BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
BUYING I GUIDE 96 Russian River Temptation Blonde Ale Aged in Oak Barrels (American Wild Ale; Russian River Brewing Co, CA); 7.25% abv, $12/375 ml. This is a Belgian-style Blonde Ale aged in French oak Chardonnay barrels with brettanomyces for twelve months. Pours a slightly hazy gold color with a pillowy white head and good retention. Wild citrus and hay notes dominate the bouquet along with accents of barnyard and sour green grape. The mouth is full and creamy but acidic and lively, like a fine Champagne. Tart citrus and green gooseberry flavors flood the palate with a touch of ripe white cranberry lingering through the long finish. Refreshing, remarkably vibrant and beautifully balanced. 95 Allagash Curieux Ale Aged in Oak Bourbon Barrels (Tripel; Allagash Brewing, ME); 11% abv, $15/750 ml. Curieux (French for curious) is a Belgian Tripel Ale aged in Jim Beam barrels for eight weeks. Introduced in 2004, this is the June 2010 bottling, for which 825 cases were produced. The nose is loaded with spice, citrus, banana and sour stone fruit with vanilla accents. Big and weighty in the mouth with a lush roundness provided by the elevated abv. While the alcohol is noticeable it’s balanced by peppery spice and Bourbon notes mingling with stone fruit flavors. The moderate effervescence lightens the intense profile, leading through to a clean but lingering finish. 94 Beer INTO THE WOODS M any of the readers of this magazine understand the importance that oak plays in the world of wine. From different equipment choices (size of barrels, staves, chips) to varying sourcing regions and toast levels, there are so many ways that the oak a winemaker chooses can affect the end result of his or her vintage. Aging in oak is nothing new in the brewing world, either, but it’s certainly seen a resurgence over the past couple of years. Brewers are hot on the trend, with wood being snagged from almost anyplace they can imagine. From Bourbon and whiskey barrels to Madeira casks to used French Port Brewing Older Viscosity (American Strong Ale; Port Brewing Co., CA); 12.0% abv; $15/375 ml. The wine barrels, brewers are looking to add increased depth and complexity to their brews through the use of wood aging wherever they can find it, experimenting just like winemakers with the different sourcing, size, age and toast options to find the optimal vessel to hold their brews. This month we have a wide assortment of woodaged beer styles reviewed for your consideration. Depending on your personal preferences, not all these beers will hold equal appeal for you, but their overall complexity and depth of character coupled with achieved balance make them excellent examples so you can experience wood aging done right. Prost! —LAUREN BUZZEO appearance is almost shocking with its ink-black color, tar-like viscosity and intense bouquet. Melted milk chocolate and Bourbon-infused oak waft from the glass like a torched s’more, with hints of molasses, leather and malted milk following. The mouth is as intense as one would expect yet smooth and velvety, and though it’s boozy it’s remarkably balanced with rich roasted espresso and cocoa flavors. After the mocha subsides, the Bourbon takes center stage but then leads through to flavors of whoppers, licorice, dried cherries and raisins that linger on the finish. 93 Full Sail Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter (American Porter; Full Sail Brewing Co, OR); 9.85% abv, $10/22 oz. Part of the Brewmaster Reserve line of beers from Full Sail. Aged for about ten months in Bourbon casks from Kentucky, there’s no shortage of aromas or flavors here with loads of dark chocolate, Bourbon, oak and vanilla in the nose and mouth. Deep black in color with a roasted malt backbone and a glimmer of hop astringency on the back to keep it all balanced and the richness in check. The finish is endless and the beer is quite drinkable despite the high abv. 93 Samuel Smith’s Yorkshire Stingo (English Strong Ale; Samuel Smith Old Brewery, England); 8.0% abv, $13/550 ml. Aged in old cask-conditioned ale barrels for over one year after fermentation in Yorkshire Squares, this beer has a subtle complexity for a less over-the-top woodiness and refined character than other oak-aged brews. The aromas are typical for 7 8 | W I N E E N T H U S I A S T | D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0 THE WINE ENTHUSIAST BEER BUYING GUIDE The Beer Buying Guide is a summary of recent detailed evaluations and product ratings of a single reviewer, Assistant Tasting Director Lauren Buzzeo. Every tasting note is accompanied by a rating. Also noted are the full name of the product, beer style, alcoholic strength expressed as percent alcohol by volume, producer’s name, and the suggested/average U.S. retail price. If price cannot be confirmed, an $NA (not available) will be printed. Prices are for the bottle size or packaging indicated. TASTING METHODOLOGY AND GOALS Formal evaluation sessions occur in a professional tasting room. Beers are tasted alone; no formal reviews are ever conducted in the presence of any producer or industry representative. Samples are tasted blind in flights of no more than six products; the category being reviewed may or may not be divulged. Price is not a factor in the evaluation. ABOUT THE SCORES The numerical ratings correspond to quality in the following manner: Classic 98–100: The pinnacle of quality. Superb 94–97: A great achievement. Excellent 90–93: Highly recommended. Very Good 87–89: Often good value; well recommended. Good 83–86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value. Acceptable 80–82: Can be employed in casual, lesscritical circumstances. Certain beers are designated as Best Buys. Beers earning this designation offer a high level of quality in relation to price. There are no specific guidelines or formulae for determining Best Buys. Cellar Selections are beers that would be good candidates for cellaring. SUBMITTING BEERS FOR REVIEW Beers should be submitted to Wine Enthusiast’s headquarters at 333 North Bedford Road, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549. Inquiries and submissions should be addressed to Lauren Buzzeo at lbuzzeo@wineenthusiast.net. There is no charge for submitting beers, and Wine Enthusiast will make every effort to sample all beers submitted for review. There is, however, no guarantee that all submissions will be tasted, or that reviews will appear in the magazine. All submissions must be accompanied by a submission form, which may be downloaded from our website. LABELS Labels are paid promotions. Producers and their representatives are given the opportunity to submit labels, which are reproduced and printed along with tasting notes and scores. For information on label purchases, contact Denise Valenza by phone at 813.571.1122; by fax at 866.896.8786; or e-mail dvalenza@wineenthusiast.net. Find all reviews on our fully searchable database at buyingguide.winemag.com
an English old ale: sweet dark fruit, brown bread, caramel and oak, and the flavors are similarly intense with additional notes of dried dates, raisins and toffee. Medium weight with soft carbonation but exceptional balance, producing a sweet but not cloying drinking experience. 93 The Lost Abbey Framboise de Amorosa (American Wild Ale; Port Brewing Co., CA); 7.0% abv, $15/375 ml. A newer release that’s aged in oak barrels with raspberries, this is a great choice for wine lovers and serious beer enthusiasts with prominent wild yeast aromas and robust fruit flavors. Aromas of raspberry sauce, butter, cocoa and oaky spice fill the bouquet. The mouthfeel is silky and medium bodied with light carbonation, but the assertive acidity and tart raspberry flavors keep things lively and interesting. Definitely sour but well balanced and very food-friendly. 92 Founders Brewing Curmudgeon Old Ale (Old Ale; Founders Brewing Company, MI); 9.8% abv, $12/12 oz 4 pack. Brewed with molasses and then oak-aged, this is a balanced but strong beer perfect for those cold winter nights. Dark amber in the glass with great glimmers of red throughout. It smells rich and a bit warm with notes of caramel sauce, honeycomb, maple syrup, dried apricot and a hint of resin. The mouth is fairly heavy with a slight slickness to it. The dominating roastiness and sweet oak flavors are accented by soft hop bitters. 92 Uinta Crooked Line Series Labyrinth Black Ale (American Double/Imperial Stout; Uinta Brewing Co., UT); 13.2% abv, $12/750 ml. At a whopping 13.2%, you’d think you’re in for a brute of a beer, but this Imperial Stout brewed with licorice sticks and aged in oak barrels is one beautifully balanced and ageworthy selection. Black as night with an attractive nose of dark stone fruit, chocolate, roasted espresso beans, licorice, charred grain and vanilla. The aromas carry through to the mouth, where the toasted malt and nutty oak dominate the sweeter attributes of caramel sauce and burnt toffee. Creamy and robust with a slightly viscous feel, low carbonation and a lingering tannic bitterness on the close. W i n e M a g . c o m | 7 9
- Page 27 and 28: is drying and firmly tannic. Import
- Page 29 and 30: chestnuts and sage. Imported by Sco
- Page 31 and 32: delivers impressive extraction and
- Page 33 and 34: and drying mineral. It’s an elega
- Page 35 and 36: ground and the wine is bright, firm
- Page 37 and 38: 84 Marco Porello 2007 Torretta (Roe
- Page 39 and 40: fun, fresh and bright Barbera (aged
- Page 41 and 42: a firm, refreshing and spicy feel t
- Page 43 and 44: wine finishes with high, vibrant ac
- Page 45 and 46: 86 Heritage 2008 Blanc de Blancs (B
- Page 47 and 48: weight and density. Give it a few y
- Page 49 and 50: fruit. It offers waves of cherries,
- Page 51 and 52: 88 Starmont 2007 Merlot (Napa Valle
- Page 53 and 54: structured, but a delicious Pinot f
- Page 55 and 56: 87 Rangeland 2007 Zinfandel (Paso R
- Page 57 and 58: creamy notes to the underlying pine
- Page 59 and 60: 87 Farrier 2008 Hay Hook Sauvignon
- Page 61 and 62: 88 Schramsberg 2007 Blanc de Blancs
- Page 63 and 64: 89 Fidelitas 2006 Optu Red Wine (Co
- Page 65 and 66: 88 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Defiance
- Page 67 and 68: peachy fruit, honeysuckle and Engli
- Page 69 and 70: 87 Korta 2009 Estate Bottled Cabern
- Page 71 and 72: grape and price should smell like.
- Page 73 and 74: 86 Santa Rita 2006 Reserva Shiraz (
- Page 75 and 76: Viña La Rosa 2009 La Palma Sauvi-
- Page 77: 89 Scorpion Mezcal Anejo 1 Year (Sc
an English old ale: sweet dark fruit, brown bread,<br />
caramel and oak, and the flavors are similarly<br />
intense with additional notes of dried dates, raisins<br />
and toffee. Medium weight with soft carbonation<br />
but exceptional balance, producing a sweet but not<br />
cloying drinking experience.<br />
93<br />
The Lost Abbey Framboise de<br />
Amorosa (American Wild Ale; Port<br />
Brewing Co., CA); 7.0% abv, $15/375 ml. A<br />
newer release that’s aged in oak barrels with raspberries,<br />
this is a great choice for wine lovers and<br />
serious beer enthusiasts with prominent wild yeast<br />
aromas and robust fruit flavors. Aromas of raspberry<br />
sauce, butter, cocoa and oaky spice fill the<br />
bouquet. The mouthfeel is silky and medium bodied<br />
with light carbonation, but the assertive acidity<br />
and tart raspberry flavors keep things lively and<br />
interesting. Definitely sour but well balanced and<br />
very food-friendly.<br />
92<br />
Founders Brewing Curmudgeon<br />
Old Ale (Old Ale; Founders<br />
Brewing Company, MI); 9.8% abv,<br />
$12/12 oz 4 pack. Brewed with molasses and<br />
then oak-aged, this is a balanced but strong beer<br />
perfect for those cold winter nights. Dark amber<br />
in the glass with great glimmers of red throughout.<br />
It smells rich and a bit warm with notes of<br />
caramel sauce, honeycomb, maple syrup, dried<br />
apricot and a hint of resin. The mouth is fairly<br />
heavy with a slight slickness to it. The dominating<br />
roastiness and sweet oak flavors are accented<br />
by soft hop bitters.<br />
92<br />
Uinta Crooked Line Series<br />
Labyrinth Black Ale (American<br />
Double/Imperial Stout; Uinta Brewing<br />
Co., UT); 13.2% abv, $12/750 ml. At a<br />
whopping 13.2%, you’d think you’re in for a<br />
brute of a beer, but this Imperial Stout brewed<br />
with licorice sticks and aged in oak barrels is one<br />
beautifully balanced and ageworthy selection.<br />
Black as night with an attractive nose of dark<br />
stone fruit, chocolate, roasted espresso beans,<br />
licorice, charred grain and vanilla. The aromas<br />
carry through to the mouth, where the toasted<br />
malt and nutty oak dominate the sweeter attributes<br />
of caramel sauce and burnt toffee. Creamy<br />
and robust with a slightly viscous feel, low carbonation<br />
and a lingering tannic bitterness on the<br />
close.<br />
W i n e M a g . c o m | 7 9
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