Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin

9.0 % Alch by Vol


The pour introduced an inviting amber color with a thin white head. The nose was a potent with sweetness and alcohol, without very much pumpkin. With the first sip comes sweetness combined with alcohol and pumpkin on the finish. My own opinion on pumpkin beers is that they should be spiced and remind me of the much awaited dessert on Thanksgiving. However, with Shipyard's take, I did not have that. It was a fine beer, but not what I was looking for in a pumpkin beer.

Avery - The Kaiser

I gave this a try on a relaxing Friday night. It isn't one of my favorites, but it is tasty. It has the base of a smooth Octoberfest, but then since it is an imperial, you are kind of overwhelmed with alcohol. It is not an easy one to drink, but it has good base with an octoberfest sweetness.

Samuel Smiths - Oatmeal Stout

This beer has won itself in my rotation of beers. It is affordable and delicious (even to someone who does not enjoy stouts too much). It does start with a slight smell of soy sauce, but that is quickly gone. With the first taste came a sweet rich stout with a smooth chocolately finish. It is quite smooth for a stout, but not for anyone who enjoys a light see-through beer. This is a complex and rich beer.
I had this for the first time in Santa Fe, New Mexico with some friends and enjoyed it. Since then I've had it a handful of times with Philip and it is now one of our favorites!

Ayinger - Brau-weisse

Brau-weisse - 5.1% Alch by Vol

It has a warm hefeweizen color and smells quite sweet. The beer is over all light and low key which makes it a very drinkable beer. It has hints of fruit with some floral taste that comes through. On the finish it is slightly bitter, but it lingers just enough. This is a buy-again if I am in a mood for a light beer (in comparison to my usual porter), especially to pair with dinner.

I received this, along with three other beers, for Christmas from my sister. I look forward to writing about the others!

Port Brewing - Old Viscosity

Old Viscosity - 10.5% Alc by Vol

The initial smell of this beer is quite potent, especially with the smell of alcohol. There is a good amount of carbonation that is usually not high in darker beers. It is smokey rather than chocolatey with a delicious taste of burnt wood. It is a simple tasting beer that doesn't put your taste buds on a roller coaster ride. It is a fantastic, smooth, rich porter. This is a buy-again for sure.