Olde School

Beer: Olde School
Style: Barleywine
Brewery: DogFish Head Craft Brewery
Location: Rehoboth, DE
Website: http://www.dogfish.com/
Serving Type: 12oz bottle
ABV: 15.04 ABV

Pour: Very thick with no head. It was almost syrup-like. Carbonation looked non-existent, but it had a nice amber color and was a little hazy.

Smell: LOTS of alcohol and very sweet. I'm not even sure if they used any hops on this one because I didn't note any. I did smell some dark fruit like raisins.

Taste: Again, more dark fruit. The alcohol smacks you in the mouth, but it's not too bad. Little to no carbonation and it feels very warm in the mouth and belly.

Drinkability: One might be too much. I would recommend sharing this with a good buddy. The 15% alcohol is what this beer is all about. Sit by the fire and relax!

Grade: B+

Brown Shugga

Beer: Brown Shugga
Style: American Strong Ale
Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Location: Petaluma, CA
Website: http://www.lagunitas.com
Serving Type: 12oz bottle
ABV: 9.84%

Pour: Copper colored with a small head. It doesn't look like there's a lot of carbonation here. I also note some yeast floating in the glass.

Smell: Very sweet...molasses, brown sugar (obviously!), and caramel.

Taste: The first thing is the sweetness followed by the alcohol. At over 9%, it's not hiding. Carbonation is very low on this one, but it feels good in the mouth.

Drinkability: I'd have to say that I could drink a couple of these very easily...either by itself or paired with something savory.

Grade: A-