Surly SurleyFest

As part of a beer trade with Leon M Fountain, I received a can of Surly SurlyFest. The beer pours an amber color with a frothy off-white colored head that leaves some lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of tangerine, lemon, resiny hops, and pepper. The taste is bitter and rather hoppy for a marzen with a great solid caramel base. The finish brings out dry tangerine, lemon, and leaves an oily hop residue on the tongue. The alcohol content is 6.0% ABV. This was a surprisingly hoppy marzen beer with a strong bitter flavor and plenty of hop oils. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to get another can or two of this.

Surly Hell

I received a can of Surly Hell in a beer trade with Leon M. Fountain. The beer pours a a pale yellow color with a frothy white head. The aroma consists of light caramel malts and a hint of grassy hops. The taste is sweet and smooth with a good lemon and caramel flavor right up front. The finish brings out grassy hops with a hint of pepper. The after taste is dry with some toffee and earthy flavors. The alcohol content is 5.1% ABV. This was a solid and refreshing beer with a nice citrus twist on top of a sweet caramel base.

Surly Five

I ordered a bottle of Surly Five from France 44 after so many people encouraged me to do so, including Lee from Hoptopia. The beer pours a black color with a bubbly tan head that dissipates rapidly a la champagne. The aroma consists of cherry, vinegar, barnyard funk, yeast, and sweet malts. The taste is sour and slightly puckering with plenty of vinegar and sour cherry tartness on the front end. A nice barnyard funk comes in to play before some red wine and grape flavor makes it through, really drying out the mouth. The after taste leaves some vinegar and plenty of oak flavoring in the mouth. The alcohol content is 8.2% ABV. This was a wonderfully crafted beer and the wine and oak really help dry out the mouth. I was left completely satisfied with this beer, as it is a top notch sour beer from Surly.

Surly Darkness 2008

My friend Deuane was clearing out some beers from his cellar and brought of some Surly Darkness, vintage 2008, to share with friends. The beer pours a black color with a tan bubbly head. The aroma consists of chocolate, toasted malts, vanilla, oak, and coffee. The taste is smooth, silky, and chocolaty, mostly consisting of dark chocolate, with vanilla, oak, and caramel flavors mixed in as well. The finish is a little dry with toasted malts and another taste of vanilla and oak. The alcohol content is 10.3% ABV. This beer is home to a flavor profile that is large and in charge on the tongue, but comes with an unmistakable smoothness. The alcohol doesn’t really make its presence knows due to the smoothness, making it really easy to drink.

Surly Coffee Bender

As part of a beer trade with Lee from Hoptopia.com, I acquired a can of Surly Coffee Bender. The beer pours a dark brown color with lofty foamy tan head. The aroma hits on all coffee with bits of chocolate. There is a faint hop undertone in the aroma as well. The beer is pretty light, as it is an ale and not a stout or porter. The taste is heavy on the coffee with background hints of creamer. The beer finishes a little dry from the coffee. The alcohol content is 5.1% ABV. I really enjoyed this coffee offering. It was a slightly different variation from other coffee beers, and wasn't as focused on the chocolate or creaminess. However, this was a delicious brew that you should give a try if you like coffee.