Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Clear, mahogany in color. Lasting almond head, fine bubbles. Beautiful.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hop! Sweet, bready, slightly nutty.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Very hoppy, very malty–hop at beginning, middle, end. Well-balanced, but boy howdy, it's a big beer.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Hop hop hop, etc. Sweet, nutty, woody front. Bitter, lasting finish. A bit too sweet.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Bitter, hoppy throughout. Fills the mouth. Moves from front to finish at the back of the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: If you're a hop-head, you want it. If you aspire to be a hop-head, start small and work your way up to it. (For our part, we love it.)

TOTAL: 17.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Big, hoppy as hell, delicious. A beautiful sippin' beer, definitely one to try.
Ben: A good one to end the night on, because I'm shot for all other beers after this one. Hop, hop, hop. Awesome.

Left Hand Chainsaw Ale–Double Sawtooth American Strong Ale

Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Dark copper color. Creamy, lasting head. Hazy.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrus, pineapple, bubblegum.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, needs more bittering hop. Not a lot of floral hop here.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Citrusy, bouncy, grassy/meadowy. Some grapefruit notes, nuttiness. Fades quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Smooth, dry finish. Effervescent. Needs more bittering hop, more presence.

OVERALL: 2/3: Fades really quickly; not the hop presence you'd expect. Nice while it lasts, but that ain't long.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: The beer equivalent of cotton candy–great while it's in your mouth, but the memory fades as quickly as the taste.
Ben: Good beer, just lacking–leaves you wanting.