Stillwater Artisanal 'Surround' Imperial Oak-Smoked Wheat Stout. 10% abv. Black in color. Two fingers of thick foamy mocha head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of roasted malt, dark chocolate, smokey, dark wood. Front taste of bittersweet dark chocolate, raisins, plum, smoked grain, caramel underneath. Aftertaste of dried dark fruit, botanical bitter herbal, plum, notes of cloves. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, creamy, astringent, dry finish.

This is an exceptional beer that pulls no punches. The dark chocolate and heavy bitter fruit flavors are held together in a dense, creamy body with an inviting aroma that never subsides. Roasty, malty, herbal, and very smoky, this is a bold beer that steps over traditional flavor profiles. An outstanding innovative brew from an always-interesting artisanal brewery. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Like a sound system that fills the room with audibles swarming in every direction. This massive stout overtakes your senses with aromas & flavor of dark chocolate, caramel, roast, smoke, earth & wood, It's heavy I know, but you have to drop that bass every once in a while if you really wanna get down."

[source: stillwater-artisanal.com]

21st Amendment Brewery 'Hell or High Watermelon' Wheat Ale. 4.9% abv. 17 IBU. Hazy pale-straw color. Finger of bubbly white head. Good-fair retention, moderate-low lacing. Nose of biscuit, flowers, faint watermelon. Front taste of watermelon, wheat, lemongrass, herbal, citrus peel on the back. Aftertaste of wheat, notes of punchy grapefruit, white bread, bitter fruity hops, coriander in the sustain. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is cool, bright, carbed.

This is a nice, highly drinkable wheat beer that's perfect for summer outings. The promised watermelon taste is delivered, as is the wheat, though I would have liked to sense them more in the aroma. It's a unique spin on a summer ale, though not outstanding by any measure. It's surely worth trying, if only for the watermelon taste. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Like Lady Liberty, we stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great. No journey too long. No fruit too gigantic. This American wheat beer is brewed with real watermelon, for a flavor that’s surprisingly crisp, dry and refreshing—summer in a can. Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is our summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. We start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor."

[source: 21st-amendment.com]

High Water Brewing 'Old And In The Way' Barleywine. 11% abv. 60 IBU. Dark brown, nearly black in color. Finger of beige head. Good retention and lace. Sweet nose of caramel, roasted malt, dark fruit. Front taste of roasted malt, prunes, toffee. Tastes wood-aged. Aftertaste is sweet-bitter, bitter hops, cooked dark berries, plums, raisins. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, syrupy, strong, alcoholic.

This excellent beer swings for the fences with its rich malty backbone, big body, and aggressive rich, sweet fruity flavor profile. Roasty, malty, fruity, dark. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Old and In The Way Barley Wine Style Ale is brewed in the traditional English Barley Wine Style. Flavors of toffee, treacle and caramel emerge as the beer opens up. Enjoy this beer a little warmer to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of flavors in this beer. Brewed to be enjoyed as a sipping or fireside beer. Share one with a good friend."