Joe's beer nutz beer Club september 2016
Stone
Citracado IPA
Time for the boozy math lesson of the month:
Citrus + Avocado = Citracado
Ok, Now that the math is over with, we can all properly celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Stone Brewing: with a bomber of IPA. The combination of Citra hops and avocado flower honey make for a supremely smooth beer with bright citrus pith, balanced by the honey masquerading as malt. All the way from Citracado Parkway in San Diego, this bottle is a Joe's exclusive, and a great tip of the cap to 20 years of excellence. I paired it with Rick Bayless' Chipotle Meatballs, which turned out great.
Abv 9% / 80 IBU's
Bell's
Octoberfest
Wow is this beer drinkable! There was a 1/4 of the bottle left, when I remembered there was a review to be written. Oktoberfest was originally a wedding celebration beer, brewed to be consumed in massive quantities. Bell's must have heard this story, because I could drink a lot of this, and there is nothing about this Marzen lager that doesn't say autumn. Between the leafed cap and label, and the toasty malts, there is no reason not to go dig out the blankets and flannel(aside from the current temperature in Memphis). This beer has not been bottled in 5 years, so make sure to take advantage of this while we have it.
Abv 5.5% / IBU's Minimal herbal hops
Bell's
Special Double Cream Stout
You should start out by pouring this beer, that is certainly Special, into a glass, so that it can impose its full measure of intimidation. You should do that, so that you can truly be surprised by the elegance on display from the darkness that is Bell's Special Double Cream Stout. The nose throws espresso and hoisin at you, and when you drink it, it tastes like you got past a layer of acidic coffee and caramel to get to the Tootsie roll center of a Tootsie-Pop. It is not often that a you will see a stout like this, that brings so much to the table at such a low Abv.
Abv 6.1% / IBU's Low like a Bass
Bell's
Best Brown Ale
We all know that the owls are not what they seem. Look past this owl perched atop your bottle, and you will discover the secrets of the Best Brown Lodge. You will be surrounded by the smell of apricots, brown sugar, and autumn leaves. The sensation of allspice and earthiness may seem to be an illusion, and maybe they are, but know that this beer is real. However I am going to let you in on a little secret: every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it; don't wait for it; just let it happen. It could be a new shirt in a men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or a good, cold, bottle of Bell's Best Brown Ale.