Extreme Beerfest 2005

I was a little disappointed in this year's extreme beerfest, it was mostly high alcohol IPAs, and regular Russian Imperial Stouts and Barleywines . Not to say that it wasn't a great time, just that it wasn't an impressive display of extreme beer.

There were some truly unique and creative beers there, which I'll discuss from my unique homebrew's perspective - cause I'm unique and special.

Beer Works - Peanut Buffer Porter (5.5%): I actually came up with this idea while drinking with some friends, then someone from Beer Works got ahold of it, traveled back in time 2 years and ran with it - so shame on them. In reality it was a pretty good brew though I thought the peanut butter flavor was a little too low and the carbonation light for a porter. Last year there were a few peanut butter beers, but they suffered from massive levels of peanut oil, you'd sip and your tongue would get coated, so I was impressed that Beer Works got the oil out. I think this is a good beer style worth pursuing by homebrewers.

Alchemist Pub And Brewery - Hellbrook (8.0%): This was billed as an American Double Red Ale - not much to say except that the Red Ale style holds up ok at 8.0%.

Avery Brewing Company - The Kaiser (9.3%): One of the few Lagers, this Imperial Oktoberfest was pretty good. The style holds up pretty well with 50% more alcohol.

Founders Brewing Company - Breakfast Stout (8.3%): This company produced some of the best beers at the event, but this one stands out. Brewed with bitter and sweet chocolates and two types of coffee, this thick foamy stout was simply amazing. It really did seem like a beer you would have for breakfast despite the alcohol. It was too complex for me to analyze in my inebriated state, but it's the only coffee or chocolate beer I've ever liked.

Homebrewing ideas
As I mentioned above, I liked the Peanut Butter Porter - if you get the peanut oil out.

I remain generally against chocolate or coffee in beer (for flavor reasons) but maybe they work together.

Raspberries are a good way to cover the high alcohol flavor of strong ales and barleywines.

At some point IPAs stop tasking like beer, and becomes a mouthful of hop resins - and that's not a good thing.

I think I learned more, but I must have killed those brain cells.