Category: Beer Reviews

Reviews of Beers – (Surprise!)

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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Bell’s – Black Note Review (with comparisons to KBS)

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Black NoteAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Bell’s Brewery
Style: Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
ABV: 11.4%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Teku, Snifter
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Nanosecond in Jan, Feb or March
Purchased@: Beer Trade

Quick Take: You certainly don’t need me to tell you that Black Note is a fantastic beer (it is btw). It has a reputation that existed long before this blog and will for as long as Bell’s brews it. I love the combination of the typical dark, malty flavors with the tang of dark fruits that still gives you the mouth feel you want without being too sweet. It’s a top stout for me and one of the most well-balanced, layered bourbon beers I’ve had.

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