Bison Brewing Company Chocolate Stout
We really loved this beer and are certain that you will too! This is a
big, full bodied, packed with coffee and chocolate notes, kind of stout.
Immediately note it's "motor-oil" color and its appealing, thick
brown head. Look for a huge roasted nose with hints of coffee bean and chocolate
malts. The flavor? Pow! The lads at Bison used real Dutch cocoa to brew
this bad boy and it comes through nicely. Bison brews this winner with a
combination of 2-row pale, crystal, chocolate, munich, and a few other varied
roasted malts. We found it nicely balanced with Perle and Centennial hops.
The finish? Full, roasted, a slight lingering hint coffee and the strong
desire to open another one!
Coast Range California Blonde Ale
The Coast Range Brewing Co.'s California Blonde Ale falls under the traditional
American Golden Ale category and their interpretation of the style is fermented
slightly cooler than most ales. This "cold conditioning" gives
it a crisp, clean finish, similar to that of a lager. The brewery uses all
American malts, including crystal and 2-row pale as well as malted wheat.
Liberty and Mt Hood hops give this blonde a spicy attitude up front in her
nose. This heavily decorated ale - it's won too many awards to mention,
starts with a clean pale maltiness and spicy hop nose. Later, you'll get
a bit of hop fruitiness and sweet maltiness in the body. It finishes somewhat
tart and bitter, leaving you wanting more! Overall, definitely the single
most full flavored blonde ale we've ever rated.
Tommyknocker Brewery Butt Head Bock
The Doppelbock style was originally made only by monks seeking a full-bodied,
nutrient-fortified beverage to consume during lent. That's right! Liquid
bread! As you might have suspected, the actual word Doppel translates to
"double" and although the style tends to in fact be stronger than
traditional bocks, it is not actually twice the strength. Immediately note
a wonderful, big malty aroma, a great indication of what's to come in this
deep dark reddish-brown brew. Look for a gentle warming mouth feel, letting
you know that there's a bit of alcohol in there. Tommyknocker's award-winning
Dopplebock is brewed with a combination of 2-row pale, light crystal, Munich,
crystal, and chocolate malts and is hopped slightly with both Perle and
Willamette hops. We found the flavor to offer a pleasant caramel sweetness
and rich, creamy mouthfeel. Tommyknocker does a nice job to compliment the
malty profile with a slight hop bitterness. Overall, a full-bodied brew,
packed with flavor and a great interpretation of the style.
Tommyknocker Brewery Pick Axe Pale Ale
Tommyknocker's Pick Axe Pale Ale falls into the classic English style
Pale Ale category. Its complex hop profile consisting of Chinook, Yakima
Goldings, British East Kent Goldings, and Czech Saaz hops, is enhanced even
further as the brewery dry hops this tasty brew with three of the above
hops as well! Brewmaster, Dave Schleef, uses 2-row pale, carastan, Munich,
and Light Crystal malts to make this classic interpretation of a classic
style. Note a spicy, floral hop aroma up front. You'll find the flavor to
begin with a pleasant malty sweetness, which is complimented nicely with
a tangy hop bitterness. Look for a slightly dry finish. Overall, well-balanced
and very flavorful. True to style.Click here to close this window.