Trying some new beers tonight

**Ducky** · 01-29-11, 06:16 PM

First up is Chocolate Beer Youngs Double Chocolate Stout Decent, smooth, with a chocolate aftertaste. Not a "Beat you over the head" taste of chocolate, what's there is definitely a dark chocolate, not sweet, and faintly creamy, but not CHOCOLATE. Pours almost thick, with a head that is clingy without being annoying. So dark in the glass that it does a good impression of Guinness. One bottle (just a shade over a pint) is enough to get a bit of a buzz going from sober. 5.2% ABV.

Other beers to be reviewed tonight if I stay sober enough.

**Buttercup** · 01-29-11, 06:19 PM

**Ducky** · 01-29-11, 06:54 PM

Next up, Lion Stout. It's an import from Sri Lanka (WTF?) and listed as 8.8% ABV. Pours very dark, with a big, caramel colored head. The head is taking forever to go away and is starting to piss me off. Vaguely fruity notes in the sniff, once you get past the ALCOHOL that assaults your nose.

WOW this stuff is alcoholic. Can a beer be chewy? The fruity notes are lost as your tongue goes numb and your sinuses go on overload. It comes across as being like a beer with a built in chaser. If guys claim they've only had two beers and are wasted, it may have been two of these. Not much carbonation once the head is gone, so the actual act of swallowing is pretty easy. Belching at a minimum. Chocolate flavor noticeable about halfway through, as an aftertaste from the back of your mouth. There's something dark stuck to the bottom of my glass from this beer, and my lips feel a bit sticky. This would be an excellent substitute for food. It gets better the more you drink. Even with my eye pressed against the glass and a bare bulb on the other side, I can't see through this stuff. Oddly, it goes great with chocolate chip cookies. It was only $6.99 for a six pack (cans, but poured into a big ass glass) so I can see getting this one again. Just not for a night that I want to stay sober.

*Edit to add, the dark stuff at the bottom of the glass looks to be yeast. Not attractive to look at but it sat on the bottom like well behaved yeast and I didn't have to drink it.

**Car 4** · 01-29-11, 11:47 PM

Ducks....if you get to Seattle, Maclean and I will take you to the Ale House where you can chose from about 60 beers. Lots of fun.

Car 4

**Ducky** · 01-30-11, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Car 4

Ducks....if you get to Seattle, Maclean and I will take you to the Ale House where you can chose from about 60 beers. Lots of fun.

Car 4

That would rock. We have the Carolina Ale House about a half hour away, but I haven't been yet. It's cheaper to get a variety at the local (well stocked) party shop, then bring it home where a DD isn't needed. The worst that happens then is me posting on here about my purchases, progressively getting drunker as the evening goes on. LOL

**10-42** · 01-30-11, 10:56 AM

Capital Alehouse

Give this place a try if your passing thru...

**Ducky** · 01-30-11, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by 10-42

Capital Alehouse

Give this place a try if your passing thru...

Will have to do so.

Tonight's beer is Arrogant Bastard Ale. Nice color in the glass, reminds me of dark honey. Small head that clings nicely without being intrusive. Bitter and yet fruity tones. Nicely bitter on the tongue, reminds me of grapefruit peel in a way, and it sticks around to make you appreciate it. Almost warns you that if you don't appreciate it, it's going to stick around for a while anyhow so you may as well lay back and enjoy it. For some reason I have an urge to pair this with seafood. As I don't have any seafood on hand, that combo will have to wait before I can test it.

7.2% ABV. 22 ounce bottles, and the only beer I know of that comes in a 3 liter bottle as well.

**10-42** · 01-30-11, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

Will have to do so.

Tonight's beer is Arrogant Bastard Ale. Nice color in the glass, reminds me of dark honey. Small head that clings nicely without being intrusive. Bitter and yet fruity tones. Nicely bitter on the tongue, reminds me of grapefruit peel in a way, and it sticks around to make you appreciate it. Almost warns you that if you don't appreciate it, it's going to stick around for a while anyhow so you may as well lay back and enjoy it. For some reason I have an urge to pair this with seafood. As I don't have any seafood on hand, that combo will have to wait before I can test it.

7.2% ABV. 22 ounce bottles, and the only beer I know of that comes in a 3 liter bottle as well.

Be careful with that one Sir! IPA is a rather unforgiving one!

**lewisipso** · 01-30-11, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by 10-42

Be careful with that one Ma'am! IPA is a rather unforgiving one!

Corrected.

**10-42** · 01-30-11, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

Corrected.

Thank you Sir, may I have another...

**lewisipso** · 01-30-11, 09:53 PM

**Ducky** · 01-30-11, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by 10-42

Thank you Sir, may I have another...

I don't think the world could handle another one of me. Or of Lew.

But yes, I am typically careful with my beer. I don't do the "sex in a canoe" style - so called because they're f*cking close to water - and as such am used to beer with a higher alcohol content and actual flavor.

Anyone else have any favs they'd care to talk about?

**Wolven** · 01-31-11, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Car 4

Ducks....if you get to Seattle, Maclean and I will take you to the Ale House where you can chose from about 60 beers. Lots of fun.

Car 4

Oh really??? Where at?? Must visit

**Wolven** · 01-31-11, 12:29 AM

Recently had an obsession with Fire House 5 golden....delish

**bayern** · 01-31-11, 07:38 AM

Had some new craft beer; "WTF - Its Rotten" Brewed in the AM, served at lunch. All this Raspberry, chocolate, etc beer is getting to me. Just a regular beer made like it should be made, Barley, Hops, Yeast & water. Leave all the fruit and other stuff to the gals.

**IMGreat101** · 01-31-11, 08:00 AM

If you are near Des Moines.

El Bait Shop - Restaurant & Bar - Des Moines, Iowa

My favorite is the barley wine from Rogue Ales

**Ducky** · 02-05-11, 12:29 AM

Tonight's beers are some standards. Killian's Red and Guinness Extra Stout. Killian's is one that I enjoy fairly often, as it's got a great flavor and finishes clean. Nice dark amber pour, small head, good carbonation. Not too bitter, not too sweet, and pairs well with just about any food you can put with it. 4.9 abv.

Guinness Extra Stout is more bold. Pours black with a big, foamy head. A bit bitter, finish that lingers for a while. Deep roasted flavor, almost a burned thing going on with it. Pairs great with grilled meats. 6.0 abv.