Beer Digest: Mission St., Hitachino, Weyerbacher

I've had some really great and interesting beers over the last week.  In this new post series, I'm going to highlight my favorite beers from the last week or so.  Hope you enjoy reading!  Suggestions and comments are always welcome!

Mission St 2013 Anniversary Ale (Trader Joe's)

Steinhaus Brewing Co. (brewed at Firestone Walker in Cali)

8.5% ABV

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this beer, but it took me by surprise.  They say it is is blend of three different brews, and when it all comes together the final product is an imperial brown ale.  There was lots of malt, a little roast, and a full, creamy body.  I was surprised how fast I made it through the whole bottle.  There wasn't the slightest hint of the 8.5% ABV.  If more brown ales tasted like this, I would probably drink them more often.

Mission St. 2013 Anniversary Ale from Trader Joe's

Hitachino Nest XH

Kiuchi Brewery

7% ABV

Kiuchi Brewery's Hitachino Nest XH is one of the more unique beers I've tried recently.  I wasn't really sure how aging in sake casks would affect the beer, having never had sake before.  I wonder if this is a big seller in Japan.  The best way I can describe this beer is a strong dark ale that has a subtle, acidic bite in the finish. Quite interesting.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Hitachino Nest XH, Matured in Sake Casks

Insanity

Weyerbacher Brewing Company

11.1% ABV

When Weyerbacher let's their Blithering Idiot barleywine sit in oak bourbon barrels, out comes Insanity.  I used to really like the old label, but the new label is pretty neat.  It's similar, just updated.  Even after spending time sitting in the bourbon barrel, Insanity is still a pretty intense beer  Definitely a sipper.  Big vanilla, bourbon and caramel notes, with lots of alcohol behind it.  Even though it's tasting great now, I can't wait to see what a year or two (or more) does to this beer.  I wish I had started cellaring it years ago!

Weyerbacher Insanity

Have you had any of these beers?  Let me know what you thought of them in the comments!

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