Celebrator Dopplebock - Ayinger

Style: Dopplebock (Doublebock)

Served in: Tulip Glass

Size: 330 ml

ABV: 6.7%

Appearance - Virtually black in color; a small, dark tan head dissipates quickly

Smell - Rich coffee and caramel malt notes with some toastyness and barley

Taste - As in the smell, the malt notes dominate with coffee, adding dark chocolate now.  There is also toasted bread, smokey barley, some bitter fruit, and a hint of alcohol in the complex flavor scheme.  The finish is exceptionally long.

Mouthfeel - Though clearly a full bodied beer, the Celebrator has a comfortable texture, a mix of chewy and smooth.  Surprisingly drinkable, with more carbonation than I had expected.

Overall - This is one of, if not the best beer I have ever had.  It has exceptional balance, unbelievable flavors, great texture, a cool logo... I could go on and on.  The flavors exemplify the term 'rich,' a true 'meal in a glass' as the style has always been considered.  This will be in my beer stash at all times, and is worth 97 points in my book- I don't believe any beer can every really be perfect, but the Celebrator comes about as close as you can!

Tiny - Weyerbacher

Style: Imperial Stout, Belgian Style Imperial Stout
Served in: Tulip Glass

Size: 750 ml

ABV: 11.8%

Appearance - Almost black, with a dark caramel colored head that didn't last too long but lingered on the glass

Smell - Very malty with a dark chocolate note, some alcohol notes

Taste -  Rich coffee/toffee and malt, with nuts and chocolate, and fruit in the finish.  It is sweet but bitter, and fairly dry.  The high alcohol content is present, though not offensive or overpowering, more a warming effect.

Mouthfeel - Thick and chewy, light on the carbonation but full in body.  Definitely some alcohol in the background but not overwhelming

Overall - My cousin is here sampling Tiny with me, and after a few sips said 'chocolate covered almonds!' and I agree.  The nutty and chocolate flavors combined with the strong malt and fruity finish are a wonderful combination.  The ironically high alcohol content takes away almost nothing from the flavor. Clearly not an everyday beer, but definitely something I will come back to.  I would also like to see what some cellar time would do for it!  Overall, worth 88 points from me, a fine offering from Weyerbacher.

Red's Rye PA - Founders

Style: IPA, Rye Beer
Served in: Tulip Glass

Size: 12 oz

ABV: 6.6%

Appearance - Dark amber in color, a modest head with good retention on the side of the glass

Smell - Quite pleasant hops, with grapefruit and citrus with a dark twist

Taste - Bitter hops, citrus, and the malty spice of the rye hit immediately, with the hops and a slight warming sensation lingering in the finish.  The balance is fantastic- though the bitter hop flavors dominate they are contrasted with the darker rye spice.  Virtually no alcohol taste of note.

Mouthfeel - Though the head was not very large, this brew is well carbonated.  It is very smooth and fantastically drinkable even at a medium body.

Overall - Loved this beer.  I haven't tried too many Rye Beers, but I love the spicy flavor of rye, and this brew incorporates it perfectly with the  hops (not overwhelmingly!) of an IPA.  The flavors are complex and 'different,' and the mouthfeel and drinkability are top notch.  Worth a 93 point rating for me, and a revisit soon!

Merry Monks' Ale - Weyerbacher

Style: Triple

Served in: Tulip Glass

Size: 750 ml

ABV: 9.3%

Appearance - Cloudy, a golden pumpkin orange with a tint of grapefruit

Smell - A strong fruity, spice aroma with a definite alcohol background, some yeast as well

Taste - A strong alcohol note is instantly present, along with fruity (citrus, banana, apple?), some mild malt, and a spice flavors.  As it warms up, a sweetness emerges that adds another dimension to the flavors.  Though the flavors themselves are pleasant, once I got to the second half of the bottle the alcohol note seems to be a bit much.

Mouthfeel - Very carbonated, almost fluffy in my mouth.  Thin and very smooth, surprisingly light in body

Overall - I thought this was a solid beer with great fruit and spice flavors and an enjoyable warming alcohol quality.  That being said, the alcohol boardered on boozy which I wasn't fond of, though that can sometimes be the case with Triples and stronger brews.  Not my favorite of this style, but not bad either, as I would rate this an 82.  If the alcohol taste mellowed out with some age, this would have the potential to be a very good beer.  Also, watch out the 9.3% is sneaky when you're sipping!