21st Amendment Back in Black CDA

I have been waiting for a good Black IPA/CDA for awhile.

21st Amendment Back in Black CDA
6.8% ABV

Poured black with a bit of amber color on the side of the glass. Really large, frothy, light brown head with excellent lacing.

This smells and tastes like an IPA. I don't get much malty notes like a lot of other CDAs. Very floral with pine and citrus. As it warms up I get slight malty notes, but the hops overwhelm.

For as hoppy as the nose suggests it's not overly bitter. Very light and drinkable and can taste the slight malts that I mentioned earlier. Maybe cocoa? Slight roast malts?

As I read Beer Advocate I see people mention more malt notes than what I get. May have to get another sometime to see if I get a different result. It could be because I had a stout right before.

Overall I liked it, but I have had better CDAs. I do see myself buying this again because I like how it is only about $2 at Chuck's Hop Shop and I do like the taste.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/735/46070

Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout

First of all, I think more breweries should offer 12oz bottles. Sometimes I want just a glass of a beer, not a whole bomber.

Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout
6.6% ABV

Poured muddy dark black. Small frothy light brown head, with ok lacing.

Smells of chocolate and roasted coffee. For me the chocolate and roasted malts stood out. As it warms I get slight nutty aroma. For some reason I got a slight scent of olives.

Drinks really well. Nice smooth medium mouth feel and a slight bitter bite finish.

A really good, easy drinking stout. For some reason it kind of reminds me of the Harmon's Stryker Stout.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/266/1443

Choklat and Brrrbon

I usually try to write notes as I drink. Sometimes I am just unable to, or would rather enjoy the company I am with. Here are some beers that I really enjoyed but didn't write any notes for. I will rely on memory (and my memory isn't greatest). This will force me to re-review these.

Widmer Barrel Aged Brrrbon (Reserve Series)
9% ABV
Served on tap from Quinn's on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

Kind of an auburn color with white head. Beautiful pour, you guys.

Don't quite remember the smell, but I do remember smelling some alcohol. I also remember some vanilla and bourbon notes in the taste.

Very easy drinking, and I do see myself drinking this again in the future to give a better review.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/8/62040

Southern Tier Choklat Stout

11%

Poured from Quinn's on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

Chocolate.

That is all I need to say for this beer.

Ok, I will try better.

Poured very dark with a light brown head.

Smelled and tasted like chocolate. Didn't get much roasted coffee malt, or any bitter hops. Full bodied, very drinkable, and smooth finish. For 11%, I didn't taste much alcohol at all, but sure as hell felt it.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3818/40058

Victory Storm King Russian Imperial Stout

Victory Storm King Russian Imperial Stout
9.1% ABV

Got this stout for Christmas along with a Victory towel. Great Christmas gift if you ask me! Had to drink it right then.

Poured a pitch black and muddy. No light was coming through this. One finger, light brown head that dissolved quickly. Ok lacing.

Smelled a slight bit of piney hops at first. Didn't get as much malt smell as I would have expected. When it warmed up got more mild roasted malt and slightly bitter. Dry bitter finish.

Great for a sipper, especially at 9:00 in the morning. Loved that it came in at 12 oz bottle.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/1013

XS McRogue Scotch Ale

XS McRogue Scotch Ale

7% ABV

Poured from Chuck's Hop Shop in Greenwood, Seattle, WA

From notes

Poured a cloudy, rusty color with no head.

The smell was slight caramel and raisin and I didn't get any hops.

It was very smooth with a slight bite finish. Light to medium body, not too heavy.

It was ok. I have had better but I will drink this again. As a matter of fact, I think I need to drink some Scotch Ale soon.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/132/1578

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA
7.5% ABV

Review from notes. Drank this at Sun Liquor Distillery on Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA.

Poured hazy golden color into a pint glass. There was not much head, but maybe it was because of the pour. Good lacing.

Smelled grapefuit hops and slight pine.

Medium body, very smooth drinking. Pretty refreshing. I didn't write the finish, but from what I remember, slightly bitter.

This is one of my favorite IPAs and can be found at my local Safeway. I will be drinking this again and will try to write a better review then. I actually think I like this a little better than it's older brother, the Double Jack. Both really good, though.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2210/38180

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout

It has been almost a month since I last posted. Don't worry, I still drank beer and wrote notes. I will be relying on these notes in these reviews.


Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
9.5%

This was my New Years beer. I stayed at home and enjoyed this while watching Indiana Jones and read my book. It was a nice night.

Poured muddy dark into a tulip glass. Nice one finger frothy light brown head.

The smell of was of chocolate and roasted coffee, a slight hint of oak and I could smell a little bit of alcohol in this. Tasted like it smelled and the alcohol was well hidden. The body was full and tasted really smooth and creamy.

A phenomenal beer. I would like to see how it tastes aged.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/158/19216