Blind BIF 7 - Visually ImPAIRed - Reviews

Beer 2


Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness tulips.

A - pour a bronze, hazy, but mostly transparent color with minimal head or lacing 3.5
S - smell is real sweet and loaded with caramel and some vanilla and dark fruit... My initial thought is tripel or quad.3.5
T - Is this even a beer? It's damn near cream soda. lol It has a slightly toasted quality to it with a decent degree of nuttiness. I feel like I've had this. Damn it! When you let this roll forward to the tip of your tongue...this tastes like something you've had in college. 3.0
M - The mouthfeel is thick and coating...and the aftertaste lasts, but isn't off putting. What the fuck is this? 3.0
O - This is a weird goddam beer. I don't know if I'd seek it out, but I can drink it without a fuss. 3.5

I've never had whatever is, but I'm going to take a stab and say Abita Vanilla Double Dog. And...... Ass Kisser Vanilla Pale Ale! Well...I got something right! lol

 

Beer 3


Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness tulips.

A - pours dark brown with red hues around the edges as you tilt and swirl the glass. Minimal, this lacing that disspates quickly. 3.5
S - this has a burnt and slightly sour air about it. Vinegar. I can't pull much else from it. Thank god. Weird. 2.5.
T - this is fucking wretched. W-T-F. LOL Tastes like rancid, sour coffee. I'm going ot yack. 2.0
M - this is thin as all hell, and it unfortunately, leaves a nightmarish finish in your mouth that's tough to chase out. 2.0
O - this should never be put in abottle again. 2.5

I don't know what this is. Not sure I want to either. The news? Another local. Old World Brewery Dark Knight Porter. Christian Bale is not laughing. Fortunately, I am though. This is a lot of fun.

 

Beer 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Surly tulip
A - pours a transparent orangish has with minimal lacing 3.0
S - This is a pumpkin beer. No doubt about it. Heavy on the the cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. 3.0
T - This is a subpar beer...regardless of style. lol This is very one dimensional. PRetty much vanilla and a bit of ginger.3.0
M - Thin, and lacking. LIke drinking mildly carbonated water. Not bitter, not sweet...nothing. 2.5
O - A very substandard pumpkin beer start to finish. WOuld not seek this out. 2.5
Survey says? Mudshark Brewing. Peaceful Pumpkin Grandma's Recipe. Bitch needs to be put down...the drain.

 

Beer 5

Poured from a 750mL bottle into a Surly tulip. Instructions indication this is greater than 8% ABV
A - Pours a dark, but not opaque shade of blackish brown with thin lacing and a thin head that surprisingly hangs around a bit 3.5
S - This has a huge dark fruit presence. Figs, raisins, plums... This is definitely barrel aged. Has a rye presence to it. 3.0
T - Follows the nose with the dark fruits, but also has a spice to it often assoicated with rye. This isn't very appealing at all. 2.5
M - Very thin, with a sour, bitter finish at the end. Either this is infected, or it's just awful. Either way, I don't want it in my mouth. 2.0
O - Junk. 2.0
What is this? WOW. HUGE surprise. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Jack & Ken's black barleywine. I've had this and fucking loved it! I have two more in the basement!!! Amazing. Either this beer fell off the mother of all cliffs, or this bottle just had it's own personal issues. Either way, it just didn't represent itself well...this time. Thanks for the great bottle! It's interesting to see what happens to some beers. Thanks for hitting one of my wants! I've always enjoyed this in the past and wanted more. I think I'll have to tackle the one in the basement before I attempt to hoard more. LOL

 

Beer 6

Poured from bomber into a 22 oz. Surly Darkness tulip
A - Pours a dark mix of ruby and brown with minimal lacing. Has more legs than lacing on it. 4.0
S - Nose is real sweet. Loaded with dark fruits and a bit of chocolate. The smell scream barleywine. 4.0
T - Very bourbon forward with some nice dark fruit and chocolate notes in. This is tasty as all hell. 4.5
M - Medium bodied with a decent amount of viscosity. Coats the mouth nicely. Has a very very boozy finish that lingers forever. Still...love it. 4.5
O - I'm glad we let this warm up. This is the best beer of the evening so far. 4.5
We poured over this and poured over it. 22 oz. bottle, non-waxed. I can't believe we didn't arrive at this. This one was Mother of All Storms, and a 2010 bottle at that. I have one of these in the basement waiting with an '11 for this years release and a 3 year vertical. This leaves me excited for more. Thank you for providing me with the chance to enjoy this one free of any preconceived notions.

 

Beer 7A
Poured from a bomber into a Surly Tulip
A - pours a dark, ruddish red/brown with a thin head and minimal lacing 3.5
S - the nose on this is very malt and pine forward with some caramel sweetness 3.5
T - very hop forward with some sweetness to it. Caramel? Hmmmm. 3.0
M - mouthfeel is really drying and astringent. Bittersweet finish. 3.0
O - this is...strange I know I haven't had this. WOuldn't seek this out again. 2.5
This was Epic's Imperial Red Ale. Never had it...never will again. lol

Beer 7B
Poured from a bomber into a Surly Tulip
A - Pours a dark, ruby red hue with a thin head and minimal lacing. Same beer? 3.5
S - the nose on this is awful. It's stale everything. Whatever should be in a beer is there, it's just...stale. 2.5
T - I can't even disect this. I spat it out. 1.5
M - Rinsed my mouth with water as soon humanly possible. It wasn't pleasant even a little. 1.0
O - Awful 1.0
Don't know or care what this is. This is a Ballast Point Tongue Bucker with an August date on it. If this was a kill shot, bravo. lol

Revealed picture accidentally deleted.

 

Beer 8A

Poured from a bomber into a Darkness snifter. I can barely type, because everyone else is already drinking, dying, laughing, and pouring shit in the fucking sink. Everyone was ready to drain these before they were even fucking poured...and I haven't even taken the plunge yet. I wish I had this tasting on mic.

A - Looks like beer, but with the responses I'm getting, who fucking knows. It's dark with no head and no lacing. 3.0
S - Jesus Christ. Really??? This is fucking AWFUL. Smells like smoked garbage. 2.0
T - OMG is that fucking foul. It's smoked, and that's it. 1.5
M - Thin as all hell, bitter, rancid. 2.0
O - Another drain pour. *shrug* 2.0

Don't know what this is. Sonoran Brewing Company Imperial Stout. Ok.

Beer 8B

Poured from bomber into a Darkness snifter. It's suggested that these two beers be combined, but I just can't imagine adding 8A to anything on fucking earth.

A - Looks like Golden Anniversary. Everyone's poo poo'ed it already. Again. Can barely write this review. 2.5
S - smells like butterscotch, buttered popcorn, and rotten grass. 2.0
T - Holy fuck me. Really? It's like a liquid peanut. Ewww. 2.0
M - The mouth is thin, effervescent, and otherwise unremarkable. 2.5
O - I'm out of words. 1.0 LOL


No idea what this is either. Sonoran brewing Company White Cholate Ale. Ok.

Oh...yeah...I guess I better blend these. Ugh. Junk

 

Beer 9A
Poured from a 750mL into a Darkness Snifter
A - Pours a garnet shade of dark, murky red with little to no head. 3.5
S - Sweet...with lots of dark fruit and a hint of tartness...brown sugar, molasses... 3.5
T - Follows the nose tightly. A good amount of sweetness with some nice dark fruit and a bit of spice. This is nice. 4.0
M - The mouth is medium bodied that coats your mouth fully. Boozy and sweet finish that lingers for a while. 4.0
O - This is solid. Very nice. Would love to have this again. 4.0
I'm guessing this is one of Bruery's non-barrel aged anniversary beers. Coton? We'll see. Have to have B first.
Wow. 100% BA Cuir. Are you fucking kidding me?? How the FUCK did you take the wax off so clean??? lol Amazing. This is a good beer. Been a while since I've had it, and hope I can again. Marvelous. Thank you sir!
Beer 9B
Poured from a 750mL into a Darkness Snifter
A - pours a dark, ruddy brown color with a minimal head and lacing 3.5
S - Another sweet beer with a nice, mellow, well integrated booziness. Very nice. 4.0
T - Boozy, sweet, and dark fruits. This is nice. Very well balanced. 4.0.
M - Medium with a nice, syrupy, coat your mouth gig. 4.0
O - This stacks up with A. Big time. This is stellar. I feel like I've had this one before. I thought the other was Coton and it was Cuir. LOL
Fruet! Excellent. Way to finish this off with an absolute bang. Much appreciated.


This was a blast, start to finish. Seriously...do NOT take any offense to any of my reviews. I'm snarky and irreverent. We had an absolute blast with this, and you gave me several hours of time with 3 very good friends. I thank you.

 

I'm skipping around and going with #5

Pours a deep brown with a 3/4 inc head that fades leaving a ring and an island with nice lacing. 4.0

Smell hazelnut coffee and I'm confident this is Founders FMB. Beautiful aroma. 4.5

Taste sweet nut brown with lots of coffee presence with hints of dark chocolate as it warms. No detectable alcohol for the near 10% abv 4.5

Medium body with good carbonation. pleasant blend of sweet and bitter. 4.0

Overall i really enjoy this beer a lot. i find myself smelling it more than drinking it. It's not the first time that I've had this beer, but it'll be the first time i finished a bottle on my own. 4.5

and the reveal:


Untitled by usofar, on Flickr


Untitled by usofar, on Flickr

As I guessed from the distinct smell it's Founders Frangellic Mountain Brown. It's funny I always thought the bottle would be a give away but I didn't even notice until the second pour and the reveal picture. Thank you Retail1LO for this awesome beer!

 

Blind Beer #4, poured into a Bruery Snifter




A: Pours a deep brown, pretty much black, with about one full finger of dark beige head. The foam settles in a reasonable amount of time, leaving some solid lacing as it drinks. The bubbles fade over time, leaving this beer looking very still about halfway through. 4.0

S: The nose is chocolate malt, some nice roast, and that familiar barrel aged aroma. It's sweet with notes of vanilla, caramel, and alcohol. Smells great. 4.0

T: I get a lot of that barrel right up front with the vanilla and caramel. It shifts into roast, milk chocolate, slight coffee, and a mild nuttiness. The finish is sweet and boozy, without being too overwhelming. 4.5

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet to start, coats the palate, but moves off without being too clingy. The boozy burn lingers for a bit, but I'm liking it. 4.0

O: This is a really nice beer. The barrel treatment is overdone, as I can still get a good amount of roast and malt out of it. I'm a fan. 4.0

My guess: Hmm. I'm pretty sure I have had this before, but I don't think I've had it recently. It doesn't have the legs to be an Imperial Stout, so I'm going to guess it's a stout/porter that been sitting in a bourbon barrel. And since abraxel is from Michigan (The Great Beer State), I'm going to say... Arcadia's BA Shipwreck Porter.

The reveal: Boom! Spot on! BA Shipwreck Porter. Nice! I really enjoyed this beer. I haven't had it in a least a year or two. This is some solid stuff. Thanks again!

 

Nicely done!

 

Blind Beer Review Bottle #1

The green wax was a bit persistant at first but after a bit of effort the bottle was open and served in a snifter.

A- 2.5 The body of the beer is a light peachy golden coloration. The head was straight white and immediately fell apart. It would not have with stood up to the mustache test. Whisp of foam mark the outer perimeter of the glass.

S- 2.5 The beer smells a bit oxidized around the edges caramel notes nearing butterscotch at times. Some green apple and pear cider like aromas rise up as the beer warms up.

T- 2.5 The flavor of the beer has a green apple notes going into raw grain. Kind of hits me flavor profile as a non gag inducing malt liquor. The more it warms up the more it seems like a malt liquior.

M- 2.5 The mouth feel is medium and moderately carbonated. No alcohol is noted to the mouth feel.

O- 2.5 Overall this beer reminds me of a non gag inducing malt liquor. I occasionally indulge in a few malt liquors on the side. Particularly when I am just looking for a cheap alcohol to dollar bang. As the beer gets warmer it positively falls apart. I finished the beer but honestly cannot reccomend.

Not really sure what I have in the glass malt liquor, an oxidized golden ale? I dont know?

The Reveal: Hevelius Classic 6.8% Euro Lager.

Thanks Shrek for a beer I probably wouldnt have picked up. This beer falls in that category for me of beer buzz bait.

 

It was more on deduction than it was on taste, to be honest. Small bottle format, from Michigan, delicious. I'm gonna try to get to two more blinded bottles tonight. Looking forward to it.

 

Blind Beer Review Bottle #2

The green wax was a bit persistent; however, I have the right tool for the job. Into a snifter as instructed by the directions. At arms length I am smelling a very dank hop aroma.

A- 4.5 The body of the beer is a clear light coppery coloration. The head was 2 fingers high off of the pour. The head is an off biege coloration. Pretty good head retention and it does stand up to the mustache test. Thick rings of lacing mark this beers very fast departure from my glass.

S- 4.5 The aroma of dank hops from arms length made me feel very happy! Bringing the glass to my nose only intesified that happyness. The hops brought a joyous combination of grapefruit, tropical fruits perhaps mangoes and pineapple, pine and very floral aromas. A bit of sweetness peeks out from the hops but it is quickly slapped into its place.

T- 4.0 This is a far more balanced beer than I thought from the aroma. The hops are definitely the driver nice combination of mango, bitter oranges, vaguely lemony at times, pine flavors peak out but dont give me the sensation of biting the Christmas Tree. A bit of toasted malt peaks out from this beers backbone and holds it together into a very quaffable drink.

M- 4.5 The body is just slightly bigger than light. The carbonation is lively and helps lift this beer up. The hops are resinous but not extremely so. The flavor lingers a bit in a pleasing fashion.

O- 4.5 This is a very quaffable IPA. At least I think this is an IPA the beer is blinded.

Positive I am drinking an IPA. Actually a dam tasty IPA!

The Reveal:Ithaca Flower Power. Dam tasty! I know I have had this beer before. Not certain if I reviewed it. This beer is far tastier than I remember it being. Willing to bet this bottle is a whole lot fresher than the ones I had previously. The bottle is notched best before January.

Thanks Shrek for a very tasty IPA experience.

 

Super fresh Flower Power is as good as any IPA out there. (seriously) After 3-4 weeks, it becomes quite average.

 

Totally agree.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it...sir. TONS of great beer ahead of you.

 

The flower power in question was brewed on October 4th according to the date on the box.. The hevelius was a kills hot. It has been in my basement for about 8 years.

 

Dirty kill shot.

I approve.

 

Bottles 5 & 6 from ShogoKawada, poured into duelling Duvels:

I'm taking a risk here -- no one's available to share with, but I want to continue and I don't want to skip ahead, so I'm taking on these two bombers by myself. Wish me luck

Appearance:
5 - I think I made a good choice on the glassware; a ton of dense, snowy head blossoms up and lingers, leaving bunches of lacing down the side. The beer is a mostly clear, happy, golden color, with a constant stream of carbonation off the etching in the bottom. 4.5
6 - Similar golden color, almost clear (just a touch of haze), and lots of carbonation. The head is pretty coarse and doesn't last long, and there's not much lacing. 3

Smell:
5 - Slightly sweet, grainy malt, yeasty esters, and maybe some floral hops? I'm not sure about the hops, maybe there's something else. Regardless, it smells good. 4
6 - Very unusual, in a very familiar-but-can't-quite-place-it sort of way. Definitely something citrusy-sweet, with lots of bitter pith and maybe green peppercorns? I'm probably hallucinating that last bit. Intriguing. 4

Taste:
5 - Ooh, I wonder if these were both brewed with some citrus fruit. A sweet orangey flavor blends in with the grainy malt, and there's a pleasant level of bitterness that lingers a while (is that pith or hops?). 4
6 - Sweeter than the smell led me to expect, with just a hint of that pithy bitterness. It's mostly a very smooth tangerine over a simple base malt background. It's hard to tell if that's hops or actual fruit, but I'm thinking fruit. 4

Mouthfeel:
5 - Medium mouthfeel. There was lots of carbonation to begin with, but it's all gone now. It leaves that pithy bitterness all over my mouth, but it's not super strong or annoying. 3.5
6 - Medium-thin, smooth mouthfeel. I think all the carbonation got out in the initial pour. 4

Overall, I'm enjoying both of these quite a bit. I feel somewhat certain (though based on my track record so far, I'm probably wrong) they're both brewed with a sweet citrus fruit. 5 might be oranges, but 6 is something sweeter. Tangerine is my best guess.

And the reveal...
5 - Just Beer Horseneck Goldenipa
6 - Harpoon White IPA

Damn, no fruit? I guess it was just juicy, juicy hops this whole time. Even now, I know there's not fruit in here, but I still taste it! Weird. I enjoyed (and am still enjoying!) both of these quite a bit. Thanks Shogo!