Calling All Hopheads- Avery Dugana Is Here!

It's no secret that I love double IPAs. Needless to say I was excited to see this Avery Dugana on a recent beer run. The commercial description is as follows:

"Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! As fervent devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became “unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma.” Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience."

Original gravity:1.076, 
ABV: 8.5%
IBUS: 93


I just popped it open and  I can confirm that this is a very nice beer (as long as you love lots of bitterness). The caramel malt profile provides a nice backdrop to the brutal grapefruity bitterness. The finish is dry with a long clingy, resiny hoppiness. This style of beer has a very short shelf life, so grab one soon. I bought mine at Midtown Wine and Spirits, but they had their bottles stored near the window (that's bad for the beer and I wish they would stop that practice). Any liquor store with a craft beer selection should have this one on the shelves. Expect to pay around $7 per 22 ounce bottle. Cheers

Smitty

What's New- February 2010

Rumor has it that Boulevard Dark Truth and Rye on Rye should be hitting the shelves any day now. These are part of the highly regarded "Smokestack Series." Caldera Brewing beers are finally on the shelves- Pale Ale, Nut Brown, and IPA. I just picked up a six of the Caldera IPA and it does not disappoint. If you are a fan of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA or Sweetwater IPA- Caldera IPA is right up your alley.


Stone Brewing Co. fans will be happy to know that their lower gravity offering Levitation Ale is now available in craft beer stores.


Rumor has it that North Carolina-based Foothills Brewing Co. will be in Nashville soon. I am very excited about this news. Trust me when I say that they brew some great stuff, including their double IPA. Stay tuned for more details.  Please post any other new beer sightings in the comments section.

Cheers!

Smitty

Cellar Check: 2007 Schlafly Reserve Barleywine Style Ale

Over the next few months, I am going to open beers from my cellar (beer collection). My collection has grown too large and many beers may be on the decline. Cellaring beer can be rewarding, but it's easy to get carried away to the point that some beers age past their prime. I have learned this the hard way. Some beers age gracefully and others don't.

I decided to start opening all the wood aged beers first. Barrel aging exposes more of the beer to oxygen, thus speeding up the oxidation process. Sometimes oxidation can compliment the beer (sherry notes) and other times it ruins the beer (staleness and wet cardboard).

I blew the dust off the bottle of a 2007 Schlafly  Reserve Barleywine Style Ale. This beer was oak aged, thus moving it to the front of the line. This was stored at room temp for about 3 years. To my surprise, this beer has held up. The hops have faded significantly, bringing the caramel malt profile to the front. The oak is very pronounced on the finish, adding dryness and spice. I also pick up some accents of vanilla. This is definitely in the American style of barleywine, and not overly sweet or sticky. I sense a very very small amount of sherry, which means this beer is at the early stages oxidation. I am not sure that the sherry and oak are going to merge well on the palate. In my opinion, I think three years may be the limit on this one. If I grab another bottle, I may split the difference and go with 18 months in hopes of it having more hop presence. Look for this beer at any liquor store with a good high gravity beer selection. Definitely recommended if you like barleywines.

Cheers!

Smitty

New Brew Alert! Caldera Brewing Company

I get so excited when a new brewery enters the Nashville market. I would like to welcome Oregon-based Caldera Brewing Company. They will be offering the IPA, Amber Ale, and Pale Ale. These will be available in cans, which is even better. I prefer cans over bottles because there is less oxidation and no exposure to light. Oh yeah- and I don't have to empty the trash in my office as often. If they are not already on the shelves, they should be any day. Let's show the newcomer that we support craft beer. Please post any sightings in the comments section so I can do a review.

Cheers

Smitty