We are very excited about two new beer reviews in the November 2010 issue of Beer Advocate. Part of the Beer Advocate magazine includes beer reviews conducted by the founders and editors (and brothers), Jason and Todd Alstrom. These two men are widely respected for their honest (and sometimes brutal) reviews. But our reviews are great!!! Read on...
(The information below is quoted directly from Beer Advocate magazine, issue #46.)
Hooigan Stout
After the cascading head subsides, the curtain of lacing becomes a show of its own; Stout-black color for this brew. Hints of coffee, charred wood, molasses, yeast, currants and carob fill the nostrils. So silky smooth and full bodied. Starts off a little burnt but never acrid--charcoal with iced espresso and baker's chocolate come to mind. Small dollop of sweetness from the malt and oats. Leafy hop bitterness struggles to even chip the maltiness, yet the flavor does compliment; the roasted flavors do most of the balancing here, and a lovely job at that. Old school is right, a flashback to what "microbrews" were and can still be. A big beer to wield but our trained palates embraced it to the last sip. SCORE: B+
Ruud Awakening IPA
The hoppiness helps dress the glass thick with lacing; hazed bronze glow in the light. Slight pungent tone in the hoppy nose, with suggestions of grapefruit and hemp oil. Smoothness runs deep in the medium-bodied ale. Hop bitterness shows that it is an IPA without being so brash that the other elements are pushed aside. Kiss of warmth from the alcohol. Malt holds strong with a dry-ish biscuit flavor. Citric and minty flavors from the hops cradle a subtle fruitiness and nutty yeast. Complex and balanced, drinkable and true to style. SCORE: A-
