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Amazon-beverage-reviews-with-ratings

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Ground Break

Saison / Farmhouse Ale

OddNotion

Poured into my Fantome Tulip. Appearance: Pours a beautiful golden orange color. Three finger off-white fulffy head. Head is in no rush to recede. Smell: Nice lemon, clove-y and banana-y yeast, reminiscent of a hefeweizen. Slightest bit of funkiness. Taste: Good but nothing out of this world. Some tanginess, light bit of the lemons, some cloves. Nice sweetness at the end of the sip. Mouthfeel: Slight bit heavier than others in the style. Makes it a little less drinkable. Overall: I like it, but will probably not buy a sixer of it. I found this as a single. When buying Ithaca, Flower Power is my go to. I know its a completely different style. This beer is good but not among my favorites in the style.

Old Engine Oil

English Porter

OddNotion

Poured into my DFH Signature Glass. Appearance: Pours a nice black color with only the slightest ruby notes around the very edges of the glass. A nice one finger creamy tan head that recedes to half a finger and sticks around. Smell: WOW this beer smells amazing. Very complex. Dark fruits, roasty malts, slight hints of chocolate, but the dark fruits really dominate the nose. This beer stacks up with the best of them in terms of smell. Taste: Beautiful is the best word to describe the taste of this beer. Very roasty without being smokey at all. Nice chocolatey finish. There is a decent bitterness but not the bite that is associated with it. The bitterness plays well with the roast and chocolate. The flavors all meld together and play off eachother to havea beer that changes through the different stages of the taste but all of the flavors just work. Mouthfeel: Nice and thick and creamy. Perfect for the style. Given the low abv it is thicker than expected, which I like. The carbonation is there but it is not aggressive, once again - perfect for the style. Overall: Amazing beer. No frills added but it gets all of the flavors it possibly can out of the ingredients. 6% abv is (relatively) low which is nice in this culture of huge alcohol beers. I wish this was more accessible but I will certainly be picking more of this up! Every aspect of this beer works together in perfect harmony. I have not been this impressed with a porter in a while. My new favorite for the style. One of my favorite experiences is picking up a random (and unhyped) beer at the store on a whim and having it be this good!

Bell's Amber Ale

American Amber / Red Ale

Hoser77

Appearance-Pours a hazy amber color. Thin, whispy off-white head that quickly dissapates. Lacing persists. Smell-Malty sweet. Biscuit, toast, and bready notes. Moderate floral and spicy hop aroma. Slight fruity fermentation esters. Balance is towards the malt. Flavor-Very similar to aroma. Moderate hop bitterness that lingers thoughout the experience, finishes floral and spicy. Malty sweet up front, becomes toasty and biscuity towards the middle and end. Slight fruitiness from fermentation. Finish is crisp, dry, and refreshing. Mouthfeel-Chewy up front, but finishes crisp and dry. A tad overcarbonated. No astringency. Overall-A very drinkable version of the style. Nothing memorable about it. A classic version of a midwest/east coast amber focused more towards malt than hops. I prefer the hoppier versions of the style. That being said, a very drinkable, full-flavored session all.

Budweiser

American Adjunct Lager

Hoser77

A-Brilliant clarity with a persistant stream of effervescent bubbles. Soft off-white head that quickly disappears with scant lacing. Light, straw gold in color. S-Grainy, sweet malt, slight corn aroma. Faint noble hop aroma. T-Sweet, grainy, corn and grits in flavor. Appropiate for a standard american lager. Little if no hop bitterness or flavor. Finish is clean and dry. M-Somewhat chewy and grainy despite the style. Well carbonated. No astringency. D-It is what it is, a standard american lager. Light, easy drinking, and fairly tame in both hops and malt. Not my glass of beer, but I applaud AB for their high standards that they assign to their beers; no flaws and consistent everytime.

90 Minute IPA

American Double / Imperial IPA

Mark4

Beautiful dark copper color. Nice even head and pleasant lacing. The aroma is quite distinctive - caramel with a hint of star anise and dried orange peel - carried wonderfully on the high alcohol content with a hint of fresh cut straw (not hay). At 9% alcohol the brew is quite dense and heavy, edging into the territory of a barley wine. If you're a barley wine fan, you'll probably love this, but it has a higher alcohol content than I enjoy in a beer.

Flandre-Kent Les Frères De La Bière / Thiriez XXtra

Saison / Farmhouse Ale

Mark4

Slightly hazy golden straw color. Nice aroma with a clear hop nose and slight florals. Quite strongly hopped with a pleasant preserved peach aftertaste. Other flavors typical of a saison beer. Really nice head and good head retention. More highly carbonated than I prefer.

Harpoon Single Hop ESB (100 Barrel Series #31)

Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)

SluggerOToole

Poured from a bomber into a Harpoon IPA pint glass - no date to be found. The brew is brown with orange-gold tones when held to the light. Clarity is high and the head is thin and fizzy and does not last. On the nose this is very faint - there is mellow mineral hoppiness backed by a vague bready malt aromas. These delta hops are not very floral. Not distinctive. The taste has earthy malt sweetness up front with distinctive understated and one-note hops. There is a nutty tone with a dry finish. The mouthfeel is thin and watery. The aftertaste has a soft spiciness and lingers nicely. This beer is fine, but unmemorable and unimpressive especially for a special release.

Field Mouse's Farewell

Saison / Farmhouse Ale

SluggerOToole

I got this from a 22oz. bomber. Bottle dated May 2010. Appears cloudy golden orange - light marigold in color. The head is foamy and light and quickly dissipates to a light film. On the nose it is initially strong, some citrus and malt grain. Wafted to my nose 12" away from the pour but, like the head, the smell lightened up as the pour settled into the glass. There was also a mild hop aroma, with accompanying sweet earthiness at the outset. In the mouth, it hits you upfront with some strong carbonation. The mouthfeel is exceptional: you get a lovely smoothness and a soft, smooth viscosity. The overall effect is a satisfying but not overwhelming fullness. There is no lacing in the glass. The flavor shows Belgian yeast estery flavors and hints of spice. The finish is dominated by hoppy bitterness, with lemon pith and a medium dryness. There is a slight sweetness which modifies the hoppy characteristic for a something like dried fruit. In the end, the bitterness dominates the aftertaste. The mouthfeel and body of this beer are outstanding for the style. I would like slight balance to the bitterness, but this is certainly a drinkable and highly enjoyable early summer brew.

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

Russian Imperial Stout

capn

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is a Russian Imperial Stout with an eye-catching, old style label reminiscent of its Victorian roots. It is 7% ABV but other than that, they really don't tell you much else about it. I first had it at a tasting event some time ago and enjoyed it very much but haven't gotten around to reviewing it until now. It pours with an opaque, dark black color with the slightest ruby hints at the edges that could only be revealed by direct, bright light. It developed a tall, light-brown head that was creamy and fluffy. The initial aroma was very light and only of sweet malt which I thought was a bit odd. That is when I realized that it had been chilled to standard refrigerator temperature which is well below its recommended serving temperature of approximately 60 degrees. After allowing it to warm a bit, the aroma evolved into one you could really stick you nose into. It was deep and complex but all its notes were subtle and required hunting, which is part of the fun for me. The malty sweetness remained but I also detected slight notes of vanilla and chocolate. The first sip doesn't disappoint either. The mouthfeel starts with a moderate tingle on the front of the tongue which subsides quickly, developing into a thick, creamy feel all over the mouth. The taste is initially slightly sweet which instantly gives way to the hops and alcohol, which blend excellently. The flavor has complexity, but like the aroma, the notes are subtle and you have to work for them. I detected bitter chocolate, hops, some roast, and smoke. It finishes dry with slight black coffee notes and lingers a little. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is an excellent beer. It is right in line with the expected characteristics of this style while maintaining great balance throughout. I recommend you use a sniff and sip technique while drinking and enjoy it slowly to get the most out of it. It has the qualities to be enjoyed alone or with food. It even has the legs to stand with a full-bodied, maduro cigar. I wish you Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Cap'n uscaptainsblog.blogspot.com

Heavy Seas - Big DIPA

American Double / Imperial IPA

capn

Clipper City Brewing Company, right here in my home town of Baltimore, is releasing a Special Edition Series to their Heavy Seas line called the Mutiny Fleet, in 22 ounce bombers. The recipes, and even the label art, for the Mutiny Fleet are being created by the CC brewers themselves. I have looked at all the labels on the CCBC web site and must admit that the Pirate designs called to me. The first release is The Big DIPA, which is a Double India Pale Ale style (hence the name Big DIPA). DIPAs are normally characterized by being a bit stronger than traditional IPAs (normally between 7% and 14% ABV) and heavier on the malt and hops. If you have ever had any of the Barleywine styles, DIPAs are often compared to them and sometimes even called American Barleywines. The Big DIPA is a high gravity, bottle conditioned ale, made with five kinds of hops and 3 kinds of malts, and is hopped 3 times during the brewing process. It is 75.5 IBU and 10.6% ABV which will leave you with a peasant buzz if you haven't eaten first. Clipper City describes it as having an "earthy hop aroma", but I thought it had a strong grapefruit aroma. It had a nice golden-brown color, creamy head, and left nice lace as it went down. In my opinion, the flavor was totally dominated by grapefruit notes, which comes from the type and amount of hops used. While more dominant hops notes are customary with IPAs and DIPAs, at least to my pallet, this one was a bit overwhelming and could have used a tad more balance. How many times have you heard me say it though, "Taste Is Subjective!" It wasn't an unpleasant beer by any means, just not to my specific taste. My beautiful wife tends to think many of the beers that I really like are unpleasant to her taste. The Mutiny Fleet - Special Edition Series is only going to be brewed in small batches for a limited time, so get your hands on some and try it yourselves. If you happen to be from Maryland (or "Merlin" as some of us say), buy some and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CRAFT BREWERY! I wish you Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Cap'n uscaptainsblog.blogspot.com

Short's The Magician

Irish Red Ale

B0bD0bbselbock

Bottle poured into tumbler pint glass. A- Pours a mildly opaque, brownish sepia tone, with a small head that receded to noting. Very mild lacing on this one. S- Malty aromas, a bit caramely, a bit sweet. Aroma kinda reminds of their Uber Goober peanut stout T- Sweet, toasted malts, hints of caramel,almost kind of tangy, with an interesting finish and toasted aftertaste. M- Mild carbonation, near medium body, a bit dry. D- Drinks pretty well. I would likely have another if had an extra. To my mind, i find The Magician to be a nice drink overall, however, i feel that a few elements, such as the flavor and mouthfeel, could be improved upon. I would not say this beer seems to be most impressive Short's beer, yet I wont say its the poorest, either. I would buy this one again, as it would make a nice session beer to enjoy with friends, and its reasonably priced at my local beer merchants.

Short's The Woodmaster

American Brown Ale

B0bD0bbselbock

Bottle poured into tumbler pint glass A- Amber brown, moderately opaque, appearing somewhat like grade A maple syrup (appropriately enough). Fairly strong head, about 1/4 inch thick, with nice lacing. S- The pecans seem to come out first, following quickly by the sweet aroma of maple syrup and brown sugar. I can really detect the maple syrup notes, along with brown sugar, paired with the roasted pecans, smelling somewhat like a maple glazed doughnut. T- The maple syrup and roasted pecans shine through very nicely in this delectable drink. Amazing! The pecans really compliment the brown sugar and maple syrup notes beautifully. Also, a nice bit of warming alcohol in the finish, complimenting the other flavors well. The flavors linger very pleasantly on the palate, reminding me somewhat of flapjacks with pecans topped with real maple syrup. Truly, a chemical wedding of complimentary flavors dancing on the taste buds. M- Medium-bodied, somewhat creamy. D- Very, very drinkable. The lovely pairing of familiar flavors make for an enjoyable drink that goes down quite well, either enjoyed sip by sip , or guzzled at moderate pace :) To my mind, this beer seems outstanding in many respects, from its bold and synergistic flavors, lovely aroma and color, to its high ABV- this beer has a lot to offer. I imagine this would be a nice drink to share with those who may have yet to develop a palate for craft brews, as this showcases quite nicely flavors that most folks may already know and appreciate. And on cold winter nights, sitting around a nice fire with friends or a loved one, this would be a winner, for certain, IMO. Maybe even as compliment to pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast, for those "vacation" days ;) I also find the whimsical artwork on the bottle brings yet another dimension of enjoyment to the beverage. In Short's, a brilliant beer :)

Steam Train Porter

American Porter

BrewsB4Shrews

Pours very dark, with just a hint of dark cola highlights at the edge. Deep mocha head with tight bubbles. Smell is intriguing. Has a great mix of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of roastiness. A tiny little bit of yeast is perceiveable. Taste was really remarkable. Creamy, smooth mouthfeel. Cocoa, coffee, and some roastiness. Really enjoyed this beer. Such a wonderful example of a porter. Drinkability score is off the charts. Relatively low 5.30% ABV, and only $4.99/bomber. This is going into the regular rotation.

Epic Mayhem

American Strong Ale

BrewsB4Shrews

Bottle consumed on review date As soon as this bottle was opened, a big wave of foam came rushing toward the top and down the side. Gusher. Clear, new-penny copper with a tight white head. Big pleasing WC hops, but there's a touch of cattiness that I'm not enjoying. Light mouthfeel, piney hops and toffee dominate the palate. Just kinda meh overall.

Alpha King Pale Ale

American Pale Ale (APA)

JohnWaynes44

Pours rust orange and opaque. Creamy head, dissipated quickly to small lumps. Smells nice. Sweet malts, aroma is heavy with earthy, nuts and hops. Taste is a good balance of hops and malts. Sugar is prominent, hops linger through finish and well after. Mellow feel, not sharp or fizzy. Sticky and smooth...I love this brew. Proud to call this my favorite local brew. This bottle was awesome. Best from the tap. With tournament time coming, pitcher of Alpha at Chumley's in Broad Ripple are a sure bet.

Hop Stoopid

American Double / Imperial IPA

JohnWaynes44

appearance- not much of a head with no retention and slight lacing. Clear and golden in color. smell- faint citrus, specifically oranges. Sugars are noticeable taste- fresh, citrus hops with oranges and flowers are balanced with fair amount of sweetness in the malts. Spices and orange lingers in the aftertaste along with some hoppy bitterness. At 8%, alcohol is not noticeable. mouthfeel- medium body and a bit chalky and fizzy on the tongue. drinkability- this goes down easy... more like a 6.5%. summary- this is a nice IPA with fresh citrus hops. If you like orange notes this is the one to behold. It does not feel like a double. It is missing that big malt and hops punch that I expect of the style. None the less it is decent and flavorful. Presentation was sub-par though. I think the ABV is lower than advertised.

Millenium Tripel

Tripel

DIM

a: This was very dark for a tripel, it was a hazy apple cider color. It poured from a 5 liter mini-keg with a smallish, short lived white head. s: This had strong aromas of yeasty cloves and bananas along with a distinct cherry aroma. There was a little heat to be found, but not all that much. t: This was very different from other tripels I've tried. Wheaty banana and spicy cherry flavors dominated. There was toffee-like candied sugar sweetness and a little warmth as well. m: Very nice silky body on this one. The carbonation wasn't very visible, but it was very apparent in the mouthfeel. d: This was a little on the sweet side, but I had no problem asking for seconds. This was pretty far removed from the genuine article as far as I can tell. I just enjoyed it for what it is, not what it isn't.

Trader Joe's Stockyard Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout

DIM

a: This had a black body and poured with a medium sized, tan colored head. s: Very sweet smelling, more sugar than beer in fact. There was some roasty, malty cocoa, but not much. t: Just too sweet tasting. I found hints of bitter, roasted coffee, but artificial sweetener dominated. m: Thin for the style. o: Just not good, even for a buck a bottle.

Éphémère (Cassis / Black Currant)

Fruit / Vegetable Beer

amccormi

Poured from a bottle into a half pint. It is somwhere between red and red-orange. The foam is very white and fizzy and dissapates quickly. The aroma is a big blast of cassis fruit, really what I want from a fruit beer. The flavor tastes kind of like regular Ephermer, wich leads me to believe that the use fruit flavor extract. It is lightly grainy, very dry, and a tad bit tart like grapefruit. I always find these guys just a bit overcarbonated for my taste, leaving them a bit carbonic. Overall it is okay, but I would not really seek it out.

L'enfant Terrible

Gueuze

amccormi

Poured very cold into a Piraat Tulip from 11.2 oz bottle. Very foamy despite best efforts and caution. Poured a golden amber that was a bit hazy. Bouniful rocky white head that lasts to the bottom of the glass. Tart aroma initially, followed by more delicate fruity notes of pear and bananna, and a hint of spicy pepper in the background. The tartness dominates the taste from first to last. Tastes of unripened nectarines, peaches, green apples, and limes all rolled into one with a definite biscuty, bready malt backbone. Peaty on the finish as the sour dissipates. Prickly fizz in the mouth, which was suprising at first, but I actually found refreshing. I could imagine having a few of these, but motstly see it as either a hot weather refresher, or possibly and apertif or digestif with a meal. Can feel its 7%.

Anchor Steam Beer

California Common / Steam Beer

Coorskid33

A~ Pours a nice golden amber color. Bubbly 1 inch head quickly dissipates, but the head kind of fizzes like soda. S~ the head releases a nice earthy floral scent. It's slightly hoppy, but really I get the smell of alcohol and malt. T~ Great, very balanced and straight forward. Smooth as heck and leaves a malty but dry aftertaste that makes me want to drink more and drink faster. It's a good thing. MF~ huge carb level but a good oily like feel that lathers your mouth, but overwhelming. D~ This is a great beer. I think the first of it's kind that I've ever had. I enjoyed it very much. NIce strong beer but not too serious and leaves room for more than one. :o)

Heavy Seas - Winter Storm ("Category 5" Ale)

Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)

Coorskid33

Poured into a pint glass Appears~ Pours an amber red with a slight orange to it. Small head with minimal retention and lacing. Clear and clean in appearance. Smells~ Malty and hoppy. I didn't know this beer was on sterioids until I smelled it. Bottle read 7.5 %. It was pleasant overall. Taste~ wow, alcohol and malt flavors are strong all the way through. Initial hops gives way to a bullish alcohol finish. Mouthfeel~ Thin and smooth with good carbonation. Drinkability~ Fair. I guess good for what it is, but not my idea of a good winter brew. Probably won't have another but worth the try and experience of having this type of beer.

Merry Monks' Ale

Tripel

RyanLigeia

A lovely golden color that might as well be an albino stout. Cannot see a single thing through this beer! Looks fantastic. Smells almost like a wine in the fermenting stage, only better. Banannas are definitely present as well as a little clove maybe. Tastes fantastic. Very complex but blended VERY nicely. You can tell deep down it packs a punch but does not come off at all as 9.3%abv. The mouthfeel is nothing short of incredible. The carbination is there yet its still incredibly smooth. Very silky/buttery. Love it. Overall this beer is just great. One of the best Ive had in a while. Im not usually a tripel fan but after drinking this I may explore the style a little more. Every time I set it down Im tempted to pick it right back up again, I'll definitely be reccomending this one to friends.

Hazelnut Brown Nectar

American Brown Ale

RyanLigeia

Appearance- Nice clean brownish/ruby see through color but the head was lacking and vanishes quick, to nothing. Smell- Very unique. Hazelnut shines through as expected with hints of vanilla. Doesnt smell like any other beer Ive had but that isnt necessarily a bad thing. Taste- Similar to the smell but I taste some maple in there as well. Its flavorful but still easy to drink. Strong enough flavors to enjoy but not overpowering to the point that you couldn't drink a couple. Mouthfeel- I really wish it was smoother and less crisp. The smoothness would definitely work better with the flavors. Overall- An awesome beer but with a better texture could be an AMAZING beer.

Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic

Fruit / Vegetable Beer

LotusGt111

I got this in the Costco Winter Sampler, this was a huge mistake! I drank about 1/4 of this one, and poured the rest down the drain. I don't know what to do with it, it's that bad, I tried giving some to my roomate a college, even he wouldn't accept it. I took some to a frat party... EVEN THEY wouldn't touch it, they said things like "I've had that before, its terrible" "Easily one of the worst beer ever" I like Sam Adam's beers, they are pretty decent. Pours a golden brown, but the head goes away quickly Aroma is a decent smell. but then gets overwhelmingly fruity As for the taste Phlew.... terrible, I almost spit it out! Yuck! Mouthfeel is decent, but the tast is terribly dissapointing. Drinkability is none existant I couldn't drink it... I'll never drink this beer again, as is, I can't get rid of the last two I have.

Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel

Doppelbock

LotusGt111

Quite simply THE BEST BEER I've ever tasted! I enjoyed this treat by the half liter at the Andechser Kloster in Germany. Along with a Schweine Hacksen it's an awesome beer! Appeance, Great in the Andecheser 1/2 liter mug! Smell Great, you can smell the hops, it smells great! Mouthfeel is a little thick, but full, nice feel! Drinkablilty is great, but the alcohol will get to you, so watch out!

Dark Horse Reserve Special Black Bier Ale

American Strong Ale

browner

Amber brown pour and a bit hazy. Very sweet palate with a bit citrus and malt. Goes down easy with little carbonation as hoppy as I would expect from a double but enjoyable. The beer is a above average to very good India Pale Ale in the American style. Laet the beer stand a bit if to cold as it comprimizes the delevery of this beer.

Erdinger Weissbier

Hefeweizen

browner

A fine Hefeweizen Brew. Very nice hazy yellow color and off white half inch + / - head that doesn't disappear . Classic yeasty-bready aroma, banana, clove, and slight citrus flavor. Great finish with tones of sweetness and yeast , a truly fine beer. I would consider the Hefeweizen for it's drinkability with a little swager. Erdinger should make no apologies for tradition here.

Samuel Adams Hefeweizen

American Pale Wheat Ale

Nobody420

This brew is always a good decision The appearance is a cloudy golden haze the smell has a powerful yeast scent, and yet again a hint of citrus im finding with more samuel adams the taste is wheat of course, slight citrus. I hate to say it because i would NEVER do this, but i wouldnt be shocked if people would add a lemon or orange slice as is custom here in KC with this type of brew the drinkability is mid to high, perfect for summer time

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Vienna Lager

Nobody420

if you cant tell by my ratings, this is and always has been one of my favorite beers the color isnt far off from the sam adams light, possibly a little darker, i should pour one of each and compare. the smell is arousing with caramel and hops the taste can be summed up with one word, "delicious" the perfect balance of hops and caramel with a wonderful after taste drinkability for me is 100% the best, however its "not a beginner beer" I will be the first to say this rating may be a little one sided because this is arguably my favorite beer

Pliny The Younger

American Double / Imperial IPA

Jmoore50

I truly believe that not enough good things can be said about this beer. I had it on-tap at the release day. I also split a growler of it with friends the day after the release. Very fortunate to write this review. The appearance is a light honey colored nectar that pours with a one and a half finger head. The head is white and sticky, but leaves after a while due to the ABV. The brew itself is as thick as honey, the carbonation bubbles struggle to make their way to the top of the brew. Leaves a thick alcoholic leg all around the glass. Also leaves a medium lacing on the sides. A beautiful beer with the greatest color and gravity, this thing is thick! The smell is the best hop smell I have ever experienced. It reminds me of rubbing wet hops together in my hands at my local homebrew store. It has a hop bitterness with underlying citrus notes that bring two big characteristics together. No ABV is present anywhere in this beer, and it makes it dangerous. There is a marijuana smell that a lot of my beer tasting friends picked up, so this beer brings together my favorite smells in an IPA and intensifies them by ten. The taste is of extremely bitter hops with a very strong malt backbone. It is balanced so well that the hops just explode with different flavors. What I love about Russian Rivers IPA's is that they have more of a pine characteristic than overly sweet. This pairs pine hops with sweet undertones in the taste. I had a growler at a bar last night and gave samples to about four different people, some that do not always drink craft beer. Everyone knew without the background of Younger that this was a very special beer. The mouthfeel is a palate destroyer! The oils in this beer coat your entire mouth with hop bitterness, creating the best mouthfeel for a hop focused beer. Nothing tastes the same after this, for your palate is in fatigue after just a few sips. The drinkability is dangerously high, I would of given this a six out of five if possible. Once you start, you cannot stop at all. I had about eight pours of this on the actual release, needless to say I got out of bed the next day at around noon. There is no surprise here that the taps ran out on the same day. Once you get to taste it, you just don't want to stop. This was a true pleasure to try for I will never forget this weekend. A truly exceptional beer thats hype is well deserved. Cheers to Vinnie and Natalie at Russian River J

Single Batch Series - Barleywine

American Barleywine

Jmoore50

Bourbon Barley Wines are usually a train wreck, being too hot and blended terribly. This one is tasting great right now, but with a year on it will be incredible. The appearance is a very solid dark ruby color that poured with a one finger white head. It has a very thick ABV leg that reminds me of a fine wine. This thing is thick, and looks like its been in a barrel for a while. The smell is compiled of sweet caramel malts, bourbon, vanilla, candy sugar, raisins, amazing. Smells delicious. The taste is solid, and although a little thick and hot, is a great after dinner drink. Booze, caramel, raisins, sugar, plums, bourbon, really sweet. It has lots of complexities that are getting ready to explode. Time is going to be a friend of this one. The mouthfeel was hot and fairly boozy. It was a sipper and took me a minute to finish the bottle. Pretty interesting beer that I thought was enjoyable. Cheers J

Oscura

California Common / Steam Beer

Lofgrep

A: Pours a 1/4" head with much encouragement, off-white and low density, low retention. The body looks like Mexican lager spiked with coffee...which is not surprising, since that's more or less what they were going for with this one. I could have used a little more in the way of head, but this is otherwise an attractive beer. S: The aroma of this beer is incredible - in fact, I'd rank this in my top five for the year without hesitation. The nose perfectly showcases the coffee in a way I have not encountered in any other beer to date. In a stout, I would have expected malt or roast notes participating, but using a clean lager as a base means it's perfectly reasonable to highlight the coffee for the sake of itself. Taste: In my mind, the perfect coffee beer. I docked 1/2 a point only because in the flavor palate I could have used just a touch more beer to balance out the coffee. Not malt, not hops...just something to remind me this is a beer brewed with coffee, and not the other way around. Very, very delicious. M: Very light on the palate, as one would expect from a lager, but contrary to what's experienced with most coffee beers. Truly unique. Carbonation is perfect, astringency notably absent. D: I am an avid coffee drinker, and so I had three of this in the first sitting I had it (not this tasting...this was from a stragler bottle I just discovered in the fridge). My wife and drinking companion felt differently - that it was a great beer, but that the assertive coffee flavor made it a bit much for more than one at a sitting. My hat's off to Furthermore for brewing what is now my favorite coffee beer, and one of my top picks for 2008.

Trappistes Rochefort 10

Quadrupel (Quad)

Lofgrep

Poured from bottle to a Konigshoeven chalice. A: Pours a even, medium-density foamish head, white in color, with excellent retention. Ample lacing. Body is dark chocolate brown, the color of murky coffee. S: Sugary, sweet nose, with some earthiness mixed in. Less assertive than what I remember from the Rochefort 8. T: Malt melded with some more exotic flavors that I'm not as familiar with...some herbal-type notes, medicinal, possibly faint toffee. Flavors contributed by the yeast are certainly present, but they blend well with the rest of the beer. Lesser wine-like and bready/yeasty notes also present. M: Extremely smooth, with carbonation that is in perfect harmony with the body. Lush, with nothing that causes even the slightest displeasure. Good deal of warmth on the finish, which is ideal for today's tasting (blizzard with slightly below-zero temp). D: This beer sat in my cellar for an inordinate length of time because I kept feeling like I needed to sit down and pay proper attention to drink it...what a foolish notion. While it's true that this is a beer that deserves diligence, it's also extremely accessible and should be consumed without hesitation! I will be cycling this into my rotation regularly.

Wild Blue (Blueberry Lager)

Fruit / Vegetable Beer

SKMO

Well I was in an Autumn fruity-beer mood and picked this up on impulse. I had no idea this was an A/B product and could not tell from the label. Said some company in New York. When I cracked the first top it exuded an overpowering artificial blueberry smell. Then went downhill. Appearance - Very colorful, like reddish grape soda. Smell - Overpowering, overwhelming, artificial blueberry smell. Taste - See smell above. Very sweet, artificial. Industrial Blueberry for sure. Heavy and sweet, with raw yeast undertones. Mouthfeel - Actually could not get around to thinking about that, but as best as I could describe would be a fizzy berry soda pop with a shot of Everclear and some corn syrup added. Drinkability - High ABV is it's only redeeming feature, kind of like a vintage Thunderbird. Given a blind sample of this and asked to describe it, I doubt I would have used the word beer in the first few sentences. It bears no resemblance to beer. Nor anything else I would intentionally drink again for that matter. A friend and I drank one apiece and I let him take the 4 remainders home. He thought he could throw one at a time into large pitchers of Sangria and nobody would notice. He also thought he could put a double shot of cough elixer into a glass of this stuff and sleep through the initial stages of flu. In any case, it is a truly unique (bizarre) beverage, that I can't imagine anyone would enjoy. The cheapest wine cooler is succulent compared to this, but maybe the 8% ABV does it for some people.

La Fin Du Monde

Tripel

SKMO

I am not big into reviews as I do not feel qualified but this brew kicked my arse in every respect and brought tears to my eyes. Upon opening the bottle and inhaling the aroma I was salivating like Pavlov's Dog. It smelled luscious. And it tasted as good or better. Everyone else here has described the nuances of the taste/aroma. I can't begin to tear this beer apart taste-wise other than to say it hit all my sensory g-spots. I had a beergasm. Let's just say it is one of the best beers I have ever experienced. It is delicious, not a word often used to describe beer. I also appreciate the high ABV which hides itself perfectly. Perfect beer Karma in my opinion.

St. Charles Porter

American Porter

Poser

Pours a dark brown with some amber tints and a healthy, frothy top. Aroma of coffee malts and maybe caramel? Starts out creamy smooth and finishes with a noticeable touch of smokey pecan shells. Definitely has a roasted flavor and texture. For my tastes, this is one of a handful of quintessential porters that all others are judged by.

Dale's Pale Ale

American Pale Ale (APA)

Poser

Wonderful-looking beer. Golden brown color with a thick frothy top. Aroma is a little mild but citrus and malty. Citrus flavors with a hop profile there from start to finish, although still managing to be balanced. The rougher side of medium-bodied with a perfect amount of carbonation.

V-Twelve

Quadrupel (Quad)

TheBigBoy

Well, this was my 1st Quad and I am guessing Quad are not for my palate. I struggled to split my 1/3 of a 22oz-er. Way, Way, too much beer for me, this one bordered on hard alcohol in my estimation. If you like Quads, perhaps Victory has nailed the taste with this Twelve. But overall, it left me wondering how/why does anyone drink this kind of beer?

Night Owl Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin Ale

TheBigBoy

Ok, I am now resigned to the fact that I am just not a big pumpkin beer fan. In line with all the reviews, this is not an overpowering pumpkin beer. Subtle pumpkin and spice flavors throughout not even close to going over the top like some of the more fragrant and sweet pumpkin ales available. Split out of a 22oz bomber on Halloween.This one was just Ok for me. Happy to now be past the Halloween beers and looking forward to Winter Ales now coming into season.

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

American Adjunct Lager

BasementBrewerSF

There is not much to a PBR. Classic American Pilsner, as light as water with about as much taste, but unlike water, PBR is 5%. A great beer for a buck in a can at almost any bar around town. Personally I find myself spending money at beer stores rather than bars due to the mark up. So PBR is nothing to rave about but it is cheep, drinkable and gets the job done. As I say to my beer snob friends, "it is the best of the worst". And now Pabst is the oldest American owned brewery in the country. "America! Fuck Yeah!"

Trader Joe's Vienna Style Lager

Vienna Lager

BasementBrewerSF

It is not a bad beer, but it is not a good beer. It has a nice pour and a rich color, but the taste is nothing to be admired. It tastes like a cheep super market beer, except classy-er because it was purchased at Trader Joes. It is good for a cheep night before pay day, but I would not purchase it again.

Titan IPA

American IPA

TenHornsProud

Pours a clear orange with a small white head that lingers. Smells of honey, pear, pineapple, grapefruit, pine notes also come through as well. Taste is pear, pineapple, stone fruit up front that shifts into a pine character, and ends on a bitter kick with a lingering grapefruit, hop oil character that is quite nice. Great mix of fruit and pine...reminds me of Jai Alai quite a bit actually. Medium body and medium carbonation make this a chewier IPA than some. Alcohol is present but not out of balance. Quite a good IPA that showcases fruit and pine characters while being bigger and heartier than a lot of IPAs I've had. Really nice overall.

Belgian Style Yeti

Russian Imperial Stout

TenHornsProud

Pours a solid black with a thick, creamy, brown head. Smells of roasted malt with some phenolic overtones and an almost woody character. The aroma seems to be less impressive in this version of the Yeti. Taste is Belgian phenols up-front that give way to the nice roasty character that fades into a smooth, sweet finish with some hop bitterness. Yeti is always creamy and smooth with a perfect level of carbonation. Great mouthfeel. The best comparison I can make is to orange-flavored dark chocolate. It is Belgian phenol, with that funk and slight fruit ester, that fades into stout, and mixes in the finish. The finish is nice, as the then blended flavors meld well, but like orange-flavored dark chocolate, it depends on if you like blends rather than just one more distinct flavor. Me, I like one amazing flavor more than two, blended, good ones.

IPA (India Pale Ale)

American IPA

FenwaySquid

Presentation: 12 oz. brown bottle, no dating that I could find, poured into a pint glass. Appearance: Pours a crystal clear deep gold color, carbonation bubbles rising inside. The head formed small and faded quickly into a thin layer. Aroma: Excellent. Piney and citrus hops along with some biscuity malts. Well balanced. Taste: Piney and citrus hops up front, then some biscuit malts come through in the middle. The finish is mostly citrus hops, lingering for quite some time. Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied, crisp and smooth. The carbonation is lively, and balances well. Overall: A great American IPA. Highly recommended.

Brown Ale

English Brown Ale

FenwaySquid

Presentation: 1 pt 6 oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Appearance: Amber in color, beer poured with a generous head that retained at first, then gradually faded into a lace. Aroma: Rather malty. Taste: Sweet; also a little nutty. A hint of caramel malt perhaps. I never did detect any hops in the taste, but here I think that's a good thing. Overall: This is an excellent beer.

Prima Pils

German Pilsener

OttoBomb

12 oz. bottle poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass (February 18, 2010). "ENJOY BY: MAY 2 2010" is printed on the label. Eyes: Pours a clear, light golden straw color. The one finger head dissipates quite quickly. Minimal lacing. Nose: The aroma is nice, but seems a little weak in the Saaz hop area. It's a strong, spicy, even earthy aroma, but not as good as I'd expect. Tongue: A lot more complex here, but just a bit short of the perfect Pilsner. Quite piney, and most certainly has that "noble" hop character, tasty overall, with a very high level of bitterness. Mouth: A good clean, crisp feel. Refreshing for sure. Libation: Very drinkable and tasty. This is a very good pilsner, but not the top of the food chain. In my opinion the flavor falls a shade short while delivering a shade too much bitterness, but these are small nit-picks. I'll be happy to have this one again, as it's a great addition to a style that seriously lacks depth in quality.

Wipeout I.P.A.

American IPA

OttoBomb

22 oz. bomber poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass (February 19, 2010). No 'bottled on' date. Eyes: Pours a hazy golden yellow/orange hue. A moderate one finger head forms and retains for a while with some decent lacing. Actually looks quite good. Nose: Smells of the typical grapefruit and pine of a West Coast IPA. Nice but not as complex as I might like. Tongue: Pine and Grapefruits, a touch of malt, but not as impressive as the smell. Mouth: Good carbonation and a decent aftertase, despite the bitter hop onslaught. Libation: The flavor simply does not deliver that the aroma advertises. It's a good strong IPA, bordering on DIPA, but the story here is that it's not complex enough for the bitterness. I love hop bombs, but this one doesn't deliver the appropriate flavor with the hops. A good IPA, but not one I'll drop a few dollars on if there are other options.

Coors

American Adjunct Lager

LAMAGS

A run of the mill brew, fit only for drinking after a few quality brews Unimpressive color smell and taste, it reminds me of drinking seltzer with a hint of yeast. It does have a very light tingly palate making it good fair for big picnics, BBQs or a day at the beech.

Guinness Original

Irish Dry Stout

LAMAGS

My best experience with Guinness was recently when i got the first pour from a fresh keg. This may color my review but I've always enjoyed this beer. The Pint was very dark with a thick ultra-creamy head; excellent retention. The taste is unusually good for a run of the mill brew with a stout malty coffee flavor with a sweet caramel finish. The mouth-feel was what was remarkable to me, very thick and creamy, I would liken it to a stout milkshake, really satisfying and enjoyable to drink.

Consecration

American Wild Ale

cavemanlawyer

On tap today at Saraveza in Portland. While I will state up front that I prefer Supplication, having this on tap was a real treat. It is my #2 Russian River sour. On the initial whiff, you get light sour cherry / , currant-sweetness . It is surprising how sweet it smells compared to the taste. You can detect hints of the funk and sour to come, but it takes a moment to develop. Nice and musty, complex, and very pleasant aroma. My only complaint is that it is a bit effervescent, at least straight from the tap, which affects the mouth feel and taste just a bit. I found that by holding it in my mouth and swirling a bit, it really reduces tha carbonation and brings out the flavor. It is impossible to tell this is 10% just by drinking it. No alcohol hits the palate whatsover. Amazing drinkability on this one. Love this and all of the RR sours. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up...

Saison Dupont

Saison / Farmhouse Ale

cavemanlawyer

Had this on tap at the Cascade Saison Fest. Fun event, wish I was able to stay longer to enjoy the variety. Pours murky, cloudy, and wheaty-looking. Not great, reminds me of a german hefeweizen. Nose is citrus and dry straw. Smells refreshing and crisp. Very clean and refreshing on the palate. Light and bubbly, could easily drink several. Excellent for the style, there is a reason this is considered an archetype.

Fordham Copperhead Ale

Altbier

corylew

Pours hazy brown with a soft white head that quickly disappears. Smells like cheap beer. Plain and simple. Adjunct-y with esters. Mainly smells like CO2. Taste.. well there isn't much. I taste carbonation, a hint of sweet malt, but mainly cheap beer and carbonation. Mouthfeel is fizzy. I'm sure the carbonation level isn't off, but the lack of other taste in this beer means that's the main flavor I get. Overall "not impressed" sums it up well. Looks like someone with a lot of money tired tapping into the craft beer market to get some cash and cut as many corners as possible. EDIT: Wait a second. This is supposed be an altbier? Would have never guessed...

Figgy Pudding

English Strong Ale

corylew

Had the '11 on tap Pours muddy brown with a thin tan head that forms into a ring around the tulip glass halfway down. Smells fruity with a malty toasty nose that swims amongst molasses and spice. Tastes malty foremost. Lots of spice and fruit characteristics. A slight sweetness but only in a flavor aspects not in density. Mouthfeel follows Belgian guidelines. Spritzy. Overall this beer was a crowd favorite. Packed with flavor yet light. Absolutely wonderful.

Reunion '08

Rye Beer

badbassrandy

Found this bottle at Whole Foods and it absolutely struck my attention. I thought it was a Rogue at first! I was excited beacuse I like hoppy red ales and I like the use of rye in this style. She looked nice, obvious carbonation and beautiful deep red/brown/amber. Smell had a funkiness to it, and a sharp spice. My girl thought it smelled gross. I was ready for those hops I could smell. I really enjoy the taste of this beer, maybe moreso than other BAs here. But there's a nice malt foundation to something that's on the more bitter, hoppier end of things. The mouthfeel was nice too, not overly chewy but certainly something to roll around the palate. The spiceiness from the caraways seeds and rye made it fun to consume, but there was residual taste that pronounced the dankness. Drinkability was good. It's not a beer I kept reaching for, but I enjoyed each taste as I nursed it. Overall, well done job for a great cause! I felt good all around with this brew.

Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale

American Amber / Red Ale

badbassrandy

First off, I think I like this beer better out of a bottle than on tap -- strange, right? It has really grown on me since my first tasting. It's the closest thing I've found to (though still not as triumphant as) Lagunitas' Imperial Red Ale, possibly my favorite beer of all time. Poor this and you know you're ready for a man's ale. I like to drink this while watching Lord of the Rings, especially the part where they celebrate in the Golden Hall of Meduseld in Rohan. That's a man's ale for you. Outrageously hoppy and richly malted give this a perfect blend for the hop-crazed palate who wants a good solid bottom end to balance the bitter. It looks great, smells fantastic, tastes marvelous and just rolls around in your mouth like liquid butter. One of the most drinkable hop attacks I've ever had. Green Flash has done it again! And in style...

Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout

Charthepirate

When first becoming a BA I swore off this stout because of the intense burnt taste to it. Recently, when my local beer distributor got in a fresh batch, I decided to give it a go. I don't know if my first bottle was bad, or my tastes have simply matured, but wow. oh wow. Thick and rich this beer tingles all my senses. A mild nose, strongly of roasted and caramel malts. first taste has kind of a subdued sweetness, followed by a massive slam of stout goodness. Roasty, and a little chocolaty, this beer slams my senses. In the mouth it feels huge, part from the thick body, and part from the large flavor. As it leaves my mouth the chocolate flavor shines through. wonderful, simply wonderful.

Chodovar 11%

Czech Pilsener

Charthepirate

Beer pours golden with a big, fluffy, smooth head. Head dissapeared quickly leaving a strained lacing. Beer doesn't smell much but a slight skunk and touch of maltiness. Flavor is very smooth, with a fantastic spicyness. Body is very full and rich for a light lager. Unfortunately I believe this beer was skunked, so the maltiness is overrun by skunk. I've had this beer non skunked and it's very good. Best part of this brew is the wonderful smoothness. Really great feeling on the mouth despite the intense spice. A good beer, much better if fresh (I had it at the brewery also).

Smuttynose Summer Weizen

American Pale Wheat Ale

Dhgirl

Poured into a duvel tulip glass. A: Has a pale yellow apperance that is super transparent. Very minimal head and lacing. S: Citrusy perfume like smell. T: Sour at first with a bitter bite for finish. M: Pleasing light body with strong carbonation. O: A delightful beer to enjoy at the beach.

Post Road Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin Ale

Dhgirl

A: Burnt orange with a bubbly white head. S: Pumpkin spice with plenty of cinnamon present. T: More pumpkin was in the smell rather than taste. Hint of pumpkin with strong cinnamon. Heavy carbonation that diluted the flavors. M: Light to medium body. O: A nice pumpkin ale.

Otter Creek Winter Red Ale

American Amber / Red Ale

HopsYeast

a-nice dark amber with a slight reddish hue. creamy half finger head with medium amount of lacing. s-sweet smelling with a touch of caramel malts. smell small amounts apples or cherries and wild flower honey. and a subtle hops scent. t-initial hops flavor fads buts is present throughout. there is a maltiness to it. there is some spiciness to it as well. there is even a sour cherry and grape flavor towards the end. very drinkable nice flavor with gentle notes of each flavor characteristic. m-again, very nice. highly drinkable. doesnt weigh you down like many other winter beers. the body is less dense than most winters but flavor makes up for the lite body. o-im glad otter creek took their black ipa and made it year round and introduced this as their winter beer instead. this is a nice addition to the otter creek family.

River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout

Milk / Sweet Stout

HopsYeast

i was looking forward to this beer for a long time after hearing about it from the people at the brewery. finally found some yesterday and was very excited. riverhorse proved again why they are one of my favorite local breweries. smooth feel with a creamy finish. exactly what i expected. this beer was easy on the mouth and had a couple of surprises. a slight taste of hops at the end was a delight combined with a warm smokey flavor. i would recommend this to anyone looking to expand their beer palate. yum :)

Founders KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout)

American Double / Imperial Stout

Mudpuppet

A- Poured from a 12oz bottle into a snifter. Pours a very dark brown with a light lacy head. S- Really nice nose on this. Coffee grinds very strongly. Also notes of a nice cigar. T- Coffee grinds are really strong in this. There are definite notes of bourbon. This is a really nice stout. I was expecting a lot of oak and bourbon notes. It is really balanced though. M- The carbonation is a bit high but good for this beer. It really sticks around in your mouth for a while D- Bring em on! I really like this beer. I am going to track down a few more bottle for sure. Don't have too many though or you will be falling down.

Bell's Special Double Cream Stout

American Stout

Mudpuppet

Thanks to GrizzlyAdams for this brew. A- Poured from a 12oz bottle into an Imperial pint glass. Pours a pitch black with about 1/2 of tan head. S- Not a strong nose with notes of coffee and currants. Of course I am used to drinking these out of a sniffer so it may have a strong nose in that. T- Sublime! Coffee, chocolate, dark dried fruits. Very roasty but not overpowering with flavor like the Exp. Stout. I like this beer a lot. M- Another 5 from me. This is a very smooth beer and very creamy. Lowish cabonation but that is how you want it. I have got to try more Bell's brews. D- Bring it on bartender! I could drink this until I was full. Because I think I would get full before drunk on this beer. Very good over all. Top 10 stouts for me!

Arcadia HopMouth Double IPA

American Double / Imperial IPA

Scojo2usa

Appearance: Pours nice dark brown, very small head. Darker than most IPA's. Smell: sweet malty, like fresh barley, and a very fresh smelling hop aroma but not as strong as one would expect from a DIPA. Taste: Here come the hops, but quickly phase out by a strong malt backbone. As the malty flavor dissipates the bitterness sets in. Mouth feel: Full bodied on the pallet. Smooth but slightly chewy. Hint of alcohol rest on the tongue during after taste. Summary: Good, not great. If you're looking for a hop monster of a double IPA, this is not it. Ample hops but big malt backbone takes away the from the hops. Really enjoyed the mouth feels and is tasty but I'm some how left wanting, I always have high hopes for double IPA's.

Tröegs Nugget Nectar

American Amber / Red Ale

Scojo2usa

Great offering from Troegs, very floral and slightly piney. The warrior hops had a very nice bitterness while the nugget and tomahawk add a nice sent of a flower while standing next to a christmas tree. Great nose, and really really good amber color. I generally enjoy citrusy IPA's over piney but this is one of my favorites.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

American IPA

TheBeerAlmanac

Bottle poured into a tulip A: Pours a light yellow color with a foamy head that retains for a good bit, what you'd hope from an IPA. S: Smells surprisingly malty with some hop backbone and a little spiciness. T/M: Flavor is predominantly hoppy with low to medium carbonation and a light citrus tone. It's a decently balanced IPA, but really nothing extravagant.

Frostbite

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

TheBeerAlmanac

Draft poured into a stemmed pilsner glass This one is a treat. Ive been yearning for something with a bit more punch since Ive been in town. This is Frostbite, a Belgian strong ale aged in oak wine barrels. A: Pours an amber/orange hue with very tight, white bubbles coalescing into a paper thin head. S: Aroma is strong with hints of caramel and alcohol up front, reminiscent of other bourbon barrel aged brews, not necessarily wine, and complemented with sweet, heavy maltiness. T/M: The taste follows suit at first: strong bourbon-like caramel notes and a warm mouthfeel, but starts to give way to some lighter white grape, a vinegar acidity and deep woody, earthy oakiness. Its a bit more basic than I wanted but its strong in a tasty way and reminds me of some bourbon aged ales from home. Mmm, bourbon. TheBeerAlmanac.com

Capitol City Kolsch

Kölsch

BrandonUB

Seems a little too light in my opinion. On the bright side, it's highly drinkable and has a pleasantly fruit taste. Some of the other tasters have been very harsh on this, calling it watery, but I wouldn't really go that far - it's just not as full-bodied as it could be. For what it's worth, the friend I was is typically a macro-brew lager drinker, and enjoyed her's greatly.

Newcastle Brown Ale

English Brown Ale

BrandonUB

A - Not impressive to me on initial appearance, with a typical light head, but a somewhat "off" color, in my opinion. T - Really the strongest portion of Newcastle, for me. Nice butterscotch and caramel notes really make it an enjoyable and lively drink. D - Tremendously drinkable, and always a nice one to break out for people who haven't yet gotten into craft brewing. Newcastle is among my favorites - it's a a well rounded (if not distinguished) brown ale thats very easy drinking. I find that many people who typically drink low taste American lagers are still able to appreciate it, which is important to me since I have lots of young friends.

Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus

Light Lager

Prostman81

First off, let me just say that I did not buy this for myself (thankfully). I was able to try it for free at my in-laws house, and I think free was too high a price. This isn't beer. At all. It looks yellow, but it doesn't smell like beer. It tastes like lime soda. I've had other lime-flavored "beers" and the only one worse is bud light lime. Clearly a grab at the wine-cooler crowd. Save your $$ for something else.

Modelo Especial

American Adjunct Lager

Prostman81

Very decent beer for this genre. I'm always surprised to see this beer matched in price with its Corona kin, but I guess Groupo Modelo knows where it can score some easy cash. There's no choice between the two though, this beer has only a slight, but pleasant skunk, and is really easy to drink down with either a meal of barbeque, mexican, or just sitting on the deck having a few. No limes needed for this either. I really only consider this a summer novelty beer...but I do appreciate it for that quality.

Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat

Witbier

Deingeist

A - Average looking but soapy head. The beer is a cloudy light amber similar to the look of blue moon. Hardly any lacing to speak of. S - Orange Juice, and Fruity pebbles. I would try to be more serious with this response, but I am being truthful in that is what I am smelling. I just really don't like fruity pebbles. T - Not much to it, fairly sweet and very fruity but watery. M - Not much here either, watery, with a bit of a soda like zing from the carbonation. D - I made this a 3 because I am not arguing that the beer is not drinkable, it is drinkable the same way that bud light is drinkable it's just not enjoyable for me to drink because I am turned off by the smell and taste. I can see how some would like this brew, and a friend of mine really hyped it up before I tried it. I was disappointed, but you may like it, so give it a whirl. Everyone deserves a chance.

Delirium Tremens

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Deingeist

A - Tall puffy white head, what else would you expect from a belgian? semi cloudy golden color. Minimal lacing. S - Sour hops, roses, apple, and pear. refreshing. T - Pungent fruity off the bat, flowers apple and pear primarily. then the sour hops kick in and after the swallow it leaves a dry not yet ripe pear aftertaste. I noticed the alcohol on the way down and during the aftertaste, but it was a welcome flavor. M - The mouthfeel is rather like eating a granny smith or an unripe pear, but very juicy, mouth watering. A bit dry on the finish. D - I drank a 750ml bottle of this, and that was plenty. I finished it gladly, however I wouldn't drink more than two 12 ouncers of this unless I was really in the mood and willing to spend some money.

Great Lakes Eliot Ness

Vienna Lager

Sneers

Drank 2 months before best-by date; poured into a pint glass. Pours a brilliant, crystal clear copper capped by a persistent eggshell head, which some amber around the edges. The nose isn't very aromatic, but that's expected for the style, and it is dominated by the malt. Malty and clean with a little bit of toastiness and just a hint of caramel sweetness. No real hop aroma of which to speak. Like in the nose, the taste is malt-driven, but unlike the nose, the hops make themselves present (from what I understand, this is a fairly strong version of the traditional Vienna lager, and I'm sure this is a part of that status). The hops do little to impart much of their own flavor, save bitterness, and maybe a slightly spicy taste on the finish; they are assertive, but restrained. While not possessing an aggressive flavor, Eliot Ness is rich and smooth, with a wonderful bland of malt and hop presence. The finish is pretty dry, slightly bitter, and actually feels faintly tannic. Mouthfeel is medium-thin and very smooth. Oh, so easy to drink as well. Probably 19/20 beers I have are ales, and Eliot Ness is a pleasant reminder that there's something to be said for a truly well-made lager. Highly recommended.

Corsendonk Agnus / Abbey Pale Ale

Tripel

Sneers

Pours a golden color topped with big fluffy white head, with lots of carbonation rising. As soon as I popped the cork, I could smell this one. The aroma is pretty strong and it quite fruity (namely apples) with a healthy dose of the yeastiness I like in tripels, and a bit of spiciness. The taste, however, doesn't quite live up to the expectations the aroma generated. A nice fruitiness and spiciness, and a (very) slight hoppiness, but they're not as strong as I'd like, and fade pretty quickly. After about 45 minutes, the beer was almost as room temperature and improved a bit. The high carbonation makes for a fuzzy mouthfeel on top of an otherwise thin body for the style. The beer feels crisp and dry, similar to some saisons I've had. Easily drinkable.

Punk IPA

American IPA

HoppySuds

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass Nice white head of foam on the top that lingers lightly giving off a nice hoppy aroma Pale yellow in color slightly cloudy Gives of a nice clean hoppy smell that not too bitter. This IPA is diffidently on the floral/citrisy side of IPAs rather than the grassy bitter side. At 6%ABV it's not too strong, it's a nice cool refreshing IPA that doesn't leave you searching for a glass of water after.

Imperial Eclipse Stout - Elijah Craig (18 Year)

American Double / Imperial Stout

HoppySuds

Had this on tap at the Blue Palm's Eclipse release party A - Black, thick looking, a thin head leaves as much lacing as it can on the glass. It looks like a great imp stout S - Sweetness of brown sugars, a great bourbon smell, more then the 12yr but diffidently not too much. Roasted malts and vanilla finish off the nose. T - Flavors blend so nicely! Roasted malt, vanilla and a clean bourbon hint rounds out the sweetness. M - The mouthfeel on this stout is by far one of the best I've had. Creamy, full bodied, and very rich. O - This beer was amazing! I tasted the 12yr, 18yr, and the Four Roses. All were great, with just slight differences in flavor and levels of bourbon. This one has slightly more bourbon flavors which I really enjoyed. I'm sure this beer will cellar well and continue to get better with age.

Allgäuer Cambonator Doppelbock

Doppelbock

bigsassyster

Nice body to it. average head. Smell gave off some sweet smells. The taste and drinkability were god-awful. It tasted like there were chemicals left in the bottle. I couldn't even drink half the bottle. It was the first beer I have ever put down, and not been able to come close to finishing.

Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

Russian Imperial Stout

bigsassyster

Appearance: very thick and heavy. Smell: gave off almost chocolately smell taste: has abit of a coffee aftertaste to it. mouthfeel: heavy, very heavy drinkability: Excellent beer to drink. Can't drink more then maybe 2 or you wont be able to drive home.

Michelob Amber Bock

Bock

HardTarget

Born on 05NOV04, brown twisty in the seasonal collection 12 pk. Mentions Hallatau and Tettnang hops. Really? Aroma: Nice roasted chocolate malt aroma Appearance: Very clear, very dark brown glass with a thin off white cover that is struggling to hold itself together. Thin sheets of lace quickly follow the beer down the glass. Flavor: Balance is toward the sweet with the roasted chocolate malt playing second fiddle. There also is a hint of hops in a mild spice in the finish. Unfortunately, all of this is blended into what tastes like: a Michelob. I dont know if its the yeast or some adjunct. Mouthfeel: Medium-heavy mouthfeel, a bit fizzy in carbonation level, and a very dry finish. Overall Impression: Im starting to get the impression this whole line of 6 different Michelobs is like What would Michelob look like in a hat? What about a pair of mittens? Its what Michelob would taste like if it was a bock, or if it was a pale ale. Its still Michelob. Thats not a bad thing, but you really shouldnt try to be what youre not. This is not a bock.

Girardin Gueuze 1882 (Black Label)

Gueuze

HardTarget

Bottle Inspection: Lists 5% abv. Aroma: Sharp funk, vinegar, horse, slight banana peel. Same lemon juice sour Ive seen in other Lamics. Appearance: Heavy particulates with a careful pour float and swirl in my dark peach glass. It holds a small white collar. Flavor: Lemon juice, sour, puckering actually, but not overwhelming. Finishes with just a little horsey funk. Its really one of the easier Lambics Ive had, flavors are all there and full, but not crushing. Mouthfeel: Low carbonation, medium light body seems a little thin, puckering sour. Overall Impression: Tart, but drinkable. Enjoyed it, so see it being a great summer sipper.

10th Anniversary Double India Pale Ale

American Double / Imperial IPA

BlitzShadow

Appearance: The body is an orange-brown color with a thin (1/4") beige head. Smell: Hoppy, fruity (like a mango-citrus), flowery, and distinct malt presence. Taste: The taste is immediately bitter, strong alcohol, and a sort of pine-smell when tasting. It's not overly bitter and it compliments the rich malt with a very good overall flavor. Quite tasty! Mouthfeel: I expected something full bodied and it delivered! The carbonation was medium and balanced. Drinkability: It was nice, strong, hoppy beer and I'm going to have another. Not too many though, this beer commands respect! Notes: I enjoyed this beer at Barcade in Brooklyn. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Brooklyn area.

Winterhook Winter Ale

Winter Warmer

BlitzShadow

Poured from a 12 oz bottle with a newer label than the one pictured (as of 2/27/06) and an embossed "Bottled" date on the bottom-right of the label. Appearance: Nice reddish-brown hue. 1/2 beige head with impressive retention and lace. Smell: I detect a fate toasted caramel scent accompanied with some citrus. Taste: The taste presents the caramel and a toasted malt flavor. The hops add the bitterness and aroma, but I would say to a mild to medium extent. The fruity and spice flavors add to the mix. The alcohol is detectable, but not immediately. Mouthfeel: Thin-to-medium and smooth body. The carbonation is right on track. Drinkability - A tasty winter treat that (at 6.0%) will warm you up nice. Also, the alcohol is balanced well with the malt and hops making it easy to drink several before noticing its "warmth". Notes: It may not be exceptional (a little on the thinner side for a winter beer), but definitely worthy of a six-pack in the fridge for the winter months.

Anchor Old Foghorn

English Barleywine

UnknownKoger

2011 vintage poured from bottle to Bruery tulip. Appearance is a hazy brown. It looks like liquid brown sugar. Yields a finger thick head which quickly dissipates. Well carbonated Smell is great. Sweet and malty. Just the faintest hint of hops in the background. This smells like an American take on the English barleywine. The taste is interesting! It's not super malty sweet like some English barleywines. It's actually got a bit of spice to it. Cinnamon and clove mix with the malt. Very little hop presence Mouthfeel is really good. At almost 9%, this beer goes down nicely. Overall, I'm pretty impressed. If there's such a thing as a sessionable barleywine, it might be this. I would definitely buy this again.

Lips Of Faith - Metric 10/10/10

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

UnknownKoger

Had this on tap at Naja's for their New Belgium night. After reading the story behind the beer, I was pretty stoked to try it. 10 ingredients, 10%abv, brewed on 10/10/10 etc... Looked good in the glass. Nice golden color. But that's about where it ended for me. The smell didn't exactly strike my fancy. And then the taste? One of the ingredients was black pepper, and it was incredibly apparent. Don't get me wrong, I love spicy beers, but they're usually stouts or some sort of strong, dark ale. A spicy pale ale just doesn't seem to work for me. Hops were very much in the background. Overall, I didn't care for this beer. I didn't even finish it and let my buddy have the rest. It's definitely only for a small, percentage of craft beer drinkers. To each their own. Glad I got to try it though

Moylander Double IPA

American Double / Imperial IPA

BraveUlysses

Pours a light copper color, a touch of gold, with almost no head. Smells like sweet flowers, sunshine and citrus. I can tell this one is a double but it's so sweet I can't wait to try it...or just bide my time because it smells so delicious. Wait a minute...apple cider. Yes, it smells a bit like apple cider. The taste is immediately sweet and flowery, just like my nose promised. The hope come in with force on the swallow, with a bit and a lot of lingering bitterness. I taste honey and sugar first and lots of hops afterward. (Raisins too? Can't quite tell.) I like it, except that lingering bitter taste is too strong. Mouthfeel is about right...not syrupy, but this beer has body. I could probably drink the entire bomber myself, but I'd prefer to take on a standard 12oz. bottle...at 8.5% abv, this one packs some punch. Overall, good solid beer (for those who enjoy some hops!)

Ascension

Belgian IPA

BraveUlysses

The Ascension fills the glass with a golden-yellow color and cloudy appearance and almost no head. The aroma is almost non-existent; I could not pick up any distinct flavors in the nose at all. The taste, however, is sweet at the front of the tongue with hints of very floral hops (almost flowery) with a lingering bitterness at the back of the throat to remind you that this beer is an IPA. The body is less than full with a fleeting mouthfeel; this is definitely a beer that can be sipped and followed by several others over the course of an evening.

Southampton Imperial Porter

American Porter

Pete27lax

Opened this bottle fresh on 12/9/11 Pours a very dark brown, not quite black but typical porter look. Small head, very light, that doesn't last too long. Decent lacing in this one. Smell is nothing outstanding but still nice. Roasty smell coming from this one with slight hints of chocolate and coffee also present. Taste was very enjoyable, couldn't expect anything different from Southampton. Light coffee and chocolate in the taste. I have to say the most notable taste here is vanilla. Vanilla is noticeable throughout and definitely there in the after taste. Mouthfeel is pretty light. Decent amount of carbonation throughout this beer. Overall this is definitely a solid porter!

Founders Imperial Stout

Russian Imperial Stout

Pete27lax

Had this beer on 6/11/11 Poured BLACK like motor oil. Loved the appearance, nice dark head with decent retention and very good lacing. Strong roasted characters in the aroma. Coffee and chocolate malts dominate the smell of this beer, not much else present though. Taste in awesome! Coffee is present right off the bat and chocolate malts come in right after. Alcohol is slightly noticeable in this beer but nothing uncomfortable. The sweet chocolate malts and balance of coffee is what really gives this beer an excellence taste. Also a slight taste of bitterness at the end of this beer. Great taste overall. The highlight of this beer was definitely the mouthfeel. Smooth, thick and rich. Just how I like my russian imperial stouts. That with the combination of just the right amount of carbonation gives mouthfeel a perfect 5 here. Overall this is on of the better russian imperial stouts I've had, in the same class as Ten fidy and Stout Trooper in my opinion. Looking forward to have some more in the future.

The Summer Mystery Beer (Summer Variety Show '07)

American IPA

Wookie409

As the number three hole in the Magic Hat rotation this beer surprised me a little bit. Hoppy. More bitter than I had expected both in smell and taste. Not bad by any means, but the taste just won't die. All the way around the horn the bitterness hangs around. I like the fact that it's lightly carbonated, and the color and aroma are appealing, but man that taste just won't go. I think it's OK, not my favorite overall or as a Magic Hat beer.

Schneider Weisse Original

Hefeweizen

Wookie409

The Schneider Weisse has a great color, thick frosty head and good aroma. It's a little like cloves but sweet as well with a good flavor. It's also got a nice citrus flavor which makes it refreshing and appealing. Not too hoppy, certainly not bitter. You can hook down several and feel pretty good. This is the only type of Schneider I've had and really like it.

Poperings Hommel Bier

Belgian IPA

Idler

The beer has a lingering, aromatic head. Smells beautifully floral. Hoppy, but without the bitterness- unique. Avec Les Bons Voeux comes close and is probably even better. Well, the beer is better overall, but the aroma isn't. The mouth feel is lovely. A good mousse- tiny bubbles, not big ones like in a carbonated drink, but like in a fine champagne, so you don't need to burp after a mouth full. This is a fine bottled beer, but peerless on draught. Truly, truly, one of the world's finest beers.

Vlasbier

Belgian Pale Ale

Idler

This smelled sweet and floral, but the mouthfeel was thin with a pronounced absence of hops. The aftertaste was similarly thin, except for a light minerally coating in the mouth, like iron. This got worse from smelling it to drinking it. It's best quality is it's aroma, and it goes downhill from there.

Hop Rising Double IPA

American Double / Imperial IPA

Whadawookie

I absolutely love this brew. I'd had plenty of double IPA's before but there is something about the way this one is balanced that I really like. It is sweet like others have mentioned, but I don't think excessively so because the acidic hops pop right through the mix. Poured into a snifter, I didn't get the amazing head with this bottle like I have with others, normally I just drink it out of a pint and it produces a very creamy rocky mountain sort of head. Quite a sight to behold floating atop the burnt orange brew. it smells very acidic and hoppy like a strong ipa should, but if you really stick your nose in (for the smelling impaired, like me) you get a mellow malty smell. This beer has some fantastic lacing and leaves some wild foam patterns on your glass by the time you finish drinking it. Upon entering your mouth you get a quick burst of citrusy hops that quickly are taken over by the malty goodness that belies this beer. It leaves a light coating on the tongue that stays well after you finish a beer, or two... or three. That is another thing to watch out with this guy here, he hides his alcohol quite well with how delicious and drinkable this beer is. I have overdone it a few times with this one... One last thing I have to say about this beer and the brewery in general is their label art is quite hilarious. The picture of that hugely bearded farmer staring intensely at his pitchforked gargantuan hop flower cracks me up every time. Not a part of the taste obviously, but it adds to my enjoyment of the brew and I am happy to see a company showing off their good sense of humor. I am not sure if this beer is hard to find in some places, but it seems readily available in Nebraska at the moment. I'm such a big proponent of this one I'd be happy to buy a sixer just to trade with people on here that can't find it so you can experience it's goodness firsthand.

Shiner Bock

Bock

Whadawookie

I seemed to like this beer a lot better last winter when I first tried it. I also seem to like the flavor out of a can as well. I'm drinking this out of a bottle right now into a pilsner glass and am not really liking it as much as I remembered. Still, you could do much worse. this does have a little maltiness to it. The aroma isn't very flattering, mouthfeel isn't much, but leaves a nice thin honey flavor on the tongue. Extremely drinkable. I would find myself pounding down a sixer box of these bocks while working in my recording studio last winter, late into the evenings. If I was in a shitty bar somewhere and didn't like their beer selection, it is possible they might still have this and it may still be cheap on the wallet so I would go with that over the other major domestics. I'd rather have a Celebrator (I know, not a regular bock...) but these were on sale at $11 for a 12 pack. I'd consider that a fair price for this brew.

Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

American Double / Imperial Stout

WindUpBird

Pours a dark dark brown with a dark tan head. Smells of chocolate and roasted malt. This bottle is about 8 months old, and has aged nicely--the bitterness has lost its edge and the resulting smoothness reveals a complex and well-balanced stout. This stout feels full and creamy--for me this may be the strongest feature of this brew. The 9.2% ABV and the fullness of this stout make it a one-bottle per session brew for me. Overall, this is a very nice stout, and I'll come back to it again.

Big Eye IPA

American IPA

WindUpBird

Poured from a 22 Oz bottle into a pint glass. Purchased at Town and Country Liquors in Rancho Cucamonga A: Rich copper color S: Citrus and pine T: Lots of hops here; pleasing bitter finish M: Full, almost creamy D: This is the third or fourth time I've brought this home. Definitely add this to my rotation when I can get it. Overall, a delightful IPA.

Dundee Pale Ale

American Pale Ale (APA)

bostonbrew

To be honest, I was very disappointed with this beer. This supposed "pale ale" had a very stale taste that I just couldn't stand. It's nothing like the top-of-the-line pale ales that I'm used to: Sierra Nevada, Anchor and Smuttynose. I thought that I might as well give it a try since the brewery's Honey Brown Lager is alright - big mistake. I'm very surprised that I was able to put down 2 before giving the rest to my roommate, who'll drink anything. The price makes this beer very attractive, but that's the beer's only good quality. I'd rather pay top dollar for a good quality pale ale that I enjoy. I'm surprised that this beer is rated as high as it is.

Anchor Liberty Ale

American Pale Ale (APA)

bostonbrew

This beer was excellent. I'd call it a cross between Sam Adams Boston Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - now that's an awesome combo. Although it'll cost you a good penny for this brew, it's still worth it since it's twice as good as the average brew. I actually can't think of a better ale. The smell was very similar to Sam Adams Boston lager; however, the taste was better. I definitely recommend this beer, but you have to save your pennies.

Tripel Karmeliet

Tripel

ChuckMartel

Had it from a growler and paired it with chicken, rice and squash. This is good. A good ballgame watching beer. As much as it pains me to say it, this is a better beer than La Fin du Monde. This is good stuff. This is what a triipel should be. Would certainly drink again.

Orval Trappist Ale

Belgian Pale Ale

ChuckMartel

Pours a huge head that looks like whipped cream w/ an orangish color. Smells like perfume. Tastes a lot like perfume -- prettier than it needs to be. Tastes a little thin for a Trappist ale. After you have one, you really don't look forward to another.

Double Bag

Altbier

VolcomBrewer

A: Pours amber with a white head that quickly fades. Lacing is lite, but still laces. S: Smells of floral Hops, malt sweetness and slight fruit notes. T: Tastes of malt, bread, slight sweet carmel and floral hops cover the palate. A clean bitterness and very slight boozy taste finishes on the palate. M: Medium bodied and smooth. Nice carbonation which cleans the palate for the next drink of this great stuff. D: Easy to drink and very smooth. Could easily be a session beer if you take your time with them. Just can get very filling.

Hobgoblin

English Brown Ale

VolcomBrewer

I have heard only good about this ale, and being an English-loving ale drinker myself, I needed to try it. So I went ahead and picked up some pint bottles. A: Pours a ruby hued brown. Creamy tan head that lasts and lasts. Laces very, very nicely. S: Smells of sweet malts, toffee, and nice floral hops fill my nose. I'm very excited for the first drink. T: My mouth is filled with joy. Sweet toffee-like flavors with some fruitiness and hop bitterness which isn't too bitter. It flows oh so well throughout my palate. Finishes with a complex mix of sweet and bitter that slowly fades into a dry finish, leaving you wanting more. M: Smooth, Creamy, light carbonation. Along with the lasting flavors of sweet and bitter, it feels like heaven in your mouth. D: Smooth and easy to drink. Perfect beer with dinner, Cigar and session afterwords. I could drink these to the end of time and never get disappointed. This honestly has to be my favorite of English beers thus far...and top 5 overall for sure!

Blind Pig IPA

American IPA

CuriousMonk

I had a Blind Pig a day after I had Pliny the Elder. This was another beer I held high expectations as I was told this beer gave off a close resemblance to Pliny the Elder although some claimed Blind Pig was better. The beer gave off a hazy golden and burnt-orange appearance, citrus and hoppy smell, and a smooth bitterness resembling PTE but less pine in taste. Definitely a dry hoppy beer and I think this beer slightly edges PTE by personal preference.

Avalanche Ale

American Amber / Red Ale

CuriousMonk

Ontap at the Breck in Colorado during a ski trip - into a pint glass (as well as out of cans before). Poured yellowish/orange with 1/4 inch white head that limped into a ring. Smelt of slight hints of roast and sweet maltiness. Taste begins sweet and bready and dissipates with a hint of sour fruit and moss merging towards the end. Less hops than a elephant. Mouthfeel was light. Overall, a fairly disappointing amber that could use less sweetness and more malty bite or hops.

Olde Suffolk English (Strong Suffolk Vintage) Ale

Old Ale

bobes

Poured a rich deep amber/ brown with a minimal head that dissapated quickly. Initial nose was very floral but gave way to a rich roasted malt aroma. Taste is dominated by malt but with a minor hop component. A rich roast after taste lingers in the back of the mouth just long enough to let you know its there, but passes in reasonable time. Mouthfeel is moderately velvety based on the rich malt character, but finishes sort of dry. On the bottle it is claimed that this is a blened beer, using an oak barrel aged beer and cutting it with a younger beer, a BPA. In this beer I think this works. The roast character is not overpowering and seems well placed in the beer. The blend of the fresh beer definately adds a youth to the final beer that makes it enjoyable. A bit more flavoring hops would make this beer stand out, but that might not be to style.

Herold Bohemian Wheat Lager

Euro Pale Lager

bobes

Picked up this beer just to give it a shot. Herold describes it as a Bohemian Wheat Pils. Based on that I expected a BoPils-like hopping level on a wheat-based beer. While the beer is not what I expected, it is a very good beer and somehting I would definitely drink again. Aroma: Light clove and banana with hints of flora hops in the background. Very light aroma, not agressive at all. Apearance: slightly darker than a BoPils and a bit hazy probably from the wheat. the beer pours with a dense and effervescent white head but that dissipates quickly. Taste: Clove dominates palate entry fading into a light spicy hop character. some of the wheat beer charcter comes thru in the mid-palate and transitiions nicely to a mild tart character. Appropiately bittered. Mouthfeel: high levels of carbonation masks the slickness associated with a wheat beer. Finish is slightly drying but almost not worth mentioning. The residual wheat character coats the mouth and provided a richer than expected mouthfeel for a otherwise light bodied beer. Drinkability: Fantastic... easy to drink and enjoy, could have several very easily.

Golden Gate Park Porter

American Porter

beerbart

It was a hot day. The beach was cranky, and the sun was angry. There was sand in my shoes -- and no parade. But me buddy and me, we were needin' a brew. Waited and waited while the growler filled. Watched the waiters go to and fro. Then sat in the sand and scarfed the frothy dark down. Good enough to quench the need. Good stuff, in the moment. You wouldn't write home about it. But you'd get it again on a hot day.

Guinness Extra Stout (Original)

Irish Dry Stout

beerbart

This is dependable drinkable yummy Stout. It's dark, it's deep -- as in deep thoughts, it's delightful. You hear about Guinness all your life, then you drink this. And you go, oh. yeah. I get it. That's some good dark beer. When I can't find a more interesting stout, I get some Guinness. It's a fallback position. Love me, hate me, drink me.

Budweiser

American Adjunct Lager

Colt4540

A- Pours with a frothy head that is gone within seconds. A very pale yellow with no head and no lacing. S- Corn. T- Again corn. Nothing else really maybe a little bit of malted barley. M- Feels like a crisp water in the mouth. D- A very drinkable beer. 20 of them will have you stumbling drunk. The best of American macro beers.

Irish Ale

Irish Red Ale

Colt4540

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. A- A medium colored clear amber with a light tan head. Leaves pretty good lacing from the light film that stays at the top of the beer. S- Very light biscuit smell. That's all that I'm really picking. T- Sweet, malty biscuit taste that blends well with the slight bitterness that comes at the end. Really blended well. M- Really smooth, the carbination and slight bitterness gives it a good crispness that cleanses the palate and finishes clean. D- It's not really filling and has a smooth enough taste that makes is really easy to drink and the fairly low ABV makes it possible to drink alot of these.

Maudite

Belgian Strong Dark Ale

BillyB

Hazy burnt copper color with slight head that quickly dissipates. Aromas of rich caramel. Malty, oakey, woody, bready character. Tastes of sweet toffee and caramel malt balanced with an interesting mix of dark fruit and a hint of melons and berries. Pears? Full bodied, sticky, strong alcohol warmth.

Imperial Stout

Russian Imperial Stout

BillyB

This came in a ceramic swing top bottle. 2006 vintage. Pours a jet black opaque color with a thin brown head. Strong aromas of chocolate, alcohol, coffee, maple syrup, molasses and a hint of piney hops. Taste is incredible! Like coffee with a shot of whiskey in it. The Black Munich and chocolate malts are evident as well as some graininess from rolled oats. The willamette, cascade and chinook hops are there but this is a malt-bomb! Excellent hop presence/blance for the style though. Overall a strong malty, alcohol taste and smell. Full bodied, oily, velvety and silky smooth. Just a wonderfully sensuous experience. So many tastes and smells it's almost overwhelming. Had with a grilled N.Y. strip steak, baked potato and corn on the cob on the charcoal grill. Excellent!

Bud Light

Light Lager

Dubblebock

Ahhh....good old Bud Light. My old college roommate used to guzzle gallons of this stuff in search of the perfect state of alcohol-induced nirvana. I'd crack one open once in a while, especially if I was out of one of my brews at the time, but I never made a habit of acquiring the Bud Light taste. Gotta admit that this is one marketing monster, though. Bud Light is easily the biggest selling beer in Texas. You simply can't go anywhere here (bar, barbecue joint, wedding, ice house, etc.) without seeing someone standing around with a cold bottle of Bud Light in his or her hand. I recently tried some at a wedding, as it was the only thing available. It brought back the memories for sure. Bud Light was sparkling and clear in the glass, very well-carbonated and somewhat watery looking. Average nose, again a bit watery and weak. There is almost nothing to recommend for the taste criteria. This is easily the least "beer-tasting" entry in the annals of light beers. Nothing. Nada. No malt backbone to speak of, no hops, no NOTHIN'. This was like drinking water with a small amount of beer mixed in. Effervescent mouthfeel. Not drinkable at all. I finished the glass that I had, and stuck to water the rest of the night, barely noticing any difference. It's easy to see why this beer is so popular, though. Let's face it, there are tons of people who really don't like the taste of beer, yet they want to maintain the image that they are beer drinkers. This is perfect for them. They can maintain the illusion that they like beer, AND get the easily quaffed alcohol delivery system that they crave. Not a bad deal. Pass it up. There are plenty of better light beers on the market if you have to go there.

ApriHop

American IPA

Dubblebock

Wow! I picked up this Dogfish Head offering on a trip to Grapevine Market. It sat nestled in between all of the other DFH brews, and it just sorta lept out at me while I was looking at it on the shelf. The bright label and the promise of adventure made me grab it gleefully. I gotta say that this one hell of a great fruit beer. In fact, it may be one of the best fruit beers that I have ever had. Aprihop roars out of the bottle with a creamy head of tight foam, settled on top of a rich looking orange-amber body. Just beautiful. The nose is sweet and slightly fruity, the apricots giving the scent a light springtime feel, crisp and fresh. The taste was incredibly tight and robust. Aprohop has a firm malt backbone, but it's the hops and the apricots that really balanced this brew out almost perfectly. Sweet but not cloying. Hoppy but not at all overwhelming. Fruity but not sticky. Just absolutely fantastic. Decent ABV, but it was not apparent as I could barely discern the alcohol in the flavor profile. This is extremely well-crafted. Good mouthfeel, very nice carbonation level. Exceptionally drinkable. I could drop one of these any time, any place. I wanted a second one as soon as I had finished the first. I really have to recommend this beer as a great summertime addition to anyone's beerfridge. Don't pass this one up if you see it in the cooler.

Milk Stout

Milk / Sweet Stout

Beerparrot

Not having had this beer in awhile I expected to be disappointed. The brewery has had some problems, I was told It didn't effect the beer if true. The taste was smooth and creamy. I drank right from the bottle. This beer quenched my thirst for a stout and left plenty of room for more. Too many stouts leave me full and not wanting to drink much more. This creamy taste, and coffee flavored brew was a delight to my senses. I will further taste this delightful brew in a glass and on tap. Wish me happy hunting.

St. Nikolaus Bock Bier

Bock

Beerparrot

I think this 2003 batch has been one of their better brews.Last years, (2002), was way too sweet. On tap far out weighs the bottle, but you will hear no complaints from this beer drinker. Simply put, this is an excellent holiday beer. Smooth drinking. Nice dark brown color. Plenty of sweet maltiness without being overpowered by sweetness. You can drink this all night, and I have! Available on tap at Elwoods in Rural Ridge, Pa. 724-265-1181

Tuborg Premium Lager (Gold / Guld)

Euro Pale Lager

Graham5161986

A: pours a clear, bright gold with a 1 finger white head that dissipates quickly to a thin film that leaves no lacing. S: grassy hops and a a touch of sweetness - pretty weak, pretty average. T: grassiness up front, with a subtle breadiness mid-sip. It has a dry finish and not too much sugary sweetness which, to me, is a very good thing. However, flavour dies off quickly - typical Euro-macro. M: light and highly carbonated - goes down decently smooth. D: pretty average Euro-macro. Easy to drink - would make a decent session beer in the summer time. Nothing to write home about though and I would only buy this one again because it is relatively cheap compared to the other widely-available Euro tall cans.

Darkstar Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal Stout

Graham5161986

A: pours an opaque, jet black with a two finger, dark-tan, rocky head that has good retention and leaves a beautiful sticky lace. S: rich coffee malts, bitter hops and dark chocolate T: coffee malts and bitter hops up front with a smooth chocolaty finish M: thick and creamy, well carbonated and a nice crisp, cream finish. D: This is a pretty enjoyable stout from R & B. Nice pronounced coffee and chocolate flavours, but not too sweet with a bitter hop presence as well. It's really easy to drink and I could see myself having a couple of these easily. Definitely one of the better beers from this brewery.

Atwater Vanilla Java Porter

American Porter

Brittmb29

Spilt a bottle after my friend's Michigan trip : Poured into flute (odd, but what we had) with a finger head on pour, dissipating to a rim of carbonation against a clear black body. looks almost of cola (and the mouth feel is thin and water with good carbonation which also reminds of soda). Smell is roasty sugars (vanilla) and definite chocolate character. Taste follows with mild bitterness and complimenting vanilla and chocolates. Still a bit light bodied for me to want all the time but the carbonation makes it creamy. The friend debated on a 6 pack, and given her tastes i think it would have been a great purchase. Watery for the ABV, i wouldn't buy the 6 pack but i would gladly drink this again, all i could think for the end of the glass was ice cream float...

Poleeko Gold Pale Ale

American Pale Ale (APA)

Brittmb29

Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold On-tap at World of Beer coconut Creek, FL A- Best head i've ever seen on a beer. Golden hazy color gradient in pint glass, white head 1.25''. S- Sudued light malts w/ slight citrus peaks, not much smell penetration in the fluffy foam at start. T- Taste does not disappoint after the lacking nose! Totally balanced caramel malt and hop flavors, no harsh bitter flavors like some American Pale Ale's exhibit because of great balance w/good hops. Finishes smooth on malty mouth feel note w/some citrus hop flavor, not bitter at all. M- WOW, so creamy a smooth with the great head medium-to-light body ale. D- Very drinkable and only 5.5% ABV i really could have had a couple more that night. Living in Florida I haven't seen this beer on draft or bottle since then but i would definitely get it the next chance I get.

Totally Naked

American Pale Lager

Arsenal04

Pours light gold in a Pilsner glass with a very active body full of carbonation and a busy two finger, foamy head that dissipated completely four minutes after pour. Smell is mildly underwhelming, malt and lemon stand out amongst a background of grain - nothing that catches my attention or stands out so far. Taste is malt driven with an aftertaste that reminds me of Michelob Golden Light or any other American-made Lager - coats the throat in a way that makes me think back to nights gone by where I would have far too many beers for my own good. I had a feeling going into rating this beer that with my limited experience in the craft beer world that I would find too many similarities to the standard Lager beers found in the US. Nothing I would go rushing out to get again.

Mudpuppy Porter

American Porter

Arsenal04

Pours very dark brown with some reddish-orange hues buried deep at the bottle with a two finger, very carbonated head that dissipates quickly leaving lace that refuses to fall. Coffee is quickly picked up by the nose, however, nothing too powerful and a faint chocolate shows up after a couple inspections. The taste is confusing me as the smell of the beer doesn't add up to what I imagined the beer to be; this, however, is not a far from a bad thing as I find that the introduction of hops and low ABV balances out this beer to be easily drinkable. A light mouthfeel doesn't coat the mouth or throat. Solid beer that I could find myself sitting down and having multiples of in one setting.

Appalachian Amber Ale

American Amber / Red Ale

amidabha

a gift from my parents for watching their dog, thanks. label says 6.8 abv, could be a typo since it doesn't taste that strong. a vigorous pour into an imperial pint glass with a one inch white head and a quarter inch lacing after it settled. this has a beautiful dark amber color that exemplifies the style. beer may be beyond it's expiration date by the coppery smell i get from it. not so hot. slightly metallic bite that is somewhat harsh at first then dissipates to a soft malt followed by another slight metallic twinge at the end. both of these don't last too long and i seem to care less the more i drink because it feels smooth enough going down. overall this isn't too bad and i would drink it if i were in the carolinas myself. since i can't buy this around here it probably adds to my pleasure but i typically like most amber style beer.

Northern Liberties IPA

American IPA

amidabha

served in a sam adam's perfect pour glass on a 60 degree night. like many of the new morlein beers this one is a nice recipe especially for the price. northern liberties pours a fairly nice and slightly hazy appearance with a decent amount of carbonation and head. the smell and taste compliment each other in a very nice. the hops and malt are work together for a nice balance. this might be a bit too thick of a beer for a hot night but perfect for a cool evening. this is probably not my go-to ipa but overall i think this is a great ipa for the price that falls in line with sam adams.

Miller Genuine Draft

American Adjunct Lager

bargainboytrav

Well the yellow appearance in the bottle spells it all. A white head with lacing appears. Smells and tastes chalky and corny. A dry, gritty aftertaste. It is fairly drinkable if you just want to drink all night, but I can think of better. PROST!!! (cheers!!)

St. Pauli Girl Special Dark

Munich Dunkel Lager

bargainboytrav

Has an auburn tint with some head retention. Smell is the malty tangyness of St. Pauli. Taste is slightly thin with slight floral features and shades of sweetness. Quite a sessionable brew. Not the best for the style, but I still enjoyed it. Another solid German import. A good try if you find it. PROST!!!(cheers!!)

Founders Dirty Bastard

Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

dbastardman

far and away the best scotch ale I've ever tasted. This distinct flavor has placed it among my favorite all-time beers. After trying if for the first time on tap at founders brewery in Grand Rapids I was quite pleased to find it near my home in Illinois...

Michelob Marzen

Märzen / Oktoberfest

dbastardman

This is an exceptional offering my michelob. Not the best marzen I've ever tried but more than you can expect from a major brewing company. It was a nice addition to a very decent winter sampler pack. Wondering why they didn't include the pilsner classes of previous years?

Teddy Bear Kisses

Russian Imperial Stout

GabrielM

Shared in '10 Secret Santa from SuperNova777. Thanks again, Josh! Poured into a tulip. A - pitch black like an imperial stout should be, with a coffee color head that dissipated quicker than expected. S - chocolate, a bit of vanilla, espresso. T - same as nose but with much more coffee and much less chocolate than the smell indicated. A slight alcohol warmth is there as well. M - pretty decent on the palate, but still a little warm for my likings. D - it's a good beer and I'll enjoy my share of the bottle, but then on to something about half the ABV.

Temptation

American Wild Ale

GabrielM

There's not much I can say about this beer that hasn't been said already, so I'll just give the short and sweet. It looks, smells and tastes absolutely incredible. The mouthfeel is second to none and I could seriously drink this forever. Outstanding beer.

Dopple Bock

Doppelbock

RJUGA03

A- Dark brown almost black body that is slightly light penetrable. It holds head much like my bald father holds the hair crown on his head...scant lacing. S-Roasty, sweet and slightly alcoholy strong. T-On the draw I noticed a bit of rasin, roasted malts, and a tad bit of honey finishing with a smoothly lingering dryness. M-Malty, Syrupy, and solid. D-It is very drinkable I am a bock/ alt fan and would like to expierence more of them!

Clear Creek Ice

American Malt Liquor

RJUGA03

A-Very clear pale yellow effervescent body pouring an ample 1/2" snow white head. S-Faint malts, yeast, and metal detected. T-On the uptake it was ultra simple with a bit of hops in midsip closing out with a sicky sweet malt liqour-esque finish/ after-taste. M-It comes on light and frothy and finishes thicker and lingering. D-At the same price point as Mountain Creek and Minhas light I would say it is very drinkable for an ajunct macro.

La Fin Du Monde

Tripel

PintOHops

Poured from a corked 750ml bottle into a goblet. Appearance/Smell - Appears a clouded golden/straw color with a massive head and decent retention. Attractive tiny carbonation bubbles can be seen coming up the rim of the glass, and it leaves some broken & splashy lacing. Smells of a big semi sweet banana nose, hints of clove, corn husk, and orange zests. Some fruity grape & pair notes as well, and a very subtle buttery/toffee, as it warms, lots of alcoholic aroma pronounces itself well, sorta clouding most of the smell. Taste/Mouthfeel - Tastes of a semi bright citrus note that hits the tongue first, and then washes away with a big corn husk/grainy/bisciuty flavor. Hints of banana, but not as strong as in the smell, orange zest notes seem to come between all flavors. Alcohol burn finishes this one as expected, and corn husk & banana notes seem to linger a bit. Mouthfeel has a firm bite of carbonation, along with a slightly smooth & silky feel, medium-full bodied but more so on the medium side. Drinkability/Final thoughts - I'm not a big fan of Tripels, but I do appreciate them, this one was balanced well without being so alcoholic, overly bitey, and harsh, and the drinkability was great although the ABV is very high. I could easily put down a couple small goblets of this great brew on a cool day, I did however get a little tired of the flavors after a couple goblets, so I wouldn't really enjoy drinking anymore than that. Not much to say, if you enjoy this style than try this one, it's definitely the smoothest one Ive had so far.

Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

American Brown Ale

PintOHops

Glass - Nonix A - A nice clear brown with a bit ruby in there, some C02 can be seen. It produced a 2-3 finger head that held quite well. It left broken, splashy lacing but allot of it. S - Very nutty with hints of roasted notes and toast bread. A bit of caramel with soft floral and herbal hop notes. T - Nuttiness and caramel upfront with a bit of molasses and toasted bread. Herbal hops come in towards the finish with a touch of lemon citrus. Bitterness isn't strong and balances the profile out well, very balanced between malts and hops, also not too sweet either. As it warmed the hop flavors & bitterness became a bit more dominant. M - A little thin but with a smooth feel to it, around moderate carbonation and lite-medium body. D - I really enjoyed the feel of this beer, it offers a smooth almost creamy texture while still being on the lighter side of medium bodied, which makes it extremely quaff-able to me. I could sit and enjoy 4-5 Pints of this brew! Very good with a decent price, I'll definitely buy this one again, very tasty and I recommend it. Cheers!

ApriHop

American IPA

bigdan908

I poured this bottle into a pint glass at home. A - The beer poured a very deep brownish orange. There was some head but it quickly dissipated. Thin lacing was present throughout the brew. S - I definitely noticed the sweet apricot smell mixed with along with hops. I could also pick up a biscuity malt smell. T - The initial taste is that of apricots. On the mid palette I noticed a very sweet citrus taste. The beer finishes with bitterness. M - Very solid mouthfeel though it does seem a little syrupy. D - Very easy to drink. I could not even tell this was an IPA due to the apricot sweetness. Overall, I feel this is a very good brew. I am thoroughly impressed. This is one of the better brews I've drank recently.

Pamlico Pilsner

German Pilsener

bigdan908

I had this beer on tap at Ham's in Greenville. First thing I noticed when picking this beer up was the hoppy fragrance. It smelled strongly of both the Saaz and Mt Hood hops it was brewed with. The initial sip was hops as well. It eventually mellowed out to a smooth mellow, malty taste. All and all this was a pretty good beer.

Otter Creek Oktoberfest

American Amber / Red Ale

ImperialScott

This bright golden amber beer is topped with a medium thick head and leaves lots of lacing on the glass. The aroma is bitter slightly sour and hoppy. The flavor is slightly sweet and hoppy with malty undertones. The finish is filled with hops. Light to medium bodied and smooth.

Otter Creek Vermont Lager

Czech Pilsener

ImperialScott

Pours with a pale yellow body topped by a white lasting head with good lacing. Woody hop aroma well balanced with malt. Woody hop flavor wtih malty accents and notes of sweet fruitiness. Light bodied and smooth. This is a good lager that I would enjoy having on a hot summer day.

Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier

Kristalweizen

billysj

Poured into a Weihenstephaner glass that came with a 5 pack bottle. The head is a nice tall white with a carbonated clear body. The smell is a strong banana and the taste is sweet with a hint of banana. The mouthfeel is smooth. I will definitely drink this one again.

Anchor Old Foghorn

English Barleywine

billysj

12oz bottle purchased at Bevmo. Pours as a thick amber color with no head. Smells of sweet malt and caramel. The taste starts out as a chocolate flavor with little hoppiness after taste. Mouthfeel is syrupy with little carbonation I would drink this one again but wasn't impressed