Beer Diary | The Year-End Cliché (i.e., Jim's Top 5 Beers of 2007)

Why do my Top 5 Beers of 2007?

1. Because it's expected with the New Year approaching.

2. Because I just watched High Fidelity for the 50th time.

3. Sorry, but I have only two reasons for doing a Top 5 list, not five reasons.

Here they are, selected from beers that we've reviewed this year:

5. (tie) Three Floyds Gumballhead. I just cannot get over the fact that this is a wheat beer when it screams, "I am an IPA!" Just thinking about this beer has me saying, "I need to go and get a six-pack immediately."
5. (tie) He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. An outstanding, amazingly balanced "Rye P.A." We first tried this beer at the Indiana Microbrewers Festival, where it was excellent. We hit it again for our Chrismukkah review, when its aging kicked it into the outstanding category.

4. (tie) He'Brew Genesis 10:10. I fell in love with this sugary, pomegranate-infused ale when it first came out in 2006. It was even better after laying down for a year. Good luck trying to find it now. I wish I had stockpiled a supply of Genesis 10:10 bombers.
4. (tie) BBC Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout. I have a huge fondness for Mike's favorite stout. Out of the keg, this beer is simply amazing. One of the elites in the bourbon-barrel-aged stout style. Get to The Legend for your pint before they blow the keg.

3. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Pours like used motor oil, tastes like no stout I've ever had. Like the Jefferson's Reserve, the Kentucky Breakfast Stout is aged in bourbon barrels, but has a much heavier coffee note to it than the Jefferson's Reserve. It is one of the most unique stouts I have ever tried. Here's to hoping that Hans at Hot Shotz is wise enough to procure this stuff again upon its next release.

2. Konings Hoeven Quadrupel Trappist Ale. Without question, this Belgian ale has the loveliest, silkiest mouthfeel of any beer we reviewed this year. Heavy on the candy sugar, caramel, and fruit notes. Unbelievably good stuff.

1. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Potent, well-balanced, apt to cause pleasure and trouble at the same time. I can't think of another beer that so perfectly balances hop and malt character. And for the love of God, serve it in a tulip glass, not a pint glass!