Southern Tier 2XIPA

I've had Southern Tier's 2XIPA a couple times in the past, back before I really started to appreciate and enjoy the bold hoppiness IIPAs are known and loved for.  Back then, I was just getting started with training my palate, and I remember feeling a little overwhelmed by this beer.  I was able to hide one of these from my husband last time we got a ST variety pack, and I've been looking forward to trying it again:

Vittles:
Imperial IPA
8.2% abv

Score:
Appearance: 9/10
Aroma: 23/25
Taste: 37/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Style: 5/5
Drinkability: 8/10
Overall: 90/100

Impression:
It pours out beautifully, and the creamy head has decent linger but leaves only spotty lacing.  The aroma packs a strong floral, pine, and fruity/citrus punch with biscuit, cracker, toffee, and grass in the background.  The flavor follows suit nicely, with a surprising and pleasant floral aftertaste -- I was expecting more of a pine/citrus/grapefruit aftertaste.  I wouldn't say this is an overly bitter beer, though the flavors are full and bold.  The mouthfeel is moderately carbonated and fairly smooth, finishing with a bit more crispness than I expected.  Overall, it's not a huge powerhouse of an IIPA, but it is a very well balanced beer that showcases the hops characteristics nicely.

Cheers!

Shock Top Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat

I'll admit it -- I actually kind of like Shock Top (the horror!  "real" craft beer geeks would never enjoy a beer made my A-B!).  I came across a pretty new variety (so new it isn't even listed on their website as of my writing this post) last time I put together a sixer -- Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat:

Vittles:
American Wheat or Rye Beer
5.5% abv

Score:
Appearance: 8/10
Aroma: 20/25
Taste: 33/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Style: 4/5
Drinkability: 8/10
Overall: 81/100

Impression:
If you've ever had any Shock Top varieties, you know about 90% of what to expect with this beer.  It poured out a decent head with great retention but left no lacing as it drank down.  The aromas and flavors are yeasty, malty, slightly spicy, and mild, but there are some moderate honey notes both in the nose and on the tongue.  The honey character was a little cloying at first, and my husband found it to be too sweet for his tastes.  I really don't smell or taste any evidence of bourbon stave aging, which is a little disappointing.  I was hoping for something a little more distinct than the rest of Shock Top's offerings, but I guess they don't want to stray too far from the base formula.  Overall, it's not bad.  If you like any of the other ST beers (even in secret), you should give this one a try.

Cheers!

Bullfrog Two Headed Dog Dubbel

There's a brewery in Williamsport, PA called The Bullfrog Brewery.  A lot of people in the area really seem to like it, but I'm not quite so fond of their beers, though I do give them a fair shake.  I've tried samplers before (my husband finds many of their beers completely unpalatable), and I can drink it, but I'm not fond of it.  Anyway, I was out with a couple friends the other night to see a concert, and after the concert, we wound up at the Bullfrog.  I decided to try their Two Headed Dog Dubbel:

Vittles:
Belgian Dubbel
8% abv

Score:
Appearance: 8/10
Aroma: 19/25
Taste: 30/40
Mouthfeel: 8/10
Style: 4/5
Drinkability: 7/10
Overall: 76/100

Impression:
It reached my table with a decent head, and the head did have some linger to it.  I could smell some muted Belgian notes, but I was sorry to see that they were so subdued.  The banana and clove esters were hinted at, but the caramel and toffee notes from the malt bill were more apparent, as was a mild dark fruit character (raisins).  I was pleased to note some spiciness in the flavor in addition to the profile that carried from the nose.  However, I did notice an off-flavor that I have noticed in my own homebrew, and I think it comes from the brewing liquor.  Central PA doesn't have a very good mineral balance in the water, and I think I'd like the Bullfrog's beers better if they could adjust for those off-flavors.  All in all, it's really not that great of a dubbel.  I have yet to actually like any Bullfrog beers, but I'm willing to give them another shot.

Cheers!