Old and Cold

Day #713 Old Rasputin / North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, CA
Previously from this brewery:

Hustle day, as tomorrow is the last home game in the 2013 Penn State football season.  Hard to believe that we're closing out another season of football and tailgating; feels like it just started.  This season has definitely not gone according to plan, but I guess that's about par for the course.  I do hope the stadium is somewhat filled, and the seniors go out with a win.  They deserve it.  We all deserve a win.

Keeping up with the trend of old beers that spent a good, long time in the fridge and equally old reviews, today's offering is a bottle of Old Rasputin from North Coast.  Black hue with a fluffy tan head, aromas of roasted malt and coffee, and flavors of malt, chocolate, cola, and tons of roasted malt.  Smooth and silky texture, too.  Little too much coffee for me to be a fan, but I can appreciate that this is a well made beer.

From Russia, with suds

Thing to Think About Today:
Old Rasputin gets you the Four Tops, and Same Old Song.  Because nothing says "indestructible Russian mystic" like some smooth Motown.  Just enjoy and don't think about it too much.  Have a good Friday, all....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE

Day 710: Odin's Tipple

I'm just going to leave this here. 

I like Pink way more than I probably should.

But you didn't come here for the music, you came for the beer. Today's beer is HaandBryggeriet's Odin's Tipple, a dark Norse ale. This particular one is one of only 3,500 bottles in Batch 507. I'm not sure how Odin's Tipple came to be in my house, but I'm glad it did.

It poured an almost black, brown shade with a rosy and deep cocoa color head. The color on this beer's head was remarkable. It smelled of cherry, wood and cola. The flavor is bright with a lingering hoppy aftertaste. It's a combination of fruity and roast coffee. I would also say that it was one of the most challenging beers I've had since starting Blog Named Brew. There was a lot going on with the flavor and the velvety texture definitely turned it into an extended, sipping experience.

Beer stats
Style: Russian imperial stout
ABV: 11%
IBUs: Unknown
Rating: Good

Previously reviewed from HaandBryggeriet
Another Odin's Tipple and Farewell Ale and Nissefar 

Beer 131: Thirsty Dogs and Ceramic Dogs

Today’s productivity was brought to us by a free cupcake and high-test coffee.  In exactly one week, the hardest part of my year will be behind me.  It makes me happy and sad -- mostly happy.  You know what else makes me happy?  That ceramic dachshund sitting on my desk.  We talk.  He has opinions. Especially about my obsessive list writing.  Whatevs.

***

Last night TJ’s in Paoli saved my beer drinking butt with a new-to-me brewery:  Thirsty Dog out of Akron, Ohio.  I tried the Siberian Night Imperial Stout - the granddaddy of imperial stouts per their website.  All their beers have fun dog-related names but I couldn’t find a backstory on why.  But anything related to dogs is good for me so off we go.

This imperial stout poured pitch black with a full cocoa color head that fizzled away.  It was everything I’d want in an imperial stout -- coffee, roasted malts, some caramel.  It also came with just a hint of smokiness.  Quite honestly, it was perfect for the rainy night.  I did find it to be heavier than a lot of the other stouts I’ve had recently.  It had a full, creamy feeling in my mouth (go ahead, laugh).  Does it make it into my top 25, no. But I bet it could be in the top 50.

Cheers!

Beer 122: Emelisse Imperial Russian Stout

I started my day with a ninja cat assassin stalking me from the ferns in my front garden.  Look closely.

He’s there watching…waiting to pounce.  It was from this vantage point that he whispered, “I’m coming to get you.  Leave the tuna on the front porch and no one gets hurt.”  Then he drew his claw across his throat and pointed at me with a furry cat mitten.

At least once every few weeks, a cat ninja and I scare the bejeezus out of each other.  It’s a fun little game we play.

***

In honor of ninja cat assassins everywhere, I’m drinking an Emelisse Imperial Russian Stout.  For whatever reason, every time I look at this beer in the fridge, I get images of Storm Troopers in my head.  Marci-land is a fun, fun and somewhat strange place.

This imperial Russian stout pours deep opaque brown with a cocoa color head.  It smells of roasted malt and chocolate.  The flavor is amazing.  It starts chocolate syrup, rolls into solid roasted malts and finishes crisp, dry and with just the right amount of hops.  Every few sips it also gives off a sweet cherry aroma, which isn’t noticeable while drinking it.

Overall quite tasty.  Top 25?  Why the hell not!

Cheers!


p.s.  Just in case you were illiterate and didn’t get the drinking-is-bad-when-pregnant message, you get a handy picture warning on the label.  Well done.