Month: October 2014

Firestone Walker – Parabola 2014 Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

ParabolaAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Firestone Walker
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 13%
Cost: ???? (24oz)
Glassware: Snifter, Teku
Temp: 55°F
Availability: March
Purchased@: Beer Trade

Quick Take: While 2014 Parabola is not the pinnacle of the Parabola series (that goes to the boozy complex and black cherry undercurrent having Parabola of 2012), it is an improvement over 2013, being smoother and less boozy. Warm, sensuous, delicious…Parabola is as close to bourbon-aged perfection that I’ve come across. Firestone has crafted and continues to craft one of my favorite liquids of all time.

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Westbrook Brewing – Citrus Ninja Exchange Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Citrus NinjaAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Westbrook Brewing
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.5%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Snifter, Tulip
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Limited
Purchased@: Beer Trade
Brew Date: Mid August
Drink Date: Mid October

Quick Take: This is one of the bigger disappointments I’ve come across after a pretty stellar run of beers. That isn’t to say it’s bad, it isn’t, but the heavy malt and lack of hops (and grapefruit actually) makes this simply a good beer. The lack of hop bite makes me a sad panda, but those that are only IPA curious may actually find a lot to like with the malt being the star of the show.

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Avery Brewing – 5 Monks (Bourbon-Aged Quad) Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

5 MonksAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Avery Brewing
Style: Quad
ABV: 19.4% (boom!)
Cost: $15 (12oz) (also boom)
Glassware: Snifter, Teku
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Limited (Once)
Purchased@: Friendly Greek

Quick Take: 5 Monks, while on the sweeter side, stops just short of cloying to be a sipping warmer with some malt depth that’s made just a touch deeper by the bourbon-aging. Avery is world class when it comes to big beers, so the fact that 5 Monks kills it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Awesome beer and one the dark malted Belgian and bourbon lovers should hunt down immediately.

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The Brew Kettle – White Rajah Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

White RajahAll You Need to Know

Brewery: The Brew Kettle
Style: IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Pint, Tulip
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Various Times
Purchased@: Beer Trade Extra

Quick Take: I view White Rajah as Hopslam’s less tropical cousin, but with ramped up bitterness and a stronger grain finish. It isn’t built to wow, but it has a lot of flavor for a non-imperial IPA. Good beer I’d get again if I saw it regularly, but I’m not loading up the car for a brewery trip just yet.

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Cask-Aged Robitussin for Your Finer Colds

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

cask tussinOh satire, thy truest barbs are sharpest! I know I’m late to the party and this Onion article already made the rounds on the beer Web sites, but I love it too much not to share. If only one person sees this that wouldn’t have otherwise, it is worth the post.

The concept of a cask-aged Robitussin for a “very special cold” is an accurate and informed send up of beer (and wine) culture. I’m definitely one to buy into the beer hype and everything this article lampoons, so consider me zinged. That said, if it were real,…I’d probably try it.

Pfizer Releases Vintage Cask-Aged Robitussin