Dogfish Head Golden Era Imperial Pilsner

Dogfish Head's Golden Era Imperial Pilsner is a new incarnation of Dogfish's Golden Shower. It poured a smaller head and a hazy gold color. This pilsner has a strong malt nose that contines through the first sip and into the mid-palate. The middle also has a slight citrusy, orange note. There is not much of a finish, and it seems like the beer "falls apart" after such a big beginning. This isn't a terrible beer, but it isn't all that great either. It seems that Dogfish tried to make this a big, huge pilsner with all of the malt but the beer seemed rough around the edges and not very smooth. At 9%, it packs quite a punch and I would definatly lay this one down for awhile and let it balance out. It would be interesting to see how this beer drinks in a year.

Anderson Valley's Hop Ottin' IPA

Our latest tasting was Anderson Valley's Hop Ottin' IPA.  This beer won the silver medal at the 2001 World Beer Championships.  It poured a clear, bronze color with a big head.  The smell gives off a very hoppy, very dry nose.  The first sip is very smooth and leads into a smooth, sweet, middle with a hint of caramel.  The sweet middle does not last long as the beer moves into a very dry, very long, bitter finish.  The beer is dry-hopped which leads to the very hoppy body.  Overall, I was not overwhelmed by this beer, but then again it is not my favorite style.  My final recommendation is to try it if you are a true IPA fan, but it is nothing all that amazing.      

Left Hand Haystack Wheat

We tasted Left Hand's take on the German wheat style at Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, NY. The Haystack wheat has 5% ABV and pours a medium sized head, and a cloudy hay color, which may be where the name comes from. The beer has a clean nose with not much on the hop or malt side. The first sip is crisp and there is not much to the body. There is not much flavor in the middle and almost none on the finish. If you are looking for a lighter styler beer for a hot summer day this is not a bad choice, but if your looking for a nice big beer to sip on, I would look elsewhere. Overall, it is not a terrible beer, but I probably wouldn't recommend it either.

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter

Flying Dog is at it again with their new porter. The Gonzo is a big beer and the ABV of 7.8% proves it. The beer poured a thin, brown head with a earthy, very malty nose. The first sip tells us alot with hints of caramel, chocolate, toffee, burnt sugar and grains. The middle has a sweet, creamy center and is big on the palate. Gonzo has a great, velvet mouthfeel with a lot going on. It is big on the palate. The beer has a very nice long, dry finish. Overall, this beer is a big porter and extremely enjoyable to sip on.