Avery Beast is 18% - I had a bottle of that once, but it was only 10 oz.

We should be precise. Delerium Tremens is much, much more like Duvel than it is like Tank 7. Delerium Tremens is NOT a saison. There's lots of specific attributes of saisons that have nothing to do with Belgian Strong Pale Ales. Saisons are dryer, more attenuated, often have wheat/spelt/oats in the grain bill, and the yeast flavor (albeit similar) is distinct.

But what you said is also true: if one likes Saisons, then you should probably also like Belgian Strong Pale Ales.

Huge Saison-Brett fan. I'll definitely try this the next time we visit that restaurant.

Also had a shot at Goose Island Matilda and passed. Guess I need to sample this as well?

If you like Boulevard's Saisons, I would suggest familiarizing yourself with more Belgian and Belgian-style beers. Matilda isn't a world-beater, but it is good. It ages in interesting ways, too. Last summer I did a 7-year vertical tasting of Matilda from 2013-2007.

I'm into the Belgian ales big time lately. Delerium Tremens and Nocturnum are both very good.

Oh, I forgot. I got a sampler of St. Bernardus for my birthday in July. It included this:

http://belgianbeershrimper.files.wor...rdus-12-v2.jpg

That was some damn fine beer!

Anyone receive/give any beers for xmas. I got:

Crooked Stave Cranberry & Spices (Vieille)
Crooked Stave St. Bretta (Summer)
Trinity Damn, It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta
Trinity TPS Report

I sent my brother a BBQ and he sent me back a Whistling Andy Hibiscus-Coconut Rum (you Montana folks).

I wish I got some Crooked Stave bottles. Sheesh.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/29/butarevu.jpg

Magic Hat. Great beer.


The downside of Magic Hat:

Worst Beers: Magic Hat 9 - Bringing up the rear of the "Worst Beers" list is Magic Hat 9. Tipping in at 153 calories, Magic Hat tastes like apricots but is probably not quite as healthy for you as the fruit. One or two surely can't hurt though.

I even got a sticker for the fridge.

If you're very lucky, you might see Hopslam on shelves in Missouri this week.

Rye on Rye due out this week too. Been drinking the heck out of Deschutes Red Chair this week since they put it on tap at my hole.

Picked up a few Rye On Rye last week. Got a pastrami curing since xmas to pair with it for the Super Bowl.

Picked up a few tonight to hang onto for a while:

Rogue double chocolate stout
Cuvée Van De Keizer Blauw (Blue) - Brouwerij Het Anker
Dogfish Head Bitches Brew I really enjoyed the first year's

Still trying to talk myself into picking up The Bruery's Rueuze

Had a 2011 vintage bottle of Rodenbach this week. Just outstanding.