Stone Delicious Double IPA

 Stone Delicious Double IPA. 

9.4% ABV, Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

This one was from a Stone variety pack and I should have had this one six months ago. C’est la vie. 

Opaque, deep orange/golden hued, large and lasting cap of ivory head. 

In the nose: dank and citrusy. Tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit. 

In the mouth: big, zesty, bitter, plus a little slick and smooth. Bitterness hangs on the palate, pine and citrus dominates the flavors. Alcohol hangs high over all. 

I am enjoying this particular beverage.

It’s hard to improve on something with a well-deserved name like Stone Delicious IPA… unless of course you could double the Deliciousness. We’re talking serious depth of flavor and an explosive aroma of lemon & tropical fruit from Centennial and Amarillo hops, all with less bitterness than a typical double IPA. The result is extra fruity, extra satisfying and extra Delicious.

Venn Saison Du Fleur

 Venn Saison Du Fleur. 

I had to search through my posts to see if I’d had this before. Sort of. I have reviewed an Imperial version of a hibiscus saison from Venn, ringing in at around 12%, back in 2018

Clear, crimson hued, below a brief brace of bubbles. 

In the nose: sweet, floral, funky, fruity. 

In the mouth: begins with a flash of bitterness, a touch of tart, then along comes a fruit flavor, ending dry after a touch of the sweet. Light bodied and easy drinking. The Saison at base has been subsumed by the hibiscus flavors. And I don’t mind ‘em. 

Looking at my notes on the Imperial version, they come off as strikingly similar. 

Clown Shoes Galactica Dank Nebula West Coast Style IPA

 Clown Shoes Galactica Dank Nebula West Coast Style IPA. 7.2 % ABV, Brewed by Clown Shoes Beer, Boston, MA & Windsor, VT. 

Clear, bright golden hue/near amber, full froth atop. 

In the nose: brash and bold, citrus and pine, and it’s got the dank. 

In the mouth: bursts of fierce hop flavor barrage the palate, blazing grapefruit, tangerine, candied mango. Bold bitterness, intense hop delivery, full body, rich richness. Dry and bitter, like any good West Coast. Delivers tantalization on the tongue, done with gusto. 

This modern twist on our classic West Coast style IPA features Galaxy, Simcoe, and Columbus hops, a rich malty base, plus Dank & Stormy Hopzoil™.

Warpigs Divine Huntress Weizen Doppelbock

 Warpigs Divine Huntress Weizen Doppelbock.

8.4% ABV, 24 IBU. Warpigs Brewing USA, Munster, IN. 

Next to a good ol’ doppelbock, I love a good ol’ weizenbock. I hope this is a good one. 

Clouded, fully opaque, crimson-tinted, nearly russet hued, slim white head above.

In the nose: banana hits first and hardest, sweet and malty below. Clove? A little. Utterly delightful. 

In the mouth: smooth, lush, more malty, more sweet, but well balanced and beautiful. Banana flavor stays on top and I’m enjoying it. Medium bodied, easily consumable, just about scrumpdiddlyumptious. You heard me. 

I love a good Weizenbock, and this is surely one. 

A Weizen Doppelbock featuring aromas of banana with hints of clove and vanilla, this German-style Ale has a full-bodied mouthfeel with a creamy and dry finish. 

Disgruntled Imperial Brunch Stout

 Disgruntled Imperial Brunch Stout. 

10% ABV. Bottled 7/20/18. Brewed and bottled by Disgruntled Brewing, Perham, Minnesota. 

Solid blackness, slim, cocoa-tinged head, complete opacity. 

In the nose: chocolate, charcoal, espresso, ash. Dark fruit. Anise. All the good stuff. A whiff of smoke. Leather & tobacco. 

In the mouth:  thick, rich, viscous, and filling. Massive malt, moderate hops, huge barrel action. Little vanilla, speck of cherry, loads of whiskey. Full bodied, immensely flavored, definitely decadent. Plenty bourbon, major imperial stout, put together in a perfect package. 

Aged in bourbon barrels, this Imperial Brunch Stout brings layers of chocolate, coffee, oatmeal, maple, bourbon and oak. It is as dark as sun—- a real supper. 

Montgomery Starchild American IPA

 Montgomery Starchild American IPA.

5.2 % ABV, 35 IBU, Montgomery Brewing, Montgomery, Minnesota. 

Juicy/Dank/Clear. 

Clear, golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: bright, fruity, more stone fruit than citrus. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, refreshing. Light bodied, with low bitterness, perhaps too low for this hop head. Peach and apricot in the flavor. Hop bitterness lingers lightly on the palate. This is a great break from the relentless parade of hazy/ New England IPAs. Enough of that stuff, already!

Starchild is a truly unique beer that will take your taste buds on a journey through the cosmos. This ale is brewed using a special thiolized yeast that gives it a one-of-a-kind flavor and aroma profile. The addition of Amarillo, Azacca, and Hallertau Blanc hops creates a complex blend of fruity and floral notes that perfectly complement the yeast's distinctive character.

The Starchild’s role is to actively take part in transitioning the world into a new existence.