More Cool Beers

Gerald O'Kennard

Last month we provided Part One of the list of high scoring, super-premium beers from the 2006 World Beer Championship. They offer a range of rich flavors and food compatability, and represent a mix of regional craft beers and lesser-known international beers that will round out your beverage list.

Andelot Proefbrouwerij Zoetzuur Flemish Ale (93 pts.) Dark golden amber color with a high white head. Winey, mature cheese, barnyard and sour wild yeast aromas. A round entry leads to tart and slightly sour medium-bodied palate with dried apple, mild tarragon, medicinal bark and herbs and lemon flavors. Finishes with a long, dry, spicy, cider-like fade. This has a great interplay of sweet, sour and herbs and will go brilliant with robust cheeses. A very sophisticated beer for those looking for something really different. 7% ABV; 750 ml.

Brasserie Abbaye Des Rocs Triple Impèriale (96 pts.) Brilliant dark copper color with a huge white, rocky head. Yeasty dough, citrus peel, dried apricot and mild earthy hop aromas. A smooth frothy entry leads to a sweet fruity full-bodied palate with rich candied stone apricots and peaches, sweet toffee and brilliantly balanced vanilla and brown spices. Finishes with a long sweet chocolate-covered citrus, candied fruit and a very subtle, piney hop fade. This is absolutely delicious and very hard to put down! 10% ABV; 750 ml.

Unibroue Trois Pistoles (95 pts.) Deep chestnut color. Dried apricot, dark caramel, honeydew melon, and brown spice aromas follow through to a frothy medium-to full-bodied palate with tangy sweet citrus, dried cherry and berry fruit, toffee and delicate spices. Finishes with a long toasty malt, apricot and melon fade. Very refreshing and flavorful for its weight. 9% ABV; 750 ml.

St. Bernardus Brouwerij St. Bernardus ABT 12 (94 pts.) Burnished dark copper color. Yeasty dough, dark caramel, nut fudge and mild cinnamon aromas. A smooth silky entry leads to a chewy, fruity sweet medium-to-full-bodied palate with raisin compote, toasted nuts, peppery spice, molasses and toffee flavors. Finishes with a long, chocolate-covered lemon peel and spice fade. Rich and delicious—try with ice cream and nuts.10% ABV; 750 ml.

Andelot Proefbrouwerij Lozen Beer ABT (92 pts.) Dark copper color with a lacy taupe head. Sweet caramel, vanilla bean and melted chocolate aromas. A rich satiny entry leads to a medium-to full-bodied palate with chocolate-covered espresso beans, dark caramel, roasted nuts and sweet dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a long mocha, lemon rind and peppery spice fade. Smooth, rich, and flavorful— try with firm cheeses. 10% ABV; 750 ml.

Daleside Brewery Old Legover (91pts.) Medium amber color. Sweet caramelized nuts, glazed pastry and yeast aromas. A round entry leads to a lightly roasted malt palate with baked citrus, light rye bread and mild earthy hop flavors. Finishes with a citrus spray and dusty hop fade. A fine session beer with classic flavors and style. 4.1% ABV; 550 ml.

Duchy Originals Organic English Ales (92 pts.) Golden amber color. Sweet toffee, dried frui and delicate, earthy hop aromas. A smooth entry leads to a dry, crisp, medium-/ fullbodied, lightly roasted malt palate with dark multigrain toast, nuts and citrus peel flavors. Finishes with a classy fade of roasted grain, lemon rind and dusty hops. Great style, complexity and balance. 4.71% ABV; 500 ml.

St. Peter's Brewery Organic English Ale (90 pts.) Golden amber. Sweet caramel, golden raisin and toast aromas. Crisp and vibrant with toasty lightly caramelized pale malt flavor and a fine earthy, mildly bitter hop fade. Very refreshing and clean with excellent drinkability. 4.5% ABV; 500 ml.

Rogue Ales Hazelnut Brown Nectar (92 pts.) Dark mahogany color with a tan head. Sweet toffee, malt and hazelnut aromas are deliciously inviting. A smooth, rich entry leads to a medium-bodied caramelized malt palate with sweet toffee and toasted hazelnut flavors. Rich and sweet without being cloying. A musttry beer for everyone! 5.6% ABV; 12 oz.

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Nut Brown Ale (92 pts.) Chestnut brown color. Rich roasted malt, dark toast and brazil nuts aromas. A supple entry leads to a dry mediumbodied palate with bready malt and earthy hops. Finishes with a long, earthy fade. Very refined and smooth. 5% ABV; 550 ml.

Daleside Brewery Monkey Wrench (92 pts.) Copper color. Sweet honeyed nut toast aromas. A rich, frothy entry leads to a nutty medium-roasted caramelized malt with sweet dried fruit, raw nuts and light dusty hops. A fine dry-yet-fruity brown ale with great flavor and easy-going drinkability. 5.3% ABV; 550 ml.

The Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams Brown Ale (90 pts.)Deep copper color with a tan head. Sweet toffee and roasted malt aromas. A smooth, frothy entry. Dryish roasted malt palate with toffeed nuts and grain flavors. Finishes with mild citrus and earthy hops. Completely balanced, very clean and delicious. 5.3% ABV; 12 oz.

Charles Wells Brewery Wells Bombardier Ale (89 pts.) Sweet toffee and toasted grain aromas. Roasted grain and nut, and clover honey flavors. Finishes with tart citrus peel and earthy bittering hops. Very nice and clean traditional English brown ale. 5.2% ABV; 500 ml.

The Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat (90 pts.) Brilliant medium amber color. Vibrant, sweet mara-chino cherry and honeyed toast aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to dry-yet-fruity medium-bodied palate with robust maraschino and dark cherry skin followed by nutty toast flavors. Finishes dryly with a touch of citrusy hops, marzipan and dark cherry. Very crisp and refreshing. 5.2% ABV; 12 oz.

Stone Brewing Co. Stone IPA (93 pts.) Deep gold with a thick white head. Robust, fresh piney hop aromas. A bold entry leads to a dryish full-bodied caramelized malt palate with sweet caramel and pine sapladen hop flavors. Finishes with a long, crisp fade. A great, musttry IPA with rich sweet malt and aggressive spicy hops. 6.9% ABV 22 oz.a

Full Sail Brewing Co. Full Sail IPA (92 pts.) Brilliant golden amber color with a thick white head. Fragrantly floral hops and sweet malt aromas. A creamy entry leads to a rich, sweet caramelized malt palate with nice caramel with citrus flavors and a touch of spice. Finishes with a long crisp, piney hop fade. An American IPA with great balance and character. 6% ABV; 12 oz.

Rogue Ales Brutal Bitter 91 (91 pts.) Deep copper with an off-white head. Floral and citrusy hop aromas lead to a smooth and toffeed roasted malt palate with a great level of bitter hops. A very nice balance of sweetness and aggressive hops that work well together. 6% ABV; 22 oz.

Great Lakes Brewing Co. Conway's Irish Ale (93 pts.) Dark amber color with an offwhite head. Roasted grain and dried fruit aromas. A frothy smooth entry leads to dryish medium-bodied toasted malt palate with off-dry lightly fruity malt with rich toasted grain flavors. Effortlessly drinkable and totally enjoyable. 6% ABV; 22 oz.

The Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams Scotch Ale (91 pts.) Brilliant mahogany color with a nice tan head. Smoky, grainy aromas are savory and deep. A rich entry leads to an off-dry medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet toffee, smoky wood and a touch of peat. Finishes with a smooth tangy fade with a nice level of earthy hops. A great balance of sweet and spicy, smoky elements. 5.5% ABV; 22 oz.

Moylan's Brewing Co. Hopsickle Imperial IPA (96 pts). Brilliant deep copper color. Super rich dried fruit, chocolate and beautifully floral hops. A robust chewy entry, sweet full-bodied caramelized malt palate of baker's chocolate and citrus marmalade. Finishes with great, super refined piney hops. This is an absolutely huge beer, but exquisitely balanced, with deeply fragrant and flavored, yet only moderately astringent, hops. Remarkable! 9.2% ABV; 22 oz.

Moylan's Brewing Co. Moylander Double IPA (95 pts.) Brilliant copper. Tremendously rich piney hop aromas follow through to a sweet, rich, caramelized malt palate with candied grapefruit and resinous hops. A powerful, over-the-top IPA that still has tremendous charm and crispness. Magnificent! 8.5% ABV 22 oz.

Rogue Ales I2PA Imperial Pale Ale (94 pts.) Golden amber color with a slight haze. Intensely fruity, ripe citrus peels and exotic sweet fruits lead to a super rich full-bodied toasty malt palate with honey and citrus flavors. Finishes with a long piney blast of bittering hops. A remarkable sipping style¯huge, but very approachable and balanced. 9.5% ABV; 750 ml.

Eugene City Brewery Natty Red (90 pts.) Frothy deep copper color. Smooth and balanced with dried fruit, marmalade and caramelized malt flavors balanced by mild citrus hops followed a great level of astringency and bitterness. 11.2% ABV; 22 oz.

Westmalle Trappist Tripel (97 pts.) Lightly hazy pale golden color with a high frothy head. Toasty bread and candied lemon peel aromas. A rich frothy entry leads to a fruity, super smooth medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet tangy citrus, cocoa butter and a delicate touch of peppery spice and salt. Finishes with a long tangy orange peel and mild spice fade. This is an incredibly smooth, clean, balanced and drinkable abbey beer¯this is truly great! 9.5% ABV; 12 oz.

Rochefort Trappist Monastery Trappist "8" (94 pts.) Hazy mahogany color. Roasted nut, yeast and dark caramel aromas. A frothy entry leads to a rich, dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with dark caramel, raisin and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes with a long fade of chocolate citrus peels. Very deep and flavorful; keeps evolving. 9.2% ABV; 12 oz

Rochefort Trappist Monastery Trappist "10" (93 pts.) Burnished copper color with rocky manilla head. Dark caramel, baker's chocolate, toasted fruit bread, and toasted nut aromas. A smooth, velvety entry leads to a sweet, fruity medium-bodied roasted malt palate with chocolate covered citrus peels, nut bread, and mild brown spice flavors. Finishes with long cocoa, coffee bean, pepper, and dried fruit fade. A rich and satisfying "meal in a glass" that is remarkably light in texture yet rich in alcohol and effortless drinkable. 11.3% ABV; 12 oz.

Rochefort Trappist Monastery Trappist "6" (90 pts.) Copper brown. Roasted nuts and caramel aromas. zesty frothy entry. crisp light-to -medium body with dark caramel, nuts, and citrus peel flavors. Finishes with a long, drying citrus and burnt sugar fade. Great smooth mouthfeel and lightness make this a Belgian "session" beer. 7.5% ABV; 12 oz.

Brasserie d'Orval Trappist Ale (89 pts.) Beautiful hazy orangish amber color with a pretty manilla head. Wet clay, dried citrus, fresh oregano, and tree bark aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a very dry, tart medium-bodied palate with toasted nuts, singed citrus, tart cherry skin, and faint spices. Finishes with an earthy hop fade and a touch of pith. This beer needs food to shine its brightest, try with chevre. 6.9% ABV; 12 oz.

Joseph Huber Brewing Co. Berghoff Hefe-Weizen (93 pts.) Opaquely clouded golden amber color. Banana nut breaddough has a creamy and lightly peppery clove edge. A vibrantly frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-to full-bodied palate with honeyed toast, banana bread, dry caramel, spice and salt flavors. Finishes with a dry toast and nut fade. 5.2% ABV; 12 oz.

The Boston Beer Co. Samuel Adams White Ale (90 pts.) Lightly hazy copper color. Robust, sweet caramel, candied orange and apricot and delicate spice aromas are deliciously inviting. A rich, frothy entry leads to a fruity medium-bodied palate with dried orange and peach, toffee, coriander, and lemon peel flavors. Finishes with a long, orange marmalade toast and spice fade. 5.2% ABV;12 oz.

Moylan's Brewing Co. Winter Xmas Ale (90 pts.) Golden amber color. Super sweet candied orange, lemon peel and papaya, spice, and fresh honey aromas follow through to a sweet caramelized malt palate with candied tangerine and delicate spices. Finishes with a refined mild bittering ,slightly earthy hops fade. A Christmas treat for holiday beer revelers with a sweet tooth. 7% ABV; 12 oz.

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Winter Welcome Ale (90 pts.) Deep orangish amber color. Caramel, toasted malt and orange marmalade aromas. A round, supple entry, dryyetfruity caramelized malt with dried orange peel, citrus and buttered toffee flavors. Finishes with a citrus and mild bittering hops fade. Velvety rich in flavor with a great balance of sweet and dry flavors. 5.7% ABV; 355 ml.—

Part One of this list appeared in the August 2006 issue of RESTAURANT HOSPITALITY.

Jerald O'Kennard is Director of The Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago.

Photos: CORBIS, GETTY IMAGES, DIGITAL VISION