All this end-of-the-year catch up on Super List writing is turning out to be a nice way to reminisce about the fantastic beers I enjoyed in 2010 (but it’s also making me very thirsty). Below are beers that earned my “super” rating in the month of September, where I got them, and what I thought of them. Had any? If so, do you deem them worthy of your highest beer accolades?
Harpoon Triticus Ale (on draft at Pizzeria Paradiso Dupont) – This 11.5%-abv wheatwine was brewed in 2005 by Jason and Todd Alström, the beer respecting brothers who founded BeerAdvocate.com. The aged beer poured dark brown with red hues and no head. It smelled like marshmallows and tasted sweet and strong, with roast and cocoa flavors and a bitter aftertaste.
Sly Fox Ichor (at the Sly Fox dinner at Birch & Barley) – Another big beer, this 10%-abv dark brown, cream headed Belgian-style Quadruple smelled like vanilla frosting and bread pudding. It was sweet with dark fruit, prune, and port flavors. This batch, aged eight months, had an interesting mouth feel that coated but was also foamy and well-carbonated.
Sly Fox Saison Vos (at the Sly Fox dinner at Birch & Barley) – This Belgian-style farmhouse ale is a beautiful golden orange color. Crisp and dry, the 6.9%-abv brew had apricot and banana aromas. It tasted sweet and fruity with some citrus and pepper flavors.
Revolution Coup D’Etat Saison (on draft at Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL) – The brewers at Revolution Brewing dry hop this 7.5%-abv beer with Spalt hops. It poured hazy gold with orange hues and a foamy off-white head. It’s malty for the style and full of fruit and spice characters. Coup D’Etat was the first in a series of beers based on the soundtrack to the 80’s film Repo Man. Revolution has created beers for the songs Bad Man and Let’s Have a War and plans to cover the entire album.
Revolution Barrel-Aged Bad Man (on draft at Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL) – This 9.5%-abv deep amber old rye ale is aged four months in Heaven Hill whiskey barrels. Consequently, it smells delightful, with lots of vanilla and bourbon. Bad Man tastes sweet and boozy with a touch of smoke and some heat from the alcohol that wakes up the sinuses.
Greenport Harbor Anniversary Ale (on draft at Rattle N Hum Bar, New York, NY) – This golden Belgian-style ale is 7.5% abv and pours clear pale gold with a rimmed white head. Lemon peel and sweet wild spice characters are present in the nose. The flavor is subtle, with traces of pine, pepper, honey, and bread. This New York brewery’s first anniversary beer is light-bodied with a buttery finish and a grassy hop aftertaste.
Check out the Super Lists for the rest of 2010: January, February, March/April, May, June, July, August, September, November, and December.