Beer Around Town

After a nice quiet session at the fest I thought I’d post my hits and misses, but with the football climate in full effect we shall refer to them as Touchdowns, 3 and Outs, and Fumbles. For the those that don’t get it Touchdowns are ones I enjoy, 3 and Outs are ones that were just ok but I wouldn’t go back for, and Fumbles well, you probably get it. I certainly didn’t get around to trying everything, might try to eke away one more time this weekend and get a few more samples in.

Fumbles:

New Belgium Rotating Tap – Frustration in full effect, over the two trips to the fest the beers never changed. Looks like they were waiting for one keg to kick to drop the next beer on… and with La Folie being the first it may be a while. Now I love me some La Folie, but can’t say most of the fest goers are into that level of sourness and acidity. I really wish these have been rotated on a time limit like the buzz tent at OBF. I really would have liked to try a few more of the offerings like Tart Lychee, NBB Love, and Fall Wild Ale.

Bear Republic Old Baba Yaga – This will probably greatly improve in the months to come, but as it stood all hot and boozy. Dark chocolate up front, nutty base that finishes a bit like peanut butter. The roasted malts a bit edgy and with the booziness the cabernet notes seemed lost. I’d like to try this again as it ages, it could turn out really well.

Full Sail Wassail Holiday Blend – This was a big hit at our table, but just one I didn’t connect with at all. I found the hops gave off a lemon Lysol like cleaner note that didn’t mesh well with the toasted malts up front. All that hops and subtle bourbon notes just weren’t working for me… but I heard others that enjoyed.

3 and Outs:

Hair of the Dog Jim 2009 – One of the beers I was most excited about, the 07 and 08 vintages were drinking great right now, sadly the 09 was a big ol hop bomb, and I’m not much of a hop head. Piny, green, bitter, edgy, fresh Blue Dot all the way. The other beers in the blend seemed lost, Doggy Claus seeming to provide a soft caramel sweetness up front, but not nearly enough to stand up to the bitterness.

Ninkasi Unconventionale – while having interesting ingredients like lavender, tarragon, and heather, I can’t say any of them made an appearance. At 10% and high on the IBU spectrum I couldn’t get much of the “unconventional” from this. Waited and waited while it warmed, a solid imperial stout, sure, a touch to hoppy, but not so unconventional.

Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin – My memories of this beer were better then the repeating experience. Much thinner on palate, less of that oatmeal creaminess. Still a solid stout none the less, chocolate up front, sweet caramel note, soft nutty finish, balanced, but lacked the awe that I had last year.

Touchdowns:

Cascade Sang Noir – I don’t recall last years as having such a bit acedic sourness, adding another layer to the lactic sour profile. Up front the barrel notes were a bit more prevalent, softly oaked, but subtle vanilla and coconut note to it. Overall the sourness took the show, the cherries a bit more mellow and pie like, but let it warm a bit to find the rest of this wonderful beer.

Kona Da Grind – Not listed as a bourbon barrel aged beer, but the spirits were strong with this one. Smooth vanilla laden bourbon up front, smooth dark chocolate under the fresh coffee roast. Some coffee beers are a bit edgy, this silky smooth and well rounded. A bit of new respect was had for Kona after this one.

Laht Neppur Waitsburg Winkle Warmer – Heavy on the spices is not something I usually jump for… but I had to give these guys a shot since I’m not sure I’ve had any of their beers yet. The scent of the holidays was strong, lots of clove, cinnamon and citrus, flash backs to my youth making clove spiked oranges around the holidays. Smooth bodied, soft fruity malts throughout. Not sure I could handle a full pint, but the spices captured the essence of the season, so hats off.

Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux – Delicious as always. Take Dupont saison, back off the hops and bring up the malts. The yeast strain keeps a bit more in check on the pepper, but that earthy Dupont signature is still there. More notes of honey and citrus candy, a bit thicker body on draught then the bottle, a perfect winter warmer.

Hopefully I’ll have sometime this weekend to get back and try a few more.

What were your favorites of the fest?