The Brew Basement

Name: Samael’s Oak Aged Ale
Brewer: Avery Brewing Company
Style: English Strong Ale
Vintage: 2006
Bottled On: May 2006
Cellared On: Sept 7th, 2007
Original Tasting: October 11th, 2007
I have to admit I was a bit concerned when I noticed the bottling date of May 2006 on this beer (after I had already bought it, of course). With already nearly a [...]

Name: Chocolate Stout
Brewer: Rogue
Style: Chocolate Stout

Cellared On: August 4th, 2007
Original Tasting: September 9th, 2008
You can almost see the thought process here: Hmmmm…..I like chocolate…..and I like beer……why not chocolate beer?
Rogue’s Chocolate Stout is the first Chocolate Stout I’ve tried, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the style. It poured very dark, with [...]

Name: Immort Ale
Brewer: Dogfish Head
Style: American Strong Ale
Cellared On: August 16th, 2007
Original Tasting: August 24th, 2007
Dogfish Head’s Immort Ale is a wild take on a American (or Scottish) Strong Ale. Brewing this ale with maple syrup and then aging it in Oak give it that traditional Dogfish twist.
This beer poured a deep brownish/red color with [...]

Name: Black and Blue
Brewer: Dogfish Head
Style: Fruit
Cellared On: July 13th, 2007
Original Tasting: July 20th, 2007
Yes, it’s another Dogfish Head beer review from Jason. I hope you’re not getting tired of reading them. I’m certainly not getting tired of drinking them!
Having already enjoyed the fruit and beer experience from Dogfish twice before (my Aprihop review, my [...]

Name: Gonzo Imperial Porter

Brewer: Flying Dog
Style: Porter
Cellared On: August 3rd, 2007
Original Tasting: August 18th, 2007
Wow. I just had the best porter of my life on a hot August afternoon. Who would have thought?
I poured this black gem of a porter into my pint glass and watched a lacey toffee-colored head form. Smells of roasted malts [...]

Name: Aprihop
Brewer: Dogfish Head
Style: IPA
Vintage: 2007
Cellared On: July 13th, 2007
Original Tasting: July 13th, 2007
There’s no surprise when you pop open one of these beauties. The smell hits you right away - apricots and hops are in this brew, no doubt about it. Definitely one of the most fragrant IPA’s I can remember having.
This beer pours [...]

Name: Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout
Brewer: Samuel Smith Old Brewery
Style: Oatmeal Stout
Cellared On: July 7th, 2008
Original Tasting: July 8th, 2008
My first Oatmeal Stout in a long time, and damn, is this a good one. It pours very dark with a beautiful creamy head. I can taste the oatmeal, along with a bit of a chocolate as [...]

Name: Brutal Bitter
Brewer: Rogue
Style: ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
Vintage: 2007
Cellared On: June 29th, 2007
Original Tasting: July 3rd, 2007
Very flavorful, hoppy brew with a hint of sweetness too it. Definitely doesn’t live up to it’s name, it’s almost mellow. Nice clean finish.
Other then the hops, other flavors that have been noticed are grapefruit and other citrus fruit, [...]

Name: Chicory Stout
Brewery: Dogfish Head
Style: Stout
Cellared on: July 2nd, 2007
Original Tasting: July 3rd, 2007
Aromas of coffee and chocolate hit you before tasting. A smooth and well-balanced coffee flavor dominates this beer. Very light for a stout, with a creamy mouthfeel.
Other online tasters talk about the presence of milk chocolate and roasted malts in their tastings.
Darren [...]