Allagash Victor (2009)

At our weekly bottle share, my buddy Adam brought over a bottle of Allagash Victor, vintage 2009.The beer pours a golden color with a frothy white colored head that leaves some lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of grapes, banana, yeast, and a hint of pepper. The taste is bold and slightly sugary with lots of grape flavors. Banana, pepper, and cloves round out the taste. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. This was a smooth drinking beer with lots of fruit flavors including banana and grapes. I enjoyed how bold it could be with 9.0% alcohol, but so easy to drink.

Schlafly Reserve Barleywine Style Ale (2009)

I picked up a bottle of Schlafly Reserve Barleywine Style Ale, vintage 2009, from Discount Wine and Liquors in Boonton, NJ. The beer pours very viscous and is a red-tinted amber color with a frothy off-white colored head. The aroma consists of caramel, raisins, figs, dates, malts, alcohol, and pepper. The taste is smooth and candy-like with caramel, raisin, fig, and date flavors taking over the front end with a great sweetness. The finish brings out an oak dryness with hints of pepper and pine. The alcohol content is 10.2% ABV. This was one of the best barleywines that I have ever had, and it has a smoothness like none other. The oak dryness on the finish was fantastic and really made this beer pop.

Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg Samiclaus Bier 2009 vs 2010

When I was at Braushaus Schmitz in Philadelphia, I noticed that they were offering a vertical of Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg Samiclaus Bier 2009 and 2010. Both beers pour a dark amber color with the 2009 having no head and the 2010 had a thin filmy white head. The aroma of the 2009 has much more pronounced raisin and plum when compared to the 2010. The 2009 is sweeter and smoother and the 2010 maintained more of the raisin flavor. Both beers had a biting finish, but the 2010 was more warming in the throat. The alcohol content is 14.0% ABV. I would have to say that I think I liked the 2010 version better, and it felt a little more balanced and had a wonderful warming finish to it.

Anchor Special Christmas 2009

I noticed that McGrath's had Anchor Special Christmas Ale 2009 in their bottle selection so I ordered a bottle. The beer is a dark amber color with no head. It smells of cinnamon and allspice. The taste is full of allspice and ginger and is somewhat dry. It also has a slight piney flavor. The alcohol content is 5.5% ABV. My friend Alissa said that it “smells like Christmas in a glass.” I could not agree more, and this beer provides the entire Christmas memory experience. It takes you back to your childhood memories while enjoying a great beer in your adulthood.