Deschutes Brewery Iversion IPA

The final beer in my Deschutes Brewery series.  This is their year round American IPA, can't wait to give this guy a try because I absolutely love the way they brew their hoppy beers.

Aroma - Piney, citrus, resiny hops.  There is a slight sweetness from the malt in the background.

Appearance - Beautiful amber.  Brilliantly clear.  Rocky off white head that laces as you drink.

Flavor - Pleasant hop bouquet, very piney, citrus peel, grapefruit, herbal, and floral, but not as intense as I was expecting.  Next you come to a hearty malt backbone; dark caramel, toasty, and biscuity.  Finishes with a nice firm hop bitterness.  No off flavors.

Mouth-feel - Medium-full, slightly .  This is the only downside of the beer, in my opinion, not as drinkable as some of their other beers.

Overall - A decent IPA.  The hops are there, right in your face with a firm bitterness.  I think that this one might be a little aged.  It comes across a little too sweet and the hop aroma and flavor are on the low side.  I'll have to try this one again.

Deschutes Brewery Twilight Ale

Here's the second beer in my Deschutes Brewery series, Twilight Ale.  This beer is along the style of a light American Pale Ale released for the summer months.  Here are my thoughts.

Aroma - Sweet hoppy yumminess!  Orange, floral, sweet.  Hints of caramel and fruity esters.

Appearance - Brilliant, clear, gold ale with a thin white head.

Flavor - Hops!  Very close to the aroma.  Awesome orange, citrus, and floral goodness!  There is a slight presence of toasty maltiness.  Hints of fruity esters.  Very flavorful for such a easy drinking beer.

Mouth-feel - Light on the palate, with medium carbonation.  Highly drinkable.

Overall -  Great summer beer for the cook out, beach, pool, anything that is summer.  Its a great fruity beer; orange and citrus.  It finishes dry to you don't have to wait around for your palate for the next sip on that hot day.  Grab one before they are gone!

Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout

Alright starting a Deschutes Brewery series.  My favorite go to Pale Ale is made by these guys, Mirror Pond.  So I wanted to give some of their other beers a try.  First I'll start with their stout, Obsidian Stout.  This stout is along the style of a Foreign Extra Stout.  This will be bigger and more flavorful than a Guiness.  Here we go.

Aroma - Upfront you get roasty grains, coffee, and chocolate.  I also get some hints of slightly sweet dried fruits and molasses.  There is also a touch of fruity esters.

Appearance - Black with ruby highlights when held up to light.  Nice tight tan head that laces.

Flavor - Nice and roasty, black coffee like.  Slight dark chocolate in the background with a hint of molasses and dried fruit, just like in the aroma.  Pleasant bitterness from the use of roasted grains and the hops.  Very balanced and dry.

Mouth-feel - Medium-full. Very silky and dry.  Very palatable.

Overall - This is a great stout!  The dark grains and malts play nicely to make some great coffee and chocolate notes while not being astringently bitter or burnt.  The mouth-feel is amazing, making this beer a treat to drink.  Go out and get some today!

Stone Brewing Co. 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA

 Alright, Stone Brewing Co. has put out their 14th Anniversary beer.  This is an IIPA, English style!  English pale malt with a ton of English hops.  I expect nothing but perfection from this beer.

Aroma - Straight up hops; earthy, floral, and citrus.  There is a slight sweetness, I'm not sure if it's from the hops or malt, but it's just amazing.

Appearance - Light gold, clear, thin white head.

Flavor - Upfront you get a lot or floral and earthiness followed with some slight citrus/grapefruit.  Hop flavors are followed by biscuit/toasty malt.  Nice and dry.  A very different IIPA.

Mouthfeel - Medium to Medium-light.  Nice and dry.

Overall - This is a very intriguing beer.  Super dry, tons of English hop flavors; very earthy and floral.  Just enough malt to balance the hops.

Great Divide 16th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

This is my first oaked IIPA!  This was recommended to my by my buddy as Spec's.  He told me it is a nice easy drinking 10% ABV beer.  So I picked it up and gave it a go.  I have had a couple beers from Great Divide Brewing Co. in the past and I haven't been disappointed.  Here are my thoughts.

Aroma - Earthy and floral hops.  Slightly sweet caramel.  A nice hint of oak; vanilla, sweet, toasty, and woodsy. 

Appearance - Clear, amber.  Thick head that laces as you drink.  Beautiful beer!

Flavor - First impression; super balanced and tasty!  Complex!  In the front you get a nice subtle charge of hops; mainly earthy and floral flavors.  Next comes the wood; smooth vanilla, oakiness, caramel notes.  To finish it all off is a nice caramel malt sweetness quickly followed by hop bitterness.  Deeee-licious!

Mouth-feel - Medium heavy, a nice beer to sit and sip on.  The finish is dry enough from the use of oak to be quite drinkable, you get some tannic qualities that help dry out and balance the sweetness of the beer.

Overall - What a great oak aged beer.  Super complex and drinkable.  If it wasn't for the wood this beer would not be as drinkable as it would.  I think the wood adds a dryness and body that can balance the caramel malt notes.  Give it a try you will not be disappointed.

St. Arnold Brown Ale

Alright here's another local Houston brewery, St. Arnold Brewing Co.  This is Texas' oldest craft brewery, and they have a strong following for a reason.  Some pretty damn drinkable and refreshing beers.  The way I like to test out a new brewery is to give their Brown Ale a try.  St. Arnold's Brown is along the style of an American Brown.  Enough yapping, time to drink.

Aroma - Pleasant caramel, nutty notes.  There is a faith chocolate aroma mixed in there.  Hints of floral hops present.  No fruity esters or off-aromas.

Appearance - This one is a little on the lighter side for an American Brown Ale.  Dark copper, clear, thin off-white head.

Flavor - Smooth, slightly sweet caramel note followed by chocolate.  Little to no roast present.  Hints of citrusy American hops accompanied by a refreshing hop bitterness.  A nice clean beer.

Mouth-feel - Medium carbonation.  Very drinkable and smooth.

Overall -  Good beer.  Smooth caramelly chocolate malt with a hint of citrus hops.  Nice and drinkable.  Very good with a burger!