Stone Brewing Co. "Double Bastard 2006"
___________________________

American Strong Ale - California / Seasonal
$5 / 22 oz.
10% ABV

Similar to a Barleywine in texture, sweetness and intensity, “Double Bastard” is a spinoff of Stone’s wildly popular “Arrogant Bastard” Strong Ale. Amped up, oak-aged and vintage-dated, this winter seasonal “Bastard” is designed to be cellared for one to two years. Collectors, avid to score a rare 22 oz ‘bomber’ for their cellar, await each new ‘vintage’ with bated breath, only to face daily temptation to open it once they succeed. Even tasted young, this beer commands hypnotic power over ale addicts. Wave after wave of psychedelic flavors crash over the senses; candied grapefruit, toffee, marmalade, flan and wow, grapefruit again! Mere mortals cannot be expected to resist its charms or concentrate on anything else after the first sip, so hire a babysitter and unplug the phone before you crack the seal.

Tröegs "Nugget Nectar"
___________________________

Imperial Pale Ale - Pennsylvania / Seasonal
$1.50 / 12 oz.
7.5% ABV

Like the brunettes of the beer world, amber ales rarely get the attention they deserve, regularly upstaged by their sexier, splashier pale ale cousins. However, a little brewery called Tröegs, tucked away in central Pennsylvania, has burnished the style to high polish. The strongest of their amber ales is “Nugget Nectar,” a winter seasonal “imperial” spin on their awesome “Hopback Amber.” This brassy russet brew boldly goes where few amber ales have gone before; conquering an ultra-hoppy realm usually reserved for IPA’s. Buckets of caramel and cashew flavors duke it out on the palate with a powerful blend of Nugget, Tomahawk and Warrior hop varieties, whose ferocious citrus and herb characters dominate the aroma and finish. “Nugget Nectar” is a must-try for dedicated beer lovers exercising their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of hoppiness.

Chimay "Grande Réserve Bleu"
___________________________

Trappist Strong Dark Ale - Belgium / All-Year
$10 / 24 oz.
9.1% ABV

Six Trappist monasteries in Belgium have preserved the medieval art of brewing, and have inspired modern “Abbey-style” beers around the globe. Chimay is the label most widely available in the United States, and their “Grande Réserve” is the age-worthy pinnacle of their three icon brews. Also known as Chimay “Blue” for the color of its capsule, this epic beer is chocolatey brown in color and displays awe-inspiring complexity of aromatics. From fruitcake and mincemeat to sherry and sassafras, a wide range of flavors emerge and blend in unexpected ways. An exemplar of “old world” traditions in brewing, “Grande Réserve” exudes a rustic earthiness that conjures ancient manuscripts and organic produce. Its distinctively wine-like sharpness sets it apart from imitators, serving to balance the beer’s imposing malt and hop bitterness. This style is incomparable as a partner for hearty slow-cooked winter meats.

St. Bernardus "Abt 12"
___________________________

Abbey-style Quadrupel - Belgium / All-Year
$4 / 12 oz.
10.5% ABV

This luscious Belgian ale is an Abbey-style, modeled on the Trappist monastic tradition. On the rough scale of strength associated with Abbey beers, like “Dubbel” and “Tripel,” this tip-top offering from St. Bernardus is widely regarded as a “Quadrupel.” Staggeringly rich, the St. Bernardus “Abt 12” oozes with buttery goodness, both in farm-fresh flavor and in mouth-coating richness. Sweet clove notes suggest honey-glazed ham hot from the oven, while amaretto and plum wine notes bob and weave on the palate. Consider serving this opulent treat as dessert in its own right, or over pound cake and ice cream like a rum raisin syrup.

Young's "Double Chocolate Stout"
___________________________

Chocolate Stout - England / All-Year
$3 / 16 oz.
5.2% ABV

Roasted barley malt is often called “chocolate malt” for the bittersweet cocoa flavors that emerge in blackened grain. Young’s of London goes one step further, adding real dark chocolate to the signature brew they dub “Double Chocolate Stout.” Despite its moderate alcohol, so typical of British beers, and a mere hint of perceptible sweetness, this warming brew will light up a chocolate lover’s pleasure sensors like a pinball pro. The ample chocolatey aromas are as heady as a trip to Hershey, while the flavors remain dry enough to flatter cheese and meats, like pure dark cocoa butter melted on whole grain toast. “Double Chocolate Stout” strikes a deft balance between richness and refreshment, an adult’s fantasy version of their childhood’s chocolate soda.