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).

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!

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.

Alaskan Amber Alt Style Beer

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

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