New rating system and Trail Magic

As I begin sampling more local flavors it is becoming apparent that using availability and cost simply aren't factors that should be included in the score. While they are important (I don't want to go broke drinking) they shouldn't negatively affect a quality beer (see KBS). As such, I have reduced the scoring to drinkability and taste. Enjoy.

Trail Magic Series Volume 4

As described by Nantahala Brewing:

Homage to the Imperial that got us started. This version has stepped up to Maker's Mark barrels and a higher gravity, but keeps it's sorghum and wildflower honey roots.

 With the spirit of big challenges and a desire to connect our brews with the wilderness that surrounds us, the forth in our Trail Magic Ale™ series, is a velvety bourbon barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout. Along with our liberal use of roasted and caramel malts, local sorghum syrup and wildflower honey give this stout a unique character, while tying it's flavors to the Great Smoky Mountains.

If you don't live in Bryson City or vacation there, you aren't tasting this beer unless someone is nice enough to gift it to you. This beer is a 5 can beer for taste plain and simple, it is in my top 3 stouts and maybe top 5 of all beers. You can taste a subtle hint of Makers mark yet still enjoy the robust stout flavor. At 10% abv you can enjoy them slowly and still feel them. The smooth flavor will let you drink several (if you enjoy stout) and makes for a quality day long beer (although pacing yourself is recommended). Enjoy the taste like you would a fine Scotch or whiskey, drink to enjoy it, not to get drunk, although you will. This brewery is fantastic, only if they could distribute.

Taste: 5 cans

Drinkability: 4 cans

Overall: 4.5 cans

Paradox Smokehead Imperial Stout

Next beer up in the weekly review is an imperial stout from Brew Dogs. Paradox Smokehead  (10% abv). The smooth, robust stout has been completely infused with the Atlantic smoke, heavy peat, vanilla oak and balancing fruit and honey flavours of the powerful Smokehead whisky to deliver a deliciously complex flavour. - See more at: http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/30#sthash.on4vn69b.dpuf

Theses guys partnered with an Irish Whiskey company and aged the smoked stout in single malt irish whisky barrels for a ling time. The result is a smoky beer with a whisky flavor. I normally love a good whiskey aged beer, and this was no exception. It had good flavor, but the smokey taste too strong and overpowered the benefits of aging in whiskey casks. At $9.99 per bottle was ridiculously expensive for a beer of this quality, i would have been happy paying $5 and felt like it was worth it. It is unlikely to find this beer anywhere other than a place that carries rare seasonal brew (it isn't even listed under beers on Brew Dogs site). Another draw back is its drinkability. Unlike Backwoods Bastard or other whiskey infused stouts,I don't see anyone being able to handle more than two or three at a time, but at 10% abv, you probably don't need more than that. Overall, it was a good beer to try, but not worth the cost to purchase again.

Overall: 2 cans

Drinkability: 1 can

Affordability: 1 can

Taste: 2 cans

Availability: 1 can