What exactly is an "Extreme Beer?"

According to Beer Advocate, Jason&Todd Alstrom, Extreme Beer is a beer that pushes the boundaries of brewing.

My definition of Extreme Beer, Pliny the Younger Triple IPA from Russian River Brewing Co.!

According to Russian River, Pliny the Younger was Pliny the Elder's nephew, in the case of this beer, the "Younger" is a triple IPA. Pliny the Younger is hopped three times more than their standard IPA, and is dry hopped four different times.

I think we got on line at least seven times for Pliny the Younger. :)

My other favorites of the night were:

Sam Adams Chocolate Chili Bock: Chocolate Bock kicked up with an intense chili spicing, 5.5%

Cambridge Brewing Co. 2006 Barrel-Aged Heather Ale: Brewed with aromatic barley malt, fresh, hand-harvested heather flowers were added to kettle during the boil along with sweet gale and lavender. It was then barrel-aged with Lactobacillus in french oak wine barrels.

Founders Brewing Co.'s Double Trouble Imperial IPA, 9.4% and Spite Pepper Pale Ale fermented with 5 varieties of peppers, 5.4%

Russian River's Supplication: Brown ale aged in pinot noir bbls w Brettanomyces, bacteria and sour cherries, 7.0%.

Another highlight was meeting Jeremy Kosmicki, Head Brewer of Founders Brewing. Photo to follow!

Extreme Beer Fest Night of the Barrels '10

With five stars, my favorite:
Founders Brewing Co. Canadian Breakfast Stout Syrup bbl aged Chocolate Coffee Stout, 9.3%

With four stars, my next favorites:
Boston Beer Co.'s Utopias, 2009 vintage, aged in Muscatle, Madeira, and Bourbon bbls and blended, 27%

Stone Brewing 2006 Double Bastard Ale aged in Brandy Barrel Vintage brandy bbl aged Strong Ale, 10%

Russian River Brewing Consecration, dark ale aged in cabernet sauvignon bbls w brettanomyces, bacteria, and currants, 10%

and of course...

The Breuery, Oude Tart bbl-aged Flemish red, 7.5% AND Black Tuesday bbl-aged Imperial Stout, 19.5%