Fat Weasel Ale

I thought the bottle of this one looked a little fishy and unfamiliar and after digging around on the internet found this little tidbit from ratebeer:

Editor’s note: Contract brewed for Stienhaus Brewing Co. / Trader Joe’s by both Firestone Walker (for the west coast) and August Schell (for the east coast).

So… that all being said, this golden ale isn’t half bad.  I see mixed reviews over all, but at 7.1% and taken in line with other’s of a similar ilk (scottish, golden) it is balanced yet has enough character to be present and accounted for.  Finishes well and is nice and easy to drink.  Thanks to Mr. Dave for the taste on this one!

JBB6 Rating:  Will Buy Again

Full Sail Keelhauler

Nailed this one (Full Sail Keelhauler – part of the Brewmaster Reserve) and liked it… also met one of the employee-owners the other day at Sockeye’s and had a quick chat.  Seemed really passionate about what he does and the company in general, so it was a great conversation.  Didn’t get a card or anything, though, so can’t remember his name but he was in charge of distribution for the area, I believe… whoever you are out there, cheers! 

This brew was available for a limited time from March-ish to June-ish.  Glad I picked one up.  The brew pours a dark amber with a nice head… nose is sweet caramel leding to a very scottish ale… overall very smooth, low IBU at 45 but ABV is nice at 6.8%.  Great balance of malt and hop with a slightly bitter finish… a bit like sweet and sour mixer… not that pronounced, though.  Overall very nice!

BTW… good definition of Keelhauler here.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Dieu Du Ciel! Equinoxe du Printemps

I really, really like Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel!  At least the two beers I have had from them have been outstanding with the first being Dieu du ciel! Péché Mortel (Mortal Sin) Imperial Stout and now the second being Dieu Du Ciel! Equinoxe du Printemps (Spring Equinox).  Printemps starts with a short head and a  dark amber color.  The nose is very aromatic with a sweet fruit smell… crisp and clean, almost mellon or cucumber with banana hitting right at the end of the whiff.  You can smell the ABV for sure, as well…   The body is super, super smooth… banana in the finish, sweet, complexity in the finish… definitely a distinct taste.  I didn’t get as much maple as I had hoped, but it is there in the hints… and the scottish ale sings with its wonderful accompaniments.

Overall, this is a standout amongst scottish ales and one I would pick up if I were you.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Going extra big on the picture because I love their bottle art.

Silver City Fat Woody Scotch Ale

HELLO MR. DAVE! 

While this picture makes me laugh, it also disturbs me a little… that crazed look in the eyes… you just never know if/when he is going to touch you.  Ah well… be gentle Mr. Dave.

Silver City Fat Woody Scotch Ale – Straight out of Silverdale, WA, this fine brew was tasted the other night and I have been thinking about how I liked it so much more than their Fat Scotch Ale that we had tasted before…. I should have know… age anything in oak barrels for 6 months and it is bound to get about 10x better.   Aging treated this little beauty quite well and graceful with everyone agreeing that we had a winner.  Not over the top holy crap great, but really a nice, nice beer.  Pours dark like cola and smells sweet and malty… the nose carries right through to the body with sugar, caramel, and malt leading the way.  The finish left a little to be desired but overall this was a great beer.

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Silver City Fat Scotch Ale

Brought to us by the local brewery Silver City Brewing Company, Silver City Fat Scotch Ale… a brown-orange brew with a small head and a high ABV (9%).  This one has a bit of a malt liquor flavor with an overall heavy malt flavor from start to finish.  Not the best beer I have had this year but I was able to get it down.  Thanks to Dave for the purchase and sharing!

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Port Townsend Scotch

Boy did we have a good weekend.  A ferry trip to Port Townsend and Fort Worden State Park netted us some fun in the sun on the beach, some very cool military battery exploration, a fine lunch and some really good beer.

We ended up eating at a place called Jordini’s in Port Townsend where they had some amazing sandwiches and other goodies.  Two of the goodies were beer from Port Townsend Brewing company and the one on this post is Port Townsend Scotch. 

This ale is a Scottish ale in its purest form.  A very smooth yet dark and rich beer, this ale hit the spot just between a hoppy IPA and a mild and malty stout and really warmed me up inside after a long day of playing in the sun.  A wonderful beer in all aspects.

I ended up picking up this and 7 other of the Port Townsend beer at the The Wine Seller in Port Townsend, as well.  The bottle held up just as well as the draft beer and I was very happy with my experience a second time. 

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again