The concept of this thread is so great that I'm reviving it from the dead.
For me it's my Amber Biere de Garde. Leagues above my next best beer, which is saying a lot after 200+ batches! Amazing aroma, persistent head, lovely ruby glow, subtle alcohol warmth without being harsh in the least... absolutely smashing beer.
OG: 1.074
FG: 1.010
ABV: 8.4%
IBU 30
SRM: ~23
65% Pilsner malt (Weyermann)
16% Vienna
7% DIY Candisugar (made using DAP to 290F, very similar to D90, following
SnickASaurusR's recipe)
3% Briess Special Roast
3% Caramunich
3% Simpsons Dark Crystal
1% Chocolate Rye
152F mash
18 IBU of Tradition at 30
12 IBU of Mittelfruh at 30
1 oz of Mittelfruh at flameout
Water profile: Malty (I believe Brewer's Friend Light colored and malty profile)
Large starter of WY1007, pitched at 64F with a 1F raise over 7 days to 71F, hold 71F for an additional week, drop to 50F for 1 week, bottle condition at 2.75 volumes. Tasted fantastic at 2 weeks in the bottle (5 weeks post brewday) and got even more refined with time. Wish I entered it! I have one bomber left that I'm saving for a truly special occasion, TBD, and I'll be brewing a 10g batch next time--and another 10G batch when I'm down to 5G, so that I never, ever run out again. Brew it!