiest on a Friday night. Sigh. And it's Mother's Day weekend, so I feel a little guilty bitching about the travails of motherhood.

Ooooh. Nathan described this beer very well. Somewhere towards the back of the first sip I got hit with a sack of oranges. On the tongue, not upside the head. Thank goodness. Although I'd probably deserve it. My, this is pretty fandamntastic... I'm in love with the entire beer. They use a lovely yeast strain, and there's chamomile in here to smooth it out, and the black pepper kick is oh-so-tasty. And the black pepper lingers on the tongue, tickling long after the beer has slid down my throat. I can't really add much more, as Nathan's description was spot-on.

I've only had one other beer with black pepper in it, and I liked it. The saison works really well with black pepper in it, even though it's not overly farmhouse-y. I'm fine with that, as sometimes that farmhouse funk can be a little off-putting to me, and I don't know how it would go with the peppery note here.

I have to agree, Three Floyds does some amazing stuff. Their cult following is well-deserved. I'm really enjoying this beer, and look forward to the next one I try from them.

4.8/5 caps

-Jennie

Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA

This is the final Crooked Tree from the sampler pack from Dark Horse Brew Company... good old regular Crooked Tree, one of my favorite brews from this brewery. I'm in beer geek heaven tonight. We wandered Clintonville, hunting a rare release (no luck,...yet) and coming up with many, many more good brews. Is it sad that my pub crawls have turned into craft beer store crawls along Indianola Ave? I'm perfectly fine with that, actually. I think we sufficiently redeemed Dark Horse with the Plead the 5th review last night (seriously, that one bottle made up for the other three in this sampler), but hey, we also saved the best for last from this sampler.

This pours a medium orange color with a moderate white head and squee! it's unfiltered, meaning it's hazy to the point of being almost opaque, with some light sediment floating in it. Please, save your triple-filtering for the crappy macro-produced American piss water. The aroma isn't overwhelming, but smells of oranges and vague other citrus fruits, along with bready malts. The flavor, though, is citrusy with a solid earthy presence, finishing with some caramel and lightly sweet notes. As it warms, I pick up some hints of freshly mown grass and grapefruit. This is a little more dank than I recall, but I don't find it unappealing. It's very well-balanced, with the malts coming through, and it's moderately carbonated yet smooth... not quite sticky, not quite velvety, but rather well balanced.

This is one of Dark Horse's more readily available and popular year-round brews. If you can get our hands on some Double Crooked Tree, by all means, please do -- it's even better than this. And this is pretty damn good. My personal opinion is that even anti-hop people will probably like this. The antithesis of last night, tonight is our night to get to the IPA's in the fridge before the hops stale. Boom.

4.5/5 caps

-Jennie

So, I showered, yes I like to do that from time to time (roughly once a fortnight or so, give or take a decade). Yeah, indoor plumbing is awesome... Regardless, while showering, this brew has had time to warm up.

The color is a hazy amber orange color, almost a home brew sort of hue. The white head has stuck around from pre-shower til now. The aroma is orange, grapefruit, bread and aftershave.... hmm... Maybe I shouldn't have used aftershave while having something this close to my nose. Live and learn, eh? Or is it live and let die? Damn you Paul McCartney! But I digress. This has an amazing aroma that comes out more when warmed up a bit. I finally get to quench my freshly showered thirst. The first sip is not as hoppy as I expect out of an IPA, There's fresh grass and citrus, both faint, in the front, with a biscuity maltiness about it in the middle, and ending on a slightly bitterness, also faint. Balanced, yes, overly hoppy, no. The mouthfeel is smooth, with light stickiness, but not a lingering or overpowering stickiness. Side note, the lacing on the glass is beautiful. Do an online search for 'lacewood' and compare the wood grain with the lacing on this glass...

Not one of my all time favorite IPAs (I like the aggressively bitter and super hopped varieties), but this is a damn good beer that will probably get non-IPA drinkers to enjoy an IPA.

The only quarrel I have has nothing to do with this beer, but more of the fact that the website is having "issues" uploading the picture, and finally after almost an hour or trying (yes, that's how long it roughly takes to review a beer thoroughly between the distractions and finding the proper words to describe this), the picture has uploaded.

4.4/5 caps

-Nathan-

Stone Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

Onto the second half of Epic Rare Stout Night, this one brought to us by our friends-to-be at Stone Brewing. Sorry, my inner psychotic fangirl is starting to take over. Greg Stone, I will meet you someday, hopefully when we're filming. This is Stone's Espresso Imperial Russian Stout, part of their Odd Year Release series, brewed once, and in two years, they'll do something equally awesome. Weighing in at 11% ABV, it should be safe to assume that no other alcohol will be required tonight. This came in a bomber, so there should be no fighting over the last drop in the bottle. That just happened in our kitchen. Nathan lost. He is currently pouting.

This pours deep black (is "Blackened" by Metallica stuck in your head yet??? Why not?! Go get your copy of "...And Justice For All" cued up and press play already!) with a moderate khaki-colored head. The nose is mostly coffee and chocolate, with an overall very mild aroma for such a big beer. I couldn't wait any longer... I just had to try a sip. Oh holy hell, this is amazing. It's a veritable roller coaster on my tongue of everything good in a stout, and yet it's so different from anything else I've had, just because it seems a bit out of order... but I like that. It starts off with espresso, then it gets boozy, with almost a bourbon flavor and some dark stone fruit in the middle, and then some very silky chocolate flavors come in, then the espresso sneaks back in just to remind you it's an espresso stout. And somewhere toward the end, I get the faintest hint of vanilla. Just to kick you in the dick. Just a little. It's a little chewy in the mouth after starting off silky smooth, but nothing offensive. I mean, it's a Russian Imperial Stout; I expect a little chewiness.

Stone has continued to impress me... I have yet to have a beer that I'm not thoroughly impressed with. Hence the fangirl. They're sneaking up on my list. It's funny, after we obtained this, Nathan and I got into a heavy discussion of beer economics. Their bombers are 22 ounces and usually $8.99. For some reason, we agree that's a lot easier to stomach than buying a six-pack at $11.99. Even though you're getting more bang for your beer buck when you buy by the six-pack. And I'd like to thank Stone for keeping it reasonable for the bombers, especially... they are a little more expensive than most breweries for their six-packs (by about a dollar), but that's doable. And their bombers are even more fairly priced. It kills me to see a good beer for $20 and up for a bomber. I understand the rare releases that cost a little more, but there is also supply and demand, and I'm a cost-conscious beer geek/fangirl. End rant.

See you soon, Greg.

5/5 caps

-Signed, your fastest-growing fangirl. Um, I mean Jennie.

Hey fangirl, you're not cost-conscious, as you're spending my ill-gotten money. Piss off with your last sip our of the bottle. All I have to say to you is Kia Soul ad. It's in your head now, and the only way to get it out is a hollow-point at point blank range. No, I'm not bitter at all that you took the last sip out of the bottle, no, no it's fine. I'll sit over there in the chair and drink Stroh's while you're taunting me and drinking good beer. No, it's fine. I guess I'll just have to summon the powers of Hopsus to smite thee. Alright, Great Smiter, get to smiting her!.... hmmm... Nothing's happening. I think Hopsus is busy, and Cthulhu is usually busy on Monday nights....  Oh well, I guess I'll put on my big boy panties (nothing but banana hammocks for nights like this) and review some beer.

This is made out of Unobtainium. We were lucky enough to score 2 bottles of this (other is a gift for our good friend), but yet, I still feel an indescribable guilt that I screwed someone out of this by getting 2 bottles. But then I think, oh yeah, I have beer, and I tuck all that guilt down and drink until I have no feelings.

This pours a dark black, completely void of light, much like what will happen to Jennie when Cthulhu and Hopsus reign terror upon her. There is a khaki colored head, much like the khakis I will wear to the Hopsus Altar tomorrow to praise him and make Simcoe rain on the Midwest.

Now, before I delve further into this investigative report into the world of craft beer taste testing, I will note that this has had time to warm up while I was sulking and plotting my own vendetta against my female counter part (it'll probably be something like a lame 'that's what she said' sort of joke, and I'll be fine). So, after having time to warm up, the nose on this is... sexy... It's coffee, chocolate, some roasted malt tones and some hints of vanilla and booziness. Now, finally, after Jennie crushed my entire existence by taking the last sip out of the bottle, I get to enjoy the flavor that I've built myself up to. Oh... Oh my... This is what Leonardo da Vinci was thinking about when he painted the Mona Lisa (well, I don't know if that's true, but I'll just assume it is). This is good. Espresso, chocolate, roasted malts, ending on espresso. I'm assuming this has lost the boozy flavor that White Devil picked up, as this has warmed up. This is smooth drinking, a shit-ton less in the richness department compared to the Plead the 5th we just reviewed. This has the mouthfeel like a cup of coffee with cream. That slight bitterness of the coffee puckering your mouth a bit, but yet, leaving a pleasant, otherwise orgasmic sensation of that 'I gotta do shit today' feeling of every morning. This is that sweet release we all look for. Why isn't this flowing out of the water fountain at work?!?!?! Come on, my company had $2.4 billion in sales worldwide last year, I think we can replace the shitty Columbus tap water with something epic like this that will improve worker moral and bring an overall sense of pride to everyone.

I seem to be getting a little distracted by dreaming about this flowing out of a water fountain.... Hmm.. Brilliant idea though. I have to figure a way to utilize this in real life, and not just in my perfect fantasy world where Jennie doesn't take the last sip out of the bottle.

5/5 caps

-Nathan-

Dark Horse Plead The 5th Imperial Stout

This completes our 5 stouts from Dark Horse. The Plead The 5th is hard to come by around here, and judging by online ratings, well worth it. As you can tell, Trollie will be assisting me in this review. This is part one of two beer reviews on what we're (well, at least I'm) deeming Epic Rare Stout Night.

This is an Imperial Stout, ranking in at 11% ABV that pours a dark, opaque used motor oil color with a coffee colored head. The nose is interesting- as each time I smell it, I catch different hints of things.  Chocolate, almost a cherry tone, some roasted tones, alcohol, some roasted tones. The taste however, gives way to a roller coaster of Imperial Stout bliss. Bitter coffee, chocolate, a hint of fruit (again, almost cherry), finishing with some slightly sweet caramel tones. The mouthfeel is rich, but yet smooth as hell, almost creamy. There is a warmth that comes about this as it slides happily down your throat. This is a warming sensation more like a shot of rum than a beer. Hmm... Rum... Hmm... Beer... This is what I think of when I think Imperial Stout.

The thing that saddens me is this is the only bottle we were able the obtain, so I have to share this with 'She-Who-Has-Lady-Parts'... Or do I? I think I'll try one of those 'Hey! What's that?!' sort of attacks and snatch the beer from her (hehe, I said 'snatch'). Well, It didn't work, she ignored me, as she's working on artwork.

Oh well, it was worth a shot. Speaking of worth a shot, even if you're only able to try a shot of this beer, DO IT! And, side note, it's hard to type out a review when there's a large grey tabby who's trying to bobbing and weaving on your lap, trying to be the center point of your attention. Sorry, cat. I love you, but you're not going to distract me from this re.... oh shit... I'm out. This becomes a major issue as I have to wait for Jennie to type up her review before continuing on with Epic Rare Stout Night. Fuck, this means onto the cheap American adjunct lager til the continuation.

5/5 caps

-Nathan-

I'm just hoping my fingers don't become glued to the keyboard. I'd give you a sneak peak, but it's a piece for at least one of our blog readers. And 'Chelle, if Dad doesn't make it Saturday, it's because I killed him because he's trying out every box in the house next to the canvas I'm working on. Not the blank canvases; no, that would make too much sense. Sigh, ground, and center. Patricide really isn't on my agenda tonight.

Now that that's off the programme, let's see if this beer is really all it's hyped up to... Damn, dunked my nose in the glass. And then I was overtaken by aliens, because this aroma is too good to come from this world. As it's warmed while Nathan was typing his part, I'm picking up so much more than when it was fresh from the fridge. At refrigerator temp, it's a whole lot of coffee in the nose. Now it's equal parts coffee, chocolate, and dark fruit, with a hint of the alcohol peeking through. By the way, ever since we poured the glasses, I've had Metallica's "Blackened" in my head... because it pours that dark. Now, let's take a sip. Sweet Raptor Jesus, I've become a stout fan. This hophead has been saaaaaaaved, praise Hopsus! It's sweet to begin with, almost like raw cane sugar, then waves of coffee, chocolate, toffee, and dark fruit waft over my tongue, and then, bam! One sip and I'm no longer able to drive! Nathan described it really well.

It's really perfect on this cool-ish evening we're having here in Ohio. I've really enjoyed the stout series from Dark Horse... now if only they'd sell those in sampler twelve-packs. My last question is this: Why is the rum always gone???

5/5 caps

-Jennie