Now that every media outlet has published their top-whatever lists of 2007 and gotten that out of the way, I firgured its time to throw a list of top beers for 2007 down. This isn't anything terribly comprehensive, it just happens to be my favorite beers I drank in the last year. Self-indulgent? Probably. Delicious? Most definitely.
1) Surly Brewing Co. - Bitter Brewer - 4.5/5 [My highest rating to date]
appearance:4 | smell:3.5 | taste:5 | mouthfeel:5 | drinkability:5
On-tap at the Blue Nile.
Damn, I tried to come in skeptical on this one but it blew me away. It combines awesome hops with the mellow and subtle flavors of a true bitter. I'm knocked out that the true can separate. First a big fruity hops flavor with pineapple punch and citrus hit. Then really mellow vanilla and malt flavors shine through. This beer is deep - the flavors just keep coming. The only real fault I found is that the aroma didn't do much for me and there wasn't much lacing. Whatever on smell and appearance, this one tastes so good I dare say it might be the finest Surly yet.
I want more.
2) Southampton Publick House - Grand Cru - 4.5
appearance:4.5 | smell:4 | taste:5 | mouthfeel:4 | drinkability:4
Wow, this beer really impressed me and I can in fairly skeptical. I loved the balance between sweet malt and uncommonly assertive bitterness for the style. The flavor had lemon, spice, and funky cheese-like flavors, I also got vanilla, orange in there and even some grape in the initial aroma. I'm a little amazed this. It was spendy at $12 a bottle, but still one of the best Belgian beers I've ever had. Damn, find this.
3) Rogue Ales - Morimoto Imperial Pilsner - 4.45
appearance:4.5 | smell:4 | taste:4.5 | mouthfeel:5 | drinkability:4.5
On-tap at the Blue Tusk
This beer rocks, no question about it. I've been hunting good pilsners all summer and finally I find this and I'm blown away. It didn't even taste that big, it just tasted good. The hops standout, but don't dominate or overpower the beer. They're crisp, a little grassy, with citrus and herbs. The malt is pale with a touch of biscuit and that distinct slightly funky pilsner malt taste. It's perfectly balanced and wonderfully drinkable. I can imagine the only improvement being to add a little more malt character. But damn, this is good beer.
4) Goose Island - Bourbon County Stout - 4.4
appearance:4 | smell:4 | taste:4.5 | mouthfeel:5 | drinkability:5
Vintage 2007, 13% abv.
Easily the smoothest, tastiest ~13% beer I've ever had. Yes, it's a bit thick, but no more so than weaker double or imperial stouts. The aroma is rich with the bourbon which once on the palate, doesn't dominate, but compliments the strong, dark chocolate ad espresso flavors. Throw in a dash of oak and vanilla and you've got a hell of a beer. More please.
5) McKenzie Brew House - Saison Vautour - 4.4
appearance:4.5 | smell:4.5 | taste:4.5 | mouthfeel:3.5 | drinkability:4.5
2007 GABF Gold Medal Winner.
On-tap at the Malvern location. I'm told they brew this with a bit of rye, I don't know if I could taste that in the beer, but what I did taste was freakin' amazing. I'll just start by saying the only thing that seems off was the carbonation, the bubbles weren't fine like a good saison is. Mouthfeel aside, the flavor was all over the place, yet seemed balanced. It was sweet and bitter, funky and fruity, there's some spice, some white pepper and citrus rind. Yeah, just trust me that this is damn tasty. Find this beer while you can.
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