Naked City Dry Hopped Podunk IPA Cask

Naked City Dry Hopped Podunk IPA on Cask
5.8% ABV

*From notes*
Poured a hazy orange, and by orange I mean REALLY orange into a pint glass. Let me stress, this looked like an orange soda. It also had a finger, frothy head.

I smelled citrus hops and some kind of bready malts. Tasted the same but I also got orange (from the citrus?). It was medium bodied with a dry finish. It was very smooth and drinkable. Did the oatmeal make it like that?

It says it is an Oatmeal IPA, which I never heard of before but it was really good.

21st Amendment & Ninkasi: Allies Win the War!

21st Amendment & Ninkasi Allies Win the War!
8.5% ABV

I was pretty excited about this beer when I first heard about it. 21st Amendment and Ninkasi? I read a review where it was raved about. When I asked someone about it, they said it was ok. Took me awhile before I tried it.

Poured dark ruby amber into my Hilliards pint glass. The head was large, frothy and light brown with good lacing.

Smelled like toffee and dark fruits. It also said there are dates, but since I am not quite sure what dates smell like I will take their word for it. Another word I have for it was sweet (I am taking this from notes).

It kind of reminded me of a flat IPA. Almost like there is supposed to be a stronger hop profile, though I know that isn't what the style calls for. When it warmed up it kind of reminded me of a barleywine.

It was interesting, and I will have to try it again. Mainly because I want to see what else I get from the taste, and because I spilled half of it on my carpet.

Unibroue - Maudite

For awhile I have said I wanted to learn more about Belgian beers. I found this four pack at Trader Joe's for $8.99 so I couldn't pass it up.


Unibroue - Maudite Belgian Strong Dark Ale
8% ABV

I am a little confused because the box says it is a strong amber-red ale but beer advocate says it is a strong dark ale. Not sure if they are the same thing or not.

Poured a browninsh orange into a tulip glass. Large, frizzy, off-white head with ok lacing.

I smell green apples and spices. Maybe a little bit of caramel but the fruit overwhelms. There is some kind of spice to it that I can't quite identify. The taste is very similar to the smell. It kind of reminds me of a sparkling cider. The body is kind of light with some carbonation. Dry finish.

This seems like a good beer to drink on a Sunday night, while listening to Street Sounds on KEXP, and rest and relax.

There is a story on the label. This is from Quebec Canada so I guess it is French oriented. According to the back of the box, it refers to The Legend of Chasse-Galerie which are 8 lumberjacks who wanted to go home during the winter. The sold their soul to the devil so they could fly in the sky in a canoe. One of the lumberjacks said the word 'God' which made their canoe fall to earth, never to be seen again. Not sure what this has to do with the beer.

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen
5.4% ABV

Poured dark brown into my Hilliards glass. Foamy head with really good lacing.

Smell of smoke. I got mostly oak and some bacon and some a bit of sweetness but that may be from the Marzen. Maybe cherry?

I do get smoke when I drink it but mostly in the finish. A little sweet in the front. I can taste the carbonation.

I really like this. I think it would go perfect with BBQ. It isn't too strong or overpowering. Great mouthfeel and just amount of smoke where you dont feel like you are sitting too close to a campfire. Not sure if this is a beer I will drink a lot of, maybe share it with a friend.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/263/727

The Day of the Younger

I did it. I found out where they were tapping Pliny the Younger, took the day off work, and finally got it! This is the beer everyone is looking for. This is the beer that all beer lovers want to get their hands on. I found out that Naked City taphouse was going to tap it, took the day off work and celebrated this holiday.

But of course I knew it could be almost impossible to get. Most of the kegs tap out within minutes. Also, the place will most likely be packed and I may not have a chance to get my hands on the Holy Beer Grail. Naked City wrote on their Facebook page (and by the way, if you live in Seattle and never been to Naked City, what the hell are you waiting for?) that they are tapping the keg at 2, I knew I had a good hour and a half to get there and make sure I was one of the lucky 75 who get a taste. Sure enough, I got my ticket and enjoyed some other mighty fine beers as well.

FYI, I did not take notes for these tastings so I am going to go on memory. They were all phenominal.

First up, Naked City Cry Me a River

Like Big Time, Naked City decided to do their own Pliny the Younger dedication beer called Cry Me a River. Poured a beautiful ruby red into a pint glass with a tiny head. Don't quite remember the hops, but I remember it was a little maltier. It was really drinkable with medium mouthfeel, and I remember having to slow down after drinking half of it. I will make it a point to drink this again when I find it.

Naked City Black Maria CDA

I had time for another beer so I was trying to decide between Smoklahoma or Black Maria. I already had Smoklahoma so decided to try Black Maria since I love CDAs. This has to be one of my favorite CDAs I have had. The roasty malts and piney hops are noticeable but not overbearing. A very drinkable CDA.

Russian River Pliny the Younger

Two o'clock hits, and now it is time to pour Pliny the Younger. Poured a golden orange into a small pint glass. It reminded me of the Elder, but with more intense flavors. Got floral notes and citrus hops. Tasted sweet and clean with a nice crisp finish. Don't really taste the alcohol. Really good beer and lived up to the hype.

I am glad I had it and would like to thank Naked City for the way they went about pouring it. Not as crazy as an experience like I have read.


Big Time Whiny the Complainer


After they tapped the Younger, they also tapped Whiny the Complainer. I have had this before and loved it so when opportunity presented itself I had to have it again. It actually tasted a little mild compared to Pliny the Younger, but really good beer.

Big Time - Whiny the Complainer

Because people complain about not getting Pliny the Younger. This is the beer for you. I saw this on my Facebook feed yesterday morning and was day dreaming about it all day. Had to drive the the University District and try it.

Orangesh (is that a word) color with about a two finger head. Head quickly dissipates. Lacing was alright.

I didn't get a very strong smell but I did get citrus hops. I also got sweet malts. Carmel?

Very smooth and drinkable. Almost too drinkable without much hint of alcohol. At 9% you need to be careful with this one because I was drinking it kind of quick and realized I needed to slow down or I will be in trouble. Not bitter at all, my non-beer drinking friends (you know, the ones who drink Bud Light) will like this.

I really liked this beer. I don't know how it compares to Pliny the Younger because I never had it, but it is a great beer.

The Alchemist, Ninkasi, and Stone - More Brown than Black IPA

It has been awhile. I will try to update more often. I have a lot of tasting notes that I will try to get to soon.

The Alchemist, Ninkasi, and Stone - More Brown than Black IPA
7% ABV

Interesting, a brown IPA? I need to try this.

Poured into a snifter. A large creamy head with pretty good lacing. The body was a dark brown which reminded me of root beer.

I immediately smelled lots of citrus hops. As it warmed up, I got a little bit of nuttiness but it was hop dominated. Like the smell, I tasted the citrus hops, and when it warmed up, I got some toasted nutty notes as well. It was a medium body with a thick texture, average carbonation and kind of a chalky finish.

It was pretty good beer that I could see myself drinking during cold nights. Not a favorite, but it is interesting.