Geez…it’s been a bit since my last post. the culprit being that i recently spent 10 days in Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar. Being the newest member to the Daily Hops family meant that i took it as my responsibility to review beers while abroad. (it also gave me a reason to drink violently…well, more reasons…) be forewarned though, we quickly found out that Spain was the third largest producer of wine in the world, and, apparently, let quality beer brewing fall by the wayside. if you are observant, you will notice my subtle tones of dismay through descriptive words such as: “sucks”, “watery”, “tasteless”, and, to my everlasting shame, “tastes like pee”. So enjoy the upcoming days posts of my travel through 16 cities and three countries…

I did not know we had a Trappist monastery in Cleveland…? That would explain the hooded figures chanting incessantly and wearing flip-flops. It was just as soon assumed that California fell into the ocean and displaced it’s patchouli-smelling population to the east coast. The thick pour of this ale results in a brown-ish goodness that can only be describes as “shitastic .” It’s not an overpowering beer that’ll send you to the spinach/artichoke dip. Instead, it has a mildly hoppy yet deep malt note that compliments its yeasty goodness. I know Californians aren’t huge fans of guiness (or anything else that’s good), so let me put it to you this way…it’s got the bite of a quasi-quality Japanese lager with the aroma and taste of a thinned out imperial stout. Truly original, and truly delicious. Mad Brewer’s West 12 Trappist Ale…Cheers!

10.5% APV
22 oz bottle

Now this is a beer for me. Again, a very dark color and a cream colored head. Two Brothers Brewing gave this lots of malty goodness that warms the mouth despite the cool temperature a which it was served. Bitters come to dry up the end of this, but never quite get rid of the roasted goodness that was the main body of this brew. This was the last of my winter seasonals, which is fine because I’m ready for Spring!

Specs:12oz bottle
? ABV

“Here I go again on my own. Down the only road I’ve ever known. Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.” I serenade you tonight in an attempt to endorse the thought that Ozeki’s Hana-Awaka Sparkling Sake belongs on this website. In the U.S., sake is considered a type of beer under Federal law (unless you’re reading this in California, in which case, you probably drive a Prius, wear tye-dye, and know sake is considered a wine there). This “beer” pours out a fruity, light pink color with the bubbles lending a refreshing bite. The flyer declared that it would “bring your taste buds alive with bursting bubbles,” and it actually did. The floral flavor is light, sweet, and perfect as a substitution for Moscato d’Asti for brunch or hot summer days. May not be exactly the manly-man’s drink of choice, but the pink bottle and shiny tin-foil would suggest that they aren’t Ozeki’s choice demographic anyways. (Doesn’t stop me from enjoying the hell out of it, though…) Cheers!!

8.4oz bottle
7% APV
Acidity 2.9

Wow! I’ve never had a beer where if you held it up to a high intensity light, you still could not see through it! That’s the precise reason this imperial stout from Deschutes is called the Abyss. The pour was smooth, the sticky head with a red tone to an otherwise dark class with an aroma of coffee and malts. Made with licorice and molasses, this brew had a third of its batch aged in oak barrels to give a taste that is deeper, more complex, and simply amazing! The taste has some dry notes throughout, but the are quickly overwhelmed by those roasted malts and deep flavors. You know it has to be good when a beer has a wax seal over the cap. Watch out or this heavy hitter may consume you!

22oz bottle
11.0% ABV

Wow…my first post. This is ceremonious for me. Much like the first time I kissed Maria Rossi in 5^th grade, or the first time I caught a football thrown by Lucas Fracisoni, the all-time quarterback, in the 3^rd. (Side note: I hate all-time quarterbacks.) I am both anxious to brave this new dailyhops world yet timid as to the harsh criticism I might receive from my reviews. What I am trying to say is this…chillax, enjoy and shut up.

Produced here in North Ridgeville, Ohio, the Mad Brewer has quickly become a prominent Cleveland microbrewery. Their Imperial Stout, appropriately named “Black Storm” has an eclectic mix of spices that packs a punch in the spice department. This is one of their best sellers and I can see why. It has an intense flavor profile that’ll makes you auto-jones for chocolate. Mmmmmm…maybe a chocolate dessert trio of chocolate-beer ice cream, chocolate pot de crème and chocolate-filled beignets. This beer, whose “chocolate” comes not from cocoa, but from dark-roasted malt the color of chocolate, would make an almost perfect match. Do not let the beer’s thick pour and almost non-existent carbonation turn you off…think of Black Storm’s dark, roasted flavors as more like a decadent, adult version of a cup of espresso. Enjoy!

Specs: 22oz bottle
12% ABV

A cloudy deep color not unlike a cider from fall, but this is no harvest beer. This is Green Flash Brewing Co.’s West Coast India Pale Ale. Phew, long name to type, now lets see if the taste was worth it. A slight nut aroma is present over the deep hop nose, none of which is masked by head because it settled quite fast. The taste was… sticky, it lingered on every part of my mouth, the hops present from the first taste only building throughout. Again, note the IPA, so this wasn’t much of a surprise. We’re back, celebrating the unique beers and the everyday people who enjoy them!

Specs: 12oz bottle
7.0% ABV
95 IBUs

Jon and I have been continuing our quest since October 2007. We took a break during February to take care of other business and look forward towards our next stretch of tasty brews from the US, North America, and the world [well, I don't know how much beer is brewed in Antarctica, but if we found it I'm sure we'd try it]. Grab your cameras, clean those glasses, it’s time to find the great beers from your favorite bar/tavern/pub/hole-in-the-wall or from your favorite distributor.

A man’s gotta believe in something, I believe I’ll have another drink.