Review#10 Lagunitas: Wilco Tango Foxtrot

I am going to say something here that I have probably said 100 times at work in the last three months:  This is my favorite limited/seasonal release of this year so far.  There are many close seconds, but each time I grab one of these I remind myself of just how much I love this beer.

For me, this beer achieves the perfect balance between hops and malt, which is kind of unusual for the folks at Lagunitas.  It pours brownish red, with a white head that disappears very quickly.  There are hints of sweet malt, toffee, caramel, some hops, yeast, raisins and berries in the nose.  Most of these take a back seat in the taste when the malt kicks in with a hint of sweetness and the hops come around every now and again to give your taste buds a little wallop.  It finishes a little dry with just the slightest bit of bitters, and makes you want another swig.

Just thinking about it makes me want one right now.

It's not a lightweight either, as its 7.83% ABV will attest too.  And priced between $4-5 for a 22 oz. bottle, its also not a drain on your wallet.

So do you really like this beer?:  Hell yes I do!  I would recommend this beer to anyone, even if you are new to craft beer, or have never had one, this could be a great starting point.  I would just like to know one thing from Lagunitas; Why The Fuck isn't this available year round?  I guess I will just have to stock up, or just wait until October when my other Lagunitas favorite, Brown Shugga' becomes available.

Review #6 Founders Brewery: Kentucky Breakfast Stout

This is one of those beers that you hear about constantly.  Everyone is talking about it like its gods gift to humanity in a bottle.  But, you just can't seem to get your hands on it.  From the initial rumblings I had heard about Founders while living in San Francisco, I couldn't wait to someday try some of their beer.  Luckily, Founders has made its way to NYC, and I could finally see what all of the hype has been about. Coincidentally, the hype is well deserved.

I can't say much about this beer except- buy it.  Do it now.  Stop reading, open a new tab, and try to Google where you can get some.

... Ok, are you back now?  Whether you found some, or didn't (make sure you do next year), what you are about to experience is going to be amazing.

It pours absolutely black with a light tan head that diminishes very quickly.  It's nose is a heavy bourbon whiskey, with coffee, chocolate, and a little oatmeal.  The bourbon continues as you drink, from beginning to end, being paired at the start with the oatmeal, some malt, and some maple syrup; and finishing with the coffee and chocolate.   It's pretty much perfect. 

I have had it on draft several times now, and in the bottle for breakfast.  What, it was my day off, and its has breakfast in the name.  Each and every time it is a wonderful taste sensation that makes me want it more and more.

What I say:  I think I have already been over that.  Order it if you see it on draft.  If you find some bottles, grab 'em.  I bought all I could afford at the time, and they are currently sitting in my cellar until a special occasion (like breakfast) arises, or in case someone who can't find it in their area wants to do a beer trade.  I probably won't part with it too easily though, just sayin'.

Review #4 The Bruery: Saison de Lente

I love saisons.  Their appearance on the beer market means that it is spring, and soon to be summer.  All of them vary so greatly in taste, aroma, and finish that you kind of have to try each and every one you can get your hands on.  But this beer pissed me off.  I am impatient, always punctual, and kind of expect my beer to be the same- ready to drink when I want it.

So I open this bottle, recommended to me by a co-worker, and BAM!  There is enough carbonation in here to scare Ralphie from 'A Christmas Story' into never drinking a beer in his life.  I literally thought I shot my eye out.  I pour a glass of the beer, and by beer I mean head.  Lots of it.  It takes up 75% of the glass with its amazing aromas of citrus, flowers, yeast, and peppercorns.  I figure I just need to wait a second, but no, it doesn't let up.  This head is here to stay- at least as long as the beer is cold.  So I wait.  And wait.  After about 15 minutes I am able to make an actual glass of beer appear by sloooowly adding more from the bottle as the head sloooowly dies.  Thank God because I really want to drink this!

Underneath the everlasting one inch head lies fruity notes, a great yeasty flavor, some wonderful bitters, a nice hop kick, and a great peppery finish that I detected in the nose.  It was spicy, dry, fruity, oh hell; it was each and every thing a great saison should be.  Absolutely delicious.

What it do: Totally awesome.  Just do yourself a favor and drink another beer while you start pouring this.  Unless you aren't overly impatient like me, but with something this good, it is hard not to be.