MISSION DARK SEAS RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT

Ultra-rich full body tries to squeeze a myriad of flavors into a single whole and nearly succeeds. Creamy dark chocolate fudging gets nudged by glutinous anise gunk as port-wined black cherry, blackberry and prune harden the edges. Pine-sapped molasses and oak-charred black whiskey tones thicken the embittered tar-like hop char. Just a little heavy-handed and overwhelming.

Dark Seas Russian Imperial Stout | San Diego Beer Blog

 

 

 

 

RHINELANDER CHOCOLATE BUNNY STOUT

Richly creamed Easter-seasoned mocha dessert similar to Mackeson Triple XXX Stout’s rich caramel-burnt toffee theme, only less effective. Still, its milky dark-roasted brown chocolate sweetness is infectious and the cocoa-powdered espresso coffee backend effective. Moreover, an inviting pine-sapped molasses thickness and mild vanilla sugaring secure the full-bodied pleasantry. However, oily resin hop gunk, trifling raisin souring and buttery soy saucing seem out of place.

 Chocolate Bunny : Rhinelander Brewing Company : BreweryDB.

BECK’S SAPPHIRE

On principle alone, this golden-paled macrobrew disaster should receive a zero rating. Its under-utilized or under-developed sapphire hop influence gets lost amongst buttery corn malts and cloying artificial sugaring to its stale white breaded finish. Soapy respite ruins the aftertaste. Beck’s should never allow this cheap crap to penetrate an already saturated beer market.

   Beck's Sapphire is 6% of upscale ABV - Guyism

HOF TEN DORMAAL BELGIAN DARK ALE -COGNAC

Traditional Belgian blonde ale used as base for oak-aged 12% alcohol-fused brown body. Cognac barrel adds mellow warmth and rich sweetness to supple red-wined tenacity and pureed berry swerve. Vinous grape tannins provide sour refuge to sugared Bordeau, Beaujolais, bourbon and burgundy luster. Plum-wined strawberry, blackberry, boysenberry and rapsberry rasp finds middle ground. Receding red licorice nip spotted.
Hof ten Dormaal Cognac Barrel-aged Blond Ale | BeerPulse

CAMBRIDGE SGT. PEPPER FARMHOUSE ALE

Taking the Beatles classic ’67 album title as its moniker, this easygoing saison effectively incorporates pink, black and green peppercorn spicing to candi-sugared yeast, mild rye malts and tropical fruits. Tangy orange, pineapple, peach and grape illusions spread across wheat-husked wild oats and earthen olfactory potpourri. Uncommon black-peppered jalapeno burn adds unique luster to the finish, but may interfere with fruitier elements.
10 Music-Inspired Beers :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Culture

TAILGATE BLACKTOP BLONDE

Flagship ‘Golden Blonde Ale’ gets canned in Wisconsin for California brewer. Sessionable ‘tailgating moderation’ brings corn syrupy honey spicing to mild Cascade hop bittering. Sugary citric sweetness seems a bit artificial and wheat-rice spine falters. Nonetheless, slick fodder beats cheap malt liquor. On second tasting: sweet-spiced sourdough continuance doubled its value.  
Blacktop Blonde - Tailgate Beer - San Diego, CA - BeerAdvocate