Sunday, January 20, 2013

Captain Lawrence Barrel Select Golden Sour

As part of a trade with Tim Dean, I received a bottle of Captain Lawrence Barrel Select Golden Sour. The beer pours a golden color with a bubbly white colored head that quickly dissipates with a fizzing sound. The aroma consists of vinegar, lemon, tartness, hay, barnyard funk, and horse blanket. The taste is puckering and tart with lemon and vinegar on the front end. Some hay and barnyard funk take over the tongue with just a hint of sugary sweetness. The alcohol content is 7.0% ABV. This was a well received and nicely tart beer that packs a heck of a pucker to it. It tastes like being in a barn and make you pay, but it is very enjoyable.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout

While at Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, I picked up a bottle of New Belgium Lips of Faith Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout. The beer pours a black color with a lofty and frothy tan colored head. The aroma consists of strong coffee, chocolate, toasted malts, caramel, and vanilla. The taste is robust with lots of toasted malts and plenty of coffee on the front end. The coffee lingers for a while before a dark chocolate flavor mixed with caramel and vanilla arrives. A dry after taste brings back more coffee, but is just like drinking a fresh cup of joe. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. If you love coffee, this beer is for you. It is very robust and offers bold flavors with a nice chocolate accent to it. I highly recommend picking this one up if you see it.