Review: 2004 Stone Old Guardian

I jumped at the opportunity to fill my growler with this retired beer this weekend at Stone Brewing Co. Offered as their Saturday Night Special, I couldn't help but speed up the 15 in hopes that some of this brew would be left for me. I was about 15th in line when I got there, but was still able to grab some.

A: Poured an amber/orange color barely penetrable to light, with plenty of carbonation (surprising). A nice, cream-colored 1.5 finger head layer tops my glass and fades slowly, leaving patchy lace down my glass.
S: Strong, sweet malty goodness abounds into my nostrils as I barely lift the glass to better observe the aroma. Classic Stone hop characteristic is still noticeable.
T: Very smooth! The taste is similar, but still quite departed from the way this beer smells. On nose, there is heavy alcohol and sweet malt notes. At taste, the malt sweetness continues, but the beer is very smooth and creamy. The body has a smooth, but strong alcohol (brandy-like) quality.
M: Rich, creamy and complex. Delicious from sip to swallow. A slight alcohol warming affect is noted.
D: I can't believe how good this beer is. I wish I had a fresh one to compare side by side, but from what I can remember this is still quite similar in some aspects. The taste has smoothed out substantially, but the nose reminds me of the fresh version.

mike d... beer connoisseur

Memories of a beer festival: Stong Ale 2007

Remembering a time when enjoying numerous beers in a setting, a mini glass and a pocketful of tickets. I stumbled upon this menu the other day and noticed quite a few beers that were there that I knew nothing about then, but would die for now. Oak Aged Yeti, Oaked Stone RIS and others to name a few.

Strong Ale 2007 Menu

Hamilton's Cafe - Now open!!!

I am so excited to say that Hamilton's Cafe is open and serving awesome food to go along with stellar beer in South Park. Not that Lei Back was not delicious, but Blair has stepped the game up with a eclectic menu offering only the finest gnosh at prices to save you a buck you can spend on beer. If you get the oppourtunity, you should grab a bite to eat and a beer to wash it down with.

I personally have tried the West Coast Grilled Cheese (twice) and love it. That sharp cheddar with avocado, tomato and pickle is awesome. The fries rock. The beer cheese soups was damn tasty. I've yet to be disappointed. Stop by and enjoy today!!

Menu: http://www.hamiltonstavern.com/pdf/menu.pdf

Review - Hair of the Dog Blue Dot IIPA

Its been a while since we've had new content here, so I thought I would pick the scab and let it bleed a bit. Kickin it off with a review of the infamous HOTD Blue DOT IIPA. Damn good beer!! I just brought back a few bottles of Blue Dot from the Great Bay Beer Trip and couldn't wait any longer to crack into one. Bottles are labeled Spring 2007, so I guess about a year old now. Noteworthy is the fact that when I popped this bottle, the head spewed for literal minutes. No joke. It went on, and on... and on! I don't know if it was the plane ride or just a mutant strain of yeast, but this shit would not stop. I eventually had to grab another glass to keep from losing all the beer down the drain. Anyways, to the meat:

A: Pours golden/yellow, but quite cloudy. The sediment/yeast flowed from the bottle right into my glass. The beer poured viciously, with never ending bubbly head, but this was tamed by pouring into two glasses.
S: Earthy hops and citrus aroma stand out at first nose. Notes of pineapple and a hay/grass smell are apparent.
T: Bitterness makes itself known, but does not overwhelm. Hops appear, but citrus balances them. I can't help but notice a continuance of pineapple or tropical fruit flavors. Hints of alcohol found, also.
M: Perfect body and balance! A great hoppy, bitter linger, with smooth, but slick wash down.
D: Damn!! Great beer. I knew this was going to be good, but this was REALLY GOOD! I wish I brought more home. It is just so deliciously hoppy and creamy. Keep your eyes open for HOTD wherever you are and grab a Blue Dot if you get the chance.

-Nate (nate_hughes@cox.net)

Great Bay Beer Trip

So Beer Squad minus one is back from San Fran and the surrounding area. Stories and pictures to be posted soon!!

A preview of the haul:

Holiday Ale Tasting

Eleven different Ales, blind tasting all with the holiday spirit. We tasted and we will tell.