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.

Boulevard Zon Belgian Wit

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Minimal head. Hazy straw color. Tiny bubbles. True to style.

AROMA: 3/4
Pineapple, bubblegum, grapefruit notes. No hop aroma to speak of.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Malty, almost no hop. Fades to subtle bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Clove, bubblegum, coriander, bitter orange peel. Complex.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Crisp, refreshing, effervescent. Real malty, fades fast. A bit watery.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A good, crisp summer beer. Solid wit–a definite lawnmower beer.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A really good wit–perfect for summer, a worthy alternative to Hoegaarden.
Ben: A great beer when it's 100° outside and you're grilling burgers.

Spilker Hopluia Double Hop IPA

Spilker Ales
Cortland, Nebraska

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Dark copper color, foamy head (which fades quickly).

AROMA: 3.5/4
Nutty, grassy, citrus nose. Almost piney, resinous. Lots of aroma.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Needs more bittering hop. Very malty, grainy.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Substantial floral hop, which fades quickly–no residual bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Silky, effervescent, very light.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A really good beer–needs more bittering hop to be phenomenal.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: I don't get it (note: Ben reviewed this beer solo–I recused myself).
Ben: Tastes like I'm drinking hop cones. Add more bittering hop and this could be the greatest beer on Earth.

Avery Dugana IPA

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Hazy copper color. Creamy, rocky, lasting head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Piney, hoppy nose. Nutty, like toasted almonds. Resinous.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, almost cloyingly sweet. A big beer. Hop up front, so malt is expected (and necessary).
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Meadowy, grassy. Caramel notes. Pine, citrus, grass, licorice. An almost synthetic aftertaste at the very finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Bold–lots of alcohol. Very malty, very hoppy. Complex flavors, fills the mouth.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: It's a big, hoppy beer. Lots of competing, complex flavors. Lots of hop. Lots of booze (8.5% ABV).

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A sipping beer, for sure. Very big–satisfying, complex, solid, and again, not a session beer.
Ben: A big Imperial IPA. Lots of malt, lots of hop. Complex. Almost cloying at times, but the hops offset that. A decent Imperial.

Ommegang Witte White Ale

Brewery Ommegang
Cooperstown, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Straw gold. Rocky head that reduces to a thin, white, lasting head.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet, champagne notes. Coriander, orange, cinnamon.

TASTE: 5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Not a great deal of malt; no hop character to speak of.
Aftertaste: 1.5/3: Honey, orange. Flat champagne. Sour–cidery.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Not effervescent. Dry, a bit flat. Underwhelming.

OVERALL: 1.5/3: Disappointing. Weak, too much honey/floral, not enough hop. Falls flat.

TOTAL: 12.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: The champagne aroma immediately created expectations that were left unsatisfied. A disappointment, given the Ommegang name.
Ben: I would have gone with bitter orange. It misses the mark–I've had much better Wits.

Empyrean Better World Belgian Wheat

Empyrean Brewing Company
Lincoln, Nebraska

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Cloudy. Thin, creamy head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Floral, citrus, hints of coriander, cinnamon and clove. No appreciable hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Malty, a bit watery. Needs more bittering hop.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Pleasant, crisp. Fades quickly. Spicy finish–coriander, clove, cinnamon, residual citrus.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Thin but malty. Needs more body, more bittering hop.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Not a bad wheat, if a bit thin. Spicier and more complex than most wheat beers. Watery, though.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: An okay wheat–not as heavy as most, but too watery. Spicy, though, better than your average wheat beer.
Ben: The taste can't deliver on the aroma. Unique twist on a generic wheat beer–I'd drink it again.

Avery Anniversary Lager Seventeen: Dry-Hopped Black Lager

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 3/3
BLACK–opaque coffee color. Creamy, espresso-like head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Chocolatey–caramel notes, roastiness, a hint of vanilla. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Lingering hop at the very end–hop is masked by roasted malt (dominant).
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Strong chocolate, some caramel coffee, sweet vanilla. An unexpected grassy finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Smooth, malty and very sweet. Could use more hop character.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Unique–a good beer with a mellow hop flavor. A good after-dinner beer.

TOTAL: 17.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tough to classify–a nice alternative to a heavy stout. Dark, sweet, hoppy–good.
Ben: Clean, crisp chocolate espresso with a hop finish. A unique beer–I'd have another.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest Pilsner-Style Lager

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Golden color. Rocky, white, lasting head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Very little hop aroma, true to style.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very clean, not too heavy. Some malt, maybe a little watery.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Slightly bitter finish. Very little yeast flavor–lots of grain. Sweet fades to bitter.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Some nuttiness. Very clean–a little more body would be good

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Refreshing! A great pils, a much better choice than the usual suspects. Better body, better taste–classic Sierra Nevada.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Less flavorful than refreshing–like the best drink of water you ever had. Good.
Ben: An excellent pils–bigger body, flavor and hops than its big-brewery counterparts.

Left Hand Chainsaw Ale–Double Sawtooth American Strong Ale

Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Dark copper color. Creamy, lasting head. Hazy.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrus, pineapple, bubblegum.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty, needs more bittering hop. Not a lot of floral hop here.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Citrusy, bouncy, grassy/meadowy. Some grapefruit notes, nuttiness. Fades quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Smooth, dry finish. Effervescent. Needs more bittering hop, more presence.

OVERALL: 2/3: Fades really quickly; not the hop presence you'd expect. Nice while it lasts, but that ain't long.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: The beer equivalent of cotton candy–great while it's in your mouth, but the memory fades as quickly as the taste.
Ben: Good beer, just lacking–leaves you wanting.

Hoegaarden (Witbier)

Hoegaarden Brewery
Hoegaarden, Belgium

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Straw/pale yellow color. White, persistent, foamy head. Wheat haze.

AROMA: 3/4
Spicy, earthy. Some pineapple notes.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Malty, not terribly hoppy. Refreshing.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Clean, spicy finish, fades to bitterness. Coriander, some bubblegum notes.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Effervescent, bubbly, fresh.

OVERALL: 3/3: Classic wit–the standard.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Always refreshing–the first thing I reach for when I want a good witbier (though they shaft you on the 10 oz. bottle).
Ben: A good beer for a hot day.

Grand Teton Sweetgrass IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Hazy, caramel colored. Thin but persistent head. Very floculent yeast.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Hoppy! Bouncy, citrusy, meadowy.

TASTE: 9.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Bitter, very malty. Nicely balanced, but maybe pull back the bitterness a touch.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Very hoppy, piney. Lingering bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Malty, smooth. Lightly carbonated.

OVERALL: 3/3: A classic IPA–hoppy, bright, citrusy and lots of hop aroma.

TOTAL: 18.5/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: One of my all-time favorites–not quite perfect, but damned close.
Ben: Love it! Grassy, citrusy, bright–one good IPA! Could be clearer.

Big Sky IPA

Big Sky Brewing Company
Missoula, Montana

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Light coppery-brown. Nice lasting head (could use more head).

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hoppy nose, piney, citrusy.

TASTE: 9.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Malty, very smooth.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Nice flavor hops, appropriate to style. Fades to a bitter finish–maybe a touch less bitter.
Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Nicely balanced. Smooth, sweet up-front.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A good IPA, not least so because it tastes like our M&B Bearded Man IPA.

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: I'd drink several of these in succession, no problem. Natural taste, good and hoppy.
Ben: Good session beer.

Grand Teton Cellar Reserve Reinheitsgebot-Pursuit of Hoppiness American Red Ale

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Coppery-red, big creamy (lasting) head. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Subtle hop nose, floral, meadowy. Could be more hoppy.

TASTE: 9.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Very malty, very big beer. SMOOTH. Could be more bitter. Summit, simco, nugget, chinook hops. Whee!
Aftertaste: 3/3: Nice balance. Bouncy citrus finish, grapefruity. Subtle caramel notes. Dry finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Very smooth, big and malty. Would benefit from more bitterness at the close.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A nice, big, hoppy, warming Autumn beer. Come on, Autumn!

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Big, filling–a bright, red Autumn beer. I could spend some time getting to know this beer.
Ben: Good for a rainy day; add some smoked grain, this could be a phenomenal smoked beer. How would this age?

New Glarus Road Slush Oatmeal Stout

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 1.5/3
Dark red, not black, not opaque. Big head, could last longer.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Faint chocolate/coffee nose, could be stronger. No hop aroma to speak of.

TASTE: 6.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Could use more hop. All malt. Needs more body.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Some bitterness and weak roasted flavor.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Sharp, tangy. Needs more body.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Not quite a stout. Weak, not roasty enough.

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I expect much more from an oatmeal stout. Unimpressive for a New Glarus product.
Ben: Needs to be darker, more roast, more chocolate flavor. Too light, not substantial enough to be a stout.

New Glarus Unplugged Series–Cherry Stout

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Could be darker; not quite opaque. Reddish hue. But pretty.

AROMA: 3/4
Cherry nose, minimal hop. Yeah, cherry is overwhelming.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Appropriately malty, hop is almost negligible.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Very cherry, lots of sour/tart. Very little bitterness, no roastiness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Nice tartness, very cherry.

OVERALL: 2/3: It's a fruit beer, not a stout.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I like it–it's New Glarus!–but as a cherry beer. How is this a stout?
Ben: Not a stout–needs some chocolate/coffee notes to make it unbeatable. Scored as a fruit beer, it would do much better.

Left Hand Fade to Black, Vol. 1–Foreign Export Stout

*Note: Fade to Black is a series; each year the bottle is the same, but the contents change. Each year's beer is noted in relatively small type on the neck label.

Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Beautiful black color. Nice, creamy (if thin), lasting head.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Coffee, chocolate, roasted barley. No appreciable hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Malty, fades to bitter.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Lasting bitterness–coffee, chocolate, strong roasted flavor.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Some sweet notes–caramel–fading to bitter. Would be nice with more of a warming feel.

OVERALL: 3/3: A really solid stout–an impressive showing.

TOTAL: 18.5/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: I would have liked a creamier head, but that's a minor consideration. Nicely bitter, rare in a stout. An unexpected surprise.
Ben: A great stout, good for any occasion. Good paired with a steak.

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA

Bear Republic Brewing Company
Healdsburg/Cloverdale, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Clear, light for the style. Minimal head.

AROMA: 3/4
Nice hoppy nose, fruity. Could use more hop aroma.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Nice balance–hoppy AND malty. Lots of body.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Appropriately bitter, slight astringence.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Nice balance–malty, but not too malty. A little too big.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: It's hoppy, big. Starts well, finishes not quite as well. A high-alcohol beer.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nicer in front than at the finish, but good–hoppy, well-balanced, but a little too much alcohol.
Ben: I'm still tasting hops. This is probably a better beer than the score suggests, it's just a very big beer for an IPA.

Lucky Bucket (Pre-Prohibition Style) Lager

Lucky Bucket Brewing Company
La Vista, Nebraska

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Golden color, minimal head.

AROMA: 3/4
Clean, crisp nose. Subtle hop aroma.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Clean. Needs more malt, hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Some bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Slightly watery. Bleh–needs more body.

OVERALL: 2/3: An okay lager. Better than a Bud Light.

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: The label is the best thing about it. Not terrible, just okay.
Ben: Light, better than your average domestic lager, but it's no Boulevard Pils.

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis

Sierra Nevada
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Straw/pale gold in color. Cloudy (appropriately). White head.

AROMA: 3/4
Not a lot of aroma; some pineapple and banana notes.

TASTE: 8.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Good balance, though could be a bit maltier.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Banana, clove, bubble gum. Moderately spicy; banana really lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Nice bitterness. Bright, effervescent. Lots of fizz.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A classic hefeweizen, very adherent to style.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice hefe–could be spicier, but in no way does it disappoint.
Ben: Could use a little more body. Overall, a classic hefe and a typical nice Sierra Nevada product.

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Rogue Ales
Newport, Oregon

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Light copper color. Decent head–persistent. Slightly hazy.

AROMA: 3/4
Grapefruit nose, subtle hop aroma.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Sufficiently malty, but I'm not a fan of the Perle hop used here.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Lingering bitterness. Syrupy, fades to bitter. An almost synthetic aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Decently malty, bright.

OVERALL: 2/3: A drinkable pale, but the strong chemical taste is a turn-off.

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I know it's popular, but it doesn't do it for me. Give me a Sierra Nevada over a Dead Guy any day. I will give kudos for the variety of beers they brew and the work they put into their web site, which is awesome. These guys clearly have a passion for beer.
Ben: Hop choice is reminiscent of most of Lagunitas's beers–it dominates all else. Just okay.

Goose Island IPA

Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Gold, bright. Minimal head (appropriately).

AROMA: 3.5/4
Nice hoppy nose, not overpowering.

TASTE: 10/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 4/4: Fairly malty, excellent balance of malt and hop.
Aftertaste: 3/3: Bitter, but dry. No lingering bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Clean finish, no astringence.

OVERALL: 2.5: Bouncy, meadowy–Cascade hops, maybe? A very well-crafted IPA.

TOTAL: 18.5/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: A very good beer–textbook. Very solid, nothing unexpected.
Ben: A good IPA–drinkable. I'd have more than one.

Saison Dupont

Brasserie Dupont
Tourpes, Belgium

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Awesome head–very rocky, creamy, foamy, yeasty. Beautiful gold color.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Very aromatic–earthy, citrusy.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Good balance. Clean, dry, very bright. Could be maltier.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Grapefruit and pineapple notes. Very earthy. Some bitterness. Needs to be spicier.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Ah, there's the spice! Fruity tones, very slight astringence.

OVERALL: 3/3: A beautifully crafted saison. Potential for skunkiness, so try to make sure the bottle you buy hasn't been sitting around too long.

TOTAL: 17.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Aromatic and very earthy. When I hear the word "saison," this is the mental image I conjure. One of my very favorite saisons.
Ben: Refreshing and clean, a good beer for the end of a long day.

Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager

Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice copper color, very clear.

AROMA: 3/4
Almost no aroma, but true to the rye (and lager, I guess) style.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, very little hop–could be maltier.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Some lingering bitterness, sour at the front end. Cherry notes. Slightly astringent.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Malty, sweet, slightly sour, dry at close.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A crisp lager; the rye is subtle but present.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Good, but not spectacular–I was expecting something more. Slightly more interesting than your everyday lager.
Ben: A good beer–I'd buy a six.

Horny Goat Stacked Milk Stout

Horny Goat Brewing Company
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 1/3
Brown/copper color–decidedly NOT black.

AROMA: 1/4
No aroma, very little head.

TASTE: 3.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1.5/4: Roasted flavor, malty with no hop. Weak, very little sweetness.
Aftertaste: 1/3: Corny aftertaste–lager yeast.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Thin, watery.

OVERALL: 1/3: Not good beer, and definitely not a stout (much less a MILK stout).

TOTAL: 6.5/20–Tab Me Out

NOTES:
Matt & Ben: Not remotely true to style–needs more roasted malt, more lactose. It's too light in color. It's watery. This beer purports to be a milk stout–it isn't! It's a fraud, one of the worst beers we've tried, and we advise against drinking it.

Masala Mama IPA

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery
Minneapolis, Minnesota

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Light copper color, okay head. Very crisp.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hop nose–grassy, citrusy.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Fairly malty–good balance; body supports the hop bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Most of the flavor is front-loaded; not much at the finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Piney-citrus, fairly smooth.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A nice, solid IPA. Bouncy, bright, nicely done.

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt & Ben: A nice session IPA. We debated the bitterness–too much? Too little? Either way, color and clarity are good, malt/hop balance is good, a very good IPA.

Summit India Style Rye Ale (Unchained Series #3)

Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, Minnesota

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep mahogany color–slightly dark for the style. Minimal head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Sweet, hoppy. Grapefruit nose.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Very hoppy throughout, could be maltier in the middle.
Aftertaste: 1.5/3: Lots of bitterness, hop flavor lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Hop at finish, residual bitterness.

OVERALL: 2/3: Really, really hoppy. Too bitter.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt & Ben: Should be bigger. There is some sweetness imparted by the rye. Maybe too dark. Good, but should be bigger.

Horny Goat Exposed (Lager)

Horny Goat Brewing Company
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Pale straw, weak head.

AROMA: 2.5/4
Minimal hop, dry aroma.

TASTE: 6.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: Malty, almost corny, nutty.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Some bitterness (not much, though).
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Dry, smooth, light-bodied.

OVERALL: 2/3: An okay lager, on par with Boulevard Pilsner, but with less body.

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt & Ben: Beer for the masses. A decent lager, better than your average domestic pilsner, but not a standout.

Summit Maibock (Seasonal)

Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, Minnesota

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Nice gold color, thin head.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Malty nose, somewhat fruity. Subtle bubblegum notes.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Minimal hop up front, malty, bright. Some citrusy notes.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Lingering bitterness, slight astringence.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very smooth.

OVERALL: 2/3: True to style, a solid spring beer. Not great, but good.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A solid Maibock. Aftertaste was the only real drawback.
Ben: Its smoothness is its nicest quality. Easy to drink, a good session beer.

Boulevard Smokestack Series–Dark Truth Stout

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Very apropos to style. Espresso-colored head; great head retention.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Coffee notes; slightly sweet caramel notes. No hop aroma.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Malty, minimal hop. Could use more hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Coffee, vanilla, caramel. Prune. Bitter finish, some astringence.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Starts fruity, ends bitter. NOT dry like a stout–really fruity.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: An interesting, different take on a stout. Not at all what we expected.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Ben: A very interesting beer. Complex; lots of competing flavors. Belgian yeast is overpowering. Roasted malt is second to the yeast; much more like a Belgian strong ale than a stout. As a dessert beer, pairs nicely with chocolate.

Boulevard Smokestack Series–Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company

Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Deep gold. Creamy, foamy head. Pretty–hazy, unfiltered.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Spicy, fruity. Citrus nose–grapefruit–plus pepper, bubblegum, a little hop.

TASTE: 8.75/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Noticeable citrus hop. Grassy, malty.
  
• Aftertaste: 3/3: Big grapefruit finish. Subtle, lingering bitterness. Grassy, meadowy.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Dry finish, subtle alcohol. Big and bouncy.
  

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A little lingering bitterness, but the citrus makes it work.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Very rich, but very drinkable. Deceptive in terms of ABV–no heavy alcohol. Very bright and citrusy. True to style–classic and definitely worth a try (or two). Another nice aperatif.

La Fin du Monde Belgian Tripel

Unibroue

Chambly, Quebec, Canada

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep gold color. Minimal head; fine, almost champagne-like bubbles.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Fruity nose, no hop aroma. Some alcohol.

TASTE: 8.5/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very malty, alcohol up-front. Warming effect.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Very dry, lingering alcohol. Pineapple, champagne notes.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Dry, smooth finish.
  

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Nice example of a Belgian Tripel, good to enjoy with a nice meal.

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Ben: A really good beer–could be an aperatif or a dessert beer, or served with a meal. Perhaps a touch too much alcohol, but good and dry.

Boulevard Smokestack Series–Harvest Dance Wheat Wine Style Ale

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 3/3
HUGE head. Caramel color, pretty.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Sweet, no hop aroma to speak of.

TASTE: 9/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Well-balanced, the hop offsets the maltiness, but still very sweet (but not cloying).
  
• Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Pineapple, grapefruit, some bubble-gum notes, even (surprisingly enough). Back-end bitterness, alcohol is evident.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Very dry, very smooth.
  

OVERALL: 3/3

TOTAL: 18.5/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: A nice departure from the more commonly-encountered styles. I'd definitely buy it again–really delightful and unexpected. Dial back the sweetness a touch and it's perfect.
Ben: Nice warming effect. I'd put it on a par with a good barleywine, with a wheat twist. Maybe a little more hop.

Boulevard Smokestack Series–Two Jokers (Double Wit)

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Pale copper color, crisp, minimal head.

AROMA: 3/4
Citrusy nose, little hop aroma.

TASTE: 5.5/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Decently malty, little hop character.
  
• Aftertaste: 1/3: Heavy alcohol taste, sour in the middle.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Harsh, pronounced alcohol.
  

OVERALL: 1.5/3

TOTAL: 12/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I appreciate the attempt, I like the orange in the middle, but it's way too heavy, too boozy. Still, I know people who swear by Two Jokers, and we did review this quite a while back, so it might be worth revisiting.
Ben: Alcohol is too overpowering. A lot of promise, but in the end it falls short and there are much better wits out there.