Episode 20: Old Damned Beer

We thought we’d take a value pack of stouts into New Helvetia and hear the inspiration behind David Gull’s and Iver Johnson’s rye and barrel-aged imperials. Hosts Joey Gonzalez and Bob Moffitt expected the brewery’s efforts to sail high above the competition with its mystery air ships, and they did. But, it was why the competition was so inferior that was enlightening…or cloudy…or bitter…or rancid…or… LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

New Helvetia Homeland Rye 5.5% abv

Joey: Liked the bitterness GOOD/VERY GOOD

Bob: Liked how it started, a little too bitter at the end. GOOD/VERY GOOD

Sierra Nevada West Coast 5.8% abv

David: It’s 6 months old! More of a black ale than a stout. FAIR/GOOD

Iver: GOOD/VERY GOOD. Well-rounded with its palatability and vegetabileness

Joey: Way too hoppy: CAT

Bob: I burped hops: POOR

Lord Hobo Meat and Potatoes Irish 7.7% abv

Iver: I’m a dry Irish lover. Good body. Expected more. Would love to dry it on draft. FAIR

David: Metallic aroma, suspect age. FAIR

Joey: Expecting something more full-bodied. FAIR

Bob: Reminds me of a red ale. FAIR

Dragon Jamaican Foreign Export 7.5% abv

The panel decided not to grade this beer since it had a sell-by date of two years prior. However, the continued sale of a creation so long after it was produced led to these descriptions:

Iver: How good was it fresh?

David: Easter egg dye.

Joey: Ugh.

Bob: Rancid pecan wine.

New Helvetia Bourbon Barrel-Aged 10.5% abv

Iver: It’s a share-and-sipper. It’s a big beer.

David: Steve Martin in his five-time-SNL-host jacket would enjoy this.

Joey: VERY GOOD. Sweet, delicious, I would get my blankey and this and call it a night.

Bob: VERY GOOD. A classic.