2011, a fine year for beer indeed. My top picks came from a mix of collaborations, veteren craft brewers, younger, old styles, and new. Most notable was Summit's Black Ale, which is the best I've tried in the emerging Black Ale/Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale style. Unfortunately, it's a one-off by the St. Paul brewers, but at least I got another six-pack from my loving family for Christmas.
Summit Black Ale
Summit Brewing Company
American Black Ale | 6.50% ABV
4.47/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A little research shows this is the same brewer that made up the very very tasty India Rye Ale last year. This beer does what many dark ales fail, or at least fail to master, the balancing the lighter upfront hoppy notes with the rich dark malts. This beer smells like fresh grapefruit and citrus fruit sitting on top of toasty cocoa barley. Yum. The flavor follows up with a bigger malt kick and hint of wheat and caramel sneaking in as the pine and orange peel build on the chocolate malt throughout the finish. This is one of the best black IPAs I've had, right up with, maybe above, Deschutes' Hop in the Dark.
Biere De L'Amitie
Brasserie St. Feuillien
Belgian Strong Pale Ale | 9.50% ABV
4.38/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Served in a Duvel tulip, it was a hazy gold with a tall white head. There was a big grassy aroma that reminded me of Saison Dupont. After that big herbal hops hit, it immediately mellowed into a fruity yeast spice with fresh pale barley. It's a damn delicious mix and I wish I could find more of this beer. It's light on your tongue, really too drinkable for the alcohol, and holds a great complex mix of Belgian flavors.
Red Poppy Ale
The Lost Abbey
Flanders Red Ale | 5.50% ABV
4.38/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I'm not always a fan of the Flanders sours, but this tones down the creamy sweetness of a Duchess into a mellow cherry and strawberry character over biting citrus and sour tang. I'm most impressed by the balance of the different flavors, rolling from one to the other instead of just covering each other up. Find this beer.
(512) Pecan Porter
(512) Brewing Company
American Porter | 6.80% ABV
4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Upfront I got a blast of sweetened coffee with chocolate liqueur and caramel underneath. It was both satisfying to have after dinner, but didn't fill me up. After the Live Oak Hefe, this is the next must-try beer in Austin.
32/50
COAST Brewing Company
Kölsch | 4.80% ABV
4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
It poured a hazy yellow with a tall white head. Wow, this has every nuanced flavor you'd expect from a kolsch, but dialed to 11. I'm not saying this is over the top, or too rich, or even unbalanced. It's like the brewery has just found a better way to make a kolsch, one that surpasses any German original I've tried.
Anyways, the beer opens with a light sulfur and mineral-rich water in the aroma and flavor.That's quickly followed up by dry, toasty grains and a light touch of a caramel and honey. A mild hit of earthy hops kicks in with a little lemon citrus, but then the beer returns to the clean, place barley.
Before I know it, I've nearly finished off the bomber. This is a hell of a session beer, but also something you could slowly sip and pick apart. Hell of a beer.
Malheur 12
Brouwerij De Landtsheer NV
Quadrupel (Quad) | 12.00% ABV
4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Served in a stemmed Malheur glass, it appeared a hazy red with a short tan head. While this beer was a bit of a sipper, I was impressed by how smooth it was for the strength and that it was relatively drinkable compared to other 12% beers. The flavor was dominated by sweet vanilla and plum, with berry fruits and typical subtle Belgian spicing in the background. The hops were there mostly for balance and contributed little to the taste. Heck of a quad, one of the best I've had.
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