New Beer Friday 11/16/12

Normally I try to keep this shit relatively short and concise but this has been a big beer news week and it looks like it's ending that that way too. So here we go.

The following are from the Bayou's Holiday lineup. The Bayou doesn't mess around when it comes to holiday beers, this year is no different. these are their newest, brand new beers in the market from Mikkeller.

Ris A La M'Ale: This ale boasts of cherry and almond. Pours nice, pinkish gold with two fingers of pinkish head. Fruity aroma with some noble hops. The taste starts with a bit of sour cherry and some malt sweetness. Piney hops come next with very subdued almond notes. Light bodied. If your a fan of marzipan your gunna be happy. @ Bayou

Hoppin Loving XMAS: Lots of cinnamon in the nose with nutmeg, and clove. Some sweet, caramelly, biscuity malts, but you really need to look for them beyond all the spices. The spices carry over to taste as well, though the sweet malts do hold their own here better. Plenty of dark fruits in the finish, with a hint of alcohol adding to the beer's powerful spiciness. I'm not the biggest fan of unbalanced sweetness but this beer's spicey flavors help it pull it off. @ Bayou

Returning Holiday favorites are as follows:
Ridgeway
Bad Elf
Very Bad Elf
Seriously Bad Elf
Criminally Bad Elf
Lump Of Coal
Santas Butt
Warm Welcome
Pickled Santa
Reindeer Droppings
Reindeer Revolt

Mikkeller
Santa's Helper
From/To

Serafiijn Christmas Angel
Sruise Tsjeeses  
Thiriez Noel

Also Back and unaffiliated with Christmas

Thiriez
Amber Farmhouse Ale
Blonde Farmhouse Ale
Extra Farmhouse Ale

Geants
Geants Goliath Triple

Achel
Achel Trappist Extra
Achel Bruin

Jolly Pumpkin
Jolly Pumpkin Es Bam

De MolenHemel & Aarde
Rook & Vuur
Amarillo
Storm & Aneji

These will go fast, it's all on you if you miss 'em. Available today.

Now if that's not enough there are some returning favorites that you will be happy to hear are back as well.

Our favorite "Elder" returns to us today from his mission in the barrels. Elder Brett is a collaboration beer made at Epic Brewing Co. with input from Crooked Stave Brewing out of Colorado.

Brettanomyces or "Brett" is a bacteria yeast used by brewers to produce sourness to the beer. In most cases it's a dangerous addition for beer, it's presence in traditional beer styles can ruin a beer and is banned in many breweries. But when purposely added to a beer that can properly use it souring properties the results can create astonishing delicious sour, tart or funky beers.

Elder Brett's barrels were inoculated with a blend of four different types of Brettanomyces. Aging for over nine months in the barrels allows the character of the unique wild yeast to fully express itself in the beer. The result combines all the elements for a truly sublime complexity.

This batch of Elder Brett is a little less yeasty and the Brett seems a little less forward, very dry and delicate if a Brett beer can be called that.  This beer was made by spreading around the bugs from last years casks into some additional barrels allowing the brewers to produce nearly twice as much as the previous years batch.

The aroma is rich with the musty, barnyard-like character that “Brett” is famous for as well as some remnants notes of white wine. The flavor also has wonderful amounts of fruity notes both from the yeast and hints of the peach from previously used barrels, all rounded out with a pleasant and refreshing acidity and incredible drinkability for an 9.5% ABV beer. There aren't many Brett beers made in the market, get some while you can. And please buy a few extra for "cellering". these beer benefit greatly from a little age. The 2011 version was an entirely different beer after just five months in the bottle. Just think what a year could do. @ Epic, Bayou & Beerhive

Black Butte XXIV has been spotted in various liquor stores around the state. This is one of Deschutes'  signature labels. Produced annually, this Porter pours a dark brown with hints of tinted ruby red on the sides. The nose is slightly vinous with notes of cocoa, vanilla and oak. The taste starts with intense cocoa, roasted malts, molasses and oak. The end is full of vanilla, cinnamon and bourbon. The finish is bitter and boozy. The flavors are spot on for the style. Everything is nicely balanced. A great beer that will just get better with age. @DABC

And don't forget about  RedRock's Rêve Belgian Style Triple and those two new Wasatch beers, Switch and GhostRider. This is a great time of year for new releases and seasonals!

"Are you not entertained?" - Maximus Decimus Meridius