Now for part two of the Spring Beer if Forward reviews.

Lackadaisical, who Yusef shipped to:

I received a bonanza of a BIF Box from Yusef drives a Kia, with a nice Stone Brewing Pint glass, and several coasters along with an assortment of high-end west coast beers, including 2-22s, one of a tripel ale and one of a double bock. As much as I enjoy Belgian style ales, I think the  Belgians do it best, so I will focus on the Double Bock. Special Black Lobotomy Bock poured with surprisingly little head, even from vigorous pours. I would put this attribute in the positive column, as carbonation was still sufficient to keep things enjoyable and I rather dislike drinking suds. The beer is alluringly dark, as can be seen in the accompanying photograph, invoking mystery and exotic flavors. The taste is malty but not bitter, and lacks the chocolate or coffee hints that a stout might have. The finish is smooth and doesn’t leave any errant aftertaste.

Before drinking this beer I didn’t know I liked double bocks this much. At 12% ABV one might expect some kind of alcohol flavor to come through, but I found drinking the beer easy and without any hint of how strong it really was. Given the high ABV and easy drinking, this beer definitely lives up to it’s name, I was left wishing I had more so I could keep on drinking it, damn the consequences.

This was the best of a great batch of beers and I will have to up my BIF game for the next one. 3.5/4 stars

ron7344, who Mexican Sharpshooter shipped to:

Here is my BIF review, in order of drinking:

San Tan Mr. Pineapple:  Didn’t think I was going to like this, but was pleasantly surprised. Has a good wheat beer flavor with an excellent pineapple aftertaste.  4/5

San Tan MoonJuice IPA:  Obviously a high quality beer, but way too much of a grapefruit flavor compared to the IPA’s that I prefer (Hop Devil being my favorite) This was my second grapefruit IPA and I guess I found a beer style that I don’t like. 1/5

Four Peaks Brewing Co. Kilt Lifter:  I was really looking forward to this one because I love Scottish Ales and this did not disappoint, very tasty and easy to drink, definitely my favorite of the bunch so far.  4.5/5

Sonoran White Chocolate Ale:  Really was skeptical about this one. Initial smell was chocolate with very little beer, and the first taste was sweet. Second taste was not bad and by the third drink I started to like it. Overall, an enjoyable beer.  4/5

Grand Canyon Brewing Co. Shaggy Bock:  As the winner who received beer from our favorite beer reviewer Mexican Sharpshooter, I was lucky enough to receive this beer. WOW, I was very disappointed to only have one of these. The woodiness from the “Flavor Bomb” was easily balanced by the beer itself.  4.5/5

I really enjoyed the BIF, it gave me a chance to try beers that I would never see and types that I would never buy. Shipping my beers out was tedious and expensive, but it was well worth it and I will sign up if we do it again.

Riven, who shipped to the Hyperbole:

Oh, man. Look at all these beautiful babies:

Uh, so I haven’t actually tried all of these yet. I would love to say that’s out of some kind of sense of “reviewer’s integrity,” but really, it’s just been stupidly busy ’round these parts for the last few weeks. Yes, too busy to drink beer. I know, I know–it’s so sad. Or something. Links included with the reviews below for those of you who can’t quite make out the labels.

Black Aggie (Phoenix Brewing Co.) This is some damn good beer, right here. Can we get a round of applause for the Hyperbole on this pick? It’s sincerely top notch, and I definitely was not expecting such a glorious stout from BIF. This beer pours black. Not dark brown, not the deepest brown, but black. Pitch black. And the flavors are so complex: dark stone fruit, licorice, and strong coffee make for some puzzled drinking. “These things don’t go together!” And yet… somehow, they do. There’s also a kind of smokiness wafting around in the background that balances out the bitterness I normally associate with Russian Imperial stouts. It’s heavy and full-bodied the way a fine stout should be, and I would be pleased to have this again. … But in moderation because I was definitely feeling it after only 12 ounces or so.

Look, I even shared with Mr. Riven!

Mary Jane (Phoenix Brewing Co.) This is the first one I tried. As the most basic of the bitches, there was no way I would be able to resist a Chai Baltic Porter. I could definitely taste and smell the spices; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom all fight for dominance while dark chocolate and black coffee give them a nice field to play on. Very warm flavors, overall. It was thick enough to linger in your mouth like a porter ought to, but it didn’t cross the line into “so thick you have to chew it” as some porters will do when they’re really trying to be a stout. I would absolutely drink this again–nine times.

Toe Tag Belgian Tripel (Phoenix Brewing Co.) I have yet to try this one, but I will say that I appreciate the aesthetic that Phoenix Brewing Company has going on. This particular beer is part of their “Mortuary Series.” I don’t know what that means, but I like it. Similarly, both Black Aggie and Mary Jane above are part of the “Cemetery Series.” As a fan of all things dark, macabre, and generally odd, these things brings me plenty-much joy.

Sohio Stout (Columbus Brewing Co.) Also haven’t tried this one yet. I’m quite looking forward to trying this one, but we’re officially in Road Construction season (aka “summer”) here in the last best place. I’m going to have to wait for the next unseasonably cold day we have to really appreciate this one.

Stroh’s American Lager (Pabst Brewing Co.) Y’all can laugh, but I’m super jazzed to drink this beer tonight (7/11). We’ve had a slew of hot, humid days here, and this beer keeps looking better and better. I don’t have to lift tonight, so I will be cracking this one open after walking Briz while Mr. Riven warms up the grill.

Honestly, even if the last three beers I’ve yet to try fall flat on their faces, I would consider this BIF a huge success for me. I’m always looking for new and interesting porters and stouts, and the Hyperbole really delivered on those first two. I can’t wait to sign up again next year! (Do we really have to wait?)

The Hyperbole, who shipped to Riven:

We’re still looking for that lube

The Hyperbole gives his boss some BS about running out of material and leaves work at noon. Riven had given him the heads up and the UPS tracking number told him that the delivery was today. Sure enough, as he turns onto his street he sees a big brown van pulling away from the curb. Perfect timing. Pulling up the drive he espies a package on the stoop, a large package. ‘Maybe I got drunk and ordered that 55 gallon drum of lube’ he thinks. Nope, the return address is Riven’s – this is the stuff. The Hyperbole carefully lugs the package inside and opens it, lining the endless supply of bottles and cans on the counter. ‘You’re going to need a bigger fridge,’ he says, referencing one of the greatest movies of all time.  He opens the fridge and makes room, tossing some questionably smelling leftovers and putting his emergency 30 pack of Strohs in the pantry.

To kill time while the beer chills he logs onto Glibertarian.com and finds the morning links. He reads each linked article in full, taking notes and checking sources before heading to the comments to add his commentary both serious and snarky. But before he can he notices something.

“Hmm seems everyone is making comments and picking favorites from some sort of list that a gentleman named ‘Q something or other’ posted. I wonder what that’s all about?”…..Four Hours later the beer is chilled and The Hyperbole dives in.

Montana Common – A steam beer but since Anchor TM’d the word Steam everyone else has to call them ‘common’ like a mild IPA, hoppy but not too hoppy   STR½

Wild Huckleberry Lager – If you like beer with a fruity flavor this is a beer with a fruity flavor. Personally not my bag but would be nice after a hot day.   ST½

Cold Smoke Scotch Ale – MMM that’s the stuff! Malty Caramel-ly Roasty goodness   STRO½

Highlander Strawberry Wheat – you know what I said about fruit flavored beers not being my bag? This could be the exception.   STRO

Jacks 90 Scottish Ale – Another good one, of course, one might want to take into account that I’m fairly ripped now    STRO

Thanks, Riven and Thanks to Neph for setting this up, BIF is now my second or third favorite part of this website/online community/cult/whatever the fuck this thing (place) is. Cheers, The Hyperbole.