97....The Beast

NLT: Now like the first Avery beer I was expecting a HUGE hit to the face with something so fiercely named the Beast. Boy was that wrong. Instead I almost puckered from the semi-sour cherry flavored beer. I have had fruity tasting beer before, but this one tops the cake, I detect candied pineapple, lots of sour cherry, and maybe a teeny tiny taste of orange. This beer tastes like a cherry that has been soaking in rum for the past year. And come to think of it, the color kind of looks that way as well! I must say though, this beer is very much misnamed in my opinion. I have never met a demon that reminds me of fruit. Well come to think of it I have never met a demon, but I think The Beast belongs in a different series other than the Demon. That being said, I really enjoyed the beer and think it would be tasty with high end Chinese.

JFT: The Beast is listed as a "Grand Cru" style. Grand Cru is translated to "first born". Not only is it a Belgian style sour brown, but it has also meant that the Grand Cru beer is (and always has been) the very best beer a brewery makes. Tart, sour and full of fruit… (NLT: OOOOH! NOW I TASTE RAISINS!!) JFT: Yes dear, you do taste raisins. The flavor profile mirrors what you would find in a quality tawny port; Lots of sweet golden raisins. And if that weren't enough then on the back of your tongue you get hit with figs and an herbal thing that I can't even describe. It is, for lack of a better term, fascinating. While not a high in ABV as the Mephistopheles, you taste more booze, but somehow it's not as hot, because fruits like cherries, and raisins and figs CAN mask high octane beers. This is a perfect dessert beer, and would pair beautifully with a creamy cheese and walnuts.


http://www.averybrewing.com/index2.html

98...Mephistopheles

John and I took a trip to Colorado in October of 2009. While there I let John plan our activities, well no surprise he added quite a few breweries to our itinerary. But I must not complain because out of the experience we found our FAVORITE Brewery- Avery. We were not able to sample any of the Demon series while we were there, but to our delight they now carry Avery in WI and number 98 and 99 are two of the three Demon series beers.

http://www.averybrewing.com/index2.html

NLT: With a name like Mephistopheles it better knock you off your feet...and this sure did! Seriously I don't think I can drive after one sip--my face is already flushed! Never mind the almost 16% alcohol content, this is one BIG, BOLD beer. When I poured it into the glass it was like molasses, now I love bold thick beers, and the smell was that of brown sugar--I was getting so excited. I took my first sip and I am pretty sure tears started rolling down my face from the power that is Mephistopheles. Now for those of you non-beer drinkers, I wouldn't even smell this stuff. Don't get me wrong...I'll keep drinking it, but I think I will stick to my Avery favorite next time, White Rascal: http://www.averybrewing.com/index2.html.


JFT: I have never been smacked in the face with a flavor the way I was with Mephistopheles...EVER. Instantly you are hit with massive aromas of coffee, dark roast. Then all the boozy overtones pop in. It's hot on the palate because the huge alcohol content cannot be masked even by the molasses, caramel, coffee, and deep, super dark chocolate notes. Each flavor is so pronounced, so "high end". The coffee note is a better smelling coffee than anything Alterra makes. The chocolate feels like 90% cacao and it's beautifully bittersweet. A final word of warning; drink this beer with a meal, because it can be very dangerous on an empty stomach!

99....Pumking Beer

NLT: It is fall...the leaves are falling, a pumpkin is rotting on my front porch, and there is candy corn in the candy dish. The only thing that can make this fall experience better--Pumpkin flavored beer! Now I have tried my fair share of pumpkin beer, and usually it tastes very fall like, but never like actual pumpkin. I have found my match in the Pumking. This beer tastes like a pumpkin flavored candle smells. Yes, you heard me. Not only did I taste pumpkin, but nutmeg, cinnamon and a HUGE caramel after taste. Don't let the light color of the beer fool you--it is for real! If you like pumpkin, this is a beer you don't want to miss. However I do suggest splitting the 22oz bottle, aside from the 9% alcohol, it does get overwhelming after awhile.

JFT: Southern Tier out of New York is a fantastic brewery that is readily available in Milwaukee. I've had a number of their IPAs but the finest and most original creation of theirs is this, their fall seasonal, Pumking. The beer is velvety smooth on the palate due first from the addition of REAL pumpkin puree, and second from the almost lack of head. The creaminess only heightens the bright pop of Thanksgiving spices and that same cream melds perfectly with the caramel overtones at the end. Be wary though! This 9%er can knock you down if you're not careful, but due to its beautiful richness, it's very appropriate to share. Also, be careful not to serve this too cold or you'll miss out on all the beautiful spicy notes that this beer plays so well!


(Note: We will always include a link to the beer and the brewery at the end of our blog, check under seasonal to learn about the Pumking!)

http://www.southerntierbrewing.com/beers.html

Husband and wife team, John and Naomi used to force themselves to be civilized by drinking fine wine; and while a glass of wine is great ever once in awhile, deep down they both just wanted a beer. Not just any beer…but a $10 a bottle unique beer. They have now given in to the realization that they are NOT wine snobs, but beer snobs. The two once thought their desire for beer was low-class, but now they know there is more to beer than Miller Lite and Corona. They have since opened their minds and their stomachs to some crazy brews ranging from Wells Banana Bread Beer to Simcoe IPA. (To learn more about their specific beer preferences see John and Naomi’s about me section)

Please join us as we explore 99 crazy beers, we will share our thoughts and opinions and encourage others to join us as we taste our way to down to number 1.

John and Naomi