The Brü Revü – Stone Double Bastard

Double Bastard is Stone’s iconic Arrogant Bastard times two and it is a devastatingly devilish brew.  It poured a deep amber ruby color with a tan head that produce significant lacing.  The aroma is a boozy malt with citrus and floral hops coming from everywhere.  The taste was incredible.  Thick and syrupy malt at the front with plenty of bitter hops to balance it out in the end.  It is a unique brew with a heaviness and maltiness to be a barley wine but loads of hops to keep it directly on the Stone Brewing map.  The Double Bastard was bracingly bitter but boozy and smooth all in one bastardly package.  I love this one twice as much as the Arrogant Bastard and will look forward to it every fall.  Are you worthy of the Double Bastard?

Stone Double Bastard

The Brü Revü – Victory Yakima Glory

The Yakima Glory uses fresh hops from the Yakima valley played off dark roasted malts in this seasonal offering from Victory.  I miss the release of this beer every year, but not this time!  This is a Dark IPA or Black IPA that is one of the best I have had.  It poured a deep ruby brown with a full tan head and loads of hops on the nose.  Below the hops there was a hint of sweet malt that subdued the hoppy aroma.  The taste was a front load of big juicy hops that faded into a bitter burnt chocolate and sweet toasted malts.  The two flavors played well with each other and brought out the shining attributes of each while not allowing the other to take over.  There was loads of flavor and lots of dynamic tastes to be had … and I had and had and had some more.  A delicious beer with plenty of flavor to spare.  Perfect for these winter months when a dark brew is appropriate, but with enough hops to keep my palate singing. Yum!

Victory Yakima Glory

The Brü Revü – Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Oatmeal Stout

I saved the Oatmeal Stout from the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp set for last because it seemed like the best way to finish off the set.  This is the darkest, biggest looking beer of the bunch and it says it’s a perfect after dinner treat.  It poured a deep black with a substantial khaki head and heavy dark chocolate and roasted malts on the nose.  The taste was very smooth with light carbonation for such a heavy looking brew.  There were hints of chocolate, sweet roasted malt, and some oatiness with a bit of hop bitterness on the very end. This Oatmeal stout was like a toasty oatmeal dark chocolate chip cookie with the slight bitterness keeping it from becoming overly sweet.  I haven’t had many stouts from Sierra Nevada, but this was a great one.  With a few months in the fridge I would expect this stout to mellow and be even better.  It is a perfect quaff for these cold winter days. 

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Oatmeal Stout

Pint Glass Nights - January 2013

Misc. pint glass nights around Austin for January.  Buy the beer, keep the glass.

Gingerman – Mondays, at 6 PM
Jan 07 Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Jan 14 Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
Jan 21  Duvel Splatter Art Glass
Jan 28 Real Ale Devil’s Backbone

The Tavern – Tuesdays
Check their facebook page for glass updates

Zax Pints and Plates – Wednesdays, at 6 PM
Jan 02 Widmer Brothers Brrr
Jan 09 Boulevard Nutcracker Fresh Hop Ale
Jan 16  Guinness
Jan 23 Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (Ballast Point in TX!  this confirms the rumor and a great beer too!)
Jan 30 Rahr and Sons Iron Joe Cask Conditioned

Flying Saucer  - Wednesdays, at 7 PM
Jan 02 Bosteels Pauwel Kwak
Jan 09 Ballast Point
Jan 16  TBD
Jan 23 TBD
Jan 30 TBD

Draught House – Wednesdays
Check their twitter page for glass updates

Red's Porch – Thursdays, at 5 PM
Check their events page for glass updates

The Brü Revü – Lagunitas Brown Shugga

Brown Shugga is Lagunitas’ winter seasonal that was briefly replaced last season for the exceptional Lagunitas Sucks.  While I loved Lagunitas Sucks I am happy Brown Shugga is back.  The brew poured a deep amber with ample head that billowed quickly and lasted throughout.  The aroma is sweet hops, that is a good hop scent with sweet toffee and malt all rolled into one.  The first taste was a wow moment.  The full on signature Lagunitas hop profile with loads of the sweet malt and toasted sugary goodness to make for a perfect beer.  It is definitely unique to say the least and dangerously easy to drink..  Not quite an IPA and not quite a barley wine, but a great brew nonetheless. I love all of Lagunitas’ beers and this may be my favorite.  It’s a shame it only comes once a year, and it disappears fast!

Lagunitas Brown Shugga