Drew’s Brews Reviews – Page 10

Dark Horse – Plead the 5th Review

Posted on June 2, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Dark Horse
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 11%
Cost: $20 (64oz Growler)
Glassware: Snifter
Temp: 55°F
Availability: February
Purchased@: Friendly Greek

Quick Take: This is a damn fine beer that has some depth. It really reminds me of Founder’s Imperial Stout with toned down tobacco and intensified chocolate. I’d need to do a blind tasting to really determine which I prefer more, but Dark Horse has produced an excellent RIS that needs to be tasted. Really looking forward to trying an aged bottle of this (I have one from 2013, so it’ll be awhile) and making it a mission to have the bourbon barrel-aged version.

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Episode 11 – Great Lakes – Chillwave

Posted on May 30, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

Episode 11 of Drew’s Brews Reviews is here! The beer review show you never knew you wanted and no one needs. The IPA train keeps on rolling and here comes Chillwave, a beer released in February, that I drank in April, and I’m finally finishing the review in practically June. Sigh… Anyway, even though this is not a beer readily available at this time, I thought it is one worth talking about. People are probably a little sick of the West Coast IPAs at this point, but there is room to discuss at least one more before we slip into the summer months, which is of course Coors country. Thank you for existing Coors Light Summer Brew…thank you.

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Thirsty Dog – Wulver Review

Posted on May 28, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Thirsty Dog Brewing
Style: Wee Heavy
ABV: 12%
Cost: $12 (12oz)
Glassware: Thistle (Yup, thistle)
Temp: 43°F (Yup!)
Availability: Limited
Purchased@: Iron Abbey

Quick Take: Wulver strikes me as a classic version of the Wee Heavy style that has been expertly aged in bourbon barrels. What it does is take on a difficult style and nail a fantastic beer. It actually makes a bolder statement by brewing this in a conventional way and barrel aging it into a straightforward success that demands your attention rather than getting overly playful and trying to distract with gimmicks.

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North Coast – Old Rasputin XVI Review

Posted on May 23, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: North Coast Brewing
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
ABV: 11.3%
Cost: $27 (16.9 oz)
Glassware: Snifter
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Once a Year
Purchased@: Hunger n Thirst

Quick Take: If you, like me, enjoy Old Rasputin, you will absolutely enjoy the bourbon barrel-aged version. There is no question of that, but the cost versus quality is way out of whack. Without needing to justify the expense, I can easily declare this to be worth no where near the cost. If cost is not a factor or you can find this for less than $15 (I did see a forum post where someone paid $13.99), it’s definitely worth a try. While I find the experience to be lacking given the chalky finish and less than luxurious mouth feel, plenty of people will find this to be an enjoyable and very drinkable bourbon stout.

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AleSmith – Wee Heavy Review

Posted on May 20, 2014February 28, 2015 by Drews Brews Reviews

All You Need to Know

Brewery: AleSmith Brewing
Style: Wee Heavy
ABV: 10%
Cost: $11.97
Glassware: Thistle, Goblet
Size: 750 ml
Temp: 50-55°F
Availability: Year-Round
Purchased@: Bring on the Beer

Quick Take: This is an incredibly smooth beer that avoids sweet, boozy heat for a blended experience that can actually satisfy you on a summer day. If you are looking for deep complexity or a holy crap moment, it doesn’t happen. In a way, it’s what this beer avoids that makes it such a confident and expertly brewed beer. You may end up looking at a Wee Heavy a bit differently after seeing what an expert brewer can do with it, just don’t expect the quintessential example of the style.

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