Imperial Stouts — Left Hand vs. Full Sail

2009 Left Hand Brewing Co.
Imperial Stout (Oak Aged)
ABV 10.2%

Color: Dark Mahogany.
Aroma: Brown sugar, chocolate malt and dried, dark fruit.
Flavor: Massive, sweet, sugary, boozy.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Malty
Finish: Flat and boozy.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good -

2010 Full Sail Imperial Stout
ABV 8%

Color: Dark brown/black.
Aroma: Bright, fresh coffee and chocolate.
Flavor: Decadent bitter chocolate with some coffee acidity and slight smokiness.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Balanced
Finish: Acidic with lingering bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good +

Winner by unanimous decision (with guest taster Tempa L.): Full Sail. These were definitely two completely different beers. The Left Hand was a huge beer that we thought was good, but didn't really taste like a Stout — it was far too sweet and the alcohol was too prevalent. The Full Sail on the other hand was extremely smooth and well balanced with classic stout flavors. Drink it on its own or pour it over some vanilla ice cream.

IPAs — New Belgium vs. Bridgeport

New Belgium Ranger India Pale Ale
ABV 6.5%, IBU 70

Color: Clear golden yellow.
Aroma: Nice hoppy punch to the nose.
Flavor: A little banyard funk followed by clean, straightforward piney hops.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Mild bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre

Bridgeport India Pale Ale
ABV 5.5%, IBU 50

Color: Hazy orange.
Aroma: Sweet malts with touch of floral hops.
Flavor: Lemon water.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Balanced
Finish: Mild burnt hop bitterness with a hint of grain.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre

Split decision: Neither of us were overly impressed by these, but in a bottle battle you have to pick one. I chose the Ranger which had a stronger hop profile. I have read much about the Bridgeport IPA and know many people that adore it, however, it just didn't do it for me. It almost seemed like a gateway beer to move people from Pale Ale to IPA. E preferred the complexity and balance of the Bridgeport, while she found the Ranger to be somewhat artificial tasting.

Winter Beers — Diamond Knot vs. Laurelwood

Laurelwood Vinter Varmer
ABV 6.4%

Color: Dark brown with touch of orange.
Aroma: Brown sugar, molasses, citrus.
Flavor: Roasted malts and orange rind.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Hoppy
Finish: Strong and long orange rind bitterness.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Good

Diamond Knot Ho!Ho!Ho! Winter Ale
ABV 8.5%

Color: Dark brown with touch of orange.
Aroma: Chocolate, coffee and molasses.
Flavor: Same as aroma with a rich, full body — almost chewy.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Balanced
Finish: Mellow bittersweet chocolate.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Fantastic

Winner by unanimous decision: Diamond Knot. Both are worthy of your consideration, but the Laurelwood was not as rich and complex as the Diamond Knot. Hopheads may prefer the bitterness of the Vinter Varmer, but we liked the balance of the Ho!Ho!Ho! Yes, that means that Santa slayed the squirrel (see labels).

Trip(p)els — Red Hook vs. New Belgium

Red Hook Tripel
ABV 10.2%

Color: Amber/Orange, clear.
Aroma: Sweet honey malt.
Flavor: Floral black tea with a little sweet banana.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Malty
Finish: Chemical bitterness with slight hint of Belgian yeast flavors (clove, banana).
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre +

New Belgium Trippel (brewed with coriander)
ABV 7.8%

Color: Golden yellow, clear.
Aroma: Coriander, grain.
Flavor: Cloves, coriander, lemon.
Hops vs. Malts (Hoppy, Malty or Balanced): Malty
Finish: Mild bitterness and astringency.
Overall (Fantastic, Good, Mediocre or Bad): Mediocre


Winner by unanimous decision: Red Hook, although neither really nailed the style in our opinion.