New Belgium Ranger IPA

New Belgium Brewing Company
Fort Collins, Colorado

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

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

New Glarus Spotted Cow Wisconsin Farmhouse Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

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

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

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

Nøgne Ø India Pale Ale

Nøgne Ø
Grimstad, Norway

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 13/20–I'll Try A Pint

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

New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red Ale

New Glarus Brewing Company
New Glarus, Wisconsin

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 18/20–Keep 'Em Comin'

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

Alaskan Amber Alt Style Beer

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, Alaska

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 15.75/20–Pour Me Another

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

Tin Mill Pilsner

Tin Mill Brewing Company
Hermann, Missouri

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

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

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

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

TOTAL: 15.5/20–Pour Me Another

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