Thornbridge-Odell Pond Hopper Double Extra Pale Ale

As part of my membership in the Michael Jackson Rare Beer of the Month Club, I received a bottle of the Thornbridge-Odell collaboration Pond Hopper, a Double Extra Pale Ale. The beer pours a golden color with a lofty and frothy white colored head with a light lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of grass, lemon, funk, caramel, bitter hops, spruce, and pepper. The taste is smooth and bitter at the same time with a wonderful blend of caramel and lemon that are intertwined so delicately. There is some bitter pine and pepper flavors that go along with a hint of sweetness, and the finish brings out a light alcohol bite that tingles the lips. The mouth feel of this beer is light and bubbly and the bubbles tickle the tongue. The alcohol content is 8.9% ABV. I can barely express how overly satisfied I was with this beer and its wonderful blend of flavors. The sweetness was prominent, but absolutely balanced with bitterness and alcohol dryness.

Thornbridge Saint Petersburg Imperial Russian Stout

I received a bottle of Thornbridge Saint Petersburg Imperial Russian Stout from Lee of Hoptopia in a beer trade. The beer pours a dark black color with a frothy tan head. The aroma consists of chocolate, toasted malts, coffee, and molasses. The taste is sweet and dry with a large dark chocolate profile, some coffee and molasses accents, and a very dry and bitter chocolate finish. The alcohol content is 7.7% ABV. The deep and dark chocolate profile of the Saint Petersburg Imperial Russian Stout is quite enjoyable in a bitter and sweet heaven.