Haul for 12/19 Part 2

While still Christmas shopping, I would drop by the Triangle Wine Company to get a few presents.  Me and my childhood friends usually gift alcohol to each other for Christmas.  While the usual gifts include hard liquor, my buddies requested some wine as a potential gift choice along with their usual selection of hard liquor.  I figured I'd buy them some wine and some (cheaper) liquor.  Of course, Triangle Wine Company sells more than just wine, and I ended up walking out with more beer.  Here's the haul:

• Stone Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard - I've never had a regular Arrogant Bastard, so I probably need to pick that up pretty soon so I can do a taste comparison.  That said, for a barrel aged brew, I thought the price was very reasonable and I opted to pick it up.  Price paid: $2.99
• Schilling Gold Cider - I've had a few ciders from Schilling and have had solid experiences.  This was a type I haven't had yet, so I figured I'd pick it up.  Price paid: $2.59
• Founders Devil Dancer IPA - A triple IPA?  I don't think I've had one of those before and wanted to give it a go.  Price paid: $3.99
• Mother Earth Snow Flurry Juniper Rye - I love the beer from Mother Earth and hadn't noticed this seasonal before.  Figured I'd grab it and try some time later in the future.  Price paid: $1.99
• Victory Mad King's Weisse - I wouldn't have picked it up if not for the fact that it was heavily discounted.  Perhaps it is an older seasonal and they're trying to get rid of stock or maybe it's a crap beer.  I don't know but considering the price I figured I'd give it a go.  Price paid: $2.99

Haul for 12/19 Part 1

For this particular haul, I was at World Market in Cary to pick up some Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.  I had some ideas to grab some wine for Christmas or New Years festivities.  I couldn't just get some wine without looking at the beer selection and I ended up walking out with no wine (I'd come back a few days later and take care of that) and 2 bottles of cider.  Here's the haul:

• Doc's Cranberry Spice Apple Cider - I've had some of Doc's before and the idea of cranberry with cider sounded like a great seasonal alternative.  I'm a big fan of Oceanspray's Cran-Apple.  Easy choice.  Price paid: $5.99
• Crown Valley Gingerbread Cookie Cider - C'mon, the name itself should warrant enough intrigue for a purchase.  Cider?  Check.  Gingerbread cookie?  Really?  How can this possibly go together?  Maybe this will be a hot mess and be the nastiest thing I've ever had, or someone found a way to unlock the magic and make this work.  I figured it was worth a try.  Price paid: $5.99

Haul for 12/15

A week later, I was back in Charlotte and found myself back in Total Wine again.  And just like the last time, I couldn't drop in without getting a little something back for myself.  Here's the haul:

• Heavy Seas Yule Tide - I wanted to get at least one beer that was reminiscent of Christmas since we were less than 10 days away.  I went with this one, then proceeded to not drink it right away, because that's what I do.  I'm sure sometime in March or April of next year, I'll get around to drinking it.  Price paid: $8.99
• Stone/Bale/4 Hands Sorry Not Sorry - I was most intrigued by the idea of a peach IPA.  Otherwise, I probably would have given this a pass or at least opted for a different Stone collaboration.  Price paid: $9.99

Haul for 12/8

While working in Charlotte, I dropped by a nearby Total Wine to pick up some drinks to go with dinner.  Didn't get too much, but I certainly made sure I didn't walk away empty handed.  Here's the haul:

• Shmaltz/Terrapin Reunion Beer 2015 - I've picked up the 2012 and 2013 versions in the past and really didn't think I'd go back to the well again, but the description of pumpkin and other spices that were added to this concotion got the best of me.  Price paid: $8.99
• Grand Teton 5 O'clock Shadow Double Black Lager - This happened to be on the table and was advertised as some kind of special or price cut.  Don't know if that was the case, but I liked the label and had never tried Grand Teton before, so I decided to give it a shot.  Price paid: $9.99

239. Bell's 30th Anniversary Ale

"Brewed to celebrate 30 years of inspired brewing, this big, bold stout honors all that has gotten us to this point - hard work, authenticity, and our commitment to quality.  Whether you choose to celebrate now or later, here's to the next 30 years."

This was the other beer that I had while watching UNC beat down NC State early and never look back.

Beer was poured into a stemmed snifter glass.  Almost jet black liquid with motor oil consistency coming out of the bottle, leaving a half finger of mocha colored head.  The aromas are quite evident, full of chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, and licorice.  Boozy on the nose too.  It's 11% ABV, so it's packing quite a punch.

There are tastes of chocolate, cocoa powder, bitter coffee, molasses, some dark fruit, and toasted wood.  While the nose is boozy the booze in the taste is masked very well.This brew is full bodied, with little carbonation.  Slightly chewy with the mouthfeel. 

It has been a while since I've enjoyed one of these big, bold imperial stouts and I remembered why I'm so fond of them.  While I'm partial to the style, this one was hitting all the right notes for me.  That said, while it is complex, I did prefer the likes of a BCBS over this one.  Still, you really can't go wrong with this one, and for the price, it's definitely a better value.

Grade: A-

Price Paid: $3.49 (12 oz bottle)

238. The Duck-Rabbit Marzen

Cracked open this bad boy while watching my beloved NC State Wolfpack in a rivalry game against UNC.  Needless to say, I wasn't terribly interested in drinking after the 1st quarter.  But I'm not one to let a good beer to waste.

Beer was poured into a stemmed snifter glass.  One finger of dirty-white colored head.  Ended up getting moderate to long retention with this one, leaving splotches of lacing along the sides.  There are aromas of caramel, biscuit, maybe a faint whiff of apples.  

This doesn't taste quite like a marzen, although it hits many of the same notes.  It starts out with the caramel sweetness and the finish is more hoppy and bitter than I recall from other beers of this style.  The apple taste is also more pronounced at the end.  Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Imagine a marzen that's a little more extreme on the front and back end and I think this is what you would get.  To me, if I was served this at Oktoberfest or something, it would be a pretty good beer but I don't know how sessionable it would be for me.  That said, if I was comparing this not against this style but as a beer that I would drink, it's pretty good.

Grade: B-

Price Paid: $1.79 (12 oz bottle)

  

Haul for 11/9

I had the chance to head to Whole Foods after my baby girl's visit to the doctor.  I didn't mean to get any beer, but I figured I'd splurge and grab at least one treat since I happened on be on vacation and everything.  Here's the quick haul:

• Wicked Weed Canvas Series Fille de Ferme - I had noticed this particular brew a week or two earlier but didn't want to pull the trigger and buy another beer.  This time, since I limited the purchase to this and this only, it was easier to justify.  The beer's description got my attention, with the only negative that the beer was refrigerated so I needed to consume quickly.  That said, a review is coming soon.  Price paid: $8.99