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.

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