Abita Brewdog

I picked this up on a whim. I knew I would soon find myself in the warm embrace of Michigan brews, so I looked beyond my state’s boarders.

Abita Turbogod’s … er, Turbodog’s pour is dark and rich, almost like a porter or stout. It certainly has a dark coloration. I spilled a bit when I sneezed as you can see in front of the bottle. I am happy I had a second bottle in the refrigerator.

The aroma is wheat with some caramel.

Tongue feel is smooth and light.

Taste is overall … good. For the pour’s darkness and aroma’s wheatiness, it is undoubtedly an ale. It is not a wheat beer.

I would like to say that I “discovered” this on my recent trip to northern California. If you would like to believe that, I will not dissuade you of it.

It is North Coast Brewing Co.’s Red Seal Ale. I picked it at my local source because I was trying not to grab Michigan brews.

The color is a filtered amber.

The head dicipated quickly with lacing and some light head on the top.

The aroma is mild: not very hoppy, not very grainy.

The tongue feel is light.

Very hippy bottle.

The pour is rich golden brown. The aroma is hoppy and sweet.

The mouth feel is a bit thicker. It coats the tongue.

The hops and malts are there. It is not overly hop happy, but they’re definitely there.

The pour is a rich yellow brown. Think tanned leather bag.

The aroma is somewhat fruity but had to nail down. Allspice, maybe? A kind of Jamacan jerk jive?

The head is rich and foamy. It stays and it laces the glass well.

Oh, the taste! Damn, that’s good!

Initially you realize it tastes different. Not bad, mind you, just a different ale. Toward the vack of the mouth the taste starts to stand up and say ‘howdy’. In the back of the throat I feel the same tingle I get from my salsa (on the hot side) or a really well made spicy Caesar.

It’s important to note that the beer isn’t hot or spice, at least to my tongue.

The flavor really brings forth the fruitiness of the peppers.

Presentation

Typical MBC bottle with a Dutch colonial house on the coast. The bottle is dark.

Pour

The pour is a rich brown with almost no head. What is left is some lacing on the sides and a few bubbles.

Aroma

The smell is a bit of fruit and caramel .

Taste

It is light on the tongue. The flavor is mellow, slightly nutty and fruity, but not as much as one might expect from a typical brown ale.

Reviewer’s Grade

C+

From the Brewer

“This festive occasion beer follows the traditions of one of the oldest English brewing styles from the 16th Century.  The blend of malts provides a caramel and nut flavor with a deep coppery brown color with medium body, which is balanced with traditional English Kent Goldings hops.  The result is lighter in color and flavor than our porter and stout, yet provides plenty of rich nutty and toasted malt flavors.”

Statistics

Price/Quantity: $8.99/6 pack 12 ounce bottles
ABV: unknown
IBU: unknown
Calories: unknown
Suggested Glass: Pint glass
Website: Michigan Brewing Company

Presentation

Goose Island does a fine job of their labeling, if a bit boring and unassuming.

Pour

I left the brew in the bottle today. I’ll grab another to better describe.

Aroma

My current state leaves me short of breath. Therefore I cannot describe the olfactory essence.

Taste

The taste is mellow, especially compared to an IPA. It isn’t hoppy. It isn’t malty. It has a very smoth flavor that almost anyone would enjoy.

Reviewer’s Grade

B+

From The Brewer

“Toffee brown, medium-bodied, with a creamy head and an aroma of raisins and freshly baked dark bread. Mild Winter’s rich caramel malt and spicy rye flavors are sure to take the bite out of whatever Old Man Winter brews up for you this year.”

Statistics

Price/Quantity: $8.99/6 Pack
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 28
Calories:
Suggested Glass: Willi Glass
Web site: http://www.gooseisland.com/

“Wow!” was the first thing out of my mouth after tasting this 8.6 ABV ale.

I plan on picking up another of these to cellar. I’ll get the last two releases and look for the earlier ones. I paid about $8 for the 1 pint 6 ounce bottle.

Presentation

A 1 pint 6 ounce dark bottle with painted text and labels, it’s clear that Stone is making this for the long haul. Impressive and arrogant at the same time.

Pour

It pours with a great head.

Aroma

The nose feel is rich and complex. I’m too stopped up to get a good read on it, however. It is dark and thick, more porter than ale. Rich and creamy, kind of a toffee taste. There’s a faint citrus and clove taste, but my buds may be off.

Taste

It is hard to detect the alcohol, making it a deceptive brew. Spicy. Smooth. I would pair this with smoky barbecue, chili, or Ben & Jerry’s Heath Bar Crunch.

Statistics

Price/Quantity: $8/1 pint 6 ounce bottle
ABV: 8.6%
IBU: unknown
Calories: unknown
Suggested Glass:
Website: Stone Brewing