Name: Trader Joe's: Winterfest
Brewed In/Type: San Jose, Ca / Double Bock
Bought at/Price Trader Joe's / $5.49 6pack
Dennis: Lately, it seems that we pick some of this up every time we go. The price just can't be beat. It's just a typical lager based double bock, sweet malts and not a whole lot else. But at 7.5% for about 5 bucks, you just can't pass this by.
Jen: Okay, so this is a complete value, although it may lack in originality, it does stand true for a double bock. It has a high roasted malt flavor that is caramelly sweet, but not sicky sweet. A nice level of carbonation accompanies this medium to full bodied brew. It ends with a very mild hop taste; just enough to notice them. For the $$, this is a must have if you live near a TJ's.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

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Name: Avery: Old Jubilation
Brewed In/Type: Boulder, CO / English Strong Ale
Bought at/Price Binny's / $9.99 6pack
Dennis: If you considered this a winter warmer, I'd have to say it was the best of it's class. Rich and warm, with the chalky chocolate hints you'd expect, this comes across best about 1/2 through the bottle. A slight hop tartness really compliments the 8% alcohol and help drives it home. Over all a great beer that further solidifies Avery's reputation.
Jen: Yummy! Just what I look for in a winter ale. This has a nice blend of malts with a dry coffee and toffee and a mild bittersweet chocolate taste. It has a nice medium mouthfeel with slightly hoppy, yet sweet and toasty aftertaste. This is worth the $$, and it will be purchased again.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Name: Mendicino: Eye of the Hawk
Brewed In/Type: Saratoga Springs, NY / Ale
Bought at/Price Woodman's / $5.29 6pack
Dennis: I have to say that for the price and quality, this is by far my favorite Mendocino brew yet. The aroma really isn't there much, just your typical malty beer smell. I caught a little bit of alcohol in it myself. The taste is quite plesant, it rolls in with an assertive malty/barley wine-ish hello, and then exits with a slightly hoppy and alcoholy feel. Over all, not the most amazing beer in the planet, but respectable for doing what it does right and for the amazing value (8% at 5.29 is a steal folks, you'd be crazy not to try this).
Jen: I find this to be an extremely unique beer. It has a nice blend of caramel maltiness that is accompanied by a twinge of alcohol. It reminds me a a good barleywine without the syrupy texture. It is quite easy to drink and has a dry end with a soothing aftertaste that isn't overwhelming. For the $$, this is a definite "try at least once" where it may become a "staple" beer in our fridge.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5

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Name: Hercules Double IPA
Brewed In/Type: Devner, CO / Double IPA
Bought at/Price Binny's / $5.99 22oz (bomber)
Dennis: The aroma off this is misleading, almost barley wine like, certainly not dry hopped. But that doesn't really reflect the true body. Pouring thick, almost like apricot nectar, this delivers with a high bitterness that hides the 9% alcohol very well. By the end of the glass though, it will sneak up on you. Very well done, enjoyable and hoppy in substance, but not show. The only real issue I have with this is the amount of sediment in the bottle was excessive.
Jen: This is a bitter, hoppy beer with a mild malt backbone, only to end with a smack of hops in your face! I don't really taste the alcohol, translation: goes down fairly smoothly. It has a dry finish with a nice light carbonation. Definitely drinkable!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Name: Unibroue: La Terrible
Brewed In/Type: Quebec, Canada / Belgian Dark Ale (Abby Ale)
Bought at/Price Binny's / $8.99 750ml
Dennis: Another impressive Unibroue beer. Described as an Abby Ale on their site (belgian ale) this certainly holds true to the name. Dark as midnight, and high in alcohol (10.5%) this brew is assertive in a lot of way. Deep, warm, musty and fruity it's sort of a typical belgian ale. Curiously though, it was quite fizzy (carbonated). Certainly not something you can go wrong with, but the price (when compared to other belgian style ales) is a little high. Certainly worth a try due to the smoothness of the alcohol.
Jen: Although Unibroue has named this brew "La Terrible", it is anything but. It smells of sweet dried fruits. The first sip is mild, but then you are quickly overcome with the tastes the spicy raisins, dates and figs. It is highly carbonated and almost dry. They really hide the alcohol taste well.
It leaves you wanting to drink more.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

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