New fullsuit from my girl for Christmas. 5/4 Hyperflex Cyclone-2. Super Stretch Quantum Foam neoprene. Great fit, light (sounds like a commercial, yeah?). We'll see. Almost feelin' like I got a new stick! Water's in the low 40's now, but anticipating that in a few months the test run will come. In the mean time, I did some test runs for a few of this year's holiday brews and added some experimental Winterfest light pics for aesthetics. A nice year-end/New Year beer review...
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| Holiday glow of the Winterfest forest |
Sam Adams came up with a winner for Christmas with this Winter Warmer. Old Fezziwig Ale pours a light mahogany with about a finger and a half head. 5.9% ABV is about average for SA beers but this combines the nice spice of cinnamon and ginger with hints of raspberry and chocolate. At 25 IBU's, the herbal hops finish it off nicely. I rated it a B+. Gimme another!
Harpoon Brewery's Winter Warmer was little more than average. A copper pour with about a finger's worth of off-white head, the aroma was weak, a light smell of spice. And in drinking it was kinda malty, kinda sweet, little spice. Not the amount of carbonation I like, and an almost acidic finish. Also 5.9% ABV and 22 IBUs. Not much warmth in this winter. I rated it a C-.
Flying Dog. I like these guys. Not too many of their beers don't rate at the top of my list. Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout is another winner. Made with Rappahannock River Oysters this one screams of the Chesapeake Bay. Pours an opaque black with a two finger brownish-tan head. Aromas of coffee, and malted chocolate. Can sense the mineral-like oyster taste, but roasted malts and chocolate dominate (which is good). Velvety, creamy texture that enhances the flavors. Excellent carbonation. As with all Dogs, 35 IBUs gives it a nice bite in the finish. At 5.5% ABV I can have another, and another, and another...rated this Necklace an A!
The Enjoy By IPA series of Stone Brewing has shown much success, and this "End of the World" offering was no exception. Loaded with 11 different varieties of hops, it was a heaven-sent brew for hop-heads like me. Set up to be finished off before the end of its 35 day freshness cycle, I unfortunately, was a little late in tapping in. Regardless, at 88 IBU's this blows out the taste buds for sure. Poured a hazy dark gold with a this white head. Smells of oranges and pine with that awesome hop citrus burst in the taste. At 9.4% ABV, one 22oz. bottle is enough. I rated it a B+ although had I given the freshness a chance this surely could have been an A.
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| The Pyramid on 95th St. |
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| the 9400 Building |
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| "Drink like Bing Crosby!" -R. Ramsay |
Finally, I finish with Sam Adams White Christmas Wheat. 5.8% ABV definitely makes this one repeatable. And at 8 IBUs it leans toward the refreshing side of summer in the winter. Pours a bright but hazy amber-gold with a 2 finger head. Nice lacing and carbonation. A Witbier with tones of nutmeg and cinnamon in the smell and orange hints in the taste. The spices and citrus combo allow each sip to enhance the holiday mood. I rated this an A-.
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| HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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