Leavenworth Biers' Eightmile Alt

   
     Well, here is the Eightmile Alt from Leavenworth Biers.   I was really impressed with the dunkelweizen that these guys make, and I've been curious to see what else they have to offer.  This alt comes in at 4.6% alc/vol and pours a brownish orange.  It doesn't appear to be too carbonated and almost no head was produced when pouring.  Definitely a bit of chill haze. 
     Aroma is dominated by some very bready and toasty malt.  There's a touch of sweetness in there and you can pick up some very subtle German herbal hops.  Almost getting a sort of brown sugar sweetness to it.  Not too strong of an aroma and pretty smooth on the nose.  Not very crisp as you would expect from something that has been cold conditioned.
     The first thing that hits you upon taste is a strong toasted malt flavor.  Sweetness is very subdued and it really holds back in carbonation.  There's almost a bit of astringency in here; it's small but it's there.  It actually works pretty well with the toasted malt.  In the end, there's not a huge hop presence, but what is there is rather earthy and quire refreshing.  It pretty much wipes your mouth clean of the malt flavor and ends with a very clean profile. 
     Overall, this is good.  The big thing it is lacking is the carbonation.  It would definitely benefit from being just a little more crisp.  Would also like some stronger hops to balance out the very strong malt.  Would drink again and would recommend.  Still looking forward to their Marzen. 
    

Big Sky Brewing Co.'s IPA

 
     I fell in love with this beer at the Portland Spring Beer & Wine Festival (which happens to be coming up this April 22nd/23rd) in 2009, and it won my vote for the best beer of the event.  In the last two years, it definitely has become more readily available, and I was quite shocked when the big grocery stores started carrying it regularly.  Seems to be joining Moose Drool in the signature Big Sky category.
     Not a huge IPA by any means at 6.2% ABV.  It pours a dark orange and doesn't look to be very carbonated.  It is as clear as they come and is a very pretty looking beer.  A small head developed but drained before you could really get a good look at it.  Definitely some citrus in the aroma; getting lots of orange zest. Definitely some spice and pine hops in there as well.   Very light alcohol, a bit estery, and some sweet malt to round it out.
     Definitely a strong sweetness to kick things off along with some nice caramel and toastiness. It quickly evolves into a very strong spice, pine, and woody hop character.  The bitterness is noticeable but nothing too offensive.  The sweetness and spice are the lingering note as are some sticky hop oils.    It all blends and evolves very well and is a wonderfully balanced beer.  Body is on the light side and is quite east to drink for an IPA.
     I've always been a big fan and supporter of Big Sky, and I gotta say that this is probably the best they have to offer.  Definitely some unique characteristics for an IPA, but it all works well.  This is a very impressive beer in my book.  I doesn't pack quite the punch as I remember, but it is one of the beers that will just always jump out to me when I think of IPAs.
     

Widmer Brothers' X-114 IPA

    
     Wow, I didn't think I'd ever have this beer again.  This use to be my absolute favorite at the Gasthaus, but I haven't seen it there for quite some time.  Needless to say, I was very excited when a strolled past this at the store this evening.  Let's see if it lives up to all my hype.
     It pours nice dark golden color that teeters on the edge of being a light amber.  It seems very lively, but almost no head was produced and what does form quickly drains.  Solid alcohol lacing throughout.  Perfectly clear.  A very strong yeast aroma blends well with some woody and pine hops.  Definitely getting some strong citrus character, pretty lemony, and some very sweet, candy-like malt.  It's a very sharp aroma and definitely demands attention.
     The first thing I notice from the taste is a strong wood character to the hops that you don't really expect from an IPA.  It has a very noticeable astringent hop bitterness that evolves into a lingering spice.  It's incredibly sweet; not too much noticeable malt flavor, just sweet.  It actually all blends together pretty well.
     This beer is about how I remember it, and it's still great.  This is very unique for an IPA, though, and really doesn't fit too many of the guidelines for the style.  From a marketing standpoint, however, I guess it works well enough.