Breckenridge 471 IPA

'Hoppy? Brother, 471 IPA redefines hoppy. 471 is a small batch, limited edition ale that was created by our Brewmaster to separate the weak from the strong. 471 is a double IPA, that combines Pale, Munich, Caramel-30, Carapils and Torrified Wheat malts, with Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe and Fuggles hops. It has a big sweet mouthfeel, followed by more hoppiness than you've ever had at one time. Enjoy.' -breckbrew.com

I wasn't big on Breckenridge's Oatmeal Stout that I put up a few months ago, but the word in other blogs I read is that this IPA is killer. I am going to have to agree with my blog buddies on this one, this brew is great.

I haven't had much of a craving for hoppy beers lately after the overload I put myself through in the summer, but there was still much to be enjoyed about this beer. 471 IPA is a real smooth drinker for an IPA, it seems to hit that line right before an IPA gets 'too hoppy'. I think this would be a great introductory beer for someone trying to get into hoppier beers as this IPA has plenty of malts to mellow it all out. This beer didn't have any kooky motif or the outrageous flavors that you often expect from a microbrew, but to tell the truth I found that rather refreshing. A great rounded beer that I can see myself drinking quite a bit of, on any occasion, any season.

Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout

'Rich, round and roasted, our Oatmeal Stout is satisfaction in a glass. It's a bold, smooth-bodied concoction that oozes dark-roasted coffee aromas and flavors of espresso and semi-sweet chocolate. We round out these heady pleasures with a dose of flaked oatmeal for a creamy body and a semi-dry finish. Unforgettable.'

Pretty standard oatmeal stout here, actually its mild for a stout. Maybe the bar has been raised in the last few months but this stuff just doesn't have the aroma, flavor or complexity I expect from a stout. It tastes incomplete- like an unfinished novel or a cancelled television show. Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout is heavy on the aftertaste though, with distinct coffee flavors that give it a nice bitter punch. If this was the first oatmeal stout I had ever drank I am sure I would love it, but it is far from that. Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout is the plain looking cousin in the family reunion photo. I would recommend this to someone just getting into stouts but if you are already a fanatic there is nothing for you that you haven't already tasted before. Not recommended.