Poker and Beer Review

Aloha, everybody, 

This weekend I got the boys together and we played some poker while sampling cigars and tasting some very special beers, courtesy of Laker Dave. 

 Laker Dave started us off with a blast from the winter warmers...

This was a BIG beer with big flavor. This Belgian ale goes down sweet, but it's not overdone. I tasted bananas and one of the other guys nailed it when he said it was reminiscent of banana pudding. 12% ABV. 

 
Next up was Devils' Teeth, from Modern Times brewery. I've had some good stuff from Modern Times before, but this one is the best. 

It's a hybrid coffee/imperial stout. Wow! This is how you do coffee beer right! It leaves an absolutely delicious coffee taste that lingers on the back of the tongue. 10% ABV HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Here's the rear label...

 Next up is an ale that was aged in Rye whiskey barrels. Laker Dave aged this an additional six months...

Double Bastard in the Rye is super smoooooooth up front. It goes on to leave a long and lingering sweetness on the top, rear of the palate. Very satisfying, quite yummy. This one packs a punch of 12.7% ABV

Next up was the only disappointment of the night...

This Mole Stout started out with high expectations, because we were hoping Ska Brewing had captured the smoky, slightly spicy flavor of Mexican mole. Nope. 

Flat was the consensus. It tasted a bit like a very dry wine. One of the boys said it tasted like flat root beer. If you see this one on your local store shelves - just walk away. 

Next up is my favorite of the night, Cellar 3 from Green Flash Brewing. Green Flash is one of those brewers that is a definite "yes" when you see it. 

This is a black ale that is aged in bourbon barrels. Laker Dave told us that every fifth bottle of Cellar 3 was skunk - bad beer. I volunteered to taste the first pour. 

WOW! This was not skunky at all. That mole beer tasted like a bad dry wine, but this beer is what fine wine tastes like. One can really taste the bourbon barrel infusion. Cellar 3 wins the night. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 

This was the final taster of the night, from Smog City's Taproom Collection. Smog City Brewing is one of the up and coming brewers hailing from the up and coming brewing city of Torrance, CA. 

This beer split the table. I thought it was very smooth and well suited for a sit on the front porch. Several of the other guys felt it was a boring beer. Let your own taste buds decide. 

Last up is an honorable mention. Not a taster, but one of several beers from Stone Brewing that were also at the game. 

Americano Stout is an absolutely wonderfully subtle, coffee flavored delight. This is almost like not drinking a beer. If I were the kind of guy to drink a beer on a Sunday morning, this is the beer I would choose. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Speaking of highly recommended, if you're a fan of these beer reviews, be sure to stop by Baseball Card Breakdown and check out Gavin's beer and cards post. That's a lot of fun and will give you cardboard along with the suds. 

In addition to the beer tasting, we also played some cards. It was a great night.

Aloha!