Playing catch up for being a slacker with posting this summer...
Avery Brewing (Bourbon) Barrel-Aged Vanilla Bean Stout. 92 Outstanding, 4.13/5 on Beer Advocate, 10.5% ABV. Earned it's rating. Many bourbon barrel ones overplay it, as do vanilla ones. This one has the flavors complement each other just fine.
Split a Hodag pilsner with my dad (hence the half glass) after arriving back to their place from vacation. From the Hodag Store in Rhinelander, WI. Brewed at the Northwoods Brew Pub in Osseo. Was solid. 5.5% ABV, 25 IBUs. "A beer as legendary as the Hodag. Both crafted from the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Among the old growth pine forest and crystal clear waters comes this premium Hodag beer, a classic old school Wisconsin Pilsner."
Riverwalk Empire Pilsner by River Dog got an 83=Good (3.74/5) from Beer Advocate which I guess is about right. Not much of a Pilsner fan but was looking for something lighter and not a huge bottle. The new Hodag glass from Rhinelander, WI is a 100=World Class though!
Fivepine Chocolate Porter by Three Creeks Brewing Co. "A robust porter that features 2lbs per barrel of the finest Belgian chocolate creating a slightly toasty pint with underlying Chocolate sweetness." Description seems about right. Solid but unspectacular, 86/100 very good (3.81/5) on Beer Advocate. 6.2% ABV. Also, other side of last week's Hodag glass.
Roundhouse Robust Porter by New Sarnum Brewing. From taste and bitterness I guessed a strong coffee flavor, but apparently it was the hops fooling me according to the can: "Black as the smoke from an old coal powered train and crafted with dark beer lovers in mind, this earthy full body porter hits you with caramel, chocolate, and toffee all while loads of hops are perfectly blended to produce a balanced beer anyone will relish."
Beer Advocate has it 88 Very Good (4.11/5). 7% ABV. If you like a bit more bite in your porters I can see a higher rating. I don't really and wouldn't go much lower on the rating.
Ayinger Urweisse - Spicy Dark Wheat Ale, Unfiltered. Brewery est. 1878. Beer Advocate has it a 92 Outstanding (4.14/5). Makes me want to try another bottle to see if it's a bit old or maybe have it a bit colder. This should be in my wheel house... but it's just ok and it isn't one I'd get again of I had the choice of several of the hefe or dunkels I've had. Feels like someone mixed a hefe and dunkel weiss together without thought of balance. Or maybe spicy isn't on the list of things I want in one. {Put the remains left in the bottle in the freezer for a bit to bring it back down, is better cooler.}
