January 8, 2017

10/1828) Home:  Secret Saison by Innis & Gunn of Scotland:  *1/2;  brewed with spices and botanicals;   nose is a bit fruity, a bit peppery;  tastes very herbal, slightly medicinal with a citrus zest finish;  not bad, just not exactly their strength;  Innis & Gunn works better for me when they are setting the trends, not following them;  I now live in fear that they will hear that sours are fashionable;

11/1829) Home:  Vertical Epic by Stone Brewing of California:  *;  7.5%;  marking 20 years of brewing, from Stone's 20th Anniversary Encore series;  the full name is Stone 02.02.02 Vertical Epic Ale;  brewed with orange peel, spices, wheat, coriander and black pepper;  bottle conditioned;  pepper overshadows all else in the nose;  reminds me of a saison more than anything; lingering black pepper flavours obscure all else;

12/1830) Home:  Finest Kind IPA by Smuttynose Brewing of New Hampshire:  **1/2;  6.9% 75 ibu;  green tea nose;  touch citrus and some resin to nose;  resiny green tea notes;