Dogfish Head and Epic Porto Marillo (Collaboration)

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware
and
Epic Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Rocky, foamy almond head. Dark brown color.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet/sour nose—sour dominant. Subtle pepper, smoke.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Roasted sourness to it—woody, smoky, malty.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Woody hop bitterness, sour that lingers. Bitter finish. Slight vegetable aftertaste, like roasted squash.*
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Very full, appropriately carbonated.

OVERALL: 2/3: Todd likes it, Ben and I think it's okay. A nice smoked beer, if somewhat difficult to define.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Interesting, smoky, organic. Tasty, but kind of weird. Glad I tried it, but I wouldn't chase it.
Ben: A really unique flavor—roasty, but sour. A lot of vegetable character. Starts high, finishes low. Interesting.

* Todd was convinced that because we read the label and it said some kind of weird roasted New Zealand tomatoes were used in this, Ben and I were just imagining the vegetable notes. Todd is something of a know-it-all.

Alaskan Smoked Porter (2010)

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Dark red-brown, opaque, very fine bubbles. Tan head that lasts forever.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Sweet, malty, smoky nose. Smells like Fall.

TASTE: 9.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Like liquid smoked salmon—smoke flavor coats the tongue. Sweet maltiness, roast notes. Chocolate smoke.
Aftertaste: 3/3: Bitter finish, smoke lasts. Very smooth.
Mouth-Feel: 3/3: Silky smooth, smoky. Sweet awesomeness.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Lives up to the hype, smoked flavor is very nice. Ideal for the style—gold standard and it shows.

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: All-around good. Smooth, smoky, chocolatey. Appropriately bitter. If you can find it, buy one (hell, buy two)!
Ben: Reminds me of Fall in Alaska—NEVER pass this up! And if possible, pair it with Alaskan salmon!

Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Copper to dark gold color. Big head, big bubbles that stick around. Laces the glass nicely. Crystal clear, steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Grassy, meadowy, citrusy. All hop nose, clean and crisp.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Piney, fades to a lasting bitterness. Hop dominant, but some body is there–subtle sweet/malty notes.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Woody aftertaste, bitterness and hop lasts. Nicely bittered, just right.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Crisp, appropriately carbonated (though maybe just a touch too fizzy).

OVERALL: 2.25/3: May need a bit more body to balance the fresh hop. Mostly aroma and flavor, good bittering hop.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty, maybe a little light-bodied, but well-balanced. Very hoppy, citrusy yet piney. Nice.
Ben: Mouth full of hops. Fresh, crisp, bright green. Good–I'd buy it on tap (if Sierra Nevada Estate weren't available, that is).

Founders Backwoods Bastard Ale

Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Brown to dark brown. Almond-colored head. Fades quickly. Somewhat opaque, cola-colored.

AROMA: 3/4
Whiskey aroma, oaky. Sweet, malty, alcohol is dominant. Too much?

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Woody, whiskey flavors overwhelm. Sweet, brown sugar, dark candy. Some hop bitter, no hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Alcohol warming, alcohol flavor, alcohol last. Lingering bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Numbs the tongue. Fizzy, smooth, full-bodied but not chewy or heavy.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: REALLY BIG. You can taste that it's 10% ABV. Whiskey notes are nice; a good sipping beer for a campfire on a crisp autumn night.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty, but I'm glad Ben and I split this one. Big, smooth, perfect under the right circumstances. Great for a nightcap on a frosty night.

Ben: Wow! Whiskey and woody notes are almost too much, but it pulls it off. A good winter warmer, it's a good sipping beer for sure—drink it out of a snifter.

Founders Centennial IPA

Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Very hazy copper-orange. Head fades fast, not an especially pretty beer.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hop aroma–very citrusy, floral. Beautiful hop nose. Malty, brown sugar.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Nice woody hop up front. Grapefruit. Heavy on hop, definitely needs to be maltier.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Fades to bitterness, stays on the tongue. Slight astringence/chemical taste.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Fizzy, effervescent, a bit too much so. Could use more body.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Really hoppy. Reminiscent of Ska Modus Hoperandi (which isn't bad)—great hop, just not big enough to balance it out.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: A decent IPA, if a bit sweet. Needs more body. Not incredible, but not bad.

Ben: A little too carbonated for the style. A good hoppy IPA, worth a try.

Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest Wet Hop Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Beautiful! Huge, creamy, rocky head. Laces & lasts. Deep copper color, clear and pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Raisin-bready, lots of hop nose. Very floral, green and grassy.

TASTE: 9.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Woody, grassy, really malty. Lots of hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 3/3: Sweet up front, to woody notes, to hop bitterness that stays. Finishes bitter, perfect.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Nicely balanced, fills the mouth with woody, grassy hop.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A mouthful of hops! And a nice delivery system for it. Perfectly balanced, we like this beer. A LOT.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Love this beer. Woody, hoppy, bitter and all perfectly balanced. Everything I love in a perfect fall package.

Ben: As close as you can get to picking hops off the vine and chewing them whole. Well-balanced, I'd definitely buy it again.

Ovila Saison (Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California
and
Abbey of New Clairvaux
Vina, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Big, rocky head. Deep gold-copper. Hazy. Lots of bubbles, steady stream.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrus–orange peel. Pineapple, tangerine, coriander. Peppery, earthy, big and fruity.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Apricot, honey, pepper notes. Fruit cocktail, pear (so, fruity). Some citrus hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Sweet up-front, ends with a grainy/cereal finish. Slight hop bitterness to finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big, chewy, a bit boozy. Fizzy on the tongue, dry and smooth.

OVERALL: 2/3: More like a tripel than a true saison. More fruity than earthy. Americanized? Or just playing it safe? Either way, it's good, but falls short of the saison we'd hoped for.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: It's not raw enough, lacking the earthy qualities that make, say, Saison Dupont so good. Tasty, smooth and dry, but we've had better saisons.

Ben: It has the fruity notes of a Belgian but lacks the deep earthy, spicy notes it needs. More like a Duvel than a Dupont.

Life and Limb (Collaboration)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California
and
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 3/3
Deep red-brown, almond head that lasts, rings the glass. Beautiful! The head is still there!

AROMA: 3.75/4
Woody, oak. Licorice, whiskey, chocolate, sweet cream, burnt toast, vanilla. Complex, NICE.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Hop bitter and roasted malt dominant. Nutty, woody, smoky. Licorice, whiskey, coffee notes. Well-balanced, complex.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Bitter–roast, hop. Alcohol. Sour tang.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Alcohol warming–smooth. Dry, nice oaky flavors. Bouncy on tongue, alcohol is superbly masked.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A really really REALLY good beer. Lots going on. Silky smooth, a great blend of sweet and roasty. Sophisticated, really brilliant.

TOTAL: 18.5/20–Keep 'Em Coming

NOTES:
Matt: Dark, mysterious and absolutely brilliant. I feel classier for having drunk it, and privileged to have even tried it. God bless America!

Ben: Is it a stout? A porter? Neither? Both? Whatever it is, it's sweet awesomeness to be sipped by a roaring fire at Christmas. Pair it with ice cream (or just drink it on its own).

Stillwater Artisinal Ales Cellar Door American Farmhouse Ale

Dog Brewing Company
Westminster, MD

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Pretty gold, very hazy. Creamy head, fine bubbles. Head lasts and lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Fruity, dry. A bit sour. Floral, peppery notes, chamomile, banana. No appreciable hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Lemongrass, orange peel, ginger, honey. Bready, subtle licorice. No real hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Subtle hop bitterness at finish, a hint of sage.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Nice body, full, effervescent. A little boozy.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Interesting, complex (as expected, given the style). Bright. A nice Belgian Saison/Farmhouse. The subtle sage notes make for a spicy finish.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Not a bad Farmhouse Ale. I'm always intrigued by the style, they're always complex and unpredictable. This one was just okay, in my opinion.
Ben: A bright, fruity, floral beer. Strong Belgian notes. Nice! A tad boozy, but overall a nice example of the style. Maybe more hop? I'd buy it again, and pair it with Thanksgiving turkey.

Note: I must say, the label for this beer was damned near unreadable.

Deschutes Hop In The Dark Cascadian Dark Ale

Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black opaque, like black coffee. Perfect head: rocky, fine bubbles, espresso-colored. Beautiful lacing.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Green-grassy with a hint of roast—like an espresso. Meadowy, with a hint of chocolate.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Sweet, grassy and biscuit, with a touch of coffee. Sweet cream up-front, fades to hop bitter. Nicely balanced.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Roast coffee aftertaste, some coffee. Subtle hop bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Light-bodied, smooth.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: It's good, a good example of the style. Would have liked to seen it a bit bigger. But good.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nicely done, and I'm a sucker for Cascade hops. I was expecting a bigger beer–in a 4-pack, I might have accepted it better. A sweet take on the style, and tasty.
Ben: Lighter-bodied than I expected. Roasty and hoppy, a good example of a black IPA. Tasty, lip-smacking, I'd buy it again.

Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA

Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Cloudy orange-brown. Foamy, rocky head that lasts, laces nicely.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet, malty but not a ton of hop nose. Bready, some pineapple. Touch of citrus, woody aroma.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Very nicely balanced. Sweet up front–bready, orange peel, brown sugar. Piney hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Nice hop bitterness at finish, subtle sour that lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Bouncy, full but not cloying. Nicely carbonated. Maybe a bit chewy.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A big beer, but not boozy. At 9% ABV, it's dangerously drinkable. More like a really good Imperial Pale Ale than an IPA.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I'm a hophead, and this doesn't beat you over the head with hops—but I'm not complaining one bit. A big, smooth, tasty beer, well worth a try.
Ben: I would have liked more hop aroma; that said, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

Green Flash West Coast IPA

Green Flash Brewing Company
San Diego, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Thick, rocky head with big bubbles. Gummy, floculent yeast (though Matt may have done a bad job pouring it). Orange-brown color. Not super-pretty, but head-lacing is very nice.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Hop! Piney-woody-meadowy, all at once. Heaven.

TASTE: 9.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Mouthful o' hop. Lots of hop flavors. Nicely balanced. Woody, biscuit taste. Slight brown sugar.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Hop bitterness! Sits on back of tongue and lingers (for a while).
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Very full. Smooth—easy drinking. A bit boozy for the ABV, but good.

OVERALL: 3/3: This is the perfect American IPA—phenomenal, the gold standard for the style. Great on tap, or in a bottle, or in a puddle on the floor which you would then shamelessly lick up—it's that good.

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: The day Green Flash came to Kansas City, I was born again. A fantastic IPA, as good as it gets. You deserve an IPA this good.
Ben: This and Pliny are the top 2 IPAs in the known universe. If you see it on tap, don't dare pass it up!

Horizon Red Ale

Summit Brewing Company
St. Paul, MN

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Red-brown color. Foamy, creamy head. Steady stream of bubbles. Clean and clear.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Clean. Malty-sweet. Candy sugar, a touch of citrus and pineapple.

TASTE: 5.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Woody. Nicely bittered, very malty up-front. Sweet malt that fades to bitter. No real hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Bitterness up-front and at the end, and it lasts. Very bitter for the style.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: A bit thin; chemical aftertaste.

OVERALL: 1.75/3
A mass-produced red, Minnesota's version of Boulevard. Not awful, kind of an interesting style, but not a great beer.

TOTAL: 12.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Started okay and became less appealing as I drank it. Just can't get past the astringent chemical taste.
Ben: It's a red, and I'm not a big fan of reds. Definitely bitter, too much so for style. Don't go out of your way to try it.

Dundee Pilsner

Dundee Brewing Company*
Rochester, NY

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Pale straw color. Wispy head, fades fast. Very clear.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very little aroma, hop or otherwise. Clean, like smelling a glass of water. Very subtle sweet cream.

TASTE: 5.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2/4: No real hop flavor. Corny/grape nut taste.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Corny, nice bitter finish. Dry. Aftertaste fades quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: Thin, needs more body to offset bitterness.

OVERALL: 1.5/3
It's a step up from Bud Light. Definitely a pils, fairly true to style. Needs more body–a so-so pils.

TOTAL: 11.5/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: Not awful, could be worth buying, depending on Trader Joe's price point. Not a great pils, though–the bitterness is nice, the body ain't.
Ben: Watery and thin, better than domestics, but if you're looking for a good pils, buy Boulevard.

* This is brewed by Gennessee. Not a great brew, by any means.

Dundee Kölsch-Style Ale

Dundee Brewing Company*
Rochester, NY

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Straw-gold, really clear. Thin, white head that fades (fast).

AROMA: 3/4
Clean. Sweet-cream, lager nose. Candy corn, faint honey notes.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Very malty. Honey notes, no hop flavor to speak of. Sweet cream, slight sour at middle. Corny, otherwise sweet.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Corny aftertast, subtle bitter finish that falls out fast.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Nice mouth-feel, not too thin. Lageresque, pils-like, but a bit fizzy.

OVERALL: 2/3
Pleasantly surprised (but our expectations were admittedly low). More pilsner than kölsch, not quite true to style, but adequate and drinkable.

TOTAL: 13.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Another Trader Joe contract job, this time brewed by Gennessee (so no wonder it's reminiscent of Gennessee Cream Ale, which we like). Not bad.
Ben: Drinkable, light and clean—a good lawn-mowing beer. Is it a kölsch? I dunno—but I'd drink it again.

* This is brewed by Gennessee; evidently, Trader Joe's contract brews all their stuff. Some of it's lousy; this ain't bad.

Gubna Imperial IPA

Oskar Blues Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy gold-brown, creamy white head that laces nicely..

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hoppy nose, very sweet aroma. Prune, raisin bread. Woody, very floral. Honey notes, lots of pineapple.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Tons of resinous hop. Sweet and bready, woody and grassy notes. Heavy pineapple, subtle apricot.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Alcohol aftertaste, bitterness at the back of the tongue that lasts. Very dry. Slight metallic tang.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Alcohol warming–tingly. Decently balanced, but mighty big; alcohol could be masked better.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Definitely an Imperial IPA—lots of hop, appropriate body. Complex flavors, spiciness, alcohol warming. A little big for its britches is all.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: This is good–I think we wanted to like it more than we do (it's just a bit big). Still, hoppy, complex and tasty, so worth a try.
Ben: 10% ABV, in a can, no less! Maybe too big for a 12-oz. can—the presentation may be throwing me. A good imperial, a treat when you're on a rocky mountain high.*

*Yes, we know, this was terrible.

Boulevard Collaboration 2 (White IPA)

Boulevard Brewing Company (and Deschutes)
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy, light gold color. Thick, white, foamy head. Effervescent. Some suspended yeast.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Lemongrass–like lemon Jolly Ranchers—orange peel, coriander. Earthy, some sourness.

TASTE: 7.5/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Hop bitterness dominant. Grapefruit, citrus tartness (akin to Squirt). Flavor hop gets lost in yeast and accompanying flavors.
  
• Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter hop, for sure. Complex yeast flavors (coriander, spice) last, too.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Puckering, citrusy, fizzy but full, almost chewy.
  

OVERALL: 2/3: Definitely a wit, and a bitter one at that. Any hop flavors are overwhelmed by yeast complexity. Tasty, but to call it an IPA is a stretch.

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: A good, big, complex wit, but that's about it. I'd probably buy Zon or a sixer of White Rascal before I'd buy this again.
Ben: It's a wit first. The hop flavor just gets lost; the hop flavor gets lost. The Belgian yeast is good, but I'm not seeing the IPA, and it's a high price point.

Alaskan IPA

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Honey-gold, effervescent—lots of big bubbles. White, creamy head that fades to lace the glass. Pretty.

AROMA: 3/4
Earthy hop–grassy, meadowy. Some citrus, more piney. Malty. Brown sugar notes, like raisin bread.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: All hop flavor–woody, floral. Fades to nice bitter. Grassy, earthy, some nutty maltiness.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Subtle but lasting hop bitterness—a nice degree of bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Surprisingly light-bodied. Crisp, refreshing, not heavy or big, just nice.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A good meadowy, earthy, bitter IPA. Atypical–doesn't have the citrus you find in most American IPAs. Eminently drinkable, though at 6.2%, might not be the best session beer.

TOTAL: 16.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: This surprised me–lighter than I expected, meadowy hop vs. citrusy, just a different IPA. And do I like it? You bet I do—well done.
Ben: Piney, grassy hop flavors nicely offset by hop bitterness. A little too light-bodied, the only knock I can give it. A great brewery–try any of their beers and you'll be pleased.

Dale's Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
White, creamy head. Orange-brown color. Crisp.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Very malty, nutty, woody. Some hop aroma. Clean, almost lagerish.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet malt, sugary flavors. Lots of hop bitterness throughout. Woody and nutty.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bitter throughout, nicely so. Punch of hop bitterness from the start.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Full, bitterness lasts on the tongue. Crisp and clean.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Bang! Bitter hop hits you at the front and sticks around through the end. Clean and refreshing, nicely bitter, a unique pale!

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Bitterness done right–a clean, crisp pale with bitterness in all the right places. Dale, where have you been all my life?
Ben: This beer is best appreciated with mountain views. A great, hoppy pale, a must-have for any hop-head's beer bucket list.

Wooden Nickel IPA

Crown Valley Brewing Co.
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Apple juice color–light brown to dark honey. Little head. Big bubbles, steady stream.

AROMA: 2/4
Malty–caramel, brown sugar. Slight (and I mean SLIGHT) citrus hop aroma. Certainly could be hoppier.

TASTE: 4.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1.75/4: Hop bitterness up front. Woody, slightly sour, minimal hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 1.25/3: Lasting bitter–astringent.
Mouth-Feel: 1.5/3: A bit fizzy, rather thin. Some sour puckering.

OVERALL: 1.25/3: Way too bitter, needs more maltiness and body for better balance. Needs more of everything to be a better beer.

TOTAL: 9.75/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: A weird, disjointed beer from aroma to flavor to finish. Weirdly bitter, thin, just not very good.
Ben: All bitterness–hop it up! Want more hop flavor and aroma. Almost a bitter pale ale–could be British style. In any case, don't waste your money.

St. Vrain Tripel Ale (2009)

Left Hand Brewing Company
Longmont, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Gold, hazy. Nice white, rocky head that sticks around. A fair amount of suspended yeast.

AROMA: 3/4
Very sour aroma, citrusy, some spice—peppery. Pineapple, a bit meadowy.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Earthy, sour. Pepper, coriander, but subtly spicy. Sugary. Little hop flavor or bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Alcohol present, minimal bitterness. Sugary sweet.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big, dry, very fizzy. Flavor drops out quick.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A decent tripel, has aged well in the past 2 years. Clean and dry, but less complex than one would expect.

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Big, thick, almost like a cocktail. Lots of booze, very pineapple-y—good, but not insanely good.
Ben: Mellowed nicely. Would be nice to see more Belgian (peppery, spicy) characteristics. Not bad, decent, but not what we'd call a must-have.

The Reverend Belgian-Style Quadrupel Ale

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Very pretty! Ruby red-brown (if there is such a color). Malty, cream-colored head. Clear.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Molasses, prune/raisin, fig newton. Alcohol, definitely. Sweet, bready, very little hop.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Strong, alcohol-y. Meadowy-woody, chewy. Tons of malt, very little hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Again: alcohol. Roasted nut, woody. Subtle bitterness. Prune, raisin.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and boozy–tingly warming.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A huge beer, pleasantly complex. Lots of dark flavors–woody, molasses, licorice, prunes, warming alcohol. Tasty.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice, intriguing, meadowy quad. Pretty, aromatic, really complex—another nice Avery one-off.
Ben: Big, but good. Lots of complex flavors, a tad too much alcohol, but it's offset by the malty body pretty well. A good dessert beer, and we'd definitely buy it again.

Lagunitas Imperial Stout

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep, dark brown, opaque. Espresso head fades to lace the glass. Fine bubbles. Nice.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very little aroma, hop or otherwise. Subtle chocolate. Roast and sweet aromas emerge as it warms.

TASTE: 8.25/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet, licorice, chocolate, sour notes. Whiskey. Very malty.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Alcohol. Roast, sweet finish–really well-balanced. Bitterness is there (and welcome), but restrained.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and boozy, big body—just plain big.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Watch out! This is 9.9% ABV, and you can taste it. Big, boozy, sweet and warming. A good imperial stout.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Another sweet, tasty Lagunitas beer at a good price. This is a big, solid imperial stout, one we'd definitely buy again. Kudos to Lagunitas for delivering a great-tasting, complex, original brew.
Ben: This is something your Uncle Vladimir would enjoy during January in the heart of Siberia (though, be warned: he could probably drink you under the table with this one).

Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout

Breckenridge Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Black, opaque. Cream-colored head fades to ring the glass. Fine bubbles.

AROMA: 3/4
Subtle. Roast, coffee, chocolate, burnt almond. Not overwhelming.

TASTE: 6.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: It's a stout. A lot of malt, sweetness up front, moves to a roasty middle. Little hop.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Bitter roast, sits on the tongue, moves to the back and stays there to finish.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Finishes slightly astringent. A little watery, too. Silky, coats the tongue.

OVERALL: 1.75/3
It's a standard stout, if a bit thin. Bitter finish is a little too astringent–there are better stouts out there.

TOTAL: 13.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Another disappointment from Breckenridge. With so many great beers and brewers out there, I say look elsewhere.
Ben: Not bad, not great. Typical oatmeal stout. Feels mass-produced. For a really good stout, on the other hand, head to Liquid Bread in Hays, Kansas.

New Belgium Somersault Ale

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/4
Clear, gold in color. Mildly foamy head that sticks around and clings to the glass.

AROMA: 3/4
Light, citrus notes–something between a lemon and an orange. Subtle hop.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Fairly clean. Can't decipher either a hop or malt in it–a MILD centennial-esque orangey/citrus hop, but nothing to write home about..
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Clean, no significant aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Again, clean. Doesn't linger at all. SUBTLE orange/lemon citrys. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was drinking Bud Light (and that's never a good thing).

OVERALL: 1.5/3: Fine, if you really like beer that is merely average. New Belgium's answer to Bud Light. Or the "craft beer poser's" answer to Bud Light–for those guys who really WANT to look they like craft beer, but don't really.

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Tammy: There isn't anything WRONG with this beer, but I'm not terribly impressed by it. I LOVE so many NB beers, I was excited to try this one and was just disappointed. If you're going for New Belgium, try Ranger IPA or Hoptober. If you're just a craft beer poser, this will do just fine. On the other hand, if you're looking to take that first step into craft beerdom but are afraid of the bitter taste of the almighty hop, this might be a good one to try.

Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Gold color. Big foamy head that just implodes. Clear, steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Very clean, minimal aroma. Slight skunkiness (for lack of a better word) when we poured it that faded quickly (we may have gotten an old bottle). Subtly sweet.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Sweet, malty, very clean. Subtle grassy hop. Some sweet corn.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: A touch of hop bitterness at the finish, doesn't linger.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Falls out quickly. Medium-bodied, a session beer for sure.

OVERALL: 2/3: Good example of a Maibock. On par with Boulevard's Boss Tom's; well done for the style.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I have said many times that I'm not a huge fan of the Maibock, but if I did have a hankering for one, I'd reach for this one. Well done for what it is--it is a Sierra Nevada product, after all.

Ben: Typical Maibock--better than most, because it's Sierra Nevada, but typical for the style. A clean, light, sweet beer.

Avery Karma Belgium-Style Pale Ale

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Golden-brown. Clear. White, foamy head that fades to ring the glass.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Pineapple, coriander, fruit-salad. Nutty, as well.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Sour, very nutty. Citrus-sour orange. Minimal hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Sour aftertaste, woody. Subtly woody.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Medium-bodied, weakly carbonated.

OVERALL: 2/3: It's not bad; we expected more complexity from a Belgian yeast. Not knocked out, wouldn't buy it again, but okay.

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Not terribly complex or interesting–in many ways, like a sour amber. Just okay (and for an Avery beer, that's disappointing).
Ben: Needs more hop flavor. I expected more spiciness based on the description–Avery has made far better beers.

Odell St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale

Odell Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Pretty gold color, white head. Clear.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Grassy-citrusy-piney. Hop-dominant, floral, subtle sweetbread. Clean nose.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Really piney, with lots of floral flavor. Lemon peel up front.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter woodiness–pleasantly bitter. Slight sourness that sits on the outsides of the tongue.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Fairly light-bodied, very nicely carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
We're impressed! A floral, very pretty beer. Light yet hoppy yet citrusy, a great summer pale.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Always an Odell fan, and now I have a new favorite seasonal. Light-bodied, hoppy enough, with delightful flavors and aromas–get it while you can.
Ben: I sometimes forget about Odell–seems like a gateway brewer to me–but I've always been impressed with their lineup, and this lives up to those expectations. Very good.

Stone Ruination IPA

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Gold color, beautiful lasting white head. Clear, laces the glass. Good-looking beer!

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hoppy! Grassy/meadowy. Lemongrass, orange peel. Bready/malty, sugary, almost tropical.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Sweet, tangy, citrus up front. Caramel notes. Lots of flavor hops, bitter hops middle to finish.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Bitter, woody aftertaste that lingers—stays on the back of the tongue.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Full, weakly (nicely) carbonated. Nice mix of bitter and sweet.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Excellent! Hoppy, yet just enough maltiness to balance out. A well-crafted beer, must-have for hop heads. Nice combination of citrusy, woody and dry.

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A really nice, subdued IPA. Benn called it "sophisticated"—I think he's right. We'd DEFINITELY buy this again.
Ben: Very nice. Stone hits it out of the park yet again. This would be great paired with the main dish at a four-star restaurant, or with a pizza at the local pub.

Stone Cali-Belgie IPA

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pretty gold, crystal clear. White, rocky head that laces the glass.

AROMA: 3.75/4
Sour aroma. White pepper, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, pineapple, watermelon. Like a spicy fruit salad.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Sour, earthy. Grapefruity hop flavor. Lemon notes, peppery, cinnamon-spice.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Residual spiciness, hop bitterness at the end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Lasting bitterness, but subtle. Effervescent. Taste buds are firing!

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Definitely a Belgian yeast, with all the good things that come with it. Nice and hoppy, but spicy, too. An interesting take on an IPA—the best of both worlds.

TOTAL: 17.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: This is what a Belgian IPA should be—complex, spicy, well-proportioned. Once again, a great Stone offering.
Ben: Belgian yeast is there in the earthy-spicy feel; good hop flavors and bitterness make it an IPA. A really good beer!

Avery Maharajah IPA

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Clear. Orange-brown color. Thick, white head with fine bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet, perfumey, floral, lemony. Candy smell, like Skittles. Unexpected.

TASTE: 6.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Licorice, brown sugar. Dark Belgian candy. Borders on cloying, but hop bitterness pulls it back from the brink.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Residual sweetness stays with you. Hop bitterness present, maltiness lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Very full, alcohol present and warming. Coats the tongue.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: Almost like a barleywine. Sweet and powerful, a really big beer. Like, almost too big.

TOTAL: 14/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: There's a lot going on here—big, distinct, in your face. Not bad, but awfully sweet.
Ben: Licorice, syrupy. Could use more hop bitterness to offset cloyingness. I like big beers, but geez.

Unlimited Release Maximus IPA

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Persistent white, rocky head. Light brown color, crystal clear. Head laces the glass.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hop, lots of it. Grapefruit-citrus, sweet and malty. Brown sugar. Par for the course for a Lagunitas beer.

TASTE: 8/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Big, bitter. Simcoe-type hop. Bitter grapefruit. Woody. Brown sugar maltiness, nicely balanced.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitterness that lasts. Woody aftertaste, dry finish. We weren't knocked out.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Big, full. Alcohol is nicely masked.

OVERALL: 2.25/3
Really, a hoppy pale ale. If you like Lagunitas usual offerings, you'll like this. As usual, offered at a good price point, so there's no reason not to try it.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Frustrating. I like it, but what's the point? This isn't a fresh take or an ambitious attempt, it's the usual big, hoppy, competent beer we always get from Lagunitas. I want something NEW, Lagunitas! You listening?
Ben: Lagunitas beers all start to taste alike, eventually. Don't get me wrong, I still love Hop Stoopid, and this is a tasty enough beer, but I'm at a point where it's tough to tell them apart.

Ska Modus Hoperandi IPA

Ska Brewing Company
Durango, CO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Brown/copper color. White head that rings the glass. Clear with fine bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Very piney, full of hop aroma. Clean, some citrus. Slight bready, malty nose.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Hop flavor at front fades to hop bitter middle, woody, grassy finish. Appropriately malty to offset hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish that lasts and lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Full, bitter on the tongue. Appropriately carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Good, solid IPA. Bitterness might be off-putting to novices, but veteran hop-heads will enjoy it.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I do like it, I just wish it weren't quite so bitter. Piney hop nose typical of American IPAs. Bitter, hoppy, a solid offering.
Ben: A good, hoppy IPA—a tad bitter, but I like it (maybe more than Matt). One of the few micros in a can, which is nice.

Schlafly Special Release AIPA

The Saint Louis Brewery
St. Louis, MO

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Light brown/copper color. Clear. Fades to a thin, white head. Fine bubbles, steady stream.

AROMA: 1.75/4
Meadown, grassy, some citrus. Weird, skunky off-aroma—definitely not pretty. Fades to an okay grapefruit hop nose.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Lots of hop flavor. Piney, meadowy, bready malt. Decently balanced.
Aftertaste: 1.25/3: Wet hay, barnyard flavors. Skunky (sorry, we just don't have a better word for it). Bitterness at end lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Fizzy, but not overly so–appropriately carbonated. Not too big, but substantial.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: Needs to be improved upon. The earthy, barnyard flavors are off-putting. Good hoppy IPA, though, with a full mouth-feel. Not an awful beer as-is, but with the right tweaking, this could be a really good beer.

TOTAL: 12.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Our beer guy at Royal Liquors mentioned recently that this particular beer was being retooled, specifically tweaking the hop profile to better match the bouncy citrus of the Schlafly APA. I'm guessing the stinky aroma and weird flavor is the reason. We'll review this again down the line and see if it scores better.
Ben: Some weird notes to this beer, obviously. Disturbing initial aromas and skunky flavors have gotta go. Schlafly can do much better.

Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep orange-brown color. Hazy. Nice big creamy head that laces the glass. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hop! Citrus, woody, piney hop aromas. Bready/malty sugary notes. Vanilla.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Woody and grassy hop flavors up front. Some prune, raisin. Vanilla and licorice. A bit grainy. Lots of hop bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter from start to finish. Woody notes. Vanilla at the end. Alcohol present.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Dry. Big and full. Weakly carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A good aged woody IPA. Big, full and nicely complex. I (Ben) like it more than Matt.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Pretty good but it didn't knock me out. I can get better beers cheaper. So nicely enough done, but not something I'd buy again.
Ben: A really nice example of a wood aged beer. Vanilla notes with nice grassy hop flavors. Good bitterness. I really like this beer (but I didn't buy it - Matt did - and at a pretty high price point probably not worth what Matt paid hence his disappointment).

Stone Levitation Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Nice amber color, deep red-brown. Creamy, if thin, head that clings to the glass. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Woody hop aroma. some residual maltiness. Brown sugar.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Woody, grassy hop flavor offset by brown sugar maltiness. Bitter hop offset by malt nicely.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Fades to lasting bitter-woody taste. Maybe a touch too bitter but adding any more malt would make it too big for a session beer.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Light-bodied, not heavy. You can enjoy several and stay in control. Appropriate carbonation.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: This is an awesome hoppy session beer. Light, hoppy; a great change-up from big IPAs.

TOTAL: 16.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I'd been looking for a light-bodied, relatively low-alcohol, hoppy session beer with no luck - until now. Another fine Stone offering.
Ben: Sometimes you want a light hoppy beer that won't put you to sleep - this fits the bill to a "T.".

Odell Mountain Standard Double Black IPA

Odell Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Thick, rocky, almond colored head. Big bubbles. Black almost opaque color. Head lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Roasted aromas dominant - coffee, subtle chocolate. Grassy hop notes. Some malty caramel sweetness.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Roasted flavors - burnt coffee, burnt toast, nutty. Also sweet malty notes. Molasses and dark candy sugar flavors. Woody hop flavors ans some hop bitterness. Balanced.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Roasted flavors and bitterness lasts. Some residual malty sweetness. Slight alcohol but masked well.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Fizzy. Full. Alcohol warming. Very smooth.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
A solid black IPA. Big, roasty, and coffee flavors. A good solid offering from a great brewery.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty - really silky smooth, I like it. A nice balance of bitter and sweet. Nicely done.
Ben: A solid black IPA. Nice and roasty with good coffee notes. I like it.

Kennebunkport IPA

Kennebunkport Brewing Company
(Contract brewed by Pugsley Brewing Company, LLC for Trader Joe's)
Portland, ME

APPEARANCE: 1.5/3
Light brown color. Clear. White head that fades quickly. Not especially pretty.

AROMA: 1.5/4
Smells like a lager. Minimal hop aroma. Clean, crisp nose.

TASTE: 2/10
Hop/Malt Balance: .5/4: Malty, way too much hop bitterness. Absolutely no hop flavor.
Aftertaste: .5/3: Astringent bitterness at close. Butterscotch (diacetyl) aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Thin, watery.

OVERALL: .5/3: Can't get past the obvious diacetyl. A lager loaded up with bittering (but no flavor) hop. Not an IPA. Whoever brewed this needs to find another job, immediately.

TOTAL: 5.5/20–Tab Me Out

NOTES:
Matt: We've tried other Trader Joe's contract beers that were much, much better (their hefeweizen, for example). This was abhorrent in all respects—aroma, flavor, everything. Avoid this at any cost.
Ben: Ditto—it's really that bad. It is as bad as Big Flats (and that's saying something).

Ska Decadent Imperial IPA

Ska Brewing Company
Durango, CO

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Hazy orange-brown. Head fades, rings the glass. Big bubbles. Nice.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hop! Lots of grapefruit, floral citrus—you could almost smell it through the bottle-glass.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Hop, followed by hop, then more hop. Grapefruit, orange peel, bready and sweet. Tons of malt.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Alcohol noticeable. Bitter finish that lasts and lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Big but drinkable. Full-mouth, chewy. Alcohol warming. Probably too boozy, but we didn't mind too much..

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Big but good. Lots of hop, lots of malt. If you're a hop head, give it a try.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Big, but man, this is good. From the people who gave us Modus Hoperandi, this is just as hoppy and quite a bit bigger, at a decent price point ($5-$6 for a bomber).
Ben: A giant, hoppy beer. Too much alcohol (10% ABV) for the main course, but good as an after-dinner sipping beer. Would be good paired with cheese or fruit.

Widmer Pitch Black IPA (Rotator Series)

Widmer Brothers Brewing
Portland, OR

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Dark brown to black. Thin head. Looks like a Black IPA should.

AROMA: 3/4
Brown sugar, molasses, coffee. Some grapefruit-citrus hop. Malty, surprisingly complex.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Roasty, nutty/toasted nut flavor. Lots of malt up front, woody in the middle. Needs more flavor hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Fades to nice roasty hop bitterness, drops out after that.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Starts malty but drops out quickly, leaves you wanting. A little light-bodied for the style.

OVERALL: 2/3: Hop it up, and you've got a decent black IPA. This seems like a good first step.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Not bad (though ours is better, of course). I feel like Widmer beers have a lot of potential, but this is probably the end result, not a starting point, so that's disappointing.
Ben: A little weak on hop flavor. Hop it up, and this could be a really good Black IPA. Otherwise, pretty standard (if thin) for this newly popular style.

Firestone Walker Double Jack Double IPA

Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Paso Robles, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Deep-gold to light brown. Nice creamy head that lasts. Lots of bubbles. Very pretty.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Very hoppy. Grapefruit, citrus, pine. Sweet, malty, bready undertones.

TASTE: 9.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Big, lots of hop flavor. Citrus, pine, grassy. Really nicely balanced, appropriately malty.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Hop bitterness from start to finish. Sweet, malt to lasting bitter. Alcohol is masked well.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Full, big, but balanced nicely. Very drinkable.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: This is a good beer—far better than we expected. World Beer Cup in '04/'06/'10, and we can see why.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Really very good. Big, filling, but not boozy. Definitely worth a try or 10 (but at 9.5% ABV, watch out!).
Ben: This is right up there with Stone, Green Flash, etc. A very good DIPA. If you can find it on tap, don't pass it up!

Widmer X-114 IPA (Rotator Series)

Widmer Brothers Brewing
Portland, OR

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Thin, white head. Deep gold, crystal-clear, steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Grassy, meadowy, lots of hop aroma! Some pine, sweet breadiness.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Lots of hop flavor. Woody, grassy. Not very malty, could use more body.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Sweet up front, bitter hop finish, lasting bitter aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Very light-bodied, alcohol is masked nicely.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Needs more body, more malt to offset hop bitterness. Sweetness drops out early. A good session IPA.

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Better on tap, but good–easy to drink, sweet, not too heavy. More body and this is a very good IPA.
Ben: A good beer. Could use more body, a bit thin for my taste, but easy to drink (it would be easy to drink a bunch of these, and at 6.75% ABV, that could be problematic).

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black. Thick, rocky, espresso-colored head. Pretty–laces the glass.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Grassy, woody hop aroma. Coffee, roasted nose. Surprisingly, not overly aromatic.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Strong coffee/roastiness up-front. Bitter dominant. LOTS of woody hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Strong bitterness that lasts. Really bitter–almost too much roasty, burnt coffee bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Fills the mouth, bitter on the tongue. Big but not boozy; alcohol is nicely masked.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Definitely a black IPA. Very roasty. Almost too bitter, but leave it to Stone to pull it off (though if you don't like coffee or roasted flavor, skip it).

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice change of pace—not overly complex, though too bitter, it's a straightforward beer. Simple, well done, a solid Black IPA.
Ben: A great, hoppy, roasty Black IPA. Another great offering by an awesome brewer; pick up a Stone, you can't go wrong.

Avery White Rascal Belgian Style White Ale

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 1.75/3
Yellow-straw color. White head that rings the glass. Suspended flocculant yeast particles throughout - kind of off-setting. Steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Floral. Coriander and chamomile. Slight peach and orange peel aroma. White pepper notes. Complex.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Malty. Some hop bitterness. Fruity. Passion fruit flavors. Peppery. Coriander. Subtle bubble gum. Not a lot of hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Subtle bitterness and orange peel flavors at the end. Doesn't last. Flavors fade quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Fizzy. A bit thin and watery.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: We like it. Refreshing and crisp. A good spring/summer beer. On par with Boulevard's Zon. Not our favorite Avery offering but good nonetheless.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nice - typical of Avery (although not their prettiest beer). Refreshing. Fairly complex, if thin. Good.
Ben: A good example of the style. Crisp and refreshing. Serve with mild cheese, such as Monterrey Jack, and fruit.

Southern Tier Un*Earthly Imperial IPA

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Hazy orange-brown color. White head that lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet bready aroma. Strong hop aroma. Grapefruit and pineapple nose. Malty.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malty and bready. Lots of citrus and pine hop flavors. Strong hop bitterness. Appropriate for an imperial IPA. Full of hop flavor!
Aftertaste: 2/3: Hop bitterness lasts. Alcohol noticeable. Strong bitter aftertaste mixed with a sweet, malty finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Big. Alcohol feel and warming. Lots of body and full feeling. Almost chewy.

OVERALL: 2/3: A good example of a hoppy big alcohol imperial IPA. Not bad for style. Good to try and have in place of other IPAs to mix it up a little.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Big. Alcohol and bitter finish a bit too much. Not bad, not the best, but worth a try. A 9.5% ABV NOT a session beer!
Ben: Good. Doesn't quite reach Stone, Green Flash, or Bell's category but good to give a try. Big and boozy. Lots of hops. Not a bad beer.

Great Divide Hibernation Old Style Ale

Great Divide Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Red brown in color. White head with big bubbles that laces the glass. Clear.

AROMA: 2.5/4
Sweet cream. Subtle brown sugar and molasses nose. Malty and big. No real hop aroma.

TASTE: 6/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Big and malty. Hop bitterness noticeable. Subtle licorice and cherry. Woody hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 1.75/3: Boozy. Goes from sweet malty caramel to noticeable bitter finish.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: Alcohol feel. Coats the tongue. Weak carbonation appropriate for style.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: Big that borders on cloying. An English old style beer. Appropriate in the dead of winter versus the heart of spring.

TOTAL: 12.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: If I were in an Arctic igloo in January, I would appreciate this more. For the style, not bad. One is enough.
Ben: This is better than the score indicates. Good for an English old ale although not my favorite style. Borders on the cloying side; a bit too sweet for my tastes.
Note: We reviewed this obviously on a warm April afternoon. We may have to revisit this beer during an appropriate frosty December evening.