Last Week's Round Up

Alright people,

Let's take a look at what went on last week for me beer-wise.

On Wednesday (or maybe it was Thursday) I tried Stone's Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean. I absolutely LOVE vanilla flavors in dark beers, so I was really looking forward to this one. You can read my review here, but I was fairly disappointed. I think that the smoked flavor kinda killed this one for me. There is something I just don't get in using smoke flavors in beer, they just overpower every other flavor. Oh well, among smoked beers I've had, this was the best. The vanilla does come through a little and brings it back.

Thursday night was a classic college Thirsty Thursday, but before I went out with some friends I managed to get a review in. This time it was out of the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp box, and it was the Oatmeal Stout. I think this is the first second time I've had an Imperial Oatmeal (the other time being Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. form Hoppin Frog). It was an interesting experience, and not quite as good as the B.O.R.I.S., although it's at a disadvantage because it isn't barrel aged. Good flavors throughout, but slight thin and with a little sour flavor that was off at the end. Full review here.

Highlight of the weekend: trying my first Russian River sour; Supplication. (review) This came to me in a trade (as did the Stone above), and it was one of the cornerstones of the trade. I've been trying more and more sours when I come across them, and I was excited due to this one's high ranking. To top it off, my girlfriend was there to try it. I made the mistake (for me and my wallet) of having her try all my beers, and as she's not a beer fan, she likes the sour and fruity ones almost exclusively. Anyway, the cherries were big in this one, but not in the way a kriek would be. Great, complex sour flavors form the pinot barrels mixed with the cherries make for a treat of a drink.

There she is! Last week was a good beer week when you count in the great beers drank and the great beers received. Be on the look out soon for my take on the Reds season, playoffs here they come! Until next time, cheers!

-Chris