January Grades and Ranks

Alright, my first post with the intention of tracking my beer consumption. I share my immediate thoughts on Twitter, which is the first grade in the parenthesis. The second grade is my "lasting impression/second consideration". Within the grades, they are ranked from top to bottom. I try not to drink much crap.

I plan to do one of these a month. Here is my January list.

-Ben.


[A]

#1 Pretty Things Babayaga. Wow, simply. Smoky, dark flavor with a medium body that does not diminish the cacophony of intense flavor. A 7:13 PM Jan 7th from web (A,A)
#2 Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti. First Beer '10: A, A+ with chocolate cake. 11:37 PM Dec 31st, 2009 from web (A,A)
#3 Allagash Wheat. Belgian Wheat. Simply one of the best session beers ever. It will never disappoint. A 7:46 PM Jan 27th from web (A,A)
#4 Smuttynose Farmhouse Ale. A saison with big coriander and lemony flavor. Each sip powerful, but once settled, makes you want more. A- 7:36 PM Jan 14th from web (A-,A)
#5 Iron Horse's Quilter's Irish Death. Dark Smooth Ale, which it was to a T. Really delicious, thick bodied ale. Smart, not-a-stout. A- 8:54 PM Jan 30th from web (A-,A)

[A-]

#6 Pretty Things Jack D'or. American Saison. Beautiful balance of lemon, coriander, and pepper. Like to have this about once a month. A- 9:20 PM Jan 31st from web (A-, A-)
#7 Harpoon Leviathan Porter. Big body, big taste. Tart like whiskey, but not pungent. Thick and lingering head until the end. A- 7:22 PM Jan 25th from web (A-,A-)
#8 Anchor Our Special Ale 2009. I love the use of herbs and spices to make this a very flavorful beer. Had a slight tin aftertase. B+ 8:04 PM Jan 9th from web (B+,A-)

[B+]

#9 Breckenridge Christmas Ale. Nice balance of herbs and spices, lighter body than Anchor's OSA. Great with the right food. B+ 6:59 PM Jan 12th from web (B+,B+)
#10 Dogfish Punkin Head. This isn't powerfully pumpkin like the last one. The spice is almost a subtle afterthought to a very good beer. B+ 11:29 PM Jan 23rd from web (B+,B+)
#11 Bear Republic Rebellion at the indo. super hops. Good body. b+ 5:43 PM Jan 3rd from txt (B+,B+)
#12 Weyerbacher Hops Infusion. cask. real smooth and balanced. b+ 10:38 PM Jan 20th from txt (B+,B+)
#13 Snoqualmie Falls Wildcat IPA. Soft hops, but a lot of them. Well-balanced, subtly strong. B+ 8:54 PM Jan 10th from web (B+,B+)
#14 Pike Tandem Double Ale. A gift from Brad. Great taste, dark color, little light on the body. A-? 7:53 PM Jan 1st from web
Dropping Tandem to a solid B. Doesn't have the OMG factor that an A-range beer should have. Still enjoyable. 9:07 PM Jan 1st from web (B,B+)
#15 Anchor Our Special Ale 2008. The beer ages well, but I felt mine was a little flat. Perhaps the dinner was so yummy that it paled in comparison. B 7:52 PM Jan 13th from web
Anchor OSA '08 again. Alone this time. A lot more rounded in flavor and not muddled by contrasting flavors of food. Up to a B+ 10:27 PM Jan 15th from web (B,B+)
#16 Lazy Boy Brewing Belgian Golden Ale. Dark for a golden, lovely bite, medium body. The taste flattened near the end. B+ 7:31 PM Jan 6th from web (B+,B)
#17 Bear Repbulic Heritage Scotch Ale. Malts and sweet with strong after taste. sticks to the back of your throat. b+ 8:04 PM Jan 26th from txt (B+,B)
#18 Smuttynose Wheat Wine Ale. Wheat/Barleywine mix. Super strong. Good beer, but wasn't prepared for it. Too much barley for a wheat. B+ 7:45 PM Jan 29th from web (B+,B)
#19 Bavik Wittekerke. A Belgian Wheat. Paired amazingly with quiche and arugula. Nothing to push it to a "wow" beer. B+ 7:43 PM Jan 21st from web (B+,B)

[B]

#20 Salopian Entire Butt. English Porter, Cask. Nice with a smokiness that lingers. Light body. Drinkable, but not exciting. B 7:21 PM Jan 25th from web (B,B)
#21 Dogfish Head 60 IPA. Not as hoppy as it's cousins, but full-bodied tartness to the last drop. Very dependable. B 11:29 PM Jan 8th from web (B.B)
#22 Smuttynose IPA. A well balanced IPA without too much hops. A no-frills, just a good everyday beer. B 11:31 PM Jan 23rd from web (B,B)
#23 Stone Sublimely Self Righteous. Black double ipa. Confusing what it wants to be. b- 6:15 PM Jan 3rd from txt
Stone self righteous. better taste at end. B 6:33 PM Jan 3rd from txt (B,B-)
#24 Middle Ages The Duke of Winship. A Scotch Ale. Dark, medium body. Nice spice. By far the best thing from Middle Ages, but nothing too wild. B- 10:41 PM Jan 16th from web (B-,B)
#25 Elysian Night Owl. A Pumpkin ale. Powerful smell and taste, moreso than Punkin, but not annoyingly sweet or spicy. Good balance. B 9:46 PM Jan 22nd from web (B,B-)

[B-]

#26 Rogue Double Dead Guy. Something sweet is hiding something bitter. unsure me the taste. b- 10:19 PM Jan 20th from txt (B-,C+)

[C]

#27 Two Brothers Cane & Ebel. super hops red rye. not impressed. c+ 8:39 PM Jan 26th from txt (C+,C-)
#28 Middle Ages Swallow Wit. Pretty boring as drinkable wits go. No complaints, though. C 11:11 PM Jan 4th from web (C,C-)