McDermottDrink Profile

Another cellar clean-out: Big frothy, light tan head over a black body. Nose brings in strong coffee roasted malt. Plus some wheat malt? And some alcohol. Taste actually has more coffee and bitterness. Seeing my other batch reviews, I didn't mention coffee. Roastiness is kind of much for the beer, but I've been focused on smoothed out barrel-aged stouts.

Tried from Bottle from Mariano's - Westchester on 21 Jan 2026 at 04:16

McDermottDrink added a new beer Old Rasputin (2017) by North Coast Brewing Company
3 months ago

McDermottDrink added a new beer Old Rasputin (2005) by North Coast Brewing Company
3 months ago

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Old Rasputin (2004) from North Coast Brewing Company

3 months ago

8.9/10 — Appearance 10 Aroma 8 Flavor 9 Texture 8 Overall 9.5

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Bottle.Rating #400! So, Papa Grigori, we meet at last. A seductive deep roast flavor rises from that first sip. I detect a not unexpected raisiny note to you, and then something that whispers in my ear, "cherries." For something in such a tiny bottle, your taste is big and strong, deep and dark, deep and dark. Am I aware of your stoutish bitterness, that cuts through the smoothness of your malts. Yes, I am, Papa Perhaps it is from the time the Romanov partisans tried to drown you in the Neva.
So I made my fourth hundred reviews in a little over 4 months. That trip to Russia sure help me find new cheap beers. Still, pretty good for a homebrewer with cases of his own stuff to drink.
Tried from Bottle on 04 Oct 2004 at 07:09

Tried from Bottle on 04 Oct 2004 at 12:09

McDermottDrink added a new beer Old Rasputin (2004) by North Coast Brewing Company
3 months ago

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Monster Ale (2011) from Brooklyn Brewery

3 months ago

7.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7.5 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5

Found 3 loose bottles of 2011 for $2 each… I know, a 4-pack is just $8.99, but it’s cool that I paid as much for this as for a tallboy of PBR in the same cooler. I can put the other two next to my 2003 bottle for later comparison. Pours a deep amber with a lot of bubbles on the side. Bubbly ecru head that settles quickly. Deep malt with alcohol in the nose. Slight sprinkle of hops in the nose. Taste is mostly strong malts matched to warm alcohol. Basic hop bitterness keeps the malts settled, probably until they smooth further. A nice little barley wine, though I hope some more aging gives it more personality.

Tried from Bottle from Lemon Tree Grocer on 17 May 2012 at 19:48

McDermottDrink's photo of Cherries Jubilee Quad

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Cherries Jubilee Quad from Boulevard Brewing Company

3 months ago

7.3/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 7.5

4-pack from Liquor2Go in Downers Grove, which maybe I'll add later as a venue. Nice little cherry soda nose right under the cap. Brownish red beer body under fizzy head that acts like a soda again. Taste also has cherry to it, luckily it's still soda strength, and not cough syrup strength. A bit of Belgian character to it, Not really strong like a Quad, I'd agree, and not big on alcohol, meaning it will probably sneak up on me.

Tried from Bottle on 19 Jan 2026 at 03:29

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Chelada - Limón y Sal from Grupo Modelo

3 months ago

5.3/10 — Appearance 4 Aroma 5 Flavor 6 Texture 5 Overall 5.5

$3 and the liquor store. Why the heck not? Fizzy white head that's gone in a few seconds. Slightly hazy brass color. Nose has the usual megabrew malt from arm's length, then some lime closer up, which would be nice, but then there's some, what? Coconut? Suntan oil? that's a distraction. Oh, but the taste comes in with clear lime and salt. Not great, but not a bad refresher.

Tried from Can on 18 Jan 2026 at 03:40

McDermottDrink's photo of Belgian Vintage Ale (2025)

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Belgian Vintage Ale (2025) from Trader Joe's

3 months ago

7.1/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5

Bit of a gush after I pop the cork, but not a geyser. Nice, thick tan head over a brown/black body. Nose has some Belgian spices, like anise, licorice, dark roast malt. No sugar or alcohol in the nose. Sips nice and dry, a bit coffee roast in the malt, some Belgian farmhouse tang. Nice mouthfeel, slightly thick, leaving very little sugar on my lip. No strong alcohol in the mouthfeel, either. A nice example of a Belgian dark.

Tried from Bottle at Trader Joe's - Downers Grove on 17 Jan 2026 at 04:52