I was just settling in to write a sentimental post somewhere along the lines of “this is a homecoming because it was at GABF in 2009 where I came up with this crazy idea.”

And then I remembered I already wrote that blog post. Last year.

See you there? We’ll be in booth no. 20 with all SIX “33″ books – beer, wine, coffee, cheese, cigars and now – 33 Whiskeys!

Beer Name: Fore Smoked Stout
Brewer: Dark Horse
Price: FREE*
Sampled: March 10, 2011
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Creamy, malty, smoky and just a hint, the barest hint of band-aid. Faintly yeasty. Some bittersweet chocolate. Fairly dry. Nicely balanced.
ABV: N/A
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle

* Gift of The Hopry in a beer trade situation … who I just read is closing his blog’s doors. Really liked that blog and I’m sorry to see it go. 33 Cheers to his next adventure, though!

Beer Name: Cherry Adam from the Wood
Brewer: Hair of the Dog
Price: $8.50
Sampled: March 9, 2011
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Licorice without the anise color. Has a vinous quality. Molasses and some … nutmeg? Definitely cherry. Not much oak, but some sweet bourbon.
ABV: N/A
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Draft

Beer Name: 2010 Old Knucklehead Barleywine
Brewer: Bridgeport
Price: FREE*
Sampled: March 8, 2011
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Dark cherry, thick malt and a good hop resin that’s not too hoppy, but texturally there. Almond and some raisin/prunes. Fresh red grapes, too. Pineapple?
ABV: 9.2% abv
IBU: 65 ibu
OG 22.7 °P
TG N/A
Serving Type: Draft

* Work celebration for the iPad app that’s been keeping me oh-so-very-busy.

Beer Name: Hop the Plank IPA
Brewer: Three Skulls
Price: N/A
Sampled: March 7, 2011
Rating: 3/5
Notes: Having a bit of trouble smelling, but I’m getting Lucky Charms complete with dried marshmallows. Weird. Tastes a tad soapy, with a nice toasty linger. Good.
ABV: N/A
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle.

Beer Name: Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout
Brewer: Leinenkugel
Price: N/A
Sampled: March 6, 2011
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Another cold! Hopefully this is the beer version of a toddy. Smells kind of port-y/vinuous. Not bad, actually. A little lacking in depth, but not bad at all.
ABV: 9.5% abv
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle.

Beer Name: Old Salt IPA
Brewer: Cascade
Price: $4.50
Sampled: March 5, 2011
Rating: 2/5
Notes: Smells nice. Spicy & Englis, with a peppery, big, frothy, root beer float-like head. Crazy bitter linger. Too far, in my humble opinion. Stanky linger transitions to bitter. Very dry.
ABV: 5.8% abv
IBU: 65
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Draft.

Beer Name: Black Metal Imperial Stout
Brewer: Jester King
Price: FREE*
Sampled: March 4, 2011
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Wow, that’s nice. Very smooth, hidden alcohol … thickish, milky texture with a slightly smoky, rich quality.
ABV: 10.4% abv
IBU: 60
OG 1.108
TG 1.024
Serving Type: Bottle.

* One of my monthly deliveries from the Rare Beer Club, something I didn’t think I’d be that into, but definitely have enjoyed. Thanks Dad and Elaine!

Beer Name: Bump in the Night
Brewer: Full Sail
Price: $5.25
Sampled: March 3, 2011
Rating: 3/5
Notes: Kinda delicious – buttery sweet with a malty tingle at the end of a long, pine-y hop road. This is a CDA I could get into. Tangerine faintly.
ABV: 6.5% abv
IBU: 65
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Draft.

Beer Name: Old Growth Imperial Stout
Brewer: Caldera
Price: $8.75
Sampled: March 2, 2011
Rating: 3/5
Notes: Pretty tasty, but quite bitter and may benefit from some sitting alone in the basement. Has a boozy, somewhat tingly, bitter finish. Good, not great, but could be.
ABV: 8.8% abv
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle.