Rusty Nail Pale Ale - Time to Get Bent

 

Rusty Nail is the an American Style Pale Ale that comes in several strengths -

note the d after the number is shorthand for penny for all the non-carpenters.

 

8d Standard Strength Pale Ale

10d Strong Pale Ale

12d Robust Pale Ale

16d Imperial Pale Ale - See Perfect Storm Series

 

Description:
Of British origin, this style is now popular worldwide and the use of local ingredients, or imported, produces variances in character from region to region. Generally, expect a good balance of malt and hops. Fruity esters and diacetyl can vary from none to moderate, and bitterness can range from lightly floral to pungent.

American versions tend to be cleaner and hoppier, while British tend to be more malty, buttery, aromatic and balanced.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0% 

 

 

Schwheat Wheat Ale - Now that's F*ng Schwheat

 

Schwheat is a Belgo-Amicanized version of a German Hefe Weizen that blends the smoothness of a wheat beer with the spiciness of a Belgian yeast.

 

Description:
An Americanized version of a Hefe Weizen, these beers range within the pale to golden range in color. Reminiscent of a Hefe Weizen in appearance, unless filtered. Long-lasting head with a light to medium body, higher carbonation is proper. German Weizen flavors and aromas of banana esters and clove-like phenols will not be found. Most use a substantial percentage of wheat malt. Hop character will be low to high but most are moderate in bitterness. There may be some fruitiness from ale fermentation though most examples use of a fairly neutral ale yeast, resulting in a clean fermentation with little to no diacetyl.

Often served with a lemon wedge (popularized by Americans), to either cut the wheat or yeast edge, which many either find to be a flavorful snap ... or an insult and something that damages the beer's taste and head retention.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0%  

 

 

White Out Wit Bier - White out and then Black Out

 

White Out is Belgian Style Wit (White) Beer.

 

Batch 1: Fall 2007: Full bodied wheat beer with no perceptible hop character and a slight hint of Munich Malt. The beer has a dominant Spicy Citrus aroma from Sweet Orange Peel, Tangerine Peel and Coriander.

 

Batch 2: Fall 2008: Dry & spicy with a load of citrus character. Spices used include coriander, star anise & chamomile. The citrus character is derived from tangerines, oranges, lemon and pomelo. The yeast used contributes a pleasant spiciness contributes to the character of the beer.

 

Batch 3: Fall 2008: Dry & spicy with a load of citrus character. Spices used include coriander, star anise & chamomile. The citrus character is derived from tangerines, oranges, lemon and pomelo. The yeast used contributes a pleasant spiciness contributes to the character of the beer.

 

Description:
A Belgian Style ale that's very pale and cloudy in appearance due it being unfiltered and the high level of wheat, and sometimes oats, that's used in the mash. Always spiced, generally with coriander, orange peel and other odd ball spices or herbs in the back ground. The crispness and slight twang comes from the wheat and the lively level of carbonation. This is one style that many brewers in the US have taken a liking to and have done a very good job of staying to style. Sometimes served with a lemon, but if you truly want to enjoy the untainted subtleties of this style you'll ask for yours without one. Often referred to as "white beers" (witbieren) due to the cloudiness / yeast in suspension.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0% 

 

 

What the Helles?

Description:
When the golden and clean lagers of Pilzen (Bohemia) became all the rage in the mid-1800's, München brewers feared that Germans would start drinking the Czech beer vs. their own. Munich Helles Lager was their answer to meet the demand. A bit more malty, they often share the same spicy hop characters of Czech Pils, but are a bit more subdued and in balance with malts. "Helles" is German for "bright."

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-6.0%

 

Thunderhead Dunkel - Get Struck

 

 

Description:
An old friend of Bavaria, Munich Dunkels are smooth, rich and complex, but without being heady or heavy. They boast brilliant ruby hues from the large amounts of Munich malts used, and these malts also lend a fuller-bodied beer. The decoction brewing process also lends much depth and richness. Bitterness is often moderate, with just enough to balance out any sweetness. Hop varieties used tend to be of the German noble varieties, like: Tetnang and Hallertau.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-6.0%  

 

 

 

 

 

Diablo - Blown Away

 

Belgian Style Golden Ale.

 

Description:
Belgian Pales consume the Belgian brewing scene, and were initially brewed to compete with Pilseners during the WWII time frame. They differ from other regional Pale Ale varieties, by traditionally being less bitter, using aged hops for a delicate hop finish, and boasting sweetish to toasty malt overtones. They should be decanted properly, leaving the yeast in the bottle. This will showcase their brilliant color range from pale straw yellow to amber hues. Most will be crowned with thick, clinging, rocky white heads. Flavors and aromas will vary. Some have natural spice characters from yeast and hops, while others are spiced.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0% 

 

 

Grey Skies Porter

 

Description:
Inspired from the now wavering English Porter, the American Porter is the ingenuous creation from that. Thankfully with lots of innovation and originality American brewers have taken this style to a new level. Whether it is highly hopping the brew, using smoked malts, or adding coffee or chocolate to compliment the burnt flavor associated with this style. Some are even barrel aged in Bourbon or whiskey barrels. The hop bitterness range is quite wide but most are balanced. Many are just easy drinking session porters as well.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.5%

 

 

Dark Night Oatmeal Stout - Drink Your Damn Oats

 

Description:
These are generally medium to full bodied stouts that have an unreal smoothness to them from the addition of oats to the mash. The oats not only add a lot of smoothness to the mouth feel but give a touch of sweetness that is unlike any other type of stout. Both levels of roasted flavor and hop character will vary.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0%

 

 

Perfect Storm Series of Seasonal Big Beers

 

 

Karnage Russian Imperial Stout - Stomp the Peasants

 

Karnage is the BlackStorm Brewery Russian Imperial Stout.

 

Batch 1: Winter 2008: OG 1.101 FG 1.025 ABV 10%. IBU 48

Thick & syrupy, this beer hides dark fruit flavors among the dark roasted malts. This batch is destined for bottles and extended aging.

 

Description:
Inspired by brewers back in the 1800's to win over the Russian Czar, this is the king of stouts, boasting high alcohol by volumes and plenty of malt character. Low to moderate levels of carbonation with huge roasted, chocolate and burnt malt flavors. Often dry. Suggestions of dark fruit and flavors of higher alcohols are quite evident. Hop character can vary from none, to balanced to aggressive.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 8-12%

 

 

16d Rusty Nail - Time to Get Really Bent

 

Sixteen Penny Rusty Nail is an Imperial Pale Ale, higher in strength and part of the perfect storm series of beers

 

 

Description:
Of British origin, this style is now popular worldwide and the use of local ingredients, or imported, produces variances in character from region to region. Generally, expect a good balance of malt and hops. Fruity esters and diacetyl can vary from none to moderate, and bitterness can range from lightly floral to pungent.

American versions tend to be cleaner and hoppier, while British tend to be more malty, buttery, aromatic and balanced.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 4.0-7.0%

 

 

Avalanche Belgian Style Triple - Wipeout

 

 

Description:
The name "Tripel" actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Trappist "Simple." Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsener. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenolic, powdery yeast, fruity/estery with a sweet finish. Sweetness comes from both the pale malts and the higher alcohol. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well.

Tripels are actually notoriously alcoholic, yet the best crafted ones hide this character quite evil-like and deceivingly, making them sipping beers.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 8.0-12.0%

 

Black Ice - Experimental

 

Black Ice is a cros between a Belgian Triple and a Stout. Brewed with the simple grain bill of a Belgain Triple and the darkness of a stout, but lacking the harsh bitter flavors of a stout

 

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 8-12%  

 

 

Downpour Scottish Ale

 

Description:
Scotch Ales are strong ales, also known as "Wee Heavy." In the 19th century Scotland, they'd also be known as 160/-, a nomenclature based on the now obsolete shilling currency.

Scotch Ales traditionally go through a long boil in the kettle for a caramelization of the wort. This produces a deep copper to brown in colored brew. Compared to Scottish Ales, they'll be sweeter and fuller-bodied, and of course higher in alcohol, with a much more pronounced malty caramel and roasted malt flavor. A low tea-like bitterness can be found in many examples. Best served in a "thistle" glass.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 6.0-10.00% 

 

Mudslide Baltic Porter

 

 

Description:
Porters of the late 1700's were quite strong compared to today’s standards, easily surpassing 7% alcohol by volume. Some brewers made a stronger, more robust version, to be shipped across the North Sea, dubbed a Baltic Porter. In general, the style’s dark brown color covered up cloudiness and the smoky/roasted brown malts and bitter tastes masked brewing imperfections. The addition of stale ale also lent a pleasant acidic flavor to the style, which made it quite popular. These issues were quite important given that most breweries were getting away from pub brewing and opening up breweries that could ship beer across the world.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 7.0-10.0%   

 

Old Man Winter

 

Old Man Winter is the perfect beer for cold winter nights by the fireside. Brewed with dark malts for dark fruit flavors and lightly spiced for an intruging taste, it will warm you up as you sip it.

 

Description:
These malty sweet offerings tend to be a favorite winter seasonal. Big malt presence, both in flavor and body. The color ranges from brownish reds to nearly pitch black. Hop bitterness is generally low, leveled and balanced, but hop character can be pronounced. Alcohol warmth is not uncommon.

Many English versions contain no spices, though some brewers of spiced winter seasonal ales will slap "Winter Warmer" on the label. Those that are spiced, tend to follow the "wassail" tradition of blending robust ales with mixed spices, before hops became the chief "spice" in beer. American varieties many have a larger presences of hops both in bitterness and flavor.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 5.5-8.0%