Bridgeport Brewing Co.'s Raven Mad Imperial Porter

    
     I've never actually been a big fan of barrel aging.  It always seems too dominating on the senses and just steals the show.  The Raven Mad, as printed on its label, is 50% aged in whiskey barrels, 50% aged with oak, and comes in at 7.5% ABV. I approach every beer with an open mind, however, and am definitely curious about this one.  It pours a pitch black; no light shining through this one.  About half a finger of light brown head developed and quickly drained to a nice skinning.  Good lacing. In regards to the aroma, I'm eating my own words already.   Has that sharp alcohol you get from barrel aging, but it's nothing too overwhelming.  Getting some very pleasant caramel, chocolate, and just a hint of roast.  Quite rich; the chocolate seems to dominate the aroma more than anything. 
     Hits the tip of the tongue with some sweet roast and fruity esters.  This is quickly washed away with some very sharp oak, dry wood, and herbal hops.  Finishes with some strong alcohol warming.  Some of the chocolate character and esters linger for a bit.  Medium body and carbonation.
     Like I said before, I'm eating my words with this one. Definitely a tasty brew, but the things I don't like about it do come back to the barrel aging.  I don't like how it accentuates the alcohol character, but it is subtle enough to still appreciate the wonderful malt and hops.   

Victory Brewing Co.'s Golden Monkey Tripel Ale

    
     The Golden Monkey is a very nice light honey color.  Little darker near the center and quite hazy.  Strongly carbonated; got about a finger of fizzy head when poured and settled to a light skinning.  Very sharp banana and bubblegum esters on the nose.  Has a very strong yeast odor.  Getting a little bit of wort-like astringency as well.  The sharp esters really mask any alcohol, which at 9.5% ABV is pretty impressive.  Very sweet; candy-like.
     It hits the tip of the tongue with some nice toasty malt but it quickly washed away by some intense esters.  Getting some banana, grapefruit, and a little orange.  Very sharp; makes the mouth pucker a bit. Some very subtle spice/wood hops.  Slight alcohol warming and lingering taste.  Finishes quite dry. Body is pretty heavy.
     Pretty good and by no means a bad beer whatsoever. Nice for the style.  Like I've said before, I'm just not crazy on too many Belgian styles. It just takes a lot to win me over when it comes to styles like this.