Southern Tier Iniquity Black Ale

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black, opaque. Tan creamy head, fades to ring the glass with nice lacing. Looks like coffee.

AROMA: 3.25/4Dark/semi-sweet chocolate. Roast, burnt toast. Subtle black licorice. Coffee, mocha. Woody notes.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Rich, chocolate. Very malty, coudl use a bit more hop to balance it out. Quite sweet, molasses sweetness and some woodiness.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Burnt coffee; malty sweetness up-front, moves to bitter, roast lingers, but could use more hop bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full and rich—fills the mouth with darkness. A little boozy, maltiness coats the tongue. Not quite cloying (but close).

OVERALL: 2/3: It's good; not sure it's as IPA-ish as it could be, more like an imperial porter than an IPA. What the hell, not bad.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:This imperial black has a lot going for it. Definitely could use more hop—it's an IPA, man! Hop it up! It's a really dark, big beer that needs more hop intensity to offset the body. And nice roast!

Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale

Stone Brewing Company
Escondido (San Diego County), CA


APPEARANCE: 3/3: Pours like a Guinness, a beautiful cascade of bubbles. Opaque, dark brown, tan head laces and lasts. 5 minutes later and it's still huge! Beautiful.

AROMA: 4/4: Sweet raisin, prune, alcohol. Big, rich, complex and sophisticated. Dark chocolate, cherry and grassy. Sweet awesomeness.

TASTE: 9.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 4/4: Chocolate-covered cherries. Woody, complex—sweet and malty, but not cloying. Coffee, roast, smoky. Perfectly balanced.
Aftertaste: 3/3: Really nice bitter, alcohol sour, smoky chocolate roast.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Big, chewy, smooth and boozy. Tingly, lightly effervescent, perfectly carbonated.

OVERALL: 3/3: This is pretty amazing—heck, frickin' phenomenal! A huge beer, but what a treat!

TOTAL: 19.75/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:About as perfect a beer as we've had. A huge beer—11%—implementing 13 grains and 13 hop varietals. Do the math and it adds up to 22 oz. of pure, rich, dark, sweet, hoppy, woody, grassy awesomeness. I bought this on a total whim—God's hand. If you can find it, buy it.

Odell Shenanigans Aged Crimson Ale

Odell Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado


APPEARANCE: 2.5/3Thick tan head, orange-brown color. Steady stream of bubbles. Rocky head.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet nose. Orange peel, citrus, lemon, orange blossom. Dried fruit. Sugary, malty.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Spicy woodiness, nicely balanced. Oaky. Malty sugar mixed with sour tart and an earthy finish. Unique.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Sour tart, almost puckering. Nice bitter finish, like a period at the end of a sentence. Subtle brett.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Dry, effervescent, bubbly. Big but not boozy.

OVERALL: 2.75/3
A fun, weird, sour, funky, citrusy treat. I don't know exactly what it is, but I don't care, it's a good beer.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another


NOTES:
Ben says it reminds him of a circus peanut, and I hate circus peanuts, so we disagree there. We DO agree this beer is sugary, earthy, sour, tart goodness. A fun beer, so if you're lucky enough to find it, do yourself a favor and buy it.

Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA

Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Paso Robles, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3Black opaque. Tan head that laces the glass nicely.  Foamy with big bubbles.

AROMA: 3.5/4Peppery and hoppy.  Piney with tropical fruit aromas (New Zealand hops?) Subtle roast aromas.  Pretty.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Flavor: 3.5/4: Black pepper spiciness.  Citrus and tropical fruits hop flavors dominant. Sweet high notes fade to peppery bitterness.  Woody and sour.
Finish: 2.25/3: Bitter pepper tastes linger on the tongue.  Sour hints.  Bitterness sits in the center of the mouth.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Big.  Alcohol and pepper tingle.  A little chewy.  Bitter floods in nice and full.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Union Jack with rye sourness and roasted malt coffee, burnt toast flavors.  Spicy, peppery, full and satisfying.

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

COMMENTS:

Another winner from Firestone Walker.  A tad on the bitter side, but aroma, flavor, and body are great.  A gusty attempt on what is lately a popular style of beer.

New Glarus Cherry Stout (2012)

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3: Mahogany color. Tan, thin head that rings the glass nicely. Light for a stout.

AROMA: 3.25/4: Cherry nose, cherries and cream. No hop. Sugary, subtle chocolate.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Cherry dominant, some chocolate roast—chocolate-covered cherries!
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Roasted bitterness. Sour, tart cherry up front, fades to chocolate at middle, fades to subtle roast bitter at close.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Mouth-puckering tart, fizzy and full, bounces on the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A definite cherry beer, darker malts impart a nice roast flavor. Could use more roasted malt, coffee notes.

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Yet another great New Glarus fruit beer. More roast and it's perfect—nothing more to say.
Ben: Needs more roasted malt for stout character. Maybe add some lactose to this? Milk chocolate cherry stout? Call me, NG, this is a winner!

Snarling Badger Berliner-Weisse

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3: White, foamy, rocky head (1" thick!) that rings the glass nicely. Lots of bubbles. Hazy, pure gold, pretty! if a bit dark for a wheat.

AROMA: 3/4: Orange-citrus aroma. Clean, high-toned. Subtle alcohol, sugary. Not terribly aromatic.

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Sour/tart, big citrus up front, banana at close. Crisp and clean.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Big, sour. Lemony-citrus up front, lactic acid. Banana-clove finish, alcohol.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Alcohol warming, bubbly explosion that expands to fill the mouth. Yes, I said explosion. Just try it.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: Lactobacillus tartness is a great addition to this fruity, fizzy, spicy treat. Clean and refreshing, a great summer beer. Home run.

TOTAL: 17.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Fizzy, flavorful and refreshing. I'm a cheapskate, so I often balk at spending $10 for a bomber; the exception is when it's a Grand Teton bomber. Buy this beer.
Ben: A great summer beer. Sour, but finishes crisp and clean. A really good sipper, it would be interesting to let it age a while and see how it comes out.

Epic Barrel-Aged IPA

Epic Brewing Company
Auckland, New Zealand

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3: Gold color, foamy head, slight haze.

AROMA: 3/4: Hoppy nose. Citrus, pine, some pineapple. Slight oaky nose, maybe.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Lots of pineapple, some apricot, nice subtle lemony hints at the end.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Whiskey-oak sour up-front, big bitter middle.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: A bit thin, could use more body. Woodiness overwhelms.

OVERALL: 2/3: Tastes like a booze-infused beer. They should have blended this. Not bad, but the barrel-aging is overwhelming.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I appreciate the effort, but it's a bit much. Add body, blend it to tamp down the oak, and we're in business.
Ben: Grows on me the more I drink it. It's okay—good, but falls short of great. Almost too much oak flavor, like it's an extreme barrel beer; should be more subtle.

Cerise Cherry Fermented Ale

Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3: Ruby red, crystal clear. White head rings the glass nicely.

AROMA: 2.5/4: Subtle maraschino cherry nose, sugary. Not terribly aromatic.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.75/4: Tart, very grainy. Cane sugar. Sour lasts to close, falls out quickly.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Cherry finish, bitter aftertaste lingers. Slight metallic tang.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Fizzy, a bit thin. Puckery.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: A bit watery, needs more cherry. Not bad, but could be better. (When you've had New Glarus Belgian Red, anything else is going to compare unfavorably.)

TOTAL: 13.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Okay for what it is, but it's no Belgian Red. A high bar, I know, but tough.
Ben: Unfortunately for Founders, we've had the pinnacle of cherry fruit beer. This one falls short—needs much more cherry!

Midas Touch Handcrafted Ancient Ale

Dogfish Head Brewing Company
Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3: Deep gold, foamy head. Slight yeast haze.

AROMA: 3/4: Grape nose, very clean. Smells like wine, or white grape juice. Grain/cereal aroma.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet up-front, spicy and grainy middle. Lots of white grape flavor.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Big alcohol sour. Dry, bitter finish, white wine aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Alcohol warming, booze rises up into the sinuses. Dry, fizzy and full.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: The new fad, seemingly—wine-beer. Or beer-wine. Straddles the line, but definitely a beer. Dry, grapey, interesting.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I'm just okay with it—an interesting wine/beer hybrid. At 9%, though, alcohol is overwhelming!
Ben: I don't really taste the mead (as described on the label), but there is a sweet floral or blossom flavor there. Very dry and sweet, an interesting offering. Worth a try.

Dogfish Head Aprihop IPA

Dogfish Head Brewing Company
Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3: Dark copper to light brown. Clear, crisp, clean. Thin, off-white head that fades. Steady stream of bubbles.

AROMA: 3/4: Clean, sugary, subtle citrus. Subtle apricot, subdued hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Apricot up-front and through the middle, hop bitterness at finish. Sugary sweet, apricot present. Some citrus hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Sweet finish. Hop bitterness lingers. Nice high flavors.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Chewy, full-bodied. Weakly carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Pleasant. Sweet and fruity, peaches (apricot) and cream-like, with a bitter finish.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A nice beer. The apricot is understated, a nice accent flavor. Is it an IPA? Doubtful. Still, a nice ale, well done (as usual, by DFH).
Ben: Apricot accents the citrus hop nicely. Bitter finish is nice, though it's a little thin. Overall, not bad—another good offering from a great brewer.

The Stoic Belgian-Styled Quad

Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3: Pretty orange-gold. White, thin head, rings the glass. Hazy.

AROMA: 3.25/4: Spicy, tropical, citrus. Passion fruit, orange blossom, sweet raisin, richly aromatic. Alcohol.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Big, sour, tropical. White raisin, pineapple, orange, passion fruit, chamomile notes.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Whiskey aftertaste, bitter back of the throat. Whiskey sour is there, but the rest is lost.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Chewy, big-bodied. Alcohol tingle.

OVERALL: 2/3: The big body overwhelms the whiskey, relegates it to an aftertaste. If we knew what pomegranate tasted like, we'd have to say it's in there. Good, but BIG.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Complex, like any good Belgian. I feel like there are almost too many factors at play to evaluate it fairly, but I do like the sour. Worth a shot.
Ben: Maybe they tried to do too much with this. Would be better left with the Belgian yeast profile alone; the whiskey gets lost in the tropical flavors. Big and boozy, almost too much.

Kilt Lifter Scottish-Style Ale

Four Peaks Brewing Company
Tempe, Arizona

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Very little head, thin. Brown, clear.

AROMA: 2.25/4
Clean, sweet—apple notes? All malt, no hop.

TASTE: 6.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.25/4: Very malty, lots of caramel. Some grassy hop.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Very subtle smoke, subtle bitter, drops out fast.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Finishes clean, okay body, appropriately carbonated. Maybe a tad thin.


OVERALL: 1.75/3: Tastes like an amber, really. Scottish Ale for the masses—sweet caramel, crystal malt, not the Scottish Ale we'd hoped for.


TOTAL: 12.5/20–I'll Try A Pint


NOTES:
Matt: Not an awful beer, but more like an amber than a Scottish—I'd take a 90 Shilling over this in a heartbeat.
Ben: Crystal malt makes it really caramelly-sweet. A bunch of peat-smoked malt would make it more true to style.

Totally Naked Lager

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Straw gold color, thin white head that laces. Crystal clear, steady bubbles.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet cream, apple juice, totally clean. Classic lager, no hop.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet corn, clean. No hop flavors, malt dominant. Apropos for a pils.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Nice subtle bitter finish, slight hop bitterness—sweetness there as well.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Nice body, effervescent, and again, clean.


OVERALL: 2.5/3: The quinessential lager—so clean it should be sponsored by Ivory. A definite lawnmower beer, reminds us of Boulevard Pils.


TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another


NOTES:
Matt: The cleanest beer I've ever had—Mr. Clean should be on the label, it's so clean. Mr. Beer, Mr. Beer, Mr. Beer…(I like it).
Ben: Clean, crisp, refreshing. A summer beer for sure. I'd put this and Boulevard Pilsner up as better alternatives to the big boys.

Palate Wrecker Imperial IPA

Green Flash Brewing Company
San Diego, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3Light brown, thich foamy head that laces and lasts. Clear, clean.

AROMA: 3.75/4Citrus, pine, hop overload. It's like we're running through the hop fields of the Pacific Northwest (and drinking a beer at the same time—trust us, it's really hard to do).

TASTE: 9/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Hop, then hop, with a hop finish. Grassy, citrusy then hop bitter, but malty. Nicely balanced, big enough to offset hop bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: I'm still tasting hop! Hop bitter that sticks to the tongue—man, I'm STILL tasting hop!
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Big, chewy, boozy, HUGE (and hoppy). Maybe a bit boozy, but hey, 9.5%!

OVERALL: 2.75/3: This is as close to eating hop cones as  you're going to get. God bless you, Green Flash! Oh, and you non-hopheads? Stay away—stay FAR away.

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'NOTES:
Matt: LOVE THIS. Big, boozy and a great imperial, true to its name—if you possibly can, buy it!
Ben: Another one for the hophead bucket list. If you don't like hops, stay away—more for the rest of us! And it really is a palate wrecker; once you try it, don't plan on tasting anything for the rest of the night.

O'Fallon Belgian-Style Dark Ale (aged in Port Barrels)

O'Fallon Brewing Company
O'Fallon, Missouri


APPEARANCE: 1.75/3Deep red-brown, thin almond head that fades quickly. Hazy.

AROMA: 3/4
Licorice, alcohol nose, prune, anise, cinnamon, subtle spice.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Big, alcohol prominent. Port wine, prune, licorice, clove, ginger. Winey, complex.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Hop bitter finish, alcohol bitter, sour.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Alcohol warming, stays with you. Surprisingly thin finish, drops out fast. Boozy, what you'd expect from a dark Belgian.

OVERALL: 2.25/3Big, big, big—warming and spicy. Balanced pretty well, you can definitely taste the effects of the barrel aging. Okay.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Tasty, but geez is it big—boozy all the way through. Finishes a bit thin, but solid, complex and unique. Try it.
Ben: This would be a phenomenal winter ale, paired with red meat or chocolate dessert—could be a dessert on its own!

Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA

Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Boonville, California

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Great head—thick, rocky, off-white. Brown-gold, slight haze. Head rings the glass, laces and lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrus/piney nose, some pineapple. A lot of hop aroma. Nice.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Grassy, green. Caramel notes, sweet malt. Piney hop flavors move to strong hop bitterness. Appropriately malty to balance.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Woody hop bitter that comes in fast and sticks around (maybe a little too much).
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Full, well-balanced. Appropriately carbonated, coats the tongue with hop flavor.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
Really good, a touch on the bitter side (fine with us, but perhaps not for everyone). Less over-the-top malt  than some big IPAs; if you like a solid, hoppy IPA, look no further.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: This was a pleasant surprise for me—nice body, well-hopped, woody, grassy, a solid IPA. I think I tried this before and wasn't knocked out, but I'd totally buy this again.
Ben: I'm impressed! Hoppy nose, flavor and bitterness. A good IPA—in a can, no less! Definite buy again.

Alesmith Horny Devil Ale

Alesmith Brewing Company
San Diego, California

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Highly carbonated. Thick, foamy head—tons of bubbles. Hazy gold, cloudy for the style.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Aromatic—alcohol, cane sugar, sour. Apricot notes, clean.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Minimal hop flavor. Orange sour candy, champagne-like. Coriander gets lost in the Belgian yeast.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish. Dry, sour notes and alcohol linger.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Boozy, alcohol warming. Tingles on the tongue, bubbles float up into your nasal cavity.

OVERALL: 2.25/3
A Belgian quad x2—a Belgian Octuple? On par with Duvel—at 11%, it's a very big beer. Belgian yeast is front and center.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A good, very big Belgian golden ale—well balanced, for as big as it is. Tasty, but definitely boozy.
Ben: Clears your sinuses—it's a typical Belgian gold. Belgian yeast is nice and floral—if you like high-ABV beers, this sure is one.

Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild Ale

Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, California

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Clear, deep gold color.  Hazy.  White, foamy head.  Pretty

AROMA: 3/4
All malt aroma.  Brown sugar.  Some slight citrus/grapefruit hop aroma.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Very malty.  Sugary - cane sugar sweetness.  Bitter hop finish.  Citrusy-orange peel flavors.  Belgian yeast notes.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Citrus - grapefruit and orange peel and sugary flavors move to a nicely bitter finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Full-mouth feel.  Nice sweet offset by bitter on the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.5/3
A good offering by a good brewery.  A tad malty - we were hoping for a bit more hoppiness.  Overall we'd buy it again.

TOTAL: 16.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: It is delightful.  Light and sweet.  Maybe a bit too sweet but a nice.  NOT a session beer by any means though so watch out!
Ben: Sugar sweet.  An interesting offering.  I like it but agree with Matt that it may border on the cloying side.  Worth a try for sure.

New Glarus Black Top Black IPA

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Dark mahogany color.  Pretty espresso head that lingers.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Hop nose! Sweet-dark Belgian candy. Some grapefruit (cascade hop?).  Nice piney-citrus aroma.  Pretty.

TASTE: 8.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Lots of hoppy high notes.  Citrus and pine.  Some licorice and molasses flavors.  Roasty and burnt toast bitterness.  Woody.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Sweet that fades to a really nice woody bitter.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Great balance, the roasted bitterness is perfect to pull back the malty flavors.  Bouncy on the tongue.

OVERALL: 3/3: This is what a Black IPA should taste like.  Lots of hop character, full-bodied, and nicely balanced.  A well done beer.

TOTAL: 16.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Unexpected.  I didn't know New Glarus had a Black IPA.  As good or better than any I've had.  I have no criticism except that I can't get more!
Ben: Wow.  I really like this beer - a lot!  Citrus, pine, hoppy, yet nicely balanced with brown sugar, licorice and molasses maltiness.  A great example of what a Black IPA should be!

New Glarus Cran-bic Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pale strawberry gold color, clear. Thin, white head that fades quickly but rings the edges of the glass. Laces nicely

AROMA: 3.5/4
Sour, full lambic nose. Apple cider vinegar. Cranberries, cane sugar and Belgian candy sweetness as well.

TASTE: 9.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.75/4: Lactic acid sour prominent at front. Gose-esque. Fruit is secondary as it should be. Cranberry flavors compliment the lambic notes which are front and center in this beer. Sugary sweetness in the middle to end.
Aftertaste: 2.75/3: Mouth puckering sour fades to sweet cranberry and sugar tastes. Sweetness lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Lip smacking. Fizzy. Mouth puckering first sips are an eye-opener. Clean. Sweet and sour.

OVERALL: 3/3: New Glarus really knows how to do fruit beers. The cranberry is a nice facet that doesn't overwhelm the beer. This actually would be just a good beer standing on its own as a true lambic. As is, another great fruit beer.

TOTAL: 18.25/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

NOTES:
Matt: Sour but tasty. Another great fruit beer from New Glarus. Nice to see an American craft brewer handle this style so well.
Ben: I really like that the fruit is secondary and nicely compliments the lambic sour flavors so well. This truly is a lambic first and foremost. Phenomenal! Very hard to get but if you have the chance don't pass this one up!

Southern Tier Gemini Blended Imperial Unfiltered Ale

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Beautiful hazy deep gold. Head is creamy, rocky, laces the glass nicely—pretty!

AROMA: 3/4
Grapefruit, bubblegum, orange blossom. Nice and tropical, not as pronounced as Hoppe.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Earthy, woody. Still very citrusy—interesting mix of grapefruit, citrus and a woody finish.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter finish that sits on the tongue. Subtle tropical finish that moves to bitter, nicely balanced.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Big and boozy, full and creamy.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Unearthly imparts a woodiness Hoppe just doesn't have. Not as bright as Hoppe, a bit darker, earthier, but very good.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A neat variation on the hoppy style in Hoppe. Big and tasty, nicely bittered. Well done again, Southern Tier.
Ben: A very down-to-earth, classic, hoppy imperial Pale. Tropical and woody flavors blend nicely—all-around good beer.

Southern Tier Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Orange hue, hazy. Fine, lacing head. Gold, pretty!

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sour citrus, orange peel, orange blossom, pineapple. Tropical, earthy.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Lots of grapefruit, tropical, citrus up-front. Sour notes at middle, bitter finish. Well-balanced.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Noticeable alcohol. Nicely bittered, lasts. Body is appropriate, bitterness lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and chewy, full mouth. Boozy, substantial.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Full, filling and hoppy. All-around, a pretty darned good beer.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Not a session beer, a real treat! Something to keep in your fridge to mark special moments—a well done imperial.
Ben: It's big, it's hoppy, it's big and hoppy—I'd buy another.

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep, dark brown. Off-white, tan rocky head. Nice lacing, nice-looking beer.

AROMA: 3/4
Coffee, roast aromas. Dark chocolate, subtle sweetness. Vanilla, maybe? Simple, basic. Roast.

TASTE: 6.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Coffee, chocolatey. No hop flavor, appropriately. Roast is dominant, some hop bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Lots of bitter roast, roast bitter + hop bitter = maybe a bit much bitter.
Mouth-Feel: 1.75/3: A big light-bodied, could use more hop. Appropriately carbonated, but thin.

OVERALL: 2/3: A very light beer, a nice session porter, just a tad watery. Roast flavors are nice, an okay beer.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Try this, if only because it (and their Mirror Pond Pale) are the cheapest bombers in town. Not perfect, but good in many ways and worth a try.
Ben: Typical porter, a little too watery, but at $2.99 a bomber, you can't afford NOT to try it. Adding smoked malt might make this more interesting.

Noble Rot

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Straw-gold, crystal clear. Steady stream of bubbles. White head fades and laces.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sour, champagne-like and fruity. Grape, yeasty, white pepper notes.

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Champagne! Sour, earthy finish. Very little hop. Dry, fruity. Is this a beer?

Aftertaste: 2.5/4: Sour lingers, earthiness stays on the tongue. Dry, no hop bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2.75/3: Sour flavors overwhelm. Dry, effervescent.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Clean, champagne-like, effervescent—easier to evaluate compared to wine than beer. Unique and definitely worth a try, unlike any beer we've had.

TOTAL: 16.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: The most wine-like beer I've ever had. Sour, bubbly, clean—a nice hybrid, definitely unique. Hard to compare to other beers, it truly is different.
Ben: Wow! It's a saison, it's champagne, it's wine. It's just wow, really unique. This may have been the only bottle of Noble Rot consumed in the states of Kansas OR Missouri, so we feel blessed (as should you, for the opportunity to experience it vicariously through us).

Boulevard Rye on Rye (Ale Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels)

***BICENTENNIAL REVIEW!***

Boulevard Brewing Company

Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Mahogany, opaque. Thick, rocky, tan head that laces and lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Oak, whiskey, molasses, raisin. Rich—pineapple and coconut notes, alcohol nose.

TASTE: 8.25/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Alcohol up-front, middle and end. Whiskey, oak, very malty. Peppery middle. Molasses, caramel. No hop flavor, but some hop bitterness.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Whiskey, oak at front. Subtle bitter oakiness imparts a dark feel. Sour.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Spicy/tingly/sparkly—coats the tongue. Alcohol burn. Smooth, dry finish.
  

OVERALL: 2.5/3: This should be served in a snifter to maximize the aroma, and drunk slowly, savored. Be sure to serve it at the proper temperature. Hard to find—it sold FAST when it was released (not Chocolate Ale fast, but pretty darned fast)—so it's a must-have if you can get your hands on it.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I'm no boozehound (anymore), but this Boulevard Smokestack offering balances beer and booze perfectly—complex, sweet and oh-so-smooth. A sipper, not for every day, but for the style (and for our 200th review), grand.
Ben: A sipping beer if there ever was one. Sophisticated, so wear a monocle when you drink it. At 11% ABV, be careful. Cheers, and here's to the next 200!

Bell's Oberon Ale

Bell's Brewery
Comstock, MI

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Orange gold color. Lots of floculent yeast in suspension leaves a hazy appearance. White, fizzy head that fades quickly. We've seen prettier beers.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrusy with earthy undertones. Lemongrass and subtle apricot notes. Very malty nose.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Malt peach and apricot flavors. Subtle lemon rind. No hop flavor. Earthy and gritty. Almost musky. Grainy cereal flavors present.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Very dry finish. Subtle hop bitterness and orange peel at end.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Very light bodied. Kind of fizzy.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A light session beer for the summer. Better than most other unfiltered wheats we've tried. On par with Boulevard Zon.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Like a mainstream version of Saison Dupont - that same earthiness that is. Really nice. Gives wheat ales a good name.
Ben: An earthy wheat. Not a bright citrus summer beer - more of a summer evening after a thunderstorm kind of beer. I'd definitely pick up another six of this.

Grand Teton The Grand Saison Farmhouse Ale

Grand Teton Brewing Company
Victor, Idaho

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Clear gold. Rocky, foamy white head about one inch thick that lasts. Slight haze from yeast.

AROMA: 3/4
Lots of pineapple and grapefruit. White pepper, orange rind, and lemon zest. Citrusy aromas are dominate. Slight grassy notes.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Grapefruit. Coriander, pineapple lemon pepper as well. Some hop but lost in the yeast profile. Typical for a classic saison.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Subtle lingering bitterness. Could use more bittering hop finish. Lemon rind aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: A champagne dryness. Fizzy. Some sweetness. Very full.

OVERALL: 2/3: Exactly what you would expect from a good saison - no more, no less. Worth a try but there are better examples of the style. It would be interesting to see how this would taste if they had added Brett.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try a Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Reminiscent of Boulevard's Tank 7 (but not as nearly as good). A good representation of the style and very straight forward. Not terribly unique but good. A solid saison.
Ben: A good example of the style. A little sweet though. Reminds me of Boulevard's original saison. Fresh and citrusy. A good solid saision. Pair this with cheese, grapes, and white fish.

Alesmith Horny Devil Ale

Alesmith Brewing Company
San Diego, California

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Highly carbonated. Thick, foamy head, tons of bubbles. Hazy gold, cloudy for a Belgian Golden.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Highly aromatic. Alcohol, cane sugar, sour. Apricot notes. Clean.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Minimal hop flavor. Sour candy, orange sour. Champagne-like. Coriander is lost in the Belgian yeast.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish, dry. Sour notes and alcohol linger.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Boozy alcohol warming. Tingles on the tongue, bubbles move upward into your brain.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A Belgian Quad times two—a Belgian Octuple? On par with Duvel—at 11%, it's a very big beer. Belgian yeast is front and center.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A good, very big Belgian Golden Ale—well-balanced for as big as it is, tasty but definitely boozy.
Ben: Sinus-clearing! A typical Belgian gold, Belgian yeast is nice and floral. If you like high ABV beers, here's one!

New Glarus Apple Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Bright gold, bubbly, crystal-clear. Thin, white head that rings the glass.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Green apple flavor overwhelms—like a big green Jolly Rancher.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Green apple-tastic—apple jack, apple cider, just plain apple. All malt, no hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Alcohol warming in the middle, bounces across the tongue, fades to sweet sour.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Very fizzy, fills the mouth (with apple).

OVERALL: 2.5/3: If you like apples, you'll like this. Tendency toward cloying after a bit, so one is enough, but worth a try. Another nicely done New Glarus fruit beer.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Good—I'll bet this is great for cooking. Alcohol is there, and it gets to be a bit much, but it's tasty.
Ben: Liquid green Jolly Rancher (that's fizzy). One is enough, but you should try it.

New Glarus Imperial Weizen

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Pale orange-gold. Nice white head. Bubbly with a slight haze. Pretty.

AROMA: 3.5/4
Spicy! Coriander, clove, white pepper, allspice, cinnamon, tropical aromas. Very floral, beautiful nose. Smells big!

TASTE: 8.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Clove, cinnamon, allspice, pineapple, bubblegum. Malty and hoppy, a nice mix.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Cascade hop overload! Sour at the onset, bitter throughout.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big, filling, alcohol present. Spicy and effervescent, if a bit boozy.

OVERALL: 2.75/3: A powerful example of the style, unique and well-crafted, a testament to New Glarus Brewing magnificence. If you find this, try it.

TOTAL: 17/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I LOVE this—a great style amplified x 1000. Big, flavorful, like your favorite dessert. Truly a joy.
Ben: Pair with banana cream pie, believe it or not. Big and spicy, a special beer I hope New Glarus makes again and again—definitely worth of a second batch!

New Glarus Hearty Hop Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Deep, dark caramel color. Foamy, creamy head. Clear and clean.

AROMA: 2/4
Not as much hop aroma as we expected. Clean, some caramel notes.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.25/4: Malty, caramel. Some grassy/woody notes.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Woody bitterness at the middle, bitter at finish. Metallic tang? Coats the tongue somewhat.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full, if synthetic-tasting.

OVERALL: 2/3: Not great, a real disappointment. No real hop aroma, weird metallic taste, just an overall bummer.

TOTAL: 12.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Not great. New Glarus is better at some things than others. Not awful, but orders of magnitude away from Raspberry Tart or Belgian Red.
Ben: Hoppy, an IPA, but just an okay one. We expected much better.

New Glarus Cabin Fever Honey Bock

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Clear, bubbly. Pale gold color, thin head.

AROMA: 3/4
Crisp, clean like a lager. Apple juice notes.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Tastes like apples. Sweet, some sourness. A bit grainy.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Subtle hop bigger aftertaste, alcohol in the middle.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Very malty, dry. Refreshing, a bit fizzy. Alcohol increasingly noticeable as it warms.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Tasty and refreshing, lots of apple flavor. Missing the caramel notes you'd expect from a bock, though.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Nice, if not very bock-esque. Becomes more interesting as it warms, so don't serve it too cold. Not amazing, but good (as one would expect from our friends at New Glarus).
Ben: Very malty, apropos for a bock. A tad light in color—I'd drink this after mowing the lawn rather than in the dead of a Wisconsin winter.

Alaskan Black IPA

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Deep red-brown to black color. Dark but not cloudy; steady stream of bubbles, almond-colored head.

AROMA: 3/4
Hoppy-citrus nose. Sweet caramel. Roast is subtle. Not overly aromatic.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Strong roast and hop bitterness. Grassy, citrus hop flavor up-front. Roasted caramel, sweetness that quickly goes to bitter.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitterness strong on tongue, lasts. Woody.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Light-bodied, effervescent. Mouth-puckering bitterness.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Good. Lighter bodied than some Black IPAs. Roast is strongly bitter, but missing chocolate and coffee flavors typical of the style.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Unique, a nice attempt at a Black IPA—nicely bitter, interesting flavor. Could be hoppier, bitterness is a bit much, and it's very light, but it's not bad.
Ben: Hop bitterness overwhelms. Could use more hop aroma and flavor. Missing body to offset bitterness. Not bad, but I've had better (Grand Teton comes to mind).

Trader Joe's 2011 Vintage Ale

Trader Joe's Brewing Company
San Jose, California

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Deep, dark brown; porterlike. Thick, rocky tan head, big bubbles.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet, pruny nose. Sweetbread, molasses, some sour from the Belgian yeast. Minimal hop aroma.

TASTE: 7.25/10

Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Sugary, spicy. Dark Belgian candy. Syrupy alcohol tucked in there. Slight roast, caramel, very sweet.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Bitter finish, but could use more bittering hop. Some metallic aftertaste.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Falls out in the middle. Mildly carbonated (appropriately), very smooth.

OVERALL: 2/3: Very sweet—Belgian sugar. Too sweet, maybe? At 9%, this winter ale is a warmer; more of a Trappist ale, really. It's okay (our expectations were pretty high).

TOTAL: 14.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: For what it is (a Trappist-style dubbel, as near as we can tell), it's not bad. Would be nice to age it for a year and see what develops.
Ben: At first glance, I was ready to pass it up, then I saw it's contract-brewed by Unibroue*, and I had to buy it. Good Belgian Dubbel—a bit dark and maybe too sweet, but at $4.99 on clearance, this was a no-brainer.

*Oh, right—we forgot to mention this was contract-brewed by Unibroue. I know, right? Unibroue!

Anchor Humming Ale

Anchor Brewing Company
San Francisco, CA

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Pale gold, slight haze. White head that fades to lace nicely. Foamy.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Honey, lemon rind, orange blossom, bubblegum. Very floral, pretty aroma.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very citrusy—lemon, pineapple, bubblegum. Bright, high and sweet notes, bouncy up front. Bitter hop apparent.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Candy sugar aftertaste, bitter finish that lingers. Sweet and sour.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Effervescent. Body is nice, appropriately balanced.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A different beer than you might expect from Anchor, but good, definitely worth a try. A unique take on a pale.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I bought this because it was on sale. I'm glad I did! Bouncy, bright, refreshing—a light, sweet, tasty ale, definitely worth a try. I'd buy it again!
Ben: Interesting—DIFFERENT. Lemon, citrus, a bright pale. You need to try this unexpected and satisfying beer.

Avery Anniversary 18 Dry-Hopped Rye Saison

Avery Brewing Company
Boulder, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Copper. Rocky, creamy head, fine bubbles. Hazy. Pretty!

AROMA: 3.25/4
Citrusy. Pineapple, grapefruit, coriander, white pepper. Tropical.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Very malty. Lots of pineapple, passion fruit, peppery notes. A lot of bittering hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter up front. Sits on tongue, subtle bitter lasts. Middle drops out.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Light and bouncy, lots of high notes up front.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Tasty, almost a tropical drink. Not too big, very refreshing, rye adds a nice peppery dimension.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Typical Avery: unexpected, well-crafted, tasty. Another nice anniversary from Avery, and a nice twist on a Saison.
Ben: Lots of pineapple and tropical flavors—almost a tropical mixed drink. Good in any case, I'd buy it again.

Gnomegang Belgian Strong Ale (Collaboration)

Brewery Ommegang

Cooperstown, New York
and
Brasserie d'Achouffe, Belgium

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Thick white head. Deep gold, hazy. Floculent, suspended yeast. Rocky head lasts and laces nicely.

AROMA: 3/4
Sweet, lemony, sugary. Lemon peel. Clean and crisp, subtle grassy hop.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Sweet, sugary. All malt. No bitterness, alcohol noticeable. Belgian candy, citrus, no hop flavor.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Lingering sugar sweetness. No bitterness, falls out quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Fizzy, full mouth-feel, smooth. Sweet on the tongue.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A treat. Very sweet, sugary/golden/bright. Needs to be a bit drier and a touch more bitter.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Dessert–like liquid candy. I'm glad I got to try it (it was part of a Christmas set, packaged with Three Philosophers, Hennepin and a sweet gold-rimmed chalice). A nice collaboration; I enjoyed it rather more than Ommegang's standard lineup.
Ben: Split three ways, it is a nice beer—a full 750ml is a bit much. Good, unique, and worth a try if you run across it.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Milton, Delaware

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Deep gold color, clear. White head that rings the glass.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Some grassy-woody-earthy hop aroma. Dark hop. Expected more aroma.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Woody, bitter hop flavors. Earthy with some high malty notes. Caramel, nutty/pine nut.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter finish that lingers on the back of the tongue. Sweet finish, earthy and woody.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full mouth, appropriately carbonated.

OVERALL: 2/3: A must-have on tap (we can't get it here, so if you can, kudos). Anticipated more hop flavor and more bounce. Earthy and woody, a decent IPA.

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: You have to respect Dogfish Head, and it's a solid IPA. Not the first beer I'd reach for—I'd grab a 90 Minute first—but good. More hop flavor and aroma, please!
Ben: When we were but young craft beer novices, this was the gold standard. Still good, we'd love the opportunity to enjoy it locally, but there are beers out there we'd reach for first.

Nimbus Pale Ale

Nimbus Brewing Company
Tuscon, AZ

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Gold, hazy. Thin head, laces.

AROMA: 2.75/4
Subdued aroma. Malty, sweet. Some grapefruit, some earthy woodiness. Not a lot of aroma.

TASTE: 5.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 2.25/4:
Woody, grassy. No real citrus or piney flavors.
Aftertaste: 1.5/3: Weird metallic tang. Strong bitter, increases with time—almost overwhelming.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Nice and malty, but it can't compete with the bitterness.

OVERALL: 1.75/3: This is a really bitter IPA. Needs to be much bigger and maltier to be a good pale.

TOTAL: 12.75/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I'm not knocked out by this pale—I appreciate the bitterness, but it's really lacking in the flavor department.
Ben: If you're really into bitter beers, you might like this. There is a weird aftertaste I'm having trouble getting past.

New Holland Hopivore Wet-Hopped Harvest Ale

New Holland Brewing Company
Holland, MI

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Nice, deep copper-brown color. Off-white head that fades.

AROMA: 3/4
Woody/nutty/citrus, some grapefruit. Nuttiness is dominant, some brown sugar notes.

TASTE: 7/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Very woody. Nutty. Honey-roasted nuts, hop bitterness.
Aftertaste: 2/3: Roasted bitter up front, hop bitterness lasts.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Dark, roasted honey-nut flavors. Effervescent. Bitter on back of the tongue.

OVERALL: 2/3: Roasted nuttiness—we would classify it as a hoppy brown. Lots of malt, could use more hop bitterness

TOTAL: 14.25/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: It grows on you—nutty, malty, needs more hop bitterness. Not bad.
Ben: A nutty, dark, bitter beer (dark in flavor, not appearance). Lots of bitter, honey, roasted nut flavors. Different, though best in small doses.

Deschutes Inversion IPA

Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Nice brown with a hint of red—pretty. Thin head fades quickly but rings the glass and laces. Slight haze.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Grapefruit. Some pine, brown sugar and caramel. Syrupy-sweet—raisins, prunes.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Raisins, prunes, some woody pine. Lots of hop flavor. Big malt, toasted caramel. Sugary, woody aftertaste, some roast.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Hop bitter finish lingers, with raisin taste. Coats the tongue.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Tastes big, boozy, a bit chewy. Sinus-clearing. Bitterness at top of the mouth.

OVERALL: 2/3: Interesting, definitely hoppy. It's big, maybe too big? More like an imperial. Lots of raisin and prune. Do we love this? Undecided.

TOTAL: 14.5/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: Beer meets Vicks Vap-O-Rub—this really clears the sinuses. Not your typical IPA, which I can appreciate. Like a hoppy strong ale, worth a try.
Ben: Big, hoppy, lots of citrus. A tad too bitter. Sugary, malty, chewy. Good, not great, but I think I like it.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop Ale 2011

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Clear light-brown/copper color. Off-white head, big bubbles. Nice.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Fresh citrus hop nose. Clean, grapefruit and pineapple. Some grassy, meadowy aromas. Brown sugar maltiness.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.5/4: Hop up front—flavors and bitterness. Woody, grassy. Nicely balanced with toasted caramel malts, brown sugar. Hop is the main player here.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter, in a good way (Matt thinks maybe too bitter; Ben thinks Matt is a wuss).
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Bright, full. Bitterness fills the mouth and stays put.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: A hop lover's seasonal must-have. Big and hoppy to rival Torpedo—it's good.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Clean and crisp, hoppy, tasty—pair nicely with prime rib. A beer worth celebrating!

Ben: You can never go wrong with Sierra Nevada, and I always look forward to a new season of Celebration. A hop lover's dream.

New Belgium Snow Day Winter Ale

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Red-brown, cola-colored. Tan head, thick with lots of fine bubbles, laces and lasts .

AROMA: 3.25/4
Hoppy nose, grassy, woody. Subtle roast, caramel sweetness.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Nice woody hop flavor. Deep caramel notes. Subtle roast, molasses. Good stuff.
Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Nicely bittered, offsets malty caramel notes. Falls out rather quickly.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full mouth-feel, hop flavors tickle the tongue. Nicely carbonated, but could use more body.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Wow—good caramel flavors, a wintry brew for sure.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A pleasant surprise—dark and hoppy, a bit thin at the end, but a nice winter treat. Get it while it's around.
Ben: Every once in a while I find a New Belgium product that impresses me. This is one of them. Dark crystal malts add nice caramel flavors, and nicely hopped. Worth picking up a sixer.

Founders Porter

Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Black-opaque. Brown espresso head, nice lacing.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Chocolate, heavy roast. Some coffee aromas. Rich, silky, maybe a bit smoky? Dark and mysterious.

TASTE: 7.25/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3/4: Baker's/dark chocolate. Bitter roast at finish. Sweet up-front, no hop.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Roasty bitterness lasts. Smoky, burnt toast, burnt coffee at finish.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Full, for the most part. Complex. Lots of roast going on; falls out quickly at finish.

OVERALL: 2/3: Roast flavors are overwhelming. Burnt toast, roasted dark coffee, baker's chocolate—this is a DARK beer.

TOTAL: 15/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Smoky, roasty, a good porter. Not quite as good as their breakfast stout, but that's a high bar—a solid, smoky porter.

Ben: Complex roasted flavors. I would pair this with smoked turkey, gouda or a nice smoked cheddar. Also makes a nice after-dinner beer.

Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout

Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls, WI

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Black-opaque; big, thick brown head that LASTS.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Chocolate. Roasted notes, lots of 'em. Alcohol nose.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Big and boozy—chocolate, roast, subtle smoke. Sweet, malty, nutty. Roasted bitterness, no hop to speak of.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Subtle bitterness, roasty bitterness that lingers. Alcohol on the tongue.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Full, sweet. Chocolate roast. Smooth and full, if a tad overly effervescent.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: A good example of an imperial stout; at 9.5%, definitely a sipper. Great for a Leinie product, we say give it a try.

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Very good—smoky, sweet and roasty. A solid imperial stout, and a nice surprise from Leinenkugel.
Ben: Surprisingly good for Leinie—did we mention that? Big and boozy. Full, classic stout. Lots of roasted flavor. We'd buy this again.

Schlafly Reserve Imperial Stout (2010)

The Saint Louis Brewery
St. Louis, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.25/3
Black-opaque, with a thin almond head that fades quickly.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Vanilla, molasses, bourbon. Oaky alcohol. Quite aromatic.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Prune, bourbon/alcohol. Oak, woody notes. Chocolate, caramel, toffee, licorice notes.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bourbon taste lingers, nice lingering bitterness.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Alcohol tingle on the tongue, warming. Very smooth.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Bourbon, oak, stout. Big, sipping beer—sophisticated.

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Sweet—caramel, toffee, chocolate. And boozy! A big imperial stout—winter is here, this will keep you warm.
Ben: A winter warmer, good to enjoy with Santa on Christmas Eve. Big, boozy, bourbony. Watch out—at 10.5%, this will sneak up on you.