Beer 215/365 – Three Floyd’s Blackbeard English IPA

Style: English IPA

ABV: 9.0%

Purchased at: My roommate picked this up from the brewpub, he also got me a whole case of gumballhead.

What makes this beer different: Tons of earthy hops

Will I be drinking this again: Mmmmm maybe

Grade: B+

6/11/2010: The English IPA style originated when brewers from the 18th century made a beer strong and well hopped enough to survive the long voyage to their troops in India (Hops are a natural preservative). Story has it that the beer would watered down for the troops, and left at full strength for the commanding officers. Three Floyd’s tried to replicate this style as true as possible, by using all English Ingredients, and a strong ABV of 9.0%.

I don’t know my hop varieties all that well, but I know for sure there is some goldings in here just from smelling it. Goldings has a very unique scent. The taste is very earthy/herbal on the hop end, not in the bitter way at all either. A lot of Pale malt to help balance the rugged earthiness. The beer is aged on toasted oak chips, but I don’t pick it up in the taste at all. Very nice full mouthfeel, and no sign of the 9.0% alcohol. Very good beer, just not three floyd’s best.

Picture of the day: Conan wants to know whats up with all the chocolate pelicans?

Beer 139/365 – Hitachino Nest Classic Ale

Style: English IPA

ABV: 7.0%

Purchased at: Vintage Estate – Boardman Ohio

What makes this beer different: So complex and unlike anything I have ever tasted.

Will I be drinking this again: If Phill still has more in stock I am buying him out of them

Grade: A

3/27/2010: Finishing up my Japanese Craft Beer week with a beer that I purchased back in 2009, and I actually forgot I even had it until I unearthed it when moving beers around the other day. I am literally running out of room to put all the beer I have. Hi my name is Drew and… I’m… someone who really likes craft beer.

Wasn’t sure what to expect with this one since it is a 2002 vintage, and it is not recommended to age this type of beer. But wow I popped this open and it smelled like no beer I have ever smelled before. Very oakey and citrus smelling. The taste is super complex. I am by no means a super taster but this beer has so many pronounced flavors that its very easy to pick them out. Yeasty Belgian like quality, citrus is the first taste you get, some black pepper spice, and it finishes with honey, a bit of hops, and a wood flavor I have never tasted before (must be the cedar barrels its aged in). Mouthfeel is creamy, almost like a nice Belgian dark. This beer is very very very unique. If you have access to it near you, grab a couple you will not be disappointed. It was worth every penny of the $5 I spent on it.

Thanks again to Dan for sending me my first 5 beers for this week. I am very thankful for getting to sample some of the best beer that Japan as to offer. There’s no way I would have been able to purchase these in the states.

Picture of the day: I want to be a dinosaur when I grow up.