Rating System
(from best to worst)
Excellent, Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Above Average, Average, Below Average, Poor. Undrinkable
From Bottles to Growlers- beer reviews by SANDY FELD, certified taster
Harpoon Bronze King

Overall an undistinguished offering from the usually solid
Harpoon Brewery. This barleywine weighs in at 10% ABV.  It
opens with a nose of  cloves, bananas, and boozy alcohol.  
Featured flavors are spicy yeast, caramel, dark fruits, in a
background of alcohol notes.  Therein lies the problem as the
booze dominates the flavor profile making the offering less than
the best example of the style.

Overall rating:- Below Average
Moa Imperial Stout

This is a Russian Imperial Stout (10.2%) aged in Pinot Noir barrels.  
First pour brings smells of Smells of chocolate and caramel with light
wine notes.  Taste features dark malts, cocoa, chocolate, and the
right hint of coffee.  The somewhat dry finish brings some powdered
cocoa. caramel and solid wine flavors.   It's the Pinot Noir
component that elevates this beer to superior status.

Overall Rating - Very Good
Having sampled nearly 4,000 different beers in my
capacity as a fully certified taster I can promise
honest, thoughtful, and careful evaluations.  However,
remember that these reviews are totally subjective.  
Consider this column an informative resource only.  
The bottom line is to trust your own judgment and
keep drinking!  

Sandy
Beers Reviewed
DuClaw Sweet Baby Jesus

This beer is actually a porter (6.5% ABV) but
not a typical one.  It's all about peanut
butter and chocolate.  If you like both you'll
like the beer, if not, well.....  Fist taste
immediately brings peanut butter followed
by roasted malts. Peanut butter notes then
combine with chocolate as the finish nears
along with hints of roasted grain and cocoa.  
Fun for a pint but that's it. Too many great
porters out there to stay with this gimmick.

Overall Rating: Below Average
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