Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged Borris Oatmeal Imperial Stout the Show!

By Matt Goldstein & Kevin Hussey 

The 2011 Beats, Brews & BBQ beer fest at the World Café Live in Philadelphia had over 35 brewers with more than 100 beers and tickets sold out months before the beer fest opened its doors.  With more than 100 beers trying to stake their claim at the 2011 beerfest, our panel of tasters provides you with the top 10 craft beers that crushed the competition.  Speaking of crushed, Hoppin Frogs Borris the Crusher stole the show!    

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1. Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged Borris Oatmeal Imperial Stout: 

Made from the 2008 Gold Medalist at the GABF, Borris the Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout, the barrel aged version is a masterpiece in cask matured stouts.  Full bodied, robust, roasted and smoky, with notes of oak and vanilla, the Barrel Aged Borris is complex and full of character.  9.4% ABV, 60 IBU.  Hoppin Frog Brewing.  Akron, Ohio.

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2. Weyerbacher Heresy Imperial Stout:

The Heresy is an old heathen oak aged imperial stout.  Aged in bourbon oak barrels with a roasted flavor, the Heresy has notes of bourbon, oak, corn, vanilla, and coffee.  8.5% ABV, Weyerbacher Brewing.  Easton, PA.   

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3. Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Style Ale:

The Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale, also known as an old ale, is brewed with 7 different types of malts.  Ruby Red in color, with strong notes of hops, hints of smoke and peat, the Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale is a classic.  8.5% ABV, Founders Brewing Co.  Michigan.   

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4. Victory Old Horizontal Barley Wine:

The Victory Barley Wine is rich in hops with a sweet flavor that balances very well.  With imported 2 row hops malts and American whole flower hops, the Old Horizontal is perfectly balanced.  10.5% ABV.  Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA.

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5. Six Points Sehr Crisp Pilsner

With all the IPA’s and Imperial Stouts at every beer fest, the Six Point Sehr Crisp Pilsner was a refreshing session beer and strongly lived up to the Pilsner style.  According to Beer Advocate, the Sehr Crisp Pilsner is a cross between a German Pilsner and a Bohemian Pilsner and blended with German hops.  5.4% ABV.  Six Point Brewing Company.  Brooklyn, NY. 

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6.  Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye:

The Hop Rod Rye has been a staple of Bear Republic for years and years, winning three separate gold medals in craft beer competitions.  The Racer 5 and Rocket Red are already legendary Bear Republic Brews, but the Hop Rod Rye is just as good.  The Hop Rod Rye is an IPA with a heavy rye malt base, but also a spicy kick and bitterness that add a beautiful complexity to the hops.  8.0% ABV, 80 IBUs.  Bear Republic Brewing Co. Healdsburg, CA.    

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7.  Yards Chocolate Love Stout:

The Yards Chocolate Love Stout is a sweet and sultry full bodied chocolate stout with a beautiful roasted malt flavor.  The Chocolate Love is brewed with oysters in a kettle.  Oysters?  WTF!  5.5% ABV.  Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, PA. 

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8.  Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged Dorris the Destoyer Double Oatmeal Imperial Stout: 

Some of our tasters at the beer fest thought the Dorris Destroyer might have been better than Barrel Aged Borris and for good reason.  This Double Imperial Oatmeal Stout is similar to the Borris but a little more tangy.  Dry hopped and wort hopped, Dorris the Destroyer will smack you right in your mouth.  10.5% ABV, 70 IBUs.   Hoppin Frog Brewing Co.  Akron, Ohio.

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9.  Left Hand Fade to Black Volume 2 Baltic Porter:

The Left Hand Fade to Black Volume 2 is a flat lout smoke monster.  Made with 2-Row malts, Smoked Munich (smoked with Hackberry) malts, Malted Rye, Cara Aroma, Chocolate, Carafa, Special II, Carafa III and Magnum and Northern Brewer hops, the medium to full bodied porter stood out from all other porters at the beer fest. 

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10.  Dogfish Head Red & White Belgian Style Wit Ale:

The Red & White Belgian Style Wit Ale is an easy drinking Belgian ale “brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice.”  WOW!  Dogfish Head will try anything.  The Red & White Ale is then aged in Oak tanks.  An Oak tank?  That’s first we’ve heard of that.  It certainly sounds better than being aged in a metal vat, but can’t possibly provide the character of an oak barrel.  Either way, the Red & White is a fabulous Belgian Wit.  10.0% ABV, 35 IBU.  Dogfish Head Brewing.  Rehobeth Beach, DE. 

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