46/100) Zipline 2

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Coppper ALT, Kolsch, Black IPA, Chocolate Double Stout

I noticed that Lincoln's Zipline has been popping out a line of "Limited Series" beers, and from what I hear they even did an expansion recently. They're growing, and I think that's awesome.


Copper ALT) What makes an Alt a copper Alt is not the addition of cuprum, element Cu. Instead, the merging of lager and ale aspects gives it an amber hue and a taste profile outside the norm. The start was like an Ale and then headed off into a different set of flavors that confused me. The middle and finish were flavorful, with a bit brown-ale esque maltiness, and yet overall it was just enough light enough to be pleasant. ☆☆☆

Kölsch) Perhaps the closest thing you can get to a real Kölsch outside of Germany. I know, I know, that's a dangerous thing to say, but now you'll have to try it to prove me wrong. The light initial lead into a peppery middle with just enough of a floral, sweet touch. It was very easy to drink. I can't wait to enjoy this on a hot summer day. ☆☆☆☆

Black IPA) As my friend said, "They nailed this one." This dark semi-rich beer leads into a piney finish. The subtle transition between the two halves occurs right near the middle. I've had other Black IPAs where the middle is muddled and you get odd chocolatey overtones mixed in with the hopped finish. That confused middle made them not pleasant, but this one was well done. ☆☆☆☆

Chocolate Double Stout) When I hear "double" or "imperial" stout, I get very excited because the beer that follows is usually very rich and heavy. This one sadly wasn't. The middle to finish had strong roasted flavors and the finish was a bit harsh. Despite being in the aroma slightly, the chocolate flavors hid in the backdrop and underwhelmed. Overall, I didn't dislike it, I just know that there are about a dozen other beers of the same class I'd rather have. ☆☆☆

45/100) Belgians Barrel Aged with Cherries

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Ave Maria, Tango, Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad 2014

These three beers this time have three things in common: Cherries, Barrels, and Belgium. All three are in a belgian style, and were barrel aged with some variety of cherries. As a result, they are deep, rich, and have a nice twang that can sometimes make your teeth sing with the tartness.

Ave Maria) Using Elijah Craig bourbon barrels and small, sour Morello cherries, this ale had a light cherry flavor with a subtle bit of sourness. The finish and background had that good blossoming sweet maltiness. The effervesce bubbled just enough lighter than a champagne to be pleasant.  I wasn't necessarily going wow because of this one, but it was pretty enjoyable. ☆☆☆☆

Tango) An interesting dance of subdued cherry flavors and dark Belgian-ale aspects. The flavors disappointed me because they didn't open up as I had more. The music, if you will, of the cherries drowned and the complexity of the dark ale aspects grew monotone. ☆☆☆

Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad 2014) Using the Sixth Glass as a basis for barrel aging, this BBQ caught me off guard because the aging process gave it qualities more typical of a barelywine than a quad. The aroma was fantastically cherry, but that red goodness crouched in the backdrop of its taste profile. Over time it became a bit more pronounced and this smokestack beer opened up nicely as it warmed up. Don't just drink this one cold. ☆☆☆☆

44/100) Smokestack Silver Anniversary

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Reboot White IPA, Silver Anniversary Ale, Imperial Stout 2014

Odell's and Boulevard both had their Silver (25th) anniversary this last year. In celebration they collaborated their first beers together into some amazing fare. If you had the chance to try it on tap sometime last fall (Nov 17th and on), perhaps you noticed a decent amount of grapefruity hopped bitterness to the finish almost reminiscent of Boulevard's Tank 7. Well, the draught and the bottle are actually different. Because hops lose their punch over time, the two companies placed more of an emphasis on hops in the draught version. I'll explain the bottle below.

Reboot White IPA) This Smokestack 2.0, since it is a re-release of a previous one shot, is filled with unusual spice flavors - clove even I think. Because I let the bottle sit for about six months, the IPA aspect was rather subdued, but that made it easier for me to handle. Even so, I suspect that I would have liked this one even fresh. The utilized hops were more focused on giving it a floral feel instead of a bitter punch. ☆☆☆☆

Silver Anniversary Ale) The strong grapefruit hop touch of the draught, as mentioned above, is subdued in the bottled variant. A stronger emphasis on the malts leads to a beer with a firmer mouthfeel and fruity floral flavors. What I find curious is that I can no longer find the page on O'dell Brewing Company's page that attested to this difference between the bottle and the draught... ☆☆☆☆

Imperial Stout 2014) Rich and thick. The booziness might hit you if your not used to beers that clock in at 11% ABV. It's dark, malty liquid goes down so smooth that you might not even notice. Boulevard didn't mess around on this one. I'll be looking forward to the 2015 version! ☆☆☆☆

43/100) Grimms Brothers Brewhouse 2

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Fearless Youth, Little Red Cap, Master Thief

Once again upon a time, simple tales were woven into strands of the little one's red night caps. After tucking them away, the fearless youth and friends called for another round to finish up their evening. While the kingdom enjoyed their dunkels, porters and alts, a master thief stole upon them making off with their hearts and taste buds. The youth through it all, shuddered not, and in the morning, sought the blessing of the Queen before setting out on the most epic of adventures.

Fearless Youth) Or the tale of the boy who set out to learn how to shudder. This boy didn't understand fear. A dark dank castle with haunted skeletons and possessed cats couldn't even get him to shiver. This dunkel (or dark) lager is nothing to fear either, even if you're used to the brighter beers. It is light bodied and easy to drink. ☆☆☆☆

Little Red Cap) "As long as I live, I will never leave the path and run off into the woods by myself if mother tells me not to." Yes, little red cap is the tale of little red riding hood. Perhaps instead of talking to strangers and getting yourself eaten by a wolf, you should make this exquisite alt (or old style ale) a simple night cap and get some rest. Why you ask? "All the better to sleep well with." as the wolf in grandma's clothing might have answered. ☆☆☆☆


Master Thief) unlike what you'd expect, he wasn't an expert with years of experience behind his craft. More of a Lupin or Robin Hood without lofty ideals, this youthful thief used trickery and misdirection to steal his way out of any bind. Speaking of which, this masterful porter will leave you tongue tied. I try and keep a bottle around at all times because it is one of my favorite beers. ☆☆☆☆☆

42/100) Founder's

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Black Rye, Curmudgeon, Breakfast Stout, Imperial Stout

I decided to mix it up with four "dark" beers from Founder's instead of just three. The most significant of the below is the Breakfast Stout because it below has two rare versions. They are the CBS and the KBS. The Canadian Breakfast Stout was aged in bourbon barrels that were prepped with Maple Syrup. The Kentucky Breakfast Stout was aged in bourbon barrels. Both are amazing. Just good luck finding a bottle of either anywhere. I've not had much luck.


Black Rye) A dry-hopped rye beer, this dark ale comes strong with a peppery nip from the rye and a wave of crisp bitterness just before the finish. Somewhere within its dark swirling depths, room for mild chocolaty and toffee touches mix in just enough to make this one enjoyable. I just wish the bottle had more personality. ☆☆☆

Curmudgeon) Despite it's name and face, this old ale is not a crusty codger but is more like your friendly grandpa with a slight sweet spot. The molasses has long since melted his heart and mellowed him through time spent in aging gracefully in oak barrels. I suggest having this on a cloudy, rainy, or otherwise gloomy day. The subtle flavors are sure to perk you up. ☆☆☆☆

Breakfast Stout) This may be weird for you to hear, but let this one warm up. The rich chocolate malts and solid coffee come through so much better if you wait a bit. While I'm not sure if I suggest actually having it with breakfast, it does go well with sweeter foods such as cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, and pancakes. It's a true "for breakfast" stout. ☆☆☆☆

Imperial Stout) Somehow this one seemed more to me like a double porter than a stout. I know that the differences between a stout and a porter are really very subjective, but the emphasis on the roasted flavors bespoke more of what I am used to in a porter. That sort of quibbling aside, this one is silky smooth and rich with the aforementioned roasted backdrop. ☆☆☆☆

41/100) Dogfishhead

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

90-minute imperial IPA, Beer Thousand, Midas Touch, Raison D'extra

Thanks to a friend who was gracious enough to snag me these bottles, I have now tried some of the "legendary" Dogfish Head fare. Aside from plain just knowing how to make amazing beers, they resurrect recipes to brew "ancient ales." From what I understand, that means they have even used amphora to brew beers.

90-minute imperial IPA) I am seriously going to have to start taking hop-heavy beers off my list of things to review. Piney, resiny, and yet very smooth, I only made it through a small glass of this beer before my taste buds were nuked. Don't let my two-star on this one fool you, it only means that I, personally, don't want to have another all that much. My hop-loving friends rave about this one, and for those of you curious, they also make a 60 and 120 minute versions. It's just not my style. ☆☆

Beer Thousand) Made with 10 different grains and 10 different hops, this beer was dialed to a 10% ABV. And that's how you get the name: 10x10x10 = Beer Thousand. The smell is like that of sauvingon grapes with a touch of peach and plum. The flavor tastes similar to that aroma, but there is more to it as a bit of a yeasty flavor rides in the background. A lot of complexity to this one, but a smooth easy finish. ☆☆☆☆

Midas Touch) So apt is the name that you could say that this beer is gold-touched. The pour is a golden apricot. The ingredients even include honey, muscat grapes, and saffron. The aroma is something like grape juice, but the taste is on a different plane. It's very easy to drink and no harsh nuggets of hop-originating bitterness. ☆☆☆☆

Raison D'extra) My attempts to describe this beer will not do it justice. It has characteristics of a brown ale, but the raisins -yes, there are tons of raisins in this beer - do something special to the finish. My only advice is let this baby warm up and sip it slowly. The flavors change and open up as it approaches to room temp. This is a truly upgraded raison de etre. ☆☆☆☆☆

40/100) North Coast Brewing Co. 2

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Scrimshaw, Old Stock Ale 2014, PranQster

After one week of North Coast, I just had to do a second. 'tis all.

Scrimshaw) so named for the practice of carving images into whale bones. This pilsner is German style and therefore was going to be a bit straightforward. Or so I thought. It pours a darkened yellow with a touch of orange and like the intricacies of a Scrimshaw, has just the right traces of browned malt flavors amidst sea of light, refreshing crested waves. ☆☆☆

Old Stock Ale 2014) Amazing. The magic word is "dark fruits." As the title suggests, this ale is meant to be socked away with the rest of your stock until whenever you feel is right. Mine wasn't aged long, maybe six months, but I can see how the flavors would mellow out over time. This is one beer that is barely worth describing because I suspect from one year's reserve to the next the flavors will be different. Tack on how much it can change over time and that is a lot of diversity in one beer. ☆☆☆☆

PranQster) This Belgian-style Golden Ale is very similar to La Merle in flavor but instead of being tart is nice and warm. I still marvel at the name though. Is this a prankster beer because it looks "light" but is very rich? I suggest springing it upon a friend and enjoying the reaction. ☆☆☆☆