The last year-in-review blog you'll read: Best Beers of 2008

Although I drink, sample, and review hundreds of beers in a given year, I come nowhere close to encompassing the spectrum of beer available in any given year. The following are simply the five best beers I sat down to write about in 2008. That's not to say they aren't world-class or fucking delicious, because they are. I'm just saying there's always the chance of better beer being out there.

#1 - Trappist Westvleteren 12
Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)
Quadrupel

A / 4.45
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | drink: 5

A year after trading with Leftmindedrighty, I finally decided to crack this baby open.

It's pours a dark, slightly hazy brown with a thin tan head. The aroma has a hint of cardboard, but otherwise its smooth, Belgian chocolate with a hint of fruit. The flavors going on in the beer are nuts. I'm blown away by the complexity. Just running down the list of flavors in my notes I got: chocolate (lots of it), grassy/herbal hops, caramel, candi sugar, medjool dates (really sweet dates), and cola. Everything is very smooth and one flavor melts into the next.

I tried to be skeptical, but this truly is divine beer. I had this back to back with the St. Bernardus 12, but there's not much comparison. The Bernardus is lighter in color and thus has more fruity flavors than chocolate. I love Bernardus, but if Westy 12's were just as available, it'd be my go-to.

Reviewed on: 04-19-2008


#2 - 16 Grit Ale

Surly Brewing Company
American Double / Imperial IPA

A / 4.4
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | drink: 5

Cool, I get to be the 10th review. Thanks to kroggdawg for sharing his growler. Frankly, I've gotten tired of imperial this and double that lately, but this beer rocked. It was complex in flavor, yet drinkable for the average hophead and still something different. It seems like most brewer just throw the C-hops (cascade, chinook, centennial, etc) at their DIPAs and let er' rip. This can make a good DIPA, but I've have enough of those.

Right off the bat this beer reminds me of Orange rum and then once I ponder the flavors, I realize it's similar to Surly's delicious Bitter Brewer. Orange citrus hops are the big flavor and aroma note for me in what is a surprisingly appropriately balanced DIPA. There are more pine and grapefruit in the background with subtle cinnamon spices and a very slight vanilla note. Jesus, this is good. I know I'm not the first or last person to say this, but I wish there was more of this beer. Easily one of my favorite DIPAs, better than Pliny the Elder even. If you can ever find this baby, drink it before someone else does.

Reviewed on: 12-31-2008


#3 - St. Bernardus Abt 12

Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Quadrupel

A / 4.4
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | drink: 4
rDev: -0.5%

You know, the last couple times I've had this beer it was on tap and I found it sweet and fruity, but unimpressive. The bottle I had, however, was damn good.

Poured into a red wine glass, its a slightly hazy brown and light tan head. Rich smell of dark fruit malts that gives way to the cherries and blackberries in the flavors that roll over your tongue with a mellow caramel. It finishes with a grassy hops note that stands up to the big malts and adds a wonderful balance. This bottle ran out too quickly.

Reviewed on: 01-13-2008


#4 - Bell's Batch 8000

Bell's Brewery, Inc.
Witbier

A / 4.35
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | drink: 4.5
rDev: +10.1%

Witbier, what? This tastes more like a big fruity and spicy saison or Belgian strong pale ale. It feels crisp on my tongue with a lot going on. There's the mild, bitter orange peel hops undertone that reminds me a touch of Saison Dupont. The yeast character has ligher fruit flavors, like candied blueberries and cherries, along with gentle-feeling spices like coriander and white pepper that especially come out in the aroma. The malt and wheat play the part of a sweet background for the fruit and spices to play on and overall this beer reminds me of Brooklyn's Local 1.

I think this might be my favorite Bell's beer to date. Don't get me wrong, Two Hearted rocks, but this beer is on another level for me.

Reviewed on: 02-05-2008


#5 - Creme Brulee (Imperial Milk Stout)

Southern Tier Brewing Company
American Double / Imperial Stout

A / 4.35
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 5

Picked up a bomber at Abe's and shared it with some friends on a Friday afternoon. The general first taste response was something along the lines of, "holy sh-t!"

It smells pretty spot on like vanilla custard and creme brulee. Damn. There's a slight bite to this beer that hints at the 10% strength and the flavor pales a bit compared to the deep and rich aroma. Still, more custard comes out on the palate with a mocha edge. The flavors here so vividly recall cream and vanilla desserts that it's easy to forget this is a stout. The balanced body and relatively thin (for a 10% stout) body also make this as drinkable as any sessionable stout.

This beer is, simply put, nuts. It's a great example of extreme beer and American brewers pushing the boundaries of what beer can beer. Bravo Southern Tier.

Reviewed on: 08-01-2008