In search of a truly dark lager

[stoneroller]

PS. at a recent party I REALLY enjoyed the Anchor Christmas Ale from 2001. What a treat! I might have to start collecting now for the future.

[justahobby]

Wee Heavy has promising reviews on beer advocate...will have to check that out

[justahobby]

My quest has ended! I have found the beer that satisfies time and time again. A Russian imperial stout called Old Rasputin. The inky possible downside is it's too heavy for hanging out on the beach or by a pool. You can buy it by the single at HEB Plus (1604 and Blanco) or a four pack at $9. For taste and ACV (9%) ...........Well worth the price!

Beer advocate:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/112/412

Very accurate review:

Old Rasputin was a deep brown-black color, and poured with over a finger of thick chocolate milk head. It left heavy lacing on the glass and the head stuck around for quite a long while. It had a great smell- roasted coffee, honey, and chocolate were all present. The taste was ridiculously complex. It started with chocolate bitterness, roasted malt, and earthy wood, but then at the back end of the taste there was an intense sweetness that matched the honey and chocolate smells. In my experience sweetness typically precedes bitterness, but this beer was quite the opposite, which I really enjoyed. There was some lingering bitterness the whole way through the finish, but nothing unpleasant. Mouthfeel was creamy, thick, and chewy.

Wow. This is a heavy hitter- the intense tastes and a heavy mouthfeel make for a beer I typically would only want one of, but I found myself desiring more after I finished the 12oz bottle. Very complex, but tasty. Definitely will be looking forward to having this one again, as well as some other offerings from Lost Coast.

[FireWater]

What? You didn't like the beer at my house? My quest for the cheapest beer wasn't good enough?

[justahobby]

ROFL!! I seriously thought about bringing some but alas it is too heavy for fun in the sun...err, garage.

[FireWater]

You can bring it next time. I will turn the A/C on in the garage.

[Bill S]

I'm on a quest to find a Gose locally. Kids gave us "wine of the month", and it came with a magazine that talks about Gose brews. Now, I have to have one:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the river in Germany, see Gose (river). For the city in Japan, see Gose, Nara.

Antique Gose bottle (moulded glass), 33 cm in height


Gose is a top-fermented beer style of Leipzig, Germany.
Gose beers are brewed with at least 50% of the grain bill being malted wheat. Because of the use of coriander and salt, Gose does not comply to the Reinheitsgebot. It is allowed an exemption from the rules on the grounds of being a regional speciality. It acquires its characteristic sourness through inoculation with lactic acid bacteria after the boil.[1]
The beers typically have a moderate alcohol content of 4 to 5% ABV. Dominant flavours in Gose include a lemon tartness, a herbal characteristic, and a strong saltiness (the result of either local water sources or added salt). Gose beers typically do not have prominent hop bitterness, flavours, or aroma.
Gose belongs to the same family of sour wheat beers which were once brewed across Northern Germany and the Low Countries. Other beers of this family are Belgian Witbier, Berliner Weisse, Broyhan, Grätzer and Gueze.

[justahobby]

You got it

[justahobby]

Bill, that sounds terrible! LOL! I will keep a look out though. Do you remember the brand?

[FireWater]

Found an American version from Upright Brewing Company out of Oregon.