Bellegems Bruin

Ok, think "how now brown cow" meets "sour patch kids" and the cow eats the candy and births this beer.. Ok, what I mean to say is that Bellegems Bruin is a Brown sour, yum!

The rich, translucent mahogany color threw me off a little when it came to taste. But as I have learned, you can't judge a beer by it's color. It has a really airy/light mouth feel with just the perfect amount of subtle carbonation.

The flavors and the olfactory sensations are practically one in the same. There is a slightly funky/sour element at the start, complimentary to the fruity notes, including: currant, fig, plum, cranberry, blackberry, and dark cherry (giving this beer a nice sweet/tart balance). There is also some subtle vinegar and nutty maltiness going on with a hint of cocoa.

9.4/10

Mikkeller & Brewdog - I Harcore You

Two breweries that never disappoint in quality came together to make a premium pour. Mikkeller's I Beat You and Brewdog's Hardcore IPA got together, added more dry hops into the magic, and out popped I Hardcore you, a 9.5% Imperial India Pale Ale.

The slightly cloudy deep amber body compliments the large tannish head. Strikingly heavy on the nose are notes of pine (duh, from all of the dry hopping), citrus and a light honey sweetness. The flavors open from the nose into grapefruit, orange marmalade, pine needles, warm caramel, rich toffee, sticky honey, and even some tropical fruit sweetness (think mango and pineapple). All of these think flavors give this beer a creamy, carbonated, even somewhat sticky mouth feel.

P.S. The attitude/emotion of the label art is reminiscent of the feel this beer gives. Relationships.. who needs them, when I can get my hands on this beer (don't tell my boyfriend I said this). haha. OR, what better way to spend time sharing in something wonderful with your significant other, eh?

9.8/10 - high for me considering the hoppiness of it!

Midnight Sun T.R.E.A.T.

The name is self explanatory - treat treat treat - what a delight! This eye candy pours a deep brownish orange. The mouth feel is light and bubbly, unexpected for a porter, but quite pleasant all the same. (An Imperial Chocolate pumpkin Porter to be exact).

The heavier notes on this beer, both in scent and taste are pumpkin and dark, creamy cocoa. There are strong flavors of holiday spice as well, including cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cloves. T.R.E.A.T. is reminiscent of a spicy pumpkin pie with a dark chocolate swirl.

Would pair well with holiday spice flavors, whether savory or sweet.

10/10 - keep in mind that some of my personal favorite flavors are pumpkin and chocolate

9.2/10 (non-biased)