Trout Hop Black IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Thick, rocky, espresso-colored head that lasts. Big bubbles. Deep red-brown, almost black. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hoppy! Piney, citrus notes. Floral, some woodiness. Could use more of the malt nose.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Nicely balanced. Lots of hop flavor, fades to bitter at end. Sweet maltiness up-front, fades quickly.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Piney, lots of citrus. Subtle roastiness at middle, coffee notes at end. Bitterness lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Smooth and creamy. Thick, flows right down your throat. Luxurious.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: This is a good beer. An IPA first, with some unique roasty notes. A great winter beer for hopheads!

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I like this a lot! A good balance of bitter and smooth, complex flavors and delightful hop aroma. Tasty.
Ben: This is a good beer–paired with the trout on the label, it would complete a delicious meal.

Big Flats Lager Beer

Brewmaster's Choice
Rochester, NY

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Rocky head, big bubbles. Straw-gold color.

AROMA: 1/4
Smells like Coors Light. No hop, slight sweet straw aroma.

TASTE: 2/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1/4: Starts sweet, sugary up-front. Corn in the middle, finishes unpleasantly bitter.
Aftertaste: .5/3: Skunk (or maybe opossum). Bitter.
Mouth-Feel: .5/3: Fizzy, watery. Astringent. Coats your tongue.

OVERALL: .5/3: $2.99 a six-pack at Walgreen's, and it tastes like it.

TOTAL: 5.5/20–Tab Me Out

NOTES:
Matt: Their slogan, "It's the water that makes it," is incomplete without the word "suck" at the end. avoid this beer at all costs.
Ben: I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. To be used for cooking brats, if at all.

Sixth Glass Quadruple Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Orange-brown color. Hazy. Thick, foamy, almond-colored head.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet nose. Malty, pruny, some orange, lemongrass. Alcohol.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, little hop. caramel, honey, orangey and floral notes. Nutty, pruny. Complex.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Residual sweetness, alcohol warming. Very little bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very full, rich. Lots of complex flavors. All taste buds are firing!

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A big, big, BIG beer. Alcohol is there, but it's masked, so watch out–it could come back to bite you!

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty, really potent. Use caution, but definitely give it a try.
Ben: Warms me to the toes on a cold day of beer brewing!

Boulevard Single Wide IPA

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy honey-gold color. On the lighter side of typical IPAs. Head is thick, foamy, and rocky that lasts. Nice.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Grapefruit citrus dominant. Hoppy. Pleasant nose. Some pineapple. Subtle woody and nutty aromas.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Citrus hop up front. Hop bitterness through middle and end. Malty - but nicely balanced and offsets the hop bitterness. Very true to style with lots of hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter finish - slightly astringent. Some sweet maltiness but bitter overwhelms.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Bright. Effervescent. Sweet up front moves across the tongue to a bitter finish.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A solid IPA. Clean, crisp, uncomplicated, and not too heavy. One we return to regularly.

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Dangerously drinkable and definitely affordable. Not my favorite IPA but far better than most.
Ben: One of my favorite beers from Boulevard. A great hoppy lighter IPA. Makes a great session beer - although a bit high alcohol to have too many. Awesome on tap.

Boulevard Amber Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice, pretty - deep dark reddish color. Foamy, almond head. Slight haze. Maple syrup color.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Sweet and malty. Brown sugar notes. Subtle nuttiness. Minimal hop.

TASTE: 4/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1/4: Zero hop - all malt. Really sweet and sugary - too much so.
Aftertaste: 1.5/3: Real sweet - beginning, middle, and end. Subtle pumpkin-spice flavor. No hop bitterness or flavoring.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Thin, watery, fizzy, and harsh.

OVERALL: 2/3: Not that good a beer. Tasteless, bland, and watery. Needs a lot more hop and a dryer finish.

TOTAL: 10.75/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: A forgettable beer from a brewer that can make great beer. An attempt to woo Fat Tire drinkers apparently.
Ben: If you want an Amber then by all means drink Alaskan not this.

Boulevard Dry Stout

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Black with a faint red tint. Espresso-colored head that fades but clings to the side of the glass. A nice-looking stout.

AROMA: 3/4
Strong roast aroma. Coffee, vanilla, faint caramel, subtle chocolate. No appreciable hop aroma.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Roasted malty flavors. Coffee. Sweet to start, then roasty bitterness takes over. No hop flavor to speak of.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter is dominant. Subtle sweetness that fades quickly. Slightly astringent.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Dry, light-bodied–could be a bit chewier.

OVERALL: 2/3: Very bitter and roasty. It's a stout–there are better ones out there (but worse ones, too).

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Not bad, not fantastic. Does its job, rounds out the stable of Boulevard standards.
Ben: For a great stout, try Left Hand. This one's okay. A bit too bitter for my tastes, but better and more unique than some competitors.

Boulevard Lunar Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Slightly reddish tint. Decent head, fades quickly. Slight haze.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Fruity and floral. Sweet. Bubblegum notes. Very little hop. Unique.

TASTE: 4.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Malty, little hop.
Aftertaste: 1/3: Yeast flavors come through. Slightly woody, faint bubblegum. Sour, weirdly metallic aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Watery, weakly carbonated. Weird.

OVERALL: 1.5/3: You can tell it's a Belgian yeast. Complex flavors include a harsh metallic aftertaste. Is it a brown? A Belgian? A bottle of rusty nails? You tell me.

TOTAL: 11/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: I'd call it forgettable if it weren't so odd. The harsh aftertaste is unappealing, and it lacks the nuttiness I prefer in a brown. Again, Boulevard is capable of so much better.
Ben: Surprising that this is one of their regulars. Not a favorite–Boulevard has much better offerings. I'd rather see one of their seasonals replace this in the regular lineup.
Note: Boulevard classifies Lunar as a dark wheat ale. We've seen it referred to as a brown and a dunkelweizen as well, so, whatever.

Boulevard Pale Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Golden brown. Clear. White, creamy head. Pretty enough.

AROMA: 3/4
Floral, hoppy nose. Some citrus, woodiness. Sugary.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: A bit too sweet, could use more hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Hop bitterness up front, sweetness at the middle that fades back to bitter. Woody, nutty.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Sweet residual finish, weak carbonation.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: An okay pale ale that could be a lot better.

TOTAL: 13.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Not bad but it falls far short of really stellar pales (e.g. Sierra Nevada). Refreshing enough, just not as great as some other Boulevard offerings.
Ben: Given a choice between this and a domestic, I'd choose this, but it's not a great pale.

Sierra Navada 30th Anniversary Vol. 4: Our Brewer's Reserve - Oak Aged Ale (Grand Cru)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice dark copper color. Subtle haze. Big almond colored head that lasts!

AROMA: 3.75/4
Strong floral, citrus hop aroma - Cascade hop. Very aromatic. Nice.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Hoppy aroma and hop flavor dominant. Bitter finish. Malt appropriate with nutty and woody notes. Well balanced. Hop, hop, and hop!
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Hop bitterness lasts. Nutty. Raisin-sweet finish offset by bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very sweet but bitter finish. Noticeable alcohol. Full.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A sweet hoppy offering. Complex but all balance nicely. An good beer from a great brewery.

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Complex, kind of weird, but good and powerful. An okay sipping beer. Perhaps a dessert beer.

Ben: Nutty and sweet with lots of hop. Big. Complex-lots of flavors going on. A definite sipping beer. I like it!

Liquid Bread Oatmeal Stout

Gella's and Liquid Bread Brewing Company
Hays, Kansas

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Dark brown color. Not fully opaque and slight haze present. Beautiful thick creamy head that lasts.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Chocolate, roasted malt. No hop.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, minimally hoppy. Roasted malt dominant. Bitter hop finish.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Roasty, nutty. Subtle bitterness at the end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Thick, very smooth. Full, silky feel. Light carbonation.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Silky smooth nice roasted flavor. A little thick but a good finish. An award winning beer and it tastes like one.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty - a smooth, not too heavy stout. Very drinkable.
Ben: A thick beer, a little roasty, very silky smooth. Another good offering. Liquid Bread proves there is at least one good thing to come out of Hays.

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron Imperial Brown Ale

Dogfish Head Brewing Company
Milton, DE

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Dark brown, creamy head. Rich, opaque.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Woody, roasty. Coffee, licorice, chocolate. Bourbon notes.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: All malt, slight bitterness at end. Very little hop. Roasty malt.
Aftertaste: 3/3: Definite bourbon taste. Alcohol warmth. Prune/plum flavors, woody notes, roasty malt.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Roasted malt bitterness. Warming, full, sweet. Subtle carbonation.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Wow, this is a big beer. Smooth, probably phenomenal on cask.

TOTAL: 17.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Damned big, warming and rich. Probably best in 4 oz. increments.
Ben: This is definitely a winter warmer to sip–key word is SIP–by the fire.

Liquid Bread IPA

Gella's and Liquid Bread Brewing Company
Hays, Kansas

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Clear, light copper color. Creamy white head. Pretty beer.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hoppy! Nutty, floral.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Hoppy but light–mostly bitter hops. Not too big, well-balanced.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish, a bit watery. Nutty, woody, grassy.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Light-bodied, lasting bitterness at end.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A good session IPA and a standard at Gellas.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice, bouncy but light, drinkable IPA.
Ben: A solid offering by a good brewery in the middle of nowhere.

Black Betty Imperial Stout

Nebraska Brewing Company
Papillion, Nebraska

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Opaque red-black. Thick. Creme-brulée head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Strong alcohol-whiskey aroma. Some coffee notes.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty. Noticeable alcohol–warming feeling. Lots of whiskey, very little hop.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Chocolate, cherry. Subtle wood notes. Sweet finish that fades to slight bitter cherry aftertaste. Also, whiskey!
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Silky-smooth. Alcohol warmth, whiskey dominant. Subtle carbonation.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Unique–big and boozy, but in a good way. Very smooth, whiskey is pronounced.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: After-dinner sipping beer–a nice, warming cherry dessert beer.
Ben: A very good beer–lots of whiskey flavor, but very nice and mellow.

Great Divide Smoked Baltic Porter

Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Dark, reddish brown. Nice thin, creamy head.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Smoky, like bacon on the griddle.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Smoke dominant. Malty, minimal hop. Nicely balanced.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Bacony, meaty. Woody aftertaste. Starts out sweet, fades to smoky finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Smooth. Smoke flavor is dominant. Very little bittering hop.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A great smoked beer–unique, rugged yet smooth.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Delightful–makes you think of being on the open range. Really a treat.
Ben: Lots of smoked aroma and flavor, a great fall beer. Reminds me of sitting around a campfire.

Boulevard 21st Anniversary Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice copper color. Hazy. Thick, cream-colored head, big bubbles linger nicely. REALLY opaque–you can't see through this stuff.

AROMA: 3/4
Lots of hop aroma–bready, citrusy, pineapple-y.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Malty! Some flavor hop, but could stand more. (I realize, we always say that). Very smooth, nicely-balanced–not cloying.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Raisin, prune, sweetbread. Lasting hop bitterness. Dry, nutty finish–lasting grainy aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very sweet, like a sweet roll. Appropriate hop bitterness, could use more.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Hazy for a pale, but we don't care. Another solid offering from our hometown brewery–money well-spent.

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I wish they would take the best parts of this and apply it to their lackluster pale. A big beer–a nice step up from a boring pale.
Ben: I like this a lot more than their regular pale. Hop it up a bit more and this could be a really good beer.

Dogfish Head Namaste

Dogfish Head Brewing Company
Milton, DE

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Hazy, suspended yeast. White head fades to ring the glass nicely. Gold, almost orange color.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet lemon aroma. Fresh, crisp nose. Citrus, orange rind. Reminiscent of lemon drops, lemon pound cake. So, lemon. Some spice, coriander. Champagne notes.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, a bit watery. Minimal hop–needs more bittering hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Lemon bar, grass, orange peel. Black pepper, coriander. Nutmeg? Fades quickly, bitterness lingers
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Bouncy but watery (really watery).

OVERALL: 2/3: An interesting take on a wit—very lemony, very citrusy. Refreshing, okay as a session beer, but really lemony.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Refreshing, if thin–more body would improve it, I think. Preferable to Boulevard Two Jokers, in any case.
Ben: Probably good as a breakfast beer. The lemongrass really comes through.

Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Clear, mahogany in color. Lasting almond head, fine bubbles. Beautiful.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hop! Sweet, bready, slightly nutty.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Very hoppy, very malty–hop at beginning, middle, end. Well-balanced, but boy howdy, it's a big beer.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Hop hop hop, etc. Sweet, nutty, woody front. Bitter, lasting finish. A bit too sweet.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Bitter, hoppy throughout. Fills the mouth. Moves from front to finish at the back of the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: If you're a hop-head, you want it. If you aspire to be a hop-head, start small and work your way up to it. (For our part, we love it.)

TOTAL: 17.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Big, hoppy as hell, delicious. A beautiful sippin' beer, definitely one to try.
Ben: A good one to end the night on, because I'm shot for all other beers after this one. Hop, hop, hop. Awesome.

Green Flash Imperial IPA

Green Flash Brewing Company
San Diego, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Orange-marmalade color. Hazy. Nice, creamy, rocky head–a great, lasting head.

AROMA: 3/4
Wood, pine, some nuttiness, some breadiness. Alcohol aroma.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Big–noticeable alcohol. Could use more hop flavor and aroma to offset the sweetness.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Sweet, bready, woody. Nutty. Licorice, fig, prune-raisin. Bitter throughout.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Sweet, not quite cloyingly so. Big and rich. Bouncy. Bitter at the back of the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Green Flash makes great beers–this is reminiscent of Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA. A bit big, but still, a good offering by a great brewery.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I like it, but it's awfully big–I prefer the regular Green Flash IPA, frankly. A great brewery, a good beer, but just a lot to deal with.
Ben: A big beer–one is enough, but really good. Take advantage of any Green Flash beers you can find. This is a classic imperial IPA.

St. Louis Premium Peche

Brouwerij Brasserie Van Honsebrouck
Ingelmuster, Belgium

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Brown color. Minimal head that doesn't last.

AROMA: 2.25/4
Some sugary peach. Almost a peach Jolly Rancher or peach syrup aroma. Sour - pungent. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 3.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1.5/4: Malty - sweet. No hop bitterness. Sour. Peach syrup, maybe cherry notes?
Aftertaste: 1/3: Sour overwhelming. Fades to a slight sweetness. Vinegary.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Fizzy. Sour. Almost mouth puckering so.

OVERALL: 1/3: Vinegar was the flavor we couldn't identify right off. It became much more apparent and overwhelming as the beer warmed in the glass. Neither of us could finish it.

TOTAL: 8.75/20–Tab Me Out

NOTES:
Matt: Tastes like something somebody accidentally left out, and by the time you tried it, it bore no resemblance to what you thought it was suppose to be.
Ben: Started out with potential, ended up like I was drinking a glass of vinegar with peach syrup. Not a fan. There are much better lambics out there.

Miller Lite

Miller Brewing Company
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Thin, white head. Fades quickly. Pale straw color.

AROMA: 1/4
No hop aroma. No real aroma of any kind. Maybe sweet cream. Smells like a glass of water.

TASTE: 4.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: All malt. Corny and watery. No hop flavoring at all. Triple hopped? With what? A single hop pellet each time?
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Corn aftertaste. Sweet cream. No hop bitterness at all.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Watery. Fizzy. Nothing else to say.

OVERALL: 2/3: We don't hate it. Inoffensive - nothing to recommend it. But it doesn't taste bad. Still, this beats out very, very few beers. Drink only if absolutely necessary.

TOTAL: 10.25/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: It does make a good palate cleanser between tastings of better beers. Refreshing, but so is water, and it's free. Many far better beers out there.
Ben: Memories of college days. Will still drink it when I have to. Fortunately there are almost always better choices at the bar.

Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Hazy copper color. Creamy head - persistent. Fine bubbles. Pretty.

AROMA: 4/4
Nutty, caramel, citrus, pine aromas. Really hoppy nose. Sweet. Beautiful smelling beer bringing high expectations for what's to come.

TASTE: 9.25/10 WOW!
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Lots of malt; caramel, toffee flavors. Very well balanced.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Lasting bitterness. Woodiness persists - bitter finish. Offset by sweet malt. The sweetness lasts too.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: A big beer - very full. Sweet. Like a liquid creme brulee.

OVERALL: 3/3: Phenomenal. A sippin' beer for sure. One for special occasions. One of our all-time favorites and a real treat when we can get it. Not for session drinking though!

TOTAL: 19/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Top of the pile for hop heads like us. A rich, hoppy treat. Just great!
Ben: PHENOMENAL! Nuff said. A lot bigger than the 60-minute. If you can get it on tap, it's heaven.

Grand Teton Lost Continent Double IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 1.5/3
Copper/light brown color. Cloudy, lots of yeast—big chunks. Fine bubbles, persistent head that rings the glass. Not an especially pretty beer.

AROMA: 3/4
Hoppy, very malty. Citrus, pine, pineapple, honey notes. Some alcohol—smells big.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty. Sweet-bready. Needs more bittering hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Honey, prunes, licorice. Piney-resinous. Sweet up front, fades to lasting, subtle bitterness. Warming alcohol feel.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Big–alcohol throughout. Almost thick enough to chew.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: A big, big beer—a sipping beer, without question. Sweet, almost cloyingly so. Could use more aroma and flavor hop, could be lighter. We know it's a double IPA, but come on.

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Tastes like a liquid fruitcake—a lot of work to get through, just too darned big.
Ben: Reminds me of some Lagunitas big, sweet beers (e.g. Brown Sugga)—one was enough. Bring me a Sweetgrass instead.

Goose Island Honker's Ale

Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Copper/light brown color. White, lasting head. Crisp, clean-looking. Nice.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet. Nutty—almond, brown sugar, grainy. Sweet corn. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 6.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, fades to bitter. Minimal hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Grainy—grape nut, sweet raisin. Really nutty. Slight weird chemical aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Dry, clean. Sour at front, ends grassy, woody. A bit watery at the close.

OVERALL: 2/3: Could use more aroma and bittering hop. Slightly watery. Goose Island's beer for the masses.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I don't love it, but I appreciate the attempt. A nutty take on a standard pale–if I have to drink a pale ale, this isn't a bad one.
Ben: Unique enough to be craft, safe enough to entice newbies to try more ambitious Goose Island products. I don't love it, don't hate it—it's better than Sam Adams.

Shiner Marzen-Style Oktoberfest

Spoetzl Brewing Company
Shiner, Texas

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Nice white, creamy head. Light copper color. Very crisp and pretty.

AROMA: 3/4
Clean nose. Caramel notes. Little hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty with very little flavor hop. Cream corn - sweet. Caramel notes, brown sugar. Appropriate to style.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Crisp and clean. Fades to a subtle, bitter finish. Very dry.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Some tang at front. Effervescent. Dry.

OVERALL: 2/3: Very crisp, clean, and dry. Good showing for the style.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nice and clean. Malty and dry. A very nice Fall beer.
Ben: A true Oktoberfest done well. Could use a bit more bittering hop.

Samuel Adams Octoberfest

Boston Brewing Company
Boston, Massachusetts

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Orange-copper color. Crisp and clean. Decent white head with fine bubbles. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Clean, crisp, fruity nose. Slight citrus and pineapple. Apple juice notes. Sweet and malty. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 6.75/10

Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: No hop, very malty. Sweet. Did they go with only one hop pellet?
Aftertaste: 2/3: Citrus sour, slightly nutty/woody. Slight bubble gum at close. Maybe pineapple.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Slightly bitter notes at end-very bright. Malty. A clean lager.

OVERALL: 2/3: A clean, bright, malty, crisp Fall beer. Like a bright Fall day.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: The best thing on tap at Houlihan's for what it's worth. Lacks the signature "Sam Adams spice" I hate so much. Not bad, but not great.
Ben: A "craft" beer for the masses. But for a Sam Adam's product, one of their better offerings.

Blue Moon Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale

Blue Moon Brewing Company
Golden, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
White, foamy head that fades fast. Crisp orange-brown color.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet–all malt. No hop aroma. Caramel apple character, some nuttiness.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Malty, fades to a slight bitter finish. No hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Very little of the promised spice. SLIGHT pumpkin sourness, very subtle clove/spice at the front.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full mouth-feel, effervescent, fairly dry.

OVERALL: 2/3: It's an amber–if they didn't say pumpkin on the label, we wouldn't have thought of it. A bit overcarbonated, but a good, crisp fall beer.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I was hoping for more spice, but it was not to be. A decent amber, that's about it.
Ben: A good amber, good for a Coors product. Not overwhelming pumpkin, but that's as it should be.

Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

Free State Brewing Company
Lawrence, Kansas

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Thin, white head that fades quickly. Copper color, slight haze.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Citrus hop. Grapefruit, pine, caramel, pineapple, subtle bubblegum. Hoppy.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Lots of hop–citrus/pine, fades to lasting bitterness. Nicely balanced, if a bit thin. Well-hopped.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Lasting bitterness, moves front to back. Nutty sweetness throughout.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Full, effervescent, hopped throughout. Could use a bit more body.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Free State is now bottling their standards and distributing in the metro. Better on tap, but a fine product nonetheless.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Enjoyable, a. because it's local, and b. because it's a good APA, in the spirit of Sierra Nevada. Fun to enjoy Free State beer without driving to Lawrence and back.
Ben: A great beer–a good, classic IPA. If you can get to Lawrence, give it (and any of their great beers) a try.

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black. Espresso-colored head that rings the glass.

AROMA: 2.25/4
Strong bourbon aroma. Oaky. Prune aroma. Mocha notes.

TASTE: 3.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1.5/4: Really bitter hop up front–or is that alcohol? Malty.
Aftertaste: 1/3: Bourbon! Warming bitter. Tongue is tingling. Sourness. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Alcohol. Weird mouth-taste, like your mouth has been laminated. Way, way too boozy.

OVERALL: 1/3: If I want bourbon, I'll buy bourbon. This is like a shot of bourbon dumped into a pint of stout. Entirely lacking in subtlety.

TOTAL: 9.5/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: HUGE booze flavor–a lot more bourbon than I expected. When they said it was aged in bourbon barrels, I didn't realize there was still bourbon in it.
Ben: It's like adding bourbon to a mocha. 13% alcohol, and you can taste it, from start to finish. I can still feel the warming to my toes. This isn't beer, it's a mixed drink.

Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA

De Proef Brouwerij
Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Hazy copper color. Effervescent. Lasting, creamy head.

AROMA: 3/4
Strong alcohol. Grapefruit, some piney notes. Overwhelming citrus, huge hop aroma.

TASTE: 5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Really malty. Huge hop flavor. Pine. Way too much alcohol.
Aftertaste: 1.5/3: Alcohol finish, lasting bitterness. Fades quickly at the front, astringent at end. Prune, grassy, nutty, woody.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Lots of alcohol–huge beer. Very bitter, lingering bitterness.

OVERALL: 1.5/3: Alcohol needs to be offset with malt. This fails–bitter, alcohol-y, disappointing.

TOTAL: 11.75/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: I bought this at 50% off, and I can't imagine paying full price for it. The astringent, bitter end overwhelms all else.
Ben: 1st sip: wow, maybe too much. 2nd sip: Maybe okay. 3rd sip: yeah, I was right the first time. Too big, too boozy.

New Belgium Lips of Faith Series - Biere de Mars

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Hazy. White rocky head. Light brown/orange/yellow color.

AROMA: 3/4
Very floral nose. Fruity notes - grapefruit, pineapple, subtle pruny notes. Spicy - cinnamon, nutmeg. Minimal aroma hop.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Some hop flavor but malt is dominant. Earthy with spice - cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, clove. Brett flavors dominant. Some sourness. Could use more body and hop flavors. Good bittering hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Lasting bitterness. Earthy notes last. Some sour-white wine taste. Licorice flavor. Brett flavors a tad overwhelming.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Bready. Lots of complex flavors. Spicy, citrus flavors. Some lemon notes. Brett is dominant throughout.

OVERALL: 2/3: This is what Brett tastes like. An unusual beer, not without its positive qualities but hard to put a finger on.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try a Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I don't love it—complex, but just weird. The high notes combined with the earthiness is jarring.
Ben: Unique. Lots going on in the beer. Reminds me of Boulevard's Saison Brett. Earthy and spicy. An okay beer, just too much Brett for my tastes.

Left Hand Milk Stout

Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Thin, creamy, persistent head that rings the glass nicely. Dark, dark brown–not black, not quite opaque.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Coffee, caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate notes. Roasty aroma, really enticing.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, smooth. No flavoring hop, but bittering hop at finish.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Fades to a chocolatey, coffee roast finish. Subtle, lasting bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very sweet. Dark chocolate, nuttiness–hints of roasted almond. A bit watery.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A solid stout–strong roasty notes, could be darker. Sweet milk chocolate.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Admittedly, I'm a sucker for sweets. Don't misunderstand, this isn't cloying–it's subtly sweet, an improvement over boring old stouts.
Ben: Very good, I enjoy it–prefer it to Guinness and other "standard" stouts. Very sweet, like an iced mocha beer.

Odell 90 Shilling Ale

Odell Brewing Company

Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3

Nice copper-brown. White head, fades fast. Slight haze.

AROMA: 3.25/4

Subtle smoky nose, sweet. Very little, subtle hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Very malty - sweet and smooth. Hop at middle to the end. Sweet up front fades to a bitter finish.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Fades to a lasting bitterness. Sweet up-front with subtle smokiness. Caramel, nutty, and woody flavors Caramel malts are dominate.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Full, malty, smooth. Some earthiness. Not too heavy.

OVERALL: 2/3

Surprising sweet up=front. Could use more smoked malt per style. Overall a good offering. A good session beer.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Sentimental for me - my first craft beer. A bit sweet but rich and smooth. A nice Scottish.

Ben: One of my first forays into the world of craft beers. Haven't looked back since. A good solid offering by Odell.

O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer

O'Fallon Brewing Company
O'Fallon, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy, gold-orange. Pumpkin color. Some head that lingers along the side of the glass.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Pumpkin and spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, all-spice. Smells like pumpkin bread or pie. No hop.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: All malt, no real hop aroma or flavoring. Some slight bitterness. Lots of body.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Slightly bitter finish. Subtle pumpkin and spices–clove, cinnamon, nutmeg– not overwhelming. Still is a beer at heart. Slightly nutty notes.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: A little watery. Tart up front–nicely spiced.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
A unique Fall seasonal/Thanksgiving dinner beer. Not as pumpkin pie overwhelming as most pumpkin beers but nicely spiced. Definitely not a session beer.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Scored high, but as a stand-alone beer. It's unique and well-done. One is enough though.
Ben: It's like drinking beer with pumpkin bread. Good to try or have around the dinner table in Autumn, but Matt's right–one is enough.

Summit Extra Pale Ale

Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, Minnesota

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Light caramel color. Very clear. White, foamy head.

AROMA: 3/4
Caramel. Nutty–roasted nuts. Subtle coffee. Malty. Very little hop–needs more, in our opinion.

TASTE: 6.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Malty, not much hop. Bittering hop, but needs more hop balance.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish. Sweet, honey notes. Roasty, very nutty. Woody. Caramel, brown sugar. Bready, even.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Fades to a bitter, dry finish. A bit watery, but fills the mouth.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: Summit's version of the Boulevard Pale Ale–a standard, I understand they feel they need to have one, but unremarkable. There are much better Summit beers out there.

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Dry, woody, nutty. Very earthy, but not hoppy, so one is enough for me.
Ben: Okay. A session beer, but could be hoppier; I'd be more inclined to drink it if it were.

Boulevard Pilsner

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Golden color, very crisp. Minimal head, rings the glass nicely. Darker than your average domestic pils. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Minimal aroma, clean, no hop. Mildly sweet. Could use more of a Saaz nose, but apropos.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Hop bitterness middle to finish. Malty, lots of body for the style. Could use more hop up front.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Sweet corn, slight sourness. Slightly bitter, dry finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Clean, dry. Full-bodied, but refreshing.

OVERALL: 3/3: Prohibition-style–what beer used to taste like. A great (and affordable) pilsner–no filler (corn, rice, etc.) like you get with other domestic pilsners.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Priced to compete with the domestics, but just a much better beer. A no-brainer.
Ben: Why bother with a "Lite" beer when you could have this? More flavor, more body–my American lager of choice.

Boulevard Wheat

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Gold/straw color. Hazy. Big bubbles. White head, fades quickly.

AROMA: 3/4
Malty, bready nose. Mild citrus. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 6.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Malty, a bit watery. No hop character to speak of.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Sweet corn, pineapple. Breakfast cereal aftertaste. Grainy, slightly nutty. Citrus/lemon-orange finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Effervescent, bubbly. Full, fades quickly.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: An okay wheat–Boulevard's beer for the masses. Nothing remarkable–if nothing else good is available, we'll drink a pint.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I know they sell a ton of it; knowing how much better most of their other offerings are, I can't get excited about it.
Ben: A beer for the adventurous Bud Light drinker, but there are many better beers out there. Just don't drink it with a lemon, that's lame.

New Glarus Alt

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Deep bronze color. Crisp, clean. Cream head, big bubbles, fades quickly.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet aroma–fruity, raisin/prune nose. Minimal hop. Some woody notes.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: All malt. Prune, brown sugar, dates. Oaky notes. No real hop flavor (could use some).
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bitterness at end, a sour bounce on the tongue, too. Raisin, licorice, even some subtle coconut flavors.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Alcohol up front. Taste moves from front to back. Really big–complex, lots of different flavors going on.

OVERALL: 2/3: Definitely not a session beer. Complex and unique, not the typical crisp, dry, German Alt style.

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Huge for an Alt, lots of alcohol. Not a bad beer, just not an Altbier.
Ben: Not dry nor crisp finish, as an Alt should be. More like a Belgian double–misses the mark on style.

New Belgium Hoptober Golden Ale

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Gold/straw color. Crisp. White, fluffy head. Pours like a Pils.

AROMA: 3/4
Clean, sweet cream. Minimal aroma. Subtle hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Hop upfront. Malty off-sets. Nice balance. Bouncy, fruity.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Grassy notes, meadowy. Sweet. Bitterness lingers. Citrus and apple? notes in the middle.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Hoppy bitterness from the start. Full but fades quickly. Hop throughout, dry clean finish.

OVERALL: 2/3: Elusive fruity notes. Citrus, grassy, hopped throughout - a good beer.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice New Belgium offering. A little hoppy, refreshing. A good Oktoberfest.
Ben: A nice Fall beer. Hoppy, clean and crisp. Not the typical Octoberfest which is nice.

Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Deep mahogany. Big cream-colored head. Crisp. Pretty!

AROMA: 3.5/4
Coffee notes, caramel, chocolate. Roasted nuttiness notes. Little hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Hoppy, roasty, malty. Similar to a porter. More hoppy than a typical brown.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bitter from the middle to end. Sweet and malty up front that fades nicely to a bitter finish. Crisp roasted flavor.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Full mouth feel. Dark caramel notes. Roasted nutty flavors - hazelnut? Subtle smokiness. Grassy hop feel.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A dark hoppy brown. Almost could be considered a porter. A good Autumn beer.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: As good a brown as I've had in a long time. Hoppy enough, smoky, full-bodied. Nice. Nice label too.
Ben: I'd buy a six. Something you'd enjoy around a campfire on a crisp October evening camping. This would be good paired with smoked poultry or a broccoli/potato/beer cheese soup.

New Glarus Raspberry Tart

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Deep strawberry red color. White/pink head that fades quickly. Bubbly like champagne.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Fruity nose–sweet raspberry. Sugary.

TASTE: 9.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: No hop, some malty body. All fruit and malt (which is about perfect–hop would ruin this).
Aftertaste: 3/3: Sour cherry/raspberry, tangy-sweet throughout. Sour is persistent.
Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Fills your mouth with sweet tartness. Beer–not wine cooler, not syrup. Full and pleasant.

OVERALL: 3/3: Completely fills the mouth. From the aroma to the front-end sweetness to the tart, lingering finish, this is an explosion of fruit flavor.

TOTAL: 19/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Looks like strawberry pop, tastes like liquid awesomeness. This is probably our favorite beer–as Ben calls it, "Liquid Gold."
Ben: Pair this with chocolate, brownies, anything. Or drink it by itself. Just drink it! Not the easiest to get, but when you can it's an amazing treat.

Boulevard Bob's '47 Oktoberfest

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Crisp red-brown/copper color. No appreciable head. Clear.

AROMA: 3/4
Raisin, grape-nut. Sweet, sugary. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Very malty, not too big. Maybe a little watery, but generally true to style. More hop flavor would be nice.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Nutty, woody. Sweet aftertaste, bittersweet finish. Some apple/cider notes.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Clean, crisp, light. Some sourness in the middle. Bitter, dry finish.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A good Oktoberfest, perfect for a crisp September evening.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Always crisp and refreshing, a decent Boulevard seasonal and a break from the usual.
Ben: Great for a crisp fall evening–a good session beer. One of my preferred Boulevard beers.

New Belgium Ranger IPA

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Light copper color–light for an IPA. White, lasting head that rings the glass nicely. Crisp, pretty.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Citrus, piney, grapefruit. HOPPY.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Very malty. Hoppy throughout, nicely balanced–masks the alcohol (6.5% ABV). Could even be maltier.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Lots of pine, some citrus bounce. Fades to bitterness that lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: No alcohol taste. A full beer, not a big beer (but maybe a bit big for a session beer).

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Very drinkable, a solid IPA. Definitely order a pint if the opportunity presents itself.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: New Belgium tends to hit or miss, in my experience. This one is a hit–enjoyable and accessible.
Ben: One of my standard IPAs; I find myself coming back to it again and again. A good New Belgium offering.

New Glarus Spotted Cow Wisconsin Farmhouse Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy gold color. Thin, white, persistent head.

AROMA: 3/4
Clean, crisp, slightly sweet. No hop aroma. Could use a fruitier nose.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, clean. Minimal hop bitterness–could use more.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Sweet, slightly corny aftertaste. Subtle bitterness at close.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Clean like a lager; sweet, dry like a cream ale.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Quite sweet. A clean yeast–no fruity or spicy notes, not what we'd consider a farmhouse ale, but refreshing.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice beer–crisp like a pils, sweet like our cream ale, but not a farmhouse ale.
Ben: A clean, crisp, refreshing beer ideal for the dog days of summer.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Copper color. Cream-colored, rocky head that LASTS. Slight haze.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Very hoppy–citrus, pine, grass, floral notes. Could use a more bready nose.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Really malty, but hop offsets perfectly. Big up front, hop throughout.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Woody hop flavor that closes to a bitter finish with grassy notes. Hops stay with you. Slight alcohol at the end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Big, malty, hoppy. Some pine nuttiness. A bottle full of hops.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: An American IPA through-and-through.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: A really nicely balanced beer; for hop-heads, it's a no-brainer.
Ben: Whoo! That is one hoppy beer. Once again, Sierra Nevada pulls it off–I'd rank it up there with Sweetgrass IPA.

Nøgne Ø India Pale Ale

Nøgne Ø
Grimstad, Norway

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Copper-brown color. Thick cream-colored, rocky head. Cloudy, lots of suspended yeast.

AROMA: 3/4
Fruity-sweet. Floral. Prune/raisin notes, chamomile notes, licorice. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Malty but watery. Hop at end.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Prune, raisin, coffee. Fades to a bitter finish that lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Strange bounce–sour citrus front. A bit watery, astringent.

OVERALL: 2/3: Tastes like a Belgian strong, not an IPA. Complex. Watery. Very pruney, little hop aroma.

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Weird–this isn't an IPA. More like a kind of Norwegian cough syrup.
Ben: Decent on its own terms, but not an IPA in any sense of the term.

New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Clear, ruby red color. White head with fine bubbles.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Sour maraschino cherry aroma, no hop. Some woodiness, chocolate.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: No hop, minus a slight bitterness at finish. Appropriately malty, could have a little more body.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Tangy, tart, sour tanginess that lingers. Some hop bitterness. All cherries at the end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Cherry is dominant but not cloying. A beer first, a fruit beer second.

OVERALL: 2/3: This was awesome with brownies. Sweet up front, but finishes dry and oaky.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: A fun departure from the world of usual beers. Sweet, tart, tasty.
Ben: This is a great dessert beer! A beer first–true fruit, not syrupy. Cherries, cherries and more cherries. A favorite that's tough to get, so a treat when you can.

Alaskan Amber Alt Style Beer

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pretty color, minimal head that doesn't last.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet nose, some nuttiness. No hop aroma, per style.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Appropriately malty, mild bitterness–could be hoppier.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Some citrusy hop flavor. Sweet. Toasty nut flavor, subtle pumpkin notes.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: A little thin, maybe–could use more body. Refreshing, though, and very crisp..

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Nice session–good alternative to a boring lager. A crisp, nutty brew.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I have no sentimental attachment, but I like it–I'd like it to be hoppier, but it's a nice session beer that isn't a usual pils.
Ben: I DO have a sentimental attachment–reminds me of grad school in Alaska. A staple beer for a true-blooded Alaskan.

Tin Mill Pilsner

Tin Mill Brewing Company
Hermann, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Crisp. Gold color. Big bubbles, head fades fast.

AROMA: 3/4
Malty, corny. Very little hop aroma–needs more hop nose.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, bitter Saaz finish. Heavy.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Dry. Lasting bitterness–dry for a pils.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: A lot of malt–a mouthful. Dry finish.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A bit big for a pils. Real malty, dry but not crisp. A touch too bitter.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I like it–it's not overly corny like many of its peers. Big, they didn't nail the style, but add hop aroma and repackage as an imperial pilsner, and you're in business.
Ben: A good beer, though not one I'd want after mowing the lawn. Big for a pils, but not bad.