Mother Earth Silent Night Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout

Mother Earth Silent Night Russian Imperial Stout, 9 % ABV, Mother Earth Brewing, Kinston, North Carolina. Brewed in November, 2011.
Ale aged in oak bourbon barrels.

Black as night, with a slim, dark, roasty tan head.

Aroma: vanilla, bourbon, molasses, anise, caramel, char. No question what barrel this has been sitting in. Deep and wicked. Mmm.

Taste: Sweet caramel and toffee hits the tongue first, as well as the bourbon flavors. Maple, molasses, anise and cocoa all mixed up in the flavor. Rich, thick, slick and tasty. Not a trace of bitterness, plenty of sweet, alcohol held just in check. Some raisin, some fig, other dark fruit popping up. Heavy malt taste hangs in for the long haul, sits in assuredly.

I'm trying to figure out the illustration, though. A rocking chair in front of a fireplace in the forest…?
Let's look at the other side of the label. "Invite friends, stoke the fire, and uncork a bottle of indulgence. Silent night offers a coffee aroma and the taste of an exceptionally rich malty flavor. Robust yet smooth and black as coal, each sip is a delightful gift. Old man winter gave you just what you were hoping for."

Wait, did Old Man Winter take over from Santa Claus? Does OMW brew for Mother Earth? I'm just not getting this. Is it some mix of paganism and modern Christmas customs? A little confusing.

Mother Earth Dark Cloud Dunkel Lager

Mother Earth Dark Cloud Munich-style Dunkel Lager, Handcrafted in Eastern, N.C.

Cloudy, reddish brown/burgundy hue, smallish dark head.

Aroma: sweet malty notes, touch of fruit. Earthy, herbal, intriguing.

Taste: Lean-bodied, malty, flavors dark and grainy. Mild bitterness. Easy-drinking, good balance. A little bit roast on the malt, increasingly tasty. Not bad, not bad at all…..

Mother Earth Sisters of the Moon I.P.A.

Mother Earth Sisters of the Moon India Pale Ale, Mother Earth Brewing, Kingston, NC, "Handcrafted in Eastern N.C."

Highly hazed, but bright yellow appearance, slim white head, leaves a little lace.

Aroma: Mostly muted, but some citric fruit hop character peeks through.

Taste: Smooth and almost creamy, with a persistent hop snap. Not an attack, nor even a bit, just a snap, a nip, a nibble. It grows and grows, though, the bright hoppy flavor shines mores and beams throughout the palate. Orange, tangerine, lemon, maybe some pineapple.

This feels unfiltered, I can definitely taste the yeast in here. That's bringing it home and making the case. The bitterness finds a home in the back of the tongue and camps out a while. I'm liking this more and more.

What do they say about it? "Made with hops grown in the good ol' U.S.A. …you'll proudly support American farmers when you drink this beer! Light copper in color, it has an intense hop aroma and strong hop bitterness. Our hopsack process uses fresh hop cones to take this IPA to unexpected places. Prepare for a mouthful of flavor."