Deus and done.

We walked in and the bar staff let us know that our Deus bottles were already on ice for us. We had to reserve them in advance since there's usually only one bottle in stock at a given time (at $50 a pop, it's clearly not their best seller). We wasted no time in cracking the first bottle, so here's the review without further delay...

Beer: Deus Brut des Flandres 2006 Vintage
ABV: 11.50%
Home: Buggenhout, Belgium
Slogan: "A sparkling, divine drink"

Now THIS is the true champagne of beers. The Deus is brewed and fermented in Belgium, and then turned/conditioned in caves in the Champagne region of France. During the weeks-long turning process (known as remuage) when the yeast is separated from the bottle walls and collected into the neck, each bottle is rotated slightly and pitch angle increased until the bottle is upside down. The neck is finally frozen and the bottle pressure drives out the yeast "cork." This same process is also used for actual champagne (the sparkling wine). Naturally, the Deus pours a pale golden color with lots of tiny bubbles. It has a light body, but with strong alcohol and a dry finish. The fruit flavors could be from apples or grapes. Great beer for a special occasion.

After finishing our three Deus bottles, we filled out a form with our info, our favorite staff member, favorite band, reason for existing, and finally our choice of dead author. So, now the mug. As a rule, you can't name your mug after an author already taken by another Mug Club member. Since there are around 400 members, you have to think outside the box - well, beyond authors of classic novels, anyway. People have also chosen writers of columns, memoirs, scientific publications, music, and screenplays. My choice: Coach John Wooden. Legendary UCLA basketball coach whose record wins, including 10 national championships, are still unrivaled today. Writer of several memoirs, including the "Pyramid of Success," his guide for being successful in basketball and life.

So what have I gained from this challenge besides alcoholism? Well, I've learned how much discipline it takes to drink (and write about) 135 unique beers of someone else's choosing. The number of my blog posts indicates that we've been to Bukowski's 62 times in the last 5 months. During this time, I've done plenty of reading about beer and participated in many nerdy bar conversations. I've learned that I like smoked beers and certain IPAs. I've learned that it's nice having a place to go where everybody knows your name. I've learned that this challenge is best undertaken as a team sport. I've been reminded how awesome our friends are - we've dragged them so many times away from the Red Line to Bukowski's in Inman when they probably would have gone elsewhere. They are always there to support our goals, no matter how healthy or unhealthy they may be! It's been a fun experience, but I'm glad this challenge is done. I'll be keeping notes on beers we try in the future, as well as ones we brew ourselves, but at a more reasonable pace.

Cheers!

...And then there was one

Beer: Peak Organic Oak-Aged Mocha Stout
ABV: 8.40%
Home: Portland, Maine, USA

Beer #134. Since they were out of the Fuller's Vintage, I was able to substitute this oak-aged mocha stout. This 22-oz Peak is an imperial, so it's not to be trifled with, especially on a Tuesday. Dark Taza chocolate (made in Somerville!) is mixed into the boil and coffee is added during conditioning. Both flavors are dominant here, but I could also pick out a more subtle vanilla. The beer has a very rich, creamy texture (in contrast to the Double Chocolate, up next) with a slightly bitter finish.

Beer: Young's Double Chocolate Stout
ABV: 5.20%
Home: Bedford, England, UK
Slogan: "Pure Luxury"

This beer had been mistakenly marked on my card (don't worry, I had a few others to make up for it!), but I tried my friend's since she saved it until second-to-last. If the previous beer was like a chocolate lava cake, the Young's is a cafe latte. The chocolate and coffee flavors are soft and muted. Some might prefer more well-defined flavors, but we can all find times to appreciate a highly drinkable stout!

At this point we've done all the work leading up to graduation day this Friday, where we will each be drinking our final (and most expensive) bottle: 2006 Deus Brut des Flandres.

Fall Christmas

Beer: He'Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale
ABV: 8.00%
Home: Clifton Park, New York, USA
Slogan: "The Chosen Beer"

I've honestly had enough of waking up with a headache on a work day, so I decided to do the 22 oz Pomegranate in our final obligatory day session. Pours a clear amber with an off-white head. There's plenty of tart pomegranate in the flavor with some sweetness, but it has a surprisingly bitter finish. Not bad, but not my fave.

Beer: Southern Tier Pumking Ale
ABV: 8.60%
Home: Lakewood, New York, USA
Slogan: "Long Live the King"

Not that I needed this imperial ale to follow the Pomegranate, but when the bar staff offered me the STBC Pumking in place of the kicked Magic Hat #9, it felt like Christmas day. I'd been eyeing that tap at the center of the bar for the last couple of weeks! Behold the gorgeousness that is the King. With its clear orange color and generous head that smells like pumpkin pie, this beer embodies everything that is Fall. The spices also make their presence known in the flavor, the most dominant being cinnamon and nutmeg. Substantial pumpkin flavor along with a bit of sweetness - great balance. I'm in love.

Odds and Ends

Our Deus bottles have been reserved for next Friday, which gives us a deadline for tying up loose ends and finishing the rest of our beers! Since Bukowski's recently decided to stop ordering the Sri Lankan Lion Stout on our list, they offered the Finch's Secret Stache bottle special as a replacement.

Beer: Finch's Secret Stache Stout
ABV: 5.30%
Home: Chicago, Illinois, USA

I was taken aback by this delicious stout, which has an immediately recognizable vanilla bean flavor mixed with chocolate and roasted coffee. It pours a deep brown with a tan head that gives off a mouth-watering aroma. This is a hearty, full-bodied stout that I'd order again in a heartbeat. It's the first beer I've had in this challenge from Chicago - we need to try more!

Beer: Harpoon UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen
ABV: 4.80%
Home: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Slogan: "Love beer. Love life."

Here's an old friend that I've been saving to follow up a strong beer when I needed it, but I might as well drink it now! This UFO (Un-Filtered Offering) pours a hazy, light rose color with a raspberry aroma that hits you in the face as soon as you pick it up. Tart raspberry flavor with a little bit of sweetness, but not too much. A lighter-bodied version of the Lindeman's Framboise. Tasty and super girly!

Final Countdown

Beer: Schneider Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock 2006 Vintage
ABV: 8.20%
Home: Kelheim, Germany

I'm down to eight with three vintages and a few odds and ends. I decided to start with this 2006 Aventinus, which came wrapped in paper (always a good sign)! Since 1999, Schneider brewery has aged 240 cases of Aventinus in their ice cellar for a minimum of three years, where it is then released every Fall. This wheat doppelbock is delicious and decadent. It pours a rich mahogany with a head that had dissipated by the time I remembered to take a picture. The flavors are complex and took me a while to figure out, but it's a mixture of dark fruit and subtle chocolate. There's definitely some bite - I'd be interested to see how the flavors change with more aging.

Beer: Lindeman's Framboise
ABV: 2.50%
Home: Vlezenbeek, Belgium

A beer like this one should definitely be treated as a dessert - drink it in moderation. It pours a deep red with a surprisingly pink head that gives off a concentrated raspberry aroma. Intensely sweet and sour raspberry flavor with lots of carbonation. Some people have recommended mixing this beer with a dark stout on the list, which seems like it could be a good pairing! Interesting to think of it as a Chambord, but with beer...

Black and White

Beer: Blue Moon
ABV: 5.40%
Home: Golden, Colorado, USA
Slogan: "The right blend of ingredients and imagination"

Pretty standard - Blue Moon is actually brewed by Coors. This Belgian-style wit beer pours a hazy orange-gold with virtually no head, and smells faintly of citrus and wheat. This beer is not at all bitter and goes down very easily. An average beer and a safe bet if you're not sure about other options.

At this point, I got a text message from a friend asking me if I was at Bukowski's. I was wondering if she was watching us (since it was a random Wednesday) before she said she saw my check-in on this one beer app I've been using. Between that app and MapMyRun, she has the distinct privilege of seeing my drinking and fitness accomplishments as they happen... Love it!

Beer: Ipswich Oatmeal Stout
ABV: 7.00%
Home: Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA

Pours a brown-black color with a thin tan head. The taste is rich and bittersweet with a dry finish, reminding me of a strong dark-roast coffee or espresso. This stout sits heavy, but I like it! A great beer for a cool night.

Reunion

After 2 weeks with one of us out of town (and then sick all last weekend), the mug team is back to operating at full strength once again. Even though it was only Monday, we got back to work immediately.

Beer: Westmalle
ABV: 9.50%
Home: Westmalle, Belgium

Unusually dry and bitter for a Trappist, at least for the ones I've tried - it's the only Trappist Tripel on our list. Light-bodied, simple, and clean with a fruity aroma. This one closes out the Trappist category - getting closer to the finish!

Beer: Hitachino Red Rice Ale
ABV: 7.00%
Home: Naka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

The Red Rice Ale is definitely unique. Strange is a better word. There aren't any strong aromas. I think it tastes like candy, specifically rock candy, but with a dry finish. It's interesting, but it didn't blow me away. I'd probably have to be in the right mood to order it again.