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Music and beer just seem to always go together.  It’s kind of like ice cream and apple pie.  But in a more noisy and chaotic sort of way.  And also when you think of bands drinking beer you are probably picturing them pounding a bunch of PBRs (like Evil Phil).  Well craft beer and good music can come together and form perfect harmony, no matter how heavy the band may be.  Three Floyds have done a number of beers in recognition of bands and now New Belgium is doing the same.

Clutch is a rock band from Maryland that has a unique sound that includes influence from blues, southern rock, heavy metal and funk.  And to make a beer for them New Belgium decided to make a very unique beer to compliment that.  It’s a blend of a 80% stout and 20% sour dark ale.  Interesting sounding to say the least.

The brew arrives jet black in color inside of my New Belgium snifter glass.  Pretty much opaque with no light coming through.  Nice sized tan head sits on top.

The moment I popped the cap off I could smell chocolate.  A deeper smell brings in some hints of roasted malts, coffee and cherries.

The taste brings you the chocolate upfront with some roasted malt character that is immediately followed be some slightly tart flavors of cherries, apples and pears.  The body is actually a lot thinner than I was expecting but I assume with the blending that is the reason for it.

I admit, I’m a big fan of the band Clutch.  I’ve never been disappointed by any of their albums.  So when I heard about this beer I made it a point to have to get a bottle.  I read mixed reviews on it but I didn’t let that deter me from getting one.  Thankfully an online beer store had it and it was quite easy to get.

Overall I really enjoyed the beer.  It is something I haven’t really had before.  The sour flavors are subtle and not as in your face as some other sour stouts like The Bruery’s Tart of Darkness.  I sat and sipped at this for a couple hours and eventually it was all gone.

I know we don’t get New Belgium down here in Florida and a lot of you are always in the stores asking when you can get Fat Tire.  But if you find yourself traveling soon in an area where New Belgium is (Denver for GABF for example) then I think you should pick this up.

Grade - A-

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April 1st.  The day people play countless jokes upon one and other.  I had a very nice idea for a joke to play but lack of planning will cause this to be used for a rainy day.  Instead I look at today as opening day for my beloved Phillies.

Roy Halladay takes the mount today at 1:05 pm in Citizen’s Bank Ballpark to take on the Astros as we phight to head back to the World Series.  And I expect nothing less than no hitters from both Halladay and Lee to open the season.  Is that too much to ask for?

But I guess on to the beer right?  So for today’s review here I have Obovoid.  It is an oak aged oatmeal stout according to the makers, Boulder Beer.  I had this one a couple years ago when my taste was not nearly what it is now.  I remember it being quite strong and struggling to get through it.  I doubt that will be the case now but let’s see.

The brew pours a pitch black color into my nonic pint glass.  A light brown or tannish head sites on top and leaves a bit of lacing as it slowly subsides.

The nose is full of oatmeal, mocha and cocoa.  There is slight scent of alcohol in the back but it’s not something that burns the nostrils.

Chocolate and coffee dominate the taste.  I get and ever so slight hoppy taste in the back.  And there is a bit of an oak presence.  It becomes more apparent when it warms up along with the alcohol.  And I must say the body on this is very thin and light.  I expected something heavier and more creamy since it is an oatmeal stout according to them.

Well I can definitely say I didn’t struggle through this bottle at all.  Oh what time can do to one’s taste buds.

While I thought the beer was full of flavor I was very let down by the body of the beer.  Typically the use of oats in a beer is to give it more body and this was super light.  It didn’t make it a bad beer.  It just made it less enjoyable.  I don’t know if this was a below standard batch or what.

If you have had this beer and thought it had a lot of body do let me know.  I will definitely try another bottle.

But until next time, go Phils!

Grade - B-

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It’s Super Bowl week and the big game is just around the corner.  My Eagles were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the NFC representative for the big game, the Packers.  But as is my typical fashion when the Eagles are out I will root for the other team from my home state.  Those blue collared folks all the way across the state in Pittsburgh.  And to show a little bit of support for the black and gold I have something equally black here.

Voodoo Brewing Company is out of Meadville, PA which is pretty much smack dab in between Pittsburgh and Erie on the western side of the state.  My first experience with them was this past summer in Pennsylvania where I attended a Voodoo Night at the Hulmeville Inn.  The brews were excellent and I even got a chance to speak with head brewer Matt.

Today’s beer is probably their big hitter of their line, Big Black Voodoo Daddy.  It’s a big 12.5% ABV American Imperial Stout that was given to me for my birthday from Ryan of the Funky Buddha.  So let’s see if this beer puts a curse over me.

The brew is jet black when it’s poured into my nonic pint glass.  There is a nice sized light brown head on top of the beer and it leaves some good lacing on the glass.

Tons of stuff going on in the nose.  I get a lactose like smell right off the bat followed by some cocoa and coffee.  There is a hop quality in the nose as well with a slight boozy scent in the back.

There is a lot of roasted tastes in here.  Some bitter coffee and hops come together along with some more hints of cocoa.  As this baby warms up you really get the alcohol in it.

Well this name I think certain fits the brew.  It is definitely big and most certainly black.

I’m going to guess that this bottle was probably from early 2010.  I know they don’t make it year round and they just announced it coming out right around now so that’s my guess on it.  If so there is still quite a hop presence in it for a 1 year old beer.  It threw things off a little bit but wasn’t a put off.  I think this would be an incredible aging beer.

So there you have it Steeler nation.  I have drank a local beer to show my support for your team going into the big game.  I think it would be awesome to see a bunch of Steelers fans drinking this instead of Iron City.

Grade - B+