Return of the FORD Beercyclopedia thread

[FORD]

Back to our Trader Joe's vintage ale though......

Cracked that one open tonight as I was tracking Satan Claus' journey on NORAD.

Turns out that it's made by UNIBROUE out of Canada. Been a while since I tried their products, but it probably compares to the Trois Pistoles best.

UNIBROUE - OUR BEERS PAGE

However, considering the big bottles of this are going for 7 bucks or so on this side of the border, the Trader Joe's version is a great deal

FORD's rating :

Merry Beermas to all, and to all a drunk night!

[FORD]

And for your New Years Eve selection from the FORD Country beer taps......

Also from Trader Joes: Winterfest Lager.



as previously mentioned, some of the Trader Joes beer brands are actually available under another name elsewhere. In this case, it appears to be Gordon Biersch's Winter Bock.



No problem... any west coast winter beer is worthy of FORD Country review.....

In the 11th century, Bavarian monks sustained themselves during winter fasts with beers made from strong, dark flavored malts. These creamy bocks ensured that the monks would fast frequently. Alcohol 7.5% v/v, Bitterness 24 IBU, Residual sugar 4.7%.

Available in 6 packs and kegs. This is a seasonal product available only during the months of October through February.

Though 7.5% is strong for a lager, this is a very "drinkable" beer that even a Bud/Miller/Coors drinker could probably handle. Though they would probably be out on their ass after two of them.

Don't see the GB label that often around here, but I'll definitely pick up the Trader Joe's version as long as it's in season.

FORD's rating:

Happy New Beer to all!!

[FORD]

Came across this tonight when I was picking up some munchies for the State of the Union speech.....





SLIPKNOT IMPERIAL IPA
Available January to Mid March
As the name implies, every aspect of this American
style IPA is amplified - from the up-front hop aroma and
bitterness to the big malt body.
Available in 22oz Bottles and Draught
ABV: 8.2% IBUs: 80

Very nice hoppy IPA. Too bad they aren't selling it in 6 packs.

FORD's rating:

[PETE'S BROTHER]

as i sit here drinkin' swill

[FORD]

Dear Lord Almighty Jesus, I can't believe it's been almost 8 months since my last Beer confession. But after a day filled with minor victories over corporate satanism, fond rememberances of high school frustrated romances and reconnecting with long lost friends (and a good deal of GAyR bashing) it was goddamned time to celebrate with a beer worthy of mention......

Thank God for our friends at Sierra Nevada breweries and their Torpedo Extra IPA.....



Sierra Nevada Torpedo Ale is a big American IPA; bold, assertive and full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops.






alcohol content 7.2% by volume yeast Ale Yeast
beginning gravity 17.3 Plato bittering hops Magnum
ending gravity 4.2 Plato
finishing hops Magnum & Crystal
bitterness units 65 dry hopping Magnum, Crystal & Citra
malts Two-row Pale, & Crystal

FORD's rating:

[sadaist]

Weird you bumped this thread today. I had a dream last night where I was enjoying a glass of some amber colored brew. No name on it, so not sure what I was craving. But was a rich golden amber color and very smooth and tasty. I never dream about beer either. Gotta hit the store tomorrow & see what I find.

[FORD]

We return to the Beercyclopedia with this special edition from our friends at the Deschutes Brewery of Bend Oregon.......



Black Butte XXI
A Tribute to Black Butte Porter

This masterpiece is a tribute to Black Butte Porter, the revolutionary Deschutes Brewery beer that has excited beer enthusiasts since 1988. This special Reserve Series release is a colossal version of Black Butte Porter. Our brewers enhanced Black Butte XXI by adding some Theo’s Chocolate cocoa nibs from Seattle, dry-hopping it with 100 pounds of Bellatazza’s locally roasted coffee, and then aging a portion of it in Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey barrels. These regional partners provided quality artisan ingredients that give this commemorative beer a truly handcrafted complexity.

Released as Black Butte XX in 2008 to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.

Releases:
June 2008
June 2009

Alc. by Vol.
11%
IBUs
55

If you are a fan of regular Black Butte Porter, this is a whole different animal entirely. I actually prefer Deschutes' Obsidian Stout to the regular Black Butte, but this shit is just something else entirely. It's like porter, stout, coffee, and chocolate all in one bottle. And at 11% alcohol, one bottle (22 oz) delivers a decent buzz. If this came in a six pack, it would be more than enough to put you away for the night.

Tragic that a beer this good isn't available all the time, but it is winter beer season, so it's not like there aren't many other great options out there.

FORD's rating:

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brews/reserve-series/black-butte-xx/default.aspx

[FORD]

Just a side note.... Trader Joe's holiday ale is available now (had some at the FORD family Thanksgiving festivities) and it's just as good as it was last year, so grab some of that too. It will probably be easier to find than the Black Butte XI (assuming there's a Trader Joes within reasonable driving distance)

[FORD]

Our Christmas 2010 selection comes from the frozen Arctic tundra of the Alaskan Brewing Company..........




Originating in England in the 19th century, barley wine is a style of strong ale so named because many versions have a high alcohol content comparable to wines of the same era. American barley wines feature big malt character and high residual sweetness, counterbalanced by the generous addition of hops.

Alaskan Barley Wine is a full bodied ale, deep mahogany in color and brewed with an array of complementing malts to achieve its high original gravity. Multiple hop additions in the boil and dry hopping during fermentation provide contrast to the big malt character resulting in the smooth balance that distinguishes this specialty brew. Like many fine wines, Alaskan Barley Wine may be aged in the bottle and gains deeper malt complexity and smoothness over time.

Alaskan Barley Wine has been produced in limited edition vintages each year since its introduction in 2003. A big beer for big winters, this brew has garnered a steady following in Alaska. Bottled for the first time in 2007, the balanced flavor collaboration between hops, malt and high alcohol showcases the barley wine style, winning first place at the 2007 Toronado Barley Wine Festival and bronze at the 2008 World Beer Cup.

Alaskan Barley Wine Ale is made from glacier-fed water, a generous blend of the finest Pacific Northwest hop varieties and premium two-row and specialty malts. Our water originates in the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Ice Field and from more than 90 inches of rainfall each year.

Alaskan Barley Wine is best if served at warmer temperatures, approximately 45 to 50 degrees. While impressive on its own, the richly complex flavor is enhanced when paired with desserts, strong cheeses and hearty, flavorful stews.

From the Alaska Natives who first trained dog teams for winter transportation to the Russian and American settlers of the 19th century to today's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®, the history of Alaska is tethered alongside the history of dog mushing. Dog teams were the primary source of winter transportation in Alaska before the advent of the airplane and are widely used even today for sport racing as well as travel in remote areas of the state.



Leave a pint of this out for Santa, instead of the milk with the cookies. He'll appreciate it.

FORD's rating:

Merry Beermas to all, and to all a good pint. (or several, actually)

[PETE'S BROTHER]

ooooh, i'm happy

leinie's northwoods is comin' back as a "limited" beer.

[Satan]

I'm thinking their 1888 Bock looks more interesting. Must be weak beer laws in Wisconsin though. Doesn't look like any of their beers are over 5%

[PETE'S BROTHER]

i gotta figure out how much a semi load will cost....

[SunisinuS]

Technically a Barleywine of course...but gees.....this thing tastes great and makes a linebacker fucked up as a cheerleader on Winecoolers.

http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/bigfoot.html

[kwame k]

I like their Torpedo brew.........http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/torpedo.html



ALCOHOL CONTENT 7.2% BY VOLUME
BEGINNING GRAVITY 17.3 PLATO
ENDING GRAVITY 4.2 PLATO
BITTERNESS UNITS 65

[lesfunk]

I instructed FORD years ago to recognize KWAK. To this day no recognition has been forthcoming