Coconut Bourbon Barrel Temple of Minerva by Jackie O’s

I tried Coconut Bourbon Barrel Temple of Minerva for Jackie O’s 18th Anniversary. All I can say about this one is I’m pretty sure this beer is the reason bourbon barrels were invented.

I poured it from a 12oz bottle and right away notes of bourbon, chocolate and coconut were evident. This one came in at 14.8%, so you definitely have to pace yourself with this one.

When it comes to the flavor, the coconut doesn’t overwhelm you. It’s definitely tasty, It’s like an alcoholic Mounds bar.

I definitely give this one 5/5

Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout

My offering today is Maple & Whiskey Barrel-Aged Stout by Long Trail Brewing. I was excited about this one, as I’m fond anything barrel-aged. Coming in at 10% ABV, this one didn’t let me down.

I had a 12oz bottle that I poured into a pint glass. It pours a very deep dark brown with nice head; light brown settles to a nice film, swirling your glass brings it right back.

As for the aroma, right away it’s light maple, with heavy bourbon, nice chocolatey coffee presence as it warms.

The taste is first bourbon; followed by a light maple presence; after which comes a distinct hit of coffee, and, again, little bit of chocolate…the aftertaste is wonderfully balanced mix of dark malt and light maple.

I was definitely pleased with this one.

Rating 4.5/5

Home Sweet Home by Fifty West

Today’s offering took me by surprise. Fifty West brewers, Home Sweet Home had as many cozy fall flavors into the beer can as they can reasonably cram. With the flavors of pecan pie, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie, their stronger Brown Ale is a fall harvest in a glass.

I had a 12 oz can that poured dark brown, with a creamy ivory froth. It has chocolaty, toasty, and nutty scents that right away capture the nose. It’s those flavors that also capture your sweet tooth with the richness of caramel, molasses, honey and chocolate.

A malty-sweet taste starts reel in the taste of candied pecans, toast, coffee, and chocolate in a toastier, nearly roasty taste. The added starch of sweet potato keeps the session creamy and rounded while allowing the toasty and woodsy finish of the Brown Ale to shine.

Overall, this one is a great fall time treat.

Rating 4.25/5

Ricky by Jackie O’s

My offering this time was Ricky by Jackie O’s. It’s a golden ale that comes in at 4.5%, so you can feel free to have more than one.

I had this on draft, and it had a clear yellow color when poured into the glass with a nice lacy head to it. When it comes to aroma, there were some floral notes that I picked up along with some honey too.

Taste followed right along with the aroma with hints of honey, while I also picked up bits of strawberry as well. The taste was nicely balanced, smooth, and easy to drink.

Rating 4/5

Radler by 2 Pitchers Brewing

With 2 Pitchers Radler, I decided to try something out of my comfort zone. I’m not usually down for grapefruit flavor things, however I thought I’d give this a whirl.

I poured this from a 12 oz can. It has a yellowish color and is a little bit hazy with a thin head. It almost looks more like a cider than a lager. Smells of grapefruit and blood orange are very present and hit you right away.

As for the flavor, it’s surprisingly sweet. I tasted the sweetness from a grapefruit without its sour counterpart.. After this pleasant surprise, you’re hit with mandarins and blood orange for a lager that is both clean and lightly sweet.

Overall, It has a light, refreshing, juicy feel. Very enjoyable

Rating 4/5

Barktoberfest by Thirsty Dog

My offering this time is Barktoberfest by Thirsty Dog Brewing. I tried a 12oz bottle that I found locally.

This beer pours bright light copper in color with light khaki head, which quickly recedes to a thin ring and partial layer of bubbles

When it comes to aroma This smells interesting – there’s the usual bread notes and slight sweetness.

Taste follows right along with the aroma, but there’s also a distinct chocolate taste, along with some definite toffee.

There isn’t a lot of character here – it’s all malt. It’s maybe a bit too sweet for the style, due to that chocolate note.

This is medium bodied, creamy, and very drinkable beer. It just doesn’t finish as you’d want..

Rating 3.75/5

Miner’s Daughter by Mountain State Brewing

My offering today is Miner’s Daughter, an Oatmeal Stout from Mountain State Brewing Company in Shepardstown WV. This brew comes in at 5.2% ABV.

I sampled a 12 oz can at cellar temp and poured into a pint glass. The beer was purchased in Parkersburg WV at the local beer shop.

The beer pours a dark cola brown color with a fizzy khaki colored densely packed head of 1 in foaming up. This begins to slowly fade to a sturdy surface layer of bubbles, which remains throughout my sampling.

The aroma is somewhat mild, but I do get roasted notes and a little grassy hop note with a bit of dark cacao on the end.

.First sip reveals a light body, which makes it drinkable but could use a little more body. The texture is smooth, and the carbonation is fine and tingly. Flavor follows suit with the aroma in that roasted malt is found from the start and some coffee ground and dark cacao notes comes through as well. The roasted note lingers and is almost charred malt in flavor. I don’t get any hops nor any hint of the ABV here.

Overall, a solid little brew from a new to me brewery Rating 4/5

Dunkel by YeeHaw Brewing

My family and I went on vacation to Pigeon Forge, and we stopped at Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, and I got a Dunkel from YeeHaw Brewing out of Johnson City, TN.

This offering came in at 5.5% ABV and was on tap and, served in a large weizen style glass. It had a very dark brown color and came with a 1/2-inch head.

The aroma was bready and sweet with traces of coffee and chocolate, and also caramel and toffee.

The taste follows the aroma with the sweetness and with bits coffee, chocolate, and caramel.

Overall, a very nice beer. I quite enjoyed the beer.

Rating 4.50 / 5

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan

A good friend of mine highly recommended a Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier by Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan. I’m glad I listened to him on this one.  This offering comes in at 5.4% ABV.

            I had an 11.2 oz bottle that I poured into a pint glass. The beer pours hazy orange amber in color with nearly white head. The head recedes to a half inch cap and leaves lots of lacing. The aroma contains strong smell of banana and cloves. The taste follows with semisweet banana and wheat malt flavors that blend to an awesome finish.

            Overall, this was a great choice will definitely be a favorite of mine.

            Rating 4.75 of 5

Give A Crap by DuClaw Brewing

I stopped in local organic foods store and Give a Crap by DuClaw Brewing caught my eye. I mean it’s hard to miss a can with a rainbow poo on it. ‘Give a Crap’ a limited-edition sour ale, brewed with blueberry and black currant purée and vanilla bean. It was launch in partnership with Squatty Potty and Squatty Potty to raise funds for the Colon Cancer Foundation (CCF) in order to bring awareness to Colon Cancer.

The beer comes in at 6.5% ABV. I had a 12 ounce can that I poured into a pint glass. It looks like more fruit punch with a thin off-white head. The color is a blue heavy red which is probably from the blueberries.

The aroma is fruit punch-like as well. Taste is balanced and neutral sweet to sour though it does give me a tart feeling in the back of my mouth at times. Flavor, to me is muddled other than a generic reddish fruit flavor I really can’t call out malt, hop or specific fruits. It drinks more like a fruited malt beverage than a beer.

            Overall, really liked this one             Rating 4/5