Schlafly Reserve Imperial Stout (2010)

I picked up a bottle of Schlafly Reserve Imperial Stout (2010) from Discount Wine and Liquors in Boonton, NJ. . The beer pours a dark brown color with a thin bubbly beige colored head. The aroma consists of sweet bourbon, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted malts. The taste is smooth with plenty of dark chocolate and toasted malts on the front end. Then a sharp bourbon bite comes in, but isn’t too intense, with a wonderful vanilla addition to the beer. On the finish, a dry oak flavor comes out and balances the beer very well. The alcohol content is 10.5% ABV. The bourbon aging in this beer adds a wonderful accent to the beer without being too intense or dry. The vanilla accents are over-the-top excellent and really provide a touch of sweetness that is delectable.

Allagash Tripel Ale Reserve

Another beer that I was given for providing IT assistance to my friend's parent was the Allagash Tripel Ale Reserve. I have previously had the Tripel, but not the Tripel Reserve. The beer pours a pale yellow color with a lofty foamy white head. The aroma is filled with banana and pepper. The taste follows the aroma and is full of banana and pepper with a nice alcohol bite on the back of the mouth. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. I thought that the Tripel Reserve was delicious and refreshing, and was also a little dry due to the spice.